Accounts receivable associated with crude oil marketing activities comprise approximately 87 percent of our total receivables, and industry practice requires payment for these sales to occur within 20 days of the end of the month following a transaction. Our customer makeup, credit policies and the relatively short duration of receivables mitigate the uncertainty typically associated with receivables management. We manage our crude oil marketing receivables by participating in a monthly settlement process with each of our counterparties. Ongoing account balances are monitored monthly, and we reconcile outstanding balances with counterparties. We also place great emphasis on collecting cash balances due.

We maintain and monitor our allowance for doubtful accounts. Our allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on specific identification combined with a review of the general status of the aging of all accounts. We consider the following factors in our review of our allowance for doubtful accounts: (i) historical experience with customers, (ii) the perceived financial stability of customers based on our research, (iii) the levels of credit we grant to customers, and (iv) the duration of the receivable. We may increase the allowance for doubtful accounts in response to the specific identification of customers involved in bankruptcy proceedings and similar financial difficulties. On a routine basis, we review estimates associated with the allowance for doubtful accounts to ensure that we have recorded sufficient reserves to cover potential losses. Customer payments are regularly monitored. However, a degree of risk remains due to the custom and practices of the industry. See Note 19 for further information regarding credit risk.

Cash and cash equivalents represent unrestricted cash on hand and highly liquid investments with original maturities of less than three months from the date of purchase. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with major financial institutions, and deposit amounts may exceed the amount of federally backed insurance provided. While we regularly monitor the financial stability of these institutions, cash and cash equivalents ultimately remain at risk subject to the financial viability of these institutions.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash as reported in the consolidated balance sheets that totals to the amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows at the dates indicated (in thousands):


	December 31,
	2021		2020

Cash and cash equivalents	$	97,825	$	39,293
Restricted cash:
Collateral for outstanding letters of credit (1)	—		5,144
Captive insurance subsidiary (2)	9,492		7,628
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the
consolidated statements of cash flows	$	107,317	$	52,065

(1)Represents amounts that were previously held in a segregated bank account by Wells Fargo as collateral for outstanding letters of credit. Effective with our entry into the credit agreement (see Note 12), letters of credit are now secured under the credit agreement.

(2)$1.5 million of the restricted cash balance relates to the initial capitalization of our captive insurance company formed in late 2020, and the remainder represents amounts paid to our captive insurance company for insurance premiums.


						Common
						shares

Balance, January 1, 2019						4,217,596
Issuance of shares in acquisition (see Note 6)						11,145
Vesting of restricted stock unit awards (see Note 15)						7,604
Shares withheld to cover taxes upon vesting of restricted stock unit awards						(883)
Other						71
Balance, December 31, 2019						4,235,533
Vesting of restricted stock unit awards (see Note 15)						10,290
Shares withheld to cover taxes upon vesting of restricted stock unit awards						(2,107)
Balance, December 31, 2020						4,243,716
Vesting of restricted stock unit awards (see Note 15)						14,244
Vesting of performance share unit awards (see Note 15)						2,461
Shares withheld to cover taxes upon vesting of equity awards						(3,043)
Shares sold under at-the-market offering program						97,623
Balance, December 31, 2021						4,355,001

In the normal course of our operations, our crude oil marketing segment purchases and sells crude oil. We seek to profit by procuring the commodity as it is produced and then delivering the product to the end users or the intermediate use marketplace. As typical for the industry, these transactions are made pursuant to the terms of forward month commodity purchase and/or sale contracts. Some of these contracts meet the definition of a derivative instrument, and therefore, we account for these contracts at fair value, unless the normal purchase and sale exception is applicable. These types of underlying contracts are standard for the industry and are the governing document for our crude oil marketing segment. None of our derivative instruments have been designated as hedging instruments.

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing our net earnings by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by giving effect to all potential shares of common stock outstanding, including our stock related to unvested restricted stock unit awards. Unvested restricted stock unit awards granted under the Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2018 LTIP”) are not considered to be participating securities as the holders of these shares do not have non-forfeitable dividend rights in the event of our declaration of a dividend for common shares (see Note 15 for further discussion).


	Year Ended December 31,
	2021		2020		2019
Earnings per share – numerator:
Net earnings	$	11,888	$	995	$	8,207

Denominator:
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding	4,283		4,240		4,228
Basic earnings per share	$	2.78	$	0.23	$	1.94

Diluted earnings per share:

Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Common shares	4,283		4,240		4,228
Restricted stock unit awards	23		11		5
Performance share unit awards (1)	17		3		—
Total	4,323		4,254		4,233

Diluted earnings per share	$	2.75	$	0.23	$	1.94

(1)The dilutive effect of performance share awards are included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share when the performance share award performance conditions have been achieved. The performance conditions for the performance share unit awards granted in 2019, 2020 and 2021 were achieved as of December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the effects of the performance share awards on earning per share were anti-dilutive.

We maintain a 401(k) savings plan for the benefit of our employees. We do not maintain any other pension or retirement plans. Our 401(k) plan contributory expenses were as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands):

During the year ended December 31, 2021, we received net proceeds of approximately $2.8 million (net of offering costs to B. Riley Securities, Inc. of $0.1 million) from the sale of 97,623 of our common shares at an average price per share of approximately $30.70 in at-the-market offerings under our At Market Issuance Sales Agreement with B. Riley Securities, Inc. dated December 23, 2020.

The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. Marketable securities are recorded at fair value based on market quotations from actively traded liquid markets.

Our fair value estimates are based on either (i) actual market data or (ii) assumptions that other market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, including estimates of risk, in the principal market of the asset or liability at a specified measurement date. Recognized valuation techniques employ inputs such as contractual prices, quoted market prices or rates, operating costs, discount factors and business growth rates. These inputs may be either readily observable, corroborated by market data or generally unobservable. In developing our estimates of fair value, we endeavor to utilize the best information available and apply market-based data to the highest extent possible. Accordingly, we utilize valuation techniques (such as the market approach) that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

A three-tier hierarchy has been established that classifies fair value amounts recognized in the financial statements based on the observability of inputs used to estimate such fair values. The hierarchy considers fair value amounts based on observable inputs (Levels 1 and 2) to be more reliable and predictable than those based primarily on unobservable inputs (Level 3). At each balance sheet reporting date, we categorize our financial assets and liabilities using this hierarchy.

•Level 1 fair values are based on quoted prices, which are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the measurement date. Active markets are defined as those in which transactions for identical assets or liabilities occur with sufficient frequency so as to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. For Level 1 valuation of marketable securities, we utilize market quotations provided by our primary financial institution. For the valuations of derivative financial instruments, we utilize the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) for certain commodity valuations.

•Level 2 fair values are based on (a) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, (b) quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities but in markets that are not actively traded or in which little information is released to the public, (c) observable inputs other than quoted prices, and (d) inputs derived from observable market data. Source data for Level 2 inputs include information provided by the NYMEX, published price data and indices, third party price survey data and broker provided forward price statistics.

Fair value contracts consist of derivative financial instruments and are recorded as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized immediately in earnings unless the derivatives qualify for, and we elect, cash flow hedge accounting. We had no contracts designated for hedge accounting during any of the current reporting periods (see Note 13 for further information).

Fair value estimates are based on assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability, and we use a fair value hierarchy of three levels that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. Currently, for all items presented herein, we utilize a market approach to valuing our contracts. On a contract by contract, forward month by forward month basis, we obtain observable market data for valuing our contracts. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data.

Long-lived assets (primarily property and equipment and intangible assets) are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. Long-lived assets with carrying values that are not expected to be recovered through future cash flows are written-down to their estimated fair values. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is deemed not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If the asset’s carrying value exceeds the sum of its undiscounted cash flows, a non-cash asset impairment charge equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its estimated fair value is recorded. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at a specified measurement date. We measure fair value using market price indicators or, in the absence of such data, appropriate valuation techniques.

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under this approach, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on anticipated future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of such items and their respective tax basis (see Note 14 for further information). On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act was enacted into law resulting in a reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent for years beginning in 2018, which impacts our income tax provision or benefit.

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous states. We record uncertain tax positions on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) we determine whether it is more-likely-than-not the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was enacted and signed into law in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act, among other things, permits net operating losses (“NOL”) incurred in tax years 2018, 2019 and 2020 to offset 100 percent of taxable income and be carried back to each of the five preceding taxable years to generate a refund of previously paid income taxes.

We have determined that the NOL carryback provision in the CARES Act would result in a cash benefit to us for the fiscal years 2018, 2019 and 2020. We carried back our NOL for fiscal year 2018 to 2013, and in June 2020, we received a cash refund of approximately $2.7 million. We also carried back our NOL for the fiscal year 2019 to 2014, and in April 2021, we received a cash refund of approximately $3.7 million. We have an income tax receivable at December 31, 2021 of approximately $6.8 million for the benefit of carrying back our NOL for the fiscal year 2020 to 2015 and 2016. As we are carrying the losses back to years beginning before January 1, 2018, the receivables were recorded at the previous 35 percent federal tax rate rather than the current statutory rate of 21 percent.

Inventory consists of crude oil held in storage tanks and at third-party pipelines as part of our crude oil marketing and pipeline and storage operations. Crude oil inventory is carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value. At the end of each reporting period, we assess the carrying value of our inventory and make adjustments necessary to reduce the carrying value to the applicable net realizable value. Any resulting adjustments are a component of marketing costs and expenses or pipeline and storage expenses on our consolidated statements of operations. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded a charge of $24.2 million related to the write-down of our crude oil inventory in our crude oil marketing segment due to declines in prices in 2020. There were no charges recognized during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2019.

Linefill and base gas in assets we own are recorded at historical cost and consist of crude oil. We classify as linefill or base gas our proportionate share of barrels used to fill a pipeline that we own and barrels that represent the minimum working requirements in storage tanks that we own. These crude oil barrels are not considered to be available for sale because the volumes must be maintained in order to continue normal operation of the related pipeline or tanks. Linefill and base gas are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. Linefill and base gas are included in “Property and equipment” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 5 for additional information regarding linefill and base gas.

We own an approximate 15 percent equity interest (less than 3 percent voting interest) in VestaCare, Inc., a California corporation (“VestaCare”), which we purchased for a $2.5 million cash payment in 2016. VestaCare provides an array of software as a service (SaaS) electronic payment technologies to medical providers, payers and patients including VestaCare’s product offering, VestaPay™. VestaPay™ allows medical care providers to structure fully automated and dynamically updating electronic payment plans for their patients. We account for this investment under the cost method of accounting. During 2017, we reviewed our investment in VestaCare and determined that the current projected operating results did not support the carrying value of the investment. As a result, during 2017, we recognized an impairment charge of $2.5 million to write-off our investment in VestaCare. At December 31, 2021, we continue to own an approximate 15 percent equity interest in VestaCare.

Property and equipment is recorded at cost. Expenditures for additions, improvements and other enhancements to property and equipment are capitalized, and minor replacements, maintenance and repairs that do not extend asset life or add value are charged to expense as incurred. When property and equipment assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation is removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in results of operations in operating costs and expenses for the respective period. Property and equipment, except for land, is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated average useful lives of two to thirty-nine years.

Asset retirement obligations (“AROs”) are legal obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets that result from their acquisition, construction, development and/or normal operation. When an ARO is incurred, we record a liability for the ARO and capitalize an equal amount as an increase in the carrying value of the related long-lived asset. ARO amounts are measured at their estimated fair value using expected present value techniques. Over time, the ARO liability is accreted to its present value (through accretion expense), and the capitalized amount is depreciated over the remaining useful life of the related long-lived asset. We will incur a gain or loss to the extent that our ARO liabilities are not settled at their recorded amounts.