Inventories and natural gas in storage

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Natural gas in storage for the Company's regulated operations is generally carried at lower of cost or net realizable value, or cost using the last-in, first-out method. All other inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable 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, 2017		June 30, 2016		December 31, 2016
	(In thousands)
Aggregates held for resale	$	123,316	$	130,544	$	115,471
Asphalt oil	46,852		42,591		29,103
Materials and supplies	22,657		20,765		18,372
Merchandise for resale	16,164		18,439		16,437
Natural gas in storage (current)	14,126		19,689		25,761
Other	26,755		33,821		33,129
Total	$	249,870	$	265,849	$	238,273

The remainder of natural gas in storage, which largely represents the cost of gas required to maintain pressure levels for normal operating purposes, was included in deferred charges and other assets - other and was $49.5 million, $49.1 million and $49.5 million at June 30, 2017 and 2016, and December 31, 2016, respectively.