Uncertainties

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2022

Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]

UNCERTAINTIES

2.    UNCERTAINTIES

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, our results were favorably impacted by the effect from the ongoing recovery in the worldwide demand for petroleum-based transportation fuels while the worldwide supply of those products was constrained. This supply and demand imbalance has contributed to increases in the market prices of the petroleum-based transportation fuels that we produce (as well as crude oil and other feedstocks that are processed to make these products) and in refining margins. Factors contributing to the supply and demand imbalance and the associated volatility in market prices, among others, are the loss of refining capacity resulting from refinery closures and the transition of refineries to renewable fuel production, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, which began in February 2022, has exacerbated the fuel supply imbalance as a result of changes in trade flows of crude oil and petroleum-based products as countries and private market participants responded to the conflict by taking actions to refrain from purchasing and transporting Russian crude oil and petroleum-based products.

Many uncertainties remain with respect to the supply and demand imbalance and the resulting volatility in market prices for petroleum-based transportation fuels (including the potential negative impacts on the demand for those products due to the continued volatility in market prices), the current inflationary environment, and the possible responses from governmental authorities to new variants of the COVID-19 virus that could negatively affect the demand and market prices for our products and the worldwide economy. Developments with respect to the uncertainties described above are occurring at a rapid pace and cannot be predicted. Their overall economic impact and resulting impact on us also cannot be predicted with certainty at this time.