Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we may be involved in litigation and claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. Additionally, we have elected a $1 million threshold to disclose certain proceedings arising under federal, state or local environmental laws when a governmental authority is a party to the proceedings. During the third quarter of 2025, there were no new matters and one material development with respect to matters previously reported. Except as previously reported, we do not believe we are subject to any matters, individually or in the aggregate, that would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Further, our U.S. refineries are implementing two separate consent decrees, regarding alleged violations of the Federal Clean Air Act, with the EPA, five states and one local air pollution agency. Some of the requirements and limitations contained in the decrees provide for stipulated penalties for violations. Stipulated penalties under the decrees are not automatic but must be requested by one of the agency signatories. As part of periodic reports under the decrees or other reports required by permits or regulations, we occasionally report matters that could be subject to a request for stipulated penalties. If a specific request for stipulated penalties meeting the reporting threshold set forth in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules is made pursuant to these decrees based on a given reported exceedance, we will separately report that matter and the amount of the proposed penalty.
Matters Previously Reported (unresolved or resolved since the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2025)
As described further in the “Legal Proceedings” section of Note 13—Contingencies and Commitments, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, on February 17, 2022, Propel Fuels, Inc. (Propel Fuels) filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda (the Propel Court), alleging that Phillips 66 Company misappropriated trade secrets related to Propel Fuels’ renewable fuels business. On October 16, 2024, a jury returned a verdict against Phillips 66 Company for $604.9 million in compensatory damages and issued a willfulness finding. Based on the willfulness finding, Propel Fuels asked the Propel Court to award $1.2 billion in exemplary damages, and Phillips 66 Company filed a brief in opposition to that request. A hearing on exemplary damages was held on March 4, 2025. On August 5, 2025, the Propel Court entered a final judgment against Phillips 66 Company in the amount of $833 million. The judgment includes the $604.9 million jury verdict, $195 million of exemplary damages, and $33.3 million of pre-judgment interest at 7%. Post-judgment interest of 10% is accruing from the date of the final judgment. On August 25, 2025, Phillips 66 Company filed three post-trial motions requesting that the Propel Court render judgment in favor of Phillips 66 Company, grant a new trial, and/or reduce the damages award. O n October 20, 2025, the Propel Court denied Phillips 66 Company’s motions. On October 24, 2025, Propel Fuels filed additional motions with the Propel Court seeking attorney’s fees and costs. Phillips 66 will file its opposition and once the record on this issue is complete, the Propel Court will rule on these motions. Phillips 66 Company denies any wrongdoing and intends to vigorously defend its position. While Phillips 66 Company believes the jury verdict is not legally or factually supported and intends to pursue post-judgment remedies and file an appeal, there can be no assurances that such defense efforts will be successful. Until the final resolution of this matter, we may be exposed to losses in excess of the amount recorded, and such amounts may have a material adverse effect on our financial position.
Dakota Access, LLC (Dakota Access) and Energy Transfer Crude Oil Company, LLC (ETCO)
See the “Dakota Access, LLC (Dakota Access) and Energy Transfer Crude Oil Company, LLC (ETCO)” section of Note 7—Investments, Loans and Long-Term Receivables and Note 13—Contingencies and Commitments, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding Legal Proceedings and other regulatory actions.
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Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A of our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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