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EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - Western Refining, Inc.exhibit311-wnrx33115.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - Western Refining, Inc.exhibit321-wnrx33115.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - Western Refining, Inc.exhibit322-wnrx33115.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - Western Refining, Inc.exhibit312-wnrx33115.htm

 
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
þ
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015
OR
o
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the transition period from _____ to _____
Commission File Number: 001-32721
WESTERN REFINING, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
20-3472415
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
 
 
 
123 W. Mills Ave., Suite 200
 
79901
El Paso, Texas
 
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (915) 534-1400
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer þ
 
Accelerated filer o
 
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
As of May 1, 2015, there were 95,517,605 shares outstanding, par value $0.01, of the registrant’s common stock.
 
 
 
 
 



WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2
 EX-101





Forward-Looking Statements
As provided by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, certain statements included throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in particular under the section entitled Part I — Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations relating to matters that are not historical fact should be deemed forward-looking statements that represent management’s beliefs and assumptions based on currently available information. These forward-looking statements relate to matters such as our industry, including the regulation of our industry, business strategy, future operations, our expectations for margins and crack spreads, the discount between West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") crude oil and Dated Brent crude oil as well as the discount between WTI Cushing and WTI Midland crude oils, volatility of crude oil prices, additions to pipeline capacity in the Permian Basin and at Cushing, Oklahoma, expected share repurchases and dividends, volatility in pricing of Renewable Identification Numbers ("RINs"), taxes, capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources and other financial and operating information. Forward-looking statements also include those regarding the timing of completion of certain operational and maintenance improvements we are making at our refineries, future operational and refinery efficiencies and cost savings, timing of future maintenance turnarounds, the amount or sufficiency of future cash flows and earnings growth, future expenditures, future contributions related to pension and postretirement obligations, our ability to manage our inventory price exposure through commodity hedging instruments, the impact on our business of existing and future state and federal regulatory requirements, environmental loss contingency accruals, projected remediation costs or requirements and the expected outcomes of legal proceedings in which we are involved. We have used the words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “budget,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “position,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “strategy,” “will,” “future” and similar terms and phrases to identify forward-looking statements in this report.
Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations regarding future events, results or outcomes. These expectations may or may not be realized. Some of these expectations may be based upon assumptions or judgments that prove to be incorrect or that are affected by unknown risks or uncertainties. Consequently, no forward-looking statements can be guaranteed. In addition, our business and operations involve numerous risks and uncertainties, many that are beyond our control, that could result in our expectations not being realized or otherwise materially affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Actual events, results and outcomes may differ materially from our expectations due to a variety of factors. Although it is not possible to predict or identify all of these factors, they include, among others, the following:
changes in crack spreads;
changes in the spread between WTI crude oil and West Texas Sour crude oil, also known as the sweet/sour spread;
changes in the spread between WTI crude oil and Dated Brent crude oil and between WTI Cushing crude oil and WTI Midland crude oil;
availability, costs and price volatility of crude oil, other refinery feedstocks and refined products;
effects of and exposure to risks related to our commodity hedging strategies and transactions;
availability and costs of renewable fuels for blending and RINs to meet Renewable Fuel Standards ("RFS") obligations;
construction of new, or expansion of existing, product or crude oil pipelines, including in the Permian Basin, in the San Juan Basin and at Cushing, Oklahoma;
changes in the underlying demand for our refined products;
instability and volatility in the financial markets, including as a result of potential disruptions caused by economic uncertainties in Europe;
a potential economic recession in the United States and/or abroad;
adverse changes in the credit ratings assigned to our and our subsidiaries' debt instruments;
changes in the availability and cost of capital;
actions of customers and competitors;
successful integration and future performance of acquired assets, businesses or third-party product supply and processing relationships;
actions of third-party operators, processors and transporters;

i


changes in fuel and utility costs incurred by our refineries;
the effect of weather-related problems on our operations;
disruptions due to equipment interruption, pipeline disruptions or failure at our or third-party facilities;
execution of planned capital projects, cost overruns relating to those projects and failure to realize the expected benefits from those projects;
effects of and costs relating to compliance with current and future local, state and federal environmental, economic, climate change, safety, tax and other laws, policies and regulations and enforcement initiatives;
rulings, judgments or settlements in litigation, tax or other legal or regulatory matters, including unexpected environmental remediation costs in excess of any reserves or insurance coverage;
the price, availability and acceptance of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles;
labor relations;
operating hazards, natural disasters, casualty losses, acts of terrorism including cyber-attacks and other matters beyond our control; and
other factors discussed in more detail under Part I — Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 ("2014 10‑K") that are incorporated herein by this reference.
Any one of these factors or a combination of these factors could materially affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows and could influence whether any forward-looking statements ultimately prove to be accurate. You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating any forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
Although we believe the forward-looking statements we make in this report related to our plans, intentions and expectations are reasonable, we can provide no assurance that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. These statements are based on assumptions made by us based on our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors that we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. The forward-looking statements included herein are made only as of the date of this report and we are not required to (and will not) update any information to reflect events or circumstances that may occur after the date of this report, except as required by applicable law.





ii


Part I
Financial Information
Item 1.
Financial Statements
WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
463,074

 
$
431,159

Accounts receivable, trade, net of a reserve for doubtful accounts of $547 and $484, respectively
452,297

 
467,527

Inventories
673,088

 
629,237

Prepaid expenses
76,506

 
88,415

Other current assets
159,566

 
152,125

Total current assets
1,824,531

 
1,768,463

Restricted cash
123,609

 
167,009

Equity method investment
95,899

 
96,080

Property, plant and equipment, net
2,177,786

 
2,153,189

Goodwill
1,289,443

 
1,289,443

Intangible assets, net
85,261

 
85,952

Other assets, net
133,340

 
122,422

Total assets
$
5,729,869

 
$
5,682,558

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
592,332

 
$
681,803

Accrued liabilities
260,697

 
268,449

Deferred income tax liability, net
28,548

 
57,949

Current portion of long-term debt
5,500

 
5,500

Total current liabilities
887,077

 
1,013,701

Long-term liabilities:
 
 
 
Long-term debt, less current portion
1,544,391

 
1,515,037

Lease financing obligations
46,266

 
27,489

Deferred income tax liability, net
331,250

 
296,860

Other liabilities
41,727

 
41,827

Total long-term liabilities
1,963,634

 
1,881,213

Commitments and contingencies


 


Equity:
 
 
 
Western shareholders' equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, par value $0.01, 240,000,000 shares authorized; 102,700,347 and 102,642,540 shares issued, respectively
1,026

 
1,026

Preferred stock, par value $0.01, 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding

 

Additional paid-in capital
489,086

 
487,748

Retained earnings
967,744

 
890,393

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(1,283
)
 
(1,291
)
Treasury stock, 7,182,742 and 6,441,883 shares, respectively at cost
(283,168
)
 
(258,168
)
Total Western shareholders' equity
1,173,405

 
1,119,708

Non-controlling interests
1,705,753

 
1,667,936

Total equity
2,879,158

 
2,787,644

Total liabilities and equity
$
5,729,869

 
$
5,682,558


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
1




WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Net sales
$
2,318,730

 
$
3,725,143

Operating costs and expenses:
 
 
 
Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
1,741,310

 
3,160,737

Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
215,311

 
198,349

Selling, general and administrative expenses
55,803

 
58,732

Affiliate severance costs

 
9,399

Loss on disposal of assets, net
282

 
886

Maintenance turnaround expense
105

 
46,446

Depreciation and amortization
49,926

 
46,410

Total operating costs and expenses
2,062,737

 
3,520,959

Operating income
255,993

 
204,184

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
Interest income
163

 
195

Interest expense and other financing costs
(24,957
)
 
(28,957
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
(8
)
Other, net
3,206

 
1,482

Income before income taxes
234,405

 
176,896

Provision for income taxes
(59,437
)
 
(49,199
)
Net income
174,968

 
127,697

Less net income attributable to non-controlling interests
68,979

 
42,151

Net income attributable to Western Refining, Inc.
$
105,989

 
$
85,546

 
 
 
 
Net earnings per share:
 
 
 
Basic
$
1.11

 
$
1.07

Diluted
1.11

 
0.88

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
Basic
95,567

 
79,729

Diluted
95,682

 
102,522

 
 
 
 
Cash dividends declared per common share
$
0.30

 
$
0.26






The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
2




WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Net income
$
174,968

 
$
127,697

Other comprehensive income items:
 
 
 
Benefit plans:
 
 
 
Amortization of net prior service cost

 
81

Reclassification of loss to income
13

 
5

Other comprehensive income before tax
13

 
86

Income tax
(5
)
 
(2
)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
8

 
84

Comprehensive income
174,976

 
127,781

Less comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests
68,979

 
42,201

Comprehensive income attributable to Western Refining, Inc.
$
105,997

 
$
85,580




The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
3




WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
174,968

 
$
127,697

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
49,926

 
46,410

Changes in fair value of commodity hedging instruments
20,057

 
(73,972
)
Reserve for doubtful accounts
(46
)
 
258

Amortization of loan fees and original issue discount
1,515

 
6,020

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
8

Stock-based compensation expense
4,010

 
8,812

Deferred income taxes
4,989

 
35,839

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
(337
)
 
(254
)
Income from equity method investment
(3,619
)
 
(1,512
)
Loss on disposal of assets, net
282

 
886

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 

Accounts receivable
19,016

 
(33,413
)
Inventories
(43,851
)
 
(58,900
)
Prepaid expenses
11,909

 
(22,369
)
Other assets
(33,451
)
 
2,141

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(99,041
)
 
27,601

Other long-term liabilities
(1,349
)
 
(1,220
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
104,978

 
64,032

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(53,195
)
 
(50,598
)
Decrease in restricted cash
43,400

 

Proceeds from the sale of assets
624

 
149

Net cash used in investing activities
(9,171
)
 
(50,449
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Additions to long-term debt
300,000

 

Payments on long-term debt
(1,375
)
 
(1,680
)
Payments on revolving credit facility
(269,000
)
 

Deferred financing costs
(6,551
)
 

Purchase of treasury stock
(25,000
)
 

Distribution to non-controlling interest holders
(33,665
)
 
(27,072
)
Dividends paid
(28,638
)
 
(20,730
)
Convertible debt redemption

 
(788
)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
337

 
254

Net cash used in financing activities
(63,892
)
 
(50,016
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
31,915

 
(36,433
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
431,159

 
468,070

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
463,074

 
$
431,637



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
4




WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. Organization
"Western," "we," "us," "our" and the "Company" refer to Western Refining, Inc. and, unless the context otherwise requires, our subsidiaries. Western Refining, Inc. was formed on September 16, 2005 as a holding company prior to our initial public offering and is incorporated in Delaware.
We produce refined products at three refineries: one in El Paso, Texas, one near Gallup, New Mexico and one in St. Paul Park, Minnesota. We sell refined products primarily in Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, Wisconsin, West Texas, the Mid-Atlantic region and Mexico; and through bulk distribution terminals and wholesale marketing networks and we sell refined products through two retail networks with a total of 521 company-owned and franchised retail sites in the U.S.
At March 31, 2015, we owned a 38.4% limited partner interest, and 100% of the general partner that grants us control, of Northern Tier Energy LP ("NTI"). NTI owns and operates a refinery in St. Paul Park, Minnesota. NTI has a retail-marketing network of 260 convenience stores. NTI directly operates 165 of these stores and supports 95 stores through franchise agreements. NTI's primary areas of operation include Minnesota and Wisconsin.
At March 31, 2015, we owned a 66.1% limited partner interest in Western Refining Logistics, LP ("WNRL") and the public held a 33.9% limited partner interest. We control WNRL through our 100% ownership of the general partner of WNRL and our majority ownership of WNRL's limited partnership interests. We formed WNRL as a Delaware master limited partnership to own, operate, develop and acquire terminals, storage tanks, pipelines and other logistics assets and related businesses.
On October 15, 2014, in connection with a Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement (the "Contribution Agreement") dated September 25, 2014, we sold all of the outstanding limited liability company interests of Western Refining Wholesale, LLC ("WRW") to WNRL. The sale of WRW to WNRL was a reorganization of entities under common control. We have recast historical financial and operational data of WNRL, for all periods presented, to reflect the purchase and consolidation of WRW into WNRL. We refer to this transaction as the "Wholesale Acquisition."
We changed our reportable segments during the fourth quarter of 2014 due to changes in our organization. Our operations include four business segments: refining, NTI, WNRL and retail. See Note 3, Segment Information, for further discussion of our business segments.
2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim consolidated financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2015, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015, or for any other period.
The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014, has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Western Refining, Inc. and subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest. We own a 38.4% limited partner interest in NTI and we own a 66.1% limited partner interest in WNRL. We own 100% of NTI's and WNRL's respective general partners. As the general partner of NTI and WNRL, we have the ability to direct the activities of NTI and WNRL that most significantly impact their respective economic performance.
Demand for gasoline is generally higher during the summer months than during the winter months. As a result, our operating results for the first and fourth calendar quarters are generally lower than those for the second and third calendar quarters of each year. During 2014 and continuing into 2015, the volatility in crude oil prices and refining margins contributed to the variability of our results of operations.

5

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Western and subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated for all periods presented. Investments in significant non-controlled entities are accounted for using the equity method.
We have reported non-controlling interests for NTI and WNRL of $1,705.8 million in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2015. We have reported non-controlling interest for NTI and WNRL of $1,667.9 million in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Effective January 1, 2015, we adopted the accounting and reporting requirements included in the Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") for disposals when such disposal represents a strategic shift that will have a significant impact on the entity’s operations and financial results. These requirements have been applied prospectively. Our adoption of these changes effective January 1, 2015 had no impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by various standard setting bodies that may have an impact on our accounting and reporting. We are currently evaluating the effect that certain of these new accounting requirements may have on our accounting and related reporting and disclosures in our consolidated financial statements.
Recognition and reporting of revenues - the requirements were amended to remove inconsistencies in revenue requirements and to provide a more complete framework for addressing revenue issues across a broad range of industries and transaction types. The revised standard’s core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. These provisions are effective January 1, 2017, and are to be applied retrospectively, with early adoption not permitted.
Evaluation of going concern - management of an entity is required to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The new requirements will become effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter with early application permitted. The changed requirements are intended to reduce diversity in the timing and content of footnote disclosures.
Consolidation considerations - reporting entities are required to evaluate whether certain legal entities should be consolidated effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015.
Presentation of debt issuance costs - debt issuance costs are presented as an offset to the related debt and will become effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015.
3. Segment Information
We changed our reportable segments during the fourth quarter of 2014 due to changes in our organization. Assets transferred from Western in the Wholesale Acquisition were treated as a transfer of assets between entities under common control. Accordingly, the financial information for the affected reporting segments has been retrospectively adjusted to include or exclude the historical results of the transferred WRW assets for periods prior to the effective date of the transaction. The primary effects of this reporting reorganization were:
Other than unmanned fleet fueling ("cardlock") related activities and product sales activity in the Mid-Atlantic region, the wholesale segment was moved to WNRL;
Product sales activity in the Mid-Atlantic region was moved to the refining segment; and
Cardlock related activities were moved to the retail segment.
Our operations are organized into four reportable segments based on manufacturing and marketing criteria, the nature of our products and services, our production processes and our types of customers. Our reportable segments are refining, NTI, WNRL and retail. A description of each segment's activities and principal products follows:

6

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Refining. We report the operations of two refineries in our refining segment: one in El Paso, Texas (the "El Paso refinery") with a 131,000 barrel per day ("bpd") capacity and one near Gallup, New Mexico (the "Gallup refinery") with a 25,000 bpd capacity. Our refineries make various grades of gasoline, diesel fuel and other products from crude oil, other feedstocks and blending components. We purchase crude oil, other feedstocks and blending components from various third-party suppliers. We also acquire refined products through exchange agreements and from various third-party suppliers to supplement supply to our customers. We sell these products through WNRL's wholesale business and our retail business, other independent wholesalers and retailers, commercial accounts and sales and exchanges with major oil companies.
We have an exclusive supply and marketing agreement with a third party covering activities related to our refined product supply, sales and hedging in the Mid-Atlantic region. We recorded $0.3 million and $0.1 million in assets at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively, related to this supply agreement in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The revenues and costs recorded under the supply agreement included $21.5 million and $0.1 million in net hedging gains for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
NTI. NTI is an independent crude oil refiner and marketer of refined products with one 97,800 bpd refinery that also operates a network of retail convenience stores selling various grades of gasoline, diesel fuel and convenience store merchandise, primarily in Minnesota and Wisconsin. NTI's operations are separate from those of Western. At March 31, 2015, NTI included the operations of 165 retail convenience stores and supported 95 franchised retail convenience stores. These retail convenience stores are located primarily in Minnesota and Wisconsin. NTI's refinery supplies the majority of the gasoline and diesel fuel sold through its retail convenience stores.
WNRL. WNRL owns and operates certain logistics assets that consist of pipeline and gathering, terminalling, storage and transportation assets, providing related services primarily to our refining segment in the Southwest, including approximately 300 miles of pipelines and approximately 8.1 million barrels of active storage capacity. WNRL also owns a wholesale business that operates primarily in the Southwest. The majority of WNRL's logistics assets are integral to the operations of the El Paso and Gallup refineries. WNRL's wholesale business includes the operations of several lubricant and bulk petroleum distribution plants and a fleet of crude oil, refined product and lubricant delivery trucks. WNRL distributes commercial wholesale petroleum products primarily in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas. WNRL purchases petroleum fuels and lubricants from our refining segment and from third-party suppliers.
In the Wholesale Acquisition, WNRL purchased substantially all of Western’s southwest wholesale assets including assets and related inventories of WRW's lubricant distributions, southwest bulk petroleum fuels distribution, and crude oil and products transportation businesses.
Retail. Our retail segment located in the Southwest sells various grades of gasoline, diesel fuel, convenience store merchandise and beverage and food products to the general public through retail convenience stores and various grades of gasoline and diesel fuel to commercial vehicle fleets through cardlocks. WNRL supplies the majority of gasoline and diesel fuel that our retail segment sells. We purchase general merchandise and beverage and food products from various third-party suppliers. At March 31, 2015, the retail segment operated 261 service stations and convenience stores or kiosks located in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas compared to 229 service stations and convenience stores or kiosks at March 31, 2014. The additional stores were added under various operating and capital leases. At March 31, 2015, the retail segment operated 50 cardlocks located in Arizona, California and New Mexico compared to 52 cardlocks at March 31, 2014.
Segment Accounting Principles. Operating income for each segment consists of net revenues less cost of products sold; direct operating expenses; selling, general and administrative expenses; net impact of the disposal of assets; maintenance turnaround expense and depreciation and amortization. Cost of products sold includes net realized and unrealized gains and losses related to our commodity hedging activities and reflects current costs adjusted, where appropriate, for "last-in, first-out" ("LIFO") and lower of cost or market ("LCM") inventory adjustments. Intersegment revenues are reported at prices that approximate market.
Activities of our business that are not included in the four segments mentioned above are included in the "Other" category. These activities consist primarily of corporate staff operations and other items that are not specific to the normal business of any one of our four operating segments. We do not allocate certain items of other income and expense, including income taxes, to the individual segments. NTI and WNRL are primarily pass-through entities with respect to income taxes.
The total assets of each segment consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents; inventories; net accounts receivable; net property, plant and equipment and other assets directly associated with the individual segment’s operations. Included in the total assets of the corporate operations are cash and cash equivalents; various net accounts receivable; prepaid expenses; other current assets; net deferred income tax items; net property, plant and equipment and other long-term assets.

7

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Disclosures regarding our reportable segments with reconciliations to consolidated totals for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, are presented below:
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
Refining
 
NTI
 
WNRL
 
Retail
 
Other
 
Consolidated
 
(In thousands)
Net sales to external customers
$
948,899

 
$
684,786

 
$
429,147

 
$
255,898

 
$

 
$
2,318,730

Intersegment sales (1)
542,542

 
12,990

 
178,249

 
2,704

 

 
 
Operating income (loss) (2)
$
146,724

 
$
107,987

 
$
19,473

 
$
(441
)
 
$
(17,750
)
 
$
255,993

Other income (expense), net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(21,588
)
  Income before income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
234,405

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
21,638

 
$
19,365

 
$
4,738

 
$
3,286

 
$
899

 
$
49,926

Capital expenditures
35,908

 
6,673

 
7,914

 
1,402

 
1,298

 
53,195

Goodwill at March 31, 2015

 
1,289,443

 

 

 

 
1,289,443

Total assets at March 31, 2015
1,763,116

 
2,263,632

 
378,395

 
249,318

 
1,075,408

 
5,729,869

(1)
Intersegment sales of $736.5 million have been eliminated in consolidation.
(2)
The effect of our economic hedging activity is included within operating income of our refining and NTI segments as a component of cost of products sold. The cost of products sold within our refining segment includes $3.7 million in net realized and unrealized economic hedging losses. NTI cost of products sold includes $1.2 million in net realized and unrealized economic hedging gains.
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Refining
 
NTI
 
WNRL (3)
 
Retail (3)
 
Other (3)
 
Consolidated
 
(In thousands)
Net sales to external customers
$
1,510,109

 
$
1,256,394

 
$
628,026

 
$
330,371

 
$
243

 
$
3,725,143

Intersegment sales (1)
815,705

 
984

 
236,584

 
4,913

 

 
 
Operating income (loss) (2)
$
139,007

 
$
67,330

 
$
16,761

 
$
(830
)
 
$
(18,084
)
 
$
204,184

Other income (expense), net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(27,288
)
Income before income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
176,896

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
19,468

 
$
18,985

 
$
4,152

 
$
2,935

 
$
870

 
$
46,410

Capital expenditures
33,620

 
7,181

 
8,379

 
1,341

 
77

 
50,598

Goodwill at March 31, 2014

 
1,297,043

 

 

 

 
1,297,043

Total assets at March 31, 2014
1,807,484

 
2,949,498

 
397,887

 
207,293

 
268,569

 
5,630,731

(1)
Intersegment sales of $1,058.2 million have been eliminated in consolidation.
(2)
The effect of our economic hedging activity is included within operating income of our refining and NTI segments as a component of cost of products sold. The cost of products sold within our refining segment includes $90.6 million in net realized and unrealized economic hedging gains. NTI cost of products sold includes $0.9 million in net realized and unrealized economic hedging losses.
(3)
WNRL's financial data includes the Predecessor's historical financial results and an allocated portion of corporate general and administrative expenses, previously reported as Other, for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Net sales to external customers and intersegment sales for our retail segment include the operating results of cardlock stations that were formerly recorded in our wholesale segment. Other operating results include activity of the wholesale fleet service department that was previously recorded within our wholesale segment.

8

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

4. Fair Value Measurement
We utilize the market approach when measuring fair value of our financial assets and liabilities. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:
Level 1
Inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2
Inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable and market-corroborated inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3
Inputs are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or value drivers are unobservable and cannot be corroborated by market data or other entity-specific inputs.
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, which we consider Level 1 assets and liabilities, approximated their fair values at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, due to their short-term maturities. Our fair value assessment incorporates a variety of considerations, including the short-term duration of the instruments and an evaluation of counterparty credit risk. Cash equivalents totaling $70.0 million, consisting of short-term money market deposits and commercial paper, were included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
We maintain cash deposits with various counterparties in support of our hedging and trading activities. These deposits are required by counterparties as collateral and cannot be offset against the fair value of open contracts except in the event of default. Certain of our commodity derivative contracts under master netting arrangements include both asset and liability positions. We have elected to offset the fair value amounts recognized for multiple similar derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under the column "Netting Adjustments" below; however, fair value amounts by hierarchy level are presented on a gross basis in the tables below. See Note 13, Crude Oil and Refined Product Risk Management, for further discussion of master netting arrangements.
The following tables represent our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and the basis for that measurement:
 
Carrying Value at March 31, 2015
 
Fair Value Measurement Using
 
Netting Adjustments
 
Net Fair Value at March 31, 2015
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Gross financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other current assets - commodity hedging contracts
$
81,813


$


$
80,794


$
1,019


$
(7,200
)

$
74,613

Other assets - commodity hedging contracts
41,103




40,412


691


(1,689
)

39,414

Gross financial liabilities:
 

 

 

 




Accrued liabilities - commodity hedging contracts
(9,573
)



(9,573
)



7,200


(2,373
)
Other long-term liabilities - commodity hedging contracts
(3,435
)



(3,435
)



1,689


(1,746
)
 
$
109,908

 
$

 
$
108,198

 
$
1,710

 
$

 
$
109,908


9

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 
Carrying Value at December 31, 2014
 
Fair Value Measurement Using
 
Netting Adjustments
 
Net Fair Value at December 31, 2014
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Gross financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other current assets - commodity hedging contracts
$
86,659


$


$
86,329


$
330


$
(6,937
)

$
79,722

Other assets - commodity hedging contracts
58,182




58,182




(1,649
)

56,533

Gross financial liabilities:
 

 

 

 




Accrued liabilities - commodity hedging contracts
(11,826
)



(11,826
)



6,937


(4,889
)
Other long-term liabilities - commodity hedging contracts
(3,049
)



(3,049
)



1,649


(1,400
)
 
$
129,966

 
$

 
$
129,636

 
$
330

 
$

 
$
129,966

Commodity hedging contracts designated as Level 3 financial assets consist of jet fuel crack spread swaps. Ultra-low sulfur diesel ("ULSD") pricing has had a strong historical correlation to jet fuel crack spread swaps. We estimate the fair value of our Level 3 instruments based on the differential between quoted market settlement prices on ULSD futures and quoted market settlement prices on jet fuel futures for settlement dates corresponding to each of our outstanding Level 3 jet fuel crack spread swaps. As quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market are available, we reclassify the underlying financial asset or liability and designate them as Level 2 prior to final settlement.
Carrying amounts of commodity hedging contracts reflected as financial assets are included in both current and non-current other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Carrying amounts of commodity hedging contracts reflected as financial liabilities are included in both accrued and other long-term liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Fair value adjustments referred to as credit valuation adjustments ("CVA") are included in the carrying amounts of commodity hedging contracts. CVAs are intended to adjust the fair value of counterparty contracts as a function of a counterparty's credit rating and reflect the credit quality of each counterparty to arrive at contract fair values.
The following table presents the changes in fair value of our Level 3 assets and liabilities (all related to commodity price swap contracts) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Asset (liability) balance at beginning of period
$
330

 
$
(1,935
)
Change in fair value

 
5,232

Fair value of trades entered into during the period
1,462

 

Fair value reclassification from Level 3 to Level 2
(82
)
 
(65
)
Asset balance at end of period
$
1,710

 
$
3,232

A hypothetical change of 10% to the estimated future cash flows attributable to our Level 3 commodity price swaps would result in a $0.2 million change in the estimated fair value.

10

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying amount and estimated fair value of our debt was as follows:
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
(In thousands)
Western obligations:
 
 
 
Carrying amount
$
893,125

 
$
894,500

Fair value
892,159

 
878,360

NTI obligations:
 
 
 
Carrying amount
$
356,766

 
$
357,037

Fair value
362,250

 
351,313

WNRL obligations:
 
 
 
Carrying amount
$
300,000

 
$
269,000

Fair value
309,000

 
269,000

The carrying amount of our debt is the amount reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, including the current portion. The fair value of the debt was determined using Level 2 inputs.
There have been no transfers between assets or liabilities whose fair value is determined through the use of quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and those determined through the use of significant other observable inputs (Level 2).
5. Inventories
Inventories were as follows:
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
(In thousands)
Refined products (1) (2)
$
274,306

 
$
257,476

Crude oil and other raw materials (2)
343,194

 
318,565

Lubricants
14,855

 
14,265

Retail store merchandise
40,733

 
38,931

Inventories
$
673,088

 
$
629,237

(1)
Includes $17.7 million and $18.2 million of inventory valued using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") valuation method at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.
(2)
At March 31, 2015, in order to state our inventories at market prices that were lower than our LIFO cost, we reduced the carrying value of our inventory through a non-cash LCM inventory adjustment of $62.8 million. At December 31, 2014, in order to state our inventories at market prices that were lower than our LIFO cost, we reduced the carrying value of our inventory through a non-cash LCM adjustment of $78.6 million.
We value our refinery inventories of crude oil, other raw materials and asphalt inventories at the lower of cost or market under the LIFO valuation method. Other than refined products inventories held by WNRL and our retail segment, refined products inventories are valued under the LIFO valuation method. WNRL's wholesale refined product, lubricants and related inventories are determined using the FIFO inventory valuation method. Retail refined product inventory values are determined using the FIFO inventory valuation method. Retail merchandise inventory value is determined under the retail inventory method.
As of March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, refined products valued under the LIFO method and crude oil and other raw materials totaled 9.9 million barrels and 9.3 million barrels, respectively. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the excess of the LIFO cost over the current cost of these crude oil, refined product and other feedstock and blendstock inventories was $142.0 million and $28.4 million, respectively.

11

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, cost of products sold included net non-cash credits of $113.6 million from changes in our LIFO reserves. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, cost of products sold included net non‑cash charges of $18.6 million from changes in our LIFO reserves.
Average LIFO cost per barrel of our refined products and crude oil and other raw materials inventories as of March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, was as follows:
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Barrels
 
LIFO Cost
 
Average
LIFO
Cost Per
Barrel
 
Barrels
 
LIFO Cost
 
Average
LIFO
Cost Per
Barrel
 
(In thousands, except cost per barrel)
Refined products
3,911

 
$
289,942

 
$
74.14

 
3,707

 
$
283,333

 
$
76.43

Crude oil and other
5,971

 
372,698

 
62.42

 
5,577

 
355,470

 
63.74

 
9,882

 
$
662,640

 
67.06

 
9,284

 
$
638,803

 
68.81

6. Equity Method Investment
NTI owns a 17% common equity interest in Minnesota Pipe Line Company, LLC ("MPL"). The carrying value of this equity method investment was $95.9 million and $96.1 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying amount of the equity method investment was $21.5 million and $21.6 million higher, respectively, than the underlying net assets of the investee. We are amortizing this difference over the remaining life of MPL’s primary asset (the fixed asset life of the pipeline).
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recognized $3.7 million in declared but unpaid distributions from MPL. There were no distributions received from MPL during the three months ended March 31, 2014. Equity income from MPL for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and 2014 was $3.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Equity income has been included in other, net in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
7. Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, plant and equipment, net was as follows:
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
(In thousands)
Refinery facilities and related equipment
$
2,229,195

 
$
2,217,013

Pipelines, terminals and transportation equipment
404,840

 
369,080

Retail facilities and related equipment
308,437

 
288,338

Wholesale facilities and related equipment
59,434

 
57,158

Corporate
49,464

 
48,871

 
3,051,370

 
2,980,460

Accumulated depreciation
(873,584
)
 
(827,271
)
Property, plant and equipment, net
$
2,177,786

 
$
2,153,189

Depreciation expense was $48.9 million and $45.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively.

12

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

8. Intangible Assets, Net
Intangible assets, net was as follows:
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)
 
Gross
Carrying
Value
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Carrying
Value
 
Gross
Carrying
Value
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Carrying
Value
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Amortizable assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Licenses and permits
$
20,427

 
$
(12,544
)
 
$
7,883

 
$
20,427

 
$
(12,148
)
 
$
8,279

 
5.0
Customer relationships
7,551

 
(3,505
)
 
4,046

 
7,551

 
(3,366
)
 
4,185

 
7.3
Rights-of-way and other
7,878

 
(3,769
)
 
4,109

 
7,878

 
(3,613
)
 
4,265

 
9.3
 
35,856

 
(19,818
)
 
16,038

 
35,856

 
(19,127
)
 
16,729

 
 
Unamortizable assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Franchise rights and trademarks
50,500

 

 
50,500

 
50,500

 

 
50,500

 
 
Liquor licenses
18,723

 

 
18,723

 
18,723

 

 
18,723

 
 
Intangible assets, net
$
105,079

 
$
(19,818
)
 
$
85,261

 
$
105,079

 
$
(19,127
)
 
$
85,952

 
 
Intangible asset amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015, was $0.7 million based on estimated useful lives ranging from 1 to 23 years. Intangible asset amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $0.7 million based on estimated useful lives ranging from 5 to 23 years.
Estimated amortization expense for the indicated periods is as follows (in thousands):
Remainder of 2015
$
1,973

2016
2,620

2017
2,679

2018
2,678

2019
2,011

2020
1,066


13

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

9. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt was as follows:
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
(In thousands)
Western obligations:
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility due 2019
$

 
$

Term Loan Credit Facility due 2020
543,125

 
544,500

6.25% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
350,000

 
350,000

Total Western obligations
893,125

 
894,500

NTI obligations:
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility due 2018

 

7.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2020, net of unamortized premium of $6,766 and $7,037, respectively
356,766

 
357,037

Total NTI obligations
356,766

 
357,037

WNRL obligations:
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility due 2018

 
269,000

7.5% Senior Notes due 2023
300,000

 

Total WNRL obligations
300,000

 
269,000

Long-term debt
1,549,891

 
1,520,537

Current portion of long-term debt
(5,500
)
 
(5,500
)
Long-term debt, net of current portion
$
1,544,391

 
$
1,515,037

As of March 31, 2015, annual maturities of long-term debt for the remainder of 2015 are $4.1 million. From 2016 through 2019, long-term debt maturities are $5.5 million. Thereafter, total long-term debt maturities are $1,517.0 million.
Interest expense and other financing costs were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Contractual interest:
 
 
 
Western obligations
$
12,007

 
$
15,267

NTI obligations
6,591

 
5,335

WNRL obligations
3,726

 
225

 
22,324

 
20,827

Amortization of loan fees
1,786

 
2,097

Amortization of original issuance discount

 
4,044

Other interest expense
1,075

 
2,205

Capitalized interest
(228
)
 
(216
)
Interest expense and other financing costs
$
24,957

 
$
28,957

We amortize original issue discounts and financing fees using the effective interest method over the respective term of the debt. Our creditors have no recourse to the assets owned by either of NTI or WNRL, and the creditors of NTI and WNRL have no recourse to our assets or those of our other subsidiaries.

14

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Western Obligations
Revolving Credit Facility
On October 2, 2014, we entered into the Third Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement ("Western 2019 Revolving Credit Facility"). Lenders committed $900.0 million, all of which will mature on October 2, 2019. The commitments under the Western 2019 Revolving Credit Facility may be increased in the future to $1.4 billion, subject to certain conditions (including the agreement of financial institutions, in their sole discretion, to provide such additional commitments). The amended terms of the agreement include revised borrowing rates. Borrowings can be either base rate loans plus a margin ranging from 0.50% to 1.00% or LIBOR loans plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.00%, subject to adjustment based upon the average excess availability. The Western 2019 Revolving Credit Facility also provides for a quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.375% per annum, subject to adjustment based upon the average utilization ratio, and letter of credit fees ranging from 1.50% to 2.00% per annum payable quarterly, subject to adjustment based upon the average excess availability. Borrowing availability under the Western 2019 Revolving Credit Facility is tied to the amount of our and our restricted subsidiaries' eligible accounts receivable and inventory. The Western 2019 Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by certain of our subsidiaries and will be guaranteed by certain newly acquired or formed subsidiaries, subject to certain limited exceptions. The Western 2019 Revolving Credit Facility is secured by our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and inventory. The Western 2019 Revolving Credit Facility contains certain covenants, including but not limited to, limitations on debt, investments, and dividends and the maintenance of a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio in certain circumstances.
As of and during the three month period ended March 31, 2015, we had no direct borrowings under the Western 2019 Revolving Credit Facility, with availability of $358.4 million. This availability is net of $67.0 million in outstanding letters of credit.
Term Loan Credit Agreement
On November 12, 2013, we entered into a term loan credit agreement (the "Western 2020 Term Loan Credit Facility"). The Western 2020 Term Loan Credit Facility provides for loans of $550.0 million, matures on November 12, 2020 and provides for quarterly principal payments of $1.4 million until September 30, 2020, with the remaining balance then outstanding due on the maturity date. The Western 2020 Term Loan Credit Facility bears interest at a rate based either on the base rate (as defined in the Western 2020 Term Loan Credit Facility) plus 2.25% or the Eurodollar Rate (as defined in the Western 2020 Term Loan Credit Facility) plus 3.25% (with a Eurodollar Rate floor of 1.00%). The Western 2020 Term Loan Credit Facility is secured by both the El Paso and Gallup refineries and is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by substantially all of Western's material subsidiaries. The Western 2020 Term Loan Credit Facility contains customary restrictive covenants including limitations of debt, investments and dividends, and does not contain any financial maintenance covenants.
6.25% Senior Unsecured Notes
On March 25, 2013, we entered into an indenture (the "Western 2021 Indenture") for the issuance of $350.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.25% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 (the "Western 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes"). The Western 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of our wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries. We pay interest on the Western 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The Western 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes mature on April 1, 2021.
5.75% Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes
On March 7, 2014, we provided notice to the Trustee and the holders (the “Noteholders”) of our 5.75% Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes (the "Western Convertible Notes") informing the Trustee and the Noteholders of our election, with respect to all conversions requested by Noteholders in accordance with the terms of the Indenture received by the conversion agent on or after March 20, 2014, to settle conversions of the Western Convertible Notes through the issuance of shares of our common stock. On various dates between March 26, 2014, and June 2, 2014, we delivered an aggregate of 9,155 shares of common stock to Noteholders to satisfy the conversion of $87,000 aggregate principal amount of Western Convertible Notes based on conversion rates, dependent on conversion date, of 105.2394 or 105.8731 shares of common stock for each $1,000 of principal amount of Western Convertible Notes converted. On June 16, 2014, we delivered 22,750,088 shares of common stock to Noteholders, to satisfy the conversion of $214,881,000 aggregate principal amount of Western Convertible Notes, based on a conversion rate of 105.8731 shares of common stock for each $1,000 of principal amount of Western Convertible Notes converted.
In addition to these conversions, we paid cash for the remainder of the outstanding amount of the Western Convertible Notes with a nominal loss on extinguishment of debt.

15

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Our payment of dividends is limited under the terms of our Revolving Credit Agreement, our Senior Unsecured Notes and our Term Loan Credit Facility, and in part, depends on our ability to satisfy certain financial covenants. Note guarantors will be released if they cease to be a Restricted Subsidiary as the result of a transaction permitted under the terms of the indenture, including through the disposition of capital stock of the guarantor.
NTI Obligations
Revolving Credit Facility
On September 29, 2014, NTI amended its senior secured Revolving Credit Facility (the "NTI Revolving Credit Facility"), increasing the aggregate principal amount available prior to the amendment from $300.0 million to $500.0 million. The NTI Revolving Credit Facility, which matures on September 29, 2019, incorporates a borrowing base tied to eligible accounts receivable and inventory and provides for up to $500.0 million for the issuance of letters of credit and up to $45.0 million for swing line loans. The NTI Revolving Credit Facility may be increased up to a maximum aggregate principal amount of $750.0 million, subject to certain conditions. Obligations under the NTI Revolving Credit Facility are secured by substantially all of NTI’s assets. Indebtedness under the NTI Revolving Credit Facility is recourse to Northern Tier Energy GP LLC, its general partner, and is guaranteed by NTI and certain of its subsidiaries. Borrowings under the NTI Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at either (a) an alternative base rate plus an applicable margin (ranging between 0.50% and 1.00%) or (b) a LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin (ranging between 1.50% and 2.00%), in each case based upon the average excess availability. In addition to paying interest on outstanding borrowings, NTI is also required to pay quarterly commitment fees ranging from 0.250% to 0.375% and letter of credit fees ranging from 1.50% to 2.00%. The NTI Revolving Credit Facility contains certain covenants, including but not limited to, limitations on debt, investments and dividends and the maintenance of a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio in certain circumstances. NTI incurred financing costs of $2.6 million associated with the amended NTI Revolving Credit Facility.
As of March 31, 2015, the availability under the NTI Revolving Credit Facility was $194.6 million. This availability is net of $32.0 million in outstanding letters of credit. There were no borrowings under the NTI Revolving Credit Facility during the three month period ended March 31, 2015.
7.125% Secured Notes
On November 8, 2012, Northern Tier Energy LLC, its wholly owned subsidiary ("NTI LLC"), and Northern Tier Finance Corporation issued $275.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.125% senior secured notes due 2020 (the "NTI 2020 Secured Notes").
NTI increased the principal amount of the NTI 2020 Secured Notes in September 2014 through issuance of a private placement of an additional $75.0 million in principal value. This offering was issued under the same indenture and under the same terms as the existing NTI 2020 Secured Notes. The offering generated total cash proceeds of $79.2 million including an issuance premium of $4.2 million. NTI incurred financing costs of $2.5 million associated with this offering. The issuance premium and financing costs will be amortized to interest expense over the remaining life of the notes.
The obligations under the NTI 2020 Secured Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by Northern Tier Energy LP and on a senior secured basis by (i) all of NTI LLC’s restricted subsidiaries that borrow, or guarantee obligations, under the NTI Revolving Credit Facility or any other indebtedness of NTI LLC or another subsidiary of NTI LLC that guarantees the NTI 2020 Secured Notes and (ii) all other material wholly owned domestic subsidiaries of NTI LLC. The indenture governing the NTI 2020 Secured Notes contains covenants that limit or restrict dividends or other payments from restricted subsidiaries. Indebtedness under the NTI 2020 Secured Notes is guaranteed by NTI and certain of their subsidiaries.

16

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

WNRL Obligations
Revolving Credit Facility
On October 16, 2013, WNRL entered into a $300.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility ("WNRL Revolving Credit Facility"). WNRL has the ability to increase the total commitment of the WNRL Revolving Credit Facility by up to $200.0 million for a total facility size of up to $500.0 million, subject to certain conditions. The WNRL Revolving Credit Facility includes a $25.0 million sub-limit for standby letters of credit and a $10.0 million sub-limit for swing line loans. Obligations under the WNRL Revolving Credit Facility and certain cash management and hedging obligations are guaranteed by all of WNRL's subsidiaries. Obligations under the WNRL Revolving Credit Facility are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of WNRL's and its subsidiaries' significant assets. WNRL creditors under the WNRL Revolving Credit Facility have no recourse to Western's assets, except to the extent of the assets of Western Refining Logistics GP, LLC, the general partner of WNRL that Western wholly owns. The WNRL Revolving Credit Facility will mature on October 16, 2018. Borrowings under the WNRL Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at either a base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.75%, or at LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.75%. The applicable margin will vary based upon WNRL's Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio, as defined in the WNRL Revolving Credit Facility.
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, WNRL repaid its outstanding direct borrowings under the WNRL Revolving Credit Facility with a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of its 7.5% Senior Notes, discussed below, resulting in no direct or swing line borrowings under the WNRL Revolving Credit Facility as of March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015, the availability under the WNRL Revolving Credit Facility was $299.3 million. This availability is net of $0.7 million in outstanding letters of credit.
The WNRL Revolving Credit Facility contains covenants that limit or restrict WNRL's ability to make cash distributions. WNRL is required to maintain certain financial ratios that are tested on a quarterly basis for the immediately preceding four quarter period.
7.5% Senior Notes
On February 11, 2015, WNRL entered into an indenture (the “WNRL Indenture”) among WNRL, WNRL Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of WNRL (“Finance Corp.” and together with WNRL, the “Issuers”), the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee under which the Issuers issued $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.5% Senior Notes due 2023 (the "WNRL 2023 Senior Notes"). WNRL will pay interest on the WNRL 2023 Senior Notes semi-annually in cash in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on August 15, 2015. The WNRL 2023 Senior Notes will mature on February 15, 2023. WNRL used the proceeds from the notes to repay the full balance due under the WNRL Revolving Credit Facility on February 11, 2015.
The WNRL Indenture contains covenants that limit WNRL’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things: (i) incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue preferred units, (ii) create liens to secure indebtedness, (iii) pay distributions on equity securities, repurchase equity securities or redeem subordinated indebtedness, (iv) make investments, (v) effect distributions, loans or other asset transfers from WNRL’s restricted subsidiaries, (vi) consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell substantially all of WNRL’s properties to, another person, (vii) sell or otherwise dispose of assets, including equity interests in subsidiaries and (viii) enter into transactions with affiliates. These covenants are subject to a number of limitations and exceptions. The WNRL Indenture also provides for events of default, which, if any of them occurs, would permit or require the principal, premium, if any, and interest on all the then outstanding WNRL 2023 Senior Notes to be due and payable immediately.

17

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

10. Equity
Changes to equity during the three months ended March 31, 2015, were as follows:
 
Western Shareholders' Equity
 
Non-controlling Interest
 
Total Equity
 
(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
1,119,708

 
$
1,667,936

 
$
2,787,644

Net income
105,989

 
68,979

 
174,968

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
8

 

 
8

Dividends
(28,638
)
 

 
(28,638
)
Stock-based compensation
1,001

 
2,503

 
3,504

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
337

 

 
337

Distributions to non-controlling interests

 
(33,665
)
 
(33,665
)
Treasury stock purchases
(25,000
)
 

 
(25,000
)
Balance at March 31, 2015
$
1,173,405

 
$
1,705,753

 
$
2,879,158

Changes to equity during the three months ended March 31, 2014, were as follows:
 
Western Shareholders' Equity
 
Non-controlling Interest
 
Total Equity
 
(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2013
$
894,052

 
$
1,676,535

 
$
2,570,587

Net income
85,546

 
42,151

 
127,697

Convertible debt redemption
(807
)
 

 
(807
)
Convertible debt settlement - treasury stock issuance in additional paid-in capital
6

 

 
6

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
34

 
50

 
84

Dividends
(20,730
)
 

 
(20,730
)
Stock-based compensation
1,151

 
7,661

 
8,812

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
254

 

 
254

Distributions to non-controlling interests

 
(27,072
)
 
(27,072
)
Offering costs

 
66

 
66

Treasury stock issuance
19

 

 
19

Balance at March 31, 2014
$
959,525

 
$
1,699,391

 
$
2,658,916

Share Repurchase Programs
Since 2012, our board of directors has approved four separate share repurchase programs, authorizing us to repurchase up to $200 million, per program, of our outstanding common stock. Our board of directors approved our current share repurchase program in November of 2014 (the "November 2014 Program") that will expire in November of 2015.
Subject to market conditions as well as corporate, regulatory and other considerations, we will repurchase shares from time-to-time through open market transactions, block trades, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Our board of directors may discontinue the share repurchase program at any time.

18

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

The following table summarizes our share repurchase activity for the November 2014 Program:
 
Number of shares purchased
 
Cost of share purchases (In thousands)
Shares purchased at December 31, 2014
1,492,874

 
$
59,222

Shares purchased during Q1, 2015
740,859

 
25,000

Shares purchased at March 31, 2015
2,233,733

 
$
84,222

As of March 31, 2015, we had $115.8 million remaining in authorized expenditures under the November 2014 Program.
Dividends
The table below summarizes our 2015 cash dividend declarations, payments and scheduled payments through May 1, 2015:
 
2015
 
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Dividend per Common Share
 
Total Payment (In thousands)
First quarter
February 6
 
February 20
 
March 6
 
$
0.30

 
$
28,638

Second quarter (1)
April 21
 
May 5
 
May 20
 
0.34

 

Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
28,638

(1) The second quarter 2015 cash dividend of $0.34 per common share will result in an aggregate payment of approximately $32.5 million.
Total dividends declared were $0.30 and $0.26 per common share, including those declared related to participating securities, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
NTI Distributions
On February 5, 2015, NTI declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.49 per unit for the period October 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. NTI paid the distribution on February 27, 2015 to all unitholders of record on February 21, 2015.
The table below summarizes NTI's 2015 quarterly distribution declarations, payments and scheduled payments through May 1, 2015:
 
2015
 
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Distribution per Unit
First quarter
May 5
 
May 18
 
May 29
 
$
1.08

Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1.08

WNRL Distributions
On January 30, 2015, WNRL's general partner's board of directors declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.3325 per unit for the period October 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. WNRL paid the distribution on February 23, 2015 to all unitholders of record on February 13, 2015.
The table below summarizes WNRL's 2015 quarterly distribution declarations, payments and scheduled payments through May 1, 2015:
 
2015
 
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Distribution per Common and Subordinated Unit
First quarter
May 1
 
May 15
 
May 26
 
$
0.3475

Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.3475


19

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

11. Income Taxes
Compared to the federal statutory rate of 35%, our effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and March 31, 2014 were 25.4% and 27.8%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and March 31, 2014 were lower than the statutory rate primarily due to the reduction of taxable income associated with the non-controlling interests in WNRL and NTI and recognizing a benefit relating to various federal tax credits at March 31, 2014.
We are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for tax years ending December 31, 2012 or after and by various state and local taxing jurisdictions for tax years ending December 31, 2011 or after.
We believe that it is more likely than not that the benefit from certain state net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards related to the Yorktown refinery will not be realized. Accordingly, a valuation allowance of $20.8 million was provided against the deferred tax assets relating to these NOL carryforwards at March 31, 2015. There was no change in the valuation allowance for the Yorktown NOL carryforwards from December 31, 2014.
As of March 31, 2015, we have recorded a liability of $13.8 million for unrecognized tax benefits, of which $13.8 million would affect our effective tax rate if recognized. We recognized a net change of $0.1 million for unrecognized benefits, which includes $0.1 million in interest and penalties for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
12. Retirement Plans
We fully recognize the obligations associated with our retiree healthcare and other postretirement plans and NTI's single-employer defined benefit cash balance plan in our financial statements.
Pensions
The net periodic benefit cost associated with NTI's cash balance plan for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively.
Postretirement Obligations
The net periodic benefit cost associated with our postretirement medical benefit plans for both the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $0.2 million, respectively.
Our benefit obligation at December 31, 2014, for our postretirement medical benefit plans was $9.8 million. We fund our medical benefit plans on an as-needed basis.
The following table presents cumulative changes in other comprehensive income related to our benefit plans included as a component of equity for the periods presented, net of income tax. The related expenses are included in direct operating expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Beginning of period balance
$
(1,291
)
 
$
(350
)
Amortization of net prior service cost

 
31

Reclassification of loss to income
13

 
5

Income tax
(5
)
 
(2
)
End of period balance
$
(1,283
)
 
$
(316
)
Defined Contribution Plan
Western sponsors a 401(k) defined contribution plan under which Western and WNRL participants may contribute a percentage of their eligible compensation to various investment choices offered by the plan. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we expensed $2.0 million and $1.6 million, respectively, in connection with this plan.
NTI sponsors qualified defined contribution plans for eligible employees. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, NTI expensed $2.2 million and $2.4 million, respectively, in connection with its qualified defined contribution plans.

20

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

13. Crude Oil and Refined Product Risk Management
We enter into crude oil forward contracts to facilitate the supply of crude oil to our refineries. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we entered into net forward, fixed-price contracts to physically receive and deliver crude oil that qualify as normal purchases and normal sales and are exempt from derivative reporting requirements.
We also use crude oil and refined products futures, swap contracts or options to mitigate the change in value for a portion of our LIFO inventory volumes subject to market price fluctuations and swap contracts to fix the margin on a portion of our future gasoline and distillate production. The physical volumes are not exchanged; these contracts are net settled with cash. These hedging activities do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment.
The fair value of these contracts is reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the related net gain or loss is recorded within cost of products sold in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets (Level 2) are considered to determine the fair values of the majority of the contracts for the purpose of marking the hedging instruments to market at each period end.
The following tables summarize our economic hedging activity recognized within cost of products sold for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and open commodity hedging positions as of March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Economic hedging results
 
 
 
Realized hedging gain, net
$
17,553

 
$
15,744

Unrealized hedging gain (loss), net
(20,057
)
 
73,972

Total hedging gain (loss), net
$
(2,504
)
 
$
89,716

 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
(In thousands)
Open commodity hedging instruments (barrels)
 
 
 
Crude oil and refined product futures, net long (short) positions
3,685

 
(864
)
Refined product crack spread swaps, net short positions
(11,703
)
 
(8,781
)
Total open barrels commodity hedging instruments, net short positions
(8,018
)
 
(9,645
)
 
 
 
 
Fair value of outstanding contracts, net
 
 
 
Other current assets
$
74,613

 
$
79,722

Other assets
39,414

 
56,533

Accrued liabilities
(2,373
)
 
(4,889
)
Other long-term liabilities
(1,746
)
 
(1,400
)
Fair value of outstanding contracts - unrealized gain, net
$
109,908

 
$
129,966

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
Western's derivative financial instruments are subject to master netting arrangements to manage counterparty credit risk associated with derivatives; however, Western does not offset the fair value amounts recorded for derivative instruments under these agreements in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. We have posted or received margin collateral with various counterparties in support of our hedging and trading activities. The margin collateral posted or received is required by counterparties as collateral deposits and cannot be offset against the fair value of open contracts except in the event of default.

21

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

The following table presents offsetting information regarding Western's commodity hedging contracts as of March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014:
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2015
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Gross financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets
$
81,813

 
$
(7,200
)
 
$
74,613

Other assets
41,103

 
(1,689
)
 
39,414

Gross financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued liabilities
(9,573
)
 
7,200

 
(2,373
)
Other long-term liabilities
(3,435
)
 
1,689

 
(1,746
)
 
$
109,908

 
$

 
$
109,908

 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Gross financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets
$
86,659

 
$
(6,937
)
 
$
79,722

Other assets
58,182

 
(1,649
)
 
56,533

Gross financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued liabilities
(11,826
)
 
6,937

 
(4,889
)
Other long-term liabilities
(3,049
)
 
1,649

 
(1,400
)
 
$
129,966

 
$

 
$
129,966

Our commodity hedging activities are initiated within guidelines established by management and approved by our board of directors. Due to mark-to-market accounting during the term of the various commodity hedging contracts, significant unrealized, non-cash net gains and losses could be recorded in our results of operations. Additionally, we may be required to collateralize any mark-to-market losses on outstanding commodity hedging contracts.
As of March 31, 2015, we had the following outstanding crude oil and refined product hedging instruments that were entered into as economic hedges. Settlement prices for our unleaded gasoline crack spread swaps range from $14.99 to $20.21 per contract. Settlement prices for our distillate crack spread swaps range from $18.12 to $20.46 per contract. The information below presents the notional volume of outstanding contracts by type of instrument and year of maturity (volumes in thousands of barrels):
 
Notional Contract Volumes by Year of Maturity
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
Inventory positions (futures and swaps):
 
 
 
 
 
Crude oil and refined products — net short positions
(27
)
 
(175
)
 
(175
)
Natural gas futures — net long positions
2,404

 
1,658

 

Refined product positions (crack spread swaps):
 
 
 
 
 
Distillate — net short positions
(5,598
)
 
(3,930
)
 
(825
)
Unleaded gasoline — net short positions
(1,350
)
 

 


22

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

14. Stock-Based Compensation
The Western Refining 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "2006 LTIP") and the 2010 Incentive Plan of Western Refining (the "2010 Incentive Plan") allow for restricted share unit awards among other forms of awards. As of March 31, 2015, there were 19,856 and 2,749,221 shares of common stock reserved for future grants under the 2006 LTIP and the 2010 Incentive Plan, respectively. Awards granted under both plans vest over a scheduled vesting period of either one, three or five years and their market value at the date of the grant is amortized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. Effective March 25, 2015, our board of directors approved administrative amendments to the 2010 Incentive Plan.
As of March 31, 2015, there were 453,620 unvested restricted share units ("RSUs") outstanding. The final vesting for remaining awards of restricted shares occurred during the first quarter of 2014. We recorded stock compensation of $1.0 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
As of March 31, 2015, the aggregate grant date fair value of outstanding restricted share units was $16.0 million. The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding restricted share units was $22.4 million. The unrecognized compensation cost of unvested restricted share units was $13.1 million. Unrecognized compensation costs for restricted share units will be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 4.12 years.
The excess tax benefit related to the restricted share units that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2015, was $0.3 million using a statutory blended rate of 38.1%. The aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted share units that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2015, was $1.9 million. The related aggregate intrinsic value of these restricted share units was $2.8 million at the vesting date.
The excess tax benefit related to the restricted share units and restricted shares that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2014, was $0.3 million using a statutory blended rate of 38.3%. The aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted share units and restricted shares that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2014, was $1.5 million. The related aggregate intrinsic value of these restricted share units and restricted shares was $2.2 million at the vesting date.
The following table summarizes our restricted share unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
 
Number
of Units
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Not vested at December 31, 2014
380,695

 
$
30.14

Awards granted
135,284

 
48.94

Awards vested
(57,807
)
 
33.63

Awards forfeited
(4,552
)
 
40.28

Not vested at March 31, 2015
453,620

 
35.20

NTI 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Approximately 7.4 million NTI common units are reserved for issuance under the NTI 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan ("NTI LTIP"). The NTI LTIP permits the award of unit options, restricted units, phantom units, distribution equivalent rights, unit appreciation rights and other awards that derive their value from the market price of NTI's common units. As of March 31, 2015, approximately 1.2 million units were outstanding under the NTI LTIP. NTI recognizes the expense on all NTI LTIP awards ratably from the grant date until all units become unrestricted or vest. Awards generally vest ratably over a three-year period beginning on the award's first anniversary date. Compensation expense related to these restricted units is based on the grant date fair value as determined by the closing market price on the grant date, reduced by the fair value of estimated forfeitures. For awards to employees, NTI estimates a forfeiture rate which is subject to revision depending on the actual forfeiture experience.
As of March 31, 2015, the total unrecognized compensation cost for units awarded under the NTI LTIP was $24.2 million.
NTI incurred $2.6 million and $7.4 million of unit-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

23

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Restricted Common Units
As of March 31, 2015, NTI had 0.3 million restricted common units outstanding. Upon vesting, these common units will no longer be restricted. All restricted common units participate in distributions on an equal basis with NTI common units and must be paid no later than 30 days after the distribution date to common unitholders. For restricted common unit awards outstanding at March 31, 2015, the forfeiture rates on NTI LTIP awards ranged from zero to 30%, depending on the employee classification and the length of the award's vesting period. NTI has one restricted common unit award with a clause stating distributions are to be accrued until the underlying units vest; at which time the accrued distributions applicable to those units will be paid to the award holder. The accrued distributions on that award at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively.
Phantom Common Units
Service-based Awards
During 2014, NTI began awarding service-based phantom common units to key employees. As of March 31, 2015, NTI had 0.6 million service-based phantom common units outstanding. Upon vesting, NTI may settle these units in NTI common units or cash at the discretion of NTI's board of directors, or its Compensation Committee. Like the restricted common units, the phantom common units participate in distributions on an equal basis with common units. However, distributions on phantom common units are accrued until the underlying units vest at which time the distributions are paid in cash. In the event that unvested phantom common units are canceled, any accrued distributions on the underlying units are forfeited by the grantee. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, NTI had $0.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively, in accrued service-based phantom common unit distributions included in accrued liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. For phantom common unit awards outstanding at March 31, 2015, the forfeiture rates on NTI LTIP awards ranged from zero to 20%, depending on the employee classification.
Performance-based Phantom Units
In January 2015, NTI granted 0.3 million Performance-based Phantom Units ("NTI Performance LTIPs"), under the NTI LTIP. Assuming a threshold EBITDA is achieved, participants are entitled an award under the NTI Performance LTIPs based on NTI’s achievement of two criteria compared to the performance peer group over the performance period: (a) return on capital employed, referred to as a performance condition, and (b) total unitholder return, referred to as a market condition. NTI accounts for the performance conditions and market conditions in each NTI Performance LTIPs as separate awards. Each of the performance condition awards and market condition awards represent the right to receive NTI common units or cash, at the discretion of NTI's board of directors or its Compensation Committee, at the end of a three-year performance period, in an amount ranging from 0% to 200% of the original number of units granted depending on NTI’s achievement of the performance conditions and market conditions, respectively.
Performance Condition Awards. The 0.3 million NTI Performance LTIPs include 0.2 million performance condition awards. The fair value of performance condition awards is estimated using the market price of NTI's common units on the grant date and NTI management's assessment of the probability of the number of performance condition awards that will ultimately be awarded. The estimated fair value of these performance condition awards is amortized over a three-year vesting period using the straight-line method.
Market Condition Awards. The 0.3 million NTI Performance LTIPs include 0.1 million market condition awards. The estimated fair value for performance unit awards with market conditions is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model as of the grant date and the related expense is amortized over a three-year vesting period using the straight-line method.
Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility over the most recent three-year period. Expected distribution yield is based on annualized distributions at the date of valuation. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the date of valuation. The assumptions used in the Monte Carlo simulation used to value NTI's market condition performance unit awards as of March 31, 2015 are presented below:
Expected volatility
34.10
%
Risk-free interest rate
0.84
%
As of March 31, 2015, NTI had $0.1 million in accrued performance-based phantom common unit distributions included in accrued liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

24

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

A summary of the NTI LTIP common unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015, is set forth below:
 
Restricted Units
 
Phantom Units
 
Number of Units
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Number of Units
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Not vested at December 31, 2014
396,109

 
$
24.73

 
337,693

 
$
26.99

Awards granted
1,026

 
24.90

 
694,906

 
23.22

Awards vested
(49,657
)
 
25.43

 
(111,170
)
 
27.01

Awards forfeited

 

 
(69,576
)
 
26.92

Not vested at March 31, 2015
347,478

 
24.63

 
851,853

 
23.92

Western Refining Logistics, LP 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan
The Western Refining Logistics, LP 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "WNRL LTIP") provides, among other awards, for grants of phantom units and DERs. As of March 31, 2015, there were 4.2 million phantom units reserved for future grants under the WNRL LTIP.
The fair value of the phantom units is determined based on the closing price of WNRL common units on the grant date. The estimated fair value of the phantom units is amortized on a straight-line basis over the scheduled vesting periods of individual awards. WNRL incurred unit-based compensation expense of $0.4 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The aggregate grant date fair value of non-vested phantom units outstanding as of March 31, 2015, was $7.8 million. The aggregate intrinsic value of such phantom units was $7.9 million. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to our non-vested phantom units totaled $7.4 million as of March 31, 2015, that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 4.15 years.
A summary of WNRL's common and phantom unit award activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015, is set forth below:
 
Number of Phantom Units
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Not vested at December 31, 2014
280,251

 
$
28.30

Awards granted
56,485

 
29.48

Awards vested
(51,951
)
 
27.97

Awards forfeited
(11,913
)
 
30.78

Not vested at March 31, 2015
272,872

 
28.50

15. Earnings per Share
In periods subsequent to March 31, 2014, we applied the treasury stock method for determining the number of fully dilutive shares outstanding used in our computation of fully diluted earnings per share. In periods prior to April 1, 2014, we followed the provisions related to use of the two-class method for the purpose of determining earnings per share. As discussed in Note 14, Stock-Based Compensation, we previously granted shares of restricted stock to certain employees and outside directors. Although ownership of these shares did not transfer to the recipients until the shares vested, recipients had voting and nonforfeitable dividend rights on these shares from the date of grant. Accordingly, we utilized the two-class method to determine our earnings per share. The final vesting for restricted stock awards occurred during the first quarter of 2014.
Diluted earnings per common share includes the effects of potentially dilutive shares that consist of unvested restricted share units. These awards are non-participating securities due to the forfeitable nature of their associated dividend equivalent rights, prior to vesting, and we do not consider the restricted share units in the two-class method when calculating earnings per share.

25

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method is presented as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
Basic earnings per common share:
 
 
 
Allocation of earnings:
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Western Refining, Inc.
$
105,989

 
$
85,546

Distributed earnings
(28,638
)
 
(20,730
)
Income allocated to participating securities

 
(128
)
Distributed earnings allocated to participating securities

 
41

Undistributed income available to Western Refining, Inc.
$
77,351

 
$
64,729

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (1)
95,567

 
79,729

Basic earnings per common share:
 
 
 
Distributed earnings per share
$
0.30

 
$
0.26

Undistributed earnings per share
0.81

 
0.81

Basic earnings per common share
$
1.11

 
$
1.07

 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per common share:
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Western Refining, Inc.
$
105,989

 
$
85,546

Tax effected interest related to convertible debt

 
4,404

Net income available to Western Refining, Inc., assuming dilution
$
105,989

 
$
89,950

Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding
95,682

 
102,522

Diluted earnings per common share
$
1.11

 
$
0.88

(1) Excludes the weighted average number of common shares outstanding associated with participating securities of 0.2 million shares for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
The computation of the weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding is presented below:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
95,567

 
79,729

Common equivalent shares from Western Convertible Notes

 
22,630

Restricted shares and share units
115

 
163

Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding
95,682

 
102,522

A shareholder's interest in our common stock could become diluted as a result of vestings of restricted share units and, prior to the settlement of the Western Convertible Notes during the second quarter of 2014 (see Note 9, Long-Term Debt for further discussion), conversion of the Western Convertible Notes through issuance of shares of our common stock. In calculating our fully diluted earnings per common share, we consider the impact of restricted share units that have not vested and common equivalent shares related to the Western Convertible Notes. We include unvested restricted share units in our diluted earnings calculation when the trading price of our common stock equals or exceeds the per share or per share unit grant price. Common equivalent shares from the Western Convertible Notes are generally included in our diluted earnings calculation when net income exceeds certain thresholds above which the effect of the shares becomes dilutive. The Western Convertible Notes were converted into actual shares of our common stock during the first six months of 2015.

26

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

16. Cash Flows
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Income taxes paid
$
40,009

 
$
21,603

Interest paid, excluding amounts capitalized
8,959

 
9,025

 
 
 
 
Non-cash investing and financing activities were as follows:
 
 
 
Assets acquired through capital lease obligations
19,511

 

Accrued capital expenditures
12,741

 
14,792

Issuance of common shares for redemption of Western Convertible Notes

 
19

Distributions receivable from equity method investee
3,740

 

17. Leases and Other Commitments
We have commitments under various operating leases with initial terms greater than one year for retail convenience stores, office space, warehouses, cardlocks, railcars and other facilities; some of which have renewal options and rent escalation clauses. These leases have terms that will expire on various dates through 2036. We expect that in the normal course of business, these leases will be renewed or replaced by other leases. Certain of our lease agreements provide for the fair value purchase of the leased asset at the end of the lease. Rent expense for operating leases that provide for periodic rent escalations or rent holidays over the term of the lease and for renewal periods that are reasonably assured at the inception of the lease is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
In the normal course of business, we also have long-term commitments to purchase products and services, such as natural gas, electricity, water and transportation services for use by our refineries and logistic assets at market-based rates. We are also party to various refined product and crude oil supply and exchange agreements.
Under a sulfuric acid regeneration and sulfur gas processing agreement with E.I. du Pont de Nemours ("DuPont"), DuPont constructed and operates two sulfuric acid regeneration plants on property we lease to DuPont within our El Paso refinery. Our annual estimated cost for processing sulfuric acid and sulfur gas under this agreement is $15.7 million through March of 2028.
In November 2007, we entered into a ten-year lease agreement for office space in downtown El Paso, Texas. The building serves as our headquarters. In December 2007, we entered into an eleven-year lease agreement for an office building in Tempe, Arizona. The building centralized our operational and administrative offices in the Phoenix, Arizona area.
We are party to thirty capital leases, with initial terms of 20 years, expiring in 2017 through 2034. The current portion of our capital lease obligations of $0.9 million and $0.6 million is included in accrued liabilities and the non-current portion of $46.3 million and $27.5 million is included in lease financing obligations in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively. These capital leases were discounted using annual interest rates of 3.24% to 10.51%. Total remaining interest related to these leases was $39.5 million and $21.6 million at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively. Annual payments, net of interest, average $4.4 million through the end of 2019 with the remaining $55.8 million due through 2034. Of the thirty capital leases, thirteen are NTI obligations with annual lease payments net of interest that average $1.0 million annually through the end of 2019 with the remaining $3.2 million due through 2034. There is no recourse to Western on the NTI capital leases. The remaining seventeen capital leases are held by our retail segment and make up the balance of the annual payments for the periods noted above.

27

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

The following table presents our annual minimum rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases that have lease terms of one year or more (in thousands) as of March 31, 2015:
Remaining 2015
$
37,596

2016
49,713

2017
46,457

2018
43,230

2019
39,807

2020 and thereafter
328,329

 
$
545,132

Total rental expense was $15.9 million and $13.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and March 31, 2014, respectively. Contingent rentals and subleases were not significant in any period.
18. Contingencies
Environmental Matters
Similar to other petroleum refiners, our operations are subject to extensive and periodically changing federal and state environmental regulations governing air emissions, wastewater discharges and solid and hazardous waste management activities. Many of these regulations are becoming increasingly stringent and the cost of compliance can be expected to increase over time. Our policy is to accrue environmental and clean-up related costs of a non-capital nature when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Such estimates may be subject to revision in the future as regulations and other conditions change.
Periodically, we receive communications from various federal, state and local governmental authorities asserting violations of environmental laws and/or regulations. These governmental entities may also propose or assess fines or require corrective action for these asserted violations. We intend to respond in a timely manner to all such communications and to take appropriate corrective action. We do not anticipate that any such matters currently asserted will have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. As of March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, we had consolidated environmental accruals of $18.9 million and $18.5 million, respectively.
El Paso Refinery
Prior spills, releases and discharges of petroleum or hazardous substances have impacted the groundwater and soils in certain areas at and adjacent to our El Paso refinery. We are currently remediating, in conjunction with Chevron U.S.A., Inc. ("Chevron"), these areas in accordance with certain agreed administrative orders with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (the "TCEQ"). Pursuant to our purchase of the north side of the El Paso refinery from Chevron, Chevron retained responsibility to remediate its solid waste management units in accordance with its Resource Conservation Recovery Act ("RCRA") permit that Chevron has fulfilled. Chevron also retained control of and liability for certain groundwater remediation responsibilities that are ongoing.
In May 2000, we entered into an Agreed Order with the TCEQ for remediation of the south side of our El Paso refinery property. We purchased a non-cancelable Pollution and Legal Liability and Clean-Up Cost Cap Insurance policy that covers environmental clean-up costs related to contamination that occurred prior to December 31, 1999, including the costs of the Agreed Order activities. The insurance provider assumed responsibility for all environmental clean-up costs related to the Agreed Order up to $20.0 million, of which $7.1 million remained as of March 31, 2015. In addition, a subsidiary of Chevron is obligated under a settlement agreement to pay 60% of any Agreed Order environmental clean-up costs that exceed the $20.0 million policy coverage.
In September 2011, we and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) entered into a Consent Decree under the Petroleum Refinery Enforcement Initiative (“EPA Initiative”). Under the EPA Initiative, the EPA is investigating industry-wide non-compliance with certain Clean Air Act rules. The EPA Initiative has resulted in many refiners entering into similar consent decrees typically requiring penalties and substantial capital expenditures for additional air pollution control equipment. The Consent Decree does not require any soil or groundwater remediation or clean-up.
We have completed our capital expenditures to address the Consent Decree issues totaling $43.2 million, including $15.2 million for the installation of a flare gas recovery system completed in 2007 and $28.0 million for nitrogen oxides

28

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

("NOx") emission controls on heaters and boilers completed in 2013. Under the terms of the Consent Decree, we paid a civil penalty of $1.5 million in September 2011.
In April 2014, we entered two Agreed Orders with TCEQ to settle unresolved air enforcement at our El Paso refinery between 2004 and April 2008. We paid $0.2 million in penalties in May 2014 that included funding a Supplemental Environmental Project benefiting El Paso County.
Four Corners Refineries
Four Corners 2005 Consent Agreements. In July 2005, as part of the EPA Initiative, Giant Industries, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary, reached an administrative settlement with the New Mexico Environment Department (the "NMED") and the EPA in the form of consent agreements that resolved certain alleged violations of air quality regulations at the Gallup and Bloomfield refineries in the Four Corners area of New Mexico. In January 2009 and June 2012, we and the NMED agreed to amendments of the 2005 administrative settlement (the "2005 NMED Amended Agreement") that altered certain deadlines and allowed for alternative air pollution controls.
We incurred $50.8 million in total capital expenditures between 2009 and 2013 to address the requirements of the 2005 NMED Amended Agreement. These capital expenditures were primarily for installation of emission controls on the heaters, boilers and Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit ("FCCU") and for reducing sulfur in fuel gas to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide, NOx and particulate matter from our Gallup refinery. We will incur additional capital expenditures to implement one or more FCCU offset projects to be completed by the end of 2017. In 2014, we incurred $1.9 million to implement a FCCU emissions offset project. We paid penalties between 2009 and 2012 totaling $2.7 million.
Bloomfield 2007 NMED Remediation Order. In July 2007, we received a final administrative compliance order from the NMED alleging that releases of contaminants and hazardous substances that have occurred at the Bloomfield refinery over the course of its operation prior to June 1, 2007, have resulted in soil and groundwater contamination. Among other things, the order requires that we investigate the extent of such releases, perform interim remediation measures and implement corrective measures. Prior to July 2007, with the approval of the NMED and the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division, we placed into operation certain remediation measures that remain operational. As of March 31, 2015, we have expended $4.2 million and have accrued the remaining estimated costs of $3.8 million for implementing the investigation, interim measures and the reasonably known corrective actions of the order.
Gallup 2007 Resource Conservation Recovery Act ("RCRA") Inspection. In September 2007, the Gallup refinery was inspected jointly by the EPA and the NMED to determine compliance with the EPA’s hazardous waste regulations promulgated pursuant to the RCRA. We reached a final settlement with the agencies in August 2009 and paid a penalty of $0.7 million in October 2009. Between September 2010 and July 2012, the EPA demanded and we paid penalties totaling $0.2 million in accordance with the settlement. Implementation of the requirements in the final settlement will not result in any additional soil or groundwater remediation or clean-up costs not otherwise required. We incurred a total of $38.6 million in capital expenditures between 2010 and 2013 to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant at the Gallup refinery in accordance with the requirements, and there are no further capital requirements, under the final settlement.
Gallup 2013 Risk Management Plan General Duty Settlement. In July 2013, we entered a final settlement with the EPA for five alleged violations of the Clean Air Act Risk Management Plan 112(r) General Duty clause at our Gallup refinery and paid a total penalty of $0.2 million. No capital expenditures are required under the settlement.
Gallup 2014 Environment Protection Division of NMED Settlement. In March 2014, we received a revised notice of violation and offer of settlement from the NMED Air Quality Bureau for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act. We agreed to settle and paid a penalty of $0.1 million in May 2014. No capital expenditures are required under the settlement.
NTI
At March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, liabilities for remediation by NTI totaled $8.6 million and $8.7 million, respectively. These liabilities consist of $2.9 million recorded on a discounted basis as of March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively. These discounted liabilities are expected to be settled over at least the next 22 years. At March 31, 2015, the estimated future cash flows to settle these discounted liabilities totaled $3.5 million and are discounted at a rate of 2.36%. Receivables for recoverable costs from the state, under programs to assist companies in clean-up efforts related to underground storage tanks at retail marketing outlets, and others were $0.2 million at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.
On June 3, 2014, the St. Paul Park refinery was issued a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit/State Disposal System Permit by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency ("MPCA") relating to its upgraded wastewater treatment plant at its St. Paul Park refinery. This permit required the refinery to conduct additional testing of its remaining lagoon. The testing was completed in the fourth quarter of 2014, following NTI's review of the test results and additional discussions with MPCA, NTI

29

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

now regards the likelihood of future remediation and closure costs related to the lagoon as probable. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, NTI estimated the remediation and closure costs to be approximately $5.7 million and $5.8 million, respectively, subject to further engineering and methodology studies. Some of this cost may be recoverable from Marathon Petroleum under an agreement entered into in connection with NTI's December 2010 acquisition of the St. Paul Park refinery, among other assets, from Marathon. However, at March 31, 2015 it is unclear how much, if any, of NTI's future costs may be eligible for reimbursement by Marathon, and as such, NTI has not recognized any receivable for this matter.
Other Matters
The EPA has issued Renewable Fuels Standards ("RFS"), that require us and other refiners to blend renewable fuels into the refined products produced at our refineries. Annually, the EPA is required to establish a volume of renewable fuels that refineries must blend into their refined petroleum fuels. However, the EPA has not established the final renewable blending volume level for 2014 or 2015. To the extent we are unable to blend at the rate necessary to satisfy the EPA mandated volume, we purchase Renewable Identification Numbers ("RINs"). The purchase price for RINs is volatile and may vary significantly from period to period. Historically, the cost of purchased RINs has not had a significant impact on our operating results. We anticipate 2014 and 2015 will be consistent with this history. The net cost of meeting our estimated renewable volume obligations, including sales and purchases of RINs, was $6.2 million and $10.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and 2014, respectively.
In addition, the EPA has investigated and brought enforcement actions against companies it believes produced invalid RINs. We may have purchased RINs the EPA will determine are invalid. Previously, we have entered into settlements, and expect to enter another settlement in 2015, with the EPA regarding RINs we purchased that the EPA ultimately determined were invalid. While we do not know if the EPA will determine that other RINs we have purchased are invalid, at this time we do not expect any settlements we would enter into with the EPA would have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In August 2014, the TCEQ offered an expedited settlement with a proposed penalty of $0.2 million related to enforcement issued to our retail segment. After negotiations, TCEQ issued a revised settlement with a penalty of less than $0.1 million. We have agreed to the settlement and have paid the penalty. The settlement is pending final approval by the TCEQ Commissioners. The settlement requires no capital expenditures or soil or groundwater remediation or clean-up.
In April 2015 we successfully re-negotiated the collective bargaining agreement covering the El Paso refinery employees. The resulting six year labor agreement is scheduled to expire in April of 2021.
We are party to various other claims and legal actions arising in the normal course of business. We believe that the resolution of these matters will not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
19. Related Party Transactions
We lease certain El Paso, Texas office space in a building owned by an entity that is controlled by one of our officers. The lease agreement expires in May 2017. Under the terms of the lease, we make annual payments of $0.2 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we made rental payments under this lease to the related party of $0.06 million and $0.05 million, respectively. We have no amounts due as of March 31, 2015 related to this lease agreement.
Beginning on September 30, 2014, NTI began paying MPL for transportation services at published tariff rates. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, NTI incurred $12.7 million in crude transportation costs with MPL. Prior to September 30, 2014, NTI had a crude oil supply and logistics agreement with a third party and had no direct supply transactions with MPL prior to this date.

30

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

20. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Separate condensed consolidating financial information of Western Refining, Inc. (the "Parent") and subsidiary guarantors and non-guarantors are presented below. At March 31, 2015, the Parent and certain subsidiary guarantors have fully and unconditionally guaranteed our Western 2021 Unsecured Notes on a joint and several basis. As a result of these guarantee arrangements, we are required to present the following condensed consolidating financial information that should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.
NTI, WNRL and Navajo Convenient Stores Co., LLC are subsidiaries that have not guaranteed our Unsecured Notes. NTI and WNRL are publicly held master limited partnerships. As of March 31, 2015, we owned a 38.4% limited partnership interest in NTI and a 66.1% limited partnership interest in WNRL and the non-financial general partner interests of both entities. We are the primary beneficiary of WNRL's earnings and cash flows. We exercise control of both NTI and WNRL through our 100% ownership of the respective general partners. Accordingly, NTI and WNRL are consolidated with the other accounts of Western.
Due to the change in the guarantor structure resulting from WNRL's Acquisition of the wholesale segment, we have revised the condensed consolidating financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Our transactions with WNRL including fees paid under our pipeline, terminalling and services agreements with WNRL are eliminated and have no significant impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, there have been no significant intercompany accounts or transactions between Western and NTI. All intercompany accounts and transactions with NTI and WNRL are eliminated in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
NTI's long-term debt is comprised of its NTI 2020 Secured Notes and the NTI Revolving Credit Facility. NTI creditors under the NTI 2020 Secured Notes and the NTI Revolving Credit Facility have no recourse to the Parent's assets except to the extent of the assets of Northern Tier Energy GP LLC, the general partner of NTI that we wholly own. Any recourse to NTI’s general partner would be limited to the extent of the general partner’s assets that other than its investment in NTI are not significant. Furthermore, the Parent's creditors have no recourse to the assets of NTI's general partner, NTI and its consolidated subsidiaries. See Note 9, Long-Term Debt, for a description of NTI’s debt obligations.
WNRL generates revenues by charging fees and tariffs for transporting crude oil through its pipelines and truck fleet, for transporting refined and other products through its terminals and pipelines, for providing storage in its storage tanks and at its terminals and selling refined products through its wholesale distribution network. We do not provide financial or equity support through any liquidity arrangements and/or debt guarantees to WNRL.
WNRL's long-term debt is comprised of the WNRL 2023 Senior Notes and the WNRL Revolving Credit Facility. With the exception of the assets of Western Refining Logistics GP, LLC, the general partner of WNRL, creditors have no recourse to our assets. Any recourse to WNRL’s general partner would be limited to the extent of the Western Refining Logistics GP, LLC's assets which, other than its investment in WNRL, are not significant. Furthermore, our creditors have no recourse to the assets of WNRL and its consolidated subsidiaries. See Note 9, Long-Term Debt, for a description of WNRL’s debt obligations.
NTI and WNRL have risks associated with their respective operations. NTI’s risks, while similar to ours because it experiences similar industry dynamics, are not associated with our operations. WNRL’s risks are directly associated with our operations. If we suffer significant decreases in our throughput or fail to meet desired shipping or throughput levels for an extended period of time, WNRL revenues could be reduced and WNRL could suffer substantial losses.
In the event that NTI or WNRL incur a loss, our operating results will reflect NTI's or WNRL’s loss, net of intercompany eliminations, to the extent of our ownership interests in NTI and WNRL at that point in time.
The following condensed consolidating financial information is provided as an alternative to providing separate financial statements for guarantor subsidiaries. Separate financial statements of Western’s subsidiary guarantors are not included because the guarantees are full and unconditional and these subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned and jointly and severally liable for the Parent’s outstanding debt. The information is presented using the equity method of accounting for investments in subsidiaries.

31

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
As of March 31, 2015
(In thousands)
 
Parent
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
21

 
$
256,561

 
$
206,492

 
$

 
$
463,074

Accounts receivable, trade, net of a reserve for doubtful accounts

 
188,118

 
264,179

 

 
452,297

Accounts receivable and due from affiliate
3,089

 
1,774,168

 
1,451

 
(1,778,708
)
 

Inventories

 
398,096

 
274,992

 

 
673,088

Prepaid expenses

 
61,721

 
14,785

 

 
76,506

Other current assets

 
130,996

 
28,570

 

 
159,566

Total current assets
3,110

 
2,809,660

 
790,469

 
(1,778,708
)
 
1,824,531

Restricted cash

 
123,609

 

 

 
123,609

Equity method investment

 

 
95,899

 

 
95,899

Property, plant and equipment, net

 
1,127,757

 
1,050,029

 

 
2,177,786

Goodwill

 

 
1,289,443

 

 
1,289,443

Intangible assets, net

 
35,423

 
49,838

 

 
85,261

Investment in subsidiaries
3,739,911

 

 

 
(3,739,911
)
 

Other assets, net
31,912

 
72,619

 
28,809

 

 
133,340

Total assets
$
3,774,933

 
$
4,169,068

 
$
3,304,487

 
$
(5,518,619
)
 
$
5,729,869

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable, trade
$
1,464

 
$
316,549

 
$
274,319

 
$

 
$
592,332

Accounts payable and due to affiliate
1,695,961

 

 
82,747

 
(1,778,708
)
 

Accrued liabilities
10,978

 
164,080

 
85,639

 

 
260,697

Current deferred income tax liability, net

 
28,548

 

 

 
28,548

Current portion of long-term debt
5,500

 

 

 

 
5,500

Total current liabilities
1,713,903

 
509,177

 
442,705

 
(1,778,708
)
 
887,077

Long-term liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, less current portion
887,625

 

 
656,766

 

 
1,544,391

Lease financing obligation

 
37,789

 
8,477

 

 
46,266

Deferred income tax liability, net

 
293,970

 
37,280

 

 
331,250

Deficit in subsidiaries


354,860



 
(354,860
)
 

Other liabilities

 
37,110

 
4,617

 

 
41,727

Total long-term liabilities
887,625

 
723,729

 
707,140

 
(354,860
)
 
1,963,634

Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity - Western
1,173,405

 
2,936,162

 
448,889

 
(3,385,051
)
 
1,173,405

Equity - Non-controlling interest

 

 
1,705,753

 

 
1,705,753

Total equity
1,173,405

 
2,936,162

 
2,154,642

 
(3,385,051
)
 
2,879,158

Total liabilities and equity
$
3,774,933

 
$
4,169,068

 
$
3,304,487

 
$
(5,518,619
)
 
$
5,729,869



32

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31, 2014
(In thousands)
 
Parent
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
21

 
$
288,986

 
$
142,152

 
$

 
$
431,159

Accounts receivable, trade, net of a reserve for doubtful accounts

 
178,786

 
288,741

 

 
467,527

Accounts receivable and due from affiliate
5,035

 
1,710,015

 
2,045

 
(1,717,095
)
 

Inventories

 
379,563

 
249,674

 

 
629,237

Prepaid expenses

 
69,580

 
18,835

 

 
88,415

Other current assets

 
128,564

 
23,561

 

 
152,125

Total current assets
5,056

 
2,755,494

 
725,008

 
(1,717,095
)
 
1,768,463

Restricted cash

 
167,009

 

 

 
167,009

Equity method investment

 

 
96,080

 

 
96,080

Property, plant and equipment, net

 
1,092,667

 
1,060,522

 

 
2,153,189

Goodwill

 

 
1,289,443

 

 
1,289,443

Intangible assets, net

 
35,974

 
49,978

 

 
85,952

Investment in subsidiaries
3,637,607

 

 

 
(3,637,607
)
 

Other assets, net
33,463

 
67,652

 
21,307

 

 
122,422

Total assets
$
3,676,126

 
$
4,118,796

 
$
3,242,338

 
$
(5,354,702
)
 
$
5,682,558

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable, trade
$

 
$
354,223

 
$
327,580

 
$

 
$
681,803

Accounts payable and due to affiliate
1,656,412

 

 
60,683

 
(1,717,095
)
 

Accrued liabilities
5,506

 
179,926

 
83,017

 

 
268,449

Current deferred income tax liability, net

 
57,949

 

 

 
57,949

Current portion of long-term debt
5,500

 

 

 

 
5,500

Total current liabilities
1,667,418

 
592,098

 
471,280

 
(1,717,095
)
 
1,013,701

Long-term liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, less current portion
889,000

 

 
626,037

 

 
1,515,037

Lease financing obligation

 
18,860

 
8,629

 

 
27,489

Deferred income tax liability, net

 
259,581

 
37,279

 

 
296,860

Deficit in subsidiaries

 
354,686

 

 
(354,686
)
 

Other liabilities

 
36,530

 
5,297

 

 
41,827

Total long-term liabilities
889,000

 
669,657

 
677,242

 
(354,686
)
 
1,881,213

Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity - Western
1,119,708

 
2,857,041

 
425,880

 
(3,282,921
)
 
1,119,708

Equity - Non-controlling interest

 

 
1,667,936

 

 
1,667,936

Total equity
1,119,708

 
2,857,041

 
2,093,816

 
(3,282,921
)
 
2,787,644

Total liabilities and equity
$
3,676,126

 
$
4,118,796

 
$
3,242,338

 
$
(5,354,702
)
 
$
5,682,558


33

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
(In thousands)
 
Parent
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net sales
$

 
$
1,783,100

 
$
1,305,172

 
$
(769,542
)
 
$
2,318,730

Operating costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 
1,488,688

 
1,022,164

 
(769,542
)
 
1,741,310

Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 
109,969

 
105,342

 

 
215,311

Selling, general and administrative expenses
47

 
29,554

 
26,202

 

 
55,803

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets, net

 
381

 
(99
)
 

 
282

Maintenance turnaround expense

 
105

 

 

 
105

Depreciation and amortization

 
25,823

 
24,103

 

 
49,926

Total operating costs and expenses
47

 
1,654,520

 
1,177,712

 
(769,542
)
 
2,062,737

Operating income (loss)
(47
)
 
128,580

 
127,460

 

 
255,993

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
119,759

 
10,140

 

 
(129,899
)
 

Interest income

 
97

 
66

 

 
163

Interest expense and other financing costs
(13,723
)
 
(507
)
 
(10,727
)
 

 
(24,957
)
Other, net

 
45

 
3,161

 

 
3,206

Income before income taxes
105,989

 
138,355

 
119,960

 
(129,899
)
 
234,405

Provision for income taxes

 
(59,234
)
 
(203
)
 

 
(59,437
)
Net income
105,989

 
79,121

 
119,757

 
(129,899
)
 
174,968

Less net income attributable to non-controlling interest

 

 
68,979

 

 
68,979

Net income attributable to Western Refining, Inc.
$
105,989

 
$
79,121

 
$
50,778

 
$
(129,899
)
 
$
105,989

Comprehensive income attributable to Western Refining, Inc.
$
105,989

 
$
79,129

 
$
50,778

 
$
(129,899
)
 
$
105,997


34

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(In thousands)
 
Parent
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net sales
$

 
$
2,690,043

 
$
2,185,336

 
$
(1,150,236
)
 
$
3,725,143

Operating costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 
2,371,501

 
1,935,555

 
(1,146,319
)
 
3,160,737

Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 
101,402

 
100,864

 
(3,917
)
 
198,349

Selling, general and administrative expenses
46

 
27,145

 
31,541

 

 
58,732

Affiliate severance costs

 

 
9,399

 

 
9,399

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets, net

 
898

 
(12
)
 

 
886

Maintenance turnaround expense

 
46,446

 

 

 
46,446

Depreciation and amortization

 
23,273

 
23,137

 

 
46,410

Total operating costs and expenses
46

 
2,570,665

 
2,100,484

 
(1,150,236
)
 
3,520,959

Operating income (loss)
(46
)
 
119,378

 
84,852

 

 
204,184

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
105,802

 
13,296

 

 
(119,098
)
 

Interest income

 
107

 
88

 

 
195

Interest expense and other financing costs
(20,202
)
 
(2,262
)
 
(6,493
)
 

 
(28,957
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
(8
)
 

 

 

 
(8
)
Other, net

 
166

 
1,316

 

 
1,482

Income before income taxes
85,546

 
130,685

 
79,763

 
(119,098
)
 
176,896

Provision for income taxes

 
(49,080
)
 
(119
)
 

 
(49,199
)
Net income
85,546

 
81,605

 
79,644

 
(119,098
)
 
127,697

Less net income attributable to non-controlling interest

 

 
42,151

 

 
42,151

Net income attributable to Western Refining, Inc.
$
85,546

 
$
81,605

 
$
37,493

 
$
(119,098
)
 
$
85,546

Comprehensive income attributable to Western Refining, Inc.
$
85,546

 
$
81,608

 
$
37,524

 
$
(119,098
)
 
$
85,580



35

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
(In thousands)
 
Parent
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
12,172

 
$
4,194

 
$
116,381

 
$
(27,769
)
 
$
104,978

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures

 
(38,608
)
 
(15,235
)
 
648

 
(53,195
)
Decrease in restricted cash

 
43,400

 

 

 
43,400

Contributions to affiliate

 
(42,841
)
 

 
42,841

 

Proceeds from the sale of assets

 
1,093

 
179

 
(648
)
 
624

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 
(36,956
)
 
(15,056
)
 
42,841

 
(9,171
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additions to long-term debt

 

 
300,000

 

 
300,000

Payments on long-term debt
(1,375
)
 

 

 

 
(1,375
)
Payments on revolving credit facility

 

 
(269,000
)
 

 
(269,000
)
Deferred financing costs

 

 
(6,551
)
 

 
(6,551
)
Distribution to affiliate

 

 
(27,769
)
 
27,769

 

Repurchases of common stock
(25,000
)
 

 

 

 
(25,000
)
Distribution to non-controlling interest holders

 

 
(33,665
)
 

 
(33,665
)
Dividends paid
(28,638
)
 

 

 

 
(28,638
)
Contributions from affiliates
42,841

 

 

 
(42,841
)
 

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

 
337

 

 

 
337

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(12,172
)
 
337

 
(36,985
)
 
(15,072
)
 
(63,892
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 
(32,425
)
 
64,340

 

 
31,915

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
21

 
288,986

 
142,152

 

 
431,159

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
$
21

 
$
256,561

 
$
206,492

 
$

 
$
463,074


36

WESTERN REFINING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(In thousands)
 
Parent
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
(6,681
)
 
$
(11,253
)
 
$
103,746

 
$
(21,780
)
 
$
64,032

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures

 
(35,038
)
 
(15,560
)
 

 
(50,598
)
Proceeds from the sale of assets

 
4

 
145

 

 
149

Contributions to affiliate

 
(32,132
)
 

 
32,132

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 
(67,166
)
 
(15,415
)
 
32,132

 
(50,449
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payments on long-term debt
(1,627
)
 

 
(53
)
 

 
(1,680
)
Distribution to affiliate

 

 
(21,780
)
 
21,780

 

Distribution to non-controlling interest holders

 

 
(27,072
)
 

 
(27,072
)
Dividends paid
(20,730
)
 

 

 

 
(20,730
)
Convertible debt redemption
(788
)
 

 

 

 
(788
)
Contributions from affiliates
29,826

 

 
2,306

 
(32,132
)
 

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

 
254

 

 

 
254

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
6,681

 
254

 
(46,599
)
 
(10,352
)
 
(50,016
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 
(78,165
)
 
41,732

 

 
(36,433
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
21

 
296,905

 
171,144

 

 
468,070

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
$
21

 
$
218,740

 
$
212,876

 
$

 
$
431,637



37


Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You should read the following discussion together with the financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our business and operations. The cautionary statements made in this report should be read as applying to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this report. Our actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated and expressed in such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those we discuss under Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 ("2014 Form 10-K") and elsewhere in this report. You should read "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements" in this report. In this Item 2, all references to "Western Refining," "the Company," "Western," "we," "us," and "our" refer to Western Refining, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries including Northern Tier Energy LP ("NTI") and Western Refining Logistics, LP ("WNRL"), unless the context otherwise requires or where otherwise indicated.
Company Overview
We are an independent crude oil refiner and marketer of refined products incorporated in September 2005 under Delaware law with principal offices located in El Paso, Texas. Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol “WNR.” We own certain operating assets directly; the controlling general partner interest and a 38.4% limited partner interest in NTI and the controlling general partner interest, Incentive Distribution Rights ("IDRs") and a 66.1% limited partner interest in WNRL. NTI and WNRL common partnership units trade on the NYSE under the symbols "NTI" and "WNRL," respectively.
We produce refined products at our refineries in El Paso, Texas (131,000 barrels per day, or bpd), near Gallup, New Mexico (25,000 bpd) and NTI's refinery in St. Paul Park, Minnesota (97,800 bpd). We sell refined products primarily in Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, Wisconsin, West Texas, the Mid-Atlantic region and Mexico, through bulk distribution terminals and wholesale marketing networks and we sell refined products through two retail networks with a total of 521 company-owned and franchised retail sites in the U.S.
NTI owns and operates a refinery in St. Paul Park, Minnesota and has a retail-marketing network of 260 convenience stores. NTI directly operates 165 of these stores and supports 95 stores through franchise agreements. NTI's primary areas of operation include Minnesota and Wisconsin.
WNRL provides logistical services to our refineries in the Southwest and operates several lubricant and bulk petroleum distribution plants and a fleet of crude oil and refined product delivery trucks. WNRL distributes wholesale petroleum products primarily in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas.
On October 15, 2014, in connection with a Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement (the "Contribution Agreement") dated September 25, 2014, we sold all of the outstanding limited liability company interests of Western Refining Wholesale, LLC ("WRW") to WNRL. The sale of WRW to WNRL was a reorganization of entities under common control. We have recast historical financial and operational data of WNRL, for all periods presented, to reflect the purchase and consolidation of WRW into WNRL. We refer to this transaction as the "Wholesale Acquisition."
We changed our reportable segments during the fourth quarter of 2014 due to changes in our organization. Our operations include four business segments: refining, NTI, WNRL and retail. See Note 3, Segment Information, for further discussion of our business segments.
A description of our four reportable business segments follows:
Refining. Our refining segment owns and operates two refineries in the Southwest that process crude oil and other feedstocks primarily into gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel and asphalt. We market refined products to a diverse customer base including wholesale distributors and retail chains. The refining segment also sells refined products in the Mid-Atlantic region and Mexico.
NTI. NTI owns and operates refining and transportation assets and operates and supports retail convenience stores primarily in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
WNRL. WNRL owns and operates terminal, storage, transportation and provides related services primarily to our refining segment in the Southwest. The WNRL segment also includes wholesale assets consisting of a fleet of crude oil and refined product truck transports and wholesale petroleum product operations in the Southwest region. WNRL receives its product supply from the refining segment and third-party suppliers.
Retail. Our retail segment operates retail convenience stores and unmanned commercial fleet fueling ("cardlock") locations located in the Southwest. The retail convenience stores sell gasoline, diesel fuel and convenience store merchandise.


38


Major Influences on Results of Operations
Summary of First Quarter 2015
We averaged total throughput of 139,302 bpd at the El Paso refinery for the three months ended March 31, 2015, a 27.6% increase from the three months ended March 31, 2014.
We averaged total throughput of 27,997 bpd at the Gallup refinery for the three months ended March 31, 2015, a 1.2% decrease from the three months ended March 31, 2014.
NTI averaged total throughput of 94,108 bpd at the St. Paul Park refinery for the three months ended March 31, 2015, a 1.6% increase from the three months ended March 31, 2014.
We purchased 740,859 shares under our share repurchase programs at an average price of $33.74 per share.
We declared and paid dividends of $0.30 per common share for an aggregate payment of $28.6 million.
We added 31 retail locations in southern Arizona.
NTI declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.49 per unit.
WNRL issued $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.5% Senior Notes due 2023.
WNRL declared and paid a quarterly cash distribution of $0.3325 per unit.
2015 Operating and Financial Highlights
Net income attributable to Western was $106.0 million, or $1.11 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to $85.5 million, or $0.88 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Our operating income increased $51.8 million from March 31, 2014, to March 31, 2015, as shown by segment in the following table:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
(In thousands)
Refining
$
146,724

 
$
139,007

 
$
7,717

NTI
107,987

 
67,330

 
40,657

WNRL
19,473

 
16,761

 
2,712

Retail
(441
)
 
(830
)
 
389

Corporate
(17,750
)
 
(18,084
)
 
334

Total operating income
$
255,993

 
$
204,184

 
$
51,809

The WNRL financial and operational data presented include the historical results of all assets acquired from Western in the Wholesale Acquisition. This acquisition from Western was a transfer of assets between entities under common control. The financial information for the affected reporting segments has been retrospectively adjusted to include or exclude the historical results of the transferred WRW assets for periods prior to the effective date of the transaction. See Note 3, Segment Information, for further discussion of these retrospective adjustments.
Overview of Segments
Refining. The following items have a significant impact on our overall refinery gross margin, results of operations and cash flows:
Fluctuations in petroleum based commodity values such as refined product prices and the cost of crude oil and other feedstocks resulting from changes in supply and demand;
product yield volumes are less than total refinery throughput volume, resulting in yield loss and lower refinery gross margin;
seasonal fluctuations in demand for refined products;
the impact of our economic hedging activity;
fluctuations in our direct operating expenses, especially the cost of natural gas and the cost of electricity;
planned maintenance turnarounds, generally significant in both downtime and cost, are expensed as incurred; and

39


unplanned downtime of our refineries generally leads to increased maintenance costs and a temporary increase in working capital investment.
Key factors affecting petroleum based commodity values include: supply and demand for crude oil, gasoline and other refined products; changes in domestic and foreign economies; weather conditions; domestic and foreign political affairs; crude oil and refined petroleum product production levels; logistics constraints; availability of imports; marketing of competitive fuels; price differentials between heavy and sour crude oils and light sweet crude oils and government regulation.
We engage in hedging activity primarily to fix the margin on a portion of our future gasoline and distillate production and to protect the value of certain crude oil, refined product and blendstock inventories.
Excise and other taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are not included in revenues or cost of products sold. In addition to the crude oil that we purchase to supply our refinery production, we also purchase crude oil quantities that are transported to different locations and sold to third parties. We record these sales on a gross basis with the sales price recorded as revenues and the related costs within cost of products sold. Consolidated cost of products sold for the three months ended March 31, 2015, includes $2.5 million of realized and non-cash unrealized net losses from our economic hedging activities including refining segment losses of $3.7 million offset by gains of $1.2 million from NTI activity. The non-cash unrealized net losses included in this total for the three months ended March 31, 2015, were $20.1 million, including $21.2 million related to refining segment losses offset by $1.1 million in NTI gains.
Demand for gasoline is generally higher during the summer months than during the winter months. As a result, our operating results for the first and fourth calendar quarters are generally lower than those for the second and third calendar quarters of each year.
Safety, reliability and the environmental performance of our refineries’ operations are critical components of our financial performance. Unplanned downtime of our refineries generally results in lost refinery gross margin, increased maintenance costs and a temporary increase in our working capital investment. We attempt to mitigate the financial impact of planned downtime, such as a turnaround or a major maintenance project, through our planning process that considers product availability, the margin environment and the availability of resources to perform the required maintenance. We occasionally experience unplanned downtime due to circumstances outside of our control. Certain of these outages lead to losses that qualify for reimbursement under our business interruption insurance and we record such reimbursements as revenues when received.
Under an exclusive supply agreement with a third party, we receive monthly distribution amounts from the supplier equal to one-half of the amount by which our refined product sales in the Mid-Atlantic exceeds the supplier's costs of acquiring, transporting and hedging the refined product related to such sales. To the extent our refined product sales do not exceed the refined product costs during any month, we pay one-half of that amount to the supplier. Our payments to the supplier are limited to an aggregate annual amount of $2.0 million.
NTI. NTI's gross margins, results of operations and cash flows are primarily affected by the following:
Fluctuations in petroleum based commodity values such as refined product prices and the cost of crude oil and other feedstocks resulting from changes in supply and demand;
product yield volumes are less than total refinery throughput volume, resulting in yield loss and lower refinery gross margin;
adjustments to reflect the lower of cost or market value of crude oil, finished product and retail last-in, first-out ("LIFO") inventory values;
fluctuations in its direct operating expenses, especially related to the cost of natural gas and the cost of electricity;
planned maintenance turnarounds, generally significant in both downtime and cost, are expensed as incurred;
seasonal fluctuations in demand for refined products; and
unplanned refinery downtime generally leads to increased maintenance costs and a temporary increase in working capital investment.
Seasonal demand for gasoline is generally higher during the summer months than during the winter months due to seasonal increases in highway traffic. Decreased demand during the winter months can lower gasoline prices and margins. As a result, NTI's operating results for the first and fourth calendar quarters are generally lower than those for the second and third calendar quarters of each year.
WNRL. As WNRL's logistics operations primarily support the operations of Western, its results of operations and cash flows are indirectly affected by operational items that affect Western. WNRL's terminal throughput volumes depend primarily on the volume of refined and other products produced at Western’s refineries that, in turn, is ultimately dependent on supply and demand for refined product, crude oil and other feedstocks and Western’s response to changes in demand and supply.

40


Earnings and cash flows from WNRL's wholesale business are primarily affected by the sales volumes and margins of gasoline, diesel fuel and lubricants sold and transportation revenues from crude oil trucking and delivery. These margins are equal to the sales price, net of discounts, less total cost of sales and are measured on a cents per gallon ("cpg") basis. Factors that influence margins include local supply, demand and competition.
Retail. Earnings and cash flows from our retail business are primarily affected by the sales volumes and margins of gasoline and diesel fuel and by the sales and margins of merchandise sold at our retail stores. Margins for gasoline and diesel fuel sales are equal to the sales price less the delivered cost of the fuel and motor fuel taxes and are measured on a cpg basis. Fuel margins are impacted by competition and local and regional supply and demand. Margins for retail merchandise sold are equal to retail merchandise sales less the delivered cost of the merchandise, net of supplier discounts and inventory shrinkage and are measured as a percentage of merchandise sales. Merchandise sales are impacted by convenience or location, branding and competition. Our retail sales reflect seasonal trends such that operating results for the first and fourth calendar quarters are generally lower than those for the second and third calendar quarters of each year primarily driven by lower volumes of fuel being sold. Earnings and cash flows from our cardlock business are primarily affected by the sales volumes and margins of gasoline and diesel fuel sold. These margins are equal to the sales price, net of discounts less the delivered cost of the fuel and motor fuel taxes and are measured on a cpg basis. Factors that influence margins include local supply, demand and competition.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We prepare our financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). In order to apply these principles, we must make judgments, assumptions and estimates based on the best available information at the time. Actual results may differ based on the continuing development of the information utilized and subsequent events, some of which we may have little or no control over. Our critical accounting policies could materially affect the amounts recorded in our financial statements. Our critical accounting policies, estimates and recent accounting pronouncements that potentially impact us are discussed in detail under Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2014 Form 10-K.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements. From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other standard setting bodies that may have an impact on our accounting and reporting. We believe that recently issued accounting pronouncements and other authoritative guidance for which the effective date is in the future will either have no significant impact on our accounting or reporting or that such impact will not be material to our financial position, results of operations and cash flows when implemented. For further discussion on the impact of recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 2, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies.

41


Results of Operations
The following tables summarize our consolidated and operating segment financial data and key operating statistics for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The following data should be read in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this quarterly report.
Consolidated
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015, Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
Statements of Operations Data
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales (1)
$
2,318,730

 
$
3,725,143

 
$
(1,406,413
)
Operating costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) (1)
1,741,310

 
3,160,737

 
(1,419,427
)
Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) (1)
215,311

 
198,349

 
16,962

Selling, general and administrative expenses
55,803

 
58,732

 
(2,929
)
Affiliate severance costs

 
9,399

 
(9,399
)
Loss on disposal of assets, net
282

 
886

 
(604
)
Maintenance turnaround expense
105

 
46,446

 
(46,341
)
Depreciation and amortization
49,926

 
46,410

 
3,516

Total operating costs and expenses
2,062,737

 
3,520,959

 
(1,458,222
)
Operating income
255,993

 
204,184

 
51,809

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 

Interest income
163

 
195

 
(32
)
Interest expense and other financing costs
(24,957
)
 
(28,957
)
 
4,000

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
(8
)
 
8

Other, net
3,206

 
1,482

 
1,724

Income before income taxes
234,405

 
176,896

 
57,509

Provision for income taxes
(59,437
)
 
(49,199
)
 
(10,238
)
Net income
174,968

 
127,697

 
47,271

Less net income attributable to non-controlling interests (2)
68,979

 
42,151

 
26,828

Net income attributable to Western Refining, Inc.
$
105,989

 
$
85,546

 
$
20,443

 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
$
1.11

 
$
1.07

 
$
0.04

Diluted earnings per share
$
1.11

 
$
0.88

 
$
0.23

Dividends declared per common share
$
0.30

 
$
0.26

 
$
0.04

Weighted average basic shares outstanding
95,567

 
79,729

 
15,838

Weighted average dilutive shares outstanding
95,682

 
102,522

 
(6,840
)
(1)
Excludes $736.5 million and $1,058.2 million of intercompany sales; $736.5 million and $1,054.3 million of intercompany cost of products sold; and $3.9 million of intercompany direct operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
(2)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests for the three months ended March 31, 2015, consisted of income from NTI and WNRL in the amount of $63.8 million and $5.2 million, respectively. Net income attributable to non-controlling interests for the three months ended March 31, 2014, consisted of income from NTI and WNRL in the amount of $38.4 million and $3.8 million, respectively.

42


 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
(In thousands)
Economic Hedging Activities Recognized within Cost of Products Sold
 
 
 
 
 
Realized hedging gain, net
$
17,553


$
15,744

 
$
1,809

Unrealized hedging gain (loss), net
(20,057
)

73,972

 
(94,029
)
Total hedging gain (loss), net
$
(2,504
)
 
$
89,716

 
$
(92,220
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Data
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
104,978

 
$
64,032

 
$
40,946

Investing activities
(9,171
)
 
(50,449
)
 
41,278

Financing activities
(63,892
)
 
(50,016
)
 
(13,876
)
Capital expenditures
53,195

 
50,598

 
2,597

Gross Margin. Gross margin is calculated as net sales less cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). Our consolidated gross margin increased by 2.3% from the three months ended March 31, 2014, to the three months ended March 31, 2015. This increase was primarily due to refining margins and economic hedging activities. We discuss refining margins and economic hedging activities under our refining and NTI segments.
Direct Operating Expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). The increase in direct operating expenses was primarily due to an increase of $8.6 million, $3.9 million, $2.6 million and $2.0 million in our refining, retail, NTI and WNRL segments, respectively.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses resulted from a decrease of $6.8 million in our NTI segment, partially offset by an increase of $2.4 million, $0.7 million and $0.7 million in our refining, WNRL and retail segments, respectively.
Affiliate Severance Costs. The severance costs incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2014, relate to severance payments resulting from Western's acquisition of NTI's general partner.
Maintenance Turnaround Expense. We reported minimal turnaround expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2015. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we reported turnaround expenses in connection with the 2014 turnaround of the south side units of the El Paso refinery.
Depreciation and Amortization. The increase between periods is primarily due to additional depreciation at our El Paso refinery primarily resulting from assets capitalized, during the first quarter of 2014, in El Paso and additional depreciation associated with our logistics assets related to the ongoing expansion of our Delaware Basin logistics system.
Interest Expense and Other Financing Costs. The decrease in interest expense from prior periods was attributable to the retirement of the Senior Convertible Notes during the second quarter of 2014. During the current quarter, WNRL issued $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.5% Senior Notes due 2023 (the "WNRL 2023 Senior Notes") and used most of the proceeds to repay $269.0 million of direct borrowings under the WNRL Revolving Credit Facility.

43


Results by Segment
The following tables set forth our historical financial data by segment for the periods presented. During the fourth quarter of 2014, we changed our reportable segments due to changes in our organization. Our operations are organized into four operating segments based on manufacturing and marketing criteria and the nature of our products and services, our production processes and our types of customers. These segments are refining, NTI, WNRL and retail. See Note 3, Segment Information, in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this quarterly report for more information. The historical financial data was retrospectively adjusted for the periods presented to conform to the current presentation.
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
(In thousands)
Gross Margin by Segment (excluding intersegment transactions)
 
 
 
 
 
Refining
$
255,985

 
$
281,434

 
$
(25,449
)
NTI
217,313

 
189,926

 
27,387

WNRL
65,695

 
59,793

 
5,902

Retail
38,427

 
33,159

 
5,268

Other

 
94

 
(94
)
Consolidated gross margin
$
577,420

 
$
564,406

 
$
13,014

Direct Operating Expenses by Segment (excluding intersegment transactions)
 
 
 
 
 
Refining
$
77,532

 
$
68,899

 
$
8,633

NTI
69,705

 
67,119

 
2,586

WNRL
35,637

 
33,683

 
1,954

Retail
32,354

 
28,455

 
3,899

Other
83

 
193

 
(110
)
Consolidated direct operating expenses
$
215,311

 
$
198,349

 
$
16,962

Depreciation and Amortization by Segment
 
 
 
 
 
Refining
$
21,638

 
$
19,468

 
$
2,170

NTI
19,365

 
18,985

 
380

WNRL
4,738

 
4,152

 
586

Retail
3,286

 
2,935

 
351

Other
899

 
870

 
29

Consolidated depreciation and amortization
$
49,926

 
$
46,410

 
$
3,516

See additional analysis under discussions of our refining, NTI, WNRL and retail segments.



44


Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings before interest expense and other financing costs, provision for income taxes, depreciation, amortization, maintenance turnaround expense and certain other non-cash income and expense items. However, Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized measurement under United States GAAP. Our management believes that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry. In addition, our management believes that Adjusted EBITDA is useful in evaluating our operating performance compared to that of other companies in our industry because the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA generally eliminates the effects of financings, income taxes, the accounting effects of significant turnaround activities (that many of our competitors capitalize and thereby exclude from their measures of EBITDA) and certain non-cash charges that are items that may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to overall operating performance.
Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for significant turnaround activities, capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt;
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; and
Adjusted EBITDA, as we calculate it, may differ from the Adjusted EBITDA calculations of other companies in our industry, thereby limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.
Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered a measure of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using Adjusted EBITDA only supplementally.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015, Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
(In thousands)
Net income attributable to Western Refining, Inc.
$
105,989

 
$
85,546

 
$
20,443

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
68,979

 
42,151

 
26,828

Interest expense and other financing costs
24,957

 
28,957

 
(4,000
)
Provision for income taxes
59,437

 
49,199

 
10,238

Loss on disposal of assets, net
282

 
886

 
(604
)
Depreciation and amortization
49,926

 
46,410

 
3,516

Maintenance turnaround expense
105

 
46,446

 
(46,341
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
8

 
(8
)
Net change in lower of cost or market inventory reserve
(15,722
)
 

 
(15,722
)
Unrealized loss (gain) on commodity hedging transactions
20,057

 
(73,972
)
 
94,029

Adjusted EBITDA
$
314,010

 
$
225,631

 
$
88,379




45


Refining Segment
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015, Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
(In thousands, except per barrel data)
Statement of Operations Data:
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales (including intersegment sales) (1)
$
1,491,441

 
$
2,325,814

 
$
(834,373
)
Operating costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) (2)
1,235,456

 
2,040,525

 
(805,069
)
Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
77,532

 
72,754

 
4,778

Selling, general and administrative expenses
9,569

 
7,130

 
2,439

Loss on disposal of assets, net
417

 
484

 
(67
)
Maintenance turnaround expense
105

 
46,446

 
(46,341
)
Depreciation and amortization
21,638

 
19,468

 
2,170

Total operating costs and expenses
1,344,717

 
2,186,807

 
(842,090
)
Operating income
$
146,724

 
$
139,007

 
$
7,717

Key Operating Statistics
 
 
 
 
 
Total sales volume (bpd) (1) (3)
233,474

 
200,750

 
32,724

Total production (bpd)
164,837

 
135,000

 
29,837

Total throughput (bpd)
167,299

 
137,486

 
29,813

Per barrel of throughput:
 
 
 
 
 
Refinery gross margin (2) (4)
$
16.83

 
$
22.79

 
$
(5.96
)
Direct operating expenses (5)
5.15

 
5.88

 
(0.73
)
Mid-Atlantic sales volume (bbls)
1,940

 
2,382

 
(442
)
Mid-Atlantic margin per barrel
$
1.32

 
$
1.38

 
$
(0.06
)
The following tables set forth our summary refining throughput and production data for the periods and refineries presented:
El Paso and Gallup Refineries
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
Key Operating Statistics
 
 
 
 
 
Product yields (bpd):
 
 
 
 
 
Gasoline
89,197

 
66,918

 
22,279

Diesel and jet fuel
65,109

 
56,102

 
9,007

Residuum
4,938

 
4,349

 
589

Other
5,593

 
7,631

 
(2,038
)
Total production (bpd)
164,837

 
135,000

 
29,837

Throughput (bpd):
 
 
 
 

Sweet crude oil
131,182

 
113,443

 
17,739

Sour crude oil
23,237

 
19,106

 
4,131

Other feedstocks and blendstocks
12,880

 
4,937

 
7,943

Total throughput (bpd)
167,299

 
137,486

 
29,813


46


El Paso Refinery
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
Key Operating Statistics
 
 
 
 
 
Product yields (bpd):
 
 
 
 
 
Gasoline
71,692

 
49,365

 
22,327

Diesel and jet fuel
56,726

 
47,666

 
9,060

Residuum
4,938

 
4,349

 
589

Other
3,980

 
5,820

 
(1,840
)
Total production (bpd)
137,336

 
107,200

 
30,136

Throughput (bpd):
 
 
 
 

Sweet crude oil
106,359

 
87,863

 
18,496

Sour crude oil
23,237

 
19,106

 
4,131

Other feedstocks and blendstocks
9,706

 
2,171

 
7,535

Total throughput (bpd)
139,302

 
109,140

 
30,162

Total sales volume (bpd) (3)
151,812

 
127,496

 
24,316

Per barrel of throughput:
 
 
 
 

Refinery gross margin (2) (4)
$
17.47

 
$
15.78

 
$
1.69

Direct operating expenses (5)
4.08

 
4.89

 
(0.81
)

Gallup Refinery
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
Key Operating Statistics
 
 
 
 
 
Product yields (bpd):
 
 
 
 
 
Gasoline
17,505

 
17,553

 
(48
)
Diesel and jet fuel
8,383

 
8,436

 
(53
)
Other
1,613

 
1,811

 
(198
)
Total production (bpd)
27,501

 
27,800

 
(299
)
Throughput (bpd):
 
 
 
 

Sweet crude oil
24,823

 
25,580

 
(757
)
Other feedstocks and blendstocks
3,174

 
2,766

 
408

Total throughput (bpd)
27,997

 
28,346

 
(349
)
Total sales volume (bpd) (3)
32,884

 
33,198

 
(314
)
Per barrel of throughput:
 
 
 
 

Refinery gross margin (2) (4)
$
14.04

 
$
13.56

 
$
0.48

Direct operating expenses (5)
8.06

 
8.44

 
(0.38
)
(1)
Refining net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, includes $215.5 million and $354.4 million, respectively, representing a period average of 48,778 bpd and 40,056 bpd, respectively, in crude oil sales to third parties.

47


(2)
Cost of products sold for the refining segment includes the segment's net realized and net non-cash unrealized hedging activity shown in the table below. The hedging gains and losses are also included in the combined gross profit and refinery gross margin but are not included in those measures for the individual refineries.
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
(In thousands)
Realized hedging gain, net
$
17,455

 
$
16,484

 
$
971

Unrealized hedging gain (loss), net
(21,182
)
 
74,138

 
(95,320
)
Total hedging gain (loss), net
$
(3,727
)
 
$
90,622

 
$
(94,349
)
(3)
Sales volume includes sales of refined products sourced primarily from our refinery production as well as refined products purchased from third parties. We purchase additional refined products from third parties to supplement supply to our customers. These products are similar to the products that we currently manufacture and represented 9.1% and 13.1% of our total consolidated sales volumes for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The majority of the purchased refined products are distributed through our refined product sales activities in the Mid-Atlantic region where we satisfy our refined product customer sales requirements through a third-party supply agreement.
(4)Refinery gross margin for the respective periods presented is a per barrel measurement calculated by subtracting cost of products sold from net sales and dividing that difference by our refineries’ total throughput volumes. Net realized and net non-cash unrealized economic hedging gains and losses included in the combined refining segment gross margin are not allocated to the individual refineries. Refinery gross margin is a non-GAAP performance measure that we believe is useful for evaluating our refinery performance as a general indication of the excess of the refined product sales amount over the related cost of products sold. Our calculation of refinery gross margin excludes the sales and costs related to our Mid-Atlantic business that we report within the refining segment. The following table reconciles the sales and cost of sales used to calculate refinery gross margin with the total sales and cost of sales reported in the refining statement of operations data above:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
(In thousands)
Refinery net sales (including intersegment sales)
$
1,355,519

 
$
2,041,199

 
$
(685,680
)
Mid-Atlantic sales
135,922

 
284,615

 
(148,693
)
Net sales (including intersegment sales)
$
1,491,441


$
2,325,814


$
(834,373
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Refinery cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
$
1,102,094

 
$
1,759,198

 
$
(657,104
)
Mid-Atlantic cost of products sold
133,362

 
281,327

 
(147,965
)
Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
$
1,235,456


$
2,040,525


$
(805,069
)

48


Our calculation of refinery gross margin may differ from similar calculations of other companies in our industry, thereby limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure. The following table reconciles combined gross profit for our refineries to combined gross margin for our refineries for the periods presented:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
(In thousands, except per barrel data)
Refinery net sales (including intersegment sales)
$
1,355,519

 
$
2,041,199

 
$
(685,680
)
Refinery cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
1,102,094

 
1,759,198

 
(657,104
)
Depreciation and amortization
21,638

 
19,468

 
2,170

Gross profit
231,787

 
262,533

 
(30,746
)
Plus depreciation and amortization
21,638

 
19,468

 
2,170

Refinery gross margin
$
253,425

 
$
282,001

 
$
(28,576
)
Refinery gross margin per throughput barrel
$
16.83

 
$
22.79

 
$
(5.96
)
Gross profit per throughput barrel
$
15.39

 
$
21.22

 
$
(5.83
)
(5)
Refinery direct operating expenses per throughput barrel is calculated by dividing direct operating expenses by total throughput volumes for the respective periods presented. Direct operating expenses do not include any depreciation or amortization.
Gross Margin. Refinery gross margin is calculated as net sales (including intersegment sales) less cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). Excluding the impact of hedging activities, refinery gross margin per throughput barrel increased in a manner consistent with the increase in industry benchmarks. The Gulf Coast benchmark 3:2:1 crack spread rose to $17.84 in the first quarter of 2015 from $16.60 in the first quarter of 2014. Our crude oil purchases are based on pricing tied to WTI that in recent quarters has traded at a significant discount to Brent crude oil. During the first quarter of 2015, this differential decreased to an average of $5.44 per barrel from an average of $9.52 per barrel for the first quarter of 2014. During 2014 and through the first three months of 2015, our refining margins reflected the positive impact of the WTI Midland/Cushing discount. During the first quarter of 2015, our El Paso refinery averaged a WTI Midland/Cushing discount of $1.92 per barrel compared to $3.56 for the first quarter of 2014.
Historical refining margin data is presented below. Net realized and net non-cash unrealized economic hedging gains and losses included in the combined refining segment gross margin are not allocated to the individual refineries.
Refinery gross margin was also affected by first quarter 2015 net realized and unrealized economic hedging losses of $3.7 million compared to net realized and unrealized economic hedging gains of $90.6 million during the first quarter of 2014.

49


We enter into hedge contracts to manage our exposure to commodity price risks or to fix sales margins on a portion of our future gasoline and distillate production. Unrealized mark-to-market gains and losses related to our economic hedging instruments are the result of differences between forward crack spreads and the fixed margins from our hedge contracts. We incur unrealized commodity hedging losses when forward spreads are in excess of our fixed contract margins. Hedging gains or losses are included within cost of product sold, directly impacting our refining gross margin.
Other impacts to margin include the net cost of Renewable Identification Numbers ("RIN"), which was $6.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to $10.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Total refinery throughput increased by 2.7 million barrels quarter over quarter. Our refined product sales volume increased to 21.0 million barrels during the first quarter of 2015 from 14.5 million barrels during the first quarter of 2014. The increase in refinery throughput and refined product sales volume was primarily due to a turnaround for the south side units of the El Paso refinery during the first quarter of 2014, with no similar activity in 2015.
Direct Operating Expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). Direct operating expenses increased quarter over quarter primarily due to higher maintenance and employee expense of $2.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
Maintenance Turnaround Expense. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we reported turnaround expenses in connection with a turnaround for the south side units of the El Paso refinery.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased due to additional depreciation at our El Paso refinery primarily resulting from assets capitalized during the first quarter of 2014 in El Paso.



50


NTI
The following table sets forth the summary operating results for NTI.
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
(In thousands, except per barrel data)
Statement of Operations Data:
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
$
697,776

 
$
1,257,378

 
$
(559,602
)
Operating costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) (1)
480,463

 
1,067,390

 
(586,927
)
Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
69,705

 
67,181

 
2,524

Selling, general and administrative expenses
20,271

 
27,105

 
(6,834
)
Affiliate severance costs

 
9,399

 
(9,399
)
Gain on disposal of assets, net
(15
)
 
(12
)
 
(3
)
Depreciation and amortization
19,365

 
18,985

 
380

Total operating costs and expenses
589,789

 
1,190,048

 
(600,259
)
Operating income
$
107,987

 
$
67,330

 
$
40,657

Key Operating Statistics
 
 
 
 


Total sales volume (bpd)
98,481

 
89,162

 
9,319

Total refinery production (bpd)
94,312

 
92,932

 
1,380

Total refinery throughput (bpd) (2)
94,108

 
92,628

 
1,480

Per barrel of throughput:
 
 
 
 


Refinery gross margin (1) (3)
$
20.77

 
$
18.07

 
$
2.70

Direct operating expenses (4)
4.59

 
4.49

 
0.10

 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail fuel gallons sold (in thousands)
71,861

 
73,039

 
(1,178
)
Retail fuel margin per gallon (5)
$
0.21

 
$
0.19

 
$
0.02

Merchandise sales
82,614

 
78,548

 
4,066

Merchandise margin (6)
25.9
%
 
25.9
%
 
%
Company-operated retail outlets at period end
165

 
164

 
1

Franchised retail outlets at period end
95

 
79

 
16

(1)
Cost of products sold for NTI includes the net realized and net non-cash unrealized hedging activity shown in the table below. Hedging gains and losses are also included in the combined gross profit and refinery gross margin.
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
(In thousands)
Realized hedging gain (loss), net
$
98

 
$
(739
)
 
$
837

Unrealized hedging gain (loss), net
1,125

 
(167
)
 
1,292

Total hedging gain (loss), net
$
1,223

 
$
(906
)
 
$
2,129

(2)
Total refinery throughput includes crude oil, other feedstocks and blendstocks.
(3)
Refinery gross margin is a per barrel measurement calculated by dividing the difference between net sales and cost of products sold by the refinery's total throughput volumes for the respective periods presented. Refinery net sales include $21.8 million and $254.7 million related to crude oil sales during the first quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively. Refinery gross margin is a non-GAAP performance measure that we believe is useful in evaluating refinery performance as a general indication of the excess of the refined product sales amount over the related cost of products sold. Each of the components used in this calculation (net sales and cost of products sold) can be reconciled to corresponding amounts included in the statement of operations. Our calculation of refinery gross margin may differ from similar calculations of

51


other companies in our industry, thereby limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure. Cost of products sold for the first quarter of 2015 includes a non-cash adjustment of $10.8 million in order to state the inventories value at market prices which were lower than cost.
The following table reconciles gross profit to gross margin for the St. Paul Park refinery for the periods presented:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
(In thousands, except per barrel data)
Net refinery sales (including intersegment sales)
$
689,530

 
$
1,243,595

 
$
(554,065
)
Refinery cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
513,746

 
1,092,931

 
(579,185
)
Refinery depreciation and amortization
17,113

 
17,090

 
23

Gross profit
158,671

 
133,574

 
25,097

Plus depreciation and amortization
17,113

 
17,090

 
23

Refinery gross margin
$
175,784

 
$
150,664

 
$
25,120

Refinery gross margin per refinery throughput barrel
$
20.77

 
$
18.07

 
$
2.70

Gross profit per refinery throughput barrel
$
18.73

 
$
16.02

 
$
2.71

(4)
NTI's direct operating expenses per throughput barrel is calculated by dividing refining direct operating expenses by total throughput volumes for the respective periods presented. Direct operating expenses do not include any depreciation or amortization.
(5)
Retail fuel margin per gallon is a measurement calculated by dividing the difference between retail fuel sales and retail fuel cost of products sold by the number of gallons sold. Retail fuel margin per gallon is a measure frequently used in the retail industry to measure operating results related to fuel sales.
(6)
Merchandise margin is a measurement calculated by dividing the difference between merchandise sales and merchandise cost of products sold by merchandise sales. Merchandise margin is a measure frequently used in the retail industry to measure operating results related to merchandise sales.

Gross Margin. Refinery gross margin is calculated as net sales (including intersegment sales) less cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). NTI gross margin increased primarily due to increased gross margin per barrel of throughput of 14.9% and increased sales volumes of 10.5% during 2015. Gross margin for the three months ended March 31, 2015, includes a non-cash adjustment of $10.8 million to state NTI's LIFO inventory at market prices, which were lower than LIFO cost.
Direct Operating Expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). Direct operating expenses increased quarter over quarter due to an increase in higher personnel costs and contractor costs, partially offset by lower natural gas costs during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. This decrease relates primarily to lower equity-based compensation expense and variable compensation expense along with reductions in legal and accounting professional fees.
Affiliate Severance Costs. The severance costs incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2014, relate to severance payments resulting from Western's acquisition of NTI's general partner.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased due primarily to increased refining assets placed in service since March 31, 2014, the most significant of which was NTI's waste water treatment plant.


52


WNRL
The WNRL financial and operational data presented includes the historical results of all assets acquired from Western in the Wholesale Acquisition. This acquisition from Western was a transfer of assets between entities under common control. We have retrospectively adjusted historical financial and operational data of WNRL, for all periods presented, to reflect the purchase and consolidation of WRW into WNRL.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015, Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
(In thousands)
Statement of Operations Data:
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
$
607,396

 
$
864,610

 
$
(257,214
)
Operating costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 


Cost of products sold
541,701

 
804,817

 
(263,116
)
Direct operating expenses
35,637

 
33,683

 
1,954

Selling, general and administrative expenses
5,931

 
5,197

 
734

Gain on disposal of assets, net
(84
)
 

 
(84
)
Depreciation and amortization
4,738

 
4,152

 
586

Total operating costs and expenses
587,923

 
847,849

 
(259,926
)
Operating income
$
19,473

 
$
16,761

 
$
2,712

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
Key Operating Statistics
 
 
 
 
 
Pipeline and gathering (bpd):
 
 
 
 
 
Mainline movements:
 
 
 
 
 
Permian/Delaware Basin system
36,512

 
15,343

 
21,169

Four Corners system (1)
45,841

 
41,015

 
4,826

Gathering (truck offloading):
 
 
 
 


Permian/Delaware Basin system
22,605

 
22,164

 
441

Four Corners system
10,662

 
11,400

 
(738
)
Terminalling, transportation and storage (bpd):
 
 
 
 


Shipments into and out of storage (includes asphalt)
391,318

 
340,588

 
50,730

Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel gallons sold (in thousands)
303,431

 
267,814

 
35,617

Fuel gallons sold to retail (included in fuel gallons sold above) (in thousands)
75,263

 
61,594

 
13,669

Fuel margin per gallon (2)
$
0.027

 
$
0.023

 
$
0.004

Lubricant gallons sold (in thousands)
2,957

 
3,024

 
(67
)
Lubricant margin per gallon (3)
$
0.66

 
$
0.75

 
$
(0.09
)
Crude oil trucking volume (bpd)
43,050

 
26,969

 
16,081

Average crude oil revenue per barrel
$
2.76

 
$
3.10

 
$
(0.34
)
(1)
Some crude oil movements to Western's Gallup refinery are transported on more than one of WNRL's mainlines. Mainline movements for the Four Corners system include each barrel transported on each mainline.
(2)
Fuel margin per gallon is a measurement calculated by dividing the difference between fuel sales, net of transportation charges, and cost of fuel sales for WNRL's wholesale business by the number of gallons sold. Fuel margin per gallon is a measure frequently used in the petroleum products wholesale industry to measure operating results related to fuel sales.

53


(3)
Lubricant margin per gallon is a measurement calculated by dividing the difference between lubricant sales, net of transportation charges, and lubricant cost of products sold by number of gallons sold. Lubricant margin is a measure frequently used in the petroleum products wholesale industry to measure operating results related to lubricant sales.

Gross Margin. Gross margin is calculated as net sales (including intersegment sales) less cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). WNRL's gross margin increased by 9.9% primarily due to truck freight revenue from increased crude oil gathering activity in the Permian Basin area.
Direct Operating Expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). Direct operating expenses increased quarter over quarter due to an increase in employee expenses due to increased headcount primarily to staff the additions to our truck fleet of $1.7 million, increased energy expense specifically due to chemical additives used in the pipeline transportation process of $0.4 million and maintenance expenses of $0.4 million that was primarily due to differences in the timing of the scheduled maintenance during the first quarter of 2015 versus the first quarter of 2014, partially offset by decreased materials and supplies expense due to the decrease in fuel expense for our transportation department of $0.8 million.
WNRL's logistics maintenance costs are generally cyclical in nature. WNRL's terminal facilities are subject to recurring maintenance for normal wear and related maintenance costs are generally consistent from period to period. Routine service cycle for tank inspections and maintenance at WNRL's storage facilities is generally every 10 years. Pipelines are also subject to routine periodic inspections. When WNRL changes the service use of a storage tank, maintenance costs will generally be greater due to increased costs of tank cleaning and hazardous material disposal. The cost of WNRL's maintenance is dependent upon the level of repairs deemed necessary as a result of the inspection of the specified asset.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased due to the expansion of WNRL's Delaware Basin logistics system and the addition of crude oil tanker trailers during 2014.

Retail Segment
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015, Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
(In thousands, except per gallon data)
Statement of Operations Data
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales (including intersegment sales)
$
258,602

 
$
335,284

 
$
(76,682
)
Operating costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
220,175

 
302,125

 
(81,950
)
Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
32,354

 
28,455

 
3,899

Selling, general and administrative expenses
3,264

 
2,599

 
665

Gain on disposal of assets, net
(36
)
 

 
(36
)
Depreciation and amortization
3,286

 
2,935

 
351

Total operating costs and expenses
259,043

 
336,114

 
(77,071
)
Operating loss
$
(441
)
 
$
(830
)
 
$
389

Key Operating Statistics
 
 
 
 

Retail fuel gallons sold
83,824

 
73,387

 
10,437

Average retail fuel sales price per gallon (net of excise taxes)
$
1.82

 
$
2.95

 
$
(1.13
)
Average retail fuel cost per gallon (net of excise taxes)
1.68

 
2.81

 
(1.13
)
Fuel margin per gallon (1)
0.14

 
0.14

 

Merchandise sales
$
70,887

 
$
60,470

 
$
10,417

Merchandise margin (2)
29.4
%
 
28.9
%
 
0.5
%
Operating retail outlets at period end
261

 
229

 
32

Cardlock gallons sold
16,120

 
16,885

 
(765
)
Cardlock margin per gallon
$
0.186

 
$
0.160

 
$
0.026

Operating cardlocks at period end
50

 
52

 
(2
)

54


The following table reconciles retail fuel sales and cost of retail fuel sales to net sales and cost of products sold:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
(In thousands, except per gallon data)
Net Sales
 
 
 
 
 
Retail fuel sales (net of excise taxes)
$
152,545

 
$
216,288

 
$
(63,743
)
Merchandise sales
70,887

 
60,470

 
10,417

Cardlock sales
31,994

 
55,707

 
(23,713
)
Other sales
3,176

 
2,819

 
357

Net sales
$
258,602

 
$
335,284

 
$
(76,682
)
Cost of Products Sold
 
 
 
 

Retail fuel cost of products sold (net of excise taxes)
$
141,122

 
$
206,114

 
$
(64,992
)
Merchandise cost of products sold
50,065

 
42,976

 
7,089

Cardlock cost of products sold
28,932

 
52,942

 
(24,010
)
Other cost of products sold
56

 
93

 
(37
)
Cost of products sold
$
220,175

 
$
302,125

 
$
(81,950
)
Retail fuel margin per gallon (1)
$
0.14

 
$
0.14

 
$

(1)
Retail fuel margin per gallon is a measurement calculated by dividing the difference between retail fuel sales and cost of retail fuel sales by the number of gallons sold. Retail fuel margin per gallon is a measure frequently used in the convenience store industry to measure operating results related to retail fuel sales.
(2)
Merchandise margin is a measurement calculated by dividing the difference between merchandise sales and merchandise cost of products sold by merchandise sales. Merchandise margin is a measure frequently used in the convenience store industry to measure operating results related to merchandise sales.
Gross Margin. Gross margin is calculated as net sales (including intersegment sales) less cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). The increase in retail gross margin quarter over quarter was primarily the result of increased fuel margins coupled with higher fuel sales volumes and increased merchandise gross margin. The effect of the 31 new retail outlets added during the first quarter of 2015 and two retail outlets added in the third and fourth quarters of 2014 was an increase in retail gross margin of $3.7 million.
Direct Operating Expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). The increase in direct operating expenses quarter over quarter was primarily due to the addition of the new outlets which generated an additional $4.0 million in current quarter's expenses.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses quarter over quarter was primarily due to increased cardlock employee expenses ($0.7 million) partially offset by decreased cardlock bad debt expense ($0.1 million).
Depreciation and Amortization. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense quarter over quarter was primarily due to the addition of the new outlets that generated an additional $0.3 million in current quarter's expenses.


55


Outlook
Our refining margins, excluding hedging activities, were stronger in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014. The Gulf Coast benchmark 3:2:1 crack spread improved from an average of $16.60 for the three months ended March 31, 2014, to an average of $17.84 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. Western's and NTI's refining margins in recent years have benefited from the price relationship between WTI crude oil and Brent crude oil. Western and NTI both base their crude oil purchases on pricing tied to WTI. During the first quarter of 2015, the discount of WTI crude oil to Brent crude oil averaged $5.44 per barrel for the quarter compared to an average of $9.52 per barrel for the first quarter of 2014. However, the WTI/Brent discount has been volatile recently due to continued growth of inland crude oil production and new crude oil pipeline capacity additions in the Permian Basin and in Cushing, Oklahoma. The Gulf Coast benchmark 3:2:1 crack spread and the WTI/Brent discount for April of 2015 averaged $21.63 and $5.32 per barrel, respectively. Additionally, the WTI Midland/Cushing discount of $1.92 per barrel for the first quarter of 2015 benefited our El Paso refining margins in the quarter, although it was much lower than the $3.56 Midland/Cushing discount that we realized in the first quarter of 2014. This differential has continued to narrow and has averaged around $0.58 thus far in the second quarter of 2015. NTI’s location also allows them direct access, via pipeline, to cost-advantaged crude oil from the Bakken Shale in North Dakota and other Canadian crude oils that may price at substantial discounts to WTI. Although crude oil differentials narrowed in the first quarter of 2015, our gasoline and asphalt margins improved in the current year quarter that contributed to the stronger refining margins. We expect continued volatility in crude oil pricing differentials and crack spreads given the significant recent drop in Brent and WTI crude oil prices.
During 2014 and the first three months of 2015, we experienced volatility in the pricing of ethanol RINs as refiners essentially achieved full utilization of ethanol in gasoline blends. We expect continued volatility as the industry strives to meet Renewable Fuel Standard obligations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash from operations, cash on hand, availability under our revolving credit facilities and distributions attributable to us from NTI and WNRL. To a lesser extent, we also generate liquidity from the issuance of securities.
As of March 31, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents of $463.1 million, including NTI cash of $118.3 million and WNRL cash of $88.2 million, and had no direct borrowings under the Western, NTI or WNRL revolving credit facilities. We had net availability under our revolving credit facilities of $358.4 million, $194.6 million and $299.3 million, respectively. We also held restricted cash of $123.6 million remaining from the proceeds generated by the sale of WRW. As a result, Western had $738.6 million in total liquidity as of March 31, 2015, defined as Western’s cash and cash equivalents plus restricted cash and net availability under Western's revolving credit facility.
From time to time, our board of directors has approved share repurchase programs authorizing us to repurchase specified dollar amounts of our outstanding common stock. Our board of directors approved our current $200 million share repurchase program in November of 2014 (the "November 2014 Program") that will expire at the earlier of the exhaustion of the authorized amount or November of 2015. We have repurchased 2.2 million shares of our common stock at a cost of $84.2 million under the November 2014 Program. As of March 31, 2015, we had $115.8 million remaining in authorized expenditures under the November 2014 Program.
We will repurchase shares from time-to-time through open market transactions, block trades, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise and subject to market conditions, as well as corporate, regulatory and other considerations. The share repurchase program may be modified or discontinued at any time by our board of directors.

56


Cash Flows
The following table sets forth our cash flows for the periods indicated:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
(In thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
104,978

 
$
64,032

 
$
40,946

Net cash used in investing activities
(9,171
)
 
(50,449
)
 
41,278

Net cash used in financing activities
(63,892
)
 
(50,016
)
 
(13,876
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
31,915

 
$
(36,433
)
 
$
68,348

The increase in net cash from operating activities period over period was primarily the result of the increase in net income and the results of our commodity hedging activity as discussed above, offset by changes in our working capital as disclosed in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
Cash flows from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015, combined with $300.0 million from the issuance of long-term debt were primarily used for the following investing and financing activities:
Repayment of revolving credit facility debt ($269.0 million);
Fund capital expenditures ($53.2 million) including the use of $43.4 million of restricted cash;
Payment of distributions to non-controlling interest holders ($33.7 million);
Payment of cash dividends ($28.6 million);
Purchase of treasury stock ($25.0 million); and
Payment of deferred financing costs ($6.6 million).
Cash flows used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014, were primarily used for the following investing and financing activities:
Fund capital expenditures ($50.6 million);
Payments of distributions to non-controlling interest holders ($27.1 million); and
Payment of cash dividends ($20.7 million).
Future Capital Expenditures
We expect to fund future capital expenditures primarily through cash from operations supplemented as needed by borrowings under our revolving credit facilities. The following table summarizes our 2015 forecasted spending allocation, updated as of May 1, 2015 for full year 2015, between sustaining, discretionary and regulatory projects for 2015:
 
Western (1)
 
NTI
 
WNRL
 
Totals
 
(In thousands)
Sustaining
$
45,874

 
$
26,500

 
$
11,010

 
$
83,384

Discretionary
162,129

 
35,000

 
31,769

 
228,898

Regulatory
42,152

 
8,500

 
1,387

 
52,039

Total
$
250,155

 
$
70,000

 
$
44,166

 
$
364,321

(1)
Western's capital expenditure forecast for the full year 2015 is $250.2 million, of which $230.3 million is for our refining segment, $16.5 million for our retail segment and $3.4 million for other general projects.
Our discretionary projects include crude oil logistics projects, such as the new 70 mile pipeline project in the Permian Basin of Southeast New Mexico that was completed in the first quarter of 2015, as well as improvements on existing pipeline in the San Juan Basin in Northwest New Mexico also completed in the first quarter of 2015. WNRL’s discretionary projects include improvement projects of the on-site refined product distribution terminals at the El Paso and Gallup refineries and further expansion of the Mason Station pipeline system.


57


Capital Structure
Our capital structure at March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:
 
March 31,
2015
 
March 31,
2014
 
(In thousands)
Debt, including current maturities:
 
 
 
Western obligations:
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility due 2019
$

 
$

Term Loan Credit Facility due 2020
543,125

 
548,625

6.25% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
350,000

 
350,000

5.75% Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes, due 2014, net of conversion feature of $3,309 for 2014

 
211,720

5.50% promissory note due 2015

 
260

Total Western obligations
893,125

 
1,110,605

NTI obligations:
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility due 2018

 

7.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2020
356,766

 
278,247

Total NTI obligations
356,766

 
278,247

WNRL obligations:
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility due 2018

 

7.5% Senior Notes due 2023
300,000

 

Total WNRL obligations
300,000

 

Long-term debt
1,549,891

 
1,388,852

Equity
2,879,158

 
2,658,916

Total capitalization
$
4,429,049

 
$
4,047,768

See Note 9, Long-Term Debt and Note 10, Equity, for further information.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
In January of 2015, our retail segment entered into leases for 31 additional retail store locations under a master lease agreement. Total average annual commitments for these additional retail store leases are approximately $4.5 million for 20 years. We include a complete summary of our future contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2014 in our 2014 Form 10-K under Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments.
Dividends
We anticipate paying future quarterly dividends, subject to the board of directors' approval and compliance with the restrictions in our outstanding financing agreements. The table below summarizes our 2015 cash dividend declarations, payments and scheduled payments through May 1, 2015:
 
2015
 
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Dividend per Common Share
 
Total Payment (In thousands)
First quarter
February 6
 
February 20
 
March 6
 
$
0.30

 
$
28,638

Second quarter (1)
April 21
 
May 5
 
May 20
 
0.34

 

Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
28,638

(1)
The second quarter 2015 cash dividend of $0.34 per common share will result in an estimated aggregate payment of $32.5 million.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

58


Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
Commodity price fluctuation is our primary source of market risk.
Commodity Price Risk
We are exposed to market risks related to the volatility of crude oil and refined product prices, as well as volatility in the price of natural gas used in our refinery operations. Our financial results can be affected significantly by fluctuations in these prices that depend on many factors, including demand for crude oil, gasoline and other refined products; changes in the economy; worldwide and domestic production levels; worldwide inventory levels; and governmental regulatory initiatives. Our risk management strategy identifies circumstances in which we may utilize the commodity futures market to manage risk associated with these price fluctuations or to fix sales margins on future gasoline and distillate production.
In order to manage the uncertainty relating to inventory price volatility, we have generally applied a policy of maintaining inventories at or below a targeted operating level. In the past, circumstances have occurred, such as turnaround schedules or shifts in market demand, that have resulted in variances between our actual inventory level and our desired target level. We may utilize the commodity futures market to manage these anticipated inventory variances.
We maintain inventories of crude oil, other feedstocks and blendstocks and refined products with values that are subject to wide fluctuations in market prices driven by worldwide economic conditions, regional and global inventory levels and seasonal conditions.
At March 31, 2015, we held approximately 9.9 million barrels of crude oil, refined product and other inventories valued under the LIFO valuation method with an average cost of $67.06 per barrel. At March 31, 2015, the excess of the current cost of our crude oil, refined products and other feedstocks and blendstocks inventories over aggregated LIFO costs was $142.0 million.
All commodity futures contracts, price swaps and options are recorded at fair value and any changes in fair value between periods are recorded under cost of products sold in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
We selectively utilize commodity hedging instruments to manage our price exposure to our LIFO inventory positions or to fix margins on certain future sales volumes. The commodity hedging instruments may take the form of futures contracts, price and crack spread swaps or options and are entered into with counterparties that we believe to be creditworthy. The financial instruments used to fix margins on future sales volumes do not qualify for hedge accounting. Therefore, changes in the fair value of these hedging instruments are included in income in the period of change. Net gains or losses associated with these transactions are reflected within cost of products sold at the end of each period.
The following tables summarize our economic hedging activity recognized within cost of products sold for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and open commodity hedging positions as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Economic hedging results
 
 
 
Realized hedging gain, net
$
17,553

 
$
15,744

Unrealized hedging gain (loss), net
(20,057
)
 
73,972

Total hedging gain (loss), net
$
(2,504
)
 
$
89,716


59


 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
(In thousands)
Open commodity hedging instruments (barrels)
 
 
 
Crude oil and refined product futures, net long (short) positions
3,685

 
(864
)
Refined product crack spread swaps, net short positions
(11,703
)
 
(8,781
)
Total open barrels commodity hedging instruments, net short positions
(8,018
)
 
(9,645
)
 
 
 
 
Fair value of outstanding contracts, net
 
 
 
Other current assets
$
74,613

 
$
79,722

Other assets
39,414

 
56,533

Accrued liabilities
(2,373
)
 
(4,889
)
Other long-term liabilities
(1,746
)
 
(1,400
)
Fair value of outstanding contracts - unrealized gain, net
$
109,908

 
$
129,966

During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we did not have any commodity derivative instruments that were designated or accounted for as hedges.
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of March 31, 2015. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2015.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2015, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II
Other Information
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our 2014 Form 10-K under Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Since 2012, our board of directors has approved four separate share repurchase programs authorizing us to repurchase up to $200 million, per program, of our outstanding common stock. Our board of directors approved our current share repurchase program in November of 2014 (the "November 2014 Program") which will expire in November of 2015.
We will repurchase shares from time-to-time through open market transactions, block trades, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise and subject to market conditions, as well as corporate, regulatory and other considerations. The share repurchase programs may be modified or discontinued at any time by our board of directors.

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The following table presents shares repurchased, by month, during the first quarter of 2015:
 
Total number of shares purchased
 
Average price paid per share (1)
 
Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs
 
Maximum dollar value that may yet be purchased under the program (In thousands)
January 1 - January 31
740,859

 
$
33.72

 
740,859

 
$
115,778

February 1 - February 28

 

 

 
115,778

March 1 - March 31

 

 

 
115,778

 
740,859

 
33.72

 
740,859

 
 
(1) Average price per share excludes commissions.
Our payment of dividends is limited under the terms of our Revolving Credit Agreement and our 2021 Notes, and depends, in part, on our ability to satisfy certain financial covenants.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit Index***
Number
 
Exhibit Title
 
10.1†
 
Amended and Restated 2010 Incentive Plan of Western Refining, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Company’s Proxy Statement, filed with the SEC on April 22, 2015).
 
 
 
10.2†
 
Termination of Employment Agreement, dated February 27, 2015, by and between Western Refining GP, LLC and Paul L. Foster (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015).
 
 
 
31.1*
 
Certification Statement of Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
31.2*
 
Certification Statement of Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
32.1**
 
Certification Statement of Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
32.2**
 
Certification Statement of Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
101
 
Interactive Data Files
*
 
Filed herewith.
 
 
 
**
 
Furnished herewith.
 
 
 
***
 
Reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act (Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K) are under File No. 001-32721.
 
 
 
 
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
WESTERN REFINING, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Gary R. Dalke
 
 
Chief Financial Officer 
 
May 6, 2015
Gary R. Dalke
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 

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