Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hallador Energy Company (the Company) and its wholly owned subsidiary Sunrise Coal, LLC (Sunrise) and Sunrise’s wholly owned subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.  We are engaged in the production of steam coal from mines located in western Indiana.  We own a 40% equity interest in Savoy Energy, L.P., a private oil and gas company that has operations in Michigan and a 50% interest in Sunrise Energy, LLC, a private entity engaged in natgas operations in the same vicinity as the Carlisle mine.

Reclassification

Reclassification

To maintain consistency and comparability, certain amounts in the financial statements have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

Inventories

Inventories

Coal and supplies inventories are valued at the lower of average cost or market. Coal inventory costs include labor, supplies, equipment costs (including depreciation thereto) and overhead.

Advance Royalties

Advance Royalties

Coal leases that require minimum annual or advance payments and are recoverable from future production are generally deferred and charged to expense as the coal is subsequently produced.

Coal Properties

Coal Properties

Coal properties are recorded at cost. Interest costs applicable to major asset additions are capitalized during the construction period. Expenditures that extend the useful lives or increase the productivity of the assets are capitalized. The cost of maintenance and repairs that do not extend the useful lives or increase the productivity of the assets are expensed as incurred.  Other than land and mining equipment, coal properties are depreciated using the units-of-production method over the estimated recoverable reserves. Surface and underground mining equipment is depreciated using estimated useful lives ranging from three to twenty-five years.

If facts and circumstances suggest that a long-lived asset may be impaired, the carrying value is reviewed for recoverability. If this review indicates that the carrying value of the asset will not be recoverable through estimated undiscounted future net cash flows related to the asset over its remaining life, then an impairment loss is recognized by reducing the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value.

Mine Development

Mine Development

Costs of developing new coal mines, including asset retirement obligation assets, or significantly expanding the capacity of existing mines, are capitalized and amortized using the units-of-production method over estimated recoverable reserves.

Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO) - Reclamation

Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO) - Reclamation

At the time they are incurred, legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets are reflected at their estimated fair value, with a corresponding charge to mine development. Obligations are typically incurred when we commence development of underground and surface mines, and include reclamation of support facilities, refuse areas and slurry ponds.

Obligations are reflected at the present value of their future cash flows.  We reflect accretion of the obligations for the period from the date they are incurred through the date they are extinguished. The asset retirement obligation assets are amortized using the units-of-production method over estimated recoverable (proved and probable) reserves.  We are using discount rates ranging from 5.5% to 10%. Federal and state laws require that mines be reclaimed in accordance with specific standards and approved reclamation plans, as outlined in mining permits.  Activities include reclamation of pit and support acreage at surface mines, sealing portals at underground mines, and reclamation of refuse areas and slurry ponds.

We assess our ARO at least annually and reflect revisions for permit changes, changes in our estimated reclamation costs and changes in the estimated timing of such costs.

The table below (in thousands) reflects the changes to our ARO:

	2015		2014
Balance, beginning of year	$	12,074	$	5,290
Accretion		498		534
Vectren acquisition				6,550
Additions
Other		(341)		(300)
Balance, end of year	$	12,231	$	12,074

Statement of Cash Flows

Statement of Cash Flows

Cash equivalents include investments with maturities when purchased of three months or less.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Income taxes are provided based on the liability method of accounting.  The provision for income taxes is based on pretax financial income. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future expected tax consequences of temporary differences between income tax and financial reporting and principally relate to differences in the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which differences are expected to reverse.

Net Income per Share

Net Income per Share

Basic net income per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares include restricted stock units and are included in basic net income per share. 

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual amounts could differ from those estimates.  The most significant estimates included in the preparation of the financial statements relate to:  (i) fair value estimates relating to business combinations, (ii) deferred income tax accounts, (iii) coal reserves, and (iv) estimates used in our impairment analysis.

Derivatives

Derivatives

We recognize at fair value all contracts meeting the definition of a derivative as assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, with the exception of our coal contracts for which we elected to apply a normal purchases and normal sales exception. Changes in fair value are recognized into income.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations

We account for business combinations using the purchase method of accounting. The purchase method requires us to determine the fair value of all acquired assets, including identifiable intangible assets and all assumed liabilities. The total cost of acquisitions is allocated to the underlying identifiable net assets, based on their respective estimated fair values. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management's judgment and the utilization of independent valuation experts, and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including assumptions with respect to future cash inflows and outflows, discount rates and asset lives, among other items.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue from coal sales at the time risk of loss passes to the customer at contracted amounts and amounts are deemed collectible.

Long-term Contracts

Long-term Contracts

As of December 31, 2015, we are committed to supply to our customers a maximum of 32 million tons of coal through 2024 of which 14 million tons are priced.   

Our four largest customers in 2015 were IPL, NIPSCO, Vectren, and Hoosier.  We derived 82% of our total revenue from these customers.  Each of these customers represented at least 10% of our total revenue. 

For 2014, our four largest customers were IPL, Vectren, Hoosier, and Duke. We derived 71% of our total revenue from these customers.  Each of these customers represented at least 10% of our total revenue.

For 2013, our four largest customers were IPL, Hoosier, Duke, and JP Morgan.  We derived 94% of our total revenue from these customers.  Each of these customers represented at least 10% of our total revenue.

We are paid every two to four weeks and do not expect any credit losses.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the applicable vesting period of the stock award (generally two to four years) using the straight-line method.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements

None of the recent FASB pronouncements will have any material effect on us.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events

We have evaluated all subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. No material recognized or non-recognizable subsequent events were identified.