Delphi Petroleum v. Magellan Terminals Holdings, L.P.
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY DELPHI PETROLEUM, Plaintiff, v. MAGELLAN TERMINALS HOLDINGS, L.P. Defendant. ) ) ) ) ) C.A. No. N12C-02-302 FWW ) ) ) ) ) ) Submitted: April 24, 2015 Decided: June 23, 2015 Upon Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss GRANTED, in part, DENIED, in part. Upon Defendant’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment GRANTED, in part, DENIED, in part. Upon Plaintiff’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment DENIED, in part, MOOT, in part. OPINION AND ORDER Marc S. Casarino, Esquire, White and Williams, LLP, 824 N. Market St., Suite 902, P.O. Box 709, Wilmington, Delaware, 19899-0709; Peter J. Mooney, Esquire (argued), White and Williams, LLP, 1650 Market Street, One Liberty Place, Suite 1800, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-7395, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Herbert W. Mondros, Esquire, Margolis Edelstein, 300 Delaware Avenue, Suite 800, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; David E. Keglovits, Esquire (argued) and Erin K. Dailey, Esquire, GableGotwals, 1100 ONEOK Plaza, 100 West Fifth Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103-4217, Attorneys for Defendant. WHARTON, J. I. INTRODUCTION Before the Court are Magellan’s Motion to Dismiss and Motion for Partial Summary Judgment and Delphi’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment with regard to a commercial contract and fraud dispute concerning operations at a marine terminal located at the Port of Wilmington in Delaware (“Terminal”). The parties request that the Court resolve several issues to narrow the scope of the dispute in anticipation of trial. In Magellan’s Motion to Dismiss, Magellan seeks dismissal of Counts III, IV and V of the Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”), which all allege fraud. In Magellan’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, Magellan requests that the Court determine that 1) Delphi cannot produce evidence such that a reasonable trier of fact could find that Magellan breached certain contract provisions; 2) Count II of the SAC for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing fails as a matter of law; and 3) Delphi is not entitled to consequential damages as a matter of law. In Delphi’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, Delphi requests that the Court determine that 1) Magellan owes Delphi $421,603.06 for overbilling of heating charges under the 2005 Agreement; 2) Delphi has no responsibility to Magellan for heating charges under the 2011 Agreement; 3) Magellan breached the 2011 Agreement by denying Delphi the right to deliver product to the terminal by truck; 4) Delphi’s responsibility for tank cleaning is limited to removing product and waste that can 2 be removed by shovel and broom; and 5) Magellan’s Amended Counterclaim fails for lack of factual support. The Court applies Super. Ct. Civ. R. 12(b)(6) to Magellan’s Motion to Dismiss and Super. Ct. Civ. R. 56(c) to Magellan’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment and Delphi’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. Applying the Motion to Dismiss standards, the Court finds that 1) Delphi failed to state a claim for which relief can be granted as to Count III of the SAC; 2) it is premature to determine whether the statute of limitations precludes recovery under Count IV of the SAC; and 3) Delphi has adequately pleaded a cause of action under Count V of the SAC. Applying Super. Ct. Civ. R. 56(c) to Magellan’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, the Court finds that 1) no reasonable trier of fact could find that a breach of contract occurred based upon Magellan’s conduct alleged in ¶¶8(k),(d),(o) and (a) of the SAC and that factual issues remained as to ¶¶8(p) and (e) of the SAC; 2) Count II of the SAC for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing is limited; and 3) the Court cannot find that Delphi is not entitled to consequential damages as a matter of law. Applying Super. Ct. Civ. R. 56(c) to Delphi’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, the Court finds that 1) there is a factual dispute regarding whether Magellan owes Delphi $421,603.06 for overbilling of heating charges under the 3 2005 Agreement; 2) the Court cannot rule as a matter of law that Delphi has no responsibility to Magellan for heating charges under the 2011 Agreement; 3) Magellan did not breach the 2011 Agreement by denying Delphi the right to deliver product to the terminal by truck; 4) the Court cannot grant the relief Delphi requests regarding responsibility for tank cleaning based upon its prayer; and 5) Magellan identified the factual basis of its Amended Counterclaim. Therefore, Magellan’s Motion to Dismiss is GRANTED, in part, and DENIED, in part; Magellan’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is GRANTED, in part, and DENIED, in part; and Delphi’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is DENIED, in part, and MOOT, in part. II. PROCEDURAL CONTEXT Delphi, a Delaware corporation, buys and sells petroleum products. Magellan, a Delaware limited partnership, operates a marine terminal in Wilmington, Delaware (“Terminal”) to store and handle petroleum products. Delphi and Magellan executed several contracts through which Magellan agreed to provide Delphi with services at the Terminal and Delphi agreed to pay Magellan certain fees. Delphi and Magellan executed a Terminalling Agreement on September 1, 2005 (“2005 Agreement”). 1 Delphi and Magellan entered into a second Terminalling Agreement that was executed by Delphi on May 13, 2011 and 1 SAC, D.I. 165, at Ex. A. 4 by Magellan on May 16, 2011 (“2011 Agreement”). 2 Delphi and Magellan executed the Flush Oil Agreement on March 1, 2007. 3 On February 29, 2012, Delphi filed a Complaint against Magellan for breach of contract, negligence, conversion and unjust enrichment related to the 2005 and 2011 Agreements. 4 On October 23, 2013, the Court approved the parties’ stipulation to file an Amended Complaint. 5 The Amended Complaint contained counts for breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, conversion, unjust enrichment and fraud.6 The Court granted Magellan’s Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint with respect to the conversion, unjust enrichment and fraud counts 7 and the Court denied Delphi’s Motion for Reconsideration of the Order.8 On December 22, 2014, Delphi filed a Motion for Leave to File Second Amended Complaint. 9 On January 16, 2015, both parties filed Motions for Partial Summary Judgment 10 By Order dated January 20, 2015, the Court granted Delphi’s Motion for Leave to File Second Amended Complaint, which revived Delphi’s fraud claims. 11 On February 2, 2015, Delphi filed the SAC 2 Id. at Ex. B. Id. at Ex. C. 4 See Compl., D.I. 1. 5 See Oct. 23, 2013 Order, D.I. 39. 6 Am. Compl., D.I. 33. 7 See May 2, 2014 Order, D.I. 67. 8 See Aug. 1, 2014 Order, D.I. 99. 9 D.I. 137. 10 D.I. 155 (Magellan); D.I. 156 (Delphi). 11 See Jan. 20, 2015 Order, D.I. 164. 3 5 alleging breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and three claims for fraud.12 On February 17, 2015, Magellan filed a Motion to Dismiss the three fraud claims in the SAC. 13 The parties appeared before the Court for oral argument on April 24, 2015 on Magellan’s Motion to Dismiss, Magellan’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment and Delphi’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. III. A. STANDARD OF REVIEW Super. Ct. Civ. R. 12(b)(6). Super. Ct. Civ. R. 12(b)(6) provides for dismissal of a complaint for “failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.” When examining the complaint for purposes of a motion to dismiss, the Court accepts all well-pleaded facts as true 14 and draws all inferences in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. 15 If the Court finds that the “plaintiff may recover under any reasonably conceivable set of circumstances susceptible of proof under the complaint,” the motion will be denied.16 B. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 56(c). Super. Ct. Civ. R. 56(c) provides that summary judgment is appropriate where there is “no genuine issue as to any material fact” and “the moving party is 12 See generally SAC. See Def.’s Mot. to Dismiss, D.I. 175. 14 Loveman v. Nusmile, 2009 WL 847655, at *2, (Del. Super. Mar. 31, 2009). 15 Savor, Inc. v. FMR Corp., 2001 WL 541484, at *1 (Del. Super. Apr. 24, 2001). 16 Spence v. Funk, 396 A.2d 967, 968 (Del. 1978). 13 6 entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” When considering a motion for summary judgment, the Court’s function is to examine the record to determine whether genuine issues of material fact exist “but not to decide such issues.” 17 The moving party bears the initial burden of demonstrating that the undisputed facts support his claims or defenses.18 If the moving party meets its burden, then the burden shifts to the non-moving party to demonstrate that there are material issues of fact to be resolved by the ultimate fact-finder. 19 Summary judgment will be granted if, after viewing the record in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, no genuine issues of material fact exist and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.20 If the record reveals that material facts are in dispute, or if the factual record has not been developed thoroughly enough to allow the Court to apply the law to the factual record, then summary judgment is inappropriate.21 IV. MAGELLAN’S MOTION TO DISMISS In the SAC, Delphi added, inter alia, three additional counts alleging fraud: Count III- Fraudulent Concealment of Overbilling of Heating Charges; Count IV – 17 Merrill v. Crothall-Am., Inc., 606 A.2d 96, 99-100 (Del. 1992). Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 681 (Del. 1979). 19 Brzoska v. Olson, 668 A.2d 1355, 1364 (Del. 1995). 20 Merrill, 606 A.2d at 99-100. 21 See Cook v. City of Harrington, 1990 WL 35244, at *3 (Del. Super. Feb. 22, 1990) (“Summary judgment will not be granted under any circumstances when the record indicates . . . that it is desirable to inquire more thoroughly into the facts in order to clarify the application of law to the circumstances.”). 18 7 Fraudulent Billing of Tank Cleaning Charges; and Count V – Fraud in the Inducement. 22 Magellan moves to dismiss Delphi’s three fraud claims contained in the SAC. Magellan asserts that Counts V and III fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted pursuant to Super. Ct. Civ. R. 12(b)(6) and that Count IV is barred by the statute of limitations. A. Delphi has Sufficiently Pleaded Fraud in Count V of the SAC. In Count V, the SAC provides that “Magellan emailed Delphi that it ‘agreed[d] with your [Delphi’s] two changes dealing with improvement costs and truck receipt language’” 23 and that the “statement agreeing to the ‘truck receipt language’ was a false representation.”24 The SAC also states that “[Tony] Bogle, a key person in the negotiation of the 2011 Agreement and a Magellan employee implicated in the tank heating fraud, admitted that when Magellan said Delphi could deliver oil by truck, Magellan knew that it would not allow Delphi to deliver product by truck.”25 In deposition testimony, Tony Bogle testified: “Q: So you know when you – when this email went out, that if Delphi tried to deliver by truck, Magellan would refuse? A: Yes.26 The SAC also provides that one week after the 2011 Agreement was executed, “[Tony] Bogle wrote himself a memo detailing the reasons he would give Delphi for denying Delphi the right to deliver to the 22 See SAC, at ¶¶ 17-66. Id. at ¶ 50. 24 Id. at ¶ 53. 25 Id. at ¶ 57. 26 Id. (quoting Bogle Dep., Ex. L to SAC at 69:19-22). 23 8 [Terminal], notwithstanding Magellan had agreed to Delphi’s truck receipt language…”27 Additionally, the SAC states that “Magellan made its false representation with the intent to induce Delphi to sign the 2011 Agreement,” 28 that “[i]n executing the 2011 Agreement, Delphi justifiably relied on Magellan’s statement and the inclusion of the delivery by truck provision into the contract,” 29 and that “Delphi has sustained damages…as a result of Delphi’s reliance of Magellan’s fraudulent statement and representations.”30 Magellan argues that Delphi has not made out a prima facie claim for fraudulent inducement regarding the Truck Clause because Delphi has not pleaded that it reasonably relied upon extra-contractual representations by Magellan. 31 Magellan asserts that the alleged misrepresentation that Magellan was “in agreement with [Delphi’s proposed] changes [to the 2011 Terminalling Agreement] dealing with…truck receipt language” is not a misrepresentation but a matter of interpretation.32 Magellan also argues that Delphi’s “fraud claim is 27 Id. at ¶ 58. Id. at ¶ 55. 29 Id. at ¶ 65. 30 Id. at ¶ 66. 31 Def.’s Mot. to Dismiss at 2. 32 Id. at 2-3. 28 9 merely an attempt by Delphi to ‘bootstrap’ its breach of contract claims into fraud claims. 33 Delphi argues that it sufficiently pleaded all of the elements of fraud. Delphi asserts that “a claim for fraud can co-exist with a breach of contract claim so long as the fraud claim is based on a promise or misrepresentation collateral or extraneous to the terms of the agreement.” 34 Delphi contends that “the May 13, 2011 e-mail chain described in ¶¶48-51 [of the SAC] is indisputably separate from and collateral to the parties’ Agreement.” 35 “The general elements of common law fraud under Delaware law are: (1) defendant's false representation, usually of fact, (2) made either with knowledge or belief or with reckless indifference to its falsity, (3) with an intent to induce the plaintiff to act or refrain from acting, (4) the plaintiff's action or inaction resulted from a reasonable reliance on the representation, and (5) reliance damaged the [plaintiff].” 36 Super. Ct. Civ. R. 9(b) requires a plaintiff to plead fraud with “particularity.” 37 “The entire purpose of Rule 9(b) is to put the defendant on notice so that he can adequately prepare a defense.” 38 “The ‘circumstances’ which must 33 Id. at 2. Pl.’s Resp. in Opp’n to Def.’s Mot. to Dismiss, D.I. 184, at 5. 35 Id. 36 Browne v. Robb, 583 A.2d 949, 955 (Del. 1990). 37 Id. 38 Id. 34 10 be stated with particularity under Rule 9(b) refer to ‘the time, place, and contents of the false representations, as well as the identity of the person making the misrepresentation and what he obtained thereby.’” 39 Delphi pleads that “Magellan emailed Delphi that it ‘agreed[d] with your [Delphi’s] two changes dealing with improvement costs and truck receipt language’” 40 and that the “statement agreeing to the ‘truck receipt language’ was a false representation.”41 The SAC also pleads that “[Tony] Bogle, a key person in the negotiation of the 2011 Agreement and a Magellan employee implicated in the tank heating fraud, admitted that when Magellan said Delphi could deliver oil by truck, Magellan knew that it would not allow Delphi to deliver product by truck.” 42 The SAC alleges that “Magellan made its false representation with the intent to induce Delphi to sign the 2011 Agreement,” 43 that “[i]n executing the 2011 Agreement, Delphi justifiably relied on Magellan’s statement and the inclusion of the delivery by truck provision into the contract,” 44 and that “Delphi has sustained damages…as a result of Delphi’s reliance on Magellan’s fraudulent statement and representations.”45 Delphi has alleged all of the elements of common law fraud 39 Nutt v. A.C. & S., Inc., 466 A.2d 18, 23 (Del. 1983)(quoting Autrey v. Chemtrust Indus. Corp., 362 F. Supp. 1085, 1092 (D. Del. 1973)). 40 SAC at ¶ 50. 41 Id. at ¶ 53. 42 Id. at ¶ 57. 43 Id. at ¶ 55. 44 Id. at ¶ 65. 45 Id. at ¶ 66. 11 with particularity. Therefore, the Court finds that Delphi has adequately made out a prima facie case of fraud. Additionally, the Court finds Magellan’s “bootstrapping” argument unpersuasive. Delaware courts have permitted a claim for fraud and breach of contract claim when the fraud claim is based on a “promise collateral or extraneous to the terms [of] an enforceable agreement in place between the parties.” 46 In MicroStrategy Inc. v. Acacia Research Corp., 2010 WL 555045, Court of Chancery explained that “a plaintiff ‘cannot ‘bootstrap’ a claim of breach of contract into a claim of fraud merely by alleging that a contracting party never intended to perform its obligations.’” 47 However, the court acknowledged that …statements of future intent can be “fraudulent misrepresentations” sufficient to form the basis of a fraudulent inducement claim only where the Complaint alleges particularized facts that allow the Court to infer that, at the time the promise was made, the speaker had no intention of keeping it. “Indeed, ‘[s]tatements of intention ... which do not, when made, represent one's true state of mind are misrepresentations known to be such and are fraudulent.48 The Court finds that Delphi has sufficiently alleged that Magellan had no intention of allowing delivery by truck to the Terminal at the time the alleged promise to allow delivery by truck to the Terminal was made. Delphi quotes the 46 IOTEX Comm’n v. Defries, 1998 WL 914265, at *5 (Del. Ch. Dec. 21, 1998). MicroStrategy Inc. v. Acacia Research Corp., 2010 WL 555045, at *17 (Del. Ch. Dec. 30, 2010)(internal citations omitted). 48 Id. at *15 (internal citations omitted). 47 12 deposition testimony of Tony Bogle for the proposition that Magellan knew before adding the truck receipt language to the contract that Magellan would not actually allow Delphi to deliver by truck to the terminal; specifically, Delphi alleges that Tony Bogle testified: “Q: So you know when you – when this email went out, that if Delphi tried to deliver by truck, Magellan would refuse? A: Yes. 49 Additionally, Delphi alleges that Tony Bogle wrote a memo to himself one week after the 2011 Agreement was memorialized that detailed the reasons that he would give to Delphi as to why Magellan would deny Delphi’s truck deliveries at the Terminal.50 Based upon these allegations, a finder of fact could find that, at the time the promise was made, the speaker had no intention of keeping the alleged promise to allow Delphi to deliver by truck to the Terminal. Because the Court finds that Delphi has met the pleading requirements under Super. Ct. Civ. R. 12(b)(6) and Super. Ct. Civ. R. 9(b) to state a claim for fraudulent inducement, Magellan’s Motion to Dismiss Count V is DENIED. B. Delphi has Failed to Plead Fraud in Count III of the SAC. As part of its breach of contract claim, in ¶8(u) of the SAC, Delphi alleges that “Magellan overbilled Delphi by at least $580,000 between 2005-11 for the fuel consumed to heat Delphi’s oil tanks, and then concealed its overcharges. Delphi confirmed Magellan’s overbilling in December, 2014.” In addition, in Count III, 49 50 SAC at ¶ 57 (quoting Bogle Dep., Ex. L to SAC at 69:19-22). See id. at ¶ 58. 13 the SAC states, in relevant part, that “Magellan did not reveal the more than $580,000 overbill when it answered, under oath, Interrogatory No. 35 of Delphi's Second Set of Interrogatories and falsely alleged that it had corrected every error in its billings to Delphi.” 51 Additionally, the SAC provides that “Magellan knew that it had overcharged Delphi…for heating over the period from 2007 through 2010” 52 and that “Magellan billed Delphi for heating charges on a monthly basis under the 2005 Agreement and Delphi paid all those charges.” 53 Paragraph 8(r) of the SAC provides that “Magellan tendered to Delphi inaccurate invoices…and Delphi has paid Magellan sums not actually due by relying on the accuracy of the invoices and is entitled to be refunded all amounts overpaid.” Delphi claims damages in excess of $580,000.54 Magellan argues that Delphi has failed to state a claim for fraud in Count III of the SAC. Magellan asserts that Delphi’s claim fails because Delphi has not alleged that Magellan “made any affirmative representation, or took any action, to prevent Delphi from learning that it was being billed for heating oil according to measurements from meters that Delphi claims were erroneous.” 55 Magellan also 51 Id. at ¶ 33. Id. at ¶ 22. 53 SAC at ¶ 20. 54 Id. at ¶ 25. 55 Def.’s Mot. to Dismiss at 4. 52 14 asserts that “Delphi does not allege that it took any action, or refrained from taking any action, in reliance on any representation or concealment by Magellan.” 56 Delphi argues that it has properly alleged a claim for fraudulent concealment because pleading fraud is not limited to identifying misrepresentations; fraud may also be pleaded by asserting the defendant deliberately concealed facts or remained silent when faced with a duty to speak.57 Delphi contends that the SAC sufficiently provides that Magellan “committed fraud by concealing that it overcharged and then kept more than $580,000 of Delphi’s money, while at the same time representing to Delphi that ‘it had corrected every error in its billings’ and demanding that Delphi pay Magellan additional money and interest.58 Delphi argues that it “acted in reliance on the accuracy of Magellan’s 72 detailed monthly heating bills…paid all of them in full and thereby fell victim to Magellan’s overbill of $580,000 and subsequent concealment.” 59 The Delaware Supreme Court has held that “[f]raud does not consist merely of overt misrepresentations. It may also occur through deliberate concealment of material facts.”60 Here, Delphi alleges that Magellan concealed the overbilling and that Magellan overtly misrepresented that it had corrected every error in its billings 56 Id. Pl.’s Resp. in Opp’n to Def.’s Mot. to Dismiss at 2. 58 Id. 59 Id. 60 Stephenson v. Capano Dev., 462 A.2d 1069, 1074 (Del. 1983). 57 15 to Delphi. 61 Delphi also alleges that “Magellan knew that it had overcharged Delphi more than $420,000 for heating over the period from 2007 through 2010.”62 Therefore, Delphi has satisfied the first two elements of the cause of action regarding alleging a false representation and knowledge of the falsity of the representation. Where Delphi fails in its allegations is in not alleging 1) that Magellan made the false representations with the intent to induce Delphi to take some action or refrain from taking action; or 2) that Delphi took some action in reasonable reliance on the false representations. Delphi has not pleaded that Magellan intended to induce Delphi to act or refrain from acting based upon the alleged concealment. Exhibit D to the SAC is the January 21, 2011 letter from Alan Cosby to Tony Bogle, both Magellan representatives, that contains the chart that Delphi relies upon to allege overbilling.63 The chart covers the time period from 2007 through 2010. 64 Based upon that email and chart, at most, Delphi has pleaded that Magellan discovered the alleged overbilling that occurred between 2007 and 2010 on January 21, 2011 and formed the intent to induce on that date. However, there are no well-pleaded facts in the SAC to support Delphi’s assertion that Magellan had the intent to induce Magellan to act or refrain from acting after that date. 61 SAC at ¶ 33. Id. at ¶ 22. 63 SAC at Ex. D. 64 SAC at Ex. D. 62 16 Delphi must also plead that Delphi took action in reasonable reliance on Magellan’s alleged concealment after January 21, 2011. Delphi alleges that “Magellan billed Delphi for heating charges on a monthly basis under the 2005 Agreement and Delphi paid all those charges” 65 and that “Magellan tendered to Delphi inaccurate invoices…and Delphi has paid Magellan sums not actually due by relying on the accuracy of the invoices and is entitled to be refunded all amounts overpaid.”66 However, those assertions address what action Delphi took in response to receiving allegedly inflated invoices but do not address Delphi’s actions in response to the alleged concealment of overbilling that occurred after January 21, 2011. Delphi has failed to plead with particularity that it did anything in reliance on Magellan’s alleged concealment of the overbilling after January 21, 2011. Instead, Delphi asserts only that Magellan did not unilaterally credit Delphi.67 The SAC is silent as to Delphi’s actions as a result of the alleged concealment. 65 SAC at ¶ 20. Id. at ¶ 8(r). 67 See SAC at ¶¶ 29-32: 66 29. Magellan did not credit Delphi the more than $580,000 overbill when it filed its counterclaims in this litigation. 30. Magellan did not credit Delphi the more than $580,000 overbill when accounting for what Delphi allegedly owed. 31.Magellan did not credit Delphi the more than $580,000 overbill when claiming Delphi owed more than $300,000 in interest on amounts allegedly owed Magellan. 17 Similarly, Delphi alleges that the overt misrepresentation that Magellan had corrected all of its billing errors occurred in response to discovery in December 2013. 68 However, Delphi does not allege that Magellan intended to induce Delphi to take any action in response to the overt misrepresentation. Furthermore, Delphi does not allege that Delphi took action in reasonable reliance on the overt misrepresentation. Because the Court finds that Delphi has not pleaded that Magellan intended to induce Delphi to take some action or refrain from taking action based upon alleged fraudulent statements and that Delphi has not pleaded that Delphi did anything in reasonable reliance upon Magellan’s alleged fraudulent statements, Delphi has failed to make out a prima facie claim of common law fraud and Magellan’s Motion to Dismiss Count III is GRANTED. C. Dismissal of Count IV is Premature. In Count IV, the SAC states that “Magellan fraudulently billed Delphi for tank cleaning charges that were Magellan’s responsibility and purposefully altered bills to conceal the fact that it was passing off its charges to Delphi.”69 The SAC also provides that “Magellan overbilled Delphi for the costs relating to the cleaning of tanks leased to Delphi in violation of Clauses 2.7 and 2.8 of Schedule A of the 32. Magellan did not credit Delphi the more than $580,000 overbill when it held Delphi’s product hostage under an invalid warehouseman’s lien… 68 69 Id. at ¶ 10. Id. at ¶ 36. 18 2005 Agreement”70 and that “Magellan breached Clauses 2.7 and 2.8 of Schedule A of the 2005 Agreement by arranging for tank cleaning services to be performed in a manner to minimize the costs of the cleaning for which Magellan was responsible and maximize the costs for which Delphi was responsible.”71 Magellan argues that Count IV for Fraudulent Billing of Tank Cleaning Charges is barred by the statute of limitations. Magellan asserts that the three-year statute of limitations has run because the underlying invoices that Delphi relies upon to support its claim were issued between 2007 and 2010.72 Magellan contends that Delphi knew of the invoices in September 2013, if not earlier, when it filed its First Amended Complaint that included a similar allegation. 73 Delphi argues that the three-year statute of limitations is tolled by the Time of Discovery Rule. Specifically, Delphi asserts that the “concealment and fraud” provision of the Rule applies because Magellan “deceitfully altered cleaning bills.”74 Delphi alternatively claims that the “inherently unknowable and blamelessly ignorant” provision of the Rule applies. Delphi contends that it was “not aware that Magellan was altering its bills, rendering false invoices or colluding with the third party contractor to create fictitious charges” until Magellan 70 Id. at ¶ 8(f). Id. at ¶ 8(g). 72 Def.’s Mot. to Dismiss at 3. 73 Id. 74 Pl.’s Resp. in Opp’n to Def.’s Mot. to Dismiss at 3. 71 19 produced documents during discovery in 2014 and Delphi deposed Magellan witnesses in November and December 2014. 75 The statute of limitations for claims for fraud is three years under 10 Del. C. § 8106.76 However, the statute of limitations may be tolled by the Time of Discovery Rule under specific circumstances.77 Generally, a cause of action in tort “accrues” at the time the tort is committed.... Ignorance of the cause of action will not toll the statute [of limitations], absent concealment or fraud, or unless the injury is inherently unknowable and the claimant is blamelessly ignorant of the wrongful act.... In the latter circumstance, the statute of limitations begins to run upon the discovery of facts “constituting the basis of the cause of action or the existence of facts sufficient to put a person of ordinary intelligence and prudence on inquiry which, if pursued, would lead to the discovery” of such facts. 78 75 76 Id. at 4. See 10 Del. C. § 8106: No action to recover damages for trespass, no action to regain possession of personal chattels, no action to recover damages for the detention of personal chattels, no action to recover a debt not evidenced by a record or by an instrument under seal, no action based on a detailed statement of the mutual demands in the nature of debit and credit between parties arising out of contractual or fiduciary relations, no action based on a promise, no action based on a statute, and no action to recover damages caused by an injury unaccompanied with force or resulting indirectly from the act of the defendant shall be brought after the expiration of 3 years from the accruing of the cause of such action… 77 Boerger v. Heim, 965 A.2d 671, 674 (Del. 2009). 78 Id. (quoting Coleman v. Pricewaterhousecoopers, LLC, 854 A.2d 838, 842 (Del. 2004)). 20 In Thomas v. Capano Homes Inc., 2015 WL 1593618, the Court recently denied a Motion to Dismiss where the parties disagreed as to when the statute of limitations began to accrue. The Court held that “[T]he Court will not adjudicate contested issues of fact on a motion to dismiss, nor will it deem a pleading inadequate under Rule 12(b)(6) simply because a defendant presents facts that appear to contradict those plead by the plaintiff.” It is premature for the Court to dismiss Plaintiffs' claim as time-barred because, without discovery, it is unclear when the statute of limitations began to accrue, and whether the statue of limitations is tolled by the Time of Discovery Rule.79 The parties have engaged in extensive discovery; however, the limited facts contained in the pleadings are unclear as to when the statute of limitations began to accrue and if the Time of Discovery Rule tolls the statute of limitations. In the SAC, Delphi contends that “Magellan fraudulently billed Delphi for tank cleaning charges that were Magellan’s responsibility and purposefully altered bills to conceal the fact that it was passing of its charges to Delphi.” 80 Additionally, Delphi alleges that “Magellan overbilled Delphi for the costs relating to the cleaning of tanks leased to Delphi in violation of Clauses 2.7 and 2.8 of Schedule A of the 2005 Agreement”81 and “Magellan breached Clauses 2.7 and 2.8 of Schedule A of the 2005 Agreement by arranging for tank cleaning services to be 79 Thomas v. Capano Homes Inc., 2015 WL 1593618, at *2 (Del. Super. Apr. 2, 2015)(quoting Doe 30’s Mother v. Bradley, 58 A.3d 429, 445 (Del. Super. Mar. 29, 2012)). 80 SAC at ¶ 36. 81 Id. at ¶ 8(f). 21 performed in a manner to minimize the costs of the cleaning for which Magellan was responsible and maximize the costs for which Delphi was responsible.” 82 Although Magellan argues that the underlying invoices cover the time period from 2007 through 2010, the pleadings do not establish a timeframe such that the Court can determine if the claim is barred by the statute of limitations. Therefore, Magellan’s Motion to Dismiss Count IV is DENIED. V. MAGELLAN’S MOTION FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT Magellan’s request for summary judgment can be grouped into three parts for purposes of the Court’s analysis: there are six arguments involving breach of contract analysis, an argument concerning breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and an argument regarding damages. Magellan’s seeks summary judgment on some of Delphi’s breach of contract claims on the grounds that: 1) Delphi’s claim in ¶8(k) of the SAC that Magellan breached the PSA fails as a matter of law; 2) Delphi cannot produce evidence from which a reasonable trier of fact could find that Magellan breached the 2005 Agreement by failing to account for 1,100 barrels discharged from the vessel Asphalt Victory as alleged in ¶8(d) of the SAC; 3) Delphi cannot produce evidence from which a reasonable trier of fact could find that Magellan’s refusal to accept product from the vessel Asphalt Seminole was a breach of the 2005 Agreement as 82 Id. at ¶ 8(g). 22 alleged in ¶8(o) of the SAC; 4) Delphi cannot produce evidence from which a reasonable trier of fact could find that Magellan breached the 2011 Agreement by failing to credit Delphi for product in the Conectiv pipeline as alleged in ¶8(p) of the SAC; 5) Delphi cannot produce evidence from which a reasonable trier of fact could find that Magellan’s refusal to allow delivery of fuel by truck to the Terminal constitutes a breach of the 2011 Agreement as alleged in ¶8(e) of the SAC; and 6) Delphi cannot produce evidence from which a reasonable trier of fact could find that Delphi is entitled to recover the alleged loss of 5,000 barrels under the 2005 Agreement as alleged in ¶8(a) of the SAC. Magellan also seeks summary judgment on Count II of the SAC for breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing because Magellan argues that Count II fails as a matter of law. Magellan requests summary judgment to enforce Clause 4.2 of Schedule A of the 2005 and 2011 Agreements, the limitation of damages provision, arguing that Delphi is not entitled to consequential damages per the plain terms of the Agreements. A. Breach of Contract Claims Magellan’s first six arguments concern subsections of ¶8 of the SAC. The common prayer for relief is that the Court determine that Delphi cannot produce evidence from which a reasonable factfinder could find that Magellan breached various provisions of the Agreements. Although Magellan, in its Opening Brief, 23 frequently frames the issue as a “failure to state a claim,” the Court will examine the factual record before it on summary judgment. To prevail on a claim for breach of contract, a plaintiff must show that a contract existed, that the contract obligation was breached and that Plaintiff suffered damages as a result of the breach. 83 For purposes of summary judgment, Super. Ct. Civ. R. 56(c) “mandates the entry of summary judgment…against a party who fails to make a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party's case, and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial.” 84 Consequently, if the factual record reveals that Delphi has not made a showing as to an element of a breach of contract claim, the Court will grant summary judgment, but if the factual record supports every element, summary judgment will be denied. 1. The Undisputed Facts Establish that Delphi’s Claim Under ¶8(k) of the SAC is Time-Barred. In ¶8(k) of the SAC, Delphi alleges that it suffered damages when Magellan breached Clause 1.1(c) of a certain September 1, 2005 Purchase and Sale Agreement by failing to negotiate in its new lease with the Diamond State Port Corporation (“Port”) a clause reimbursing Delphi for $800,000 of costs incurred by Delphi’s subsidiary, Delaware Terminal Company (“DTC”) and by failing to notify Delphi, before executing its new agreement with the Port, that such a clause had not been included in the new lease. Delphi would have 83 84 Interim Healthcare, Inc. v. Spherion Corp., 884 A.2d 513, 548 (Del. Super. 2005). Burkhart v. Davies, 602 A.2d 56, 59 (Del. 1991). 24 received $400,000 had the clause been included in the new lease. DTC’s rights to the reimburse[sic] were assigned to Delphi. Delphi sold the Terminal to Magellan through the execution of a Purchase and Sale Agreement (“PSA”) in 2005. Clause 1.1(c) of the PSA provides that …[Delphi] has a claim under the Dock Lease for Eight Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($800,000) against the [Port]… for reimbursement of costs incurred by [Delphi] in the construction of a mooring structure in or about 2001 (the "Reimbursement Claim"). The Port and [Delphi] entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on October 19, 2001 in which the Port agreed that [Delphi] would be entitled to deduct Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($800,000.00) in settlement of the Reimbursement Claim from rental payments that [Delphi] would owe the Port under a [New Dock Lease] agreement…Should the New Dock Lease between the Port and [Delphi] not be finalized prior to the Effective Date [of the PSA], Magellan shall not negotiate with the Port to exclude [the Reimbursement Claim] from any New Dock Lease that [Magellan] may consummate with the Port. 85 A new dock lease between Delphi and the Port was not finalized prior to the effective date of the PSA. On April 7, 2008, Magellan notified Delphi via letter that “[t]he Port has refused to include the [Reimbursement Claim] language or to provide any alternative settlement proposal concerning the Reimbursement Claim” in the new dock lease between Magellan and the Port.86 The new dock lease 85 86 Def.’s Opening Br., D.I. 155, at Ex. 4. Id. at Ex. 8. 25 between Magellan and the Port does not contain the Reimbursement Claim but provides a $36,000 monthly rent reduction to Magellan.87 Magellan argues that Delphi’s claim in ¶8(k) of the SAC is barred by the statute of limitations because Delphi was notified on April 7, 2008 that the new dock lease between the Port and Magellan did not include the $800,000 credit to Delphi.88 Magellan claims that Delphi’s deadline to file a claim was April 7, 2011 based upon the three-year statute of limitations and that Delphi did not file a claim until February 29, 2012.89 Magellan also argues that the Memorandum Of Understanding provided that Magellan and the Port would present the proposed $800,000 credit to Delphi to their respective boards of directors for consideration and the undisputed facts are that the Port’s board of directors rejected the provision.90 Magellan alternatively argues that Delphi cannot prove that Magellan breached the PSA by negotiating with the Port to exclude the $800,000 credit or that the Port proposed an alternative settlement that triggered Magellan’s duty to notify Delphi of the alternative arrangement. 91 Additionally, Magellan asserts that the parties agreed that if the $800,000 credit was not included in the new dock 87 Pl.’s Answ. Br., D.I. 172, at Ex. 7. Def.’s Opening Br., at 7. 89 Id. 90 Id. at 8. 91 Id. at 7-8. 88 26 lease between Magellan and the Port and no alternative settlement was presented, Delphi’s sole remedy is against the Port.92 Delphi argues that the Time of Discovery Rule tolls the running of the statute of limitations for the claim where the injury is “inherently unknowable” and the plaintiff is “blamelessly ignorant” or for “concealment or fraud.” 93 Delphi claims that it did not know of the terms of the new dock lease until June 2013. 94 Delphi contends that “Magellan struck a side deal for reduced rent instead of negotiating in good faith to keep the $800,000 reimbursement clause in the agreement on behalf of Delphi as required.” 95 Delphi claims that the alleged side deal was for a $36,000 per year reduction in rent, that the alleged side deal was concealed from Delphi and that “[i]t is a fair inference that the Port and Magellan agreed to the reduced rent in exchange for Magellan giving up to $800,000 reimbursement clause.” 96 Delphi also argues that whether or not the Port’s board’s approval of the $800,000 credit was required and whether or not the Port’s board rejected the $800,000 credit provision are questions of fact that cannot be answered merely by “self-serving affidavits alone” produced by Magellan. 97 92 Id. at 8. Pl.’s Answ. Br., at 9. 94 Id. 95 Id. at 3 (Italics in original). 96 Id. at 6. 97 Id. at 7-8. 93 27 The statute of limitations for breach of contract claims under 10 Del. C. § 8106 is three years.98 Generally, the statute begins to run when the injury occurs or, stated differently, when the contract has been breached. 99 The Court applies the Time of Discovery Rule to breach of contract claims for situations where the injury is “inherently unknowable” and the plaintiff is “blamelessly ignorant.”100 However, “actual discovery [of the injury] commences the running of the statute; so will any change in circumstances that renders the injury no longer inherently unknowable, or the ignorance of the [plaintiff] no longer blameless.” 101 Delphi asserts that it could not have known that the Reimbursement Claim was not included in the New Dock Lease because Magellan refused to give Delphi a copy of the New Dock Lease “until Magellan’s June 2013 document production.” 102 However, the record reflects that on April 7, 2008, Magellan notified Delphi via letter that “[t]he Port has refused to include the [Reimbursement Claim] language or to provide any alternative settlement proposal concerning the Reimbursement Claim.” 103 Therefore, Delphi “actually discovered” that the Reimbursement Claim was not included in the New Dock Lease on April 7, 2008. At that point, Delphi was on notice of a possible breach of 98 See supra note 76. Ruger v. Funk, 1996 WL 110072, at *2 (Del. Super. Jan. 22, 1996). 100 Id.; see also Marcucilli v. Boardwalk Builders, Inc., 2002 WL 1038818, at *4 (Del. Super. May 16, 2002)(“The time of discovery rule applies to breach of contract claims.”). 101 Ruger, 1996 WL at *2. 102 Pl.’s Answ. Br., at 7. 103 Def.’s Opening Br., at Ex. 8. 99 28 contract action and had a duty to investigate. Instead, Delphi did nothing until February 29, 2012 when it initiated this lawsuit. Delphi’s argument that Magellan negotiated a “side deal” with the Port to obtain reduced rent and concealed the “side deal” from Delphi may have been sufficient to toll the statute of limitations if Delphi had presented any facts to establish that the alleged “side deal” exists. Instead, Delphi merely argues that the fact that Magellan received a $36,000 monthly rent reduction in the New Dock Lease combined with the fact that the New Dock Lease excluded the Reimbursement Claim creates “a fair inference that the Port and Magellan agreed to the reduced the [sic] rent in exchange for Magellan giving up the $800,000 reimbursement clause.” 104 The Court cannot find that Delphi’s bald assertions regarding the alleged “side deal” create a genuine dispute of material fact. Therefore, the Court finds that a claim for breach of contract based upon ¶8(k) of the SAC is time-barred. Consequently, the Court need not address the parties’ additional arguments. Magellan’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is GRANTED. 2. The Undisputed Facts Show that Delphi Suffered No Damages as a Result of the Conduct Alleged in ¶8(d) of the SAC. In ¶8(d) of the SAC, Delphi alleges that Delphi suffered damages when 104 Pl.’s Answ. Br., at 6. 29 Magellan failed to properly perform the services it was obligated to perform under the 2005 Agreement and failed to properly control the discharge of, and accurately gauge the quantity discharged from, the vessel “Asphalt Victory” in December 2010. These failures resulted in the quantity of the discharge from this vessel to be overstated by more than 1,100 barrels. Delphi concedes that Kildair, the entity from which Delphi purchased oil in December 2010, has not yet billed Delphi for the $90,000 Delphi contractually owes Kildair but asserts that Kildair may bill Delphi before 2016 based upon the statute of limitations that governs that contract. 105 A bill of lading indicates that Magellan received 166,024 barrels of product at the Terminal on behalf of Delphi for the December 2010 delivery. 106 Magellan argues that Delphi cannot recover under ¶8(d) of the SAC for breach of contract because Delphi has suffered no damages. 107 Magellan asserts that Delphi concedes that it did not pay for the alleged overstatement of barrels discharged from the Asphalt Victory in December 2010 but that Delphi merely has a “risk of paying the ship for the 1,100 barrels.” 108 Magellan argues that such speculative damages are insufficient to survive a motion for summary judgment. 109 105 Id. at 13. See id., at Ex. 11. 107 Def.’s Opening Br., at 10. 108 Id. 109 Id. at 11. 106 30 Delphi argues that it has suffered damages as a result of the alleged overstatement of barrels discharged to the Asphalt Victory. 110 Delphi admits that “Kildair has not yet billed Delphi for the additional $90,000 but…Kildair has until the end of 2016 to bring a claim [against Delphi].” 111 However, Delphi argues that it has already suffered damages in the amount of $26,147.25. 112 Delphi asserts that its contract with Kildair specifies that Delphi pays only for the actual quantity of barrels Delphi receives, which registered at 166,024 barrels for the December 2010 delivery. 113 Delphi contends that Delphi should have only paid Kildair for 164,637 barrels because Magellan determined a month or more after the delivery that the quantity of barrels received by Delphi was overstated by 1,387 barrels because of an issue with the pipeline.114 Delphi asserts that, as a result of Magellan’s failure to accurately gauge the quantity of barrels Delphi received in December 2010, Delphi paid Kildair for the quantity of barrels listed on the Bill of Lading which was 166,024.115 Delphi asserts that the difference between the Bill of Lading amount and the amount Delphi should have paid results in Delphi’s overpayment to Kildair for $26,147.25. 116 110 Pl.’s Answ. Br., at 13. Id. 112 Id. 113 Id. 114 Id. 115 Id. 116 Id. at 14. 111 31 When the factual record reveals that plaintiff has suffered no damages as a result of an alleged breach of contract, summary judgment is appropriate. 117 Plaintiff’s damages must be actual and cannot be “merely speculative or conjectural.”118 The Delaware Court of Chancery has held that damages based on possible future liability are merely speculative.119 This Court agrees. For purposes of this Motion, the Court must bifurcate Delphi’s claim for damages and examine separately the $90,000 portion not yet paid to Kildair and the $26,147.25 portion allegedly paid to Kildair. First, as to the $90,000, Delphi concedes that Kildair has not yet billed Delphi in that amount but asserts that Kildair may bill Delphi before 2016 based upon the statute of limitations controlling that contract. However, the Court would merely be speculating as to Kildair’s actions regarding its decision to pursue that claim against Delphi. Therefore, the Court cannot find that there is evidence that Delphi has incurred that portion of the damages. Second, as to the alleged $26,147.25 that Delphi paid to Kildair, no evidence is before the Court to conclude that Delphi actually paid that amount. The only fact Delphi presented to the Court is a bill of lading that indicated that Magellan received 166,024 barrels of product at the Terminal on behalf of Delphi on the date 117 Burkhart, 602 A.2d at 59. Laskowski v. Wallis, 205 A.2d 825, 826 (Del. 1964). 119 See Kuroda v. SPJS Holdings, L.L.C., 971 A.2d 872, 883 (Del. Ch. 2009)(holding that potential future liability for income taxes that have not been incurred is “speculative harm”). 118 32 in question. 120 There is no evidence such as a wire transfer, receipt or check showing that Delphi actually paid Kildair any amount of money for the quantity of barrels listed on the bill of lading. Delphi instead relies upon its own bare assertions contained in its Response Brief which are insufficient to create a factual dispute.121 Therefore, there are no facts from which the Court can find that Delphi suffered damages as a result of a breach of contract and Magellan’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment as to ¶8(d) of the SAC is GRANTED. 3. The Undisputed Facts Establish that Magellan did not Breach Clause 2.2 of Schedule A of the 2005 Agreement. In ¶8(o) of the SAC, Delphi alleges that Delphi suffered damages when Magellan breached the 2005 Agreement by refusing to allow the discharge of the vessel “Asphalt Seminole” in February 2010 even though the product met, and Delphi had in addition prearranged to have the product professionally treated at Delphi’s expense to further guarantee that the product would meet, the quality requirements detailed in Clause 2.2 of the 2005 Agreement, resulting in the incurrence of demurrage and additional freight charges. Clause 2.2 of Schedule A of the parties’ 2005 Agreement provides that [i]f Magellan receives non-conforming Product: (a) Customer will bear the cost of any additional services required, in the reasonable opinion of Magellan, to receive, deliver, store, handle or blend the non-conforming Product; (b) Magellan may halt delivery at any time, including during the course of delivery, and refuse to continue to receive non120 See Pl.’s Answ. Br., at Ex. 11. See Balzereit v. Hocker’s Superthrift, Inc., 2012 WL 3550495 at *1 (Del. Super. Jul. 24, 2012)(“Merely bare assertions or conclusory allegations do not create a genuine issue of material fact.”). 121 33 conforming Product; and (c) Magellan may require Customer to remove any non-conforming Product received at the Terminal within thirty (30) days of delivery of the non-conforming Product. The 2005 Agreement specifies the following quality limitations on product being delivered to the Terminal: Specification Maximum Product Deliver Temperature Minimum Heavy Oil Delivery Temperature: Maximum Product Viscosity: Maximum Product Pour Point: Maximum Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Content in Liquid Phase of Product: Maximum Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Content in Vapor Space: Limitation 150º F 30º F above Pour Point 500SSF at 122º F 90º F 2 PPM 100 PPM in any one tank of delivery vessel and 50 PPM volumetrically correct weighted average in the vapor space of all tanks of delivery vessel A “Certificate of Analysis” contains a laboratory certification that the “Vessel Composite” level of H2S measured 200 parts per million for the February 2010 delivery from the Asphalt Seminole.122 A “Hydrogen Sulfide Monitoring Report” for the February 2010 delivery from the Asphalt Seminole showed that temperature readings taken at various locations on the vessel all indicated that the product temperature exceeded 150º F. 123 Counsel for Delphi acknowledged that the “Certificate of Analysis” indicated that the H2S levels exceeded the contract 122 123 See Def.’s Opening Br., at Ex. 14. See id., at Ex. 17. 34 specifications but presented the Court with a conflicting report that showed that the H2S levels complied with the contract specifications. 124 Counsel for Delphi also conceded that the reports measuring the product temperature showed that the temperature exceeded 150º F. 125 Magellan seeks summary judgment on ¶8(o) of the SAC because Magellan argues that it had the right to reject non-conforming product under the 2005 Agreement. 126 Magellan asserts that the 2005 Agreement provides that Magellan may reject nonconforming product for delivery and further defines nonconforming product as having H2S levels in the vapor space of the vessel’s cargo that exceed 100 parts per million in any one tank of delivery vessel. 127 Magellan contends that it rightfully rejected delivery from the Asphalt Seminole when the H2S levels in the vapor space of the Asphalt Seminole were reported to range between 100 parts 124 125 See Tr., D.I. 193, at 71: 6-7. See Tr. at 71:22-72:7 which provides: THE COURT: Where it reports H2S readings of port, starboard and center of the vessel and it says “add,” and then there is a number after that, which appears to be a temperature… MR. MOONEY: Yes, sir. THE COURT: And those temperatures are all over 150 degrees? MR. MOONEY: Those temperatures are by one or two degrees over, 152 degrees. 126 Def.’s Opening Br., at 12. 127 Id. at 11. 35 per million and 200 parts per million.128 Additionally, Magellan asserts that the report showed that the product temperature exceeded the maximum specified in the 2005 Agreement which gave Magellan an additional basis upon which to reject the delivery. 129 Delphi argues that Magellan wrongfully rejected the delivery from the Asphalt Seminole because the product met the specifications contained in the 2005 Agreement. 130 Delphi asserts that the on board inspection of the vessel “showed that the product on board the Asphalt Seminole fully complied with the limitations contained in the 2005 Agreement” but acknowledges that another test conducted at the inspector’s laboratory showed that the vapor concentration was higher than what the contract permitted. 131 Delphi asserts that it was not obligated to report the results of the second test to Magellan but did so to inform Magellan that it had arranged for a third-party to treat the product at the dock to “assure that the product would have an H2S concentration in the vapor phase of zero when stored in Magellan’s Terminal.” 132 Delphi also asserts that Magellan’s rejection was never justified because “there was a policy in existence in October 2010 that a vessel could deliver product with 100 ppm H2S in vapor or 20 ppm in liquid, but it had to 128 Id. Id. 130 Pl.’s Answ. Br., at 15-16. 131 Id. at 16. 132 Id. at 17. 129 36 be treated” and that Magellan had previously used the same third-party treatment firm that was to treat the Asphalt Seminole. 133 Where there are no facts to support Delphi’s contention that Magellan breached the 2005 Agreement by wrongfully rejecting the February 2010 product delivery to the Terminal by the Asphalt Seminole, summary judgment is appropriate. 134 Magellan presented a “Certificate of Analysis” in which the level of H2S measured 200 parts per million for the February 2010 delivery from the Asphalt Seminole.135 Additionally, Magellan presented a “Hydrogen Sulfide Monitoring Report” for the February 2010 delivery from the Asphalt Seminole that showed that temperature readings taken at various locations on the vessel all indicated that the product temperature exceeded 150º F. 136 At oral argument, Counsel for Delphi acknowledged that the “Certificate of Analysis” indicated that the H2S levels exceeded the contract specifications but presented the Court with a conflicting report that showed that the H2S levels complied with the contract specifications. 137 However, Counsel for Delphi also conceded that the reports measuring the product temperature showed that the temperature exceeded 150ºF. 138 133 Id. Burkhart, 602 A.2d at 59. 135 See Def.’s Opening Br., at Ex. 14. 136 See id., at Ex. 17. 137 See Tr. at 71: 6-7. 138 See supra note 125. 134 37 Based upon the facts in the record, the Court finds that it is undisputed that the product delivered to the Terminal by the Asphalt Seminole in February 2010 was non-conforming product because the temperature exceeded the contractual limitations. Therefore, the Court finds that the undisputed facts show that Magellan did not breach Clause 2.2 of Schedule A of the 2005 Agreement when it rejected the delivery from the Asphalt Seminole in February 2010. Delphi cannot recover under ¶8(o) of the SAC and Magellan’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is GRANTED. 4. The Facts Pertaining to ¶8(p) of the SAC are Disputed. A ten-inch pipeline runs between the Terminal and a power plant that was owned by Conectiv at the time of the allegation contained in ¶8(p) of the SAC. For various reasons, Magellan determined that the pipeline needed to be purged and discovered that the pipeline still contained some product. Magellan did not know whether the product belonged to Delphi before it searched its records. Magellan discovered a document titled “Delaware Terminal Company Hourly Rate Sheet,” dated “12/17/04” and states “T[ank]-12 to Conective [sic]” in the top left corner.139 Karen Peterson, a Delphi representative, testified 140 in response to the question “Do you know whether that product [in the pipeline] belonged to Delphi?” that 139 140 Def.’s Opening Br., at Ex. 20. Relevant excerpts of the deposition can be found in Def.’s Opening Br., at Ex. 16. 38 “[she] believe[d] at that time it belonged to Conectiv.” 141 Based upon this information, Magellan transferred the product to Conectiv. In excerpts from email communications between Magellan representatives, Paul Hafner indicated that “[the product] belongs to [Conectiv]” while Tony Bogle indicated that “[a coworker] asked about Delphi’s product in the 10” [Conectiv] line” and Mark Roles stated that “[i]t might be Delphi’s product.” 142 Additionally, Alan Cosby’s June 11, 2009 email summarizing a meeting with Delphi indicates that Magellan contacted Delphi about purging the pipeline and noted that “Delphi loses the rights to the DOT 10” line in Sept 2010” and that “staff remembers this product belonging to Conectiv not Delphi.” 143 Paragraph 8(p) of the SAC alleges that “Magellan breached the 2005 Agreement by failing to properly credit Delphi for approximately 2,000 barrels of No. 2 oil in the pipeline to Conectiv’s power plant in Edgemoor, Delaware.” Magellan argues that Delphi’s claims under ¶8(p) of the SAC fails as a matter of law because Conectiv, and not Delphi, owned the pipe when the alleged transfer happened.144 Magellan asserts that in 2010, when Magellan needed to treat a ten-inch pipeline at the terminal, it discovered product still contained in the 141 Peterson Dep. at 186: 19-22. Pl.’s Answ. Br., at Ex. 14. 143 Id. at Ex. 15. 144 Def.’s Opening Br., at 13. 142 39 pipeline.145 Magellan claims that it searched its records and determined that the product contained in the pipeline belonged to Conectiv so Magellan transferred the product to Conectiv.146 Magellan asserts that it “discovered a transfer order showing that the product in the line had been transferred to Conectiv” and that “Delphi representative Karen Peterson admitted that the product belonged to Conectiv at the time of the transfer.” 147 Delphi argues that there is a genuine issue of material fact in dispute. Specifically, Delphi contends that ownership of the pipeline is disputed for purposes of this Motion.148 Delphi asserts that Magellan misconstrues the “transfer order” and contends that the document does not establish that Conectiv owned the product in the pipeline but rather covered testing of the pipeline. 149 Additionally, Delphi contends that email communications between Magellan representatives establish that the product in the pipeline belonged to Delphi at the time of the transfer. 150 145 Id. Id. at 13-14. 147 Id. at 13. 148 Pl.’s Answ. Br., at 18-19. 149 Id. at 19. 150 See Pl.’s Answ. Br., at 18 (“Bogle responded that ‘[t]here may be a potential issue…when I met with Ron [Gumbaz] last week …he asked about Delphi’s product in the 10” Delmarva [Conectiv] line.’”; “Bogle’s supervisor further commented: ‘It might be Delphi’s product.’”; “Alan Cosby, Magellan’s Wilmington area supervisor, also admitted to having been informed by Domenic DiPiero, Delphi’s President, that the product was owned by Delphi.”)(internal citations omitted). 146 40 Where a genuine dispute of material facts exists, summary judgment is not appropriate. 151 If Magellan meets its burden on summary judgment, Delphi must show that there are material issues of fact in dispute.152 It is not enough for Delphi to assert the existence of a disputed fact.153 The alleged disputed fact must be one which affects the outcome of the case. 154 Magellan relies on the document, titled “Delaware Terminal Company Hourly Rate Sheet,” for the proposition that it represents a transfer of ownership of product from Delphi to Conectiv because the document states “T[ank]-12 to Conective [sic].” Additionally, Karen Peterson, a Delphi representative, testified in response to the question “Do you know whether that product belonged to Delphi?” that “[she] believe[d] at that time it belonged to Conectiv.” 155 Therefore, Magellan has presented factual information to establish that Conectiv, and not Delphi, owned the product in the pipeline at the time of the transfer. Therefore, the burden shifts to Delphi to show the existence of a material factual dispute. Delphi identifies facts that show that the product contained in the pipeline belonged to Delphi at the time of the transfer. Excerpts from email communications between Magellan representatives illustrate the dispute: Paul Hafner indicated that “[the product] belongs to [Conectiv]” while Tony Bogle 151 Super. Ct. Civ. R. 56(c). Brzoska, 668 A.2d at 1364. 153 Id. 154 Id. 155 Peterson Dep. at 186: 19-22. 152 41 indicated that “[a coworker] asked about Delphi’s product in the 10” [Conectiv] line” and Mark Roles stated that “[i]t might be Delphi’s product.” 156 Additionally, Alan Cosby’s June 11, 2009 email summarizing a meeting with Delphi indicates that Magellan contacted Delphi about purging the pipeline and noted that “Delphi loses the rights to the DOT 10” line in Sept 2010” and that “staff remembers this product belonging to Conectiv not Delphi.” 157 Based upon the factual record, the Court finds that a genuine issue of material fact exists because whether Delphi owned the product contained in the 10” pipeline at the time of the transfer alleged in ¶8(p) of the SAC would affect the outcome of the claim. Therefore, summary judgment is not appropriate and Magellan’s Motion is DENIED. 5. The Undisputed Facts Show that Delphi is Not Entitled to Relief for Breach of Contract as Alleged in ¶8(a) of the SAC. In ¶8(a) of the SAC, Delphi alleges, in part, that [i]n January 2012 Magellan refused to allow Delphi to deliver No. 6 oil to the Terminal by truck resulting in Delphi losing the supply of approximately 26,000 barrels of No. 6 oil. In May 2012, Magellan again refused to allow Delphi to deliver No. 6 oil to the Terminal by truck, and Delphi consequently lost the supply of 24,000 barrels of No. 6 oil. These refusals constituted breaches of Clause 2.1(a) of Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement… 156 157 Pl.’s Answ. Br., at Ex. 14. Id. at Ex. 15. 42 During the negotiation phase of the 2011 Agreement, on May 13, 2011, Delphi proposed the language contained in Clause 2.1(a) of Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement in an email to Magellan.158 The email stated: “[p]lease see revised draft. Delphi had the right to, and did, deliver to the terminal by truck in the original agreement and needs that in this agreement…” 159 On the same day, Magellan responded to Delphi’s proposal via email that it “[a]greed with [Delphi’s] two changes dealing with improvement costs and truck receipt language.”160 Delphi executed the 2011 Agreement that day. 161 Clause 2.1(a) of Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement provides that [r]eceipt and deliveries of Product from the Terminal via truck will be made to a Carrier in accordance with the Terminal’s operating procedures and in accordance with this Schedule A, Section 2.4… Clause 2.4 of Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement provides various Terminal operating guidelines. Clause 2.4 provides that “Customer may request the ability to load trucks with Heavy Oil at the Terminal…” 162 Clause 2.9 of Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement provides that “Magellan will maintain two 158 SAC at Ex. J. Id. 160 Id. at Ex. K. 161 Id. at ¶4. 162 Clause 2.4 of Schedule A of the 2011 Terminalling Agreement. 159 43 (2) positions for the loading of Heavy Oil from tanks 3,4,8,17 and 18…”. 163 Additionally, Clause 4.1(b) of Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement provides that If Customer is unable to load Heavy Oil at the Back [Truck] Rack…If Customer is unable to load Heavy Oil at a single (1) position of the Back [Truck] Rack…If Customer is unable to load Heavy Oil at the slower of the two truck loading positions at the Back [Truck] Rack…. 164 Magellan argues that, as a matter of law, the language contained in Clause 2.1(a) of Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement does not give Delphi the right to deliver products by truck to the Terminal. 165 Magellan asserts that the 2011 Agreement provides that …‘[r]eceipt and deliveries of Product from the Terminal via truck will be made to a Carrier in accordance with the Terminal’s operating procedures and in accordance with this Schedule A, § 2.4....’ (Ex. 1 at Schedule A, § 2.1(a) (emphasis added).) Section 2.4, in turn, contains no provisions regarding the unloading of trucks at the Terminal, and instead addresses only the loading of product onto trucks for delivery from the Terminal, as contemplated in § 2.1. 166 Magellan further asserts that parol evidence shows that the Terminal was not equipped to handle deliveries to the Terminal by truck. 167 Magellan contends that “Magellan proposed an Amendment to the 2011 Agreement that would allow 163 Clause 2.9 of Schedule A of the 2011 Terminalling Agreement. Clause 4.1(b) of Schedule A of the 2011 Terminalling Agreement. 165 Def.’s Opening Br., at 15. 166 Id. at 18. 167 Id. 164 44 delivery to the Terminal by truck once certain modifications to the Terminal are made… but Delphi refused to enter into such an amendment.” 168 Magellan alternatively argues that if the Court determines that 2.1(a) of Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement affords Delphi the right to deliver product to the terminal by truck, Delphi has suffered no recoverable damages by Magellan’s alleged failure to allow delivery by truck. 169 Magellan contends that Section 4.2 of Schedule A of the Terminalling Agreements limits damages and provides that ‘“[n]either party will be liable for other party’s lost profits, lost business opportunities, or other indirect, special, incidental, punitive, or consequential damages in connection with this Agreement.”’ 170 Magellan contends that Delphi has identified “only two specific opportunities it claims it had to purchase product for delivery to the Terminal by truck.” 171 Magellan asserts that “[r]egarding the first alleged lost opportunity, in January 2012, Delphi never bid to purchase the product in question, nor did Delphi offer the product for sale to another party.” 172 Magellan also asserts, as to the second alleged lost opportunity, “Delphi purchased and immediately sold the product directly to a third party, without putting the product in storage.” 173 168 Id. Id. 170 Id. at 18-19 (quoting Clause 4.2 of Schedule A of 2005 and 2011 Agreements). 171 Id. 172 Id. 173 Id. at 18. 169 45 Delphi argues that “the 2011 Agreement permits Delphi to deliver product to the Terminal by truck because the 2011 Agreement and extrinsic evidence shows[sic] that the parties agreed and intended that Delphi would have the truck delivery right.”174 Additionally, Delphi asserts that Magellan knew that Delphi required that the 2011 Agreement contain the right to deliver product to the Terminal by truck and that Magellan fraudulently induced Delphi into entering into the 2011 Agreement. 175 Delphi claims that “[s]ummary judgment on this claim should be denied since at minimum there is an issue as to what the parties intended as to the inclusion of the truck receipt language in the 2011 Agreement.” 176 Issues of contract interpretation are matters of law for the Court to decide. 177 When interpreting a contract, the Court gives priority to the parties’ intentions as reflected within the four corners of the document. 178 “In upholding the intentions of the parties, a court must construe the agreement as a whole, giving effect to all provisions therein.” 179 “Delaware law adheres to the objective theory of contracts, i.e., a contract's construction should be that which would be understood by an objective, reasonable third party.” 180 174 Pl.’s Answ. Br., at 20. Id. at 20-22. 176 Id. at. 23. 177 Klair v. Reese, 531 A.2d 219, 222 (Del. 1987). 178 GMG Capital Investments, LLC v. Athenian Venture Partners I, L.P., 36 A.3d 776, 779 (Del. 2012). 179 E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., Inc. v. Shell Oil Co., 498 A.2d 1108, 1113 (Del. 1985). 180 Osborn ex rel. Osborn v. Kemp, 991 A.2d 1153, 1159 (Del. 2010). 175 46 Clear and unambiguous language will be given its “ordinary and usual meaning.”181 “When a contract's plain meaning, in the context of the overall structure of the contract, is susceptible to more than one reasonable interpretation, courts may consider extrinsic evidence to resolve the ambiguity.” 182 However, [a] contract is not rendered ambiguous simply because the parties do not agree upon its proper construction. Rather, a contract is ambiguous only when the provisions in controversy are reasonably or fairly susceptible of different interpretations or may have two or more different meanings. Ambiguity does not exist where a court can determine the meaning of a contract without any other guide than a knowledge of the simple facts on which, from the nature of language in general, its meaning depends. 183 Although the Clause contains the word “deliveries,” the remainder of the Clause contemplates only moving product away from the Terminal. Parsing out the language, it is apparent to the Court that “receipt of Product from the Terminal via truck” means that Delphi is receiving product at the Terminal in its trucks to be taken away from the Terminal. Additionally, it is equally as apparent to the Court that “delivery of Product from the Terminal via truck” means that Delphi is transporting the product that it loaded onto its trucks at the Terminal to another location not at the Terminal. 181 AT&T Corp. v. Lillis, 953 A.2d 241, 252 (Del. 2008). Salamone v. Gorman, 106 A.3d 354, 374 (Del. 2014). 183 Rhone–Poulenc Basic Chemicals Co. v. American Motorists Ins. Co., 616 A.2d 1192, 1195– 96 (Del.1992). 182 47 Other provisions of the 2011 Agreement support the Court’s interpretation of Clause 2.1(a). Clause 2.4 of Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement provides various Terminal operating guidelines. Clause 2.4 specifies the procedure for removing product from the Terminal by truck but does not provide an operating procedure for delivering product to the Terminal by truck. 184 Likewise, Clause 2.9 of Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement provides a procedure for loading product from specific tanks but does not provide a provision for delivering product to the tanks. 185 Additionally, Clause 4.1(b) of Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement contemplates limitations of liability for situations in which Delphi cannot load product onto trucks but does not provide for the same limitations if Delphi cannot deliver product by truck. 186 Therefore, in the context of the overall structure of the 2011 Agreement, Clause 2.1(a) is not susceptible to more than one meaning. The Court finds that the contract, as written, objectively reflects that the parties’ intention was for Delphi to only receive product from the Terminal via truck. Consequently, the Court will not consider the parties’ negotiations or other 184 See Clause 2.4 of Schedule of the 2011 Agreement (“Customer may request the ability to load trucks with Heavy Oil at the Terminal…”). 185 See Clause 2.9 of Schedule of the 2011 Agreement (“Magellan will maintain two (2) positions for the loading of Heavy Oil from tanks 3,4,8,17 and 18…”). 186 See Clause 4.1(b) of Schedule of the 2011 Agreement: If Customer is unable to load Heavy Oil at the Back [Truck] Rack…If Customer is unable to load Heavy Oil at a single (1) position of the Back [Truck] Rack…If Customer is unable to load Heavy Oil at the slower of the two truck loading positions at the Back [Truck] Rack… 48 extrinsic evidence. Moreover, unless Delphi can show that Magellan acted fraudulently or in bad faith, Clause 4.2 of Schedule A of the 2005 and 2011 Agreements prevents Delphi from recovering consequential damages. 187 Magellan’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is GRANTED. 6. It is Desirable to Further Develop the Factual Record Regarding Whether or Not Magellan Failed to Exercise Due Care as Alleged in ¶8(e) of the SAC. In ¶8(e) of the SAC, Delphi alleges that [o]n various dates, Magellan breached Clause 4.2 of Schedule A of the 2005 Agreement by failing to exercise reasonable care to safeguard Delphi’s product in storage and/or in the gauging of the quantity of the receipts and deliveries of Delphi’s product, resulting in the loss of more than 5,000 barrels of Delphi’s produce in excess of the loss allowance provided Magellan in such Clause. Section 4.2 of Schedule A of the 2005 Terminalling Agreement provides that Magellan will only be liable to Customer for damaged, lost, or destroyed Product to the extent that the damage, loss or destruction is caused by the failure of Magellan to use reasonable care in the storage and handling of the Product. Without limiting the foregoing, Magellan will only be liable for losses of Heavy Oil…in excess of 0.25% of the quantity of Heavy Oil…discharged at the Terminal in the Quarter in which the loss occurred… In an email to another Magellan employee, Brett Hunter, Magellan’s representative, stated that “I don’t believe that we’ve had one quarter since the start 187 See infra Part V.C. 49 of the [2005] contract where we’ve had net gains in Delphi’s tankage.” 188 In an April 7, 2011 email to Delphi, Tony Bogle, a Magellan representative, stated, with regard to process improvements made to reduce the overall product loss, that the process improvements/changes include: Install [sic] new gauge and float on flush oil tank Install new thermometer on flush oil tank Calibrate thermometer quarterly Reduce volume of over flush Mix the flush oil tank before and after a product move to obtain a uniform temperature. 189 Magellan argues that the record is void of any factual support for the lack of reasonable care alleged in by Delphi in ¶8(e) of the SAC. 190 Magellan claims that “[t]he 2005 Agreement provides that Magellan ‘is not an insurer’ of Delphi’s product, and is responsible only for losses in excess of 0.25%, and then only if the losses are caused by Magellan’s failure to use due care.”191 Magellan contends that there are no facts that show that Magellan “was negligent in the handling or measurement of [Delphi’s] product.”192 Delphi argues that the factual record establishes that Magellan regularly lost quantities of Delphi product in excess of the 0.25%. 193 Delphi asserts that Magellan acknowledged responsibility for the alleged excess losses while the 188 Pl.’s Answ. Br., at Ex. 24. Id. at Ex. 27. 190 Def.’s Opening Br., at 19. 191 Id. (quoting Clause 4.2 of Schedule A of the 2005 Agreement). 192 Id. 193 Pl.’s Answ. Br., at 24. 189 50 product was in Magellan’s custody and care. 194 Delphi contends that “when losses exceeded .25% …, the excess was due to Magellan’s lack of care in storing, gauging, and handling Delphi’s product…Among the reasons for the product shortages were Magellan’s failure to mix the tanks, failure to calibrate measurement equipment, and use of outdated gauges and floats in the tanks.” 195 Delphi claims that Magellan failed to use due care when discovered various causes of product loss and applied remedial measures to its own tanks but did not apply the same measures to Delphi tanks until much later.196 The process improvements may be evidence to ultimately persuade a factfinder whether or not Magellan’s behavior prior to the implemented improvements constituted lack of due care; however, the Court cannot find that the implementation of the improved process indicates, as a matter of law, that Magellan either exercised or failed to exercise due care in storing or handling Delphi’s product. Moreover, what is “reasonable” behavior that constitutes “due care” is a highly factual determination. Therefore, the Court finds that “it is desirable to inquire more thoroughly into the facts in order to clarify the application of law to the circumstances.”197 Magellan’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is DENIED. 194 Id. Id. at 25. 196 Id. at 25-26. 197 Cook, 1990 WL 35244, at *3. 195 51 B. Count II of the SAC for Claims for Breach of the Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing is Limited. Magellan argues to exclude specific allegations pertaining to Count II of the SAC because Magellan asserts that claims for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing cannot be based upon conduct governed by an express contractual provision. 198 In Magellan’s Opening Brief, Magellan created a chart 199 that identifies forty-nine specific allegations contained in either ¶8 of the SAC or in Delphi’s responses to Magellan’s Second Set of Interrogatories.200 The first column is titled “Delphi’s Allegations” and the second column is titled “Corresponding Express Contractual Provision.” In the first column, Magellan identifies the various allegations raised by Delphi and in the second column, Magellan identifies by clause and/or section number the provision for which Magellan alleged expressly governed the allegation. Magellan argues that the identified allegations can be resolved by express contractual provisions of the 2005 and 2011 Agreements such that a claim for breach of contract and a claim for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing cannot co-exist.201 Delphi acknowledges that claims based upon the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing are not viable where the matter is expressly covered by 198 199 Def.’s Open. Br., at 20. The Court will not replicate Magellan’s chart which can be found in Def.’s Opening Br., 21- 30. 200 201 Id. at 21-30. Id. at 20-21. 52 contractual terms. 202 At oral argument, Delphi conceded that all but the following subsections of ¶8 of the SAC are governed by express contractual provisions: ¶¶8(c), (n), (q), (r), (u), (v) and (w).203 However, Delphi asserts that “[w]here there is no ‘specific language governing the implied obligation,’ Delaware courts will permit claims for both express and implied breaches to move forward even when there is general contractual language covering the implied obligations.” 204 Delphi contends that “it is the burden of the movant to cite a ‘specific provision’ in the agreement which governs the injuries allegedly suffered.”205 Delphi argues that Magellan has not identified specific contractual provisions that govern ¶¶8(c), (n), (q), (r), (u), (v) and (w) but merely relies upon general contractual provisions. 206 202 203 Pl.’s Answ. Br., at 27. See Tr. at 61:3-12: MR. MOONEY: And, specifically, we have identified the claims in 8(c) where Magellan used our product to flush their pumps, the claim in 8(n) where we allege that Magellan improperly contaminated our product, the claim in 8(q), which is another contamination claim, the claim in 8(u), which is overbilling for oil used to heat the tanks, (v) is overcharged for cleaning, and (w), which is that they forced Delphi on threat of a warehouseman's lien to send it $2 million in collateral. So those are the claims that we are citing to support the notion that the Court may not find that these -- specifically that Magellan's conduct specifically breached contractual terms that govern that kind of conduct, but that the conduct, nonetheless, breached its covenant of good faith and fair dealing. 204 Pl.’s Answ. Br., at 27 (quoting Alltrista Plastics, LLC v. Rockline Indus., Inc., 2013 WL 5210255, at *7 (Del. Super. Sept. 4, 2013)). 205 Id. 206 Id. at 28. 53 At oral argument, counsel for Delphi acknowledged on the record that Delphi agrees with Magellan’s representation of the law as to this matter. 207 “The ‘implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing involves…inferring contractual terms to handle developments or contractual gaps that…neither party anticipated’” 208 or to “fill gaps in the contract’s provisions.” 209 The implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing cannot be invoked when the contract addresses the specific conduct at issue. 210 The burden is on the movant to cite a specific provision of the agreement which governs the allegation. 211 Because Delphi acknowledges that only ¶¶8(c), (n), (q), (u), (v) and (w) of the SAC allege conduct to support claims for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, the Court’s discussion is limited to whether Magellan has met its burden to cite a specific provision of the contract that governs those six subsections. The Court’s findings are as follows: - As to ¶8(c), regarding Magellan’s alleged improper use of Delphi’s product, and ¶8(v), regarding alleged inappropriate tank cleaning 207 Tr. at 61:20-62:2 (“THE COURT: First of all, do you agree on the law? MR. MOONEY: I think we do.”). 208 Nationwide Emerging Managers, LLC v. Northpointe Holding, LLC, 112 A.3d 878, 896 (Del. 2015)(quoting Nemec v. Shrader, 991 A.2d 1120, 1125 (Del. 2010)). 209 Alltrista, 2013 WL 5210255 at *7. 210 Nationwide, 112A.3d at 896. 211 See Alltrista, 2013 WL 5210255 at *7 (“[Defendant] cites no specific provision in the [contract] that [Defendant] alleges would govern the injury suffered by [Plaintiff].”). 54 charges, of the SAC,212 the Court finds that the express terms of the contract do not govern the conduct alleged. Therefore, Delphi is not precluded from pursuing a claim for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing based upon the allegations contained therein. - As to ¶¶8(n) and (q), relating to alleged instances of tank contamination, of the SAC,213 the Court finds that Magellan did not address the conduct at issue in its submissions to the Court and, therefore, has not identified any express contractual provision that would preclude a claim for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. 212 ¶ 8(c) provides that “Magellan improperly used Delphi’s product during the term of the 2005 Agreement and during the term of the 2011 Agreement to flush the pumps at the heavy oil truck loading rack. ¶ 8(v) provides that “Magellan disguised and altered contractor invoices, which included inappropriate tank cleaning charges such as water washing, and then passed these inaccurate invoices to Delphi.” 213 ¶ 8(n) provides: Magellan contaminated Delphi’s product in Tank 17 in September, 2011 when Magellan required Delphi to take back a portion of the product that Magellan had borrowed from Delphi, at a time when Delphi did not have a suitable tank available to accept such product, thereby causing contamination to the product already in the tank into which such product was placed. Delphi incurred costs for inspection, and mixing and transfer charges, and suffered the downgrade of the product used to cure the contamination. ¶ 8(q) provides: “On June 7, 2011, Magellan improperly transferred higher sulfur into a Delphi tank containing lower sulfur oil, thereby contaminating it. Magellan thereafter agreed to pay Delphi $16,957.82 for such contamination but has failed and refused to make payment.” 55 - As to ¶8(u) of the SAC, 214 the Court finds that the express terms of the contract do not entirely control the allegation. The contract terms control to the extent that Magellan allegedly overbilled Delphi for heating costs. However, the contract does not govern to the extent of the alleged concealment of overbilling. Therefore, a claim for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing may proceed with respect to the alleged concealment of overbilling. - As to ¶8(w) of the SAC, 215 Second Amended Complaint, the Court finds that the express terms of the contract do not apply to the entire claim. The express provisions of the contract control whether the warehouseman’s lien Magellan allegedly imposed is valid under the 2005 and 2011 Agreements; however, the express terms of the contract do not govern to the extent that Magellan allegedly failed to credit a known overbilling issue. Therefore, Delphi’s claim for breach of the implied 214 ¶ 8(u) provides that “Magellan overbilled Delphi by at least $580,000 between 2005-11 for the fuel consumed to heat Delphi’s oil tanks, and then concealed its overcharges. Delphi confirmed Magellan’s overbilling in December, 2014.” 215 ¶ 8(w) provides: Magellan forced Delphi to make $2,065,942.02 in collateral deposits in response to Magellan’s threatened and actual imposition of an invalid warehouseman’s lien on Delphi’s product, which was not permitted under the 2005 or 2011 Agreements, exceeded any legitimate amount owed, and failed to credit Delphi with amounts Magellan knew it had overbilled Delphi. 56 covenant of good faith and fair dealing is limited to the alleged failure to credit a known overbill. Therefore, Count II of the SAC for Breach of the Duty of Good Faith and Fair Dealing is limited by the aforementioned findings of fact and Magellan’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is GRANTED, in part, and DENIED, in part. C. The Court Cannot Find that Clause 4.2 of Schedule A of the 2005 and 2011 Agreements is Enforceable as a Matter of Law or that it Applies to Claims Under Count II of the SAC. Delphi and Magellan are sophisticated business entities. 216 The 2005 and 2011 Agreements govern the commercial relationship between Delphi and Magellan.217 The 2005 and 2011 Agreements each contain provisions waiving the parties’ rights to recover “lost profits, lost business opportunities, or other indirect, special, incidental, punitive, or consequential damages in connection with this Agreement.” 218 Magellan argues that the limitation of liability provision contained in Clause 4.2 of Schedule A of the 2005 and 2011 Agreements is enforceable under Delaware law. 219 Magellan urges the Court to “rule as a matter of law that Delphi is not entitled to recover ‘lost profits, lost business opportunities, or other indirect, 216 SAC at ¶¶ 1-2. See generally, SAC at Ex. A; Ex. B. 218 Clause 4.2 of Schedule A of the 2005 and 2011 Agreements. 219 Def.’s Opening Br., at 31. 217 57 special, incidental, punitive, or consequential damages in connection with [the Agreements].’” 220 Additionally, Magellan asserts that, to the extent that the Court denies its Motion and allows Delphi to pursue claims for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, damages related to those claims also are limited by the terms of Clause 4.2 of Schedule A of the 2005 and 2011 Agreements because the parties did not carve out an exception for instances of bad faith. 221 Magellan does not argue that Clause 4.2 of Schedule A of the 2005 and 2011 Agreements is enforceable as to any of Delphi’s fraud claims that survive Magellan’s Motion to Dismiss. 222 Delphi argues that Clause 4.2 of Schedule A of the 2005 and 2011 Agreements is not fully enforceable because Delphi has pleaded instances of fraud that are outside of the contract.223 Delphi also asserts that the Court recognizes an exception to the rule that limitations of liability clauses are generally enforceable.224 Delphi contends that the Court will set aside limitations of liability clauses for fraudulent or bad faith breaches of contract. 225 Delphi also asserts that the limitation of damages clause is unconscionable because “[b]y intentionally breaching the Agreements with the intent of relying on the limitation provision to 220 Id. (quoting Clause 4.2 of Schedule A of 2005 and 2011 Agreements). Id. 222 Def.’s Reply Br., D.I. 182, at 15. 223 Pl.’s Answ. Br., at 30. 224 Id. at 32-33. 225 Id. 221 58 escape accountability for its misconduct, Magellan has unfairly taken advantage of Delphi.”226 Finally, Delphi asserts that it is entitled to rescission or disgorgement because “Magellan’s breach of the 2011 Agreement by refusing to permit Delphi to deliver product to the terminal by truck substantially frustrated Delphi’s principal purpose in making the agreement – use of the terminal to store its product.” 227 In its Answering Brief, Delphi requested the equitable remedies of disgorgement and rescission for the first time in this litigation. The Court finds the request inappropriate. Additionally, even it were a proper request, the Court found that Clause 2.1(a) of Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement did not give Delphi the right to deliver product to the Terminal via truck.228 Therefore, the Court cannot find that Magellan’s alleged actions to refuse delivery of product to the Terminal via truck substantially frustrated Delphi’s principal purpose in making the 2011 Agreement. There is no dispute that damages recovered under Counts IV and V of the SAC are not limited by Clause 4.2 of Schedule A of the 2005 and 2011 Agreements because the Counts allege fraudulent conduct. 229 However, the issue is whether the Court carves out a “bad faith” exception to the damages limitation 226 Id. at 33-34. Id. at 34. 228 See supra Part V.A.5. 229 Had the Court not dismissed Count III of the SAC in §V.A.2, supra, the limitation of liability clause would not be enforceable as to that Count. 227 59 clause as it pertains to the contractual claims in Count I of the SAC and the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing claims in Count II of the SAC. Generally, limitation of liability clauses that preclude consequential damages are enforceable under Delaware law. 230 The Delaware Court of Chancery explains that Delaware upholds the freedom of contract and enforces as a matter of fundamental public policy the voluntary agreements of sophisticated parties. Delaware law generally elevates contract law over tort to allow parties to order their affairs and bargain for specific results, to the point where Delaware law enforces contractual provisions that eliminate the possibility of any tort liability short of actual fraud based on explicit written contractual representations.231 Recently, in eCommerce Indus., Inc. v. MWA Intelligence, Inc., 2013 WL 5621678, that Court of Chancery held that even a bad faith breach of contract would not invalidate a limitation of liability provision. 232 The eCommerce court determined that “there does not appear to be any Delaware precedent for striking a limitation on contractual liability because of a party's willful or bad faith breach of the contract.”233 The court reasoned that a limitation on liability will be set aside due to willful misconduct or bad faith involved contractual provisions that purported to limit tort liability, which is liability 230 eCommerce Indus., Inc. v. MWA Intelligence, Inc., 2013 WL 5621678, at *45 (Del. Ch. Sept. 30, 2013). 231 NACCO Indus., Inc. v. Applica Inc., 997 A.2d 1, 35 (Del. Ch. 2009). 232 eCommerce, 2013 WL 5621678, at *45. 233 Id. 60 arising from breach of a duty that does not arise under contract…Had the parties desired to carve out an exception to the [contract’s] limitation of liability provision for instances of bad faith or willful breach, they could have done so, but they did not. 234 The case law from the Superior Court carves out an exception for bad faith breaches of contract in specific instances. 235 For example, in J.A. Jones Const. Co. v. City of Dover, 372 A.2d 540, in the context of interpreting a construction contract provision that did not specifically carve out an exception for bad faith, the Court observed that “[e]ven if a contract purports to give a general exoneration from ‘damages,’ it will not protect a party from a claim involving its own fraud or bad faith.” 236 In Data Mgmt. Internationale, Inc. v. Saraga, 2007 WL 2142848, the Court recognized an exception for conversion, an intentional tort. 237 In that case, the Court commented that “[clauses purporting to exonerate a party from liability for its own negligence] can be enforced in commercial leases negotiated in an arm'slength transaction, but the parties' intent to provide immunity from even simple negligence must be stated clearly and unequivocally in order to be enforceable.” 238 The corollary to that seems to be that where the intent to exonerate a party from 234 Id. Id. 236 J.A. Jones Const. Co v. City of Dover, 372 A.2d 540, 545 (Del. Super. 1977). J.A. Jones, 372 A.2d at 545. 237 Id. 238 Id. 235 61 liability for its own negligence is not clearly and unequivocally stated, there is no immunity for that party’s negligence. However, “[i]t has been repeatedly recognized that the issue of whether limitation provisions are enforceable under the contractual relations of the parties and the nature of the contractual performance are matters which generally should not be decided on the pleadings or on summary judgment.” 239 It appears to the Court that the law required to resolve this issue is not absolute and that there seems to be a spectrum of behavior for which the Court may invalidate limitations of damages clauses depending upon the particular facts of the parties’ conduct. It is undisputed that parties cannot absolve themselves for their own conduct amounting to fraud. However, as to claims that fall somewhere short of fraud, such as claims for bad faith, the Court must undergo a factual analysis that is premature on summary judgment. Therefore, the Court cannot rule as a matter of law that the limitations of damages clause is enforceable and that it applies to claims for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Magellan’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is DENIED as to the limitation of damages provision. 239 Id. at 553. 62 VI. DELPHI’S MOTION FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT In Delphi’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, Delphi requests that the Court address five issues. Delphi asserts that there are no genuine issues of material fact and that Delphi is entitled to judgment as a matter of law on the following claims: 1) Magellan owes Delphi $421,603.06 for overbilling of heating charges under the 2005 Agreement; 2) Delphi has no responsibility to Magellan for heating charges under the 2011 Agreement; 3) Magellan breached the 2011 Agreement by denying Delphi the right to deliver product to the terminal by truck; 4) Delphi’s responsibility for tank cleaning is limited to removing product and waste that can be removed by shovel and broom; and 5) Magellan’s Amended Counterclaim. A. Facts Regarding Magellan’s Alleged “Overbill” are not Well Developed. In light of the Court’s decision to dismiss Delphi’s Count III for fraudulent overbilling, what remains is Delphi’s contract claim regarding the alleged overbilling. Delphi moves for summary judgment on its contract claim that Magellan overbilled Delphi $421,603.06 in tank heating charges from 2007 through 2010 under the 2005 Agreement and requests leave to supplement the amount plus interest based upon a chart prepared by Magellan employees. 240 Delphi argues that the chart establishes that Magellan overbilled Delphi for heating 240 Pl.’s Opening Br., at 5. 63 costs between 2007 and 2010. 241 Delphi claims that deposition testimony of Magellan employees establishes that the chart was prepared in the ordinary course of business by a Magellan employee and asserts that there are no facts to undermine the accuracy of the chart.242 Delphi contends that the chart and deposition testimony together establish that Delphi suffered damages in the amount of $421,603.03 from 2007 through 2010 as a result of Magellan’s overbilling for heating costs.243 In its Reply Brief, Delphi asserts that the statute of limitations is tolled because the conditions were inherently unknowable and Delphi is blamelessly ignorant or, alternatively, that Magellan concealed the overbilling. 244 Magellan argues that the chart does not conclusively establish that Magellan overbilled Delphi for heating costs from 2007 through 2010. 245 Magellan asserts that, at most, the chart shows that “meters and hand gauging generated different measurements, not that one was better or correct, or even that the two were measuring the same thing at the same time.” 246 Magellan contends that Magellan should be permitted to introduce evidence at trial as to “what product was consumed, and what impact (if any) any discrepancy in measurement actually had 241 Id. Pl.’s Reply Br., D.I. 185, at 4. 243 Pl.’s Opening Br., at 5. 244 Pl.’s Reply Br., at 6. 245 Def.’s Resp. Br., D.I. 171, at 4. 246 Id. at 3. 242 64 on customer billing.” 247 Additionally, Magellan asserts that the parties agreed to tolling agreements for claims that arose between September 2011 and the filing of the lawsuit but that the statute of limitations bars earlier claims to recover heating bills that were issued and paid before September 2008 based upon the three-year statute of limitations for breach of contract claims under Delaware law. 248 For economy, the Court will not repeat the previously stated law regarding breach of contract claims and the statute of limitation that can be found at §V.A, supra. The question for the Court is whether the chart and deposition testimony relied upon by Delphi are undisputed material facts that support each element of a claim for breach of contract. Because neither party disputes that a valid contract exists, the inquiry for the Court is focused on whether the chart and deposition testimony support the elements of breach and damages. As a preliminary matter, the Court agrees with Magellan that Delphi’s prayer for relief is limited to $421,603.06 for purposes of this Motion.249 The chart was prepared by Stu Horsey, a deceased Magellan employee. 250 In the first column, the chart lists “Heat Charges by Meter” and in the second column, the chart lists “Heat Charges by Tank Gauge.” 251 The third column is 247 Id. at 4. Id. at 5. 249 See Tr. at 94: 12-18 (arguing that at most, Delphi can ask the Court to award it the specific amount in the chart on summary judgment). 250 Hafner Dep., at 35:6-7. 251 Pl.’s Opening Br. at Ex. D. 248 65 titled “Overbill.”252 When asked during a deposition “What does overbill mean here?” Paul Hafner, a Magellan representative, testified “I’m assuming it’s the difference between the two numbers, charges between…the meters and tank gauges.”253 Additionally, Paul Hafner testified that the tank gauge was a more reliable measure and that it was his understanding that customers, including Delphi, were billed based upon the higher meter reading. 254 However, the Court still has concerns regarding the content of the chart and its meaning. The label “Overbill” is one employee’s characterization of the difference between the amounts contained in the first two columns. Because the chart itself and the individual who created the chart cannot be cross-examined, the Court is wary of accepting this employee’s conclusion as an undisputed fact. Rather, the Court finds “that it is desirable to inquire more thoroughly into the facts in order to clarify the application of law to the circumstances.” 255 Moreover, the Court finds that the claim may be barred by the statute of limitations. The chart covers years 2007 through 2010. Ordinarily, breach of contract claims must be raised within three years of the injury and Delphi did not sue Magellan until February 29, 2012. However, Delphi contends that “Magellan never notified Delphi of the overbilling and Delphi first discovered it when 252 Id. Hafner Dep., at 37:21-24. 254 Id. at 36:20-24; 38:1-3. 255 Cook, 1990 WL 35244, at *3. 253 66 reviewing Magellan’s 35,000 page 2014 document production.” 256 Delphi asserts that the conditions of the alleged overbilling were “inherently unknowable” and Delphi is “blamelessly ignorant” or, alternatively, that Magellan concealed the overbilling such that Delphi could not know about it.257 There are no facts which inform the Court about when Delphi discovered or was on notice of the alleged overbilling other than a claim in Delphi’s Reply Brief that “Delphi did not discover Magellan’s overbilling practice until it found Magellan’s spreadsheet and correspondence detailing these overcharges among the 35,000 documents Magellan produced in March 2014” 258 without reference to the record. Consequently, the record is unclear regarding when the statute of limitations began to run. Based upon the Court’s desire to inquire more into the factual information contained in the chart as well as the factual information regarding commencement of the statute of limitations, the Court cannot find that Delphi has presented undisputed facts to support the elements of its breach of contract claim. Therefore, Delphi’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is DENIED. B. The Court Cannot Determine, As a Matter of Law, that Delphi has No Liability or Heating Charges Under the 2011 Agreement. Clause 2.10(e) of Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement provides that 256 Pl.’s Opening Br., at 5. Pl.’s Reply Br., at 6. 258 Id. 257 67 Magellan will only use the heaters that exist on the Effective Date, or the replacements thereof during the Term of the Agreement, to heat the Tankage unless Customer agrees otherwise in writing. Tankage is defined as “the tankage allocated to Customer in Section V of this Agreement.”259 Section V of the 2011 Agreement refers to six specific tanks allocated to Delphi, the tank capacities and the type of product the tanks contain. 260 Magellan admitted that it used the same heaters to heat Delphi’s tank as it used to heat Magellan’s other customers’ tanks.261 Ronald Gumbaz, a Delphi representative, admitted in deposition testimony 262 that Delphi has some responsibility for heating costs under the 2011 Agreement. 263 Delphi argues that Magellan breached Clause 2.10(e) of Schedule A and Schedule C of the 2011 Agreement regarding heating charges. 264 Delphi asserts that Clause 2.10(e) of Schedule A and Schedule C of the 2011 Agreement provides 259 Clause 1.16 of Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement. Section V of the 2011 Agreement. 261 Def.’s Answ. to SAC, D.I. 174, at ¶8(b). 262 Relevant excerpts from Ronald Gumbaz’s deposition can be found in Def.’s Resp., at Ex. 3. 263 See Gumbaz Dep., at 35:13-23: 260 [Ronald Gumbaz]: [Delphi] do[es]n’t want any liability for the heating bills that Magellan has sent us under the 2011 agreement. BY MS. DAILEY: Q. You don’t think [Delphi] should pay for heating at all [under the 2011 Agreement]? A. I think [Delphi] should pay something for heating. I think that if somebody would calculate accurately how much it cost[sic] to heat [Delphi] tanks in accordance with [Delphi’s] instructions, that it would be a cost that [Delphi] should pay. 264 Pl.’s Opening Br., at 10-11. 68 that Magellan was to use certain heaters to heat six Delphi tanks only (and not other customers’ tanks) to ensure that the heating charges for Delphi would be accurate.265 Delphi asserts that because Magellan used the specified heaters to heat other customers’ tanks, Magellan’s heating charges to Delphi are “completely unsupportable” because there was no way to allocate the heating costs accurately between Delphi and the other customers. 266 Delphi requests that the Court enter an Order declaring that “[Delphi] has no liability for heating charges assessed by Magellan under the 2001 Agreement.” 267 Magellan argues that Clause 2.10(e) of Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement does not give Delphi the exclusive right to use the heaters for only Delphi tanks. 268 Magellan argues that the Clause “constitutes Magellan’s agreement to use only the then-existing heaters (or their same model replacements) to heat Delphi’s product, unless Delphi agrees a different heater can be used. This is not a limitation on Magellan’s right to use those heaters for other customers’ products.” 269 Magellan asserts that Delphi representatives admitted in deposition testimony that Delphi 265 Id. Id. at 11. 267 Pl.’s Opening Br., at 12. 268 Def.’s Resp. Br., at 6. 269 Id. 266 69 “should pay something for heating.” 270 At oral argument, Magellan asserted that that admission alone defeats Delphi’s prayer for relief. 271 Based upon Delphi’s prayer for relief, the question before the Court is a narrow one: Do the undisputed facts establish that Delphi “has no liability for heating charges assessed by Magellan under the 2011 Agreement?” The Court need not decide the meaning of Clause 2.10(e) of Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement to resolve that question because Ronald Gumbaz, a Delphi representative, admitted in deposition testimony that Delphi has some responsibility for heating costs under the 2011 Agreement. 272 Therefore, the Court cannot rule as a matter of law that Delphi has no responsibility to pay for heating charges under the 2011 Agreement and Delphi’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is DENIED. C. The Court Previously Determined that Clause 2.1(a) of Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement Does Not Give Delphi the Right to Deliver Product to the Terminal by Truck. In light of the Court’s decision that Clause 2.1(a) of the Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement does not give Delphi the right to delivery product to the Terminal by truck,273 Delphi’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is DENIED. 270 Id. at 8. See Tr. at 102: 4-6 (“Delphi’s own representative’s testimony is at odds with the summary judgment relief it seeks”). 272 See supra note 263. 273 See supra Part V.A.5. 271 70 D. Delphi’s Prayer for Relief is Improper Regarding Clause 2.8 of Schedule A of the 2011 Agreement. Under the heading “Tank Condition,” Clause 2.8 of Schedule A of the 2005 and 2011 Agreements provides, part, that: “At [Delphi’s] expense, Magellan will remove the remaining Product and waste from the tank that can be removed by shovel and broom…” In Delphi’s Opening Brief, Delphi’s prayer for relief states that Delphi seeks a ruling that Delphi is not responsible for the entire cleaning of the tank and that Clause 2.8 means what it clearly states: that Delphi pays the cost of removing the remaining product and waste that can be removed by shovel and broom. Magellan would be responsible for any additional tank cleaning it desired, including water washing.274 Counsel for Delphi acknowledged at oral argument that Clause 2.8 is a point of heated dispute between the parties: THE COURT: …What are you asking with respect to the tank cleaning? Are you asking for summary judgment, or are you just asking for declaratory judgment? MR. MOONEY: Well, a declaration that the language of 2.8 means that Delphi is responsible for removing product and waste such as can be removed by shovel and broom because that’s a point of heated dispute.275 Delphi argues that it is entitled to summary judgment regarding the extent of its liability for tank cleaning charges. Delphi contends that “Magellan has taken 274 275 Id. Tr. at 92: 4-12 (emphasis added). 71 the unsupportable position that Delphi is responsible for all costs of removing product and waste from the tanks, which is at odds with the plain language of Clause 2.8.”276 Delphi asserts that it is only responsible for what can be removed by “shovel and broom.” 277 Magellan argues that the issue is not appropriate for summary judgment because there is more than one clause which governs tank cleaning responsibilities and reading one clause in isolation ignores the rest of the Agreement. 278 Magellan contends that the meaning of the language contained in Clause 2.8 is a “deeply factually-intensive dispute.”279 Additionally, Magellan asserts that Delphi’s prayer for relief “is not a product of undisputed facts. There are no facts to support [Delphi’s] request [for relief].” 280 The Court finds that Delphi’s prayer for relief requesting that the Court determine that “Clause 2.8 means what it clearly states” is undermined by Counsel’s admission at oral argument that the issue is a “point of heated dispute.” Therefore, the Court cannot grant the relief Delphi requests. Delphi’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is DENIED. 276 Pl.’s Opening Br., at 16. Id. 278 Def.’s Resp. Br., at 14. 279 Tr. at 108: 5-6. 280 Tr. at 105: 14-106:3. 277 72 E. The Parties Agree that Magellan has Identified the Basis for its Amended Counterclaim. On February 16, 2015, Magellan filed an Answer to Plaintiff’s Second Amended Complaint and Affirmative Defenses.281 The Answer contained Magellan’s Amended Contingent Counterclaim that requested payment of certain invoices and alleged, in part, that 6. Delphi wired payment to Magellan and then, after the funds were received by Magellan, claimed the payments were made under protest. Delphi also has attempted to characterize the payment as “collateral” and has sought to recover the payment made. 7. If Delphi’s payment is determined by the Court to be unconditional (as Magellan believes it should be), then no amount is currently due from Delphi. However, if Delphi’s payment is determined to be merely “collateral” or “contingent” then Delphi has breached the parties’ Agreements in the amount not unconditionally paid. 282 Delphi moves for summary judgment on Magellan’s Amended Counterclaim for failure to make payments because Delphi asserts that Magellan has not identified the factual basis to support the Amended Counterclaim. 283 Delphi asserts that the Amended Counterclaim “does not specify the amount allegedly owed by Delphi and does not attach any alleged unpaid invoices.” 284 Delphi contends that it “will be unfairly prejudiced if Magellan is permitted to submit its 281 D.I. 174. Id. at ¶¶6-7. 283 Pl.’s Opening Br., at 17. 284 Id. 282 73 unsupported and conclusory allegations of non-payment at trial since Magellan has refused to provide information that would enable Delphi to verify Magellan’s contentions.”285 Magellan claims that it provided Delphi with sufficient factual information to support its Amended Counterclaim. Magellan asserts that “Magellan produced all invoices that are the subject of Magellan’s counterclaim. Magellan also produced Brett Hunter as a corporate representative for deposition, and he testified extensively to the unpaid invoices that form the basis of Magellan’s counterclaim.” 286 At oral argument, Magellan identified on the record the invoices that are at issue for purposes of the Amended Counterclaim. 287 Delphi acknowledged on the record that the identification of the invoices by Magellan was sufficient to clarify the factual basis of Magellan’s Amended Counterclaim. 288 Therefore, Delphi’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is MOOT. 285 Id. at 19. Def.’s Resp. Br., at 17. 287 Tr. at 111: 4-5 (“MR. KEGLOVITS: All of [the unpaid invoices discussed at the first deposition] if it is collateral. None of [the unpaid invoices discussed at the first deposition] if it is a payment.”). 288 See Tr. at 112: 17-113: 1: 286 THE COURT: …for the limited purpose of what is before the Court now on a partial motion for summary judgment, on that contingent counterclaim, you know what you are talking about now and that goes away; am I right? MR. MOONEY: I think so, Your Honor. 74 VII. CONCLUSION Regarding Magellan’s Motion to Dismiss, the Court finds that 1) Delphi failed to state a claim for which relief can be granted as to Count III of the SAC; 2) it is premature to determine whether the statute of limitations precludes recovery under Count IV of the SAC; and 3) Delphi has adequately pleaded a cause of action under Count V of the SAC. Therefore, Magellan’s Motion to Dismiss is GRANTED as to Count III of the SAC; DENIED as to Count IV of the SAC; and DENIED as to Count V of the SAC. As to Magellan’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, the Court finds that 1) no reasonable trier of fact could find that a breach of contract occurred based upon Magellan’s conduct alleged in ¶8(k),(d),(o) and (a) of the SAC and that factual issues remained as to ¶8(p) and (e) of the SAC; 2) Count II of the SAC for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing is limited; and 3) the Court cannot find that Delphi is not entitled to consequential damages as a matter of law. Therefore, Magellan’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is GRANTED as to ¶8(k),(d),(o) and (a) of the SAC; DENIED as to ¶8(p) and (e); GRANTED, in part, and DENIED, in part, as to Count II of the SAC; and THE COURT: As a summary judgment claim. MR. MOONEY: As a summary judgment claim. 75 DENIED as to the enforceability of Clause 4.2 of Schedule A of the 2005 and 2011 Agreements. Regarding Delphi’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, the Court finds that 1) there is a factual dispute regarding whether Magellan owes Delphi $421,603.06 for overbilling of heating charges under the 2005 Agreement; 2) the Court cannot rule as a matter of law that Delphi has no responsibility to Magellan for heating charges under the 2011 Agreement; 3) Magellan did not breach the 2011 Agreement by denying Delphi the right to deliver product to the terminal by truck; 4) the Court cannot grant the relief Delphi requested regarding responsibility for tank cleaning based upon its prayer; and 5) Magellan identified the factual basis of its Amended Counterclaim. Therefore, Delphi’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is MOOT as to Magellan’s Amended Counterclaim; and DENIED as to the remainder of Delphi’s arguments. IT IS SO ORDERED. _____________________ /s/Ferris W. Wharton, Judge 76
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