Inventories and natural gas in storage

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories and natural gas in storage

Inventories and natural gas in storage

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:

	September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2016
	(In thousands)
Aggregates held for resale	$	116,399	$	119,078	$	115,471
Natural gas in storage (current)	29,974		35,625		25,761
Asphalt oil	26,682		23,480		29,103
Materials and supplies	20,778		18,584		18,372
Merchandise for resale	15,346		15,672		16,437
Other	23,376		33,351		33,129
Total	$	232,555	$	245,790	$	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 September 30, 2017 and 2016, and December 31, 2016, respectively.