Equilon Prevails Again in Coast Village Case: Attorney Fees Denied

    LOS ANGELES, Sept. 24 Consistent with its Aug. 17, 2001
ruling in the Coast Village v. Equilon case, the United States District Court
for the Central District of California denied the plaintiffs' request to be
awarded over $2,000,000 in attorney and expert witness fees.  The plaintiffs
were seeking $648,000 in attorney fees, plus a treble multiplier, and
$66,685 in expert witness fees.
    In a decision filed September 19, Judge Audrey Collins denied the
plaintiffs' request stating that the plaintiffs were not the "prevailing
party", "having expressly failed to substantiate their claim" ... that
Equilon's new agreements were prepared in bad faith and for the purpose of
driving the lessee dealers out of business.
    The Coast Village v. Equilon case, filed by a group of 20 gasoline dealers
operating in the Los Angeles area, claimed that the new franchise agreements
and rent program were intended to drive them out of business and violated
their rights under the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (PMPA).  Judge
Collins found on August 17, 2001 that there was no evidence supporting their
claim.
    David Burrow, general manager for Equilon's Pacific South Region was
pleased with the ruling.  "After the Court initially ruled in Equilon's favor,
we felt confident they would deny the plaintiffs' request for reimbursement of
an excessive amount in fees," said Burrow.  "Once again, this decision further
reinforces Equilon's position that the new franchise agreements were developed
in good faith."
    Headquartered in Houston, Equilon Enterprises LLC is a U.S. joint venture
between Texaco and Shell Oil Company.  Equilon refines and markets Shell- and
Texaco-branded products in 32 Western and Midwestern states and includes
Shell's and Texaco's nationwide transportation and lubricants businesses.

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