Sector Expertise
We know downstream operations from top to bottom.
Downstream oil and gas is a technically sophisticated industry. Refineries and petrochemical plants rely on cutting-edge technologies to perform advanced processes. Commodity price fluctuations add another layer of complexity. There’s a lot to understand—and not everyone does. Merit was founded specifically to help energy companies tackle challenges that may fall outside their core business activities.
- Merit is uniquely positioned to help downstream companies unlock trapped value and reduce cash operating costs.
- We’ve poured our oil and gas expertise into developing and honing proprietary software and methodologies to deliver better outcomes for our clients.
- Our uniquely collaborative and transparent approach ensures our solutions continue to produce results well into the future.
“They treat me as though I’m part of their team—and they’re part of my team.”
Director of Tax
Large Private E&P/Midstream Company
Downstream Services
Explore our solutions for downstream oil and gas companies.
Property Tax Services
The Expertise to Assess Downstream Assets—Accurately
Determining the taxable value of oil and gas refineries, chemical plants and other downstream assets is extremely complex. It requires specialized knowledge, including engineering expertise, and can often be contentious. Merit brings that knowledge and expertise to help reduce your tax burden and ensure you’re only paying what’s right and fair.
- Comprehensive asset reviews include in-house engineering analysis and our expert insight into E&P activity that influences downstream demand.
- Ensuring each of your assets is correctly assessed to safeguard against potential long-term liabilities.
- Relationships with tax authorities built on mutual trust and respect minimize bureaucratic delays and make us more effective advocates.
- Regular accrual updates enable precise budget planning.
- Helping your team put processes in place to ensure reduced valuations over the long term.
$7 Billion
Ad valorem value reduction achieved for our clients in 2023
Sales & Use Tax Services
Cut Your Cash Outlay & Ensure Compliance
Downstream assets are complicated operations involving advanced technology, intricate processes and elaborate systems. At Merit, we understand you deploy tremendous amounts in capital expenditures and operating costs to build and maintain these facilities. In our experience, those large cash outlays—combined with the complexity of the typical downstream asset base—translate to ample opportunities to identify and unlock significant trapped value.
- In-depth understanding of downstream capex and operating costs, including available tax exemptions, uniquely equips us to minimize your cash outlays and recover overpayments.
- Collaborative relationships with state auditors help us to expedite audit processes and achieve fair results.
- Proactive strategy includes training to help you avoid unnecessary expenses moving forward rather than withholding information so we can keep recovering overpayments.
- Customizing engagement models to fit your needs, whether it’s helping with one project or integrating Merit into your business as your outsourced sales tax department.
How Much Value Can
Merit Add to Your Business?
Let our expert team of energy business advisors perform a health check to find out. Chances are Merit can add value, but if not we’ll tell you—honestly.
