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Valero Energy
Annual Report 2003

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FY2003 Annual Report · Valero Energy
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and WE’RE ON TOP

of that WORLD

our financial highlights

(Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)

Year Ended December 31,   

2003 

2002

Operating Revenues 

Operating Income 

Net Income  

Earnings Per Common Share- 
Assuming Dilution 

Total Assets 

Stockholders’ Equity 

$ 37,969 

$  1,222 

$      622 

$     5.09 

$ 15,664 

$   5,735 

$  29,048

$       471

$         92

$      0.83

$  14,465

$    4,308

Capital Expenditures and Deferred
Turnaround and Catalyst Costs 

$   1,112 

$       780

VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION • SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT

In an effort to provide shareholders with more effective communications, Valero Energy 
Corporation has adopted a summary annual report format, which provides condensed 
financial disclosure. The company’s full financial statements are contained in its Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, which is provided to 
all shareholders.

 
 
  
letter to the shareholders

Refining — it really is an old world industry in a whole new world! That is one 
of the primary reasons for Valero’s record year in 2003 and the very bright future 
we see for 2004 and beyond.

2003 was the year when the bullish fundamentals and positive long-term trends that we have been 
predicting for the last several years came together in a big way. 

As the chart at the bottom of this page dramatically depicts, U.S. Gulf Coast refining margins were 
only above $5 per barrel about 2% of the time between 1992 and 1999. However, since 2000, that 
margin has been over $5 per barrel nearly 30% of the time. And, as you can see, the highs have 
been much higher while the lows have not been as low and have been shorter in duration. 

We have truly entered a new era in refining. And, as a result, 2003 was a record year for Valero in 
every way!

We generated a record $38 billion in revenues and ended 2003 with per share earnings of $5.09 on 
record net income of $622 million — the most profitable year in the company’s history!

Not surprisingly, we had a total shareholder return of 27% in 2003 alone. But what is even more 
impressive is the fact that our shareholders have received a 131% total cumulative return over the 
last five years compared to our peer group’s 31% return and the S&P 500 Index’s 3% loss over that 
same period!

A Record Year
In 2003, we set records in virtually every area of our business. Our Canadian operations had the 
best year in their history. With $390 million in operating income — $155 million better than their 
previous record — these operations accounted for 32% of our operating income for the year and 
clearly demonstrate the benefit of Valero’s geographic diversity.

Our retail division also had a record year, contributing approximately $115 million in operating 
income. What’s more, we achieved these record earnings with 280 fewer sites, which is a testament 
to the success of our strategy of investing in 
the  sites  with  potential  and  divesting  the 
under-performing stores.

13

GULF COAST 3-2-1 CRACK SPREAD [1992-2003]

Over $5.00/bbl
29% of time

Our wholesale business had a record year as 
well, contributing $125 million to operating 
income while adding 600 new branded sites 
and  re-imaging  more  than  800  locations. 
With  2,400  branded  wholesale  sites  today, 
we  are  on  track  to  double  our  network  to 
5,000 locations by the end of 2007.

11

9

7

5

3

1

-1

Over $5.00/bbl
2% of time

Chairman and CEO 
Bill Greehey at the 
Newly Acquired Valero 
Aruba Refinery

1992      1993      1994       1995       1996       1997      1998       1999      2000       2001       2002       2003

Source: Simmons & Company

3

And,  of  course,  we  continued  to  invest  in  both  the  internal  and  external 
expansion of our refining system, which has grown from a single refinery with 
170,000 barrels per day (BPD) of capacity in 1997 to a 15-refinery system 
with more than 2.4 million BPD of capacity today. 

In Texas  City,  we  completed  construction  of  a  45,000-BPD  delayed  coker 
and our timing couldn’t have been better! Coker margins have been well over 
$9 per barrel since it went into full service on December 1. Obviously, with 
margins like these, we expect the coker will have a significant impact on 2004 
earnings as well.

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

0

COMPARISON OF 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN

12/98

12/99

12/00

12/01

12/02

12/03

Valero Energy Corporation

Peer Group

S&P 500

In terms of external expansion, I believe the St. Charles refinery in Louisiana may very well turn out to be one of the 
greatest acquisitions in Valero’s history. When you consider the fact that we purchased the St. Charles refinery for 
$400 million and the fact that more than $2 billion had been invested in the plant since 1985, we got this highly 
complex refinery for only 20 cents-on-the-dollar of its replacement cost.

As part of Valero’s larger system, the plant has benefited from reduced overhead costs, enhanced purchasing leverage 
and synergies with Valero’s other Gulf Coast facilities. The plant also has a highly motivated workforce and a bright, 
energetic leadership team. As a result, this plant, which we purchased out of bankruptcy, generated approximately 
$40 million in operating income in the six months it was part of Valero in 2003. We are currently expanding the 
plant, including the crude and coker units, which will increase the plant’s throughput by 30,000 BPD to 245,000 
BPD. We expect this refinery will be a big contributor to operating income in 2004 and will pay for itself in less 
than three years.

And, while the acquisition of our new 315,000-BPD Aruba refinery actually took place in March of 2004, it was the 
result of significant effort in 2003 that we expect will boost our company’s earnings in 2004 and beyond. It is a great 
acquisition for Valero because we acquired the refinery for about 15% of its $2.4 billion replacement cost and we 
immediately benefited from more than $640 million which has been invested in this refinery over the last five years. 
The refinery benefits from processing Maya sour crude oil as one of its main feedstocks, which is currently selling 
at a discount of more than $9 per barrel. The refinery is a great fit for our system because it produces a high yield 
of intermediate feedstocks, which can be used to back out more costly third party purchases at our other refineries. 
And, the acquisition also included highly profitable marine, bunkering and marketing operations.

As  you  can  see,  2003  was  a  record  year  with  record  accomplishments.  And,  I  am  proud  to  say  that  despite  the 
tremendous workload that comes with a year of so many accomplishments, we maintained the unique culture of 
caring and sharing that is the cornerstone of Valero’s ongoing success.

4

Valero and its employees donated a record $7.5 million to United Way and contributed more than 160,000 hours of 
volunteer time to improve the communities where we live and work. And, we were proud to once again be selected 
as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work for in America” by Fortune Magazine — moving up from number 70 
to number 32 on the most recent ranking.

2004 to Top 2003
But as great as the year was, 2004 is shaping up to be even better! Gasoline demand is up 1.7% year-to-date — 
fueled by a strong economy and the ever-increasing number of SUV’s on the road. Meanwhile gasoline supplies have 
tightened due to increasingly stringent fuel specifications, which reduce the amount of gasoline that can be made 
from a barrel of oil and make it more difficult to import gasoline into 
the U.S. It is not surprising then, that gasoline margins are at historic 
highs.  In  fact,  if  you  look  at  the  futures  market,  refined  product 
margins are currently expected to be 20% better than 2003. And every 
$1  improvement  in  refining  margins  improves  Valero’s  earnings  by 
almost $4 per share.  

MARGINS KEEP IMPROVING

$ 4.50

$ 4.00

USGC 3-2-1 Rolling 5-year Average
as of mid-February, 2004 [per barrel]

$4.49

$ 3.50

$3.67

But that’s only the beginning, on top of that, sour crude discounts are 
also currently forecast to be at least 20% better than 2003 and every 
$1 improvement in the sour crude discount improves our per share 
earnings by $2.25. The discounts have widened as many refiners have 
turned  to  sweeter  crude  oils  to  meet  lower  sulfur  fuel  specifications 
— making sour crude oils more surplus. Also, strong world-wide crude oil demand, spurred by a strong global 
economy, has increased sour crude oil production, which continues to widen the discount on the sour crude oils 
that make up 73% of Valero’s slate. 

$2.96

$2.59

$ 2.50

$ 2.00

$ 3.00

’95 - ’99        ’96 - ’00        ’97 - ’01        ’98 - ’02         ’99 - ’03        ’00 - ’04

$3.26

$3.25

In addition, our throughput volumes should be 20% higher than last year. We will have a full year of contributions 
from the St. Charles refinery and almost 10 months of contributions from our new Aruba operations. And, we will 
have a full year’s benefit from the new coker in Texas City. Given all of these improvements over 2003, we expect 
2004 to top 2003 in every way!

The new era for refining is here to stay. And no refiner is better positioned to benefit from it than Valero. We have 
grown to be one of the top refining companies in the U.S. and have the most geographically diverse and complex 
refining system in North America, complemented by a highly profitable and growing wholesale and retail network 
and  a  major  stake  in  4,500  miles  of  crude  oil  and  refined  product  pipelines  as  well  as  product  terminals  and 
crude tanks. 

We are in the right business with the right assets, the right products and the right strategy at the right time. And, we 
have the best employees in the industry, who really are our number one asset.

We are fortunate to see our old world industry entering a whole new world — and even more fortunate that Valero 
is on top of that world. And, that’s why I still say, the best is yet to come!

Chairman of the Board 
and Chief Executive Officer

5

world-class refiner & marketer

Valero has good reason to be on top of the world! With the size, scope and quality 
of  its  system,  Valero  is  uniquely  positioned  to  benefit  from  the  new  margin 
environment that industry experts have been predicting. Over the last seven years, 
Valero has grown into a world-class refining and marketing company that’s ranked 
#34 among the Fortune 500 and earning annual revenues of $38 billion.  

With 15 refineries throughout the U.S. and in Canada and the Caribbean, Valero 
has the most geographically diverse refining system among its peers. The company’s 
system has a combined throughput capacity of approximately 2.4 million barrels 
per day (BPD), and Valero’s U.S. production represents approximately 12% of the 
total U.S. refining capacity, making it the nation’s largest independent refiner. As 
a result of its size, Valero has the most leverage to refining margins with every $1 
improvement  in  its  refining  margin  improving  earnings  by  almost  $4  per  share. 
Valero’s system is also the most complex among the independent refiners because 
the  company  has  stayed  true  to  its  strategy  of  processing  the  most  economical 
feedstocks into premium products. 

Another reason that Valero is in such a great position is its ownership stake in Valero 
L.P., the master limited partnership that owns approximately 4,500 miles of crude 
oil and refined product pipelines, as well as refined product terminals and feedstock 
storage facilities.  In addition to its refining and logistics businesses, Valero is also 
one of the nation’s largest retailers with over 4,500 retail and wholesale outlets in 
the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean under various brand names. 

For all of these reasons and the many advantages featured on the following pages, 
Valero expects to top its previous earnings and achievements in the years ahead!

7

top acquisition strategy

Since Valero spun off its natural gas assets and focused on refining and marketing in 1997, the 
company has completed a string of very successful acquisitions transforming Valero into the 
company that it is today. 

Valero has developed a reputation for acquiring quality assets for a fraction of their replacement 
value,  successfully  integrating  operations  in  record  time,  delivering  improved  profits,  and 
working  to  ensure  these  acquisitions  are  accretive  to  earnings. Valero’s  success  is  due  to  the 
company’s steadfast pursuit of assets that meet its acquisition criteria, including refineries with 
capacity in excess of 100,000 BPD, upgrade potential, good supply logistics and synergies with 
its existing refining system.

Over the years, Valero has acquired a number of refineries at distressed prices that have proven 
to be accretive to earnings. In its largest transaction to date, Valero more than doubled in size 
by acquiring Ultramar Diamond Shamrock in record time without any layoffs.

In 2003, Valero had its busiest year in terms of the number of transactions completed. The 
company acquired its St. Charles refinery for less than 20 cents-on-the-dollar replacement cost, 
and purchased a natural gas liquids storage facility and an idled MTBE plant from Link Energy 
– paying only $20 million for $400 million worth of assets. Additionally, the company entered 
into a 50/50 joint venture with GulfTerra Energy Partners L.P. to develop a crude oil pipeline 
from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf Coast, along with other smaller transactions. Then earlier 
this year, Valero acquired its Aruba refinery for 15 cents-on-the-dollar replacement cost. 

Valero isn’t stopping there either! The company will continue to look for acquisition 
opportunities that will fit its criteria and be accretive to earnings. 

Joe Gorder, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, and Mike Ciskowski, 
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, (left to right) helped oversee the 
successful acquisition and integration of the St. Charles and Aruba refineries. Valero has 
been successful in targeting refineries that can be purchased for a small percentage of 
replacement cost, then improving operations and upgrading them to improve profitability. 

8

TOTAL ASSETS as of December 31

2003

                 $15.7

2002

                                                                                                         $14.5

2001

                                                                                                      $14.4

2000

                $4.3

1999

          $3.0

in billions of dollars

top refiner

Valero’s  expertise  in  expanding  and  upgrading  its  refineries,  capturing  synergies  and  improving 
operations has made it a world-class refiner.

As a result of capital improvements made since 1996, the company has added approximately 250,000 
BPD of throughput capacity – the size of a world-scale refinery. Valero invested $400 million in these 
improvements, which is a small price to pay considering that it would cost more than $3 billion to 
build a refinery of the same size and complexity today.

Valero  also  has  continued  to  make  investments  to  increase  its  refining  system’s  complexity  and 
improve gross margin by upgrading heavier, lower-cost feedstocks that are also lower in quality (e.g. 
sour crude oil). One example is the delayed coker recently constructed at the Texas City refinery. Not 
only did this project increase the throughput capacity and yield of light products, it enabled the plant 
to process a heavier, sour crude oil, which is expected to lower the refinery’s feedstock costs by as much 
as $1 per barrel. 

In addition, Valero has captured significant synergies after every major acquisition by incorporating 
these refineries into the company’s multi-refinery system. Over the last two years, Valero has realized 
more than $400 million in one-time and recurring synergies from the Ultramar Diamond Shamrock 
acquisition. This was a result of focusing on everything from best practices, operating synergies and 
crude sourcing to energy savings and procurement.  In addition, the recently acquired St. Charles and 
Aruba refineries present Valero with an opportunity to capture significant synergies going forward. 

Valero  clearly  has  a  very  profitable  refining  system  because  of  its  focus  on  refining,  the  size  of  its 
system, the caliber of its refineries, and the expertise of its employees.

John Hohnholt, Senior Vice President of Technology, Planning & Development, and Rich 
Marcogliese, Senior Vice President of Refinery Operations, (left to right) work together to 
make strategic investments and operational improvements to Valero’s refineries. Valero has 
developed one of the largest and most complex refining systems by upgrading the company’s 
plants to process sour crude oil, increasing throughput capacities and improving yields.  

10

REFINERY CAPACITIES 

Corpus Christi (East & West)  340,000 BPD 

Benicia 

Aruba 

Texas City 

St. Charles 

315,000 BPD 

Wilmington 

243,000 BPD

215,000 BPD

Houston 

Three Rivers 

Krotz Springs 

Quebec (Jean Gaulin) 

215,000 BPD

Paulsboro 

McKee 

195,000 BPD 

170,000 BPD

Ardmore 

Denver 

TOTAL: 2,441,000 BPD

175,000 BPD

140,000 BPD 

135,000 BPD

98,000 BPD

85,000 BPD 

85,000 BPD

30,000 BPD 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
top geographic diversity

With  refineries  stretching  from  Canada  to  California,  Valero  has  the  most  geographically  diverse 
system among the independent refiners. What’s more, the company recently expanded its system to 
the Caribbean with its acquisition of the Aruba refinery.

Valero’s tremendous growth over the last few years has enabled the company to reach new markets and 
increase its exposure to some of the best refining markets in North America. With a sizeable presence 
in four of the five U.S. refining regions, Valero is able to capitalize on the upswings in regional margins 
since refining margins don’t always move together. If one region is outperforming another, Valero is 
in a position to take advantage of it.  

As Valero’s refining footprint has grown, so has its wholesale network, which now has locations from 
the East Coast to the West Coast. In addition, Valero’s retail business is a market leader throughout 
the Southwest with stores in 11 states. And in Canada, Ultramar is the largest independent gasoline 
retailer in Quebec and the Canadian Atlantic provinces.  

Without a doubt, Valero’s recent growth has really put the company on the map!

Bill Klesse, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, oversees a geographically 
diverse network of operations stretching from the Jean Gaulin refinery in Quebec to the 
U.S. Gulf Coast and West Coast. Valero’s geographic diversity strengthens the company’s 
competitive position, while adding stability to its earnings. 

12

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Valero L.P.
Valero Energy has a 46% ownership interest in Valero L.P., 

which owns and operates crude oil and refined product 

pipelines, refined product terminals and refinery crude oil 

tank assets predominantly in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, 

Oklahoma, California and New Jersey. Its pipelines and stor-

age facilities primarily supply eight of Valero Energy’s key 

refineries with domestic and foreign crude oil and other feed-

stocks, and these assets deliver refined products to estab-

lished and growing markets in the Mid-Continent, Southwest 

and the Texas-Mexico border region of the United States.

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top feedstock & product slates

Valero’s feedstock and product slates have helped the company gain a competitive edge over 
other refiners. 

In fact, Valero has the most complex refining system among the independent refiners with 
a complexity rating of 11.6 versus its peer group’s average of 9.2 as ranked by the Nelson 
Complexity Scale. That means that Valero’s refineries are able to produce a high percentage 
of  clean-burning  and  low-sulfur  products  from  lower-quality  crude  oils,  which  sell  at  a 
discount to sweet crude oil. 

What’s more, Valero is investing in its refining system to increase its sour crude oil capacity 
from  about  73%  to  78%  of  total  crude  capacity.  This  is  important  because  every  $1 
improvement  in  the  sour  crude  discount  generally  improves  Valero’s  earnings  by  about 
$2.25 per share!    

In  addition,  Valero  has  one  of  the  most  extensive  slates  of  high-value,  clean-burning 
products in the industry. Nearly 40% of Valero’s gasoline slate is clean-burning, including 
reformulated  gasoline,  California’s  CARB  gasoline,  boutique  fuels  and  blendstocks.  And, 
75% of the company’s distillates are low-sulfur diesel and jet fuel. In fact, Valero was one of 
the first refiners in the U.S. Southwest and California to introduce ultra low-sulfur diesel 
well ahead of the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2006 deadline.

Since Valero entered the refining business in the early ‘80s, the company’s strategy has been 
to process the most economical crude oils into premium products. It was the right strategy 
then, and as Valero’s earnings show, it’s still the right one!

Bob Beadle, Senior Vice President of Crude & Feedstock Supply & Trading, works 
to ensure that Valero’s refineries are running the most economical crude oils and 
feedstocks. The company’s strategy of investing in its refineries to enable them 
to process sour crude, which sells at a discount to sweet crude, gives Valero an 
advantage over its peers.

14

PRODUCT LISTING

Reformulated Gasoline (RFG)
Reformulated Blendstock for Oxygenated Blending (RBOB)
Low-Sulfur Gasoline (less than 30 parts per million)  – Atlanta grade
Conventional Gasoline
Premium Grades of Reformulated & Conventional Gasoline
California Air Resources Board (CARB) Phase III Gasoline
CARB Diesel 
Customized Clean-Burning Gasoline Blends for Export Markets
Clean-Burning Oxygenates  
Gasoline Blendstocks (Alkylate, Raffinate, Naphtha, Reformate) 
Low-Sulfur Diesel & Ultra Low-Sulfur Diesel (less than 15 parts per million)
Jet Fuel (Commercial & Military)
Aviation Gasoline
Kerosene
Home Heating Oil & Stove Oil
Petrochemicals (Mixed Xylenes, Benzene, Toluene, Chemical– 
and Refinery-Grade Propylene and Pseudocumene)

Asphalt
Lube Oils (Industrial & Automotive)
Sulfur
Crude Mineral Spirits
Bunker Oils, No. 6 Fuel Oil 
Petroleum Coke
Anhydrous Ammonia
Propane
Octene
Low-Sulfur Vacuum Gas Oil
High-Sulfur Vacuum Gas Oil
Iso-Butane

VALERO

MARATHON-ASHLAND

PREMCOR

SUNOCO

TESORO

REFINERY COMPLEXITY COMPARISON

as of December 31, 2003

11.6

10.6

9.4

8.7

8.1

1

3

5

7

9

11

Nelson Complexity Scale

 
top wholesale & retail strategy

Because of its successful marketing strategy, Valero’s retail and wholesale divisions topped their past 
performance by reporting record earnings in 2003.

In retail marketing, Valero has successfully executed its strategy of investing in top-performing stores 
and selling or closing marginal sites.  To date, about one-third of the network has been re-imaged and 
the vast majority of the remaining stores should be completed by 2006.  As a result of gains in fuel 
and merchandise sales, Valero expects a 15% return on capital employed for these newly re-imaged 
locations.   

While retail has been working to rationalize its network, wholesale has been aggressively growing its 
branded distributor network across the country.  In 2003, Valero added more than 600 new branded 
sites  and  re-imaged  over  800  new  and  existing  locations.    A  big  part  of  that  expansion  included 
introducing  the  Valero  brand  on  the  East  Coast  –  giving  the  company  a  presence  from  Bangor, 
Maine, to Miami, Florida!   With 2,400 branded distributor sites in the network today, Valero is well 
on the way to reaching its goal of 5,000 sites by the end of 2007.  Because capital costs are relatively 
low, Valero can achieve significant growth with minimal capital and expected returns in the range 
of 20%. 

Also  reporting  significant  growth  last  year,  asphalt  marketing  sold  a  record-breaking  22.6  million 
barrels.  And, the company continued to grow its lubes and petrochemicals business through favorable 
partnerships and agreements.  

As these results illustrate, the company’s marketing strategy is helping to put Valero’s brands on top!

Gene Edwards, Senior Vice President of Product Supply & Trading and Wholesale 
Marketing, and Gary Arthur, Senior Vice President of Retail & Specialty Products 
Marketing, (left to right) helped lead wholesale and retail marketing to achieve record 
earnings. Valero’s wholesale network grew to 2,400 branded distributor sites, and the retail 
division invested in re-imaging stores which resulted in greater profits with fewer stores.

17

 
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top safety & environmental record

With an unwavering commitment to safety and environmental excellence, Valero is a step ahead of 
other refiners. 

In 2003, Valero achieved the best safety record in the company’s history. Its refining system reduced 
the total recordable injury rate from 1.48 to .95, which is twice as good as the three-year industry 
average of 2.3. Valero also recorded a lost-time incident rate of .22, which is more than three times 
better than the three-year industry average of .7. 

Valero has five refineries that have earned Star Site status in OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program 
(VPP). The VPP safety requirements are so demanding and the certification process so complex, that 
of the 149 refineries in the U.S., only 16 have achieved this prestigious designation.

A leader in environmental excellence, Valero has spent approximately $700 million on environmental 
capital projects during the past two years alone and plans to spend approximately $1.75 billion more 
over the next five years.  Valero has installed new, state-of-the-art scrubbers at three of its refineries, 
with work underway at four others, which will reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by over 93%. The 
company has also committed to make environmental upgrades in Aruba, including a new sulfur plant 
that will reduce sulfur emissions by 80%.

In  addition,  the  company  is  currently  implementing  the  latest  control  technology  to  improve 
combustion  efficiency  at  several  refineries,  a  process  that  reduces  carbon  dioxide  emissions.  By 
improving  operational  reliability  and  making  other  improvements,  Valero  expects  to  reduce 
greenhouse gases by approximately 1.8 million tons per year during the next five years.   

Not only do these programs make Valero a better neighbor, they make it a better company!

Under the leadership of President Greg King, Valero’s commitment to the environment and 
safety continued to set even higher industry standards. Outpacing many refiners in the 
production of clean products, Valero also has more OSHA-certified VPP Star Sites than 
any other refiner. 

19

top culture

More  than  ever  before,  Valero’s  commitment  to  giving  back  to  others  made  a  difference 
in  communities  all  across  North  America  last  year.  Whether  donating  time  to  build  a 
playground, hosting Christmas dinners for low-income citizens or contributing to United 
Way, Valero employees went above and beyond to help others. 

In fact, Valero employees donated a record amount of time and money to good causes in 
all of the company’s communities. Valero and its employees supported the United Way like 
never before, donating $7.5 million -- $1 million more than last year’s record campaign! 
Employees also donated an impressive 160,000 volunteer hours to help worthy causes.  And, 
the Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children Golf Classic raised an unprecedented $2.8 
million for charity, placing the tournament among the top five on the PGA TOUR in terms 
of charitable contributions.  

In addition, Valero’s retail stores raised more than $915,000 -- a 29 percent increase over 
the  previous  year  --  for  Children’s  Miracle  Network  and  approximately  $914,000  for 
the  Muscular  Dystrophy  Association. Valero’s  caring  and  sharing  spirit  is  also  one  of  the 
key  reasons  the  company  is  consistently  ranked  among  Fortune  Magazine’s  “100  Best 
Companies to Work For in America.”

Valero’s  record  of  community  service  has  helped  make  it  a  good  neighbor,  which  is  an 
essential part of being a good business. Making a difference in the lives of others has been 
the cornerstone of Valero’s past success and is the key to its future success. 

Keith Booke, Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer, and Mary Rose Brown, 
Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, help oversee Valero’s award-winning 
employee and community relations programs. These initiatives help countless individuals 
throughout North America, including young people like Amanda who lives in the “Valero 
House” as she transitions from a youth center to independent living.

20

condensed financial information

The financial information presented on pages 23-27 of this summary annual report should 
be  read  in  conjunction  with  Valero  Energy  Corporation’s  complete  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements  (including  the  notes)  and  Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations. 

This  and  other  information  about  the  Company  is  contained  in  Valero’s  Proxy  Statement 
for  the  2004  Annual  Meeting  of  Stockholders  and  Valero’s  Form  10-K  for  the  year  ended 
December  31,  2003.  These  documents  are  provided  to  all  shareholders  of  record  as  of 
March 1, 2004. In addition, anyone may request, without charge, a Form 10-K by writing or 
calling Valero’s Investor Relations Department. Address and contact information can be found 
on the inside back cover of this report.  Valero’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the 
Proxy Statement also may be accessed via the Company’s website at: www.valero.com.

report of independent auditors
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
of Valero Energy Corporation and Subsidiaries:

We  have  audited,  in  accordance  with  auditing  standards  generally  accepted  in  the  United 
States,  the  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  Valero  Energy  Corporation  and  subsidiaries  (the 
Company) as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of 
income, stockholders’ equity, cash flows and comprehensive income for the years then ended, 
appearing in the Company’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K (not presented herein). In 
our  report  dated  March  11,  2004,  also  appearing  in  that  Annual  Report,  we  expressed  an 
unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

The consolidated financial statements of Valero Energy Corporation and subsidiaries for the 
year ended December 31, 2001, also appearing in that Annual Report, were audited by other 
auditors  who  have  ceased  operations  and  whose  report  dated  March  5,  2002  expressed  an 
unqualified opinion on those statements before the revisions described in Notes 21 and 28.  
Also, in our report dated March 11, 2004, we expressed an opinion that such reclassification 
adjustments  made  to  revise  the  2001  financial  statements  are  appropriate  and  have  been 
properly applied.  

In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance 
sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related condensed consolidated statements 
of income and cash flows for the years then ended are fairly stated, in all material respects, in 
relation to the consolidated financial statements from which it has been derived.

Ernst & Young LLP
San Antonio, Texas
March 11, 2004

22

condensed consolidated balance sheets

DECEMBER 31,

ASSETS

Current Assets

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

Goodwill

Intangible Assets, Deferred Charges 

and Other Assets, Net

(millions of dollars)

2003

2002

$

3,817

$

3,536

8,195

2,402

1,250

7,412

2,580

937

TOTAL ASSETS

$

15,664

$

14,465

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’  EQUITY

Current Liabilities

$

3,064

$

3,006

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations,

Less Current Portion

Deferred Income Tax Liabilities

Other Long-Term Liabilities

Company-Obligated Preferred 
Securities of Subsidiary Trusts

Minority Interest in Valero L.P.

Stockholders’ Equity

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

4,245

1,605

1,015

—

—

5,735

4,494

1,241

927

373

116

4,308

$

15,664

$

14,465

23

condensed consolidated statements of income

(millions of dollars, except per share amounts)

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

2003

2002

2001

OPERATING REVENUES

$

37,969

$

29,048

$

14,988

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of Sales 
Refining Operating Expenses
Retail Selling Expenses
Administrative Expenses
Depreciation and Amortization Expense

TOTAL COSTS AND EXPENSES

OPERATING INCOME

EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF VALERO L.P.

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

INTEREST AND DEBT EXPENSE, NET

MINORITY INTEREST IN NET INCOME OF

VALERO L.P.

DISTRIBUTIONS ON PREFERRED SECURITIES 

OF SUBSIDIARY TRUSTS

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

NET INCOME 

PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

NET INCOME APPLICABLE TO 

COMMON STOCK

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

(in millions)

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE — 

ASSUMING DILUTION

Weighted Average Common Equivalent Shares 

Outstanding (in millions)

DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE 

33,587
1,656
694
299
511

36,747

1,222

30

15

( 261 )

( 2 )

( 17 )

987

365

622

5

617

5.37

114.9

5.09

122.0

0.42

$

$

$

$

25,863
1,332
675
258
449

28,577

471

—

9

(286 )

(14 )

(30 )

150

58

92

—

92

0.86

105.8

0.83

110.1

0.40

$

$

$

$

12,745
845
6
153
238

13,987

1,001

—

(5 )

(88 )

—

(13 )

895

331

564

—

564

9.28

60.7

8.83

63.8

0.34

$

$

$

$

24

condensed consolidated statements of cash flows

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

2003

2002

2001

(millions of dollars)

$

622

$

92

$

564

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Income
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income
to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Depreciation and Amortization Expense
Deferred Income Tax Expense
Changes in Current Assets, 

Current Liabilities & Other, Net

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital Expenditures and Deferred Turnaround 

and Catalyst Costs

Exercise of Purchase Options Under Leases
Proceeds from Sale of Assets to Valero L.P.
Proceeds from Disposition of Assets Held for Sale
Payments Related to the Golden Eagle Business
UDS Acquisition, Including Related Advance
Other Acquisitions and Investments
Earn-out Payments in Connection with Acquisitions
Proceeds from Sale of  Tesoro Notes
Other, Net

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Cash Payment to UDS Shareholders
Financing Required to Fund UDS Acquisition, Net
Debt and Capital Lease Borrowings (Repayments), Net
Redemption of Preferred Securities of Subsidiary Trust
Proceeds from Common Stock Offering, Net
Proceeds from Common Unit Issuance by Valero L.P., Net
Cash Distributions to Minority Interest in Valero L.P.
Preferred and Common Stock Dividends
Issuance (Repurchase) of Stock, Net

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities

VALERO L.P.’S CASH BALANCE AS OF THE

DATE THAT VALERO CEASED CONSOLIDATION
EFFECT OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES

ON CASH

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND

TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS

CASH AND TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS

AT BEGINNING OF YEAR

CASH AND TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS

AT END OF YEAR

$

511
287

333
1,753

(1,112 )
( 275 )
380
—
—
—
( 451 )
( 51 )
90
88
(1,331 )

—
—
( 357 )
( 200 )
250
200
( 4 )
( 51 )
26
(136 )

( 336 )

40

( 10 )

379

369

449
2

( 271 )
272

( 780 )
—
—
1,226
(183 )
—
—
(24 )
—
10
249

(2,055 )
—
1,642
—
—
—
(14 )
(42 )
57
(412 )

—

1

110

269

379

$

238
270

(167 )
905

( 536 )
—
—
—
—
( 2,533 )
(184 )
(55 )
—
6
( 3,302 )

—
2,053
697
—
—
—
—
(21 )
(78 )
2,651

—

—

254

15

$

269

25

condensed consolidated five-year financial & statistical review

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

2003(a)

2002(b)

2001(c)

2000(d)

1999

(millions of dollars, except per share amounts)

OPERATING RESULTS:

Operating Revenues

Operating Income

Net Income

Earnings per Common Share 

Earnings per Common Share— 

Assuming Dilution 

$ 37,969

$ 29,048

$ 14,988

$ 14,671

$ 7,961

$

$

$

$

1,222

622

5.37

5.09

$

$

$

$

471 

92 

0.86

0.83

$

$

$

$

1,001  

564

9.28

8.83

$

$

$

$

611

339

5.79

5.60

$

$

$

$

72

14

0.25

0.25

FINANCIAL POSITION AS OF DECEMBER 31:

Current Assets 

$

3,817

$

3,536

$

4,136 

$

1,285

$

823

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 

Goodwill 

Intangible Assets, Deferred Charges

and Other Assets, Net

Total Assets 

Current Liabilities

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations,

Less Current Portion

Deferred Income Tax Liabilities 

Other Long-Term Liabilities

Company-Obligated Preferred 

Securities of Subsidiary Trusts

Minority Interest in Valero L.P.

8,195

2,402

7,412

2,580

7,217

2,211

1,250

937

836

2,677

1,914

—

346

—

242

$ 15,664

$ 14,465

$ 14,400

$

3,064

$

3,006

$

4,753 

$

$

4,308

$ 2,979

1,039

$

719

4,245

1,605

1,015

—

—

4,494

1,241

927

373

116

2,805

1,388

763

373

115

1,042

407

120

173

—

786

275

114

—

—

Stockholders’ Equity

5,735

4,308

4,203

1,527

1,085

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

$ 15,664

$ 14,465

$ 14,400 

$

4,308

$ 2,979

26

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

2003(a)

2002(b)

2001(c)

2000(d)

1999  

COMMON STOCK DATA:

Dividends per Common Share

$

0.42

$

0.40

$

0.34

$ 

0.32

$

0.32

Number of Shares Outstanding,
End of Year (in thousands) 

Number of Registered Shareholders 

Total Estimated Beneficial Shareholders 

Market Price:

High 
Low 

CAPITALIZATION RATIOS (NET OF CASH): (e)

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations,

including Current Portion, and Short-Term Debt 

Stockholders’ Equity and Other 

OTHER DATA:

120,266

107,137

104,197

6,564

54,000

7,174

52,000

7,265

50,500

60,838

5,207

14,000

56,067

5,479

11,000

$
$

47.08
32.20

$
$

49.97
23.15

$
$

52.60
31.50

$
$

38.63
18.50

$ 25.31
$ 16.69

40 %

60 %

50 %

50 %

53 %

47 %

40 %

60 %

40 %

60 %

Capital Additions (in millions)

$

976

$

628

$

394

$

195

$

101

Number of Employees (end of year) 

19,741

19,878

22,355

3,129

2,511 

OPERATING STATISTICS:

Throughput Volumes (mbbls per day) 

Throughput Margin per Barrel

Operating Costs per Barrel:

Refining Operating Expenses
Depreciation and Amortization

Total Operating Costs per Barrel

1,835

5.13

2.47
0.63

3.10

$

$

$

1,595

4.02

2.29
0.66

2.95

$

$

$

1,001

6.12

2.31 
0.63

2.94

$

$

$

857 

5.08

2.18
0.53

2.71

$

$

$

712

2.90

1.83
0.52

2.35

$

$

$

(a)

Includes the operations of the St. Charles Refinery beginning July 1, 2003.

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Includes the operations of UDS beginning January 1, 2002.

Includes the operations of Huntway and the operations related to the El Paso Corpus Christi Refinery and related refined product
logistics business beginning June 1, 2001.  The results of operations, operating statistics and cash flow information exclude the
operations of UDS, while the financial position, common stock data, capitalization ratios and employees include the effect of
UDS, which was acquired by Valero on December 31, 2001.

Includes the operations related to the Benicia Refinery and the California distribution assets beginning May 16, 2000 and the
operations related to the California service stations beginning June 16, 2000.

In determining the 2002, 2001 and 2000 ratios, 20% of the outstanding balance of Valero’s company-obligated preferred securities
of subsidiary trust (PEPS Units) issued in 2000 was deemed to be debt.  In addition, for the 2002 and 2001 ratios, 50% of the
$200 million company-obligated preferred securities of subsidiary trust assumed in the UDS Acquisition was deemed to be debt,
and in 2001 the payable to UDS shareholders was included as debt. 

27

board of directors

pictured left to right

DR.  RON  CALGAARD  serves  as  Chairman  of  the  Board  and  Chief 
Executive Officer of Austin, Calvert & Flavin, Inc. in San Antonio 
and  as  a  director  of  The  Trust  Company.  Previously,  he  held  the 
position  of  President  of  Trinity  University  in  San  Antonio  from 
1979 until his retirement in 1999, at which time he was appointed 
President Emeritus of the University. 

RUBEN  ESCOBEDO  has  had  his  own  certified  public  accounting 
firm,  Ruben  Escobedo  &  Company,  CPAs,  in  San  Antonio  since 
its  formation  in  1977.  He  also  serves  as  a  director  of  Cullen/Frost 
Bankers, Inc.

BILL BRADFORD is the retired Chairman of the Board of Halliburton 
Company. Prior to the Halliburton-Dresser merger, he was Chairman 
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Dresser Industries, Inc., 
and he held various positions in production and management during 
his tenure there. Mr. Bradford currently serves as a director of Kerr-
McGee Corporation. 

BILL GREEHEY is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer 
of  Valero  Energy  Corporation.  He  also  serves  as  Chairman  of  the 
Board  of  the  managing  partner  of  Valero  L.P.,  a  publicly  traded 
limited  partnership  in  which  Valero  Energy  Corporation  has  a 
substantial ownership interest.

GLENN  BIGGS  is  President  of  Biggs  &  Co.,  which  is  engaged  in 
developmental  projects  and  financial  planning,  and  he  serves  as 
Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Hester  Asset  Management  Corp.  and 
Southwestern Bancorp. Previously, he served in leadership positions 
with First National Bank and Interfirst Bank, both in San Antonio.

DR. SUSAN KAUFMAN PURCELL serves as Vice President of the Americas 
Society  in  New  York  and  as  Vice  President  of  the  Council  of  the 
Americas. In addition to these positions, she serves as a director of 
The Brazil Fund, Inc., Scudder Global High Income Fund, Inc., The 
Korea Fund, Inc. and Scudder New Asia Fund, Inc.  

JERRY  CHOATE  is  retired  from  the  Allstate  Corporation,  where  he 
served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer from 
1995 through 1998. Additionally, Mr. Choate currently serves as a 
director of Amgen, Inc. and Van Kampen Mutual Funds.

BOB MARBUT is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of 
SecTecGLOBAL, Inc. and Argyle Communications, Inc. Previously, 
he  held  leadership  positions  with  Hearst-Argyle  Television,  Inc., 
Argyle Television,  Inc.,  Argyle Television  Holding,  Inc.  and  Harte-
Hanks  Communications,  Inc.  He  is  a  director  of  Tupperware 
Corporation and Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. 

28

shareholder information
Valero Corporate Headquarters
P.O. Box 500
San Antonio, TX 78292-0500
(210) 345-2000

Website
www.valero.com

Investor Inquiries
For investor inquiries, please contact: 
Investor Relations Department
P.O. Box 500
San Antonio, TX 78292-0500
(800) 531-7911 or (210) 345-2139
(210) 345-2103 (fax)
investorrelations@valero.com

Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, please contact:
Corporate Communications Department
P.O. Box 500 
San Antonio, TX 78292-0500
(800) 531-7911 or (210) 345-2314
(210) 345-2327 (fax)
corporatecommunications@valero.com 

Printed in the U.S.A.

Annual Meeting
Valero’s annual meeting of stockholders will be held 
on Thursday, April 29, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. at Valero’s 
offi ce located at One Valero Way (near the Southwest 
corner of the intersection of I.H. 10 and Loop 1604
West) in San Antonio, Texas.   

Valero Energy Corporation Stock
Valero’s common stock is listed for trading on the New 
York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “VLO.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar 
Computershare Investor Services has been appointed 
transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent 
for Valero’s common stock.  Inquiries with respect to 
stock accounts and dividends and all requests to transfer 
certifi cates should be addressed to:

Computershare Investor Services
P.O. Box A3504
Chicago, IL 60690-3504
(888) 470-2938

Dividend Withholding
Under federal income tax law, you are subject to 
certain penalties, as well as withholding with respect 
to your dividend payments, if you have not provided 
Valero with your correct social security number or 
other taxpayer identifi cation number.  For this reason, 
any security holder who has not provided a taxpayer 
identifi cation number should obtain a Form W-9 
(Payer’s Request for Taxpayer Identifi cation Number).  
To request a Form W-9, please contact Valero’s transfer 
agent and registrar at the address shown above.  

forward-looking statements

Much  of  the  information  provided  in  this  report  includes  or  is  based  upon  estimates,  predictions, 

projections  and  other  “forward-looking  statements”  (as  defi ned  in  Section  27A  of  the  Securities  Act  of 

1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that involve various risks and uncertainties.  

While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good 

faith and refl ect Valero’s current judgment regarding the direction of its business, actual results will almost 

always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions, or other future 

performance suggested herein.  Certain risks and uncertainties that may affect Valero are detailed from time 

to time in its SEC reports, including Valero’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The fi nancial 

and other information provided in this summary annual report should be read in conjunction with Valero 

Energy Corporation’s complete Consolidated Financial Statements (including the notes) and Management’s 

Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations. This  and  other  information 

about Valero is contained in Valero’s Notice of the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders Proxy Statement 

and Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.  This document is provided to all stockholders of 

record as of March 1, 2004.  In addition, persons may request, without charge, a Form 10-K by writing or 

calling Valero’s Investor Relations Department.  Valero’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Proxy 

Statement also may be accessed via our Internet website at: www.valero.com.

table of contents

fi nancial highlights 

letter to shareholders 

a world-class refi ner & marketer  

1

2

6

condensed fi nancial information   22

board of directors  

shareholder information 

28

29