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EX-10.C - TRECORA RESOURCESexhibit10c.htm
EX-10.B - TRECORA RESOURCESexhibit10b.htm
EX-32.2 - TRECORA RESOURCESexhibit322.htm
EX-32.1 - TRECORA RESOURCESexhibit321.htm
EX-31.2 - TRECORA RESOURCESexhibit312.htm
EX-31.1 - TRECORA RESOURCESexhibit311.htm

UNITED STATES
 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



FORM 10-Q



      [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017
or

    [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934

For the transition period from _________ to __________

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-33926
TRECORA RESOURCES
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE
75-1256622
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. employer incorporation or
organization)
identification no.)

1650 Hwy 6 South, Suite 190
77478
Sugar Land, Texas
(Zip code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (409) 385-8300

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if
changed since last report.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes  X    No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes  X    No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer,"  "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ____ Accelerated filer _ X__

Non-accelerated filer ____ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company ____

Emerging growth company_____

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes   No  X_

Number of shares of the Registrant's Common Stock (par value $0.10 per share), outstanding at November 4, 2017: 24,306,119.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item Number and Description
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
2
 
3
 
4
 
5
     
20
     
31
     
31
 
 
 
 
32
     
32
     
32

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

TRECORA RESOURCES AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

   
SEPTEMBER 30,
2017
(unaudited)
   
DECEMBER 31,
2016
 
ASSETS
 
(thousands of dollars)
 
 Current Assets
           
  Cash
 
$
4,219
   
$
8,389
 
  Trade receivables, net
   
22,738
     
22,193
 
  Inventories
   
12,849
     
17,871
 
  Prepaid expenses and other assets
   
3,276
     
3,511
 
  Taxes receivable
   
3,764
     
3,983
 
          Total current assets
   
46,846
     
55,947
 
                 
  Plant, pipeline and equipment, net
   
172,048
     
140,009
 
                 
  Goodwill
   
21,798
     
21,798
 
  Intangible assets, net
   
21,273
     
22,669
 
  Investment in AMAK
   
44,225
     
49,386
 
  Mineral properties in the United States
   
588
     
588
 
  Other assets
   
21
     
87
 
                 
     TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
306,799
   
$
290,484
 
LIABILITIES
               
  Current Liabilities
               
    Accounts payable
 
$
12,381
   
$
13,306
 
    Current portion of derivative instruments
   
7
     
58
 
    Accrued liabilities
   
6,304
     
2,017
 
    Current portion of post-retirement benefit
   
308
     
316
 
    Current portion of long-term debt
   
8,061
     
10,145
 
    Current portion of other liabilities
   
1,131
     
870
 
          Total current liabilities
   
28,192
     
26,712
 
                 
  Long-term debt, net of current portion
   
81,011
     
73,107
 
  Post-retirement benefit, net of current portion
   
897
     
897
 
  Other liabilities, net of current portion
   
1,681
     
2,309
 
  Deferred income taxes
   
24,654
     
23,083
 
     Total liabilities
   
136,435
     
126,108
 
                 
EQUITY
               
  Common stock‑authorized 40 million shares of $.10 par value; issued 24.5 million in 2017 and 2016 and outstanding  24.3 million and 24.2 million shares in 2017 and 2016, respectively
   
2,451
     
2,451
 
  Additional paid-in capital
   
55,344
     
53,474
 
  Common stock in treasury, at cost
   
(203
)
   
(284
)
  Retained earnings
   
112,483
     
108,446
 
  Total Trecora Resources Stockholders' Equity
   
170,075
     
164,087
 
  Noncontrolling Interest
   
289
     
289
 
   Total equity
   
170,364
     
164,376
 
                 
     TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
$
306,799
   
$
290,484
 

 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

TRECORA RESOURCES AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)


   
THREE MONTHS ENDED
   
NINE MONTHS
ENDED
 
   
SEPTEMBER 30,
   
SEPTEMBER 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
   
(thousands of dollars)
 
REVENUES
                       
  Petrochemical and Product Sales
 
$
58,030
   
$
52,115
   
$
165,945
   
$
143,662
 
  Processing Fees
   
3,478
     
5,027
     
13,220
     
14,534
 
     
61,508
     
57,142
     
179,165
     
158,196
 
                                 
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
                               
  Cost of  Sales and Processing
                               
    (including depreciation and amortization of  $2,565, $2,373, $7,311, and $6,620,  respectively)
   
51,638
     
48,237
     
147,570
     
125,946
 
                                 
   GROSS PROFIT
   
9,870
     
8,905
     
31,595
     
32,250
 
                                 
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
                               
  General and Administrative
   
5,660
     
4,585
     
17,621
     
15,525
 
  Depreciation
   
245
     
192
     
655
     
556
 
     
5,905
     
4,777
     
18,276
     
16,081
 
                                 
OPERATING INCOME
   
3,965
     
4,128
     
13,319
     
16,169
 
                                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
                               
  Interest Expense
   
(795
)
   
(568
)
   
(2,109
)
   
(1,803
)
  Bargain purchase gain from acquisition
   
--
     
--
     
--
     
11,549
 
  Equity in Earnings (Losses) of AMAK
   
(897
)
   
(2,089
)
   
(5,161
)
   
2,261
 
  Gain from Additional Equity Issuance by AMAK
   
--
     
3,168
     
--
     
3,168
 
  Miscellaneous Income (Expense)
   
22
     
(72
)
   
(42
)
   
38
 
     
(1,670
)
   
439
     
(7,312
)
   
15,213
 
                                 
  INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
   
2,295
     
4,567
     
6,007
     
31,382
 
                                 
  INCOME TAXES
   
577
     
1,768
     
1,970
     
11,107
 
                                 
  NET INCOME
   
1,718
     
2,799
     
4,037
     
20,275
 
                                 
 NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
   
--
     
--
     
--
     
--
 
                                 
 NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO TRECORA RESOURCES
 
$
1,718
   
$
2,799
   
$
4,037
   
$
20,275
 
                                 
Basic Earnings per Common Share
                               
  Net Income Attributable to Trecora Resources (dollars)
 
$
0.07
   
$
0.12
   
$
0.17
   
$
0.83
 
                                 
  Basic Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding
   
24,304
     
24,223
     
24,267
     
24,304
 
                                 
Diluted Earnings per Common Share
                               
  Net Income Attributable to Trecora Resources (dollars)
 
$
0.07
   
$
0.11
   
$
0.16
   
$
0.81
 
                                 
  Diluted Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding
   
25,157
     
24,921
     
25,082
     
24,964
 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

TRECORA RESOURCES AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

   
TRECORA RESOURCES STOCKHOLDERS
             
   
COMMON STOCK
   
ADDITIONAL
PAID-IN
   
TREASURY
   
RETAINED
         
NON-
CONTROLLING
   
TOTAL
 
   
SHARES
   
AMOUNT
   
CAPITAL
   
STOCK
   
EARNINGS
   
TOTAL
   
INTEREST
   
EQUITY
 
   
(thousands)
   
(thousands of dollars)
 
JANUARY 1, 2017
   
24,222
   
$
2,451
   
$
53,474
   
$
(284
)
 
$
108,446
   
$
164,087
   
$
289
   
$
164,376
 
                                                                 
Stock options
                                                               
  Issued to Directors
   
-
     
-
     
90
     
-
     
-
     
90
     
-
     
90
 
  Issued to Employees
   
-
     
-
     
884
     
-
     
-
     
884
     
-
     
884
 
Restricted Common Stock
                                                               
  Issued to Directors
   
-
     
-
     
230
     
-
     
-
     
230
     
-
     
230
 
  Issued to Employees
   
-
     
-
     
801
     
-
     
-
     
801
     
-
     
801
 
Common stock
                                                               
  Issued to Directors
   
25
     
-
     
(79
)
   
25
     
-
     
(54
)
   
-
     
(54
)
  Issued to Employees
   
56
     
-
     
(56
)
   
56
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Net Income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
4,037
     
4,037
     
-
     
4,037
 
                                                                 
September 30, 2017
   
24,303
   
$
2,451
   
$
55,344
   
$
(203
)
 
$
112,483
   
$
170,075
   
$
289
   
$
170,364
 


See notes to consolidated financial statements.

TRECORA RESOURCES AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

   
NINE MONTHS ENDED
 
   
SEPTEMBER 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
 
   
(thousands of dollars)
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
  Net Income
 
$
4,037
   
$
20,275
 
  Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income
               
    To Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
               
    Depreciation
   
6,570
     
5,761
 
    Amortization of Intangible Assets
   
1,396
     
1,415
 
    Unrealized Gain on Derivative Instruments
   
(51
)
   
(89
)
    Share-based Compensation
   
2,005
     
1,882
 
    Deferred Income Taxes
   
1,571
     
6,851
 
    Postretirement Obligation
   
(8
)
   
186
 
    Bargain purchase gain
   
-
     
(11,549
)
    Equity in (earnings) losses of AMAK
   
5,161
     
(2,261
)
    Gain from Additional Equity Issuance by AMAK
   
-
     
(3,168
)
    Amortization of loan fees
   
154
     
213
 
  Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:
               
    Increase in Trade Receivables
   
(545
)
   
(355
)
    Decrease in Taxes Receivable
   
218
     
4,094
 
    (Increase) Decrease in Inventories
   
5,022
     
(2,573
)
    (Increase) Decrease in Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
   
387
     
(1,494
)
    Increase in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
   
3,356
     
1,304
 
    Increase (Decrease) in Other Liabilities
   
281
     
(418
)
                 
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
   
29,554
     
20,074
 
                 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
  Additions to Plant, Pipeline and Equipment
   
(39,250
)
   
(25,860
)
  Cash paid for acquisition of BASF facility
   
-
     
(2,011
)
  Advances to AMAK, net
   
(86
)
   
-
 
    Cash Used in Investing Activities
   
(39,336
)
   
(27,871
)
                 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
  Issuance of Common Stock
   
25
     
11
 
  Payments related to tax withholding for stock-based compensation
   
(80
)
   
-
 
  Addition to Long-Term Debt
   
14,000
     
3,000
 
  Repayment of Long-Term Debt
   
(8,333
)
   
(6,250
)
                 
    Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
   
5,612
     
(3,239
)
                 
NET DECREASE IN CASH
   
(4,170
)
   
(11,036
)
                 
CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
   
8,389
     
18,623
 
                 
CASH AND AT END OF PERIOD
 
$
4,219
   
$
7,587
 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
     
  Cash payments for interest
 
$
3,034
   
$
1,804
 
  Cash payments for taxes, net of refunds
 
$
227
   
$
277
 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash items:
               
  Capital expansion amortized to depreciation expense
 
$
642
   
$
829
 
   Estimated earnout liability
 
$
-
   
$
733
 


See notes to consolidated financial statements.
TRECORA RESOURCES AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


1. GENERAL

Organization

Trecora Resources (the "Company"), was incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1967. Our principal business activities are the manufacturing of various specialty hydrocarbons and synthetic waxes and the provision of custom processing services.   Unless the context requires otherwise, references to "we," "us," "our," and the "Company" are intended to mean Trecora Resources and its subsidiaries.

This document includes the following abbreviations:
(1)
TREC – Trecora Resources
(2)
TOCCO – Texas Oil & Chemical Co. II, Inc. – Wholly owned subsidiary of TREC and parent of SHR and TC
(3)
SHR – South Hampton Resources, Inc. – Petrochemical segment and parent of GSPL
(4)
GSPL – Gulf State Pipe Line Co, Inc. – Pipeline support for the petrochemical segment
(5)
TC – Trecora Chemical, Inc. – Specialty wax segment
(6)
AMAK – Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Company – Mining equity investment – 33% ownership
(7)
PEVM – Pioche Ely Valley Mines, Inc. – Inactive mine - 55% ownership

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and in conformity with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, these unaudited financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The unaudited condensed financial statements included in this document have been prepared on the same basis as the annual condensed financial statements and in management's opinion reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  We have made estimates and judgments affecting the amounts reported in this document.  The actual results that we experience may differ materially from our estimates.  In the opinion of management, the disclosures included in these financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.

Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, are not necessarily indicative of results for the year ending December 31, 2017.

We currently operate in two segments, specialty petrochemical products and specialty synthetic waxes.  All revenue originates from United States' sources, and all long-lived assets owned are located in the United States.

In addition, we own a 33% interest in AMAK, a Saudi Arabian closed joint stock company which owns, operates and is developing mining assets in Saudi Arabia.  We account for our investment under the equity method of accounting.   See Note 17.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the Consolidated Balance Sheet for the year ended December 31, 2016, related to our adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-17 as noted below in Note 2.

The impact of the adoption ASU 2015-17 on the Company's previously issued December 31, 2016, balance sheet is as follows:


 
   
As Originally
Reported
   
As Retrospectively
Adjusted
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Deferred income tax asset, current
 
$
1,615
   
$
-
 
Total current assets
   
57,562
     
55,947
 
Total assets
   
292,099
     
290,484
 
Deferred income tax liability, noncurrent
   
24,698
     
23,083
 
Total liabilities
   
127,723
     
126,108
 
Total liabilities and equity
   
292,099
     
290,484
 

2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2014 the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09"). ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements of FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 605, Revenue Recognition and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Accounting Standards Codification, resulting in the creation of FASB ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU provides alternative methods of retrospective adoption and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption would be permitted but not before annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is evaluating the impact of these amendments, although it does not expect the amendments to have a significant impact to the Company's financial position or results of operation. The amendments could potentially impact the accounting procedures and processes over the recognition of certain revenue sources. The Company has begun developing processes and procedures to ensure it is fully compliant with these amendments at the date of adoption.

In November 2015 the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The new standard eliminates the current requirement for organizations to present deferred tax liabilities and assets as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. Instead, organizations will be required to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent. The amendments are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company implemented ASU 2015-17 by classifying all of it deferred tax assets (liabilities) as noncurrent on January 1, 2017. See Note 1 for effect to the Balance Sheet for December 31, 2016

In February 2016 the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing all lease transactions (with terms in excess of 12 months) on the balance sheet as a lease liability and a right-of-use asset (as defined). The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with earlier application permitted.  Upon adoption, the lessee will apply the new standard retrospectively to all periods presented or retrospectively using a cumulative effect adjustment in the year of adoption.  The Company has several lease agreements for which the amendments will require the Company to recognize a lease liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset which will represent its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The Company is currently reviewing the amendments to ensure it is fully compliant by the adoption date and does not expect to early adopt. As permitted by the amendments, the Company is anticipating electing an accounting policy to not recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for leases with a term of twelve months or less. The Company is currently in the process of fully evaluating the amendments and will subsequently implement new processes which are not expected to significantly change since the Company already has processes for certain lease agreements that recognize the lease assets and lease liabilities. In addition, the Company will change its current accounting policies to comply with the amendments with such changes as mentioned above.

In March 2016 the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which will reduce complexity in accounting standards related to share-based payment transactions, including, among others, (1) accounting for income taxes, (2) classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flow, (3) forfeitures, and (4) statutory tax withholding requirements.  The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods.  The Company implemented the amendments as of January 1, 2017. The stock based compensation plan has not historically generated material amounts of excess tax benefits or deficiencies and, therefore, there is no material change in the Company's financial position or results of operation, as a result of adopting this Update. For additional information on the stock-based compensation plan, see Note 13.


In January 2017 the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350).  The amendments in ASU 2017-04 simplify the measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, under these amendments, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value; however, the loss should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The amendments are effective for public business entities for the first interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017.The amendments also eliminate the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary.  The Company has goodwill from a prior business combination and performs an annual impairment test or more frequently if changes or circumstances occur that would more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying value. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company performed its impairment assessment and determined the fair value of the aggregated reporting units exceed the carrying value, such that the Company's goodwill was not considered impaired. Although the Company cannot anticipate future goodwill impairment assessments, based on the most recent assessment, it is unlikely that an impairment amount would need to be calculated and, therefore, the Company does not anticipate a material impact from these amendments to the Company's financial position and results of operations. The current accounting policies and processes are not anticipated to change, except for the elimination of the Step 2 analysis.

3. TRADE RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables, net, consisted of the following:

   
September 30, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
 
   
(thousands of dollars)
 
Trade receivables
 
$
23,038
   
$
22,493
 
Less allowance for doubtful accounts
   
(300
)
   
(300
)
    Trade receivables, net
 
$
22,738
   
$
22,193
 

Trade receivables serves as collateral for our amended and restated credit agreement. See Note 10.

4. PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER ASSETS

Prepaid expenses and other assets consisted of the following:

   
September 30, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
 
   
(thousands of dollars)
 
Prepaid license
 
$
1,919
   
$
1,919
 
Prepaid catalyst
   
55
     
187
 
Prepaid insurance
   
255
     
797
 
Other prepaid expenses and assets
   
1,047
     
608
 
    Total
 
$
3,276
   
$
3,511
 

5. INVENTORIES

Inventories included the following:

   
September 30, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
 
   
(thousands of dollars)
 
Raw material
 
$
2,390
   
$
3,627
 
Work in process
   
66
     
12
 
Finished products
   
9,960
     
14,232
 
Spare parts
   
433
     
-
 
    Total inventory
 
$
12,849
   
$
17,871
 

Effective January 1, 2017, we changed the inventory basis of SHR to FIFO.  We believe that the use of FIFO more accurately reflects current inventory valuation.  The drop in crude oil prices over the last several years has caused LIFO
 
 
value of inventory to be above the FIFO value for each period presented.  There was no LIFO reserve in any of the periods in this filing; therefore, no change is reflected in our current statements for the retrospective application.

Prior to this change, the difference between the calculated value of inventory under the FIFO and LIFO bases generated either a recorded LIFO reserve (i.e., where FIFO value exceeds the LIFO value) or an unrecorded negative LIFO reserve (i.e., where LIFO value exceeds the FIFO value).  In the latter case, in order to ensure that inventory was reported at the lower of cost or market and in accordance with ASC 330-10, we did not increase the stated value of our inventory to the LIFO value.  At December 31, 2016, LIFO value of petrochemical inventory exceeded FIFO; therefore, in accordance with the above policy, no LIFO reserve was recorded.

Inventory serves as collateral for our amended and restated credit agreement.  See Note 10.

Inventory included petrochemical products in transit valued at approximately $2.7 million and $2.1 million at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Beginning January 1, 2017, due to the expansion of our plant assets at SHR and TC, we began inventorying spare parts for the repair and maintenance of our plant, pipeline and equipment.


6. PLANT, PIPELINE AND EQUIPMENT

Plant, pipeline and equipment consisted of the following:


   
September 30, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
 
   
(thousands of dollars)
 
Platinum catalyst metal
 
$
1,612
   
$
1,612
 
Land
   
5,428
     
5,376
 
Plant, pipeline and equipment
   
183,472
     
154,107
 
Construction in progress
   
42,930
     
33,391
 
Total plant, pipeline and equipment
   
233,442
     
194,486
 
  Less accumulated depreciation
   
(61,394
)
   
(54,477
)
Net plant, pipeline and equipment
 
$
172,048
   
$
140,009
 


Plant, pipeline, and equipment serve as collateral for our amended and restated credit agreement. See Note 10.

Interest capitalized for construction was approximately $218,000 and $52,000 for the three and $878,000 and $124,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and September 30, 2016, respectively.

Construction in progress during the first nine months of 2017 included equipment purchased for the hydrogenation/distillation project and updates to B Plant equipment at the TC facility; new reformer unit, tankage upgrades, and an addition to the rail spur at SHR.

Amortization relating to the platinum catalyst which is included in cost of sales was approximately $0 and $25,000 for the three months and $25,000 and $72,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

7. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

Goodwill and intangible assets were recorded in relation to the acquisition of TC on October 1, 2014.

The following tables summarize the gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of intangible assets by major class (in thousands):



 
   
September 30, 2017
 
Intangible assets subject to amortization
(Definite-lived)
 
Gross
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Net
 
Customer relationships
 
$
16,852
   
$
(3,370
)
 
$
13,482
 
Non-compete agreements
   
94
     
(57
)
   
37
 
Licenses and permits
   
1,471
     
(364
)
   
1,107
 
Developed technology
   
6,131
     
(1,839
)
   
4,292
 
     
24,548
     
(5,630
)
   
18,918
 
Intangible assets not subject to amortization
(Indefinite-lived)
                       
Emissions Allowance
   
197
     
-
     
197
 
Trade name
   
2,158
     
-
     
2,158
 
Total
 
$
26,903
   
$
(5,630
)
 
$
21,273
 

   
December 31, 2016
 
Intangible assets subject to amortization
(Definite-lived)
 
Gross
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Net
 
Customer relationships
 
$
16,852
   
$
(2,527
)
 
$
14,325
 
Non-compete agreements
   
94
     
(43
)
   
51
 
Licenses and permits
   
1,471
     
(285
)
   
1,186
 
Developed technology
   
6,131
     
(1,379
)
   
4,752
 
     
24,548
     
(4,234
)
   
20,314
 
Intangible assets not subject to amortization
(Indefinite-lived)
                       
Emissions Allowance
   
197
     
-
     
197
 
Trade name
   
2,158
     
-
     
2,158
 
Total
 
$
26,903
   
$
(4,234
)
 
$
22,669
 


Amortization expense for intangible assets included in cost of sales for the three months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, was approximately $466,000 and $471,000 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, was approximately $1,396,000 and $1,415,000, respectively.

Based on identified intangible assets that are subject to amortization as of September 30, 2017, we expect future amortization expenses for each period to be as follows (in thousands):


   
Remainder of
2017
   
2018
   
2019
   
2020
   
2021
   
Thereafter
 
Customer relationships
 
$
282
   
$
1,123
   
$
1,123
   
$
1,123
     
1,123
   
$
8,710
 
Non-compete agreements
   
5
     
19
     
12
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Licenses and permits
   
26
     
106
     
106
     
106
     
106
     
656
 
Developed technology
   
153
     
613
     
613
     
613
     
613
     
1,687
 
Total future amortization expense
 
$
466
   
$
1,861
   
$
1,854
   
$
1,842
   
$
1,842
   
$
11,053
 


8. NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO TRECORA RESOURCES


The following table (in thousands, except per share amounts) sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share attributable to Trecora Resources for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2017
   
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016
 
               
Per Share
               
Per Share
 
   
Income
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Income
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
Basic Net Income per Share:
                                   
Net Income Attributable to Trecora Resources
 
$
1,718
     
24,304
   
$
0.07
   
$
2,799
     
24,223
   
$
0.12
 
                                                 
Unvested restricted stock grant
           
379
                     
304
         
Dilutive stock options outstanding
           
474
                     
394
         
                                                 
Diluted Net Income per Share:
                                               
Net Income Attributable to Trecora Resources
 
$
1,718
     
25,157
   
$
0.07
   
$
2,799
     
24,921
   
$
0.11
 

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
 
               
Per Share
               
Per Share
 
   
Income
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Income
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
Basic Net Income per Share:
                                   
Net Income Attributable to Trecora Resources
 
$
4,037
     
24,267
   
$
0.17
   
$
20,275
     
24,304
   
$
0.83
 
                                                 
Unvested restricted stock grant
           
360
                     
297
         
Dilutive stock options outstanding
           
455
                     
363
         
                                                 
Diluted Net Income per Share:
                                               
Net Income Attributable to Trecora Resources
 
$
4,037
     
25,082
   
$
0.16
   
$
20,275
     
24,964
   
$
0.81
 

At September 30, 2017, and 2016, 1,334,087 and 1,348,437 potential common stock shares, respectively were issuable upon the exercise of options and warrants.

9. ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following:

   
September 30, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
 
   
(thousands of dollars)
 
Accrued property taxes
 
$
2,188
   
$
-
 
Accrued payroll
   
1,563
     
1,097
 
Accrued officer compensation
   
900
     
-
 
Accrued shortfall fees
   
586
     
-
 
Other
   
1,067
     
920
 
    Total
 
$
6,304
   
$
2,017
 

10. LIABILITIES AND LONG-TERM DEBT

On October 1, 2014, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ("ARC") with the lenders which from time to time are parties to the ARC and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated as Lead Arranger. On March 28, 2017, we entered into a Second Amendment to the ARC with terms which increase the Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio financial covenant of 3.25x to 4.00x at March 31, 2017, and 4.25x at June 30, 2017, before stepping down to 3.75x at September 30, 2017, 3.50x at December 31, 2017, and reverting to the original financial covenant of 3.25x at March 31, 2018.

 
For Fiscal Quarter Ending
Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio
March 31, 2017
4.00 to 1.00
June 30, 2017
4.25 to 1.00
September 30, 2017
3.75 to 1.00
December 31, 2017
3.50 to 1.00
March 31, 2018 and each fiscal quarter thereafter
3.25 to 1.00

The Second Amendment also reduces the Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of 1.25x to 1.10x at March 31, 2017, 1.05x at June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2017, 1.10x at December 31, 2017, before reverting to the original financial covenant of 1.25x at March 31, 2018.

For Fiscal Quarter Ending
 
Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
March 31, 2017
1.10 to 1.00
June 30, 2017
1.05 to 1.00
September 30, 2017
1.05 to 1.00
December 31, 2017
1.10 to 1.00
March 31, 2018 and each fiscal quarter thereafter
1.25 to 1.00

Also, under the terms of the Second Amendment, two additional levels of pricing were added – levels 4 and 5.

 
Level
 
Consolidated Leverage Ratio
 
LIBOR Margin
 
Base Rate Margin
 
Commitment Fee
1
Less than 1.50 to 1.00
2.00%
1.00%
0.25%
2
Greater than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00 but less than 2.00 to 1.00
2.25%
1.25%
0.25%
3
Greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00 but less than 3.00 to 1.00
2.50%
1.50%
0.375%
4
Greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00 but less than 3.50 to 1.00
2.75%
1.75%
0.375%
5
Greater than or equal to 3.50 to 1.00
3.00%
2.00%
0.375%

We were in compliance with all covenants at September 30, 2017.

On July 25, 2017, Texas Oil & Chemical Co. II, Inc. ("TOCCO"), South Hampton Resources, Inc. ("SHR"), Gulf State Pipe Line Company, Inc. ("GSPL"), and Trecora Chemical, Inc. ("TC") (SHR, GSPL and TC collectively the "Guarantors") entered into a Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ("3rd Amendment") with the lenders which from time to time are parties to the Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement (collectively, the "Lenders") and Bank of America, N.A., a national banking association, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders.  The 3rd Amendment increased the Revolving Facility from $40,000,000 to $60,000,000.  There were no other changes to the Revolving Facility.  Under the ARC as amended, we have a $60.0 million revolving line of credit which matures on October 1, 2019.  As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, there was a long-term amount of $23.0 million and $9.0 million outstanding, respectively.  The interest rate on the loan varies according to several options.  Interest on the loan is paid monthly and a commitment fee of between 0.25% and 0.375% is due quarterly on the unused portion of the loan.  At September 30, 2017, approximately $37.0 million was available to be drawn.  Under the Second Amendment we could draw $31.0 million and maintain compliance with our covenants.

Under the ARC, we also borrowed $70.0 million in a single advance term loan (the "Acquisition Loan") to partially finance the acquisition of TC.  Interest on the Acquisition Loan is payable quarterly using a ten year commercial style amortization.  Principal is also payable on the last business day of each March, June, September and December in an amount equal to $1,750,000, provided that the final installment on the September 30, 2019, maturity date shall be in an amount equal to the then outstanding unpaid principal balance of the Acquisition Loan.  At September 30, 2017, there was a short-term amount of $7.0 million and a long-term amount of $42.0 million outstanding.  At December 31, 2016, there was a short-term amount of $8.8 million and a long-term amount of $47.3 million outstanding.
 

 
Under the ARC, we also had the right to borrow $25.0 million in a multiple advance loan ("Term Loans").  Borrowing availability under the Term Loans ended on December 31, 2015.  The Term Loans converted from a multiple advance loan to a "mini-perm" loan once certain obligations were fulfilled such as certification that construction of D-Train was completed in a good and workmanlike manner, receipt of applicable permits and releases from governmental authorities, and receipt of releases of liens from the contractor and each subcontractor and supplier.  Interest on the Term Loans is paid monthly.  At September 30, 2017, there was a short-term amount of $1.3 million and a long-term amount of $16.3 million outstanding.  At December 31, 2016, there was a short-term amount of $1.7 million and a long-term amount of $17.3 million outstanding.

Debt issuance costs of approximately $0.6 million and $0.7 million for the periods ended September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, have been netted against outstanding loan balances.   The interest rate on all of the above loans varies according to several options as defined in the ARC.  At September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, the rate was 3.74% and 3.27%, respectively.

The following table summarizes the carrying amounts and debt issuance costs of our long-term debt (in thousands):

   
September 30, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
 
             
Acquisition loan
 
$
49,000
   
$
56,000
 
Term loan
   
17,666
     
19,000
 
Revolving facility
   
23,000
     
9,000
 
Total
   
89,666
     
84,000
 
Less debt issuance costs
   
594
     
748
 
Carrying balance of debt
 
$
89,072
   
$
83,252
 


11. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following items are measured at fair value on a recurring basis subject to disclosure requirements of ASC Topic 820 at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016:

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

         
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
   
September 30, 2017
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
   
(thousands of dollars)
 
Liabilities:
                       
Interest rate swap
 
$
7
     
-
   
$
7
     
-
 

         
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
   
December 31, 2016
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
   
(thousands of dollars)
 
Liabilities:
                       
Interest rate swap
 
$
58
     
-
   
$
58
     
-
 

The carrying value of cash, trade receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and other liabilities approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of variable rate long term debt reflects recent market transactions and approximate carrying value.  We used other observable inputs that would qualify as Level 2 inputs to make our assessment of the approximate fair value of our cash, trade receivables,  accounts payable, accrued liabilities,  other liabilities and variable rate long term debt.  The fair value of the derivative instruments are described below.

Interest Rate Swap

In March 2008 we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Bank of America related to a $10.0 million term loan secured by plant, pipeline and equipment.  The interest rate swap was designed to minimize the effect of changes in the London InterBank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") rate.  We had designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging; however, due to the ARC, we felt that the hedge was no longer entirely effective.  Due to the time required to make the determination and the immateriality of the hedge, we began treating it as ineffective as of October 1, 2014.

 
We assess the fair value of the interest rate swap using a present value model that includes quoted LIBOR rates and the nonperformance risk of the Company and Bank of America based on the Credit Default Swap Market (Level 2 of fair value hierarchy).

We have consistently applied valuation techniques in all periods presented and believe we have obtained the most accurate information available for the types of derivative contracts we hold. See discussion of our derivative instruments in Note 12.

12. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Interest Rate Swap

In March 2008, we entered into a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap agreement with Bank of America related to a $10.0 million (later increased to $14 million) term loan secured by plant, pipeline and equipment. The effective date of the interest rate swap agreement was August 15, 2008, and terminates on December 15, 2017.  The notional amount of the interest rate swap was $1.0 million and $1.75 million at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively.  We receive credit for payments of variable rate interest made on the term loan at the loan's variable rates, which are based upon the London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR), and pay Bank of America an interest rate of 5.83% less the credit on the interest rate swap.  We originally designated the transaction as a cash flow hedge according to ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging.  Beginning on August 15, 2008, the derivative instrument was reported at fair value with any changes in fair value reported within other comprehensive income (loss) in the Company's Statement of Stockholders' Equity.  We entered into the interest rate swap to minimize the effect of changes in the LIBOR rate.

Due to the ARC discussed in Note 10, we believe that the hedge is no longer entirely effective; therefore, we began treating the interest rate swap as ineffective at that point.  The changes in fair value are now recorded in the Statement of Income.  For the three months ended September 30, 2017, an unrealized loss of approximately $1,000 and a realized loss of approximately $14,000 were recorded.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an unrealized gain of approximately $1,000 and a realized loss of approximately $53,000 were recorded. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, an unrealized gain of approximately $5,000 and a realized loss of approximately $30,000 were recorded.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, an unrealized loss of approximately $9,000 and a realized loss of approximately $100,000 were recorded.

The following table shows (in thousands) the impact the agreement had on the financial statements:

   
September 30, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
 
             
Fair value of interest rate swap  - liability
 
$
7
   
$
58
 

13. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock-based compensation of approximately $716,000 and $608,000 during the three months and $2,005,000 and $1,882,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, was recognized.

Restricted Stock Unit Awards

On June 16, 2017, we awarded approximately 127,000 shares of restricted stock units to officers at a grant date price of $11.40.  One-half of the restricted stock units vest ratably over three years.  The other half vests at the end of three years based upon the performance metrics of return on invested capital and earnings per share growth.  The number of shares actually granted will be adjusted based upon relative performance to our peers.  Compensation expense recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, was approximately $121,000 and $161,000, respectively.

Director compensation of approximately $56,000 and $19,000 during the three months and $169,000 and $32,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, was recognized related to restricted stock unit awards granted to directors vesting through 2020.

Officer compensation of approximately $106,000 and $105,000 was recognized during the three months and $316,000 and $246,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, related to restricted stock unit awards granted to officers.  One-half of the restricted stock units vest ratably over three years.  The other half vests at the end of the three years based upon the performance metrics of return on invested capital and earnings per share growth.  The number of shares actually granted will be adjusted based upon relative performance to our peers.
 

 
Director compensation of approximately $0 and $19,000 was recognized during the three months and $6,000 and $124,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, related to an award of restricted stock units to a director.  The restricted stock unit award vests over 4 years in 20% increments.

Director compensation of approximately $19,000 and $19,000 during the three months and $56,000 and $40,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, was recognized related to restricted stock unit grants vesting through 2020.

Employee compensation of approximately $108,000 and $108,000 during the three months and $323,000 and $323,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, was recognized related to restricted stock units with a 4 year vesting period which was awarded to officers.  This restricted stock vests through 2019.

Restricted stock units activity in the first nine months of 2017 was as follows:

   
Shares of Restricted
Stock Units
   
Weighted Average Grant Date Price per Share
 
             
Outstanding at January 1, 2017
   
350,891
   
$
11.44
 
   Granted
   
127,281
   
$
11.40
 
   Forfeited
   
(21,201
)
 
$
10.52
 
   Vested
   
(78,362
)
 
$
12.00
 
Outstanding at September 30, 2017
   
378,608
   
$
11.37
 

Stock Option and Warrant Awards

A summary of the status of our stock option awards and warrants is presented below:

   
Number of Stock Options & Warrants
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share
   
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
 
                   
Outstanding at January 1, 2017
   
1,348,437
   
$
7.79
       
   Granted
   
--
     
--
       
   Exercised
   
(14,350
)
   
2.90
       
   Expired
   
--
     
--
       
   Cancelled
   
--
     
--
       
   Forfeited
   
--
     
--
       
Outstanding at September 30, 2017
   
1,334,087
   
$
7.84
     
4.5
 
Exercisable at September 30, 2017
   
989,087
   
$
8.19
     
4.8
 

The fair value of the options granted were calculated using the Black Scholes option valuation model with the assumptions as disclosed in prior quarterly and annual filings.

Directors' compensation of approximately $30,000 and $30,000 during the three months and $90,000 and $143,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016,  respectively, was recognized related to options to purchase shares vesting through 2017.

Employee compensation of approximately $277,000 and $308,000 during the three months and $884,000 and $926,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, was recognized related to options with a 4 year vesting period which were awarded to officers and key employees.  These options vest through 2018.

Post-retirement compensation of approximately $0 and $0 was recognized during the three months and $0 and $49,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, related to options awarded to Mr. Hatem El Khalidi in July
 
 
2009.  On May 9, 2010, the Board of Directors determined that Mr. El Khalidi forfeited these options and other retirement benefits when he made various demands against the Company and other AMAK Saudi shareholders which would benefit him personally and were not in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.  The Company is litigating its right to withdraw the options and benefits and as such, these options and benefits continue to be shown as outstanding.  See further discussion in Note 19.

See the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, for additional information.

14. SEGMENT INFORMATION

We operate through business segments according to the nature and economic characteristics of our products as well as the manner in which the information is used internally by our key decision maker, who is our Chief Executive Officer.  Segment data may include rounding differences.

Our petrochemical segment includes SHR and GSPL.  Our specialty wax segment is TC.  We also separately identify our corporate overhead which includes financing and administrative activities such as legal, accounting, consulting, investor relations, officer and director compensation, corporate insurance, and other administrative costs.


   
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
   
Petrochemical
   
Specialty Wax
   
Corporate
   
Consolidated
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Product sales
 
$
52,440
   
$
5,590
   
$
-
   
$
58,030
 
Processing fees
   
1,519
     
1,959
     
-
     
3,478
 
Total revenues
   
53,959
     
7,549
     
-
     
61,508
 
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization
   
9,319
     
(587
)
   
(1,957
)
   
6,775
 
Operating profit (loss)
   
7,735
     
(1,795
)
   
(1,975
)
   
3,965
 
Profit (loss) before taxes
   
7,149
     
(1,975
)
   
(2,879
)
   
2,295
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
1,584
     
1,208
     
18
     
2,810
 
Capital expenditures
   
9,426
     
1,991
     
-
     
11,417
 


   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
   
Petrochemical
   
Specialty Wax
   
Corporate
   
Consolidated
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Product sales
 
$
147,339
   
$
18,606
   
$
-
   
$
165,945
 
Processing fees
   
5,078
     
8,142
     
-
     
13,220
 
Total revenues
   
152,417
     
26,748
     
-
     
179,165
 
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization
   
26,294
     
969
     
(5,978
)
   
21,285
 
Operating profit (loss)
   
21,610
     
(2,264
)
   
(6,027
)
   
13,319
 
Profit (loss) before taxes
   
19,750
     
(2,534
)
   
(11,209
)
   
6,007
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
4,684
     
3,233
     
49
     
7,966
 
Capital expenditures
   
27,203
     
12,047
     
-
     
39,250
 


   
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
   
Petrochemical
   
Specialty Wax
   
Corporate
   
Consolidated
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Product sales
 
$
47,250
   
$
4,865
   
$
-
   
$
52,115
 
Processing fees
   
2,909
     
2,118
     
-
     
5,027
 
Total revenues
   
50,159
     
6,983
     
-
     
57,142
 
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization
   
7,813
     
118
     
(1,238
)
   
6,693
 
Operating profit (loss)
   
6,366
     
(987
)
   
(1,251
)
   
4,128
 
Profit (loss) before taxes
   
5,812
     
(1,063
)
   
(182
)
   
4,567
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
1,447
     
1,105
     
13
     
2,565
 
Capital expenditures
   
5,411
     
4,066
     
-
     
9,477
 

 
 

 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
   
Petrochemical
   
Specialty Wax
   
Corporate
   
Consolidated
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Product sales
 
$
129,076
   
$
14,585
   
$
-
   
$
143,661
 
Processing fees
   
6,769
     
7,766
     
-
     
14,535
 
Total revenues
   
135,845
     
22,351
     
-
     
158,196
 
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization
   
25,699
     
2,774
     
(5,128
)
   
23,345
 
Operating profit (loss)
   
21,488
     
(171
)
   
(5,148
)
   
16,169
 
Profit before taxes*
   
19,696
     
11,427
     
259
     
31,382
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
4,211
     
2,945
     
20
     
7,176
 
Capital expenditures
   
16,812
     
11,059
     
-
     
27,871
 
    *Profit (loss) before taxes for the specialty wax segment includes a bargain purchase gain of $11.5 million.


   
September 30, 2017
 
   
Petrochemical
   
Specialty Wax
   
Corporate
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Goodwill and intangible assets, net
 
$
-
   
$
43,071
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
43,071
 
Total assets
   
246,679
     
116,494
     
94,747
     
(151,121
)
   
306,799
 

   
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
   
Petrochemical
   
Specialty Wax
   
Corporate
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Goodwill and intangible assets, net
 
$
-
   
$
44,467
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
44,467
 
Total assets
   
219,376
     
113,676
     
106,428
     
(148,996
)
   
290,484
 

15. INCOME TAXES

We file an income tax return in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and a margin tax return in Texas. We received notification from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") in November 2016 that the December 31, 2014, tax return was selected for audit.  In April 2017 the audit was expanded to include the year ended December 31, 2015 to review the refund claim related to research and development activities.  The audit is ongoing, and we do not expect any adjustment to the return.  If any issues addressed in the audit are resolved in a manner not consistent with our expectation, provisions will be adjusted in the period the resolution occurs.  Tax returns for various jurisdictions remain open for examination for the years 2013 through 2016.  As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, we recognized no material adjustments in connection with uncertain tax positions.  The effective tax rate varies from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily as a result of state tax expense and stock based compensation offset by the manufacturing deduction and research and development.  The application for the change in accounting method for inventory from LIFO to FIFO and the change for spare parts inventory are being submitted to the IRS.

16. POST-RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

In January 2008 an amended retirement agreement was entered into with Mr. Hatem El Khalidi; however, on May 9, 2010, the Board of Directors terminated the agreement due to actions of Mr. El Khalidi.  See Notes 13 and 19.  All amounts which have not met termination dates remain recorded until a resolution is achieved. As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, approximately $1.0 million remained outstanding and was included in post-retirement benefits.

In July 2015 we entered into a retirement agreement with former CEO, Nicholas Carter.  As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, approximately $0.3 million remained outstanding and was included in post-retirement obligations.

See the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, for additional information.

17. INVESTMENT IN AMAK

In July 2016 AMAK issued four million shares to provide additional funds for ongoing exploration work and mine start-up activities.  Arab Mining Co. ("Armico") purchased 3.75 million shares at 20 Saudi Riyals per share (USD$5.33 per share) and the remaining 250,000 shares are for future use as employee incentives.  We did not participate in the offering, thereby reducing our ownership percentage in AMAK to 33.44% from 35.25%.
 

 
As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, the Company had a non-controlling equity interest of 33.44% in AMAK of approximately $44.2 million and $49.4 million, respectively. This investment is accounted for under the equity method. There were no events or changes in circumstances that may have an adverse effect on the fair value of our investment in AMAK at September 30, 2017.

AMAK's financial statements were prepared in the functional currency of AMAK which is the Saudi Riyal (SR).  In June 1986 the SR was officially pegged to the U. S. Dollar (USD) at a fixed exchange rate of 1 USD to 3.75 SR.

The summarized results of operation and financial position for AMAK are as follows:

Results of Operations

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
   
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Sales
 
$
9,709
   
$
318
   
$
11,965
   
$
9,921
 
                                 
Gross loss
   
(1,307
)
   
(4,747
)
   
(11,515
)
   
(7,556
)
General, administrative and other expenses
   
2,382
     
2,463
     
6,942
     
6,986
 
Loss from operations
 
$
(3,689
)
 
$
(7,210
)
 
$
(18,457
)
 
$
(14,542
)
Gain on settlements with former operator
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
17,440
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
(3,689
)
 
$
(7,210
)
 
$
(18,457
)
 
$
2,898
 

Gain on settlements with former operator of approximately $0 during the three months ended and $17.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, relates to a settlement with the former operator of the mine resulting in a reduction of previously accrued operating expenses.

Depreciation and amortization was $6.2 million and $3.2 million for the three months and $16.9 million and $8.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively.  Therefore, net income before depreciation and amortization was as follows:

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
   
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Net income (loss) before depreciation and amortization
 
$
2,525
   
$
(4,021
)
 
$
(1,577
)
 
$
11,504
 

Financial Position

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2017
   
2016
 
   
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Current assets
 
$
22,839
   
$
22,860
 
Noncurrent assets
   
247,335
     
251,741
 
Total assets
 
$
270,174
   
$
274,601
 
                 
Current liabilities
 
$
26,315
   
$
8,005
 
Long term liabilities
   
78,265
     
82,546
 
Shareholders' equity
   
165,594
     
184,050
 
   
$
270,174
   
$
274,601
 

The equity in the income or loss of AMAK reflected on the consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, is comprised of the following:

 

 
   
Three months ended
September 30,
   
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
   
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
AMAK Net Income (Loss)
 
$
(3,689
)
 
$
(7,210
)
 
$
(18,457
)
 
$
2,898
 
Zakat tax applicable to Saudi Arabian shareholders only
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
320
 
AMAK Net Income (Loss) before Saudi Arabian shareholders' portion of Zakat
 
$
(3,689
)
 
$
(7,210
)
 
$
(18,457
)
 
$
3,218
 
                                 
Company's share of income (loss) reported by AMAK
 
$
(1,234
)
 
$
(2,426
)
 
$
(6,172
)
 
$
1,250
 
Amortization of difference between Company's investment in AMAK and Company's share of net assets of AMAK
   
337
     
337
     
1,011
     
1,011
 
Equity in earnings (loss) of AMAK
 
$
(897
)
 
$
(2,089
)
 
$
(5,161
)
 
$
2,261
 

See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, for additional information.

We have an advance due from AMAK for reimbursement of fees associated with AMAK Board meetings.  We have not advanced any cash to AMAK during 2017.

18. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Consulting fees of approximately $0 and $0 were incurred during the three months and $27,000 and $33,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively from IHS Global FZ LLC of which Company Director Gary K Adams held the position of Chief Advisor – Chemicals until April 1, 2017.

Consulting fees of approximately $19,000 and $17,000 were incurred during the three months and $56,000 and $52,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, from Chairman of the Board, Nicholas Carter.  Due to his history and experience with the Company and to provide continuity after his retirement, a three year consulting agreement was entered into with Mr. Carter in July 2015.

19. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Guarantees

On October 24, 2010, we executed a limited Guarantee in favor of the Saudi Industrial Development Fund ("SIDF") whereby we agreed to guaranty up to 41% of the SIDF loan to AMAK in the principal amount of 330.0 million Saudi Riyals (US$88.0 million) (the "Loan"). The term of the loan is through June 2019.  As a condition of the Loan, SIDF required all shareholders of AMAK to execute personal or corporate Guarantees; as a result, our guarantee is for approximately 135.33 million Saudi Riyals (US$36.1 million). The loan was necessary to continue construction of the AMAK facilities and provide working capital needs.  We received no consideration in connection with extending the guarantee and did so to maintain and enhance the value of its investment.  The total amount outstanding to the SIDF at September 30, 2017, was 305.0 million Saudi Riyals (US$81.3 million).

Litigation -

From time to time, we may become party to litigation or other legal proceedings that we consider to be a part of the ordinary course of our business. We are not currently involved in any legal proceedings that we believe could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations. We may become involved in material legal proceedings in the future.

On March 21, 2011, Mr. El Khalidi filed suit against the Company in Texas alleging breach of contract and other claims.  The 88th Judicial District Court of Hardin County, Texas dismissed all claims and counterclaims for want of prosecution in this matter on July 24, 2013.  The Ninth Court of Appeals subsequently affirmed the dismissal for want of prosecution and the Supreme Court of Texas denied Mr. El Khalidi's petition for review.  On May 1, 2014, Mr. El Khalidi refiled his lawsuit against the Company for breach of contract and defamation in the 356th Judicial District Court of Hardin County, Texas.  The case was transferred to the 88th Judicial District Court of Hardin County, Texas.  On September 1, 2016, the Court dismissed all of Mr. El Khalidi's claims and causes of action with prejudice.  Mr. El Khalidi appealed, and the issues have been fully briefed.  Liabilities of approximately $1.0 million remain recorded, and the options will continue to accrue in accordance with their own terms until all matters are resolved.
 
 

 
Environmental Remediation -

Amounts charged to expense for various activities related to environmental monitoring, compliance, and improvements were approximately $119,000 and $136,000 for the three months and $444,000 and $437,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively.







ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

FORWARD LOOKING AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

Except for the historical information and discussion contained herein, statements contained in this release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the following: a downturn in the economic environment; the Company's failure to meet growth and productivity objectives; fluctuations in revenues and purchases; impact of local legal, economic, political and health conditions; adverse effects from environmental matters, tax matters and the Company's pension plans; ineffective internal controls; the Company's use of accounting estimates; competitive conditions; the Company's ability to attract and retain key personnel and its reliance on critical skills; impact of relationships with critical suppliers; currency fluctuations; impact of changes in market liquidity conditions and customer credit risk on receivables; the Company's ability to successfully manage acquisitions and alliances; general economic conditions domestically and internationally; insufficient cash flows from operating activities; difficulties in obtaining financing; outstanding debt and other financial and legal obligations; industry cycles; specialty petrochemical product and mineral prices; feedstock availability; technological developments; regulatory changes; foreign government instability; foreign legal and political concepts; and foreign currency fluctuations, as well as other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including this release, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control.

Overview

The following discussion and analysis of our financial results, as well as the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes to consolidated financial statements to which they refer, are the responsibility of our management.  Our accounting and financial reporting fairly reflect our business model involving the manufacturing and marketing of petrochemical products and synthetic waxes.  Our business model involves the manufacture and sale of tangible products and the provision of custom processing services.  Our consistent approach to providing high purity products and quality services to our customers has helped to maintain our current position as a preferred supplier of various petrochemical products.

The discussion and analysis of financial condition and the results of operations which appears below should be read in conjunction with the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements which appear in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

We believe we are well-positioned to benefit from capital investments that we have recently completed or that are in progress.  As a result of the D Train expansion which was completed in 2014, we now have sufficient pentane capacity to readily maintain our share of market growth for the foreseeable future.  Both the advanced reformer unit and the hydrogenation/distillation project will provide increased revenue and gross margin.  While petrochemical prices are volatile on a short-term basis and volumes depend on the demand of our customers' products and overall customer efficiency, our investment decisions are based on our long-term business outlook. 

We continue to emphasize operational excellence and our competitive advantages achieved through our high quality products and outstanding customer service and responsiveness.  We believe these attributes are an important differentiation from our competitors.

Review of Third Quarter and Year-to-Date 2017 Results

We reported third quarter 2017 earnings of $1.7 million down from $2.8 million from third quarter 2016. Diluted earnings per share of $0.07 were reported for 2017, down from $0.11 in 2016.  Sales volume of our petrochemical products increased 8.2%, and sales revenue from our petrochemical products increased 11.0% as compared to third quarter 2016.  Prime product petrochemical sales volumes (which exclude by-product sales) were up 5.5% over third quarter 2016.  Wax sales revenue was up 14.9% compared to third quarter 2016.  Gross profit margin increased to 16.0% of sales in third quarter 2017 from 15.6% in third quarter 2016.

We reported year-to-date 2017 earnings of $4.0 million down from $20.3 million from the first nine months of 2016. Diluted earnings per share of $0.16 were reported for 2017, down from $0.81 in the first nine months of 2016.  During the first nine months of 2016 we recorded a bargain purchase gain on the BASF acquisition of $11.5 million and a gain on the additional equity issuance by AMAK of $3.2 million, which significantly impacted both earnings and earnings per share.  Sales volume
 
 
of our petrochemical products increased 4.3%, and sales revenue from our petrochemical products increased 14.1% as compared to the first nine months of 2016.  Prime product petrochemical sales volumes (which exclude by-product sales) were up 6.5% over the first nine months of 2016.  Wax sales revenue was up 27.6% from first nine months of 2016.  Gross profit margin declined from 20.4% to 17.6%.  This was largely due to higher feedstock costs, higher operating costs, and costs related to Hurricane Harvey.

Hurricane Harvey Impact

The financial impact of Hurricane Harvey to our company was significant.  Harvey made landfall on the Texas Gulf Coast on August 25 and affected operations at both SHR and TC.  We estimate the total negative impact to EBITDA was approximately $1.5 million to $1.8 million.  This includes expenses related to generator rentals, overtime labor, and maintenance and repairs of approximately $0.7 million.  This estimate also includes lost sales due to outages at customer and supplier facilities.  Neither of our facilities suffered any significant damage.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We include in this Quarterly Report the non-GAAP financial measures of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income and provide reconciliations from our most directly comparable financial measures to those measures.

We define EBITDA as net income plus interest expense including derivative gains and losses, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.  We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus share-based compensation, plus or minus equity in AMAK's earnings and losses or gains from equity issuances and plus or minus gains or losses on acquisitions.  We define Adjusted Net Income as net income plus or minus tax effected equity in AMAK's earnings and losses and plus or minus tax effected gains or losses on acquisitions.  These measures are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under U.S. GAAP and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net income (loss), nor as an indicator of cash flows reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These measures are used as supplemental financial measures by management and external users of our financial statements such as investors, banks, research analysts and others.  We believe that these non-GAAP measures are useful as they exclude transactions not related to our core cash operating activities.

The following table presents a reconciliation of net income, our most directly comparable GAAP financial performance measure for each of the periods presented, to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted Net Income.

   
Three months ended
September 30,
   
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
   
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Net Income
 
$
1,718
   
$
2,799
   
$
4,037
   
$
20,275
 
                                 
    Interest expense
   
795
     
568
     
2,109
     
1,803
 
    Depreciation and amortization
   
2,810
     
2,565
     
7,966
     
7,176
 
    Income tax expense
   
577
     
1,768
     
1,970
     
11,107
 
EBITDA
 
$
5,900
   
$
7,700
   
$
16,082
   
$
40,361
 
                                 
    Share-based compensation
   
716
     
608
     
2,005
     
1,882
 
    Bargain purchase gain on BASF acquisition
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(11,549
)
    Gain from additional equity issuance by AMAK
   
-
     
(3,168
)
   
-
     
(3,168
)
    Equity in (earnings) losses of AMAK
   
897
     
2,089
     
5,161
     
(2,261
)
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
7,513
   
$
7,229
   
$
23,248
   
$
25,265
 
                                 
Net Income
 
$
1,718
   
$
2,799
   
$
4,037
   
$
20,275
 
                                 
        Equity in (earnings) losses of AMAK
 
$
897
   
$
2,089
   
$
5,161
   
$
(2,261
)
    Gain from additional equity issuance by AMAK
   
-
     
(3,168
)
   
-
     
(3,168
)
    Bargain purchase gain on BASF acquisition
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(11,549
)
    Total of equity in (earnings) losses of AMAK and bargain
     purchase gain on BASF acquisition
   
897
     
(1,079
)
   
5,161
     
(16,978
)
    Taxes at statutory rate of 35%
   
314
     
378
     
1,806
     
5,943
 
    Tax effected equity in (earnings) losses of AMAK and bargain
     purchase gain on BASF acquisition
   
583
     
(701
)
   
3,355
     
(11,035
)
Adjusted Net Income
 
$
2,301
   
$
2,098
   
$
7,392
   
$
9,240
 
 
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

Working Capital

Our approximate working capital days are summarized as follows:

   
September 30, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
   
September 30, 2016
 
Days sales outstanding in accounts receivable
   
34.6
     
38.2
     
34.3
 
Days sales outstanding in inventory
   
19.6
     
30.2
     
31.8
 
Days sales outstanding in accounts payable
   
18.9
     
22.9
     
16.0
 
Days of working capital
   
35.4
     
45.5
     
50.2
 

Our days sales outstanding in accounts receivable decreased due to a decrease in sales during September because of the hurricane.  Our days sales outstanding in inventory decreased due to a concerted effort to reduce inventory on hand at both facilities and reduced production associated with the storm.  Our days sales outstanding in accounts payable decreased due to construction expenses for the hydrogenation/distillation project at TC nearing completion.  Since days of working capital is calculated using the above three metrics, it decreased for the reasons discussed.

Cash decreased $4.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to a decrease of $11.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  Our total available liquidity which includes cash and available revolving borrowing capacity under the ARC was approximately $35.2 million and $37.9 million at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively.

The change in cash is summarized as follows:

   
2017
   
2016
 
Net cash provided by (used in)
 
(thousands of dollars)
 
Operating activities
 
$
29,554
   
$
20,074
 
Investing activities
   
(39,336
)
   
(27,871
)
Financing activities
   
5,612
     
(3,239
)
Decrease in cash
 
$
(4,170
)
 
$
(11,036
)
Cash
 
$
4,219
   
$
7,587
 

Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities totaled $29.6 million for the first nine months of 2017 $9.5 million higher than 2016.    For the first nine months of 2017 net income decreased by approximately $16.2 million as compared to the corresponding period of 2016. Major non-cash items affecting 2017 income included increases in deferred taxes of $1.6 million and equity in losses of AMAK of $5.2 million.  Major non-cash items affecting 2016 income included increases in deferred taxes of $6.9 million, bargain purchase gain from the BASF acquisition of $11.5 million, gain from additional equity issuance by AMAK of $3.2 million and equity in earnings of AMAK of $2.3 million.

Factors leading to an increase in cash provided by operating activities included:

·
Inventory decreased approximately $5.0 million (due to an effort to decrease inventory on hand at both facilities and downtime associated with the hurricane which impacted production) as compared to an increase of approximately $2.6 million in 2016 (due to lower sales volume);

·
Prepaid expenses and other assets decreased approximately $0.4 million (primarily due to a reduction in prepaid insurance due to a finance arrangement) as compared to an increase of approximately $1.3 million in 2016 (due primarily to an increase in prepaid insurance because of higher premiums based upon our higher asset base); and

·
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities increased $3.4 million (due to an increase in construction expenditures) as compared to an increase of approximately $1.3 million in 2016 (also due to increased construction expenditures).

These sources of cash were partially offset by the following decrease in cash provided by operations:

·
Income tax receivable decreased $0.2 million (due to an adjustment to current taxes related to the change to the LIFO method for inventory valuation) as compared to a decrease of approximately $4.1 million in 2016 (due to the overpayment being applied to 2016 estimated taxes).

 
 
Investing Activities

Cash used by investing activities during the first nine months of 2017 was approximately $39.3 million, representing an increase of approximately $11.5 million over the corresponding period of 2016.  During the first nine months of 2017, the primary use of capital expenditures was for the hydrogenation/distillation unit and the new advanced reformer unit.  During the first nine months of 2016 we purchased equipment for the hydrogenation/distillation unit, construction of the new reformer unit, a new cooling tower, and the new custom processing unit; upgraded roads throughout the petrochemical facility; continued to make improvements to storage; purchased the BASF facility; and made various other facility improvements.

Financing Activities

Cash provided by financing activities during the first nine months of 2017 was approximately $5.6 million versus cash used of $3.2 million during the corresponding period of 2016.  During 2017 we made principal payments on our acquisition loan of $7.0 million and our term debt of $1.3 million.  We drew $14.0 million on our line of credit to fund ongoing capital projects.  During 2016 we drew $3.0 million on our line of credit made principal payments on our acquisition loan of $5.3 million and our term debt of $1.0 million.

Anticipated Cash Needs

We believe that the Company is capable of supporting its operating requirements and capital expenditures through internally generated funds supplemented with borrowings under our ARC.

Results of Operations

Comparison of Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

Specialty Petrochemical Segment

   
2017
   
2016
   
Change
   
%Change
 
   
(thousands of dollars)
 
Petrochemical Product Sales
 
$
52,440
   
$
47,250
   
$
5,190
     
11.0
%
Processing
   
1,519
     
2,909
     
(1,390
)
   
(47.8
%)
Gross Revenue
 
$
53,959
   
$
50,159
   
$
3,800
     
7.6
%
                                 
Volume of Sales (gallons)
                               
  Petrochemical Products
   
22,353
     
20,665
     
1,688
     
8.2
%
  Prime Product Sales
   
16,681
     
15,818
     
863
     
5.5
%
                                 
  Cost of Sales
 
$
43,424
   
$
41,531
   
$
1,893
     
4.6
%
  Gross Margin
   
19.5
%
   
17.2
%
   
2.3
%
   
13.5
%
  Total Operating Expense**
   
15,040
     
16,686
     
(1,646
)
   
(9.9
%)
  Natural Gas Expense**
   
1,106
     
992
     
114
     
11.5
%
  Operating Labor Costs**
   
4,412
     
4,084
     
328
     
8.0
%
  Transportation Costs**
   
6,051
     
6,701
     
(650
)
   
(9.7
%)
  General & Administrative Expense
   
2,595
     
2,105
     
490
     
23.3
%
  Depreciation and Amortization*
   
1,584
     
1,447
     
137
     
9.5
%
  Capital Expenditures
 
$
9,426
   
$
5,411
   
$
4,015
     
74.2
%
*Includes $1,378 and $1,291 for 2017 and 2016, respectively, which is included in operating expense
** Included in cost of sales

Gross Revenue

Gross Revenue increased during third quarter 2017 from third quarter 2016 by 7.6% primarily due to an increase in the average selling price of 1.6% and volume of 8.2% partially offset by a decrease in processing revenue.

Petrochemical Product Sales

Petrochemical product sales increased by 11.0% during third quarter 2017 from third quarter 2016 due to an increase in the average selling price of 1.6% and an increase in volume sold of 8.2%.  Our average selling price increased because of two
 
 
reasons.  First, by-product selling prices were significantly higher in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016; and second, a large portion of our prime product sales  are contracted with pricing formulas which are tied to prior month Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) prices which is our primary feedstock.  Feedstock prices were higher in third quarter 2017 as compared to third quarter 2016.  Prime product volume increased 5.5% in third quarter 2017 as compared to third quarter.  Due to the need to produce additional prime products to support the increase in sales volume, our by-product volume increased 17.0%.  It should be noted that by-product margins are significantly lower than margins for our prime products.  By-product margins in the third quarter of 2017 were higher compared to third quarter of 2016 mainly due to higher values for certain components in the by-products.  Foreign sales volume decreased to 17.3% of total petrochemical volume from 25.7% in third quarter 2016.

Processing

Processing revenues decreased 47.8% during third quarter 2017 from 2016 due to a decrease in reimbursements from a processing customer.

Cost of Sales

Cost of Sales increased 4.6% during third quarter 2017 from 2016 primarily due to the increase in feedstock cost and volume.  Our average feedstock cost per gallon increased 3.2% over third quarter 2016 primarily due to an approximately 13% increase in the benchmark price of Mont Belvieu natural gasoline, which was partially offset by lower penalty payments and other delivery costs.  The increase in feedstock costs compressed margins for the spot or non-formula portion of prime product sales.  These are sales which do not have pricing formulas tied to feedstock costs.  The increase in gross margin percentage from 17.2% to 19.5% was supported by lower operating expenses and an increase in margins for by-products.
Volume processed increased 7.1% over third quarter 2016.  We use natural gasoline as feedstock which is the heavier liquid remaining after ethane, propane and butanes are removed from liquids produced by natural gas wells.  The material is a commodity product in the oil/petrochemical markets and generally is readily available.  The price of natural gasoline normally correlates approximately 90% with the price of crude oil.  We expect our advanced reformer unit which is due online in first quarter 2018 to enable us to convert the less valuable components in our feed into higher value products, thereby allowing us to sell our byproducts at higher prices. The contract pricing formulas used to sell the majority of our prime products typically have a 30 day trailing feed cost basis; and therefore, are slightly favorable during periods of rapidly falling feedstock prices but are unfavorable when prices rise. 

Total Operating Expense

Total Operating Expense decreased 9.9% during third quarter 2017 from 2016.  Natural gas, labor, and transportation are the largest individual expenses in this category; however, not all of these decreased.

The cost of natural gas purchased increased 11.5% during 2017 from 2016 due to higher per unit cost and an increase in volume consumed.  The average price per MMBTU for third quarter 2017 was $3.22 whereas, for 2016 the per-unit cost was $2.93.  Volume increased slightly to approximately 337,000 MMBTU from about 331,000 MMBTU.  However, volume was down from second quarter 2017 which consumed approximately 417,000 MMBTU.  The reduction in consumption sequentially was due to downtime associated with the hurricane.

Labor costs were higher by 8.0% during 2017 from 2016 primarily due to additional expenses associated with the storm.
Transportation costs were lower by 9.7% primarily due to a decrease in the number of isocontainers and railcars which were shipped.  Isocontainers are utilized primarily for shipments overseas.

In addition, in third quarter 2016 we saw increases in plant maintenance and expenses associated with installation of a processing unit for which we were reimbursed at cost plus a markup fee.  These were minimal during 2017.

General and Administrative Expense

General and Administrative costs for third quarter 2017 increased from 2016 by 23.3% primarily due to an increase in our property tax accrual because of the expiration of abatements.  Group insurance and administrative labor costs also increased.

Depreciation

Depreciation increased 9.5% during third quarter 2017 from 2016 primarily due to 2016 capital expenditures increasing our depreciable base.
 
 

 
Capital Expenditures

Capital Expenditures increased 74.2% during third quarter 2017 from 2016 primarily due to the new advanced reformer unit project.  See additional detail above under "Investing Activities".  Due to delays caused by the impact of the hurricane and issues with improper welding by the supplier of certain equipment in the reactor section of the new unit, we now expect the advanced reformer unit to come online toward the end of first quarter 2018.

Specialty Wax Segment

   
2017
   
2016
   
Change
   
%Change
 
   
(thousands of dollars)
 
Product Sales
 
$
5,590
   
$
4,864
   
$
726
     
14.9
%
Processing
   
1,959
     
2,119
     
(160
)
   
(7.6
%)
Gross Revenue
 
$
7,549
   
$
6,983
   
$
566
     
8.1
%
                                 
  Volume of wax sales (thousand pounds)
   
8,036
     
8,248
     
(212
)
   
(2.6
%)
                                 
  Cost of Sales
 
$
8,216
   
$
6,708
   
$
1,508
     
22.5
%
  Gross Margin
   
(8.8
%)
   
4.0
%
   
(12.8
%)
   
(320.0
%)
  General & Administrative Expense
   
1,107
     
1,238
     
(131
)
   
(10.6
%)
  Depreciation and Amortization*
   
1,208
     
1,105
     
103
     
9.3
%
  Capital Expenditures
 
$
1,991
   
$
4,066
   
$
(2,075
)
   
(51.0
%)
*Includes $1,187 and $1,082 for 2017 and 2016, respectively, which is included in cost of sales

Product Sales

Product sales revenue increased 14.9% during third quarter 2017 from third quarter 2016 as we continued to see strong growth in wax sales both domestically and in export.  Polyethylene wax sales remained steady during the quarter.  However, volumes of our traditional products were impacted by the storm due to outages at our wax feed suppliers.  We continue to make progress in growing sales in our new products for our Hot Melt Adhesives ("HMA") and PVC Lubricant markets.   These products are characterized by generally higher margins and growth rates.  Sales of these products were down from the second quarter primarily due to summer slowdown at European customers and inventory build at one of our distributors.  In third quarter 2016, sales for these products were insignificant.
 
Processing

Processing revenues decreased 7.6% during third quarter 2017 from third quarter 2016 primarily due to the impact of the hurricane.  The entire facility was down for a full week during the storm, and when you are selling time, it means zero custom processing revenue for that week.  Additionally, we experienced start-up difficulties with the hydrogenation unit resulting in negligible processing revenues from that unit.  Further, faulty equipment in one of the units in the original plant caused an extended shutdown resulting in further loss of revenues.  This unit will be starting up shortly and running on a high value project through the end of the year.
 
Cost of Sales

Cost of Sales increased 22.5% during third quarter 2017 from third quarter 2016 primarily due to increases in labor, freight, equipment maintenance, and natural gas utilities.  These cost increases were primarily attributable to the start-up of the hydrogenation/distillation unit.

General and Administrative Expense

General and Administrative costs decreased 10.6% during third quarter 2017 from 2016 primarily due to a decrease in other compensation expense, accounting fees and security service expense.

Depreciation

Depreciation increased 9.3% during third quarter 2017 from 2016 primarily due to the hydrogenation/distillation unit coming online.




Capital Expenditures

Capital Expenditures decreased 51.0% during third quarter 2017 from third quarter 2016 primarily due to a decrease in expenditures for construction in progress including the hydrogenation/distillation project.  The project came online in second and third quarters 2017.

Corporate Segment

   
2017
   
2016
   
Change
   
%Change
 
   
(in thousands)
       
General & Administrative Expense
 
$
1,957
   
$
1,238
   
$
719
     
58.1
%
Equity in earnings (losses) of AMAK
   
(897
)
   
(2,089
)
   
1,192
     
(57.1
%)
Gain from additional equity issuance by AMAK
   
-
     
3,168
     
(3,168
)
   
(100.0
%)

General and Administrative Expenses

General corporate expenses increased during third quarter 2017 from third quarter 2016 primarily due to an increase in officer compensation. Officer compensation increased due to the accrual for 2017 executive bonuses and the reversal of certain accrued expenses in the third quarter of 2016, including the accrual for bonuses when it was determined they would not be awarded.

Equity in Losses of AMAK

Equity in losses of AMAK decreased during third quarter 2017 from third quarter 2016.  Since the AMAK facility was idle during 2016, they had no sales.  They recorded sales in third quarter 2017 which offset some of their expenses.

AMAK Summarized Income Statement

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
 
   
(thousands of dollars)
 
Sales
 
$
9,709
   
$
318
 
                 
Gross loss
   
1,307
     
4,747
 
General, administrative and other expenses
   
2,382
     
2,463
 
Net loss
 
$
3,689
   
$
7,210
 


AMAK continues to upgrade leadership and personnel at the site while filling all significant personnel vacancies.  Sixteen percent more copper concentrate was shipped to the port in third quarter 2017 than in second quarter 2017.  Zinc concentrate to the port was up 38% quarter on quarter.  There was one shipment of lower quality copper and zinc concentrate during the quarter.  Although AMAK is not yet fully at target throughputs and notwithstanding ongoing water quality and minor plant reliability issues; throughput rates, concentrate quality and recoveries continue to steadily improve. We reported on initial Guyan exploration results.  Exploration continues both at Guyan and the surrounding areas with a similar geological profile.  Exploration results which are expected to extend the life of the copper and zinc mine assets are anticipated later this year.




Comparison of Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

Specialty Petrochemical Segment

   
2017
   
2016
   
Change
   
%Change
 
   
(thousands of dollars)
 
Petrochemical Product Sales
 
$
147,339
   
$
129,076
   
$
18,263
     
14.1
%
Processing
   
5,078
     
6,769
     
(1,691
)
   
(25.0
%)
Gross Revenue
 
$
152,417
   
$
135,845
   
$
16,572
     
12.2
%
                                 
Volume of Sales (gallons)
                               
  Petrochemical Products
   
60,512
     
58,018
     
2,494
     
4.3
%
  Prime Product Sales
   
46,867
     
44,018
     
2,849
     
6.5
%
                                 
  Cost of Sales
 
$
122,351
   
$
107,067
   
$
15,284
     
14.3
%
  Gross margin
   
19.7
%
   
21.2
%
   
(1.5
%)
   
(6.9
%)
  Total Operating Expense**
   
43,161
     
43,527
     
(366
)
   
(0.8
%)
  Natural Gas Expense**
   
3,545
     
2,405
     
1,140
     
47.4
%
  Operating Labor Costs**
   
11,688
     
11,893
     
(205
)
   
(1.7
%)
  Transportation Costs**
   
18,314
     
17,850
     
464
     
2.6
%
  General & Administrative Expense
   
7,914
     
6,821
     
1,093
     
16.0
%
  Depreciation and Amortization*
   
4,684
     
4,211
     
473
     
11.2
%
  Capital Expenditures
 
$
27,203
   
$
16,812
   
$
10,391
     
61.8
%
*Includes $4,142 and $3,743 for 2017 and 2016, respectively, which is included in operating expense
** Included in cost of sales

Gross Revenue

Gross Revenue increased during the first nine months of 2017 from 2016 by approximately 12.2% primarily due to an increase in the average selling price of 9.4% and an increase in volume of 4.3% offset by a decrease in processing fees.

Petrochemical Product Sales

Petrochemical product sales revenue increased by 14.1% during the first nine months of 2017 from 2016 due to an increase in the average selling price of 9.4% and an increase in volume of 4.3%.  Our average selling price increased because of higher prices for prime products and by-products, driven by higher feedstock costs.  A large portion of our prime product sales are contracted with formulas which are tied to Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) prices which is our primary feedstock.  NGL prices were relatively stable during the first nine months of 2017 but were significantly higher than the first nine months of 2016.  Foreign sales volume decreased to 19.6% of total petrochemical volume from 22.7% in the first nine months of 2016.

Processing

Processing revenues decreased 25.0% during the first nine months of 2017 from 2016 due to reduced fees associated with a new customer who reimbursed us for installation expenses plus a markup during the first nine months of 2016 and outages associated with the hurricane in 2017.

Cost of Sales

Cost of Sales increased 14.3% during the first nine months of 2017 from 2016 due to the increase in NGL prices as mentioned above.  Our average feedstock cost per gallon increased 17.6%; whereas volume processed remained steady.  We use natural gasoline as feedstock which is the heavier liquid remaining after ethane, propane and butanes are removed from liquids produced by natural gas wells.  The material is a commodity product in the oil/petrochemical markets and generally is readily available.  The price of natural gasoline normally correlates approximately 90% with the price of crude oil.  The benchmark price of Mont Belvieu natural gasoline increased approximately 21% for the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.  The increase in feedstock cost compressed margins for the spot or non-formula portion of prime product sales.  These are sales which do not have pricing formulas tied to feedstock costs.  This factor contributed to the decline in gross margin percentage from 21.2% to 19.7%.  Our advanced reformer unit (due online in first quarter 2018) will allow us to convert many of the by-products into higher value products, thereby allowing us to sell our byproducts at higher prices.


Total Operating Expense

Total Operating Expense decreased 0.8% during the first nine months of 2017 from 2016.  Natural gas, labor, and transportation are the largest individual expenses in this category; however, not all of these decreased.

The cost of natural gas purchased increased 47.4% during 2017 from 2016 due to an increase in the average per unit cost and consumption.  The average price per MMBTU for the first nine months of 2017 was $3.32 whereas, for 2016 the per-unit cost was $2.44.  Volume consumed increased to approximately 1,075,000 MMBTU from about 989,000 MMBTU.

Labor costs were lower by 1.7% primarily due to maintenance labor being capitalized to construction in progress.

Transportation costs were higher by 2.6% primarily due to an increase in the number of isocontainer shipments during the first nine months of 2017.  These shipments increased 112.6% and are generally used for overseas shipments.

In addition, during 2016 we saw increases in plant maintenance and expenses associated with installation of a processing unit for which we were reimbursed at cost plus a markup fee.  These were minimal during 2017.

General and Administrative Expense

General and Administrative costs for the first nine months of 2017 from 2016 increased by 16.0% primarily due to an increase in our property tax accrual because of the expiration of abatements.  Group insurance and administrative labor costs also increased.

Depreciation

Depreciation increased 11.2% during the first nine months of 2017 from 2016 primarily due to 2016 capital expenditures increasing our depreciable base.

Capital Expenditures

Capital Expenditures increased 61.8% during the first nine months of 2017 from 2016 primarily due to expenditures related to construction of the new advanced reformer unit.  Due to delays caused by the impact of the hurricane and issues with improper welding by the supplier of certain equipment in the reactor section of the new unit, we now expect the advanced reformer unit to come online toward the end of first quarter 2018.


Specialty Wax Segment

   
2017
   
2016
   
Change
   
%Change
 
   
(thousands of dollars)
 
Product Sales
 
$
18,606
   
$
14,585
   
$
4,021
     
27.6
%
Processing
   
8,142
     
7,766
     
376
     
4.8
%
Gross Revenue
 
$
26,748
   
$
22,351
   
$
4,397
     
19.7
%
                                 
   Volume of wax sales (thousand pounds)
   
28,281
     
24,126
     
4,155
     
17.2
%
                                 
  Cost of Sales
 
$
25,219
   
$
18,880
   
$
6,339
     
33.6
%
  Gross Margin
   
5.7
%
   
15.5
%
   
(9.8
%)
   
(63.2
%)
  General & Administrative Expense
   
3,729
     
3,582
     
147
     
4.1
%
  Depreciation and Amortization*
   
3,233
     
2,945
     
288
     
9.8
%
  Capital Expenditures
 
$
12,047
   
$
11,059
   
$
988
     
8.9
%
*Includes $3,169 and $2,877 for 2017 and 2016, respectively, which is included in cost of sales

Product Sales

Product sales increased 27.6% during the first nine months of 2017 from the first nine months of 2016 primarily due to on-purpose PE wax sales which we are distributing in Latin America for a third party as well as, significant growth in our high value waxes.  Polyethylene wax sales saw volume increases of approximately 16.9%, and revenue from these sales increased 20.8%.   As mentioned above, we continue to make good progress in developing high value markets for our by-product polyethylene waxes.
 
 
 
Processing

Processing revenues increased 4.8% during the first nine months of 2017 from the first nine months of 2016 due to increased volumes with existing customers and a number of new contracts and small trials.  Processing revenue generated from B Plant was approximately $2.2 million, from the new distillation unit was approximately $0.2 million, and from the new hydrogenation unit was approximately $0.1 million.  Excluding the $1.6 million non-use fee that occurred for the last time in the first quarter of 2016, custom processing revenues were up over 32% over 2016 numbers. This revenue increase occurred despite the start-up difficulties with the hydrogenation unit resulting in negligible processing revenues from that unit.  Further, faulty equipment in another unit caused an extended shutdown of this unit resulting in further loss of revenue.

Cost of Sales

Cost of Sales increased 33.6% during the first nine months of 2017 from the first nine months of 2016 due to increases in material cost, labor, freight, repairs and maintenance of manufacturing equipment, and natural gas utilities.

Material cost increased approximately 69.4% due to material costs associated with the on-purpose PE wax sales we distributed into Latin America as noted above and to support the additional sales volume of polyethylene wax sales.  Labor increased approximately 22.8% due to increased overtime and the addition of new personnel in preparation for the start-up of the new hydrogenation/distillation project.  Freight increased approximately 155.7% due to a change in shipping terms.  We now ship most products with destination terms.  Repairs and maintenance of equipment increased approximately 33.8% primarily due to the addition of B Plant and the introduction of new custom processing projects.  Natural gas utilities increased approximately 84.4% due to an increase in per unit cost as mentioned above and an increase in volume consumed because of B Plant and the new hydrogenation/distillation unit.

General and Administrative Expense

General and Administrative costs for the first nine months of 2017 from 2016 increased 4.1% primarily due to an increase in sales personnel, property taxes, and property insurance due to the addition of B Plant.

Depreciation

Depreciation increased 9.8% during the first nine months of 2017 from 2016 primarily due to addition of B Plant.

Capital Expenditures

Capital Expenditures increased 8.9% during the first nine months of 2017 from the first nine months of 2016 primarily due to expenditures for construction in progress including the hydrogenation/distillation project and various other smaller projects.  The hydrogenation/distillation project is complete; therefore, going forward we expect capital expenditures to return to a more normal level.

Corporate Segment

   
2017
   
2016
   
Change
   
%Change
 
   
(thousands of dollars)
       
General & Administrative Expense
 
$
5,978
   
$
5,128
   
$
850
     
16.6
%
Equity in earnings (losses) of AMAK
   
(5,161
)
   
2,261
     
(7,422
)
   
(328.3
%)
Gain from additional equity issuance by AMAK
   
-
     
3,168
     
(3,168
)
   
(100.0
%)

General and Administrative Expenses

General corporate expenses increased 16.6% during first nine months 2017 from first nine months 2016 primarily due to an increase in officer compensation.  Officer compensation increased because of the accrual in 2017 for executive bonuses. During 2016 we reversed the accrual for bonuses when it was determined they would not be awarded.

Equity in Earnings (Losses) of AMAK/Gain from Additional Equity Issuance by AMAK

Equity in earnings (losses) of AMAK decreased during first nine months 2017 from first nine months 2016 primarily due to the recognition in 2016 of a gain from a settlement which was reached with the former operator of the facility and a gain on an additional equity issuance by AMAK.  In addition, the facility recording no sales in second quarter 2017 (please see Note
 
 
17 to the consolidated financial statements for the impact on our statements).  Also, during 2016 the facility was not operating; therefore, their expenses were less.

AMAK Summarized Income Statement

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
 
   
(thousands of dollars)
 
Sales
 
$
11,965
   
$
9,921
 
                 
Gross loss
   
(11,515
)
   
(7,556
)
General, administrative and other expenses
   
6,942
     
6,986
 
Loss from operations
   
(18,457
)
   
(14,542
)
Gain on settlement with former operator
   
-
     
17,440
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
(18,457
)
 
$
2,898
 

The team at AMAK continued to upgrade personnel and work on improving operations throughout the quarter.  Shipments of concentrate to the port continue to show steady improvement – along with quality and recoveries.  We reported on initial Guyan exploration results.  Exploration continues both at Guyan and the surrounding areas with a similar geological profile.  Exploration results which should extend the life of the copper and zinc mine assets are expected later this year.

Guarantee of Saudi Industrial Development Fund ("SIDF") Loan to AMAK

As discussed in Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements, as a condition of the Loan from the SIDF in the principal amount of 330.0 million SR (US$88.0 million) to AMAK, we were required to execute a Guarantee of up to 41% of the Loan.  The decision to provide a limited corporate guarantee in favor of AMAK was difficult as we considered numerous facts and circumstances.  One of the factors considered was that without the US$88.0 million from the SIDF, construction activity on the project would likely have ceased.  Another factor considered was that prior to making a firm commitment regarding funding, the SIDF performed its own exhaustive due diligence of the project and obviously reached the conclusion that the project is viable and capable of servicing the debt.  Yet another factor considered was our ability to reach agreement with various AMAK Saudi shareholders whereby they agreed to use best efforts to have their personal guarantees stand ahead of and pay required payments to SIDF before our corporate guarantee.  Finally, we researched numerous loans made by the SIDF to others and were unable to find a single instance where the SIDF actually called a guarantee or foreclosed on a project.  Based on the above, we determined that it was in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders to provide the limited corporate guarantee to facilitate completion of the mining project in a timely manner.   We also determined that the stand-in-front agreement in conjunction with the actual value of plant and equipment on the ground should act in concert to minimize any exposure arising from the corporate guarantee.  The total amount outstanding to the SIDF at September 30, 2017, was 305.0 million Saudi Riyals (US$81.3 million).

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Inventories - Finished products and feedstock are recorded at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out method (FIFO); or market for SHR.  For TC, inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or market as follows:  (1) raw material cost is calculated using the weighted-average cost method and (2) product inventory cost is calculated using the specific cost method.

Other critical accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period reported. By their nature, these estimates, assumptions and judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. We base our estimates, assumptions and judgments on historical experience, market trends and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates, assumptions and judgments are reviewed on an ongoing basis and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Our critical accounting policies have been discussed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. We believe there have been no material
 
 
changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates compared to those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, except for the change in inventory valuation method from LIFO to FIFO as described in Note 5.

Recent and New Accounting Standards

See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a summary of recent accounting guidance.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Derivative Instrument Risk

Refer to Note 12 on page 13 of this Form 10-Q.

Interest Rate Risk
 
Refer to Note 12 on page 13 of this Form 10-Q.

There have been no material changes in the Company's exposure to market risk from the disclosure included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a)
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, with the participation of management, have evaluated the effectiveness of our "disclosure controls and procedures" (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) and determined that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of the end of the period covered by this report due to the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting as described below.
Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

As described in Management's Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting in Item 9A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, we determined that we did not maintain effective internal control over the accounting for our investment in AMAK. Specifically, controls were not appropriately designed, adequately documented and operating effectively related to the accounting for: (1) our equity in earnings of AMAK; and (2) changes in our ownership percentage in AMAK as the result of the sale and issuance of shares of AMAK to other investors.  As a result of this material weakness, we restated our financial statements for the three months ended June 30, 2016, and September 30, 2016, respectively. This control deficiency did not result in any material adjustments to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Although we have made progress in the remediation of this issue, as indicated below, sufficient time needs to pass before we can conclude that newly implemented controls are operating effectively and that the material weakness has been adequately remediated.   Notwithstanding the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, we have concluded that the interim condensed consolidated financial statements and other financial information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, fairly present in all material respects our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as of, and for, the periods presented.

Remediation of Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During second quarter 2017 we developed and implemented a comprehensive remediation plan.  We believe the enhanced procedures will remediate the material weakness we have identified and generally strengthen our internal control over financial reporting. The material weakness will not be considered remediated until the applicable remedial controls operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively.  Since, we have not completed the testing and evaluation of the operating effectiveness of controls, the previously disclosed material weaknesses remain unremediated as of September 30, 2017.  Once we complete testing and our evaluation of the effectiveness of the controls by the end of the year, we expect to conclude that the material weaknesses have been remediated.
 

(b)
Changes in internal control. Other than the efforts discussed immediately above in "Remediation of Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting", there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2017, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

The Company is periodically named in legal actions arising from normal business activities. The Company evaluates the merits of these actions and, if it determines that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated, the Company will establish the necessary reserves. We are not currently involved in legal proceedings that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations. We may become involved in material legal proceedings in the future.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.

The following documents are filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to this Report. Exhibits marked with an asterisk (*) are filed herewith and exhibits marked with a double asterisk (**) are furnished herewith.

Exhibit
Number
Description
10(a)
Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 25, 2017, among Texas Oil & Chemical Co. II, Inc. and certain subsidiaries and Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Form 8-K filed on July 27, 2017 (file No. 001-33926))
Form of Trecora Resources Stock and Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Agreement
Form of Trecora Resources Stock and Incentive Plan Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Unit Agreement
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13A-14(A) of the  Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13A-14(A) of the  Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS*
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*
XBRL Taxonomy Schema Document
101.CAL*
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase  Document
101.LAB*
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



DATE:  November 8, 2017   TRECORA RESOURCES
                                                (Registrant)


                                                 By: /s/Sami Ahmad
                                                 Sami Ahmad
                                                 Chief Financial Officer