California reminds drivers to submit claim for $50 million gas antitrust settlement by January

CALIFORNIA – California attorney general Rob Bonta reminded Californians to submit a claim for a $50 million gas antitrust settlement by January 8, 2025.

Bonta says California residents who purchased gas in Southern California between February 20, 2015 and November 10, 2015 can submit a claim for a payment.

Out-of-state visitors and those who bought gas on behalf of a business in California between February 18, 2015 and May 31, 2017 are also eligible to receive a payment from this settlement.

2015 explosion at Torrance refinery

In July 2024, Bonta announced a $50 million settlement with gas trading firms.

The settlement resolved allegations that Vitol, Inc., SK Energy Americas, Inc., and parent company SK Trading International secretly worked together to tamper with and manipulate spot market prices for California gasoline.

The scheme came about after a 2015 explosion at a Torrance gasoline refinery that damaged a key part of the complex and extensive repairs were needed.

According to the court document, the accident caused an unexpected undersupply of refined gasoline in California. Prices for gasoline contracts went up almost immediately on the California spot market and soon thereafter prices at the pump soared as well.

The state said although the trading firms did not create the supply disruption, they exacerbated the effects of the disruption to illegally enrich themselves.

Submit a claim

Drivers have until January 8, 2025 to submit a claim form, exclude themselves, or submit a written statement concerning the settlement.

The state says to submit a claim, learn full details about rights and options, and access frequently asked questions, visit www.CalGasLitigation.com.