UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 29, 2004

VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (210) 370-2000

Table of Contents

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On July 29, 2004, Valero Energy Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing financial results for the Company’s second quarter 2004 earnings. A copy of the press release is furnished with this report as Exhibit 99.1, and is incorporated herein by reference. The press release discloses two financial measures, EBITDA and Debt-to-Capitalization Ratio (net of cash), which are non-GAAP financial measures as defined under SEC rules. The press release furnishes a reconciliation of these measures to their nearest respective GAAP financial measures. Reasons for the Company’s use of these financial measures are disclosed in the press release furnished with this report and in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Results of Operations – 2003 Compared to 2002 – Corporate Expenses and Other.”

The information in this report is being furnished, not filed, pursuant to Item 12 of Form 8-K. Accordingly, the information in this report, including the press release, will not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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EXHIBIT INDEX

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