Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
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 was originally 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 135.3 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.  On July 8, 2018, the SIDF loan was amended to adjust the repayment schedule and extend the repayment terms through April 2024. Under the new payment terms the current amount due to SIDF in 2019 is $8,000,000. The total amount outstanding to the SIDF at June 30, 2018, was 305.0 million Saudi Riyals (US$81.3 million).

Operating Lease Commitments

We have operating leases for the rental of railcars, office space, and equipment with expiration dates through 2026.  Rental expense for these operating leases for the three months ended June 30, 2018, and 2017, was $1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2018, and 2017, was $2.1 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

Litigation

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.  The Trial Court dismissed all of Mr. El Khalidi's claims and causes of action with prejudice and the Ninth Court of Appeals affirmed. Mr. El Khalidi filed a petition for review with the Supreme Court of Texas, which was denied April 6, 2018.  Mr. El Khalidi filed a motion for rehearing of his petition for review with the Supreme Court of Texas on April 23, 2018.  On May 25, 2018, the Supreme Court of Texas denied the motion for rehearing and the matter is considered closed.

The Company is periodically named in legal actions arising from normal business activities.  We evaluate the merits of these actions and, if we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated, we 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.

Supplier Agreements

From time to time, we may incur shortfall fees due to feedstock purchases being below the minimum amounts prescribed by our agreements with our suppliers.  Shortfall fee expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018, and 2017, were $0.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2018, and 2017, were $0.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

Environmental Remediation

Amounts charged to expense for various activities related to environmental monitoring, compliance, and improvements were approximately $154,000 and $160,000 for the three months ended and $303,000 and $325,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2018, and 2017, respectively.