Note 15 - Hourglass Sands

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Notes to Financial Statements

Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]

(15) HOURGLASS SANDS

In  February 2018, we invested $4 million in Hourglass Sands, LLC (Hourglass), a frac sand mining company in the State of Colorado. We own 100% of the Class A units and are consolidating the activity of Hourglass in these statements. Class A units are entitled to 100% of profit until our capital investment and interest is returned, then 90% of profits are allocated to us with remainder to Class B units. We do not own any Class B units.

In  February 2018, a Yorktown company associated with one of our directors also invested $4 million in Hourglass in return for a royalty interest in Hourglass. This investment coupled with our $4 million investment brings the initial capitalization of Hourglass to $8 million. We report the royalty interest as a redeemable noncontrolling interest in the consolidated balance sheets. A representative of the Yorktown company holds a seat on the board of managers, and, with a change of control, the Yorktown company  may be entitled to receive a portion of the net proceeds realized, as prescribed in the Hourglass operating agreement.

In  December 2019, we recorded an impairment to Hourglass Sands of $2.9 million.  In  August 2020, we ceased operation of the plant and recorded an additional impairment of $1.8 million. See Note 2 to these consolidated financial statements for further discussion.