Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization	Organization Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. is a publicly traded Delaware corporation organized in 1973, the common shares of which are listed on the NYSE American LLC under the ticker symbol “AE”. Through our subsidiaries, we are primarily engaged in crude oil marketing, truck and pipeline transportation of crude oil, terminalling and storage in various crude oil and natural gas basins in the lower 48 states of the United States (“U.S.”). In addition, we conduct tank truck transportation of liquid chemicals, pressurized gases, asphalt and dry bulk primarily in the lower 48 states of the U.S. with deliveries into Canada and Mexico, and with eighteen terminals across the U.S. We also recycle and repurpose off-specification fuels, lubricants, crude oil and other chemicals from producers in the U.S. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Adams” or the “Company” are intended to mean the business and operations of Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. We operate and report in four business segments: (i) crude oil marketing, transportation and storage; (ii) tank truck transportation of liquid chemicals, pressurized gases, asphalt and dry bulk; (iii) pipeline transportation, terminalling and storage of crude oil; and (iv) interstate bulk transportation logistics of crude oil, condensate, fuels, oils and other petroleum products and recycling and repurposing of off-specification fuels, lubricants, crude oil and other chemicals. See Note 8 for further information regarding our business segments.
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation Our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of results expected for the full year of 2023. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals necessary for fair presentation. The condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete annual financial statements have been omitted and, therefore, these interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “2022 Form 10-K”) filed with the SEC on March 16, 2023. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	Use of EstimatesThe preparation of our financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions and information we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be perceived with certainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as the operating environment changes. While we believe the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per ShareBasic earnings per share is computed by dividing our net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by giving effect to all potential common shares outstanding, including shares related to unvested restricted stock unit awards. Unvested restricted stock unit awards granted under the Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (“2018 LTIP”), or granted as employment inducement awards outside of the 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 13 for further discussion).
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements The carrying amounts reported in the unaudited condensed 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. The fair value of the term loan under our credit agreement (see Note 11 for further information) is representative of the carrying value based upon the variable terms and management’s opinion that the current rates available to us with the same maturity and security structure are equivalent to that of the debt. 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 these 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. 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 current reporting periods (see Note 12 for further information).
Income Taxes	Income Taxes 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 these items and their respective tax basis. In accordance with U.S. GAAP for interim reporting, we have historically estimated our full-year effective tax rate and applied this rate to ordinary income or loss for the reporting period. We have determined that since small changes in estimated ordinary income would result in significant changes in the estimated annual effective tax rate, this historical method would not provide reliable results for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Therefore, a discrete year-to-date method of reporting was used for the three months ended September 30, 2023. We will continue to evaluate income tax estimates under the historical method in subsequent quarters and employ a discrete effective tax rate method if warranted.
Inventory	InventoryInventory 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 costs and expenses on our consolidated statements of operations.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment 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 ranging from two to thirty-nine years. We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever there is evidence that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. Any impairment recognized is permanent and may not be restored. Property and equipment is reviewed at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. For property and equipment requiring impairment, the fair value is estimated based on an internal discounted cash flow model of future cash flows.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based CompensationWe measure all share-based payment awards, including the issuance of restricted stock unit awards and performance share unit awards to employees and board members, using a fair-value based method. The cost of services received from employees and non-employee board members in exchange for awards of equity instruments is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations based on the estimated fair value of those awards on the grant date and is amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The fair value of restricted stock unit awards and performance share unit awards is based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. We account for forfeitures as they occur.
Other Crude Oil Marketing Revenue	Other Crude Oil Marketing Revenue Certain of the commodity purchase and sale contracts utilized by our crude oil marketing business qualify as derivative instruments with certain specifically identified contracts also designated as trading activity. From the time of contract origination, these contracts are marked-to-market and recorded on a net revenue basis in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Certain of our crude oil contracts may be with a single counterparty to provide for similar quantities of crude oil to be bought and sold at different locations. These contracts are entered into for a variety of reasons, including effecting the transportation of the commodity, to minimize credit exposure, and/or to meet the competitive demands of the customer. These buy/sell arrangements are reflected on a net revenue basis in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. is a publicly traded Delaware corporation organized in 1973, the common shares of which are listed on the NYSE American LLC under the ticker symbol “AE”. Through our subsidiaries, we are primarily engaged in crude oil marketing, truck and pipeline transportation of crude oil, terminalling and storage in various crude oil and natural gas basins in the lower 48 states of the United States (“U.S.”). In addition, we conduct tank truck transportation of liquid chemicals, pressurized gases, asphalt and dry bulk primarily in the lower 48 states of the U.S. with deliveries into Canada and Mexico, and with eighteen terminals across the U.S. We also recycle and repurpose off-specification fuels, lubricants, crude oil and other chemicals from producers in the U.S. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Adams” or the “Company” are intended to mean the business and operations of Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

We operate and report in four business segments: (i) crude oil marketing, transportation and storage; (ii) tank truck transportation of liquid chemicals, pressurized gases, asphalt and dry bulk; (iii) pipeline transportation, terminalling and storage of crude oil; and (iv) interstate bulk transportation logistics of crude oil, condensate, fuels, oils and other petroleum products and recycling and repurposing of off-specification fuels, lubricants, crude oil and other chemicals. See Note 8 for further information regarding our business segments.

Basis of Presentation

Our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of results expected for the full year of 2023. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals necessary for fair presentation. The condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete annual financial statements have been omitted and, therefore, these interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “2022 Form 10-K”) filed with the SEC on March 16, 2023. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

Use of EstimatesThe preparation of our financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions and information we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be perceived with certainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as the operating environment changes. While we believe the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per ShareBasic earnings per share is computed by dividing our net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by giving effect to all potential common shares outstanding, including shares related to unvested restricted stock unit awards. Unvested restricted stock unit awards granted under the Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (“2018 LTIP”), or granted as employment inducement awards outside of the 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 13 for further discussion).

Fair Value Measurements

The carrying amounts reported in the unaudited condensed 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. The fair value of the term loan under our credit agreement (see Note 11 for further information) is representative of the carrying value based upon the variable terms and management’s opinion that the current rates available to us with the same maturity and security structure are equivalent to that of the debt.

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 these 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.

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 current reporting periods (see Note 12 for further information).

Income Taxes

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 these items and their respective tax basis.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP for interim reporting, we have historically estimated our full-year effective tax rate and applied this rate to ordinary income or loss for the reporting period. We have determined that since small changes in estimated ordinary income would result in significant changes in the estimated annual effective tax rate, this historical method would not provide reliable results for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Therefore, a discrete year-to-date method of reporting was used for the three months ended September 30, 2023. We will continue to evaluate income tax estimates under the historical method in subsequent quarters and employ a discrete effective tax rate method if warranted.

Inventory

InventoryInventory 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 costs and expenses on our consolidated statements of operations.

Property and Equipment

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 ranging from two to thirty-nine years.

We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever there is evidence that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. Any impairment recognized is permanent and may not be restored. Property and equipment is reviewed at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. For property and equipment requiring impairment, the fair value is estimated based on an internal discounted cash flow model of future cash flows.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based CompensationWe measure all share-based payment awards, including the issuance of restricted stock unit awards and performance share unit awards to employees and board members, using a fair-value based method. The cost of services received from employees and non-employee board members in exchange for awards of equity instruments is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations based on the estimated fair value of those awards on the grant date and is amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The fair value of restricted stock unit awards and performance share unit awards is based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. We account for forfeitures as they occur.

Other Crude Oil Marketing Revenue

Certain of the commodity purchase and sale contracts utilized by our crude oil marketing business qualify as derivative instruments with certain specifically identified contracts also designated as trading activity. From the time of contract origination, these contracts are marked-to-market and recorded on a net revenue basis in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Certain of our crude oil contracts may be with a single counterparty to provide for similar quantities of crude oil to be bought and sold at different locations. These contracts are entered into for a variety of reasons, including effecting the transportation of the commodity, to minimize credit exposure, and/or to meet the competitive demands of the customer. These buy/sell arrangements are reflected on a net revenue basis in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.