Uncertainty

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]

UNCERTAINTY

2.    UNCERTAINTY

In September 2022, California adopted Senate Bill No. 1322 (SB 1322), which requires refineries in California to report monthly on the volume and cost of the crude oil they buy, the quantity and price of the wholesale gasoline they sell, and the gross gasoline margin per barrel, among other information. The provisions of SB 1322 were effective January 2023.

In March 2023, California adopted Senate Bill No. 2 (such statute, together with any regulations contemplated or issued thereunder, SBx 1-2), which, among other things, (i) authorized the establishment of a maximum gross gasoline refining margin (max margin) and the imposition of a financial penalty for profits above a max margin, (ii) significantly expanded the reporting obligations under SB 1322 and the Petroleum Industry Information Reporting Act of 1980, which include reporting requirements to the California Energy Commission (CEC) for all participants in the petroleum industry supply chain in California (e.g., refiners, marketers, importers, transporters, terminals, producers, renewables producers, pipelines, and ports), (iii) created the Division of Petroleum Market Oversight within the CEC to analyze the data provided under SBx 1-2, and (iv) authorized the CEC to regulate the timing and other aspects of refinery turnaround and maintenance activities in certain instances. SBx 1-2 imposes increased and substantial reporting requirements, which include daily, weekly, monthly, and annual reporting of detailed

operational and financial data on all aspects of our operations in California, much of it at the transaction level. The operational data includes our plans for turnaround and maintenance activities at our two California refineries and the manner in which we expect to address the potential impacts on feedstock and product inventories in California as a result of such turnaround and maintenance activities. The provisions of SBx 1-2 became effective June 26, 2023.

In September 2023, Governor Newsom directed the CEC to immediately begin the regulatory processes concerning the potential imposition of a penalty for exceeding a max margin and the timing of refinery turnarounds and maintenance. Consequently, in October 2023, the CEC adopted an order instituting an informational proceeding on a max margin and penalty under SBx 1-2, as well as an order initiating rulemaking activity under SBx 1-2. The CEC indicated in a November 2023 workshop that the latter rulemaking process will be focused on rules relating to the timing of refinery maintenance and turnarounds, as well as the standardization of data collection and reporting; final regulations are expected by July 2024. It remains uncertain as to what extent any regulations will address the remaining reporting requirements under SBx 1-2. In a separate November 2023 workshop, the CEC indicated a formal staff recommendation on establishing a max margin and penalty is expected in late 2024.

We continue to review and analyze the provisions of SBx 1-2 and the possible impacts to our refining and marketing operations in California. While the CEC has not yet established a max margin, imposed a financial penalty for profits above a max margin, or imposed restrictions on turnaround and maintenance activities, the potential implementation of a financial penalty or of any restrictions or delays on our ability to undertake turnaround or maintenance activities creates uncertainty due to the potential adverse effects on us. Any adverse effects on our operations or financial performance in California could indicate that the carrying value of our assets in California is not recoverable, which would result in an impairment loss that could be material. In addition, if the circumstances that trigger an impairment loss result in a reduction in the estimated useful lives of the assets, we may be required to recognize an asset retirement obligation that could be material. Other jurisdictions are contemplating similarly focused legislation or actions.

The ultimate timing and impacts of SBx 1-2 and any other similarly focused legislation or actions are subject to considerable uncertainty due to a number of factors, including technological and economic feasibility, legal challenges, and potential changes in law, regulation, or policy, and it is not currently possible to predict the ultimate effects of these matters and developments on our financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity.