Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
We are subject to certain risks. For a discussion of these risks, see “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. These “Risk Factors” may be amplified by the uncertain and unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity have been adversely affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has caused, and is expected to continue to cause, the global slowdown of economic activity (including the decrease in demand for crude oil and the refined products that we produce and sell), disruptions in global supply chains, and significant volatility and disruption of financial markets and that also has adversely affected workforces, customers, and regional and local economies.
Because the severity, magnitude, and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic consequences are uncertain, rapidly changing, and difficult to predict, the impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity remains uncertain and difficult to predict. The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our results of operations and financial condition continues to be uncertain and depends on numerous factors that continue to evolve, many of which are not within our control, and which we may not be able to effectively respond to, including, but not limited to: governmental, business, and individuals’ actions that have been and continue to be taken in response to the pandemic (including restrictions on travel and transport, workforce pressures and social distancing, and stay-at-home orders); the effect of the pandemic on economic activity and actions taken in response; the effect on our customers and their demand for our products; the effect of the pandemic on the creditworthiness of our customers; national or global supply chain challenges or disruption; workforce availability; facility closures; commodity cost volatility; general economic uncertainty in key global markets and financial market volatility and ability to access capital markets; global economic conditions and levels of economic growth; and the pace of recovery when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, as well as response to a potential reoccurrence.
Further, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the volatile regional and global economic conditions stemming from the pandemic, could also precipitate or aggravate the other risk factors that we identify in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations (including revenues and profitability), and liquidity and/or stock price. Additionally, COVID-19 may also continue to affect our operating and financial results in a manner that is not presently known to us or that we currently do not consider to present significant risks to our operations.
Geopolitical conflicts, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, could increase the cost of our crude oil feedstocks and affect the demand for our products.
In February 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. and other countries announced sanctions against Russia, including restrictions on the importation of Russian crude oil. On March 3, 2022, we suspended purchases of Russian crude oil for our Hawaii refinery in response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The U.S. and other countries may impose wider sanctions and take stronger actions should the conflict further escalate. While it is difficult to predict the impact these sanctions will ultimately have on Par Pacific, any further sanctions imposed or actions taken by the U.S. or other countries, and any retaliatory measures by Russia in response, such as restrictions on energy supplies from Russia, may increase our costs, reduce our sales and earnings, or otherwise have an adverse effect on our operations. Additionally, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the international response to the conflict may exacerbate inflationary pressures, including with respect to commodity prices and energy costs. Rapid and significant changes in commodity costs may increase the cost of our crude oil feedstocks and affect the demand for our products.
Changes in the availability of and the cost of labor could adversely affect our business.
Changes in labor markets due to COVID-19 and other factors, including inflationary pressures, have increased the competition for recruiting and retaining talent. As a result of these factors, our business could be adversely impacted by increases in labor, health care, and benefits costs necessary to attract and retain high quality employees with the right skill sets to meet our needs. In addition, our wages and benefits programs may be insufficient to attract and retain top performing
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employees, especially in a rising wage market. Any failure by us to attract, develop, retain, motivate, and maintain good relationships with qualified individuals could adversely affect our business and results of operations.