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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
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12 Months Ended | |||||
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Dec. 31, 2011
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| SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract] | ||||||
| SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Principles of Consolidation – The consolidated financial statements include the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company, TOCCO, South Hampton, Gulf State, SHRI and PEVM. Other entities which are not controlled but over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Investments in which the Company does not have significant influence are accounted for using the cost method of accounting.
In 2009 the Company determined that it did not have the ability to exert significant influence over the operations of AMAK, and as a result, changed its accounting for this investment from the equity method to the cost method. Under the cost method, earnings from AMAK are recognized only to the extent received or receivable (see Note 8).
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments - The Company's principal banking and short-term investing activities are with local and national financial institutions. Short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents.
Inventories - Finished products and feedstock are recorded at the lower of cost, determined on the last-in, first-out method (LIFO); or market.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – The Company evaluates the collectibility of its accounts receivable and adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts based upon historical experience and any specific customer financial difficulties of which the Company becomes aware. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, the allowance balance was increased by $55,000, $28,500, and $111,000 respectively. The Company tracks customer balances and past due amounts to determine if customers may be having financial difficulties. This, along with historical experience and a working knowledge of each customer, helps determine accounts that should be written off. No amounts were written off in 2011 or 2010.
Notes Receivable – The Company periodically makes changes in or expands its toll processing units at the request of the customer. The cost to make these changes is shared by the customer. Upon completion of a project a non-interest note receivable is recorded with an imputed interest rate. Interest rates used on outstanding notes during December 31, 2011, and 2010, were between 8% and 9%. The unearned interest is reflected as a discount against the note balance. The Company evaluates the collectibility of notes based upon a working knowledge of the customer. The notes are receivable from toll processing customers with whom the Company maintains a close relationship. Thus, all amounts due under the notes receivable are considered collectible, and no allowance was recorded at December 31, 2010. The notes were paid in full during 2011.
Mineral Exploration and Development Costs - All costs related to the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral deposits are capitalized until such time as (1) the Company commences commercial exploitation of the related mineral deposits at which time the costs will be amortized, (2) the related project is abandoned and the capitalized costs are charged to operations, or (3) when any or all deferred costs are permanently impaired. At December 31, 2011, and 2010, the Company's remaining mining assets held by PEVM had not reached the commercial exploitation stage. No indirect overhead or general and administrative costs have been allocated to this project.
Plant, Pipeline and Equipment - Plant, pipeline and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided over the estimated service lives using the straight-line method. Gains and losses from disposition are included in operations in the period incurred. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized.
Interest costs incurred to finance expenditures during construction phase are capitalized as part of the historical cost of constructing the assets. Construction commences with the development of the design and ends when the assets are ready for use. Capitalized interest costs are included in plant, pipeline and equipment and are depreciated over the service life of the related assets.
Platinum catalyst is included in plant, pipeline and equipment at cost. Amortization of the catalyst is based upon cost less estimated salvage value of the catalyst using the straight line method over the estimated useful life (see Note 7).
Contractual Based Intangible Assets – The contractual based intangible asset represented STTC's right under its lease agreement to lease equipment to and receive lease payments from South Hampton through May 2014. The amount recorded for this asset was based on the discounted net cash flows STTC would have received, and represents South Hampton's cost to cancel the lease by acquiring STTC (see Note 1). These costs are being amortized straight line over the remaining life of the lease at acquisition which at December 31, 2011, and 2010, was 29 and 41 months, respectively. The amortization expense expected to be recognized for each of the years ending 2012, 2013, and 2014, is approximately $250,000, $250,000 and $100,000, respectively.
Other Assets - Other assets include a license used in petrochemical operations and certain petrochemical assets.
Long-Lived Assets Impairment - Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable based on the undiscounted net cash flows to be generated from the asset's use. The amount of the impairment loss to be recorded is calculated by the excess of the asset's carrying value over its fair value. Fair value is generally determined using a discounted cash flow analysis although other factors including the state of the economy are considered. Cost method investments are reviewed for impairment when events are identified, or there are changes in circumstances that may have an adverse effect on the fair value of the investment.
Revenue recognition – Revenue is recorded when (1) the customer accepts delivery of the product and title has been transferred or when the service is performed and the Company has no significant obligations remaining to be performed; (2) a final understanding as to specific nature and terms of the agreed upon transaction has occurred; (3) price is fixed and (4) collection is assured. For the Company's petrochemical product sales these criteria are generally met, and revenue is recognized, when the product is delivered or title is transferred to the customer. Transloading sales and processing are service oriented and are recorded as services are rendered. Sales are presented net of discounts, allowances, and sales taxes. Freight costs billed to customers are recorded as a component of revenue.
Shipping and handling costs - Shipping and handling costs are classified as cost of petrochemical product sales and processing and are expensed as incurred.
Retirement plan – The Company offers employees the benefit of participating in a 401(K) plan. The Company matches 100% up to 6% of pay with vesting occurring over 7 years. For years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, matching contributions of $472,182, $456,801, and $413,497, respectively were made on behalf of employees.
Environmental Liabilities - Remediation costs are accrued based on estimates of known environmental remediation exposure. Ongoing environmental compliance costs, including maintenance and monitoring costs, are expensed as incurred.
Other Liabilities – The Company periodically makes changes in or expands its toll processing units at the request of the customer. The cost to make these changes is shared by the customer. Upon completion of a project a note receivable and a deferred liability are recorded to recover the project costs which are then capitalized (see Note 6). At times instead of a note receivable being established, the customer pays an upfront cost. The amortization of other liabilities is recorded as a reduction to depreciation expense over the life of the contract with the customer. As of December 31 of each year, depreciation expense was reduced by $210,167 for 2011, $551,340 for 2010, and $621,864 for 2009.
Net Income Per Share - The Company computes basic income per common share based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted income per common share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if potential dilutive common shares, consisting of stock options and shares which could be issued upon conversion of debt, had been issued (see Note 16).
Foreign Currency - The functional currency for the Company and each of the Company's subsidiaries is the US dollar. Transaction gains or losses as a result of transactions denominated and settled in currencies other than the US dollar are reflected in the statements of income as a foreign exchange transaction gains or losses. The Company does not employ any practices to minimize foreign currency risks. As of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, foreign currency translation adjustments were not significant.
Management Estimates - The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates include allowance for doubtful accounts receivable; assessment of impairment of the Company's long-lived assets and investments, financial contracts, litigation liabilities, post-retirement benefit obligations, guarantee obligations, environmental liabilities and deferred tax valuation allowances. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Share-Based Compensation – The Company recognizes share-based compensation of employee stock options granted based upon the fair value of options on the grant date using the Black-Scholes pricing model (see Note 14). Share-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the fair value of the portion of share-based payments awards that is ultimately expected to vest. Share-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statement of income for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 includes compensation expense based on the estimated grant date fair value for awards that are ultimately expected to vest, and accordingly has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. Estimated forfeitures at the time of grant are revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
Guarantees – The Company enters into agreements which contain features that meet the definition of a guarantee under FASB ASC 460 “Guarantees” (see Note 13). These arrangements create two types of obligations for the Company:
Derivatives – The Company records derivative instruments on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at fair value. Changes in the derivative instrument's fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Special accounting for qualifying hedges allows a derivative instrument's gains and losses to offset related results on the hedged item in the income statement, to the extent effective, and requires that a company must formally document, designate and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting.
Income Taxes – Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded if there is uncertainty as to the realization of deferred tax assets.
Our estimate of the potential outcome of any uncertain tax issues is subject to management's assessment of relevant risks, facts, and circumstances existing at that time. We use a more likely than not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. To the extent that our assessment of such tax position changes, the change in estimate is recorded in the period in which the determination is made. We report tax-related interest and penalties as a component of income tax expense. The Company recognized no material adjustment in the liability for unrecognized income tax benefits. At the adoption date of January 1, 2007, and at December 31, 2011, there were no unrecognized tax benefits. As of December 31, 2011, and 2010, no interest related to uncertain tax positions had been accrued.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2010 the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This ASU requires some new disclosures and clarifies some existing disclosure requirements about fair value measurement as set forth in Codification Subtopic 820-10. ASU 2010-06 amends Codification Subtopic 820-10 to now require a reporting entity to disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers; and in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs, a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements. In addition, ASU 2010-06 clarifies the disclosures for reporting fair value measurement for each class of assets and liabilities and the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. ASU 2010-06 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. The disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. The adoption of the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In December 2010 the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts. The amendments in this ASU modify Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that impairment may exist. The qualitative factors are consistent with the existing guidance and examples, which require that goodwill of a reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. For public entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is not permitted. The update had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In December 2010 the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-29, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations. The amendments in this ASU affect any public entity as defined by Topic 805, Business Combinations that enters into business combinations that are material on an individual or aggregate basis. The amendments in this ASU specify that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The amendments also expand the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. The amendments are effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The update had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In May 2011 the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. This amendment provides additional guidance expanding the disclosures for Fair Value Measurements, particularly Level 3 inputs. For fair value measurements categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, required disclosures include: (1) a quantitative disclosure of the unobservable inputs and assumptions used in the measurement, (2) a description of the valuation processes in place, and (3) a narrative description of the sensitivity of the fair value changes in unobservable inputs and interrelationships between those inputs. The amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the impact adoption of this ASU may have on the consolidated financial statements.
In June 2011 FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income. The objective of this Update is to improve the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting of items reported in other comprehensive income. To increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income and to facilitate convergence of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and International Financial Reporting Standards, the FASB decided to eliminate the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity, among other amendments in this Update. The amendments require that all nonowner changes in stockholders' equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In the two-statement approach, the first statement should present total net income and its components followed consecutively by a second statement that should present total other comprehensive income, the components of other comprehensive income, and the total of comprehensive income. For public entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted, because compliance with the amendments is already permitted. The amendments do not require any transition disclosures. The Company is currently evaluating the impact adoption of this ASU may have on the consolidated financial statements.
In September 2011 the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. ASU 2011-08 is intended to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment and permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is "more likely than not" that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Topic 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other. The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50%. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted, including for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed as of a date before September 15, 2011, if an entity's financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not yet been issued. The Company is currently evaluating the impact adoption of this ASU may have on the consolidated financial statements.
In December 2011 the FASB issued ASU 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities, which requires entities to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements of financial instruments and derivative instruments. The update requires new disclosures about balance sheet offsetting and related arrangements. For derivatives and financial assets and liabilities, the amendments require disclosure of gross asset and liability amounts, amounts offset on the balance sheet, and amounts subject to the offsetting requirements but not offset on the balance sheet. The guidance is effective beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods and is to be applied retrospectively. This guidance does not amend the existing guidance on when it is appropriate to offset; as a result, we do not expect this guidance to affect our financial condition, results of operation or cash flows.
In December 2011 FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. The objective of this Update is to defer only those changes in Update 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments, the paragraphs in this Update supersede certain pending paragraphs in Update 2011-05. The amendments are being made to allow the FASB time to re-deliberate whether to present on the face of the financial statements the effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the components of net income and other comprehensive income for all periods presented. While the FASB is considering the operational concerns about the presentation requirements for reclassification adjustments and the needs of financial statement users for additional information about reclassification adjustments, entities should continue to report reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income consistent with the presentation requirements in effect before Update 2011-05. All other requirements in Update 2011-05 are not affected by this Update, including the requirement to report comprehensive income either in a single continuous financial statement or in two separate but consecutive financial statements. For public entities, the requirements are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the impact adoption of this ASU may have on the consolidated financial statements.
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