Consumer Law Library

Valero Energy Corporation

Volume 133 · 133 F.T.C. 416

Citation
133 F.T.C. 416
Docket
C-4031
Complaint
2001-12-18
Decision
2002-02-19
Document type
consent order
Case type
antitrust
Statutes
Clayton Act s7; FTC Act (section 5)
Industry
petroleum refining and marketing
Outcome
consent order entered
Relief
divestiture; recordkeeping; compliance_reporting; other
Order term (years)
1
Commission counsel
Respondents, their attorneys, and counsel
Source
Original volume PDF
Original PDF
This decision as a PDF

merger acquisition

Cite this decision

Valero Energy Corporation, 133 F.T.C. 416 (2002). Consumer Law Library, https://consumerlawlibrary.org/decisions/v133-0007

Report an error in this record (decision id v133-0007)

Order status: expired_sunset:2022-02-19. Sunset may be extended by the latest qualifying federal-court complaint alleging an order violation; complaints, dismissal/appeal outcomes, and respondent-specific extensions are not fully tracked.

Cited by 0 later FTC decisions

Cites

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IN THE MATTER OF VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION, ET AL.

CONSENT ORDER, ETC., IN REGARD TO ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF SEC. 7 OF THE CLAYTON ACT AND SEC. 5 OF THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION ACT Docket C-4031; File No. 0110141 Complaint, December 18, 2001--Decision, February 19, 2002 This consent order addresses the merger of Respondent Valero Energy Corporation – a company engaged in national refining, transportation, and marketing of petroleum products and related petrochemical products, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas – with Respondent Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corporation, a company engaged in the refining, marketing and transportation of petroleum products and petrochemicals and also headquartered in San Antonio. The order, among other things, requires the respondents to divest the Ultramar Golden Eagle refinery located in Avon, California – which can refine California Air Resources Board gasoline – bulk gasoline supply contracts, and 70 Ultramar-owned and operated Northern California retail service stations to an acquirer approved by the Commission. An accompanying Order to Hold Separate requires the respondents to hold separate and maintain certain assets pending their divestiture. Participants For the Commission: Peter Richman, Frank Lipson, Art Nolan, Marc W. Schneider, Connie Salemi, Shai Littlejohn, Matthew Stratton, Jordan Coyle, Robert Walters, Valicia Spriggs, Catharine M. Moscatelli, Naomi Licker, Elizabeth A. Piotrowski, Phillip L. Broyles, Daniel P. Ducore, Susan Creighton, David W. Meyer, Louis Silvia and Mary T. Coleman. For the Respondents: David Neill, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, and Phillip Proger and Peter J. Love, Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue.

VOLUME 133 Complaint COMPLAINT Pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act and the Clayton Act, and by virtue of the authority vested in it by said Acts, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC” or “Commission”), having reason to believe that Respondent Valero Energy Corporation (“Valero”) and Respondent Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corporation (“Ultramar”) have entered into an agreement and plan of merger whereby Valero proposes to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Ultramar, that such agreement and plan of merger violates Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 45, and Section 7 of the Clayton Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 18, and it appearing to the Commission that a proceeding in respect thereof would be in the public interest, hereby issues its complaint, stating its charges as follows:

I. RESPONDENTS Valero Energy Corporation 1. Respondent Valero is a corporation organized, existing and doing business under and by virtue of the laws of the state of Delaware, with its office and principal place of business located at One Valero Place, San Antonio, TX 78212. 2. Respondent Valero is, and at all times relevant herein has been, a diversified energy company engaged, either directly or through affiliates, in the refining of crude oil into refined petroleum products, including gasoline, aviation fuel, and other light petroleum products; the transportation, terminaling, and marketing of gasoline, diesel fuel, and aviation fuel; and other related businesses.

3. Respondent Valero is, and at all times relevant herein has been, engaged in commerce as “commerce” is defined in Section 1 of the Clayton Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 12, and is a corporation whose business is in or affecting commerce as VOLUME 133 Complaint “commerce” is defined in Section 4 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 44. Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corporation 4. Respondent Ultramar is a corporation organized, existing and doing business under and by virtue of the laws of the state of Delaware, with its office and principal place of business located at 6000 N. Loop 1604 West, San Antonio, TX 78249. 5. Respondent Ultramar is, and at all times relevant herein has been, a diversified energy company engaged, either directly or through affiliates, in the refining of crude oil into refined petroleum products, including gasoline, aviation fuel, and other light petroleum products; the transportation, terminaling, and marketing of gasoline, diesel fuel, and aviation fuel; and other related businesses.

6. Respondent Ultramar is, and at all times relevant herein has been, engaged in commerce as “commerce” is defined in Section 1 of the Clayton Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 12, and is a corporation whose business is in or affecting commerce as “commerce” is defined in Section 4 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 44. II. THE PROPOSED MERGER 7. Pursuant to an agreement and plan of merger dated May 6, 2001, Valero intends to acquire all of the outstanding voting securities of Ultramar in exchange for cash, stock of Valero, or a combination of cash and stock of Valero. The value of the transaction at the time of the agreement was approximately $6 billion. The surviving entity is to be called Valero Energy Corporation.

VOLUME 133 Complaint III. TRADE AND COMMERCE A. Relevant Product Markets 8. Relevant lines of commerce in which to analyze the effects of the proposed merger are:

a. the refining and bulk supply of gasoline that meets the current specifications of the California Air Resources Board (“CARB 2” gasoline); and b. the refining and bulk supply of gasoline that meets the proposed specifications of the California Air Resources Board to become effective January 1, 2003 (“CARB 3” gasoline).

9. Motor gasoline is a fuel used in automobiles and other vehicles. It is produced from crude oil at refineries in the United States and throughout the world. Gasoline is produced in various grades and types, including conventional unleaded gasoline, reformulated gasoline, CARB 2 and CARB 3 gasoline, and others. There is no substitute for gasoline as a fuel for automobiles and other vehicles that are designed to use gasoline.

10. CARB 2 gasoline is a motor fuel used in automobiles that meets the current Phase 2 specifications of the California Air Resources Board. CARB 2 gasoline is cleaner burning and causes less air pollution than conventional unleaded gasoline. Since 1996, the use of any gasoline other than CARB 2 gasoline has been prohibited in California. CARB 2 gasoline is manufactured primarily at refineries on the West Coast of the United States. There are no substitutes for CARB 2 gasoline as fuel for automobiles and other vehicles that use gasoline in California. 11. CARB 3 gasoline is a motor fuel to be used in automobiles that meets the proposed Phase 3 specifications of the VOLUME 133 Complaint California Air Resources Board. CARB 3 gasoline is cleaner burning and causes less air pollution than CARB 2 gasoline. After December 31, 2002, the use of any gasoline other than CARB 3 gasoline will be prohibited in California. CARB 3 gasoline will be manufactured primarily at refineries on the West Coast of the United States. There will be no substitutes for CARB 3 gasoline as fuel for automobiles and other vehicles that use gasoline in California.

B. Relevant Geographic Markets 12. Relevant sections of the country in which to analyze the proposed merger are the following:

a. Northern California, consisting of California counties north of, but not including, San Luis Obispo, Kern and San Bernardino counties, where the merger would reduce competition in the refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 and CARB 3 gasoline, as alleged below; and b. the State of California, where the merger would reduce competition in the refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 and CARB 3 gasoline, as alleged below.

Market Structure 13. The market for the refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 gasoline for Northern California would be highly concentrated following the proposed merger. Refineries supplying Northern California are primarily located in the Bakersfield and San Francisco Bay Area, California, and Anacortes, Washington. The proposed merger would increase concentration in this market by more than 750 points to an HHI level above 2,700.

14. The market for the refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 gasoline for the State of California would be at the upper VOLUME 133 Complaint end of the moderately concentrated range following the proposed merger. Refineries supplying California are primarily located in California and Anacortes, Washington. The proposed merger would increase concentration in this market by more than 325 points to an HHI level above 1,750.

15. The market for the refining and bulk supply of CARB 3 gasoline for Northern California would be highly concentrated following the proposed merger. Refineries supplying Northern California are primarily located in the Bakersfield and San Francisco Bay Area, California, and Anacortes, Washington. The proposed merger would increase concentration in this market by more than 1,050 points to an HHI level above 3,050.

16. The market for the refining and bulk supply of CARB 3 gasoline for the State of California would be highly concentrated following the proposed merger. Refineries supplying California are primarily located in California and Anacortes, Washington. The proposed merger would increase concentration in this market by more than 390 points to an HHI level above 1,850.

Entry Conditions 17. Entry into the relevant lines of commerce in the relevant sections of the country is difficult and would not be timely, likely or sufficient to prevent anticompetitive effects resulting from the proposed merger.

IV. VIOLATIONS CHARGED First Violation Charged 18. Valero and Ultramar are or will be competitors in the refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 and CARB 3 gasoline for sale in Northern California.

VOLUME 133 Complaint 19. The effect of the proposed merger, if consummated, may be substantially to lessen competition in the refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 and CARB 3 gasoline for sale in Northern California, in violation of Section 7 of the Clayton Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 18, and Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 45, in the following ways, among others: a. by eliminating direct competition between Valero and Ultramar in the refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 and CARB 3 gasoline;

b. by increasing the likelihood that the combination of Valero and Ultramar will unilaterally exercise market power; and c. by increasing the likelihood of, or facilitating, collusion or coordinated interaction between the combination of Valero and Ultramar and their competitors in Northern California; each of which increases the likelihood that the price of CARB 2 and CARB 3 gasoline will increase in the relevant section of the country.

Second Violation Charged 20. Valero and Ultramar are or will be competitors in the refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 and CARB 3 gasoline for sale in the State of California.

21. The effect of the proposed merger, if consummated, may be substantially to lessen competition in the refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 and CARB 3 gasoline for sale in the State of California, in violation of Section 7 of the Clayton Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 18, and Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 45, in the following ways, among others: VOLUME 133 Complaint a. by eliminating direct competition between Valero and Ultramar in the refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 and CARB 3 gasoline; and b. by increasing the likelihood of, or facilitating, collusion or coordinated interaction between the combination of Valero and Ultramar and their competitors in California; each of which increases the likelihood that the price of CARB 2 and CARB 3 gasoline will increase in the relevant section of the country.

Statutes Violated 22. The proposed merger between Valero and Ultramar violates Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 45, and would, if consummated, violate Section 7 of the Clayton Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 18, and Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 45.

WHEREFORE, THE PREMISES CONSIDERED, the Federal Trade Commission on this eighteenth day of December, 2001, issues its complaint against said Respondents. By the Commission, Chairman Muris not participating. VOLUME 133 Decision and Order DECISION AND ORDER The Federal Trade Commission having initiated an investigation of the proposed merger involving Respondents Valero Energy Corporation (“Valero”) and Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corporation (“Ultramar”), and Respondents having been furnished thereafter with a draft of Complaint that the Bureau of Competition proposed to present to the Commission for its consideration and that, if issued by the Commission, would charge Respondents with violations of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 45, and Section 7 of the Clayton Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 18; and Respondents, their attorneys, and counsel for the Commission having thereafter executed an Agreement Containing Consent Orders (“Consent Agreement”), containing an admission by Respondents of all the jurisdictional facts set forth in the aforesaid draft of Complaint, a statement that the signing of said Consent Agreement is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by Respondents that the law has been violated as alleged in such Complaint, or that the facts as alleged in such Complaint, other than jurisdictional facts, are true, and waivers and other provisions as required by the Commission’s Rules; and The Commission having thereafter considered the matter and having determined that it had reason to believe that the Respondents have violated the said Acts, and that a Complaint should issue stating its charges in that respect, and having thereupon issued its Complaint and its Order to Hold Separate and Maintain Assets and accepted the executed Consent Agreement and placed such Agreement on the public record for a period of thirty (30) days for the receipt and consideration of public comments, and having duly considered the comment filed thereafter by an interested person pursuant to Section 2.34 of its Rules, now in further conformity with the procedure described in Commission Rule 2.34, 16 C.F.R. § 2.34, the Commission hereby VOLUME 133 Decision and Order makes the following jurisdictional findings and issues the following Order:

1. Respondent Valero Energy Corporation is a corporation organized, existing and doing business under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware, with its office and principal place of business located at One Valero Place, San Antonio, Texas 78212.

2. Respondent Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corporation is a corporation organized, existing and doing business under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware, with its office and principal place of business located at 6000 N. Loop 1604 West, San Antonio, Texas 78249. 3. The Federal Trade Commission has jurisdiction of the subject matter of this proceeding and of the Respondents, and the proceeding is in the public interest. ORDER I.

IT IS ORDERED that, as used in this Order, the following definitions shall apply:

A. “Valero” means Valero Energy Corporation, its directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives, predecessors, successors, and assigns; its joint ventures, subsidiaries, divisions, groups and affiliates controlled by Valero, and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, successors, and assigns of each. B. “Ultramar” or “UDS” means Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corporation, its directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives, predecessors, successors, and assigns; its VOLUME 133 Decision and Order joint ventures, subsidiaries, divisions, groups and affiliates controlled by Ultramar, and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, successors, and assigns of each.

C. “California CARB Refining and Marketing Assets” means the following assets: (1) Ultramar’s Golden Eagle refinery located at Avon, California and all of Ultramar’s interest in all tangible assets used in the operation of the refinery, including but not limited to docks, associated tanks, and pipelines; all licenses, agreements, contracts, and permits used in the operation of the refinery; the non-exclusive right to use all patents, know-how, and other intellectual property used by Ultramar in the operation of the refinery; all agreements, contracts, and understandings listed in Schedule A, attached as a confidential attachment; at the acquirer’s option, all contracts, agreements or understandings (other than those listed in Schedule A) relating to the transportation, terminaling, storage or sale of the refinery’s petroleum product output; at the acquirer’s option, all agreements (other than those listed in Schedule A) under which Ultramar receives crude oil or other inputs at or for the refinery; and, at the acquirer’s option, all exchange agreements involving the refinery; all plans (including proposed and tentative plans, whether or not adopted), specifications, drawings, and other assets (including the non-exclusive right to use patents, know-how, and other intellectual property relating to such plans) related to the operation of, and improvements, modifications, or upgrades to, the Golden Eagle refinery; (2) Ultramar’s refinery located at Wilmington, California, and all of Ultramar’s interest in all tangible assets used in the operation of the refinery; all licenses, agreements, contracts, and permits used in the operation of the refinery, including but not limited to docks, associated tanks, and pipelines; the nonexclusive right to use all patents, know-how, and other VOLUME 133 Decision and Order intellectual property used by Ultramar in the operation of the refinery; at the acquirer’s option, all contracts, agreements or understandings relating to the transportation, terminaling, storage or sale of the refinery’s petroleum product output; at the acquirer’s option, all agreements under which Ultramar receives crude oil or other inputs at or for the refinery; and, at the acquirer’s option, all exchange agreements involving the refinery; all plans (including proposed and tentative plans, whether or not adopted), specifications, drawings, and other assets (including the non-exclusive right to use patents, know-how, and other intellectual property relating to such plans) related to the operation of, and improvements, modifications, or upgrades to, the Wilmington refinery; and (3) Ultramar’s California Retail Assets.

D. “CARB Gasoline” means motor fuel used in automobiles that meets the specifications of the California Air Resources Board.

E. “Commission” means the Federal Trade Commission. F. “Effective Date of Divestiture” means the date on which the applicable divestiture is consummated. G. “Golden Eagle CARB Refining and Marketing Assets” means: (1) Ultramar’s Golden Eagle refinery located at Avon, California and all of Ultramar’s interest in all tangible assets used in the operation of the refinery, including but not limited to docks, associated tanks, and pipelines; all licenses, agreements, contracts, and permits used in the operation of the refinery; the non-exclusive right to use all patents, know-how, and other intellectual property used by Ultramar in the operation of the refinery; all agreements, contracts and understandings listed in Schedule A; at the acquirer’s option, all contracts, agreements or VOLUME 133 Decision and Order understandings (other than those listed in Schedule A) relating to the transportation, terminaling, storage or sale of the refinery’s petroleum product output to the extent they relate to the refinery’s petroleum product output; at the acquirer’s option, all agreements (other than those listed in Schedule A) under which Ultramar receives crude oil or other inputs at or for the refinery; and all exchange agreements involving the refinery (but only to the extent the exchange agreements involve output of the refinery); all plans (including proposed and tentative plans, whether or not adopted), specifications, drawings, and other assets (including the non-exclusive right to use patents, knowhow, and other intellectual property relating to such plans) related to the operation of, and improvements, modifications, or upgrades to, the Golden Eagle refinery; and (2) Ultramar’s Divestiture Retail Assets. H. “Merger” means the proposed merger involving Valero and Ultramar.

I. “New Valero” means Valero Energy Corporation, or any other entity resulting from the merger involving Valero and Ultramar, its directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives, predecessors, successors, and assigns; its joint ventures, subsidiaries, divisions, groups and affiliates controlled by New Valero.

J. “Respondents” means Valero and Ultramar, individually and collectively, and New Valero.

K. “Retail Assets” means, for each Retail Site, all fee or leasehold interests of Respondents in the Retail Site, and all of Respondents’ interest in all assets, tangible or intangible, that are used at that Retail Site, including, but not limited to, all permits, licenses, consents, contracts, and agreements used in the operation of the Retail Site, and the non- VOLUME 133 Decision and Order exclusive right to use all patents, know-how, and other intellectual property used by Respondents in the operation of the Retail Sites. “Retail Assets” also includes all of Respondents’ interest in all assets relating to all ancillary businesses (including, but not limited to, automobile mechanical service, convenience store, restaurant or car wash) located at each Retail Site, including all permits, licenses, consents, contracts, and agreements used in the operation of the ancillary businesses, and the non-exclusive right to use all know-how, patents, and other intellectual property used in the operation of the ancillary businesses. “Retail Assets” does not include Respondents’ proprietary trademarks, trade names, logos, trade dress, and systemwide software and databases.

L. “Retail Site” means a business establishment from which gasoline is sold to the general public. M.“Ultramar’s California Retail Assets” means all of Ultramar’s Retail Assets relating to all Retail Sites in California that Ultramar operates.

N. “Ultramar’s Divestiture Retail Assets” means all of Ultramar’s Retail Assets relating to the Retail Sites that are listed in Schedule B.

II.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:

A. Respondents shall divest the Golden Eagle CARB Refining and Marketing Assets to a single acquirer that receives the prior approval of the Commission and only in a manner that receives the prior approval of the Commission, absolutely and in good faith and at no minimum price, within twelve VOLUME 133 Decision and Order (12) months from the date Respondents execute the Consent Agreement.

B. Respondents shall offer the acquirer of the Golden Eagle CARB Refining and Marketing Assets an indemnity, subject to the prior approval of the Commission and to be effective upon the Effective Date of Divestiture of the Golden Eagle CARB Refining and Marketing Assets, which indemnity shall allocate among Respondents and the acquirer, on such terms as the Respondents and the acquirer agree, responsibility with respect to potential claims and liabilities arising out of failure to comply with local, state, and federal environmental obligations in connection with the Golden Eagle refinery and the Retail Sites that are divested or assigned pursuant to this Paragraph.

C. In the event that Respondents are unable to satisfy all conditions necessary to divest any intangible asset, Respondents shall: (1) with respect to permits, licenses or other rights granted by governmental authorities (other than patents), provide such assistance as the acquirer may reasonably request in the acquirer’s efforts to obtain comparable permits, licenses or rights, and (2) with respect to other intangible assets (including patents), substitute equivalent assets, subject to Commission approval. A substituted asset will not be deemed to be equivalent unless it enables the refinery to perform the same function at the same or lower cost.

D. With respect to assets that are to be divested or agreements entered into pursuant to this paragraph at the acquirer’s option, Respondents need not divest such assets or enter into such agreements only if the acquirer chooses not to acquire such assets or enter into such agreements and the Commission approves the divestiture without such assets or agreements.

VOLUME 133 Decision and Order E. The purpose of the divestiture of the Golden Eagle CARB Refining and Marketing Assets, and of the other provisions of this Paragraph, is to ensure the continued use of the Golden Eagle CARB Refining and Marketing Assets as viable, on-going businesses, in the same businesses in which they were engaged at the time of the announcement of the Merger, including the refining and bulk supply of CARB Gasoline and other petroleum products, by a firm that has a sufficient ability and an equivalent incentive to invest and compete in the assets and businesses as Ultramar had before the Merger, and to remedy the lessening of competition in the refining and bulk supply of CARB Gasoline and other petroleum products resulting from the proposed Merger as alleged in the Commission's Complaint. III.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:

A. If Respondents have not, within the time periods required, complied with the requirements of Paragraph II, absolutely and in good faith, the Commission may appoint a trustee to effectuate the divestiture required by Paragraph II; provided, however, that the trustee may, subject to the approval of the Commission, substitute the California CARB Refining and Marketing Assets for the Golden Eagle CARB Refining and Marketing Assets.

B. In the event that the Commission or the United States Attorney General brings an action pursuant to § 5(l) of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. § 45(l), or any other statute enforced by the Commission, Respondents shall consent to the appointment of a trustee in such action. Neither the appointment of a trustee nor a decision not to appoint a trustee under this Paragraph shall preclude the VOLUME 133 Decision and Order Commission or the United States Attorney General from seeking civil penalties or any other relief available to it, including a court-appointed trustee, pursuant to § 5(l) of the Federal Trade Commission Act, or any other statute enforced by the Commission, for any failure by the Respondents to comply with this Order. C. If a trustee is appointed by the Commission or a court pursuant to Paragraph III.A. of this Order, Respondents shall consent to the following terms and conditions regarding the trustee's powers, duties, authority, and responsibilities:

1. The Commission shall select the trustee or trustees, subject to the consent of Respondents, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The trustee shall be a person with experience and expertise in acquisitions and divestitures. If Respondents have not opposed, in writing, including the reasons for opposing, the selection of any proposed trustee within ten (10) days after notice by the staff of the Commission to Respondents of the identity of any proposed trustee, Respondents shall be deemed to have consented to the selection of the proposed trustee.

2. Subject to the prior approval of the Commission, the trustee shall have the exclusive power and authority to divest the assets to be divested, assign the agreements required to be assigned, and enter into the required agreements, thereby binding Respondents, all on such terms and conditions as are necessary to comply with the requirements of the applicable paragraph, to comply with all applicable laws, and to effectuate the remedial purposes of this Order. Subject to the prior approval of the Commission, the trustee shall have the sole authority to divest the assets described in Paragraph VOLUME 133 Decision and Order III.A in smaller packages as the trustee deems necessary to effectuate divestiture of the assets and to effectuate the remedial purposes of this Order.

3. Within ten (10) days after appointment of the trustee, Respondents shall execute a trust agreement that, subject to the prior approval of the Commission and, in the case of a court-appointed trustee, of the court, transfers to the trustee all rights and powers necessary to permit the trustee to effect the divestitures required by this Order.

4. The trustee shall have twelve (12) months from the date the Commission approves the trust agreement described in Paragraph III.C.3. to accomplish the divestiture to an acquirer that receives the prior approval of the Commission and in a manner that receives the prior approval of the Commission. If, however, at the end of the twelve-month period, the trustee has submitted a plan of divestiture or believes that divestiture can be achieved within a reasonable time, the divestiture period may be extended by the Commission, or, in the case of a court-appointed trustee, by the court.

5. The trustee shall have full and complete access to the personnel, books, records and facilities related to the assets to be divested or to any other relevant information, as the trustee may request. Respondents shall develop such financial or other information as such trustee may request and shall cooperate with the trustee. Respondents shall take no action to interfere with or impede the trustee's accomplishment of the divestiture. Any delays in divestiture caused by Respondents shall extend the time for divestiture under this Paragraph in an amount equal to the delay, as VOLUME 133 Decision and Order determined by the Commission or, for a courtappointed trustee, by the court.

6. The trustee shall use his or her best efforts to negotiate the most favorable price and terms available in each contract that is submitted to the Commission, subject to Respondents’ absolute and unconditional obligation to divest expeditiously at no minimum price. The divestiture shall be made in the manner and to the acquirer or acquirers as approved by the Commission, as applicable; provided, however, if the trustee receives bona fide offers from more than one acquiring entity for any package of assets, and if the Commission determines to approve more than one such acquiring entity, the trustee shall divest to the acquiring entity or entities selected by Respondents from among those approved by the Commission, provided further, however, that Respondents shall select such entity within five (5) days of receiving notification of the Commission’s approval.

7. The trustee shall serve, without bond or other security, at the cost and expense of Respondents, on such reasonable and customary terms and conditions as the Commission or a court may set. The trustee shall have the authority to employ, at the cost and expense of Respondents, such consultants, accountants, attorneys, investment bankers, business brokers, appraisers, and other representatives and assistants as are necessary to carry out the trustee's duties and responsibilities. The trustee shall account for all monies derived from the divestiture and all expenses incurred. After approval by the Commission and, in the case of a court-appointed trustee, by the court, of the account of the trustee, including fees for his or her services, all remaining monies shall be paid at the direction of the VOLUME 133 Decision and Order Respondents, and the trustee's power shall be terminated. The trustee's compensation shall be based at least in significant part on a commission arrangement contingent on the trustee's divesting the assets to be divested.

8. Respondents shall indemnify the trustee and hold the trustee harmless against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses arising out of, or in connection with, the performance of the trustee's duties, including all reasonable fees of counsel and other expenses incurred in connection with the preparation for, or defense of any claim, whether or not resulting in any liability, except to the extent that such liabilities, losses, damages, claims, or expenses result from misfeasance, gross negligence, willful or wanton acts, or bad faith by the trustee.

9. If the trustee ceases to act or fails to act diligently, a substitute trustee shall be appointed in the same manner as provided in Paragraph III.A. of this Order. 10. The Commission or, in the case of a courtappointed trustee, the court, may on its own initiative or at the request of the trustee issue such additional orders or directions as may be necessary or appropriate to accomplish the divestitures required by this Order. 11. The trustee shall have no obligation or authority to operate or maintain the assets to be divested. 12. The trustee shall report in writing to Respondents and the Commission every sixty (60) days concerning the trustee's efforts to accomplish the divestitures. VOLUME 133 Decision and Order IV.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within sixty (60) days after the date this Order becomes final and every sixty (60) days thereafter until Respondents have fully complied with the provisions of Paragraphs II and III of this Order, Respondents shall submit to the Commission a verified written report setting forth in detail the manner and form in which they intend to comply, are complying, and have complied with these Paragraphs. Respondents shall include in their compliance reports, among other things that are required from time to time, a full description of the efforts being made to comply with these Paragraphs, including a description of all substantive contacts or negotiations for the divestitures and the identity of all parties contacted. Respondents shall include in their compliance reports copies of all written communications to and from such parties, all internal memoranda, and all reports and recommendations concerning divestiture.

V.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:

A. Respondents shall notify the Commission at least thirty (30) days prior to any proposed change in the corporate Respondents such as dissolution, assignment, sale resulting in the emergence of a successor corporation, or the creation or dissolution of subsidiaries or any other change in the corporation that may affect compliance obligations arising out of the order. B. Upon consummation of the Merger, Respondents shall cause New Valero to be bound by the terms of this Order. VOLUME 133 Decision and Order VI.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, for the purpose of determining or securing compliance with this Order, and subject to any legally recognized privilege, and upon written request with reasonable notice to Respondents, Respondents shall permit any duly authorized representative of the Commission: A. Access, during office hours of Respondent and in the presence of counsel, to all facilities, and access to inspect and copy all books, ledgers, accounts, correspondence, memoranda and all other records and documents in the possession or under the control of each Respondent relating to any matters contained in this Order; and B. Upon five days' notice to each Respondent and without restraint or interference from it, to interview officers, directors, or employees of Respondent, who may have counsel present, regarding any such matters. VII.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that if (1) within the time period required for divestiture pursuant to Paragraph II of this Order, Respondents have submitted a complete application in support of the divestiture or other relief (including the acquirer, manner of divestiture and all other matters subject to Commission approval) as required by such paragraphs; and (2) the Commission has approved the divestiture or other relief and has not withdrawn its acceptance; but (3) Respondents have certified to the Commission prior to the expiration of the applicable time period that (a) notwithstanding timely and complete application for approval by Respondents to the State or District under an applicable consent decree to which the State (or District) and Respondents are parties, the State or District has failed to approve the divestiture or other relief that is also required under this Order, or (b) a State or District has filed a timely motion in court seeking VOLUME 133 Decision and Order to enjoin the proposed divestiture or other relief under an applicable consent decree to which the State (or District) and Respondents are parties, then, (4) with respect to the particular divestiture or other relief that remains unconsummated, the time in which the divestiture or other relief is required under this Order to be complete shall be extended (a) for ninety (90) days or (b) until the disposition of the motion filed by the State or District pertaining to the proposed divestiture or other relief, whichever is later. During such period of extension, Respondents shall exercise utmost good faith and best efforts to resolve the concerns of the particular State.

By the Commission, Chairman Muris not participating. VOLUME 133 Decision and Order SCHEDULE A Confidential [Redacted From Public Record Version] VOLUME 133 Decision and Order SCHEDULE B StoreAddressCityStateZipZone Number 3674851 N. 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Lake BlvdKings BeachCA95719351 360310299 Folsom BlvdRancho CordovaCA95670-3516351 36426990 Douglas BlvdGranite Bayer95746-6214351 36838651 Folsom BlvdSacramentoCA95826-3708351 36841312 BroadwayPlacervilleCA95667-5902351 36859301 Greenback LnOrangevaleCA95662-4901351 36863430 Taylor RdLoomisCA95650-9583351 36871110 High StAuburnCA95603-5110351 36882304 Lake Tahoe BlvdS. Lake TahoeCA96150-7107351 36941001 Sacramento AveBroderickCA95605-1902351 37837550 Watt AveNorth HighlandsCA95660-2609351 34201370 Camden AveCampbellCA95008-6702351 3586929 Fremont AveLos Altos HillsCA94024-6013351 36021885 N Milpitas BlvdMilpitasCA95035-2505351 37232790 Story RdSan Joseph95127-3922351 37241365 Kooser RdSan Joseph95118-3814351 37251598 Alum Rock AveSan Joseph95116-2425351 VOLUME 133 Decision and Order 3786921 W Hamilton AveCampbellCA95008-0405351 3489921 Sebastopol RdSanta RosaCA95407-6830351 3645300 College AveSanta RosaCA95401-5118351 37007898 Old Redwood HwyCotatiCA94931-5107351 3701219 Healdsburg AveHealdsburgCA95448-4103351 37028850 Sonoma HwyKenwoodCA95452-9024351 37032601 Lakeville HwyPetalumaCA94954-5654351 37041080 GravensteinSebastopolCA95472351 350235 N Cherokee LnLodiCA95240-2411351 3513401 W Kettleman LnLodiCA95240-5741351 36962448 W Kettleman LnLodiCA95242-4123351 375613975 E Highway 88LockefordCA95237-9549351 33781800 W Imola AveNapaCA94559-4619351 34161300 Trancas StNapaCA94558-2912351 3522800 Merchant StVacavilleCA95688-6912351 36821105 N 1st StDixonCA95620-2404351 3706385 Silverado TrlNapaCA94559-4013351 3707800 St. Helena HwySaint HelenaCA94574351 37103438 Broadway StAmer. CanyonCA94589-1254351 37111295 Marine World PkwyVallejoCA94589-3104351 VOLUME 133 Order ORDER TO HOLD SEPARATE AND MAINTAIN ASSETS The Federal Trade Commission having initiated an investigation of the proposed merger involving Respondents Valero Energy Corporation (“Valero”) and Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corporation (“Ultramar”), and Respondents having been furnished thereafter with a draft of Complaint that the Bureau of Competition proposed to present to the Commission for its consideration and that, if issued by the Commission, would charge Respondents with violations of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 45, and Section 7 of the Clayton Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. §18; and Respondents, their attorneys, and counsel for the Commission having thereafter executed an Agreement Containing Consent Orders (“Consent Agreement”), containing an admission by Respondents of all the jurisdictional facts set forth in the aforesaid draft of Complaint, a statement that the signing of said Consent Agreement is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by Respondents that the law has been violated as alleged in such Complaint, or that the facts as alleged in such Complaint, other than jurisdictional facts, are true, and waivers and other provisions as required by the Commission’s Rules; and The Commission having thereafter considered the matter and having determined that it had reason to believe that Respondents have violated the said Acts, and that a Complaint should issue stating its charges in that respect, and having determined to accept the executed Agreement Containing Consent Orders and to place such Consent Agreement on the public record for a period of thirty (30) days for the receipt and consideration of public comments, now in further conformity with the procedure described in Commission Rule 2.34, 16 C.F.R. § 2.34, the Commission hereby issues its Complaint, makes the following jurisdictional findings and issues this Order to Hold Separate and Maintain Assets (“Hold Separate”):

VOLUME 133 Order 1. Respondent Valero is a corporation organized, existing and doing business under and by virtue of the laws of the state of Delaware, with its office and principal place of business located at One Valero Place, San Antonio, TX 78212. 2. Respondent Ultramar is a corporation organized, existing and doing business under and by virtue of the laws of the state of Delaware, with its office and principal place of business located at 6000 N. Loop 1604 West, San Antonio, TX 78249.

3. The Federal Trade Commission has jurisdiction of the subject matter of this proceeding and of Respondent, and the proceeding is in the public interest. ORDER I.

IT IS ORDERED that, as used in this Hold Separate, the following definitions and provisions shall apply: A. “Valero” means Valero Energy Corporation, its directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives, predecessors, successors, and assigns; its joint ventures, subsidiaries, divisions, groups and affiliates controlled by Valero, and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, successors, and assigns of each. B. “Ultramar” or “UDS” means Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corporation, its directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives, predecessors, successors, and assigns; its joint ventures, subsidiaries, divisions, groups and affiliates controlled by Ultramar, and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, successors, and assigns of each.

VOLUME 133 Order C. "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission. D. “Decision and Order” means the Decision and Order contained in the Agreement Containing Consent Orders, executed by Respondents in this matter. E. “Effective Date of Divestiture” means the date on which the divestiture required by Paragraph II or III of the Decision and Order is consummated.

F. “Held Separate Business” means (1) Ultramar’s Golden Eagle refinery located at Avon, California and all of Ultramar’s interest in all tangible assets used in the operation of the refinery, including but not limited to docks, associated tanks, and pipelines; all licenses, agreements, contracts, and permits used in the operation of the refinery; the non-exclusive right to use all patents, know-how, and other intellectual property used by Ultramar in the operation of the refinery; all contracts, agreements or understandings relating to the transportation, terminaling, storage or sale of the refinery’s petroleum product output to the extent they relate to the refinery’s petroleum product output; all agreements under which Ultramar receives crude oil or other inputs at or for the refinery; and all exchange agreements involving the refinery (but only to the extent the exchange agreements involve output of the refinery); all plans (including proposed and tentative plans, whether or not adopted), specifications, drawings, and other assets (including the non-exclusive right to use patents, knowhow, and other intellectual property relating to such plans) related to the operation of, and improvements, modifications, or upgrades to, the Golden Eagle refinery; (2) Ultramar’s Divestiture Retail Assets; and (3) all Ultramar employees employed at the Golden Eagle refinery and the Ultramar’s Divestiture Retail Assets and all other of Respondents’ employees listed in Schedule A attached as a confidential attachment.

VOLUME 133 Order G. “Hold Separate Period” means the time period during which the Hold Separate is in effect, which shall begin no later than five (5) days after the date the Hold Separate becomes final and terminate pursuant to Paragraph V. hereof. H. "Material Confidential Information" means competitively sensitive or proprietary information not independently known to an entity from sources other than the entity to which the information pertains, and includes, but is not limited to, all customer lists, price lists, marketing methods, patents, technologies, processes, or other trade secrets. I. “Merger” means the proposed merger involving Valero and Ultramar.

J. “Respondents” means Valero and Ultramar, individually and collectively, and the successor corporation. K. “Retail Assets” means, for each Retail Site, all fee or leasehold interests of Respondents in the Retail Site, and all of Respondents’ interest in all assets, tangible or intangible, that are used at that Retail Site, including, but not limited to, all permits, licenses, consents, contracts, and agreements used in the operation of the Retail Site, and the nonexclusive right to use all patents, know-how, and other intellectual property used by Respondents in the operation of the Retail Sites. “Retail Assets” also includes all of Respondents’ interest in all assets relating to all ancillary businesses (including, but not limited to, automobile mechanical service, convenience store, restaurant or car wash) located at each Retail Site, including all permits, licenses, consents, contracts, and agreements used in the operation of the ancillary businesses, and the non-exclusive right to use all know-how, patents, and other intellectual property used in the operation of the ancillary businesses. For purposes of this Hold Separate, “Retail Assets” includes Respondents’ proprietary trademarks, trade names, logos, trade dress, and system-wide software and databases. VOLUME 133 Order L. “Retail Site” means a business establishment from which gasoline is sold to the general public. M.“Ultramar’s California Retail Assets” means all of Ultramar’s Retail Assets relating to each and every Retail Site in California that Ultramar operates. N. “Ultramar’s Divestiture Retail Assets” means all of Ultramar’s Retail Assets relating to the Retail Sites that are listed in Schedule B.

O. “Ultramar’s Non-divestiture Retail Assets” means all of Ultramar’s California Retail Assets other than Ultramar’s Divestiture Retail Assets.

P. “Ultramar’s Wilmington Refinery” means Ultramar’s refinery located at Wilmington, California, and all of Ultramar’s interest in all tangible assets used in the operation of the refinery; all licenses, agreements, contracts, and permits used in the operation of the refinery, including but not limited to docks, associated tanks, and pipelines; the non-exclusive right to use all patents, know-how, and other intellectual property used by Ultramar in the operation of the refinery; all contracts, agreements or understandings relating to the transportation, terminaling, storage or sale of the refinery’s petroleum product output; all agreements under which Ultramar receives crude oil or other inputs at or for the refinery; and all exchange agreements involving the refinery; all plans (including proposed and tentative plans, whether or not adopted), specifications, drawings, and other assets (including the non-exclusive right to use patents, know-how, and other intellectual property relating to such plans) related to the operation of, and improvements, modifications, or upgrades to, the Wilmington refinery. VOLUME 133 Order II.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:

A. During the Hold Separate Period, Respondents shall hold the Held Separate Business separate, apart, and independent as required by this Hold Separate and shall vest the Held Separate Business with all rights, powers, and authority necessary to conduct its business; Respondents shall not exercise direction or control over, or influence directly or indirectly, the Held Separate Business or any of its operations, or the Hold Separate Trustee, except to the extent that Respondents must exercise direction and control over the Held Separate Business as is necessary to assure compliance with this Hold Separate, the Consent Agreement, and with all applicable laws, including, in consultation with the Hold Separate Trustee, continued oversight of the Held Separate Business' compliance with policies and standards concerning the safety, health, and environmental aspects of their operations and the integrity of their financial controls; and Respondents shall have the right to defend any legal claims, investigations or enforcement actions threatened or brought against any Held Separate Business.

B. Until the Effective Date of Divestiture, Respondents shall take such actions as are necessary to maintain the viability and marketability of the Held Separate Business, Ultramar’s Wilmington Refinery Assets, and Ultramar’s Nondivestiture Retail Assets to prevent the destruction, removal, wasting, deterioration, or impairment of any of the assets, except for ordinary wear and tear, including, but not limited to, continuing in effect and maintaining proprietary trademarks, trade names, logos, trade dress, identification signs, franchise agreements, and renewing or extending any base leases or ground leases that expire or terminate prior to the Effective Date of Divestiture.

VOLUME 133 Order C. The purpose of this Hold Separate is to: (1) preserve the Held Separate Business as a viable, competitive, and ongoing business independent of Respondents until the divestitures required by the Decision and Order are achieved; (2) assure that no Material Confidential Information is exchanged between Respondents and the Held Separate Business, except in accordance with the provisions of this Hold Separate; (3) prevent interim harm to competition pending the relevant divestitures and other relief; and (4) help remedy any anticompetitive effects of the proposed Merger.

D. Respondent shall hold the Held Separate Business separate, apart, and independent on the following terms and conditions:

1. Richard Shermer of R. Shermer & Company, Inc., shall serve as Hold Separate Trustee, pursuant to the agreement executed by the Hold Separate Trustee and Respondents and attached as Confidential Appendix A (“trustee agreement”).

a. The trustee agreement shall require that, no later than five (5) days after this Hold Separate becomes final, Respondents transfer to the Hold Separate Trustee all rights, powers, and authorities necessary to permit the Hold Separate Trustee to perform his/her duties and responsibilities, pursuant to this Hold Separate and consistent with the purposes of the Decision and Order.

b. No later than five (5) days after this Order to Hold Separate and Maintain Assets becomes final, Respondents shall, pursuant to the trustee agreement, transfer to the Hold Separate Trustee all rights, powers, and authorities necessary to permit the Hold Separate Trustee to perform his/her duties and responsibilities, pursuant to this Order to Hold Separate and Maintain Assets and consistent with the VOLUME 133 Order purposes of the Decision and Order contained in the Consent Agreement.

c. The Hold Separate Trustee shall have the responsibility, consistent with the terms of this Hold Separate and the Decision and Order contained in the Consent Agreement, for monitoring the organization of the Held Separate Business; for managing the Held Separate Business through the Manager; for maintaining the independence of the Held Separate Business; and for monitoring Respondents’ compliance with their obligations pursuant to this Hold Separate and the Decision and Order contained in the Consent Agreement.

d. The Hold Separate Trustee shall have full and complete access to all personnel, books, records, documents and facilities of the Held Separate Business or to any other relevant information as the Hold Separate Trustee may reasonably request, including, but not limited to, all documents and records kept by Respondents in the ordinary course of business that relate to the Held Separate Business. Respondents shall develop such financial or other information as the Hold Separate Trustee may request and shall cooperate with the Hold Separate Trustee. Respondents shall take no action to interfere with or impede the Hold Separate Trustee's ability to monitor Respondents’ compliance with this Hold Separate and the Consent Agreement or otherwise to perform his/her duties and responsibilities consistent with the terms of this Hold Separate.

e. The Hold Separate Trustee shall have the authority to employ, at the cost and expense of Respondents, such consultants, accountants, attorneys, and other representatives and assistants as are reasonably necessary to carry out the Hold Separate Trustee's duties and responsibilities.

VOLUME 133 Order f.The Commission may require the Hold Separate Trustee to sign an appropriate confidentiality agreement relating to Commission materials and information received in connection with performance of the Hold Separate Trustee’s duties.

g. Respondents may require the Hold Separate Trustee to sign a confidentiality agreement prohibiting the disclosure of any Material Confidential Information gained as a result of his or her role as Hold Separate Trustee to anyone other than the Commission. h. Thirty (30) days after the Hold Separate becomes final, and every thirty (30) days thereafter until the Hold Separate terminates, the Hold Separate Trustee shall report in writing to the Commission concerning the efforts to accomplish the purposes of this Hold Separate. Included within that report shall be the Hold Separate Trustee's assessment of the extent to which the businesses comprising the Held Separate Business are meeting (or exceeding) their projected goals as are reflected in operating plans, budgets, projections or any other regularly prepared financial statements.

i.If the Hold Separate Trustee ceases to act or fails to act diligently and consistent with the purposes of this Hold Separate, the Commission may appoint a substitute Hold Separate Trustee consistent with the terms of this paragraph, subject to the consent of Respondents, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. If Respondents have not opposed, in writing, including the reasons for opposing, the selection of the substitute Hold Separate Trustee within five (5) days after notice by the staff of the Commission to Respondents of the identity of any substitute Hold Separate Trustee, Respondents shall be deemed to have consented to the selection of the proposed substitute trustee. Respondents and the VOLUME 133 Order substitute Hold Separate Trustee shall execute a trustee agreement, subject to the approval of the Commission, consistent with this paragraph.

2. No later than one (1) day after this Hold Separate becomes final, Respondents shall enter into a management agreement with, and transfer all rights, powers, and authorities necessary to manage and maintain the Held Separate Business to Bill Haywood. a. In the event that Bill Haywood ceases to act as Manager, then Respondents shall select a substitute Manager, subject to the approval of the Commission, and transfer to the substitute Manager all rights, powers and authorities necessary to permit the substitute Manager to perform his/her duties and responsibilities, pursuant to this Hold Separate. b. The Manager shall report directly and exclusively to the Hold Separate Trustee and shall manage the Held Separate Business independently of the management of Respondents. The Manager shall not be involved, in any way, in the operations of the other businesses of Respondents during the term of this Hold Separate. c. The Manager shall have no financial interests affected by Respondents’ revenues, profits or profit margins, except that the Manager’s compensation for managing the Held Separate Business may include economic incentives dependent on the financial performance of the Held Separate Business if there are also sufficient incentives for the Manager to operate the Held Separate Business at no less than current rates of operation (including, but not limited to, current rates of production and sales) and to achieve the objectives of this Hold Separate.

d. The Manager shall make no material changes in the present operation of the Held Separate Business VOLUME 133 Order except with the approval of the Hold Separate Trustee, in consultation with the Commission staff. e. The Manager shall have the authority, with the approval of the Hold Separate Trustee, to remove employees and replace them with others of similar experience or skills. If any person ceases to act or fails to act diligently and consistent with the purposes of this Hold Separate, the Manager, in consultation with the Hold Separate Trustee, may request Respondents to, and Respondents shall, appoint a substitute person, which person the Manager shall have the right to approve.

f.In addition to those employees within the Held Separate Business, the Manager may employ such employees as are reasonably necessary to assist the Manager in managing the Held Separate Business, including, without limitation, pricing services personnel, employee relations personnel, legal services personnel, public relations personnel, supply personnel, earnings consolidation and analysis personnel, business performance personnel (balanced scorecard, expense, volume, shared services reporting), customer relations personnel, and marketing administration personnel.

g. The Hold Separate Trustee shall be permitted, in consultation with the Commission staff, to remove the Manager for cause. Within fifteen (15) days after such removal of the Manager, Respondents shall appoint a replacement Manager, subject to the approval of the Commission, on the same terms and conditions as provided in Paragraph II.D.2 of this Hold Separate.

3. The Held Separate Business shall be staffed with sufficient employees to maintain the viability and competitiveness of the Held Separate Business. Employees of the Held Separate Business shall include VOLUME 133 Order (i) all personnel performing responsibilities in connection with the Held Separate Business as of the date Respondents executed the Consent Agreement, and (ii) any persons hired from other sources. To the extent that any employees of the Held Separate Business leave or have left the Held Separate Business prior to the Effective Date of Divestiture, the Manager, with the approval of the Hold Separate Trustee, may replace departing or departed employees with persons who have similar experience and expertise or determine not to replace such departing or departed employees. 4. In connection with support services or products not included within the Held Separate Business, Respondents shall continue to provide, or offer to provide, the same support services to the Held Separate Business as are being provided to such business by Respondents as of the date the Consent Agreement is signed by Respondent. For services that Ultramar previously provided to the Held Separate Business, Respondents may charge the same fees, if any, charged by Respondents for such support services as of the date this Consent Agreement is signed by Respondents. For any other services or products that Respondents may provide the Held Separate Business, Respondents may charge no more than the same price they charge others for the same services or products. Respondents’ personnel providing such services or products must retain and maintain all Material Confidential Information of the Held Separate Business on a confidential basis, and, except as is permitted by this Hold Separate Agreement, such persons shall be prohibited from providing, discussing, exchanging, circulating, or otherwise furnishing any such information to or with any person whose employment involves any of Respondents’ businesses, other than the Held Separate Business. Such personnel shall also execute confidentiality agreements prohibiting the disclosure of any Material Confidential Information of Held Separate Business.

VOLUME 133 Order a. Respondents shall offer and the Held Separate Business shall obtain the following services and products only from Respondents:

(1)National brand advertising and promotion programs; (2)Federal and state regulatory policy development and compliance;

(3)Human resources administrative services, including but not limited to labor relations support; (4)Environmental health and safety services, which develops corporate policies and insures compliance with federal and state regulations and corporate policies;

(5)Preparation of tax returns; and (6)Audit services.

b. Respondents shall offer to the Held Separate Business any services and products that Respondents provide to their other businesses directly or through third party contracts, or that they have provided directly or through third party contracts to the businesses constituting the Held Separate Business at any time since January 1, 2001. The Held Separate Business may, at the option of the Manager with the approval of the Hold Separate Trustee, obtain such services and products from Respondents. The services and products that Respondents shall offer the Held Separate Business shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(1)Refined fuels product trading and acquisition; (2)Wholesale engineering services, including engineering, design, and maintenance of terminals; (3)Convenience store category management; (4)Credit card processing;

(5)Information systems, which constructs, maintains, and supports all SAP and other computer systems; (6)Public affairs, which provides media and community VOLUME 133 Order relations services;

(7)Processing of accounts payable;

(8)Security services;

(9)Technical support;

(10) Financial accounting services;

(11) Procurement of refinery supplies (e.g. catalysts, chemicals, repair services, maintenance); (12) Procurement of goods and services utilized in the ordinary course of business by the Held Separate Business;

(13) Legal services;

(14) Service station design, maintenance, and construction; and (15) Real estate services, including the identification and development of new sites.

c. In connection with services and products other than those listed in a. above, and including but not limited to those listed in b. above, the Held Separate Business shall have, at the option of the Manager with the approval of the Hold Separate Trustee, the ability to acquire services and products from third parties unaffiliated with Respondents.

5. Respondents shall cause the Hold Separate Trustee, the Manager, and each employee of the Held Separate Business having access to Material Confidential Information to submit to the Commission a signed statement that the individual will maintain the confidentiality required by the terms and conditions of this Hold Separate. These individuals must retain and maintain all Material Confidential Information relating to the Held Separate Business on a confidential basis and, except as is permitted by this Hold Separate, such persons shall be prohibited from providing, discussing, exchanging, circulating, or otherwise furnishing any such information to or with any other person whose employment involves any of Respondents’ businesses other than the Held Separate Business. These persons VOLUME 133 Order shall not be involved in any way in the management, production, distribution, sales, marketing, and financial operations of the competing products of Respondents. 6. No later than ten (10) days after the date this Order to Hold Separate and Maintain Assets becomes final, Respondents shall establish written procedures, subject to the approval of the Hold Separate Trustee, covering the management, maintenance, and independence of the Held Separate Business consistent with the provisions of this Hold Separate.

7. No later than five (5) days after the date this Order to Hold Separate and Maintain Assets becomes final, Respondents shall circulate to employees of the Held Separate Business and to Respondents’ employees who are responsible for the sale or distribution of motor fuels in the United States, a notice of this Hold Separate and Consent Agreement, in the form attached as Attachment A.

8. The Hold Separate Trustee and the Manager shall serve, without bond or other security, at the cost and expense of Respondents, on reasonable and customary terms commensurate with the person's experience and responsibilities.

9. Respondents shall indemnify the Hold Separate Trustee and Manager and hold each harmless against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses arising out of, or in connection with, the performance of the Hold Separate Trustee's or the Manager's duties, including all reasonable fees of counsel and other expenses incurred in connection with the preparation for, or defense of any claim, whether or not resulting in any liability, except to the extent that such liabilities, losses, damages, claims, or expenses result from misfeasance, gross negligence, willful or wanton acts, or bad faith by the Hold Separate Trustee or the Manager.

VOLUME 133 Order 10. Respondents shall provide the Held Separate Business with sufficient financial resources:

a. as are appropriate in the judgment of the Hold Separate Trustee to operate the Held Separate Business at no less than current rates of operation (including, but not limited to, current rates of refinery production and product sales) and at no less than the rates of operation projected in the 2002 Golden Eagle Profit and Loss Budget, dated November 2001 (including, but not limited to, the rates of refinery production and product sales projected in such Profit and Loss Budget); provided that failure to achieve production or sales goals projected in Respondents’ Profit and Loss Budget shall not be deemed to be a violation of this Hold Separate;

b. to perform all maintenance to, and replacements of, the assets of the Held Separate Business; c. to carry on capital projects and business plans as reflected in the 2002 Golden Eagle Capital Expenditure Plan, dated November 2001, and d. to maintain the viability, competitive vigor, and marketability of the Held Separate Business. e. Such financial resources to be provided to the Held Separate Business shall include, but shall not be limited to, (i) general funds, (ii) capital, (iii) working capital, and (iv) reimbursement for any operating losses, capital losses, or other losses; provided, however, that, consistent with the purposes of the Decision and Order contained in the Consent Agreement, the Manager may reduce in scale or pace any capital or research and development project, or substitute any capital or research and development project for another of the same cost. VOLUME 133 Order 11. Respondents shall not, during the Hold Separate Period, offer employees of the Held Separate Business positions with Respondents. The acquirer approved by the Commission pursuant to the Decision and Order shall have the option of offering employment to any employees of the Held Separate Business. Respondents shall not interfere with the employment, by the Commission-approved acquirer, of such employees; shall not offer any incentive to such employees to decline employment with the Commission-approved acquirer or to accept other employment with the Respondents; and shall remove any impediments that may deter such employees from accepting employment with the Commissionapproved acquirer including, but not limited to, any non-compete or confidentiality provisions of employment or other contracts that would affect the ability of such employees to be employed by the Commission-approved acquirer, and the payment, or the transfer for the account of the employee, of all current and accrued bonuses, pensions and other current and accrued benefits to which such employees would otherwise have been entitled had they remained in the employment of the Respondents. Provided, however, that Respondents may, if they determine to do so, make offers of employment to the employees listed in Schedule C, attached as a confidential attachment, during the Hold Separate Period; provided further that, if the acquirer approved by the Commission also determines to make an offer to any of the employees listed in Schedule C, Respondents may not convey the terms of Respondents’ offer to such employee until such time as the Commissionapproved acquirer makes its offer.

12. For a period of one (1) year commencing on the Effective Date of Divestiture, Respondents shall not employ or make offers of employment to employees VOLUME 133 Order of the Held Separate Business who have accepted offers of employment with the Commission-approved acquirer unless the individual has been terminated by the acquirer.

13. Notwithstanding the requirements of Paragraph II.D.11., Respondents shall offer a bonus or severance to employees included in the Held Separate Business that continue their employment with the Held Separate Business until termination of the Hold Separate Period (in addition to any other bonus or severance to which the employees would otherwise be entitled).

14. Except for the Manager, employees of the Held Separate Business, and support services employees involved in providing services to the Held Separate Business pursuant to Paragraph II.D.4., and except to the extent provided in Paragraph II.A., Respondents shall not permit any other of its employees, officers, or directors to be involved in the operations of the Held Separate Business.

15. Respondents shall assure that employees of the Held Separate Business receive, during the Hold Separate Period, their salaries, all current and accrued bonuses, pensions and other current and accrued benefits to which those employees would otherwise have been entitled.

16. Except as required by law, and except to the extent that necessary information is exchanged in the course of consummating the Merger, negotiating agreements to divest assets pursuant to the Consent Agreement and engaging in related due diligence; complying with this Hold Separate or the Consent Agreement; overseeing compliance with policies and standards concerning the safety, health and environmental aspects of the operations of the Held Separate VOLUME 133 Order Business and the integrity of the Held Separate Business' financial controls; defending legal claims, investigations or enforcement actions threatened or brought against the Held Separate Business; or obtaining legal advice, Respondents' employees (excluding support services employees involved in providing support to the Held Separate Business pursuant to Paragraph II.D.4.) shall not receive, or have access to, or use or continue to use any Material Confidential Information, not in the public domain, of the Held Separate Business. Nor shall the Manager or employees of the Held Separate Business receive or have access to, or use or continue to use, any Material Confidential Information not in the public domain about Respondents and relating to Respondents' businesses, except such information as is necessary to maintain and operate the Held Separate Business. Respondents may receive aggregate financial and operational information relating to the Held Separate Business only to the extent necessary to allow Respondents to prepare United States consolidated financial reports, tax returns, reports required by securities laws, and personnel reports. Any such information that is obtained pursuant to this subparagraph shall be used only for the purposes set forth in this subparagraph.

17. Respondents and the Held Separate Business shall jointly implement, and at all times during the Hold Separate Period maintain in operation, a system, as approved by the Hold Separate Trustee, of access and data controls to prevent unauthorized access to or dissemination of Material Confidential Information of the Held Separate Business, including, but not limited to, the opportunity by the Hold Separate Trustee, on terms and conditions agreed to with Respondents, to audit Respondents’ networks and systems to verify compliance with this Hold Separate.

VOLUME 133 Order III.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents shall notify the Commission at least thirty (30) days prior to any proposed change in the corporate Respondents such as dissolution, assignment, sale resulting in the emergence of a successor corporation, or the creation or dissolution of subsidiaries or any other change in the corporation that may affect compliance obligations arising out of this Hold Separate. IV.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that for the purposes of determining or securing compliance with this Hold Separate, and subject to any legally recognized privilege, and upon written request with reasonable notice to Respondents, Respondents shall permit any duly authorized representatives of the Commission: A. Access, during office hours of Respondents and in the presence of counsel, to all facilities, and access to inspect and copy all books, ledgers, accounts, correspondence, memoranda, and all other records and documents in the possession or under the control of the Respondents relating to compliance with this Hold Separate; and B. Upon five (5) days' notice to Respondents and without restraint or interference from Respondents, to interview officers, directors, or employees of Respondents, who may have counsel present, regarding such matters.

V.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Hold Separate shall terminate at the earlier of:

A. three (3) business days after the Commission withdraws its acceptance of the Consent Agreement pursuant to the provisions of Commission Rule 2.34, 16 C.F.R. § 2.34; or VOLUME 133 Order B. the day after the divestiture required by the Consent Agreement is completed.

By the Commission, Chairman Muris not participating. VOLUME 133 Order SCHEDULE A Confidential [redacted] VOLUME 133 Order SCHEDULE B Store Address City State Zi p Zone Number 3674 851 N. Highway 49 Jackson CA 95642 351 3609 1021 South St Orland CA 95963-1640 351 3621 18475 N Highway 1 Fort Bragg CA 95437-8774 351 3622 1250 S Main St Willits CA 95490-4306 351 3623 1105 S State St Ukiah CA 95482-6410 351 3628 812 Main Street Weaverville CA 96093 351 3678 585 E Perkins St Ukiah CA 95482-4508 351 3679 440 S Main St Red Bluff CA 96080-4316 351 3680 506 6th St Orland CA 95963-1229 351 3692 975 S Main St Lakeport CA 95453-5512 351 3693 15010 Lakeshore Dr Clearlake CA 95422 351 3544 7920 Brentwood Blvd Brentwood CA 94513-1004 351 3558 42245 Fremont Blvd Fremont CA 94538-4143 351 3594 40500 Fremont Blvd Fremont CA 94538-4304 351 3604 1619 1st St Livermore CA 94550-4303 351 3712 4321 Clayton Rd Concord CA 94521-2842 351 3713 2501 Pacheco Blvd Martinez CA 94553-2043 351 3714 3767 Alhambra Ave Martinez CA 94553-3803 351 3715 1616 Oak Park Blvd Pleasant Hill CA 94523-4410 351 3716 1990 San Ramon Valley Blvd San Ramon CA 94583-1204 351 VOLUME 133 Order 3717 2098 Mt Diablo Blvd Walnut Creek CA 94596-4302 351 3720 1088 Marina Blvd San Leandro CA 94577-3437 351 3721 44 Lewelling Blvd San Lorenzo CA 94580-1628 351 3520 2998 Churn Creek Rd Redding CA 96002-1130 351 3521 2071 North St Anderson CA 96007-3456 351 3549 3212 S Market St Redding CA 96001-3530 351 3572 2700 Gateway Dr Anderson CA 96007-3531 351 3630 37303 State Highway 299 E Burney CA 96013-4371 351 3088 I-5 & Road 8 Dunnigan CA 95937 351 3428 5040 El Camino Ave Carmichael CA 95608-4650 351 3447 3 Main St Woodland CA 95695-3123 351 3527 601 Sunrise Ave Roseville CA 95661-4109 351 3542 4250 Madison Ave North Highlands CA 95660-5403 351 3601 8070 N. Lake Blvd Kings Beach CA 95719 351 3603 10299 Folsom Blvd Rancho Cordova CA 95670-3516 351 3642 6990 Douglas Blvd Granite Bay CA 95746-6214 351 3683 8651 Folsom Blvd Sacramento CA 95826-3708 351 3684 1312 Broadway Placerville CA 95667-5902 351 3685 9301 Greenback Ln Orangevale CA 95662-4901 351 3686 3430 Taylor Rd Loomis CA 95650-9583 351 3687 1110 High St Auburn CA 95603-5110 351 3688 2304 Lake Tahoe Blvd S. Lake Tahoe CA 96150-7107 351 3694 1001 Sacramento Ave Broderick CA VOLUME 133 Order 95605-1902 351 3783 7550 Watt Ave North Highlands CA 95660-2609 351 3420 1370 Camden Ave Campbell CA 95008-6702 351 3586 929 Fremont Ave Los Altos Hills CA 94024-6013 351 3602 1885 N Milpitas Blvd Milpitas CA 95035-2505 351 3723 2790 Story Rd San Jose CA 95127-3922 351 3724 1365 Kooser Rd San Jose CA 95118-3814 351 3725 1598 Alum Rock Ave San Jose CA 95116-2425 351 3786 921 W Hamilton Ave Campbell CA 95008-0405 351 3489 921 Sebastopol Rd Santa Rosa CA 95407-6830 351 3645 300 College Ave Santa Rosa CA 95401-5118 351 3700 7898 Old Redwood Hwy Cotati CA 94931-5107 351 3701 219 Healdsburg Ave Healdsburg CA 95448-4103 351 3702 8850 Sonoma Hwy Kenwood CA 95452-9024 351 3703 2601 Lakeville Hwy Petaluma CA 94954-5654 351 3704 1080 Gravenstein Sebastopol CA 95472 351 3502 35 N Cherokee Ln Lodi CA 95240-2411 351 3513 401 W Kettleman Ln Lodi CA 95240-5741 351 3696 2448 W Kettleman Ln Lodi CA 95242-4123 351 3756 13975 E Highway 88 Lockeford CA 95237-9549 351 3378 1800 W Imola Ave Napa CA 94559-4619 351 3416 1300 Trancas St Napa CA 94558-2912 351 3522 800 Merchant St Vacaville CA 95688-6912 351 VOLUME 133 Order 3682 1105 N 1st St Dixon CA 95620-2404 351 3706 385 Silverado Trl Napa CA 94559-4013 351 3707 800 St. Helena Hwy Saint Helena CA 94574 351 3710 3438 Broadway St Amer. Canyon CA 94589-1254 351 3711 1295 Marine World Pkwy Vallejo CA 94589-3104 351 VOLUME 133 Order SCHEDULE C Confidential [redacted] VOLUME 133 Order ATTACHMENT A NOTICE OF DIVESTITURE AND REQUIREMENT FOR CONFIDENTIALITY Valero Energy Corporation and Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corporation, hereinafter referred to as Respondents (which includes the entity resulting from the proposed merger of Valero and Ultramar), have entered into an Agreement Containing Consent Orders (“Consent Agreement”) with the Federal Trade Commission relating to the divestiture of certain assets and other relief.

As used herein, the term “Held Separate Business” means the businesses and personnel as defined in Paragraph I.F. of the Order to Hold Separate and Maintain Assets (the “Hold Separate Order”) contained in the Consent Agreement. Under the terms of the Decision and Order contained in the Consent Agreement, Respondents must divest certain assets, which are included within the Held Separate Business, within 12 months of the date Respondents executed the Consent Agreement. During the Hold Separate Period (which begins after the Hold Separate Order becomes final and ends after Respondents have completed the required divestiture), the Held Separate Business shall be held separate, apart, and independent of Respondents’ businesses. The Held Separate Business must be managed and maintained as a separate, ongoing business, independent of all other businesses of Respondents until Respondents have completed the required divestiture. All competitive information relating to the Held Separate Business must be retained and maintained by the persons involved in the operation of the Held Separate Business on a confidential basis, and such persons shall be prohibited from providing, discussing, exchanging, circulating, or otherwise furnishing any such information to or with any other person whose employment involves any other of Respondents’ businesses, except as otherwise provided in the Hold Separate Order. These persons involved in the operation of the Held Separate Business shall not be involved in any way in the VOLUME 133 Order management, production, distribution, sales, marketing, or financial operations of Respondents relating to competing products. Similarly, persons involved in similar activities in Respondents’ businesses shall be prohibited from providing, discussing, exchanging, circulating, or otherwise furnishing any similar information to or with any other person whose employment involves the Held Separate Business, except as otherwise provided in the Hold Separate Order. Any violation of the Consent Agreement may subject Respondents to civil penalties and other relief as provided by law. VOLUME 133 Order Confidential Appendix A [redacted] VOLUME 133 Analysis Analysis of Proposed Consent Order to Aid Public Comment I. Introduction The Federal Trade Commission (“Commission” or “FTC”) has issued a complaint (“Complaint”) alleging that the proposed merger of Valero Energy Corporation (“Valero”) and Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corporation (“Ultramar”) (collectively “Respondents”) would violate Section 7 of the Clayton Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 18, and Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 45, and has entered into an agreement containing consent orders (“Agreement Containing Consent Orders”) pursuant to which Respondents agree to be bound by a proposed consent order that requires divestiture of certain assets (“Proposed Consent Order”) and a hold separate order that requires Respondents to hold separate and maintain certain assets pending divestiture (“Hold Separate Order”). The Proposed Order remedies the likely anticompetitive effects arising from Respondents’ proposed merger, as alleged in the Complaint. The Hold Separate Order preserves competition pending divestiture.

II. Description of the Parties and the Transaction Valero, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is an independent domestic refining company. Valero is engaged in national refining, transportation, and marketing of petroleum products and related petrochemical products. Valero reported 2000 net income of $611 million on revenues of nearly $15 billion. Valero’s revenues are generated almost exclusively in the United States from seven fuel refineries. Ultramar is an independent North American refining and marketing company also headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It is primarily engaged in the refining, marketing and transportation of petroleum products and petrochemicals. Ultramar reported 2000 net earnings of $444 million on operating revenues of $17.1 billion. Ultramar operates seven refineries in the United States VOLUME 133 Analysis and Canada with a total throughput of 850,000 barrels per day, marketed through a network of over 5,000 branded retail stations. Pursuant to an agreement and plan of merger dated May 6, 2001, Valero proposes to merge with Ultramar in a transaction valued at approximately $6 billion. Valero intends to acquire 100% of the voting stock of Ultramar. As a result of the merger, Valero will be one of the largest refiners in the United States. III. The Investigation and the Complaint The Complaint alleges that the merger of Valero and Ultramar would violate Section 7 of the Clayton Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 18, and Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 45, by substantially lessening competition in each of the following markets: (1) the refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 and CARB 3 gasoline for sale in Northern California; and (2) the refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 and CARB 3 gasoline in the State of California. To remedy the alleged anticompetitive effects of the merger, the Proposed Order requires Respondents to divest the Ultramar Golden Eagle refinery located in Avon, California. Along with the refinery assets, Respondents will divest bulk gasoline supply contracts and 70 Ultramar Northern California retail service stations. This will assure the new entrant a consistent CARB gasoline demand to assure that the entrant possesses the same incentives to produce CARB gasoline that Ultramar had premerger.

The Commission’s decision to issue the Complaint and enter into the Agreement Containing Consent Orders was made after an extensive investigation in which the Commission examined competition and the likely effects of the merger in the markets alleged in the Complaint and in several other markets, including markets for asphalt refining and pipeline transportation, and terminaling or marketing of gasoline or other fuels in sections of the country other than those alleged in the Complaint. The Commission has concluded that the merger is unlikely to reduce VOLUME 133 Analysis competition significantly in markets other than those alleged in the Complaint.

The Commission conducted the investigation leading to the Complaint in collaboration with the Attorneys General of the States of California and Oregon. As part of this joint effort, Respondents have entered into State Decrees with these States settling charges that the merger would violate both state and federal antitrust laws.

The Complaint alleges that the merger would violate the antitrust laws in four product and geographic markets, each of which is discussed below. The analysis applied in each market generally follows the analysis set forth in the FTC and U.S. Dept of Justice Horizontal Merger Guidelines (1997) (“Merger Guidelines”).

Count I - Refining and Bulk Supply of CARB 2 and CARB 3 Gasoline for Sale in Northern California Valero and Ultramar compete in the refining and bulk supply of CARB gasoline for sale in Northern California.1 Refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 and CARB 3 gasoline are relevant product markets. CARB gasoline meets the specifications of the California Air Resources Board (“CARB”). CARB 2 automotive gasoline meets the current Phase 2 specifications in effect since 1996 and is the only gasoline that can be sold to California gasoline consumers. CARB 3 automotive gasoline meets the proposed Phase 3 specifications that are scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2003. After that date, CARB 3 will be the only gasoline that can be sold to California gasoline consumers. Thus, there are no substitutes for CARB 2 gasoline today and there will be no substitutes for CARB 3 gasoline. In the current investigation and in past decisions, the Commission concluded 1 A bulk supply market consists of firms that have the ability to deliver large quantities of gasoline on a regular and continuing basis, such as pipelines or local refineries. VOLUME 133 Analysis that the refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 gasoline is a relevant market.2 The North Coast (Northern California and Northwest refineries) constitutes a relevant geographic market for the refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 and CARB 3 gasoline for sale in Northern California. The North Coast refiners can profitably raise prices in Northern California by a small but significant and nontransitory amount without losing significant sales to other bulk suppliers. Five California refiners (ChevronTexaco (Chevron), Equilon (Shell/Texaco), Phillips (Tosco), Ultramar, and Valero) supply more than 94% of the CARB gasoline consumed in Northern California; Kern Oil (Bakersfield, California) and Tesoro (Anacortes, Washington) supply virtually all the remainder during normal market operations. The next closest refineries, located in the Los Angeles area, are unlikely to supply CARB gasoline to Northern California in response to a small but significant and nontransitory increase in price because of the transportation costs to ship from Southern California.

The North Coast market would be highly concentrated following the proposed merger.3 Based on current CARB refining capacity, the proposed merger would increase concentration for the refining of CARB 2 gasoline by Northern California and Northwest refineries by more than 750 points to an HHI level 2 Shell Oil Co., C-3803 (1998); Exxon, C-3907 (2000); Chevron, C-4023 (Proposed Order 2001). 3 The Commission measures market concentration using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (“HHI”), which is calculated as the sum of the squares of the shares of all firms in the market. FTC and Department of Justice Horizontal Merger Guidelines (“Merger Guidelines”) § 1.5. Markets with HHIs between 1000 and 1800 are deemed “moderately concentrated,” and markets with HHIs exceeding 1800 are deemed “highly concentrated.” Merger Guidelines § 1.51.

VOLUME 133 Analysis above 2,700. Based on forecasted CARB 3 refining capacity, the proposed merger would increase concentration for the refining and bulk supply of CARB 3 gasoline by Northern California and Northwest refineries by more than 1,050 points to an HHI level above 3,050.

Entry is difficult and would not be timely, likely, or sufficient to prevent anticompetitive effects arising from the proposed merger. Building a new refinery is extremely unlikely due to the severe environmental constraints and substantial sunk costs. Imports of CARB gasoline from outside California are unlikely because of substantial import barriers, including (1) geographic isolation from potential outside sources; (2) cost and difficulty of producing CARB gasoline; (3) lack of potential customers because of the extensive integration of refining and marketing that has eliminated most independent gasoline marketers and retailers; and (4) price risk stemming from spot market volatility in Northern California.

The efficiency claims of the Respondents, to the extent they relate to these markets, are not cognizable under the Merger Guidelines, are small compared to the magnitude of the potential harm, and would not restore the competition lost by the merger even if the efficiencies were achieved. The Complaint charges that the proposed merger would likely substantially reduce competition in refining and bulk supply of CARB gasoline for sale in Northern California, thereby increasing wholesale prices of CARB gasoline by (1) eliminating direct competition between Valero and Ultramar; (2) increasing the likelihood that the combined company will unilaterally raise prices; and (3) increasing the ability and likelihood of coordinated interaction between the combined company and its competitors in Northern California. The proposed merger would create a highly concentrated market in Northern California. The combined company would control between 40 and 45% of CARB gasoline refining capacity in Northern California. Under the Merger Guidelines, these figures trigger a presumption that “the merger will create or enhance market power or facilitate its exercise . . . ” VOLUME 133 Analysis Merger Guidelines § 1.51(c). These anticompetitive effects could result either from unilateral action by the combined firm or from coordinated interaction among the remaining refiners. Valero’s post-merger market share supports a presumption under the Merger Guidelines that it would have the ability and incentive to unilaterally reduce supply in Northern California and raise prices. It could do this in a variety of ways, including reducing or eliminating capacity expansions at the Bay Area refineries, running the refineries at below capacity, or exporting gasoline out of the market.

The merger increases the likelihood of coordinated interaction in Northern California by reducing the number of significant refiners in the market from five to four. The market exhibits characteristics that are conducive to coordinated interaction, including (1) homogenous product; (2) small number of market participants; (3) high concentration; (4) recognition by participants that individual output decisions impact the market; (5) difficult entry conditions that insulate the market from outside supply; (6) vertical integration that eliminates potential low-cost competitors and creates a finite and identifiable collusive group; and (7) industry practices and conditions that allow the collusive group to easily detect and punish cheating on the tacit agreement. The merger could raise the costs of CARB gasoline to Northern California consumers substantially; even a one cent per gallon price increase would cost Northern California consumers more than $60 million annually. To remedy the harm, the Proposed Order requires the Respondents to divest Ultramar’s Golden Eagle refinery, which refines CARB gasoline, and 70 Ultramar retail service stations supplied from the Golden Eagle refinery, as described more fully below. This divestiture will eliminate the refining and bulk supply overlap in the North Coast market otherwise presented by this merger. VOLUME 133 Analysis Count II - Refining and Bulk Supply of CARB Phase 2 and CARB Phase 3 Gasoline for Sale in California Valero and Ultramar compete in refining and bulk supply of CARB gasoline for sale in California. As explained in Count I, only CARB gasoline can be sold legally in California. Refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 and CARB 3 gasoline are relevant product markets.

The West Coast constitutes a relevant antitrust geographic market for refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 and CARB 3 gasoline for sale in California. The West Coast refiners can profitably raise prices by a small but significant and nontransitory amount without losing significant sales to other refiners. Seven California refiners (BP (Arco), ChevronTexaco (Chevron), Equilon (Shell/Texaco), ExxonMobil, Phillips (Tosco), Ultramar, and Valero) supply more than 97% of the CARB gasoline consumed in California; Kern Oil (Bakersfield, California) and Tesoro (Anacortes, Washington) supply virtually all the remainder during normal market operations.

The seven refiner-marketers also account for more than 95% of retail gasoline sales in California through their branded retail stations. One effect of the close integration between refining and marketing in California is that refiners outside the West Coast cannot easily find outlets for imported cargoes of CARB gasoline, since nearly all the outlets are controlled by incumbent refinermarketers. Likewise, the extensive integration of refining, marketing and bulk storage makes it more difficult for the few non-integrated marketers to turn to imports as a source of supply, since the few remaining independent marketers lack the scale to import cargoes economically and thus must rely on California refiners for their usual supply.

Other than the California refineries and one Washington refinery, no other refineries regularly produce CARB gasoline in significant quantities. The next closest refineries, located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Texas and Louisiana, do not supply CARB gasoline to California except during significant price spikes VOLUME 133 Analysis caused by supply disruptions at California refineries. These refineries are unlikely to supply CARB gasoline to California in response to a small but significant and nontransitory increase in price due to (1) transportation costs from other refineries; (2) limited access to marine and bulk storage facilities; (3) lack of potential customers because of the extensive integration of refining and marketing that has eliminated most independent gasoline marketers and retailers; and (4) price risk stemming from spot market volatility in California. The West Coast market for the refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 gasoline would be at the upper end of the moderately concentrated range following the proposed merger. Based on current refining capacity, the proposed merger would increase concentration for the refining of CARB 2 gasoline by California and Washington refineries by more than 325 points to an HHI level above 1,750. Based on forecasted CARB 3 refining capacity, the proposed merger would result in a highly concentrated market, increasing concentration for the refining and bulk supply of CARB 3 gasoline by California and Washington refineries by more than 390 points to an HHI level above 1,850. Entry is difficult and would not be timely, likely, or sufficient to prevent anticompetitive effects arising from the proposed merger. Building a new refinery is unlikely due to the severe environmental constraints and substantial sunk costs. Imports of CARB gasoline from outside California are unlikely because of the substantial import barriers listed above. The efficiency claims of the Respondents, to the extent they relate to these markets, are not cognizable under the Merger Guidelines, are small compared to the magnitude of the potential harm, and would not restore the competition lost by the merger even if the efficiencies were achieved. The Complaint charges that the proposed merger would likely reduce competition in refining and bulk supply of CARB gasoline for sale in California, thereby increasing wholesale prices of CARB gasoline by (1) eliminating direct competition between VOLUME 133 Analysis Valero and Ultramar; and (2) increasing the ability and likelihood of coordinated interaction between the combined company and its competitors in California. This market exhibits the same characteristics conducive to coordinated interaction identified in Count I. The proposed merger reduces the number of CARB gasoline refiners in California and increases concentration, thereby increasing the likelihood of coordination. The merger could raise the costs of CARB gasoline to all California consumers substantially; even a one cent per gallon price increase would cost California consumers more than $150 million annually. To remedy the harm, the Proposed Order requires the Respondents to divest the refining and marketing assets identified above in Count I. This divestiture will eliminate the refining and bulk supply overlap in the West Coast market otherwise presented by this merger.

IV. Resolution of the Competitive Concerns A. CARB Gasoline Refining and Bulk Supply The Commission has provisionally entered into the Agreement Containing Consent Orders with Valero and Ultramar in settlement of the Complaint. The Agreement Containing Consent Orders contemplates that the Commission would issue the Complaint and enter the Proposed Order and the Hold Separate Order for the divestiture of certain assets described below. The Commission will appoint R. Shermer & Company, Inc. as the hold separate trustee.

To remedy the lessening of competition in refining and bulk supply of CARB 2 and CARB 3 gasoline alleged in Counts I and II of the Complaint, Paragraph II of the Proposed Order requires Respondents to divest Ultramar’s Golden Eagle refinery and 70 Ultramar-owned and operated gas stations supplied from the Golden Eagle refinery to an acquirer approved by the Commission. (¶ II.A.) The retail divestiture is ordered to maintain the likelihood that the owner of the Golden Eagle refinery will have incentives to produce CARB gasoline and other VOLUME 133 Analysis petroleum products equivalent to Ultramar’s pre-merger incentives. The divestiture of Ultramar’s Golden Eagle refinery, with associated Ultramar retail assets, will not significantly reduce the amount of gasoline available to non-integrated marketers, since the refinery will likely continue to produce CARB gasoline and other products and will need outlets for its sale. Divestiture of the Golden Eagle refinery will effectively restore the competitive status quo ante in both markets. Valero and Ultramar are the only major refiners in California with excess capacity above their direct marketing needs. This excess (or “swing”) capacity helps to dampen price spikes during shortages resulting from refinery shutdowns. Elimination of this swing production would lead to greater and longer price spikes during refinery outages. The divestiture will eliminate the combined company’s ability and incentive to unilaterally reduce production and raise prices. In addition, Valero and Ultramar are the primary suppliers of unbranded wholesale gasoline to independent marketers and, in Northern California, they compete directly for this business. These unbranded marketers provide lower-cost competition to the branded refiner-marketers. The divestiture will insure that the remaining independent marketers have two vigorous competitors for their business, thus helping them to survive and continue to provide a lower-cost alternative for consumers. This competition, in turn, will increase the incentive for Valero and the acquirer to supply more CARB gasoline, thus, increasing swing capacity. The divestiture will complicate the ability of the Northern California refiners to coordinate their production because there will be more refiners than there would be without the divestiture. Valero and the acquirer will likely have different incentives than the integrated refiner-marketers and may be less willing to coordinate output decisions with the refiner-marketers. Although the divestiture will have the most direct effect in Northern California, it will also help competition in California as a whole; since supplies are longer in Northern California, CARB gasoline typically flows north to south. Maintaining production in Northern California will therefore result in more product availability throughout the state. VOLUME 133 Analysis In considering an application to divest the Ultramar Golden Eagle refinery and associated marketing assets to an acquirer, the Commission will consider the acquirer’s ability and incentive to invest and compete in the businesses in which Ultramar was engaged in California. The Commission will consider, inter alia, whether the acquirer has the business experience, technical judgment and available capital to continue to invest in the refinery in order to maintain CARB gasoline production even in the event of changing environmental regulation. B. Other Terms Paragraphs III - VII of the Proposed Order detail certain general provisions. Pursuant to Paragraph III, if Respondents fail to comply with the divestiture ordered in Paragraph II, the Commission may appoint a trustee to effectuate the divestiture of the Golden Eagle Refinery and the 70 retail stations, or substitute a package containing Ultramar’s two California refineries and all of Ultramar’s company-operated retail stations. Paragraph IV requires the Respondents to provide the Commission with a report of compliance with the Proposed Order every sixty days until the divestitures are completed.

Paragraph V provides for notification to the Commission in the event of any changes in the corporate Respondents. Paragraph VI requires that Respondents provide the Commission with access to their facilities and employees for the purposes of determining or securing compliance with the Proposed Order. Finally, to avoid conflicts between the Proposed Order and the State consent decrees, Paragraph VII provides that if a State fails to approve any of the divestitures contemplated by the Proposed Order, then the period of time required under the Proposed Order for such divestiture shall be extended for sixty days. V. Opportunity for Public Comment The Proposed Order has been placed on the public record for thirty (30) days for receipt of comments by interested persons. The Commission, pursuant to a change in its Rules of Practice, VOLUME 133 Analysis has also issued its Complaint in this matter, as well as a Hold Separate Order. Comments received during this thirty day comment period will become part of the public record. After thirty (30) days, the Commission will again review the Proposed Order and the comments received and will decide whether it should withdraw from the Proposed Order or make final the Proposed Order.

By accepting the Proposed Order subject to final approval, the Commission anticipates that the competitive problems alleged in the Complaint will be resolved. The purpose of this analysis is to invite public comment on the Proposed Order, including the proposed divestitures, and to aid the Commission in its determination of whether it should make final the Proposed Order contained in the agreement. This analysis is not intended to constitute an official interpretation of the Proposed Order, nor is it intended to modify the terms of the Proposed Order in any way. VOLUME 133 Complaint

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