ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry
You should carefully read the risks and uncertainties described below. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties may also impair our business operations. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows would likely suffer. In that case, the trading price of PBF Energy Class A common stock could fall.
The price volatility of crude oil, other feedstocks, blendstocks, refined products and fuel and utility services may have a material adverse effect on our revenues, profitability, cash flows and liquidity.
Our revenues, profitability, cash flows and liquidity from operations depend primarily on the margin above operating expenses (including the cost of refinery feedstocks, such as crude oil, intermediate partially refined petroleum products, and natural gas liquids that are processed and blended into refined products) at which we are able to sell refined products. Refining is primarily a margin-based business and, to increase profitability, it is important to maximize the yields of high value finished products while minimizing the costs of feedstock and operating expenses. When the margin between refined product prices and crude oil and other feedstock costs contracts, our earnings, profitability and cash flows are negatively affected. Refining margins historically have been volatile, and are likely to continue to be volatile, as a result of a variety of factors, including fluctuations in the prices of crude oil, other feedstocks, refined products and fuel and utility services. An increase or decrease in the price of crude oil will likely result in a similar increase or decrease in prices for refined products; however, there may be a time lag in the realization, or no such realization, of the similar increase or decrease in prices for refined products. The effect of changes in crude oil prices on our refining margins therefore depends in part on how quickly and how fully refined product prices adjust to reflect these changes.
In addition, the nature of our business requires us to maintain substantial crude oil, feedstock and refined product inventories. Because crude oil, feedstock and refined products are commodities, we have no control over the changing market value of these inventories. Our crude oil, feedstock and refined product inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market value under the last-in-first-out (“LIFO”) inventory valuation methodology. If the market value of our crude oil, feedstock and refined product inventory declines to an amount less than our LIFO cost, we would record a write-down of inventory and a non-cash impact to cost of products and other. For example, during the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded an adjustment to value our inventories to the lower of cost or market which increased income from operations and net income by $250.2 million and $188.0 million, respectively, reflecting the net change in the LCM inventory reserve from $651.8 million at December 31, 2018 to $401.6 million at December 31, 2019.
Prices of crude oil, other feedstocks, blendstocks, and refined products depend on numerous factors beyond our control, including the supply of and demand for crude oil, other feedstocks, gasoline, diesel, ethanol, asphalt and other refined products. Such supply and demand are affected by a variety of economic, market, environmental and political conditions.
Our direct operating expense structure also impacts our profitability. Our major direct operating expenses include employee and contract labor, maintenance and energy. Our predominant variable direct operating cost is energy, which is comprised primarily of fuel and other utility services. The volatility in costs of fuel, principally natural gas, and other utility services, principally electricity, used by our refineries and other operations affect our operating costs. Fuel and utility prices have been, and will continue to be, affected by factors outside our control, such as supply and demand for fuel and utility services in both local and regional markets. Natural gas prices have historically been volatile and, typically, electricity prices fluctuate with natural gas prices. Future increases in fuel and utility prices may have a negative effect on our refining margins, profitability and cash flows.
Our profitability is affected by crude oil differentials and related factors, which fluctuate substantially.
A significant portion of our profitability is derived from the ability to purchase and process crude oil feedstocks that historically have been less expensive than benchmark crude oils, such as the heavy, sour crude oils processed at our Delaware City, Paulsboro, Chalmette and Torrance refineries. For our Toledo refinery, aside from recent crude differential volatility, purchased crude prices have historically been slightly above the WTI benchmark, however, such crude slate typically results in favorable refinery production yield. For all locations, these crude oil differentials can vary significantly from quarter to quarter depending on overall economic conditions and trends and conditions within the markets for crude oil and refined products. Any change in these crude oil differentials may have an impact on our earnings. Our rail investment and strategy to acquire cost advantaged Mid-Continent and Canadian crude, which are priced based on WTI, could be adversely affected when the Dated Brent/WTI or related differentials narrow. A narrowing of the WTI/Dated Brent differential may result in our Toledo refinery losing a portion of its crude oil price advantage over certain of our competitors, which negatively impacts our profitability. In addition, efforts in Canada to control the imbalance between its production and capacity to export crude may continue to result in price volatility and the narrowing of the WTI/WCS differential, which is a proxy for the difference between light U.S. and heavy Canadian crude oil, and may reduce our refining margins and adversely affect our profitability and earnings. Divergent views have been expressed as to the expected magnitude of changes to these crude differentials in future periods. Any continued or further narrowing of these differentials could have a material adverse effect on our business and profitability.
Additionally, governmental and regulatory actions, including continued resolutions by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to restrict crude oil production levels and executive actions by the current U.S. presidential administration to advance certain energy infrastructure projects such as the Keystone XL pipeline, may continue to impact crude oil prices and crude oil differentials. Any increase in crude oil prices or unfavorable movements in crude oil differentials due to such actions or changing regulatory environment may negatively impact our ability to acquire crude oil at economical prices and could have a material adverse effect on our business and profitability.
A significant interruption or casualty loss at any of our refineries and related assets could reduce our production, particularly if not fully covered by our insurance. Failure by one or more insurers to honor its coverage commitments for an insured event could materially and adversely affect our future cash flows, operating results and financial condition.
Our business currently consists of owning and operating six refineries and related assets. As a result, our operations could be subject to significant interruption if any of our refineries were to experience a major accident, be damaged by severe weather or other natural disaster, or otherwise be forced to shut down or curtail production due to unforeseen events, such as acts of God, nature, orders of governmental authorities, supply chain disruptions impacting our crude rail facilities or other logistics assets, power outages, acts of terrorism, fires, toxic emissions and maritime hazards. Any such shutdown or disruption would reduce the production from that refinery. There is also risk of mechanical failure and equipment shutdowns both in general and following unforeseen events. Further, in such situations, undamaged refinery processing units may be dependent on or interact with damaged sections of our refineries and, accordingly, are also subject to being shut down. In the event any of our refineries is forced to shut down for a significant period of time, it would have a material adverse effect on our earnings, our other results of operations and our financial condition as a whole.
As protection against these hazards, we maintain insurance coverage against some, but not all, such potential losses and liabilities. We may not be able to maintain or obtain insurance of the type and amount we desire at reasonable rates. As a result of market conditions, premiums and deductibles for certain of our insurance policies may increase substantially. In some instances, certain insurance could become unavailable or available only for reduced amounts of coverage. For example, coverage for hurricane damage can be limited, and coverage for terrorism risks can include broad exclusions. If we were to incur a significant liability for which we were not fully insured, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial position.
Our insurance program includes a number of insurance carriers. Significant disruptions in financial markets could lead to a deterioration in the financial condition of many financial institutions, including insurance companies and, therefore, we may not be able to obtain the full amount of our insurance coverage for insured events.
Our refineries are subject to interruptions of supply and distribution as a result of our reliance on pipelines and railroads for transportation of crude oil and refined products.
Our Toledo, Chalmette, Torrance and Martinez refineries receive a significant portion of their crude oil through pipelines. These pipelines include the Enbridge system, Capline and Mid-Valley pipelines for supplying crude to our Toledo refinery, the MOEM Pipeline and CAM Pipeline for supplying crude to our Chalmette refinery and the San Joaquin Pipeline, San Pablo Bay Pipeline, San Ardo and Coastal Pipeline systems for supplying crude to our Torrance and Martinez refineries. Additionally, our Toledo, Chalmette, Torrance and Martinez refineries deliver a significant portion of the refined products through pipelines. These pipelines include pipelines such as the Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. and Buckeye Partners L.P. pipelines at Toledo, the Collins Pipeline at our Chalmette refinery, the Jet Pipeline to the Los Angeles International Airport, the Product Pipeline to Vernon and the Product Pipeline to Atwood at our Torrance refinery and the KinderMorgan SFPP North Pipeline at our Martinez refinery. We could experience an interruption of supply or delivery, or an increased cost of receiving crude oil and delivering refined products to market, if the ability of these pipelines to transport crude oil or refined products is disrupted because of accidents, weather interruptions, governmental regulation, terrorism, other third-party action or casualty or other events.
The Delaware City rail unloading facilities and the East Coast Storage Assets, allow our East Coast refineries to source WTI-based crudes from Western Canada and the Mid-Continent, which may provide significant cost advantages versus traditional Brent-based international crudes in certain market environments. Any disruptions or restrictions to our supply of crude by rail due to problems with third-party logistics infrastructure or operations or as a result of increased regulations, could increase our crude costs and negatively impact our results of operations and cash flows.
In addition, due to the common carrier regulatory obligation applicable to interstate oil pipelines, capacity allocation among shippers can become contentious in the event demand is in excess of capacity. Therefore, nominations by new shippers or increased nominations by existing shippers may reduce the capacity available to us. Any prolonged interruption in the operation or curtailment of available capacity of the pipelines that we rely upon for transportation of crude oil and refined products could have a further material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Regulation of emissions of greenhouse gases could force us to incur increased capital and operating costs and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Both houses of Congress have actively considered legislation to reduce emissions of GHGs, such as carbon dioxide and methane, including proposals to: (i) establish a cap and trade system, (ii) create a federal renewable energy or “clean” energy standard requiring electric utilities to provide a certain percentage of power from such sources, and (iii) create enhanced incentives for use of renewable energy and increased efficiency in energy supply and use. In addition, EPA is taking steps to regulate GHGs under the existing federal CAA. EPA has already adopted regulations limiting emissions of GHGs from motor vehicles, addressing the permitting of GHG emissions from stationary sources, and requiring the reporting of GHG emissions from specified large GHG emission sources, including refineries. These and similar regulations could require us to incur costs to monitor and report GHG emissions or reduce emissions of GHGs associated with our operations. In addition, various states, individually as well as in some cases on a regional basis, have taken steps to control GHG emissions, including adoption of GHG reporting requirements, cap and trade systems and renewable portfolio standards (such as AB32). Efforts have also been undertaken to delay, limit or prohibit EPA and possibly state action to regulate GHG emissions, and it is not possible at this time to predict the ultimate form, timing or extent of federal or state regulation. In addition, it is currently uncertain how the current presidential administration or future administrations will address GHG emissions. In the event we do incur increased costs as a result of increased efforts to control GHG emissions, we may not be able to pass on any of these costs to our customers. Such requirements also could adversely affect
demand for the refined petroleum products that we produce. Any increased costs or reduced demand could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operation.
Requirements to reduce emissions could result in increased costs to operate and maintain our facilities as well as implement and manage new emission controls and programs put in place. For example, AB32 in California requires the state to reduce its GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Additionally, in September 2016, the state of California enacted Senate Bill 32 which further reduces greenhouse gas emissions targets to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. Two regulations implemented to achieve these goals are Cap-and-Trade and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (“LCFS”). In 2012, CARB implemented Cap-and-Trade. This program currently places a cap on GHGs and we are required to acquire a sufficient number of credits to cover emissions from our refineries and our in-state sales of gasoline and diesel. In 2009, CARB adopted the LCFS, which requires a 10% reduction in the carbon intensity of gasoline and diesel by 2020. Compliance is achieved through blending lower carbon intensity biofuels into gasoline and diesel or by purchasing credits. Compliance with each of these programs is facilitated through a market-based credit system. If sufficient credits are unavailable for purchase or we are unable to pass through costs to our customers, we have to pay a higher price for credits or if we are otherwise unable to meet our compliance obligations, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We may not be able to successfully integrate the recently acquired Martinez Refinery into our business, or realize the anticipated benefits of this acquisition.
The integration of the recently acquired Martinez refinery into our operations may be a complex and time-consuming process that may not be successful. Even if we successfully integrate this business into our operations, there can be no assurance that we will realize the anticipated benefits and operating synergies. Our estimates regarding the earnings, operating cash flow, capital expenditures and liabilities resulting from this acquisition may prove to be incorrect. This acquisition involves risks, including:
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unexpected losses of key employees, customers and suppliers of the acquired operations;
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challenges in managing the increased scope, geographic diversity and complexity of our operations;
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diversion of management time and attention from our existing business;
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liability for known or unknown environmental conditions or other contingent liabilities and greater than anticipated expenditures required for compliance with environmental, safety or other regulatory standards or for investments to improve operating results; and
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the incurrence of additional indebtedness to finance acquisitions or capital expenditures relating to acquired assets.
In connection with the Martinez Acquisition, we did not have access to the type of historical financial information that we may require regarding the prior operation of the refinery. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to evaluate the probable impact of this acquisition on our financial performance until we have operated the acquired refinery for a substantial period of time.
A cyber-attack on, or other failure of, our technology infrastructure could affect our business and assets, and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We are becoming increasingly dependent on our technology infrastructure and certain critical information systems which process, transmit and store electronic information, including information we use to safely and effectively operate our respective assets and businesses. These information systems include data network and telecommunications, internet access, our websites, and various computer hardware equipment and software applications, including those that are critical to the safe operation of our refineries and logistics assets. We have invested, and expect to continue to invest, significant time, manpower and capital in our technology infrastructure and information systems. These information systems are subject to damage or interruption from a number of potential sources including natural disasters, software viruses or other malware, power failures, cybersecurity threats to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, cyber-attacks, which may render data systems unusable, and physical threats to the security of our facilities and infrastructure. Additionally, our business is highly dependent on financial, accounting and other data processing systems and other communications and information systems, including our enterprise resource planning tools. We process a large number of transactions on a daily basis and
rely upon the proper functioning of computer systems. Furthermore, we rely on information systems across our respective operations, including the management of supply chain and various other processes and transactions. As a result, a disruption on any information systems at our refineries or logistics assets, may cause disruptions to our collective operations.
The potential for such security threats or system failures has subjected our operations to increased risks that could have a material adverse effect on our business. To the extent that these information systems are under our control, we have implemented measures such as virus protection software, emergency recovery processes and a formal disaster recovery plan to address the outlined risks. However, security measures for information systems cannot be guaranteed to be failsafe, and our formal disaster recovery plan and other implemented measures may not prevent delays or other complications that could arise from an information systems failure. If a key system were hacked or otherwise interfered with by an unauthorized user, or were to fail or experience unscheduled downtime for any reason, even if only for a short period, or any compromise of our data security or our inability to use or access these information systems at critical points in time, it could unfavorably impact the timely and efficient operation of our business, damage our reputation and subject us to additional costs and liabilities.
Cyber-attacks against us or others in our industry could result in additional regulations, and U.S. government warnings have indicated that infrastructure assets, including pipelines, may be specifically targeted by certain groups. These attacks include, without limitation, malicious software, ransomware, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data, and other electronic security breaches. These attacks may be perpetrated by state-sponsored groups, “hacktivists”, criminal organizations or private individuals (including employee malfeasance). Current efforts by the federal government, such as the Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure executive order, and any potential future regulations could lead to increased regulatory compliance costs, insurance coverage cost or capital expenditures. We cannot predict the potential impact to our business or the energy industry resulting from additional regulations.
Further, our business interruption insurance may not compensate us adequately for losses that may occur. We do not carry insurance specifically for cybersecurity events; however, certain of our insurance policies may allow for coverage for a cyber-event resulting in ensuing property damage from an otherwise insured peril. If we were to incur a significant liability for which we were not fully insured, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, the proceeds of any such insurance may not be paid in a timely manner and may be insufficient if such an event were to occur.
Our hedging activities may limit our potential gains, exacerbate potential losses and involve other risks.
We may enter into commodity derivatives contracts to hedge our crude price risk or crack spread risk with respect to a portion of our expected gasoline and distillate production on a rolling basis or to hedge our exposure to the price of natural gas, which is a significant component of our refinery operating expenses. Consistent with that policy we may hedge some percentage of our future crude and natural gas supply. We may enter into hedging arrangements with the intent to secure a minimum fixed cash flow stream on the volume of products hedged during the hedge term and to protect against volatility in commodity prices. Our hedging arrangements may fail to fully achieve these objectives for a variety of reasons, including our failure to have adequate hedging arrangements, if any, in effect at any particular time and the failure of our hedging arrangements to produce the anticipated results. We may not be able to procure adequate hedging arrangements due to a variety of factors. Moreover, such transactions may limit our ability to benefit from favorable changes in crude oil, refined product and natural gas prices. In addition, our hedging activities may expose us to the risk of financial loss in certain circumstances, including instances in which:
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the volumes of our actual use of crude oil or natural gas or production of the applicable refined products is less than the volumes subject to the hedging arrangement;
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accidents, interruptions in feedstock transportation, inclement weather or other events cause unscheduled shutdowns or otherwise adversely affect our refineries, or those of our suppliers or customers;
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changes in commodity prices have a material impact on collateral and margin requirements under our hedging arrangements, resulting in us being subject to margin calls;
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the counterparties to our derivative contracts fail to perform under the contracts; or
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a sudden, unexpected event materially impacts the commodity or crack spread subject to the hedging arrangement.
As a result, the effectiveness of our hedging strategy could have a material impact on our financial results. See “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”
In addition, these hedging activities involve basis risk. Basis risk in a hedging arrangement occurs when the price of the commodity we hedge is more or less variable than the index upon which the hedged commodity is based, thereby making the hedge less effective. For example, a NYMEX index used for hedging certain volumes of our crude oil or refined products may have more or less variability than the actual cost or price we realize for such crude oil or refined products. We may not hedge all the basis risk inherent in our hedging arrangements and derivative contracts.
We may have capital needs for which our internally generated cash flows and other sources of liquidity may not be adequate.
If we cannot generate sufficient cash flows or otherwise secure sufficient liquidity to support our short-term and long-term capital requirements, we may not be able to meet our payment obligations or our future debt obligations, comply with certain deadlines related to environmental regulations and standards, or pursue our business strategies, including acquisitions, in which case our operations may not perform as we currently expect. We have substantial short-term capital needs and may have substantial long-term capital needs. Our short-term working capital needs are primarily related to financing certain of our crude oil and refined products inventory not covered by our various supply and Inventory Intermediation Agreements.
If we cannot adequately handle our crude oil and feedstock requirements or if we are required to obtain our crude oil supply at our other refineries without the benefit of the existing supply arrangements or the applicable counterparty defaults in its obligations, our crude oil pricing costs may increase as the number of days between when we pay for the crude oil and when the crude oil is delivered to us increases. Termination of our Inventory Intermediation Agreements with J. Aron would require us to finance the J. Aron Products covered by the agreements at terms that may not be as favorable. Additionally, we are obligated to repurchase from J. Aron all volumes of the J. Aron Products upon termination of these agreements, which may have a material adverse impact on our working capital and financial condition. Further, if we are not able to market and sell our finished products to credit worthy customers, we may be subject to delays in the collection of our accounts receivable and exposure to additional credit risk. Such increased exposure could negatively impact our liquidity due to our increased working capital needs as a result of the increase in the amount of crude oil inventory and accounts receivable we would have to carry on our balance sheet. Our long-term needs for cash include those to support ongoing capital expenditures for equipment maintenance and upgrades during turnarounds at our refineries and to complete our routine and normally scheduled maintenance, regulatory and security expenditures.
In addition, from time to time, we are required to spend significant amounts for repairs when one or more processing units experiences temporary shutdowns. We continue to utilize significant capital to upgrade equipment, improve facilities, and reduce operational, safety and environmental risks. In connection with the Paulsboro and Torrance acquisitions, we assumed certain significant environmental obligations, and may similarly do so in future acquisitions. We will likely incur substantial compliance costs in connection with new or changing environmental, health and safety regulations. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Our liquidity condition will affect our ability to satisfy any and all of these needs or obligations.
We may not be able to obtain funding on acceptable terms or at all because of volatility and uncertainty in the credit and capital markets. This may hinder or prevent us from meeting our future capital needs.
In the past, global financial markets and economic conditions have been, and may again be, subject to disruption and volatile due to a variety of factors, including uncertainty in the financial services sector, low consumer confidence, falling commodity prices, geopolitical issues and generally weak economic conditions. In addition,
the fixed income markets have experienced periods of extreme volatility that have negatively impacted market liquidity conditions. As a result, the cost of raising money in the debt and equity capital markets has increased substantially at times while the availability of funds from those markets diminished significantly. In particular, as a result of concerns about the stability of financial markets generally, which may be subject to unforeseen disruptions, the cost of obtaining money from the credit markets may increase as many lenders and institutional investors increase interest rates, enact tighter lending standards, refuse to refinance existing debt on similar terms or at all and reduce or, in some cases, cease to provide funding to borrowers. Due to these factors, we cannot be certain that new debt or equity financing will be available on acceptable terms. If funding is not available when needed, or is available only on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to meet our obligations as they come due. Moreover, without adequate funding, we may be unable to execute our growth strategy, complete future acquisitions, take advantage of other business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and results of operations.
Competition from companies who produce their own supply of feedstocks, have extensive retail outlets, make alternative fuels or have greater financial and other resources than we do could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our refining operations compete with domestic refiners and marketers in regions of the United States in which we operate, as well as with domestic refiners in other regions and foreign refiners that import products into the United States. In addition, we compete with other refiners, producers and marketers in other industries that supply their own renewable fuels or alternative forms of energy and fuels to satisfy the requirements of our industrial, commercial and individual consumers. Certain of our competitors have larger and more complex refineries, and may be able to realize lower per-barrel costs or higher margins per barrel of throughput. Several of our principal competitors are integrated national or international oil companies that are larger and have substantially greater resources than we do and access to proprietary sources of controlled crude oil production. Unlike these competitors, we obtain substantially all of our feedstocks from unaffiliated sources. We are not engaged in the petroleum exploration and production business and therefore do not produce any of our crude oil feedstocks. We do not have a retail business and therefore are dependent upon others for outlets for our refined products. Because of their integrated operations and larger capitalization, these companies may be more flexible in responding to volatile industry or market conditions, such as shortages of crude oil supply and other feedstocks or intense price fluctuations.
Newer or upgraded refineries will often be more efficient than our refineries, which may put us at a competitive disadvantage. We have taken significant measures to maintain our refineries including the installation of new equipment and redesigning older equipment to improve our operations. However, these actions involve significant uncertainties, since upgraded equipment may not perform at expected throughput levels, the yield and product quality of new equipment may differ from design specifications and modifications may be needed to correct equipment that does not perform as expected. Any of these risks associated with new equipment, redesigned older equipment or repaired equipment could lead to lower revenues or higher costs or otherwise have an adverse effect on future results of operations and financial condition. Over time, our refineries or certain refinery units may become obsolete, or be unable to compete, because of the construction of new, more efficient facilities by our competitors.
A portion of our workforce is unionized, and we may face labor disruptions that would interfere with our operations.
Most hourly employees at our refineries are covered by collective bargaining agreements through the USW, the IOW and the IBEW. These agreements are predominantly scheduled to expire on various dates in 2021 and 2022 (See “Item 1. Business” - Employees). Future negotiations prior to the expiration of our collective agreements may result in labor unrest for which a strike or work stoppage is possible. Strikes and/or work stoppages could negatively affect our operational and financial results and may increase operating expenses at the refineries.
Any political instability, military strikes, sustained military campaigns, terrorist activity, changes in foreign policy, or other catastrophic events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Any political instability, military strikes, sustained military campaigns, terrorist activity, changes in foreign policy in areas or regions of the world where we acquire crude oil and other raw materials or sell our refined petroleum products may affect our business in unpredictable ways, including forcing us to increase security measures and causing disruptions of supplies and distribution markets. We may also be subject to United States trade and economic sanctions laws, which change frequently as a result of foreign policy developments, and which may necessitate changes to our crude oil acquisition activities. Further, like other industrial companies, our facilities may be the target of terrorist activities or subject to catastrophic events such as natural disasters and pandemic illness. Any act of war, terrorism, or other catastrophic events that resulted in damage to, or otherwise disrupts the operating activities of, any of our refineries or third-party facilities upon which we are dependent for our business operations could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Economic turmoil in the global financial system or an economic slowdown or recession in the future may have an adverse impact on the refining industry.
Our business and profitability are affected by the overall level of demand for our products, which in turn is affected by factors such as overall levels of economic activity and business and consumer confidence and spending. In the past, declines in global economic activity and consumer and business confidence and spending significantly reduced the level of demand for our products. In addition, macroeconomic trends, such as economic recession, inflation, unemployment and interest rates or unexpected catastrophic events such as natural disasters or pandemic illness, can affect the level of demand for our products. Reduced demand for our products may have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, downturns in the economy impact the demand for refined fuels and, in turn, result in excess refining capacity. Refining margins are impacted by changes in domestic and global refining capacity, as increases in refining capacity can adversely impact refining margins, earnings and cash flows.
Our business is indirectly exposed to risks faced by our suppliers, customers and other business partners. The impact on these constituencies of the risks posed by economic turmoil in the global financial system could include interruptions or delays in the performance by counterparties to our contracts, reductions and delays in customer purchases, delays in or the inability of customers to obtain financing to purchase our products and the inability of customers to pay for our products. Any of these events may have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We must make substantial capital expenditures on our operating facilities to maintain their reliability and efficiency. If we are unable to complete capital projects at their expected costs and/or in a timely manner, or if the market conditions assumed in our project economics deteriorate, our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.
Delays or cost increases related to capital spending programs involving engineering, procurement and construction of new facilities (or improvements and repairs to our existing facilities and equipment, including turnarounds) could adversely affect our ability to achieve targeted internal rates of return and operating results. Such delays or cost increases may arise as a result of unpredictable factors in the marketplace, many of which are beyond our control, including:
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denial or delay in obtaining regulatory approvals and/or permits;
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unplanned increases in the cost of construction materials or labor;
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disruptions in transportation of modular components and/or construction materials;
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severe adverse weather conditions, natural disasters or other events (such as equipment malfunctions, explosions, fires or spills) affecting our facilities, or those of vendors and suppliers;
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shortages of sufficiently skilled labor, or labor disagreements resulting in unplanned work stoppages;
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market-related increases in a project’s debt or equity financing costs; and/or
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non-performance or force majeure by, or disputes with, vendors, suppliers, contractors or sub-contractors involved with a project.
Our refineries contain many processing units, a number of which have been in operation for many years. Equipment, even if properly maintained, may require significant capital expenditures and expenses to keep it operating at optimum efficiency. One or more of the units may require unscheduled downtime for unanticipated maintenance or repairs that are more frequent than our scheduled turnarounds for such units. Scheduled and unscheduled maintenance could reduce our revenues during the period of time that the units are not operating.
Our forecasted internal rates of return are also based upon our projections of future market fundamentals, which are not within our control, including changes in general economic conditions, impact of new regulations, available alternative supply and customer demand. Any one or more of these factors could have a significant impact on our business. If we were unable to make up the delays associated with such factors or to recover the related costs, or if market conditions change, it could materially and adversely affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Acquisitions that we may undertake in the future involve a number of risks, any of which could cause us not to realize the anticipated benefits.
We may not be successful in acquiring additional assets, and any acquisitions that we do consummate may not produce the anticipated benefits or may have adverse effects on our business and operating results. We may selectively consider strategic acquisitions in the future within the refining and mid-stream sector based on performance through the cycle, advantageous access to crude oil supplies, attractive refined products market fundamentals and access to distribution and logistics infrastructure. Our ability to do so will be dependent upon a number of factors, including our ability to identify acceptable acquisition candidates, consummate acquisitions on acceptable terms, successfully integrate acquired assets and obtain financing to fund acquisitions and to support our growth and many other factors beyond our control. Risks associated with acquisitions include those relating to the diversion of management time and attention from our existing business, liability for known or unknown environmental conditions or other contingent liabilities and greater than anticipated expenditures required for compliance with environmental, safety or other regulatory standards or for investments to improve operating results, and the incurrence of additional indebtedness to finance acquisitions or capital expenditures relating to acquired assets. We may also enter into transition services agreements in the future with sellers of any additional refineries we acquire. Such services may not be performed timely and effectively, and any significant disruption in such transition services or unanticipated costs related to such services could adversely affect our business and results of operations. In addition, it is likely that, when we acquire refineries, we will not have access to the type of historical financial information that we will require regarding the prior operation of the refineries. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to evaluate the probable impact of significant acquisitions on our financial performance until we have operated the acquired refineries for a substantial period of time.
Our business may suffer if any of our senior executives or other key employees discontinues employment with us. Furthermore, a shortage of skilled labor or disruptions in our labor force may make it difficult for us to maintain labor productivity.
Our future success depends to a large extent on the services of our senior executives and other key employees. Our business depends on our continuing ability to recruit, train and retain highly qualified employees in all areas of our operations, including engineering, accounting, business operations, finance and other key back-office and mid-office personnel. Furthermore, our operations require skilled and experienced employees with proficiency in multiple tasks. The competition for these employees is intense, and the loss of these executives or employees could harm our business. If any of these executives or other key personnel resigns or becomes unable to continue in his or her present role and is not adequately replaced, our business operations could be materially adversely affected.
Our commodity derivative activities could result in period-to-period earnings volatility.
We do not currently apply hedge accounting to any of our commodity derivative contracts and, as a result, unrealized gains and losses will be charged to our earnings based on the increase or decrease in the market value of such unsettled positions. These gains and losses may be reflected in our income statement in periods that differ from when the settlement of the underlying hedged items are reflected in our income statement. Such derivative gains or losses in earnings may produce significant period-to-period earnings volatility that is not necessarily reflective of our underlying operational performance.
We may incur significant liability under, or costs and capital expenditures to comply with, environmental and health and safety regulations, which are complex and change frequently.
Our operations are subject to federal, state and local laws regulating, among other things, the use and/or handling of petroleum and other regulated materials, the emission and discharge of materials into the environment, waste management, and remediation of discharges of petroleum and petroleum products, characteristics and composition of gasoline and distillates and other matters otherwise relating to the protection of the environment and the health and safety of the surrounding community. Our operations are also subject to extensive laws and regulations relating to occupational health and safety.
We cannot predict what additional environmental, health and safety legislation or regulations may be adopted in the future, or how existing or future laws or regulations may be administered or interpreted with respect to our operations. Many of these laws and regulations have become increasingly stringent over time, and the cost of compliance with these requirements can be expected to increase over time.
Certain environmental laws impose strict, and in certain circumstances, joint and several, liability for costs of investigation and cleanup of spills, discharges or releases on owners and operators of, as well as persons who arrange for treatment or disposal of regulated materials at, contaminated sites. Under these laws, we may incur liability or be required to pay penalties for past contamination, and third parties may assert claims against us for damages allegedly arising out of any past or future contamination. The potential penalties and clean-up costs for past or future spills, discharges or releases, the failure of prior owners of our facilities to complete their clean-up obligations, the liability to third parties for damage to their property, or the need to address newly-discovered information or conditions that may require a response could be significant, and the payment of these amounts could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
Environmental clean-up and remediation costs of our sites and environmental litigation could decrease our net cash flow, reduce our results of operations and impair our financial condition.
We are subject to liability for the investigation and clean-up of environmental contamination at each of the properties that we own or operate and at off-site locations where we arrange for the treatment or disposal of regulated materials. We may become involved in litigation or other proceedings related to the foregoing. If we were to be held responsible for damages in any such litigation or proceedings, such costs may not be covered by insurance and may be material. Historical soil and groundwater contamination has been identified at our refineries. Currently, remediation projects for such contamination are underway in accordance with regulatory requirements at our refineries. In connection with the acquisitions of certain of our refineries and logistics assets, the prior owners have retained certain liabilities or indemnified us for certain liabilities, including those relating to pre-acquisition soil and groundwater conditions, and in some instances we have assumed certain liabilities and environmental obligations, including certain existing and potential remediation obligations. If the prior owners fail to satisfy their obligations for any reason, or if significant liabilities arise in the areas in which we assumed liability, we may become responsible for remediation expenses and other environmental liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow. As a result, in addition to making capital expenditures or incurring other costs to comply with environmental laws, we also may be liable for significant environmental litigation or for investigation and remediation costs and other liabilities arising from the ownership or operation of these assets by prior owners, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Contractual Obligations and Commitments” and “Item 1. Business-Environmental, Health and Safety Matters.”
We may also face liability arising from current or future claims alleging personal injury or property damage due to exposure to chemicals or other regulated materials, such as various perfluorinated compounds, including perfluorooctanoate, perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorohexane sulfonate, or other per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, asbestos, benzene, silica dust and petroleum hydrocarbons, at or from our facilities. We may also face liability for personal injury, property damage, natural resource damage or clean-up costs for the alleged migration of contamination from our properties. A significant increase in the number or success of these claims could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
Product liability claims and litigation could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Product liability is a significant commercial risk. Substantial damage awards have been made in certain jurisdictions against manufacturers and resellers based upon claims for injuries and property damage caused by the use of or exposure to various products. Failure of our products to meet required specifications or claims that a product is inherently defective could result in product liability claims from our shippers and customers, and also arise from contaminated or off-specification product in commingled pipelines and storage tanks and/or defective fuels. Product liability claims against us could have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operations.
Climate change could have a material adverse impact on our operations and adversely affect our facilities.
Some scientists have concluded that increasing concentrations of GHGs in the Earth’s atmosphere may produce climate changes that have significant physical effects, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, droughts, floods and other climatic events. We believe the issue of climate change will likely continue to receive scientific and political attention, with the potential for further laws and regulations that could materially adversely affect our ongoing operations.
In addition, as many of our facilities are located near coastal areas, rising sea levels may disrupt our ability to operate those facilities or transport crude oil and refined petroleum products. Extended periods of such disruption could have an adverse effect on our results of operation. We could also incur substantial costs to protect or repair these facilities.
Renewable fuels mandates may reduce demand for the refined fuels we produce, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. The market prices for RINs have been volatile and may harm our profitability.
Pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, EPA has issued Renewable Fuel Standards, or RFS, implementing mandates to blend renewable fuels into the petroleum fuels produced and sold in the United States. Under RFS, the volume of renewable fuels that obligated refineries must blend into their finished petroleum fuels increases annually over time until 2022. In addition, certain states have passed legislation that requires minimum biodiesel blending in finished distillates. On October 13, 2010, EPA raised the maximum amount of ethanol allowed under federal law from 10% to 15% for cars and light trucks manufactured since 2007. The maximum amount allowed under federal law currently remains at 10% ethanol for all other vehicles. Existing laws and regulations could change, and the minimum volumes of renewable fuels that must be blended with refined petroleum fuels may increase. Because we do not produce renewable fuels, increasing the volume of renewable fuels that must be blended into our products displaces an increasing volume of our refinery’s product pool, potentially resulting in lower earnings and profitability. In addition, in order to meet certain of these and future EPA requirements, we may be required to purchase RINs, which may have fluctuating costs. We incurred approximately $122.7 million in RINs costs during the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to $143.9 million and $293.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The fluctuations in our RINs costs are due primarily to volatility in prices for ethanol-linked RINs and increases in our production of on-road transportation fuels since 2012. Our RINs purchase obligation is dependent on our actual
shipment of on-road transportation fuels domestically and the amount of blending achieved which can cause variability in our profitability.
Our pipelines are subject to federal and/or state regulations, which could reduce profitability and the amount of cash we generate.
Our transportation activities are subject to regulation by multiple governmental agencies. The regulatory burden on the industry increases the cost of doing business and affects profitability. Additional proposals and proceedings that affect the oil industry are regularly considered by Congress, the states, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the United States Department of Transportation (“DOT”), and the courts. We cannot predict when or whether any such proposals may become effective or what impact such proposals may have. Projected operating costs related to our pipelines reflect the recurring costs resulting from compliance with these regulations, and these costs may increase due to future acquisitions, changes in regulation, changes in use, or discovery of existing but unknown compliance issues.
We are subject to strict laws and regulations regarding employee and process safety, and failure to comply with these laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and profitability.
We are subject to the requirements of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (“OSHA”), and comparable state statutes that regulate the protection of the health and safety of workers. In addition, OSHA requires that we maintain information about hazardous materials used or produced in our operations and that we provide this information to employees, state and local governmental authorities, and local residents. Failure to comply with OSHA requirements, including general industry standards, process safety standards and control of occupational exposure to regulated substances, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and the cash flows of the business if we are subjected to significant fines or compliance costs.
Compliance with and changes in tax laws could adversely affect our performance.
We are subject to extensive tax liabilities, including federal, state, local and foreign taxes such as income, excise, sales/use, payroll, franchise, property, gross receipts, withholding and ad valorem taxes. New tax laws and regulations and changes in existing tax laws and regulations are continuously being enacted or proposed that could result in increased expenditures for tax liabilities in the future. These liabilities are subject to periodic audits by the respective taxing authorities, which could increase our tax liabilities. Subsequent changes to our tax liabilities as a result of these audits may also subject us to interest and penalties. There can be no certainty that our federal, state, local or foreign taxes could be passed on to our customers.
Changes in our credit profile could adversely affect our business.
Changes in our credit profile could affect the way crude oil suppliers view our ability to make payments and induce them to shorten the payment terms for our purchases or require us to post security or letters of credit prior to payment. Due to the large dollar amounts and volume of our crude oil and other feedstock purchases, any imposition by our suppliers of more burdensome payment terms on us may have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and our ability to make payments to our suppliers. This, in turn, could cause us to be unable to operate one or more of our refineries at full capacity.
Changes in laws or standards affecting the transportation of North American crude oil by rail could significantly impact our operations, and as a result cause our costs to increase.
Investigations into past rail accidents involving the transport of crude oil have prompted government agencies and other interested parties to call for increased regulation of the transport of crude oil by rail including in the areas of crude oil constituents, rail car design, routing of trains and other matters. Regulation governing shipments of petroleum crude oil by rail requires shippers to properly test and classify petroleum crude oil and further requires shippers to treat Class 3 petroleum crude oil transported by rail in tank cars as a Packing Group I or II hazardous material only, which creates further classification and testing requirements, along with more severe penalties for
violations. The DOT issued additional rules and regulations that require rail carriers to provide certain notifications to State agencies along routes utilized by trains over a certain length carrying crude oil, enhance safety training standards under the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, require each railroad or contractor to develop and submit a training program to perform regular oversight and annual written reviews and establish enhanced tank car standards and operational controls for high-hazard flammable trains. These rules and any further changes in law, regulations or industry standards that require us to reduce the volatile or flammable constituents in crude oil that is transported by rail, alter the design or standards for rail cars we use, change the routing or scheduling of trains carrying crude oil, or any other changes that detrimentally affect the economics of delivering North American crude oil by rail to our, or subsequently to third-party, refineries, could increase our costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to service our indebtedness.
We could incur substantial costs or disruptions in our business if we cannot obtain or maintain necessary permits and authorizations or otherwise comply with health, safety, environmental and other laws and regulations.
Our operations require numerous permits and authorizations under various laws and regulations. These authorizations and permits are subject to revocation, renewal or modification and can require operational changes to limit impacts or potential impacts on the environment and/or health and safety. A violation of authorization or permit conditions or other legal or regulatory requirements could result in substantial fines, criminal sanctions, permit revocations, injunctions, and/or facility shutdowns. In addition, major modifications of our operations could require modifications to our existing permits or upgrades to our existing pollution control equipment. Any or all of these matters could have a negative effect on our business, results of operations and cash flows.
We may incur significant liabilities under, or costs and capital expenditures to comply with, health, safety, environmental and other laws and regulations, which are complex and change frequently. Our operations are subject to federal, state and local laws regulating, among other things, the handling of petroleum and other regulated materials, the emission and discharge of materials into the environment, waste management, and remediation of discharges of petroleum and petroleum products, characteristics and composition of gasoline and distillates and other matters otherwise relating to the protection of the environment. Our operations are also subject to extensive laws and regulations relating to occupational health and safety.
We cannot predict what additional environmental, health and safety legislation or regulations may be adopted in the future, or how existing or future laws or regulations may be administered or interpreted with respect to our operations. Many of these laws and regulations are becoming increasingly stringent, and the cost of compliance with these requirements can be expected to increase over time.
Certain environmental laws impose strict, and in certain circumstances joint and several liability for, costs of investigation and cleanup of such spills, discharges or releases on owners and operators of, as well as persons who arrange for treatment or disposal of regulated materials at contaminated sites. Under these laws, we may incur liability or be required to pay penalties for past contamination, and third parties may assert claims against us for damages allegedly arising out of any past or future contamination. The potential penalties and clean-up costs for past or future releases or spills, the failure of prior owners of our facilities to complete their clean-up obligations, the liability to third parties for damage to their property, or the need to address newly-discovered information or conditions that may require a response could be significant, and the payment of these amounts could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Indebtedness
Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under our indebtedness.
Our indebtedness may significantly affect our financial flexibility in the future. As of December 31, 2019, we have total debt of $2,097.3 million, excluding unamortized deferred debt issuance costs of $32.4 million and our PBF LLC Affiliate note payable with PBF Energy that eliminates in consolidation at the PBF Energy level, and we could incur an additional $1,673.5 million under our credit facilities. As disclosed in “Note 25 - Subsequent Events” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we incurred additional debt in conjunction with the
issuance of an aggregate $1.0 billion of 6.00% senior unsecured notes due 2028 by PBF Holding in January 2020 (the “2028 Senior Notes”), and we may incur additional indebtedness in the future. Our strategy may include executing future refinery and logistics acquisitions. Any significant acquisition would likely require us to incur additional indebtedness in order to finance all or a portion of such acquisition. The level of our indebtedness has several important consequences for our future operations, including that:
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a portion of our cash flow from operations will be dedicated to the payment of principal of, and interest on, our indebtedness and will not be available for other purposes;
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under certain circumstances, covenants contained in our existing debt arrangements limit our ability to borrow additional funds, dispose of assets and make certain investments;
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in certain circumstances these covenants also require us to meet or maintain certain financial tests, which may affect our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in our industry, such as being able to take advantage of acquisition opportunities when they arise;
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our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, general corporate and other purposes may be limited; and
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we may be at a competitive disadvantage to those of our competitors that are less leveraged; and we may be more vulnerable to adverse economic and industry conditions.
Our indebtedness increases the risk that we may default on our debt obligations, certain of which contain cross-default and/or cross-acceleration provisions. Our, and our subsidiaries’, ability to meet future principal obligations will be dependent upon our future performance, which in turn will be subject to general economic conditions, industry cycles and financial, business and other factors affecting our operations, many of which are beyond our control. Our business may not continue to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to repay our indebtedness. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations, we may be required to sell assets, to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness or to obtain additional financing. Refinancing may not be possible and additional financing may not be available on commercially acceptable terms, or at all.
Despite our level of indebtedness, we and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantially more debt, which could exacerbate the risks described above.
We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur additional indebtedness in the future including additional secured or unsecured debt. Although our debt instruments and financing arrangements contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. To the extent new debt is added to our currently anticipated debt levels, the leverage risks described above would increase. Also, these restrictions do not prevent us from incurring obligations that do not constitute indebtedness.
Restrictive covenants in our debt instruments may limit our ability to undertake certain types of transactions.
Various covenants in our debt instruments and other financing arrangements may restrict our and our subsidiaries’ financial flexibility in a number of ways. Our indebtedness subjects us to financial and other restrictive covenants, including restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness, place liens upon assets, pay dividends or make certain other restricted payments and investments, consummate certain asset sales or asset swaps, conduct businesses other than our current businesses, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. Some of these debt instruments also require our subsidiaries to satisfy or maintain certain financial tests in certain circumstances. Our subsidiaries’ ability to meet these financial tests can be affected by events beyond our control and they may not meet such tests in the future.
Provisions in our indentures could discourage an acquisition of us by a third-party.
Certain provisions of our indentures could make it more difficult or more expensive for a third-party to acquire us. Upon the occurrence of certain transactions constituting a “change of control” as described in the indentures governing the 2025 Senior Notes (as defined below), the 2028 Senior Notes and the PBFX 2023 Senior Notes (as defined below and in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations”), holders of our notes could require us to repurchase all outstanding notes at 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, at the date of repurchase.
Our future credit ratings could adversely affect the cost of our borrowing as well as our ability to obtain credit in the future.
On January 24, 2020, PBF Holding issued the 2028 Senior Notes. The proceeds from this offering were used in part to subsequently redeem its outstanding 7.00% senior notes due 2023 (the “2023 Senior Notes”). The 2028 Senior Notes and our 7.25% senior notes due 2025 (the “2025 Senior Notes”) are rated B1 by Moody’s Investors Service Inc., BB by Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, and BB by Fitch Ratings, Inc. Any adverse effect on our credit rating may increase our cost of borrowing or hinder our ability to raise financing in the capital markets, which would impair our ability to grow our business and make cash distributions to our shareholders.
The discontinuation of LIBOR, and the adoption of an alternative reference rate, may have a material adverse impact on our floating rate indebtedness and financing costs.
We are subject to interest rate risk on floating interest rate borrowings under PBF Holding’s asset-based revolving credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility and the PBF Rail Term Loan (as defined in “Note 9 - Credit Facilities and Debt” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). These borrowings have the optionality to use London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) as a benchmark for establishing the interest rate. In July 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (the regulatory authority over LIBOR) stated they will plan for a phase out of regulatory oversight of LIBOR after 2021 to allow for an orderly transition to an alternate reference rate. In the United States, the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (the working group formed to recommend an alternative rate to LIBOR) has identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as its preferred alternative rate for LIBOR. There can be no guarantee that SOFR will become a widely accepted benchmark in place of LIBOR. Although the full impact of the transition away from LIBOR, including the discontinuance of LIBOR publication and the adoption of SOFR as the replacement rate for LIBOR, remains unclear, these changes may have an adverse impact on our floating rate indebtedness and financing costs.
Risks Related to Our Organizational Structure and PBF Energy Class A Common Stock
PBF Energy is the managing member of PBF LLC and its only material asset is its interest in PBF LLC. Accordingly, PBF Energy depends upon distributions from PBF LLC and its subsidiaries to pay its taxes, meet its other obligations and/or pay dividends in the future.
PBF Energy is a holding company and all of its operations are conducted through subsidiaries of PBF LLC. PBF Energy has no independent means of generating revenue and no material assets other than its ownership interest in PBF LLC. We depend on the earnings and cash flow of our subsidiaries to meet our obligations, including our indebtedness, tax liabilities and obligations to make payments under a tax receivable agreement entered into with PBF LLC Series A and PBF LLC Series B unitholders (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”). If we do not receive such cash distributions, dividends or other payments from our subsidiaries, we may be unable to meet our obligations and/or pay dividends.
PBF Energy, as the sole managing partner of PBF LLC, may cause PBF LLC to make distributions to its members in an amount sufficient to enable PBF Energy to cover all applicable taxes at assumed tax rates, to make payments owed by PBF Energy under the Tax Receivable Agreement, and to pay other obligations and dividends, if any, declared by PBF Energy. To the extent we need funds and any of our subsidiaries is restricted from making such distributions under applicable law or regulation or under the terms of our financing or other contractual arrangements, or is otherwise unable to provide such funds, such restrictions could materially adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition.
The Revolving Credit Facility, the 2028 Senior Notes, the 2025 Senior Notes, and certain of our other outstanding debt arrangements include a restricted payment covenant, which restricts the ability of PBF Holding to make distributions to us, and we anticipate our future debt will contain a similar restriction. PBFX Revolving Credit Facility and PBFX’s indenture governing its PBFX 2023 Senior Notes also contain covenants that limit or restrict PBFX’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to make distributions and other restricted payments and restrict PBFX’s ability to incur liens and enter into burdensome agreements. In addition, there may be restrictions on payments by our subsidiaries under applicable laws, including laws that require companies to maintain minimum amounts of capital and to make payments to stockholders only from profits. For example, PBF Holding is generally prohibited under Delaware law from making a distribution to a member to the extent that, at the time of the distribution, after giving effect to the distribution, liabilities of the limited liability company (with certain exceptions) exceed the fair value of its assets, and PBFX is subject to a similar prohibition. As a result, we may be unable to obtain that cash to satisfy our obligations and make payments to PBF Energy stockholders, if any.
The rights of other members of PBF LLC may conflict with the interests of PBF Energy Class A common stockholders.
The interests of the other members of PBF LLC, which include current and former directors and officers, may not in all cases be aligned with PBF Energy Class A common stockholders’ interests. For example, these members may have different tax positions which could influence their positions, including regarding whether and when we dispose of assets and whether and when we incur new or refinance existing indebtedness, especially in light of the existence of the Tax Receivable Agreement. In addition, the structuring of future transactions may take into consideration these tax or other considerations even where no similar benefit would accrue to PBF Energy Class A common stockholders or us. See “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions-IPO Related Agreements” in our 2020 Proxy Statement incorporated herein by reference.
Under the Tax Receivable Agreement, PBF Energy is required to pay the former and current holders of PBF LLC Series A Units and PBF LLC Series B Units for certain realized or assumed tax benefits PBF Energy may claim arising in connection with prior offerings and future exchanges of PBF LLC Series A Units for shares of its Class A common stock and related transactions. The indentures governing the senior notes allow PBF LLC, under certain circumstances, to make distributions sufficient for PBF Energy to pay its obligation under the Tax Receivable Agreement, and such amounts are expected to be substantial.
PBF Energy is party to a Tax Receivable Agreement that provides for the payment from time to time by PBF Energy to the current and former holders of PBF LLC Series A Units and PBF LLC Series B Units of 85% of the benefits, if any, that PBF Energy is deemed to realize as a result of (i) the increases in tax basis resulting from its acquisitions of PBF LLC Series A Units, including such acquisitions in connection with its prior offerings or in the future and (ii) certain other tax benefits related to its entering into the Tax Receivable Agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.”
We expect that the payments that PBF Energy may make under the Tax Receivable Agreement will be substantial. As of December 31, 2019, PBF Energy has recognized a liability for the Tax Receivable Agreement of $373.5 million reflecting PBF Energy’s estimate of the undiscounted amounts that it expects to pay under the agreement due to exchanges that occurred prior to that date, and to range over the next five years from approximately $13.0 million to $86.0 million per year and decline thereafter. Future payments by PBF Energy in respect of subsequent exchanges of PBF LLC Series A Units would be in addition to these amounts and are expected to be material as well. If PBF Energy does not have taxable income, PBF Energy generally is not required (absent a change of control or circumstances requiring an early termination payment) to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement for that taxable year because no benefit will have been actually realized. However, any tax benefits that do not result in realized benefits in a given tax year will likely generate tax attributes that may be utilized to generate benefits in previous or future tax years. The utilization of such tax attributes will result in payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. The foregoing numbers are merely estimates based on assumptions that are subject to change due to various factors, including, among other factors, the timing of exchanges of PBF LLC Series A Units for shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock as contemplated by the Tax Receivable
Agreement, the price of PBF Energy Class A common stock at the time of such exchanges, the extent to which such exchanges are taxable, and the amount and timing of PBF Energy’s income. The actual payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement could differ materially. It is possible that future transactions or events could increase or decrease the actual tax benefits realized and the corresponding Tax Receivable Agreement payments. There may be a material negative effect on our liquidity if, as a result of timing discrepancies or otherwise, (i) the payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement exceed the actual benefits PBF Energy realizes in respect of the tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement, and/or (ii) distributions to PBF Energy by PBF LLC are not sufficient to permit PBF Energy, after it has paid its taxes and other obligations, to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. The payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement are not conditioned upon any recipient’s continued ownership of us.
In certain cases, payments by PBF Energy under the Tax Receivable Agreement may be accelerated and/or significantly exceed the actual benefits it realizes in respect of the tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement. These provisions may deter a change in control of the Company.
The Tax Receivable Agreement provides that upon certain changes of control, or if, at any time, PBF Energy elects an early termination of the Tax Receivable Agreement, PBF Energy’s (or its successor’s) obligations with respect to exchanged or acquired PBF LLC Series A Units (whether exchanged or acquired before or after such transaction) would be based on certain assumptions, including (i) that PBF Energy would have sufficient taxable income to fully utilize the deductions arising from the increased tax deductions and tax basis and other benefits related to entering into the Tax Receivable Agreement and (ii) that the subsidiaries of PBF LLC will sell certain nonamortizable assets (and realize certain related tax benefits) no later than a specified date. Moreover, in each of these instances, PBF Energy would be required to make an immediate payment equal to the present value (at a discount rate equal to LIBOR plus 100 basis points) of the anticipated future tax benefits (based on the foregoing assumptions). Accordingly, payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement may be made years in advance of the actual realization, if any, of the anticipated future tax benefits and may be significantly greater than the actual benefits PBF Energy realizes in respect of the tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement. Assuming that the market value of a share of PBF Energy Class A common stock equals $31.37 per share (the closing price on December 31, 2019) and that LIBOR were to be 1.85%, we estimate that, as of December 31, 2019 the aggregate amount of these accelerated payments would have been approximately $326.9 million if triggered immediately on such date. In these situations, PBF Energy’s obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement could have a substantial negative impact on our liquidity. PBF Energy may not be able to finance its obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement and its existing indebtedness may limit its subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions to PBF Energy to pay these obligations. These provisions may deter a potential sale of our Company to a third-party and may otherwise make it less likely that a third-party would enter into a change of control transaction with us.
Moreover, payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement will be based on the tax reporting positions that PBF Energy determines in accordance with the Tax Receivable Agreement. PBF Energy will not be reimbursed for any payments previously made under the Tax Receivable Agreement if the Internal Revenue Service subsequently disallows part or all of the tax benefits that gave rise to such prior payments. As a result, in certain circumstances, payments could be made under the Tax Receivable Agreement that are significantly in excess of the benefits that PBF Energy actually realized in respect of (i) the increases in tax basis resulting from our purchases or exchanges of PBF LLC Series A Units and (ii) certain other tax benefits related to PBF Energy entering into the Tax Receivable Agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement.
PBF Energy cannot assure you that it will continue to declare dividends or have the available cash to make dividend payments.
Although PBF Energy currently intends to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends on its Class A common stock, the declaration, amount and payment of any dividends will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors. PBF Energy is not obligated under any applicable laws, its governing documents or any contractual agreements with its existing and prior owners or otherwise to declare or pay any dividends or other distributions (other than the obligations of PBF LLC to make tax distributions to its members). Our board of directors may take into account, among other things, general economic conditions, our financial condition and operating results, our available cash
and current and anticipated cash needs, capital requirements, plans for expansion, including acquisitions, tax, legal, regulatory and contractual restrictions and implications, including under our subsidiaries’ outstanding debt documents, and such other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant in determining whether to declare or pay any dividend. Because PBF Energy is a holding company with no material assets (other than the equity interests of its direct subsidiary), its cash flow and ability to pay dividends is dependent upon the financial results and cash flows of its indirect subsidiaries PBF Holding and PBFX and their respective operating subsidiaries and the distribution or other payment of cash to it in the form of dividends or otherwise. The direct and indirect subsidiaries of PBF Energy are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation to make any funds available to it other than in the case of certain intercompany transactions. As a result, if PBF Energy does not declare or pay dividends you may not receive any return on an investment in PBF Energy Class A common stock unless you sell PBF Energy Class A common stock for a price greater than that which you paid for it.
Anti-takeover and certain other provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law may discourage or delay a change in control.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions which could make it more difficult for stockholders to effect certain corporate actions. Among other things, these provisions:
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authorize the issuance of undesignated preferred stock, the terms of which may be established and the shares of which may be issued without stockholder approval;
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prohibit stockholder action by written consent;
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restrict certain business combinations with stockholders who obtain beneficial ownership of a certain percentage of our outstanding common stock;
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provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called only by the chairman of the board of directors, the chief executive officer or the board of directors, and establish advance notice procedures for the nomination of candidates for election as directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon at stockholder meetings; and
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provide that our stockholders may only amend our bylaws with the approval of 75% or more of all of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote.
These anti-takeover provisions and other provisions of Delaware law may have the effect of delaying or deterring a change of control of our company. Certain provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for you and other stockholders to elect directors of your choosing and to cause us to take other corporate actions you desire. These provisions could limit the price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock.
The market price of PBF Energy Class A common stock may be volatile, which could cause the value of your investment to decline.
The market price of PBF Energy Class A common stock may be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations due to a number of factors including:
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variations in actual or anticipated operating results or dividends, if any, to stockholders;
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changes in, or failure to meet, earnings estimates of securities analysts;
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market conditions in the oil refining industry and volatility in commodity prices;
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the impact of disruptions to crude or feedstock supply to any of our refineries, including disruptions due to problems with third-party logistics infrastructure;
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litigation and government investigations;
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the timing and announcement of any potential acquisitions and subsequent impact of any future acquisitions on our capital structure, financial condition or results of operations;
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changes or proposed changes in laws or regulations or differing interpretations or enforcement thereof;
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general economic and stock market conditions; and
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the availability for sale, or sales by PBF Energy or its senior management, of a significant number of shares of its Class A common stock in the public market.
In addition, the stock markets generally may experience significant volatility, often unrelated to the operating performance of the individual companies whose securities are publicly-traded. These and other factors may cause the market price of PBF Energy Class A common stock to decrease significantly, which in turn would adversely affect the value of your investment.
In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, stockholders have often instituted class action securities litigation against those companies. Such litigation, if instituted, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could significantly harm our profitability and reputation.
Risks Related to Our Ownership of PBFX
We depend upon PBFX for a substantial portion of our refineries’ logistics needs and have obligations for minimum volume commitments in our commercial agreements with PBFX.
We depend on PBFX to receive, handle, store and transfer crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas for us from our operations and sources located throughout the United States and Canada in support of certain of our refineries under long-term, fee-based commercial agreements with our subsidiaries. These commercial agreements have an initial term ranging from one to fifteen years and generally include minimum quarterly commitments and inflation escalators. If we fail to meet the minimum commitments during any calendar quarter, we will be required to make a shortfall payment quarterly to PBFX equal to the volume of the shortfall multiplied by the applicable fee.
PBFX’s operations are subject to all of the risks and operational hazards inherent in receiving, handling, storing and transferring crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas, including: damages to its facilities, related equipment and surrounding properties caused by floods, fires, severe weather, explosions and other natural disasters and acts of terrorism; mechanical or structural failures at PBFX’s facilities or at third-party facilities on which its operations are dependent; curtailments of operations relative to severe seasonal weather; inadvertent damage to our facilities from construction, farm and utility equipment; and other hazards. Any of these events or factors could result in severe damage or destruction to PBFX’s assets or the temporary or permanent shut-down of PBFX’s facilities. If PBFX is unable to serve our logistics needs, our ability to operate our refineries and receive crude oil and distribute products could be adversely impacted, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, as of December 31, 2019, PBF LLC owns 29,953,631 common units representing 48.2% limited partner interest in PBFX. The inability of PBFX to continue operations, perform under its commercial arrangements with our subsidiaries or the occurrence of any of these risks or operational hazards, could also adversely impact the value of our investment in PBFX and, because PBFX is a consolidated entity, our business, financial condition and results of operations.
PBF Energy will be required to pay taxes on its share of taxable income from PBF LLC and its other subsidiary flow-through entities (including PBFX), regardless of the amount of cash distributions PBF Energy receives from PBF LLC.
The holders of limited liability company interests in PBF LLC, including PBF Energy, generally have to include for purposes of calculating their U.S. federal, state and local income taxes their share of any taxable income of PBF LLC, regardless of whether such holders receive cash distributions from PBF LLC. PBF Energy ultimately may not receive cash distributions from PBF LLC equal to its share of the taxable income of PBF LLC or even equal to the actual tax due with respect to that income. For example, PBF LLC is required to include in taxable income PBF LLC’s allocable share of PBFX’s taxable income and gains (such share to be determined pursuant to the partnership agreement of PBFX), regardless of the amount of cash distributions received by PBF LLC from PBFX, and such taxable income and gains will flow-through to PBF Energy to the extent of its allocable share of the taxable income of PBF LLC. As a result, at certain times, the amount of cash otherwise ultimately available
to PBF Energy on account of its indirect interest in PBFX may not be sufficient for PBF Energy to pay the amount of taxes it will owe on account of its indirect interests in PBFX.
If PBFX was to be treated as a corporation, rather than as a partnership, for U.S. federal income tax purposes or if PBFX was otherwise subject to entity-level taxation, PBFX’s cash available for distribution to its unitholders, including to us, would be reduced, likely causing a substantial reduction in the value of units, including the units held by us.
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of publicly-traded partnerships, including PBFX, or an investment in its common units may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial interpretation at any time. For example, from time to time the U.S. Congress considers substantive changes to the existing federal income tax laws that would affect publicly-traded partnerships. Any modification to the U.S. federal income tax laws and interpretations thereof may or may not be applied retroactively and could make it more difficult or impossible for PBFX to meet the exception to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We are unable to predict whether any of these changes, or other proposals, will ultimately be enacted. Any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in PBFX common units.
If PBFX were treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would pay U.S. federal income tax on income at the corporate tax rate, which is currently a maximum of 21% under the TCJA, and would likely be liable for state income tax at varying rates. Distributions to PBFX unitholders would generally be taxed again as corporate distributions, and no income, gains, losses, deductions or credits would flow through to PBFX unitholders. Because taxes would be imposed upon PBFX as a corporation, the cash available for distribution to PBFX unitholders would be substantially reduced. Therefore, PBFX’s treatment as a corporation would result in a material reduction in the anticipated cash flow and after-tax return to PBFX unitholders, likely causing a substantial reduction in the value of the units.
All of the executive officers and a majority of the directors of PBF GP are also current or former officers or directors of PBF Energy. Conflicts of interest could arise as a result of this arrangement.
PBF Energy indirectly owns and controls PBF GP, and appoints all of its officers and directors. All of the executive officers and a majority of the directors of PBF GP are also current or former officers or directors of PBF Energy. These individuals will devote significant time to the business of PBFX. Although the directors and officers of PBF GP have a fiduciary duty to manage PBF GP in a manner that is beneficial to PBF Energy, as directors and officers of PBF GP they also have certain duties to PBFX and its unitholders. Conflicts of interest may arise between PBF Energy and its affiliates, including PBF GP, on the one hand, and PBFX and its unitholders, on the other hand. In resolving these conflicts of interest, PBF GP may favor its own interests and the interests of PBFX over the interests of PBF Energy. In certain circumstances, PBF GP may refer any conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest between PBFX, on the one hand, and PBF Energy, on the other hand, to its conflicts committee (which must consist entirely of independent directors) for resolution, which conflicts committee must act in the best interests of the public unitholders of PBFX. As a result, PBF GP may manage the business of PBFX in a way that may differ from the best interests of PBF Energy or its stockholders.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
See “Item 1. Business”.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On July 24, 2013, DNREC issued a Notice of Administrative Penalty Assessment and Secretary’s Order to DCR for alleged air emission violations that occurred during the re-start of the refinery in 2011 and subsequent to the re-start. The penalty assessment sought $460,200 in penalties and $69,030 in cost recovery for DNREC’s expenses associated with investigation of the incidents. Pursuant to a settlement agreement entered into on or about July 11, 2019 by and between DCR and DNREC (“Settlement Agreement”), DCR resolved this and other Notices of Violation (“NOVs”) as well as potential claims available to DNREC for any noncompliance with air quality matters related to activities at the Delaware City refinery occurring between June 1, 2010 and October 31, 2018, including associated Title V Permit deviations and particulate matter emissions from certain coke management facilities. The Settlement Agreement provides for resolution of DNREC’s claims, a penalty payment by DCR of $950,000, and no admission of liability by DCR. The Settlement Agreement will also result in modification and reissuance by DNREC of certain air quality permits for the Delaware City refinery to resolve objections made by DCR to certain prior permit conditions. Testing of the aforementioned coke management facilities was conducted in September 2019 and confirmed compliance with operating permit limits.
The Delaware City refinery appealed a Notice of Penalty Assessment and Secretary’s Order issued in March 2017, including a $150,000 fine, alleging violation of a 2013 Secretary’s Order authorizing crude oil shipment by barge. DNREC asserted that the Delaware City refinery had violated the Secretary’s 2013 Order by allegedly failing to make timely and full disclosure to DNREC about the nature and extent of those shipments, and allegedly misrepresenting the number of shipments that went to other facilities. The Penalty Assessment and Secretary’s Order conclude that the 2013 Secretary’s Order was violated by the refinery by shipping crude oil from the Delaware City terminal to three locations other than the Paulsboro refinery, on 15 days in 2014, making a total of 17 separate barge shipments containing approximately 35.7 million gallons of crude oil in total. On April 28, 2017, the Delaware City refinery appealed the Notice of Penalty Assessment and Secretary’s Order. On March 5, 2018, Notice of Penalty Assessment was settled by DNREC, the Delaware Attorney General and Delaware City refinery for $100,000. The Delaware City refinery made no admissions with respect to the alleged violations and agreed to request a Coastal Zone Act status decision prior to making crude oil shipments to destinations other than Paulsboro. The Delaware City refinery has paid the penalty. The Coastal Zone Act status decision request was submitted to DNREC and the outstanding appeal was withdrawn as required under settlement agreement. DNREC has confirmed that Delaware City Refining Company has fully satisfied its obligations under the agreement, and therefore that the resolution of liability provided under the agreement has taken effect.
On December 28, 2016, DNREC issued the Ethanol Permit to DCR allowing the utilization of existing tanks and existing marine loading equipment at their existing facilities to enable denatured ethanol to be loaded from storage tanks to marine vessels and shipped to offsite facilities. On January 13, 2017, the issuance of the Ethanol Permit was appealed by two environmental groups. On February 27, 2017, the Coastal Zone Industrial Board (the “Coastal Zone Board”) held a public hearing and dismissed the appeal, determining that the appellants did not have standing. The appellants filed an appeal of the Coastal Zone Board’s decision with the Delaware Superior Court (the “Superior Court”) on March 30, 2017. On January 19, 2018, the Superior Court rendered an Opinion regarding the decision of the Coastal Zone Board to dismiss the appeal of the Ethanol Permit for the ethanol project. The judge determined that the record created by the Coastal Zone Board was insufficient for the Superior Court to make a decision, and therefore remanded the case back to the Coastal Zone Board to address the deficiency in the record. Specifically, the Superior Court directed the Coastal Zone Board to address any evidence concerning whether the appellants’ claimed injuries would be affected by the increased quantity of ethanol shipments. On remand, the Coastal Zone Board met on January 28, 2019 and reversed its previous decision on standing ruling that the appellants have standing to appeal the issuance of the Ethanol Permit. The parties to the action have filed a joint motion with the Coastal Zone Board, requesting that the Board concur with the parties’ proposal to secure from the Superior Court confirmation that all rights and claims are preserved for any subsequent appeal to the Superior Court, and that the matter then be scheduled for a hearing on the merits before the Coastal Zone Board. That joint motion remains pending before the Coastal Zone Board.
At the time we acquired the Toledo refinery, EPA had initiated an investigation pursuant to Section 114 of the CAA into the compliance of the refinery with CAA standards, including those governing flaring. On February 1, 2013, EPA issued an amended NOV, and on September 20, 2013, EPA issued a NOV and Finding of Violation to Toledo refinery, alleging certain violations of the CAA at its Plant 4 and Plant 9 flares since the acquisition of the refinery on March 1, 2011. Following settlement discussions, this enforcement action has been resolved. On August 21, 2019, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio entered a consent decree executed by Toledo refinery, EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice. The consent decree included flare emission reduction and controls, enhancements to the existing leak detection and repair program, a civil administrative penalty of $418,300, and a commitment of $150,000 to support implementation of community-based supplemental environmental projects. In the context of resolving the terms of this consent decree, Toledo refinery also agreed to pay EPA and the State of Ohio certain stipulated penalties of $76,700 related to the termination of an historical consent decree.
In connection with the acquisition of the Torrance refinery and related logistics assets, we assumed certain pre-existing environmental liabilities related to certain environmental remediation obligations to address existing soil and groundwater contamination and monitoring activities, which reflect the estimated cost of the remediation obligations. In addition, in connection with the acquisition of the Torrance refinery and related logistics assets, we purchased a ten year, $100.0 million environmental insurance policy to insure against unknown environmental liabilities. Furthermore, in connection with the acquisition, we assumed responsibility for certain specified environmental matters that occurred prior to our ownership of the refinery and logistics assets, including specified incidents and/or NOVs issued by regulatory agencies in various years before our ownership, including the Southern California Air Quality Management District (“SCAQMD”) and the Division of Occupational Safety and Health of the State of California (“Cal/OSHA”).
Subsequent to the acquisition, further NOVs were issued by the SCAQMD, Cal/OSHA, the City of Torrance, the City of Torrance Fire Department, and the Los Angeles County Sanitation District related to alleged operational violations, emission discharges and/or flaring incidents at the refinery and the logistics assets both before and after our acquisition. EPA in November 2016 conducted a Risk Management Plan (“RMP”) inspection following the acquisition related to Torrance operations and issued preliminary findings in March 2017 concerning RMP potential operational violations. Since EPA’s issuance of the preliminary findings in March 2017, we have been in substantive discussions to resolve the preliminary findings. Effective January 9, 2020, we and EPA entered into a Consent Agreement and Final Order (“CAFO”), effective as of January 9, 2020, which contains no admission by us for any alleged violations in the CAFO, includes a release from all alleged violations in the CAFO, requires payment of a penalty of $125,000 and the implementation of a supplemental environmental project (“SEP”) of at least $219,000 that must be completed by December 15, 2021. The SEP will consist of configuring the northeast fire water monitor to automatically deploy water upon detection of a release.
EPA and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (“DTSC”) in December 2016 conducted a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) inspection following the acquisition related to Torrance operations and also issued in March 2017 preliminary findings concerning RCRA potential operational violations. On June 14, 2018, the Torrance refinery and DTSC reached settlement regarding the oil bearing materials. Following this settlement, in June 2018, DTSC referred the remaining alleged RCRA violations from EPA’s and DTSC’s December 2016 inspection to the California Attorney General for final resolution. The Torrance refinery and the California Attorney General are in discussions to resolve these alleged remaining RCRA violations.
On September 3, 2019, we received a letter from the SCAQMD proposing to settle a NOV relating to Title V deviations alleged to have occurred in the second half of 2016 for $465,000. We are currently in communication with the SCAQMD to resolve the NOV.
During 2018, EPA conducted certain evaluations of the ambient air in the vicinity of one of PBFX’s petroleum terminals. PBFX and EPA agreed to resolve EPA’s allegations through execution of an Administrative Consent Order (the “ACO”). The ACO, effective on November 13, 2019, provides for PBFX to make a civil penalty payment of $226,235, and commit to certain injunctive relief, notably including the installation and operation of a thermal oxidizer to reduce the emissions to the atmosphere of volatile organic compound emissions collected from certain existing tanks. Pursuant to the terms of the ACO, PBFX does not admit the factual or legal allegations, nor any liability for noncompliance as alleged by EPA.
As the ultimate outcomes of the matters discussed above are uncertain, we cannot currently estimate the final amount or timing of their resolution but any such amount is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows, individually or in the aggregate.
On December 5, 1990, prior to our ownership of the Chalmette refinery, the plaintiff in Adam Thomas, et al. v. Exxon Mobil Corporation and Chalmette Refining, L.L.C., filed an action on behalf of himself and potentially thousands of other individuals in St. Bernard Parish and Orleans Parish who were allegedly exposed to hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide as a result of more than 100 separate flaring events that occurred between 1989 and 2010. This litigation is proceeding as a mass action with individually named plaintiffs as a result of a 2008 trial court decision, affirmed by the court of appeals that denied class certification. The plaintiffs claim to have suffered physical injuries, property damage, and other damages as a result of the releases. Plaintiffs seek to recover unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, interest, and costs. The Court had scheduled an October 2019 mini-trial of up to 10 plaintiffs, relating to as many as 5 separate flaring events that occurred between 2002 and 2007. However, on October 9, 2019, the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle this matter, which is expected to result in the dismissal with prejudice of all outstanding claims. Although the settlement resolution has not been finalized, we presently believe the outcome will not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
On February 17, 2017, in Arnold Goldstein, et al. v. Exxon Mobil Corporation, et al., we and PBF LLC, and our subsidiaries, PBF Western Region and Torrance Refining and the manager of our Torrance refinery along with ExxonMobil were named as defendants in a class action and representative action complaint filed on behalf of Arnold Goldstein, John Covas, Gisela Janette La Bella and others similarly situated. The complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles (the “Court”) and alleges negligence, strict liability, ultrahazardous activity, a continuing private nuisance, a permanent private nuisance, a continuing public nuisance, a permanent public nuisance and trespass resulting from the February 18, 2015 electrostatic precipitator (“ESP”) explosion at the Torrance refinery which was then owned and operated by ExxonMobil. The operation of the Torrance refinery by the PBF entities subsequent to our acquisition in July 2016 is also referenced in the complaint. To the extent that plaintiffs’ claims relate to the ESP explosion, ExxonMobil has retained responsibility for any liabilities that would arise from the lawsuit pursuant to the agreement relating to the acquisition of the Torrance refinery. On July 2, 2018, the Court granted leave to plaintiffs’ to file a Second Amended Complaint alleging groundwater contamination. With the filing of the Second Amended Complaint, Plaintiffs’ added an additional plaintiff. On March 18, 2019, the class certification hearing was held and the judge took the matter under submission. On April 1, 2019, the judge issued an order denying class certification. On April 15, 2019, Plaintiffs filed a Petition with the Ninth Circuit for Permission to Appeal the Order Denying Motion for Class Certification. The appeal is currently pending with the Ninth Circuit. On May 3, 2019, Plaintiffs filed a Motion with the Central District Court for Leave to File a Renewed Motion for Class Certification. On May 22, 2019, the judge granted Plaintiffs’ motion. We filed our opposition to the motion on July 29, 2019. The Plaintiffs’ motion was heard on September 23, 2019. On October 15, 2019, the judge granted certification to two limited classes of property owners, rejecting two other proposed subclasses based on negligence and on strict liability for ultrahazardous activities. The certified subclasses relate to trespass claims for ground contamination and nuisance for air emissions. We presently believe the outcome will not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
On September 18, 2018, in Michelle Kendig and Jim Kendig, et al. v. ExxonMobil Oil Corporation, et al., PBF Energy Limited and Torrance Refining along with ExxonMobil and ExxonMobil Pipeline Company were named as defendants in a class action and representative action complaint filed on behalf of Michelle Kendig, Jim Kendig and others similarly situated. The complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles and alleges failure to authorize and permit uninterrupted rest and meal periods, failure to furnish accurate wage statements, violation of the Private Attorneys General Act and violation of the California Unfair Business and Competition Law. Plaintiffs seek to recover unspecified economic damages, statutory damages, civil penalties provided by statute, disgorgement of profits, injunctive relief, declaratory relief, interest, attorney’s fees and costs. To the extent that plaintiffs’ claims accrued prior to July 1, 2016, ExxonMobil has retained responsibility for any liabilities that would arise from the lawsuit pursuant to the agreement relating to the acquisition of the Torrance refinery and logistics assets. On October 26, 2018, the matter was removed to the Federal Court, California Central District. A mediation hearing between the parties was held on August 23, 2019. From the mediation hearing, the parties have reached a tentative agreement in principle to settle. Although the settlement resolution has not been finalized, we presently believe the outcome will not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
On September 7, 2018, in Jeprece Roussell, et al. v. PBF Consultants, LLC, et al., the Plaintiff filed an action in the 19th Judicial District Court for the Parish of East Baton Rouge, alleges numerous causes of action, including wrongful death, premises liability, negligence, and gross negligence against PBF Holding, PBFX Operating Company LLC, Chalmette Refining, two individual employees of the Chalmette refinery (the “PBF Defendants”), two entities, PBF Consultants, LLC (“PBF Consultants”) and PBF Investments LLC that are Louisiana companies that are not associated with our companies, as well as Clean Harbors, Inc. and Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc. (collectively, “Clean Harbors”), Mr. Roussell’s employer. Mr. Roussell was fatally injured on March 31, 2018 while performing clay removal work activities inside a clay treating vessel located at the Chalmette refinery. Plaintiff seeks unspecified compensatory damages for pain and suffering, past and future mental anguish, impairment, past and future economic loss, attorney’s fees and court costs. The PBF Defendants have issued a tender of defense and indemnity to Clean Harbors and its insurer pursuant to indemnity obligations contained in the associated services agreement. On September 25, 2018, the PBF Defendants filed an answer in the state court action denying the allegations. On October 10, 2018, the PBF Defendants filed to remove the case to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana. On November 9, 2018, Plaintiff filed a motion to remand the matter back to state court and the PBF Defendants filed a response on November 30, 2018. On December 21, 2018, Plaintiff filed a motion for leave to file a reply memorandum and the reply memorandum was filed December 27, 2018. On April 15, 2019 the Federal Magistrate Judge filed a Report and Recommendation denying Plaintiff’s motion to remand and dismissing without prejudice the claims against John Sprafka, Wayne LaCombe, PBF Consultants and PBF Investments. On June 24, 2019, the Federal Judge adopted the Magistrate Judge’s Report and Recommendation denying Plaintiff’s motion to remand and dismissing without prejudice the claims against John Sprafka, Wayne LaCombe, PBF Consultants and PBF Investments. Discovery has been served by the parties. We cannot currently estimate the amount or the timing of the resolution of this matter. We presently believe the outcome will not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In Varga, Sabrina, et al., v. CRU Railcar Services, LLC, et al., PBF Holding and other of our entities were named as defendants along with CRU Railcar Services, LLC (“CRU”) in a lawsuit arising from a railcar explosion that occurred while CRU employees were cleaning a railcar owned by us. The initial lawsuit alleged that an employee of CRU was fatally injured as a result of the explosion. On July 5, 2019, a petition for intervention was filed alleging that another CRU employee was fatally injured in the same explosion. On October 7, 2019, a third CRU employee joined the lawsuit alleging severe injuries from the incident. We have issued a tender of defense and indemnity to CRU and its insurer pursuant to indemnity obligations contained in the associated services agreement which have not been accepted at this time. Discovery has been served by the parties. We cannot currently estimate the amount or the timing of the resolution of this matter. We presently believe the outcome will not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
We are subject to obligations to purchase RINs. On February 15, 2017, we received notification that EPA records indicated that PBF Holding used potentially invalid RINs that were in fact verified under EPA’s RIN Quality Assurance Program (“QAP”) by an independent auditor as QAP A RINs. Under the regulations use of potentially invalid QAP A RINs provided the user with an affirmative defense from civil penalties provided certain conditions are met. We have asserted the affirmative defense and if accepted by EPA will not be required to replace these RINs and will not be subject to civil penalties under the program. It is reasonably possible that EPA will not accept our defense and may assess penalties in these matters but any such amount is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
The federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”), also known as “Superfund,” imposes liability, without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on certain classes of persons who are considered to be responsible for the release of a “hazardous substance” into the environment. These persons include the current or former owner or operator of the disposal site or sites where the release occurred and companies that disposed of or arranged for the disposal of the hazardous substances. Under CERCLA, such persons may be subject to joint and several liability for investigation and the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances that have been released into the environment, for damages to natural resources and for the costs of certain health studies. As discussed more fully above, certain of our sites are subject to these laws and we may be held liable for investigation and remediation costs or claims for natural resource damages. It is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by hazardous substances or other pollutants released into the environment. Analogous state laws impose similar responsibilities and liabilities on responsible parties. In our current normal operations, we have generated waste, some of which falls within the statutory definition of a “hazardous substance” and some of which may have been disposed of at sites that may require cleanup under Superfund.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
None.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
PBF Energy Class A common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PBF.” PBF Energy Class B common stock is not publicly-traded.
As of February 18, 2020 there were 165 holders of record of PBF Energy Class A common stock and 20 holders of record of PBF Energy Class B common stock.
Dividend and Distribution Policy
Subject to the following paragraphs, PBF Energy currently intends to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends of approximately $0.30 per share on its Class A common stock. The declaration, amount and payment of this and any other future dividends on shares of Class A common stock will be at the sole discretion of PBF Energy’s board of directors.
PBF Energy is a holding company and has no material assets other than its ownership interests of PBF LLC. In order for PBF Energy to pay any dividends, it needs to cause PBF LLC to make distributions to it and the holders of PBF LLC Series A Units, and PBF LLC needs to cause PBF Holding and/or PBFX to make distributions to it, in at least an amount sufficient to cover cash dividends, if any, declared by PBF Energy. Each of PBF Holding and PBFX is generally prohibited under Delaware law from making a distribution to a member to the extent that, at the time of the distribution, after giving effect to the distribution, liabilities of the limited liability company (with certain exceptions) exceed the fair value of its assets. As a result, PBF LLC may be unable to obtain cash from PBF Holding and/or PBFX to satisfy its obligations and make distributions to PBF Energy for dividends, if any, to PBF Energy’s stockholders. If PBF LLC makes such distributions to PBF Energy, the holders of PBF LLC Series A Units will also be entitled to receive pro rata distributions.
The ability of PBF Holding to pay dividends and make distributions to PBF LLC is, and in the future may be, limited by covenants in its Revolving Credit Facility, the 2025 Senior Notes, the 2028 Senior Notes and other debt instruments. Subject to certain exceptions, the Revolving Credit Facility and the indentures governing the senior notes prohibit PBF Holding from making distributions to PBF LLC if certain defaults exist. In addition, both the indentures and the Revolving Credit Facility contain additional restrictions limiting PBF Holding’s ability to make distributions to PBF LLC.
PBFX intends to make a minimum quarterly distribution to the holders of its common units, including PBF LLC, of at least $0.30 per unit, or $1.20 per unit on an annualized basis, to the extent PBFX has sufficient cash from operations after the establishment of cash reserves and the payment of costs and expenses, including reimbursements of expenses to PBFX’s general partner. However, there is no guarantee that PBFX will pay the minimum quarterly distribution or any amount on the units we own in any quarter. Even if PBFX’s cash distribution policy is not modified or revoked, the amount of distributions paid under the policy and the decision to make any distribution is determined by its general partner, taking into consideration the terms of PBFX’s partnership agreement and debt facilities.
PBF Holding made $121.6 million in distributions to PBF LLC during the year ended December 31, 2019. PBF LLC used $145.3 million, which included $115.4 million distributed from PBF Holding, to make four separate non-tax distributions of $0.30 per unit ($1.20 per unit in total) to its members, of which $143.8 million was distributed to PBF Energy and the balance was distributed to PBF LLC’s other members. PBF Energy used this $143.8 million to pay four separate equivalent cash dividends of $0.30 per share of its Class A common stock on March 14, 2019, May 30, 2019, August 30, 2019 and November 26, 2019. PBF LLC also made aggregate tax distributions to its members of $55.1 million, of which $53.4 million was made to PBF Energy. In addition, PBFX made aggregate quarterly distributions of $125.5 million ($2.05 per unit) during the year ended December 31, 2019 to holders of its common units, of which $61.4 million was paid to PBF LLC.
Prior to the IDR Restructuring, PBF LLC owned all of the IDRs of PBFX. The IDRs entitled PBF LLC to receive increasing percentages, up to a maximum of 50.0%, of the cash PBFX distributed from operating surplus in excess of $0.345 per unit per quarter. The maximum distribution of 50.0% included distributions paid to PBF LLC on its partnership interest. The maximum distribution of 50.0% did not include any distributions that PBF LLC previously received on common units that it owns. PBFX made IDR payments of $12.7 million to PBF LLC based on its distributions for the year ended December 31, 2018. Subsequent to the closing of the IDR Restructuring on February 28, 2019, the IDRs were canceled, no distributions were made to PBF LLC with respect to the IDRs and the newly issued PBFX common units are entitled to normal distributions.
PBF LLC expects to continue to make tax distributions to its members in accordance with its amended and restated limited liability company agreement.
Stock Performance Graph
In accordance with SEC rules, the information contained in the Stock Performance Graph below shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material,” or to be “filed” with the SEC, or subject to the SEC’s Regulation 14A or 14C, other than as provided under Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that we specifically request that the information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporate it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
This performance graph and the related textual information are based on historical data and are not indicative of future performance. The following line graph compares the cumulative total return on an investment in our common stock against the cumulative total return of the S&P 500 Composite Index and an index of peer companies (that we selected) for the periods commencing December 31, 2014 through December 31, 2019. Our peer group consists of the following companies that are engaged in refining operations in the U.S.: CVR Energy Inc., Delek US Holdings Inc., HollyFrontier Corp, Marathon Petroleum Corp, Phillips 66 and Valero Energy Corp.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities-Exchange of PBF LLC Series A Units for PBF Energy Class A Common Stock
In the fourth quarter of 2019, there were no exchanges of PBF LLC Series A Units for shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock in transactions exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. No exchanges were made by any of our directors or executive officers.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables present selected historical consolidated financial data of PBF Energy and PBF LLC. The selected historical consolidated financial data as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, have been derived from our audited financial statements, included in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” The selected historical consolidated financial data as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 have been derived from the audited financial statements of PBF Energy and PBF LLC not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. As a result of the Chalmette and Torrance acquisitions, the historical consolidated financial results of PBF Energy and PBF LLC only include the results of operations for the Chalmette and Torrance refineries from November 1, 2015 and July 1, 2016 forward, respectively.
The historical consolidated financial data and other statistical data presented below should be read in conjunction with “Item 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following review of our results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with “Item 1. Business”, “Item 1A. Risk Factors”, “Item 2. Properties”, “Item 6. Selected Financial Data,” and “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” respectively, included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain “forward-looking statements,” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”), of expected future developments that involve risks and uncertainties. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or similar expressions that relate to our strategy, plans or intentions. All statements we make relating to our estimated and projected earnings, margins, costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates and financial results or to our strategies, objectives, intentions, resources and expectations regarding future industry trends are forward-looking statements made under the safe harbor of the PSLRA except to the extent such statements relate to the operations of a partnership or limited liability company. In addition, we, through our senior management, from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning our expected future operations and performance and other developments. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, and, therefore, our actual results may differ materially from those that we expected. We derive many of our forward-looking statements from our operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon many detailed assumptions. While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and, of course, it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, which we refer to as “cautionary statements,” are disclosed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. All forward-looking information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements. Some of the factors that we believe could affect our results include:
•supply, demand, prices and other market conditions for our products, including volatility in commodity prices;
• the effects of competition in our markets;
•changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates and capital costs;
• adverse developments in our relationship with both our key employees and unionized employees;
•our ability to operate our businesses efficiently, manage capital expenditures and costs (including general and administrative expenses) and generate earnings and cash flow;
•our indebtedness;
•our expectations with respect to our capital improvement and turnaround projects;
•our supply and inventory intermediation arrangements expose us to counterparty credit and performance risk;
•termination of our Inventory Intermediation Agreements with J. Aron, which could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, as we would be required to finance our crude oil, intermediate and refined products inventory covered by the agreements. Additionally, we are obligated to repurchase from J. Aron certain products located at our J. Aron Storage Tanks upon termination of these agreements;
•restrictive covenants in our indebtedness that may adversely affect our operational flexibility;
•payments by PBF Energy to the current and former holders of PBF LLC Series A Units and PBF LLC Series B Units under PBF Energy’s Tax Receivable Agreement for certain tax benefits we may claim;
•our assumptions regarding payments arising under PBF Energy’s Tax Receivable Agreement and other arrangements relating to our organizational structure are subject to change due to various factors, including, among other factors, the timing of exchanges of PBF LLC Series A Units for shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock as contemplated by the Tax Receivable Agreement, the price of PBF Energy Class A common stock at the time of such exchanges, the extent to which such exchanges are taxable, and the amount and timing of our income;
•our expectations and timing with respect to our acquisition activity and whether such acquisitions are accretive or dilutive to shareholders;
•the impact of disruptions to crude or feedstock supply to any of our refineries, including disruptions due to problems at PBFX or with third-party logistics infrastructure or operations, including pipeline, marine and rail transportation;
•the possibility that we might reduce or not make further dividend payments;
•the inability of our subsidiaries to freely pay dividends or make distributions to us;
•the impact of current and future laws, rulings and governmental regulations, including the implementation of rules and regulations regarding transportation of crude oil by rail;
•the impact of the recently enacted federal income tax legislation on our business;
•the threat of cyber-attacks;
•the effectiveness of our crude oil sourcing strategies, including our crude by rail strategy and related commitments;
•adverse impacts related to legislation by the federal government lifting the restrictions on exporting U.S. crude oil;
•adverse impacts from changes in our regulatory environment, such as the effects of compliance with AB32, or from actions taken by environmental interest groups;
•market risks related to the volatility in the price of RINs required to comply with the Renewable Fuel Standards and GHG emission credits required to comply with various GHG emission programs, such as AB32;
•our ability to complete the successful integration of the Martinez refinery and any other acquisitions into our business and to realize the benefits from such acquisitions;
•unforeseen liabilities associated with the Martinez Acquisition and any other acquisitions;
•risk associated with the operation of PBFX as a separate, publicly-traded entity;
•potential tax consequences related to our investment in PBFX; and
•any decisions we continue to make with respect to our energy-related logistics assets that may be transferred to PBFX.
We caution you that the foregoing list of important factors may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may not in fact occur. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on those statements.
Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing.
Executive Summary
Our business operations are conducted by PBF LLC and its subsidiaries. We were formed in March 2008 to pursue the acquisitions of crude oil refineries and downstream assets in North America. As of December 31, 2019, we owned and operated five domestic oil refineries and related assets located in Delaware City, Delaware, Paulsboro, New Jersey, Toledo, Ohio, Chalmette, Louisiana and Torrance, California. Our refineries have a combined processing capacity, known as throughput, of approximately 900,000 bpd, and a weighted average Nelson Complexity Index of 12.2. We operate in two reportable business segments: Refining and Logistics. Our five oil refineries are all engaged in the refining of crude oil and other feedstocks into petroleum products, and are aggregated into the Refining segment. PBFX operates certain logistical assets such as crude oil and refined petroleum products terminals, pipelines, and storage facilities, which are aggregated into the Logistics segment.
Following the completion of the Martinez Acquisition, we increased our total throughput capacity to over 1,000,000 bpd and became the most complex independent refiner with a consolidated Nelson Complexity of 12.8.
Factors Affecting Comparability
Our results over the past three years have been affected by the following events, the understanding of which will aid in assessing the comparability of our period to period financial performance and financial condition.
Torrance Land Sale
On August 1, 2019 and August 7, 2018, we closed on third-party sales of parcels of real property acquired as part of the Torrance refinery, but not part of the refinery itself. The sales resulted in gains of approximately $33.1 million and $43.8 million in the third quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively, included within Gain on sale of assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Inventory Intermediation Agreements
The Inventory Intermediation Agreements with J. Aron were amended in the first quarter of 2019 and amended and restated in the third quarter of 2019, pursuant to which certain terms of the Inventory Intermediation Agreements were amended, including, among other things, the maturity date. On March 29, 2019 the Inventory Intermediation Agreement by and among J. Aron, PBF Holding and DCR was amended to add the PBFX East Coast Storage Assets as a location and crude oil as a new product type to be included in the products sold to J. Aron by DCR. On August 29, 2019 the Inventory Intermediation Agreement by and among J. Aron, PBF Holding and PRC was extended to December 31, 2021, which term may be further extended by mutual consent of the parties to December 31, 2022 and the Inventory Intermediation Agreement by and among J. Aron, PBF Holding and DCR was extended to June 30, 2021, which term may be further extended by mutual consent of the parties to June 30, 2022.
Pursuant to each Inventory Intermediation Agreement, J. Aron continues to purchase and hold title to the J. Aron Products produced by the East Coast Refineries, and delivered into our J. Aron Storage Tanks. Furthermore, J. Aron agrees to sell the J. Aron Products back to the East Coast Refineries as they are discharged out of our J. Aron Storage Tanks. J. Aron has the right to store the J. Aron 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 J. Aron Products independently to third parties.
Adoption of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842, “Leases”
As disclosed in “Note 14 - Leases” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, prior to January 1, 2019, we accounted for leases under ASC 840 and did not record a right of use asset or corresponding lease liability for operating leases on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We adopted ASC 842 using a modified retrospective approach, and elected the transition method to apply the new standard at the adoption date of January 1, 2019. As such, financial information for prior periods has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under ASC 840.
Early Return of Railcars
On September 30, 2018, we agreed to voluntarily return a portion of railcars under an operating lease in order to rationalize certain components of our railcar fleet based on prevailing market conditions in the crude oil by rail market. Under the terms of the lease amendment, we agreed to pay amounts in lieu of satisfaction of return conditions (the “early termination penalty”) and a reduced rental fee over the remaining term of the lease. Certain of these railcars were idle as of September 30, 2018 and the remaining railcars were taken out of service during the fourth quarter of 2018 and subsequently fully returned to the lessor. As a result, we recognized an expense of $52.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 included within Cost of sales consisting of (i) a $40.3 million charge for the early termination penalty and (ii) a $12.0 million charge related to the remaining lease payments associated with the railcars identified within the amended lease, all of which were idled and out of service as of December 31, 2018.
PBF Energy Inc. Public Offerings
As a result of the initial public offering and related reorganization transactions, PBF Energy became the sole managing member of PBF LLC with a controlling voting interest in PBF LLC and its subsidiaries. Effective with completion of the initial public offering, PBF Energy consolidates the financial results of PBF LLC and its subsidiaries and records a noncontrolling interest in its Consolidated Financial Statements representing the economic interests of PBF LLC unitholders other than PBF Energy. Additionally, a series of secondary offerings were made subsequent to our IPO whereby funds affiliated with The Blackstone Group L.P. (“Blackstone”) and First Reserve Management L.P. (“First Reserve”) sold their interests in us. As a result of these secondary offerings, Blackstone and First Reserve no longer hold any PBF LLC Series A units.
On August 14, 2018, PBF Energy completed a public offering of an aggregate of 6,000,000 shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock for net proceeds of $287.3 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses (the “August 2018 Equity Offering”).
As of December 31, 2019, including the offerings described above, PBF Energy owns 119,826,202 PBF LLC Series C Units and our current and former executive officers and directors and certain employees and others beneficially own 1,215,317 PBF LLC Series A Units, and the holders of our issued and outstanding shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock have 99.0% of the voting power in us and the members of PBF LLC other than PBF Energy through their holdings of Class B common stock have the remaining 1.0% of the voting power in us.
PBFX Equity Offerings
On April 24, 2019, PBFX entered into subscription agreements to sell an aggregate of 6,585,500 common units to certain institutional investors in a registered direct offering (the “2019 Registered Direct Offering”) for gross proceeds of approximately $135.0 million. The 2019 Registered Direct Offering closed on April 29, 2019.
On July 30, 2018, PBFX closed on a common unit purchase agreement with certain funds managed by Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C. providing for the issuance and sale in a registered direct offering of an aggregate of 1,775,750 common units for net proceeds of approximately $34.9 million.
As of December 31, 2019, PBF LLC held a 48.2% limited partner interest in PBFX with the remaining 51.8% limited partner interest owned by public common unitholders.
PBFX Assets and Transactions
PBFX’s assets consist of various logistics assets (as described in “Item 1. Business”). Apart from business associated with certain third-party acquisitions, PBFX’s revenues are derived from long-term, fee-based commercial agreements with subsidiaries of PBF Holding, which include minimum volume commitments, for receiving, handling, transferring and storing crude oil, refined products and natural gas. These transactions are eliminated by PBF Energy and PBF LLC in consolidation.
Since the inception of PBFX in 2014, PBF LLC and PBFX have entered into a series of drop-down transactions. Such transactions and third-party acquisitions made by PBFX occurring in the three years ended December 31, 2019 are discussed below.
TVPC Acquisition
On April 24, 2019, PBFX entered into the TVPC Contribution Agreement, pursuant to which PBF LLC contributed to PBFX all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of TVP Holding for total consideration of $200.0 million. Prior to the TVPC Acquisition, TVP Holding owned a 50% membership interest in TVPC. Subsequent to the closing of the TVPC Acquisition on May 31, 2019, PBFX owns 100% of the membership interests in TVPC. The transaction was financed through a combination of proceeds from the 2019 Registered Direct Offering and borrowings under the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility.
PBFX IDR Restructuring
On February 28, 2019, PBFX closed on the IDR Restructuring Agreement with PBF LLC and PBF GP, pursuant to which PBFX’s IDRs held by PBF LLC were canceled and converted into 10,000,000 newly issued PBFX common units. Subsequent to the closing of the IDR Restructuring, no distributions were made to PBF LLC with respect to the IDRs and the newly issued PBFX common units are entitled to normal distributions by PBFX.
East Coast Storage Assets Acquisition
On October 1, 2018, PBFX closed on its agreement with Crown Point International, LLC (“Crown Point”) to purchase its wholly-owned subsidiary, CPI Operations LLC (the “East Coast Storage Assets Acquisition”) for total consideration of approximately $127.0 million, including working capital and the Contingent Consideration (as defined in “Note 4 - Acquisitions” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements), comprised of an initial payment at closing of $75.0 million with a remaining balance of $32.0 million that was paid on October 1, 2019. The residual purchase consideration consists of the Contingent Consideration. The consideration was financed through a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility.
Development Assets Acquisition
On July 16, 2018, PBFX and PBF LLC entered into the Development Assets Contribution Agreements, pursuant to which PBFX acquired from PBF LLC all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Toledo Rail Logistics Company LLC, whose assets consist of a loading and unloading rail facility located at PBF Holding’s Toledo refinery (the “Toledo Rail Products Facility”); Chalmette Logistics Company LLC, whose assets consist of a truck loading rack facility (the “Chalmette Truck Rack”) and a rail yard facility (the “Chalmette Rosin Yard”), both of which are located at PBF Holding’s Chalmette refinery; Paulsboro Terminaling Company LLC, whose assets consist of a lube oil terminal facility located at PBF Holding’s Paulsboro refinery (the “Paulsboro Lube Oil Terminal”); and DCR Storage and Loading Company LLC, whose assets consist of an ethanol storage facility located at PBF Holding’s Delaware City refinery (the “Delaware Ethanol Storage Facility” and collectively with the Toledo Rail Products Facility, the Chalmette Truck Rack, the Chalmette Rosin Yard, and the Paulsboro Lube Oil Terminal, the “Development Assets”). The acquisition of the Development Assets closed on July 31, 2018 for total consideration of $31.6 million consisting of 1,494,134 common units representing limited partner interests in PBFX, issued to PBF LLC.
Knoxville Terminal Acquisition
On April 16, 2018, PBFX completed the purchase of two refined product terminals located in Knoxville, Tennessee, which include product tanks, pipeline connections to the Colonial Pipeline Company and Plantation Pipe Line Company pipeline systems and truck loading facilities (the “Knoxville Terminals”) from Cummins Terminals, Inc. for total cash consideration of $58.0 million, excluding working capital adjustments (the “Knoxville Terminals Purchase”). The transaction was financed through a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility.
Chalmette Storage Services Agreement
On February 15, 2017, we entered into a ten-year storage services agreement, under which PBFX, through PBFX Op Co, assumed construction of a crude oil storage tank at the Chalmette refinery (the “Chalmette Storage Tank”). The Chalmette Storage Tank commenced operations providing storage services to PBF Holding in November 2017 upon completion of construction.
PNGPC Contribution Agreement
On February 15, 2017, PBFX entered into the PNGPC Contribution Agreement between PBFX and PBF LLC, pursuant to which PBFX Op Co acquired from PBF LLC all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of PNGPC. PNGPC owns and operates an existing interstate natural gas pipeline. In August 2017, PBFX Op Co completed the construction of a new pipeline which replaced the existing pipeline and commenced operations providing pipeline transportation services to PBF Holding.
PBFX Revolving Credit Facility
On July 30, 2018, PBFX entered into the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders. The PBFX Revolving Credit Facility amended and restated the May 2014 PBFX Revolving Credit Facility to, among other things, increase the maximum commitment available to PBFX from $360.0 million to $500.0 million and extend the maturity date to July 2023. PBFX has the ability to increase the maximum amount of the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility by an aggregate amount of up to $250.0 million to a total facility size of $750.0 million, subject to receiving increased commitments from lenders or other financial institutions and satisfaction of certain conditions. The commitment fees on the unused portion, the interest rate on advances, and the fees for letters of credit are consistent with the May 2014 PBFX Revolving Credit Facility. The PBFX Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed by a limited guaranty of collection from PBF LLC. During 2019 and 2018, PBFX incurred net borrowings of $127.0 million and $126.3 million, respectively, primarily to fund acquisitions and capital projects.
The outstanding borrowings under the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility were $283.0 million, $156.0 million and $29.7 million as of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
PBF Holding Revolving Credit Facility
On May 2, 2018, PBF Holding and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as borrowers or subsidiary guarantors, replaced our existing asset-based revolving credit agreement dated as of August 15, 2014 (the “August 2014 Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the Revolving Credit Facility. Among other things, the Revolving Credit Facility increases the maximum commitment available to PBF Holding from $2.6 billion to $3.4 billion, extends the maturity date to May 2023, and redefines certain components of the Borrowing Base, as defined in the agreement governing the Revolving Credit Facility (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”), to make more funding available for working capital and other general corporate purposes. In addition, an accordion feature allows for commitments of up to $3.5 billion. The commitment fees on the unused portion, the interest rate on advances and the fees for letters of credit are consistent with the August 2014 Revolving Credit Agreement and further described in “Note 9 - Credit Facilities and Debt” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
There were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. At December 31, 2017, there was $350.0 million outstanding under the August 2014 Revolving Credit Agreement.
Senior Notes
On May 30, 2017, PBF Holding and PBF Finance Corporation (“PBF Finance”) issued $725.0 million, in aggregate, principal amount of the 2025 Senior Notes. We used the net proceeds of $711.6 million to fund the cash tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) for any and all of the outstanding 8.25% senior secured notes due 2020 (the “2020 Senior Secured Notes”), to pay the related redemption price and accrued and unpaid interest for any 2020 Senior Secured Notes that remained outstanding after the completion of the Tender Offer, and for general corporate purposes. As described in “Note 9 - Credit Facilities and Debt” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, upon the satisfaction and discharge of the 2020 Senior Secured Notes in connection with the closing of the Tender Offer and the redemption, the 2023 Senior Notes became unsecured and certain covenants were modified, as provided for in the indenture governing the 2023 Senior Notes and related documents.
On October 6, 2017, PBFX issued an additional $175.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (together with the initially issued notes, the “PBFX 2023 Senior Notes”). The additional amount of the PBFX 2023 Senior Notes were issued at 102% of face value with an effective rate of 6.442% and were issued under the indenture governing the initial PBFX 2023 Senior Notes dated May 12, 2015. PBFX used the net proceeds from the offering of the additional amount of the PBFX 2023 Senior Notes to repay a portion of the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility and for general capital purposes.
Renewable Fuels Standard
We are subject to obligations to purchase RINs required to comply with the Renewable Fuels Standard. Our overall RINs obligation is based on a percentage of domestic shipments of on-road fuels as established by EPA. To the degree we are unable to blend the required amount of biofuels to satisfy our RINs obligation, RINs must be purchased on the open market to avoid penalties and fines. We record our RINs obligation on a net basis in Accrued expenses when our RINs liability is greater than the amount of RINs earned and purchased in a given period and in Prepaid and other current assets when the amount of RINs earned and purchased is greater than the RINs liability. We incurred approximately $122.7 million in RINs costs during the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to $143.9 million and $293.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The fluctuations in RINs costs are due primarily to volatility in prices for ethanol-linked RINs and increases in our production of on-road transportation fuels since 2012. Our RINs purchase obligation is dependent on our actual shipment of on-road transportation fuels domestically and the amount of blending achieved.
Crude Oil Acquisition Agreements
We have a contract with Saudi Aramco pursuant to which we have been purchasing up to approximately 100,000 bpd of crude oil from Saudi Aramco that is processed at our Paulsboro refinery. In connection with the Chalmette Acquisition we entered into a contract with PDVSA for the supply of 40,000 to 60,000 bpd of crude oil that can be processed at any of our East or Gulf Coast refineries. We have not sourced crude oil under this agreement since 2017 as PDVSA has suspended deliveries due to the parties’ inability to agree to mutually acceptable payment terms and because of U.S. government sanctions against PDVSA. In connection with the closing of the Torrance Acquisition, we entered into a crude supply agreement with ExxonMobil for approximately 60,000 bpd of crude oil that can be processed at our Torrance refinery. We currently purchase all of our crude and feedstock needs independently from a variety of suppliers on the spot market or through term agreements for our Delaware City and Toledo refineries.
Tax Receivable Agreement
In connection with PBF Energy’s initial public offering, PBF Energy entered into a Tax Receivable Agreement pursuant to which PBF Energy is required to pay the members of PBF LLC, who exchange their units for PBF Energy Class A common stock or whose units PBF Energy purchases, approximately 85% of the cash savings in income taxes that PBF Energy realizes as a result of the increase in the tax basis of its interest in PBF LLC, including tax benefits attributable to payments made under the Tax Receivable Agreement. PBF Energy has recognized, as of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, a liability for the Tax Receivable Agreement of $373.5 million, $373.5 million and $362.1 million, respectively, reflecting its estimate of the undiscounted amounts that it expects to pay under the agreement due to exchanges including those in connection with its IPO and its secondary offerings. PBF Energy’s estimate of the Tax Receivable Agreement liability is based, in part, on forecasts of future taxable income over the anticipated life of its future business operations, assuming no material changes in the relevant tax law. Periodically, it may adjust the liability based, in part, on an updated estimate of the amounts that it expects to pay, using assumptions consistent with those used in its concurrent estimate of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance. For example, PBF Energy must adjust the estimated Tax Receivable Agreement liability each time it purchases PBF LLC Series A Units or upon an exchange of PBF LLC Series A Units for PBF Energy Class A common stock. These periodic adjustments to the tax receivable liability, if any, are recorded in general and administrative expense and may result in adjustments to its income tax expense and deferred tax assets and liabilities. As a result of the reduction of the corporate tax rate to 21% as part of the TCJA, the liability associated with the Tax Receivable Agreement was reduced. Accordingly, the deferred tax assets associated with the payments made or expected to be made were also reduced.
Factors Affecting Operating Results
Overview
Our earnings and cash flows from operations are primarily affected by the relationship between refined product prices and the prices for crude oil and other feedstocks. The cost to acquire crude oil and other feedstocks and the price of refined petroleum products ultimately sold depends on numerous factors beyond our control, including the supply of, and demand for, crude oil, gasoline, diesel and other refined petroleum products, which, in turn, depend on, among other factors, changes in global and regional economies, weather conditions, global and regional political affairs, production levels, the availability of imports, the marketing of competitive fuels, pipeline capacity, prevailing exchange rates and the extent of government regulation. Our revenue and income from operations fluctuate significantly with movements in industry refined petroleum product prices, our materials cost fluctuate significantly with movements in crude oil prices and our other operating expenses fluctuate with movements in the price of energy to meet the power needs of our refineries. In addition, the effect of changes in crude oil prices on our operating results is influenced by how the prices of refined products adjust to reflect such changes.
Crude oil and other feedstock costs and the prices of refined petroleum products have historically been subject to wide fluctuation. Expansion and upgrading of existing facilities and installation of additional refinery distillation or conversion capacity, price volatility, governmental regulations, international political and economic developments and other factors beyond our control are likely to continue to play an important role in refining industry economics. These factors can impact, among other things, the level of inventories in the market, resulting in price volatility and a reduction or increase in product margins. Moreover, the industry typically experiences seasonal fluctuations in demand for refined petroleum products, such as for gasoline and diesel, during the summer driving season and for home heating oil during the winter.
Benchmark Refining Margins
In assessing our operating performance, we compare the refining margins (revenue less materials cost) of each of our refineries against a specific benchmark industry refining margin based on crack spreads. Benchmark refining margins take into account both crude and refined petroleum product prices. When these prices are combined in a formula they provide a single value-a gross margin per barrel-that, when multiplied by throughput, provides an approximation of the gross margin generated by refining activities.
The performance of our East Coast refineries generally follows the Dated Brent (NYH) 2-1-1 benchmark refining margin. Our Toledo refinery generally follows the WTI (Chicago) 4-3-1 benchmark refining margin. Our Chalmette refinery generally follows the LLS (Gulf Coast) 2-1-1 benchmark refining margin. Our Torrance refinery generally follows the ANS (West Coast) 4-3-1 benchmark refining margin.
While the benchmark refinery margins presented below under “Results of Operations-Market Indicators” are representative of the results of our refineries, each refinery’s realized gross margin on a per barrel basis will differ from the benchmark due to a variety of factors affecting the performance of the relevant refinery to its corresponding benchmark. These factors include the refinery’s actual type of crude oil throughput, product yield differentials and any other factors not reflected in the benchmark refining margins, such as transportation costs, storage costs, credit fees, fuel consumed during production and any product premiums or discounts, as well as inventory fluctuations, timing of crude oil and other feedstock purchases, a rising or declining crude and product pricing environment and commodity price management activities. As discussed in more detail below, each of our refineries, depending on market conditions, has certain feedstock-cost and product-value advantages and disadvantages as compared to the refinery’s relevant benchmark.
Credit Risk Management
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to us. Our exposure to credit risk is reflected in the carrying amount of the receivables that are presented in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. To minimize credit risk, all customers are subject to extensive credit verification procedures and extensions of credit above defined thresholds are to be approved by the senior management. Our intention is to trade only with recognized creditworthy third parties. In addition, receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis. We also limit the risk of bad debts by obtaining security such as guarantees or letters of credit.
Other Factors
We currently source our crude oil for our refineries on a global basis through a combination of market purchases and short-term purchase contracts, and through our crude oil supply agreements. We believe purchases based on market pricing has given us flexibility in obtaining crude oil at lower prices and on a more accurate “as needed” basis. Since our Paulsboro and Delaware City refineries access their crude slates from the Delaware River via ship or barge and through our rail facilities at Delaware City, these refineries have the flexibility to purchase crude oils from the Mid-Continent and Western Canada, as well as a number of different countries. We have not sourced crude oil under our crude supply arrangement with PDVSA since 2017 as PDVSA has suspended deliveries due to our inability to agree to mutually acceptable payment terms and because of U.S. government sanctions against PDVSA.
In the past several years, we expanded and upgraded the existing on-site railroad infrastructure at the Delaware City refinery. Currently, crude oil delivered by rail to this facility is consumed at our Delaware City and Paulsboro refineries. The Delaware City rail unloading facilities, and the East Coast Storage Assets, allow our East Coast refineries to source WTI-based crude oils from Western Canada and the Mid-Continent, which we believe, at times, may provide cost advantages versus traditional Brent-based international crude oils. In support of this rail strategy, we have at times entered into agreements to lease or purchase crude railcars. Certain of these railcars were subsequently sold to a third-party, which has leased the railcars back to us for periods of between four and seven years. In subsequent periods, we have sold or returned railcars to optimize our railcar portfolio. Our railcar fleet, at times, provides transportation flexibility within our crude oil sourcing strategy that allows our East Coast refineries to process cost advantaged crude from Canada and the Mid-Continent.
Our operating cost structure is also important to our profitability. Major operating costs include costs relating to employees and contract labor, energy, maintenance and environmental compliance, and emission control regulations, including the cost of RINs required for compliance with the Renewable Fuels Standard. The predominant variable cost is energy, in particular, the price of utilities, natural gas and electricity.
Our operating results are also affected by the reliability of our refinery operations. Unplanned downtime of our refinery assets generally results in lost margin opportunity and increased maintenance expense. The financial impact of planned downtime, such as major turnaround maintenance, is managed through a planning process that considers such things as the margin environment, the availability of resources to perform the needed maintenance and feed logistics, whereas unplanned downtime does not afford us this opportunity.
Refinery-Specific Information
The following section includes refinery-specific information related to our operations, crude oil differentials, ancillary costs, and local premiums and discounts.
Delaware City Refinery. The benchmark refining margin for the Delaware City refinery is calculated by assuming that two barrels of Dated Brent crude oil are converted into one barrel of gasoline and one barrel of diesel. We calculate this benchmark using the NYH market value of reformulated blendstock for oxygenate blending (“RBOB”) and ULSD against the market value of Dated Brent and refer to the benchmark as the Dated Brent (NYH) 2-1-1 benchmark refining margin. Our Delaware City refinery has a product slate of approximately 51% gasoline, 31% distillate, 2% high-value petrochemicals, with the remaining portion of the product slate comprised of lower-value products (3% petroleum coke, 3% LPGs, 7% black oil and 3% other). For this reason, we believe the Dated Brent (NYH) 2-1-1 is an appropriate benchmark industry refining margin. The majority of Delaware City revenues are generated off NYH-based market prices.
The Delaware City refinery’s realized gross margin on a per barrel basis has historically differed from the Dated Brent (NYH) 2-1-1 benchmark refining margin due to the following factors:
•the Delaware City refinery processes a slate of primarily medium and heavy sour crude oils, which has constituted approximately 55% to 65% of total throughput. The remaining throughput consists of sweet crude oil and other feedstocks and blendstocks. In addition, we have the capability to process a significant volume of light, sweet crude oil depending on market conditions. Our total throughput costs have historically priced at a discount to Dated Brent; and
•as a result of the heavy, sour crude slate processed at Delaware City, we produce lower value products including sulfur, carbon dioxide and petroleum coke. These products are priced at a significant discount to RBOB and ULSD.
Paulsboro Refinery. The benchmark refining margin for the Paulsboro refinery is calculated by assuming that two barrels of Dated Brent crude oil are converted into one barrel of gasoline and one barrel of diesel. We calculate this benchmark using the NYH market value of RBOB and ULSD diesel against the market value of Dated Brent and refer to the benchmark as the Dated Brent (NYH) 2-1-1 benchmark refining margin. Our Paulsboro refinery has a product slate of approximately 44% gasoline, 34% distillate and 3% high-value Group I lubricants,
with the remaining portion of the product slate comprised of lower-value products (13% black oil, 2% petroleum coke, and 4% LPGs). For this reason, we believe the Dated Brent (NYH) 2-1-1 is an appropriate benchmark industry refining margin. The majority of Paulsboro revenues are generated off NYH-based market prices.
The Paulsboro refinery’s realized gross margin on a per barrel basis has historically differed from the Dated Brent (NYH) 2-1-1 benchmark refining margin due to the following factors:
•the Paulsboro refinery processes a slate of primarily medium and heavy sour crude oils, which has historically constituted approximately 75% to 85% of total throughput. The remaining throughput consists of sweet crude oil and other feedstocks and blendstocks;
•as a result of the heavy, sour crude slate processed at Paulsboro, we produce lower value products including sulfur and petroleum coke. These products are priced at a significant discount to RBOB and ULSD; and
•the Paulsboro refinery produces Group I lubricants which carry a premium sales price to RBOB and ULSD.
Toledo Refinery. The benchmark refining margin for the Toledo refinery is calculated by assuming that four barrels of WTI crude oil are converted into three barrels of gasoline, one-half barrel of ULSD and one-half barrel of jet fuel. We calculate this refining margin using the Chicago market values of conventional blendstock for oxygenate blending and ULSD and the United States Gulf Coast value of jet fuel against the market value of WTI and refer to this benchmark as the WTI (Chicago) 4-3-1 benchmark refining margin. Our Toledo refinery has a product slate of approximately 55% gasoline, 34% distillate, 5% high-value petrochemicals (including nonene, tetramer, benzene, xylene and toluene) with the remaining portion of the product slate comprised of lower-value products (4% LPGs and 2% other). For this reason, we believe the WTI (Chicago) 4-3-1 is an appropriate benchmark industry refining margin. The majority of Toledo revenues are generated off Chicago-based market prices.
The Toledo refinery’s realized gross margin on a per barrel basis has historically differed from the WTI (Chicago) 4-3-1 benchmark refining margin due to the following factors:
•the Toledo refinery processes a slate of domestic sweet and Canadian synthetic crude oil. Historically, Toledo’s blended average crude costs have differed from the market value of WTI crude oil;
•the Toledo refinery configuration enables it to produce more barrels of product than throughput which generates a pricing benefit; and
•the Toledo refinery generates a pricing benefit on some of its refined products, primarily its petrochemicals.
Chalmette Refinery. The benchmark refining margin for the Chalmette refinery is calculated by assuming two barrels of LLS crude oil are converted into one barrel of gasoline and one barrel of diesel. We calculate this benchmark using the US Gulf Coast market value of 87 conventional gasoline and ULSD against the market value of LLS and refer to this benchmark as the LLS (Gulf Coast) 2-1-1 benchmark refining margin. Our Chalmette refinery has a product slate of approximately 50% gasoline and 33% distillate, with the remaining portion of the product slate comprised of lower-value products (8% black oil, 4% petroleum coke, 3% LPGs, and 2% petrochemical feedstocks). For this reason, we believe the LLS (Gulf Coast) 2-1-1 is an appropriate benchmark industry refining margin. The majority of Chalmette revenues are generated off Gulf Coast-based market prices.
The Chalmette refinery’s realized gross margin on a per barrel basis has historically differed from the LLS (Gulf Coast) 2-1-1 benchmark refining margin due to the following factors:
•the Chalmette refinery has generally processed a slate of primarily medium and heavy sour crude oils, which has historically constituted approximately 55% to 65% of total throughput. The remaining throughput consists of sweet crude oil and other feedstocks and blendstocks; and
•as a result of the heavy, sour crude slate processed at Chalmette, we produce lower-value products including sulfur and petroleum coke. These products are priced at a significant discount to 87 conventional gasoline and ULSD.
The PRL (pre-treater, reformer, light ends) project was completed in 2017 which has increased high-octane, ultra-low sulfur reformate and chemicals production. The new crude oil tank was also commissioned in 2017 and is allowing additional gasoline and diesel exports, reduced RINs compliance costs and lower crude ship demurrage costs.
Additionally, the idled 12,000 barrel per day coker unit was restarted in the fourth quarter of 2019 to increase the refinery’s long-term feedstock flexibility to capture the potential benefit in the price for heavy and high-sulfur feedstocks. The unit has increased the refinery’s total coking capacity to approximately 40,000 barrels per day.
Torrance Refinery. The benchmark refining margin for the Torrance refinery is calculated by assuming that four barrels of Alaskan North Slope (“ANS”) crude oil are converted into three barrels of gasoline, one-half barrel of diesel and one-half barrel of jet fuel. We calculate this benchmark using the West Coast Los Angeles market value of California reformulated blendstock for oxygenate blending (CARBOB), CARB diesel and jet fuel and refer to the benchmark as the ANS (West Coast) 4-3-1 benchmark refining margin. Our Torrance refinery has a product slate of approximately 62% gasoline and 26% distillate with the remaining portion of the product slate comprised of lower-value products (8% petroleum coke, 2% LPG and 2% black oil). For this reason, we believe the ANS (West Coast) 4-3-1 is an appropriate benchmark industry refining margin. The majority of Torrance revenues are generated off West Coast Los Angeles-based market prices.
The Torrance refinery’s realized gross margin on a per barrel basis has historically differed from the ANS (West Coast) 4-3-1 benchmark refining margin due to the following factors:
•the Torrance refinery has generally processed a slate of primarily heavy sour crude oils, which has historically constituted approximately 80% to 90% of total throughput. The Torrance crude slate has the lowest API gravity (typically an American Petroleum Institute (“API”) gravity of less than 20 degrees) of all of our refineries. The remaining throughput consists of other feedstocks and blendstocks; and
•as a result of the heavy, sour crude slate processed at Torrance, we produce lower-value products including petroleum coke and sulfur. These products are priced at a significant discount to gasoline and diesel.
Results of Operations
The tables below reflect our consolidated financial and operating highlights for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 (amounts in millions, except per share data). Differences between the results of operations of PBF Energy and PBF LLC primarily pertain to income taxes, interest expense and noncontrolling interest as shown below. Earnings per share information applies only to the financial results of PBF Energy. We operate in two reportable business segments: Refining and Logistics. Our oil refineries, excluding the assets owned by PBFX, are all engaged in the refining of crude oil and other feedstocks into petroleum products, and are aggregated into the Refining segment. PBFX is a publicly-traded MLP that operates certain logistics assets such as crude oil and refined petroleum products terminals, pipelines and storage facilities. PBFX’s operations are aggregated into the Logistics segment. We do not separately discuss our results by individual segments as, apart from PBFX’s third-party acquisitions, our Logistics segment did not have any significant third-party revenues and a significant portion of its operating results eliminate in consolidation.
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(1) See Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
Operating Highlights
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(1) See Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
(2) We define heavy crude oil as crude oil with American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity less than 24 degrees. We define medium crude oil as crude oil with API gravity between 24 and 35 degrees. We define light crude oil as crude oil with API gravity higher than 35 degrees.
The table below summarizes certain market indicators relating to our operating results as reported by Platts.
2019 Compared to 2018
Overview- PBF Energy net income was $375.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to net income of $175.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. PBF LLC net income was $480.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to net income of $180.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Net income attributable to PBF Energy stockholders was $319.4 million, or $2.64 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2019 ($2.64 per share on a fully-exchanged, fully-diluted basis based on adjusted fully-converted net income, or $0.90 per share on a fully-exchanged, fully-diluted basis based on adjusted fully-converted net income excluding special items, as described below in Non-GAAP Financial Measures) compared to net income attributable to PBF Energy stockholders of $128.3 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2018 ($1.10 per share on a fully-exchanged, fully-diluted basis based on adjusted fully-converted net income, or $3.26 per share on a fully-exchanged, fully-diluted basis based on adjusted fully-converted net income excluding special items, as described below in Non-GAAP Financial Measures). The net income attributable to PBF Energy stockholders represents PBF Energy’s equity interest in PBF LLC’s pre-tax income, less applicable income tax expense. PBF Energy’s weighted-average equity interest in PBF LLC was 99.0% and 98.3% for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Our results for the year ended December 31, 2019 were positively impacted by special items comprised of a non-cash, pre-tax LCM inventory adjustment of approximately $250.2 million, or $188.0 million net of tax and a pre-tax gain on the sale of land at our Torrance refinery of $33.1 million, or $24.9 million net of tax. Our results for the year ended December 31, 2018 were negatively impacted by special items consisting of a non-cash, pre-
tax LCM inventory adjustment of approximately $351.3 million, or $260.0 million net of tax, and the early return of certain leased railcars, resulting in a pre-tax charge of $52.3 million, or $38.7 million net of tax. These unfavorable impacts were partially offset by special items related to a pre-tax benefit associated with the change in the Tax Receivable Agreement liability of $13.9 million, or $10.3 million net of tax, and a pre-tax gain on the sale of land at our Torrance refinery of $43.8 million, or $32.4 million net of tax.
Excluding the impact of these special items, our results were negatively impacted by unfavorable movements in crude differentials and overall lower throughput volumes and barrels sold across our refineries, partially offset by higher crack spreads realized at our West Coast refinery. Refining margins for the current year compared to the prior year were weaker at our East Coast, Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast refineries, offset by significantly stronger margins realized on the West Coast. Our results for the year ended December 31, 2019 were also negatively impacted by increased operating expenses and depreciation and amortization expense associated with our continued investment in our refining assets and the effect of significant turnaround and maintenance activity during 2019.
Revenues- Revenues totaled $24.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $27.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of approximately $2.7 billion or 9.9%. Revenues per barrel sold were $69.93 and $77.08 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, a decrease of 9.3% directly related to lower hydrocarbon commodity prices. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the total throughput rates at our East Coast, Mid-Continent, Gulf Coast and West Coast refineries averaged approximately 336,400 bpd, 153,000 bpd, 177,900 bpd and 155,800 bpd, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the total throughput rates at our East Coast, Mid-Continent, Gulf Coast and West Coast refineries averaged approximately 344,700 bpd, 149,600 bpd, 185,600 bpd and 169,800 bpd, respectively. The throughput rates at our East Coast and West Coast refineries were lower in the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 due to planned downtime associated with turnarounds of the coker and associated units at our Delaware City and Torrance refineries and the crude unit at our Paulsboro refinery, all of which were completed in the first half of 2019, and unplanned downtime at our Delaware City refinery in the first quarter of 2019. Throughput rates at our Mid-Continent refinery were higher in the current year compared to the prior year due to a planned turnaround at our Toledo refinery in the first half of the prior year. Throughput rates at our Gulf Coast refinery were lower in the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 due to unplanned downtime in the fourth quarter of 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the total barrels sold at our East Coast, Mid-Continent, Gulf Coast and West Coast refineries averaged approximately 382,500 bpd, 163,900 bpd, 225,300 bpd and 188,600 bpd, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the total barrels sold at our East Coast, Mid-Continent, Gulf Coast and West Coast refineries averaged approximately 372,700 bpd, 161,800 bpd, 233,700 bpd and 198,100 bpd, respectively. Total refined product barrels sold were higher than throughput rates, reflecting sales from inventory as well as sales and purchases of refined products outside the refineries.
Consolidated Gross Margin- Consolidated gross margin totaled $913.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $602.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of $310.5 million. Gross refining margin (as described below in Non-GAAP Financial Measures) totaled $2,801.2 million, or $9.34 per barrel of throughput, for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $2,419.4 million, or $7.79 per barrel of throughput, for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of approximately $381.8 million. Gross refining margin excluding special items totaled $2,551.0 million, or $8.51 per barrel of throughput, for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $2,823.0 million, or $9.09 per barrel of throughput, for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $272.0 million.
Consolidated gross margin and gross refining margin were positively impacted in the current year by a non-cash LCM inventory adjustment of approximately $250.2 million on a net basis, resulting from the increase in crude oil and refined product prices from the year ended 2018. Gross refining margin excluding the impact of special items decreased due to unfavorable movements in certain crude differentials and refining margins and reduced throughput rates at the majority of our refineries, partially offset by higher throughput rates in the Mid-Continent and stronger crack spreads on the West Coast. For the year ended December 31, 2018, special items impacting our margin calculations included a non-cash LCM inventory adjustment of approximately $351.3 million
on a net basis, resulting from a decrease in crude oil and refined product prices and a $52.3 million charge resulting from costs associated with the early return of certain leased railcars.
Additionally, our results continue to be impacted by significant costs to comply with the RFS, although at a reduced level from the prior year. Total RFS costs were $122.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared with $143.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Average industry margins were mixed during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared with the prior year, primarily as a result of varying regional product inventory levels and seasonal and unplanned refining downtime issues impacting product margins. Crude oil differentials were generally unfavorable compared with the prior year, with notable light-heavy crude differential compression negatively impacting our gross refining margin and moving our overall crude slate lighter.
On the East Coast, the Dated Brent (NYH) 2-1-1 industry crack spread was approximately $12.68 per barrel, or 3.7% lower, in the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to $13.17 per barrel in the same period in 2018. Our margins were negatively impacted from our refinery specific slate on the East Coast by tightening in the Dated Brent/Maya and WTI/Bakken differentials, which decreased $1.94 per barrel and $2.20 per barrel, respectively, in comparison to the prior year. In addition, the WTI/WCS differential decreased significantly to $13.61 per barrel in 2019 compared to $26.93 per barrel in 2018, which unfavorably impacted our cost of heavy Canadian crude.
Across the Mid-Continent, the WTI (Chicago) 4-3-1 industry crack spread was $15.25 per barrel, or 2.8% higher, in the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to $14.84 per barrel in the prior year. Our margins were negatively impacted from our refinery specific slate in the Mid-Continent by a decreasing WTI/Bakken differential, which averaged $0.66 per barrel in the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to $2.86 per barrel in the prior year. Additionally, the WTI/Syncrude differential averaged $0.18 per barrel for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to $6.84 per barrel in the prior year.
In the Gulf Coast, the LLS (Gulf Coast) 2-1-1 industry crack spread was $12.43 per barrel, or 1.1% higher, in the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to $12.30 per barrel in the prior year. Margins in the Gulf Coast were negatively impacted from our refinery specific slate by a weakening WTI/LLS differential, which averaged a premium of $5.64 per barrel for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to a premium of $5.03 per barrel in the prior year.
On the West Coast, the ANS (West Coast) 4-3-1 industry crack spread was $18.46 per barrel, or 19.3% higher, in the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to $15.48 per barrel in the prior year. Margins on the West Coast were negatively impacted from our refinery specific slate by a weakening WTI/ANS differential, which averaged a premium of $7.97 per barrel for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to a premium of $6.34 per barrel in the prior year.
Favorable movements in these benchmark crude differentials typically result in lower crude costs and positively impact our earnings, while reductions in these benchmark crude differentials typically result in higher crude costs and negatively impact our earnings.
Operating Expenses- Operating expenses totaled $1,782.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $1,721.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of approximately $61.3 million, or 3.6%. Of the total $1,782.3 million of operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019, $1,684.3 million, or $5.61 per barrel of throughput, related to expenses incurred by the Refining segment, while the remaining $98.0 million related to expenses incurred by the Logistics segment ($1,654.8 million or $5.34 per barrel of throughput, and $66.2 million of operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 related to the Refining and Logistics segments, respectively). Increases in operating expenses were mainly attributed to higher outside service costs related to turnaround and maintenance activity. Operating expenses related to our Logistics segment increased when compared to 2018 due to expenses related to the operations of PBFX’s recently acquired assets and higher environmental clean-up remediation costs and product contamination remediation costs.
General and Administrative Expenses- General and administrative expenses totaled $284.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $277.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of $7.0 million or 2.5%. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared with the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily related to higher outside services, including legal settlement charges, and transaction costs related to the Martinez Acquisition, partially offset by a reduction in incentive compensation. Our general and administrative expenses are comprised of personnel, facilities and other infrastructure costs necessary to support our refineries and related logistics assets.
Gain on Sale of Assets- Gain on sale of assets was $29.9 million and $43.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, mainly attributed to the sale of two separate parcels of land at our Torrance refinery.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense- Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $436.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 (including $425.3 million recorded within Cost of sales) compared to $369.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 (including $359.1 million recorded within Cost of sales), an increase of $66.4 million. The increase was a result of additional depreciation expense associated with a general increase in our fixed asset base due to capital projects and turnarounds completed during 2019 and 2018, as well as accelerated amortization related to the Delaware City and Torrance refinery turnarounds, which were completed in the first half of 2019.
Change in Tax Receivable Agreement Liability- There was no change in the Tax Receivable Agreement liability for the year ended December 31, 2019. Change in the Tax Receivable Agreement liability for the year ended December 31, 2018 represented a gain of $13.9 million.
Change in Fair Value of Catalyst Obligations- Change in the fair value of catalyst obligations represented a loss of $9.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to a gain of $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. These gains and losses relate to the change in value of the precious metals underlying the sale and leaseback of our refineries’ precious metal catalysts, which we are obligated to repurchase at fair market value on the catalyst financing arrangement termination dates.
Interest Expense, net- PBF Energy interest expense totaled $159.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $169.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $10.3 million. This net decrease is mainly attributable to lower outstanding revolver borrowings for the year ended December 31, 2019. Interest expense includes interest on long-term debt including the PBFX credit facilities, costs related to the sale and leaseback of our precious metal catalysts, financing costs associated with the Inventory Intermediation Agreements with J. Aron, letter of credit fees associated with the purchase of certain crude oils and the amortization of deferred financing costs. PBF LLC interest expense totaled $169.1 million and $178.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively (inclusive of $9.5 million and $8.6 million, respectively, of incremental interest expense on the affiliate note payable with PBF Energy that eliminates in consolidation at the PBF Energy level).
Income Tax Expense- PBF LLC is organized as a limited liability company and PBFX is an MLP, both of which are treated as “flow-through” entities for federal income tax purposes and therefore are not subject to income tax. However, two subsidiaries of Chalmette Refining and our Canadian subsidiary, PBF Energy Limited (“PBF Ltd.”), are treated as C-Corporations for income tax purposes and may incur income taxes with respect to their earnings, as applicable. The members of PBF LLC are required to include their proportionate share of PBF LLC’s taxable income or loss, which includes PBF LLC’s allocable share of PBFX’s pre-tax income or loss, on their respective tax returns. PBF LLC generally makes distributions to its members, per the terms of PBF LLC’s amended and restated limited liability company agreement, related to such taxes on a pro-rata basis. PBF Energy recognizes an income tax expense or benefit in our consolidated financial statements based on PBF Energy’s allocable share of PBF LLC’s pre-tax income or loss, which was approximately 99.0% and 98.3%, on a weighted-average basis for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. PBF Energy’s Consolidated Financial Statements do not reflect any benefit or provision for income taxes on the pre-tax income or loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests in PBF LLC or PBFX (although, as described above, PBF LLC must make tax distributions
to all its members on a pro-rata basis). PBF Energy’s effective tax rate, excluding the impact of noncontrolling interest, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was 21.8% and 16.0%, respectively, reflecting tax adjustments for discrete items and the impact of tax return to income tax provision adjustments.
Noncontrolling Interest- PBF Energy is the sole managing member of, and has a controlling interest in, PBF LLC. As the sole managing member of PBF LLC, PBF Energy operates and controls all of the business and affairs of PBF LLC and its subsidiaries. PBF Energy consolidates the financial results of PBF LLC and its subsidiaries, including PBFX. With respect to the consolidation of PBF LLC, the Company records a noncontrolling interest for the economic interest in PBF LLC held by members other than PBF Energy, and with respect to the consolidation of PBFX, the Company records a noncontrolling interest for the economic interests in PBFX held by the public unitholders of PBFX, and with respect to the consolidation of PBF Holding, the Company records a 20% noncontrolling interest for the ownership interests in two subsidiaries of Chalmette Refining held by a third party. The total noncontrolling interest on the Consolidated Statements of Operations represents the portion of the Company’s earnings or loss attributable to the economic interests held by members of PBF LLC other than PBF Energy, by the public common unitholders of PBFX and by the third-party stockholders of certain of Chalmette Refining’s subsidiaries. The total noncontrolling interest on the Consolidated Balance Sheets represents the portion of the Company’s net assets attributable to the economic interests held by the members of PBF LLC other than PBF Energy, by the public common unitholders of PBFX and by the third-party stockholders of the two Chalmette Refining subsidiaries. PBF Energy’s weighted-average equity noncontrolling interest ownership percentage in PBF LLC for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was approximately 1.0% and 1.7%, respectively. The carrying amount of the noncontrolling interest on our Consolidated Balance Sheets attributable to the noncontrolling interest is not equal to the noncontrolling interest ownership percentage due to the effect of income taxes and related agreements that pertain solely to PBF Energy.
2018 Compared to 2017
Overview- PBF Energy net income was $175.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to net income of $483.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. PBF LLC net income was $180.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to net income of $551.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Net income attributable to PBF Energy stockholders was $128.3 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2018 ($1.10 per share on a fully-exchanged, fully-diluted basis based on adjusted fully-converted net income, or $3.26 per share on a fully-exchanged, fully- diluted basis based on adjusted fully-converted net income excluding special items, as described below in Non-GAAP Financial Measures) compared to net income attributable to PBF Energy stockholders of $415.6 million, or $3.73 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2017 ($3.73 per share on a fully-exchanged, fully-diluted basis based on adjusted fully-converted net income, or $1.14 per share on a fully-exchanged, fully-diluted basis based on adjusted fully-converted net income excluding special items, as described below in Non-GAAP Financial Measures). The net income attributable to PBF Energy stockholders represents PBF Energy’s equity interest in PBF LLC’s pre-tax income, less applicable income tax expense. PBF Energy’s weighted-average equity interest in PBF LLC was 98.3% and 96.6% for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Our results for the year ended December 31, 2018 were negatively impacted by special items consisting of a non-cash, pre-tax LCM inventory adjustment of approximately $351.3 million, or $260.0 million net of tax, and the early return of certain leased railcars, resulting in a pre-tax charge of $52.3 million, or $38.7 million net of tax. These unfavorable impacts were partially offset by special items related to a pre-tax benefit associated with the change in the Tax Receivable Agreement liability of $13.9 million, or $10.3 million net of tax, and a pre-tax gain on the Torrance land sale of $43.8 million, or $32.4 million net of tax. Our results for the year ended December 31, 2017 were positively impacted by special items consisting of a non-cash, pre-tax LCM inventory adjustment of approximately $295.5 million, or $178.5 million net of tax, and a pre-tax benefit of $250.9 million, or $151.5 million net of tax related to the change in our Tax Receivable Agreement liability. These favorable impacts were partially offset by special items related to pre-tax debt extinguishment costs of $25.5 million, or $15.4 million net of tax, related to the redemption of the 2020 Senior Secured Notes and the enactment of the TCJA resulting in a
net tax expense of $20.2 million associated with the remeasurement of the Tax Receivable Agreement associated deferred tax assets and related reduction of our deferred tax liabilities.
Excluding the impact of these special items, our results were positively impacted by favorable movements in crude differentials, higher throughput volumes and barrels sold across the majority of our refineries and reduced regulatory compliance costs, offset by lower crack spreads realized at the majority of our refineries, which were favorably impacted in the prior year by the hurricane-related effect on refining margins due to tightening product inventories, specifically distillates. Our results for the year ended December 31, 2018 were negatively impacted by higher general and administrative costs and increased depreciation and amortization expense.
Revenues- Revenues totaled $27.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $21.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of approximately $5.4 billion, or 24.8%. Revenues per barrel sold were $77.08 and $64.90 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, an increase of 18.8% directly related to higher hydrocarbon commodity prices. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the total throughput rates at our East Coast, Mid-Continent, Gulf Coast and West Coast refineries averaged approximately 344,700 bpd, 149,600 bpd, 185,600 bpd and 169,800 bpd, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the total throughput rates at our East Coast, Mid-Continent, Gulf Coast and West Coast refineries averaged approximately 338,200 bpd, 145,200 bpd, 184,500 bpd and 139,500 bpd, respectively. The throughput rates at our East Coast, Mid-Continent and West Coast refineries were higher in the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. Throughput rates at our Gulf Coast refinery were in line with the prior year despite planned downtimes during the first half of 2018. The throughput rates at our East Coast refineries increased due to planned downtime at our Delaware City refinery during 2017, whereas our Mid-Continent refinery ran at modestly higher rates during the year, taking advantage of a relatively strong margin environment. The throughput rates at our West Coast refinery increased due to planned downtime in the prior year as part of the first significant turnaround of the refinery under our ownership and improved refinery performance experienced in the year ended December 31, 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the total refined product barrels sold at our East Coast, Mid-Continent, Gulf Coast and West Coast refineries averaged approximately 372,700 bpd, 161,800 bpd, 233,700 bpd and 198,100 bpd, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the total refined product barrels sold at our East Coast, Mid-Continent, Gulf Coast and West Coast refineries averaged approximately 363,800 bpd, 160,400 bpd, 227,200 bpd and 168,300 bpd, respectively. Total refined product barrels sold were higher than throughput rates, reflecting sales from inventory as well as sales and purchases of refined products outside the refineries.
Consolidated Gross Margin- Consolidated gross margin totaled $602.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $960.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $358.0 million. Gross refining margin (as described below in Non-GAAP Financial Measures) totaled $2,419.4 million, or $7.79 per barrel of throughput, for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $2,676.6 million, or $9.08 per barrel of throughput, for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of approximately $257.2 million. Gross refining margin excluding special items totaled $2,823.0 million, or $9.09 per barrel of throughput for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $2,381.1 million or $8.08 per barrel of throughput, for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $441.9 million.
Consolidated gross margin and gross refining margin were negatively impacted in the year ended December 31, 2018 by special items. The special items impacting our margin calculations included a non-cash LCM inventory adjustment of approximately $351.3 million on a net basis, resulting from a decrease in crude oil and refined product prices compared with the prices at the end of 2017 and a $52.3 million charge resulting from costs associated with the early return of certain leased railcars. The non-cash LCM inventory adjustment increased consolidated gross margin and gross refining margin by approximately $295.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2017. Excluding the impact of special items, consolidated gross margin and gross refining margin increased due to generally favorable movements in crude differentials and higher throughput volumes and barrels sold across all of our refineries.
Additionally, our results continue to be impacted by significant costs to comply with RFS, although at a reduced level from the prior year. Total RFS costs were $143.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared with $293.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Average industry margins were weaker during the year ended December 31, 2018 compared with the prior year, primarily as a result of 2017 being favorably impacted by the hurricane-related effect on refining margins in the second half of the year due to tightening product inventories, specifically distillates. Crude oil differentials were generally favorable compared with the prior year, with beneficial differentials experienced across the East Coast and Mid-Continent, partially offset by marginally unfavorable impacts related to our refinery specific crude slate in the Gulf and West Coast.
On the East Coast, the Dated Brent (NYH) 2-1-1 industry crack spread was approximately $13.17 per barrel, or 10.7% lower, in the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to $14.74 per barrel in the same period in 2017. Our margins were positively impacted from our refinery specific slate on the East Coast by an improving Dated Brent/WTI differential, which increased $2.75 per barrel compared with the prior year and increases in the Dated Brent/Maya and WTI/Bakken differentials, which increased $1.54 per barrel and $3.12 per barrel, respectively, compared with the prior year. In addition, the WTI/WCS differential widened significantly to $26.93 per barrel in 2018 compared to $12.24 in 2017, which favorably impacted our cost of heavy Canadian crude.
Across the Mid-Continent, the WTI (Chicago) 4-3-1 industry crack spread was $14.84 per barrel, or 6.5% lower, in the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $15.88 per barrel in the same period in 2017. Our margins were positively impacted from our refinery specific slate in the Mid-Continent by an improving WTI/Bakken differential, which was approximately $2.86 per barrel in the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to a premium of $0.26 per barrel in the same period in 2017. Additionally, the WTI/Syncrude differential averaged a discount of $6.84 per barrel for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to a premium of $1.74 per barrel in the same period in 2017.
In the Gulf Coast, the LLS (Gulf Coast) 2-1-1 industry crack spread was $12.30 per barrel, or 9.4% lower, in the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to $13.57 per barrel in the same period in 2017. Margins in the Gulf Coast were negatively impacted from our refinery specific slate by a declining WTI/LLS differential, which averaged a premium of $5.03 for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to an average premium of $3.23 experienced in the prior year.
On the West Coast, the ANS (West Coast) 4-3-1 industry crack spread was $15.48 per barrel, or 11.2% lower, in the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to $17.43 per barrel in the same period in 2017. Margins on the West Coast were negatively impacted from our refinery specific slate by a declining WTI/ANS differential, which averaged a premium of $6.34 per barrel for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to a premium of $3.63 per barrel in the same period of 2017.
Favorable movements in these benchmark crude differentials typically result in lower crude costs and positively impact our earnings, while reductions in these benchmark crude differentials typically result in higher crude costs and negatively impact our earnings.
Operating Expenses- Operating expenses totaled $1,721.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $1,684.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of approximately $36.6 million, or 2.2%. Of the total $1,721.0 million of operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018, $1,654.8 million, or $5.34 per barrel of throughput, related to expenses incurred by the Refining segment, while the remaining $66.2 million related to expenses incurred by the Logistics segment ($1,626.4 million or $5.52 per barrel of throughput, and $58.0 million of operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 related to the Refining and Logistics segment respectively). Decreases in operating expenses on a per barrel basis were driven by increased system reliability and our focused efforts on reducing operating costs. The increase in operating expenses compared with the prior year was mainly attributable to higher energy and utility costs as a result of higher natural gas pricing and overall increased throughput. This increase was slightly offset by a decrease in supplies and materials due to our Torrance refinery experiencing higher costs in 2017 related to its turnaround. Operating expenses related to our Logistics segment were generally consistent with the prior year and consist of costs related to the operation and maintenance of PBFX’s assets.
General and Administrative Expenses- General and administrative expenses totaled $277.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $214.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $62.5 million or 29.1%. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared with the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily related to higher employee-related expenses, including incentive compensation and retirement benefits. Our general and administrative expenses are comprised of the personnel, facilities and other infrastructure costs necessary to support our refineries and related logistics assets.
(Gain) Loss on Sale of Assets- There was a net gain of $43.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 mainly attributable to a $43.8 million gain related to the Torrance land sale. There was a loss of $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 relating to the sale of non-operating refining assets.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense- Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $369.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 (including $359.1 million recorded within Cost of sales) compared to $291.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 (including $278.0 million recorded within Cost of sales), an increase of $78.7 million. The increase was a result of additional depreciation expense associated with a general increase in our fixed asset base due to capital projects and turnarounds completed during 2018 and 2017, which included the first significant Torrance refinery turnaround under our ownership.
Change in Tax Receivable Agreement Liability- Change in the Tax Receivable Agreement liability for the year ended December 31, 2018 represented a gain of $13.9 million, compared to a gain of $250.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Change in Fair Value of Catalyst Obligations- Change in the fair value of catalyst obligations represented a gain of $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to a loss of $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. These gains and losses relate to the change in value of the precious metals underlying the sale and leaseback of our refineries’ precious metal catalysts, which we are obligated to return or repurchase at fair market value on the catalyst financing arrangement termination dates.
Debt extinguishment costs- Debt extinguishment costs of $25.5 million incurred for the year ended December 31, 2017 relate to nonrecurring charges associated with debt refinancing activity calculated based on the difference between the carrying value of the 2020 Senior Secured Notes on the date that they were reacquired and the amount for which they were reacquired. There were no such costs incurred in the year ended December 31, 2018.
Interest Expense, net- PBF Energy interest expense totaled $169.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $154.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $15.5 million. This net increase is mainly attributable to the interest costs associated with the issuance of the additional amount of the PBFX 2023 Senior Notes in October 2017 and higher borrowings under the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility. Interest expense includes interest on long-term debt including the PBFX credit facilities, costs related to the sale and leaseback of our precious metal catalysts, financing costs associated with the Inventory Intermediation Agreements with J. Aron, letter of credit fees associated with the purchase of certain crude oils, the amortization of deferred financing costs and the amortization of discounted liabilities. PBF LLC interest expense totaled $178.5 million and $162.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively (inclusive of $8.6 million and $7.9 million, respectively, of incremental interest expense on the affiliate note payable with PBF Energy that eliminates in consolidation at the PBF Energy level).
Income Tax Expense- PBF LLC is organized as a limited liability company and PBFX is an MLP, both of which are treated as “flow-through” entities for federal income tax purposes and therefore are not subject to income tax. However, two subsidiaries of Chalmette Refining and PBF Ltd. are treated as C-Corporations for income tax purposes and may incur income taxes with respect to their earnings, as applicable. The members of PBF LLC are required to include their proportionate share of PBF LLC’s taxable income or loss, which includes PBF LLC’s allocable share of PBFX’s pre-tax income or loss, on their respective tax returns. PBF LLC generally makes distributions to its members, per the terms of PBF LLC’s amended and restated limited liability company agreement,
related to such taxes on a pro-rata basis. PBF Energy recognizes an income tax expense or benefit in our consolidated financial statements based on PBF Energy’s allocable share of PBF LLC’s pre-tax income or loss, which was approximately 98.3% and 96.6%, on a weighted-average basis for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. PBF Energy’s consolidated financial statements do not reflect any benefit or provision for income taxes on the pre-tax income or loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests in PBF LLC or PBFX (although, as described above, PBF LLC must make tax distributions to all its members on a pro-rata basis). PBF Energy’s effective tax rate, excluding the impact of noncontrolling interest, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was 16.0% and 39.5%, respectively, reflecting discrete tax items primarily related to return to provision adjustments pertaining to equity compensation and the impact of the TCJA which, among other things, reduced the U.S federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%.
Noncontrolling Interests- PBF Energy is the sole managing member of, and has a controlling interest in, PBF LLC. As the sole managing member of PBF LLC, PBF Energy operates and controls all of the business and affairs of PBF LLC and its subsidiaries. PBF Energy consolidates the financial results of PBF LLC and its subsidiaries, including PBFX. With respect to the consolidation of PBF LLC, the Company records a noncontrolling interest for the economic interest in PBF LLC held by members other than PBF Energy, and with respect to the consolidation of PBFX, the Company records a noncontrolling interest for the economic interests in PBFX held by the public unitholders of PBFX, and with respect to the consolidation of PBF Holding, the Company records a 20% noncontrolling interest for the ownership interests in two subsidiaries of Chalmette Refining held by a third-party. The total noncontrolling interest on the consolidated statements of operations represents the portion of the Company’s earnings or loss attributable to the economic interests held by members of PBF LLC other than PBF Energy, by the public common unitholders of PBFX and by the third-party stockholder of certain of Chalmette Refining’s subsidiaries. The total noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheet represents the portion of the Company’s net assets attributable to the economic interests held by the members of PBF LLC other than PBF Energy, by the public common unitholders of PBFX and by the third-party stockholders of the two Chalmette Refining subsidiaries. PBF Energy’s weighted-average equity noncontrolling interest ownership percentage in PBF LLC for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was approximately 1.7% and 3.4%, respectively. The carrying amount of the noncontrolling interest on our consolidated balance sheet attributable to the noncontrolling interest is not equal to the noncontrolling interest ownership percentage due to the effect of income taxes and related agreements that pertain solely to PBF Energy.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Management uses certain financial measures to evaluate our operating performance that are calculated and presented on the basis of methodologies other than in accordance with GAAP (“Non-GAAP”). These measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP, and our calculations thereof may not be comparable to similarly entitled measures reported by other companies. Such Non-GAAP financial measures are presented only in the context of PBF Energy’s results and are not presented or discussed in respect to PBF LLC.
Special Items
The Non-GAAP measures presented include Adjusted Fully-Converted Net Income excluding special items, EBITDA excluding special items and gross refining margin excluding special items. Special items for the periods presented relate to LCM inventory adjustments, gains on sale of assets at our Torrance refinery, changes in the Tax Receivable Agreement liability, charges associated with the early return of certain leased railcars, debt extinguishment costs, a net tax benefit related to the TCJA enactment and a net tax expense associated with the remeasurement of Tax Receivable Agreement associated deferred tax assets. Although we believe that Non-GAAP financial measures, excluding the impact of special items, provide useful supplemental information to investors regarding the results and performance of our business and allow for helpful period-over-period comparisons, such Non-GAAP measures should only be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Adjusted Fully-Converted Net Income and Adjusted Fully-Converted Net Income Excluding Special Items
PBF Energy utilizes results presented on an Adjusted Fully-Converted basis that reflects an assumed exchange of all PBF LLC Series A Units for shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock. In addition, we present results on an Adjusted Fully-Converted basis excluding special items as described above. We believe that these Adjusted Fully-Converted measures, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, are useful to investors to compare PBF Energy results across different periods and to facilitate an understanding of our operating results.
Neither Adjusted Fully-Converted Net Income nor Adjusted Fully-Converted Net Income excluding special items should be considered an alternative to net income presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted Fully-Converted Net Income and Adjusted Fully-Converted Net Income excluding special items presented by other companies may not be comparable to our presentation, since each company may define these terms differently. The differences between Adjusted Fully-Converted and GAAP results are as follows:
Assumed exchange of all PBF LLC Series A Units for shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock. As a result of the assumed exchange of all PBF LLC Series A Units, the noncontrolling interest related to these units is converted to controlling interest. Management believes that it is useful to provide the per-share effect associated with the assumed exchange of all PBF LLC Series A Units.
Income Taxes. Prior to PBF Energy’s IPO, PBF Energy was organized as a limited liability company treated as a “flow-through” entity for income tax purposes, and even after PBF Energy’s IPO, not all of our earnings are subject to corporate-level income taxes. Adjustments have been made to the Adjusted Fully-Converted tax provisions and earnings to assume that we had adopted our post-IPO corporate tax structure for all periods presented and are taxed as a C-corporation in the U.S. at the prevailing corporate rates. These assumptions are consistent with the assumption in clause 1 above that all PBF LLC Series A Units are exchanged for shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock, as the assumed exchange would change the amount of PBF Energy’s earnings that are subject to corporate income tax.
The following table reconciles PBF Energy’s Adjusted Fully-Converted results with its results presented in accordance with GAAP for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 (in millions, except share and per share amounts):
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See Notes to Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
Gross Refining Margin and Gross Refining Margin Excluding Special Items
Gross refining margin is defined as consolidated gross margin excluding refinery depreciation, refinery operating expense, and gross margin of PBFX. We believe both gross refining margin and gross refining margin excluding special items are important measures of operating performance and provide useful information to investors because they are helpful metric comparisons to the industry refining margin benchmarks, as the refining margin benchmarks do not include a charge for refinery operating expenses and depreciation. In order to assess our operating performance, we compare our gross refining margin (revenues less cost of products and other) to industry refining margin benchmarks and crude oil prices as defined in the table below.
Neither gross refining margin nor gross refining margin excluding special items should be considered an alternative to consolidated gross margin, income from operations, net cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Gross refining margin and gross refining margin excluding special items presented by other companies may not be comparable to our presentation, since each company may define these terms differently. The following table presents our GAAP calculation of gross margin and a reconciliation of gross refining margin to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, consolidated gross margin, on a historical basis, as applicable, for each of the periods indicated (in millions, except per barrel amounts):
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See Notes to Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
EBITDA, EBITDA Excluding Special Items and Adjusted EBITDA
Our management uses EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization), EBITDA excluding special items and Adjusted EBITDA as measures of operating performance to assist in comparing performance from period to period on a consistent basis and to readily view operating trends, as a measure for planning and forecasting overall expectations and for evaluating actual results against such expectations, and in communications with our board of directors, creditors, analysts and investors concerning our financial performance. Our outstanding indebtedness for borrowed money and other contractual obligations also include similar measures as a basis for certain covenants under those agreements which may differ from the Adjusted EBITDA definition described below.
EBITDA, EBITDA excluding special items and Adjusted EBITDA are not presentations made in accordance with GAAP and our computation of EBITDA, EBITDA excluding special items and Adjusted EBITDA may vary from others in our industry. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA contains some, but not all, adjustments that are taken into account in the calculation of the components of various covenants in the agreements governing our senior notes and other credit facilities. EBITDA, EBITDA excluding special items and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as alternatives to income from operations or net income as measures of operating performance. In addition, EBITDA, EBITDA excluding special items and Adjusted EBITDA are not presented as, and should not be considered, an alternative to cash flows from operations as a measure of liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before adjustments for items such as stock-based compensation expense, the non-cash change in the fair value of catalyst obligations, the write down of inventory to the LCM, changes in the liability for Tax Receivable Agreement due to factors out of PBF Energy’s control such as changes in tax rates, debt extinguishment costs related to refinancing activities and certain other non-cash items. Other companies, including other companies in our industry, may calculate EBITDA, EBITDA excluding special items and Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. EBITDA, EBITDA excluding special items and Adjusted EBITDA also have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations include that EBITDA, EBITDA excluding special items and Adjusted EBITDA:
•
do not reflect depreciation expense or our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
•
do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
•
do not reflect our interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debt;
•
do not reflect realized and unrealized gains and losses from certain hedging activities, which may have a substantial impact on our cash flow;
•
do not reflect certain other non-cash income and expenses; and
•
exclude income taxes that may represent a reduction in available cash.
The following tables reconcile net income as reflected in PBF Energy’s results of operations to EBITDA, EBITDA excluding special items and Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented (in millions):
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See Notes to Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
Notes to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following notes are applicable to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures above:
(1)
Represents the elimination of the noncontrolling interest associated with the ownership by the members of PBF LLC other than PBF Energy, as if such members had fully exchanged their PBF LLC Series A Units for shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock.
(2)
Represents an adjustment to reflect PBF Energy’s annualized statutory corporate tax rate of approximately 24.9%, 26.0% and 39.6% for the 2019, 2018 and 2017 periods, respectively, applied to the net income attributable to noncontrolling interest for all periods presented. The adjustment assumes the full exchange of existing PBF LLC Series A Units as described in (1) above. Our statutory tax rates were reduced in 2018 as a result of the TCJA enactment.
(3)
Special items:
LCM inventory adjustment - LCM is a GAAP requirement related to inventory valuation that mandates inventory to be stated at the lower of cost or market. Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the LIFO inventory valuation methodology, in which the most recently incurred costs are charged to cost of sales and inventories are valued at base layer acquisition costs. Market is determined based on an assessment of the current estimated replacement cost and net realizable selling price of the inventory. In periods where the market price of our inventory declines substantially, cost values of inventory may exceed market values. In such instances, we record an adjustment to write down the value of inventory to market value in accordance with GAAP. In subsequent periods, the value of inventory is reassessed and an LCM inventory adjustment is recorded to reflect the net change in the LCM inventory reserve between the prior period and the current period. The net impact of these LCM inventory adjustments are included in the Refining segment’s income from operations, but are excluded from the operating results presented, as applicable, in order to make such information comparable between periods.
The following table includes the LCM inventory reserve as of each date presented (in millions):
The following table includes the corresponding impact of changes in the LCM inventory reserve on income from operations and net income for the periods presented (in millions):
Gain on Torrance land sale - During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, we recorded a gain on the sale of two separate parcels of real property acquired as part of the Torrance refinery, but not part of the refinery itself. The gain increased income from operations and net income by $33.1 million and $24.9 million, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2019. The gain increased income from operations and net income by $43.8 million and $32.4 million, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2018. There was no such gain in the year ended December 31, 2017.
Early Return of Railcars - During the year ended December 31, 2018 we recognized certain expenses within Cost of sales associated with the voluntary early return of certain leased railcars. These charges decreased income from operations and net income by $52.3 million and $38.7 million, respectively. There were no such expenses in the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2017.
Change in Tax Receivable Agreement liability - During the year ended December 31, 2018, PBF Energy recorded a change in the Tax Receivable Agreement liability that increased income before taxes and net income by $13.9 million and $10.3 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2017 PBF Energy recorded a change in Tax Receivable Agreement liability that increased income before income taxes and net income by $250.9 million and $151.5 million, respectively. There was no such change in the liability for the year ended December 31, 2019. The changes in the Tax Receivable Agreement liability reflect charges or benefits attributable to changes in PBF Energy’s obligation under the Tax Receivable Agreement due to factors out of our control such as changes in tax rates.
Debt Extinguishment Costs - During the year ended December 31, 2017, we recorded pre-tax debt extinguishment costs of $25.5 million related to the redemption of the 2020 Senior Secured Notes. These nonrecurring charges decreased net income by $15.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. There were no such costs in the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
TCJA Enactment - We recorded a one-time adjustment in 2017 to deferred tax assets and liabilities in relation to the TCJA. The 2017 net income tax expense impact of $20.2 million consisted of a net tax expense of $193.5 million associated with the remeasurement of the Tax Receivable Agreement associated deferred tax assets and a net tax benefit of $173.3 million for the reduction of our deferred tax liabilities as a result of the TCJA.
Recomputed Income taxes on special items - The income tax impact of the special items, other than TCJA related items, were calculated using the tax rates shown in (2) above.
(4)
Represents an adjustment to weighted-average diluted shares outstanding to assume the full exchange of existing PBF LLC Series A Units as described in (1) above.
(5)
Represents weighted-average diluted shares outstanding assuming the conversion of all common stock equivalents, including options and warrants for PBF LLC Series A Units and performance share units and options for shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock as calculated under the treasury stock method (to the extent the impact of such exchange would not be anti-dilutive) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Common stock equivalents exclude the effects of options, warrants and performance share units to purchase 6,765,526, 1,293,242 and 6,820,275 shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock and PBF LLC Series A Units because they are anti-dilutive for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. For periods showing a net loss, all common stock equivalents and unvested restricted stock are considered anti-dilutive.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our primary sources of liquidity are our cash flows from operations and borrowing availability under our credit facilities, as described below. We believe that our cash flows from operations and available capital resources will be sufficient to meet our and our subsidiaries’ capital expenditures, working capital needs, dividend payments, debt service and share repurchase program requirements, as well as our obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement, for the next twelve months. However, our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations depends, in part, on petroleum oil market pricing and general economic, political and other factors beyond our control. We are in compliance as of December 31, 2019 with all of the covenants, including financial covenants, in all of our debt agreements.
Cash Flow Analysis
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $933.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $838.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Our operating cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2019 included our net income of $375.2 million, depreciation and amortization of $447.5 million, deferred income tax expense of $103.7 million, pension and other post-retirement benefits costs of $44.8 million, stock-based compensation of $37.3 million, net non-cash charges relating to the change in the fair value of our inventory repurchase obligations of $25.4 million, and changes in the fair value of our catalyst obligations of $9.7 million, partially offset by a net non-cash benefit of $250.2 million relating to an LCM inventory adjustment, a gain on sale of assets of $29.9 million and change in fair value of contingent consideration of $0.8 million. In addition, net changes in operating assets and liabilities reflected cash inflows of approximately $170.8 million driven by the timing of inventory purchases, payments for accrued expenses and accounts payable and collections of accounts receivables. Our operating cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2018 included our net income of $175.3 million, depreciation and amortization of $378.6 million, deferred income tax expense of $32.7 million, pension and other post-retirement benefits costs of $47.4 million, a net non-cash charge of $351.3 million relating to an LCM inventory adjustment, stock-based compensation of $26.0 million, partially offset by a gain on sale of assets of $43.1 million, net non-cash charges relating to the change in the fair value of our inventory repurchase obligations of $31.8 million, change in the Tax Receivable Agreement liability of $13.9 million and changes in the fair value of our catalyst obligations of $5.6 million. In addition, net changes in operating assets and liabilities reflected uses of cash of approximately $78.9 million driven by the timing of inventory purchases, payments for accrued expenses and accounts payable and collections of accounts receivables.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $838.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $685.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Our operating cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2017 included our net income of $483.4 million, deferred income tax expense of $313.8 million, depreciation and amortization of $299.9 million, pension and other post-retirement benefits costs of $42.2 million, stock-based compensation of $26.8 million, debt extinguishment costs related to the refinancing of our 2020 Senior Secured Notes of $25.5 million, the change in the fair value of our inventory repurchase obligations of $13.8 million, changes in the fair value of our catalyst obligations of $2.2 million and a loss on the sale of assets of $1.5 million, partially offset by change in the Tax Receivable Agreement liability of $250.9 million, and a net non-cash benefits relating to an LCM inventory adjustment of $295.5 million. In addition, net changes in operating assets and liabilities reflected sources of cash of approximately $23.0 million driven by the timing of inventory purchases, payments for accrued expenses and accounts payable and collections of accounts receivable.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $712.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $685.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The net cash flows used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 was comprised of cash outflows of $404.9 million for capital expenditures, expenditures for refinery turnarounds of $299.3 million and expenditures for other assets of $44.7 million, partially offset by proceeds of $36.3 million related to the sale of land at our Torrance refinery. Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was comprised of cash outflows of $317.5 million for capital expenditures, expenditures for refinery turnarounds of $266.0 million, expenditures for other assets of $17.0 million, expenditures for the acquisition of the East Coast Storage Assets by PBFX of $75.0 million and expenditures for the acquisition of the Knoxville Terminals by PBFX of $58.4 million, partially offset by proceeds of $48.3 million related to the sale of land at our Torrance refinery.
Net cash used in investing activities was $685.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $687.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 was comprised of cash outflows of $306.7 million for capital expenditures, expenditures for refinery turnarounds of $379.1 million, expenditures for other assets of $31.2 million and expenditures for the acquisition of the Toledo Products Terminal by PBFX of $10.1 million, partially offset by $40.1 million of net maturities of marketable securities.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to net cash used in financing activities of $128.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2019, net cash used in financing activities consisted primarily of distributions and dividends of $209.2 million, principal amortization payments of the PBF Rail Term Loan (as defined in “Note 9 - Credit Facilities and Debt” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) of $7.0 million, settlements of catalyst obligations of $6.5 million, taxes paid for net settlement of equity-based compensation of $4.8 million, repurchases of our common stock in connection with tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of certain restricted stock awards of $4.9 million and deferred payment for the East Coast Storage Assets Acquisition of $32.0 million, partially offset by $132.5 million in net proceeds from the issuance of PBFX common units, net borrowings from the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility of $127.0 million and deferred financing costs and other of $1.6 million. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2019, we borrowed and repaid 1,350.0 million under our Revolving Credit Facility resulting in no net change to amounts outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2018, net cash used in financing activities consisted primarily of distributions and dividends of $189.3 million, principal amortization payments of the PBF Rail Term Loan of $6.8 million, repayment of the note payable of $5.6 million, settlements of catalyst obligations of $9.1 million, taxes paid for net settlement of equity-based compensation of $5.4 million, deferred financing costs of $16.2 million, repurchases of our common stock in connection with tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of certain restricted stock awards of $8.2 million and net repayments of our Revolving Credit Facility of $350.0 million, partially offset by $287.3 million in net proceeds from the August 2018 Equity Offering, $34.9 million in net proceeds from the issuance of PBFX common units, net borrowings from the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility of $126.3 million and proceeds from stock options exercised of $14.0 million.
Net cash used in financing activities was $128.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to net cash used in financing activities of $172.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2017, net cash used in financing activities consisted of distributions and dividends of $181.5 million, full repayment of the PBFX Term Loan of $39.7 million, net repayments of the PBFX Revolver of $159.5 million, payments of principal under the PBF Rail Term Loan of $6.6 million, deferred financing costs related to the PBFX 2023 Senior Notes of $3.7 million, repayment of the note payable of $1.2 million and repurchases of our common stock in connection with tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of certain restricted stock awards of $1.0 million, partially offset by the proceeds from the issuance of the additional amount of the PBFX 2023 Senior Notes of $178.5 million, cash proceeds of $21.4 million from the issuance of the 2025 Senior Notes net of cash paid to redeem the 2020 Senior Secured Notes and related issuance costs, proceeds from settlements of catalyst obligations of $10.8 million and proceeds from stock options exercised of $10.5 million. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2017, we borrowed and repaid $490.0 million under our August 2014 Revolving Credit Agreement resulting in no net change to amounts outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2017.
The cash flow activity of PBF LLC for the years ended December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 is materially consistent with that of PBF Energy discussed above, other than changes in deferred income taxes and certain working capital items, which are different from PBF Energy due to certain tax related items not applicable to PBF LLC. Additionally, PBF LLC reflects net borrowings of $3.1 million and net proceeds of $44.1 million and $102.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively, related to an affiliate loan with PBF Energy, included in cash flows from financing activities, which eliminates in consolidation at PBF Energy.
Capitalization
Our capital structure was comprised of the following as of December 31, 2019 (in millions):
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(1) Refer to “Note 9 - Credit Facilities and Debt” and “Note 10 - Affiliate Note Payable - PBF LLC” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion related to debt.
(2) Excludes the PBF LLC affiliate note payable that is eliminated at the PBF Energy level.
(3) Total Capitalization refers to the sum of debt, excluding intercompany debt, plus total Equity.
Debt Transactions
On January 24, 2020, PBF Holding and PBF Finance issued $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 6.00% senior unsecured notes due 2028. The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $989.0 million after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and estimated offering expenses. We used the proceeds to redeem our outstanding 2023 Senior Notes, to pay a portion of the cash consideration for the Martinez Acquisition and for general corporate purposes.
We closed on the acquisition of the Martinez refinery on February 1, 2020. The purchase price for the Martinez Acquisition was $960.0 million plus approximately $230.0 million for estimated hydrocarbon inventory, which is subject to final valuation. In addition, we also have an obligation to make certain post-closing payments to the Seller if certain conditions are met including earn-out payments based on certain earnings thresholds of the Martinez refinery (as set forth in the Sale and Purchase Agreement), for a period of up to four years following the
closing. The transaction was financed through a combination of cash on hand, including proceeds from our offering of the 2028 Senior Notes, and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility.
On February 14, 2020, we exercised our right under the indenture governing the 2023 Senior Notes to redeem all of the outstanding 2023 Senior Notes at a price of 103.5% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest. The aggregate redemption price for all 2023 Senior Notes approximated $517.5 million plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Revolving Credit Facilities Overview
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows from operations with additional sources available under borrowing capacity from our revolving lines of credit. As of December 31, 2019, PBF Energy had $814.9 million of cash and cash equivalents, no outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility and $283.0 million outstanding under the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility. We believe available capital resources will be adequate to meet our capital expenditure, working capital and debt service requirements. We had available capacity under revolving credit facilities as follows at December 31, 2019 (in millions):
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(a)
The amount available for borrowings and letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility is calculated according to a “borrowing base” formula based on (i) 90% of the book value of Eligible Accounts with respect to investment grade obligors plus (ii) 85% of the book value of Eligible Accounts with respect to non-investment grade obligors plus (iii) 80% of the cost of Eligible Hydrocarbon Inventory plus (iv) 100% of Cash and Cash Equivalents in deposit accounts subject to a control agreement, in each case as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement. The borrowing base is subject to customary reserves and eligibility criteria and in any event cannot exceed $3.4 billion.
Additional Information on Indebtedness
Our debt, including our revolving credit facilities, term loans and senior notes, include certain typical financial covenants and restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things, incur or guarantee new debt, engage in certain business activities including transactions with affiliates and asset sales, make investments or distributions, engage in mergers or pay dividends in certain circumstances. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. For further discussion of our indebtedness and these covenants and restrictions, see “Note 9 - Credit Facilities and Debt” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
PBF Holding and PBFX were in compliance with their respective debt covenants as of December 31, 2019.
Cash Balances
As of December 31, 2019, PBF Energy and PBF LLC cash and cash equivalents totaled $814.9 million and $813.7 million, respectively.
Liquidity
As of December 31, 2019, our total liquidity was approximately $2,276.2 million, compared to total liquidity of approximately $1,677.4 million as of December 31, 2018. Our total liquidity is equal to the amount of excess availability under the Revolving Credit Facility, which includes PBF Energy cash balance at December 31, 2019. In addition, as of December 31, 2019, PBFX had approximately $212.2 million of borrowing capacity under the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility compared with $340.0 million as of December 31, 2018. The PBFX Revolving
Credit Facility is available to fund working capital, acquisitions, distributions, capital expenditures, and other general corporate purposes incurred by PBFX.
Working Capital
PBF Energy’s working capital at December 31, 2019 was approximately $1,314.5 million, consisting of $3,823.7 million in total current assets and $2,509.2 million in total current liabilities. PBF Energy’s working capital at December 31, 2018 was $1,102.4 million, consisting of $3,236.9 million in total current assets and $2,134.5 million in total current liabilities. PBF LLC’s working capital at December 31, 2019 was approximately $1,281.7 million, consisting of $3,821.5 million in total current assets and $2,539.8 million in total current liabilities. PBF LLC’s working capital at December 31, 2018 was $1,081.5 million, consisting of $3,235.1 million in total current assets and $2,153.6 million in total current liabilities.
Working capital has increased during the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily as a result of earnings and the change in our LCM inventory adjustment, partially offset by capital expenditures, including turnaround costs, and dividends and distributions.
Crude and Feedstock Supply Agreements
Certain of our purchases of crude oil under our agreements with foreign national oil companies require that we post letters of credit and arrange for shipment. We pay for the crude when invoiced, at which time the letters of credit are lifted. We have a contract with Saudi Aramco pursuant to which we have been purchasing up to approximately 100,000 bpd of crude oil from Saudi Aramco that is processed at our Paulsboro refinery. In connection with the Chalmette Acquisition we entered into a contract with PDVSA for the supply of 40,000 to 60,000 bpd of crude oil that can be processed at any of our East or Gulf Coast refineries. We have not sourced crude oil under this agreement since 2017 when PDVSA suspended deliveries due to the parties’ inability to agree to mutually acceptable payment terms and because of U.S. government sanctions against PDVSA. Notwithstanding the suspension, the recent U.S. government sanctions imposed against PDVSA and Venezuela would prevent us from purchasing crude oil under this agreement. In connection with the closing of the Torrance Acquisition, we entered into a crude supply agreement with ExxonMobil for approximately 60,000 bpd of crude oil that can be processed at our Torrance refinery. We currently purchase all of our crude and feedstock needs independently from a variety of suppliers on the spot market or through term agreements for our Delaware City and Toledo refineries.
We have entered into various five-year crude supply agreements with Shell Oil Products for approximately 150,000 bpd, in the aggregate, to support our West Coast and Mid-Continent refinery operations. In addition, we have entered into certain offtake agreements for our West Coast system with the same counterparty for clean products with varying terms up to 15 years.
Inventory Intermediation Agreements
We entered into Inventory Intermediation Agreements with J. Aron, to support the operations of the East Coast Refineries. The Inventory Intermediation Agreement by and among J. Aron, PBF Holding and DCR expires on June 30, 2021, which term may be further extended by mutual consent of the parties to June 30, 2022. The Inventory Intermediation Agreement by and among J. Aron, PBF Holding and PRC expires on December 31, 2021, which term may be further extended by mutual consent of the parties to December 31, 2022. If not extended, at expiration, we will be required to repurchase the inventories outstanding under the Inventory Intermediation Agreement at that time.
Pursuant to each Inventory Intermediation Agreement, J. Aron purchases and holds title to the J. Aron Products produced by the East Coast Refineries, and delivered into our J. Aron Storage Tanks. J. Aron has agreed to sell the J. Aron Products back to the East Coast Refineries as they are discharged out of our J. Aron Storage Tanks. J. Aron has the right to store the J. Aron 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 J. Aron Products independently to third parties.
At December 31, 2019, LIFO value of crude oil, intermediates and finished products owned by J. Aron included within Inventory in our Consolidated Balance Sheets was $355.6 million. We accrue a corresponding liability for such crude oil, intermediates and finished products.
Capital Spending
Capital spending was $748.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, which primarily included turnaround costs at our Torrance, Delaware City and Paulsboro refineries, safety related enhancements, and facility improvements at our refineries, and approximately $31.7 million of capital expenditures related to PBFX. We currently expect to spend an aggregate of approximately $550.0 million to $600.0 million excluding PBFX and any capital expenditures related to the Martinez Acquisition, for facility improvements and refinery maintenance and turnarounds, as well as expenditures to meet environmental and regulatory requirements. In addition, PBFX expects to spend an aggregate of approximately $22.0 to $34.0 million in net capital expenditures during 2020.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes our material contractual payment obligations as of December 31, 2019 (in millions). The table below does not include any contractual obligations with PBFX as these related party transactions are eliminated upon consolidation of our financial statements. This table also excludes any obligations or commitments associated with the Martinez refinery that was acquired on February 1, 2020.
(a) Long-term debt and Interest payments on debt facilities
Long-term obligations represent (i) the repayment of the outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility; (ii) the repayment of indebtedness incurred in connection with the 2023 Senior Notes and 2025 Senior Notes; (iii) the repayment of our catalyst financing obligations on their maturity dates; (iv) the repayment of outstanding amounts under the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility and the PBFX 2023 Senior Notes; and (v) the repayment of outstanding amounts under the PBF Rail Term Loan. PBF Energy’s contractual obligations exclude the $376.4 million PBF LLC affiliate note payable, which bears interest at 2.5%, is due in 2030 and eliminates in consolidation at the PBF Energy level.
Interest payments on debt facilities include cash interest payments on the 2023 Senior Notes, 2025 Senior Notes, PBFX Revolving Credit Facility, PBFX 2023 Senior Notes, catalyst financing obligations, PBF Rail Term Loan, plus cash payments for the commitment fees on the unused portion on our revolving credit facilities and letter of credit fees on the letters of credit outstanding at December 31, 2019. With the exception of our catalyst financing obligations and PBF Rail Term Loan, we have no long-term debt maturing before 2023 as of December 31, 2019.
The table above does not include future interest and principal repayments related to the January 2020 issuance of $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of the 2028 Senior Notes or the February 2020 redemption of the 2023 Senior Notes. Refer to “Debt Transactions” above, for further details.
Refer to “Note 9 - Credit Facilities and Debt” and “Note 10 - Affiliate Note Payable - PBF LLC” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion related to debt.
(b) Leases and other rental-related commitments
We enter into leases and other rental-related agreements in the normal course of business. As described in “Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we adopted new guidance on leases effective January 1, 2019 which brought substantially all leases with initial terms of over twelve months outstanding as of the implementation date onto our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Leases with initial terms of twelve months or less are considered short-term and we elected the practical expedient in the new lease guidance to exclude these leases from our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Some of our leases provide us with the option to renew the lease at or before expiration of the lease terms. Future lease obligations would change if we chose to exercise renewal options or if we enter into additional operating or finance lease agreements. Certain of our lease obligations contain a fixed and variable component. The table above reflects the fixed component of our lease obligations, including short-term lease expense. The variable component could be significant. Additionally, we have entered into a 15-year lease for hydrogen supply, with future lease payments estimated to total approximately $212.6 million, expected to commence in the second quarter of 2020. As this lease has not yet commenced, the table above does not include any contractual obligation for this lease. See “Note 14 - Leases” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details and disclosures regarding our operating and finance lease obligations.
Also included within the lease section above are our obligations related to our leased railcar fleet. In support of our rail strategy, we have at times entered into agreements to lease or purchase crude railcars. Certain of these railcars were subsequently sold to third parties, which have leased the railcars back to us for periods of between four and seven years. On September 30, 2018, we agreed to voluntarily return a portion of railcars under an operating lease in order to rationalize certain components of our railcar fleet based on prevailing market conditions in the crude oil by rail market. Under the terms of the lease amendment, we agreed to pay the early termination penalty and will pay a reduced rental fee over the remaining term of the lease. As of December 31, 2019, $16.1 million of our total $52.3 million charge recognized in 2018 has not yet been paid and is included within the table above.
We also enter into contractual obligations with third parties for the right to use property for locating pipelines and accessing certain of our assets (also referred to as land easements) in the normal course of business. Our obligations regarding such land easements are included within Leases and other rental-related commitments in the table above. As described in “Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we elected the practical expedient to not evaluate land easements for lease consideration under the new lease guidance adopted on January 1, 2019 and we have applied the new lease guidance to any new or modified land easements after the date of adoption.
(c) Purchase obligations
We have obligations to repurchase the J. Aron Products under the Inventory Intermediation Agreements with J. Aron as further explained in “Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”, “Note 5 - Inventories” and “Note 8 - Accrued Expenses” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Additionally, purchase obligations under “Crude and Feedstock Supply and Inventory Intermediation Agreements” include commitments to purchase crude oil from certain counterparties under supply agreements entered into to ensure adequate supplies of crude oil for our refineries. These obligations are based on aggregate minimum volume commitments at 2019 year end market prices.
Payments under “Other Supply and Capacity Agreements” include contracts for the transportation of crude oil and supply of hydrogen, steam, or natural gas to certain of our refineries, contracts for the treatment of wastewater, and contracts for pipeline capacity. We enter into these contracts to facilitate crude oil deliveries and to ensure an adequate supply of energy or essential services to support our refinery operations. Substantially all of these obligations are based on fixed prices. Certain agreements include fixed or minimum volume requirements, while others are based on our actual usage. The amounts included in this table are based on fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased and the fixed or estimated costs based on market conditions as of December 31, 2019.
The amounts included in this table exclude our crude supply agreement with PDVSA. We have not sourced crude oil under this agreement since the third quarter of 2017 as PDVSA has suspended deliveries due to the parties inability to agree to mutually acceptable payment terms and because of U.S. government sanctions against PDVSA.
(d) Environmental obligations
In connection with certain of our refinery and logistics acquisitions, we have assumed certain environmental remediation obligations to address matters that were outstanding at the time of such acquisitions. In addition, in connection with most of these acquisitions, we have purchased environmental insurance policies to insure against unknown environmental liabilities at each site. The obligations in the table above reflect our best estimate in cost and tenure to remediate our outstanding obligations and are further discussed in “Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(e) Pension and post-retirement obligations
Pension and post-retirement obligations include only those amounts we expect to pay out in benefit payments and are further explained in “Note 18 - Employee Benefit Plans” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(f) Tax Receivable Agreement obligation
The table above reflects PBF Energy’s estimated timing of payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement, including the impact of the TCJA, assuming that we earn sufficient taxable income to realize all tax benefits that are subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement as of December 31, 2019. Refer to “Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement for further discussion of the Tax Receivable Agreement.
(g) East Coast Storage Assets Contingent Consideration
The East Coast Storage Assets Contingent Consideration includes the estimated undiscounted Contingent Consideration amounts payable to Crown Point related to the PBFX acquisition of the East Coast Storage Assets and related annual earn-out payments through 2022.
(h) Affiliate Note Payable
As described in “Note 10 - Affiliate Note Payable - PBF LLC” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, as of December 31, 2019, PBF LLC had an outstanding note payable with PBF Energy for an aggregate principal amount of $376.4 million. The note has an interest rate of 2.5% and matures in April 2030, but may be prepaid in whole or in part at any time, at the option of PBF LLC without penalty or premium. This affiliate note payable is a cash obligation of PBF LLC only and eliminates in consolidation for PBF Energy.
Martinez Acquisition
The Contractual Obligations and Commitments table as of December 31, 2019 above and its related notes (a) through (h) above do not include any contractual payment obligations related to the Martinez refinery and related logistics assets that were acquired on February 1, 2020. Such contractual payment obligations assumed include: (i) leases and related rental commitments, (ii) purchase obligations, including crude and feedstock supply agreements and other supply and capacity agreements, (iii) environmental obligations and (iv) earn-out payments based on certain earnings thresholds of the Martinez refinery (as set forth in the Sale and Purchase Agreement), for a period of up to four years following the closing.
Tax Distributions
PBF LLC is required to make periodic tax distributions to the members of PBF LLC, including PBF Energy, pro rata in accordance with their respective percentage interests for such period (as determined under the amended and restated limited liability company agreement of PBF LLC), subject to available cash and applicable law and contractual restrictions (including pursuant to our debt instruments) and based on certain assumptions. Generally, these tax distributions will be an amount equal to our estimate of the taxable income of PBF LLC for the year multiplied by an assumed tax rate equal to the highest effective marginal combined U.S. federal, state and local income tax rate prescribed for an individual or corporate resident in New York, New York (taking into account the nondeductibility of certain expenses). If, with respect to any given calendar year, the aggregate periodic tax distributions were less than the actual taxable income of PBF LLC multiplied by the assumed tax rate, PBF LLC will make a “true up” tax distribution, no later than March 15 of the following year, equal to such difference, subject to the available cash and borrowings of PBF LLC. As these distributions are conditional they have been excluded from the table above.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2019, other than outstanding letters of credit of approximately $226.2 million.
Critical Accounting Policies
The following summary provides further information about our critical accounting policies that involve critical accounting estimates and should be read in conjunction with “Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” The following accounting policies involve estimates that are considered critical due to the level of subjectivity and judgment involved, as well as the impact on our financial position and results of operations. We believe that all of our estimates are reasonable. Unless otherwise noted, estimates of the sensitivity to earnings that would result from changes in the assumptions used in determining our estimates is not practicable due to the number of assumptions and contingencies involved, and the wide range of possible outcomes.
Inventory
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market. The cost of crude oil, feedstocks, blendstocks and refined products is determined under the LIFO method using the dollar value LIFO method with increments valued based on average cost during the year. The cost of supplies and other inventories is determined principally on the weighted average cost method. In addition, the use of the LIFO inventory method may result in increases or decreases to cost of sales in years that inventory volumes decline as the result of charging cost of sales with LIFO inventory costs generated in prior periods. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, market values had fallen below historical LIFO inventory costs and, as a result, we recorded lower of cost or market inventory valuation reserves of $401.6 million and $651.8 million, respectively. The lower of cost or market inventory valuation reserve, or a portion thereof, is subject to reversal as a reduction to cost of products sold in subsequent periods as inventories giving rise to the reserve are sold, and a new reserve is established. Such a reduction to cost of products sold could be significant if inventory values return to historical cost price levels. Additionally, further decreases in overall inventory values could result in additional charges to cost of products sold should the lower of cost or market inventory valuation reserve be increased.
Environmental Matters
Liabilities for future clean-up costs are recorded when environmental assessments and/or clean-up 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 our own internal environmental policies. The actual settlement of our liability for environmental matters could materially differ from our 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. While we believe that our current estimates of the amounts and timing of the costs related to the remediation of these liabilities are reasonable, we have had limited experience with certain of these environmental obligations due to our short operating history with certain of our assets. It is possible that our estimates of the costs and duration of the environmental remediation activities related to these liabilities could materially change.
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.
Certain of our acquisitions may include earn-out provisions or other forms of contingent consideration. As of the acquisition date, we record contingent consideration, as applicable, at the estimated fair value of expected future payments associated with the earn-out. Any changes to the recorded fair value of contingent consideration, subsequent to the measurement period, will be recognized as earnings in the period in which it occurs. Such contingent consideration liabilities are based on best estimates of future expected payment obligations, which are subject to change due to many factors outside of our control. Changes to the estimate of expected future contingent consideration payments may occur, from time to time, due to various reasons, including actual results differing from estimates and adjustments to the revenue or earnings assumptions used as the basis for the liability based on historical experience. While we believe that our current estimate of the fair value of our contingent consideration liability is reasonable, it is possible that the actual future settlement of our earn-out obligations could materially differ.
Deferred Turnaround Costs
Refinery turnaround costs, which are incurred in connection with planned major maintenance activities at our refineries, are capitalized when incurred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of time estimated until the next turnaround occurs (generally three to six years). While we believe that the estimates of time until the next turnaround are reasonable, it should be noted that factors such as competition, regulation or environmental matters could cause us to change our estimates thus impacting amortization expense in the future.
Derivative Instruments
We are 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 and the risk associated with the price of credits needed to comply with various governmental and regulatory environmental compliance programs. The accounting treatment for commodity and environmental compliance contracts depends on the intended use of the particular contract and on whether or not the contract meets the definition of a derivative. Non-derivative contracts are recorded at the time of delivery.
All derivative instruments that are not designated as normal purchases or sales are recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets 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 in income. Contracts qualifying for the normal purchases and sales exemption are accounted for upon settlement. We elect fair value hedge accounting for certain derivatives associated with our inventory repurchase obligations.
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; identification 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 earnings.
Income Taxes and Tax Receivable Agreement
As a result of the PBF Energy’s acquisition of PBF LLC Series A Units or exchanges of PBF LLC Series A Units for PBF Energy Class A common stock, it expects to benefit from amortization and other tax deductions reflecting the step up in tax basis in the acquired assets. Those deductions will be allocated to PBF Energy and will be taken into account in reporting its taxable income. As a result of a federal income tax election made by PBF LLC, applicable to a portion of PBF Energy’s acquisition of PBF LLC Series A Units, the income tax basis of the assets of PBF LLC, underlying a portion of the units PBF Energy acquired, has been adjusted based upon the amount that PBF Energy paid for that portion of its PBF LLC Series A Units. PBF Energy entered into the Tax Receivable Agreement (as defined in “Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies” of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements) which provides for the payment by PBF Energy equal to 85% of the amount of the benefits, if any, that it is deemed to realize as a result of (i) increases in tax basis and (ii) certain other tax benefits related to entering into the Tax Receivable Agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. As a result of these transactions, PBF Energy’s tax basis in its share of PBF LLC’s assets will be higher than the book basis of these same assets. This resulted in a deferred tax asset of $278.1 million as of December 31, 2019, of which the majority is expected to be realized over 10 years as the tax basis of these assets are amortized.
Deferred taxes are provided using a liability method, whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences represent the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are adjusted for the effect of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment. We recognize tax benefits for uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable based on its technical merits. Interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions are included as a component of the provision for income taxes on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As a result of the reduction of the corporate federal tax rate to 21% as part of the TCJA, the liability associated with the Tax Receivable Agreement was reduced. Accordingly, the deferred tax assets associated with the payments made or expected to be made related to the Tax Receivable Agreement liability were also reduced.
Pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement PBF Energy entered into at the time of its initial public offering, it is required to pay the current and former PBF LLC Series A unitholders, who exchange their units for PBF Energy stock or whose units we purchase, approximately 85% of the cash savings in income taxes that PBF Energy is deemed to realize as a result of the increase in the tax basis of its interest in PBF LLC, including tax benefits attributable to payments made under the Tax Receivable Agreement. These payment obligations are of PBF Energy and not of PBF LLC or any of its subsidiaries. PBF Energy has recognized a liability for the Tax Receivable Agreement reflecting its estimate of the undiscounted amounts that it expects to pay under the agreement. PBF Energy’s estimate of the Tax Receivable Agreement liability is based, in part, on forecasts of future taxable income over the anticipated life of PBF Energy’s future business operations, assuming no material changes in the relevant tax law. The assumptions used in the forecasts are subject to substantial uncertainty about PBF Energy’s future business operations and the actual payments that it is required to make under the Tax Receivable Agreement could differ materially from its current estimates. PBF Energy must adjust the estimated Tax Receivable Agreement liability each time we purchase PBF LLC Series A Units or upon an exchange of PBF LLC Series A Units for PBF Energy Class A common stock. Such adjustments will be based on forecasts of future taxable income and PBF Energy’s future business operations at the time of such purchases or exchanges. Periodically, PBF Energy may adjust the liability based on an updated estimate of the amounts that it expects to pay, using assumptions consistent with those used in its concurrent estimate of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance. These periodic adjustments to the Tax Receivable Agreement liability, if any, are recorded in general and administrative expense and may result in adjustments to our income tax expense and deferred tax assets and liabilities.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to “Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, for Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to market risks, including changes in commodity prices and interest rates. Our primary commodity price risk is associated with the difference between the prices we sell our refined products and the prices we pay for crude oil and other feedstocks. We may use derivative instruments to manage the risks from changes in the prices of crude oil and refined products, natural gas, interest rates, or to capture market opportunities.
Commodity Price Risk
Our earnings, cash flow and liquidity are significantly affected by a variety of factors beyond our control, including the supply of, and demand for, crude oil, other feedstocks, refined products and natural gas. The supply of and demand for these commodities depend on, among other factors, changes in domestic and foreign economies, weather conditions, domestic and foreign political affairs, planned and unplanned downtime in refineries, pipelines and production facilities, production levels, the availability of imports, the marketing of competitive and alternative fuels, and the extent of government regulation. As a result, the prices of these commodities can be volatile. Our revenues fluctuate significantly with movements in industry refined product prices, our cost of sales fluctuates significantly with movements in crude oil and feedstock prices and our operating expenses fluctuate with movements in the price of natural gas. We manage our exposure to these commodity price risks through our supply and offtake agreements as well as through the use of various commodity derivative instruments.
We may use non-trading derivative instruments to manage exposure to commodity price risks associated with the purchase or sale of crude oil and feedstocks, finished products and natural gas outside of our supply and offtake agreements. The derivative instruments we use include physical commodity contracts and exchange-traded and over-the-counter financial instruments. We mark-to-market our commodity derivative instruments and recognize the changes in their fair value in our statements of operations.
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had gross open commodity derivative contracts representing 11.3 million barrels and 7.4 million barrels, respectively, with an unrealized net gain of $0.2 million and $7.2 million, respectively. The open commodity derivative contracts as of December 31, 2019 expire at various times during 2020.
We carry inventories of crude oil, intermediates and refined products (“hydrocarbon inventories”) on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, the values of which are subject to fluctuations in market prices. Our hydrocarbon inventories totaled approximately 30.2 million barrels and 30.5 million barrels at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The average cost of our hydrocarbon inventories was approximately $79.63 and $78.78 per barrel on a LIFO basis at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, excluding the net impact of LCM inventory adjustments of approximately $401.6 million and $651.8 million, respectively. If market prices of our inventory decline to a level below our average cost, we may be required to write down the carrying value of our hydrocarbon inventories to market.
Our predominant variable operating cost is energy, which is comprised primarily of natural gas and electricity. We are therefore sensitive to movements in natural gas prices. Assuming normal operating conditions, we annually consume a total of between 68 million and 74 million MMBTUs of natural gas amongst our five refineries as of December 31, 2019. Accordingly, a $1.00 per MMBTU change in natural gas prices would increase or decrease our natural gas costs by approximately $68.0 million to $74.0 million.
Compliance Program Price Risk
We are exposed to market risks related to the volatility in the price of credits needed to comply with various governmental and regulatory compliance programs, which includes RINs, required to comply with RFS. Our overall RINs obligation is based on a percentage of our domestic shipments of on-road fuels as established by EPA. To the degree we are unable to blend the required amount of biofuels to satisfy our RINs obligation, we must purchase RINs on the open market. To mitigate the impact of this risk on our results of operations and cash flows we may purchase RINs or other environmental credits when the price of these instruments is deemed favorable.
In addition, we are exposed to risks associated with complying with federal and state legislative and regulatory measures to address greenhouse gas and other emissions. Requirements to reduce emissions could result in increased costs to operate and maintain our facilities as well as implement and manage new emission controls and programs put in place. For example, AB32 in California requires the state to reduce its GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Compliance with such emission standards may require the purchase of emission credits or similar instruments.
Certain of these compliance contracts or instruments qualify as derivative instruments. We generally elect the normal purchase normal sale exception under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging for such instruments, and therefore do not record these contracts at their fair value.
Interest Rate Risk
The maximum commitment under our Revolving Credit Facility is $3.4 billion. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest either at the Alternative Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin or at Adjusted LIBOR plus the Applicable Margin, all as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement. If this facility was fully drawn, a 1.0% change in the interest rate would increase or decrease our interest expense by approximately $21.9 million annually.
The PBFX Revolving Credit Facility, with a maximum commitment of $500.0 million, bears interest either at the Alternative Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin or at Adjusted LIBOR plus the Applicable Margin, all as defined in the PBFX Revolving Credit Agreement. If this facility was fully drawn, a 1.0% change in the interest rate would increase or decrease our interest expense by approximately $4.3 million annually.
In addition, the PBF Rail Term Loan, which bears interest at a variable rate, had an outstanding principal balance of $14.5 million at December 31, 2019. A 1.0% change in the interest rate would increase or decrease our interest expense by approximately $0.1 million annually, assuming the current outstanding principal balance on the PBF Rail Term Loan remained outstanding.
We also have interest rate exposure in connection with our Inventory Intermediation Agreements under which we pay a time value of money charge based on LIBOR.
Credit Risk
We are subject to risk of losses resulting from nonpayment or nonperformance by our counterparties. We continue to closely monitor the creditworthiness of customers to whom we grant credit and establish credit limits in accordance with our credit policy.
Concentration Risk
For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, no single customer accounted for 10% or more of our total sales.
No single customer accounted for 10% or more of our total trade accounts receivable as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The information required by this item is set forth beginning on page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
PBF Energy and PBF LLC conducted separate evaluations under the supervision and with the participation of each company’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon these evaluations as required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b), the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, in each case, concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting - PBF Energy
PBF Energy’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. PBF Energy’s internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. Due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Management assessed the effectiveness of PBF Energy’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on such assessment, management concluded that as of December 31, 2019, PBF Energy’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting - PBF LLC
PBF LLC’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. PBF LLC’s internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. Due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Management assessed the effectiveness of PBF LLC’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on such assessment, management concluded that as of December 31, 2019, PBF LLC’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.
Auditor Attestation Report
Our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of PBF Energy’s internal control over financial reporting, which is on page of this report.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in PBF Energy’s or PBF LLC’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2019 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect PBF Energy’s or PBF LLC’s internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Redemption of 2023 Senior Notes
On February 14, 2020, the Company exercised its rights under the indenture governing the 2023 Senior Notes to redeem all of the outstanding 2023 Senior Notes at a price of 103.5% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest. The aggregate redemption price for all 2023 Senior Notes approximated $517.5 million plus accrued and unpaid interest. See “Note 25 - Subsequent Events” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein as part of “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required under this Item will be contained in our 2020 Proxy Statement, incorporated herein by reference.
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at www.pbfenergy.com under the heading “Investors”. Any amendments to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or any grant of a waiver from the provisions of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics requiring disclosure under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules will be disclosed on the Company’s website.
See also Information About Our Executive Officers under “Item 1. Business” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required under this Item will be contained in our 2020 Proxy Statement, incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information required by this Item, including Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans, will be contained in our 2020 Proxy Statement, incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required under this Item will be contained in our 2020 Proxy Statement, incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required under this Item will be contained in our 2020 Proxy Statement, incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) 1. Financial Statements. The consolidated financial statements of PBF Energy Inc., PBF Energy Company LLC and their subsidiaries, required by Part II, Item 8, are included in Part IV of this report. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page.
2. Financial Statement Schedules and Other Financial Information. No financial statement schedules are submitted because either they are not applicable or because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
3. Exhibits. Filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are the following exhibits:
----------
*
Filed herewith.
**
Indicates management compensatory plan or arrangement.
†
Portions of the exhibits have been omitted because such information is both (i) not material and (ii) could be competitively harmful if publicly disclosed.
(1)
This exhibit should not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.
PBF ENERGY INC. AND PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of PBF Energy Inc. and subsidiaries
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of PBF Energy Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 20, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), using the modified retrospective approach. Consistent with management’s disclosure in Note 2, the adoption of ASC 842 has a material effect on the financial statements and financial statement disclosures. As of the date of implementation on January 1, 2019, the impact of the adoption of ASC 842 resulted in the recognition of a right of use asset and lease payable obligation on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet of approximately $250.0 million. As the right of use asset and the lease payable obligation were the same upon adoption of ASC 842, there was no cumulative effect on the Company’s retained earnings.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
F- 2
Deferred Refinery Turnaround Costs - Amortization Period - Refer to Notes 2 and 7 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company routinely performs turnaround activities at each of its refineries. Refinery turnaround costs, which are incurred in connection with planned major maintenance activities, are deferred when incurred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of time estimated until the next planned turnaround occurs. Management determines the amortization period based on an evaluation determined by the engineers at the respective refineries. The estimate is developed using the engineers’ technical knowledge and experience, as well as the future turnaround plans made by refinery leadership. Management estimates the amortization period of the deferred turnaround costs ranging primarily from three to six years; however, based upon the specific facts and circumstances, different periods of deferral occur. The total cash expenditures in the current year related to turnarounds was $299.3 million.
Given the materiality of the amount subject to amortization and the judgement and technical knowledge required to estimate the amortization period of the turnarounds, performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of these estimates and assumptions required a high degree of auditor judgement and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve specialists.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the determination of the amortization period of the turnaround projects included the following, among others:
•
We tested the effectiveness of controls over the approval of the amortization period and the recording of amortization.
•
For current year turnaround projects, we inquired of operations personnel regarding the in-service date of the asset, the amortization period assigned, and the scope and nature of the turnaround project performed.
•
With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the reasonableness of the estimated amortization period by:
•
Testing the source information underlying the determination of the amortization period and testing the mathematical accuracy of the calculation.
•
Developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to the estimated amortization period selected by management.
•
We performed a look-back analysis for turnarounds completed in the current year, to determine when a turnaround was last performed on the asset and if the amortization period assigned to it was appropriate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Parsippany, New Jersey
February 20, 2020
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2011.
F- 3
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To PBF Energy Inc., the Managing Member of PBF Energy Company LLC
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of PBF Energy Company LLC and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), using the modified retrospective approach. Consistent with management’s disclosure in Note 2, the adoption of ASC 842 has a material effect on the financial statements and financial statement disclosures. As of the date of implementation on January 1, 2019, the impact of the adoption of ASC 842 resulted in the recognition of a right of use asset and lease payable obligation on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet of approximately $250.0 million. As the right of use asset and the lease payable obligation were the same upon adoption of ASC 842, there was no cumulative effect on the Company’s retained earnings.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
F- 4
Deferred Refinery Turnaround Costs - Amortization Period - Refer to Notes 2 and 7 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company routinely performs turnaround activities at each of its refineries. Refinery turnaround costs, which are incurred in connection with planned major maintenance activities, are deferred when incurred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of time estimated until the next planned turnaround occurs. Management determines the amortization period based on an evaluation determined by the engineers at the respective refineries. The estimate is developed using the engineers’ technical knowledge and experience, as well as the future turnaround plans made by refinery leadership. Management estimates the amortization period of the deferred turnaround costs ranging primarily from three to six years; however, based upon the specific facts and circumstances, different periods of deferral occur. The total cash expenditures in the current year related to turnarounds was $299.3 million.
Given the materiality of the amount subject to amortization and the judgement and technical knowledge required to estimate the amortization period of the turnarounds, performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of these estimates and assumptions required a high degree of auditor judgement and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve specialists.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the determination of the amortization period of the turnaround projects included the following, among others:
•
We tested the effectiveness of controls over the approval of the amortization period and the recording of amortization.
•
For current year turnaround projects, we inquired of operations personnel regarding the in-service date of the asset, the amortization period assigned, and the scope and nature of the turnaround project performed.
•
With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the reasonableness of the estimated amortization period by:
•
Testing the source information underlying the determination of the amortization period and testing the mathematical accuracy of the calculation.
•
Developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to the estimated amortization period selected by management.
•
We performed a look-back analysis for turnarounds completed in the current year, to determine when a turnaround was last performed on the asset and if the amortization period assigned to it was appropriate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Parsippany, New Jersey
February 20, 2020
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2011.
F- 5
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of PBF Energy Inc. and subsidiaries
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of PBF Energy Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019, of the Company and our report dated February 20, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Parsippany, New Jersey
February 20, 2020
F- 6
PBF ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except share and per share data)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 7
PBF ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except share and per share data)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 8
PBF ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in millions)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 9
PBF ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(in millions, except share and per share data)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 10
PBF ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Continued)
(in millions, except share and per share data)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 11
PBF ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 12
PBF ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(in millions)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 13
PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except unit and per unit data)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 14
PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 15
PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in millions)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 16
PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(in millions, except unit data)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 17
PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 18
PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(in millions)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 19
PBF ENERGY INC. AND PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Description of the Business
PBF Energy Inc. (“PBF Energy”) was formed as a Delaware corporation on November 7, 2011 and is the sole managing member of PBF Energy Company LLC (“PBF LLC”), a Delaware limited liability company, with a controlling interest in PBF LLC and its subsidiaries. PBF Energy consolidates the financial results of PBF LLC and its subsidiaries and records a noncontrolling interest in its Consolidated Financial Statements representing the economic interests of PBF LLC’s members other than PBF Energy (refer to “Note 16 - Noncontrolling Interests”).
PBF Energy holds a 99.0% economic interest in PBF LLC as of December 31, 2019 through its ownership of PBF LLC Series C Units, which are held solely by PBF Energy. Holders of PBF LLC Series A Units, which are held by parties other than PBF Energy (“the members of PBF LLC other than PBF Energy”), hold the remaining 1.0% economic interest in PBF LLC. The PBF LLC Series C Units rank on parity with the PBF LLC Series A Units as to distribution rights, voting rights and rights upon liquidation, winding up or dissolution. In addition, the amended and restated limited liability company agreement of PBF LLC provides that any PBF LLC Series A Units acquired by PBF Energy will automatically be reclassified as PBF LLC Series C Units in connection with such acquisition.
PBF LLC, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, owns and operates oil refineries and related facilities in North America. PBF Holding Company LLC (“PBF Holding”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PBF LLC. PBF Investments LLC, Toledo Refining Company LLC (“Toledo Refining” or “TRC”), Paulsboro Refining Company LLC (“Paulsboro Refining” or “PRC”), Delaware City Refining Company LLC (“Delaware City Refining” or “DCR”), Chalmette Refining, L.L.C. (“Chalmette Refining”), PBF Energy Western Region LLC (“PBF Western Region”), Torrance Refining Company LLC (“Torrance Refining”) and Torrance Logistics Company LLC are PBF LLC’s principal operating subsidiaries and are all wholly-owned subsidiaries of PBF Holding. Discussions or areas of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements that either apply only to PBF Energy or PBF LLC are clearly noted in such footnotes.
At December 31, 2019, PBF LLC also held a 48.2% limited partner interest in PBF Logistics LP (“PBFX”), a publicly-traded master limited partnership (“MLP”) (refer to “Note 3 - PBF Logistics LP”). PBF Logistics GP LLC (“PBF GP”) owns the noneconomic general partner interest and serves as the general partner of PBFX and is wholly-owned by PBF LLC. PBF Energy, through its ownership of PBF LLC, consolidates the financial results of PBFX and its subsidiaries and records a noncontrolling interest in its consolidated financial statements representing the economic interests of PBFX’s unitholders other than PBF LLC (refer to “Note 16 - Noncontrolling Interests”). Collectively, PBF Energy and its consolidated subsidiaries, including PBF LLC, PBF Holding, PBF GP and PBFX are referred to hereinafter as the “Company” unless the context otherwise requires.
Substantially all of the Company’s operations are in the United States. The Company operates in two reportable business segments: Refining and Logistics. The Company’s oil refineries are all engaged in the refining of crude oil and other feedstocks into petroleum products, and are aggregated into the Refining segment. PBFX is a publicly-traded MLP that was formed to operate logistics assets such as crude oil and refined petroleum products terminals, pipelines and storage facilities. The Logistics segment consists solely of PBFX’s operations. To generate earnings and cash flows from operations, the Company is primarily dependent upon processing crude oil and selling refined petroleum products at margins sufficient to cover fixed and variable costs and other expenses. Crude oil and refined petroleum products are commodities; and factors that are largely out of the Company’s control can cause prices to vary over time. The resulting potential margin volatility can have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, earnings and cash flows.
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Public Offerings
In connection with certain of the secondary offerings completed in 2015, 2014 and 2013, investment funds associated with the initial investors in PBF LLC exchanged all of their PBF LLC Series A Units for an equal number of shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock which were subsequently sold to the public and, accordingly, no longer hold any PBF LLC Series A Units. The holders of PBF LLC Series B Units, which include certain current and former executive officers of PBF Energy, had the right to receive a portion of the proceeds of the sale of the PBF Energy Class A common stock by the investment funds associated with the initial investors in PBF LLC. PBF Energy did not receive any proceeds from any of the secondary offerings.
Since the secondary offerings, PBF Energy has completed a series of follow-on equity offerings. Such transactions occurring in the three years ended December 31, 2019 are discussed in “Note 16 - Noncontrolling Interest”.
As a result of these equity offerings and certain other transactions such as stock option exercises, as of December 31, 2019, PBF Energy owned 119,826,202 PBF LLC Series C Units and the Company’s current and former executive officers and directors and certain employees and others beneficially owned 1,215,317 PBF LLC Series A Units. As of December 31, 2019, the holders of PBF Energy’s issued and outstanding shares of Class A common stock have 99.0% of the voting power in the Company and the members of PBF LLC other than PBF Energy through their holdings of Class B common stock have the remaining 1.0% of the voting power in the Company.
Tax Receivable Agreement
PBF LLC intends to have an election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) in effect for each taxable year in which an exchange of PBF LLC Series A Units for PBF Energy Class A common stock as described above occurs, which may result in an adjustment to the tax basis of the assets of PBF LLC at the time of an exchange of PBF LLC Series A Units. As a result of both the initial purchase of PBF LLC Series A Units from the PBF LLC Series A unitholders in connection with the initial public offering of PBF Energy Class A common stock which closed on December 18, 2012 and subsequent exchanges, PBF Energy will become entitled to a proportionate share of the existing tax basis of the assets of PBF LLC. In addition, the purchase of PBF LLC Series A Units and subsequent exchanges have resulted in and are expected to continue to result in increases in the tax basis of the assets of PBF LLC that otherwise would not have been available. Both this proportionate share and these increases in tax basis may reduce the amount of tax that PBF Energy would otherwise be required to pay in the future. These increases in tax basis may also decrease gains (or increase losses) on future dispositions of certain capital assets to the extent tax basis is allocated to those capital assets.
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2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation and Presentation
These Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of PBF Energy and subsidiaries in which PBF Energy has a controlling interest. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
In 2019, the Company has changed its presentation from thousands to millions, as applicable, and as a result, any necessary rounding adjustments have been made to prior year disclosed amounts.
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.
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.
Certain of the Company’s acquisitions may include earn-out provisions or other forms of contingent consideration. As of the acquisition date, the Company records contingent consideration, as applicable, at the estimated fair value of expected future payments associated with the earn-out. Any changes to the recorded fair value of contingent consideration, subsequent to the measurement period, will be recognized as earnings in the period in which it occurs.
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.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 no single customer amounted to greater than or equal to 10% of the Company’s revenues.
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No single customer accounted for 10% or more of our total trade accounts receivable as of December 31, 2019 or December 31, 2018.
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 19 - 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.
During 2019, PBF Holding and its subsidiaries, DCR and PRC, entered into amendments to the existing inventory intermediation agreements (as amended in the first quarter of 2019 and amended and restated in the third quarter of 2019, 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, the maturity date. On March 29, 2019 the Inventory Intermediation Agreement by and among J. Aron, PBF Holding and DCR was amended to add the PBFX East Coast Storage Assets (as defined in “Note 3 - PBF Logistics LP”) as a location and crude oil as a new product type to be included in the J. Aron Products (as defined in “Note 5 - Inventories”) sold to J. Aron by DCR. On August 29, 2019 the Inventory Intermediation Agreement by and among J. Aron, PBF Holding and PRC was extended to December 31, 2021, which term may be further extended by mutual consent of the parties to December 31, 2022 and the Inventory Intermediation Agreement by and among J. Aron, PBF Holding and DCR was extended to June 30, 2021, which term may be further extended by mutual consent of the parties to June 30, 2022.
Pursuant to each Inventory Intermediation Agreement, J. Aron continues to purchase and hold title to the J. Aron Products produced by the Paulsboro and Delaware City refineries (the “East Coast Refineries”), respectively, and delivered into the Company’s J. Aron Storage Tanks (as defined in “Note 5 - Inventories”). Furthermore, J. Aron agrees to sell the J. Aron Products back to the East Coast Refineries as the J. Aron Products are discharged out of its J. Aron Storage Tanks. These purchases and sales are settled monthly at the daily market prices related to those J. Aron 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 East Coast Refineries to J. Aron. Additionally, J. Aron has the right to store the J. Aron Products purchased in J. Aron Storage 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 J. Aron Products independently to third parties.
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, 2019 and 2018.
Excise taxes on sales of refined products that are collected from customers and remitted to various governmental agencies are reported on a net basis.
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Inventory
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:
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 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. The amortization period generally ranges from 3 to 6 years; however, based upon the specific facts and circumstances, different periods of deferral occur.
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).
Intangible assets with finite lives primarily consist of emission credits, permits and customer relationships 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.
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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.
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 the Company to certain 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 administrative expense with forfeitures recognized in the period they occur.
Additionally, stock-based compensation includes unit-based compensation provided to certain officers, non-employee directors and seconded employees of PBFX’s general partner, PBF GP, or its affiliates, consisting of PBFX phantom units. The fair value of PBFX’s phantom units are measured based on the fair market value of the underlying common units on the date of grant based on the common unit closing price on the grant date. The estimated fair value of PBFX’s phantom units is amortized over the vesting period using the straight-line method. Awards vest over a four year service period. The phantom unit awards may be settled in common units, cash or a combination of both. Expenses related to unit-based compensation are also included in General and administrative expenses with forfeitures recognized in the period they occur.
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Beginning in 2018, PBF Energy granted performance share awards and performance unit awards to certain key employees. 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 a result of the PBF Energy’s acquisition of PBF LLC Series A Units or exchanges of PBF LLC Series A Units for PBF Energy Class A common stock, PBF Energy expects to benefit from amortization and other tax deductions reflecting the step up in tax basis in the acquired assets. Those deductions will be allocated to PBF Energy and will be taken into account in reporting PBF Energy’s taxable income. As a result of a federal income tax election made by PBF LLC, applicable to a portion of PBF Energy’s acquisition of PBF LLC Series A Units, the income tax basis of the assets of PBF LLC, underlying a portion of the units PBF Energy acquired, has been adjusted based upon the amount that PBF Energy paid for that portion of its PBF LLC Series A Units. PBF Energy entered into the Tax Receivable Agreement (as defined in “Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies”) which provides for the payment by PBF Energy equal to 85% of the amount of the benefits, if any, that PBF Energy is deemed to realize as a result of (i) increases in tax basis and (ii) certain other tax benefits related to entering into the Tax Receivable Agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. As a result of these transactions, PBF Energy’s tax basis in its share of PBF LLC’s assets will be higher than the book basis of these same assets. This resulted in a deferred tax asset of $278.1 million as of December 31, 2019, of which the majority is expected to be realized over 10 years as the tax basis of these assets is amortized.
Deferred taxes are provided using a liability method, whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences represent the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effect of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment. PBF Energy recognizes tax benefits for uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable based on its technical merits. Interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions are included as a component of the provision for income taxes on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As a result of the reduction of the corporate federal tax rate to 21% as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”), the liability associated with the Tax Receivable Agreement was reduced. Accordingly, the deferred tax assets associated with the payments made or expected to be made related to the Tax Receivable Agreement liability were also reduced.
The Federal tax returns for all years since 2016 and state tax returns for all years since 2014 (see “Note 20 - Income Taxes”) are subject to examination by the respective tax authorities.
Net Income Per Share
Net income per share is calculated by dividing the net income available to PBF Energy Class A common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is calculated by dividing the net income available to PBF Energy Class A common stockholders, adjusted for the net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest and the assumed income tax expense thereon, by the weighted average number of PBF Energy Class A common shares outstanding during the period adjusted to include the assumed exchange of all PBF LLC Series A units outstanding for PBF Energy Class A common stock, if applicable under the if converted method, and the potentially dilutive effect of outstanding options to purchase shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock, performance share awards and options and warrants to purchase PBF LLC Series A Units, subject to forfeiture utilizing the treasury stock method.
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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 obligations 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 and the risk associated with the price of credits needed to comply with various governmental and regulatory environmental compliance programs. The accounting treatment for commodity and environmental compliance 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 Sheets 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
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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 Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (Accounting Standards Codification “ASC” 842) to increase the transparency and comparability of leases. ASC 842 supersedes the lease accounting guidance in ASC 840 - “Leases” (“ASC 840”). ASC 842 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 elected to utilize the “package” of three expedients, as defined in ASC 842, which retains the lease classification and initial direct costs for any leases that existed prior to adoption of the standard. The Company also has elected to not evaluate land easements that existed as of, or expired before, adoption of the new standard. The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods prior to the adoption of ASC 842 are not adjusted and are reported in accordance with the Company’s historical accounting policy. As of the date of implementation on January 1, 2019, the impact of the adoption of ASC 842 resulted in the recognition of a right of use asset and lease payable obligation on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets of approximately $250.0 million. As the right of use asset and the lease payable obligation were the same upon adoption of ASC 842, there was no cumulative effect on the Company’s retained earnings. See “Note 14 - Leases” for further details.
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 also provided 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 were 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 non-employees. As a result, non-employee 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, Revenues from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). 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.
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In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software” (Subtopic 350-40) (“ASU 2018-15”). This guidance addresses a customer’s accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in such arrangements with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and for interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. This guidance should be applied on either a retrospective or prospective basis. The Company has elected to early adopt this guidance in the second quarter of 2019 on a prospective basis. The Company’s adoption of ASU 2018-15 did not have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
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 benefit plan 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 early adoption is permitted for all entities.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses” (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). This guidance amends the guidance on measuring credit losses on financial assets held at amortized cost. ASU 2016-13 requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has adopted ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2020. The impact of adoption will require additional disclosures commencing with the Company’s March 31, 2020 quarterly report on Form 10-Q, however, there is no anticipated impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
3. PBF LOGISTICS LP
PBFX is a fee-based, growth-oriented, publicly-traded Delaware MLP formed by PBF Energy to own or lease, operate, develop and acquire crude oil and refined petroleum products terminals, pipelines, storage facilities and similar logistics assets. PBFX engages in the receiving, handling, storage and transferring of crude oil, refined products, natural gas and intermediates from sources located throughout the United States and Canada for PBF Energy in support of its refineries, as well as for third-party customers. As of December 31, 2019, a substantial majority of PBFX’s revenues are derived from long-term, fee-based commercial agreements with PBF Holding, which include minimum volume commitments, for receiving, handling, storing and transferring crude oil, refined products and natural gas. PBF Energy also has agreements with PBFX that establish fees for certain general and administrative services and operational and maintenance services provided by PBF Holding to PBFX. These transactions, other than those with third parties, are eliminated by PBF Energy and PBF LLC in consolidation.
PBFX, a variable interest entity, is consolidated by PBF Energy through its ownership of PBF LLC. PBF LLC, through its ownership of PBF GP, has the sole ability to direct the activities of PBFX that most significantly impact its economic performance. PBF LLC is considered to be the primary beneficiary of PBFX for accounting purposes.
As of December 31, 2019, PBF LLC held a 48.2% limited partner interest in PBFX (consisting of 29,953,631 common units), with the remaining 51.8% limited partner interest held by the public unitholders. PBF LLC also indirectly owned a non-economic general partner interest in PBFX through its wholly-owned subsidiary, PBF GP, the general partner of PBFX.
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Since its inception in 2014, PBFX has entered in a series of transactions including drop-down transactions, acquisitions, and offerings. Such transactions occurring in the three years ended December 31, 2019 are discussed below.
Offerings and Equity Transactions
On April 24, 2019, PBFX entered into subscription agreements to sell an aggregate of 6,585,500 common units to certain institutional investors in a registered direct public offering (the “2019 Registered Direct Offering”) for gross proceeds of approximately $135.0 million. The 2019 Registered Direct Offering closed on April 29, 2019.
On February 28, 2019, PBFX closed on the transaction contemplated by the Equity Restructuring Agreement (the “IDR Restructuring Agreement”) with PBF LLC and PBF GP, pursuant to which PBFX’s incentive distribution rights (the “IDRs”) held by PBF LLC were canceled and converted into 10,000,000 newly issued PBFX common units (the “IDR Restructuring”). Subsequent to the closing of the IDR Restructuring, no distributions were made to PBF LLC with respect to the IDRs and the newly issued PBFX common units are entitled to normal distributions by PBFX. Prior to the IDR Restructuring, the IDRs entitled PBF LLC to receive increasing percentages, up to a maximum of 50.0%, of the cash PBFX distributed from operating surplus in excess of $0.345 per unit per quarter. As a result of the payment on May 31, 2017 by PBFX of its distribution for the first quarter of 2017, the financial tests required for conversion of all of PBFX’s previously outstanding subordinated units into common units were satisfied. As a result, all of PBFX’s subordinated units, which were owned by PBF LLC, converted on a one-for-one basis into common units effective June 1, 2017.
On July 30, 2018, PBFX closed on a common unit purchase agreement with certain funds managed by Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C. providing for the issuance and sale in a registered direct offering (the “2018 Registered Direct Offering”) of an aggregate of 1,775,750 of its common units for net proceeds of approximately $34.9 million.
TVPC Acquisition
On April 24, 2019, PBFX entered into a contribution agreement with PBF LLC (the “TVPC Contribution Agreement”), pursuant to which PBF LLC contributed to PBFX all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of TVP Holding Company LLC (“TVP Holding”) for total consideration of $200.0 million (the “TVPC Acquisition”). Prior to the TVPC Acquisition, TVP Holding owned a 50% membership interest in Torrance Valley Pipeline Company LLC (“TVPC”). Subsequent to the closing of the TVPC Acquisition on May 31, 2019, PBFX owns 100% of the membership interests in TVPC.
July 2018 Drop-down Transaction
On July 16, 2018, PBFX entered into four contribution agreements with PBF LLC (the “Development Assets Contribution Agreements”). Pursuant to the Development Asset Contribution Agreements, PBF LLC contributed all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of: Toledo Rail Logistics Company LLC, whose assets consist of a loading and unloading rail facility located at the Toledo refinery (the “Toledo Rail Products Facility”); Chalmette Logistics Company LLC, whose assets consist of a truck loading rack facility (the “Chalmette Truck Rack”) and a rail yard facility (the “Chalmette Rosin Yard”), both of which are located at the Chalmette refinery; Paulsboro Terminaling Company LLC, whose assets consist of a lube oil terminal facility located at the Paulsboro refinery (the “Paulsboro Lube Oil Terminal”); and DCR Storage and Loading Company LLC, whose assets consist of an ethanol storage facility located at the Delaware City refinery (the “Delaware Ethanol Storage Facility” and collectively with the Toledo Rail Products Facility, the Chalmette Truck Rack, the Chalmette Rosin Yard, and the Paulsboro Lube Oil Terminal, the “Development Assets”), to PBFX Op Co effective July 31, 2018. In consideration for the Development Assets limited liability company interests, PBFX delivered to PBF LLC total consideration of $31.6 million, consisting of 1,494,134 common units of PBFX (the “Development Asset Acquisition”).
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East Coast Storage Assets Acquisition
On October 1, 2018, PBFX closed the acquisition of CPI Operations LLC, whose assets include a storage facility with multi-use storage capacity, an Aframax-capable marine facility, a rail facility, a truck terminal, equipment, contracts and certain other idled assets (collectively, the “East Coast Storage Assets”) located on the Delaware River near Paulsboro, New Jersey (the “East Coast Storage Assets Acquisition”), which had been contemplated by a purchase and sale agreement dated as of July 16, 2018 between PBFX and Crown Point International, LLC (“Crown Point”) and is further described in “Note 4 - Acquisitions”.
Knoxville Terminals Purchase
On April 16, 2018, PBFX completed the purchase of two refined product terminals located in Knoxville, Tennessee, which include product tanks, pipeline connections to the Colonial and Plantation pipeline systems and truck loading facilities with nine loading bays (the “Knoxville Terminals”) from Cummins Terminals, Inc. for total cash consideration of approximately $58.0 million, excluding working capital adjustments (the “Knoxville Terminals Purchase”). The transaction was financed through a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility (as defined in “Note 9 - Credit Facilities and Debt”).
Chalmette Storage Tank Lease
Effective February 2017, PBF Holding and PBFX Op Co entered into a ten-year storage services agreement, under which PBFX, through PBFX Op Co, assumed construction of a crude oil storage tank at PBF Holding's Chalmette Refinery (the “Chalmette Storage Tank”), commencing on November 1, 2017 upon the completion of construction of the Chalmette Storage Tank. PBFX Op Co and Chalmette Refining have entered into a twenty-year lease for the premises upon which the tank is located and a project management agreement pursuant to which Chalmette Refining managed the construction of the tank, which expired upon the completion of the Chalmette Storage Tank in November 2017.
February 2017 Drop-down Transaction
On February 15, 2017, PBFX entered into a contribution agreement (the “PNGPC Contribution Agreement”) between PBFX and PBF LLC. Pursuant to the PNGPC Contribution Agreement, PBF LLC contributed to PBFX’s wholly-owned subsidiary PBFX Operating Company LLC (“PBFX Op Co”) all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Paulsboro Natural Gas Pipeline Company LLC (“PNGPC”). PNGPC owns and operates an existing interstate natural gas pipeline that originates in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, at an interconnection with Texas Eastern pipeline that runs under the Delaware River and terminates at the delivery point to PBF Holding’s Paulsboro refinery, and is subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). In connection with the PNGPC Contribution Agreement, PBFX constructed a new pipeline to replace the existing pipeline, which commenced services in August 2017 (the “Paulsboro Natural Gas Pipeline”). In consideration for the PNGPC limited liability company interests, PBFX delivered to PBF LLC (i) an $11.6 million intercompany promissory note in favor of Paulsboro Refining Company LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PBF Holding, (ii) an expansion rights and right of first refusal agreement in favor of PBF LLC with respect to the Paulsboro Natural Gas Pipeline and (iii) an assignment and assumption agreement with respect to certain outstanding litigation involving PNGPC and the existing pipeline.
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4. ACQUISITIONS
East Coast Storage Assets Acquisition
On October 1, 2018, PBFX closed the East Coast Storage Assets Acquisition, which had been contemplated by a purchase and sale agreement dated as of July 16, 2018 between PBFX and Crown Point. The East Coast Storage Assets consist of a storage facility with multi-use storage capacity, an Aframax-capable marine facility, a rail facility, a truck terminal, equipment, contracts and certain other idled assets located on the Delaware River near Paulsboro, New Jersey. Additionally, the East Coast Storage Assets Acquisition includes an earn-out provision related to an existing commercial agreement with a third-party, based on the future results of certain of the acquired idled assets (the “Contingent Consideration”), which recommenced operations in October 2019.
The aggregate purchase price for the East Coast Storage Assets Acquisition was $127.0 million, including working capital and the Contingent Consideration, which was comprised of an initial payment at closing of $75.0 million with a remaining balance of $32.0 million that was paid on October 1, 2019. The consideration was financed through a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility. The final purchase price and fair value allocation were completed as of September 30, 2019.
PBFX accounted for the East Coast Storage Assets Acquisition as a business combination in accordance with GAAP whereby PBFX recognizes assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition.
The total purchase consideration and the fair values of the assets and liabilities at the acquisition date were as follows:
* Includes $30.9 million net present value payable of $32.0 million due to Crown Point one year after closing, which was included in “Accrued expenses” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2018. The remaining $32.0 million payment was paid in full on October 1, 2019.
** The short-term Contingent Consideration is included in “Accrued expenses” and the long-term Contingent Consideration is included in “Other long-term liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following table summarizes the final amounts recognized for assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date:
* Intangible assets are included in “Deferred charges and other assets” within the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
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The East Coast Storage Asset Acquisition includes consideration in the form of the Contingent Consideration. Pursuant to the purchase and sale agreement, PBFX and Crown Point will share equally in the future operating profits of the restarted assets, as defined in the purchase and sale agreement, over a contractual term of up to three years starting in 2019. PBFX recorded the Contingent Consideration based on its estimated fair value of $21.1 million at the acquisition date, which was recorded in “Other long-term liabilities” within the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 include the results of operations of the East Coast Storage Assets for the full year. The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 include the results of operations of the East Coast Storage Assets since the date of its acquisition on October 1, 2018, during which period the East Coast Storage Assets contributed third-party revenue of $5.9 million, and net income of $0.8 million. On an unaudited pro forma basis, the revenues and net income of the Company, assuming the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2017, are shown below. The unaudited pro forma information does not purport to present what the Company’s actual results would have been had the East Coast Storage Assets Acquisition occurred on January 1, 2017, nor is the financial information indicative of the results of future operations. The unaudited pro forma financial information includes the depreciation and amortization expense related to the East Coast Storage Assets Acquisition and interest expense associated with the related financing.
Acquisition Expenses
The Company incurred acquisition related costs consisting primarily of consulting and legal expenses related to completed, pending and non-consummated acquisitions of $11.6 million, $2.9 million and $1.0 million in the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These costs are included in the consolidated statement of operations in general and administrative expenses.
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5. INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted of the following:
Inventory under the Inventory Intermediation Agreements includes crude oil, intermediate and certain finished products (the “J. Aron Products”) purchased or produced by the East Coast Refineries and sold to counterparties in connection with the Inventory Intermediation Agreements with J. Aron. This inventory is held in the Company’s storage tanks at the Delaware City and Paulsboro refineries and at PBFX’s East Coast Storage Assets, (collectively the “J. Aron Storage Tanks”).
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded an adjustment to value its inventories to the lower of cost or market which increased income from operations by $250.2 million, reflecting the net change in the lower of cost or market (“LCM”) inventory reserve from $651.8 million at December 31, 2018 to $401.6 million at December 31, 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded an adjustment to value its inventories to the lower of cost or market which decreased income from operations by $351.3 million, reflecting the net change in the LCM inventory reserve from $300.5 million at December 31, 2017 to $651.8 million at December 31, 2018.
An actual valuation of inventories valued under the LIFO method is made at the end of each year based on inventory levels and costs at that time. We recorded a pre-tax charge related to a LIFO layer decrement of $4.9 million and $21.9 million in the Refining segment during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
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6. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following:
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $178.0 million, $162.2 million and $147.0 million, respectively. The Company capitalized $18.1 million and $9.5 million in interest during 2019 and 2018, respectively, in connection with construction in progress.
Torrance Land Sale
On August 1, 2019 and August 7, 2018, the Company closed on third-party sales of parcels of real property acquired as part of the Torrance refinery, but not part of the refinery itself. The sales resulted in a gain of approximately $33.1 million and $43.8 million in the third quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively, included within (Gain) loss on sale of assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
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7. DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS, NET
Deferred charges and other assets, net consisted of the following:
Catalyst, net includes $74.5 million and $73.1 million of indefinitely-lived precious metal catalysts as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
The Company recorded amortization expense related to deferred turnaround costs, catalyst and intangible assets of $258.1 million, $207.6 million and $144.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Intangible assets, net primarily consists of customer relationships, permits and emission credits. Our net balance as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is shown below:
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8. ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses consisted of the following:
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The Company has the obligation to repurchase the J. Aron Products that are held in its J. Aron Storage Tanks in accordance with the Inventory Intermediation Agreements with J. Aron. As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, a liability is recognized for the Inventory Intermediation Agreements and is recorded at market price for the J. Aron owned inventory held in its J. Aron Storage Tanks under the Inventory Intermediation Agreements, with any change in the market price being recorded in Cost of products and other.
The Company is subject to obligations to purchase Renewable Identification Numbers (“RINs”) required to comply with the Renewable Fuels Standard. The Company’s overall RINs obligation is based on a percentage of domestic shipments of on-road fuels as established by Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”). To the degree the Company is unable to blend the required amount of biofuels to satisfy its RINs obligation, RINs must be purchased on the open market to avoid penalties and fines. The Company records its RINs obligation on a net basis in Accrued expenses when its RINs liability is greater than the amount of RINs earned and purchased in a given period and in Prepaid and other current assets when the amount of RINs earned and purchased is greater than the RINs liability. In addition, the Company is subject to obligations to comply with federal and state legislative and regulatory measures, including regulations in the state of California pursuant to Assembly Bill 32 (“AB32”), to address environmental compliance and greenhouse gas and other emissions. These requirements include incremental costs to operate and maintain our facilities as well as to implement and manage new emission controls and programs. Renewable energy credit and emissions obligations fluctuate with the volume of applicable product sales and timing of credit purchases.
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9. CREDIT FACILITIES AND DEBT
Long-term debt outstanding consisted of the following:
PBF Holding Revolving Credit Facility
On May 2, 2018, PBF Holding and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as borrowers or subsidiary guarantors, replaced the existing asset-based revolving credit agreement dated as of August 15, 2014 with a new asset-based revolving credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Facility"). The Revolving Credit Facility has a maximum commitment of $3.4 billion, a maturity date of May 2023 and redefines certain components of the Borrowing Base, as defined in the agreement governing the Revolving Credit Facility (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”), to make more funding available for working capital needs and other general corporate purposes. An accordion feature allows for commitments of up to $3.5 billion. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at the Alternative Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin or at the Adjusted LIBOR plus the Applicable Margin (all as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement). The Applicable Margin ranges from 0.25% to 1.00% for Alternative Base Rate Loans and from 1.25% to 2.00% for Adjusted LIBOR Loans, in each case depending on the Company’s corporate credit rating. In addition, the LC Participation Fee ranges from 1.00% to 1.75% depending on the Company’s corporate credit rating and the Fronting Fee is capped at 0.25%.
The Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary covenants and restrictions on the activities of PBF Holding and its subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, limitations on incurring additional indebtedness, liens, negative pledges, guarantees, investments, loans, asset sales, mergers and acquisitions, prepayment of other debt, distributions, dividends and the repurchase of capital stock, transactions with affiliates and the ability of PBF Holding to change the nature of its business or its fiscal year; all as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement.
In addition, the Revolving Credit Agreement has a financial covenant which requires that if at any time Excess Availability, as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement, is less than the greater of (i) 10% of the lesser of the then existing Borrowing Base and the then aggregate Revolving Commitments of the Lenders (the “Financial Covenant Testing Amount”), and (ii) $100.0 million, and until such time as Excess Availability is greater than the Financial Covenant Testing Amount and $100.0 million for a period of 12 or more consecutive days, PBF Holding will not permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement and determined as of the last day of the most recently completed quarter, to be less than 1 to 1.
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PBF Holding’s obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are (a) guaranteed by each of its domestic operating subsidiaries that are not Excluded Subsidiaries (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) and (b) secured by a lien on (i) PBF LLC’s equity interest in PBF Holding and (ii) certain assets of PBF Holding and the subsidiary guarantors, including all deposit accounts (other than zero balance accounts, cash collateral accounts, trust accounts and/or payroll accounts, all of which are excluded from the definition of collateral), all accounts receivable, all hydrocarbon inventory (other than the J. Aron Products owned by J. Aron pursuant to the Inventory Intermediation Agreements) and to the extent evidencing, governing, securing or otherwise related to the foregoing, all general intangibles, chattel paper, instruments, documents, letter of credit rights and supporting obligations; and all products and proceeds of the foregoing.
There were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. Issued letters of credit were $221.4 million and $400.7 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
PBFX Credit Facilities
On May 14, 2014, in connection with the PBFX initial public offering (the “PBFX Offering”), PBFX entered into a five-year, $275.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “2014 PBFX Revolving Credit Facility”) with the administrative agent and a syndicate of lenders. On July 30, 2018, PBFX replaced the 2014 PBFX Revolving Credit Facility with a $500.0 million amended and restated revolving credit facility (as amended, the “PBFX Revolving Credit Facility”).
The PBFX Revolving Credit Facility is available to fund working capital, acquisitions, distributions, capital expenditures, and other general partnership purposes and is guaranteed by a guaranty of collection from PBF LLC. PBFX has the ability to increase the maximum amount of the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility by up to $250.0 million to a total facility size of $750.0 million, subject to receiving increased commitments from the lenders or other financial institutions and satisfaction of certain conditions. The PBFX Revolving Credit Facility includes a $75.0 million sublimit for standby letters of credit and a $25.0 million sublimit for swingline loans. Obligations under the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed by PBFX’s restricted subsidiaries, and are secured by a first priority lien on PBFX’s assets and those of PBFX’s restricted subsidiaries. The maturity date of the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility is July 30, 2023, but may be extended for one year on up to two occasions, subject to certain customary terms and conditions. Borrowings under the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at the Alternative Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin or the Adjusted LIBOR Rate plus an Applicable Margin, all as defined in the agreement governing the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility (the “PBFX Revolving Credit Agreement”). The Applicable Margin ranges from 0.75% to 1.75% for Alternative Base Rate Loans and from 1.75% to 2.75% for Adjusted LIBOR Rate Loans in each case depending on PBFX’s Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio, as defined in the PBFX Revolving Credit Agreement.
The PBFX Revolving Credit Agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants customary for revolving credit facilities of this nature which, among other things, limit or restrict PBFX’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to incur or guarantee debt, incur liens, make investments, make restricted payments, amend material contracts, engage in certain business activities, engage in mergers, consolidations and other organizational changes, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of assets, enter into burdensome agreements, or enter into transactions with affiliates on terms which are not at arm’s length.
Additionally, commencing with the Measurement Period ending September 30, 2018, PBFX is required to maintain (a) Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio of at least 2.50 to 1.00; (b) Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of not greater than 4.50 to 1.00; and (c) Consolidated Senior Secured Leverage Ratio of not greater than 3.50 to 1.00 (all terms as defined in the PBFX Revolving Credit Agreement).
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The PBFX Revolving Credit Agreement contains events of default customary for transactions of their nature, including, but not limited to (and subject to any applicable grace periods when applicable), the failure to pay any principal, interest or fees when due, failure to perform or observe any covenant contained in the PBFX Revolving Credit Agreement or related documentation, any representation or warranty made in the agreements or related documentation being untrue in any material respect when made, default under certain material debt agreements, commencement of bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings, certain changes in PBFX’s ownership or the ownership or board composition of PBF GP and material judgments or orders. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an event of default under the PBFX Revolving Credit Agreement, the lenders may, among other things, terminate their commitments, declare any outstanding loans to be immediately due and payable and/or exercise remedies against PBFX and the collateral as may be available to the lenders under the PBFX Revolving Credit Agreement and related documentation or applicable law.
During 2018 PBFX used advances under the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility and the 2014 PBFX Revolving Credit Facility to fund the Knoxville Terminals Purchase, the East Coast Storage Asset Acquisition, the TVPC Acquisition and other capital expenditures and working capital requirements.
The PBFX Revolving Credit Facility may be repaid, from time-to-time, without penalty. As of December 31, 2019, there were $283.0 million of borrowings and $4.8 million of letters of credit outstanding. At December 31, 2018, there were $156.0 million of borrowings and $4.0 million of letters of credit outstanding under the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility.
PBFX 2023 Senior Notes
On May 12, 2015, PBFX entered into an indenture among PBFX, PBF Logistics Finance Corporation, a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of PBFX (“PBF Logistics Finance”, and together with PBFX, the “Issuers”), the Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee, under which the Issuers issued $350.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.875% Senior Notes due 2023.
On October 6, 2017, PBFX entered into a supplemental indenture for the purpose of issuing an additional $175.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (together with the initially issued notes, the “PBFX 2023 Senior Notes”). The additional amount of the PBFX 2023 Senior Notes were issued at 102% of face value, or an effective interest rate of 6.442%. The additional amount of the PBFX 2023 Senior Notes are treated as a single series with the initially issued PBFX 2023 Senior Notes and have the same terms as those of the initially issued PBFX 2023 Senior Notes, except that (i) the additional amount of PBFX 2023 Senior Notes are subject to a separate registration rights agreement, and (ii) the additional amount of PBFX 2023 Senior Notes were issued initially under CUSIP numbers different from the initially issued PBFX 2023 Senior Notes.
PBF LLC agreed to a limited guarantee of collection of the principal amount of the PBFX 2023 Senior Notes, but is not otherwise subject to the covenants of the indenture. The PBFX 2023 Senior Notes are general senior unsecured obligations of the Issuers and are equal in right of payment with all of the Issuers’ existing and future senior indebtedness, including amounts outstanding under the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility. The PBFX 2023 Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to all of the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ existing and future secured debt, including the PBFX Revolving Credit Facility, to the extent of the value of the assets securing that secured debt and will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness of PBFX’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the PBFX 2023 Senior Notes. The PBFX 2023 Senior Notes will be senior to any future subordinated indebtedness the Issuers may incur.
The PBFX indenture contains customary terms, events of default and covenants for transactions of this nature. These covenants include limitations on PBFX’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things: (i) make investments; (ii) incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred units; (iii) pay dividends or make distributions on units or redeem or repurchase its subordinated debt; (iv) create liens; (v) incur dividend or other payment restrictions affecting subsidiaries; (vi) sell assets; (vii) merge or consolidate with other entities; and (viii) enter into transactions with affiliates. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions.
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PBFX has optional redemption rights to repurchase all or a portion of the PBFX 2023 Senior Notes at varying prices which are no less than 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The holders of the PBFX 2023 Senior Notes have repurchase options exercisable only upon a change in control, certain asset dispositions, or in event of default as defined in the indenture.
The outstanding balances under the PBFX 2023 Senior Notes were $525.0 million as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
Senior Notes
On February 9, 2012, PBF Holding and PBF Holding’s wholly-owned subsidiary, PBF Finance Corporation (“PBF Finance”), completed the offering of $675.5 million aggregate principal amount of 8.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 (the “2020 Senior Secured Notes”).
On November 24, 2015, PBF Holding and PBF Holding’s wholly-owned subsidiary, PBF Finance, completed an offering of $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (the “2023 Senior Notes”, and together with the 2020 Senior Secured Notes, the “Senior Secured Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $490.0 million after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and offering expenses.
The Senior Secured Notes were secured on a first-priority basis by substantially all of the present and future assets of PBF Holding and its subsidiaries (other than assets securing the Revolving Credit Facility). Payment of the Senior Secured Notes is jointly and severally guaranteed by substantially all of PBF Holding’s subsidiaries. PBF Holding has optional redemption rights to repurchase all or a portion of the Senior Secured Notes at varying prices no less than 100% of the principal amounts of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest. The holders of the Senior Secured Notes have repurchase options exercisable only upon a change in control, certain asset sale transactions, or in event of a default as defined in the indenture agreement.
In addition, the Senior Secured Notes contain customary terms, events of default and covenants for an issuer of non-investment grade debt securities including limitations on PBF Holding’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things, (1) incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred stock; (2) make equity distributions; (3) pay dividends on or repurchase capital stock or make other restricted payments; (4) enter into transactions with affiliates; (5) create liens; (6) engage in mergers and consolidations or otherwise sell all or substantially all of its assets; (7) designate subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries; (8) make certain investments; and (9) limit the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make payments to PBF Holding.
At all times after (a) a covenant suspension event (which requires that the Senior Secured Notes have investment grade ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC or (b) a Collateral Fall-Away Event, as defined in the indenture, the Senior Secured Notes will become unsecured.
On May 30, 2017, PBF Holding entered into an Indenture (the “Indenture”) among PBF Holding and PBF Finance (the “Issuers”), the guarantors named therein (collectively the “Guarantors”) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee, under which the Issuers issued $725.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.25% senior notes due 2025 (the “2025 Senior Notes”). The Issuers received net proceeds of approximately $711.6 million from the offering after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and offering expenses, all of which was used to fund the cash tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) for any and all of its outstanding 2020 Senior Secured Notes, to pay the related redemption price and accrued and unpaid interest for any 2020 Senior Secured Notes which remained outstanding after the completion of the Tender Offer, and for general corporate purposes. The difference between the carrying value of the 2020 Senior Secured Notes on the date they were reacquired and the amount for which they were reacquired has been classified as debt extinguishment costs in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
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PBF ENERGY INC. AND PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The 2025 Senior Notes are guaranteed by substantially all of PBF Holding’s subsidiaries. The 2025 Senior Notes and guarantees are senior unsecured obligations which rank equal in right of payment with all of the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ existing and future senior indebtedness, including PBF Holding’s Revolving Credit Facility and 2023 Senior Notes. The 2025 Senior Notes and the guarantees rank senior in right of payment to the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ existing and future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment thereto. The 2025 Senior Notes and the guarantees are effectively subordinated to any of the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ existing or future secured indebtedness (including the Revolving Credit Facility) to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. The 2025 Senior Notes and the guarantees are structurally subordinated to any existing or future indebtedness and other obligations of the Issuers’ non-guarantor subsidiaries.
PBF Holding has optional redemption rights to repurchase all or a portion of the 2025 Senior Notes at varying prices which are no less than 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. The holders of the 2025 Senior Notes have repurchase options exercisable only upon a change in control, certain asset sale transactions, or in event of a default as defined in the Indenture. In addition, the 2025 Senior Notes contain customary terms, events of default and covenants for an issuer of non-investment grade debt securities that limit certain types of additional debt, equity issuances, and payments. Many of these covenants will cease to apply or will be modified if the 2025 Senior Notes are rated investment grade.
Upon the satisfaction and discharge of the 2020 Senior Secured Notes in connection with the closing of the Tender Offer and the redemption described above, a Collateral Fall-Away Event under the indenture governing the 2023 Senior Notes occurred on May 30, 2017, and the 2023 Senior Notes became unsecured and certain covenants were modified, as provided for in the indenture governing the 2023 Senior Notes and related documents.
The 2025 Senior Notes and the 2023 Senior Notes are collectively referred to as the “Senior Notes”.
As disclosed in “Note 25, Subsequent Events”, on January 24, 2020, PBF Holding issued $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 6.00% senior unsecured notes due 2028 (the “2028 Senior Notes”). The proceeds from this notes issuance were used in part to subsequently redeem its outstanding 2023 Senior Notes.
PBF Rail Term Loan
On December 22, 2016, PBF Rail Logistics Company LLC (“PBF Rail”) entered into a $35.0 million term loan (the “PBF Rail Term Loan”) with a bank previously party to the Rail Facility. The PBF Rail Term Loan amortizes monthly over its five year term and bears interest at a rate equal to one month LIBOR plus the margin as defined in the agreement governing the PBF Rail Term Loan (the “Rail Credit Agreement”). As security for the PBF Rail Term Loan, PBF Rail pledged, among other things: (i) certain Eligible Railcars; (ii) the Debt Service Reserve Account (as defined in the Rail Credit Agreement); and (iii) PBF Holding’s membership interest in PBF Rail. Additionally, the Rail Credit Agreement contains customary terms, events of default and covenants for transactions of this nature. PBF Rail may at any time repay the PBF Rail Term Loan without penalty in the event that railcars securing the loan are sold, scrapped or otherwise removed from the collateral pool.
The outstanding balances under the PBF Rail Term Loan were $14.5 million and $21.6 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
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PBF ENERGY INC. AND PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Precious Metal Catalyst Financing Arrangements
Certain subsidiaries of the Company have entered into agreements whereby such subsidiary sold a portion of its precious metal catalysts to a major commercial bank and then borrowed back the precious metal catalysts under financing arrangements. The volume of the precious metal catalysts and the interest rate are fixed over the term of each financing arrangement. At maturity, the Company must repurchase the precious metal catalysts in question at its then fair market value. The Company believes that there is a substantial market for precious metal catalysts and that it will be able to release such catalysts at maturity. The Company treated these transactions as financing arrangements, and the related payments are recorded as interest expense over the agreements’ terms. The Company has elected the fair value option for accounting for its catalyst repurchase obligations as the Company’s liability is directly impacted by the change in value of the underlying catalysts. The fair value of these repurchase obligations as reflected in the fair value of long-term debt outstanding table below is measured using Level 2 inputs.
Details of the catalyst financing arrangements at each of the Company’s refineries as of December 31, 2019 are included in the following table:
__________________
(1) These catalyst financing arrangements are included in Long-term debt as of December 31, 2019 as the Company has the ability and intent to finance this debt through availability under other credit facilities if the catalyst financing arrangements are not renewed at maturity.
In total, aggregate annual catalyst financing fees were approximately $0.7 million and $1.0 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Debt Maturities
Debt maturing in the next five years and thereafter is as follows:
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PBF ENERGY INC. AND PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
10. AFFILIATE NOTE PAYABLE - PBF LLC
As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, PBF LLC had an outstanding note payable with PBF Energy for an aggregate principal amount of $376.4 million and $326.1 million, respectively. During the second quarter of 2019, the note payable was amended to extend the maturity date from April 2020 to April 2030. The note has an annual interest rate of 2.5% and may be prepaid in whole or in part at any time, at the option of PBF LLC without penalty or premium.
11. OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Other long-term liabilities consisted of the following:
12. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant to the amended and restated limited liability company agreement of PBF LLC, the holders of PBF LLC Series B Units are entitled to an interest in the amounts received by the investment funds associated with the initial investors in PBF LLC in excess of their original investment in the form of PBF LLC distributions and from the shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock issuable to such investment funds (for their own account and on behalf of the holders of PBF LLC Series B Units) upon an exchange, and the proceeds from the sale of such shares. Such proceeds received by the investment funds associated with the initial investors in PBF LLC are distributed to the holders of the PBF LLC Series B Units in accordance with the distribution percentages specified in the PBF LLC amended and restated limited liability company agreement. There were no distributions to PBF LLC Series B unitholders for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Other Commitments
In addition to commitments related to lease obligations accounted for in accordance with ASC 842 and disclosed in “Note 14 - Leases”, the Company is party to agreements which provide for the treatment of wastewater and the supply of hydrogen and steam for certain of its refineries. The Company made purchases of $65.0 million, $68.6 million and $64.1 million under these supply agreements for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
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PBF ENERGY INC. AND PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The fixed and determinable amounts related to obligations under these agreements are as follows:
Employment Agreements
The Company has entered into various employment agreements with members of executive management and certain other key personnel that include automatic annual renewals, unless canceled. Under some of the agreements, certain of the executives would receive a lump sum payment of between 1.50 to 2.99 times their base salary and continuation of certain employee benefits for the same period upon termination by the Company “Without Cause”, or by the employee “For Good Reason”, or upon a “Change in Control”, as defined in the agreements. Upon death or disability, certain of the Company’s executives, or their estates, would receive a lump sum payment of at least one half of their base salary.
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, 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 substantial 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 totaling $121.3 million as of December 31, 2019 ($130.8 million as of December 31, 2018), related to certain environmental remediation obligations to address existing soil and groundwater contamination and monitoring activities and other clean-up activities, which reflects the current estimated cost of the remediation obligations. 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 Company expects to make aggregate payments for this liability of $57.4 million over the next five years.
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PBF ENERGY INC. AND PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The environmental liability reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets was $134.6 million and $144.2 million at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, of which $121.8 million and $137.2 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.
During the first quarter of 2019, PBFX notified certain agencies of an oil sheen present in the Schuylkill River near one of its facilities. Clean-up, identification and mitigation of the source were immediately initiated. PBFX is working on a remedial investigation and action plan with the state agency. Although response activities are nearly complete, remediation costs will not be finalized until the action plan is complete. Incremental costs are not expected to be material to the Company.
Applicable Federal and State Regulatory Requirements
The Company’s operations and many of the products it manufactures are subject to certain specific requirements of the Clean Air Act (the “CAA”) and related state and local regulations. The CAA contains provisions that require capital expenditures for the installation of certain air pollution control devices at the Company’s refineries. Subsequent rule making authorized by the CAA or similar laws or new agency interpretations of existing rules, may necessitate additional expenditures in future years.
In 2010, New York State adopted a Low-Sulfur Heating Oil mandate that, beginning July 1, 2012, requires all heating oil sold in New York State to contain no more than 15 parts per million (“PPM”) sulfur. Since July 1, 2012, other states in the Northeast market began requiring heating oil sold in their state to contain no more than 15 PPM sulfur. Currently, all of the Northeastern states and Washington DC have adopted sulfur controls on heating oil. Most of the Northeastern states require heating oil with 15 PPM or less sulfur. The mandate and other requirements are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
EPA issued the final Tier 3 Gasoline standards on March 3, 2014 under the CAA. This final rule establishes more stringent vehicle emission standards and further reduces the sulfur content of gasoline starting in January 2017. The new standard is set at 10 PPM sulfur in gasoline on an annual average basis starting January 1, 2017, with a credit trading program to provide compliance flexibility. EPA responded to industry comments on the proposed rule and maintained the per gallon sulfur cap on gasoline at the existing 80 PPM cap. The refineries are complying with these new requirements as planned, either directly or using flexibility provided by sulfur credits generated or purchased in advance as an economic optimization. The standards set by the new rule are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
The Company is required to comply with the Renewable Fuel Standard (“RFS”) implemented by EPA, which sets annual quotas for the quantity of renewable fuels (such as ethanol) that must be blended into motor fuels consumed in the United States. In July 2018, EPA issued proposed amendments to RFS program regulations that would establish annual percentage standards for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and renewable fuels that would apply to all gasoline and diesel produced in the U.S. or imported in the year 2019. In addition, the separate proposal includes a proposed biomass-based diesel applicable volume for 2020. It is likely that RIN production will continue to be lower than needed forcing obligated parties, such as the Company, to purchase cellulosic waiver credits or purchase excess RINs from suppliers on the open market.
In addition, on November 26, 2018 EPA finalized revisions to an existing air regulation concerning Maximum Achievable Control Technologies for Petroleum Refineries. The regulation requires additional continuous monitoring systems for eligible process safety valves relieving to atmosphere, minimum flare gas heat (Btu) content, and delayed coke drum vent controls to be installed by January 30, 2019. In addition, a program for ambient fence line monitoring for benzene was implemented prior to the deadline of January 30, 2018. The regulation does not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
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PBF ENERGY INC. AND PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
EPA published a Final Rule to the Clean Water Act Section 316(b) in August 2014 regarding cooling water intake structures, which includes requirements for petroleum refineries. The purpose of this rule is to prevent fish from being trapped against cooling water intake screens (impingement) and to prevent fish from being drawn through cooling water systems (entrainment). Facilities will be required to implement best technology available as soon as possible, but state agencies have the discretion to establish implementation time lines. The Company has evaluated, and continues to evaluate, the impact of this regulation, and at this time does not expect this regulation to materially impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
The Company is subject to greenhouse gas emission control regulations in the state of California pursuant to AB32. AB32 imposes a statewide cap on greenhouse gas emissions, including emissions from transportation fuels, with the aim of returning the state to 1990 emission levels by 2020. AB32 is implemented through two market mechanisms including the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and Cap and Trade, which was extended for an additional ten years to 2030 in July 2017. The Company is responsible for the AB32 obligations related to the Torrance refinery beginning on July 1, 2016 and must purchase emission credits to comply with these obligations. Additionally, in September 2016, the state of California enacted Senate Bill 32 (“SB32”) which further reduces greenhouse gas emissions targets to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.
The Company recovers the majority of these costs from its customers, and does not expect these obligations to materially impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. To the degree there are unfavorable changes to AB32 or SB32 regulations or the Company is unable to recover such compliance costs from customers, these regulations could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
The Company is subject to obligations to purchase RINs. On February 15, 2017, the Company received a notification that EPA records indicated that PBF Holding used potentially invalid RINs that were in fact verified under EPA’s RIN Quality Assurance Program (“QAP”) by an independent auditor as QAP A RINs. Under the regulations, use of potentially invalid QAP A RINs provided the user with an affirmative defense from civil penalties provided certain conditions are met. The Company has asserted the affirmative defense and if accepted by EPA will not be required to replace these RINs and will not be subject to civil penalties under the program. It is reasonably possible that EPA will not accept the Company’s defense and may assess penalties in these matters but any such amount is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
As of January 1, 2011, the Company is required to comply with EPA’s Control of Hazardous Air Pollutants From Mobile Sources, or MSAT2, regulations on gasoline that impose reductions in the benzene content of its produced gasoline. The Company purchases benzene credits to meet these requirements when necessary. The Company may implement capital projects to reduce the amount of benzene credits that the Company needs to purchase. In additions, the renewable fuel standards mandate the blending of prescribed percentages of renewable fuels (e.g., ethanol and biofuels) into the Company’s produced gasoline and diesel. These requirements, other requirements of the CAA and other presently existing or future environmental regulations may cause the Company to make substantial capital expenditures as well as the purchase of credits at significant cost, to enable its refineries to produce products that meet applicable requirements.
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PBF ENERGY INC. AND PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”), also known as “Superfund,” imposes liability, without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on certain classes of persons who are considered to be responsible for the release of a “hazardous substance” into the environment. These persons include the current or former owner or operator of the disposal site or sites where the release occurred and companies that disposed of or arranged for the disposal of the hazardous substances. Under CERCLA, such persons may be subject to joint and several liability for investigation and the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances that have been released into the environment, for damages to natural resources and for the costs of certain health studies. As discussed more fully above, certain of the Company’s sites are subject to these laws and the Company may be held liable for investigation and remediation costs or claims for natural resource damages. It is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by hazardous substances or other pollutants released into the environment. Analogous state laws impose similar responsibilities and liabilities on responsible parties. In the Company’s current normal operations, it has generated waste, some of which falls within the statutory definition of a “hazardous substance” and some of which may have been disposed of at sites that may require cleanup under Superfund.
The Company is also currently subject to certain other existing environmental claims and proceedings. The Company believes that there is only a remote possibility that future costs related to any of these other known contingent liability exposures would have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Tax Receivable Agreement
PBF Energy entered into a tax receivable agreement with the PBF LLC Series A and PBF LLC Series B unitholders (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”) that provides for the payment by PBF Energy to such persons of an amount equal to 85% of the amount of the benefits, if any, that PBF Energy is deemed to realize as a result of (i) increases in tax basis, as described below, and (ii) certain other tax benefits related to entering into the Tax Receivable Agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. For purposes of the Tax Receivable Agreement, the benefits deemed realized by PBF Energy will be computed by comparing the actual income tax liability of PBF Energy (calculated with certain assumptions) to the amount of such taxes that PBF Energy would have been required to pay had there been no increase to the tax basis of the assets of PBF LLC as a result of purchases or exchanges of PBF LLC Series A Units for shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock and had PBF Energy not entered into the Tax Receivable Agreement. The term of the Tax Receivable Agreement will continue until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired unless: (i) PBF Energy exercises its right to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement, (ii) PBF Energy breaches any of its material obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement or (iii) certain changes of control occur, in which case all obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement will generally be accelerated and due as calculated under certain assumptions.
The payment obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement are obligations of PBF Energy and not of PBF LLC, PBF Holding or PBFX. In general, PBF Energy expects to obtain funding for these annual payments from PBF LLC, primarily through tax distributions, which PBF LLC makes on a pro-rata basis to its owners. Such owners include PBF Energy, which holds a 99.0% interest in PBF LLC as of both December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. PBF LLC generally obtains funding to pay its tax distributions by causing PBF Holding to distribute cash to PBF LLC and from distributions it receives from PBFX.
As a result of the reduction of the corporate federal tax rate to 21% as part of the TCJA, the liability associated with the Tax Receivable Agreement was reduced. Accordingly, the deferred tax assets associated with the payments made or expected to be made related to the Tax Receivable Agreement liability were also reduced.
PBF Energy has recognized a liability for the Tax Receivable Agreement of $373.5 million as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, reflecting the estimate of the undiscounted amounts that the Company expects to pay under the agreement.
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14. LEASES
The Company leases office space, office equipment, refinery facilities and equipment, railcars and other logistics assets primarily under non-cancelable operating leases, with terms typically ranging from one to twenty years, subject to certain renewal options as applicable. The Company considers those renewal or termination options that are reasonably certain to be exercised in the determination of the lease term and initial measurement of lease liabilities and right-of-use assets. Lease expense for operating lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Interest expense for finance leases is incurred based on the carrying value of the lease liability. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet.
The Company determines whether a contract is or contains a lease at inception of the contract and whether that lease meets the classification criteria of a finance or operating lease. When available, the Company uses the rate implicit in the lease to discount lease payments to present value; however, most of the Company’s leases do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate. Therefore, the Company must discount lease payments based on an estimate of its incremental borrowing rate.
The Company does not separate lease and nonlease components of contracts for any of its asset classes. There are no material residual value guarantees associated with any of the Company’s leases. There are no significant restrictions or covenants included in the Company’s lease agreements other than those that are customary in such arrangements. Certain of the Company’s leases, primarily for the Company’s commercial and logistics asset classes, include provisions for variable payments. These variable payments are typically determined based on a measure of throughput or actual days the asset is operated during the contract term or another measure of usage and are not included in the initial measurement of lease liabilities and right-of-use assets.
Lease Position as of December 31, 2019
The table below presents the lease related assets and liabilities recorded on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019:
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Lease Costs
The table below presents certain information related to costs for the Company’s leases for the year ended December 31, 2019:
There were no net gains or losses on any sale-leaseback transactions for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Other Information
The table below presents supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the year ended December 31, 2019 (in millions):
Lease Term and Discount Rate
The table below presents certain information related to the weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate for the Company’s leases as of December 31, 2019:
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Undiscounted Cash Flows
The table below reconciles the fixed component of the undiscounted cash flows for each of the periods presented to the lease liabilities recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019:
As of December 31, 2019, the Company has entered into certain leases that have not yet commenced. Such leases include a 15-year lease for hydrogen supply, with future lease payments estimated to total approximately $212.6 million, expected to commence in the second quarter of 2020. No other such pending leases, either individually or in the aggregate, are material. There are no material lease arrangements in which the Company is the lessor.
15. STOCKHOLDERS’ AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY STRUCTURE
PBF Energy Capital Structure
Class A Common Stock
Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefore, subject to any statutory or contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends and to any restrictions on the payment of dividends imposed by the terms of any outstanding preferred stock. Upon the Company’s dissolution or liquidation or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets, after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of preferred stock having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of shares of Class A common stock will be entitled to receive pro rata remaining assets available for distribution. Holders of shares of Class A common stock do not have preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights.
Class B Common Stock
Holders of shares of Class B common stock are entitled, without regard to the number of shares of Class B common stock held by such holder, to one vote for each PBF LLC Series A Unit beneficially owned by such holder. Accordingly, the members of PBF LLC other than PBF Energy collectively have a number of votes in PBF Energy that is equal to the aggregate number of PBF LLC Series A Units that they hold.
Holders of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class on all matters presented to stockholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by applicable law.
Holders of Class B common stock do not have any right to receive dividends or to receive a distribution upon a liquidation or winding up of PBF Energy.
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PBF ENERGY INC. AND PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Preferred Stock
Authorized preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, with designations, powers and preferences as shall be designated by the Board of Directors.
PBF LLC Capital Structure
PBF LLC Series A Units
The allocation of profits and losses and distributions to PBF LLC Series A unitholders is governed by the limited liability company agreement of PBF LLC. These allocations are made on a pro rata basis with PBF LLC Series C Units. PBF LLC Series A unitholders do not have voting rights.
PBF LLC Series B Units
The PBF LLC Series B Units are intended to be “profit interests” within the meaning of Revenue Procedures 93-27 and 2001-43 of the Internal Revenue Service and have a stated value of zero at issuance. The PBF LLC Series B Units are held by certain of the Company’s current and former officers, have no voting rights and are designed to increase in value only after the Company’s financial sponsors achieve certain levels of return on their investment in PBF LLC Series A Units. Accordingly, the amounts paid to the holders of PBF LLC Series B Units, if any, will reduce only the amounts otherwise payable to the PBF LLC Series A Units held by the Company’s financial sponsors, and will not reduce or otherwise impact any amounts payable to PBF Energy (the holder of PBF LLC Series C Units), the holders of the Company’s Class A common stock or any other holder of PBF LLC Series A Units. The maximum number of PBF LLC Series B Units authorized to be issued is 1,000,000.
PBF LLC Series C Units
The PBF LLC Series C Units rank on a parity with the PBF LLC Series A Units as to distribution rights, voting rights and rights upon liquidation, winding up or dissolution. PBF LLC Series C Units are held solely by PBF Energy.
Treasury Stock
The Company’s Board of Directors previously authorized the repurchase of up to $300.0 million of the PBF Energy Class A common stock (the “Repurchase Program”). From the inception of the Repurchase Program through its expiration date, the Company has purchased approximately 6,050,717 shares of the PBF Energy Class A common stock through open market transactions under the Repurchase Program, for a total of $150.8 million. The Repurchase Program expired on September 30, 2018 and was not renewed.
These repurchases were made from time to time through various methods, including open market transactions, block trades, accelerated share repurchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, certain of which may be effected through Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 plans. The timing and number of shares repurchased depended on a variety of factors, including price, capital availability, legal requirements and economic and market conditions. The Company was not obligated to purchase any shares under the Repurchase Program, and repurchases may have been suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice.
The Company also records PBF Energy Class A common stock surrendered to cover income tax withholdings for certain directors and employees and others pursuant to the vesting of certain awards under the Company’s equity-based compensation plans as treasury shares.
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PBF ENERGY INC. AND PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
16. NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Noncontrolling Interest in PBF LLC
PBF Energy is the sole managing member of, and has a controlling interest in, PBF LLC. As the sole managing member of PBF LLC, PBF Energy operates and controls all of the business and affairs of PBF LLC and its subsidiaries. PBF Energy’s equity interest in PBF LLC was approximately 99.0% as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
PBF Energy consolidates the financial results of PBF LLC and its subsidiaries, and records a noncontrolling interest for the economic interest in PBF Energy held by the members of PBF LLC other than PBF Energy. Noncontrolling interest on the Consolidated Statements of Operations includes the portion of net income or loss attributable to the economic interest in PBF Energy held by the members of PBF LLC other than PBF Energy. Noncontrolling interest on the Consolidated Balance Sheets represents the portion of net assets of PBF Energy attributable to the members of PBF LLC other than PBF Energy.
The noncontrolling interest ownership percentages in PBF LLC as of the completion dates of each of the equity offerings and as of the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are calculated as follows:
Noncontrolling Interest in PBFX
PBF LLC held a 48.2% limited partner interest in PBFX, with the remaining 51.8% limited partner interest owned by the public common unitholders as of December 31, 2019. PBF LLC is also the sole member of PBF GP, the general partner of PBFX. As noted in “Note 3 - PBF Logistics LP”, pursuant to the IDR Restructuring, the IDRs held by PBF LLC were canceled and converted into newly issued common units. In addition, PBFX issued 6,585,500 common units to certain institutional investors in connection with the 2019 Registered Direct Offering on April 29, 2019.
PBF Energy, through its ownership of PBF LLC, consolidates the financial results of PBFX, and records a noncontrolling interest for the economic interest in PBFX held by the public common unitholders. Noncontrolling interest on the Consolidated Statements of Operations includes the portion of net income or loss attributable to the economic interest in PBFX held by the public common unitholders of PBFX other than PBF Energy (through its ownership in PBF LLC). Noncontrolling interest on the Consolidated Balance Sheets includes the portion of net assets of PBFX attributable to the public common unitholders of PBFX.
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PBF ENERGY INC. AND PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The noncontrolling interest ownership percentages in PBFX as of the 2018 Registered Direct Offering, the Development Assets Acquisition, the 2019 Registered Direct Offering and the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are calculated as follows:
Noncontrolling Interest in PBF Holding
In connection with the acquisition of the Chalmette refinery, PBF Holding recorded noncontrolling interests in two subsidiaries of Chalmette Refining. PBF Holding, through Chalmette Refining, owns an 80% ownership interest in both Collins Pipeline Company and T&M Terminal Company. In both of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 the Company recorded a noncontrolling interest in the earnings of these subsidiaries of less than $0.2 million.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Changes in Equity and Noncontrolling Interests
On August 14, 2018, PBF Energy completed a public offering of an aggregate of 6,000,000 shares of its Class A common stock (the “August 2018 Equity Offering”) for net proceeds of $287.3 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses.
The following tables summarize the changes in equity for the controlling and noncontrolling interests of PBF Energy for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following tables summarize the changes in equity for the controlling and noncontrolling interests of PBF LLC for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 respectively:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income includes net income and other comprehensive income (loss) arising from activity related to the Company’s defined employee benefit plan and unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities. The following table summarizes the allocation of total comprehensive income of PBF Energy between the controlling and noncontrolling interests for the year ended December 31, 2019:
The following table summarizes the allocation of total comprehensive income of PBF Energy between the controlling and noncontrolling interests for the year ended December 31, 2018:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table summarizes the allocation of total comprehensive income of PBF Energy between the controlling and noncontrolling interests for the year ended December 31, 2017:
The following table summarizes the allocation of total comprehensive income of PBF LLC between the controlling and noncontrolling interests for the year ended December 31, 2019:
The following table summarizes the allocation of total comprehensive income of PBF LLC between the controlling and noncontrolling interests for the year ended December 31, 2018:
The following table summarizes the allocation of total comprehensive income of PBF LLC between the controlling and noncontrolling interests for the year ended December 31, 2017:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
17. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company grants awards of PBF Energy Class A common stock and PBFX phantom units under its equity incentive plans which authorize the granting of various stock and stock-related awards to directors, employees, prospective employees and non-employees. Awards include non-qualified or incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards (including restricted stock) and phantom unit awards, cash awards and performance awards that vest over a period determined by the plans.
Stock-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expenses consisted of the following:
PBF Energy options
PBF Energy grants stock options which represent the right to purchase share of the Company’s common stock at its fair market value, which is the closing price of PBF Energy’s common stock on the date of grant. Stock options have a maximum term of ten years from the date they are granted, and vest over a requisite service period of four years subject to acceleration in certain circumstances. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock options granted, which requires the input of subjective assumptions.
The Black-Scholes option-pricing model values used to value stock option awards granted were determined based on the following weighted average assumptions:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table summarizes activity for PBF Energy options for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
The total estimated fair value of PBF Energy options granted in 2019 and 2018 was $17.9 million and $23.9 million and the weighted average per unit fair value was $9.43 and $9.55. The total intrinsic value of stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2019, was $27.0 million and $20.0 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2018, was $36.5 million and $19.4 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $0.3 million and $12.4 million, respectively.
Unrecognized compensation expense related to PBF Energy options at December 31, 2019 was $34.5 million, which will be recognized from 2020 through 2023.
Restricted Stock Awards
The Company grants restricted stock to employees and non-employee directors. In general, restricted stock granted to our employees vest over a requisite services period of four years, subject to acceleration in certain circumstances. Restricted stock recipients who received grants subsequent to May 2017 have the right to vote such stock; however, dividends are accrued and will be paid upon vesting. Restricted stock units granted to non-employee directors are considered to vest immediately at the time of the grant for accounting purposes, as they are non-forfeitable, but are issued in equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. The non-vested shares are not transferable and are held by our transfer agent. The fair values of restricted stock are equal to the market price of our common stock on the grant date.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table summarizes activity for PBF Energy restricted stock:
Unrecognized compensation expense related to PBF Energy Restricted Class A common stock at December 31, 2019 was $5.3 million, which will be recognized from 2020 through 2023.
Performance Awards
The Company grants performance share awards, which are paid in stock, and performance share unit awards, which are paid in cash, (collectively, the “performance awards”) to certain key employees. Performance awards granted to employees are based on a three-year performance period (the “performance cycle”). The performance awards will vest on the last day of the performance cycle, subject to forfeiture or acceleration under certain circumstances set forth in the award agreement. The number of performance awards that will ultimately vest is based on the Company’s total shareholder return over the performance. The number of shares ultimately issued or cash paid under these awards can range from zero to 200% of target award amounts.
Performance Share Unit Awards
The performance share awards are accounted for as equity awards, for which the fair value was determined on the grant date by application of a Monte Carlo valuation model.
The grant date fair value was calculated using a Monte Carlo valuation model with the following assumptions:
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The following table summarizes activity for PBF Energy performance share awards:
The risk-free interest rate for the remaining performance period as of the grant date is based on a linear interpolation of published yields of traded U.S. Treasury Interest-Only STRIP Bonds. The dividend yield assumption is based on the annualized most recent quarterly dividend divided by the stock price on the grant date. The assumption for the expected volatility of the Company’s stock price reflects the average of PBF Energy’s common stock historical and implied volatility.
As of December 31, 2019, unrecognized compensation cost related to performance share unit awards was $8.5 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of two years.
Performance Unit awards
The performance unit awards are dollar denominated with a target value of $1.00, with actual payout of up to $2.00 per unit (or 200 percent of target). The performance unit awards are settled in cash based on the payout amount determined at the end of the performance cycle. The Company accounts for the performance unit awards as liability awards which the Company recorded at fair market value on the date of grant. Subsequently, the performance unit awards will be marked-to-market at the end of each fiscal quarter by application of a Monte Carlo simulation model.
The following table summarizes activity for PBF Energy performance unit awards:
As of December 31, 2019, unrecognized compensation cost related to performance unit awards was $8.2 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of two years.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PBFX Phantom Units
PBF GP’s board of directors adopted the PBF Logistics LP 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “PBFX LTIP”) in connection with the completion of the PBFX Offering. The PBFX LTIP is for the benefit of employees, consultants, service providers and non-employee directors of the general partner and its affiliates.
In the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, PBFX issued phantom unit awards under the PBFX LTIP to certain directors, officers and employees of our general partner or its affiliates as compensation. The fair value of each phantom unit on the grant date is equal to the market price of PBFX’s common unit on that date. The estimated fair value of PBFX’s phantom units is amortized using the straight-line method over the vesting period of four years, subject to acceleration if certain conditions are met. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to PBFX’s nonvested phantom units totaled $7.5 million and $7.0 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of four years. The fair value of nonvested service phantom units outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, totaled $15.8 million and $14.7 million, respectively.
A summary of PBFX’s unit award activity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 is set forth below:
The PBFX LTIP provides for the issuance of distribution equivalent rights (“DERs”) in connection with phantom unit awards. A DER entitles the participant, upon vesting of the related phantom units, to a mandatory cash payments equal to the product of the number of vested phantom unit awards and the cash distribution per common unit paid by PBFX to its common unitholders. Cash payments made in connection with DERs are charged to partners’ equity, accrued and paid upon vesting.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
18. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Defined Contribution Plan
The Company’s defined contribution plan covers all employees. Employees are eligible to participate as of the first day of the month following 30 days of service. Participants can make basic contributions up to 50 percent of their annual salary subject to Internal Revenue Service limits. The Company matches participants’ contributions at the rate of 200 percent of the first 3 percent of each participant’s total basic contribution based on the participant’s total annual salary. The Company’s contribution to the qualified defined contribution plans was $27.5 million, $26.3 million and $23.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Defined Benefit and Post-Retirement Medical Plans
The Company sponsors a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (the “Qualified Plan”) with a policy to fund pension liabilities in accordance with the limits imposed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and Federal income tax laws. In addition, the Company sponsors a supplemental pension plan covering certain employees, which provides incremental payments that would have been payable from the Company’s principal pension plan, were it not for limitations imposed by income tax regulations (the “Supplemental Plan”). The funded status is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the projected benefit obligation which is to be recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The plan assets and benefit obligations are measured as of the Consolidated Balance Sheet date.
The non-union Delaware City employees and all Paulsboro, Toledo, Chalmette and Torrance employees became eligible to participate in the Company’s defined benefit plans as of the respective acquisition dates. The union Delaware City employees became eligible to participate in the Company’s defined benefit plans upon commencement of normal operations. The Company did not assume any of the employees’ pension liability accrued prior to the respective acquisitions.
The Company formed the Post-Retirement Medical Plan on December 31, 2010 to provide health care coverage continuation from date of retirement to age 65 for qualifying employees associated with the Paulsboro acquisition. The Company credited the qualifying employees with their prior service under Valero Energy Corporation which resulted in the recognition of a liability for the projected benefit obligation. The Post-Retirement Medical Plan was amended during 2013 to include all corporate employees, amended in 2014 to include Delaware City and Toledo employees, amended in 2015 to include Chalmette employees and amended in 2016 to include Torrance employees.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The changes in the benefit obligation, the changes in fair value of plan assets, and the funded status of the Company’s Pension and Post-Retirement Medical Plans as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
The accumulated benefit obligations for the Company’s Pension Plans exceed the fair value of the assets of those plans at December 31, 2019 and 2018. The accumulated benefit obligation for the defined benefit plans approximated $228.0 million and $184.5 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Benefit payments, which reflect expected future services that the Company expects to pay are as follows for the years ended December 31:
The Company’s funding policy for its defined benefit plans is to contribute amounts sufficient to meet legal funding requirements, plus any additional amounts that may be appropriate considering the funded status of the plans, tax consequences, the cash flow generated by the Company and other factors. The Company plans to contribute approximately $34.8 million to the Company’s Pension Plans during 2020.
The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:
Lump sum payments made by the Supplemental Plan to employees retiring in 2019 and 2018 did not exceed the Plan’s total service and interest costs expected for those years. Lump sum payments made by the Supplemental Plan to employees retiring in 2017 exceeded the Plan’s total service and interest costs expected for 2017. Settlement losses are required to be recorded when lump sum payments exceed total service and interest costs. As a result, the 2017 pension expense included a settlement expense related to our cumulative lump sum payments made during the year ended December 31, 2017.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The pre-tax amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:
The pre-tax amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 31, 2019, and 2018 that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic costs were as follows:
The following pre-tax amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 31, 2019 are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost during the year ended December 31, 2020:
The weighted average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations as of December 31, 2019, and 2018 were as follows:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The weighted average assumptions used to determine the net periodic benefit costs for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:
The assumed health care cost trend rates as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for retiree health care plans. A one percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects on the medical post-retirement benefits:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The table below presents the fair values of the assets of the Company’s Qualified Plan as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 by level of fair value hierarchy. Assets categorized in Level 2 of the hierarchy consist of collective trusts and are measured at fair value based on the closing net asset value (“NAV”) as determined by the fund manager and reported daily. As noted above, the Company’s post-retirement medical plan is funded on a pay-as-you-go basis and has no assets.
The Company’s investment strategy for its Qualified Plan is to achieve a reasonable return on assets that supports the plan’s interest credit rating, subject to a moderate level of portfolio risk that provides liquidity. Consistent with these financial objectives as of December 31, 2019, the plan’s target allocations for plan assets are 54% invested in equity securities, 40% fixed income investments and 6% in real estate. Equity securities include international stocks and a blend of U.S. growth and value stocks of various sizes of capitalization. Fixed income securities include bonds and notes issued by the U.S. government and its agencies, corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed securities. The aggregate asset allocation is reviewed on an annual basis.
The overall expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for the Qualified Plan is based on the Company’s view of long-term expectations and asset mix.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
19. REVENUES
Adoption of ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”
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 a result, the Company has changed its accounting policy for the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers as detailed below.
The Company adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method, which has been applied for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. The Company has applied ASC 606 only to those contracts that were not complete as of January 1, 2018. As such, the financial information for prior periods has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition”. The Company did not record a cumulative effect adjustment upon initially applying ASC 606 as there was not a significant impact upon adoption; however, the details of significant qualitative and quantitative disclosure changes upon implementing ASC 606 are detailed below.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.
As described in “Note 21 - Segment Information”, the Company’s business consists of the Refining Segment and Logistics Segment. The following table provides information relating to the Company’s revenues for each product or group of similar products or services by segment for the periods presented.
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The majority of the Company’s revenues are generated from the sale of refined petroleum products reported in the Refining segment. These revenues are largely based on the current spot (market) prices of the products sold, which represent consideration specifically allocable to the products being sold on a given day, and the Company recognizes those revenues upon delivery and transfer of title to the products to our customers. The time at which delivery and transfer of title occurs is the point when the Company’s control of the products is transferred to the Company’s customers and when its performance obligation to its customers is fulfilled. Delivery and transfer of title are specifically agreed to between the Company and customers within the contracts. The Refining segment also has contracts which contain fixed pricing, tiered pricing, minimum volume features with makeup periods, or other factors that have not materially been affected by ASC 606.
The Company’s logistics segment revenues are generated by charging fees for crude oil and refined products terminaling, storage and pipeline services based on the greater of contractual minimum volume commitments, as applicable, or the delivery of actual volumes based on contractual rates applied to throughput or storage volumes. A majority of the Company’s logistics revenues are generated by intercompany transactions and are eliminated in consolidation.
Deferred Revenues
The Company records deferred revenues when cash payments are received or are due in advance of performance, including amounts which are refundable. Deferred revenue was $20.1 million as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Fluctuations in the deferred revenue balance are primarily driven by the timing and extent of cash payments received or due in advance of satisfying the Company’s performance obligations.
The Company’s payment terms vary by type and location of customers and the products offered. The period between invoicing and when payment is due is not significant (i.e. generally within two months). For certain products or services and customer types, the Company requires payment before the products or services are delivered to the customer.
Significant Judgment and Practical Expedients
For performance obligations related to sales of products, the Company has determined that customers are able to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the benefits from, the products at the point in time that the products are delivered. The Company has determined that the transfer of control upon delivery to the customer’s requested destination accurately depicts the transfer of goods. Upon the delivery of the products and transfer of control, the Company generally has the present right to payment and the customers bear the risks and rewards of ownership of the products. The Company has elected the practical expedient to not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which the Company recognizes revenue at the amount to which it has the right to invoice for services performed.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
20. INCOME TAXES
PBF Energy is required to file federal and applicable state corporate income tax returns and recognizes income taxes on its pre-tax income, which to-date has consisted primarily of its share of PBF LLC’s pre-tax income (see “Note 15 - Stockholders’ and Members’ Equity Structure”). PBF LLC is organized as a limited liability company and PBFX is an MLP, both of which are treated as “flow-through” entities for federal income tax purposes and therefore are not subject to income taxes apart from the income tax attributable to the two subsidiaries acquired in connection with the acquisition of Chalmette Refining and PBF Holding’s wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary, PBF Energy Limited, that are treated as C-Corporations for income tax purposes.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the TCJA. The TCJA makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to, (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent; (2) requiring companies to pay a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries (the “Transition Tax”); (3) generally eliminating U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries; (4) requiring a current inclusion in U.S. federal taxable income of certain earnings of controlled foreign corporations; (5) eliminating the corporate alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) and changing how existing AMT credits can be realized; (6) creating the base erosion anti-abuse tax, a new minimum tax; (7) creating a new limitation on deductible interest expense; and (8) changing rules related to uses and limitations of net operating loss carryforwards created in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017.
In connection with the enactment of the TCJA, PBF Energy recorded a net tax expense of $20.2 million in the year ending December 31, 2017 as further discussed below. The other legislative areas within TCJA, such as the Transition Tax and the Global Low-Taxed Intangible Income, did not have a material impact on the provision for income taxes. Additionally, the new legislation did not have any impact on the need for a valuation allowance. Given the Company’s reversing taxable temporary differences and history of generating book income, no valuation allowances have been provided for all periods presented. The Company has completed its accounting for the impact of the TCJA and has recorded no additional material items.
The income tax provision in the PBF Energy Consolidated Statements of Operations consists of the following:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The difference between PBF Energy’s effective income tax rate and the United States statutory rate is reconciled below:
PBF Energy’s effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, including the impact of income attributable to noncontrolling interests of $55.8 million, $47.0 million and $67.8 million, respectively, was 21.8%, 16.0% and 39.5%, respectively.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, PBF Energy’s effective tax rate was materially consistent with its statutory federal and state tax rates. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the main drivers of PBF Energy’s reduced effective tax rate related to the treatment of stock-based compensation excess tax benefits under recently adopted ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”, and the provision to return adjustments primarily attributable to the state business mix apportionment.
During 2017, PBF Energy made a one-time adjustment to deferred tax assets and liabilities in relation to the TCJA. The net result of the adjustment was a charge of approximately $20.2 million, or an increase to the tax rate of 2.8%. Under GAAP, PBF Energy is required to recognize the effect of the TCJA in the period of enactment. As such, net income tax expense recorded in 2017 consisted of a net tax expense of $193.5 million associated with the remeasurement of Tax Receivable Agreement associated deferred tax assets and a net tax benefit of $173.3 million for the reduction of our deferred tax liabilities as a result of the TCJA.
For years starting before January 1, 2018, the Company’s foreign earnings are taxed at a lower income tax rate as compared to its domestic operations. Accordingly, the Company recognized an income tax expense in 2017 as its foreign entity’s operations resulted in a loss.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For financial reporting purposes, income before income taxes attributable to PBF Energy Inc. stockholders includes the following components:
A summary of the components of PBF Energy’s deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities consists of the following:
As of December 31, 2019, PBF Energy has federal and state income tax net operating loss carry forwards of $551.5 million and $23.6 million, respectively. The portion of the federal net operating loss carry forward that was generated in years prior to 2018 expires in varying amounts through 2037. A federal net operating loss of $23.1 million from 2019 has an indefinite carry forward period and can be used to offset 80% of taxable income in future years. The state net operating loss carry forwards expire at various dates from 2029 through 2039. The Company has not recorded any valuation allowances against these assets, as it is deemed “more likely than not” that the deferred tax assets will be realized, based on the Company’s historical earnings, forecasted income, and the reversal of temporary differences.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The reported income tax (benefit) expense in the PBF LLC Consolidated Statements of Operations consists of the following:
Income tax years that remain subject to examination by material jurisdictions, where an examination has not already concluded are all years including and subsequent to:
The Company does not have any unrecognized tax benefits.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
21. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company’s operations are organized into two reportable segments, Refining and Logistics. Operations that are not included in the Refining and Logistics segments are included in Corporate. Intersegment transactions are eliminated in the Consolidated Financial Statements and are included in Eliminations.
Refining
The Company’s Refining segment includes the operations of its five refineries, including certain related logistics assets that are not owned by PBFX. The Company’s refineries are located in Delaware City, Delaware, Paulsboro, New Jersey, Toledo, Ohio, Chalmette, Louisiana and Torrance, California. The refineries produce unbranded transportation fuels, heating oil, petrochemical feedstocks, lubricants and other petroleum products in the United States. The Company purchases crude oil, other feedstocks and blending components from various third-party suppliers. The Company sells products throughout the Northeast, Midwest, Gulf Coast and West Coast of the United States, as well as in other regions of the United States and Canada, and is able to ship products to other international destinations.
Logistics
The Company’s Logistics segment is comprised of PBFX, a publicly-traded MLP, formed to own or lease, operate, develop and acquire crude oil and refined petroleum products terminals, pipelines, storage facilities and similar logistics assets. PBFX’s assets primarily consist of rail and truck terminals and unloading racks, tank farms and pipelines that were acquired from or contributed by PBF LLC and are located at, or nearby, the Company’s refineries. PBFX provides various rail, truck and marine terminaling services, pipeline transportation services and storage services to PBF Holding and/or its subsidiaries and third-party customers through fee-based commercial agreements. PBFX currently does not generate significant third-party revenues and intersegment related-party revenues are eliminated in consolidation. From a PBF Energy and PBF LLC perspective, the Company’s chief operating decision maker evaluates the Logistics segment as a whole without regard to any of PBFX’s individual operating segments.
The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based primarily on income from operations. Income from operations includes those revenues and expenses that are directly attributable to management of the respective segment. The Logistics segment’s revenues include intersegment transactions with the Company’s Refining segment at prices the Company believes are substantially equivalent to the prices that could have been negotiated with unaffiliated parties with respect to similar services. Activities of the Company’s business that are not included in the two operating segments are included in Corporate. Such activities consist primarily of corporate staff operations and other items that are not specific to the normal operations of the two operating segments. The Company does not allocate non-operating income and expense items, including income taxes, to the individual segments. The Refinery segment’s operating subsidiaries and PBFX are primarily pass-through entities with respect to income taxes.
Total assets of each segment consist of property, plant and equipment, inventories, cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivables and other assets directly associated with the segment’s operations. Corporate assets consist primarily of deferred tax assets, property, plant and equipment and other assets not directly related to the Company’s refinery and logistics operations.
Disclosures regarding the Company’s reportable segments with reconciliations to consolidated totals for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are presented below. In connection with certain contributions by PBF LLC to PBFX, the accompanying segment information has been retrospectively adjusted to include the historical results of those assets in the Logistics segment for all periods presented prior to such contributions.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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(1)
On April 24, 2019, PBFX entered into the TVPC Contribution Agreement, pursuant to which PBF LLC contributed to PBFX all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of TVP Holding. Prior to the TVPC Acquisition, TVP Holding owned a 50% membership interest in TVPC. Subsequent to the closing of the TVPC Acquisition on May 31, 2019, PBFX owns 100% of the membership interests in TVPC.
(2)
Prior to the TVPC Contribution Agreement, the Logistics segment included 100% of the income from operations of TVPC, as TVPC was consolidated by PBFX. PBFX recorded net income attributable to noncontrolling interest for the 50% equity interest in TVPC held by PBF Holding. PBF Holding (included in the Refining segment) recorded equity income in investee related to its 50% noncontrolling ownership interest in TVPC. For purposes of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, PBF Holding’s equity income in investee and PBFX’s net income attributable to noncontrolling interest eliminated in consolidation.
(3)
The Logistics segment includes capital expenditures of $58.4 million for the PBFX acquisition of the Knoxville Terminals on April 16, 2018 and $75.0 million for the PBFX acquisition of the East Coast Storage Assets on October 1, 2018.
(4)
The Logistics segment includes capital expenditures of $10.1 million for the PBFX acquisition of the Toledo, Ohio refined products terminal assets (the “Toledo Products Terminal”) on April 17, 2017.
(5)
Prior to the TVPC Contribution Agreement, the Logistics segment included 100% of the assets of TVPC, as TVPC was consolidated by PBFX. PBFX recorded a noncontrolling interest for the 50% equity interest in TVPC held by PBF Holding. PBF Holding (included in the Refining segment) recorded an equity investment in TVPC reflecting its noncontrolling ownership interest. For purposes of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, PBFX’s noncontrolling interest in TVPC and PBF Holding’s equity investment in TVPC eliminated in consolidation.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
22. NET INCOME PER SHARE OF PBF ENERGY
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share of PBF Energy Class A common stock attributable to PBF Energy for the periods presented:
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(1)
The diluted earnings per share calculation generally assumes the conversion of all outstanding PBF LLC Series A Units to PBF Energy Class A common stock. The net income attributable to PBF Energy, used in the numerator of the diluted earnings per share calculation is adjusted to reflect the net income, as well as the corresponding income tax expense (based on a 24.9%, 26.0% and 39.6% annualized statutory corporate tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017) attributable to the converted units.
(2)
Represents an adjustment to weighted-average diluted shares outstanding to assume the full exchange of common stock equivalents, including options and warrants for PBF LLC Series A Units and performance share units and options for shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock as calculated under the treasury stock method (to the extent the impact of such exchange would not be anti-dilutive). Common stock equivalents exclude the effects of performance share units and options and warrants to purchase 6,765,526, 1,293,242 and 6,820,275 shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock and PBF LLC Series A units because they are anti-dilutive for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. For periods showing a net loss, all common stock equivalents and unvested restricted stock are considered anti-dilutive.
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PBF ENERGY INC. AND PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
23. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The tables below present information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the inputs utilized to determine the fair values as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
The Company has elected to offset the fair value amounts recognized for multiple derivative contracts executed with the same counterparty; however, fair value amounts by hierarchy level are presented on a gross basis in the tables below. The Company has posted cash margin with various counterparties to support hedging and trading activities. The cash margin posted is required by counterparties as collateral deposits and cannot be offset against the fair value of open contracts except in the event of default. The Company has no derivative contracts that are subject to master netting arrangements that are reflected gross on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The valuation methods used to measure financial instruments at fair value are as follows:
•
Money market funds categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy are measured at fair value based on quoted market prices and included within Cash and cash equivalents.
•
The commodity contracts categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy are measured at fair value based on quoted prices in an active market. The commodity contracts categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy are measured at fair value using a market approach based upon future commodity prices for similar instruments quoted in active markets.
•
The derivatives included with inventory intermediation agreement obligations and the catalyst obligations are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and are measured at fair value using a market approach based upon commodity prices for similar instruments quoted in active markets.
Non-qualified pension plan assets are measured at fair value using a market approach based on published net asset values of mutual funds as a practical expedient. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, $10.3 million and $9.7 million, respectively, were included within Deferred charges and other assets, net for these non-qualified pension plan assets.
There were no transfers between levels during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Fair value of debt
The table below summarizes the fair value and carrying value of debt as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
(a) The estimated fair value, categorized as a Level 2 measurement, was calculated based on the present value of future expected payments utilizing implied current market interest rates based on quoted prices of the Senior Notes and PBFX 2023 Senior Notes.
(b) The estimated fair value approximates carrying value, categorized as a Level 2 measurement, as these borrowings bear interest based upon short-term floating market interest rates.
(c) Catalyst financing arrangements are valued using a market approach based upon commodity prices for similar instruments quoted in active markets and are categorized as a Level 2 measurement. The Company has elected the fair value option for accounting for its catalyst repurchase obligations as the Company’s liability is directly impacted by the change in fair value of the underlying catalyst.
(d) As disclosed in “Note 9 - Credit Facilities and Debt”, these notes became unsecured following the Collateral Fall-Away Event on May 30, 2017.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
24. DERIVATIVES
The Company uses derivative instruments to mitigate certain exposures to commodity price risk. The Company entered into the Inventory Intermediation Agreements that contain purchase obligations for certain volumes of crude oil, intermediates and refined products. The purchase obligations related to crude oil, intermediates and refined products under these agreements are derivative instruments that have been designated as fair value hedges in order to hedge the commodity price volatility of certain refinery inventory. The fair value of these purchase obligation derivatives is based on market prices of the underlying crude oil, intermediates and refined products. The level of activity for these derivatives is based on the level of operating inventories.
As of December 31, 2019, there were 27,580 barrels of crude oil and feedstocks (no barrels at December 31, 2018) outstanding under these derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges. As of December 31, 2019, there were 3,430,635 barrels of intermediates and refined products (3,350,166 barrels at December 31, 2018) outstanding under these derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges. These volumes represent the notional value of the contract.
The Company also enters into economic hedges primarily consisting of commodity derivative contracts that are not designated as hedges and are used to manage price volatility in certain crude oil and feedstock inventories as well as crude oil, feedstock, and refined product sales or purchases. The objective in entering into economic hedges is consistent with the objectives discussed above for fair value hedges. As of December 31, 2019, there were 5,511,000 barrels of crude oil and 5,788,000 barrels of refined products (5,801,000 and 1,609,000, respectively, as of December 31, 2018), outstanding under short and long term commodity derivative contracts not designated as hedges representing the notional value of the contracts.
The Company also uses derivative instruments to mitigate the risk associated with the price of credits needed to comply with various governmental and regulatory environmental compliance programs. For such contracts that represent derivatives the Company elects the normal purchase normal sale exception under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and therefore does not record them at fair value.
The following tables provide information about the fair values of these derivative instruments as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and the line items in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in which the fair values are reflected.
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PBF ENERGY INC. AND PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table provides information about the gains or losses recognized in income on these derivative instruments and the line items in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in which such gains and losses are reflected.
The Company had no ineffectiveness related to the fair value hedges as of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
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PBF ENERGY INC. AND PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
25. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
2028 Senior Notes Offering
On January 24, 2020, PBF Holding issued $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 6.00% senior unsecured notes due 2028 for net proceeds of $989.0 million after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and estimated offering expenses. The proceeds from this notes issuance were used in part to pay the related redemption price and accrued and unpaid interest on the 2023 Senior Notes, to pay a portion of the cash consideration for the Martinez acquisition, and for general corporate purposes.
Martinez Acquisition
On February 1, 2020, the Company completed its acquisition of the Martinez refinery and related logistics assets (collectively, the “Martinez Acquisition”) from Equilon Enterprises LLC d/b/a Shell Oil Products US (the "Seller"). The Martinez refinery, located in Martinez, California, is a high-conversion, dual-coking facility that is strategically positioned in Northern California and provides for operating and commercial synergies with the Torrance refinery located in Southern California.
In addition to refining assets, the Martinez Acquisition includes a number of onsite logistics assets, including a deep-water marine facility, product distribution terminals and refinery crude and product storage facilities.
The purchase price for the Martinez Acquisition was $960.0 million plus approximately $230.0 million for estimated hydrocarbon inventory, which is subject to final valuation. In addition, PBF Holding also has an obligation to make certain post-closing payments to the Seller if certain conditions are met including earn-out payments based on certain earnings thresholds of the Martinez refinery (as set forth in the Sale and Purchase Agreement), for a period of up to four years following the closing. The transaction was financed through a combination of cash on hand, including proceeds from the 2028 Senior Notes offering and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility.
Redemption of 2023 Senior Notes
On February 14, 2020, the Company exercised its rights under the indenture governing the 2023 Senior Notes to redeem all of the outstanding 2023 Senior Notes at a price of 103.5% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest. The aggregate redemption price for all 2023 Senior Notes approximated $517.5 million plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Receivables Purchase Agreement
On February 18, 2020, in connection with the entry into a $300.0 million uncommitted receivables purchase facility (the “Receivables Facility”), the Company amended the Revolving Credit Facility and entered into a related intercreditor agreement to allow the Company to sell certain eligible receivables. Under the Receivables Facility, the Company will sell receivables to a third-party buyer subject to their approval and subject to certain conditions. The sales of receivables under the Receivables Facility are absolute and irrevocable but subject to certain repurchase obligations under certain circumstances.
Dividend Declared
On February 13, 2020, PBF Energy announced a dividend of $0.30 per share on outstanding PBF Energy Class A common stock. The dividend is payable on March 17, 2020 to PBF Energy Class A common stockholders of record as of February 25, 2020.
PBFX Distributions
On February 13, 2020, the Board of Directors of PBF GP announced a distribution of $0.5200 per unit on outstanding common units of PBFX. The distribution is payable on March 17, 2020 to PBFX unitholders of record as of February 25, 2020.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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PBF ENERGY INC. AND PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
(unaudited, in millions, except per share data)
The following table summarizes quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
During the three months ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded an adjustment to value its inventories to the lower of cost or market which decreased income from operations by $26.8 million reflecting the change in the LCM inventory reserve from $374.8 million at September 30, 2019 to $401.6 million at December 31, 2019. During the three months ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded an adjustment to value its inventories to the lower of cost or market which decreased income from operations by $651.8 million reflecting the change in the LCM inventory reserve from no LCM inventory reserve at September 30, 2018 to $651.8 million at December 31, 2018.
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ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
PBF ENERGY INC.
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ Thomas J. Nimbley
(Thomas J. Nimbley)
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: February 20, 2020
PBF ENERGY COMPANY LLC
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ Thomas J. Nimbley
(Thomas J. Nimbley)
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: February 20, 2020
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each of the officers and directors of PBF Energy Inc., whose signature appears below, in so signing, also makes, constitutes and appoints each of Erik Young, Matthew Lucey and Trecia Canty, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power and substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to execute and cause to be filed with the SEC any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, with exhibits thereto and other documents connected therewith and to perform any acts necessary to be done in order to file such documents, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitute or substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each of the officers of PBF Energy Company LLC, whose signature appears below, in so signing, also makes, constitutes and appoints each of Erik Young, Matthew Lucey and Trecia Canty, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power and substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to execute and cause to be filed with the SEC any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, with exhibits thereto and other documents connected therewith and to perform any acts necessary to be done in order to file such documents, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitute or substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.