Note 4: deferred revenue

We entered into two transactions (September 2013 and December 2012) through which we sold a percentage of the future production from aggregates reserves at eight quarries (seven owned and one leased). These sales were structured as volumetric production payments (VPPs). We received net cash proceeds of $153,282,000 and $73,644,000 for the 2013 and 2012 transactions, respectively. These proceeds were recorded as deferred revenue on the balance sheet and are amortized on a unit-of-sales basis to revenue over the terms of the VPPs. Concurrently, we entered into marketing agreements with the purchaser through which we are designated the exclusive sales agent for the purchaser’s percentage of future production. Acting as the purchaser’s agent, our consolidated total revenues exclude these sales.

The common key terms of both VPP transactions are:

the purchaser has a nonoperating interest in future production entitling them to a percentage of future production

there is no minimum annual or cumulative production or sales volume, nor any minimum sales price guarantee

the purchaser has the right to take its percentage of future production in physical product, or receive the cash proceeds from the sale of its percentage of future production under the terms of the aforementioned marketing agreement

the purchaser's percentage of future production is conveyed free and clear of all future costs

we retain full operational and marketing control of the specified quarries

we retain fee simple interest in the land as well as any residual values that may be realized upon the conclusion of mining

The key terms specific to the 2013 VPP transaction are:

terminates at the earlier to occur of September 30, 2051 or the sale of 250.8 million tons of aggregates from the specified quarries; based on historical and projected volumes from the specified quarries, it is expected that 250.8 million tons will be sold prior to September 30, 2051

the purchaser's percentage of the maximum 250.8 million tons of future production is estimated to be 11.5% (approximately 29 million tons); the actual percentage may vary

The key terms specific to the 2012 VPP transaction are:

terminates at the earlier to occur of December 31, 2052 or the sale of 143.2 million tons of aggregates from the specified quarries; based on historical and projected volumes from the specified quarries, it is expected that 143.2 million tons will be sold prior to December 31, 2052

the purchaser's percentage of the maximum 143.2 million tons of future production is estimated to be 10.5% (approximately 15 million tons); the actual percentage may vary

Reconciliation of the deferred revenue balances (current and noncurrent) is as follows:



	Three Months Ended
	March 31
in thousands	2015	2014
Deferred Revenue
Balance at beginning of year	$ 219,968	$ 224,743
Cash received and revenue deferred	0	187
Amortization of deferred revenue	(981)	(984)
Balance at end of period	$ 218,987	$ 223,946

Based on expected aggregates sales from the specified quarries, we anticipate recognizing an estimated $6,000,000 of deferred revenue (reflected in other current liabilities in our 2015 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet) during the 12-month period ending March 31, 2016.