Inventories and natural gas in storage

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

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, 2019		June 30, 2018		December 31, 2018
	(In thousands)
Aggregates held for resale	$	147,030	$	131,784	$	139,681
Asphalt oil	80,418		64,560		54,741
Materials and supplies	28,746		24,688		23,611
Merchandise for resale	27,167		17,502		22,552
Natural gas in storage (current)	15,841		13,774		22,117
Other	26,742		25,931		24,607
Total	$	325,944	$	278,239	$	287,309

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 $48.2 million, $47.8 million and $48.5 million at June 30, 2019 and 2018, and December 31, 2018, respectively.