Note 10 - Certain Relationships and Related Transactions	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 10 . Certain Relationships and Related Transactions In August 2013, Avalon created a new Ohio limited liability company, AWMS Holdings, LLC, to act as a holding company to form and own a series of wholly owned subsidiaries that will own and operate Class II salt water injection wells and facilities (together the “facilities”). AWMS Holdings, LLC, offers investment opportunities to accredited investors by selling membership units of AWMS Holdings, LLC through private placement offerings. The monies received from these offerings, along with internally contributed capital, are used to construct the facilities necessary for the operation of salt water injection wells. AWMS Water Solutions, LLC (formerly American Water Management Services, LLC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Avalon, manages all the salt water injection well operations, including the marketing and sales function and all decisions regarding the well operations for a percentage of the gross revenues. As a result of the private placement offering, Avalon is not the majority owner of AWMS Holdings, LLC; however, due to the managerial control of AWMS Water Solutions, LLC, the financial statements of AWMS Holdings, LLC and subsidiaries are included in Avalon’s consolidated financial statements. At September 30, 2015, Avalon owned approximately 47% of AWMS Holdings, LLC. Management and outside directors of Avalon, who qualified as accredited investors, invested approximately $1.0 million in AWMS Holdings, LLC. In August 2013, AWMS Holdings, LLC formed its first wholly owned subsidiary, AWMS Rt. 169, LLC, to own and operate two salt water injection wells. AWMS Rt. 169, LLC leases 5.2 acres on which the salt water injection wells are located. Construction of the wells began in the fourth quarter of 2013, and in April 2014, the wells commenced operations accepting brine water for disposal. As a result of a seismic event with a magnitude of 2.1 occurring on August 31, 2014, the Chief of the Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management (“Chief” or “Division”) issued Orders on September 3, 2014, to immediately suspend all operations of both of Avalon’s saltwater injection wells. The Orders were based on the findings that the two saltwater injection wells were located in close proximity to the area of known seismic activity and also that the saltwater injection wells pose a risk of increasing or creating seismic activity. The two saltwater injection wells are located approximately 112 feet apart. Based on these findings, the Chief ordered the immediate suspension of all operations of the two saltwater injection wells, until the Division could further evaluate the wells. On September 5, 2014, Avalon submitted the information required by the Chief’s Order in regards to its AWMS #1 injection well. The Division reviewed all the information submitted by Avalon and additional data. Based upon this review, the Division concluded that with reasonable scientific certainty, the injection operations of AWMS #1 were not related to the deep seismic event that occurred on August 31, 2014. As a result, the Order suspending all operations of AWMS #1 was terminated effective September 18, 2014. As such, Avalon resumed injection operations of AWMS #1 consistent with all terms and conditions of the permit issued on July 18, 2013. On September 19, 2014, Avalon submitted the information and a written plan required by the Chief’s Order proposing the establishment of certain operations and management controls on injections at the AWMS #2 injection well. The plan called for injection to resume at AWMS #2 at lower levels and monitored for seismicity. Under the plan, Avalon would gradually increase injection volumes over time based upon data obtained through monitoring. On October 2, 2014, Avalon filed an appeal with the Ohio Oil and Gas Commission disputing the basis for suspending operations of AWMS #2 and also the authority of the Chief to immediately suspend such operations. On November 19, 2014, Avalon filed a Motion to Stay the execution of the suspension order. On March 11, 2015, an appeal hearing was held and post hearing briefs were filed. The Chief stated during the March 11, 2015 hearing that the suspension is only temporary, and that he expects that AWMS #2 will be allowed to inject once the state’s final policymaking is complete. On August 12, 2015, the Oil and Gas Commission upheld the temporary suspension of injection operations of AWMS #2 stating that the temporary suspension will allow the Chief to more fully evaluate the facts in anticipation of the Division’s implementation of a comprehensive regulatory plan that will specifically address injection-induced seismicity. The Division is currently drafting the hydraulic fracturing induced seismicity policy and will start the Class II injection well policy once complete. The anticipated timeframe for the completion of the Class II injection policy is the fourth quarter of 2015. On September 8, 2015, Avalon filed an appeal with the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. Avalon was not in violation of the terms and conditions of its injection permit, nor does it believe that there is substantial risk that the operations of AWMS #2 present an imminent danger to public health, safety or damage to the environment. The argument is further evidenced by the publication “Potential Injection-Induced Seismicity Associated with Oil & Gas Development: The Primer on Technical and Regulatory Considerations Informing Risk Management and Mitigation” released in 2015 stating that seismic events below 3.0 (approximately 22 times stronger than the August 31, 2014 event) are generally not felt by humans. This report was developed by the StatesFirst Induced Seismicity by Injection Work Group (“ISWG”) members (the State agencies) with input from the ISWG technical advisors (subject matter experts from academia, industry, federal agencies, and environmental organizations) to help better inform the public on technical and regulatory considerations associated with evaluation and response, seismic monitoring systems, information sharing, and the use of ground motion metrics. In addition, the Company also contends that other Class II injection wells within the geographical area have produced seismic events with similar and/or higher magnitudes and have been allowed to continue operations. Operations of AWMS #2 will remain temporarily suspended under the Chief’s order. In conjunction with the August 12, 2015 decision, Avalon temporarily suspended operations of AWMS #1 and will resume operations when a favorable ruling on AWMS #2 is received. If Avalon concludes that the suspension is other than temporary and is unable to obtain a favorable decision and resume operations of AWMS #2, the Company will assess the recoverability of the carrying values of the wells and recognize an impairment loss to the extent the carrying value exceeds the fair value in accordance with ASC 360-10-35, Property, Plant and Equipment – Overall – Subsequent Measurement . At September 30, 2015, the net book value of the property, plant and equipment relating to the wells was approximately $5.0 million.

Note 10

. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

In August 2013, Avalon created a new Ohio limited liability company, AWMS Holdings, LLC, to act as a holding company to form and own a series of wholly owned subsidiaries that will own and operate Class II salt water injection wells and facilities (together the “facilities”). AWMS Holdings, LLC, offers investment opportunities to accredited investors by selling membership units of AWMS Holdings, LLC through private placement offerings. The monies received from these offerings, along with internally contributed capital, are used to construct the facilities necessary for the operation of salt water injection wells. AWMS Water Solutions, LLC (formerly American Water Management Services, LLC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Avalon, manages all the salt water injection well operations, including the marketing and sales function and all decisions regarding the well operations for a percentage of the gross revenues. As a result of the private placement offering, Avalon is not the majority owner of AWMS Holdings, LLC; however, due to the managerial control of AWMS Water Solutions, LLC, the financial statements of AWMS Holdings, LLC and subsidiaries are included in Avalon’s consolidated financial statements. At September 30, 2015, Avalon owned approximately 47% of AWMS Holdings, LLC. Management and outside directors of Avalon, who qualified as accredited investors, invested approximately $1.0 million in AWMS Holdings, LLC.

In August 2013, AWMS Holdings, LLC formed its first wholly owned subsidiary, AWMS Rt. 169, LLC, to own and operate two salt water injection wells. AWMS Rt. 169, LLC leases 5.2 acres on which the salt water injection wells are located. Construction of the wells began in the fourth quarter of 2013, and in April 2014, the wells commenced operations accepting brine water for disposal.

As a result of a seismic event with a magnitude of 2.1 occurring on August 31, 2014, the Chief of the Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management (“Chief” or “Division”) issued Orders on September 3, 2014, to immediately suspend all operations of both of Avalon’s saltwater injection wells. The Orders were based on the findings that the two saltwater injection wells were located in close proximity to the area of known seismic activity and also that the saltwater injection wells pose a risk of increasing or creating seismic activity. The two saltwater injection wells are located approximately 112 feet apart. Based on these findings, the Chief ordered the immediate suspension of all operations of the two saltwater injection wells, until the Division could further evaluate the wells.

On September 5, 2014, Avalon submitted the information required by the Chief’s Order in regards to its AWMS #1 injection well. The Division reviewed all the information submitted by Avalon and additional data. Based upon this review, the Division concluded that with reasonable scientific certainty, the injection operations of AWMS #1 were not related to the deep seismic event that occurred on August 31, 2014. As a result, the Order suspending all operations of AWMS #1 was terminated effective September 18, 2014. As such, Avalon resumed injection operations of AWMS #1 consistent with all terms and conditions of the permit issued on July 18, 2013.

On September 19, 2014, Avalon submitted the information and a written plan required by the Chief’s Order proposing the establishment of certain operations and management controls on injections at the AWMS #2 injection well. The plan called for injection to resume at AWMS #2 at lower levels and monitored for seismicity. Under the plan, Avalon would gradually increase injection volumes over time based upon data obtained through monitoring.

On October 2, 2014, Avalon filed an appeal with the Ohio Oil and Gas Commission disputing the basis for suspending operations of AWMS #2 and also the authority of the Chief to immediately suspend such operations. On November 19, 2014, Avalon filed a Motion to Stay the execution of the suspension order.

On March 11, 2015, an appeal hearing was held and post hearing briefs were filed. The Chief stated during the March 11, 2015 hearing that the suspension is only temporary, and that he expects that AWMS #2 will be allowed to inject once the state’s final policymaking is complete.

On August 12, 2015, the Oil and Gas Commission upheld the temporary suspension of injection operations of AWMS #2 stating that the temporary suspension will allow the Chief to more fully evaluate the facts in anticipation of the Division’s implementation of a comprehensive regulatory plan that will specifically address injection-induced seismicity. The Division is currently drafting the hydraulic fracturing induced seismicity policy and will start the Class II injection well policy once complete. The anticipated timeframe for the completion of the Class II injection policy is the fourth quarter of 2015.

On September 8, 2015, Avalon filed an appeal with the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. Avalon was not in violation of the terms and conditions of its injection permit, nor does it believe that there is substantial risk that the operations of AWMS #2 present an imminent danger to public health, safety or damage to the environment. The argument is further evidenced by the publication “Potential Injection-Induced Seismicity Associated with Oil & Gas Development: The Primer on Technical and Regulatory Considerations Informing Risk Management and Mitigation” released in 2015 stating that seismic events below 3.0 (approximately 22 times stronger than the August 31, 2014 event) are generally not felt by humans. This report was developed by the StatesFirst Induced Seismicity by Injection Work Group (“ISWG”) members (the State agencies) with input from the ISWG technical advisors (subject matter experts from academia, industry, federal agencies, and environmental organizations) to help better inform the public on technical and regulatory considerations associated with evaluation and response, seismic monitoring systems, information sharing, and the use of ground motion metrics.

In addition, the Company also contends that other Class II injection wells within the geographical area have produced seismic events with similar and/or higher magnitudes and have been allowed to continue operations. Operations of AWMS #2 will remain temporarily suspended under the Chief’s order. In conjunction with the August 12, 2015 decision, Avalon temporarily suspended operations of AWMS #1 and will resume operations when a favorable ruling on AWMS #2 is received.

If Avalon concludes that the suspension is other than temporary and is unable to obtain a favorable decision and resume operations of AWMS #2, the Company will assess the recoverability of the carrying values of the wells and recognize an impairment loss to the extent the carrying value exceeds the fair value in accordance with ASC 360-10-35,

Property, Plant and Equipment – Overall – Subsequent Measurement

. At September 30, 2015, the net book value of the property, plant and equipment relating to the wells was approximately $5.0 million.