Note L: Leases

Total lease expense for operating leases was $90,731,000, $85,945,000 and $80,417,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company’s operating leases generally contain renewal and/or purchase options with varying terms. The Company has royalty agreements that generally require royalty payments based on tons produced or total sales dollars and also contain minimum payments. Total royalties, principally for leased properties, were $51,827,000, $55,257,000 and $53,658,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company also has capital lease obligations for machinery and equipment.

Future minimum lease and royalty commitments for all noncancelable agreements and capital lease obligations as of December 31, 2017 are as follows:

(add 000)	Capital Leases			Operating Leases & Royalty Commitments
2018	$	4,205		$	121,234
2019		3,750			64,504
2020		2,247			58,731
2021		1,371			55,290
2022		913			52,781
Thereafter		3,993			345,860
Total		16,479		$	698,400
Less: imputed interest		(3,231	)
Present value of minimum lease payments		13,248
Less: current capital lease obligations		(3,623	)
Long-term capital lease obligations	$	9,625

Of the total future minimum commitments, $204,418,000 relates to the Company’s contracts of affreightment.