COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2022

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the ordinary conduct of the Company’s business, the Company is from time to time subject to lawsuits, investigations and claims, including class action proceedings, mass tort actions, tort actions, environmental claims and employee-related matters. The outcome of these matters cannot always be predicted accurately, but the Company accrues liabilities for these matters if the Company has determined that it is probable a loss has been incurred and the loss can be reasonably estimated. For such ongoing matters for which we have not recorded a liability but losses are reasonably possible, we are unable to estimate a range of possible losses at this time due to various reasons that may include but are not limited to, matters being in an early stage and not fully developed through pleadings, discovery or court proceedings, number of potential claimants being unknown or uncertainty regarding a number of different factors underlying the potential claims. However, the ultimate resolution of one or more of these contingencies could result in an adverse outcome that may have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Environmental Matters

The Company’s refineries, pipelines and related operations are subject to extensive and frequently changing federal, state and local laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those relating to the discharge of materials into the environment or that otherwise relate to the protection of the environment (including in response to the potential impacts of climate change), waste management and the characteristics and the compositions of fuels. Compliance with existing and anticipated laws and regulations can increase the overall cost of operating the refineries, including remediation, operating costs and capital costs to construct, maintain and upgrade equipment and facilities.

These laws and permits raise potential exposure to future claims and lawsuits involving environmental and safety matters which could include soil and water contamination, air pollution, personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by substances which the Company manufactured, handled, used, released or disposed of, transported, or that relate to pre-existing conditions for which the Company has assumed responsibility. The Company believes that its current operations are in compliance with existing environmental and safety requirements. However, there have been and will continue to be ongoing discussions about environmental and safety matters between the Company and federal and state authorities, including notices of violations, citations and other enforcement actions, some of which have resulted or may result in changes to operating procedures and in capital expenditures. While it is often difficult to quantify future environmental or safety related expenditures, the Company anticipates that continuing capital investments and changes in operating procedures will be required for the foreseeable future to comply with existing and new requirements, as well as evolving interpretations and more strict enforcement of existing laws and regulations.

In connection with the acquisition of the Torrance refinery and related logistics assets, the Company assumed certain pre-existing environmental liabilities. The estimated costs related to these remediation obligations totaled $112.5 million as of September 30, 2022 ($118.5 million as of December 31, 2021), and related primarily to remediation obligations to address existing soil and groundwater contamination and the related monitoring and clean-up activities. Costs related to these obligations are reassessed periodically or when changes to our remediation approach are identified. The current portion of the environmental liability is recorded in Accrued expenses and the non-current portion is recorded in Other long-term liabilities.

The aggregate environmental liability reflected in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was $151.7 million and $155.3 million at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, of which $137.4 million and $141.0 million, respectively, were classified as Other long-term liabilities. These liabilities include remediation and monitoring costs expected to be incurred over an extended period of time. Estimated liabilities could increase in the future when the results of ongoing investigations become known, are considered probable and can be reasonably estimated.

Contingent Consideration

In connection with the acquisition of the Martinez refinery and related logistics assets, the sale and purchase agreement dated June 11, 2019 includes an earn-out provision based on certain earnings thresholds of the Martinez refinery. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company will make payments to Equilon Enterprises LLC d/b/a Shell Oil Products US based on future earnings at the Martinez refinery in excess of certain thresholds, as defined in the agreement, for a period of up to four years following the acquisition closing date (the “Martinez Contingent Consideration”). The Company recorded the acquisition date fair value of the earn-out provision as contingent consideration within “Other long-term liabilities” within the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the Martinez Contingent Consideration are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fair value of the Martinez Contingent Consideration was estimated to be $160.1 million as of September 30, 2022 (of which $93.9 million is included within Accrued expenses) and $29.4 million as of December 31, 2021 (all of which was included within Other long-term liabilities) on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.