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02-07-2012

The Carlyle Group and Sunoco agree to form Philadelphia refinery JV

Global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group L.P. and Sunoco, Inc. announced today that they have agreed to form Philadelphia Energy Solutions, a joint venture that will enable the historic Philadelphia refinery to continue operating. The refinery, the oldest continuously operating one on the east coast, processes 330,000 barrels of oil per day into various refined products and was scheduled for shut down in August of 2012. The joint venture is expected to save 850 jobs, secure the region’s fuel supply by continuing the daily flow of 10 million gallons of various fuels, and create 100-200 new, permanent jobs, as well as thousands of construction jobs.

This transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. Capital for this investment will come from the Carlyle Equity Opportunity Fund and the Carlyle Energy Mezzanine Opportunities Fund. JPMorgan Chase has agreed to provide working capital financing for intermediate products owned by the refinery in the form of an asset-backed loan, subject to documentation. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2012. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Brian P. MacDonald, Sunoco’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “This partnership is a great example of what can happen when motivated people think creatively to solve pressing problems. The private sector, government and labor all played important roles in getting this done. This is the best possible outcome for everyone involved: existing jobs will be saved, new jobs will be created and new business opportunities will be given the chance to develop.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Sunoco will contribute its Philadelphia refinery assets to the joint venture in exchange for a non-operating minority interest. The Carlyle Group’s investment will flow directly to the refinery’s balance sheet to fund future capital projects, facility upgrades and enhance the refinery’s working capital. Carlyle will hold the majority interest, and oversee day-to-day operations of the joint venture and the refinery. Phil Rinaldi, who has successfully led other refining and chemical business turnarounds, will serve as the CEO of Philadelphia Energy Solutions.

Carlyle Managing Director Rodney Cohen said, “Together we’ve re-imagined the Philadelphia refinery and its role as a critical energy hub in the Northeast. This joint venture will keep one of the region’s most important economic engines up and running. The refinery will be a reliable and critical supplier of fuels to the regional market through its new business structure and improved crude oil sourcing. In addition, the refinery’s exceptional location and infrastructure will enable the joint venture to create new business opportunities related to Marcellus Shale natural gas fields. We also look forward to continuing to work with all of the relevant stakeholders – government officials, the community, environmental officials and organized labor – as we work to stabilize, strengthen and expand the refinery.”

David Marchick, Carlyle’s Managing Director for External Affairs, said, “Saving this vital facility was only possible as a result of the extraordinary leadership and laser-like focus of a number of stakeholders, including the White House; Governor Tom Corbett and his team; Congressman Robert Brady; Mayor Michael Nutter; and USW President Leo Gerard. Each of these parties played an instrumental role in ensuring that the refinery remains in operation, serving businesses and consumers in the Northeast, as it has for more than 140 years.”

Blythe Masters, Head of Global Commodities at J.P. Morgan, said, “J.P. Morgan’s comprehensive solution, which leverages our physical commodities capabilities and substantially reduces the working capital requirements at the Philadelphia refinery beyond the assistance provided by traditional financing paths, demonstrates how financial institutions with physical capabilities can prudently, yet more effectively, meet our clients’ capital needs.”

Capital Improvements – Public Private Partnership
Philadelphia Energy Solutions, with economic support from The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, will invest in several capital intensive projects that are critical to the long-term economic viability of the facility. Planned improvements will help the environment through reduced waste and emission, and reduce reliance on foreign oil supplies. The Commonwealth will provide grants to help build a high-speed train unloading facility at the refinery, support a major capital project and upgrade the cracker at the refinery.

Projects include:
· Upgrade the Catalytic Cracker: The joint venture will upgrade and refurbish the cracker, improving reliability and operating performance. The project will create more than 1,000 contracting jobs when the upgrade commences.

· Build High-Speed Train Unloading Facility at Refinery: Provide access to greater quantities of crude oil from North America (versus imported crude), particularly high-quality, low sulfur crude from the Bakken region in North Dakota.

· Build Mild Hydrocracker and Hydrogen Plant: By converting the existing middle distillate Hydrotreater into a Mild Hydrocracker and constructing a natural gas-based hydrogen plant, the refinery will produce a more environmentally friendly mix of refined products. The project will create several hundred construction jobs.

The joint venture is also exploring other significant capital projects, including the creation of new businesses based on the availability and abundant levels of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale.

Also subject to the execution of final agreements, J.P. Morgan’s physical commodities division, J.P. Morgan Ventures Energy Corporation, will supply the refinery with crude and non-crude feedstocks on a just-in-time basis and will purchase refined products from the refinery for offtake.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett said, “Today’s announcement is testament to what can be accomplished when the public and private sectors work together toward a common goal; creating job opportunities for current and future generations. The Commonwealth’s support of this venture in conjunction with business, labor and all levels of government will preserve 850 direct jobs and thousands of jobs that rely on this refinery’s active operation in the Philadelphia region.”

Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter said, “Philadelphia Energy Solutions will create and maintain hundreds of skilled jobs for Philadelphians. It is an example of the private and public sectors working closely together to ensure this refinery, an important economic engine of the region, continues to operate. I would like to thank all of the partners who contributed to preserving these jobs.”

U.S. Representative Robert Brady said, “This is a perfect example of how labor, business and government can work together to get things done. Everyone from Sunoco’s Brian MacDonald to Carlyle’s David Marchick and Rodney Cohen to Leo Gerard and Jim Savage of USW, to the White House and Governor Corbett worked as hard as they could to make this happen. The best part of this deal is that we’re not just saving 850 jobs. We’re laying the ground work for thousands of construction jobs, permanent refinery jobs and all the other jobs related to the suppliers and contractors who work with this plant. I couldn’t be prouder than I am to have been a part of this.”

Leo W. Gerard, International President, United Steelworkers, said, “Not only will good paying manufacturing jobs be saved, but new ones will be created as this vital facility is improved and expanded. This project demonstrates how all stakeholders benefit when private capital, industry, government and labor work together for the collective benefit of society.”

Legal counsel to Carlyle were Vinson & Elkins, and Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney.

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to Sunoco, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel.

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