CONCENTRATIONS, SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company has concentrated credit risk for cash by maintaining deposits in one bank. These balances are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. From time to time during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s cash balances exceeded the federally insured limits. No losses have been incurred relating to this concentration.

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s revenues and receivables were comprised of the following customer concentrations:



	2017		2016
	% of Revenues	% of Receivables	% of Revenues	% of Receivables
Customer 1	17%	10%	7%	—%
Customer 2	14%	—%	19%	—%
Customer 3	13%	7%	9%	9%
Customer 4	9%	11%	8%	4%
Customer 5	2%	15%	—%	—%
Customer 6	3%	2%	11%	10%
Customer 7	4%	—%	5%	10%

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, and for the years then ended, the Company's segment revenues were comprised of the following customer concentrations:



	% of Revenue by Segment 2017						% of Revenue by Segment 2016
	Black Oil		Refining		Recovery		Black Oil		Refining		Recovery
Customer 1	100	%	—	%	—	%	100	%	—	%	—	%
Customer 2	100	%	—	%	—	%	100	%	—	%	—	%
Customer 3	100	%	—	%	—	%	100	%	—	%	—	%
Customer 4	—	%	100	%	—	%	—	%	100	%	—	%
Customer 5	100	%	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%
Customer 6	100	%	—	%	—	%	100	%	—	%	—	%
Customer 7	—	%	—	%	100	%	—	%	—	%	100	%

The Company’s revenue, profitability and future rate of growth are substantially dependent on prevailing prices for petroleum-based products. Historically, the energy markets have been very volatile, and there can be no assurance that these prices will not be subject to wide fluctuations in the future. A substantial or extended decline in such prices could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows, and access to capital and on the quantities of petroleum-based products that the Company can economically produce.

Business commitment:

On June 5, 2016, Vertex Energy and Penthol C.V. (“Penthol”) of the Netherlands aka Penthol LLC (a Penthol subsidiary in the United States) reached an agreement for Vertex Energy to act as Penthol’s exclusive agent to provide marketing, sales, and logistical duties of Group III base oil from the United Arab Emirates to the United States. The start-up date was July 25, 2016, with a 5 year term through 2021 and the product will ship via truck, rail and barge.

Litigation:

The Company, in its normal course of business, is involved in various other claims and legal action. In the opinion of management, the outcome of these claims and actions will not have a material adverse impact upon the financial position of the Company. We are currently party to the following material litigation proceedings:

Vertex Refining LA, LLC ("Vertex Refining LA"), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Vertex Operating was named as a defendant, along with numerous other parties, in five lawsuits filed on or about February 12, 2016, in the Second Parish Court for the Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana, Case No. 121749, by Russell Doucet et. al., Case No. 121750, by Kendra Cannon et. al., Case No. 121751, by Lashawn Jones et. al., Case No. 121752, by Joan Strauss et. al. and Case No. 121753, by Donna Allen et. al. The suits relate to alleged noxious and harmful emissions from our facility located in Marrero, Louisiana. The suits seek damages for physical and emotional injuries, pain and suffering, medical expenses and deprivation of the use and enjoyment of plaintiffs’ homes. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves and oppose the relief sought in the complaints, provided that at this stage of the litigation, the Company has no basis for determining whether there is any likelihood of material loss associated with the claims and/or the potential and/or the outcome of the litigation.

E-Source Holdings, LLC ("E-Source"), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Vertex Operating, was named as a defendant (along with Motiva Enterprises, LLC, ("Motiva") in a lawsuit filed in the Sixtieth (60th) Judicial District, Jefferson County, Texas, on April 22, 2015. Pursuant to the lawsuit, Whole Environmental, Inc. ("Whole"), made certain allegations against E-Source and Motiva. The claims include Breach of Contract and Quantum Meruit actions relating to asbestos abatement and remediation operations performed for defendants at Motiva's facility in Port Arthur, Jefferson County, Texas. The plaintiff alleges it is due monies earned. Defendants have denied any amounts due to plaintiff. The suit seeks damages of approximately $864,000, along with pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, the fair value of certain property alleged to be converted by defendants and reimbursement of legal fees. E-Source has asserted a counterclaim against Whole for the filing of a mechanic’s lien in excess of any amount(s) actually due, as well as a cross-claim against Motiva. Under the terms of E-Source’s contract with Motiva, Motiva, Motiva was to pay all sums due to any sub-contractors of E-Source. In management's opinion, any monies due to Whole, should be paid by Motiva. E-Source seeks to recover the balance due under its contract with Motiva of approximately $1,000,000. The case is set for trial in the summer of 2018. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves against the allegations made in the complaint. The Company has no basis of determining whether there is any likelihood of material loss associated with the claims and/or the potential and/or the outcome of the litigation.

Leases

The Company has various leases for office facilities and vehicles which are classified as operating leases, and which expire at various times through 2032. Plant, vehicle and equipment leases are included as part of cost of revenues, and office leases are included in the selling, general and administrative expenses line items in the consolidated statements of operations, respectively. Total rent expense for all operating leases for 2017 and 2016 is summarized as follows:



	2017		2016
Office leases	$	744,154	$	875,320
Plant Leases	4,123,600		4,052,250
Vehicle and equipment leases	363,616		365,877
	$	5,231,370	$	5,293,447

Minimum future lease commitments as of December 31, 2017, are summarized as follows:



Year ending December 31,	Office Facilities		Vehicles		Plant Leases		Total
2018	$	474,927	$	277,203	$	1,780,000	$	2,532,130
2019	454,427		219,494		648,000		1,321,921
2020	379,567		161,538		648,000		1,189,105
2021	354,462		161,538		648,000		1,164,000
2022	323,754		31,094		270,000		624,848
Thereafter	3,275,000		—		—		3,275,000
	$	5,262,137	$	850,867	$	3,994,000	$	10,107,004

The table above includes a plant lease expiring on May 1, 2018. At this point, the Company is planning to renew this lease for a period of five more years at an estimated lease payment of $283,000 per month.