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8-K - 2011 FOURTH QUARTER AND ANNUAL RESULTS - VALERO ENERGY CORP/TXvlo1231114qform8-k.htm


Exhibit 99.01


Valero Energy Reports 2011 Fourth Quarter and Annual Results

SAN ANTONIO, January 31, 2012 - Valero Energy Corporation (“Valero,” NYSE: VLO) today reported income from continuing operations of $45 million, or $0.08 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2011, versus $180 million, or $0.32 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2010. The fourth quarter 2011 results included an after-tax benefit of approximately $161 million, or $0.29 per share, from a year-end LIFO inventory decrement. For the year ended December 31, 2011, income from continuing operations was $2.1 billion, or $3.69 per share, versus $923 million, or $1.62 per share for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Fourth quarter 2011 operating income was $167 million versus fourth quarter 2010 operating income of $378 million. The decrease in operating income was mainly due to a decrease of $1.84 per barrel in the refining throughput margin, particularly in the Gulf Coast region where the throughput margin decreased by $4.21 per barrel. The decrease in the throughput margin was primarily due to lower margins for gasoline and petrochemical feedstocks plus reduced discounts for medium and heavy sour feedstocks, such as Mars and Maya crude oils.

Refining throughput volumes increased by 523,000 barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2011 versus the fourth quarter of 2010. The increase in throughput volumes was mainly due to adding capacity from the acquisition of the Pembroke and Meraux refineries and operating the Aruba refinery, which was not in operation during the fourth quarter of 2010.

“Although the fourth quarter clearly showed the volatility of the refining business, 2011 was a great year for Valero,” said Valero Chairman and CEO Bill Klesse. “We had the highest annual earnings since 2008, acquired the Pembroke and Meraux refineries and related assets, completed several of our major capital projects, and paid off over $775 million in debt. We also increased our cash returned to shareholders by tripling the common stock dividend and conducting stock buybacks in the third and fourth quarters.”

“So far in 2012, product margins have improved versus the fourth quarter of 2011,” Klesse continued. “The macro view for refining in 2012 looks promising given the combination of positive economic trends in the U.S., expectations of global demand growth, and continuing capacity rationalization in the industry, particularly in Europe, the U.S. East Coast, and the Caribbean.”

Valero’s ethanol segment reported its highest quarter ever with $181 million in operating income, versus $70 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. The increase in ethanol operating income was mainly due to higher gross margins and an increase in production volumes to a record-high quarterly average of 3.5 million gallons per day. The ethanol segment also set an annual record with $396 million in operating income in 2011.

Valero’s retail segment reported $83 million in operating income during the fourth quarter of 2011 versus $61 million in operating income in the fourth quarter of 2010. The increase in operating income was mainly due to higher fuel margins and slightly higher volumes in U.S. retail operations.


1



For 2011, the retail segment reported its most profitable year in history with $381 million in operating income. Contributing to the record-setting results was the Canadian retail business, which earned a record-high $168 million in annual operating income.

Regarding cash flows in the fourth quarter of 2011, capital spending was $899 million, of which $128 million was for turnaround and catalyst expenditures. Valero paid $84 million in dividends on its common stock and paid $79 million to purchase Valero’s shares. Valero also spent $547 million to acquire the Meraux refinery plus related logistics assets and inventories. Valero ended the fourth quarter with $1.0 billion in cash and temporary cash investments. For the full-year 2011, Valero’s total capital spending, including turnaround and catalyst expenditures, was $3.0 billion, or $200 million below previous guidance of $3.2 billion.

“2012 is a significant year for Valero as we focus on replacing the coker drums at St. Charles in April and completing the major hydrocracker projects at Port Arthur and St. Charles, which remain on-budget and on-schedule for completion later this year,” Klesse said. “Our top priorities also include our common stock dividend and our investment grade credit rating. After moving beyond the high capital spending levels in 2011 and 2012, we believe our slate of growth projects, recent acquisitions, and operational improvements will enable Valero to significantly grow free cash flow.”

Valero’s senior management will hold a conference call at 10 a.m. ET (9 a.m. CT) today to discuss this earnings release and provide an update on company operations. A live broadcast of the conference call will be available on the company’s web site at www.valero.com.

About Valero
Valero Energy Corporation, through its subsidiaries, is an international manufacturer and marketer of transportation fuels, other petrochemical products and power. Valero subsidiaries employ approximately 22,000 people, and assets include 16 petroleum refineries with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3 million barrels per day, 10 ethanol plants with a combined production capacity of 1.2 billion gallons per year, and a 50-megawatt wind farm. Approximately 6,800 retail and branded wholesale outlets carry the Valero, Diamond Shamrock, Shamrock and Beacon brands in the United States and the Caribbean; Ultramar in Canada; and Texaco in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Valero is a Fortune 500 company based in San Antonio. Please visit www.valero.com for more information.

Safe-Harbor Statement
Statements contained in this release that state the company’s or management’s expectations or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The words “believe,” “expect,” “should,” “estimates,” and other similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. It is important to note that actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. For more information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or forecasted, see Valero’s annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and on Valero’s website at www.valero.com.



2



Contacts
Investors: Ashley Smith, Vice President - Investor Relations, 210-345-2198
Media: Bill Day, Executive Director - Corporate Communications, 210-345-2928
Website: http://www.valero.com




3





VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
EARNINGS RELEASE
(Millions of Dollars, Except per Share, per Barrel, and per Gallon Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Statement of Income Data (a) (b) (c):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues (1)
 
$
34,673

 
$
22,164

 
$
125,987

 
$
82,233

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
 
32,738

 
20,260

 
115,719

 
74,458

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Refining
 
979

 
734

 
3,406

 
2,944

Retail
 
170

 
170

 
678

 
654

Ethanol
 
97

 
96

 
399

 
363

General and administrative expenses
 
129

 
164

 
571

 
531

Depreciation and amortization expense
 
393

 
362

 
1,534

 
1,405

Asset impairment loss
 

 

 

 
2

Total costs and expenses
 
34,506

 
21,786

 
122,307

 
80,357

Operating income
 
167

 
378

 
3,680

 
1,876

Other income, net
 
15

 
77

 
43

 
106

Interest and debt expense, net of capitalized interest
 
(89
)
 
(121
)
 
(401
)
 
(484
)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense
 
93

 
334

 
3,322

 
1,498

Income tax expense
 
48

 
154

 
1,226

 
575

Income from continuing operations
 
45

 
180

 
2,096

 
923

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
 

 
(618
)
 
(7
)
 
(599
)
Net income (loss)
 
45

 
(438
)
 
2,089

 
324

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (d)
 

 

 
(1
)
 

Net income (loss) attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders
 
$
45

 
$
(438
)
 
$
2,090

 
$
324

Net income (loss) attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders (d):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
 
$
45

 
$
180

 
$
2,097

 
$
923

Discontinued operations
 

 
(618
)
 
(7
)
 
(599
)
Total
 
$
45

 
$
(438
)
 
$
2,090

 
$
324

Earnings (loss) per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
 
$
0.08

 
$
0.32

 
$
3.70

 
$
1.63

Discontinued operations
 

 
(1.09
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(1.06
)
Total
 
$
0.08

 
$
(0.77
)
 
$
3.69

 
$
0.57

Weighted average common shares outstanding (in millions)
 
555

 
564

 
563

 
563

Earnings (loss) per common share – assuming dilution:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
 
$
0.08

 
$
0.32

 
$
3.69

 
$
1.62

Discontinued operations
 

 
(1.09
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(1.05
)
Total
 
$
0.08

 
$
(0.77
)
 
$
3.68

 
$
0.57

Weighted average common shares outstanding – assuming dilution (in millions)
 
560

 
569

 
569

 
568

Dividends per common share
 
$
0.15

 
$
0.05

 
$
0.30

 
$
0.20

Supplemental information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Includes excise taxes on sales by our U.S. retail system
 
$
222

 
$
224

 
$
892

 
$
891




Table Page 1





VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
EARNINGS RELEASE
(Millions of Dollars, Except per Share, per Barrel, and per Gallon Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Operating income by business segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Refining
 
$
40

 
$
424

 
$
3,516

 
$
1,903

Retail
 
83

 
61

 
381

 
346

Ethanol
 
181

 
70

 
396

 
209

Corporate
 
(137
)
 
(177
)
 
(613
)
 
(582
)
Total
 
$
167

 
$
378

 
$
3,680

 
$
1,876

Depreciation and amortization expense by business segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Refining
 
$
343

 
$
312

 
$
1,338

 
$
1,210

Retail
 
31

 
28

 
115

 
108

Ethanol
 
11

 
9

 
39

 
36

Corporate
 
8

 
13

 
42

 
51

Total
 
$
393

 
$
362

 
$
1,534

 
$
1,405

Operating highlights:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Refining (a) (b):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Throughput margin per barrel
 
$
5.46

 
$
7.30

 
$
9.30

 
$
7.80

Operating costs per barrel:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
 
3.92

 
3.64

 
3.83

 
3.79

Depreciation and amortization expense
 
1.37

 
1.55

 
1.51

 
1.56

Total operating costs per barrel
 
5.29

 
5.19

 
5.34

 
5.35

Operating income per barrel
 
$
0.17

 
$
2.11

 
$
3.96

 
$
2.45

Throughput volumes (thousand barrels per day):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Feedstocks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Heavy sour crude
 
454

 
475

 
454

 
458

Medium/light sour crude
 
522

 
348

 
442

 
386

Acidic sweet crude
 
112

 
88

 
116

 
60

Sweet crude
 
894

 
708

 
745

 
668

Residuals
 
274

 
228

 
282

 
204

Other feedstocks
 
123

 
92

 
122

 
110

Total feedstocks
 
2,379

 
1,939

 
2,161

 
1,886

Blendstocks and other
 
334

 
251

 
273

 
243

Total throughput volumes
 
2,713

 
2,190

 
2,434

 
2,129

Yields (thousand barrels per day):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gasolines and blendstocks
 
1,270

 
1,053

 
1,120

 
1,048

Distillates
 
957

 
764

 
834

 
712

Other products (e)
 
505

 
402

 
494

 
395

Total yields
 
2,732

 
2,219

 
2,448

 
2,155





Table Page 2





VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
EARNINGS RELEASE
(Millions of Dollars, Except per Share, per Barrel, and per Gallon Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Refining operating highlights by region (f):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gulf Coast (a):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
 
$
(231
)
 
$
322

 
$
1,833

 
$
1,349

Throughput volumes (thousand barrels per day)
 
1,546

 
1,313

 
1,450

 
1,280

Throughput margin per barrel
 
$
3.57

 
$
7.78

 
$
8.63

 
$
8.20

Operating costs per barrel:
 

 

 

 

Operating expenses
 
3.77

 
3.50

 
3.66

 
3.71

Depreciation and amortization expense
 
1.42

 
1.61

 
1.50

 
1.60

Total operating costs per barrel
 
5.19

 
5.11

 
5.16

 
5.31

Operating income (loss) per barrel
 
$
(1.62
)
 
$
2.67

 
$
3.47

 
$
2.89

Mid-Continent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
$
267

 
$
68

 
$
1,413

 
$
339

Throughput volumes (thousand barrels per day)
 
439

 
418

 
411

 
398

Throughput margin per barrel
 
$
12.17

 
$
6.62

 
$
15.10

 
$
7.33

Operating costs per barrel:
 

 

 

 

Operating expenses
 
4.16

 
3.54

 
4.15

 
3.60

Depreciation and amortization expense
 
1.42

 
1.32

 
1.52

 
1.40

Total operating costs per barrel
 
5.58

 
4.86

 
5.67

 
5.00

Operating income per barrel
 
$
6.59

 
$
1.76

 
$
9.43

 
$
2.33

North Atlantic (b):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
$
67

 
$
48

 
$
171

 
$
129

Throughput volumes (thousand barrels per day)
 
463

 
212

 
317

 
195

Throughput margin per barrel
 
$
5.63

 
$
6.65

 
$
5.43

 
$
6.18

Operating costs per barrel:
 

 

 

 

Operating expenses
 
3.36

 
3.02

 
3.08

 
2.99

Depreciation and amortization expense
 
0.68

 
1.17

 
0.87

 
1.39

Total operating costs per barrel
 
4.04

 
4.19

 
3.95

 
4.38

Operating income per barrel
 
$
1.59

 
$
2.46

 
$
1.48

 
$
1.80

West Coast:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
 
$
(63
)
 
$
(14
)
 
$
99

 
$
88

Throughput volumes (thousand barrels per day)
 
265

 
247

 
256

 
256

Throughput margin per barrel
 
$
5.01

 
$
6.42

 
$
8.60

 
$
7.73

Operating costs per barrel:
 

 

 

 

Operating expenses
 
5.37

 
5.10

 
5.25

 
5.09

Depreciation and amortization expense
 
2.21

 
1.95

 
2.29

 
1.69

Total operating costs per barrel
 
7.58

 
7.05

 
7.54

 
6.78

Operating income (loss) per barrel
 
$
(2.57
)
 
$
(0.63
)
 
$
1.06

 
$
0.95

Operating income for regions above
 
$
40

 
$
424

 
$
3,516

 
$
1,905

Asset impairment loss applicable to refining
 

 

 

 
(2
)
Total refining operating income
 
$
40

 
$
424

 
$
3,516

 
$
1,903





Table Page 3





VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
EARNINGS RELEASE
(Millions of Dollars, Except per Share, per Barrel, and per Gallon Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Average market reference prices and differentials (g):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Feedstocks (dollars per barrel):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Louisiana Light Sweet (LLS) crude oil
 
$
110.73

 
$
88.43

 
$
111.47

 
$
81.62

LLS less West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil
 
16.70

 
3.34

 
16.42

 
2.21

LLS less Alaska North Slope (ANS) crude oil
 
0.44

 
3.36

 
1.93

 
2.55

LLS less Brent crude oil
 
1.62

 
1.93

 
0.54

 
2.09

LLS less Mars crude oil
 
3.83

 
4.30

 
4.00

 
3.62

LLS less Maya crude oil
 
7.19

 
12.75

 
12.72

 
11.34

WTI crude oil
 
$
94.03

 
$
85.09

 
$
95.05

 
$
79.41

WTI less Mars crude oil
 
(12.87
)
 
0.96

 
(12.42
)
 
1.41

WTI less Maya crude oil
 
(9.51
)
 
9.40

 
(3.70
)
 
9.13

Products (dollars per barrel):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gulf Coast:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conventional 87 gasoline less LLS
 
$
(2.05
)
 
$
2.42

 
$
5.04

 
$
5.30

Ultra-low-sulfur diesel less LLS
 
13.71

 
9.88

 
13.24

 
8.93

Propylene less LLS
 
(27.39
)
 
(0.58
)
 
7.69

 
5.71

Conventional 87 gasoline less WTI
 
14.65

 
5.76

 
21.46

 
7.51

Ultra-low-sulfur diesel less WTI
 
30.41

 
13.22

 
29.66

 
11.14

Propylene less WTI
 
(10.69
)
 
2.76

 
24.11

 
7.92

Mid-Continent:
 

 

 

 

Conventional 87 gasoline less WTI
 
$
15.16

 
$
6.49

 
$
22.37

 
$
8.20

Ultra-low-sulfur diesel less WTI
 
32.02

 
14.44

 
31.06

 
11.91

North Atlantic:
 

 

 

 

Conventional 87 gasoline less Brent
 
$
3.12

 
$
8.54

 
$
6.24

 
$
8.38

Ultra-low-sulfur diesel less Brent
 
17.42

 
14.08

 
15.64

 
12.63

Conventional 87 gasoline less WTI
 
18.20

 
9.95

 
22.12

 
8.50

Ultra-low-sulfur diesel less WTI
 
32.50

 
15.50

 
31.52

 
12.76

West Coast:
 

 

 

 

CARBOB 87 gasoline less ANS
 
$
5.84

 
$
11.94

 
$
11.48

 
$
14.21

CARB diesel less ANS
 
18.20

 
16.31

 
18.47

 
13.79

CARBOB 87 gasoline less WTI
 
22.10

 
11.93

 
25.97

 
13.88

CARB diesel less WTI
 
34.46

 
16.29

 
32.96

 
13.45

New York Harbor corn crush (dollars per gallon)
 
$
0.50

 
$
0.32

 
$
0.25

 
$
0.39





Table Page 4





VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
EARNINGS RELEASE
(Millions of Dollars, Except per Share, per Barrel, and per Gallon Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Retail - U.S.:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
$
48

 
$
19

 
$
213

 
$
200

Company-operated fuel sites (average)
 
995

 
992

 
994

 
990

Fuel volumes (gallons per day per site)
 
5,077

 
5,000

 
5,060

 
5,086

Fuel margin per gallon
 
$
0.139

 
$
0.086

 
$
0.144

 
$
0.140

Merchandise sales
 
$
293

 
$
295

 
$
1,223

 
$
1,205

Merchandise margin (percentage of sales)
 
29.0
%
 
28.2
%
 
28.7
%
 
28.3
%
Margin on miscellaneous sales
 
$
22

 
$
21

 
$
88

 
$
86

Operating expenses
 
$
104

 
$
106

 
$
416

 
$
412

Depreciation and amortization expense
 
$
21

 
$
19

 
$
77

 
$
73

Retail - Canada:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
$
35

 
$
42

 
$
168

 
$
146

Fuel volumes (thousand gallons per day)
 
3,152

 
3,277

 
3,195

 
3,168

Fuel margin per gallon
 
$
0.287

 
$
0.291

 
$
0.299

 
$
0.271

Merchandise sales
 
$
64

 
$
61

 
$
261

 
$
240

Merchandise margin (percentage of sales)
 
28.6
%
 
29.4
%
 
29.4
%
 
30.1
%
Margin on miscellaneous sales
 
$
10

 
$
9

 
$
43

 
$
38

Operating expenses
 
$
66

 
$
64

 
$
262

 
$
242

Depreciation and amortization expense
 
$
10

 
$
9

 
$
38

 
$
35

Ethanol:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
$
181

 
$
70

 
$
396

 
$
209

Production (thousand gallons per day)
 
3,455

 
3,250

 
3,352

 
3,021

Gross margin per gallon of production
 
$
0.91

 
$
0.59

 
$
0.68

 
$
0.55

Operating costs per gallon of production:
 

 

 

 

Operating expenses
 
0.31

 
0.32

 
0.33

 
0.33

Depreciation and amortization expense
 
0.03

 
0.03

 
0.03

 
0.03

Total operating costs per gallon of production
 
0.34

 
0.35

 
0.36

 
0.36

Operating income per gallon of production
 
$
0.57

 
$
0.24

 
$
0.32

 
$
0.19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
Balance Sheet Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and temporary cash investments
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,024

 
$
3,334

Total debt
 
 
 
 
 
7,741

 
8,337





Table Page 5



VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO EARNINGS RELEASE


(a)
The statement of income data and operating highlights for the refining segment and Gulf Coast region reflect the results of operations of our refinery in Meraux, Louisiana (Meraux Refinery), including related logistics assets, from the date of its acquisition, October 1, 2011, through December 31, 2011. We acquired this refinery, inventories, and offsite logistics assets from Murphy Oil Corporation for approximately $547 million.

(b)
The statement of income data and operating highlights for the refining segment and North Atlantic region reflect the results of operations of our refinery in Wales, United Kingdom (Pembroke Refinery), including the related marketing and logistics business, from the date of its acquisition, August 1, 2011, through December 31, 2011. We acquired this business from a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation for approximately $1.7 billion, net of cash acquired.

(c)
In 2010, we sold our refinery in Paulsboro, New Jersey and our shutdown refinery in Delaware City, Delaware. The results of operations of these refineries are reflected in discontinued operations, and the operating highlights for the refining segment and North Atlantic region exclude these refineries.

(d)
We own a 50 percent interest in Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC (DGD).  Valero consolidates the financial statements of DGD due to our controlling financial interest in this entity.  The losses incurred by DGD that are attributable to the owner of the remaining interest have been added back to net income to arrive at net income attributable to Valero. DGD is currently building a plant that will process animal fats, used cooking oils, and other vegetable oils into renewable green diesel, and the plant is located next to our St. Charles Refinery in Norco, Louisiana. In connection with the Pembroke Refinery acquisition, we acquired an 85 percent interest in Mainline Pipelines Limited (MLP).  On December 1, 2011, we completed the purchase of the remaining 15 percent interest. MLP owns a pipeline that distributes gasoline and distillates products from the Pembroke Refinery to terminals in the United Kingdom.

(e)
Primarily includes petrochemicals, gas oils, No. 6 fuel oil, petroleum coke, and asphalt.

(f)
The regions reflected herein contain the following refineries: Gulf Coast- Corpus Christi East, Corpus Christi West, Texas City, Houston, Three Rivers, St. Charles, Aruba, Port Arthur, and Meraux Refineries; Mid-Continent- McKee, Ardmore, and Memphis Refineries; North Atlantic (formerly known as Northeast)- Pembroke and Quebec City Refineries; and West Coast- Benicia and Wilmington Refineries.

(g)
Average market reference prices for Louisiana Light Sweet (LLS) crude oil, along with price differentials between the price of LLS crude oil and other types of crude oil, have been included in the table of Average Market Reference Prices and Differentials. The table also includes price differentials by region between the prices of certain products and the benchmark crude oil that provides the best indicator of product margins for each region. We previously provided feedstock and product differentials based on the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil. However, the price of WTI crude oil no longer provides a reasonable benchmark price of crude oil for all regions. Beginning in late 2010, WTI light-sweet crude oil began to price at a discount to waterborne light-sweet crude oils, such as LLS and Brent, because of increased WTI supplies resulting from greater domestic production and increased deliveries of crude oil from Canada into the Mid-Continent region. Therefore, the use of the price of WTI crude oil as a benchmark price for regions that do not process WTI crude oil is no longer reasonable.


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