Our dependence on oil is All American. And Plains GP Holdings, through Plains All American Pipeline (PAA), keeps the distribution flowing.

PAA works about 20,000 miles of crude oil and refined product pipelines throughout North America, in addition to some 30 million barrels of tank capacity.

Through its stake in Settoon Towing, it has 60 barges and 30 tugs. PAA's facilities segment provides storage for crude oil, refined products, and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas).

Its marketing division buys, shops, and resells or exchanges crude oil, refined products, and LPG at various points along the distribution chain to refiners and other resellers to maximize gains. Plains GP withdrew its IPO registration in 2008.