Inventories and natural gas in storage

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Natural gas in storage for the Company's regulated operations is generally carried at average cost, or cost using the last-in, first-out method. All other inventories are stated at the lower of average cost or market value. The portion of the cost of natural gas in storage expected to be used within one year is included in inventories. Inventories consisted of:



	June 30, 2016		June 30, 2015		December 31, 2015
	(In thousands)
Aggregates held for resale	$	130,544	$	123,457	$	115,854
Asphalt oil	42,591		79,422		36,498
Natural gas in storage (current)	19,689		11,310		21,023
Materials and supplies	20,765		22,594		16,997
Merchandise for resale	18,439		16,140		15,318
Other	33,821		37,316		34,861
Total	$	265,849	$	290,239	$	240,551

The remainder of natural gas in storage, which largely represents the cost of gas required to maintain pressure levels for normal operating purposes, is included in other assets and was $49.1 million, $49.3 million and $49.1 million at June 30, 2016 and 2015, and December 31, 2015, respectively.