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 SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
OR
¨
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 1-7627

FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Wyoming
74-1895085
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
   
   
10000 Memorial Drive, Suite 600
77024-3411
Houston, Texas
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
   
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 688-9600

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if
changed since last report.

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 ¨

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 ¨

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. (Check one)
 
 Large accelerated filer   þ  Accelerated filer ¨
 Non-accelerated filer    ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  Smaller reporting company ¨
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes   ¨    No   þ

Registrant’s number of common shares outstanding as of November 1, 2010:  105,720,064

 
 

 

FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

INDEX
 
 
 
Item 1.               Financial Statements
 
 
 
Item 4.               Controls and Procedures
 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Such statements are those concerning contemplated transactions and strategic plans, expectations and objectives for future operations.  These include, without limitation:
  ·
statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future;
  ·
statements relating to future financial performance, future capital sources and other matters; and
  ·
any other statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “could,” “should,” “may,” or similar expressions.
Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements we make in this Form 10-Q are reasonable, we can give 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.  You are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
All forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q only speak as of the date of this document.  We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any revisions to any such forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-Q, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.


 
 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
(Unaudited, in thousands except per share data)
 
                         
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
   
2010
   
2009 As
Adjusted
(Note 2)
   
2010
   
2009 As
Adjusted
(Note 2)
 
                         
Revenues:
                       
Refined products
  $ 4,215,546     $ 3,147,210     $ 1,419,997     $ 1,196,899  
Other
    21,950       1,464       (3,525 )     3,683  
Total revenues
    4,237,496       3,148,674       1,416,472       1,200,582  
                                 
Costs and expenses:
                               
Raw material, freight and other costs
    3,844,828       2,814,341       1,283,773       1,089,612  
Refinery operating expenses, excluding depreciation
    221,901       232,175       82,878       83,701  
Selling and general expenses, excluding depreciation
    35,390       38,937       13,194       13,650  
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
    61,156       54,226       20,309       18,099  
Gain on sales of assets
     (1 )     -       -       -  
Total costs and expenses
    4,163,274       3,139,679       1,400,154       1,205,062  
                                 
Operating income (loss)
    74,222       8,995       16,318        (4,480 )
                                 
Interest expense and other financing costs
    24,306       21,046       9,025       6,709  
Interest and investment income
     (1,791 )     (1,948 )      (696 )     (661 )
Income (loss) before income taxes
    51,707        (10,103 )     7,989        (10,528 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    17,549        (1,397 )      (319 )      (1,744 )
Net income (loss)
  $ 34,158     $ (8,706 )   $ 8,308     $ (8,784 )
                                 
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 33,762     $ (8,827 )   $ 8,177     $ (8,780 )
                                 
Basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock
  $ 0.33     $ (0.08 )   $ 0.08     $ (0.08 )
                                 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock
  $ 0.32     $ (0.08 )   $ 0.08     $ (0.08 )
                                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
 

 
 

 

 
FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(Unaudited, in thousands except share data)
 
             
September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash, including cash equivalents of $413,048 and $424,323 at 2010 and 2009,
    respectively
  $ 413,651     $ 425,280  
Trade receivables, net of allowance of $1,000 at 2010 and 2009
    170,280       95,261  
Income taxes receivable
    109,941       174,627  
Other receivables, net
    5,724       7,842  
Inventory of crude oil, products and other
    379,660       293,476  
Deferred income tax assets - current
    12,379       26,373  
Other current assets
    12,266       14,507  
Total current assets
    1,103,901       1,037,366  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    1,014,550       1,021,409  
Deferred turnaround and catalyst costs, net
    54,694       68,491  
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $5,009 and $3,893 at
    2010 and 2009, respectively
    3,594       4,711  
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $705 and $614 at 2010 and
    2009, respectively
    1,124       1,216  
Deferred state income tax assets - noncurrent
    10,717       10,767  
Other assets
    3,754       3,935  
Total assets
  $ 2,192,334     $ 2,147,895  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 513,124     $ 474,377  
Accrued liabilities and other
    44,043       64,799  
Total current liabilities
    557,167       539,176  
                 
Long-term debt
    347,699       347,485  
Contingent income tax liabilities
    30,558       29,348  
Post-retirement employee liabilities
    34,829       33,138  
Long-term capital lease obligation
    3,056       3,394  
Other long-term liabilities
    13,670       20,560  
Deferred federal income tax liabilities
    221,134       230,818  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Shareholders' equity:
               
Preferred stock, $100 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, no shares issued
    -       -  
Common stock, no par value, 180,000,000 shares authorized, 131,850,356 shares issued
   at both period ends
    57,736       57,736  
Paid-in capital
    260,186       252,513  
Retained earnings
    1,064,369       1,030,203  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
     (1,630 )      (1,234 )
Treasury stock, at cost, 26,130,292 and 27,165,400 shares at 2010 and 2009, respectively
     (396,440 )     (395,242 )
Total shareholders' equity
    984,221       943,976  
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 2,192,334     $ 2,147,895  
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
 

 
 

 


FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
             
   
For the nine months
ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009 As
 Adjusted
(Note 2)
 
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income (loss)
  $ 34,158     $ (8,706 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities:
               
Depreciation, amortization and accretion, including amortization
   of deferred turnaround costs
    75,265       69,194  
Deferred income tax provision
    4,346       14,335  
Stock-based compensation expense
    12,290       15,193  
Excess income tax benefits of stock-based compensation
    (152 )     (227 )
Amortization of debt issuance costs
    1,116       1,117  
Senior Notes discount amortization
    214       196  
Allowance for investment loss and bad debts
    (184 )     500  
Gain on sales of assets
    (1 )     -  
(Decrease) increase in other long-term liabilities
    (4,952 )     10,734  
Changes in deferred turnaround costs, deferred catalyst costs and other
    (131 )     (8,133 )
Changes in working capital from operations
    (61,940 )     52,863  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    60,029       147,066  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Additions to property, plant and equipment
    (61,291 )     (121,574 )
Proceeds from sales of assets
    1       -  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (61,290 )     (121,574 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Purchase of treasury stock
    (3,582 )     (2,654 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    -       70  
Dividends paid
    (6,628 )     (19,071 )
Excess income tax benefits of stock-based compensation
    152       227  
Other
    (310 )     (282 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (10,368 )     (21,710 )
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (11,629 )     3,782  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    425,280       483,532  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 413,651     $ 487,314  
                 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
               
Cash paid during the period for interest, excluding capitalized interest
  $ 21,354     $ 17,227  
Cash paid during the period for income taxes
    15,054       36,150  
Cash refunds of income taxes
    63,619       51,593  
Noncash investing activities - accrued capital expenditures, end of period
    9,747       21,917  
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
 



 
 

 

FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (Unaudited)

1.      Financial Statement Presentation

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Frontier Oil Corporation (“FOC”), a Wyoming corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, collectively referred to as “Frontier” or “the Company.”  The Company is an energy company engaged in crude oil refining and wholesale marketing of refined petroleum products (the “refining operations”).
The Company operates refineries (“the Refineries”) in Cheyenne, Wyoming and El Dorado, Kansas.  The Company owns Ethanol Management Company (“EMC”), a products terminal and blending facility located near Denver, Colorado.  The Company also owns a refined products pipeline which runs from Cheyenne, Wyoming to Sidney, Nebraska and the associated refined products terminal and truck rack at Sidney, Nebraska.  The Company utilizes the equity method of accounting for investments in entities in which it has the ability to exercise significant influence.  Entities in which the Company has the ability to exercise control are consolidated.  All of the operations of the Company are in the United States, with its marketing efforts focused in the Rocky Mountain and Plains States regions of the United States.  The Rocky Mountain region includes the states of Colorado, Wyoming, western Nebraska, Montana and Utah, and the Plains States include the states of Kansas, Oklahoma, eastern Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota.  The Company purchases crude oil to be refined and markets the refined petroleum products produced, including various grades of gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, asphalt, chemicals and petroleum coke.  The operations of refining and marketing of petroleum products are considered part of one reporting segment.
These financial statements have been prepared by the Company without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and include all adjustments (comprised of only normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  The Company believes that the disclosures contained herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.  These interim financial statements are not indicative of annual results.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures 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.

Subsequent Events
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued.

Earnings per share
The Company computes basic earnings or loss per share (“EPS”) by dividing net income or loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  No adjustments to income are used in the calculation of basic EPS.  Diluted EPS includes the effects of potentially dilutive shares, principally common stock options and unvested restricted stock and performance stock units outstanding during the period.  The basic and diluted average shares outstanding were as follows:

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Basic
    104,196,169       103,536,988       104,452,369       103,746,632  
Diluted
    105,574,674       103,536,988       106,173,087       103,746,632  

For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, 434,793 outstanding stock options that could potentially dilute EPS in future years were not included in the computation of diluted EPS as they were anti-dilutive. Correspondingly, during the nine and three months ended September 30, 2009, there were 1.2 million and 1.6 million, respectively, outstanding restricted stock and stock unit awards not included in the computation of diluted EPS due to the Company’s net loss in both periods.
The Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share of common stock in November 2009, which was paid in January 2010.  As of September 30, 2010, the Company had $133.7 million and $309.4 million available to pay dividends under the restricted payments basket of its 6.625% Senior Notes and 8.5% Senior Notes, respectively (collectively, the “Senior Notes”) covenants; however, the Company is currently unable to pay dividends because of the inability to satisfy the incurrence of additional indebtedness test in the covenants of the Senior Notes.

Foreign currency transactions
The Company has receivables and payables denominated in Canadian dollars from certain crude oil purchases and related taxes on such purchases.  These amounts are accounted for in accordance with GAAP on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet by translating the balances at the applicable exchange rates until they are settled.  The corresponding gain or loss is recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).  For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recognized a loss in “Other Revenues” of $66,000 and $203,000, respectively, due to the translation of its foreign denominated assets and liabilities.  For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recognized a loss of $1.2 million and $313,000, respectively.

Related Party Transactions
During the first quarter of 2010, the Company made a relocation-related loan to an officer of one of its subsidiaries in the amount of $120,000 with a maximum term of one year.  The Company accounted for this balance in “Other Receivables” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2010.

New accounting pronouncements
In December 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-17 which amended guidance to ASC 810 “Consolidations,” specifically, the consolidation guidance that applies to variable interest entities (“VIEs”).  This statement amends current consolidation guidance to require companies to perform an analysis to determine whether a company’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a VIE and assess whether the company has implicit financial responsibility to ensure that the VIE operates as designed when determining if it has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance.  This statement also amends current guidance to require companies to perform ongoing reassessments of whether the company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE.  This statement amends certain guidance for determining whether an entity is a VIE, and the application of this revised guidance may change a company’s assessment of its VIEs.  The statement is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2009.  The adoption of ASU 2009-17, in the first quarter of 2010, did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements and disclosures.
In June 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-16, additional guidance to ASC 860, “Transfers and Servicing” to improve financial reporting by eliminating the exceptions for qualifying special-purpose entities from the consolidating guidance and eliminating the exception that permitted sale accounting for certain mortgage securitizations when a transferor has not surrendered control over the transferred financial assets.  The statement also improves the comparability and consistency in accounting for transferred financial assets and enhances the information provided to financial statement users to provide greater transparency about transfers of financial assets and a transferor’s continuing involvement with transferred financial assets.  Under the new guidance, many types of transferred financial assets that would have been derecognized previously are no longer eligible for derecognition.  This new guidance enhances disclosures about the risks that a transferor continues to be exposed to because of its continuing involvement in transferred financial assets.  The statement is effective for financial asset transfers occurring after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2009.  The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements and disclosures.
In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, which amended ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.”  New disclosures included in this ASU require the Company to disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and the related reasoning for the transfer.  Also included in the new disclosure requirements is the separate presentation of purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis in the reconciliation for significant unobservable inputs, or Level 3 inputs.  Further, this ASU clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value for either Level 2 or Level 3 measurements.  Finally, this ASU amends guidance on employers’ disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets under ASC 715 to change terminology from major categories of assets to classes of assets on how to determine appropriate classes to present fair value disclosures.  The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the rollforward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements.  These Level 3 specific disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years.  The adoption of the disclosures required for the Company during the first quarter of 2010 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement disclosures.  The Company is evaluating the impact of the additional disclosures required for its 2011 filings relating to the Level 3 requirements.
In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-09, which amends ASC 855, “Subsequent Events” to address certain implementation issues related to the application of disclosure requirements under ASC 855.  This ASU requires filers to “evaluate subsequent events through the date the financial statements are issued.”  However, this ASU exempts filers from disclosing the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated, thus alleviating potential conflicts between ASC 850-10 and the SEC’s requirements.  This ASU is effective immediately for financial statements that are issued, available to be issued or revised.  As such, this revised guidance was effective for the Company in the first quarter 2010.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement disclosures.
In July 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-20, which amends ASC 310, “Receivables” to provide greater transparency about an entity’s allowance for credit losses and the credit quality of its financing receivables.  This ASU will require an entity to disclose (1) the inherent credit risk in its financing receivables, (2) how the credit risk is analyzed and assessed in calculating the allowance for credit losses and (3) the changes and reasons for those changes in the allowance for credit losses.    The scope of this ASU applies to all of the Company’s financing receivables, excluding its short-term trade accounts receivables.  This ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 31, 2010.  The Company does not expect a material impact in its 2010 annual report from the adoption of this ASU.

2.      Change in Accounting Principle – Inventory

During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company changed its inventory valuation method for crude oil, unfinished products and finished products to the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method from the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.  All of the Company’s other inventories will continue to be valued at the lower of average cost or market.  The Company believes the change to the LIFO method is preferable because it will improve matching of current costs with revenues and improve comparability with its industry peers.  The Company has retrospectively adjusted the previously reported condensed consolidated financial statements for the change for the comparative periods ended September 30, 2009.  The following condensed consolidated financial statement line items for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2009 were affected by the change in accounting principle.


   
Nine months ended
   
Three months ended
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2009
 
   
As Originally
Reported
   
As
Adjusted
   
Change
   
As Originally
Reported
   
As
Adjusted
   
Change
 
   
(in thousands - except per share data)
 
                                     
Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Comprehensive Income:
                               
Raw material, freight and other costs
  $ 2,631,548     $ 2,814,341     $ 182,793     $ 1,097,559     $ 1,089,612     $ (7,947 )
Operating income (loss)
    191,788       8,995       (182,793 )     (12,427 )     (4,480 )     7,947  
                                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    172,690       (10,103 )     (182,793 )     (18,475 )     (10,528 )     7,947  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    64,517       (1,397 )     (65,914 )     (3,348 )     (1,744 )     1,604  
Net income (loss)
  $ 108,173     $ (8,706 )   $ (116,879 )   $ (15,127 )   $ (8,784 )   $ 6,343  
                                                 
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 108,052     $ (8,827 )   $ (116,879 )   $ (15,123 )   $ (8,780 )   $ 6,343  
                                                 
Basic earnings (loss) per share
  $ 1.04     $ (0.08 )   $ (1.12 )   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.08 )   $ 0.07  
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
  $ 1.03     $ (0.08 )   $ (1.11 )   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.08 )   $ 0.07  
                                                 
Condensed Consolidated Statements
of Cash Flows:
                         
`
                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 108,173     $ (8,706 )   $ (116,879 )                        
Adjustments to reconcile net income
   to net cash from operating activities:
                                               
Deferred income tax provision
    12,097       14,335       2,238                          
Changes in components of working
   capital from operations
    (61,778 )     52,863       114,641                          
Net cash provided by operating
   activities
  $ 147,066     $ 147,066     $ -                          

3.      Other Receivables


   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
             
Investment fund receivable, net of allowance
  $ -     $ 2,143  
Realized futures trading receivable
    252       2,341  
Interest rate swaps net interest receivable
    668       310  
Other
    4,804       3,048  
    $ 5,724     $ 7,842  

The Company had a $32.7 million investment in a money market fund called the Reserve Primary Fund (“Fund”) that was deemed illiquid in September 2008.  The Fund is currently overseen by the SEC, which is determining the amount and timing of liquidation.  Prior to the freeze on the Fund’s assets, the Company requested its funds in their entirety and reclassed the $32.7 million investment out of “Cash and cash equivalents” to “Other receivables” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.  At December 31, 2009, it was estimated that approximately 1.5% of the Company’s original investment was at-risk for recoverability, primarily due to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, as the Fund had an investment in Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. commercial paper.  Therefore, an allowance of $499,000 was recorded as of December 31, 2009.  In addition, the Company received partial distributions through December 31, 2009 from the Fund totaling $30.1 million, resulting in a net investment fund receivable of $2.1 million.  During the nine and three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company received additional distributions totaling $2.3 million and $132,000, thus increasing total distributions to $32.4 million.  As the total distributions exceeded the net investment, during the nine and three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company reduced the previously recorded loss allowance on this investment by $184,000 and $132,000, which increased “Interest and Investment Income” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).  While still awaiting final notice regarding proceeds from the Fund, the Company does not anticipate further distributions; thus, the Company has no remaining net investment fund receivable as of September 30, 2010.  If there are any additional distributions received by the Company, they will be recorded in subsequent periods as income.

4.      Inventories

During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company changed its inventory valuation method to the LIFO method from the FIFO method as previously disclosed.  See Note 2 “Change in Accounting Principle – Inventory” for additional information. Inventories of crude oil, unfinished products and all finished products are now recorded at the lower of cost on a LIFO basis or market, which is determined using current estimated selling prices.  Crude oil includes both domestic and foreign crude oil volumes at its cost and associated freight and other costs.  Unfinished products (work in process) include any crude oil that has entered into the refining process, and other feedstocks that are not finished as far as refining operations are concerned.  These include unfinished gasoline and diesel, blendstocks and other feedstocks.  Finished product inventory includes saleable gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, chemicals, asphalt and other finished products.  Unfinished and finished products inventory values have components of raw material, the associated raw material freight and other costs, and direct refinery operating expense allocated when refining begins relative to their proportionate market values.  Refined product exchange transactions are considered asset exchanges with deliveries offset against receipts.  The net exchange balance is included in inventory.  Inventories of process chemicals and repairs and maintenance supplies and other are recorded at the lower of average cost or market.  Crude oil inventories, unfinished product inventories and finished product inventories are used to secure financing for operations under the Company’s revolving credit facility.  The components of inventory as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were as follows:


   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
             
Crude oil
  $ 331,192     $ 343,154  
Unfinished products
    140,206       101,436  
Finished products
    123,169       94,239  
LIFO reserve - adjustment to inventories
    (242,451 )     (272,634 )
      352,116       266,195  
Process chemicals
    857       1,162  
Repairs and maintenance supplies and other
    26,687       26,119  
    $ 379,660     $ 293,476  

5.      Other Current Assets


   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
             
Margin deposits
  $ 6,918     $ 10,898  
Derivative assets
    1,270       124  
Prepaid insurance
    746       1,705  
Other
    3,332       1,780  
    $ 12,266     $ 14,507  

6.      Property, Plant and Equipment


   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
             
Refineries, pipelines and terminal equipment
  $ 1,439,400     $ 1,389,351  
Buildings
    44,036       41,616  
Land and land improvements
    15,575       15,320  
Furniture, fixtures and other equipment
    17,675       17,284  
Property, plant and equipment, at cost
    1,516,686       1,463,571  
Accumulated depreciation
    (502,136 )     (442,162 )
Property, plant and equipment, net
  $ 1,014,550     $ 1,021,409  

7.      Accrued Liabilities and Other


   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
             
Accrued compensation
  $ 14,911     $ 26,093  
Accrued environmental costs
    2,521       7,599  
Accrued dividends
    344       6,979  
Accrued property taxes
    9,495       5,573  
Accrued interest
    5,760       7,638  
Accrued income taxes
    -       293  
Derivative liabilities
    6,706       6,551  
Other
    4,306       4,073  
    $ 44,043     $ 64,799  

8.      Long-term Debt


   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
             
6.625% Senior Notes (Due October 1, 2011)
  $ 150,000     $ 150,000  
                 
8.5% Senior Notes (Due September 15, 2016)
    200,000       200,000  
Less discount
    (2,301 )     (2,515 )
8.5% Senior Notes, net
    197,699       197,485  
                 
    $ 347,699     $ 347,485  

9.      Other Long-term Liabilities


   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
             
Environmental liabilities
  $ 5,326     $ 12,237  
Asset retirement obligations
    4,693       4,474  
Other
    3,651       3,849  
    $ 13,670     $ 20,560  

10.      Income Taxes

The Company is currently under a U.S. Federal income tax examination for 2008.  Field work for U.S. Federal income tax examinations on the Company for 2007, 2006 and 2005 has been completed but certain issues have not yet been resolved. The Company was unsuccessful during the IRS appeals process for 2006 and 2005 proposed adjustments.  As such, the Company has received a Notice of Deficiency from the Internal Revenue Service for approximately $13.9 million of additional 2005 taxes and approximately $4.2 million of additional 2006 taxes both related to the deductibility for income tax purposes of certain stock-based compensation for executives.  The Company filed a petition for a redetermination of this deficiency with the U.S. Tax Court on September 22, 2010.  The Company has also received a notice of proposed adjustment from the Internal Revenue Service regarding approximately $711,000 of additional 2007 taxes also related to the deductibility for income tax purposes of certain stock-based compensation for executives.  The Company has submitted a protest of this 2007 amount and is in the appeals process.  The Company had recorded income tax contingencies in prior years for these items which are included in “Contingent income tax liabilities” as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in the event it is unsuccessful in its tax court petition and/or appeal.  The Company continues to accrue interest on any unpaid amounts related to these deficiencies and proposed adjustments.
The Company recognizes liabilities, interest and penalties for potential tax issues based on its estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes may be due as determined under ASC 740 “Income Taxes.”  A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding accrued interest and the federal income tax benefit of state contingencies is as follows:


   
Nine months Ended
September 30,
   
Three months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Balance beginning of period
  $ 23,854     $ 24,278     $ 23,788     $ 24,278  
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
    -       -       -       -  
Additions for tax positions of prior years
    81       -       -       -  
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
    -       (424 )     -       -  
Settlements
    -       -       -       -  
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statutes of limitations
    (66 )     -       -       -  
Balance end of period
  $ 23,869     $ 23,854     $ 23,788     $ 24,278  

The total contingent income tax liabilities and accrued interest of $30.6 million and $29.3 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, are reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets under “Contingent income tax liabilities.”  The Company recognized net interest expense on contingent income tax liabilities of $1.2 million and $1.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and $438,000 and $430,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
In October 2010, subsequent to the balance sheet date, the Company received a federal income tax refund of $73.5 million, reflected in “Income taxes receivable” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2010.

11.      Treasury Stock

The Company accounts for its treasury stock under the cost method on a FIFO basis.  Through December 31, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors had approved a total of $400.0 million for share repurchases, of which $299.8 million had been utilized (none in 2010), leaving remaining authorization of $100.2 million for future repurchases of shares; however, the Company currently is unable to repurchase shares because of the inability to satisfy the incurrence of additional indebtedness test in the covenants of the Senior Notes.  A rollforward of treasury stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is as follows:


   
Number of
shares
   
Amount
 
   
(in thousands except share amounts)
 
             
Balance as of December 31, 2009
    27,165,400     $ 395,242  
   Shares received to fund withholding taxes
    265,541       3,582  
   Shares issued for stock grants and restricted stock grants, net  of forfeits
    (424,024 )     (779 )
   Shares issued for conversion of stock unit awards
    (876,625 )     (1,605 )
Balance as of September 30, 2010
    26,130,292     $ 396,440  

  12.      Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based compensation costs and income tax benefits recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:


     
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
                         
Restricted shares and units
  $ 8,653     $ 12,637     $ 2,359     $ 2,829  
Stock options
    -       304       -       -  
Contingently issuable stock unit awards
    3,637       2,252       1,318       1,611  
Total stock-based compensation expense
  $ 12,290     $ 15,193     $ 3,677     $ 4,440  
                                 
Income tax benefit recognized in the income statement
  $ 4,670     $ 5,774     $ 1,397     $ 1,688  

Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.   The Company’s Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) is a broad-based incentive plan that provides for granting stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SAR”), restricted stock awards, performance awards, stock units, bonus shares, dividend equivalent rights, other stock-based awards and substitute awards (“Awards”) to employees, consultants and non-employee directors of the Company.  At the annual meeting held on April 28, 2010, the shareholders of the Company approved the First Amendment to the Frontier Oil Corporation Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Amendment”).  The Amendment increased the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be allowed with respect to Awards granted under the plan by 7,100,000 shares.  The number of shares available for Awards under the new 7,100,000 share pool will be reduced by 1.6 times the shares for each stock award granted, other than an option or SAR under the Plan, and will be reduced by 1.0 times the number of options or SARs granted.  As of September 30, 2010, there were 7,331,418 shares available to be awarded under the Plan assuming maximum payout is achieved on the contingently issuable awards made in 2008, 2009 and 2010 (see “Contingently Issuable Awards” below).  For purposes of determining compensation expense, forfeitures are estimated at the time Awards are granted based on historical average forfeiture rates and the group of individuals receiving those Awards. The Plan provides that the source of shares for Awards may be either newly issued shares or treasury shares.  For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2010, treasury shares were re-issued for stock and restricted stock awards.  The Company does not plan to repurchase additional treasury shares in 2010 strictly for issuing share Awards; however, treasury shares that are repurchased or are currently in treasury may be issued as share Awards in 2010.  The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined using the closing stock price of the Company on the date of grant.  As of September 30, 2010, there was $21.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the Plan, including costs for restricted stock and performance-based awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.95 years.
 
Stock Options.   Stock option changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 are presented below:

   
Number of awards
   
Weighted-
Average Exercise
 Price
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
of Options
 
               
(in thousands)
 
Outstanding at beginning of period
    434,793     $ 29.3850        
Granted
    -       -        
Exercised
    -       -        
Expired or forfeited
    -       -        
Outstanding at end of period
    434,793     $ 29.3850     $ -  
                         
Vested
    434,793     $ 29.3850     $ -  
                         
Exercisable at end of period
    434,793     $ 29.3850     $ -  


There were no stock options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  All outstanding stock options were vested and exercisable at September 30, 2010 with weighted average remaining contractual lives of 0.58 years.

Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units.   The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s restricted shares and restricted stock units during the nine months ended September 30, 2010:

   
Shares/Units
   
Weighted-
Average Grant-
Date Market
Value
 
             
Nonvested at beginning of period
    842,067     $ 20.4173  
Conversion of stock unit awards
    625,582       12.7400  
Granted
    467,920       12.7356  
Vested
    (614,348 )     19.5130  
Forfeited
    (5,376 )     21.7598  
Nonvested at end of period
    1,315,845       14.4525  

The total grant date fair value of restricted shares and restricted stock units which vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $12.0 million. The total intrinsic value of restricted shares and restricted stock units vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $8.4 million.  The Company recognized $3.2 million of income tax benefit related to these vestings, and reduced the Company’s available pool of excess income tax benefits by $1.4 million.  The total grant date fair value of restricted shares and restricted stock units which vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $16.4 million.  The total intrinsic value of restricted shares and restricted stock units that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $8.1 million, and the Company realized $3.1 million of income tax benefit related to these vestings, which reduced the Company’s available pool of excess income tax benefits by $3.2 million.
A member of the Company’s Board of Directors was awarded 9,630 unrestricted shares of common stock, valued at approximately $135,000, on April 27, 2010 related to his retirement.  In March 2010, following certification by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors that the specified performance criteria of the Company’s net income goal and return of capital employed versus that of a defined peer group had been achieved for the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company issued 625,582 shares of restricted stock in connection with the February 2009 grant of contingently issuable stock unit awards.  The following tables summarize the vesting schedules of the 625,582 stock unit awards converted to restricted stock and 467,920 shares of restricted stock shares and units granted, net of forfeitures, during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.


         
Vesting Dates and Share Amounts
 
Conversion
Date
 
Converted stock
 unit awards
   
March 9,
 2010 (1)
   
June 21,
2010 (1)
   
June 30,
2010
   
June 30,
2011
   
June 30,
2012
 
March 9, 2010
    625,582       51,872       10,010       187,888       187,924       187,888  




         
Vesting Dates and Share Amounts
 
Grant Date
 
Shares/Units
 Granted (Net of
 Forfeits)
   
April 27,
2010 (1)
   
December 31,
2010
   
March 13,
2011
   
March 13,
2012
   
March 13,
2013
 
January 26, 2010
    57,780       9,630       48,150                    
February 23, 2010
    409,640                       102,410       102,410       204,820  
September 7, 2010
    500                       125       125       250  
Total
    467,920       9,630       48,150       102,535       102,535       205,070  
                                                 
(1) Accelerated vesting due to termination or retirement of employees or members of the Company's Board of Directors.
 


Contingently Issuable Awards .  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company granted 307,230 contingently issuable stock unit awards, net of forfeitures, to be earned if certain return of capital employed versus that of a defined peer group goals are met for 2010.  Depending on achievement of the performance goal, awards earned could be between 0% and 125% of the base number of performance stock units.  If any portion of the performance goal is achieved for 2010 and certified by the Compensation Committee, these stock unit awards (or a portion thereof) will be converted into restricted stock during the first quarter of 2011.  One-third of these restricted shares will vest on June 30, 2011, one-third on June 30, 2012 and the final one-third on June 30, 2013.  As of September 30, 2010, the Company assumed for purposes of stock-based compensation expense for these awards granted in 2010 that the maximum (125%) level award (384,044 stock units, net of forfeitures) would be earned for the return of capital employed versus that of a defined peer group.  The stock unit awards were valued at the market value on the date of grant and are being amortized to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the nominal vesting period, adjusted for retirement-eligible employees, as required under GAAP.
The Company also granted 307,230 stock unit awards, net of forfeitures, contingent upon certain share price performance versus the Company’s peers being met over a three-year period ending on December 31, 2012.  Depending on achievement of the market-based performance goal, awards earned could be between 0% and 125% of the base number of market-based stock units.  If any of the market-based performance goals are achieved and certified by the Compensation Committee, these stock unit awards (or a portion thereof) will be converted into stock.  For stock unit awards subject to such market-based vesting conditions, the grant date fair value of the award is estimated using a Monte Carlo valuation model.  The Monte Carlo model is based on random projections of stock price paths and must be repeated numerous times to achieve a probabilistic assessment.  Expected volatility was calculated using a weighted average of historical daily volatilities and implied volatility, and represents the extent to which the Company’s stock price performance, relative to the average stock price performance of the peer group, is expected to fluctuate during each of the three calendar periods of the award’s anticipated term ending December 31, 2012.  The risk-free rate is based on a U.S. Treasury rate consistent with the three-year vesting period.  The total grant date fair value of the market-based stock units as determined by the Monte Carlo valuation model is $3.5 million, net of forfeitures and will be recognized ratably over the three-year vesting period.  The key assumptions used in valuing these market-based restricted shares are as follows:


   
2010
 
Number of simulations
    100,000  
Expected volatility
    65.00 %
Risk-free rate
    1.33 %


In February 2010, following certification by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors that the specified share price performance criteria in connection with the 2007 grant of contingently issuable stock unit awards to be met over a three-year period ended December 31, 2009 had been achieved, the Company issued 206,348 shares of stock to certain employees of the Company.  The total grant date fair value of these performance awards was $4.0 million and the total intrinsic value of these shares at issuance was $2.6 million.  The Company recognized $1.0 million of income tax benefit related to these vestings, which reduced the Company’s available pool of excess income tax benefits by $540,000.
In May 2010, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors approved that certain employees met the retirement criteria of the 2008 grant of contingently issuable stock unit awards to be originally met over a three-year period ending December 31, 2010.  The Company issued 44,695 shares of stock following certification by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors that the specified share price performance criteria through the employee’s retirement dates had been achieved.  The total grant date fair value of these performance awards was $1.4 million and the total intrinsic value of these shares at issuance was $690,000.  The Company recognized $263,000 of income tax benefit related to these vestings, which reduced the Company’s available pool of excess income tax benefits by $252,000.
As of September 30, 2010, the Company also had outstanding (net of forfeitures) 134,827 and 233,787 contingently issuable stock unit awards issued in 2008 and 2009, respectively, to be earned should certain share price criteria be met over a three-year period ending December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively.  Depending on achievement of the performance goals, awards earned could be between 0% and 125% of the base number of performance stock units.  If any of the performance goals are achieved and certified by the Compensation Committee, these stock unit awards (or a portion thereof) will be converted into   stock.
When common stock dividends are declared by the Company’s Board of Directors, dividend equivalents (on the stock unit awards) and dividends (once the stock unit awards are converted to restricted stock) are accrued on the contingently issuable stock units and restricted stock but are not paid until the restricted stock vests.

13.      Employee Benefit Plans

Defined Benefit Plans
In April 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the termination of the defined benefit cash balance pension plan.  In July 2009, the Company received, from the Internal Revenue Service, a letter stating the termination of the pension plan did not affect its qualification.  The Company terminated the plan in December 2009.  Plan participants received 100% of their account balance, including interest, in the fourth quarter of 2009.
The Company provides post-retirement healthcare and other benefits to certain employees of the El Dorado Refinery.  Eligible employees are employees hired by the El Dorado Refinery before certain defined dates and who satisfy certain age and service requirements.  Employees hired on or before November 16, 1999 qualify for retirement healthcare insurance until eligible for Medicare.  Employees hired on or before January 1, 1995 are also eligible for Medicare supplemental insurance. These plans were unfunded as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.  The post-retirement healthcare plan requires retirees to pay between 20% and 40% of total healthcare costs based on age and length of service.
The following tables set forth the net periodic benefit costs recognized for these benefit plans in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss):


   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Pension Benefits
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts
recognized in other comprehensive income (loss):
             
Service cost
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Interest cost
    -       196       -       65  
Expected return on plan assets
    -       (134 )     -       (45 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    -       426       -       213  
Amortized net actuarial loss
    -       -       -       -  
Net periodic benefit cost
    -       488       -       233  
                                 
Changes in assets and benefit obligations recognized in
other comprehensive income (loss):
                 
Net loss
    -       -       -       -  
Amortization of prior service cost
    -       (426 )     -       (213 )
Amortization of gain
    -       -       -       -  
Total recognized in other comprehensive income
    -       (426 )     -       (213 )
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other
   comprehensive income (loss)
  $ -     $ 62     $ -     $ 20  

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Post-retirement Healthcare and Other Benefits
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts
recognized in other comprehensive income (loss):
             
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
                       
Service cost
  $ 570     $ 535     $ 190     $ 179  
Interest cost
    1,553       1,417       518       472  
Expected return on plan assets
    -       -       -       -  
Amortization of prior service cost
    (1,407 )     (1,407 )     (469 )     (469 )
Amortized net actuarial loss
    784       784       261       261  
Net periodic benefit cost
    1,500       1,329       500       443  
                                 
Changes in assets and benefit obligations recognized in
other comprehensive income (loss):
                 
Net loss
    20       -       6       -  
Amortization of prior service cost
    1,407       1,407       469       469  
Amortization of loss
    (784 )     (784 )     (261 )     (261 )
Total recognized in other comprehensive income
    643       623       214       208  
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other
   comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 2,143     $ 1,952     $ 714     $ 651  
 
14.      Fair Value Measurement

The three-level valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date.  The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2010, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value (in thousands):


Description
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Derivative assets
  $ -     $ 1,270     $ -     $ 1,270  
Derivative liabilities
    4,167       2,539       -       6,706  

As of September 30, 2010, the Company’s derivative contracts giving rise to the liabilities measured under Level 1 are NYMEX crude oil contracts and thus are valued using quoted market prices at the end of each period.  The majority of the derivative contracts included in Level 2 valuations are interest rate swap contracts.  A mark-to-market valuation that takes into consideration anticipated cash flows from the transactions using market prices and other economic data and assumptions are used to value the swaps.  Given the degree of varying assumptions used to value the swaps, it was deemed as having Level 2 inputs.  The remaining derivative contracts giving rise to the assets under Level 2 are foreign currency forward contracts, valued using month end exchange rates and the variation from each contracts strike price.  Due to the variety of sources available to price month end exchange rates, these contracts were deemed to also have Level 2 inputs.  The derivative liabilities included in Level 2 valuations are valued using pricing models based on NYMEX crude oil contracts.  The Company had no derivative contracts under Level 3 at September 30, 2010.  The Company’s crude call options during the quarter ended September 30, 2009 that related to crude oil purchased at the lease were measured under Level 3, meaning that the options were valued using internal contract pricing.  The following provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the Company’s Level 3 derivative asset crude call options for the periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:


     
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Beginning derivative asset balance
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 85  
Net increase in derivative assets
    -       231       -       (18 )
Net settlements
    -       (231 )     -       (67 )
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
    -       -       -       -  
Ending derivative asset balance
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  

The fair value of the Company’s Senior Notes was estimated based on quotations obtained from broker-dealers who make markets in these and similar securities.  At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the carrying amounts of the Company’s 6.625% Senior Notes were $150.0 million, and the estimated fair values were $150.6 million and $150.8 million, respectively.  At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the carrying amounts of the Company’s 8.5% Senior Notes were $197.7 million ($200.0 million less the unamortized discount of $2.3 million) and $197.5 million ($200.0 million less the unamortized discount of $2.5 million), and the estimated fair values were $208.0 million and $207.0 million, respectively.  For cash and cash equivalents, the carrying amounts at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 of $413.7 million and $425.3 million, respectively, are reasonable estimates of fair value.

15.      Price and Interest Risk Management Activities

The Company, at times, enters into derivative contracts to manage its price exposure to its inventory positions, purchases of foreign crude oil and consumption of natural gas in the refining process, to fix margins on certain future production or to hedge interest rate risk.  The derivative contracts used by the Company may take the form of futures contracts, forward contracts, collars or price or interest rate swaps.  The Company, also at times, enters into foreign exchange contracts to manage its exposure to foreign currency fluctuations on its purchases of foreign crude oil.  The Company believes that there is minimal credit risk with respect to its counterparties.  The Company’s commodity derivative contracts and foreign exchange contracts, while economic hedges, are not accounted for as cash flow or fair value hedges and thus are accounted for under mark-to-market accounting with gains and losses recorded directly to earnings.  The Company has derivative contracts which it holds directly and also derivative contracts held indirectly in connection with its crude oil purchase and sale contract, held on Frontier’s behalf by Utexam Limited (“Utexam”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas Ireland.  See Note 18, “New Crude Oil Purchase and Sale Contract”, for information on the replacement for the Utexam crude oil purchase and sale contract which occurred subsequent to quarter-end.  For additional fair value disclosures relating to the Company’s derivative contracts, see Note 14, “Fair Value Measurement.”  As of September 30, 2010, the Company had the following outstanding commodity derivative contracts:
 
 

Commodity
 
Number of barrels
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Crude oil contracts to hedge crude purchases in-transit
    717  
Crude oil contracts to hedge excess intermediate, finished product and crude oil inventory
    1,095  

As of September 30, 2010, the Company held two $75.0 million interest rate swaps totaling $150.0 million of notional amount, that effectively convert a portion of interest expense from fixed to variable rate debt.  Under these swap contracts, interest on each of the $75.0 million notional amount is computed using 30-day LIBOR plus a spread of 5.34% and 5.335%, which equaled an effective interest rate of 5.599% and 5.594%, respectively, as of September 30, 2010.  Interest is paid semiannually on the swap contracts, April 1 and October 1, until maturity.  The interest accrued by the Company on these swap contracts effectively reduced “Interest expense and other financing costs” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) by $1.0 million and $323,000 for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2010.  The Company received interest totaling $682,000 from the counterparty in April 2010 and has a receivable for accrued interest of $668,000, which is included in “Other Receivables” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2010.
The following table presents the location of the Company’s outstanding derivative contracts on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and the related fair values at the balance sheet dates.


 
Asset Derivatives in
Other Current Assets
   
Liability Derivatives in
Accrued Liabilities and Other
 
 
September 30,
2010
 
December 31,
2009
 
September 30,
2010
 
December 31,
2009
 
   
Fair Value
   
Fair Value
   
Fair Value
   
Fair Value
 
 
(in thousands)
 
Derivatives not designated
   as hedging instruments
                       
Commodity contracts
  $ -     $ -     $ 6,706     $ 6,551  
Foreign exchange contracts
    7       -       -       -  
Interest rate swap contracts
    1,263       2       -       -  
Other contracts
    -       122       -       -  
Total derivatives
  $ 1,270     $ 124     $ 6,706     $ 6,551  

The following table presents the location of the gains and losses reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the current and previous periods presented.


     
Amount of Derivatives Gain or (Loss) Recognized
 
     
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Derivatives not designated
   as hedging instruments
Location in Statement
   of Operations
 
(in thousands)
 
                       
Commodity contracts
Other Revenues
  $ 21,888     $ (3,246 )   $ (3,417 )   $ 4,227  
Foreign exchange contracts
Other Revenues
    (9 )     799       84       -  
Other contracts
Other Revenues
    (34 )     (40 )     -       (289 )
Interest rate swap contracts
Interest expense and other financing costs
    1,261       -       (228 )     -  
                                   

16.      Environmental
 
 
The Company’s operations and many of its manufactured products are specifically subject to certain requirements of the Clean Air Act (“CAA”) and related state and local regulations.  The 1990 amendments to the CAA contain provisions that will require capital expenditures for the production of cleaner transportation fuels and the installation of certain air pollution control devices at the Refineries during the next several years as discussed below.
The Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has promulgated regulations requiring the phase-in of gasoline sulfur standards, which began January 1, 2004 and continued through 2008, with special provisions for small business refiners such as Frontier.  As allowed by subsequent regulation, Frontier elected to extend its small refinery interim gasoline sulfur standard at each of the Refineries until January 1, 2011 by complying with the highway ultra low sulfur diesel standard by June 2006.  The Company has reevaluated its initial strategy of capital investment at its Cheyenne Refinery to meet the new gasoline sulfur standard and is now planning to comply with these requirements starting January 1, 2011 for two to five years through the redemption of currently owned or internally generated gasoline sulfur credits.  For long-term compliance, the Company expects to spend approximately $40.0 million ($17.7 million incurred as of September 30, 2010) for the FCCU gasoline hydrotreater project comprised of new process unit capacity and intermediate inventory handling equipment.  In addition, new federal benzene regulations and anticipated state requirements for reduction in gasoline Reid Vapor Pressure (“RVP”) suggest that additional capital expenditures may be required for environmental compliance projects.  The Company is presently evaluating projects and the total potential cost in connection with an overall compliance strategy for the Cheyenne Refinery.  Total capital expenditures estimated as of September 30, 2010 for the El Dorado Refinery to comply with the final gasoline sulfur standard are approximately $95.0 million, including capitalized interest, and are expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2010 ($87.5 million incurred as of September 30, 2010).  The estimated $95.0 million of expenditures primarily relates to the El Dorado Refinery’s gasoil hydrotreater revamp project.  The gasoil hydrotreater revamp project will address most of the El Dorado Refinery’s modifications needed to achieve gasoline sulfur compliance.
The Company is a holder of gasoline sulfur credits retained from prior generation years at both the Cheyenne and the El Dorado Refineries.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Frontier sold sulfur credits for total proceeds of $1.9 million (none in the comparable 2010 period), which are recorded in “Other revenues” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
In March 2009, settlement agreements associated with the EPA’s National Petroleum Refining Enforcement Initiative were finalized and are now in effect.  The Company currently estimates that, in addition to the flare gas recovery systems previously installed at each facility in anticipation of the finalization of the agreement, capital expenditures totaling approximately $45.0 million ($662,000 incurred as of September 30, 2010) at the Cheyenne Refinery and $6.0 million ($1.5 million incurred as of September 30, 2010) at the El Dorado Refinery will need to be incurred prior to 2017.  The Company may also choose to incur additional costs at the Cheyenne Refinery and at the El Dorado Refinery to comply with certain requirements of the agreement if such projects are determined to be the most cost effective compliance strategy.  Notwithstanding these settlements, many of these same expenditures are required for the Company to comply with preexisting regulatory requirements or to implement its planned facility expansions.  Consequently, the costs associated with these other projects are not included in the totals above.  In addition, the settlement agreement provides for stipulated penalties for violations, which are periodically reported by the Company.  Stipulated penalties under the decree are not automatic but must be requested by one of the agency signatories.  If a stipulated penalty is requested, the Company will separately report that matter and the amount of the proposed penalty, if applicable.
The EPA has promulgated regulations to enact the provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 regarding mandated blending of renewable fuels in gasoline.  The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 significantly increased the amount of renewable fuels that had been required by the 2005 legislation.  The Company, as a small refiner, will be exempt until January 1, 2011 from these requirements at which time it will begin incurring additional costs in order to meet the new requirements.  The Company has renewable fuels blending facilities and purchases ethanol with Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) credits attached.  Ethanol RINs were created to assist in tracking compliance with these EPA regulations for the blending of renewable fuels.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company sold RIN credits for $128,000 and $3.2 million, respectively, which were recorded in “Other revenues” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).  While not yet enacted or promulgated, other pending legislation or regulation regarding the mandated use of alternative or renewable fuels and/or the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from either transportation fuels or manufacturing processes is under consideration by the U.S. Congress and the U.S. EPA.  In addition, the EPA has recently determined that greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, present a danger to human health and the environment, which may result in future regulation of such gases.  If climate change legislation is enacted or regulations promulgated, these requirements could materially impact the operations and financial position of the Company (see “Other Future Environmental Considerations” below).
On February 26, 2007, the EPA promulgated regulations limiting the amount of benzene in gasoline.  These regulations take effect for large refiners on January 1, 2011 and for small refiners, such as Frontier, on January 1, 2015.  While not yet estimated, the Company anticipates that potentially material capital expenditures may be necessary to achieve compliance with the new regulation at its Cheyenne Refinery as discussed above.  Gasoline manufactured at the El Dorado Refinery typically contains benzene concentrations near the new standard.  The Company therefore believes that necessary benzene compliance expenditures at the El Dorado Refinery will be substantially less than those at its Cheyenne Refinery.
The Company owns terminals and pipelines in which various groundwater remediation and monitoring activities are underway.  As is the case with companies engaged in similar industries, the Company faces potential exposure from future claims and lawsuits involving environmental matters, including soil and water contamination, air pollution, personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by substances that the Company may have manufactured, handled, used, released or disposed.
Cheyenne Refinery.   The Company is party to an agreement with the State of Wyoming requiring investigation and interim remediation actions at the Cheyenne Refinery’s property that may have been impacted by past operational activities.  As a result of past and ongoing investigative efforts, capital expenditures and remediation of conditions found to exist have already taken place, including the completion of surface impoundment closures, waste stabilization activities and other site remediation projects.  As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company had a $4.6 million accrual included on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets related to the remediation program.  The accrual at September 30, 2010 reflects the estimated present value of a $775,000 cost in 2010 and $575,000 in annual costs for 2011 through 2019, assuming a 3% inflation rate, ten more years of the ongoing groundwater remediation program, and discounted at a rate of 6.2%.  The Company estimates a total cost of $7.5 million for the cleanup of a waste water treatment pond located on land adjacent to the Cheyenne Refinery which the Company had historically leased from the landowner.  As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company had remaining accruals of $300,000 and $5.7 million, respectively, for this cleanup.  Cleanup of the waste water pond pursuant to the aforementioned agreement with the State of Wyoming has been initiated and is anticipated to be completed in 2010 with various on-going monitoring for approximately two years.  Depending upon information collected during the cleanup, or by a subsequent administrative order or permit, additional remedial action and costs could be required.  Pursuant to this agreement, in the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company completed an $11.3 million capital project for the installation of a groundwater boundary control system and associated groundwater recovery wells.
In October 2009, Frontier Refining Inc. (which owns the Cheyenne Refinery) was served with a Complaint from Region 8 of the EPA alleging unlawful storage of untreated or partially treated refinery wastewater in an on-site surface impoundment and proposing a penalty of $6.8 million in addition to requirement to clean and close the impoundment at issue.  Although not admitting violation, the Company has entered into a negotiated settlement agreement with the EPA. Based on this agreement, the total estimated settlement expense is $2.6 million.  This is comprised of a $900,000 penalty (paid in June 2010) and approximately $870,000 for pond closure expenses related to injunctive relief with the remaining costs being estimated legal and other costs.  The $6.8 million accrual, originally recorded in the third quarter of 2009, was adjusted downward in the second quarter of 2010 on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to reflect the new estimate of $2.6 million, and as of September 30, 2010, the Company’s remaining accrual was $874,000.  Expected capital costs for injunctive relief related to the removal and repair of the liner will be incurred after June 1, 2011 and are currently estimated at approximately $800,000.
The Company completed in 2007 the negotiation of a settlement of a Notice of Violation (“NOV”) from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality alleging non-compliance with certain refinery waste management requirements.  The Company has estimated that the minimum capital cost for required corrective measures will be approximately $3.2 million and is estimated to be completed in late 2010.  In addition, the Company accrued a total of $2.2 million for additional work related to the corrective measures with remaining accruals of $618,000 and $1.2 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
The Company has received a draft wastewater discharge permit from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (“WDEQ”) designed to renew the existing permit.  This draft includes new discharge limits for selenium and chloride in addition to a requirement for more rigorous toxicity testing of the wastewater discharge.  Costs for compliance with the new limits, which are currently drafted to become effective on January 1, 2013, are currently not estimatable.
El Dorado Refinery.   The El Dorado Refinery is subject to a 1988 consent order with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (“KDHE”).  Subject to the terms of the purchase and sale agreement for the El Dorado Refinery entered into between the Company and Shell Oil Products US (“Shell”), Shell is responsible for the costs of continued compliance with this order.  This order, including various subsequent modifications, requires the El Dorado Refinery to continue the implementation of a groundwater management program with oversight provided by the KDHE Bureau of Environmental Remediation.  More specifically, the El Dorado Refinery must continue to operate the hydrocarbon recovery well systems and containment barriers at the site and conduct sampling from monitoring wells and surface water stations.  Quarterly and annual reports must also be submitted to the KDHE.  The order requires that remediation activities continue until KDHE-established groundwater criteria or other criteria agreed to by the KDHE and the Refinery are met.
Other Future Environmental Considerations.   Recent scientific studies have suggested that emissions of certain gases, commonly referred to as “greenhouse gases” and including carbon dioxide and methane, may be contributing to warming of the earth’s atmosphere.  In response to such studies, the U.S. Congress considered but has so far rejected legislation to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.  In addition, more than one-third of the states already have begun implementing legal measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and there are several regional initiatives.  On April 2, 2007, in Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA, the U.S. Supreme Court held that carbon dioxide may be regulated as an “air pollutant” under the federal Clean Air Act and that the EPA must consider whether it is required to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from mobile sources such as cars and trucks.  On April 17, 2009, the EPA proposed that certain greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, present a danger to public health or welfare.  The proposed “endangerment finding” was promulgated on December 7, 2009, opening the door to direct regulation of such greenhouse gases under the provisions and programs of the existing Clean Air Act.  Thus, the EPA can impose restrictions on the emission of greenhouse gases even if the U.S. Congress does not adopt new legislation specifically addressing emissions of greenhouse gases.  In October 2009, the EPA published a final rule requiring large emitters of greenhouse gases and certain industrial sectors to monitor and report their greenhouse gas emissions to the EPA beginning in 2011 for emissions in 2010.  In April 2010, the EPA issued proposed rules to require reporting of emissions data from several other industrial sectors.  In May 2010, the EPA issued a final rule that determines which stationary sources of greenhouse gas emissions need to obtain a construction or operating permit and install the best available control technology for greenhouse gas emissions.  The regulation did not identify such technologies.  Legislation to prohibit or delay EPA regulation of greenhouse gases may be considered by the Senate later this year.  Although it is not possible at this time to predict how legislation or new regulations that may be adopted to address greenhouse gas emissions would impact the Company’s business, any such future laws and regulations will most likely result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions, and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations, including demand for the refined petroleum products that it produces.

17.      Litigation

The Company is involved in various lawsuits and regulatory actions which are incidental to its business.  In management’s opinion, the adverse determination of such lawsuits would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity, financial position or results of operations.

18.      New Crude Oil Purchase and Sale Contract

On November 1, 2010, the Company’s subsidiary, Frontier Oil and Refining Company (“FORC”), entered into a Master Crude Oil Purchase and Sale Contract (“Contract”) with BNP Paribas Energy Trading GP and BNP Paribas Energy Trading Canada Corp. (collectively, “BNP”).  The maximum value of crude oil to be purchased under this Contract is $300.0 million.  Under this Contract, BNP purchases, transports and subsequently sells crude oil to FORC at a location near Cushing, Oklahoma or other locations as agreed.  Under this agreement, BNP is the owner of record of the crude oil as it is transported from the point of injection, typically Hardisty, Alberta, Canada, to the point of ultimate sale to FORC.  The Company has provided a guarantee of FORC’s obligations under this Contract, primarily to receive crude oil and make payment for crude oil purchases arranged under this Contract.  The Company accounts for the transactions under this Contract as a financing arrangement, whereby the inventory and the associated liability are recorded in the Company’s financial statements when the crude oil is injected into the pipeline in Canada.
This Contract replaces the Company’s crude oil purchase and sale contract with Utexam, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas Ireland, (“Utexam Contract”) which was terminated effective November 1, 2010.  However, in accordance with the Utexam Contract, the rights and obligations of both Utexam and the Company arising from transactions entered into prior to the termination date will be completed.   The Company anticipates any such transactions will be completed no later than the end of the first quarter of 2011.
 
 
19.      Consolidating Financial Statements

Frontier Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries (“FHI”) are full and unconditional guarantors of the Company’s 6.625% Senior Notes and 8.5% Senior Notes.   Presented on the following pages are the Company’s condensed consolidating balance sheets, statements of income, and statements of cash flows as required by Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  As specified in Rule 3-10, the condensed consolidating balance sheets, statements of income, and statements of cash flows presented on the following pages meet the requirements for financial statements of the issuer and each guarantor of the notes because the guarantors are all direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Frontier Oil Corporation, and all of the guarantees are full and unconditional on a joint and several basis.  The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return and consolidated state income tax returns in the majority of states in which it does business.  Accordingly, the equity in earnings of subsidiaries recorded for Frontier Oil Corporation is equal to the subsidiaries’ net income adjusted for consolidating pre-tax adjustments and for the portion of the subsidiaries’ income tax provision which is eliminated in consolidation.


FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION
 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
                               
   
FOC (Parent)
   
FHI (Guarantor Subsidiaries)
   
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Revenues:
                             
Refined products
  $ -     $ 4,215,546     $ -     $ -     $ 4,215,546  
Other
    (11 )     21,906       55       -       21,950  
Total revenues
    (11 )     4,237,452       55       -       4,237,496  
                                         
Costs and expenses:
                                       
Raw material, freight and other costs
    -       3,844,828       -       -       3,844,828  
Refinery operating expenses, excluding
    depreciation
    -       221,901       -       -       221,901  
Selling and general expenses, excluding
    depreciation
    13,719       21,671       -       -       35,390  
Depreciation, amortization and
    accretion
    49       60,416       -       691       61,156  
Gain on sales of assets
    (1 )     -       -       -       (1 )
Total costs and expenses
    13,767       4,148,816       -       691       4,163,274  
                                         
Operating (loss) income
    (13,778 )     88,636       55       (691 )     74,222  
                                         
Interest expense and other financing
   costs
    19,853       5,887       -       (1,434 )     24,306  
Interest and investment income
    (1,487 )     (304 )     -       -       (1,791 )
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    (83,939 )     -       -       83,939       -  
Income before income taxes
    51,795       83,053       55       (83,196 )     51,707  
Provision for income taxes
    17,637       28,999       71       (29,158 )     17,549  
Net income (loss)
  $ 34,158     $ 54,054     $ (16 )   $ (54,038 )   $ 34,158  

FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION
 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
As Adjusted (Note 2)
 
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
                               
   
FOC (Parent)
   
FHI (Guarantor Subsidiaries)
   
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Revenues:
                             
Refined products
  $ -     $ 3,147,210     $ -     $ -     $ 3,147,210  
Other
    (7 )     1,435       36       -       1,464  
Total revenues
    (7 )     3,148,645       36       -       3,148,674  
                                         
Costs and expenses:
                                       
Raw material, freight and other costs
    -       2,814,341       -       -       2,814,341  
Refinery operating expenses, excluding
    depreciation
    -       232,175       -       -       232,175  
Selling and general expenses, excluding
    depreciation
    16,196       22,741       -       -       38,937  
Depreciation, amortization and
    accretion
    51       53,742       -       433       54,226  
Total costs and expenses
    16,247       3,122,999       -       433       3,139,679  
                                         
Operating (loss) income
    (16,254 )     25,646       36       (433 )     8,995  
                                         
Interest expense and other financing
   costs
    22,175       2,968       -       (4,097 )     21,046  
Interest and investment income
    (1,569 )     (379 )     -       -       (1,948 )
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    (26,437 )     -       -       26,437       -  
(Loss) income before income taxes
    (10,423 )     23,057       36       (22,773 )     (10,103 )
(Benefit) provision for income taxes
    (1,717 )     8,500       33       (8,213 )     (1,397 )
Net (loss) income
  $ (8,706 )   $ 14,557     $ 3     $ (14,560 )   $ (8,706 )

FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION
 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
                               
   
FOC (Parent)
   
FHI (Guarantor Subsidiaries)
   
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Revenues:
                             
Refined products
  $ -     $ 1,419,997     $ -     $ -     $ 1,419,997  
Other
    -       (3,537 )     12       -       (3,525 )
Total revenues
    -       1,416,460       12       -       1,416,472  
                                         
Costs and expenses:
                                       
Raw material, freight and other costs
    -       1,283,773       -       -       1,283,773  
Refinery operating expenses, excluding
    depreciation
    -       82,878       -       -       82,878  
Selling and general expenses, excluding
    depreciation
    4,932       8,262       -       -       13,194  
Depreciation, amortization and
    accretion
    14       20,066       -       229       20,309  
Total costs and expenses
    4,946       1,394,979       -       229       1,400,154  
                                         
Operating (loss) income
    (4,946 )     21,481       12       (229 )     16,318  
                                         
Interest expense and other financing
   costs
    6,877       2,652       -       (504 )     9,025  
Interest and investment income
    (550 )     (146 )     -       -       (696 )
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    (19,261 )     -       -       19,261       -  
Income before income taxes
    7,988       18,975       12       (18,986 )     7,989  
(Benefit) provision for income taxes
    (320 )     3,792       30       (3,821 )     (319 )
Net (loss) income
  $ 8,308     $ 15,183     $ (18 )   $ (15,165 )   $ 8,308  


FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION
 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
As Adjusted (Note 2)
 
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
                               
   
FOC (Parent)
   
FHI (Guarantor Subsidiaries)
   
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Revenues:
                             
Refined products
  $ -     $ 1,196,899     $ -     $ -     $ 1,196,899  
Other
    -       3,674       9       -       3,683  
Total revenues
    -       1,200,573       9       -       1,200,582  
                                         
Costs and expenses:
                                       
Raw material, freight and other costs
    -       1,089,612       -       -       1,089,612  
Refinery operating expenses, excluding
    depreciation
    -       83,701       -       -       83,701  
Selling and general expenses, excluding
    depreciation
    5,230       8,420       -       -       13,650  
Depreciation, amortization and
    accretion
    17       17,934       -       148       18,099  
Total costs and expenses
    5,247       1,199,667       -       148       1,205,062  
                                         
Operating (loss) income
    (5,247 )     906       9       (148 )     (4,480 )
                                         
Interest expense and other financing
   costs
    7,410       1,097       -       (1,798 )     6,709  
Interest and investment income
    (594 )     (67 )     -       -       (661 )
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    (1,366 )     -       -       1,366       -  
(Loss) income before income taxes
    (10,697 )     (124 )     9       284       (10,528 )
(Benefit) provision for income taxes
    (1,913 )     (102 )     23       248       (1,744 )
Net loss
  $ (8,784 )   $ (22 )   $ (14 )   $ 36     $ (8,784 )



FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION
 
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
 
As of September 30, 2010
 
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
                               
   
FOC (Parent)
   
FHI (Guarantor Subsidiaries)
   
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
ASSETS
                             
Current assets:
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 214,265     $ 199,386     $ -     $ -     $ 413,651  
Trade and other receivables, net
    110,294       175,651       -       -       285,945  
Inventory of crude oil, products and
   other
    -       379,660       -       -       379,660  
Deferred income tax assets - current
    12,379       10,642       2       (10,644 )     12,379  
Other current assets
    3,756       8,510       -       -       12,266  
Total current assets
    340,694       773,849       2       (10,644 )     1,103,901  
                                         
Property, plant and equipment, net
    342       991,010       -       23,198       1,014,550  
Deferred turnaround and catalyst costs,
   net
    -       54,694       -       -       54,694  
Deferred financing costs, net
    2,270       1,324       -       -       3,594  
Intangible assets, net
    -       1,124       -       -       1,124  
Deferred income tax assets - noncurrent
    10,717       6,074       7       (6,081 )     10,717  
Other assets
    3,543       211       -       -       3,754  
Receivable from affiliated companies (1)
    -       22,535       567       (23,102 )     -  
Investment in subsidiaries
    1,239,617       -       -       (1,239,617 )     -  
Total assets
  $ 1,597,183     $ 1,850,821     $ 576     $ (1,256,246 )   $ 2,192,334  
                                         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                 
Current liabilities:
                                       
Accounts payable
  $ 874     $ 512,235     $ 15     $ -     $ 513,124  
Accrued liabilities and other
    9,236       34,807       -       -       44,043  
Total current liabilities
    10,110       547,042       15       -       557,167  
                                         
Long-term debt
    347,699       -       -       -       347,699  
Contingent income tax liabilities
    28,484       2,074       -       -       30,558  
Long-term capital lease obligations
    -       3,056       -       -       3,056  
Other long-term liabilities
    3,456       45,043       -       -       48,499  
Deferred income tax liabilities
    221,134       214,592       21       (214,613 )     221,134  
Payable to affiliated companies
    2,080       -       288       (2,368 )     -  
                                         
Shareholders' equity
    984,220       1,039,014       252       (1,039,265 )     984,221  
Total liabilities and shareholders'
   equity
  $ 1,597,183     $ 1,850,821     $ 576     $ (1,256,246 )   $ 2,192,334  
                                         
(1) FHI receivable to affiliated companies balance primarily relates to income taxes receivable from parent under a tax sharing
agreement.
 



FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION
 
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
 
As of December 31, 2009
 
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
                               
   
FOC (Parent)
   
FHI (Guarantor Subsidiaries)
   
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
ASSETS
                             
Current assets:
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 211,775     $ 213,505     $ -     $ -     $ 425,280  
Trade and other receivables, net
    174,843       102,887       -       -       277,730  
Inventory of crude oil, products and
   other
    -       293,476       -       -       293,476  
Deferred income tax assets - current
    26,373       26,442       -       (26,442 )     26,373  
Other current assets
    926       13,581       -       -       14,507  
Total current assets
    413,917       649,891       -       (26,442 )     1,037,366  
                                         
Property, plant and equipment, net
    374       998,580       -       22,455       1,021,409  
Deferred turnaround and catalyst costs,
   net
    -       68,491       -       -       68,491  
Deferred financing costs, net
    2,857       1,854       -       -       4,711  
Intangible assets, net
    -       1,216       -       -       1,216  
Deferred income tax assets - noncurrent
    10,767       7,702               (7,702 )     10,767  
Other assets
    3,665       270       -       -       3,935  
Receivable from affiliated companies (1)
    -       61,165       516       (61,681 )     -  
Investment in subsidiaries
    1,144,040       -       -       (1,144,040 )     -  
Total assets
  $ 1,575,620     $ 1,789,169     $ 516     $ (1,217,410 )   $ 2,147,895  
                                         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                 
Current liabilities:
                                       
Accounts payable
  $ 906     $ 473,456     $ 15     $ -     $ 474,377  
Accrued liabilities and other
    20,916       43,883       -       -       64,799  
Total current liabilities
    21,822       517,339       15       -       539,176  
                                         
Long-term debt
    347,485       -       -       -       347,485  
Contingent income tax liabilities
    27,267       2,081       -       -       29,348  
Long-term capital lease obligations
    -       3,394       -       -       3,394  
Other long-term liabilities
    3,578       50,120       -       -       53,698  
Deferred income tax liabilities
    230,818       224,680       -       (224,680 )     230,818  
Payable to affiliated companies
    674       -       234       (908 )     -  
                                         
Shareholders' equity
    943,976       991,555       267       (991,822 )     943,976  
Total liabilities and shareholders'
   equity
  $ 1,575,620     $ 1,789,169     $ 516     $ (1,217,410 )   $ 2,147,895  
                                         
(1) FHI receivable from affiliated companies balance relates to income taxes receivable from parent under a tax sharing agreement.
 
 
 
FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION
 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
                               
   
FOC (Parent)
   
FHI (Guarantor Subsidiaries)
   
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                             
Net income (loss)
  $ 34,158     $ 54,054     $ (16 )   $ (54,038 )   $ 34,158  
Adjustments to reconcile net income
   to net cash from operating activities:
                                       
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    (83,939 )     -       -       83,939       -  
Depreciation, amortization and
   accretion, including amortization
   of deferred turnaround costs
    49       74,525       -       691       75,265  
Deferred income tax provision
    4,346       -       -       -       4,346  
Stock-based compensation expense
    12,290       -       -       -       12,290  
Excess income tax benefits of
   stock-based compensation
    (152 )     -       -       -       (152 )
Intercompany income taxes
    (18,482 )     47,574       66       (29,158 )     -  
Intercompany dividends
    6,200       -       -       (6,200 )     -  
Other intercompany transactions
    1,405       (1,355 )     (50 )     -       -  
Amortization of debt issuance costs
    587       529       -       -       1,116  
Senior notes discount amortization
    214       -       -       -       214  
Allowance for investment loss and
   bad debts
    (15 )     (169 )     -       -       (184 )
Gain on sales of assets
    (1 )     -       -       -       (1 )
Increase (decrease) in other long-term
   liabilities
    1,018       (5,970 )     -       -       (4,952 )
Changes in deferred turnaround costs,
   deferred catalyst costs and other
    122       (253 )     -       -       (131 )
Changes in working capital from
   operations
    54,748       (117,193 )     -       505       (61,940 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    12,548       51,742       -       (4,261 )     60,029  
                                         
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                       
Additions to property, plant and
   equipment
    (1 )     (59,351 )     -       (1,939 )     (61,291 )
Proceeds from sales of assets
    1       -       -       -       1  
Net cash used in investing
   activities
    -       (59,351 )     -       (1,939 )     (61,290 )
                                         
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                       
Purchase of treasury stock
    (3,582 )     -       -       -       (3,582 )
Dividends paid
    (6,628 )     -       -       -       (6,628 )
Excess income tax benefits of
   stock-based compensation
    152       -       -       -       152  
Debt issuance costs and other
    -       (310 )     -       -       (310 )
Intercompany dividends
    -       (6,200 )     -       6,200       -  
Net cash used in financing activities
    (10,058 )     (6,510 )     -       6,200       (10,368 )
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
   equivalents
    2,490       (14,119 )     -       -       (11,629 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
   period
    211,775       213,505       -       -       425,280  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of
   period
  $ 214,265     $ 199,386     $ -     $ -     $ 413,651  


FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION
 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
As Adjusted (Note 2)
 
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
                               
   
FOC (Parent)
   
FHI (Guarantor Subsidiaries)
   
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                             
Net income (loss)
  $ (8,706 )   $ 14,557     $ 3     $ (14,560 )   $ (8,706 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
   net cash from operating activities:
                                       
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    (26,437 )     -       -       26,437       -  
Depreciation, amortization and
   accretion, including amortization
   of deferred turnaround costs
    51       68,710       -       433       69,194  
Deferred income tax provision
    14,335       -       -       -       14,335  
Stock-based compensation expense
    15,193       -       -       -       15,193  
Excess income tax benefits of
   stock-based compensation
    (227 )     -       -       -       (227 )
Intercompany income taxes
    26,000       (17,801 )     14       (8,213 )     -  
Intercompany dividends
    21,200       -       -       (21,200 )     -  
Other intercompany transactions
    3,030       (3,002 )     (28 )     -       -  
Amortization of debt issuance costs
    587       530       -       -       1,117  
Senior notes discount amortization
    196       -       -       -       196  
Allowance for investment loss and
   bad debts
    -       500       -       -       500  
Increase in other long-term liabilities
    2,188       8,546       -       -       10,734  
Changes in deferred turnaround costs,
   deferred catalyst costs and other
    (1,026 )     (7,107 )     -       -       (8,133 )
Changes in working capital from
   operations
    (1,169 )     53,142       11       879       52,863  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    45,215       118,075       -       (16,224 )     147,066  
                                         
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                       
Additions to property, plant and
   equipment
    (147 )     (116,451 )     -       (4,976 )     (121,574 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (147 )     (116,451 )     -       (4,976 )     (121,574 )
                                         
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                       
Purchase of treasury stock
    (2,654 )     -       -       -       (2,654 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    70       -       -       -       70  
Dividends paid
    (19,071 )     -       -       -       (19,071 )
Excess income tax benefits of
   stock-based compensation
    227       -       -       -       227  
Debt issuance costs and other
    2       (284 )     -       -       (282 )
Intercompany dividends
    -       (21,200 )     -       21,200       -  
Net cash used in financing activities
    (21,426 )     (21,484 )     -       21,200       (21,710 )
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
   equivalents
    23,642       (19,860 )     -       -       3,782  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
   period
    254,548       228,984       -       -       483,532  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of
   period
  $ 278,190     $ 209,124     $ -     $ -     $ 487,314  

 
 

 

ITEM 2.      MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

We are an independent energy company engaged in crude oil refining and the wholesale marketing of refined petroleum products.  We operate refineries (the “Refineries”) in Cheyenne, Wyoming and El Dorado, Kansas with a total annual average crude oil capacity of approximately 187,000 barrels per day (“bpd”).  To assist in understanding our operating results, please refer to the operating data at the end of this analysis, which provides key operating information for our Refineries.  Refinery operating data is also included in our annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and on our web site at http://www.frontieroil.com .  We make our web site content available for informational purposes only.  The web site should not be relied upon for investment purposes nor is it incorporated by reference in this Form 10-Q.  We make available on this web site under “Investor Relations,” free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, proxy statements, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file those materials with, or furnish those materials to, the SEC.

Overview
The terms “Frontier,” “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Frontier Oil Corporation and its subsidiaries.  Several significant indicators of our profitability, which are reflected and defined in the operating data at the end of this analysis, are the gasoline crack spread, the diesel crack spread, the light/heavy crude oil differential, the WTI/WTS crude oil differential and the average laid-in crude oil differential (the weighted average differential between the NYMEX WTI benchmark crude oil price and the composite cost of all crude oil purchased and delivered to our Refineries).  Other significant factors that influence our results are refinery utilization, crude oil price trends, asphalt and by-product margins and refinery operating expenses (including natural gas prices and maintenance).  During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company changed its inventory valuation method for crude oil, unfinished products and finished products to the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method from the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method as previously disclosed.  See “Change in Accounting Principle – Inventory” in Note 2 in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.  We typically do not use derivative instruments to offset price risk on our base level of operating inventories.  See “Price Risk Management Activities” under Item 3 for a discussion of our utilization of futures trading.

Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared with the same period in 2009
(2009 as Adjusted, see Note 2 in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)

Overview of Results

We had net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 of $34.2 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $8.7 million, or $0.08 per share, in the same period in 2009.  Our operating income of $74.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased $65.2 million from the $9.0 million of operating income for the comparable period in 2009.  The increase in our operating income from the first nine months of 2009 to the first nine months of 2010 was due to the improvement of the diesel crack spread (from $8.64 per barrel in 2009 to $11.73 per barrel in 2010) and gasoline crack spread (from $8.66 per barrel in 2009 to $9.02 per barrel in 2010).  In addition, the favorable contango structure in the crude oil forward curve (current prices lower than future prices) benefited our results of operations in both periods.  The average laid-in crude oil differential decreased to $2.86 per barrel for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $3.53 in the same period in 2009 because of the stronger contango in 2009 which offset the improvement in the light/heavy and WTI/WTS crude oil differentials in 2010.  The light/heavy crude oil differential increased from $5.86 per barrel for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to $8.21 per barrel for the comparable period of 2010.  The WTI/WTS crude oil differential increased from $1.44 per barrel for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to $2.00 per barrel for the comparable period of 2010.  During the third quarter of 2010, we experienced a fire in the crude unit at the Cheyenne Refinery.  The crude unit was down 28 days with repair costs of approximately $6.1 million, during which time we also spent approximately $1.8 million on accelerated maintenance.
The poor refined product market conditions during the last two years have resulted in excess refining capacity in the U.S. and worldwide.  This over-capacity is likely to continue until demand for refined products increases or capacity is further reduced.  In the second and third quarters of 2010 we began to experience an improvement in the light/heavy crude oil differential as well as an increase in the demand for our diesel products.
Our Cheyenne Refinery is impacted more significantly by these market conditions because of its sensitivity to crude oil differentials.  In late 2009, we began taking actions to improve the profitability at our Cheyenne Refinery with the objective of improving profitability at the Refinery by $3 to $4 per barrel (compared to a historical average) by the end of 2011.  These actions include a combination of operating expense reductions (including maintenance, personnel, consulting, legal, environmental and water treating chemicals) and projects aimed at energy efficiency, yield improvements and enhancing the types of crude oil that can be processed at the Refinery.  During 2010, we have processed a higher percentage of light crude oils and have reduced controllable refinery operating expenses in Cheyenne.  We are proceeding with a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) recovery capital project that will recover significant quantities of saleable propane and butane and other LPGs.  We believe that we are on course to meet our objective; however, future profitability of the Cheyenne Refinery cannot be guaranteed and is dependent on factors outside our control, including the price of crude oil.  We are unable to project if recent improvements in margins and crude oil differentials will continue or what additional steps we may take if refining conditions deteriorate.

Specific Variances

Refined product revenues.   Refined product revenues increased $1.07 billion, or 34%, from $3.15 billion to $4.22 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.  This increase resulted primarily from higher crude oil prices, and correspondingly higher refined product prices in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 ($20.85 higher average price per sales barrel) and a 1% increase in sales volumes.
Manufactured product yields.   Yields increased 2,807 bpd at the El Dorado Refinery and decreased 804 bpd at the Cheyenne Refinery for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to same period in 2009.  The decrease in the Cheyenne Refinery yields resulted from unplanned downtime due to the crude unit fire.
Other revenues.   Other revenues increased $20.5 million to a gain of $22.0 million for the months ended September 30, 2010, compared to a gain of $1.5 million for the same period in 2009, the primary source of this increase being $21.9 million in net realized and unrealized gains from derivative contracts to hedge in-transit crude oil and excess inventories in the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $3.2 million of losses in the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  See “Price Risk Management Activities” under Item 3 for a discussion of our utilization of commodity derivative contracts.  We had gasoline sulfur credit sales of $1.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to none in the comparable 2010 period, and $3.2 million of ethanol Renewable Identification Number (“RIN”) sales in 2009 versus $128,000 in the comparable period of 2010.
Raw material, freight and other costs.   Raw material, freight and other costs increased by $1.03 billion, from $2.81 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to $3.84 billion in the same period for 2010.  The increase in raw material, freight and other costs was due to higher average crude oil prices, increased overall crude oil charges, a lower average laid-in crude oil differential, and increased purchased product during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 when compared to the same period in 2009.
The Cheyenne Refinery raw material, freight and other costs of $76.98 per sales barrel for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased from $56.41 per sales barrel in the same period in 2009 due to higher average crude oil prices and increased purchased products offset by reduced crude oil charges and a higher average laid-in crude oil differential.  The average laid-in crude oil differential for the Cheyenne Refinery increased to $4.89 per barrel for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, due to the widening of the light/heavy crude oil differential, compared to $3.97 per barrel in the same period in 2009.  The light/heavy crude oil differential for the Cheyenne Refinery averaged $10.18 per barrel in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $5.97 per barrel in the same period in 2009.  Despite the improvement in the light/heavy crude oil differential, there was not sufficient economic incentive to significantly increase our use of heavy crude oil in the majority of the nine months ended September 30, 2010, due in large part to substantial growth of domestic crude oil supply from areas like the Bakken shale.
The El Dorado Refinery raw material, freight and other costs of $76.34 per sales barrel for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased from $56.35 per sales barrel in the same period in 2009 primarily due to higher average crude oil prices and a lower average laid-in crude oil differential.  The average laid-in crude oil differential decreased to $2.24 per barrel for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $3.39 per barrel in the same period in 2009 due to a stronger contango market in 2009, despite improved light/heavy and WTI/WTS crude oil differentials.  The WTI/WTS crude oil differential increased from an average of $1.44 per barrel in the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 to $2.00 per barrel in the same period in 2010.  The light/heavy crude oil differential increased from an average of $5.71 per barrel in the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 to $7.07 per barrel in the same period in 2010.
Refinery operating expenses.   Refinery operating expenses, excluding depreciation, were $221.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $232.2 million in the comparable period of 2009.
The Cheyenne Refinery operating expenses, excluding depreciation, were $77.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $91.3 million in the comparable period of 2009.  The primary areas of decreased costs were: decreased environmental and legal expenses ($11.1 million, primarily due to a $6.8 million expense accrual recorded in September 2009 and a subsequent reversal of $4.5 million of that expense in June 2010 related to an EPA Complaint), decreased turnaround amortization ($3.7 million due to the deferral of certain turnarounds), decreased additives and chemicals costs ($2.3 million), and lower salaries and benefits ($2.0 million). These reduced costs were partially offset by increased natural gas costs ($4.2 million due to higher prices and volumes) and increased maintenance costs ($4.2 million net increase of which approximately $6.1 million was attributable to the crude unit fire in July 2010 and $1.8 million was for accelerated maintenance during the crude unit outage, offset by $3.5 million in decreases for other maintenance previously reported).
The El Dorado Refinery operating expenses, excluding depreciation, were $144.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, increasing from $140.9 million in the same period of 2009.  Primary areas of increased costs and variance amounts for the 2010 period compared to the 2009 period were: natural gas costs ($6.3 million due to higher prices and significantly higher volumes), increased turnaround amortization ($2.8 million mainly due to the fall 2009 turnarounds), increased electricity costs ($1.7 million due to higher prices and volumes), and higher salaries and benefits ($1.0 million).  These increased costs were offset by lower maintenance costs ($3.7 million), lower additives and chemicals costs ($1.2 million), reduced consulting and legal expenses ($1.2 million), lower environmental expenses ($1.1 million), and reduced insurance costs ($1.0 million).
Selling and general expenses.   Selling and general expenses, excluding depreciation, decreased $3.5 million, or 9%, from $38.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to $35.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, primarily due to lower salaries and benefits and stock-based compensation expense in 2010.
Depreciation, amortization and accretion.   Depreciation, amortization and accretion increased $6.9 million, or 13%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 because of increased capital investments in our Refineries, including the catalytic cracker regenerator emission control project and reliability projects and a portion of the gasoil hydrotreater revamp, all of which were incurred by our El Dorado Refinery and placed into service in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Interest expense and other financing costs.   Interest expense and other financing costs of $24.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased from $21.0 million in the comparable period in 2009.  Items which increased interest expense and other financing costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 included $2.7 million less capitalized interest, $2.0 million higher revolving credit facility fees and $879,000 more interest expense under the Utexam arrangement for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 when compared to the same period in 2009.  Our interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was reduced by $1.3 million and $1.0 million from gains and interest income, respectively, on our interest rate swap contracts.  The interest rate swaps did not impact the comparable period in 2009 since we entered into the contracts in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Average debt outstanding was $350.0 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (excluding amounts payable to Utexam under the Utexam Arrangement).
Interest and investment income.   Interest and investment income decreased $157,000, from $1.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, to $1.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
Provision (benefit) for income taxes.   The provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $17.5 million on pretax income of $51.7 million (or 33.9%).  The 2010 period effective tax rate was reduced by 4.0% from the reduction by $5.8 million of the estimated environmental penalties recorded in 2009 to the negotiated amount.  Our benefit for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $1.4 million on a pretax loss of $10.1 million (or 13.9%).  The 2009 period effective tax rate was distorted from the impact of a permanent book-tax difference (increasing taxable income) of $6.8 million for estimated environmental penalties on a small pre-tax loss (23.4% reduction of effective rate benefit).

Three months ended September 30, 2010 compared with the same period in 2009
(2009 as Adjusted, see Note 2 in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)

Overview of Results

We had net income for the three months ended September 30, 2010 of $8.3 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $8.8 million, or $0.08 per share, in the same period in 2009.  Our operating income of $16.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 increased $20.8 million from the $4.5 million operating loss for the comparable period in 2009.  The increase in our operating income from the three months ended September 30, 2009 to the comparable period of 2010 was due to improvement of the diesel crack spread (from $7.94 per barrel in 2009 to $13.93 per barrel in 2010) and gasoline crack spread (from $7.92 per barrel in 2009 to $10.51 per barrel in 2010).  The average laid-in crude oil differential increased to $3.17 per barrel for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $2.28 per barrel in the comparable period of 2009 due to improved light/heavy and WTI/WTS crude oil differentials.  The light/heavy crude oil differential increased from $6.33 per barrel for the three months ended September 30, 2009 to $10.39 per barrel for the comparable period of 2010.  The WTI/WTS crude oil differential increased from $1.62 per barrel for the three months ended September 30, 2009 to $2.13 per barrel for the comparable period of 2010. During the third quarter of 2010, we experienced a fire in the crude unit at the Cheyenne Refinery.  The crude unit was down 28 days with repair costs of approximately $6.1 million, at which time we also spent approximately $1.8 million on accelerated maintenance during the crude unit outage.

Specific Variances

Refined product revenues.   Refined product revenues increased $223.1 million, or 19%, from $1.20 billion to $1.42 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.  This increase resulted primarily from higher crude oil prices, and correspondingly higher refined product prices in the three months ended September 30, 2010 ($10.59 higher average price per sales barrel), and a 4% increase in sales volumes.
Manufactured product yields.   Yields increased 11,848 bpd at the El Dorado Refinery and decreased 7,695 bpd at the Cheyenne Refinery for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to same period in 2009.  The increase in the El Dorado Refinery manufactured product yields for the third quarter of 2010, when compared to 2009, was primarily due to additional capacity from various projects completed in the fourth quarter of 2009.  The decrease in the Cheyenne Refinery manufactured product yields for the third quarter of 2010, when compared to 2009, was primarily due to the downtime from the crude unit fire in July 2010.
Other revenues.   Other revenues decreased $7.2 million to a loss of $3.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to a gain of $3.7 million for the same period in 2009, the primary source of this decrease being $3.4  million in net realized and unrealized losses from derivative contracts to hedge in-transit crude oil and excess inventories in the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $4.2 million of gains in the three months ended September 30, 2009.  See “Price Risk Management Activities” under Item 3 for a discussion of our utilization of commodity derivative contracts.
Raw material, freight and other costs.   Raw material, freight and other costs increased by $194.2 million, from $1.09 billion in the three months ended September 30, 2009 to $1.28 billion in the same period for 2010.  The increase in raw material, freight and other costs was due to higher average crude oil prices, increased overall crude oil charges, a lower average laid-in crude oil differential and increased purchased products during the three months ended September 30, 2010 when compared to the same period in 2009.
The Cheyenne Refinery raw material, freight and other costs of $74.13 per sales barrel for the three months ended September 30, 2010 increased from $64.37 per sales barrel in the same period in 2009 due to higher average crude oil prices and increased purchased products, partially offset by better crude oil differentials.  The average laid-in crude oil differential for the Cheyenne Refinery was $6.50 per barrel for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $2.85 per barrel in the same period in 2009 due to an improved light/heavy crude oil differential in the third quarter of 2010.  The light/heavy crude oil differential for the Cheyenne Refinery averaged $13.03 per barrel in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $7.13 per barrel in the same period in 2009.
The El Dorado Refinery raw material, freight and other costs of $76.00 per sales barrel for the three months ended September 30, 2010 increased from $67.28 per sales barrel in the same period in 2009 primarily due to higher average crude oil prices. The average laid-in crude oil differential increased to $2.38 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $2.08 per barrel in the same period in 2009, with the increase resulting from higher WTI/WTS and light/heavy crude oil differentials in the third quarter of 2010.  The WTI/WTS crude oil differential increased from an average of $1.62 per barrel in the three month period ended September 30, 2009 to $2.13 per barrel in the same period in 2010.  The light/heavy crude oil differential increased from an average of $5.69 per barrel in the three month period ended September 30, 2009 to $8.88 per barrel in the same period in 2010.
Refinery operating expenses.   Refinery operating expenses, excluding depreciation, were $82.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $83.7 million in the comparable period of 2009.
The Cheyenne Refinery operating expenses, excluding depreciation, were $32.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $36.2 million in the comparable period of 2009.  The primary areas of decreased costs were: decreased environmental expenses ($5.7 million, which was primarily attributable to the $6.8 million EPA Complaint expense accrual recorded in the 2009 period), lower salaries and benefits ($1.4 million), and decreased turnaround amortization ($1.3 million due to the deferment of certain turnarounds).  These decreases were partially offset by increased maintenance costs ($7.7 million, of which approximately $6.1 million was due to the crude unit fire in July 2010 and $1.8 million was for accelerated maintenance during the crude unit outage).
The El Dorado Refinery operating expenses, excluding depreciation, were $50.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, increasing from $47.5 million in the same three month period of 2009.  Primary areas of increased costs and variance amounts for the 2010 period compared to the 2009 period were: increased natural gas costs ($1.2 million due to higher prices and volumes), an increase in turnaround amortization ($863,000), increased additives and chemicals costs ($823,000), higher salaries and benefits ($781,000), and higher electricity costs ($427,000).  These increases were partially offset by reduced maintenance costs ($1.7 million primarily due to demolition work in 2009).
Selling and general expenses.   Selling and general expenses, excluding depreciation, decreased $456,000, or 3%, from $13.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 to $13.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, primarily due to lower stock-based compensation expense in the 2010 period.
Depreciation, amortization and accretion.   Depreciation, amortization and accretion increased $2.2 million, or 12%, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 because of increased capital investments in our Refineries, including the catalytic cracker regenerator emission control project and reliability projects and a portion of the gasoil hydrotreater revamp, all of which were incurred by our El Dorado Refinery and placed into service in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Interest expense and other financing costs.   Interest expense and other financing costs of $9.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 increased $2.3 million from $6.7 million in the comparable period in 2009.  Items which increased interest expense and other financing costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 included $1.3 million less capitalized interest, $1.3 million higher revolving credit facility fees and $301,000 more interest expense under the Utexam arrangement during the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.  Our interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was reduced by $228,000 and $323,000 from gains and interest income, respectively, on our interest rate swap contracts.  The interest rate swaps did not impact the comparable period in 2009 since we entered into the contracts in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Average debt outstanding was $350.0 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (excluding amounts payable to Utexam under the Utexam Arrangement).
Interest and investment income.   Interest and investment income increased $35,000, from $661,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2009, to $696,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2010.
Provision (benefit) for income taxes.   The benefit for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was $319,000 on a pretax income of $8.0 million resulting in a negative effective tax rate for the quarter of 4.0%.  Our benefit for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $1.7 million on a pretax loss of $10.5 million (or a 16.6% effective tax rate).  The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was decreased 29.0% for the true-up of the actual carryback of the 2009 net operating loss to 2005 instead of 2007 (assumed during the second quarter of 2010 and which increased the second quarter provision).  This benefit was due to the lower Section 199 manufacturer’s deduction rate in 2005 versus 2007.  The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2010 also benefited 8.6% from the current quarter’s estimated Section 199 manufacturer’s deduction.  The 2009 period effective tax rate was distorted from the impact of a permanent book-tax difference (increasing taxable income) of $6.8 million for estimated environmental penalties on a small pre-tax loss (22.4% reduction of effective rate benefit).

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash flows from operating activities.   Net cash provided by operating activities was $60.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $147.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Working capital changes were a use of cash during the 2010 period while providing cash during the same period in 2009.  Operating cash flows are affected by crude oil and refined product prices and other risks as discussed in “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks.”
Working capital changes used a total of $61.9 million of cash during the first nine months of 2010 compared to providing $52.9 million for the same period in 2009.  The $61.9 million net working capital uses for the 2010 period primarily resulted from increased inventory of $86.2 million, decreased current accrued liabilities of $15.5 million, and increased receivables of $8.0 million, offset by working capital provided by $45.6 million of increased payables (including a $54.5 million increase in crude payables) and $3.4 million of decreased other current assets.  In the first nine months of 2009, the working capital change of $52.9 million primarily resulted from a $144.0 million increase in payables and $31.5 million decrease in other current assets, offset by $84.2 million of increased inventory, and a $33.7 million increase in receivables.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we received federal and state income tax refunds of $63.6 million.  In October 2010, subsequent to the balance sheet date, we received a federal income tax refund of $73.5 million, reflected in “Income taxes receivable” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2010.  At September 30, 2010, we had $413.7 million of cash and cash equivalents, $546.7 million of working capital, no cash borrowings under our revolving credit facility, and $243.9 million of availability for cash borrowings under our $500.0 million revolving credit facility.
Cash flows used in investing activities.   Capital expenditures during the first nine months of 2010 were $61.3 million, which included approximately $34.8 million for the El Dorado Refinery and $26.1 million for the Cheyenne Refinery. The $34.8 million of capital expenditures for our El Dorado Refinery included $14.2 million on the gasoil hydrotreater revamp and $2.2 million on the catalytic cracker regenerator emission control project as well as operational, payout, safety, administrative, environmental and optimization projects.  The $26.1 million of capital expenditures for our Cheyenne Refinery included $8.9 million for the FCCU gas hydrotreater project and $3.8 million for the liquefied petroleum gas recovery project as well as environmental, operational, safety, administrative and payout projects.
Cash flows from financing activities .  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, treasury stock increased by 265,541 shares ($3.6 million) from stock surrendered by employees to pay withholding taxes on stock-based compensation which vested during the first nine months of 2010.  We also paid $6.6 million in dividends during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
As of September 30, 2010, we had $347.7 million of long-term debt outstanding and no borrowings under our revolving credit facility. We also had $256.1 million of letters of credit outstanding under our revolving credit facility.  We were in compliance with the financial covenants of our revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2010.  Shareholders’ equity as of September 30, 2010 was $984.2 million.
Our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.06 per share of common stock in November 2009, which was paid in January 2010.  During 2010 we have been unable to declare dividends because of our inability to satisfy the incurrence of additional indebtedness test of our 6.625% and 8.5% Senior Notes.  However, we intend to resume cash dividends when possible. In addition, we may declare one or more special distributions, including an amount that could reflect dividends we likely would have paid during the period we were otherwise restricted from paying dividends.  Any future dividends paid by the Company will be subject to the approval of our Board of Directors.

FUTURE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

Significant future capital projects .  The gasoil hydrotreater revamp at the El Dorado Refinery is the key project to achieve gasoline sulfur compliance for our El Dorado Refinery and has a total estimated cost of $95.0 million ($87.3 million incurred as of September 30, 2010) (see “Environmental” in Note 16 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).  The project will also produce a significant yield improvement for the catalytic cracking unit, and the first phase was completed in the fourth quarter of 2009 with the second phase anticipated to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2010.  As of September 30, 2010, outstanding non-cancelable purchase commitments for the gasoil hydrotreater revamp were $2.3 million.
At the Cheyenne Refinery, the FCCU gas hydrotreater project has been deferred.  The estimated total cost of the project is $40.0 million of which approximately half will be spent by the end of 2011 ($17.7 million incurred as of September 30, 2010), with the remaining amount temporarily postponed.  We plan to initially comply with the low sulfur gasoline requirements at the Cheyenne Refinery through alternative methods and in the long-term with the completion of the FCCU gas hydrotreater project (see Note 16 in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).  In addition at the Cheyenne Refinery, we are working on a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) recovery project that will recover significant quantities of saleable propane and butane and other LPGs for alkylation unit feed from the refinery fuel gas system.  The total estimated cost of this project is $40.0 million ($9.3 million incurred as of September 30, 2010) and is estimated to be substantially completed by mid-2011.  At September 30, 2010, there was $1.4 million of outstanding non-cancellable purchase commitments related to the LPG recovery project.  The above amounts include estimated capitalized interest.
2010 capital expenditures.   Cash capital expenditures during 2010 aggregating approximately $92.0 million are currently forecasted ($61.3 million spent through September 30, 2010).  The 2010 capital expenditures include $43.0 million at our Cheyenne Refinery, $48.0 million at our El Dorado Refinery, $700,000 for our pipeline and product terminals and blending facility and $500,000 at our Denver and Houston offices.  The $43.0 million of forecasted capital expenditures for our Cheyenne Refinery includes $16.7 million for the LPG recovery project and $9.8 million for the FCCU gasoline hydrotreater project, both mentioned above, as well as environmental, operational, safety, payout and administrative projects.  The $48.0 million of forecasted capital expenditures for our El Dorado Refinery includes $22.6 million for the gasoil hydrotreater revamp project, as mentioned above, as well as environmental, operational, safety, payout and administrative projects.  We expect that our remaining 2010 capital expenditures will be funded with cash generated by our operations and/or by using a portion of our existing cash balance.  We will continue to review our capital expenditures in light of market conditions.  We may experience cost overruns and/or schedule delays or adjust the scope on any of these projects.



 
 

 

Operating Data
The following tables set forth the refining operating statistical information on a consolidated   basis and for each Refinery for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.  The statistical information includes the following terms:
  ·
Charges - the quantity of crude oil and other feedstock processed through refinery process units on a bpd basis.
  ·
Manufactured product yields - the volumes of specific materials that are obtained through the distilling of crude oil and the operations of other refinery process units on a bpd basis.
  ·
NYMEX WTI - the benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude oil priced on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
  ·
Average laid-in crude oil differential - the weighted average differential between the NYMEX WTI crude oil price and the composite cost of all crude oil purchased and delivered to our Refineries.
  ·
WTI/WTS crude oil differential - the average differential between the NYMEX WTI crude oil price and the West Texas sour crude oil priced at Midland, Texas.
  ·
Cheyenne Refinery light/heavy crude oil differential - the average differential between the NYMEX WTI crude oil price and the cost of heavy crude oil delivered to the Cheyenne Refinery.
  ·
El Dorado Refinery light/heavy crude oil differential - the average differential between the NYMEX WTI crude oil price and the cost of heavy crude oil delivered to the El Dorado Refinery.
  ·
Gasoline and diesel crack spreads - the average non-oxygenated gasoline and diesel net sales prices that we receive for each product less the average NYMEX WTI crude oil price.


Consolidated:
                       
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Charges (bpd)
                       
Light crude
    67,436       53,046       74,539       59,181  
Heavy and intermediate crude
    99,884       111,507       89,259       100,840  
Other feed and blendstocks
    14,020       15,886       16,807       17,720  
Total
    181,340       180,439       180,605       177,741  
                                 
Manufactured product yields (bpd)
                               
Gasoline
    87,440       83,809       87,144       84,913  
Diesel and jet fuel
    69,983       70,649       69,603       67,167  
Asphalt
    2,659       1,967       1,039       2,450  
Other
    17,216       18,872       18,140       17,242  
Total
    177,298       175,297       175,926       171,772  
                                 
Total product sales (bpd)
                               
Gasoline
    95,860       93,922       96,648       94,505  
Diesel and jet fuel
    69,676       70,226       69,314       66,009  
Asphalt
    2,727       1,760       1,891       2,679  
Other
    15,830       16,982       16,743       14,970  
Total
    184,093       182,890       184,596       178,163  
                                 
Refinery operating margin information
   (per sales barrel)
                               
Refined products revenue
  $ 83.88     $ 63.03     $ 83.61     $ 73.02  
Raw material, freight and other costs (1)
    76.50       56.37       75.59       66.48  
Refinery operating expenses, excluding depreciation
    4.42       4.65       4.88       5.11  
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
    1.21       1.08       1.19       1.10  
                                 
Average NYMEX WTI (per barrel)
  $ 77.58     $ 57.09     $ 76.05     $ 68.25  
Average laid-in crude oil differential (per barrel)
    2.75       3.76       2.63       2.77  
Average light/heavy differential (per barrel)
    8.21       5.86       10.39       6.33  
Average gasoline crack spread (per barrel)
    9.02       8.66       10.51       7.92  
Average diesel crack spread (per barrel)
    11.73       8.64       13.93       7.94  
                                 
Average sales price (per sales barrel)
                               
Gasoline
  $ 87.54     $ 67.69     $ 87.21     $ 77.66  
Diesel and jet fuel
    90.18       66.45       90.56       76.74  
Asphalt
    71.95       65.26       70.70       73.41  
Other
    36.00       22.92       35.56       27.29  
(1) Prior period amounts are adjusted to reflect current year presentation on a LIFO inventory basis.
 



Cheyenne Refinery:
                       
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Charges (bpd)
                       
Light crude
    26,498       18,551       20,494       24,485  
Heavy and intermediate crude
    12,467       22,459       11,029       16,324  
Other feed and blendstocks
    2,562       1,384       3,273       1,417  
Total
    41,527       42,394       34,796       42,226  
                                 
Manufactured product yields (bpd)
                               
Gasoline
    20,012       19,179       17,032       20,578  
Diesel
    14,347       15,306       11,742       16,236  
Asphalt
    2,659       1,967       1,039       2,450  
Other
    2,920       4,290       3,193       1,437  
Total
    39,938       40,742       33,006       40,701  
                                 
Total product sales (bpd)
                               
Gasoline
    26,639       26,578       24,217       27,396  
Diesel
    14,391       15,151       11,876       16,084  
Asphalt
    2,727       1,760       1,891       2,679  
Other
    2,370       4,106       2,591       3,159  
Total
    46,127       47,595       40,575       49,318  
                                 
Refinery operating margin information
   (per sales barrel)
                               
Refined products revenue
  $ 85.35     $ 63.58     $ 85.11     $ 73.89  
Raw material, freight and other costs (1)
    76.98       56.41       74.13       64.37  
Refinery operating expenses, excluding depreciation
    6.18       7.03       8.80       7.99  
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
    1.81       1.69       1.99       1.61  
                                 
Average laid-in crude oil differential (per barrel)
  $ 4.84     $ 4.55     $ 6.65     $ 4.46  
Average light/heavy crude oil differential (per barrel)
    10.18       5.97       13.03       7.13  
Average gasoline crack spread (per barrel)
    10.69       8.60       15.12       8.42  
Average diesel crack spread (per barrel)
    14.41       10.18       17.30       8.95  
                                 
Average sales price (per sales barrel)
                               
Gasoline
  $ 88.07     $ 67.78     $ 89.14     $ 77.92  
Diesel
    92.30       69.20       92.87       77.87  
Asphalt
    71.95       65.26       70.70       73.41  
Other
    27.98       14.99       22.40       19.04  
(1) Prior period amounts are adjusted to reflect current year presentation on a LIFO inventory basis.
 

 
 
El Dorado Refinery:
                       
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Charges (bpd)
                       
Light crude
    40,938       34,495       54,045       34,696  
Heavy and intermediate crude
    87,417       89,047       78,230       84,517  
Other feed and blendstocks
    11,458       14,502       13,535       16,303  
Total
    139,813       138,044       145,810       135,516  
                                 
Manufactured product yields (bpd)
                               
Gasoline
    67,428       64,630       70,111       64,335  
Diesel and jet fuel
    55,637       55,342       57,861       50,931  
Other
    14,296       14,582       14,947       15,805  
Total
    137,361       134,554       142,919       131,071  
                                 
Total product sales (bpd)
                               
Gasoline
    69,221       67,343       72,431       67,109  
Diesel and jet fuel
    55,286       55,075       57,438       49,924  
Other
    13,460       12,875       14,152       11,811  
Total
    137,967       135,293       144,021       128,844  
                                 
Refinery operating margin information (per sales barrel)
                               
Refined products revenue
  $ 83.39     $ 62.84     $ 83.19     $ 72.69  
Raw material, freight and other costs (1)
    76.34       56.35       76.00       67.28  
Refinery operating expenses, excluding depreciation
    3.83       3.81       3.77       4.00  
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
    1.01       0.87       0.96       0.91  
                                 
Average laid-in crude oil differential (per barrel)
  $ 2.11     $ 3.50     $ 1.66     $ 2.18  
Average WTI/WTS crude oil differential (per barrel)
    2.00       1.44       2.13       1.62  
Average light/heavy crude oil differential (per barrel)
    7.07       5.71       8.88       5.69  
Average gasoline crack spread (per barrel)
    8.38       8.68       8.97       7.72  
Average diesel crack spread (per barrel)
    11.03       8.22       13.23       7.62  
                                 
Average sales price (per sales barrel)
                               
Gasoline
  $ 87.34     $ 67.66     $ 86.56     $ 77.55  
Diesel and jet fuel
    89.63       65.69       90.08       76.37  
Other
    37.41       25.45       37.97       29.50  
(1) Prior period amounts are adjusted to reflect current year presentation on a LIFO inventory basis.
 

 
 

 


ITEM 3.     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Impact of Changing Prices.   Our earnings and cash flows, as well as estimates of future cash flows, are sensitive to changes in energy prices.  The prices of crude oil and refined products have fluctuated substantially in recent years.  These prices depend on many factors, including the overall demand for crude oil and refined products, which in turn depend on, among other factors, general economic conditions, the level of foreign and domestic production of crude oil and refined products, the availability of imports of crude oil and refined products, the marketing of alternative and competing fuels, the extent of government regulations and global market dynamics.  The prices we receive for refined products are also affected by factors such as local market conditions and the level of operations of other refineries in our markets.  The prices at which we can sell gasoline and other refined products are strongly influenced by the price of crude oil.  Generally, an increase or decrease in the price of crude oil results in a corresponding increase or decrease in the price of gasoline and other refined products.  The timing of the relative movement of the prices, however, can impact profit margins, which could significantly affect our earnings and cash flows .

Commodity Price Risks.   At times, we enter into commodity derivative contracts to manage our price exposure to our inventory positions, purchases of foreign crude oil and consumption of natural gas in the refining process or to fix margins on future production.  The commodity derivative contracts used by us may take the form of futures contracts, collars or price swaps.  We believe that there is minimal credit risk with respect to our counterparties.  We account for our commodity derivative contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting, utilizing mark-to-market accounting, with gains or losses on transactions being reflected in “Other revenues” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for each period.  When the derivative contracts are designated as fair value hedges for accounting purposes, the gains or losses are recognized in the related inventory in “Inventory of crude oil, products and other” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and ultimately, when the inventory is charged or sold, in “Raw material, freight and other costs” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).  See Note 15 “Price and Interest Risk Management Activities” in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.”
Our outstanding derivatives sale contracts and net unrealized losses as of September 30, 2010 are summarized below:


Commodity
Period
 
Volume (thousands of bbls)
 
Expected Close Out Date
 
Unrealized
Net Losses
(in thousands)
 
Crude Oil
November 2010
    1,441  
October 2010
  $ (5,539 )
Crude Oil
December 2010
    371  
November 2010
    (1,167 )

Interest Rate Risk.   Borrowings under our revolving credit facility bear a current market rate of interest.  A one percent increase or decrease in the interest rates on our revolving credit facility would not significantly affect our earnings or cash flows.  Our $150.0 million principal of 6.625% Senior Notes due 2011 and $200.0 million of 8.5% Senior Notes due 2016 that were outstanding at September 30, 2010 have fixed interest rates.  However, in the fourth quarter of 2009, based on  advantageous market conditions, the Company entered into fixed to floating interest rate swaps of $150.0 million to reduce exposure related to our 6.625% Senior Notes.  These interest rate swaps expose that portion of our long-term debt to cash flow risk from interest rate changes.  Our long-term debt is also exposed to fair value risk; see below table for fair values at the balance sheet dates.  The following table provides information about our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in short-term interest rates, including interest rate swaps and debt obligations.  For our debt obligations, this table presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates.  For our interest rate swaps, this table presents notional amounts and weighted average interest rates by maturity dates.  Weighted-average variable rates are based on implied forward rates in the yield curve at the reporting dates.  The fair value of our debt obligations was estimated based on quotations obtained from broker-dealers who make markets in these and similar securities. A mark-to-market valuation that took into consideration anticipated cash flows from the transactions using market prices and other economic data and assumptions were used to value our interest rate swaps.
 
   
As of September 30, 2010
 
   
Expected maturity dates
         
Fair
value
 
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
   
Thereafter
   
Total
     
   
(in thousands)
 
Long-term debt:
                                               
Fixed rate
  $ -     $ 150,000     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 200,000     $ 350,000     $ 358,563  
Average interest rate
    -       6.625 %     -       -       -       8.500 %     7.696 %        
                                                                 
Interest rate swaps:
                                                               
Fixed to variable
  $ -     $ 150,000     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 150,000     $ 1,263  
Average pay rate
    -       5.783 %     -       -       -       -       5.783 %        
Average receive rate
    -       6.625 %     -       -       -       -       6.625 %        
                                                                 
   
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
Expected maturity dates
           
Fair
value
 
      2010       2011       2012       2013       2014    
Thereafter
   
Total
     
   
(in thousands)
                                                 
Long-term debt:
                                                               
Fixed rate
  $ -     $ 150,000     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 200,000     $ 350,000     $ 357,750  
Average interest rate
    -       6.625 %     -       -       -       8.500 %     7.696 %        
                                                                 
Interest rate swaps:
                                                               
Fixed to variable
  $ -     $ 150,000     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 150,000     $ 2  
Average pay rate
    -       6.624 %     -       -       -       -       6.624 %        
Average receive rate
    -       6.625 %     -       -       -       -       6.625 %        
 

ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain a set of disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports filed by us under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  As of the end of the period covered by this report, we evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the  effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act.  Based on that evaluation, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
During the most recent fiscal quarter, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 
 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1 .
Legal Proceedings –
 
See Notes 16 and 17 in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
ITEM 1A.
Risk Factors –
 
Our inventory risk management activities relating to hedging may generate substantial gains and losses.
In order to manage our price risk exposure on certain of our inventories, we from time to time enter into derivative contracts to make forward sales or purchases of crude oil and refined products.  We may also use options or swaps to accomplish similar objectives.  Our inventory risk management strategy is to hedge price risk on inventory positions in excess of our base level of operating inventories in order to minimize the impact of crude oil price fluctuations on our cash flows.  This strategy generally produces losses when hedged crude oil or refined products increase in value and gains when hedged crude oil or refined products decrease in value.  Consequently, our inventory hedging results may fluctuate significantly from one reporting period to the next depending on commodity price fluctuations.  For example, during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, we incurred a pre-tax hedging gain of $21.9 million and a pre-tax hedging loss of $3.2 million, respectively, both recorded in “Other revenues” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).  During the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, we incurred a pre-tax hedging loss of $3.4 million and a pre-tax hedging gain of $4.2 million, respectively.  See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk in Part I, Item 3.
On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was enacted into law. This financial reform legislation includes provisions that require over-the-counter derivative transactions to be executed through an exchange or centrally cleared.  In addition, the legislation provides an exemption from mandatory clearing requirements based on regulations to be developed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission for transactions by non-financial institutions to hedge or mitigate commercial risk.  At the same time, the legislation includes provisions under which the CFTC may impose collateral requirements for transactions, including those that are used to hedge commercial risk.  However, during drafting of the legislation, members of Congress adopted report language and issued a public letter stating that it was not their intention to impose margin and collateral requirements on counterparties that utilize transactions to hedge commercial risk.  Final rules on major provisions in the legislation, like new margin requirements, will be established through rulemakings and will not take effect until twelve months after the date of enactment.   Although we cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these rulemakings, new regulations in this area may result in increased costs and cash collateral requirements for the types of oil and gas derivative instruments we use to hedge and otherwise manage our financial risks related to volatility in oil and gas commodity prices.

ITEM 5 .
Other Information –
 
Effective November 1, 2010, Frontier Oil and Refining Company (“FORC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Frontier Oil Corporation (“FOC”) entered into a Master Crude Oil Purchase and Sale Contract (“Contract”) with BNP Paribas Energy Trading GP and BNP Paribas Energy Trading Canada Corp. (collectively, “BNP”).  Under this Contract, BNP purchases, transports and subsequently sells crude oil to FORC at a location near Cushing, Oklahoma or other locations as agreed.  Under this agreement, BNP is the owner of record of the crude oil as it is transported from the point of injection, typically Hardisty, Alberta, Canada, to the point of ultimate sale to FORC.  FOC has provided a guarantee of FORC’s obligations under this Contract, primarily to receive crude oil and make payment for crude oil purchases arranged under this Contract.  A copy of this Contract and a copy of the guarantee made by FOC are filed as Exhibit 10.1 and Exhibit 10.2, respectively, to this Form 10-Q and incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 6 .
Exhibits –
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101 – The following materials from Frontier Oil Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and (iv) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as a block of text*.
 
*  Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Section 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

 
 

 

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.
 
 
 
FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION
 
       
 
By:
/s/  Nancy J. Zupan  
   
Nancy J. Zupan
 
   
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
(principal accounting officer)
 
       


Date: November 4, 2010

Exhibit 10.1
 


MASTER CRUDE OIL PURCHASE AND SALE CONTRACT
 

 
DATED
 

 
November 1, 2010
 

 
AMONG
 

 
BNP PARIBAS ENERGY TRADING GP
AND
BNP PARIBAS ENERGY TRADING CANADA CORP.,
AS SELLER,
 

 
AND
 

 
FRONTIER OIL AND REFINING COMPANY,
AS PURCHASER,
 

 
FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION,
AS GUARANTOR
 

 
 

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
ARTICLE I
 
 
INTERPRETATION
 
Section 1.01
Definitions
 
Section 1.02
Headings
 
Section 1.03
Number
 
Section 1.04
Non-Business Days
 
 
ARTICLE II
 
 
SALE AND PURCHASE OF CRUDE OIL
 
Section 2.01
Sale and Purchase of Crude Oil
 
Section 2.02
Condition Precedent to Seller’s Obligations
 
Section 2.03
Delivery of Crude Oil
 
Section 2.04
Transportation Fees and Documentation
 
Section 2.05
Payment of Transfer Fees
 
Section 2.06
Force Majeure Default Delivery Location
 
Section 2.07
Transportation Imbalances
 
Section 2.08
Rights and Remedies; Waiver of Certain Damage Claims
 
Section 2.09
Possession, Title and Risk
 
Section 2.10
Taxes
 
Section 2.11
Limitations
 
Section 2.12
Early Termination of Agreement
 
Section 2.13
Purchaser’s Early Purchase Option
 
Section 2.14
Performance of Obligations
 
 
ARTICLE III
 
 
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 
Section 3.01
Representations and Warranties of Seller
 
Section 3.02
Representations and Warranties of Purchaser and Guarantor
 
 
ARTICLE IV
 
 
COVENANTS
 
Section 4.01
Affirmative Covenants of Seller
 
Section 4.02
Negative Covenants of Seller
 
Section 4.03
Affirmative Covenants of Purchaser and Guarantor
 
 
ARTICLE V
 
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND EARLY TERMINATION
 
Section 5.01
Seller’s Events of Default
 
Section 5.02
Purchaser’s Events of Default
 
Section 5.03
Default Rights; Early Termination
 
Section 5.04
Failure to Make or Accept Delivery
 
 
ARTICLE VI
 
 
TERMINATION RIGHTS RESULTING FROM FORCE MAJEURE
 
Section 6.01
Termination Rights After Force Majeure
 
 
ARTICLE VII
 
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
Section 7.01
Notice
 
Section 7.02
Interest on Overdue Amounts
 
Section 7.03
Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial
 
Section 7.04
Severability
 
Section 7.05
Place of Payment; Currency
 
Section 7.06
No Agency; No Joint Venture
 
Section 7.07
Benefit of the Agreement
 
Section 7.08
Assignment and Transfer
 
Section 7.09
Entire Agreement
 
Section 7.10
Amendments
 
Section 7.11
No Waivers, Remedies
 
Section 7.12
Time of the Essence
 
Section 7.13
Counterparts
 
Section 7.14
Intent
 
Section 7.15
Disclosure of Information
 
Section 7.16
Stamp and Documentary Taxes
 
Section 7.17
Further Assurances
 
Section 7.18
Successors and Assigns
 
Section 7.19
Survival
 
Section 7.20
INDEMNITY
 
Section 7.21
Expenses
 
Section 7.22
Consent to Recording
 
Section 7.23
Collective Reference to Seller
 

ANNEX 1                      Conditions Precedent

EXHIBITS:
Exhibit A                      Form of Deal Sheet
Exhibit B                      Form of Master Agreement
Exhibit C                      List of Approved Pipelines, Injection Points and Delivery Locations
Exhibit D                      List of Approved Suppliers
Exhibit E                      Monthly Reconciliation Statement


 
 

 

MASTER CRUDE OIL PURCHASE AND SALE CONTRACT
 
This MASTER CRUDE OIL PURCHASE AND SALE CONTRACT (as the same may from time to time be amended, modified, supplemented or restated, this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of November 1, 2010 among BNP Paribas Energy Trading GP, a Delaware general partnership (“ BNPP ET ”), and BNP Paribas Energy Trading Canada Corp., an Alberta corporation (“ BNPP ETC ”), as applicable (BNPP ET and BNPP ETC collectively referred to herein as the “ Seller ”), Frontier Oil and Refining Company, a Delaware corporation (the “ Purchaser ”), and Frontier Oil Corporation, a Wyoming corporation (the “ Guarantor ”) (Seller, Purchaser and Guarantor sometimes collectively referred to as “the parties” and individually as a “party”).
 
WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell, and Purchaser desires to purchase, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, certain quantities of crude oil;
 
WHEREAS, Purchaser and Seller acknowledge that the purchase and sale transactions contemplated and evidenced by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are dependent upon the existence of certain other agreements to be entered into by Seller, certain of its affiliates and/or other third parties, including, but not limited to, the Supply Contracts, the Master Agreement and the Swaps to be issued thereunder, and the Credit Facility (as such terms are defined below); and
 
WHEREAS, Guarantor has agreed to guarantee the obligations of Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement and contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement, Guarantor and Seller shall execute a mutually-acceptable form of Guaranty (the “ Guaranty ”);
 
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective covenants and agreements of the parties hereinafter set forth and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by each of Seller and Purchaser, Seller and Purchaser hereby agree as follows:
 
ARTICLE I
 
INTERPRETATION
 
Section 1.01   Definitions
 
.  For purposes of this Agreement, terms defined above have the meanings given above and the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:
 
Acquisition Cost ” shall mean with respect to each Batch of Crude Oil purchased by Seller at an Injection Point the actual proceeds paid by Seller to the Supplier pursuant to the applicable Supply Contract for the number of Barrels in such Batch.
 
Affiliate ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
 
API ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.03(c).
 
Applicable Instruments ” of any Person shall mean the Certificate or Articles of Incorporation, Memorandum and Articles of Association, by-laws and other organizational documents of such Person and all contracts, indentures, agreements, instruments and documents to which such Person is a party or by which such Person or any assets of such Person may be bound or affected.
 
Approved Injection Point ” shall mean any Injection Point identified in Exhibit C attached hereto.
 
Approved Supplier ” shall mean (a) any Person listed on Exhibit D hereto or (b) any other Person Seller and Purchaser mutually agree in writing possesses financial resources and credit histories mutually acceptable to both Seller and Purchaser and has quantities of Crude Oil available for sale to Seller.
 
ASTM ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.03(c).
 
Barrel ” shall mean one United States barrel (42 United States gallons at 60 degrees Fahrenheit).
 
Batch ” shall mean an identified quantity of Seller Crude Oil that has been accepted for transportation in a Pipeline and shall refer to and include any batch designations made by any Pipelines transporting the same quantity of Crude Oil.
 
Business Day ” shall mean a day, other than a Saturday or a Sunday, on which commercial banks are not authorized or required to be closed in New York City, New York.
 
Canadian Discount ” shall mean, in respect of any Batch of Crude Oil acquired by Seller pursuant to a Supply Contract for resale to Purchaser, either (a) the differential or discount to CMA for the Injection Month (expressed in United States Dollars per Barrel) set forth in the applicable Supply Contract and used to determine the Acquisition Cost of such Crude Oil, or (b) in the event the Supply Contract utilizes a reference or index price other than CMA to establish the Acquisition Cost, the equivalent differential or discount to CMA for the Injection Month (expressed in United States Dollars per Barrel) for the Crude Oil purchased under the Supply Contract.
 
Carrying Cost ” shall mean with respect to each Batch of Crude Oil Delivered by Seller the sum of (a) all Swap Settlements applicable to such Batch plus (b) the Service Fee applicable to such Batch plus (c) any amounts due under Section 2.03(b) , if any.
 
CCPS ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.03(a).
 
CCPS Tariff ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.03(a).
 
Change in Tax Law ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.10(a).
 
CMA ” shall mean for any calendar month (a) the average of the daily settlement prices (expressed in United States Dollars per Barrel) for the first nearby or prompt futures contract for West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil as traded on the NYMEX (trading days only), or (b) in the event a Supply Contract utilizes a reference or index price other than CMA to establish the Acquisition Cost, such price as the Seller and the Purchaser shall mutually agree.
 
Control ” shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.  “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.
 
Credit Facility ” shall mean that certain Revolving Credit Facility dated November 1, 2010 by and among Seller, as Borrower, BNP Paribas, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders named therein, as the same may be amended, restated or replaced from time to time in accordance with Section 4.02(b) .
 
Crude Oil ” shall mean all types or grades of crude petroleum or oil which are acceptable to both Purchaser and Seller and are accepted by the Pipelines for transportation from the Injection Points to the Delivery Locations existing from time to time under this Agreement.
 
Days Outstanding ” shall mean with respect to the calculation of the amount of each Acquisition Cost and each Swap Settlement the actual number of days between (a) the date a payment is made by Seller (or received by Seller pursuant to the settlement or a Swap) and (b) the date Purchaser tenders to Seller the Purchase Price applicable to the Batch in question.
 
Deal Sheet ” shall mean a Transaction summary substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A which is executed by both Seller and Purchaser and confirms, among other things, (a) Seller’s commitment to purchase at an identified Injection Point a specified quantity of Crude Oil from an identified Supplier and (b) Purchaser’s commitment to purchase from Seller at an identified Delivery Location a specified Batch or Batches of Crude Oil, in each case subject to the timely performance of transportation services to be provided by the Pipelines referenced in such Transaction summary; and including any amended Deal Sheet pursuant to Section 2.13.
 
Default Termination Date ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 5.03 .
 
Delivered ” shall mean with respect to any Batch of Crude Oil either (a) the transfer, delivery or tender of such Crude Oil to Purchaser at a Delivery Location or (b) the transfer, delivery or tender of such Crude Oil to an authorized third party transferee at a point on, within or along a Pipeline, in each case as evidenced by the transporting Pipeline’s issuance of a custody transfer certificate or similar form or the entry by such Pipeline of a notation in the Pipeline’s electronic records.
 
Delivery Location ” shall mean with respect to any Batch of Crude Oil the point of Seller’s delivery to Purchaser which is specified in the applicable Deal Sheet and shall include in all events the Delivery Locations described in Exhibit C attached hereto.
 
Delivery Month ” shall mean with respect to any Batch of Crude Oil the calendar month during which such Crude Oil is Delivered.
 
Early Termination Date ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.12 .
 
Enbridge Pipeline ” means the common carrier pipeline systems owned or operated by Enbridge Pipelines, Inc. and its affiliated companies and ventures.
 
Environmental Laws ” means any and all Governmental Requirements pertaining in any way to health, safety, the environment or the preservation or reclamation of natural resources, in effect in any and all jurisdictions in which Seller is conducting or at any time has conducted business, or where any Crude Oil subject to this Agreement, any Supply Contract or any transportation or storage agreement contemplated by the foregoing two agreements (collectively, “ Identified Crude Oil ”) is located, including without limitation, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“ OPA ”), as amended, the Clean Air Act, as amended, the Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (“ CERCLA ”), as amended, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (“ RCRA ”), as amended, the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, as amended, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended, and other environmental conservation or protection Governmental Requirements.
 
Environmental Licenses ” means any permit, license, or other authorization from any (a) local, state, territorial, federal, or foreign judicial, executive, regulatory, administrative, legislative, or governmental agency, board, bureau, commission, department, or other instrumentality, (b) private arbitration board or panel or (c) central bank, that is required under any Environmental Law for the lawful conduct of any business, process, or other activity.
 
Event of Default ” means a Seller’s Event of Default or a Purchaser’s Event of Default, as the case may be.
 
Factor ” shall mean with respect to the calculation of the amount of each Acquisition Cost and each Swap Settlement, as the case may be, the product of (a) the sum of 2.75% plus LIBOR for the period corresponding to any Days Outstanding calculation, times (b) the number of Days Outstanding divided by 360.
 
Federal Funds Rate ” shall mean, for any day, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal for such day to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by Purchaser from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by Seller.
 
Fee Letter ” shall mean the fee letter identified in Annex 1, item 2.
 
Force Majeure ” shall mean an event which causes a failure by any party to perform delivery or acceptance obligations hereunder to the extent that such event is reasonably beyond the control of such party, except for the obligation to make payment due hereunder, including war, riots, insurrections, fires, explosions, sabotage, acts of terrorism, strikes and other labor or industrial disturbances, acts of God or the elements, government laws, regulations or requests, disruption or breakdown of production or transportation facilities, and delays of Pipelines in receiving and delivering Crude Oil tendered, but does not include the failure to perform obligations solely as a result of the fact that to do so will result in economic loss or hardship to such party.
 
Force Majeure Termination Date ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 6.01 .
 
GAAP ” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time.
 
Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America, Canada or any political subdivision thereof, whether state, provincial or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government over Seller or Purchaser, any of their respective properties and the activities contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.
 
Governmental Requirement ” means any law, statute, code, ordinance, order, determination, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction, franchise, permit, certificate, license, authorization or other directive or requirement, whether now or hereinafter in effect, including, without limitation, Environmental Laws, energy regulations and occupational, safety and health standards or controls, of any Governmental Authority.
 
Hazardous Substances ” means (a) any substance that is reasonably expected to require, removal, remediation, or other response under any Environmental Law, (b) any substance that is designated, defined or classified as a hazardous waste, hazardous material, pollutant, contaminant, explosive, corrosive, flammable, infectious, carcinogenic, mutagenic, radioactive, dangerous, or toxic or hazardous substance under any Environmental Law, including, without limitation, any hazardous substance within the meaning of §101(14) of CERCLA, (c) petroleum, oil, gasoline, natural gas, fuel oil, motor oil, waste oil, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and other petroleum hydrocarbons, (d) asbestos and asbestos-containing materials in any form, (e) polychlorinated biphenyls, (f) urea formaldehyde foam or (g) any substance the presence of which on any real property (including, without limitation, leases and mineral interests) either (i) poses or threatens to pose a hazard to the health or safety of persons or to the environment or (ii) could constitute a health or safety hazard to persons or the environment if it emanated or migrated from the real property (including, without limitation, leases and mineral interests).
 
Indemnitee ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 7.20.
 
Initial Swap ” shall mean any initial Swap, as identified by a confirmation number, applicable to a Batch of Crude Oil and shall include any Swap executed under clauses (i) or (ii) of Section 2.01(f) which is not a Replacement Swap.
 
Injected Quantity ” shall mean with respect to any Batch of Crude Oil Delivered pursuant to this Agreement the quantity of Crude Oil actually delivered by the Supplier at the Injection Point prior to the transporting Pipelines’ retention or deduction of any Transportation Allowance.
 
Injection Month ” shall mean with respect to any Batch of Crude Oil the calendar month such Crude Oil is delivered to Seller at the Injection Point.
 
Injection Point ” shall mean the point of delivery specified in a Supply Contract and shall include in all events any Approved Injection Point.
 
LIBOR ” shall mean with respect to any calculation of the Factor for a relevant period, the “Cost of Funds Rate” or LIBOR rate in effect under the Credit Facility during such period.
 
Lien ” shall mean any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien, claim or charge of any kind (including any production payment, advance payment or similar arrangement with respect to minerals in place, any agreement to grant any Lien, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, the interest of a lessor under a capital lease and any filing or agreement to provide any financing statement or other Lien perfection document to secure an obligation), whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law.
 
Master Agreement ” shall mean the Amended and Restated ISDA Master Agreement dated as of November 1, 2010 among BNPP ET and the Swap Provider, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto, as such agreement may from time to time be amended, modified or replaced in accordance with Section 4.02(b) .
 
Notice of Early Termination ” shall mean a notice designated as such and described in Section 2.12 .
 
Notice of Environmental Problem ” means any notice, letter, citation, order, warning, complaint, inquiry, claim or demand pursuant to which it is indicated or implied that Purchaser has violated or is about to violate any Environmental Law or any ordinance, judgment or order relating thereto, which in each case (i) relates to or affects the purchase, transportation or storage of Crude Oil purchased pursuant to a Supply Contract and (ii) could reasonably be expected to have a material and adverse affect on Purchaser’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
 
NYMEX ” shall mean the New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. and any successor thereto.
 
Off-take Month ” shall mean with respect to any Batch of Crude Oil the calendar month such Batch is scheduled to be Delivered to Purchaser at the applicable Delivery Location, as reflected in the initial or any amended Deal Sheet applicable to such Crude Oil.
 
Payment Date ” shall mean the 20th day of each month following a Delivery Month, or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day.
 
Permitted Liens ” shall mean (a) Liens in connection with worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security, old age pension or public liability obligations; (b) legal or equitable encumbrances; (c) vendors’, carriers’, pipeline, warehousemen’s, repairmen’s, mechanics’, workmen’s, materialmen’s or other like Liens arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of business; (d) Liens securing the performance of statutory obligations; (e) Liens securing taxes that are either not yet due and payable or that are being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established; and (f) Liens to secure any Swap and any indebtedness incurred by Seller to finance transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and/or the Supply Contracts.
 
Person ” shall mean any individual, corporation, company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated association, government or any commission, board, court, agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, any other entity or any trustee, receiver, custodian or similar official.
 
Pipeline ” shall mean with respect to any Batch of Crude Oil acquired by Seller for resale to Purchaser the common carrier pipeline(s) designated by Seller from time to time to transport such Crude Oil from an Injection Point to a Delivery Point and shall include in all events the Approved Pipelines set forth in Exhibit C attached hereto.
 
Prompt Month ” shall mean with respect to any Injection Month the nearest calendar month of delivery for which NYMEX futures prices are published during such Injection Month.
 
Property ” shall mean any asset, revenue or any other property, whether tangible or intangible, real or personal, including, without limitation, any oil and gas exploration or production permit, concession, lease and license and any right to receive income.
 
Purchase Price ” shall mean with respect to each Batch of Crude Oil Delivered in any Delivery Month the sum of (a) the product obtained by multiplying (i) the CMA for the Injection Month for such Crude Oil less the Canadian Discount applicable to such Crude Oil, and (ii) the Injected Quantity associated with such Batch, plus (b) the Carrying Cost applicable to such Batch of Crude Oil.
 
Purchaser’s Event of Default ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 5.02 .
 
Related Parties ” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors (including attorneys, accountants and experts) of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.
 
Replacement Swaps ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.01(f)(iii).
 
Replacement Value ” shall mean (a) if Seller is the party which has failed to perform its delivery obligations, the price which Purchaser, acting in good faith and at arm’s length, actually pays, or has contracted to pay, for Crude Oil to replace any quantity not so delivered at the agreed Delivery Location plus any additional transportation and other costs and expenses incurred by Purchaser in connection with the purchase of such quantity of Crude Oil; and (b) if Purchaser is the party which has failed to perform its purchase obligations, the price which Seller, acting in good faith and at arm’s length, actually receives, or has contracted to receive, for the sale of any quantity of Crude Oil less any additional transportation and other costs and expenses incurred by Seller in connection with the sale of such quantity of Crude Oil.
 
Retention Stock ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.03(e).
 
Seller Crude Oil ” shall mean any quantity of Crude Oil acquired and owned by, credited to the account of, or otherwise belonging to, Seller pursuant to a Supply Contract.
 
Seller’s Event of Default ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 5.01 .
 
Service Fee ” shall mean either:
 
 
(a)
with respect to each Batch of Crude Oil Delivered by Seller which relates to a Swap upon which Seller realized a loss upon settlement of such Swap with the Swap Provider, the sum of (i) the product of (A) the Acquisition Cost times (B) the Factor, plus (ii) the product of (A) the absolute value of such Swap Settlement times (B) the Factor applicable to such Swap Settlement; or
 
 
(b)
with respect to each Batch of Crude Oil Delivered by Seller which relates to a Swap upon which Seller realized a gain upon settlement of such Swap with the Swap Provider, the difference between (i) the product of (A) the Acquisition Cost times (B) the Factor, minus (ii) the amount of such Swap Settlement.
 
Spearhead Pipeline ” means the common carrier pipeline system owned or operated by CCPS Transportation, L.L.C. which originates at Flanagan, Illinois, and terminates at Cushing, Oklahoma.
 
Supplier ” shall mean a third party producer or marketer of Crude Oil executing a Supply Contract with Seller for the sale of Crude Oil at an Injection Point.
 
Supply Contract ” shall mean a contract by and between a Supplier, as seller, and Seller, as buyer, governing the sale of Crude Oil at an Injection Point, as the same may be amended, modified or replaced.
 
Swap ” shall mean a commodity price swap transaction, as identified by a confirmation number, contemplated by and existing pursuant to the Master Agreement whether for one or more Batches or other quantity of Crude Oil and shall include Initial Swaps and Replacement Swaps.
 
Swap Provider ” shall mean BNP Paribas or any other Person designated by Seller and approved by Purchaser (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
 
Swap Settlement ” shall mean with respect to each Swap the gain (or loss) realized by Seller upon settlement of such Swap with the Swap Provider, i.e. the difference between the “Floating Price” and the “Fixed Price” as specified in the relevant ISDA confirmation for a Swap.
 
Taxes ” shall mean all federal, state, municipal or local, ad valorem, property, occupation, severance, production, gathering, pipeline, utility, withholding, gross production, gross turnover, sales, value added, use, excise, environmental, transaction, customs, export and any other present or future taxes, charges, duties and assessments of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, deficiencies, penalties, additions to tax and interest attributable thereto), other than taxes based on income or net worth of a Person.
 
Termination Date ” shall mean either an Early Termination Date, a Force Majeure Termination Date or a Default Termination Date, as the case may be.
 
Transaction ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.01(b) .
 
Transaction Documents ” shall mean this Agreement, each Deal Sheet, the Guaranty and the Fee Letter.
 
Transportation Activities ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.03(b) .
 
Transportation Allowance ” shall mean any in-kind deduction or fee (expressed in Barrels) reserved or retained by the operator of a Pipeline in connection with the transportation of Crude Oil, as the same is calculated or established pursuant to a then-effective tariff or contract.
 
Transportation Imbalance ” shall mean with respect to any Pipeline during any period of time the variance or differential (stated in Barrels) between (a) the sum of the Injected Quantities tendered to such Pipeline during such period of time less the associated Transportation Allowances, and (b) the quantities of Seller Crude Oil actually Delivered by such Pipeline during the same period of time, as determined and calculated by the transporting Pipeline in question.
 
Uniform Commercial Code ” means the Uniform Commercial Code presently in effect in the State of New York.
 
United States Dollars ” shall mean the lawful currency of the United States of America in immediately available funds.
 
Unpaid Amounts ” shall mean, with respect to any Termination Date, the aggregate of the amounts that became payable (whether or not due) to Purchaser or Seller hereunder prior to the occurrence of such Termination Date and that remain payable (whether or not due) as at such Termination Date, together with interest thereon from (and including) the date such amounts became due and payable to (but excluding) such Termination Date at the U.S. Base Rate.
 
U.S. Base Rate ” shall mean, at any time, a fluctuating interest rate per annum as shall be in effect from time to time, which rate per annum shall at all times be equal to the highest of: (a) the rate of interest announced publicly by BNP Paribas in New York, New York, from time to time, as its prime commercial lending rate; or (b) two percent per annum above the Federal Funds Rate in effect from time to time.  In the event there is any Unpaid Amount, Seller will use reasonable efforts to inform Purchaser of changes in the U.S. Base Rate promptly upon the occurrence of such changes.
 
Section 1.02   Headings
 
.  The division of this Agreement into Articles and Sections and the insertion of an index and headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. The terms “this Agreement”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and similar expressions refer to this Agreement and not to any particular Article, Section, clause, paragraph, annex, exhibit or other portion hereof and include any agreement supplemental hereto. Unless something in the subject matter or context is inconsistent therewith, references herein to Articles, Sections, clauses and paragraphs are to Articles, Sections, clauses and paragraphs of this Agreement.
 
Section 1.03   Number
 
.  Words importing the singular number shall include the plural and vice versa , and words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders and vice versa .
 
Section 1.04   Non-Business Days
 
.  Whenever any action to be taken hereunder shall be stated to be required to be taken or any payment to be made hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day other than a Business Day, unless otherwise specifically provided for herein, such payment shall be made or such action shall be taken (a) on the next succeeding Business Day if the due date was a Sunday or a NYMEX or New York bank holiday which occurs on a Monday or (b) on the last preceding Business Day if the due date was a Saturday or a NYMEX or New York bank holiday other than a Monday, and in the case of the payment of any monetary amount, the extension or curtailment of time shall be taken into account for the purposes of computation of interest or fees thereon.
 
ARTICLE II
 
SALE AND PURCHASE OF CRUDE OIL
 
Section 2.01   Sale and Purchase of Crude Oil
 
.
 
(a)   The respective obligations of Seller, Purchaser and Guarantor pursuant to this Agreement shall not become effective until the date on which each of the conditions specified in Annex 1 hereto is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 7.10 ).
 
(b)   Seller and Purchaser may from time to time enter into one or more transactions to be governed by this Agreement for the sale by Seller, and the purchase by Purchaser, of Crude Oil (each a “ Transaction ”), which Transactions shall be evidenced and confirmed by one or more Deal Sheets executed by Seller and Purchaser.  The procedure for entering into a Transaction between Seller and Purchaser is as follows:
 
(i)   In consultation with Purchaser concerning Purchaser’s then-existing need for Crude Oil, Seller shall submit bids to, or enter into negotiations with, Approved Suppliers having available supplies of Crude Oil in or around either (1) an Approved Injection Point or (2) any other Injection Point that is mutually acceptable to Seller and Purchaser, for the purchase by Seller of certain quantities of Crude Oil that are consistent with Purchaser’s needs.  Purchaser shall assist Seller in identifying potential Approved Suppliers, preparing and submitting bids and evaluating the terms of potential purchase and sale transactions between Seller and such suppliers, and shall provide such other assistance as is reasonably requested by Seller to facilitate Seller’s securing of supplies of Crude Oil for resale to Purchaser.  Seller shall promptly after Seller’s receipt of a quote/bid acceptable to Purchaser, but in any event no later than two hours (unless the time at which such receipt occurs is after 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time, in which case no later than 8:00 a.m. Mountain Time on the next Business Day), notify Purchaser of Seller’s acceptance or rejection of such quote/bid.   If Seller does not accept such quote/bid within the time period described in the foregoing sentence, Seller’s silence or failure to respond shall be deemed a rejection.  If Seller accepts such quote/bid, Seller shall promptly cause to be confirmed the essential terms of Seller’s purchase transaction with the Supplier, including:
 
(A)   the legal name of the Supplier;
 
(B)   the type of Crude Oil to be acquired;
 
(C)   the price or pricing formula to be used by Seller to calculate payments to Supplier for all Crude Oil sold to Seller;
 
(D)   the number of Barrels to be acquired by Seller, the Injection Month, the Injection Point and the Delivery Location (if known) and the Off-take Month or Months during which such Barrels are to be Delivered; provided, however, that no bid/quote (or resulting Supply Contract) shall obligate Seller to purchase Crude Oil for a period of time beyond the “First Nearby-Month” following the effective date of the applicable Supply Contract;
 
(E)   the amount of any required letter of credit or bank guarantee, the beneficiary of such letter of credit or bank guarantee, the date prior to which such letter of credit or bank guarantee must be delivered to the beneficiary thereof, the tenor thereof and all other details relevant to each letter of credit or bank guarantee to be delivered in connection with Seller’s purchase transaction; and
 
(F)   other material terms or conditions.
 
Following Seller’s acceptance of a quote/bid with a Supplier, Seller shall request Supplier to prepare a form of Supply Contract consistent with the agreed upon terms and Seller shall proceed to obtain and furnish to the Supplier any required letter of credit or other financial assurances.  Each Supply Contract shall be acceptable as to both form and substance to both Seller and Purchaser and shall contain terms, provisions and conditions generally used for the sale of Crude Oil in and around the applicable Injection Point.  Seller’s acceptance of a quote/bid with a Supplier shall also authorize Seller to enter into one or more Initial Swaps as contemplated by Section 2.01(f).
 
(ii)   Following Seller’s and Supplier’s agreement as to a purchase and sale transaction, Purchaser shall cause to be prepared a Deal Sheet evidencing (x) Seller’s purchase transaction with the Supplier and (y) Seller’s proposed Transaction with Purchaser.  The Transaction described in the Deal Sheet shall in all events provide for Purchaser’s purchase from Seller of a quantity of Crude Oil equal to the quantity to be acquired by Seller from the identified Supplier.  Upon delivery of the Deal Sheet to Seller, Seller shall promptly advise Purchaser of any comments on or objections to the terms of the Transaction proposed by Purchaser, and Purchaser and Seller shall amend or supplement the Deal Sheet as needed to evidence the terms of the Transaction that is acceptable to both parties.
 
(iii)   Upon Seller’s and Purchaser’s final approval of the terms of a proposed Transaction, each of Purchaser and Seller shall execute the Deal Sheet; provided however that the parties agree to be legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to and approve the corresponding terms (whether orally or otherwise) of the Supply Contract under clause (i) of this Section 2.01(b).  The parties agree that such agreement may occur through an exchange of facsimile transmissions, electronic messages or orally.  Notwithstanding the forgoing, the parties further agree that the obligations of both Purchaser and Seller under such Transaction and the related Deal Sheet shall be subject to and conditioned upon Seller and Supplier actually entering into a Supply Contract that is consistent in all respects with the terms set out in the Deal Sheet.
 
(iv)   Not sooner than the date of execution of a Deal Sheet, but in no event later than the first (1st) Business Day of the Injection Month applicable to the Crude Oil identified in each such Deal Sheet, Purchaser will consult with and advise Seller with respect to its execution of one or more Swaps with the Swap Provider as contemplated in clauses (i), (ii)  and (iii) of Section 2.01(f); provided, however, unless Purchaser and Seller agree otherwise, Seller shall, on the first (1st) Business Day of the Injection Month described above and throughout each trading day of such Injection Month, proceed to execute Prompt Month Swaps for the Batches covered by the Deal Sheet as defined in Section 2.01(f)(ii).
 
(v)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Purchaser shall advise Seller subsequent to the first (1st) Business Day of the Injection Month, with respect to any Batch or volumes that remain unhedged, then the Seller shall execute, in accordance with Purchaser’s advice, Swaps with the Swap Provider as contemplated in clause (ii) of Section 2.01(f).
 
(c)   Upon the effectiveness of a Deal Sheet as to both Purchaser and Seller, (i) Seller shall sell and cause to be Delivered to Purchaser via an in line transfer at the relevant Delivery Location the identified quantity of Crude Oil, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the applicable Deal Sheet; and (ii) Purchaser shall accept delivery of such Crude Oil via in line transfer at the relevant Delivery Location and shall pay to Seller the Purchase Price for each Batch of Crude Oil Delivered during each Delivery Month (which for the avoidance of doubt, shall include any amounts not Delivered as the result of Transportation Allowances), upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the applicable Deal Sheet.
 
(d)   Seller shall cause to be provided to Purchaser an invoice for the Purchase Price for each Batch of Crude Oil Delivered (including for the avoidance of doubt, any amounts not Delivered as the result of Transportation Allowances) in any Delivery Month no later than the 10th day of the calendar month following such Delivery Month.  All payments under this Agreement by Purchaser shall be made by wire transfer not later than 1:00 p.m. New York City time in immediately available funds on the relevant Payment Date to:
 
 
Bank Name:
BNP Paribas New York
 
ABA Account:
0260-0768-9
 
Instructions:
For further credit to the account of BNP Paribas Energy Trading GP under Account No. 00 200 620715 001 51;

or such other account designated by Seller from time to time; provided, however, any change in account shall not be effective until the third (3rd) Business Day following Purchaser’s receipt of Seller’s designation of a new payment account.

(e)   Fall-Back Pricing .  In the event (i) NYMEX fails to publish or calculate the futures prices for West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil, (ii) there is a material suspension of trading in futures contracts for West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil or West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil or its futures contracts cease to be traded on the NYMEX, or (iii) there is a material change in the content, composition or constitution or the formula for calculation of prices for West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil or its futures contracts, in each case, for any month during which any Transaction is executory or pending, Seller and Purchaser shall immediately meet and negotiate in good faith to agree on an alternate price (or a method for determining an alternate price).  If Seller and Purchaser have not agreed on or before the fifth Business Day following the first pricing date on which any such event in clauses (i) though (iii) occurred or existed, then such price (or the method for determining such price) shall be calculated as set forth in the relevant Supply Contract; and if such price (or such method for determining price is unavailable), then Seller shall determine the price (or the method for determining price) taking into consideration the latest available NYMEX quotations and any other information that in good faith it deems relevant.
 
(f)   Swaps .  For purposes of this Agreement and the calculation of the Swap Settlements, Seller agrees in consultation with Purchaser to execute Swaps including Off-take Swaps, Prompt Month Swaps and Replacement Swaps (as such terms are defined below), or any combination thereof, relating to one or more Batches (or other quantities) to be Delivered under this Agreement having the following terms:
 
(i) “Off-take Swaps” shall be Swaps whereby (A) the Seller is the floating price payor, as defined in the Master Agreement, for a quantity set forth in the applicable Deal Sheets for the relevant Off-take Month; (B) such ratable Swaps shall be executed each Business Day of the relevant Injection Month for settlement during the originally scheduled Off-take Month in a quantity equal to the quotient of 100% of the quantity scheduled for such Off-take Month and the number of Business Days in the relevant Injection Month; (C) the floating price for any calculation period shall always be (unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Purchaser) the arithmetic average of the settlement price per Barrel of West Texas Intermediate Light Sweet Crude Oil for each commodity business day in such calculation period on the NYMEX of the futures contract corresponding to the relevant Off-take Month during which delivery of such Batch (or other quantities) is originally scheduled; and (D) the settlement date for such Swap shall be the 20th day (or the nearest Business Day) of the calendar month following the Off-take Month, as evidenced by the Deal Sheet as amended, if applicable.
 
(ii) “Prompt Month Swaps” shall be Swaps whereby (A) the Seller is the floating price payor, as defined in the Master Agreement, for a quantity set forth in the applicable Deal Sheets for the relevant Off-take Month; (B) such ratable Swaps shall be executed each Business Day of the relevant Injection Month for settlement during the Prompt Month in a quantity equal to the quotient of 100% of the quantity scheduled for the relevant Injection Month and the number of Business Days in such Injection Month; (C) the floating price for any calculation period shall always be (unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Purchaser) the arithmetic average of the settlement price per Barrel of West Texas Intermediate Light Sweet Crude Oil for each commodity business day in such calculation period on the NYMEX of the futures contract corresponding to the relevant Prompt Month; and (D) the settlement date for such Swap shall be the 20th day (or the nearest Business Day) of the calendar month following the Off-take Month, as evidenced by the Deal Sheet as amended, if applicable.
 
(iii) “Replacement Swaps” shall be (i) Swaps, other than Initial Swaps, which replace an Initial Swap and (x) in respect of any “Off-take Swap”, relate to a Batch (or other quantity) of Crude Oil to be delivered later than the originally scheduled Off-Take Month or (y) in respect of any “Prompt Month Swap”, relate to a Batch (or other quantity) of Crude Oil to be delivered later than the Prompt Month and (ii) Swaps whereby (A) the Seller is the floating price payor, as defined in the Master Agreement, for a quantity set forth in the applicable Deal Sheets for the relevant Off-take Month; (B) such ratable Swaps shall be executed each Business Day of the relevant Injection Month for settlement during the originally-scheduled Off-take Month in a quantity equal to the quotient of 100% of the quantity scheduled for such Off-take Month and the number of Business Days in the relevant Injection Month; (C) the floating price for any calculation period shall always be (unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Purchaser) the arithmetic average of the settlement price per Barrel of West Texas Intermediate Light Sweet Crude Oil for each commodity business day in such calculation period on the NYMEX of the futures contract corresponding to the relevant Off-take Month during which delivery of such Batch (or other quantities) is originally scheduled; and (D) the settlement date for such Swap shall be the 20th day (or the nearest Business Day) of the calendar month following the Off-take Month, as evidenced by the Deal Sheet as amended, if applicable.
 
(iv) Each Swap under clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above shall comply with the terms and provisions of the Master Agreement.
 
(g)   Amendments to Deal Sheets .  If Delivery for any Batch is expedited or delayed for any reason and as a result thereof, Delivery of such Batch occurs earlier or later than the originally scheduled Off-take Month, the parties shall promptly amend the related Deal Sheet to reflect such change.
 
(h)   Limitation on Outstanding Acquisition Cost .  The aggregate outstanding Acquisition Cost shall not, at any time, exceed $300,000,000.
 
Section 2.02   Condition Precedent to Seller’s Obligations
 
.  Each of Purchaser and Guarantor acknowledges that the Crude Oil to be sold by Seller to Purchaser hereunder is to be acquired by Seller from one or more Suppliers pursuant to separately executed Supply Contracts.  Each of Purchaser and Guarantor hereby agrees that (a) Seller’s obligations under this Agreement and each Deal Sheet are subject to the condition precedent that Seller has received at the Injection Point the corresponding quantity of Crude Oil from the relevant Supplier under the Supply Contract associated with such Deal Sheet and (b) if Seller becomes entitled to repudiate, terminate or otherwise not perform its obligations under the relevant Supply Contract, or the relevant Supplier repudiates, terminates or for any reason fails to perform its obligations under the relevant Supply Contract, then, to such extent, Seller shall be entitled to withhold its own performance under this Agreement and the relevant Deal Sheet without being deemed in breach of this Agreement or the relevant Deal Sheet and Seller shall have no liability to Purchaser in respect thereof.
 
Section 2.03   Delivery of Crude Oil
 
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(a)   Each of Seller and Purchaser shall take such actions as shall be necessary to properly nominate, schedule and confirm the delivery and receipt of Crude Oil subject to each Transaction at the relevant Delivery Location in each Delivery Month in compliance with applicable rules and regulations of the transporting Pipeline(s).  To the extent the Delivery Location for a Transaction is on the Spearhead Pipeline, and unless Seller, Purchaser and the operator of the Spearhead Pipeline have agreed otherwise,   Purchaser shall assign to Seller, and Seller shall assume and accept, Purchaser’s   rights in the Crude Oil transportation tariff applicable to the Spearhead Pipeline and the associated portion of the Enbridge Pipeline that is located in the United States, such rights currently derived from CCPS Transportation, LLC’s (“ CCPS ”) Tariff No. 39 on file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as supplemented, amended or replaced from time to time (the “ CCPS Tariff ”).  Seller’s assignment and Purchaser’s assumption of the foregoing transportation rights shall be limited to the Batches involved in a Transaction and shall be evidenced by certificates acceptable as to form and substance by each of CCPS, Seller and Purchaser.
 
(b)   P urchaser shall use reasonable commercial efforts to cause the transporting Pipelines to transport each Batch of Seller Crude Oil in accordance with all Governmental Requirements and the Pipelines’ operating rules and regulations for delivery during the applicable Off-take Month.   In connection with Crude Oil purchased by Seller under the Supply Contracts for resale to Purchaser in the Transactions, Purchaser shall act as Seller’s representative in making all necessary ministerial arrangements with respect to nominating and scheduling deliveries, executing certificates in respect of the CCPS Tariff under Section 2.03(a), managing overall imbalance and cash-out exposure, trade imbalances with other shippers on each Pipeline’s system, and cash-out imbalances with transporters, including, taking actions to avoid or mitigate pipeline and distribution system penalties associated with transportation, distribution and delivery of Seller Crude Oil, including monitoring for system alert or operational notices, communicating with the Pipelines regarding operational matters that may affect imbalances or penalties, and taking actions to comply with or respond to any of the foregoing and handling any issues related thereto, and, in the event transportation of Seller Crude Oil is interrupted or suspended by a transporting Pipeline, assisting in arranging for storage of such Crude Oil on such terms and conditions as Seller deems acceptable (all of the foregoing being referred to as the “ Transportation Activities ”).   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2.03 , Section 5.02 or Section 5.03 , if Purchaser fails to diligently and timely undertake any Transportation Activities described in this Section 2.03(b) , then, as its sole and exclusive remedy for such failure, Seller shall have the right to take control of and make (whether directly or through a service provider) any such Transportation Activities, and all direct costs incurred by Seller shall be charged to Purchaser as an additional Carrying Cost.   For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 2.03(b) shall confer to Purchaser the right to enter into or execute any contracts on behalf of Seller.
 
(c)   Purchaser shall have the obligation to (i) ensure   that all Seller Crude Oil   purchased by Seller for resale to Purchaser is stored or transported in such manner as will ensure that, to the extent consistent with prudent business storage practices in respect of various grades of Crude Oil, that Crude Oil purchased under a Supply Contract is separated physically from, and is not commingled with, any and all other Crude Oil or any other grade (provided, however, Seller acknowledges that Seller Crude Oil will be transported from the Injection Points set forth in the Supply Contracts to the Delivery Locations set forth in the Deal Sheets through the common carrier facilities of the Pipelines and pursuant to such Pipelines’ respective rules, regulations and standard practices affecting the transportation and/or storage of crude oil and other petroleum substances), and (ii) take commercially reasonable steps to assure the proper measurement of Seller Crude Oil, including verification that the quality or grade designated for purchase in a Supply Contract and delivered to a Pipeline is within commercial tolerances for such quality or grade and conforms to the latest American Society for Testing Materials (“ ASTM ”) or American Society of Mechanical Engineers-American Petroleum Institute (“ API ”) (Petroleum PD Meter Code) published methods then in effect and applicable to such quality or grade, handling the rejection of non-conforming Crude Oil, and pursing any claims of loss or damage arising therefrom.
 
(d)   Prior to the delivery of Crude Oil to Purchaser at a Delivery Location in accordance with a Deal Sheet, Purchaser shall not claim or hold itself out as the owner of any Seller Crude Oil and will not create or permit any third party acting by or through Purchaser to create any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or to otherwise encumber any portion of Seller Crude Oil without Seller’s prior approval in writing.  Purchaser shall not deal with or in Seller Crude Oil in any way or otherwise part with possession of Seller Crude Oil without Seller’s prior written consent, except as expressly contemplated hereby, the Deal Sheets and/or the Supply Contracts, and Purchaser shall procure that none of its agents or any operators of any Pipeline do so.  If a Pipeline operator shall issue to Purchaser (in its capacity as Seller’s representative with respect to the Transportation Activities) any certificates or documents evidencing ownership of the Seller Crude Oil prior to the Delivery Location, Purchaser agrees that such certificates or documents shall be issued in the name of Seller, or in the name of Purchaser on behalf of Seller, and that each original receipt will be sent as soon as practicable after its issue to Seller.
 
(e)   To the extent any Pipeline operator or common carrier requires Seller to purchase or otherwise pay for a quantity of Crude Oil to serve as “tank-bottoms” or “retention stock” (collectively, “ Retention Stock ”), Purchaser agrees to promptly acquire and deliver such quantity of Crude Oil as Retention Stock, or to pay for such Retention Stock at the price invoiced to Seller.  Upon termination of this Agreement and upon Purchaser’s payment in full of all amounts due to Seller under this Agreement, Seller shall convey to Purchaser all its right, title and interest in and to such Retention Stock.
 
Section 2.04   Transportation Fees and Documentation
 
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(a)   In consideration for Seller’s sale of Crude Oil to Purchaser hereunder, Purchaser agrees to pay all tariffs, costs and expenses charged by the Pipelines for the transportation of each Batch of Crude Oil acquired by Seller pursuant to a Deal Sheet from such Crude Oil’s Injection Point to its Delivery Point.  Seller shall cause to be provided to Purchaser statements setting forth the transportation-related charges actually incurred by Seller (in its capacity as shipper), together with supporting pipeline invoices, statements and/or delivery schedules.  Purchaser shall pay to Seller (or at Seller’s request, the Pipelines) all amounts due pursuant to this Section 2.04 no later than the date payments are due and payable to the relevant Pipelines.
 
(b)   Purchaser shall be responsible for (i) the preparation of, delivering and retaining copies of, bills of sale, bills of lading, monthly pipeline reconciliation statements (in substantially the form of Exhibit E attached hereto or such other form as is mutually agreeable), receipts and other instruments transferring title to Crude Oil subject to the Supply Contracts, the Deal Sheets and any transportation or storage agreement or tariff relating to the foregoing, (ii) arranging for the payment prior to becoming delinquent of all undisputed invoices of Suppliers, Pipelines, Pipeline operators and other parties, and amounts payable under transportation or storage agreements, pipeline agreements and other similar agreements, and (iii) handling accounting disputes and reconciliations, and preparing all necessary sales tax documents for filing by Seller as appropriate at the relevant Delivery Location.
 
(c)   Purchaser shall maintain and make available to Seller any documentation received by Purchaser or in Purchaser’s possession related to the Seller Crude Oil and at any reasonable time, permit any representatives designated by Seller, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its records relating to Seller Crude Oil and the contracts and agreements associated therewith, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested.
 
Section 2.05   Payment of Transfer Fees
 
.  Purchaser shall be solely responsible for the payment of all in line transfer fees payable to the owner of the Pipeline facilities, if any, in connection with the delivery of the Crude Oil at the relevant Delivery Location, including any such fees accruing to the account of Seller.  Seller shall not be responsible for any insurance, storage, transportation or other costs in respect of the period after title to any Crude Oil Delivered hereunder has passed to Purchaser in accordance with Section 2.09 of this Agreement.
 
Section 2.06   Force Majeure Default Delivery Location
 
.  If as a result of an event of Force Majeure, either (a) Seller is unable, after using all reasonable commercial efforts, to deliver Crude Oil to Purchaser at the relevant Delivery Location or (b) Purchaser is unable, after using all reasonable commercial efforts, to receive Crude Oil from Seller at the relevant Delivery Location, then, to the extent commercially feasible, Seller shall be obligated to deliver and Purchaser shall be obligated to receive, the affected quantities of Crude Oil at a mutually acceptable comparable delivery location with mutually acceptable adjustments for quality, location and associated transportation costs.  If the parties are unable to agree on a mutually acceptable comparable delivery location with mutually acceptable adjustments for quality, location and associated transportation costs, then Section 6.01(c) shall apply to the affected quantities.
 
Section 2.07   Transportation Imbalances
 
.  Seller and Purchaser shall notify the other as promptly as possible of any changes in its rate of delivery or receipt of Crude Oil at the relevant Injection or Delivery Location, as the case may be, and take all reasonable actions necessary to avoid the incurrence of Pipeline penalties and imbalances.  In the event a transporting Pipeline determines that a Transportation Imbalance (whether positive or negative) exists with respect to any Seller Crude Oil associated with any Deal Sheet that is transported by such Pipeline, and such Pipeline requires Seller (as shipper) to settle such Transportation Imbalance in cash or in kind, Seller shall assign to Purchaser, and Purchaser shall assume and accept, all rights and obligations with respect to such Transportation Imbalance, including the obligation to make payment for (or if settled in kind, make delivery of) any shortage and the right to receive payment for (or accept delivery of) any overage, in each case as established by the invoices, records and statements of the transporting Pipeline.  At the termination of this Agreement, Seller shall assign to Purchaser, and Purchaser shall assume, all outstanding Transportation Imbalances (if any) under all transportation rights previously assigned to Seller pursuant to Section 2.03.
 
Section 2.08   Rights and Remedies; Waiver of Certain Damage Claims
 
.  Except as set forth in this Section 2.08 , the rights and remedies of the parties set forth in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are non-exclusive of the other rights and remedies of the parties existing at law or equity.  It is expressly agreed that, notwithstanding any other rights or remedies which a party may have, payments made in accordance with Section 2.07 or Articles V or VI of this Agreement constitute the exclusive and total compensation for damages available to Seller and Purchaser for non-delivery or non-acceptance of Crude Oil.   TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, NO PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT OR DIRECT (OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 2.08 ) OR OTHER DAMAGES, IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE IN RESPECT THEREOF.  THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THE CRUDE OIL SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT IS NOT UNIQUE AND THAT NO CLAIM FOR SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE IS APPROPRIATE OR WILL BE MADE BY ANY PARTY.
 
Section 2.09   Possession, Title and Risk
 
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(a)   Unless BNPP ETC and BNPP ET otherwise agree, possession of and title to any quantities of Crude Oil sold under each Supply Contract shall pass to BNPP ETC in accordance with the terms of the applicable Supply Contract.  Possession of and title to any quantities of Crude Oil Delivered pursuant to this Agreement and any Deal Sheet shall pass from BNPP ETC to BNPP ET at such time as such quantities of Crude Oil cross into the United States.  Until such time, BNPP ETC shall be deemed to be in control and possession of, have title to, risk of loss of and be responsible for such Crude Oil and, after such time, BNPP ET shall be deemed to be in control and possession of, have title to, risk of loss of and be responsible for such Crude Oil.
 
(b)   Possession of and title to any quantities of Crude Oil Delivered pursuant to this Agreement and any Deal Sheet shall pass from Seller to Purchaser at the relevant Delivery Location when such Crude Oil is either (i) transferred to or delivered into the facilities of Purchaser’s designee at the Delivery Location for the account of Purchaser and such transfer is recorded by the applicable metering device or (ii) the transporting Pipeline issues a custody transfer certificate or similar form or the Pipeline enters a notation in the Pipeline’s electronic records.  Until such time, Seller shall be deemed to be in control and possession of, have title to, risk of loss of and be responsible for such Crude Oil and, after such time, Purchaser shall be deemed to be in control and possession of, have title to, risk of loss of and be responsible for such Crude Oil.
 
Section 2.10   Taxes
 
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(a)   Seller is liable for and shall pay, cause to be paid or reimburse Purchaser if Purchaser shall have paid, all Taxes applicable to the Crude Oil sold hereunder prior to the time title to the Crude Oil has passed to Purchaser, unless allocated to Purchaser as hereinafter provided.  Purchaser is liable for and shall pay, cause to be paid or reimburse Seller if Seller shall have paid, all Taxes applicable to the Crude Oil sold hereunder at or after the time title to the Crude Oil has passed to Purchaser.  Both parties shall use all their reasonable efforts to administer this Agreement and implement its provisions in accordance with their intent to minimize Taxes.  Purchaser represents that it is engaged in the refining of the Crude Oil Delivered under this Agreement and the Deal Sheets and Purchaser is purchasing the Crude Oil for refining purposes.  Each party agrees to cooperate with obtaining any exemption from or reduction of Tax upon request by the other party.  The adoption, enactment, promulgation, modification, amendment or revocation after the effective date of this Agreement of any applicable law in relation to Taxes by any Governmental Authority shall constitute a “ Change in Tax Law ”.  Seller and Purchaser agree that, in relation to this Agreement, Purchaser shall bear any economic risk related to a Change in Tax Law that affects Seller’s liability for Taxes prior to the time that title passes from Seller to Purchaser under this Agreement and the parties shall take all commercially reasonable steps to minimize the impact of any Change in Tax Law.  Each of Seller and Purchaser shall provide to the other party a written notice of a Change in Tax Law affecting the sale of Crude Oil pursuant to this Agreement, such notice to be delivered promptly following the party’s knowledge of the Change in Tax Law.  If a Change in Tax Law results in Seller paying an amount on account of such a Tax imposed with respect to the Crude Oil prior to the time title passes to Purchaser, Seller shall be reimbursed by Purchaser for such Taxes within 30 days of receipt of Seller's written request for reimbursement.  Purchaser agrees to make any such reimbursement payments after taking into account any income taxes  applicable to Seller which arise as a result of  the reimbursement of such Taxes, such that Seller is economically indifferent to such Change in Tax Law.  Seller's written request for reimbursement of such Taxes shall include a calculation of the Taxes and any income taxes applicable to the reimbursement of such Taxes.
 
(b)   Each of Seller and Purchaser shall be responsible for and discharge all taxes on its net worth or income, whether assessed or collected by any governmental authority of the United States or Canada, or any political subdivision thereof, and shall indemnify and hold the other party harmless from and against any liabilities relating to such taxes.
 
Section 2.11   Limitations
 
.  PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS ENTERED INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND IS CONTRACTING FOR THE CRUDE OIL TO BE SUPPLIED BY SELLER BASED SOLELY UPON THE EXPRESS COVENANTS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES HEREIN SET FORTH (INCLUDING SECTION 3.01(F) ) AND, SUBJECT TO SUCH COVENANTS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES (INCLUDING SECTION 3.01(F)), ACCEPTS SUCH CRUDE OIL “AS IS, WHERE IS” AND “WITH ALL FAULTS.”
 
Section 2.12   Early Termination of Agreement
 
.  In addition to any rights of Seller or Purchaser to terminate this Agreement under Article V or Article VI , each such party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and its obligations hereunder by designating in writing (a “ Notice of Early Termination ”) to the other party a day (such day being the “ Early Termination Date ”) on which this Agreement will terminate, provided that no Notice of Early Termination shall affect or impair the obligations of the parties arising prior to the Early Termination Date, including the obligations of Purchaser (a) to receive and pay for Crude Oil acquired by Seller for resale to Purchaser pursuant to a Supply Contract executed prior to the Early Termination Date and (b) to pay any other Unpaid Amounts due under any Transaction Documents.  Any Notice of Early Termination shall clearly state that it is a “Notice of Early Termination”, shall specify the Termination Date and shall be received or deemed received as provided in Section 7.01 by the receiving party not less than 30 days prior to the Early Termination Date.
 
Section 2.13   Purchaser’s Early Purchase Option
 
.  With respect to any Batch of Crude Oil, Purchaser shall have the unilateral right and option at any time prior to delivery of such Crude Oil at the Delivery Location then specified in a Deal Sheet to purchase all or a portion of such Batch of Crude Oil by giving written notice to Seller of such election as soon as reasonably possible.  Any such early sale of Crude Oil shall be deemed to be a sale of Crude Oil for purposes of Section 2.01 and Purchaser shall make payment for such Crude Oil in accordance with Section 2.01(d).  The Purchase Price for such Batch of Crude Oil shall be determined as of the date of actual purchase, with, for this purpose, any Swaps related to the Batch subject of early purchase being settled by Seller as soon as commercially reasonable following Seller’s receipt of Purchaser’s notice of its election.  Purchaser shall be authorized to provide all notices to transporting Pipelines concerning each election and early purchase by Purchaser pursuant to this Section 2.13 .  Upon the giving of Purchaser’s notice, the affected Deal Sheet shall be deemed to have been amended to conform to the terms of Purchaser’s election.
 
Section 2.14   Performance of Obligations
 
.  Each party agrees that it will use reasonable care and diligence in its performance of its obligations contained in this Agreement such as it accords to its own business and as otherwise required hereby.  Purchaser agrees that in fulfilling its obligations under this Agreement, including its performance of the Transportation Activities, it will not engage any agents or contractors without the prior written consent of Seller and will remain entirely liable for any losses and damages caused to Seller or any third person by the activities of its agents or contractors.
 
ARTICLE III
 
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 
Section 3.01   Representations and Warranties of Seller
 
.  Each party Seller represents and warrants to Purchaser as follows (which representations and warranties shall be deemed repeated on each date on which a Deal Sheet is executed by Seller):
 
(a)   Status and Authority .  BNPP ET is a general partnership duly registered and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and BNPP ETC is a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of Alberta and each has all necessary power and authority to carry on its business as now being conducted by it.  Seller has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to do all acts and things and execute and deliver all other documents as are required hereunder or thereunder to be done, observed or performed by it in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof.
 
(b)   Power and Authority .  The execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby are within Seller’s power and authority and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action.
 
(c)   Consents, Approvals, Etc.   No authorization, consent or approval of, or other action by, or notice to or filing with, any governmental authority, regulatory body or any other Person is required for the due authorization, execution, delivery or performance by Seller of this Agreement or any Transaction Document to which it is a party, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby except those approvals which have been obtained, and those notices and filings which have been made.
 
(d)   Validity of Documents and Enforceability .  This Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which Seller is a party are the legal, valid and binding obligations of Seller enforceable against Seller in accordance with their terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity.
 
(e)   Compliance with Laws .  Neither the execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement or any Transaction Document to which it is a party, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by hereby or thereby (i) does or will violate any provision of any Applicable Instrument of Seller or any Governmental Requirement applicable to Seller or (ii) does or will result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien on any properties, assets or revenues of Seller.  Seller is in compliance in all material respects with the Applicable Instruments of Seller and all Governmental Requirements applicable to Seller.
 
(f)   Ownership of Crude Oil .  The Crude Oil to be delivered by Seller to Purchaser hereunder shall be delivered to Purchaser with good and marketable title thereto, free and clear of all Liens.
 
(g)   Commercial Purpose .  Seller has entered into this Agreement for commercial purposes related to its business and not for speculative purposes.  Seller has the capability (either directly or indirectly), and intends, to make delivery of the Crude Oil to be delivered hereunder.  Seller is selling the Crude Oil in the ordinary course of its business.  Seller is acting as a principal and not as an agent, and understands and acknowledges that Purchaser has been and will be acting only on an arm’s length basis and not as its agent, broker, advisor or fiduciary in any respect (except with respect to Purchaser’s performance of the Transportation Activities); and Seller is relying solely upon its own evaluation of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including the present and future results, consequences, risks and benefits thereof, whether financial, accounting, tax, legal or otherwise) and upon advice from its own professional advisors, understands this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and the risks associated therewith, has determined that those risks are appropriate for it, and is willing to assume those risks, and has not relied and will not be relying upon any evaluation or advice (including any recommendation, opinion or representation) from Purchaser or its affiliates or the representatives or advisors of Purchaser or its affiliates.
 
(h)   Environmental Matters .  Seller represents that there are no material Environmental Licenses applicable to Seller’s activities contemplated by this Agreement and that there is no litigation or governmental proceeding pending nor, to its best knowledge, threatened against Seller which, if adversely determined, would have a material and adverse affect on its ability to purchase, own and resell Seller Crude Oil pursuant to this Agreement.
 
(i)   CFMA .  Seller represents that it is an “eligible commercial entity” as defined in Section 1a(11) of the Commodity Exchange Act, and it is an “eligible contract participant” within the meaning of 1a(12) of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended by the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000.
 
(j)   Seller Affiliate of BNP Paribas .  Each of BNPP ET and BNPP ETC is an Affiliate of BNP Paribas.
 
Section 3.02   Representations and Warranties of Purchaser and Guarantor
 
.  Each of Purchaser and Guarantor represents and warrants to Seller as follows (which representations and warranties shall be deemed repeated on each date on which a Deal Sheet is executed by Purchaser):
 
(a)   Status and Authority .  Each is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation and has all necessary power and authority to carry on its business as now being conducted by it.  Each has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to do all acts and things and execute and deliver all other documents as are required hereunder or thereunder to be done, observed or performed by it in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof.
 
(b)   Power and Authority .  The execution, delivery and performance by Purchaser and Guarantor of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby are within its power and authority and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action.
 
(c)   Consents, Approvals, Etc.   No authorization, consent or approval of, or other action by, or notice to or filing with, any governmental authority, regulatory body or any other Person is required for the due authorization, execution, delivery or performance by Purchaser or Guarantor of this Agreement or any Transaction Document to which it is a party, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby except those approvals which have been obtained, and those notices and filings which have been made, copies of all of which have been delivered to Seller.
 
(d)   Validity of Documents and Enforceability .  This Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party are its legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable against it in accordance with their terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity.
 
(e)   Compliance with Laws .  Neither the execution, delivery and performance by Purchaser or Guarantor of this Agreement or any Transaction Document to which it is a party, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by hereby or thereby (i) does or will violate any provision of any Applicable Instrument of Purchaser or Guarantor or any Governmental Requirement applicable to it or (ii) does or will result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of its properties, assets or revenues.  Purchaser and Guarantor are in compliance in all material respects with its Applicable Instruments and all Governmental Requirements applicable to it.
 
(f)   Investment Company .  Purchaser is not an “investment company” subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
 
(g)   Commercial Purpose .  Purchaser has entered into this Agreement for commercial purposes related to its business in conjunction with its line of business and not for speculative purposes.  Purchaser has the capability (either directly or indirectly), and intends, to take delivery of the Crude Oil to be delivered hereunder.  Purchaser is acquiring the Crude Oil in the ordinary course of business.  Purchaser is acting as a principal and not as an agent, and understands and acknowledges that Seller has been and will be acting only on an arm’s length basis and not as its agent, broker, advisor or fiduciary in any respect; and Purchaser is relying solely upon its own evaluation of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including the present and future results, consequences, risks and benefits thereof, whether financial, accounting, tax, legal or otherwise) and upon advice from its own professional advisors, understands this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and the risks associated therewith, has determined that those risks are appropriate for it, and is willing to assume those risks, and has not relied and will not be relying upon any evaluation or advice (including any recommendation, opinion or representation) from Seller or its affiliates or the representatives or advisors of Seller or its affiliates.   Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller and Purchaser acknowledge that Purchaser will act as Seller’s representative in connection with the Transportation Activities described in Section 2.03(b) .
 
(h)   Environmental Matters
 
.  Purchaser will at the appropriate time obtain and thereafter maintain in full force and effect and in good standing all material Environmental Licenses (if any) applicable to its performance of the Transportation Activities and will at all times comply in all material respects with the terms and conditions of such Environmental Licenses.  Purchaser has not given, nor is it under a duty to give, nor has it received, any Notice of Environmental Problem and that there is no litigation or governmental proceeding pending nor, to its best knowledge, threatened against Purchaser which, if adversely determined, would have a material and adverse affect on ability to perform the Transportation Activities.
 
(i)   CFMA .  Purchaser represents that it is an “eligible commercial entity” as defined in Section 1a(11) of the Commodity Exchange Act, and it is an “eligible contract participant” within the meaning of 1a(12) of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended by the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000.
 
ARTICLE IV
 
COVENANTS
 
Section 4.01   Affirmative Covenants of Seller
 
.  Seller covenants and agrees with Purchaser that so long as any obligation of Seller to deliver Crude Oil to Purchaser is outstanding hereunder:
 
(a)   Compliance with Laws, Etc.   Seller will comply with all Governmental Requirements applicable to the performance of Seller’s obligations hereunder, except where noncompliance therewith would not have a material adverse effect on Seller or on the performance of the Transaction Documents.  Seller will comply in all material respects with the Applicable Instruments of Seller.
 
(b)   Maintenance of Concessions, Permits, Leases and Licenses .  Seller will maintain in full force and effect and good standing (and renew or extend when appropriate or lawfully permitted) all its rights under any existing or future material permits and transportation concessions, leases or licenses and will observe and perform all conditions or restrictions contained or arising thereunder, except to the extent any such failure to maintain, observe or perform would not have a material adverse effect on Seller or on the performance of the Transaction Documents.
 
(c)   Notice of Event of Default .  Seller shall notify Purchaser of the occurrence of any event which with the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would be a Seller’s Event of Default promptly after becoming aware of the same.
 
(d)   Qualification .  Seller will be duly qualified to do business as a foreign entity and will be in good standing under the laws of all jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified could have a material adverse effect on Seller.
 
(e)   Environmental .  Seller will comply with Section 4.03(g) .
 
Section 4.02   Negative Covenants of Seller
 
.  Seller covenants and agrees with Purchaser that so long as any obligation of Seller to deliver Crude Oil or to make any payment is outstanding hereunder, Seller will not at any time create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any Lien, other than Permitted Liens, on any Crude Oil subject to this Agreement or any Deal Sheet.  Unless a Purchaser’s Event of Default has then occurred and is continuing, Seller agrees it will not (a) sell or transfer to any Person other than Purchaser or otherwise dispose of any Crude Oil acquired by Seller pursuant to this Agreement and/or any Deal Sheet or (b) amend the Master Agreement or the Credit Agreement without Purchaser’s prior written consent.
 
Section 4.03   Affirmative Covenants of Purchaser and Guarantor
 
.  Each of Purchaser and Guarantor covenants and agrees with Seller that so long as any obligation of Purchaser is outstanding hereunder:
 
(a)   Compliance with Laws, Etc.   Each will comply with all Governmental Requirements applicable to the performance of its obligations hereunder, except where noncompliance therewith would not have a material adverse effect on Purchaser or Guarantor or on their respective performance of the Transaction Documents.  Each will comply in all material respects with its Applicable Instruments.  Purchaser agrees to assist Seller in obtaining and maintaining in full force and effect and good standing (and renew or extend when appropriate or lawfully permitted) all permits, qualifications, licenses, authorities, consents, approvals, clearances or concessions deemed by Seller to be necessary or appropriate, in connection with Seller’s purchase, transportation and/or resale of Crude Oil purchased under this Agreement and Seller’s performance of its obligations under the Supply Contracts, this Agreement, the Deal Sheets, related transportation agreements or tariffs and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
 
(b)   Maintenance of Concessions, Permits, Leases and Licenses .  Purchaser will maintain in full force and effect and good standing (and renew or extend when appropriate or lawfully permitted) all of its rights under any existing or future material permits and transportation concessions, leases or licenses and will observe and perform all conditions or restrictions contained or arising thereunder, except to the extent any such failure to maintain, observe or perform would not have a material adverse effect on Purchaser or on its performance of the Transaction Documents.  Purchaser will be responsible for obtaining and maintaining in full force and effect and in good standing all Environmental Licenses (if any) required to be obtained with respect to the ownership or transportation of Crude Oil to be purchased and sold pursuant to this Agreement.
 
(c)   Notice of Event of Default .  Purchaser shall notify Seller of the occurrence of any event which with the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would be a Purchaser’s Event of Default promptly after becoming aware of the same.
 
(d)   Qualification .  Purchaser will be duly qualified to do business as a foreign entity and will be in good standing under the laws of all jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified could have a material adverse effect on Purchaser.
 
(e)   Tax Indemnity .  Any and all payments under this Agreement or under any Deal Sheet shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future Taxes.  If Purchaser shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable or any implied interest hereunder to Seller (i) the sum payable shall be increased by the amount necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 4.03(e) ), Seller shall receive an amount of cash equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) Purchaser shall make such deductions and (iii) Purchaser shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxing authority or other governmental authority in accordance with applicable law.  Purchaser shall confirm that all applicable Taxes, if any, imposed on it by virtue of the transactions under this Agreement, have been properly and legally paid by it to the appropriate taxing authorities by sending to Seller either (A) official tax receipts or notarized copies of such receipts to Purchaser within 15 days after payment of any applicable Tax or (B) a certificate executed by an authorized officer of Purchaser confirming that such Taxes have been paid, together with evidence of such payment.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Purchaser will indemnify Seller for the full amount of Taxes, including, but not limited to, any Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section 4.03(e) , paid by Seller pursuant to this Section 4.03(e) and any liability (including penalties, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally asserted.  Any payment pursuant to such indemnification shall be made within 30 days after the date Seller makes written demand therefor.
 
(f)   Financial Statements and Other Information .
 
(i)   As soon as available, but in any event in accordance with then applicable law and not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of Guarantor, Guarantor shall deliver to Seller its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Guarantor and its consolidated subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied; provided, however, that such financial statements shall be deemed delivered, without any further action on Guarantor’s part, if Guarantor shall have timely made the same available on “EDGAR”; provided further, however, that if Seller is unable to access “EDGAR”, Guarantor shall provide Seller with paper copies of the information required to be furnished pursuant to this Section 4.03(f)(i) promptly following notice from Seller.
 
(ii)   As soon as available, but in any event in accordance with then applicable law and not later than 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of Guarantor, Guarantor shall deliver to Seller its unaudited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, which shall present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Guarantor and its consolidated subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes; provided, however, that such financial statements shall be deemed delivered, without any further action on Guarantor’s part, if Guarantor shall have timely made the same available on “EDGAR”; provided further, however, that if Seller is unable to access “EDGAR”, Guarantor shall provide Seller with paper copies of the information required to be furnished pursuant to this Section 4.03(f)(ii) promptly following notice from Seller.
 
(g)   Compliance with Environmental Laws .  Purchaser and Seller shall use reasonable commercial efforts to cause each Pipeline (and each operator thereof) to comply continuously during the term of this Agreement with the following, insofar as they relate to the Crude Oil and/or the activities or transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Deal Sheets and/or the Supply Contracts:
 
(i)   Environmental Laws relating inter alia to (A) releases, discharges, emissions, or disposals of Hazardous Substances to air, overlaying land and soil, watercourses (such as streams, rivers and lakes), ground water (i.e. percolating water) or surface waters (including rainfall and seepage); (B) the use, handling, disposal, treatment, storage or management of Hazardous Substances; (C) the exposure of Persons to Hazardous Substances; and (D) the transportation, storage, disposal, management, or release of Hazardous Substances, and any regulation, order, injunction, judgment, declaration, notice, or demand issued thereunder; and
 
(ii)   laws relating inter alia to any substantial and unreasonable interference with (A) any private individual’s use or enjoyment of property or (B) the health, safety or property rights of the community;
 
(h)   Notices of Environmental Problems .  In the event Purchaser receives or obtains knowledge of a Notice of Environmental Problem, Purchaser shall promptly (but no later than 3 Business Days from receipt or submission of such notice) provide a copy to Seller of such notice and, if requested, shall provide Seller with a written report (including an assessment and environmental audit) relating to any properties affected thereby.  Purchaser agrees that as between Seller and Purchaser, Purchaser will be solely liable in the event of losses or damages (including any losses or damages resulting from a violation of any Environmental Law or any release or threatened release of Hazardous Substances) to any Person or any Property caused by Crude Oil purchased by Seller pursuant to a Supply Contract for resale to Purchaser.
 
(i)   Transportation Statements and Pipeline Information .  Purchaser shall:
 
(i)   as soon as practicable and in any event no later than the fourth (4th) Business Day after Purchaser’s receipt of the transporting Pipeline’s end of month transportation statement, prepare and deliver to Seller a monthly pipeline reconciliation statement, substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto, summarizing for the prior calendar month and each subsequent month then scheduled as an Off-take Month, all purchases of Crude Oil by Seller (and specifying quality, quantity and price for each purchase transaction), all actual deliveries and scheduled deliveries to Seller, Injection Point(s) for each such quantity, all quantities then in transit or storage, all quantities delivered and sold on behalf of Seller at the Delivery Locations (and specifying quality, quantity and price for each sale transaction) and such other information related to any of the foregoing as Seller may reasonably request;
 
(ii)   at least once per calendar quarter or upon the request of Seller, a list of the grades of crude oil then approved for transportation by the Pipelines under approved and effective tariffs applicable or available to the Crude Oil; or if one of the grades specified in the definition of “Crude Oil” ceases to be a grade approved for transportation, prompt notice of such status;
 
(iii)   unless continuously available by electronic means or on a website to which Seller has been granted access, a nomination schedule for transporting Crude Oil and any information received from the Pipeline operator related thereto, such information to be furnished to Seller promptly upon becoming available from a Pipeline operator and in any event not less frequently than once per calendar quarter;
 
(iv)   promptly upon becoming aware of any change to a previously published nomination schedule which change affects any Crude Oil, prompt notice of such change;
 
(v)   promptly upon becoming aware of any “apportionment” by a common carrier or Pipeline operator, but in any event within five (5) Business Days of such event, notice of such apportionment; and
 
(vi)   use commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with those of a reasonably prudent shipper, to gain access to each Pipeline’s relevant notification systems and monitor the injection, scheduling and flow of all Barrels of Crude Oil to their intended destination in each transporting Pipeline; promptly deliver such information to Seller at reasonable intervals or more frequently if requested of Seller; and assist Seller to gain such access to such notification systems.
 
(j)   Manufacturing Exemption Documentation .  Purchaser shall deliver to Seller, at the time or times prescribed by applicable laws or when reasonably requested by Seller, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable laws or by the taxing authorities of any jurisdiction and such other reasonably requested information as will permit Seller to determine Purchaser’s entitlement to an exemption from the Oklahoma sales tax in respect of all payments to be made to Seller by Purchaser for Crude Oil pursuant to this Agreement.
 
ARTICLE V
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND EARLY TERMINATION
 
Section 5.01   Seller’s Events of Default
 
.  Each of the following events shall constitute a “ Seller’s Event of Default ” under this Agreement:
 
(a)   Seller shall fail to deliver the required quantities of Crude Oil to any Delivery Location (or any alternate Delivery Location) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the relevant Deal Sheet; or
 
(b)   Seller shall fail to perform or observe any material term, covenant or agreement contained herein or in any Transaction Document to which it is a party on its part to be performed or observed and such failure shall remain unremedied for twenty-five (25) days after notice thereof to Seller by Purchaser; or
 
(c)   any representation or warranty made by Seller in this Agreement or any Transaction Document shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or when deemed made.
 
Section 5.02   Purchaser’s Events of Default
 
.  Each of the following events shall constitute a “ Purchaser’s Event of Default ” under this Agreement:
 
(a)   Purchaser shall fail to accept the required quantities of Crude Oil at any Delivery Location (or any alternate Delivery Location) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the relevant Deal Sheet; or
 
(b)   Purchaser or Guarantor shall fail to pay the Purchase Price due on any Payment Date or any amounts due under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document and such failure is not remedied within the grace period set forth in the applicable agreement or, if no grace period is specified, within three (3) Business Days after the Business Day on which such payment is due; or
 
(c)   Purchaser or Guarantor shall fail to perform or observe any material term, covenant or agreement contained herein or in any Transaction Document to which it is a party on its part to be performed or observed (other than the failure to perform obligations related to Transportation Activities or any term, covenant or agreement whose breach or default in performance is specifically dealt with elsewhere in this Section 5.02 ) and such failure shall remain unremedied for twenty-five (25) days after notice thereof to Purchaser and Guarantor by Seller; or
 
(d)   any representation or warranty made by Purchaser or Guarantor in this Agreement or any Transaction Document shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or when deemed made; or
 
(e)   to the extent permitted by applicable law, an “Event of Default” under that certain Fourth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 19, 2008, by and among Purchaser, as borrower, the Guarantor and the lenders named therein (as such agreement may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time) shall occur and be continuing; or
 
(f)   any event or circumstance shall occur and be continuing which could reasonably be expected to have a material and adverse effect on the financial condition or the ability of Guarantor and Purchaser to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.
 
Section 5.03   Default Rights; Early Termination
 
.  At any time while an Event of Default is continuing, the non-defaulting party may provide a written notice to the defaulting party specifying the relevant Event of Default, and either demand adequate assurances under Article 2–609 of the Uniform Commercial Code (and pending the delivery of such adequate assurances, suspend its own performance, unless such performance is the payment of money) or designate a Business Day not earlier than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the defaulting party’s receipt of such notice (as provided in Section 7.01 ) as a default termination date (“ Default Termination Date ”).  To the extent an Event of Default is established to exist and has not been resolved to the non-defaulting party’s satisfaction, then upon the occurrence of a Default Termination Date, the obligations of the parties to make or receive any further deliveries of Crude Oil under this Agreement (except the obligations of Purchaser to receive and pay for Crude Oil acquired by Seller pursuant to a Supply Contract entered into prior to the Default Termination Date) shall terminate and without limiting the non-defaulting party’s other remedies, the non-defaulting party shall have the right to decline to enter into any additional Transactions.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if, upon the occurrence of a Purchaser’s Event of Default or an event constituting a Force Majeure, Seller markets, or disposes of, to one or more third persons any Crude Oil which Purchaser has committed to purchase under any Deal Sheet, Purchaser agrees to diligently and timely undertake all of its obligations under Section 2.03, including, without limitation, the Transportation Activities, with respect to such Crude Oil.
 
Section 5.04   Failure to Make or Accept Delivery .
 
(a)   If other than as a result of an event of Force Majeure, Purchaser defaults in its obligation to accept delivery at the applicable Delivery Location of all or any part of the quantities of Crude Oil scheduled to be Delivered by Seller, then Seller shall sell the quantity of Crude Oil not accepted by Purchaser and Purchaser shall pay to Seller, as liquidated damages, an amount equal to the difference between (i) the Purchase Price applicable to the quantity of such Crude Oil, less (ii) the Replacement Value of such quantity; provided , however , if the Replacement Value exceeds the Purchase Price, then Seller shall pay such difference to Purchaser.  Such payment shall be due on the date that Seller presents to Purchaser a certificate reflecting the amount due.  Seller agrees to use all reasonable commercial efforts to maximize the Replacement Value and Seller shall prepare and deliver to Purchaser, within five (5) Business Days after the end of the applicable Off-take Month, a certificate setting out the calculation of the Replacement Value accompanied by reasonably available back-up documentation therefor.  Any such certificate shall, absent manifest error, be conclusive evidence of the amount due in respect of the Replacement Value.
 
(b)   If other than as a result of an event of Force Majeure or a failure by a Supplier to deliver as provided in Section 2.02 , Seller defaults in its obligation to deliver the required quantities of Crude Oil to Purchaser at the applicable Delivery Location, then Purchaser may purchase through ordinary commercial channels a quantity of Crude Oil equal to the quantity of Crude Oil not Delivered by Seller and Seller shall pay to Purchaser, as liquidated damages, an amount equal to the difference between (i) the Replacement Value of such quantity of Crude Oil, less (ii) the Purchase Price applicable to such quantity.  Such payment shall be due on the date Purchaser presents to Seller a certificate reflecting the amount due.  Purchaser agrees to use all reasonable commercial efforts to minimize the Replacement Value and Purchaser shall prepare and deliver to Seller, within five (5) Business Days after the end of the applicable Off-take Month, a certificate setting out the calculation of the Replacement Value accompanied by reasonably available back-up documentation therefor.  Any such certificate shall, absent manifest error, be conclusive evidence of the amount due in respect of the Replacement Value.
 
ARTICLE VI
 
TERMINATION RIGHTS RESULTING FROM FORCE MAJEURE
 
Section 6.01   Termination Rights After Force Majeure .
 
(a)   Each party shall notify each other party as soon as possible of any anticipated inability to perform all or any portion of its obligations hereunder as the result of an event of Force Majeure.  Such notice shall specify the event constituting a Force Majeure and the anticipated duration of such party’s inability to perform as a result thereof.
 
(b)   If an event of Force Majeure has occurred and is continuing, the obligations of the party affected by such event of Force Majeure shall be suspended during the duration of such event, provided the forgoing shall not affect the obligations of a party which may have accrued prior to the occurrence of such event or which are unaffected by such event, including without limitation, the obligation of Purchaser to pay for Crude Oil delivered to it.  Each party agrees to take all reasonable commercial steps to avoid or mitigate the consequences of an event of Force Majeure and to bring it to an end as soon as is reasonably possible.
 
(c)   During the continuation of any Force Majeure, to the extent the parties cannot reach an agreement under Section 2.06, Purchaser shall have the exclusive right (unless a Purchaser’s Event of Default has then occurred and is continuing), and hereby agrees (unless a Purchaser’s Event of Default has then occurred and is continuing and the Seller has given written notice to Purchaser that Seller intends to market), to either (i) take all commercially reasonably efforts to promptly market and dispose of to one or more third persons, or (ii) purchase, all Crude Oil the transportation, delivery and/or receipt of which is then suspended as the result of such Force Majeure.  Any such sale or other disposition to a third person or purchase by Purchaser shall be treated as an early purchase under Section 2.13, settled in the manner set forth in such section, and Purchaser shall pay the Purchase Price for such affected quantities as contemplated in such section.
 
(d)   If any one or more events of Force Majeure occur and continue for a consecutive period of longer than ninety (90) days, then either party may designate a force majeure termination date (“ Force Majeure Termination Date ”) upon not less than two (2) and not more than ten (10) Business Days’ notice to the other party.  Upon the Force Majeure Termination Date, the parties’ obligations hereunder shall terminate, except for the obligation of Purchaser to pay any Unpaid Amounts.
 
ARTICLE VII
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
Section 7.01   Notice
 
.  Any demand, notice or communication to be made or given hereunder shall be in writing and may be made or given by personal delivery or by transmittal by telecopy or other mutually acceptable electronic means of communication addressed to the respective party as follows:
 
To BNPP ET:

1100 Louisiana, Suite 4900
Houston, TX 77002
Attention:  Legal
Telephone No.:  713.393.6882
Telecopier No.:  713.393.6992

with a copy to:
 
BNP Paribas
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY  10019
Attention:  Keith Cox
Telecopier No.:  212.471.6862
Telephone No.:  212.841.2575

To BNPP ET:

Suite 1230, 335 - 8th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta  T2P 1C9
Attention:  Secretary
Telephone No.:  [_______________]
Telecopier No.:  [_______________]

with a copy to:
 
BNP Paribas
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY  10019
Attention:  Keith Cox
Telecopier No.:  212.471.6862
Telephone No.:  212.841.2575

To Purchaser:
 
Frontier Oil and Refining Company
4610 S. Ulster Street, Suite 200
Denver, Colorado  80237
Attention:   Mr. Joey W. Purdy
Telephone No.:  303.714.0125
Telecopier No.:  303.714.1030

with copy to:
 
Frontier Oil Corporation
10000 Memorial Drive, Suite 600
Houston, Texas  77024-0616
Attention:   Mr. Doug S. Aron, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Telephone No.:  713.688.9600
Telecopier No.:  713.688.0616

or to such other address or telecopy number as any party may from time to time notify the other in accordance with this Section 7.01 .  Any demand, notice or communication made or given by personal delivery shall be conclusively deemed to have been given on the day of actual delivery thereof, or, if made or given by telecopy or any other mutually acceptable electronic means of communication, on the date of such transmittal or if such date is not a Business Day, on the first Business Day following the transmittal thereof.
 
Contacts designated by Seller for approval of a Transaction and execution of Deal Sheets are Bruce Bianchini, Bruce Borwick and Chad Nunweiler   and any other Person(s) designated in writing by Seller, with copies to BNP Paribas, attention Mr. Keith Cox and any other Persons designated in writing by Seller.
 
Section 7.02   Interest on Overdue Amounts
 
.  If any monetary amounts payable under this Agreement are not paid when due, then such overdue amount shall bear interest for each day until paid in full, payable on demand, both before and after judgment or petition for bankruptcy, the Default Termination Date and the Force Majeure Termination Date, at the U.S. Base Rate plus two percent per annum on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and on the basis of a year of 360 days, as the case may be. Such interest shall be determined daily and compounded monthly in arrears on the last day of each calendar month.
 
Section 7.03   Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial
 
.
 
(a)   THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND APPLICABLE FEDERAL LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
 
(b)   ANY PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK OR OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS.  TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS WITH RESPECT TO ANY PROCEEDING (WHETHER OR NOT IN NEW YORK), BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO SUCH PERSON, AT ITS RESPECTIVE ADDRESS, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE 30 DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING.
 
(c)   EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY OF THE AFORESAID PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT BROUGHT IN THE COURTS REFERRED TO IN SECTION 7.03(b) HEREOF AND HEREBY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.
 
(d)   EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY TO ANY OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).  EACH PARTY HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS PARAGRAPH.
 
Section 7.04   Severability
 
.  In the event that one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall be judicially determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof shall not be affected or impaired thereby and the parties agree to negotiate in good faith to agree on a provision which is enforceable and which preserves the economic bargain of the parties to the greatest extent possible.  Each of the Sections of this Agreement is hereby declared to be separate and distinct.
 
Section 7.05   Place of Payment; Currency
 
.  Unless otherwise stated, all payments herein or in any Transaction Document shall be made at the offices of Seller in New York City, New York.  Unless otherwise stated, all amounts expressed herein in terms of money refer to the United States Dollar and all payments to be made and prices mentioned hereunder shall be made in United States Dollars.  Seller shall be entitled to set-off amounts it owes hereunder against amounts owed to it or any of its affiliates by Purchaser or Guarantor or any of their affiliates.
 
Section 7.06   No Agency; No Joint Venture
 
.  Purchaser acknowledges and confirms that all purchases of Crude Oil made by it hereunder are being made by it as a principal and that it is not acting as agent for any other Person in connection with purchases of Crude Oil hereunder.  Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that Seller is not acting as an agent of Purchaser under any Supply Contract and no joint venture, partnership or similar enterprise is intended or exists as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Deal Sheet.  There are no third party beneficiaries.
 
Section 7.07   Benefit of the Agreement
 
.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Seller, Purchaser and Guarantor and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
 
Section 7.08   Assignment and Transfer
 
.  Except as provided in this Section 7.08 , no party may assign any rights or delegate any obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each other party.  Seller may grant a security interest and collaterally assign all of its right title and interest in and to this Agreement and any other Transaction Document to one or more banks or other financial institutions providing financing to it.
 
Section 7.09   Entire Agreement
 
.  This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement, undertaking, declarations, commitments or representations, written or oral, in respect thereof.  There are no unwritten oral agreements among the parties.
 
Section 7.10   Amendments
 
.  This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an instrument in writing signed by Purchaser, Seller and Guarantor or by their respective successors or permitted assigns.
 
Section 7.11   No Waivers, Remedies
 
.  No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.  The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law except as otherwise expressly provided herein.
 
Section 7.12   Time of the Essence
 
.  Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement.
 
Section 7.13   Counterparts
 
.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original and such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
 
Section 7.14   Intent
 
.  It is the express intent of the parties that this Agreement and each Transaction pursuant to this Agreement to be construed as a contract of purchase and sale of Crude Oil between Seller, as seller, and Purchaser, as buyer.  Further, it is not the intention of the parties that this Agreement or any Transaction be deemed a financing or a grant of a charge, lien or security interest in Crude Oil or any other rights of Purchaser under this Agreement or any Transaction Document to secure a debt or other obligation of either Purchaser or Guarantor.  The parties further intend that this Agreement shall constitute a “forward contract” and Seller and Purchaser are “forward contract merchants” within the meaning of Section 556 of the United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended from time to time.
 
Section 7.15   Disclosure of Information
 
.  In the event that any party provides any other party with written confidential information belonging to such disclosing party or its affiliates which has been denominated in writing as “confidential”, the non-disclosing party agrees to thereafter maintain such information in confidence in accordance with the standards of care and diligence that each utilizes in maintaining its own confidential information.  This obligation of confidence shall not apply to such portions of the information which (a) are in the public domain, (b) hereafter become part of the public domain without such party breaching its obligation of confidence hereunder, (c) are previously known by such party from some source other than the disclosing party, (d) are hereafter developed by such party without using the disclosing party’s information, (e) are hereafter obtained by or available to such party from a third party who owes no obligation of confidence to the disclosing party with respect to such information or through any other means other than through disclosure by the disclosing party, (f) are disclosed with the disclosing party’s consent, (g) must be disclosed either pursuant to any Governmental Requirement or to Persons regulating the activities of the non-disclosing party, or (h) as may be required by law or regulation or order of any governmental authority in any judicial, arbitration or governmental proceeding; provided, however, that any party required pursuant to clauses (g) or (h) above to disclose shall, as soon as practicable, give prior written notice to the other party that such disclosure is required and shall consult with such party on whether to so disclose, and if so, what action should be taken, if any, to resist such requirement.  Further, any party may disclose any such information to its affiliates, any consultants, any independent certified public accountants, any legal counsel employed by it in connection with this Agreement or any Transaction Document, including without limitation, for the purpose of investigating and appraising the business, financial condition, creditworthiness, status and affairs of the other party or the enforcement or exercise of all rights and remedies thereunder; provided, however, that it imposes on such Person to whom such information is disclosed the same obligation to maintain the confidentiality of such information as is imposed upon it hereunder.  In addition, in connection with any assignment or participation pursuant to Section 7.08 , Seller may disclose to its lenders or any assignee or participant or proposed assignee or participant any such information; provided that prior to any such disclosure, the assignee or participant or proposed assignee or participant shall agree to comply with this Section.  In addition, Seller may disclose any such information to the Swap Provider.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided herein, this obligation of confidence shall cease three (3) years from the date the information was furnished, unless the disclosing party requests in writing at least 30 days prior to the expiration of such three year period, that the non-disclosing party maintain the confidentiality of such information for an additional three year period.  Each party waives any and all other rights it may have to confidentiality as against the other arising by contract, agreement, statute or law except as expressly stated in this Section.
 
Section 7.16   Stamp and Documentary Taxes
 
.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Purchaser agrees to pay, and shall indemnify Seller for any and all liabilities incurred by it in connection with, any present or future stamp or documentary taxes or similar levies that arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.
 
Section 7.17   Further Assurances
 
.  The parties hereto agree to take all such further actions and to execute, acknowledge and deliver all such further documents that are necessary or useful to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, as may be reasonably requested by either party.
 
Section 7.18   Successors and Assigns
 
.  All references to Seller, Purchaser and Guarantor herein shall mean Seller, Purchaser and Guarantor and their respective successors and assigns as permitted under this Agreement.
 
Section 7.19   Survival
 
.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the obligations to make payment hereunder, and the obligation of either party to indemnify the other, pursuant hereto shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
 
Section 7.20   INDEMNITY
 
.  (a) PURCHASER SHALL INDEMNIFY SELLER AND EACH RELATED PARTY OF SELLER (EACH SUCH PERSON BEING CALLED AN “ INDEMNITEE ”) AGAINST, AND HOLD EACH INDEMNITEE HARMLESS FROM, ANY AND ALL LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES AND RELATED EXPENSES, INCLUDING THE FEES, CHARGES AND DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY COUNSEL FOR ANY INDEMNITEE, INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST ANY INDEMNITEE (INCLUDING ANY OF THE FOREGOING INITIATED BY THE PURCHASER OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES) ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH, OR AS A RESULT OF (i) THE EXECUTION OR DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT OR THE PERFORMANCE BY PURCHASER OF ITS OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER, (ii) THE FAILURE OF PURCHASER TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF ANY TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, INCLUDING THIS AGREEMENT, OR WITH ANY GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENT, (iii) ANY INACCURACY OF ANY REPRESENTATION OR ANY BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY OR COVENANT OF PURCHASER SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN ANY OF THE TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS OR ANY INSTRUMENTS, DOCUMENTS OR CERTIFICATIONS DELIVERED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, (iv) ANY BREACH OR NON-COMPLIANCE BY PURCHASER OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY DAMAGES SUFFERED BY THE SELLER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AS THE RESULT OF A BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT BY PURCHASER OR ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH FINDING AN ALTERNATE PROVIDER TO PERFORM THE TRANSPORTATION ACTIVITIES RELATED TO ANY CRUDE OIL IN TRANSIT AFTER THE OCCURRENCE AN EVENT OF DEFAULT AND THE TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT UNDER SECTION 5.01, (v) THE OPERATIONS OF THE BUSINESS OF PURCHASER AND ITS AFFILIATES, (vi) ANY ASSERTION THAT SELLER WAS NOT ENTITLED TO RECEIVE ANY SELLER CRUDE OIL OR THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALE OF ANY SELLER CRUDE OIL, OR ANY SUITS, ACTIONS, DEBTS, ACCOUNTS, DAMAGES, COSTS, LOSSES AND EXPENSES ARISING FROM OR OUT OF ADVERSE CLAIMS OF ANY AND ALL PERSONS IN RESPECT OF ROYALTIES, TAXES, LICENSE FEES OR CHARGES THEREON WHICH ARE APPLICABLE BEFORE THE TITLE TO ANY CRUDE OIL PASSES TO SELLER OR WHICH MAY BE LEVIED AND ASSESSED UPON SELLER, (vii) ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW APPLICABLE TO PURCHASER OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, LAWS RELATING TO THE PRESENCE, GENERATION, STORAGE, RELEASE, THREATENED RELEASE, USE, TRANSPORT, DISPOSAL, ARRANGEMENT OF DISPOSAL OR TREATMENT OF OIL, OIL AND GAS WASTES, SOLID WASTES OR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ON ANY PROPERTY, (viii) THE BREACH OR NON-COMPLIANCE BY PURCHASER OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES WITH ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW APPLICABLE TO PURCHASER OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, (ix) OWNERSHIP BY SELLER OR PURCHASER OR ITS AFFILIATES OF ANY SELLER CRUDE OIL OR THE INJECTION, TRANSPORTATION, STORAGE, HANDLING, PURCHASE, SALE, DELIVERY OR RECEIPT OF ANY SELLER CRUDE OIL, (x) THE PRESENCE, USE, RELEASE, STORAGE, TREATMENT, DISPOSAL, GENERATION, THREATENED RELEASE, TRANSPORT, ARRANGEMENT FOR TRANSPORT OR ARRANGEMENT FOR DISPOSAL OF ANY SELLER CRUDE OIL AND ANY ASSOCIATED OIL AND GAS WASTES, SOLID WASTES OR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES, (xi) ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY RELATED IN ANY WAY TO SELLER, PURCHASER OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES ARISING OUT OF ANY TRANSACTION DOCUMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED THEREBY, (xii) ANY OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH OR SAFETY CONDITION ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACTIVITIES CONTEMPLATED BY THE TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, (xiii) ANY DAMAGES CAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY SELLER CRUDE OIL TO ANY THIRD PARTY AND ANY DAMAGE TO CRUDE OIL, (xiv) ANY UNRECOVERABLE CHARGES, LOSSES, DAMAGES OR INDEMNITIES PAID BY SELLER TO ITS LENDERS UNDER THE CREDIT FACILITY PURSUANT TO WHICH SELLER OBTAINS FUNDS TO ACQUIRE THE SELLER CRUDE OIL (EXCLUDING INTEREST BUT INCLUDING ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS DUE AS THE RESULT OF THE UNAVAILABILITY OF LIBOR), OR (xv) ANY ACTUAL OR PROSPECTIVE CLAIM, LITIGATION, INVESTIGATION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ANY INDEMNITEE IS A PARTY THERETO, AND SUCH INDEMNITY SHALL EXTEND TO EACH INDEMNITEE NOTWITHSTANDING THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE OF EVERY KIND OR CHARACTER WHATSOEVER, WHETHER ACTIVE OR PASSIVE, WHETHER AN AFFIRMATIVE ACT OR AN OMISSION, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL TYPES OF NEGLIGENT CONDUCT IDENTIFIED IN THE RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS OF ONE OR MORE OF THE INDEMNITEES OR BY REASON OF STRICT LIABILITY IMPOSED WITHOUT FAULT ON ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE INDEMNITEES; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT (A) THE FOREGOING INDEMNITY SHALL NOT, AS TO ANY INDEMNITEE, BE AVAILABLE TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES OR RELATED EXPENSES ARE DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT TO HAVE RESULTED FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF SUCH INDEMNITEE AND (B) PURCHASER SHALL BE SUBROGATED TO EACH INDEMNITEE’S RIGHTS (INCLUDING RIGHTS UNDER CONTRACTS WITH THIRD PARTIES) CONCERNING ANY INDEMNIFIED CLAIM HEREUNDER.
 
(b)   To the extent permitted by applicable law, Purchaser and Guarantor shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Transaction Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby or the Transactions.
 
(c)   The obligations of Purchaser in this Article VII shall survive termination of this Agreement.
 
(d)   All amounts due under this Section 7.20 shall be payable on demand.
 
Section 7.21   Expenses
 
.  Purchaser shall pay all reasonable expenses (inclusive of allocated costs for in-house legal services and sales taxes) incurred by Seller, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for Seller, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, including its rights under Section 7.20 .  All amounts due under this Section 7.21 shall be payable on demand.
 
Section 7.22   Consent to Recording
 
.  Each party (i) consents to the recording of telephone conversations of trading and marketing personnel of the parties in connection with this Agreement, any Supply Contracts and any Transactions hereunder and to the submission of such recordings in evidence in any proceedings and (ii) agrees to obtain any necessary consent of, and give notice of such recording to, such personnel.
 
Section 7.23   Collective Reference to Seller .  The parties hereto acknowledge that, as contemplated by Section 2.09 of this Agreement, BNPP ET and BNPP ETC shall each participate (in the capacity as Seller) in each Crude Oil purchase and sale transaction evidenced by the Deal Sheets.  BNPP ET shall be responsible for and shall pay BNPP ETC for any quantities of Crude Oil that are Delivered pursuant to this Agreement and any Deal Sheet, upon the terms that such parties may agree upon from time to time.  For purposes of this Agreement, and as between Seller and Purchaser, (a) BNPP ETC and BNPP ET shall be jointly and severally responsible for the performance of the obligations of Seller hereunder and (b) Seller shall be limited to a single exercise of each election or option of Seller provided for in this Agreement.  Without limiting the foregoing, Purchaser’s obligations pursuant to the Transaction Documents shall not be increased solely by virtue of the collective definition of Seller.  BNPP ET and BNPP ETC expressly acknowledge the provisions of Section 2.01(d) (relating to the payments to be made by Purchaser to Seller) and Section 7.01 (relating to the giving of notices) and agree that Purchaser shall be entitled to rely upon each notice or instruction provided by one of the parties Seller.
 

 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
 
BNP PARIBAS ENERGY TRADING GP,
as Seller

By:         /s/ Nicolas Blanchy                                                      
Name:  Nicolas Blanchy
Title:    Chief Executive Officer

By:         /s/ Jeffifer Jackson                                                        
Name:   Jeffifer Jackson
Title:     Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

BNP PARIBAS ENERGY TRADING CANADA CORP.,
as Seller

By:          /s/ Bruce Bianchini                                                        
Name:    Bruce Bianchini
Title:      Chief Executive Officer and Director

By:         /s/ Daniel Grenier                                                         
Name:    Daniel Grenier
Title:      Director


FRONTIER OIL AND REFINING COMPANY,
as Purchaser
 
By:   /s/ Doug S. Aron                                                               
Doug S. Aron
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION, as Guarantor
 
By:   /s/ Doug S. Aron            
Doug S. Aron
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 
 
 

 
ANNEX 1
 
To Master Crude Oil Purchase and Sale Contract
 
Conditions Precedent
 

1.  
Execution of the Guaranty by Guarantor.
 
2.  
Payment to BNP Paribas of all fees described in that certain letter agreement dated November 1, 2010 by and between BNP Paribas and Frontier Oil Corporation.
 
3.  
An opinion or opinions of counsel to Seller in form and substance acceptable to Purchaser.
 
4.  
An opinion or opinions of counsel to Purchaser and Guarantor in form and substance acceptable to Seller.
 
5.  
A certificate of the secretary or the assistant secretary or General Counsel of each party setting forth (i) the consent action(s) of its governing body to execute and deliver the Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to enter into the transactions contemplated in those documents and authorizing its representatives to sign this Agreement and Transaction Documents and any other documentation necessary to implement the transactions contemplated in those documents and (ii) specimen signatures of the authorized officers.  A party may conclusively rely on such certificate until it receives notices from the other party in writing to the contrary.
 
6.  
Purchaser and Seller shall be reasonably satisfied that the other party has all requisite insurances, licenses and permits required by either the Transaction Documents or any Governmental Requirement to perform the obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party.
 
7.  
Purchaser shall deliver to Seller a copy of a valid Uniform Sales & Use Tax Certificate – Multijurisdiction which evidences the Purchaser’s exemption from the Oklahoma sales tax with respect to the Crude Oil subject to this Agreement.
 
8.  
Seller shall be reasonably satisfied with Guarantor’s and Purchaser’s accounting treatment of its obligations under this Agreement and its disclosure of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and its obligations hereunder and thereunder in its quarterly and annual filings with the SEC.
 
9.  
Termination of that certain Master Crude Oil Purchase and Sale Contract dated March 10, 2006, as heretofore amended, among Utexam Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Ireland (“ Utexam ”), as Seller, Frontier Oil and Refining Company, a Delaware corporation, as Purchaser, and Frontier Oil Corporation, a Wyoming corporation, as Guarantor.

10.  
Termination/Novation of that certain ISDA Master Agreement and Schedule dated as of March 10, 2006, between Utexam and BNP Paribas.

Annex 1
US 371671
 
 

 

EXHIBIT A
 
Deal Sheet
 
NO.       
 
DATE:  
  

BNP Paribas Energy Trading Canada Corp.’s Purchase of Crude Oil from Supplier :

Name of Supplier:
 
Supplier’s Address:
Attn:
Phone:
Fax:
 
Quantity of Crude Oil:
 
Grade(s):
 
Supply Price (per Barrel):
 
Injection Point:
 
Pipeline:
 
Injection Month:
 
Batch Numbers:
 
Required Financial Assurances:
 
a.  Type:
 
b.  Amount:
 
c.  Deadline for Posting:
 
d.  Credit Contact Address:
Attn:
Phone:
Fax:
Mechanism for Posting:
 
Special Terms or Conditions:
 

BNP PARIBAS ENERGY TRADING CANADA CORP., in its capacity as Buyer

By:                                                                      
Name:                                                                      
Title:                                                                      

By:                                                                      
Name:                                                                      
Title:                                                                      



 
 

 

EXHIBIT A
(continued)

DEAL SHEET
NO.       
 
DATE:  
 


Frontier’s Purchase of Crude Oil from BNP Paribas Energy Trading Canada Corp./BNP Paribas Energy Trading GP :

Quantity:
 
Grade(s):
 
Price:
See Section 2.01 of Master Crude Oil Purchase and Sale Contract
Off-Take Month:
Initial:
Revised:
 
Delivery Point:
 
Batch Nos.
 
Delivery Pipeline:
 
Special Terms or Conditions:
 

BNP PARIBAS ENERGY TRADING CANADA CORP., in its capacity as Seller pursuant to Master Crude Oil Purchase and Sale Contract dated November 1, 2010
 
FRONTIER OIL AND REFINING COMPANY, in its capacity as Purchaser pursuant to Master Crude Oil Purchase and Sale Contract dated November 1, 2010
     
By:                                                              
Name:                                                              
Title:                                                              
 
By:                                                            
Name:                                                            
Title:                                                            
     
By:                                                              
Name:                                                              
Title:                                                              
   
     
BNP PARIBAS ENERGY TRADING GP, in its capacity as Seller pursuant to Master Crude Oil Purchase and Sale Contract dated November 1, 2010
   
     
By:                                                              
Name:                                                              
Title:                                                              
   
     
By:                                                              
Name:                                                              
Title:                                                              
   

 
 

 

EXHIBIT B
 
Form of Master Agreement
 

 
 

 

EXHIBIT C
 
List of Approved Pipelines, Injection Points and Delivery Locations
 

 
1.  
Approved Pipelines :
 
The Enbridge Pipelines
 
2.  
Approved Injection Points :
 
a.  
Any tank farm connected to any Enbridge Pipeline
 
b.  
Any feeder or gathering line connected to any Enbridge Pipeline
 
3.  
Approved Delivery Locations :
 
a.  
Any point on any Enbridge Pipeline
 
b.  
Any tank farm connected to any Enbridge Pipeline
 
a.  
 
 

 
 

 

EXHIBIT D
 
List of Approved Suppliers
 
Canadian Natural Resources
ConocoPhillips Canada Marketing & Trading ULC
Frontier Oil and Refining Company
Nexen Marketing
Suncor Energy Marketing Inc.
Tidal Energy Marketing Inc.
Trafigura Canada General Partnership
Barclays Bank PLC
Cenovus Energy Inc.
Gibson Energy Partnership
Glencore Ltd.
Husky Energy Marketing Inc.
Marathon Oil Canada Corporation
Masefield Canada Inc.
Mercuria Energy Canada Inc.
Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc.
Plains Marketing Canada, L.P.
Sempra Energy Trading LLC
Vitol Inc.

 
 

 

EXHIBIT E
 
Monthly Reconciliation Statement
 
As agreed to by Purchaser and Seller.
 

 
 

 

Exhibit 10.2


GUARANTY

This Guaranty (this “ Agreement ”) dated as of November 1, 2010 is made by Frontier Oil Corporation, a Wyoming corporation (the “ Guarantor ”), in favor of BNP Paribas Energy Trading GP, a Delaware general partnership (“ BNPP ET ”), and BNP Paribas Energy Trading Canada Corp., an Alberta corporation (“ BNPP ETC ”), as applicable (BNPP ET and BNPP ETC collectively referred to herein as “ BNP Energy Trading ”).  Each of the Parties may be referred to herein individually as a “ Party ” and collectively as the “ Parties .”
 
RECITALS
 
1.           This Agreement is being executed and delivered in connection with that certain Master Crude Oil Purchase and Sale Contract dated as of even date herewith (the “ Purchase and Sale Contract ”) by and among BNP Energy Trading, as seller, and Frontier Oil and Refining Company, as purchaser (the “ Purchaser ”).
 
2.           The Guarantor represents it is the parent company of the Purchaser.
 
3.           The Guarantor acknowledges that it will substantially benefit from the Purchase and Sale Contract.
 
4           To induce BNPP ET and BNPP ETC to enter into the Purchase and Sale Contract, the Purchaser desires that the Guarantor guarantee the Purchaser’s payment and performance under the Purchase and Sale Contract.
 
5.           The Guarantor desires to guarantee the Purchaser’s payment and performance under the Purchase and Sale Contract upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
 
AGREEMENT
 
For and in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained and other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged), the Guarantor does hereby stipulate and agree as follows:
 
 
1.            The Guaranty .  Subject to the last sentence of this Section 1 , the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to BNP Energy Trading the full and timely payment and performance and discharge by the Purchaser of all obligations and liabilities of the Purchaser now existing or hereafter arising under the Purchase and Sale Contract (the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”) and hereby agrees that if the Purchaser shall fail timely to pay, perform and discharge in full any obligation or liability in accordance with the terms of the Purchase and Sale Contract, the Guarantor shall be liable to BNP Energy Trading for such obligation or liability, and, as such, if the Purchaser fails to pay, perform and discharge any of the Guaranteed Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Purchase and Sale Contract, the Guarantor will, within three (3) days after written notice of such failure to the Guarantor by BNP Energy Trading, pay, perform and discharge any such Guaranteed Obligation, as the case may be, as such payment, performance and discharge is required to be made or done by the Purchaser pursuant to the terms of the Purchase and Sale Contract.  The guarantee in the preceding sentence is an absolute, present and continuing guarantee of payment and performance of obligations and not of collectibility and is in no way conditional or contingent upon any attempt to collect from the Purchaser or upon any other action, occurrence or circumstance whatsoever.  It shall not be necessary for BNP Energy Trading, in order to enforce such payment and performance by the Guarantor, first to institute suit or exhaust its remedies against the Purchaser or any other person liable with respect to any Guaranteed Obligations.
 
 
2.            Obligations Absolute .  The obligations of the Guarantor to BNP Energy Trading hereunder shall be absolute, continuing and unconditional and shall not be released, discharged or in any way affected by (except to the extent the Purchaser is so affected other than as set forth in (e) and (j)  below), any of the following:
 
 
(a)           any amendment to, modification of, or supplement to the Purchase and Sale Contract or any assignment or transfer of any rights or obligations thereunder;
 
 
(b)           any release, consent or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the payment, performance or observance by the Purchaser or any other person of any express or implied agreement, covenant, term, obligation or condition under the Purchase and Sale Contract;
 
 
(c)           any extension of the time for the payment of all or any portion of any sums payable under the Purchase and Sale Contract or the extension of time for the payment or performance of any obligations under, arising out of or in connection with the Purchase and Sale Contract;
 
 
(d)           any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of BNP Energy Trading or any other person to enforce, assert or exercise, or any waiver of, any right, privilege, power or remedy conferred on BNP Energy Trading  or any other person by the Purchase and Sale Contract, or any action on the part of BNP Energy Trading or such other person granting indulgence or extension of any kind;
 
 
(e)           any bankruptcy, insolvency, readjustment, composition, liquidation, dissolution or similar proceeding or any other defense that may arise in connection with any such proceeding with respect to the Purchaser, the   Guarantor or any other person;
 
 
(f)           any change in the corporate or partnership structure, existence or ownership of the   Guarantor, the Purchaser or BNP Energy Trading, or any sale, lease or transfer of any or all of the assets of the Guarantor or the Purchaser to any person;
 
 
(g)           any failure on the part of the Purchaser for any reason to comply with or perform any of the terms of any other agreement with the Guarantor;
 
 
(h)           the settlement or compromise of any Guaranteed Obligations;
 
(i)           any law, regulation or order hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of the rights under or terms of the Purchase and Sale Contract; or
 
(j)           any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of the Purchaser.
 
 
3.            Waiver .  With respect to BNP Energy Trading, the Guarantor unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law: (a) notice of acceptance hereof, of any action taken or omitted in reliance hereon, of demand, and of the defaults by the Purchaser in the payment or performance of any Guaranteed Obligations, and of any of the matters referred to in Section 2 ; (b) all notices that may otherwise be required by statute, rule of law or otherwise to preserve any of the rights of BNP Energy Trading against the Guarantor, including presentment to or demand for payment from the Purchaser or the Guarantor, or notice to the Purchaser of claims with a court in the event of the bankruptcy of the Purchaser; and (c) any requirement of diligence on the part of BNP Energy Trading.
 
 
4.            Reinstatement of Guaranty .  This Agreement shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may be, if and to the extent at any time any payment, in whole or in part, made by the Purchaser or the Guarantor to BNP Energy Trading in respect of any Guaranteed   Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by BNP Energy Trading  upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Purchaser, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to the Purchaser or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been made and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, in such event, the Guarantor shall be liable to BNP Energy Trading for an amount equal to the payment that has been rescinded or returned, and, as such, the Guarantor shall pay to BNP Energy Trading such amount equal to the payment that has been rescinded or returned within three (3) days after written demand therefor has been made to the Guarantor by BNP Energy Trading.  BNP Energy Trading shall not be required to litigate or otherwise dispute its obligation to make such repayments if it in good faith believes that such obligation exists and has so made such repayments.
 
 
5.            Representations, Covenants and Warranties of the Guarantor .  As of the date hereof, the Guarantor represents, covenants and warrants that it is Solvent (as defined below) and able to pay its respective debts as they mature, and owns assets and property which in the aggregate have a fair value greater than the amount required to pay its debts as they mature.  “ Solvent ”  means with respect to the Guarantor (a) the fair value of the property of the Guarantor exceeds its total liabilities including, without limitation, contingent liabilities, (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets of the Guarantor is not less than the amount that will be required to pay its probable liability on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) the Guarantor does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond its ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature and (d) the Guarantor is not engaged, and is not about to engage, in business or a transaction for which its property would constitute unreasonably small capital.
 

6.            Subordination . The Subordinated Debt (as defined below) is expressly subordinated to the full and final payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.  The Guarantor may accept payment of Subordinated Debt so long as no default or circumstance that with the passage of time would result in a default exists, but the Guarantor agrees not to accept any payment of any Subordinated Debt from the Purchaser if a default or circumstance that with the passage of time would result in a default exists under the Purchase and Sale Contract. If the Guarantor receives any payment of any Subordinated Debt in violation of the foregoing, the Guarantor shall hold that payment in trust for BNP Energy Trading  and promptly turn it over to BNP Energy Trading, in the form received (with any necessary endorsements), to be applied to the Guaranteed Obligations.  “ Subordinated Debt ” means all present and future payment obligations of the Purchaser to the Guarantor, whether those obligations are (a) direct, indirect, fixed, contingent, liquidated, unliquidated, joint, several, or joint and several, (b) due or to become due to the Guarantor, (c) held by or are to be held by the Guarantor, (d) created directly or acquired by assignment or otherwise, or (e) evidenced in writing.
 
7.            Subrogation and Contribution . Until all obligations under the Purchase and Sale Contract have expired or been canceled, and the Guaranteed Obligations have been fully paid and performed (the “ Deferment Date ”) (a) the Guarantor may not assert, enforce, or otherwise exercise any right of subrogation to any of the rights of BNP Energy Trading or any other beneficiary against the Purchaser or any other obligor on the Guaranteed Obligations or any right of recourse, reimbursement, subrogation, contribution, indemnification, or similar right against the Purchaser or any other obligor on any Guaranteed Obligations or any guarantor of it, and (b) the Guarantor defers all of the foregoing rights (whether they arise in equity, under contract, by statute, under common law, or otherwise) until the Deferment Date.
 
 
8.            Notices .  All notices, requests, demands, claims, and other communications hereunder (“ Notice ”)   shall be in writing and shall be (i) delivered personally, (ii) mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, (iii) by facsimile or (iv) by electronic mail as set forth below:
 

If to the Guarantor :                               Frontier Oil Corporation
10000 Memorial Drive, Suite 600
Houston, TX 77024-0616
Attn: Doug Aron, Vice President – Corporate Finance
Facsimile:  713-688-0616
Telephone: 713-688-5628

with a copy to:                                      Frontier Oil Corporation
                10000 Memorial Drive, Suite 600
Houston, TX 77024-0616
Attn: Currie Bechtol, General Counsel
Facsimile:  713-688-0616
                Telephone: 713-688-0881

If to BNPP ET :                                         BNP Paribas Energy Trading GP
1100 Louisiana, Suite 4900
Houston, TX 77002
Attention:  Legal
Telephone No.:  713-393-6882
Telecopier No.:  713-393-6992


with a copy to:                                      BNP Paribas
Energy Commodities Export Project
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY  10019
Attn:  Keith Cox
Facsimile:  212-841-2536
Telephone:  212-841-2575

If to BNPP ETC :                                      BNP Paribas Energy Trading Canada Corp.
Suite 1230, 335 - 8th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta  T2P 1C9
Attention:  Secretary
Telephone No.:  [_______________]
Telecopier No.:  [_______________]

with a copy to:                                      BNP Paribas
Energy Commodities Export Project
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY  10019
Attn:  Keith Cox
Facsimile:  212-841-2536
Telephone:  212-841-2575


Notice given by personal delivery or mail shall be effective upon actual receipt.  Notice given by telecopy or electronic mail shall be effective upon actual receipt if received during the recipient's normal business hours, or at the beginning of the recipient's next business day after receipt if not received during the recipient's normal business hours.  All Notices by facsimile or electronic mail shall be confirmed promptly after transmission in writing by certified mail or personal delivery.    Any Party may change the address to which Notices are to be delivered by giving the other Party notice in the manner herein set forth.
 
 
9.            Construction .  The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement.  In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.  Any reference to any federal, state, local, or foreign statute or law shall be deemed also to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise.  The word “including” shall mean including without limitation. All personal pronouns used in this Agreement, whether used in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall include all other genders; the singular shall include the plural, and vice versa. All references herein to Sections or subdivisions thereof shall refer to the corresponding Section or subdivision thereof of this Agreement unless specific reference is made to such sections or subdivisions of another document or instrument. The terms “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereinafter,” and other equivalent words refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not solely to the particular portion of the Agreement in which such word is used.
 
 
10.            Severability . Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other jurisdiction.
 
 
11.            Entire Agreement; Amendment . THIS AGREEMENT (INCLUDING THE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO HEREIN) CONSTITUTES THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES AND SUPERSEDES ANY PRIOR UNDERSTANDINGS, AGREEMENTS, OR REPRESENTATIONS BY OR AMONG THE PARTIES, WRITTEN OR ORAL, TO THE EXTENT THEY HAVE RELATED IN ANY WAY TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF.  No amendment of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Guarantor and BNP Energy Trading.
 
 
12.            Term of Agreement .  This Agreement and all guarantees, covenants and agreements of the Guarantor contained herein shall continue in full force and effect and shall not be discharged until the earlier to occur of:  (i) all of the Purchase and Sale Contract shall have terminated or expired, or all of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be indefeasibly paid in full in cash or otherwise performed and discharged in full, or (ii) upon written consent of the Guarantor  and BNP Energy Trading.
 
 
13.            Survival of Representations and Warranties .  All representations and warranties contained herein or made in writing or on behalf of the Guarantor in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
 
 
14.            Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial .
 
 
(a)            THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DOMESTIC LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OR CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
 
 
(b)            EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).  EACH PARTY HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS PARAGRAPH.
 

15.            Attorneys’ Fees .  In the event of any litigation or other proceedings to enforce this Agreement, the prevailing Party or Parties shall be entitled to recover all reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith.
 
16.            Collective Reference to BNP Energy Trading .     The Parties hereto acknowledge that BNPP ET and BNPP ETC are each considered a seller under the Purchase and Sale Contract; however, given that BNPP ET and BNPP ETC are affiliates and each is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas, and that the Guarantor’s guarantee under this Agreement applies to each, the Parties have chosen to refer to them collectively for convenience.
 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]



 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the   Guarantor has caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date and year first written in the preamble to this Agreement.
 

 
FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION


By:    /s/ Doug S. Aron                                                                   
                                                                 Doug S. Aron
                                                                 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer





ACKNOWLEDGED AND ACCEPTED

BNP PARIBAS ENERGY TRADING GP


By:         /s/ Nicolas Blanchy                                                           
Name:   Nicolas Blanchy                                                               
Title:     Chief Executive Officer                                                             


By:          /s/ Jennifer Jackson                                                          
Name:    Jennifer Jackson                                                              
Title:      Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer                                                            


BNP PARIBAS ENERGY TRADING CANADA CORP.


By:          /s/ Bruce Bianchini                                                          
Name:    Bruce Bianchini                                                              
Title:      Chief Executive Officer and Director                                                            


By:           /s/ Daniel Grenier                                                         
Name:     Daniel Grenier                                                             
Title:       Director                                                           



Exhibit 10.3
 


 
EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT


 
THIS EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), effective as of   June 1, 2010 (the Effective Date”), by and between Frontier Oil Corporation, a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), and  Paige A. Kester (the “Executive”).
 
WITNESSETH:
 
WHEREAS , the Company and the Executive desire to provide the Executive with certain benefits upon a Qualified Termination of Employment, as defined below;
 
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and covenants herein contained and other good, valuable and binding consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
 
1.   Term of Agreement.
 
1.01   This Agreement is effective as of the Effective Date and, unless terminated earlier as provided herein, shall terminate on the first anniversary of the Effective Date; provided, however, on each anniversary of the Effective Date the term of this Agreement (“Term”) shall be extended automatically for an additional one-year period unless the Company shall have delivered to the Executive written notice of non-renewal at least 90 days prior to the applicable anniversary.
 
1.02   Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, termination of this Agreement shall not alter or impair any rights, benefits or obligations of the Executive (or his estate or beneficiaries) that have arisen under this Agreement on or prior to such termination.
 
1.03   Nothing in this Agreement shall operate or be construed to create any right or duty on the part of the Company or the Executive to remain in the employment of the Company for any period of time, each reserving all rights to terminate the “at will” employment relationship of the Executive at any time.
 
2.   Qualified Termination of Employment.
 
2.01   In the event of the Executive’s Qualified Termination of Employment, as defined in paragraph 2.02 below, during the Term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the following payments and benefits, provided the Executive timely executes and returns to the Company a Waiver and Release in the form attached hereto as Attachment A and does not revoke such Waiver and Release:
 
(a)   Continuation of Base Salary : the Company shall pay to the Executive, beginning on the 15th day of the calendar month that is 60 days after such Qualified Termination of Employment occurs and continuing thereafter on the last day of such initial calendar month and on the 15th day and the last day of each calendar month thereafter until the earlier of the Executive’s date of death or the 24th payment made under this paragraph 2.01(a) has been paid an amount equal to 50% of his monthly base salary, as determined immediately prior to the Qualified Termination of Employment, but disregarding any reductions in such monthly base salary made in the preceding three months unless equal percentage reductions were made in the base salaries of all other comparable executives of the Company.  In accordance with Treasury Regulation §1.409A-2(b)(iii), the Executive’s right to this series of installment payments shall at all times be treated as a right to a series of separate payments, and in the event of a “change in control event”, within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) and Treas. Reg. §1.409A-3(i)(5), all remaining installment payments shall be accelerated and paid in a lump sum, subject to paragraph 2.01(e)(v).
 
(b)   Pro Rated Bonus :
 
(i)   With respect to a bonus that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code at its time of grant (“Bonus”), such Bonus shall continue pursuant to its terms except as provided herein.  Notwithstanding anything in the Bonus agreement to the contrary, to the extent that all or a part of the Bonus becomes payable (x) pursuant to its terms as a result of the achievement of the performance targets or goals applicable to such Bonus award (based on actual results compared to target(s)), or (y) due to a change in control event, a prorated portion thereof (based on the number of days in the performance period that have lapsed through the Executive’s Qualified Termination of Employment date over the total number of days in the performance period) shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum on or as soon as practical following the end of the performance period, or, if earlier, the date of the change in control event, and in no event later than 2½ months following the end of the performance period or the date of the change in control event, if earlier.
 
(ii)   With respect to a bonus that is not intended to be “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Company shall pay the Executive, in lieu of such bonus, an amount equal to the product of (1) his annual base salary (his monthly base salary as determined above multiplied by 12) and (2) his target bonus percentage for the bonus year in which the qualified Termination of Employment occurs or for the immediately preceding bonus year, if a higher target percentage, with such product prorated based on the number of days the Executive was an employee of the Company during the bonus year in which his employment terminated over 365.  Such prorated bonus shall be paid on the 60th day after the Qualified Termination of Employment.
 
(c)   COBRA Premiums :  if the Executive timely elects COBRA continuation coverage on his Qualified Termination of Employment, then, until the earliest of (i) the end of the 12 month period following the Qualified Termination, (ii) the termination of COBRA continuation coverage for the Executive for any reason, or (iii) the Executive becomes employed by another employer, regardless of whether he is covered under a group health plan of such other employer, the Company shall remit on behalf of the Executive the full monthly premium for the COBRA coverage elected by the Executive under the Company’s plan; provided, however, such premium payment by the Company on behalf of the Executive shall constitute and be treated by the parties as additional taxable severance compensation to the Executive for all purposes.
 
(d)   Outplacement :  the Company will provide the Executive with outplacement services (to the extent reasonable with the Executive’s position as determined by the Company, but in no event to exceed $15,000) during the 12 month period following the Qualified Termination of Employment, through an outplacement services provider selected or approved by the Company.
 
(e)   Company Equity Awards:
 
(i)   All Company stock options and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) granted to the Executive shall, upon a Qualified Termination of Employment, become fully vested upon such Qualified Termination of Employment and shall remain exercisable until the earliest of (i) the third anniversary of the date of the Qualified Termination of Employment (but in no event later than the earlier of (x) the 10 th anniversary of the original grant date of the Option or SAR or (y) the latest date on which the option or SAR could have expired by its original terms under any circumstances), (ii) the date the option or SAR would have expired by its terms if the Executive had not incurred a termination of employment, and (iii) the date options and SARs granted under the Company’s equity plan are terminated in connection with a change in control event of the Company;
 
(ii)   Except as provided in clause (i) above, all Company equity-based awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code (“Performance Awards”) on the date of grant shall, upon a Qualified Termination of Employment, continue pursuant to their terms.  Notwithstanding anything in a Performance Award agreement to the contrary, to the extent that all or a part of the Performance Award becomes payable pursuant to (x) its terms as a result of the achievement of the performance targets or goals applicable to such Performance Award (based on actual results compared to target(s)) or (y) the occurrence of a change in control event, a prorated portion (based on the number of days in the performance period that have lapsed through the Executive’s Qualified Termination of Employment date over the total number of days in the performance period) of such Performance Amount shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum on or as soon as practical following the end of the performance period or the date of the change in control event; but in no event later than 2½ months following the end of the performance period or the date of the change in control event, if earlier; and
 
(iii)   Except as provided in clause (i) above, all other Company equity-based awards that are not intended to be Performance Awards shall vest in full (except as provided below) (notwithstanding anything in such award’s grant agreement to the contrary) upon a Qualified Termination of Employment (at their target level for those awards with target levels and/or performance criteria) and shall be paid to the Executive on the 60th day after his Qualified Termination of Employment; provided, however, that if the Executive’s Qualified Termination of Employment occurs in the year in which such award is granted to the Executive, only a portion of such award shall vest (based on the number of days in the year that have lapsed through the Executive’s Qualified Termination of Employment date over 365) and such vested portion shall be paid to the Executive not later than 60 days after his Qualified Termination of Employment.
 
(f)   Life Insurance:  if provided to the Executive immediately prior to the Qualified Termination of Employment, the Company shall continue the Executive’s coverage(s) in the Company’s basic and/or executive life insurance program(s) for 12 months or until the Executive becomes employed by another employer, whichever occurs first, provided such continued coverage(s) of the Executive is permitted by the term(s) of the life insurance contract(s) issued to the Company with respect to such program(s).
 
(g)   Waiver and Release: the waiver and release required under this Section 2.01 for payments and benefits to be made to the Executive hereunder must be executed and returned to the Company by the Executive no later than the 45th day following the Executive’s Qualified Termination of Employment; however, if the Executive dies prior to the Waiver and Release becoming effective (or prior to the execution of the Waiver and Release within such 45-day period), such requirement shall be waived and the payment and benefits shall be made to the Executive’s estate by the later of the end of the year of his death or 2½ months after his date of death.
 
2.02   A “Qualified Termination of Employment,” for purposes of this Agreement, means:
 
(a)   a termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company during the Term for any reason other than for (i) Cause, as defined in paragraph 2.03 below, or (ii) a disability that is anticipated to be permanent and total, as determined by the Company’s long-term disability insurance carrier, and entitles the Executive to receive benefits under the long-term disability plan of the Company or its affiliates, or
 
(b)   a termination by the Executive of his employment with the Company during the Term based upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
 
(i)   a material reduction in the Executive’s monthly base salary, unless comparable reductions are made in the base salaries of all similar executives by the Company,
 
(ii)   a material reduction in the annual target percentage or bonus opportunities provided to the Executive, as compared against those in effect in the immediately preceding bonus year, unless comparable reductions are made in the annual target percentages or bonus opportunities of all similar executives by the Company, or
 
(iii)   a written notice to the Executive of the relocation of his principal office location by more than 50 miles from its then location, unless the Executive is provided with relocation benefits and reimbursements by the Company that are comparable to the relocation package customarily provided by the Company to similarly situated executives of the Company and provides for the payment by the Company of the costs for the relocation of the Executive’s household goods and for the reimbursement of the costs of selling the Executive’s residence, if any, but excluding any costs of repairs, improvements, income taxes or other similar non-realtor selling or closing expenses.
 
2.03   For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company shall be deemed to have been for “Cause” only if:
 
(a)   such termination shall have been the result of an act or acts of dishonesty on the part of the Executive resulting or intended to result, directly or indirectly, in gain or personal enrichment to the Executive at the expense of the Company or an affiliate;
 
(b)   the Executive’s unwillingness to perform his duties in a satisfactory manner, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”); or
 
(c)   the Executive, after written notice from the Company, shall have failed, within the period provided in such notice, to perform his duties at a level consistent with his performance prior to the failure that gave rise to the notice from the Company, as determined in good faith by the Board.
 
2.04   If the Executive’s employment with the Company and its affiliates is terminated for any reason other than a Qualified Termination of Employment, this Agreement shall automatically terminate on such termination of employment without any payments or benefits due the Executive under this Agreement.
 
2.05   Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any payment to the Executive under this Agreement would subject the Executive to the additional tax provided by Section 409A of the Code if made before the date that is six months after the Qualified Termination of Employment, such payment(s) shall be deferred (and accumulated without interest if more than one) and paid in a single sum on the first business day of the seventh month following the date of the Qualified Termination of Employment or on such earlier date, if any, as would not subject the Executive to such additional tax.
 
2.06   Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, a “termination of Executive’s employment” means a “separation from service” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.
 
3.   Confidential Information
 
3.01   The Executive agrees not to disclose, either while in the Company’s employ or at any time thereafter, to any person not employed by the Company or an affiliate, or not engaged to render services to the Company or an affiliate, or any person who is not authorized to receive such disclosure, any confidential information concerning the Company’s businesses, operations, financial affairs, policies, procedures, personnel, business plans or any other confidential information relating to the business of the Company or an affiliate obtained by him while in the employ of the Company or an affiliate; provided, however, that this provision shall not preclude the Executive from use or disclosure of information known generally to the public or of information not considered confidential by persons engaged in the business conducted by the Company or an affiliate or from disclosure required by law.
 
3.02   The Executive agrees that upon leaving the Company’s employ he will not take with him, without the prior written consent of an officer authorized to act in the matter by the Board, any document, notes, disc, tape, or electronic medium or other property, including copies thereof, containing any information of the Company or its affiliates that is of a confidential nature.
 
3.03   The Executive shall not, for his own account or the account of any other person or entity, during his employment with the Company and the one-year period following the termination of his employment for any reason, solicit or in any manner induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or an affiliate to terminate his or her employment or interfere in any manner with any such employment relationship.
 
3.04   The Company and the Executive agree that neither party shall at any time during or after the termination of the Executive’s employment disparage the other party in any manner, including any parent, subsidiary, affiliate, director, agent, officer, employee, agent or shareholder of the Company.
 
3.05   The foregoing obligations of this Section 3 will survive and remain binding and enforceable on the parties, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement, the Executive’s termination of employment and without regard to the reason for such termination.
 
4.   Notices
 
All notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be deemed to have been duly given if and when mailed in the continental United States by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or personally delivered or sent by telex or other telegraphic means to the party entitled thereto at the address stated below or to such changed address as the addressee may have given by a similar notice:
 
To the Company:                             Frontier Oil Corporation
10000 Memorial Drive
Suite 600
Houston, Texas  77024
Attn:  General Counsel

To the Executive:                             Paige A. Kester
10809 Eagle Crest Court
Parker,  CO 80138

 
5.   General Provisions
 
5.01   Except as provided in paragraph 5.11, there shall be no right of set-off, mitigation or counterclaim in respect of any claim, debt or obligation, against any payments to the Executive, his dependents, beneficiaries or estate provided for in this Agreement.
 
5.02   The Company and the Executive recognize that each party will have no adequate remedy at law for breach by the other of any of the agreements contained herein and, in the event of any such breach, the Company and the Executive hereby agree and consent that the other shall be entitled to a decree of specific performance, mandamus, injunction or other appropriate remedy to enforce performance of such agreements.
 
5.03   No right or interest in any payments under this Agreement shall be assignable by the Executive; provided, however, that this provision shall not preclude the legal representative of his estate from assigning any right hereunder to the person or persons entitled thereto under his will or, in the case of intestacy, to the person or persons entitled thereto under the laws of intestacy applicable to his estate.
 
5.04   No right, benefit or interest hereunder shall be subject to anticipation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, hypothecation, or set-off in respect of any claim, debt or obligation, or to execution, attachment, levy or similar process, or assignment by operation of law, except as provided in paragraph 5.03. Any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to effect any action specified in the immediately preceding sentence shall, to the full extent permitted by law, be null, void and of no effect.
 
5.05   In the event of the Executive’s death or a judicial determination of his incompetence, reference in this Agreement to the Executive shall be deemed, where appropriate, to his beneficiary or beneficiaries. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.
 
5.06   The titles to sections in this Agreement are intended solely for convenience and no provision of this Agreement is to be construed by reference to the title of any section.
 
5.07   No provision of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived unless such amendment, modification or waiver shall be authorized by the Board or any authorized committee of the Board and shall be agreed to in writing, signed by the Executive and by an officer of the Company thereunto duly authorized.
 
5.08    Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, no waiver by either party hereto of any breach by the other party hereto of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of a subsequent breach of such condition or provision or a waiver of a similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.
 
5.09   In the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions and portions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.
 
5.10   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.  THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.
 
5.11   If the Executive is entitled to severance payments or severance benefits pursuant to an individual employment agreement or change of control agreement with the Company, the parties hereto intend for there not to be a duplication of such payments or benefits with any severance payments or severance benefits to which the Executive may be entitled to receive under this Agreement and the payments and benefits under such other agreement shall reduce or offset any similar payment or benefit to which the Executive is entitled to receive under this Agreement and which has not yet been paid or provided.
 
5.12   The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise.
 
5.13   Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or otherwise adversely effect such rights as the Executive may have under the terms of any equity award, employee benefit plan, incentive compensation arrangement or other agreement with the Company or any of its affiliates.
 
5.14   The Company shall withhold from all payments and benefits provided under this Agreement all taxes required to be withheld by the Company by applicable law.
 
5.15   For purposes of this Agreement, “employment with the Company” shall include any employment of the Executive with a parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company.
 
5.16   It is the intent of the parties that payments under this Agreement constitute separation pay and comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code so that the Executive is not subject to the additional tax provided under said section.  The parties agree that the Agreement shall be interpreted and modified as necessary to comply with Section 409A.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective for all purposes as of the Effective Date.
 
FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION
 
By:                    /s/ Michael C. Jennings                                       
Name:                Michael C. Jennings
Title:                 Chairman, President &
     Chief Executive Officer


EXECUTIVE

                                      /s/ Paige A. Kester
                                     Paige A. Kester
 

Exhibit 10.4
 

 
EXECUTIVE CHANGE IN CONTROL
SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
 

 
THIS EXECUTIVE CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), is effective as of June 1, 2010 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Frontier Oil Corporation, a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), and Paige A. Kester (the “Executive”).
 
WITNESSETH:
 
WHEREAS the Company and the Executive desire to into this Executive Change in Control Severance Agreement; and
 
WHEREAS , the parties agree that on and after the Effective Date and prior to a Change in Control (as defined below) the Executive is an “at will” employee of the Company;
 
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and covenants herein contained and other good, valuable and binding consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties are entering into the Agreement as follows:
 
1.   Operation of Agreement.
 
1.01   Unless terminated earlier as provided herein, this Agreement shall terminate on the third anniversary of the Effective Date; provided, however, if a Change in Control of the Company occurs during the term of this Agreement (the “CiC Date”), the term of this Agreement automatically shall continue until the second   anniversary of the CiC Date and then terminate, regardless of the length of the term remaining as of the CiC Date.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, termination of this Agreement shall not alter or impair any rights or benefits of the Executive (or his estate or beneficiaries) that have arisen under this Agreement on or prior to such termination, including any contingent rights under paragraph 1.03.
 
1.02   For the purpose of this Agreement, the term “Change in Control” of the Company means the occurrence of any one of the following on or after the Effective Date:
 
(a)   the consummation of any transaction (including without limitation, any merger, consolidation, tender offer, or exchange offer) the result of which is that any individual, entity, group or “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2), of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) , other than the Company, a subsidiary or an employee benefit plan of either,   becomes the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of stock and/or securities of the Company representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities,
 
(b)   a change in the composition of the Board of Directors of the Company, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the non-employee directors are Incumbent Directors.  “Incumbent Directors” shall mean non-employee directors who either (A) are non-employee Directors as of the date the Plan is adopted, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, thereafter to the Board of Directors with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination, but “Incumbent Director” shall not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with (i) an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) or an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board of Directors or (ii) a plan or agreement to replace a majority of the then Incumbent Directors,
 
(c)   the consummation of the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (including by merger or consolidation) in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (other than to an entity wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company), unless, following such transaction all or substantially all of the persons who were the beneficial owners of the outstanding voting stock and securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding voting stock and securities of the entity resulting from such transaction in substantially the same proportions as immediately prior to such transaction, or
 
(d)   the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
 
1.03   Except as provided below, this Agreement automatically shall terminate in the event the Executive ceases for any reason to be an employee of the Company and its affiliates prior to a Change in Control; provided, however, if the Executive’s employment is terminated during the six-month period preceding a “change in control event” (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”) and Treas. Reg. §1.409A-3(i)(5)) that would have occurred during the term of this Agreement but for the termination of this Agreement upon the Executive’s termination of employment, and if his termination would have qualified as a Termination of Employment under paragraph 7.02(a) or paragraph 7.02(b)(ii) (without regard to the 30/60 day periods provided in paragraph 7.02(b)(ii)), then, subject to Section 7.01(c), on, but not later than 30 days following, such change in control event the Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum amount equal to (a) the sum of (i) four   (4.0)   times his annual Base Salary, and (ii) if at the time of his termination of employment the Executive held any equity-based compensation awards that were forfeited upon such termination, the sum of the Fair Market Value of the shares subject to such forfeited awards less the sum of the exercise prices, if any, of such awards minus (b) the amount of any severance payment to the Executive pursuant to an Executive Severance Agreement with respect to such termination of employment.  Solely for the purpose of this paragraph, Fair Market Value shall mean the reported closing price of the common shares of the Company on the effective date of the change in control event.  In addition, any stock options or stock appreciation rights (“SAR”) held by the Executive on the date of the change in control event shall remain exercisable for the remainder of their terms as if the Executive’s employment had not terminated, but in no event later than the earlier of (i) the latest date on which the option or SAR could have expired by its original terms under any circumstances or (ii) the 10 th anniversary of the original date of grant of the option or SAR.  To the extent provided by the option plan or the terms of the change in control event agreement, such options and SARs may be terminated earlier.
 
1.04   Nothing in this Agreement shall operate or be construed to create any right or duty on the part of the Company or the Executive to remain in the employment of the Company for any period of time prior to the date of a Change in Control, each reserving all rights to terminate the “at will” employment relationship of the Executive at any time prior to a Change in Control.
 
2.   Period of Employment.
 
2.01   If a Change in Control occurs during the term of this Agreement, the Company agrees to continue the Executive in its employ for the period set forth in paragraph 2.02 below (the “Period of Employment”) in the position and with the duties and responsibilities set forth in Section 3 below, and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided.
 
2.02   Subject to its earlier termination as provided below, the Period of Employment shall continue until the 60th day following the first anniversary of the CiC Date unless the Executive elects to extend the term of the Agreement as provided in paragraph 1.01, in which event the Period of Employment shall continue for a period of three years from the CiC Date.
 
3.   Position, Duties, Responsibilities.
 
3.01   During the Period of Employment, the Executive shall continue to serve as a Vice President of the Company or one of its subsidiaries and continue to have the duties and responsibilities of those positions that the Executive possessed immediately prior to the CiC Date.
 
3.02   During the Period of Employment, the Executive shall also serve and continue to serve, if and when elected and reelected, as an officer or director, or both, of any affiliate of the Company.
 
3.03   Throughout the Period of Employment, the Executive shall devote his full time and undivided attention during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company, except for reasonable vacations, illness or incapacity; however, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the Executive from (i) devoting reasonable periods required for serving as a director or member of a committee of any organization that does not involve a conflict of interest with the interests of the Company, (ii) engaging in charitable and community activities, and (iii) managing his personal investments, provided that such activities do not materially interfere with the regular performance of his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.  The Board of Directors of the Company shall give the Executive written notice of any such activities that it believes materially interfere with his duties hereunder and provide the Executive with a reasonable period of time to correct such activities.
 
3.04   During the Period of Employment, the Executive shall be based at the offices of the Company maintained in Cheyenne, WY.  The Executive shall not be required to be absent from the office on travel status or otherwise more than a total of 60 business days in any calendar year nor more than 20 consecutive days at any one time.
 
4.   Compensation, Compensation Plans, Perquisites.
 
4.01   During the Period of Employment, the Executive shall be:
 
(a)   paid an annual base salary at no less than the rate in effect immediately prior to the CiC Date, with increases (if any) as shall be made from time to time thereafter in accordance with the Company’s regular salary practices for key executives (“Base Salary”); and
 
(b)   provided an annual bonus opportunity in an amount no less than 35% of his Base Salary (“Target Bonus”).
 
Any increase in Base Salary or the Target Bonus or other compensation shall in no way diminish any other obligation of the Company under this Agreement.
 
4.02   During the Period of Employment, the Executive shall continue to be eligible to participate in the Company’s equity-based compensation plans and all other compensation and incentive plans and programs in which the Executive participates immediately prior to the CiC Date (or equivalent successor plans that may be adopted by the Company or an affiliate), including, without limitation, an annual bonus plan, and the Executive shall be provided thereunder with at least the same reward opportunities in the aggregate that were provided to the Executive immediately prior to the CiC Date, unless there has been a material diminution in the Executive’s performance or duties. Nothing in this Agreement (i) shall be construed as requiring the Executive to receive during the Period of Employment payments or benefits under such equity, compensation and incentive plans or programs that are at least equal to those the Executive received thereunder immediately prior to the CiC Date, it being the intent of the parties that the payments and benefits provided thereunder shall be subject to being earned by the Executive under the then existing criteria for awards under such plans and programs, which criteria shall be based on substantially the same performance standards and criteria used by the Company immediately prior to the CiC Date, or (ii) shall preclude improvement of any reward opportunities in such plans or other plans or programs in accordance with the practice of the Company or an affiliate.
 
4.03   During the Period of Employment, the Executive shall be entitled to perquisites, including, without limitation, an office, secretarial and clerical staff, and to fringe benefits, including, without limitation, the payment or reimbursement of club dues, in each case at least equal to those provided to the Executive immediately prior to the CiC Date, as well as to reimbursement, upon proper accounting, of reasonable expenses and disbursements incurred by him in the course of his duties.
 
5.   Employee Benefit Plans.
 
5.01   The compensation and other matters provided for in Section 4 above are in addition to the benefits provided for in this Section 5.
 
5.02   During the Period of Employment, the Executive, his dependents and eligible beneficiaries shall be entitled to all coverage, participation, payments and benefits, including service credit for benefits, to which officers of the Company, their dependents and beneficiaries are entitled under the terms of the employee benefit plans and practices of the Company in effect immediately prior to the CiC Date, including, without limitation, the Company’s qualified and nonqualified retirement programs, 401(k) and profit sharing plans, the Frontier Oil Corporation Executive Life Insurance Plan, group life insurance plans, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, business travel insurance, long term disability, medical, dental and health and other welfare benefit plans and any successor benefit plans and practices of the Company and its affiliates for which officers, their dependents and beneficiaries are eligible.
 
5.03   Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the Company during the Period of Employment from amending or terminating any perquisites provided to the Executive or any of its employee benefit plans or practices in which the Executive participates, provided that in the event of any such amendment or termination, the Executive shall be entitled during the remaining Period of Employment to perquisites and benefits (and service credit for benefits) in one or more successor plans or arrangements that are at least as comparable in the aggregate to those he received immediately prior to the CiC Date.
 
6.   Effect of Death or Disability.
 
6.01   In the event of the death of the Executive during the Period of Employment, the legal representative of the Executive’s estate shall be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to the sum of (i) the Executive’s annual Base Salary and annual Target Bonus amount and (ii) the Fair Market Value of the shares subject to any equity-based compensation awards forfeited as a result of the Executive’s death, less the exercise price, if any, of such forfeited awards. Such payment shall be made as soon as reasonably practical following the Executive’s death, and in no event later than the later of (i) the end of the calendar year in which the Executive’s death occurs or (ii) 2½ months after the Executive’s death.  Such payment will be without prejudice to any other payments or benefits, if any, due hereunder in respect of the Executive’s death or pursuant to any other plans, agreements or arrangements with the Company.
 
6.02   The term “Disability,” as used in this Agreement, means a “disability” as defined in Section 409A of the Code.  In the event of the Disability of the Executive during the Period of Employment, the Executive shall continue to receive the full compensation, benefits and perquisites provided for in this Agreement for the period of such Disability or the balance of the Period of Employment, whichever is less, reduced by any other payments made to the Executive pursuant to any disability, illness or accident plan of the Company or any affiliate.
 
7.   Termination of Employment.
 
7.01   In the event of a “Termination of Employment,” as defined in paragraph 7.02 below, during the Period of Employment,
 
(a)   the Company shall pay to the Executive (or his dependents, beneficiaries or estate as the case may be), within 30 days following his Termination of Employment, a lump sum amount equal to (1) four (4.0)   times his annual Base Salary minus (2) the sum of any Base Salary and annual bonus amounts that have been paid to the Executive for services performed during the Period of Employment.
 
(b)   all outstanding stock options and other equity-based compensation awards held by the Executive at the time of his Termination of Employment which were granted prior to the CIC Date shall automatically vest in full, all performance periods shall end with all performance goals deemed met at the highest level and, if applicable, any such options and SARs shall remain exercisable for the remainder of their terms as if the Executive’s employment had not terminated, but in no event later than the earlier of (i) the last date on which the option or SAR could have expired by its original terms under any circumstances or (ii) the 10 th anniversary of the original date of grant of the option or SAR.  To the extent provided by the option plan or the terms of the change in control event agreement, such options and SARs may be terminated earlier,
 
(c)   notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Section 409A of the Code would subject the Executive to the additional 20% tax provided thereunder with respect to any severance amounts payable under this Agreement to the Executive by reason of the Executive being a “specified employee,” as defined in Section 409A, such payment shall be deferred until the first business day that is six-months after the Executive’s Termination of Employment Date or, if earlier, the date such payment may be made without being subject to such additional tax under Section 409A and shall be paid on such delayed date in a lump sum (with interest at the maximum nonusurious rate from the Termination of Employment date until paid), and
 
(d)   any delay by the Company in paying any amount due the Executive under this Agreement (including any deferral pursuant to paragraph (c) above) shall bear interest at the maximum nonusurious rate from the date such payment was due (disregarding for this purpose any deferral pursuant to paragraph (c) above) until paid.
 
7.02   “Termination of Employment,” for the purpose of this Agreement, means:
 
(a)   a “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) of the Executive by the Company and its affiliates during the Period of Employment for any reason other than for (i) Cause, as defined in paragraph 7.03 below, or (ii) Disability; or
 
(b)   a separation from service by the Executive during the Period of Employment upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
 
(i)   the failure to elect or reelect the Executive to, or the removal of the Executive from, the offices set forth in paragraph 3.01 above,
 
(ii)   a significant change in the nature or scope of the authorities, powers, functions or duties of the Executive as contemplated by paragraph 3.01 above, or a reduction in the compensation under paragraph 4.01(a) or the perquisites or benefits provided under this Agreement, and such change and/or reduction is not remedied within 30 days after receipt by the Company of written notice from the Executive; provided, however, such written notice must be given by the Executive within 60 days of the date the Executive knows, or should reasonably have known, of such change or reduction and if notice is not given by the Executive within such period, he shall be deemed to have waived his rights with respect to such change or reduction constituting a basis for his Termination of Employment,
 
(iii)   a breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement that is not remedied within 30 days after receipt by the Company of written notice from the Executive,
 
(iv)   the failure of a successor to assume all duties and obligations of the Company under this Agreement as provided in paragraph 10.10, or
 
(v)   a determination by the Executive made in good faith that as a result of the Change in Control of the Company and a change in circumstances thereafter that significantly affects his position, he is unable to carry out the authorities, powers, functions or duties attached to his position as contemplated by Section 3 of this Agreement, and such change in circumstance is not remedied within 30 days after receipt by the Company of written notice from the Executive,
 
7.03   For purposes of this Agreement, the separation from service of the Executive shall be deemed to have been for “Cause” only if:
 
(a)   his separation from service shall have been the result of an act or acts of dishonesty on the part of the Executive constituting a felony and resulting or intended to result directly or indirectly in his gain or personal enrichment at the expense of the Company; or
 
(b)   there has been a breach by the Executive during the Period of Employment of the provisions of paragraph 3.03 above, relating to the time to be devoted to the affairs of the Company, or of paragraph 8.01, relating to confidential information, and such breach results in demonstrably material injury to the Company and with respect to any alleged breach of paragraph 3.03 or of paragraph 8.01 hereof, the Executive after notice and an opportunity to be heard either shall have failed to take all reasonable steps to that end within 30 days from his receipt of written notice by the Company pursuant to resolution duly adopted by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company; and provided that thereafter; and
 
(c)   there shall have been delivered to the Executive a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority   of the membership of the Board of Directors called and held for that purpose and at which the Executive was given an opportunity to be heard, finding that the Executive was guilty of conduct set forth in subparagraphs (a) or (b) above, specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
 
Anything in this paragraph 7.03 or elsewhere in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the employment of the Executive shall in no event be considered to have been terminated by the Company for Cause if termination of his employment took place (a) as the result of bad judgment or negligence on the part of the Executive, or (b) as the result of an act or omission without the intent of gaining therefrom, directly or indirectly, a profit to which the Executive was not legally entitled, or (c) because of an act or omission believed by the Executive in good faith to have been in or not opposed to the interest of the Company, or (d) for any act or omission in respect of which a determination could properly be made that the Executive met the applicable standard of conduct prescribed for indemnification or reimbursement or payment of expenses under the Policies of the Company or the laws of the State of Wyoming or the directors’ and officers’ liability insurance of the Company, in each case as in effect at the time of such act or omission, or (e) as the result of an act or omission that occurred or began more than twelve calendar months prior to the Executive’s having been given notice of his Termination of Employment for such act or omission, unless the commission or commencement of such act or such omission could not have been reasonably known to a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (other than the Executive, if he is then a member of the Board of Directors) in the twelve month period from the date of the commission or commencement of such act or such omission.
 
7.04   In the event that the Executive’s employment shall be terminated by the Company during the Period of Employment and such termination is alleged to be for Cause, or the Executive’s right to terminate his employment under paragraph 7.02(b) or 7.02(c) above shall be questioned by the Company or for any reason, the Executive shall have the right, in addition to all other rights and remedies provided by law, at his election either to seek arbitration in Houston, Harris County, Texas under the rules of the American Arbitration Association by serving a notice to arbitrate upon the Company or to institute a judicial proceeding in Houston, Harris County, Texas, in either case within 90 days after having received written notice that his Termination of Employment is subject to question or that the Company is withholding or proposes to withhold any payments or provision of benefits or within such longer period as may reasonably be necessary for the Executive to take action in the event that his illness or incapacity should preclude his taking such action within such 90-day period.
 
7.05   Each party hereto hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in Houston, Harris County, Texas, for the purposes of any proceeding arising out of this Agreement.
 
8.   Confidential Information
 
8.01   The Executive agrees not to disclose, either while in the Company’s employ or at any time thereafter, to any person not employed by the Company, or not engaged to render services to the Company, any confidential information obtained by him while in the employ of the Company, including, without limitation, any of the Company’s inventions, processes, methods of distribution or customers or trade secrets; provided, however, that this provision shall not preclude the Executive from use or disclosure of information known generally to the public or of information not considered confidential by persons engaged in the business conducted by the Company or from disclosure required by law or Court order.
 
8.02   The Executive also agrees that upon leaving the Company’s employ he will not take with him, without the prior written consent of an officer authorized to act in the matter by the Board of Directors of the Company, any drawing, blueprint, specification or other document of the Company and its affiliates, which is of a confidential nature relating to the Company and its affiliates, or without limitation, relating to its or their methods of distribution, or any description of any formulae or secret processes.
 
9.   Notices
 
All notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be deemed to have been duly given if and when mailed in the continental United States by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or personally delivered or sent by telex or other telegraphic means to the party entitled thereto at the address stated below or to such changed address as the addressee may have given by a similar notice:
 
To the Company:                              Frontier Oil Corporation
10000 Memorial Drive
Suite 600
Houston, Texas  77024
Attn:  General Counsel

To the Executive:                             Paige A. Kester
10809 Eagle Crest Court
Parker, CO 80138

 
10.   General Provisions
 
10.01   There shall be no right of set-off, mitigation or counterclaim in respect of any claim, debt or obligation, against any payments to the Executive, his dependents, beneficiaries or estate provided for in this Agreement.
 
10.02   The Company and the Executive recognize that each party will have no adequate remedy at law for breach by the other of any of the agreements contained herein and, in the event of any such breach, the Company and the Executive hereby agree and consent that the other shall be entitled to a decree of specific performance, mandamus or other appropriate remedy to enforce performance of such agreements.
 
10.03   No right or interest or in any payments shall be assignable by the Executive; provided, however, that this provision shall not preclude him from designating one or more beneficiaries to receive any amount that may be payable after his death and shall not preclude the legal representative of his estate from assigning any right hereunder to the person or persons entitled thereto under his will or, in the case of intestacy, to the person or persons entitled thereto under the laws of intestacy applicable to his estate. The term “beneficiaries” as used in this Agreement shall mean a beneficiary or beneficiaries so designated to receive any such amount or, if no beneficiary has been so designated, the legal representative of the Executive’s estate.
 
10.04   No right, benefit or interest hereunder, shall be subject to anticipation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, hypothecation, or set-off in respect of any claim, debt or obligation, or to execution, attachment, levy or similar process, or assignment by operation of law. Any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to effect any action specified in the immediately preceding sentence shall, to the full extent permitted by law, be null, void and of no effect.
 
10.05   In the event of the Executive’s death or a judicial determination of his incompetence, reference in this Agreement to the Executive shall be deemed, where appropriate, to his beneficiary or beneficiaries. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.
 
10.06   The titles to sections in this Agreement are intended solely for convenience and no provision of this Agreement is to be construed by reference to the title of any section.
 
10.07   No provision of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived unless such amendment, modification or waiver shall be authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company or any authorized committee of the Board of Directors and shall be agreed to in writing, signed by the Executive and by an officer of the Company thereunto duly authorized.
 
10.08    Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, no waiver by either party hereto of any breach by the other party hereto of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of a subsequent breach of such condition or provision or a waiver of a similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.
 
10.09   In the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions and portions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.
 
10.10   Except in the case of a merger involving the Company with respect to which under applicable law the surviving corporation of such merger will be obligated under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Company would have been required if no such merger had taken place, the Company will require any successor, by purchase or otherwise, to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, to execute an agreement whereby such successor expressly assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Company would have been required if no such succession had taken place and expressly agrees that the Executive may enforce this Agreement against such successor.  Failure of the Company to obtain any such required agreement and to deliver such agreement to the Executive prior to the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a material breach of this Agreement.  As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid that executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this paragraph 10.10 or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.
 
10.11   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.
 
10.12   To the extent that any payment made or benefit provided to the Executive pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise results in the Executive being subject to any income, excise, or other tax at a rate above the rate ordinarily applicable to wages and salaries paid in the ordinary course of business (“Penalty Tax”), whether as a result of the provisions of Sections 280G, 4999 or 409A of the Code, or any similar or analogous provisions of the Code or any other statute, whether adopted subsequent to the date hereof or otherwise, then the amount due the Executive under this Agreement shall be increased by an amount (the “Additional Amount”) such that the net amount received by the Executive after paying any applicable Penalty Tax (including any interest or penalties thereon) and any federal, state or other taxes on such Additional Amount, shall be equal to the amount that the Executive would have received if such Penalty Tax were not applicable.  Such Additional Amount shall be paid to the Executive immediately prior to such time or times that the Penalty Tax is due and in no event later than one day after such due date.
 
10.13   To the extent the Executive prevails in whole or in part in any matter contesting the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the amount of benefit claimed by the Executive hereunder, the Company shall pay all legal fees and expenses that the Executive incurs as a result of or in connection with such matter. The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise and amounts received from other employment or otherwise by the Executive shall not be recoupable by the Company against the amounts paid or payable to the Executive pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
 
10.14   Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or otherwise adversely effect such rights as the Executive may have under the terms of any equity award, employee benefit plan, incentive compensation arrangement or other agreement with the Company or any of its affiliates.
 
10.15   The Company shall withhold from all payments and benefits provided under this Agreement all taxes required to be withheld by the Company by applicable law.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective for all purposes as of the Effective Date.
 
FRONTIER OIL CORPORATION
 
By:          /s/ Michale C. Jennings                                                
Name:  Michael C. Jennings
Title:    Chairman, President &
Chief Executive Officer


EXECUTIVE

                                      /s/  Paige A. Kester
                                     Paige A. Kester
 
 
Exhibit 31.1
 
CERTIFICATION BY MICHAEL C. JENNINGS
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT


I, Michael C. Jennings, certify that:

1.  
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Frontier Oil Corporation;

2.  
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.  
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.  
The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)     Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)     Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)     Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.  
The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)     Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 
November 4, 2010
 
 
/s/ Michael C. Jennings
Michael C. Jennings
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION BY DOUG S. ARON
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT


I, Doug S. Aron, certify that:

1.  
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Frontier Oil Corporation;

2.  
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.  
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.  
The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)     Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)     Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)     Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.  
The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)     Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 
November 4, 2010
 
 
/s/ Doug S. Aron
Doug S. Aron
Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer

 
Exhibit 32.1
 
CERTIFICATION BY MICHAEL C. JENNINGS
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 

 
 
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Frontier Oil Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2010, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Michael C. Jennings, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to my knowledge, that:
 
 
 
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
 
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
 
/s/ Michael C. Jennings
 
Michael C. Jennings
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
November 4, 2010
 
 
Exhibit 32.2
 
CERTIFICATION BY DOUG S. ARON
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 

 
 
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Frontier Oil Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2010, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Doug S. Aron, Executive Vice President - Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to my knowledge, that:
 
 
 
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
 
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
 
/s/ Doug S. Aron
 
Doug S. Aron
Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer

November 4, 2010