Inventories and natural gas in storage

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

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 was included in inventories. Inventories on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:

	June 30, 2018		June 30, 2017		December 31, 2017
	(In thousands)
Aggregates held for resale	$	131,784	$	123,316	$	115,268
Asphalt oil	64,560		46,852		30,360
Materials and supplies	24,688		22,657		18,650
Merchandise for resale	17,502		16,164		14,905
Natural gas in storage (current)	13,774		14,126		20,950
Other	25,931		26,755		26,450
Total	$	278,239	$	249,870	$	226,583

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 $47.8 million, $49.5 million and $49.3 million at June 30, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, respectively.