Marathon Petroleum Corp. reported fourth-quarter earnings that surpassed analyst estimates, with an adjusted earnings per share of $0.77 against expectations of $0.02. The company's total sales reached $33.47 billion, exceeding the estimated $31.12 billion. The strength in Marathon's midstream operations, particularly through its subsidiary MPLX LP, contributed to the earnings beat, with MPLX reporting an EBITDA of $1762 million, 4.2% above the consensus of $1691 million. Despite a year-over-year decline in adjusted EPS from $3.98, the company's refining operations performed better than expected, posting an EBITDA of $94 million, which was above the consensus view of breaking even and a personal estimate of a $90 million loss. The refining and marketing margin dropped to $12.93 per barrel from $17.81 the previous year, but operational efficiencies, including a margin of $12.67 per barrel, operating expenses $0.24 per barrel lower, and distribution costs $0.41 per barrel lower, helped offset this decline. Marathon Petroleum also announced plans for future operations, projecting crude throughput volumes of over 2.5 million barrels per day and a turnaround expense of approximately $450 million in the first quarter, focused on the Gulf Coast and West Coast.