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Exhibit 10.1
CRUDE OIL SALES
AGREEMENT
between
PDVSA-PETRÓLEO
S.A.
and
NUSTAR MARKETING
LLC
dated effective as
of
March 1,
2008
Table of
Contents
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Page # |
| Part I DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION |
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1 |
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Article 1 Definitions |
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1.1 |
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Definitions |
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1 |
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1.2 |
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Construction |
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7 |
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| Part II SPECIAL TERMS |
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7 |
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Article 2 Purchase and Sale |
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7 |
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Article 3 Quantity |
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7 |
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3.1 |
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Annual
Contract Quantity |
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7 |
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3.2 |
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Monthly
Contract Quantity |
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7 |
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Article 4 Destination; No Resale to Third Parties |
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9 |
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4.1 |
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Utilization at the Refineries |
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9 |
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4.2 |
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Discharge
Documentation |
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9 |
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Article 5 Price; Adjustment of Price Mechanism |
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9 |
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5.1 |
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Price |
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9 |
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5.2 |
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Adjustment of Price Mechanism |
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9 |
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Article 6 Limited Market Adjustment |
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10 |
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6.1 |
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Calculation of Limited Market Adjustment |
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10 |
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6.2 |
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Expiration of Limited Market Adjustment |
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11 |
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Article 7 Underlifting |
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12 |
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Article 8 Payment Terms |
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12 |
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8.1 |
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Currency,
Time and Place of Payment; Overdue Payments |
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12 |
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8.2 |
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Contents
of Invoices; Substantiating Documentation |
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13 |
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8.3 |
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Payment
Expenses |
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13 |
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8.4 |
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Security
for Payment |
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13 |
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8.5 |
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Suspension of Deliveries |
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14 |
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Article 9 Duration |
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14 |
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9.1 |
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Term |
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14 |
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9.2 |
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Renewal |
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14 |
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| Part III STANDARD TERMS |
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14 |
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Article 10 Arrival Procedures and Lifting |
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14 |
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10.1 |
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Lifting
Program |
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14 |
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10.2 |
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Substitution of Vessels |
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17 |
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10.3 |
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Advice of
ETA |
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17 |
-i-
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10.4 |
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Notice of
Readiness |
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17 |
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10.5 |
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Vessel
Requirements; Security Regulations |
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18 |
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Article 11 Loading Conditions; Demurrage |
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19 |
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11.1 |
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Berthing
of Vessels; Commencement of Laytime |
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19 |
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11.2 |
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Shifting
Loading Point of Vessels |
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20 |
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11.3 |
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Allowed
Laytime |
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20 |
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11.4 |
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Adjustments to Laytime and Time on Demurrage |
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20 |
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11.5 |
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Demurrage |
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22 |
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11.6 |
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Buyer’s Liability for Delay and Damage |
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23 |
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Article 12 Quantity Measurements |
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23 |
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12.1 |
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Determination of Quantity |
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23 |
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12.2 |
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Volume
Corrections for Temperature |
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24 |
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12.3 |
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Conclusiveness of Measurements |
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25 |
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Article 13 Quality |
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25 |
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13.1 |
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Determination of Quality |
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25 |
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13.2 |
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Analysis
of Samples |
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25 |
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13.3 |
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NO
WARRANTIES |
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26 |
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Article 14 Delivery |
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26 |
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14.1 |
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Passage
of Title |
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26 |
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14.2 |
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Port and
Loading Expenses |
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26 |
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14.3 |
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Loading
Port Regulations |
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26 |
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14.4 |
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Buyer’s Knowledge of Loading Port Facilities; Standard
Procedures |
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26 |
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14.5 |
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Hazardous
Warning Responsibility |
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27 |
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Article 15 No Set-Off |
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27 |
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Article 16 Notice of Claims |
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28 |
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Article 17 Termination |
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28 |
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17.1 |
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Termination |
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28 |
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17.2 |
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Termination Not to Relieve Buyer of Obligations |
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29 |
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17.3 |
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Acceleration |
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29 |
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17.4 |
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Termination for an Insolvency Event |
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29 |
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17.5 |
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No
Gifts |
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29 |
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17.6 |
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Other
Rights and Remedies |
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29 |
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Article 18 Confidentiality |
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30 |
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Article 19 No Third-Party Beneficiaries; Assignment |
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30 |
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Article 20 Force Majeure |
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31 |
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20.1 |
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Relief
from Liability |
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31 |
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20.2 |
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Notice |
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31 |
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20.3 |
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Payment
for Oil Sold and Delivered |
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31 |
-ii-
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20.4 |
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Obligation to Apportion |
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31 |
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20.5 |
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No Makeup
of Deliveries Excused by Force Majeure |
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32 |
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20.6 |
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No
Extension of Contract; Right to Terminate |
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32 |
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Article 21 Dispute Resolution; Governing Law |
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32 |
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21.1 |
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Settlement by Arbitration |
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32 |
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21.2 |
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Governing
Law |
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32 |
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21.3 |
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Buyer’s Waiver |
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32 |
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Article 22 Representations and Warranties |
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32 |
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22.1 |
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Buyer
Representations |
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32 |
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22.2 |
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Seller
Representations |
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33 |
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Article 23 Liquidated Damages and Limitation of
Liability |
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34 |
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23.1 |
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Failure
to Deliver Oil |
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34 |
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23.2 |
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Limitation of Liability |
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34 |
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Article 24 Compliance with Law |
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35 |
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Article 25 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies |
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35 |
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Article 26 Severability of Provisions |
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35 |
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Article 27 Notices |
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36 |
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Article 28 Satisfactory Documentation |
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36 |
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Article 29 Merger |
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37 |
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29.1 |
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Exclusive
Agreement |
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37 |
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29.2 |
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General
Terms and Conditions |
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37 |
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Article 30 Amendments and Waivers; Counterparts |
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37 |
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30.1 |
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Amendments and Waivers |
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37 |
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30.2 |
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Counterparts |
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37 |
-iii-
CRUDE OIL SALES
AGREEMENT
This CRUDE OIL SALES
AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) is entered into on
March 19, 2008 and dated effective as of March 1, 2008,
by and between PDVSA-Petróleo S.A., a corporation organized
under the laws of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (“
Seller ”), represented by Mr. Fernando Valera,
Executive Director of Supply and Commerce, and NuStar Marketing
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Buyer
”), represented by Mr. Curtis V. Anastasio, its
Chief Executive Officer and President. Seller and Buyer may
sometimes hereinafter be referred to individually as a “
Party ”, and, collectively, as the “
Parties ”.
RECITALS
WHEREAS , NuStar
Asphalt Refining, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an
affiliate of Buyer (“ NAR ”), has agreed to
acquire from CITGO Asphalt Refining Company (“ CARCO
”) certain asphalt refineries located in Paulsboro, New
Jersey and Savannah, Georgia (“ Refineries ”)
pursuant to that certain Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated as of
November 5, 2007, between CARCO and NAR (“ SPA
”);
WHEREAS , one of the
conditions to NAR’s proceeding to a closing of the
transactions contemplated by the SPA is the execution and delivery
by Seller of this Agreement to supply crude oil to the Refineries
during the term;
WHEREAS , Seller
desires to sell and deliver to Buyer, and Buyer wishes to purchase
and lift from Seller, crude oil for processing at the Refineries in
accordance with the terms and conditions hereof;
NOW, THEREFORE , in
consideration of the premises and the mutual representations,
warranties, covenants, agreements and undertakings hereinafter set
forth or referred to in this Agreement, the Parties hereby agree as
follows:
PART I
DEFINITIONS AND
CONSTRUCTION
Article 1
Definitions
1.1 Definitions . For
purposes of this Agreement, the following terms, when capitalized,
shall have the meanings indicated below:
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(a) |
“Affiliate” means with respect to another entity,
any entity which, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled
by or is under common control with, such other entity. For purposes
of this definition, “control” (including, with
correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and
“under common control with”) means (i) the
ownership, directly or indirectly, of at least 50% of the voting
securities or other equity interests in such entity
and/or
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(ii) the right to
determine management direction and policies of such entity, whether
through majority representation on the applicable governing board
or by contract;
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(b) |
“Aggregate Deliveries” shall have the meaning set
forth in Article 23.1; |
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(c) |
“Aggregate Nominated Volume” shall have the meaning
set forth in Article 23.1; |
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(d) |
“Agreed Laydays” shall mean the three-Day range for
the arrival of a vessel set forth in an Agreed Lifting Program
determined pursuant to Article 10.1; |
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(e) |
“Agreed Lifting Program” shall mean a final lifting
program for a Month determined pursuant to Article
10.1; |
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(f) |
“Agreement” shall mean this Crude Oil Sales
Agreement, including this Part I, the Special Terms contained in
Part II hereof, the Standard Terms contained in Part III hereof,
and all Exhibits attached hereto, as the same may be amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time; |
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(g) |
“All Fast” shall mean such time as a vessel is
completely moored at the cargo transfer point with gangway down and
secured; |
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(h) |
“Allowed Laytime” shall mean the period of time
which Seller shall be allowed, in accordance with Article 11.3, to
complete the loading of a vessel without incurring
demurrage; |
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(i) |
“Annual Accounting” shall have the meaning set
forth in Article 23.1; |
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(j) |
“Annual Contract Quantity” shall have the meaning
set forth in Article 3.1; |
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(k) |
“API” shall mean the American Petroleum
Institute; |
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(l) |
“API-MPMS” shall have the meaning set forth in
Article 12; |
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(m) |
“ASBA” shall mean the Association of Ship Brokers
and Agents; |
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(n) |
“Asphalt Season” shall mean the period comprised of
the Asphalt Season Months of any Year; |
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(o) |
“Asphalt Season Months” shall mean the calendar
months of March, April, May, June, July, August and
September; |
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(p) |
“ASTM” shall mean the American Society for Testing
and Materials; |
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(q) |
“Barrel” shall mean a quantity of crude oil equal
to forty-two (42) Gallons; |
-2-
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(r) |
“Banking Day” shall mean any Day other than
Saturday, Sunday or a Day on which banking institutions in New
York, New York, United States are authorized or required by law to
close; |
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(s) |
“BCF 13” shall mean crude oil of the Bachaquero
BCF-13 type, typically having characteristics within the ranges
specified in Exhibit 1 ; |
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(t) |
“Boscán” shall mean crude oil of the
Boscán type, typically having characteristics within the
ranges specified in Exhibit 1 ; |
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(u) |
“Business Day” shall mean any Day other than
Saturday, Sunday or any national holiday in Venezuela; |
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(v) |
“Buyer” shall have the meaning set forth in the
Preamble to this Agreement; |
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(w) |
“CARCO” shall have the meaning set forth in the
Preamble to this Agreement; |
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(x) |
“Cargo” shall mean a cargo of Oil to be sold by
Seller and loaded by Buyer into one of its vessels during any
Lifting Month; |
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(y) |
“Contract Year” shall mean, except with respect to
the First Contract Year and the Final Contract Year, a
Year; |
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(z) |
“Credit” shall have the meaning set forth in
Article 6.1(c); |
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(aa) |
“Cumulative Net Surplus” means the sum of all
Quarterly Surpluses less the sum of all Quarterly Deficits since
the commencement date of the Agreement; |
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(bb) |
This paragraph (bb) is intentionally left blank; |
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(cc) |
“Day” shall mean a calendar day; |
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(dd) |
“Deliveries” shall have the meaning set forth in
Article 23.1; |
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(ee) |
“Defaulting Party” shall have the meaning set forth
in Article 17.4; |
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(ff) |
“ETA” shall mean estimated time of
arrival; |
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(gg) |
“Final Contract Year” shall mean the period
commencing on January 1 of the Year in which the later of the
expiration of the Initial Term or the last Renewal Term of this
Agreement occurs and ending on the anniversary date of this
Agreement occurring in such Year; |
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(hh) |
“First Contract Year” shall mean the period
commencing on the date of this Agreement and ending on
December 31, 2008; |
-3-
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(ii) |
“FOB” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term
in Incoterms (2000 edition), published by the International Chamber
of Commerce; provided , however , that, in the event
of any conflict between the provisions of the Incoterms definition
and this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall
apply; |
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(jj) |
Formula Price” shall have the meaning set forth in
Article 6.2(a); |
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(kk) |
“Force Majeure” shall have the meaning set forth in
Article 20.1; |
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(ll) |
“Gallon” shall mean a unit of volume, measured at
60°F (equivalent to 15.56°C), equal to 231 cubic inches
or 3.7853 liters; |
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(mm) |
“General Terms and Conditions” shall mean the
Ministry’s General Terms and Conditions for PDVSA FOB Crude
Oil Sales (November 2006) attached hereto as Exhibit 6 , as
the same may be modified as provided herein; |
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(nn) |
“ICC Rules” shall have the meaning set forth in
Article 21.1; |
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(oo) |
“Investment Grade” shall mean a rating of
(i) BBB- or higher by Standard and Poor’s Rating
Services, (ii) Baa3 or higher by Moody’s Investors
Service, Inc. and (iii) BBB- or higher by Fitch Ratings, Ltd.
(or, if any such agency changes its rating system, the equivalent
successor rating applied by such agency at the time in
question); |
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(pp) |
“Governmental Mandate” shall have the meaning set
forth in Article 20.1; |
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(qq) |
“Initial Term” shall have the meaning set forth in
Article 9.1; |
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(rr) |
“Insolvency Event” shall mean that an entity
(i) is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation,
amalgamation or merger); (ii) becomes insolvent or is unable
to pay its debts or admits in writing its inability generally to
pay its debts as they become due; (iii) makes a general
assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of
its creditors; (iv) (A) institutes a proceeding seeking a
judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any
bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting
creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its
winding-up or liquidation by it, or (B) has instituted against
it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or
any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other
similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is
presented for its winding-up or liquidation and such proceeding
either (1) results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy
or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for
its winding-up or liquidation or (2) is not dismissed,
discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within sixty
(60) Days of the institution or presentation thereof;
(v) passes a resolution for its winding-up or liquidation
(other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or
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merger); (vi) seeks
or becomes subject to the appointment of a receiver, bankruptcy
trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or
substantially all its assets; or (vii) has a secured party
take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a
distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal
process levied or enforced on or against all or substantially all
its assets; provided that such secured party maintains possession,
or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or
restrained, in each case within thirty (30) Days
thereafter;
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(ss) |
“ISPS Code” shall have the meaning set forth in
Article 10.5.2(d); |
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(tt) |
“Letter of Credit” shall have the meaning set forth
in Article 8.4; |
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(uu) |
“Lifting Month” shall mean the Month for which a
Cargo is programmed for lifting; |
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(vv) |
“Limited Market Adjustment” shall have the meaning
set forth in Article 6.1(a); |
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(ww) |
“Loading Point” (either standing alone or as part
of another defined term) shall mean a terminal, berth, jetty, buoy,
dock, anchorage, sea terminal, mooring, submarine loading line, or
any other place, including alongside lighters or other vessels,
where a vessel can be loaded; |
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(xx) |
“Loading Port” shall mean any of Seller’s
Loading Points located at Puerto Miranda, La Salina and Bajo
Grande; |
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(yy) |
“MBD” shall mean a thousand Barrels per
Day; |
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(zz) |
“Ministry” shall mean the Ministerio del Poder
Popular para la Energía y Petróleo of Venezuela
; |
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(aaa) |
“Month” shall mean a calendar month; |
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(bbb) |
“Monthly Contract Quantity” shall have the meaning
set forth in Article 3.2; |
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(ccc) |
“NAR” shall have the meaning set forth in the
Preamble to this Agreement; |
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(ddd) |
“Nominated Volume” shall have the meaning set forth
in Article 23.1; |
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(eee) |
“Non-Affiliated Buyer Purchases” shall have the
meaning set forth in Article 6.2(a); |
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(fff) |
“Non-Defaulting Party” shall have the meaning set
forth in Article 17.4; |
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(ggg) |
“NOR” shall have the meaning set forth in Article
10.4; |
-5-
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(hhh) |
“Oil” shall mean Venezuelan crude oil of the types
specified in Exhibit 1 ; |
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(iii) |
“P&I Club” shall mean a maritime protection and
indemnity mutual insurance company; |
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(jjj) |
“Parties” shall mean Seller and Buyer, which may
sometimes hereinafter be referred to individually as a
“Party” and collectively as the
“Parties”; |
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(kkk) |
“Quarter” means any period of three consecutive
Months commencing
January 1, April 1, July 1 or
October 1 of any Year; |
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(lll) |
“Quarterly Deficit” means, with respect to any
Quarter, the amount, if any, by which the Formula Price is less
than the Maya parity price calculated in accordance with Exhibit
4 ; |
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(mmm) |
“Quarterly Surplus” means, with respect to any
Quarter, the amount, if any, by which the Formula Price exceeds the
Maya parity price calculated in accordance with Exhibit 4
; |
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(nnn) |
“Ratings Agencies” shall mean Standard and
Poor’s Rating Services, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
and Fitch Ratings, Ltd.; |
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(ooo) |
“Refineries” shall have the meaning set forth in
the Preamble to this Agreement; |
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(ppp) |
“Renewal Term” shall have the meaning set forth in
Article 9.2; |
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(qqq) |
“S & W” shall mean sediments and
water; |
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(rrr) |
“Security Regulations” shall have the meaning set
forth in Article 10.5.2(d); |
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(sss) |
“Seller” shall have the meaning set forth in the
Preamble to this Agreement; |
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(ttt) |
“Specified Loading Port” shall mean a Loading Port
specified in an Agreed Lifting Program; |
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(uuu) |
“SPA” shall have the meaning set forth in the
Preamble to this Agreement; |
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(vvv) |
“Storage Facility” shall have the meaning set forth
in Article 6.1(b); |
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(www) |
“United States” or “U.S.” shall mean
the United States of America; |
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(xxx) |
“U.S. Dollars” or “U.S.$” and
“cents” shall mean the lawful currency of the United
States of America; |
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(yyy) |
“Venezuela” shall mean the Bolivarian Republic of
Venezuela; |
-6-
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(zzz) |
“Worldscale” shall mean, at any relevant time under
this Agreement, the applicable standard freight rate stated in the
most recent edition of the New Worldwide Tanker Nominal Freight
Scale jointly published by Worldscale Association (London) Limited
and Worldscale Association (NYC) Inc., expressed in U.S. dollars
per metric ton for the route specified; |
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(aaaa) |
“Worldscale Assessment” shall mean, at any relevant
time under this Agreement, the current assessment published in the
most recent edition of Platt’s Oilgram Price Report, under
the table representing “Dirty” cargoes of 50,000 metric
ton size for Caribbean to U.S. Gulf Coast routes, in the column
labeled “WS”; and |
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(bbbb) |
“Year” shall mean a calendar year. |
1.2 Construction .
Terms defined in the singular have the corresponding meanings in
the plural, and vice versa. All headings herein are for convenience
only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of
this Agreement. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein
to Parts, Articles and Exhibits are to the Parts, Articles and
Exhibits of this Agreement. The terms “hereof,”
“herein,” “hereunder” and words of similar
import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to the
particular Part, Article or Exhibit in which such term
appears.
PART II
SPECIAL
TERMS
Article 2
Purchase and
Sale
Subject to and in accordance
with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Seller shall sell
and deliver, and Buyer shall purchase and lift, Oil of the
Boscán type and the Bachaquero BCF-13 type, each having the
typical characteristics set forth on Exhibit 1 and in the
quantities set forth on Exhibit 2 .
Article 3
Quantity
3.1 Annual Contract
Quantity . Except as performance may be expressly excused in
accordance with this Agreement, in each Contract Year Seller shall
sell and deliver, and Buyer shall purchase and lift, an aggregate
quantity of Oil equal to seventy-five thousand
(75,000) Barrels times the number of Days in such Contract
Year, apportioned between Barrels of Oil of the Boscán type
and the BCF-13 type as set forth in Exhibit 2 (the “
Annual Contract Quantity ”), subject to an annual
tolerance of three hundred twenty-five thousand
(325,000) Barrels for each such grade of Oil; provided that,
with respect to the First Contract Year and the Final Contract
Year, the annual tolerance shall not be prorated for such partial
Year periods.
3.2 Monthly Contract
Quantity . In satisfaction of Buyer’s obligation to
purchase and lift, and Seller’s obligation to sell and
deliver, the Annual Contract Quantity (except as
performance
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may be expressly excused in accordance
with this Agreement) during each Month of each Contract Year,
Seller shall sell and deliver, and Buyer shall purchase and lift,
such number of Barrels of Oil of the Boscán and BCF-13 type as
set forth in Exhibit 2 in respect of such Month (the “
Monthly Contract Quantity ”), subject to the following
exceptions:
(a) an operational tolerance
of five percent (5%) on each Cargo of Oil Buyer is scheduled
to lift due to conditions at the Loading Port or affecting the
vessel utilized by Buyer;
(b) notwithstanding
Buyer’s obligations under Article 10.1.5 to minimize
deadfreight in developing the Agreed Lifting Program for any Month
and solely for the purpose of eliminating deadfreight, Seller shall
at its option:
| |
(i) |
permit Buyer to overlift the amount required to accept all
vessels as proposed by Buyer in its Lifting Program for such Month;
it being understood that Seller shall have no obligation to permit
an overlifting in any Month greater than 250,000 Barrels of
Boscán and 325,000 Barrels of BCF-13; or |
| |
(ii) |
defer lifting for the last vessel to the first ten
(10) Days of the immediately subsequent Month; or |
| |
(iii) |
specify a short load for the last vessel of either or both
types of Oil to limit deliveries in such Month to a level at or
above the Monthly Contract Quantity; |
provided that: (A) if Seller
selects clause (i) above, the resulting quantity overlifted
shall be subtracted from the Monthly Contract Quantity for the
immediately subsequent Month; (B) if Seller selects clauses
(ii) or (iii) above, the resulting quantity underlifted
shall be added to the Monthly Contract Quantity for the immediately
subsequent Month; and (C) if Seller selects clause
(iii) above, Buyer shall present a claim for reimbursement to
Seller, and notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary,
Seller shall reimburse Buyer for the allocable portion of
deadfreight cost based on the unit cost of freight for the subject
vessel and Buyer’s proposed lifting volume applied to the
short-loaded volume;
(c) notwithstanding the
foregoing clauses (a) and (b) to the contrary, solely in
respect of the first Month of the First Contract Year, Buyer shall
have the option to nominate a Monthly Contract Quantity with a
tolerance of thirty percent (30%) for each grade of Oil to
enable Buyer to offset any Oil inventory surplus or shortfall at
the Refineries.
In the event Buyer overlifts or
underlifts the Monthly Contract Quantity in a given Month as a
result of any of the exceptions set forth in clauses (a) or
(b) above, Buyer shall accumulate and apply the net amount of
such overlifted or underlifted quantity toward the Monthly Contract
Quantity to be lifted in any subsequent Month.
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Article 4
Destination; No Resale
to Third Parties
4.1 Utilization at the
Refineries . The Oil to be sold by Seller to Buyer is intended
to be utilized by Buyer at the Refineries. No Cargo purchased by
Buyer under this Agreement may be shipped to any other facility
except:
(a) a facility utilized by
Buyer for storage of Oil;
(b) a facility with which
Buyer has an arrangement to process such Cargo and receive all
refined products produced therefrom;
(c) any other U.S. refinery
owned by Buyer or its Affiliates; provided , however
, that, any delivery to such other U.S. refinery shall not relieve
Buyer or its Affiliates from any of its obligations to lift, or
receive delivery of, the full quantity of crude oil required to be
lifted or received from Seller under any other long-term supply
arrangement for such refinery. In the event that Buyer shall
deliver any Cargo of Oil purchased from Seller hereunder to any
other refinery within Buyer’s or its Affiliate’s U.S.
refining system which is located in a geographic market other than
that in which the Refineries are located, the prices determined
pursuant to the provisions of Exhibit 3 shall be the
Seller’s prices applicable for deliveries in such other
geographic market; or
(d) with respect to any Cargo
lifted by Buyer, any facility with the express written consent of
Seller having been first obtained, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld if it is requested in connection with an
event described in Article 20.1.
Buyer shall not resell any Oil purchased
under this Agreement to any Person not an Affiliate of
Buyer.
4.2 Discharge
Documentation . Upon Seller’s request, Buyer shall
provide, for any Cargo of Oil delivered hereunder, a discharge
certificate, which may consist of: (a) an independent
inspector’s certificate of discharge, (b) a customs fees
receipt or other government document evidencing the port in which
the Cargo of Oil was discharged, (c) the exemption from
customs fees at the port of discharge or (d) any other
document that Seller deems an appropriate substitute for the
foregoing.
Article 5
Price; Adjustment of
Price Mechanism
5.1 Price . The price
for each type of Oil to be sold by Seller and purchased by Buyer
hereunder shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of
Exhibit 3 , as adjusted by the Limited Market Adjustment
determined in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 and
Exhibit 4 .
5.2 Adjustment of Price
Mechanism . Seller shall have the right at any time and from
time to time, based on (i) discontinuance of the published
market markers in the pricing formulas set forth in Exhibit
3 or the Limited Market Adjustment set forth in Exhibit
4 , (ii) changes in circumstances which make the
applicability of the published market markers in the
pricing
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formula or the Limited Market Adjustment
inconsistent with a competitive market-based pricing formula, or
(iii) changes in the quality of one or more types of Oil, to
notify Buyer that it wishes to adjust or amend the pricing
provisions of Exhibit 3 and/or the Limited Market Adjustment
in Exhibit 4 with the objective of ensuring that the price
of Oil reflects market conditions for similar crude oils.
Seller’s notice shall state the proposed effective date
thereof, which shall be no earlier than thirty (30) Days after
the date of its notice; provided , however , that the
succeeding provisions of this Article 5.2 shall only apply if such
proposed adjustment or amendment is applicable to Seller’s
publicly announced pricing formula for deliveries of Oil destined
for ports in the United States and that the new price shall not
apply to Oil already nominated by Buyer. Buyer shall then have
thirty (30) Days in which to accept or reject such proposed
changes. If Buyer accepts Seller’s proposal or does not
notify Seller within such thirty (30) Day period that it
rejects Seller’s proposal, then the provisions of Exhibit
3 and/or Exhibit 4 shall be deemed amended in accordance
with Seller’s proposal as of the effective date specified in
Seller’s notice. If Buyer rejects Seller’s proposal,
then the provisions of Exhibit 3 and/or Exhibit 4
shall remain in effect and unchanged; provided ,
however , that Seller shall have the right to submit the
matter to arbitration pursuant to Article 21.1. In such
arbitration, each Party shall submit its proposed alternative
pricing mechanism, and the arbitration panel shall determine the
appropriate adjustments, if any, to be made to the pricing formulas
and/or the Limited Market Adjustment as of the effective date
specified in Seller’s notice.
Article 6
Limited Market
Adjustment
6.1 Calculation of Limited
Market Adjustment .
(a) For each Quarter during
the Initial Term, Seller shall set off and deduct, and Buyer shall
receive a credit and reduction for, an amount equal to (a) the
difference, if any, between (i) the price per Barrel of Oil
charged by Seller with respect to each Cargo of Oil lifted during
such Quarter calculated in accordance with Exhibit 3 and
(ii) the price per Barrel of Oil calculated in accordance with
Exhibit 4 , multiplied by (b) the respective quantities
of Boscán Oil and BCF-13 Oil delivered to the Refineries with
respect to each such Cargo of Oil. Such setoff, deduction, credit
and reduction is referred to herein as the “ Limited
Market Adjustment ,” and each Limited Market Adjustment
shall be determined and applied in accordance with clause
(b) below; it being understood that any Cargo of Oil not
delivered to either of the Refineries shall be disregarded for
purposes of the Limited Market Adjustment.
(b) In the event that Buyer
shall deliver any Cargo of Oil to any storage facility (“
Storage Facility ”) for subsequent redelivery to a
Refinery, upon the redelivery of such Cargo to a Refinery, such
Cargo shall, for purposes of calculating the Limited Market
Adjustment, if any, applicable to such Quarter, be deemed to have
been delivered to a Refinery in the Quarter within which such
redelivery occurs and the prices to be used shall be the prices
applicable at the time of the original purchase.
(c) To the extent that, at
any time, the sum of all Quarterly Surpluses exceeds the sum of all
Quarterly Deficits less any previous Credits (as defined below) by
more than U.S.$10 Million, Buyer shall receive a credit (each, a
“ Credit ”) against the purchase price of
Boscán Oil or BCF-13 Oil delivered to the Refineries or any
Storage Facility in the succeeding Quarter equal
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to the amount by which the Cumulative
Net Surplus, less previous Credits, exceeds U.S.$10 Million,
applied at the rate of U.S.$5.00 per Barrel beginning with the
first Barrel delivered in such succeeding Quarter.
(d) Within ten (10) Days
after each Quarter during the Initial Term, Buyer shall provide to
Seller a detailed report including (i) the calculation of the
Limited Market Adjustment for the preceding Quarter in accordance
with Exhibit 4 , and (ii) the calculation of any Credit
for such Quarter. Within ten (10) Days after receipt of such
report, Seller shall notify Buyer of any claimed discrepancy
therein and any proposed amendment thereto; it being understood
that the Parties shall, in such event, undertake in good faith to
resolve such discrepancy promptly and in any event prior to the
issuance of the first invoice for Oil delivered in such
Quarter.
(e) For purposes of
calculating any Limited Market Adjustment as well as for purposes
of applying any Credit, Oil shall be considered to have been
delivered to a Refinery or a Storage Facility on the Day on which
the bill of lading for the Cargo in question was issued at the
Loading Port, as reflected in such bill of lading.
(f) To the extent that, at
the expiration of the Initial Term, the sum of all Quarterly
Surpluses exceeds the sum of all Quarterly Deficits less any
previous Credits (irrespective of the U.S.$10 Million threshold
specified in clause (b) above), such difference, if any, shall
be paid in cash by Seller to Buyer or delivered in Oil at the price
provided under this Agreement, at the option of Seller, in either
case within thirty (30) Days after expiration of the Initial
Term.
(g) Any outstanding Credit
owing to Buyer shall accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to
one percent (1%) above the prime rate in effect from time to
time as announced by Citibank, N.A. at its principal office in New
York, New York, United States, calculated from the last Day of the
Quarter in which such Credit arises until the bill of lading date
for the Cargo of Oil to which such Credit is applied.
6.2 Expiration of Limited
Market Adjustment .
(a) The Limited Market
Adjustment clauses set out above will be deemed to have lapsed once
the average volume of Seller’s export sales of heavy crude
oils (i.e., crude oils with an API gravity less than 13 degrees and
a sulfur content greater than 2.5% by weight) subject to the
formula price for each of Boscán Oil or BCF-13 Oil set forth
in Exhibit 3 (“ Formula Price ”) for
deliveries into the US Gulf Coast, the US East Coast and the
Caribbean to non-Affiliated buyers other than Buyer exceeds 60,000
BPD for a period of fourteen (14) consecutive Asphalt Season
Months, based on contracts with an average of two (2) or more
different customers during the same period provided that
(i) such non-Affiliated buyers purchase crude oil from Seller
at the Formula Price on a spot basis or pursuant to contracts under
which they have the right to terminate upon prior notice of ninety
(90) Days or less, (ii) the Formula Price applicable to
such non-Affiliated buyers does not include a price protection
clause and (iii) any purchases of crude oil by Buyer from
Seller pursuant to spot or term agreements in excess of the Annual
Contract Quantity shall be deemed to be purchases by non-Affiliated
buyers for purpose of (i) and (ii) above (“
Non-Affiliated Buyer Purchases ”). Seller shall report
periodically to Buyer on the average volume of crude oil sold under
the Formula Price to such non-Affiliated buyers and
shall
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provide written confirmation to Buyer
when such average daily volume conditions have been met.
(b) In the event that, after
the Limited Market Adjustment mechanism is deemed to have lapsed,
(i) during any six (6) month period, the average volume
of Seller’s export sales of heavy crude oils (i.e., crude
oils with an API gravity less than 13 degrees and a sulfur content
greater than 2.5% by weight) for deliveries into the US Gulf Coast,
the US East Coast and the Caribbean to non-Affiliated buyers
(including Non-Affiliated Buyer Purchases) other than Buyer at the
Formula Price on a spot basis or pursuant to term supply contracts
under which such buyers have the right to terminate upon prior
notice of ninety (90) Days or less is less than 20,000 BPD, or
(ii) the average number of such non-Affiliated buyers of crude
oil at the Formula Price (other than Buyer) has been less than two
(2) per Asphalt Season, then Seller and Buyer will agree on
such alternative pricing mechanism as may be necessary to meet the
objective that the price of Oil be market-related in parity with
crude oil of the Maya type.
Article 7
Underlifting
Buyer acknowledges that its
commitment to purchase the Annual Contract Quantity in each Year is
an essential term of this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided
in this Agreement and subject to the provisions of Article 20, if,
in any Lifting Month, Buyer fails to lift any Cargo scheduled to be
lifted during such Lifting Month, Seller shall have the right to
recover its damages for Buyer’s breach of its lifting
obligation. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Article 7, Buyer shall not be required to lift, nor be subject to
any liability for lifting less than, the Monthly Contract Quantity
in any Month if and to the extent that:
(a) such underlifting is due
to demonstrated operational reasons concerning only the Loading
Ports or the vessels involved and does not in any event exceed ten
percent (10%) of the Monthly Contract Quantity for such
Month;
(b) such underlifting comes
as a consequence of Buyer performing remedial work (whether planned
or unplanned) or an annual turnaround at the Refineries, or either
of them, provided that Buyer notifies Seller of any planned
turnaround at least ninety (90) Days prior to the Month in
which the turnaround is planned and of any planned remedial work as
soon as reasonably possible;
(c) such underlifting is the
result of Buyer decreasing inventories of Oil at the Refineries, or
either of them, having previously increased such inventories by
lifting in excess of the Monthly Contract Quantity due to increased
risk of weather-related interruption of supply; or
(d) such underlifting is due
to an underdelivery by Seller.
Article 8
Payment
Terms
8.1 Currency, Time and
Place of Payment; Overdue Payments . Buyer shall make all
payments required to be made by it under this Agreement in
immediately available U.S. Dollars, without any discount or
deduction whatsoever, by wire transfer to such account at such bank
as
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may be designated by Seller from time to
time. Payments in respect of Oil sold and delivered shall be made
within thirty (30) Days after the date of the bill of lading
therefor (bill of lading date excluded). All other payments to
Seller shall be made fifteen (15) Days after presentation by
Seller of a written demand setting forth the provisions of this
Agreement giving rise to the payment obligation, the nature of such
obligation, and the amount thereof. If any payment hereunder is due
on a Day which is not a Banking Day, such payment shall be due on
the immediately following Banking Day. In the event that Buyer
fails to make any payment when due, then, to the extent permitted
by applicable law and without prejudice to the application of any
other provision hereof or to any other remedy provided to Seller
under this Agreement or otherwise (including, without limitation,
Articles 8.4 and 8.5), interest shall accrue daily on the amount of
the overdue payment, commencing on the date such payment was due,
at a rate per annum equal to one percent (1%) above the prime
rate in effect from time to time as announced by Citibank, N.A. at
its principal office in New York, New York, United States; it being
understood and agreed that each change in the prime rate shall take
effect on the Day on which such change is announced by Citibank,
N.A. Interest shall be computed for the actual number of Days
elapsed on the basis of a year consisting of three hundred sixty
(360) Days, payable on demand.
8.2 Contents of Invoices;
Substantiating Documentation . Each invoice shall set forth at
least the following information: (a) the date(s) of delivery
in respect of which the invoice is rendered; (b) the Loading
Point(s) for such delivery; (c) the volume of the delivery
stated in Barrels; and (d) the purchase price for each type of
Oil comprising the delivery, and the terms of payment. Upon
request, each Party shall furnish to the other Party all available
substantiating documents incident to the delivery, including a
satisfactory source document for each volume delivered during any
Month. The source documents shall state at least the volume, type
and quality of Oil delivered and method of measurement, the
corrected API gravity, temperature, and S & W
content.
8.3 Payment Expenses .
Buyer shall bear all expenses and bank charges in connection with
any payments made to Seller under this Agreement, including,
without limitation, any costs of establishing and obtaining
confirmation of a Letter of Credit referred to in Article
8.4.
8.4 Security for
Payment . If at any time (i) Buyer fails to make any
payment required to be made by it hereunder when and as the same
shall become due and payable, (ii) Buyer defaults in any of
its material obligations under this Agreement, or (iii) the
senior unsecured long-term debt securities of Buyer for which there
is no recourse to or credit enhancement from any party other than
NuStar Energy L.P. or its subsidiaries is rated below Investment
Grade by at least two of the three Ratings Agencies, then Seller
shall have the right to require Buyer (at Buyer’s option) to
purchase Oil or make other payments required hereunder by advance
payment of immediately available funds or by posting of an
irrevocable documentary or standby letter of credit (“
Letter of Credit ”); provided , however
, that any such advance payment or Letter of Credit shall no longer
be required, and if outstanding, it shall be promptly returned by
Seller, when and if such debt securities are rated Investment Grade
or better by at least two of the three Ratings Agencies. The amount
of the advance payment or Letter of Credit shall be equal to
Seller’s reasonable estimate of the value of Oil, calculated
in accordance with Exhibit 3 , for which the advance payment
or a Letter of Credit is provided (which may be, at Seller’s
discretion, for a particular shipment or for some or all shipments
in a Month, plus ten percent (10%)), and paid or
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posted not later than seven
(7) Business Days prior to the first Day of the Agreed
Laydays. Any such Letter of Credit shall be opened or confirmed by
an international bank having a net asset value of not less than Two
Hundred Fifty Million U.S. Dollars (U.S.$250,000,000) and such
Letter of Credit shall be otherwise satisfactory in form and
substance to Seller.
8.5 Suspension of
Deliveries . Without prejudice and in addition to any of
Seller’s rights under Article 17 or otherwise, if Buyer fails
to make any undisputed payment required to be made by it hereunder
when the same shall become due and payable or fails to make an
advance payment or post a Letter of Credit as required in
accordance with Article 8.4, then Seller shall have the right at
its sole discretion to suspend further deliveries of Oil until
Buyer makes the required payment, together with any accrued
interest thereon, or posts a Letter of Credit as required by Seller
in accordance with Article 8.4.
Article 9
Duration
9.1 Term . The term of
this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and shall continue
in full force and effect until the seventh (7th) anniversary
date of this Agreement, (“ Initial Term
”).
9.2 Renewal . This
Agreement shall be renewed for successive two (2) Year terms
after the Initial Term (each, a “ Renewal Term
”), unless earlier terminated by a Party in accordance with
the provisions of this Agreement. Either Party may terminate the
Agreement at the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term by
delivering written notice of termination at least one (1) year
prior to the last Day of the Initial Term or to the Renewal Term in
question.
PART III
STANDARD
TERMS
Article 10
Arrival Procedures and
Lifting
10.1 Lifting Program
.
10.1.1 Not later than thirty
five (35) Days prior to the beginning of the next programmed
Lifting Month, Buyer shall furnish Seller with a proposed lifting
program for such Lifting Month, specifying the
following:
(a) a Specified Loading Port
for each delivery requested for such Lifting Month;
(b) a three-Day period for
the arrival of each vessel;
(c) each type of Oil to be
lifted by Buyer’s vessels;
(d) the number of Cargos to
be lifted and the quantity and type of Oil comprising each
Cargo;
(e) the port of discharge of
each Cargo;
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(f) in respect of the lifting
program for the previously programmed Lifting Month, (i) the
name, size and dimensions of each vessel designated for lifting
during such Lifting Month, together with the completed vetting
information required by Seller for each such vessel; (ii) the
names of the vessel’s agent and Buyer’s representative,
and the vessel’s P&I Club, which shall be a member of the
International Group of P&I Clubs; (iii) documentation
instructions; (iv) the time required for deballasting (if any,
but which, in any event, shall not exceed six hours); (v) the
distribution of the Oil to be loaded (e.g., commingled or
segregated); (vi) the name of the proposed independent
inspector; and (vii) for at least the last ten
(10) loading operations for crude oil for each nominated
vessel, the volume loaded as measured on shore in shore tanks or by
flow meters and the corresponding volume loaded as measured on
board, such volume to be evidenced by documentation (including
ullage and innage reports and onboard quantity and slop
certificates) satisfactory to Seller; and
(g) an estimate of the
volumes of the types of Oil that Buyer desires to purchase during
the three (3) Lifting Months following such Lifting
Month.
If Buyer does not furnish Seller with a
proposed lifting program complying with the requirements of this
Article 10.1.1 for the following Lifting Month within the period
specified above, Buyer shall be required to accept the lifting
program for such Lifting Month established by Seller.
Not later than thirty-five
(35) Days prior to the beginning of the first programmed
Lifting Month of each Contract Year, Seller shall provide Buyer
with a list of objective vetting criteria in respect of vessels
acceptable to Seller during such Contract Year. Buyer shall obtain
completed vetting information for each vessel nominated by Buyer
and submit the same to Seller in accordance with Article 10.1.1(f).
Seller shall have the absolute right to reject any vessel nominated
by Buyer that does not satisfy Seller’s objective vetting
criteria.
10.1.2 If the name of a
vessel is not known at the time the proposed lifting program for
the following Lifting Month is furnished to Seller, Buyer shall
notify Seller of such name and other data referred to in Article
10.1.1(f) as soon as possible, but in any event not later than
seven (7) Business Days prior to the first Day of the Agreed
Laydays for the unspecified vessel. Seller may reject Buyer’s
vessel nomination in the event such vessel does not satisfy
Seller’s objective vetting criteria, in which case Buyer
shall take immediate action to nominate another vessel acceptable
to Seller. If the Parties do not reach agreement on nomination of
another vessel at least five (5) Business Days prior to the
first Day of the Agreed Laydays, Seller shall have the right to
cancel that lifting without prejudice to any and all other rights
Seller has under this Agreement and without prejudice to
Seller’s claim for any losses or expenses caused by
Buyer’s failure to nominate an acceptable vessel. If Seller,
at its sole option, elects nevertheless to load a vessel agreed on
less than five (5) Business Days prior to the first Day of the
Agreed Laydays, the loading of the vessel shall be subject to
berth, jetty, buoy, loading platform and loading system
availability, as applicable. In no event shall laytime or time on
demurrage be charged to Seller for delays incurred because the
Parties have not agreed on a vessel within five (5) Business
Days prior to the first Day of the Agreed Laydays.
10.1.3 Seller shall be deemed
to have accepted Buyer’s proposed lifting program for the
following Lifting Month unless Seller has notified Buyer of
alterations thereto at least fifteen
-15-
(15) Days prior to the beginning of such
Lifting Month. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the
contrary, so long as Buyer’s proposed lifting program for
such Lifting Month nominates a quantity of Oil conforming to the
Monthly Contract Quantity, as such quantity may be adjusted
pursuant to Article 7 and Article 20, and subject to the exceptions
set forth in Article 3.2, Seller shall not alter the quantities of
Oil described in Buyer’s proposed lifting program. Seller
shall in any event notify Buyer within such time period of the
Specified Loading Port to be used by Buyer’s vessels, to be
narrowed to a specific Loading Point not less than five
(5) Days prior to the first Day of the Agreed Laydays (subject
to adjustment as provided in Article 10.1.4) and the name(s) of the
independent inspector(s) proposed by Buyer and accepted by Seller
for purposes of Article 12 and Article 13. If Seller timely
notifies Buyer of alterations to the lifting program, Buyer shall
be deemed to have agreed to those alterations unless, within five
(5) Days after Buyer’s receipt of Seller’s notice,
Buyer requests Seller to reconsider such alterations.
Seller’s decision following any such reconsideration shall be
final and binding on both Parties. If Seller notifies Buyer that it
objects to an independent inspector nominated by Buyer, the Parties
shall designate another independent inspector by mutual agreement.
The lifting program as finally determined pursuant to the
provisions of Article 10.1 for any Lifting Month is referred to
herein as the “ Agreed Lifting Program ” for
such Lifting Month, and the three (3) Day range for the
arrival of any vessel contained in any Agreed Lifting Program is
referred to herein as the “ Agreed Laydays ” for
such vessel.
10.1.4 Seller may notify
Buyer that any vessel scheduled in an Agreed Lifting Program shall
load the Oil at a Loading Point in the Specified Loading Port
different from the Loading Point previously specified pursuant to
Article 10.1.3 or shall load the Oil at two (2) Loading Ports,
provided that such notice is given by Seller (a) at least
seventy-two (72) hours prior to the ETA of such vessel, if
Buyer has notified Seller of an ETA falling within or after its
Agreed Laydays, or (b) at least seventy-two (72) hours
prior to the first Day of the Agreed Laydays, if Buyer has notified
Seller of an ETA which is earlier than the first Day of the Agreed
Laydays. Seller shall not be liable for any charges or expenses
incurred by Buyer, including, but not limited to, deviation, as a
result of a shift from one Loading Point to another, or the
specification of two (2) Loading Ports; provided ,
however , if Seller exercises its option to change a
previously declared Loading Point or to load at two
(2) Loading Ports, (i) Buyer shall be compensated by
Seller for any time by which the steaming time to the Loading
Port(s) or Point(s) to which a vessel is finally ordered exceeds
that which would have been taken if vessel had been ordered to
proceed to such Port(s) or Point(s) in the first instance at the
deviation rate per running Day and pro rata for a part thereof; and
(ii) Seller shall pay for extra bunkers consumed during excess
time at documented actual replacement cost at the port where
bunkers are next taken, less a credit for daily in port fuel
consumption during any period of waiting.
10.1.5 Buyer, taking into
account Loading Port constraints, shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to nominate vessels and schedule liftings so as to avoid
deadfreight. Any deadfreight incurred as a result of Buyer’s
nomination of a vessel whose dimensions are larger than those
required to transport the Cargo it is scheduled to lift pursuant to
Article 10.1.1 shall be for the sole account of Buyer, and Seller
shall have no liability therefor by reason of its acceptance of
Buyer’s nomination. In the event that Buyer has a claim
against Seller for deadfreight expenses incurred as a result of an
underdelivery by Seller, subject to the operational tolerance set
forth in Article 3.2 and any event of Force Majeure under Article
20 Buyer shall present such claim in accordance with Article
16.
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10.1.6 In working toward each
Agreed Lifting Program, the Parties shall cooperate with one
another and exercise commercially reasonable efforts to achieve the
objective that Oil be nominated, delivered and lifted on a ratable
basis, taking into consideration turnarounds, planned and unplanned
maintenance, and other operational considerations at the Loading
Ports and the Refineries. In the event of scheduled maintenance
turnarounds at the Refineries, Buyer will give Seller not less than
ninety (90) Days prior written notice of such scheduled
maintenance turnaround, and will use commercially reasonable
efforts to re-route the volumes affected by the reduced processing
capacity of the Refineries to other refineries within Buyer’s
U.S. domestic refining system or otherwise redirect such volumes in
accordance with Article 4.1 of this Agreement. The Parties will
cooperate in good faith to make up for any deliveries of Oil not
purchased by Buyer during the turnaround period; provided ,
however , that Seller shall have no obligation to make up
for the volumes of Oil not purchased and delivered during such
turnaround period.
10.2 Substitution of
Vessels . Buyer shall be entitled to substitute another vessel
for any vessel designated in an Agreed Lifting Program;
provided , however , that the substitute vessel shall
have substantially the same characteristics (including carrying
capacity) as the vessel previously nominated and accepted pursuant
to Article 10.1 and shall meet the requirements for vessels loading
at the particular Loading Port involved; and provided, further,
that Buyer shall give Seller notice of the substitution not less
than ninety-six (96) hours prior to the first Day of the
Agreed Laydays for the substituted vessel and shall then provide
all of the information specified in Article 10.1.1(e). In the event
that Buyer substitutes a vessel other than in accordance with the
provisions of this Article 10.2, Seller may in its sole discretion
refuse to load such vessel, or it may load such vessel at any
Loading Port on any Day it may specify, whether or not within the
Agreed Laydays for such vessel, and Seller shall in no event be
liable for demurrage, deadfreight or any other charges with respect
to the loading of any such vessel.
10.3 Advice of ETA .
Buyer shall arrange for each vessel to advise the Loading Port
operator and the vessel agent (with a copy to Seller delivered by
e-mail or facsimile) of its ETA at each of the following
times:
(a) immediately upon the
vessel’s leaving its last port of call before the Loading
Port or ninety-six (96) hours before ETA, whichever is
later;
(b) seventy-two
(72) hours before ETA;
(c) forty-eight
(48) hours before ETA;
(d) twenty-four
(24) hours before ETA; and
(e) immediately upon learning
of any material change in its ETA.
Seller shall not be liable for
demurrage, deadfreight or any other charges in respect of any delay
in loading attributable to the failure of a vessel to give notice
of its ETA at any of the times enumerated above.
10.4 Notice of
Readiness . The Buyer, its representative or the master of the
vessel (who shall be deemed to be acting on Buyer’s behalf)
shall give notice of readiness of the vessel
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to load (“ NOR ”) to
the vessel agent and the Loading Port operator (with a copy to
Seller delivered by e-mail or facsimile). NOR shall not be given
until the vessel (a) has anchored at the customary anchorage
area at the Loading Port, (b) has been granted free pratique,
(c) has received the necessary clearance by customs and all
other governmental authorities and (d) is ready in all other
respects to load; provided , however , that NOR may
be given before the conditions specified in clauses (b) and
(c) above have been satisfied if, in accordance with the
practice at the Loading Port, such conditions may be satisfied only
after the vessel has been brought to the Loading Point. If,
notwithstanding having tendered NOR, the vessel is found not to be
ready to load, such NOR will be disregarded and Buyer shall be
obligated to give a new NOR when it is in fact ready to
load.
10.5 Vessel Requirements;
Security Regulations .
10.5.1 Loading
Port(s):
(a) Seller shall accept only
vessels having the following measurements:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
BAJO GRANDE |
|
PUERTO
MIRANDA |
|
LA SALINA |
|
LENGTH, feet (maximum)
|
|
751 |
|
900 |
|
900 |
|
DRAFT, feet (maximum)
|
|
35 |
|
38 |
|
39.6 |
|
WIDTH
|
|
no limit |
|
no
limit |
|
no
limit |
|
DWT (maximum)
|
|
42,000 long tons |
|
115,000 |
|
100,000 |
(b) Should there be a
material change in the configurations specified herein, Seller
shall promptly advise Buyer in writing of said change.
(c) Where a different Loading
Port other than those shown in this Article 10.5 is to be used,
Seller shall promptly advise the Buyer in writing of the
corresponding restrictions.
10.5.2 Buyer represents,
warrants, and covenants, that each vessel used for loading Oil
under this Agreement:
(a) shall be owned or
demised-chartered by a member in good standing of the International
Vessel Owners Pollution Federation Limited, carry on board a
certificate of insurance as described in the Civil Liability
Convention for Oil Pollution Damage, issued to it by a signatory
state, and comply with the International Safety Management (ISM)
code;
(b) shall be covered, without
expense by Seller, by insurance protecting against any and all
liabilities from pollution issued by a protection and indemnity
club that is a member of the International Group of P & I Clubs
and internationally recognized insurers in an amount not less than
one billion U.S. Dollars (U.S.$1,000,000,000), or such greater
amounts as may become available in the insurance market and
generally obtained by prudent owners of similar vessels;
(c) shall have a policy on
drug and alcohol abuse which meets or exceeds the standards in the
Oil Company International Marine Forum Guidelines, dated June 1995,
and take proper measures to ensure compliance therewith;
and
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(d) shall comply with the
International Code for Security of Ships and of Port Facilities
(“ ISPS Code ”) and relevant amendments to
Chapter XI of the International Convention for the Safety of Life
at Sea, and similar laws and regulations pertaining to the security
of ports, terminals and facilities (“ Security
Regulations ”), and provide to Seller, prior to loading,
a copy of the vessel’s International Ship Security
Certificate according to the ISPS Code.
10.5.3 Buyer shall be
responsible for any costs or expenses in respect of the vessel
(including any demurrage, retention, delay or other charges, fees
or duties) imposed at the Loading Port resulting from the vessel
agent’s or vessel’s failure to comply with the Security
Regulations or the imposition of special security measures,
inspections or other actions by authorities at the Loading Port
based on the vessel’s ten (10) prior ports of call, as
established in the ISPS Code, and shall reimburse Seller for any
such costs or expenses actually incurred by Seller. Notwithstanding
any prior acceptance of the vessel by Seller, if at any time the
vessel ceases to comply with the requirements of the ISPS Code,
(a) Seller shall have the right not to berth the nominated
vessel and any demurrage and all other expenses and losses of
whatsoever nature arising from the vessel’s lack of
compliance shall be for the account of Buyer, and (b) Buyer
shall be obligated to substitute a vessel in compliance with the
ISPS Code.
10.5.4 Seller shall procure
that the Loading Port complies with the requirements of the
Security Regulations. Prior to loading of the vessel, Seller shall
provide Buyer with a copy of the International Port Security
Certificate in accordance to the ISPS Code. Seller shall be
responsible for any costs or expenses in respect of the vessel
(including any demurrage, retention, delay or other charges, fees
or duties) resulting from the failure of the Loading Port to comply
with the Security Regulations, and shall reimburse Buyer for any
such costs or expenses actually incurred by Buyer.
10.5.5 If the maritime
security is affected by any event or circumstance, as defined in
the ISPS Code, which is not imputable to either Party, and special
security measures or actions are required to be taken by the port
authorities or the vessel, any cost or expense for demurrage,
retention or delay shall be shared equally by Buyer and
Seller.
Article 11
Loading Conditions;
Demurrage
11.1 Berthing of Vessels;
Commencement of Laytime .
11.1.1 Subject to the
provisions of Articles 11.1.2 and 11.1.3, Seller shall provide a
safe Loading Point at the Loading Port for each vessel designated
in accordance with the provisions of Article 10, which Loading
Point may be a berth, dock, anchorage, sea terminal, sea buoy
mooring, submarine loading line or other place, including alongside
lighters, or other vessels, at which the vessel may at all times
lie safely afloat. In the event that a vessel arrives within its
Agreed Laydays, then laytime and time on demurrage shall commence
at the earlier of (a) six (6) hours after NOR or
(b) when the vessel is All Fast; provided ,
however , that any NOR given within the last two
(2) hours in which the Loading Port is open shall be deemed
given when the Loading Port next opens.
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11.1.2 Seller shall not be
obligated to provide a Loading Point for any vessel arriving after
the last Day of its Agreed Laydays. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Seller shall make reasonable efforts to receive the vessel as soon
as possible taking into account operational requirements and
constraints. Regardless of whether such vessel is permitted to
berth, Seller shall in no event be liable for demurrage,
deadfreight or other charges in connection with the loading
thereof. If such vessel is permitted to berth, laytime and time on
demurrage shall commence at the commencement of loading.
11.1.3 Seller shall not be
obligated to provide any vessel arriving prior to its Agreed
Laydays with a Loading Point until the first Day of its Agreed
Laydays. If Seller does provide a Loading Point prior to the first
Day of its Agreed Laydays, then laytime and time on demurrage shall
commence at the earlier of (a) six (6) hours after the
Loading Port opens on the first Day of the Agreed Laydays for such
vessel and (b) when the vessel is All Fast.
11.2 Shifting Loading
Point of Vessels . Seller shall have the right to shift vessels
at the Loading Point from one berth to another, provided that all
expenses incurred in connection therewith shall be borne by Seller
and all time expended in such shifting of vessels shall count as
used laytime and time on demurrage. Notwithstanding the provisions
of the preceding sentence, the expenses incurred in connection with
a shifting of any vessel which is attributable to one of the events
referred to in Article 11.4 shall be borne by Buyer, the time
consumed during such shifting shall not count as used laytime or
time on demurrage, and Seller shall not be obligated to provide
such vessel with a Loading Point until a Loading Point becomes
available, taking into account the priority of other
vessels.
11.3 Allowed Laytime .
Except as otherwise agreed in writing, Seller shall have an Allowed
Laytime of thirty-six (36) hours to complete the loading of
the quantity of Oil nominated and accepted. In the event that an
Agreed Lifting Program provides for loading of Buyer’s vessel
at two (2) Loading Ports or Seller notifies Buyer pursuant to
Article 10.1.4 that loading shall be at two (2) Loading Points
within the Specified Loading Port, the Allowed Laytime at each
Loading Port shall be determined by reference to the quantity of
Oil to be loaded at each Loading Port in accordance with Exhibit
2 . Used laytime or time on demurrage shall not commence at any
Loading Port until six (6) hours after NOR is tendered at such
Loading Port or when the vessel is All Fast, whichever occurs
first. Used laytime and/or time on demurrage shall cease upon the
disconnection of delivery hoses after the completion of loading at
the relevant Loading Port; it being understood that the time
consumed from the time at which delivery hoses are disconnected at
the first Loading Port until the time that laytime and time on
demurrage would commence at the second Loading Port pursuant to the
provisions of Article 11.1 shall not be counted as used laytime or
time on demurrage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties agree
that used laytime and time on demurrage shall restart if Cargo
documentation has not been delivered to the Buyer’s vessel
within four (4) hours after disconnection of hoses.
11.4 Adjustments to
Laytime and Time on Demurrage . In the event that the loading
of any vessel is delayed, directly or indirectly, for any of the
following reasons, whether occurring prior to, during or after the
berthing or commencement of loading of the vessel:
(a) lightering at
Buyer’s request;
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(b) delay or suspension in
loading attributable to Buyer, vessel’s agents, master,
officers, crew, vessel owner or operator, or due to the failure of
Buyer to comply with any provision of this Agreement;
(c) more than one stoppage in
loading as a result of instructions given by, or on behalf of,
Buyer as to distribution of the Oil in the vessel;
(d) any delay in loading as a
result of the vessel not being in a seaworthy or cargoworthy
condition or otherwise caused by the condition or facilities of the
vessel, or any other reason attributable to or within the
reasonable control of Buyer or the vessel;
(e) failure of the vessel to
have required documentation aboard;
(f) bunkering (including time
to connect or disconnect the bunkering hose) unless concurrent with
loading so that no loss of time is involved;
(g) restraint or interference
in the vessel’s operation by any governmental authority in
connection with the ownership, registration or obligations of the
Buyer or the vessel, or in connection with stowaways or with
smuggling or other prohibited activities;
(h) time spent by the vessel
shifting from a lightering or waiting area to the customary
anchorage point or berth, even if lightering has taken place; or
proceeding from the customary anchorage to the designated berth or
Loading Point after it tenders NOR, calculated from the earlier of
anchor aweigh or pilot on board and ending at All Fast;
(i) regulations of the
Loading Port operator, port authorities or the government (or any
political subdivision or agency thereof) having jurisdiction over
the Loading Port, including, but not limited to, regulations or
decisions closing the Loading Port, prohibiting night traffic or
berth maneuvering or prohibiting or restricting loading for any
reason;
(j) time required for a
vessel to be granted free pratique or to receive customs,
immigration or sanitary clearance;
(k) inspection, gauging and
measurement of vessel tanks or valves before, during and after
loading;
(l) bad weather, rough seas,
fires or explosions; or
(m) any of the events listed
in Article 20.1 and not specifically listed above, or any other
event of Force Majeure;
then the amount of time during which the
loading of such vessel is so delayed shall not count as laytime or
time on demurrage; provided , however , that in the
event the loading of any vessel is delayed due to bad weather or
rough seas, then one-half the period of delay shall count as
laytime or time on demurrage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller
will make reasonable efforts to berth vessels in their order of
arrival in case of delay due to bad weather or Force
Majeure.
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11.5 Demurrage
.
11.5.1 Seller shall pay Buyer
demurrage for any hour or part of an hour of laytime in excess of
the Allowed Laytime for the vessel involved, at a rate equal to:
(a) if the vessel is voyage-chartered, the rate specified in
the charter party for the vessel (it being understood that Seller
shall in no event be obligated to pay Buyer more demurrage than the
amount of demurrage Buyer can demonstrate has actually been paid to
the vessel owner in accordance with the terms of the charter
party), or (b) if the vessel is owned by Buyer (or one of its
Affiliates) or is under time charter, the demurrage assessment of a
member of ASBA utilizing the nominated quantity, the route taken
and the first Day of the Agreed Laydays. Buyer shall select the
member of the ASBA to make such assessment and shall be solely
responsible for all costs and expenses associated therewith.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to avoid administrative time and
expenses, Buyer shall not make, and Seller shall not be obligated
to pay, any claim for demurrage of less than one thousand U.S.
Dollars (U.S.$1,000). The right of Buyer to demurrage pursuant to
this Article 11.5 shall constitute Buyer’s exclusive remedy
with respect to any failure of Seller to complete the loading of
any vessel within the Allowed Laytime.
11.5.2 Buyer shall submit any
claim for demurrage to Seller together with all pertinent
supporting documentation within ninety (90) Days of the bill
of lading date. The claim shall be submitted in the same manner as
notices are required to be sent pursuant to Article 27, and shall
consist of the following information and supporting
documentation:
(a) Buyer’s
calculations of demurrage and the amount claimed in U.S.
Dollars;
(b) copies of the notices of
ETA as stipulated in this Agreement and as advised by the vessel
directly to Seller or by the vessel agent based upon vessel
instructions to the agent;
(c) copies of the NORs at the
Loading Port(s);
(d) copies of the statement
of facts/time log of the port agent, the terminal representative
attending the vessel at the Loading Port or the inspection
company;
(e) copies of all letters of
protest issued by or to the master of the vessel;
(f) if the vessel was
voyage-chartered by Buyer, a copy of the fixture recap of the
broker’s fixture advice which reflects the demurrage rate,
and a copy of the vessel owner’s demurrage invoice;
and
(g) if the vessel was owned
or time-chartered by the Buyer, a copy of the demurrage assessment
obtained pursuant to Article 11.5.1.
Seller shall not be liable to Buyer in
respect of (and Buyer shall be deemed to have waived) any claim for
demurrage which is not made in accordance with this Article 11.5.2
within ninety (90) Days after the bill of lading
date.
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11.6 Buyer’s
Liability for Delay and Damage .
11.6.1 Buyer shall pay Seller
its actual costs, expenses or damages (including demurrage charges
payable to third parties) incurred for each hour or part thereof
that loading is delayed due to any of the reasons specified in
(a) through (h) of Article 11.4.
11.6.2 Each vessel shall
clear berth as soon as loading is completed and the delivery hoses
are disconnected. Buyer shall pay Seller its actual costs, expenses
or damages (including demurrage charges payable to third parties)
incurred for each hour or part thereof in excess of two
(2) hours that the vessel remains in berth subsequent to
completion of loading and disconnection of the delivery hoses.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer shall not be liable for the
costs set forth above for all time in excess of two (2) hours
after hoses have been disconnected, if (a) the reason for
Buyer’s vessel not vacating the berth is Seller’s
failure to deliver Cargo documents to Buyer’s vessel within
such two (2) hour time period, or (b) such delay is the
result of a Force Majeure event at the Loading Port or the berthing
facilities. Notwithstanding the foregoing and the provisions of
Article 19, if such delay is a result of the circumstances set
forth in Article 11.4(l), then Buyer shall be liable for one-half
of the expenses described above.
11.6.3 In the event that for
any reason Buyer’s vessel causes damage to any facilities at
the Loading Point and Seller is not timely compensated by the
vessel causing the damage, then (a) Buyer shall reimburse
Seller for the full cost of repair or replacement of such
facilities without taking into account the depreciated value of
such facilities, (b) any delay in loading the vessel as a
result of such damage shall not be counted as used laytime or time
on demurrage for such vessel, and (c) Buyer shall pay Seller
its actual costs, expenses or damages (including demurrage charges
to third parties) incurred for each hour or part thereof that any
Loading Point may not be used as a result of such damage. Should
any such damage occur, Buyer shall post such security for the
payments provided in the preceding sentence as Seller may request;
it being understood that Seller may detain the vessel at the
Loading Port until such security shall have been posted.
11.6.4 Subsequent to the
completion of loading and disconnection of the delivery hoses, and
subject to the provisions set forth in Article 11.6.2 above,
Buyer’s vessel shall be permitted to clear berth if and only
if Seller has delivered a full set of Cargo documents for the
vessel; it being understood that early departure procedures (i.e.,
procedures allowing a vessel to clear berth while in possession of
incomplete Cargo documents) shall not be allowed without the mutual
consent of Buyer and Seller.
Article 12
Quantity
Measurements
12.1 Determination of
Quantity . The volume of each loading of Oil shall be
determined by an independent inspector selected as provided in
Article 10.1.3, whose fees shall be shared equally by the Parties.
Measuring and gauging shall be performed in accordance with one of
the following measurement systems in decreasing order of
preference, depending on the operational conditions prevailing at
the Loading Port involved. Seller and Buyer or their respective
representatives may witness the taking of the
measurements.
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(a) Flow meters installed on
loading lines: Such meter measurements shall be taken immediately
before, during and after loading. When measurements are made with
positive displacement meters, the meters and associated measurement
testers will be installed, maintained and calibrated according to
the latest revision of API-Manual of Petroleum Measurement
Standards (“ API-MPMS ”), Chapter 6.5,
“Metering Systems for Loading and Unloading Marine Bulk
Carriers”; Chapter 4.2, “Conventional Pipe
Provers”; Chapter 4.8, “Operation of Proving
Systems”; Chapter 7, “Temperature Determination”;
and Chapter 5.2, “Measurement of Liquid Hydrocarbons by
Displacement Meters”. If turbine meters are used, gauging
will follow the latest revision of API-MPMS, Chapter 5.3,
“Measurement of Liquid Hydrocarbons by Turbine Meters”,
for the meters and measurement testers. Calculation of metered
quantity shall follow API-MPMS, Chapter 12.2, “Calculation of
Liquid Petroleum Quantities measured by Turbine or Displacement
Meters”.
(b) Shore tanks: Seller shall
calibrate, or cause to be calibrated, the shore tanks on a periodic
basis according to the latest revision of API-MPMS, Chapter 2. The
measurement of tank contents shall be performed according to the
latest revisions of API-MPMS, Chapter 3, “Tank
Gauging”, and Chapter 7, “Temperature
Determination”. The independent inspector shall ensure that
all equipment used in the performance of this work is calibrated
and in good working order. Volume calculations shall follow the
latest revision of API-MPMS, Chapter 12.1, “Calculation of
Static Petroleum Quantities”, Part 1, “Upright
Cylindrical Tanks and Marine Vessels”. In the absence of
methods contained in Article 12.1(a) or (b), discharge flow meters,
or static shore tank measurements shall be utilized to measure the
quantity of the Cargo. If neither of these methods is available,
the quantity of the Cargo shall be determined by utilizing the
methodology for “Volume Measured on Board” specified
below in Article 12.1(c).
(c) Volume measured on board:
Volume measurements on board the vessel shall be made in accordance
with the latest edition of the API-MPMS, Chapter 17, “Marine
Measurement” and its subparts. The onboard quantity
(including free water) measured prior to loading shall be deducted
from the total observed volume measured after loading. Volume
corrections in respect of temperature shall then be effected at
60°F (equivalent to 15.56°C) in accordance with the
latest revision of ASTM D1250-80 or API-MPMS, Chapter 11.1,
“Volume Correction Factors” at Seller’s choice,
thereby arriving at the gross standard volume. Such gross standard
volume shall then be further corrected by dividing it by the
current vessel experience factor, determined in accordance with the
latest revision of API-MPMS, Chapter 17.9, “Vessel Experience
Factors”. S & W, determined in the manner provided in
Article 13.2, together with any increase in free water shall then
be deducted from the volume determined above in order to arrive at
the volume for purposes of the bill of lading and the
invoice.
12.2 Volume Corrections
for Temperature . Except in the case that quantity measurements
are made pursuant to the provisions of Article 12.1(c), in which
case temperature corrections shall be made in the manner and at the
time specified in that Article, temperature readings shall be taken
in accordance with the methods listed below in decreasing order of
preference, depending on operational conditions prevailing at the
Loading Port involved: (a) the flow-weighted average
temperature taken at regular times during loading by Seller or its
agents at flow meters; and (b) the temperature taken in shore
tanks by Seller or its agent. Temperature corrections at 60°F
(equivalent to 15.56°C) will then be effected for all volume
determinations in accordance with ASTM-1250 or API MPMS, Chapter
11.1, at Seller’s choice, provided that
-24-
temperature corrections shall not be
made in the case that volume is determined by way of flow meters
pursuant to Article 12.1(a) and temperature compensators at
60°F (equivalent to 15.56°C) are integrated into the
meter system. S & W, determined in the manner provided in
Article 13.1(a), (b) or (c), as the case may be, and Article
13.2, shall be deducted from the volume corrected for temperature
as provided above in order to arrive at the volume for purposes of
the bill of lading and invoice.
12.3 Conclusiveness of
Measurements . Quantity and temperature measurements witnessed
by the independent inspector as provided in this Article 12 shall
be final and binding on the Parties, except in the case of manifest
error or fraud. In any event, without prejudice to the right of
either Party to pursue a claim in accordance with Article 16, the
determination of the independent inspector shall govern for
purposes of the quantity stated in the bill of lading and the
obligation of Buyer to make payment in accordance with the
provisions of Article 8.
Article 13
Quality
13.1 Determination of
Quality . Sampling for quality of the Oil loaded in each
shipment shall be witnessed by the independent inspector in
accordance with the latest revision of API-MPMS, Chapter 8.2,
“Standard Practice for Automatic Sampling of Liquid Petroleum
and Petroleum Products”, or ASTM D-4177, at Seller’s
choice, where Oil is measured by flow metering, and API-MPMS,
Chapter 8.1, “Standard Practice for Manual Sampling of
Petroleum and Petroleum Products”, or ASTM D-4057, at
Seller’s choice, where Oil is measured by tank gauging. When
the Oil is sampled at a tank, samples shall be taken and analyzed
of the material in pipelines from the tank to the dock loading
arms. Buyer and Seller or their representatives may witness the
taking and testing of samples. Quality shall be determined by using
the methods listed below in decreasing order of preference,
depending on the operational conditions prevailing at the Loading
Port involved: (a) from samples drawn from automatic samplers
installed in the loading lines of each tank; (b) from samples
drawn from the isolated storage shore tanks delivering the Oil; or
(c) from a composite sample obtained in proportional parts
from the vessel’s tanks. In all cases, equal quantities of
Oil from each tank shall be drawn and mixed and equally filled in
seven (7) containers of one Gallon each and finally sealed.
Three (3) of such sealed containers shall be delivered to the
local office of the Ministry at the Loading Port (or to the address
notified by the Ministry), one shall be handed over to the master
of the vessel and one (1) to the independent inspector, and
two (2) shall be kept by Seller for ninety (90) Days
after the date of the bill of lading.
13.2 Analysis of
Samples . The independent inspector shall witness quality tests
for sulfur, salt and Reid vapor pressure on the samples according
to the latest revision of ASTM or API-MPMS procedures, at
Seller’s choice. Gravity tests on all Oil shall be made in
accordance with the latest revision of API-MPMS, Chapter 9.1, or
ASTM D1298-80, at Seller’s choice. S & W shall be
established in each case pursuant to the latest revision of ASTM
D-4377 or API Chapter 10-3, at Seller’s choice, in tests
witnessed by the independent inspector; it being understood that if
the Oil is reconstituted crude oil, deduction for S & W shall
be made only to the crude oil component of such Oil. Quality tests
conducted in accordance with the above provisions shall be final
and binding upon the Parties for invoicing purposes, but without
prejudice to the right of either Party to pursue a
claim.
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13.3 No Warranties .
Seller makes no warranties regarding Oil and does not guarantee or
warrant the suitability of Oil for any purpose whatsoever except
that Seller warrants that (a) each grade of Oil sold and
delivered under this Agreement shall meet the definition and
typical specifications of each grade of Oil as set forth in
Exhibit 1 to this Agreement and shall be typical of oil sold
and delivered to Seller’s other export customers, and
(b) Seller has good and marketable title to all Oil sold to
Buyer under this agreement. Except as provided in the preceding
sentence, Buyer hereby releases Seller from any and all warranties
whatsoever, including, without limitation, any implied warranties
of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
Article 14
Delivery
14.1 Passage of Title
. Delivery of the Oil shall be made in bulk to Buyer FOB the
applicable Loading Port to vessels to be provided by Buyer.
Delivery shall be deemed completed when the Oil passes the
permanent flange connection of the delivery hose at the Loading
Port. At that point, Seller’s responsibility with respect to
the Oil shall cease, and title to and all risk of loss of or damage
to, and deterioration or evaporation of, the Oil so delivered shall
pass to, and be assumed by, Buyer. Any loss of or damage to Oil or
any property of Seller or of any other person during loading which
is in any way attributable to the vessel or its officers or crew
shall be borne by Buyer.
14.2 Port and Loading
Expenses . All expenses ashore pertaining to the pumping of the
Oil from shore tanks to vessels shall be borne by Seller,
including, but not limited to, wharfage, dockage and quay dues (if
any) at the Loading Port. Seller shall pay all export taxes or
duties imposed by the government (or any political subdivision or
taxing authority thereof) having jurisdiction over the Loading Port
from which the Oil is deemed to have been exported. All other
expenses pertaining to the loading of any vessel, including,
without limitation, all vessel agency fees, anchorage, tonnage,
towage, pilotage, customs, consular, entrance, clearance and
quarantine fees, port dues and all charges and expenses relating to
berthing and unberthing of vessels, shall be borne by
Buyer.
14.3 Loading Port
Regulations . All laws, rules and regulations now or hereafter
in existence relating to operations at the Loading Ports shall
apply to all vessels provided by Buyer, including, without
limitation, any regulations relating to (a) the prevention and
control of fires and water pollution and (b) lead-free and
segregated or clean ballast. Buyer shall reimburse Seller or its
agent for any expenses they may incur as a result of the
noncompliance by any such vessel with any such applicable law, rule
or regulation, including, without limitation, any expenses incurred
by Seller or its agent in connection with the extinguishing of
fires, the repair of damage caused thereby, the cleaning-up of
water pollution and the payment of any charges assessed by the
government (or any political subdivision
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