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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

Note 15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Purchase Commitments

We have minimum volume purchase requirements under certain of our fuel supply agreements with a purchase price at prevailing market rates for wholesale distributions. The following provides total annual future minimum volume purchase requirements (in thousands of gallons):

 

2020

 

 

463,521

 

2021

 

 

436,153

 

2022

 

 

427,584

 

2023

 

 

363,250

 

2024

 

 

251,917

 

Thereafter

 

 

978,600

 

Total

 

 

2,921,025

 

 

In the event we fail to purchase the required minimum volume for a given contract year, the underlying third party’s exclusive remedies (depending on the magnitude of the failure) are either termination of the supply agreement and/or a financial penalty per gallon based on the volume shortfall for the given year. We did not incur any significant penalties in 2019, 2018 or 2017.

Litigation Matters

We are from time to time party to various lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. These actions typically seek, among other things, compensation for alleged personal injury, breach of contract, property damages, environmental damages, employment-related claims and damages, punitive damages, civil penalties or other losses, or injunctive or declaratory relief. With respect to all such lawsuits, claims and proceedings, we record an accrual when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. In addition, we disclose matters for which management believes a material loss is at least reasonably possible. None of these proceedings, separately or in the aggregate, are expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In all instances, management has assessed the matter based on current information and made a judgment concerning its potential outcome, giving due consideration to the nature of the claim, the amount and nature of damages sought and the probability of success. Management’s judgment may prove materially inaccurate, and such judgment is made subject to the known uncertainties of litigation.

As part of Circle K’s acquisition of Holiday Stationstores, LLC, the FTC issued a decree in which nine sites were required to be divested. These sites were divested in September 2018, after the June 15, 2018 deadline specified in the FTC orders. As a result, Couche-Tard and/or the Partnership may be subject to civil penalties, up to a maximum allowed by law of $41,000 per day per violation of the FTC divestiture orders. Circle K has agreed to indemnify us for any such penalties and associated legal costs, and as such, we have not accrued any liability.