SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Principles of Consolidation and Presentation

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PBF Holding and its consolidated subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cost Classifications

Cost of products and other consists of the cost of crude oil, other feedstocks, blendstocks and purchased refined products and the related in-bound freight and transportation costs.

Operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) consists of direct costs of labor, maintenance and services, utilities, property taxes, environmental compliance costs and other direct operating costs incurred in connection with our refining operations. Such expenses exclude depreciation related to refining and logistics assets that are integral to the refinery production process, which is presented separately as Depreciation and amortization expense as a component of Cost of sales on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Reclassification

Certain amounts previously reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the 2018 presentation. These reclassifications include certain details about the Company’s adoption of ASU 2017-07, further explained below, under Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the related disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Business Combinations

We use the acquisition method of accounting for the recognition of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. Any excess consideration transferred over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Significant judgment is required in estimating the fair value of assets acquired. As a result, in the case of significant acquisitions, we obtain the assistance of third-party valuation specialists in estimating fair values of tangible and intangible assets based on available historical information and on expectations and assumptions about the future, considering the perspective of marketplace participants. While management believes those expectations and assumptions are reasonable, they are inherently uncertain. Unanticipated market or macroeconomic events and circumstances may occur, which could affect the accuracy or validity of the estimates and assumptions.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount of the cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of those instruments.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentrations of Credit Risk

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 no single customer amounted to greater than or equal to 10% of the Company’s revenues.

No single customer accounted for 10% or more of our total trade accounts receivable as of December 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017.

Revenue, Deferred Revenue and Accounts Receivable

Prior to January 1, 2018, the Company recognized revenue from customers when all of the following criteria were met: (i) persuasive evidence of an exchange arrangement existed, (ii) delivery had occurred or services had been rendered, (iii) the buyer’s price was fixed or determinable and (iv) collectability was reasonably assured. Amounts billed in advance of the period in which the service was rendered or product delivered were recorded as deferred revenue. Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606, as defined below under “Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance”. As a result, the Company has changed its accounting policy for the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Refer to “Note 15 - Revenues” for further discussion of the Company’s revenue recognition policy, including deferred revenues and the practical expedients elected as part of the transition to ASC 606.

On May 4, 2017 and September 8, 2017, PBF Holding and its subsidiaries, DCR and PRC, entered into amendments to the inventory intermediation agreements (as amended, the “Inventory Intermediation Agreements”) with J. Aron & Company, a subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“J. Aron”), pursuant to which certain terms of the existing inventory intermediation agreements were amended, including, among other things, pricing and an extension of the terms. As a result of the amendments (i) the Inventory Intermediation Agreement by and among J. Aron, PBF Holding and PRC relating to the Paulsboro refinery extends the term to December 31, 2019, which term may be further extended by mutual consent of the parties to December 31, 2020 and (ii) the Inventory Intermediation Agreement by and among J. Aron, PBF Holding and DCR relating to the Delaware City refinery extends the term to July 1, 2019, which term may be further extended by mutual consent of the parties to July 1, 2020.

Pursuant to each Inventory Intermediation Agreement, J. Aron continues to purchase and hold title to certain of the intermediate and finished products (the “Products”) produced by the Paulsboro and Delaware City refineries (the “Refineries”), respectively, and delivered into tanks at the Refineries. Furthermore, J. Aron agrees to sell the Products back to the Refinery as the Products are discharged out of the Refineries’ tanks. These purchases and sales are settled monthly at the daily market prices related to those Products. These transactions are considered to be made in contemplation of each other and, accordingly, do not result in the recognition of a sale when title passes from the Refineries to J. Aron. Additionally, J. Aron has the right to store the Products purchased in tanks under the Inventory Intermediation Agreements and will retain these storage rights for the term of the agreements. PBF Holding continues to market and sell the Products independently to third parties.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable are carried at invoiced amounts. An allowance for doubtful accounts is established, if required, to report such amounts at their estimated net realizable value. In estimating probable losses, management reviews accounts that are past due and determines if there are any known disputes. There was no allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Excise Taxes

Excise taxes on sales of refined products that are collected from customers and remitted to various governmental agencies are reported on a net basis.

Inventory

Inventories

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market. The cost of crude oil, feedstocks, blendstocks and refined products are determined under the last-in first-out (“LIFO”) method using the dollar value LIFO method with increments valued based on average purchase prices during the year. The cost of supplies and other inventories is determined principally on the weighted average cost method.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment additions are recorded at cost. The Company capitalizes costs associated with the preliminary, pre-acquisition and development/construction stages of a major construction project. The Company capitalizes the interest cost associated with major construction projects based on the effective interest rate of total borrowings. The Company also capitalizes costs incurred in the acquisition and development of software for internal use, including the costs of software, materials, consultants and payroll-related costs for employees incurred in the application development stage.

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:



Process units and equipment		5-25 years
Pipeline and equipment		5-25 years
Buildings		25 years
Computers, furniture and fixtures		3-7 years
Leasehold improvements		20 years
Railcars		50 years

Maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as they are incurred. Improvements and betterments, which extend the lives of the assets, are capitalized.

Deferred Charges and Other Assets, Net

Deferred Charges and Other Assets, net

Deferred charges and other assets include refinery turnaround costs, catalyst, precious metal catalysts, linefill, deferred financing costs and intangible assets. Refinery turnaround costs, which are incurred in connection with planned major maintenance activities, are capitalized when incurred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of time estimated to lapse until the next turnaround occurs (generally 3 to 5 years).

Precious metal catalysts, linefill and certain other intangibles are considered indefinite-lived assets as they are not expected to deteriorate in their prescribed functions. Such assets are assessed for impairment in connection with the Company’s review of its long-lived assets as indicators of impairment develop.

Deferred financing costs are capitalized when incurred and amortized over the life of the loan (generally 1 to 8 years).

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with finite lives primarily consist of emission credits and permits and are amortized over their estimated useful lives (generally 1 to 10 years).

Long-Lived Assets and Definite-Lived Intangibles

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment is evaluated by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from use of the assets and their ultimate disposition. If such analysis indicates that the carrying value of the long-lived assets is not considered to be recoverable, the carrying value is reduced to the fair value.

Impairment assessments inherently involve judgment as to assumptions about expected future cash flows and the impact of market conditions on those assumptions. Although management utilizes assumptions that it believes are reasonable, future events and changing market conditions may impact management’s assumptions, which could produce different results.

Investments in Equity Method Investments

For equity investments that are not required to be consolidated under the variable or voting interest model, the Company evaluates the level of influence it is able to exercise over an entity’s operations to determine whether to use the equity method of accounting. The Company’s judgment regarding the level of control over an equity method investment includes considering key factors such as its ownership interest, participation in policy-making and other significant decisions and material intercompany transactions. Amounts recognized for equity method investments are included in equity method investments in the consolidated balance sheet and adjusted for the Company’s share of the net earnings and losses of the investee and cash distributions, which are included in the consolidated statements of operations and the consolidated statements of cash flows. Amounts recognized for earnings in excess of distributions of the Company’s equity method investments are included in the operating section of the consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may be impaired. A loss is recorded in earnings in the current period to write down the carrying value of the investment to fair value if a decline in the value of an equity method investment is determined to be other than temporary.

Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company records an asset retirement obligation at fair value for the estimated cost to retire a tangible long-lived asset at the time the Company incurs that liability, which is generally when the asset is purchased, constructed, or leased. The Company records the liability when it has a legal or contractual obligation to incur costs to retire the asset and when a reasonable estimate of the fair value of the liability can be made. If a reasonable estimate cannot be made at the time the liability is incurred, the Company will record the liability when sufficient information is available to estimate the liability’s fair value. Certain of the Company’s asset retirement obligations are based on its legal obligation to perform remedial activity at its refinery sites when it permanently ceases operations of the long-lived assets. The Company therefore considers the settlement date of these obligations to be indeterminable. Accordingly, the Company cannot calculate an associated asset retirement liability for these obligations at this time. The Company will measure and recognize the fair value of these asset retirement obligations when the settlement date is determinable.

Environmental Matters

Liabilities for future remediation costs are recorded when environmental assessments and/or remedial efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Other than for assessments, the timing and magnitude of these accruals generally are based on the completion of investigations or other studies or a commitment to a formal plan of action. Environmental liabilities are based on best estimates of probable future costs using currently available technology and applying current regulations, as well as the Company’s own internal environmental policies. The measurement of environmental remediation liabilities may be discounted to reflect the time value of money if the aggregate amount and timing of cash payments of the liabilities are fixed or reliably determinable. The actual settlement of the Company’s liability for environmental matters could materially differ from its estimates due to a number of uncertainties such as the extent of contamination, changes in environmental laws and regulations, potential improvements in remediation technologies and the participation of other responsible parties.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation includes the accounting effect of options to purchase PBF Energy Class A common stock granted by PBF Energy to certain PBF Holding employees, Series A warrants issued or granted by PBF LLC to employees in connection with their acquisition of PBF LLC Series A units, options to acquire Series A units of PBF LLC granted by PBF LLC to certain employees, Series B units of PBF LLC that were granted to certain members of management and restricted PBF LLC Series A Units and restricted PBF Energy Class A common stock granted to certain directors and officers. The estimated fair value of the options to purchase PBF Energy Class A common stock and the PBF LLC Series A warrants and options, is based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the fair value of the PBF LLC Series B units is estimated based on a Monte Carlo simulation model. The estimated fair value is amortized as stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line method over the vesting period and included in General and administration expense with forfeitures recognized in the period they occur.

Beginning in 2018, PBF Energy granted performance share awards and performance unit awards to certain officers of the Company. Both types of awards have a three-year performance cycle and the payout for each, which ranges from 0% to 200%, is based on the relative ranking of the total shareholder return (“TSR”) of PBF Energy’s common stock as compared to the TSR of a selected group of industry peer companies over an average of four measurement periods. The performance share and performance unit awards are each measured at fair value based on Monte Carlo simulation models. The performance share awards will be settled in PBF Energy Class A common stock and are accounted for as equity awards and the performance unit awards will be settled in cash and are accounted for as liability awards.

Income Taxes

As PBF Holding is a limited liability company treated as a “flow-through” entity for income tax purposes, there is no benefit or expense for federal or state income tax in the accompanying financial statements apart from the income taxes attributable to two subsidiaries acquired in connection with the acquisition of Chalmette Refining and the Company’s wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary, PBF Energy Limited (“PBF Ltd”). These subsidiaries are treated as C-corporations for tax purposes.

The tax returns for all years since 2015 are subject to examination by the respective tax authorities.

Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefits

The Company recognizes an asset for the overfunded status or a liability for the underfunded status of its pension and post-retirement benefit plans. The funded status is recorded within Other long-term liabilities or assets. Changes in the plans’ funded status are recognized in other comprehensive income in the period the change occurs.

Fair Value Measurement

A fair value hierarchy (Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3) is used to categorize fair value amounts based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value. Accordingly, fair values derived from Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Fair values derived from Level 2 inputs are based on quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

The Company uses appropriate valuation techniques based on the available inputs to measure the fair values of its applicable assets and liabilities. When available, the Company measures fair value using Level 1 inputs because they generally provide the most reliable evidence of fair value. In some valuations, the inputs may fall into different levels in the hierarchy. In these cases, the asset or liability level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.

Financial Instruments

The estimated fair value of financial instruments has been determined based on the Company’s assessment of available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. The Company’s non-derivative financial instruments that are included in current assets and current liabilities are recorded at cost in the consolidated balance sheets. The estimated fair value of these financial instruments approximates their carrying value due to their short-term nature. Derivative instruments are recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company’s commodity contracts are measured and recorded at fair value using Level 1 inputs based on quoted prices in an active market, Level 2 inputs based on quoted market prices for similar instruments, or Level 3 inputs based on third-party sources and other available market based data. The Company’s catalyst lease obligation and derivatives related to the Company’s crude oil and feedstocks and refined product purchase obligations are measured and recorded at fair value using Level 2 inputs on a recurring basis, based on observable market prices for similar instruments.

Derivative Instruments

The Company is exposed to market risk, primarily related to changes in commodity prices for the crude oil and feedstocks used in the refining process as well as the prices of the refined products sold. The accounting treatment for commodity contracts depends on the intended use of the particular contract and on whether or not the contract meets the definition of a derivative.

All derivative instruments, not designated as normal purchases or sales, are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet as either assets or liabilities measured at their fair values. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that either are not designated or do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment or normal purchase or normal sale accounting are recognized currently in earnings. Contracts qualifying for the normal purchase and sales exemption are accounted for upon settlement. Cash flows related to derivative instruments that are not designated or do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment are included in operating activities.

The Company designates certain derivative instruments as fair value hedges of a particular risk associated with a recognized asset or liability. At the inception of the hedge designation, the Company documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. Derivative gains and losses related to these fair value hedges, including hedge ineffectiveness, are recorded in cost of sales along with the change in fair value of the hedged asset or liability attributable to the hedged risk. Cash flows related to derivative instruments that are designated as fair value hedges are included in operating activities.

Economic hedges are hedges not designated as fair value or cash flow hedges for accounting purposes that are used to (i) manage price volatility in certain refinery feedstock and refined product inventories, and (ii) manage price volatility in certain forecasted refinery feedstock purchases and refined product sales. These instruments are recorded at fair value and changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments are recognized currently in cost of sales.

Derivative accounting is complex and requires management judgment in the following respects: identification of derivatives and embedded derivatives, determination of the fair value of derivatives, documentation of hedge relationships, assessment and measurement of hedge ineffectiveness and election and designation of the normal purchases and sales exception. All of these judgments, depending upon their timing and effect, can have a significant impact on the Company’s earnings.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 (Topic 606) “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” (“ASC 606”). ASC 606 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification 605 “Revenue Recognition” (“ASC 605”), and requires entities to recognize revenue when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Company adopted ASC 606 as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method. See “Note 15 - Revenues” for further details.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost” (“ASU 2017-07”), which provides guidance to improve the reporting of net periodic benefit cost in the income statement and on the components eligible for capitalization in assets. Under the new guidance, employers present the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item(s) as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. Only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization in assets. Additionally, under this guidance, employers will present the other non-service components of the net periodic benefit cost separately from the line item(s) that includes the service cost and outside of any subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. Employers will apply the guidance on the presentation of the components of net periodic benefit cost in the income statement retrospectively. The guidance limiting the capitalization of net periodic benefit cost in assets to the service cost component will be applied prospectively. The guidance includes a practical expedient allowing entities to estimate amounts for comparative periods using the information previously disclosed in their pension and other postretirement benefit plan note to the financial statements. The Company adopted ASU 2017-07 effective January 1, 2018 and applied the new guidance retrospectively in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Income and expense amounts related to non-service components of net periodic benefit cost, historically recorded within Operating expenses and General and administrative expenses, have been recorded within Other income (expense). For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 the Company recorded income of $1,109, expense of $1,402 and expense of $580, respectively, related to the non-service components of net periodic benefit cost.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting” (“ASU 2017-09”), which provides guidance to increase clarity and reduce both diversity in practice and cost and complexity when applying the existing accounting guidance on changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The amendments in ASU 2017-09 require an entity to account for the effects of a modification unless all the following are met: (i) the fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; (ii) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; and (iii) the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The guidance in ASU 2017-09 should be applied prospectively. The Company adopted the amendments in this ASU effective January 1, 2018. The Company’s adoption of this guidance did not materially impact its consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”), to increase the transparency and comparability about leases among entities. Additional ASUs have been issued subsequent to ASU 2016-02 to provide supplementary clarification and implementation guidance for leases related to, among other things, the application of certain practical expedients, the rate implicit in the lease, lessee reassessment of lease classification, lessor reassessment of lease term and purchase options, variable payments that depend on an index or rate and certain transition adjustments (collectively, the Company refers to ASU 2016-02 and these additional ASUs as the “Updated Lease Guidance”). The Updated Lease Guidance requires lessees to recognize a lease liability and a corresponding lease asset for virtually all lease contracts. It also requires additional disclosures about leasing arrangements. The Company has adopted the Updated Lease Guidance effective January 1, 2019, using a modified retrospective approach whereby a cumulative effect adjustment will be recognized upon adoption and the Updated Lease Guidance will be applied prospectively.

The Company has completed its evaluation of the provisions of the Updated Lease Guidance, including the adoption of certain practical expedients allowed. The significant practical expedients adopted include the following:


•	The Company elected the practical expedient to apply the transition approach as of the beginning of the period of adoption and not restate comparative periods;


•	The Company elected to utilize the “package of three” expedients, as defined in the Updated Lease Guidance, whereby it did not reassess whether contracts existing prior to the effective date contain leases, nor did it reassess lease classification determinations nor whether initial direct costs qualify for capitalization;


•	The Company elected the practical expedient to not capitalize any leases with initial terms of less than twelve months on its consolidated balance sheet;


•	The Company elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components; and


•	The Company elected the practical expedient to continue to account for land easements (also known as “rights of way”) that were not previously accounted for as leases consistent with prior accounting until such contracts are modified or replaced, at which time they would be assessed for lease classification under the Updated Lease Guidance.

The Company has successfully completed the implementation of a lease software system and refined business processes and controls to address the new standard. The Company is currently developing its lease disclosures and enhancing its accounting systems to enable the preparation of such disclosures beginning with its quarterly reporting on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2019. As of the date of implementation on January 1, 2019, the impact of the adoption of the Updated Lease Guidance is estimated to result in the recognition of a right of use asset and lease payable obligation on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet of approximately $825,000 to $925,000, of which approximately $600,000 to $650,000 is attributable to leases with affiliates. Subsequent to adoption, the Company does not anticipate the impact on its results and cash flows to be material.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” (“ASU 2017-12”). The amendments in ASU 2017-12 more closely align the results of cash flow and fair value hedge accounting with risk management activities in the consolidated financial statements. The amendments expand the ability to hedge nonfinancial and financial risk components, reduce complexity in fair value hedges of interest rate risk, eliminate the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness, and eases certain hedge effectiveness assessment requirements. The guidance in ASU 2017-12 should be applied using a modified retrospective approach. The guidance in ASU 2017-12 also provides transition relief to make it easier for entities to apply certain amendments to existing hedges (including fair value hedges) where the hedge documentation needs to be modified. The presentation and disclosure requirements of ASU 2017-12 should be applied prospectively. The Company adopted the amendments in this ASU effective January 1, 2019, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Targeted Improvements to Non-employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2018-07”). ASU 2018-07 expands the scope of Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. As a result, nonemployee share-based transactions will be measured by estimating the fair value of the equity instruments at the grant date, taking into consideration the probability of satisfying performance conditions. In addition, ASU 2018-07 also clarifies that any share-based payment awards issued to customers should be evaluated under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company adopted the amendments in this ASU effective January 1, 2019, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20)”, to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to financial statements by facilitating clear communication of the information required by GAAP that is most important to users of each entity’s financial statements. The amendments in this ASU modify the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. Additionally, the amendments in this ASU remove disclosures that no longer are considered cost beneficial, clarify the specific requirements of disclosures, and add disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020, for public business entities and for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2021, for all other entities. Early adoption is permitted for all entities. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.