Item 1A. Risk Factors
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There were no material changes during the three months ended March 31, 2026 to the risk factors identified in the Company’s fiscal 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K with the exception of the following:
Developments which impact the global oil markets have had, may continue to have, or may have an adverse impact on our business, o ur futur e results of operations and our overall financial performance.
While our operations are focused primarily in the Gulf Coast Region (PADD III), our business is impacted by events and developments that impact the global markets for oil and other energy products. Any regional or global event or development that destabilizes worldwide economic and commercial activity, financial markets, or the demand for and prices of oil and gas products could materially adversely affect our business and operations. In recent years, the outbreak of a pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine War, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ("OPEC")-Russia relationship, and the conflicts in the Middle East have been sources of uncertainty in the global oil markets, substantial global supply chain issues, and significant disruptions in the labor market.
Global economic growth drives demand for energy from all sources, including fossil fuels. Should the U.S. or global economies experience weakness, demand for energy may decline. Should growth in global energy production outstrip demand, excess supplies may arise. Declines in demand and excess supplies may result in accompanying declines in commodity prices and deterioration of our financial position along with our ability to operate profitably and our ability to obtain financing to support operations. Conversely, should demand for energy outstrip global supply, commodity prices are likely to rise. With respect to our business, we have experienced periodic declines in demand thought to be associated with slowing economic growth in certain markets coupled with new oil and gas supplies coming on line and other circumstances beyond our control that resulted in oil and gas supply exceeding global demand which, in turn, resulted in steep declines in prices of oil and natural gas. At times, we have also experienced declines in the supply of inputs thought to be associated with supply chain issues and disruptions in the labor market. There can be no assurance as to how long such uncertainty will persist or that a recurrence of price weakness will not arise in the future.
The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, including the disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, has introduced significant volatility into global energy markets, causing crude oil prices to spike materially from levels seen at the start of 2026. Although we do not have direct operations or exposure in the Middle East, sustained commodity price volatility and broader macroeconomic uncertainty could indirectly affect our business, including demand for our services. In addition, elevated energy prices and supply uncertainty may affect refinery utilization rates, which could reduce demand for the transportation, storage and terminalling services we provide under our commercial agreements. The ultimate duration and resolution of the conflict, including the status of the Strait of Hormuz and any ceasefire arrangements, remains uncertain.
The ultimate extent of the impact of volatile conditions in the oil and gas industry on our business, financial condition, results of operation and liquidity will depend largely on future developments which are outside of our control, including the extent and duration of any price reductions,
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Other Information
any additional decisions by OPEC and disputes between the members of other leading oil producing countries (together with OPEC, “OPEC+”). Furthermore, developments in the global oil markets may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described below.
Acts of terror or sabotage, threats of war, armed conflict, or war may have an adverse impact on our business, our future results of operations and our overall financial performance.
Acts of sabotage or terrorist attacks (including cyber-attacks), threats of war, armed conflict, or war, as well as events occurring in response to or in connection with them, including political instability in significant oil producing regions such as the Middle East, Africa, the former Soviet Union and South America, may harm our business or have an adverse impact on our future results of operations and financial condition. This risk, and others dependent on geopolitical factors, may be heightened as a result of ongoing conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflicts in the Middle East and events occurring in response thereto.
Energy-related assets (which could include refineries, pipelines and terminals) may be at greater risk of future terrorist attacks than other possible targets in the U.S. direct attack on our assets, or the assets of others used by us, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Uncertainty surrounding new or continued global hostilities or other sustained military campaigns, sanctions brought by the U.S. and other countries, and the possibility that infrastructure facilities could be direct targets of, or indirect casualties of, an act of terror, armed conflict or war may affect our operations in unpredictable ways, including disruptions of crude oil supplies and markets for refined products. In addition, any terrorist attack, armed conflict, war or political instability in significant oil producing regions such as the Middle East, Africa, the former Soviet Union and South America could have an adverse impact on energy prices, including prices for crude oil, other feedstocks and refined petroleum products, and an adverse impact on the margins from our refining and petroleum product marketing operations. The long-term impacts of terrorist attacks and the threat of future terrorist attacks on the energy transportation industry in general, and on us in particular, are unknown. Increased security measures taken by us as a precaution against possible terrorist attacks or vandalism could result in increased costs to our business. In addition, disruption or significant increases in energy prices could result in government-imposed price controls. Any one of, or a combination of, these occurrences could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Further, changes in the insurance markets attributable to terrorist attacks or acts of sabotage could make certain types of insurance more difficult for us to obtain. Moreover, the insurance that may be available to us may be significantly more expensive than our existing insurance coverage. Instability in the financial markets as a result of terrorism, sabotage or war could also affect our ability to raise capital, including our ability to repay or refinance debt.
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