(10) Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:



	December 31,
	2017		2016

	(in thousands)
9.250% senior secured notes, due 2023	$	645,000	$	645,000
6.50% notes, due 2021	2,240		2,240
Total long-term debt, before unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	647,240		647,240
Less:
Unamortized discount	13,457		15,220
Unamortized debt issuance costs	7,879		8,913
Total long-term debt, net of current portion	$	625,904	$	623,107

For the year ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, amortization of the discount on debt and amortization of deferred financing costs reported as interest expense and other financing costs totaled approximately $3.0 million, $1.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

2023 Notes

On June 10, 2016, the Partnership and CVR Nitrogen Finance Corporation ("CVR Nitrogen Finance"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership, (together the "2023 Notes Issuers"), certain subsidiary guarantors named therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee and as collateral trustee, completed a private offering of $645.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (the "2023 Notes"). The 2023 Notes mature on June 15, 2023, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased by the issuers. Interest on the 2023 Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2016. The 2023 Notes are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by all of the Partnership’s existing subsidiaries.

The 2023 Notes were issued at a $16.1 million discount, which is being amortized over the term of the 2023 Notes as interest expense using the effective-interest method. The Partnership received approximately $622.9 million of cash proceeds, net of the original issue discount and underwriting fees, but before deducting other third-party fees and expenses associated with the offering. The net proceeds from the sale of the 2023 Notes were used to: (i) repay all amounts outstanding under the CRLLC Facility (defined and discussed below); (ii) finance the repurchase of substantially all of the 2021 Notes (discussed below) and (iii) to pay related fees and expenses.

The debt issuance costs of the 2023 Notes totaled approximately $9.4 million and are being amortized over the term of the 2023 Notes as interest expense using the effective-interest amortization method.

The 2023 Notes contain customary covenants for a financing of this type that, among other things, restrict the Partnership’s ability and the ability of certain of its subsidiaries to: (i) sell assets; (ii) pay distributions on, redeem or repurchase the Partnership’s units or redeem or repurchase its subordinated debt; (iii) make investments; (iv) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue preferred units; (v) create or incur certain liens; (vi) enter into agreements that restrict distributions or other payments from the Partnership’s restricted subsidiaries to the Partnership; (vii) consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of the Partnership’s assets; (viii) engage in transactions with affiliates; and (ix) create unrestricted subsidiaries. In addition, the indenture contains customary events of default, the occurrence of which would result in, or permit the trustee or the holders of at least 25% of the 2023 Notes to cause, the acceleration of the 2023 Notes, in addition to the pursuit of other available remedies.

The indenture governing the 2023 Notes prohibits the Partnership from making distributions to unitholders if any default or event of default (as defined in the indenture) exists. In addition, the indenture limits the Partnership's ability to pay distributions to unitholders. The covenants will apply differently depending on the Partnership's fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the indenture). If the fixed charge coverage ratio is not less than 1.75 to 1.0, the Partnership will generally be permitted to make restricted payments, including distributions to its unitholders, without substantive restriction. If the fixed charge coverage ratio is less than 1.75 to 1.0, the Partnership will generally be permitted to make restricted payments, including distributions to the Partnership's common unitholders, up to an aggregate $75.0 million basket plus certain other amounts referred to as "incremental funds" under the indenture. As of December 31, 2017, the ratio was less than 1.75 to 1.0. Restricted payments have been made, and $72.7 million of the basket was available as of December 31, 2017. As of December 31, 2017, the Partnership was in compliance with the covenants contained in the 2023 Notes.

Included in other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets is accrued interest payable totaling approximately $2.7 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 related to the 2023 Notes. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, the estimated fair value of the 2023 Notes was approximately $694.2 million and $664.4 million. This estimate of fair value is Level 2 as it was determined by quotations obtained from a broker-dealer who makes a market in these and similar securities.

2021 Notes

The $320.0 million of 2021 Notes were issued by CVR Nitrogen and CVR Nitrogen Finance prior to the East Dubuque Merger. The 2021 Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.5% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year. The 2021 Notes are scheduled to mature on April 15, 2021, unless repurchased or redeemed earlier in accordance with their terms. The substantial majority of the 2021 Notes were repurchased in 2016. During year ended December 31, 2016, the Partnership recognized a net loss on debt extinguishment of $4.9 million. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, $2.2 million of principal amount of the 2021 Notes remained outstanding and accrued interest was nominal.

Asset Based (ABL) Credit Facility

On September 30, 2016, the Partnership entered into a senior secured asset based revolving credit facility (the "ABL Credit Facility") with a group of lenders and UBS AG, Stamford Branch ("UBS"), as administrative agent and collateral agent. The ABL Credit Facility has an aggregate principal amount of availability of up to $50.0 million with an incremental facility, which permits an increase in borrowings of up to $25.0 million in the aggregate subject to additional lender commitments and certain other conditions. The proceeds of the loans may be used for capital expenditures and working capital and general corporate purposes of the Partnership and its subsidiaries. The ABL Credit Facility provides for loans and standby letters of credit in an amount up to the aggregate availability under the facility, subject to meeting certain borrowing base conditions, with sub-limits of the lesser of 10% of the total facility commitment and $5.0 million for swingline loans and $10.0 million for letters of credit. The ABL Credit Facility is scheduled to mature on September 30, 2021.

At the option of the borrowers, loans under the ABL Credit Facility initially bear interest at an annual rate equal to (i) 2.00% plus LIBOR or (ii) 1.00% plus a base rate, subject to a 0.50% step-down based on the previous quarter’s excess availability. The borrowers must also pay a commitment fee on the unutilized commitments and also pay customary letter of credit fees.

The ABL Credit Facility also contains customary covenants for a financing of this type that limit the ability of the Partnership and its subsidiaries to, among other things, incur liens, engage in a consolidation, merger, purchase or sale of assets, pay dividends, incur indebtedness, make advances, investments and loans, enter into affiliate transactions, issue equity interests or create subsidiaries and unrestricted subsidiaries. The ABL Credit Facility also contains a fixed charge coverage ratio financial covenant, as defined therein. The Partnership was in compliance with the covenants of the ABL Credit Facility as of December 31, 2017.

In connection with the ABL Credit Facility, the Partnership incurred lender and other third-party costs of approximately $1.2 million, which are being deferred and amortized to interest expense and other financing costs using the straight-line method over the term of the facility.

As of December 31, 2017, the Partnership and its subsidiaries had availability under the ABL Credit Facility of $43.8 million. There were no borrowings outstanding under the ABL Credit Facility as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. Availability under the ABL Credit Facility was limited by borrowing base conditions as of December 31, 2017.

CRLLC Facility

On April 1, 2016, in connection with the closing of the East Dubuque Merger, the Partnership entered into a $300.0 million senior term loan credit facility (the "CRLLC Facility") with CRLLC, as the lender, the proceeds of which were used by the Partnership (i) to fund the repayment of amounts outstanding under the Wells Fargo Credit Agreement discussed in Note 3 ("East Dubuque Merger") (ii) to pay the cash consideration and to pay fees and expenses in connection with the East Dubuque Merger and related transactions and (iii) to repay all of the loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement discussed below. The CRLLC Facility had a term of two years and an interest rate of 12.0% per annum. Interest was calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a 360-day year and payable quarterly. In April 2016, the Partnership borrowed $300.0 million under the CRLLC Facility. On June 10, 2016, the Partnership paid off the $300.0 million outstanding under the CRLLC Facility, paid $7.0 million in interest, and terminated the CRLLC Facility.

Credit Agreement

On April 13, 2011, CRNF, as borrower, and CVR Partners, as guarantor, entered into a credit facility with a group of lenders including Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC, as administrative and collateral agent (the "Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement included a term loan facility of $125.0 million and a revolving credit facility of $25.0 million with an uncommitted incremental facility of up to $50.0 million. At March 31, 2016, the effective rate of the term loan was approximately 3.98%. On April 1, 2016, the Partnership repaid all amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement and the Credit Agreement was terminated.