Inventories and natural gas in storage

9 Months Ended

Sep. 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:



	September 30, 2016		September 30, 2015		December 31, 2015
	(In thousands)
Aggregates held for resale	$	119,078	$	115,736	$	115,854
Asphalt oil	23,480		33,581		36,498
Natural gas in storage (current)	35,625		28,222		21,023
Materials and supplies	18,584		19,404		16,997
Merchandise for resale	15,672		15,563		15,318
Other	33,351		33,481		34,861
Total	$	245,790	$	245,987	$	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 September 30, 2016 and 2015, and December 31, 2015, respectively.