Sunoco 2007 Annual Report Download - page 38

medial or monitoring wells and purchase of more expensive equipment because of the pres-
ence of MTBE. While actual cleanup costs for specific sites are variable and depend on
many of the factors discussed above, expansion of similar MTBE remediation thresholds to
additional states or adoption of even more stringent requirements for MTBE remediation
would result in further cost increases. Sunoco does not currently, nor does it intend to,
manufacture or sell gasoline containing MTBE.
In summary, total future costs for environmental remediation activities will depend upon,
among other things, the identification of any additional sites, the determination of the
extent of the contamination at each site, the timing and nature of required remedial ac-
tions, the nature of operations at each site, the technology available and needed to meet
the various existing legal requirements, the nature and terms of cost-sharing arrangements
with other potentially responsible parties, the availability of insurance coverage, the nature
and extent of future environmental laws and regulations, inflation rates and the determi-
nation of Sunoco’s liability at the sites, if any, in light of the number, participation level
and financial viability of the other parties.
New Accounting Pronouncements
For a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements requiring adoption sub-
sequent to December 31, 2007, see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the information included in this Annual Report to Shareholders contains
“forward-looking statements” (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). These forward-looking statements
discuss estimates, goals, intentions and expectations as to future trends, plans, events, re-
sults of operations or financial condition, or state other information relating to the Com-
pany, based on current beliefs of management as well as assumptions made by, and
information currently available to, Sunoco. Forward-looking statements generally will be
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, efficiency and capacity of, the Company’s operat-
ing facilities or those of third parties;
• Changes in the level of capital expenditures or operating expenses;
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