Sunoco 2004 Annual Report Download - page 43

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Please find page 43 of the 2004 Sunoco annual report below. You can navigate through the pages in the report by either clicking on the pages listed below, or by using the keyword search tool below to find specific information within the annual report.

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accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “budget,” “could,” “estimate,”
“expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,”
“scheduled,” “should,” or other similar words, phrases or expressions that convey the un-
certainty of future events or outcomes. Although management believes these forward-
looking statements are reasonable, they are based upon a number of assumptions
concerning future conditions, any or all of which may ultimately prove to be inaccurate.
Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in-
clude, without limitation:
• Changes in refining, marketing and chemical margins;
• Variation in petroleum-based commodity prices and availability of crude oil and feed-
stock supply or transportation;
• Effects of transportation disruptions;
• Changes in the price differentials between light sweet and heavy sour crude oils;
• Changes in the marketplace which may affect supply and demand for Sunoco’s
products;
• Changes in competition and competitive practices, including the impact of foreign
imports;
• Effects of weather conditions and natural disasters on the Company’s operating facili-
ties and on product supply and demand;
• Age of, and changes in, the reliability and efficiency of the Company’s operating facili-
ties or those of third parties;
• Changes in the level of operating expenses;
• Effects of adverse events relating to the operation of the Company’s facilities and to the
transportation and storage of hazardous materials (including equipment malfunction,
explosions, fires, spills, and the effects of severe weather conditions);
• Changes in the expected level of environmental capital, operating or remediation
expenditures;
• Delays related to construction of or work on facilities and the issuance of applicable
permits;
• Changes in product specifications;
• Availability and pricing of oxygenates such as MTBE and ethanol;
• Phase-outs or restrictions on the use of MTBE;
• Political and economic conditions in the markets in which the Company, its suppliers
or customers operate, including the impact of potential terrorist acts and international
hostilities;
• Military conflicts between, or internal instability in, one or more oil producing coun-
tries, governmental actions and other disruptions in the ability to obtain crude oil;
• Ability to conduct business effectively in the event of an information systems failure;
• Ability to identify acquisitions, execute them under favorable terms and integrate them
into the Company’s existing businesses;
• Ability to enter into joint ventures and other similar arrangements with favorable
terms;
• Changes in the availability and cost of debt and equity financing;
• Changes in the credit ratings assigned to the Company’s debt securities or credit facili-
ties;
• Changes in insurance markets impacting costs and the level and types of coverage
available;
41