Adams Resources 10-Q 3-31-2006

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)

x  
Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006

o  
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from ______________to

Commission File Number 1-7908

ADAMS RESOURCES & ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware
 
74-1753147
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

4400 Post Oak Pkwy Ste 2700 , Houston, Texas 77027
(Address of principal executive office & Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code (713) 881-3600

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES x NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 126-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)

Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO x

A total of 4,217,596 shares of Common Stock were outstanding at May 1, 2006.




- -

 
 

 

PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements 

ADAMS RESOURCES & ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
REVENUES:
             
Marketing  
 
$
468,488
 
$
512,155
 
Transportation 
   
14,941
   
13,049
 
Oil and gas 
   
4,599
   
2,439
 
     
488,028
   
527,643
 
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
             
Marketing  
   
464,530
   
507,891
 
Transportation 
   
12,646
   
11,295
 
Oil and gas 
   
1,197
   
440
 
General and administrative 
   
2,116
   
2,152
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
   
2,042
   
1,393
 
     
482,531
   
523,171
 
               
Operating earnings 
   
5,497
   
4,472
 
Other income (expense):
             
Interest income 
   
85
   
21
 
Interest expense 
   
(28
)
 
(20
)
Earnings from continuing operations
             
before income taxes  
   
5,554
   
4,473
 
               
Income tax provision 
   
1,910
   
1,563
 
               
Earnings from continuing operations 
   
3,644
   
2,910
 
Loss from discontinued operation, net of tax benefit of $30
   
-
   
(59
)
Net earnings 
 
$
3,644
 
$
2,851
 
               
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
             
From continuing operations 
 
$
.86
 
$
.69
 
From discontinued operation 
   
-
   
(.01
)
Basic and diluted net earnings
             
per common share 
 
$
.86
 
$
.68
 
               
DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE 
 
$
-
 
$
-
 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.




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1

 

ADAMS RESOURCES & ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

   
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
ASSETS
             
               
Current assets:
             
Cash and cash equivalents 
 
$
24,811
 
$
18,817
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
             
accounts of $571 and $608, respectively 
   
204,811
   
217,727
 
Inventories 
   
10,569
   
11,692
 
Risk management receivables 
   
9,060
   
13,324
 
Income tax receivables 
   
834
   
1,304
 
Prepayments 
   
4,795
   
7,586
 
               
Total current assets 
   
254,880
   
270,450
 
               
Property and equipment 
   
102,858
   
98,861
 
Less - accumulated depreciation,
             
depletion and amortization 
   
(60,875
)
 
(58,965
)
     
41,983
   
39,896
 
Other assets:
             
Risk management assets 
   
13
   
47
 
Other assets 
   
2,287
   
2,269
 
   
$
299,163
 
$
312,662
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
             
               
Current liabilities:
             
Accounts payable 
 
$
201,521
 
$
213,668
 
Risk management payables 
   
7,571
   
11,542
 
Accrued and other liabilities 
   
3,514
   
4,790
 
Current deferred income taxes 
   
838
   
1,129
 
Total current liabilities 
   
213,444
   
231,129
 
               
Long-term debt 
   
11,475
   
11,475
 
               
Other liabilities:
             
Asset retirement obligations 
   
1,095
   
1,058
 
Deferred income taxes and other 
   
3,836
   
3,296
 
Risk management liabilities 
   
13
   
48
 
     
229,863
   
247,006
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
             
               
Shareholders’ equity:
             
Preferred stock - $1.00 par value, 960,000 shares
             
authorized, none outstanding 
   
-
   
-
 
Common stock - $.10 par value, 7,500,000 shares
             
authorized, 4,217,596 shares outstanding 
   
422
   
422
 
Contributed capital 
   
11,693
   
11,693
 
Retained earnings  
   
57,185
   
53,541
 
Total shareholders’ equity  
   
69,300
   
65,656
 
   
$
299,163
 
$
312,662
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.




- -

 
2

 

ADAMS RESOURCES & ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATIONS:
             
Earnings from continuing operations 
 
$
3,644
 
$
2,910
 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
             
provided by (used in) operating activities -
             
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 
   
2,042
   
1,393
 
Gains on property sales 
   
(32
)
 
(612
)
Impairment on non-producing oil and gas properties 
   
259
   
103
 
Other, net 
   
(22
)
 
(17
)
    Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable  
   
12,916
   
(13,103
)
    Decrease (increase) in inventories  
   
1,123
   
(1,982
)
    Risk management activities 
   
292
   
(20
)
Decrease (increase) in tax receivable 
   
470
   
(672
)
    Decrease (increase) in prepayments 
   
2,791
   
5,668
 
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable 
   
(11,866
)
 
14,038
 
    Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities 
   
(1,276
)
 
(2,036
)
Deferred income taxes 
   
252
   
183
 
               
Net cash provided by continuing operations 
   
10,593
   
5,853
 
Net cash provided by discontinued operations 
   
-
   
6
 
               
Net cash provided by operating activities  
   
10,593
   
5,859
 
               
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
             
Property and equipment additions  
   
(4,631
)
 
(3,490
)
Proceeds from property sales 
   
32
   
755
 
               
Net cash (used in) investing activities 
   
(4,599
)
 
(2,735
)
               
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
             
Net borrowings under credit agreements 
   
-
   
-
 
               
Net cash used in financing activities 
   
-
   
-
 
               
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 
   
5,994
   
3,124
 
               
Cash at beginning of period 
   
18,817
   
19,942
 
               
Cash at end of period 
 
$
24,811
 
$
23,066
 
               
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
             
               
Interest paid during the period  
 
$
28
 
$
20
 
               
Income taxes paid during the period 
 
$
1,001
 
$
2,021
 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.





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3

 


ADAMS RESOURCES & ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but, in the opinion of the Company's management, include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for the fair presentation of its financial position at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, its results of operations and its cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations. Although the Company believes the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, it is suggested that these consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements, and the notes thereto, included in the Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K. The interim statement of operations is not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year.


Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Adams Resources & Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the "Company") after elimination of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts in order to conform to current year presentation related to discontinued operations.

Nature of Operations

The Company is engaged in the business of crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products marketing, as well as tank truck transportation of liquid chemicals and oil and gas exploration and production. Its primary area of operation is within a 1,000-mile radius of Houston, Texas.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include any treasury bill, commercial paper, money market fund or federal funds with maturity of 30 days or less. Included in the cash balance at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 is a deposit of $2 million to collateralize the Company's month-to-month crude oil letter of credit facility.

Inventories

Crude oil and petroleum product inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market. Petroleum products inventory includes gasoline, lubricating oils and other petroleum products purchased for resale and valued at cost determined on the first-in, first-out basis, while crude oil inventory is valued at average cost. Components of inventory are as follows (in thousands):




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4

 


   
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
               
Crude oil 
 
$
8,491
 
$
9,924
 
Petroleum products 
   
2,078
   
1,768
 
               
   
$
10,569
 
$
11,692
 

 
Property and Equipment

Expenditures for major renewals and betterments are capitalized, and expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Interest costs incurred in connection with major capital expenditures are capitalized and amortized over the lives of the related assets. When properties are retired or sold, the related cost and accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization ("DD&A") is removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in earnings.

Oil and gas exploration and development expenditures are accounted for in accordance with the successful efforts method of accounting. Direct costs of acquiring developed or undeveloped leasehold acreage, including lease bonus, brokerage and other fees, are capitalized. Exploratory drilling costs are initially capitalized until the properties are evaluated and determined to be either productive or nonproductive. Such evaluations are made on a quarterly basis. If an exploratory well is determined to be nonproductive, the capitalized costs of drilling the well are charged to expense. Costs incurred to drill and complete development wells, including dry holes, are capitalized. As of March 31, 2006, the Company had no unevaluated or suspended exploratory drilling costs.

Producing oil and gas leases, equipment and intangible drilling costs are depleted or amortized over the estimated recoverable reserves using the units-of-production method. Other property and equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated average useful lives of three to twenty years for marketing, three to fifteen years for transportation and ten to twenty years for all others.

The Company is required to periodically review long-lived assets for impairment whenever there is evidence that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. This consists of comparing the carrying value of the asset with the asset’s expected future undiscounted cash flows without interest costs. Estimates of expected future cash flows represent management’s best estimate based on reasonable and supportable assumptions. Proved oil and gas properties are reviewed for impairment on a field-by-field basis. Any impairment recognized is permanent and may not be restored. In addition, management evaluates the carrying value of non-producing properties and may deem them impaired for lack of drilling activity. Such evaluations are made on a quarterly basis. Accordingly, a $259,000 and a $103,000 impairment provision on non-producing properties was recorded in the three-month period ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Other Assets

Other assets primarily consist of cash deposits associated with the Company’s business activities. The Company has established certain deposits to support its participation in its liability insurance program and such deposits totaled $817,000 as of March 31, 2006. In addition, the Company maintains certain deposits to support the collection and remittance of state crude oil severance taxes. Such deposits totaled $970,000 as of March 31, 2006.





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5

 

Revenue Recognition

Commodity purchases and sales associated with the Company’s natural gas marketing activities qualify as derivative instruments under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133. Therefore, natural gas purchases and sales are recorded on a net revenue basis in the accompanying financial statements in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) 02-13 “Issues Involved in Accounting for Derivative Contracts Held for Trading Purposes and Contracts Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities”. In contrast, a significant portion of crude oil purchases and sales qualify, and have been designated as, normal purchases and sales. Therefore, crude oil purchases and sales are primarily recorded on a gross revenue basis in the accompanying financial statements. Those purchases and sales of crude oil that do not qualify as “normal purchases and sales” are recorded on a net revenue basis in the accompanying financial statements. For “normal purchase and sale” activities, the Company’s customers are invoiced monthly based on contractually agreed upon terms and revenue is recognized in the month in which the physical product is delivered to the customer. Where required, the Company recognizes fair value or mark-to-market gains and losses related to its natural gas and crude oil trading activities. A detailed discussion of the Company’s risk management activities is included later in this footnote.

Substantially all of the Company’s petroleum products marketing activity qualify as a “normal purchase and sale” and revenue is recognized in the period when the customer physically takes possession and title to the product upon delivery at their facility. The Company recognizes fair value or mark to market gains and losses on refined product marketing activities that do not qualify as “normal purchases and sales”.

Transportation customers are invoiced, and the related revenue is recognized as the service is provided. Oil and gas revenue from the Company’s interests in producing wells is recognized as title and physical possession of the oil and gas passes to the purchaser.

Included in marketing segment revenues and costs is the gross proceeds and costs associated with certain crude oil buy/sell arrangements. Crude oil buy/sell arrangements result from a single contract or concurrent contracts with a single counterparty to provide for similar quantities of crude oil to be bought and sold at two different locations. Such contracts may be entered into for a variety of reasons, including to effect the transportation of the commodity, to minimize credit exposure, and to meet the competitive demands of the customer. In September 2005, the EITF of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) reached consensus in the issue of accounting for buy/sell arrangements as part of its EITF Issue No. 04-13, “Accounting for Purchases and Sales of Inventory with the Same Counterparty” (“Issue 04-13”). As part of Issue 04-13, the EITF is requiring that all buy/sell arrangements be reflected on a net basis, such that the purchase and sale are netted and shown as either a net purchase or a net sale in the income statement. This requirement is effective for new arrangements entered into after March 31, 2006. However, the Company adopted Issue 04-13 effective January 1, 2006. Prior period amounts for marketing revenues and marketing costs and expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations were not restated to reflect the requirements of Issue 04-13.


Earnings Per Share

The Company computes and presents earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share”, which requires the presentation of basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share for potentially dilutive securities. Earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock and potentially dilutive common stock shares outstanding during the period. The weighted average number of shares outstanding was 4,217,596 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005. There were no potentially dilutive securities during those periods in 2006 and 2005.




- -

 
6

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Examples of significant estimates used in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounting for depreciation, depletion and amortization, oil and gas property impairments, the provision for bad debts, income taxes, contingencies and price risk management activities.


Price Risk Management Activities

SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, as amended by SFAS No. 137 and No. 138, establishes accounting and reporting standards that require every derivative instrument (including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) to be recorded on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value, unless the derivative qualifies and has been designated as a normal purchase or sale. Changes in fair value are recognized immediately in earnings unless the derivatives qualify for, and the Company elects, cash flow hedge accounting. The Company had no contracts designated for hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133 during any current reporting periods.

The Company’s trading and non-trading transactions give rise to market risk, which represents the potential loss that may result from a change in the market value of a particular commitment. The Company closely monitors and manages its exposure to market risk to ensure compliance with the Company’s risk management policies. Such policies are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given management’s objectives, strategies and current market conditions.

The Company’s forward crude oil contracts are designated as normal purchases and sales. Natural gas forward contracts and energy trading contracts on crude oil and natural gas are recorded at fair value, depending on management’s assessments of the numerous accounting standards and positions that comply with generally accepted accounting principles. The undiscounted fair value of such contracts is reflected on the Company’s balance sheet as risk management assets and liabilities. The revaluation of such contracts is recognized in the Company’s results of operations. Current market price quotes from actively traded liquid markets are used in all cases to determine the contracts’ fair value. Risk management assets and liabilities are classified as short-term or long-term depending on contract terms. The estimated future net cash inflow based on market prices as of March 31, 2006 is $1,489,000, all of which will be received during the remainder of 2006 through July 2007. The estimated future cash inflow approximates the net fair value recorded in the Company’s risk management assets and liabilities.

The following table illustrates the factors impacting the change in the net value of the Company’s risk management assets and liabilities for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands):

   
2006
 
2005
 
Net fair value on January 1, 
 
$
1,781
 
$
630
 
Activity during the period
             
-Cash paid (received) from settled contracts  
   
(894
)
 
(520
)
-Net realized gain from prior years’ contracts 
   
107
   
115
 
-Net unrealized gain from prior years’ contracts 
   
-
   
63
 
-Net unrealized (loss) from prior years’ contracts
   
(57
)
 
-
 
-Net unrealized gain from current year contracts 
   
552
   
362
 
Net fair value on March 31, 
 
$
1,489
 
$
650
 





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7

 


Asset Retirement Obligations

SFAS No. 143 “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” established an accounting model for accounting and reporting obligations associated with retirement of tangible long-lived assets and associated retirement costs. SFAS No. 143 requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset's retirement obligation be recorded in the period in which it is incurred and the corresponding cost capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its then present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. If the liability is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or loss is recognized. A summary of the recording of the estimated fair value of the Company’s asset retirement obligations is presented as follows (in thousands):

   
2006
 
2005
 
               
Balance on January 1, 
 
$
1,058
 
$
723
 
    -Liabilities incurred 
   
10
   
6
 
    -Accretion of discount 
   
27
   
21
 
    -Liabilities settled 
   
-
   
(6
)
    -Revisions to estimates 
   
-
   
-
 
Balance on March 31, 
 
$
1,095
 
$
744
 

In addition to an accrual for asset retirement obligations, the Company maintains $75,000 in escrow cash, which is legally restricted for the potential purpose of settling asset retirement costs in accordance with certain state regulations. Such cash deposits are included in other assets on the accompanying balance sheet.

In March 2005, the FASB issued Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 47. FIN 47 clarifies that an entity must record a liability for a “conditional” asset retirement obligation if the fair value can be reasonably estimated. The adoption of FIN 47 had no impact on the Company’s financial statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment”, which established accounting standards for all transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods and services. SFAS No. 123(R) focuses primarily on accounting for such transactions with employees. As of March 31, 2006, the Company had no stock-based employee compensation plans, nor any other share-based payment arrangements.

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs”. This statement clarifies the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). SFAS No. 151 requires that these items be charged to expense regardless of whether they meet the “so abnormal” criterion outlined in Accounting Research Bulletin 43. This statement was effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The adoption of this statement did not have any material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections”. This statement establishes new standards on the accounting for and reporting of changes in accounting principles and error corrections. SFAS No. 154 requires retrospective application to the financial statements of prior periods for all such changes, unless it is impracticable to do so. SFAS No. 154 is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2006.




- -

 
8

 


Note 3 - Discontinued Operations

Effective September 30, 2005, the Company sold its ownership in its offshore Gulf of Mexico crude oil gathering pipeline. The sale was completed to eliminate abandonment obligations and because the Company was no longer purchasing crude oil in the affected region. The operating results for the pipeline for the first quarter of 2005 have been reflected in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations as income from discontinued operations. As of September 30, 2005, the Company had no assets or liabilities associated with this former operation.


Note 4 - Segment Reporting

The Company is primarily engaged in the business of marketing crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products; tank truck transportation of liquid chemicals; and oil and gas exploration and production. Information concerning the Company’s various business activities is summarized as follows (in thousands):

       
Segment
 
Depreciation
 
Property and
 
       
Operating
 
Depletion and
 
Equipment
 
   
Revenues
 
Earnings
 
Amortization
 
Additions
 
For the three months ended
                         
March 31, 2006
                         
Marketing 
 
$
468,488
 
$
3,637
 
$
321
 
$
1,101
 
Transportation 
   
14,941
   
1,171
   
1,124
   
614
 
Oil and gas 
   
4,599
   
2,805
   
597
   
2,916
 
   
$
488,028
 
$
7,613
 
$
2,042
 
$
4,631
 
For the three months ended
                         
March 31, 2005
                         
Marketing 
 
$
512,155
 
$
3,940
 
$
324
 
$
67
 
Transportation 
   
13,049
   
1,169
   
585
   
1,845
 
Oil and gas 
   
2,439
   
1,515
   
484
   
1,578
 
   
$
527,643
 
$
6,624
 
$
1,393
 
$
3,490
 

Identifiable assets by industry segment are as follows (in thousands):

   
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
Marketing 
 
$
220,294
 
$
240,309
 
Transportation 
   
28,437
   
28,412
 
Oil and gas 
   
22,216
   
20,780
 
Other 
   
28,216
   
23,161
 
   
$
299,163
 
$
312,662
 

Intersegment sales are insignificant. Other identifiable assets are primarily corporate cash, accounts receivable, and properties not identified with any specific segment of the Company’s business. All sales by the Company occurred in the United States.




- -

 
9

 

Segment operating earnings reflect revenues net of operating costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization. Segment earnings reconcile to earnings from continuing operations before income taxes as follows (in thousands):

   
Three months ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
Segment operating earnings
 
$
7,613
 
$
6,624
 
- General and administrative
   
(2,116
)
 
(2,152
)
Operating earnings
   
5,497
   
4,472
 
- Interest income
   
85
   
21
 
- Interest expense
   
(28
)
 
(20
)
Earnings from continuing operations
             
before income taxes
 
$
5,554
 
$
4,473
 


Note 5 - Transactions with Affiliates

Mr. K. S. “Bud” Adams, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and certain of his family limited partnerships and affiliates have participated as working interest owners with the Company’s subsidiary, Adams Resources Exploration Corporation. Mr. Adams and such affiliates participate on terms no better than those afforded other non-affiliated working interest owners. In recent years, such related party transactions tend to result after the Company has first identified oil and gas prospects of interest. Due to capital budgeting constraints, typically the available dollar commitment to participate in such transactions is greater than the amount management is comfortable putting at risk. In such event, the Company first determines the percentage of the transaction it wants to obtain, which allows a related party to participate in the investment to the extent there is excess available. Such related party transactions are individually reviewed and approved by a committee of independent directors on the Company’s Board of Directors. As of March 31, 2006, the Company owed a combined net total of $159,349 to these related parties. In connection with the operation of certain oil and gas properties, the Company also charges such related parties for administrative overhead primarily as prescribed by the Council of Petroleum Accountants Society (“COPAS”) Bulletin 5. Such overhead recoveries totaled $28,670 during the first three months of 2006.

David B. Hurst, Secretary of the Company, is a partner in the law firm of Chaffin & Hurst. The Company has been represented by Chaffin & Hurst since 1974 and plans to use the services of that firm in the future. Chaffin & Hurst currently leases office space from the Company. Transactions with Chaffin & Hurst are on the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with unrelated entities.

The Company also enters into certain transactions in the normal course of business with other affiliated entities. These transactions with affiliated companies are on the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with unrelated entities.




- -

 
10

 

Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies

In March 2004, a suit styled Le Petit Chateau De Luxe, et. al. vs Great Southern Oil & Gas Co., et. al. was filed in the Civil District Court for Orleans Parish, Louisiana against the Company and its subsidiary, Adams Resources Exploration Corporation, among other defendants. The suit alleges that certain property in Acadia Parish, Louisiana was environmentally contaminated by oil and gas exploration and production activities during the 1970s and 1980s. An alleged amount of damage has not been specified. Management believes the Company has consistently conducted its oil and gas exploration and production activities in accordance with all environmental rules and regulations in effect at the time of operation. Management notified its insurance carrier about this claim, and thus far the insurance carrier has declined to offer coverage. The Company is litigating this matter with its insurance carrier. In any event, management does not believe the outcome of this matter will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

From time to time as incident to its operations, the Company becomes involved in various lawsuits and/or disputes. Primarily as an operator of an extensive trucking fleet, the Company may be a party to motor vehicle accidents, worker compensation claims or other items of general liability as would be typical for the industry. Except as disclosed herein, management of the Company is presently unaware of any claims against the Company that are either outside the scope of insurance coverage, or that may exceed the level of insurance coverage, and could potentially represent a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Note 7 - Guarantees

Pursuant to arranging operating lease financing for truck tractors and tank trailers, individual subsidiaries of the Company may guarantee the lessor a minimum residual sales value upon the expiration of a lease and sale of the underlying equipment. Aggregate guaranteed residual values for tractors and trailers under operating leases as of March 31, 2006 are as follows (in thousands):

   
2006
 
2007
 
2008
 
2009
 
2010
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Lease residual values
 
$
122
 
$
-
 
$
304
 
$
1,474
 
$
-
 
$
704
 
$
2,604
 

In connection with certain contracts for the purchase and resale of branded motor fuels, the Company has received certain price discounts from its suppliers toward the purchase of gasoline and diesel fuel. Such discounts have been passed through to the Company’s customers as an incentive to offset a portion of the costs associated with offering branded motor fuels for sale to the general public. Under the terms of the supply contracts, the Company and its customers are not obligated to return the price discounts, provided the gasoline service station offering such product for sale remains as a branded station for periods ranging from three to ten years. The Company has a number of customers and stations operating under such arrangements and the Company’s customers are contractually obligated to remain a branded dealer for the required periods of time. Should the Company’s customers seek to void such contracts, the Company would be obligated to return a portion of such discounts received to its suppliers. As of March 31, 2006, the maximum amount of such potential obligation is approximately $1,048,000. Management of the Company believes its customers will adhere to their branding obligations and no such refunds will result.
 
Presently, the Company and its subsidiaries have no other types of guarantees outstanding that in the future would require liability recognition under the provisions of FIN 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others”.




- -

 
11

 

Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. frequently issues parent guarantees of commitments resulting from the ongoing activities of its subsidiary companies. The guarantees generally result from subsidiary commodity purchase obligation, subsidiary lease commitments and subsidiary bank debt. The nature of such guarantees is to guarantee the performance of the subsidiary companies in meeting their respective underlying obligations. Except for operating lease commitments and letters of credit, all such underlying obligations are recorded on the books of the subsidiary companies and are included in the consolidated financial statements included herein. Therefore, no such obligation is recorded again on the books of the parent. The parent would only be called upon to perform under the guarantee in the event of a payment default by the applicable subsidiary company. In satisfying such obligations, the parent would first look to the assets of the defaulting subsidiary company. As of March 31, 2006, the amount of parental guaranteed obligations are as follows (in thousands):


   
2006
 
2007
 
2008
 
2009
 
2010
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Bank debt 
 
$
-
 
$
1,434
 
$
5,738
 
$
4,303
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
11,475
 
Operating leases 
   
3,287
   
4,239
   
4,039
   
1,717
   
727
   
297
   
14,306
 
Lease residual values 
   
122
   
-
   
304
   
1,474
   
-
   
704
   
2,604
 
Commodity purchases 
   
22,428
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
22,428
 
Letters of credit 
   
27,200
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
27,200
 
   
$
53,037
 
$
5,673
 
$
10,081
 
$
7,494
 
$
727
 
$
1,001
 
$
78,013
 




- -

 
12

 


Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations

 
-
Marketing

Marketing segment revenues, operating earnings and depreciation are presented as follows (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
Revenues 
 
$
468,488
 
$
512,155
 
               
Operating earnings 
 
$
3,637
 
$
3,940
 
               
Depreciation 
 
$
321
 
$
324
 
               
 
Marketing segment revenues result from sales of crude oil, natural gas and refined products such as gasoline and diesel. Required reporting for certain sales transactions is on a gross revenue basis as title passes to the customer, while other sales transactions are reported on a net revenue basis (i.e. the commodity acquisition cost is netted against gross sales value). Components of marketing segment revenues are as follows (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
           
Crude oil sales, net of proceeds from buy/sell arrangements
 
$
427,154
 
$
314,335
 
Crude oil sales proceeds from buy/sell arrangements
   
-
   
164,065
 
Natural gas sales
   
3,089
   
1,659
 
Refined product sales
   
38,245
   
32,096
 
               
   
$
468,488
 
$
512,155
 

Prior to January 1, 2006, proceeds from transactions involving crude oil buy/sell arrangements were reported on a gross revenue basis. Beginning this year, such buy/sell transactions are reported on a net revenue basis. The table above shows this comparison. This required accounting change in 2006 for the presentation of revenue transactions has no impact on reported earnings from operations or net earnings.

As reflected above, crude oil sales net of proceeds from buy/sell arrangements increased by 36 percent to $427,154,000 for the comparative current quarter primarily due to an increase in the commodity price for crude oil. This relationship is reflected in the table of operating statistics shown below. For the Company, natural gas sales are presented on a net revenue basis and the current period revenue increase to $3,089,000 reflects improved gross margins consistent with the analysis for operating earnings presented below. The refined product sales increase to $38,245,000 for the current period also reflects higher commodity prices consistent with the trend for crude oil.




- -

 
13

 

Supplemental volume and price information is as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
               
Field Level Purchase Volumes - Per day (1)
             
Crude oil - barrels 
   
66,250
   
70,700
 
Natural gas - mmbtu’s  
   
343,300
   
337,000
 
               
Average Purchase Price
             
Crude Oil - per barrel 
 
$
60.40
 
$
47.61
 
Natural Gas - per mmbtu 
 
$
7.63
 
$
6.13
 
_____________________________
(1) Reflects the volume purchased from third parties at the oil and gas field level.


The components of marketing segment operating earnings are as follows (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
               
Crude Oil
 
$
1,461
 
$
3,411
 
Natural Gas
   
1,791
   
737
 
Refined Products
   
385
   
(208
)
               
   
$
3,637
 
$
3,940
 

Crude oil operating earnings were primarily reduced for the three months ended March 31, 2006 because during the first quarter of 2005 the Company recognized a $2,144,000 gain from liquidating relatively lower priced crude oil inventories into a higher priced market. During 2005, crude oil prices rose from the $43 per barrel range as of January 1, 2005 to the $52 per barrel range as of March 31, 2005. A similar but less dramatic situation recurred in the first quarter of 2006 as crude oil prices rose from the $59 per barrel range as of January 1, 2006 to the $62 per barrel range as of March 31, 2006, producing a $539,000 liquidation gain for the first quarter of 2006. As of March 31, 2006, the Company held 136,724 barrels of crude oil valued at $62.10 per barrel. The first quarter of 2005 for crude oil also benefited from $860,000 of cost recovery from the cash collection of certain previous disputed and fully reserved items. Such items did not recur in 2006.

The Company has reinitiated its prior practice of speculative trading of forward crude oil positions. From 1998 through 2001, the Company had previously engaged in the trading of forward crude oil contracts as a complement to its overall crude oil acquisition business. Financial constraint beginning in 2002 caused the Company to cease its speculative trading activity at that time. However, current market conditions are favorable toward such efforts and the Company re-hired its former personnel to perform this function. The Company has a written statement of policies and procedures to govern this area. During the first quarter of 2006, such speculative crude oil trading activity produced a net gain of approximately $375,000 which is included in crude oil sales.




- -

 
14

 

Operating earnings from natural gas improved by 143 percent to $1,791,000 for the first quarter of 2006 due to improved per unit margins. The 2006 margin improvement resulted from the Company redirecting its available natural gas supply to end markets offering better pricing. Operating earnings from motor fuels and other refined product sales improved from a first quarter of 2005 operating loss to 2006 operating earnings of $385,000 due to improved per unit margins.

 
 
-
Transportation

Transportation segment revenues, earnings and depreciation are as follows (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
     
   
March 31,
 
Increase
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
(Decrease)
 
                     
Revenues 
 
$
14,941
 
$
13,049
   
14.5
%
                     
Operating earnings 
 
$
1,171
 
$
1,169
   
-
%
                     
Depreciation 
 
$
1,124
 
$
585
   
92.1
%

Transportation segment revenues improved by 14.5 percent to $14,941,000 for the first three months of 2006 due to improved customer demand and higher freight rates. Operating earnings were flat however, due to disproportionate increases in operating costs associated with an expanded fleet, and escalating driver wages and fuel costs. By comparison, fuel cost increased by 28 percent for the comparative first quarter to $2,724,000, while depreciation increased by 92 percent to $1,124,000.

Demand for the Company’s trucking service has remained strong and may in fact be improving. However, continued escalated cost of service combined with a shortage of qualified drivers, tempers projected net earnings growth.

 
- 
Oil and Gas

Oil and gas segment revenues and operating earnings are primarily a function of crude oil and natural gas prices and volumes. Comparative amounts for revenues, operating earnings and depreciation and depletion are as follows (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
     
   
March 31,
     
   
2006
 
2005
 
Increase
 
Revenues 
 
$
4,599
 
$
2,439
   
88.6
%
                     
Operating earnings 
 
$
2,805
 
$
1,515
   
85.1
%
                     
Depreciation and depletion 
 
$
597
 
$
484
   
23.3
%

Oil and gas segment revenues and operating earnings improved for the three months ended March 31, 2006 as a result of improved volumes and pricing as shown in the table below. Exploration expense for comparative periods was consistent at $328,000 and $369,000 for the first quarter of 2006 and 2005, respectively. The prior year first quarter also benefited from a $601,000 gain realized on the sale of certain oil and gas properties. Such property sales did not occur in the first quarter of 2006.




- -

 
15

 

Production volumes and price information is as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
Crude Oil
             
Volume - barrels 
   
19,800
   
13,800
 
Average price per barrel 
 
$
61.20
 
$
46.88
 
               
Natural gas
             
Volume - mcf 
   
396,000
   
270,000
 
Average price per mcf 
 
$
8.55
 
$
6.64
 

During the first three months of 2006, the Company participated in the drilling of eleven wells. Three of the wells were successful, two wells are completing, with one dry hole and five wells currently in process. In addition, three of the six wells that were in process at year-end 2005 have been brought on production in the first quarter of 2006 with the remaining three wells tested as productive but await facilities hook up. Participation in the drilling of approximately 40 wells is planned for the remainder of 2006 on the Company’s prospect acreage in Alabama, Louisiana and Texas.

In the Southern UK North Sea, seismic interpretation work continues on the Company’s acreage block and completion of a prospect package is expected by mid 2006. The Company’s acreage position is a “Promote Block” that does not require a commitment to drill a well. The Company plans to seek a partner to drill the initial wells on a promoted basis. The Company holds a 40 percent interest in the Southern sector block.


 - Income tax

The provision for income taxes is based on Federal and State tax rates and variations are consistent with taxable income in the respective accounting periods.


- Discontinued operations

Effective September 30, 2005, the Company sold its ownership in its offshore Gulf of Mexico crude oil gathering pipeline. The sale was completed to eliminate abandonment obligations and because the Company was no longer purchasing crude oil in the affected region. The first quarter 2005 operating results for the pipeline are included herein as discontinued operations.


- Outlook

Company management is currently working to develop adequate procedures, controls and documentation in order to comply with the reporting and auditing requirements set forth in Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Presently, the Company’s Section 404 reporting compliance deadline is December 31, 2007. However, recent appreciation in the market price of the Company’s common stock may accelerate the Company’s Section 404 requirements to December 31, 2006. The stock valuation measurement day for triggering such compliance acceleration is June 30, 2006. Management anticipates hiring outside consultants and incurring additional administrative expenses totaling $1 million during 2006 in order to meet this requirement. Further, there are no assurances that the Company will meet all Section 404 requirements within the required time frame should the deadline be accelerated.




- -

 
16

 

The operating trends occurring in the first quarter of 2006 appear to be holding steady into the second quarter. No significant variations in current operations are presently anticipated aside from the added administrative burden to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

During the first three months of 2006, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $10,593,000 versus $5,853,000 provided by operations during the first three months of 2005. Management generally balances the cash flow requirements of the Company’s investment activity with available cash generated from operations. Over time, cash utilized for property and equipment additions, tracks with earnings from continuing operations plus the non-cash provision for depreciation, depletion and amortization. Presently, management intends to restrict investment decisions to available cash flow. Significant, if any, additions to debt are not anticipated. A summary of this relationship follows (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
Earnings from continuing operations 
 
$
3,644
 
$
2,910
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 
   
2,042
   
1,393
 
Property and equipment additions 
   
(4,631
)
 
(3,490
)
               
Cash available for other uses  
 
$
1,055
 
$
813
 

Capital expenditures during the first three months of 2006 included $1,101,000 for marketing equipment additions, $614,000 for trailer purchases within the transportation operation and $2,916,000 in property additions associated with oil and gas exploration and production activities. For the remainder of 2006, the Company anticipates expending approximately $11 million on oil and gas exploration projects to be funded from operating cash flow and available working capital. In addition, approximately $1.5 million will be expended toward additional equipment purchases within the Company’s marketing and transportation businesses with funding from available cash flow.


- Banking Relationships

The Company’s primary bank loan agreement with Bank of America provides for two separate lines of credit with interest at the bank’s prime rate minus ¼ of 1 percent. The working capital loan provides for borrowings up to $10,000,000 based on 80 percent of eligible accounts receivable and 50 percent of eligible inventories. Available capacity under the line is calculated monthly and as of March 31, 2006 was established at $10,000,000 with $7,500,000 of such amount outstanding at March 31, 2006. The oil and gas production loan provides for flexible borrowings subject to a borrowing base established semi-annually by the bank. The borrowing base is established at $10,000,000 as of March 31, 2006 with $3,975,000 of such amount outstanding at March 31, 2006. The line of credit loans are scheduled to expire on October 31, 2007, with the then present balance outstanding converting to a term loan payable in eight equal quarterly installments.




- -

 
17

 

The Bank of America revolving loan agreement, among other things, places certain restrictions with respect to additional borrowings and the purchase or sale of assets, as well as requiring the Company to comply with certain financial covenants, including maintaining a 1.0 to 1.0 ratio of consolidated current assets to consolidated current liabilities, maintaining a 3.0 to 1.0 ratio of pre-tax net income to interest expense, and consolidated net worth in excess of $48,581,000. Should the Company’s net worth fall below this threshold, the Company may be restricted from payment of additional cash dividends on the Company’s common stock. The Company was in compliance with these restrictions as of March 31, 2006.

The Company’s Gulfmark Energy, Inc. subsidiary maintains a separate banking relationship with BNP Paribas in order to support its crude oil purchasing activities. In addition to providing up to $40 million in letters of credit, the facility also finances up to $6 million of crude oil inventory and certain accounts receivable associated with crude oil sales. Such financing is provided on a demand note basis with interest at the bank’s prime rate plus one percent. As of March 31, 2006, the Company had $6 million of eligible borrowing capacity under this facility. No working capital advances were outstanding as of March 31, 2006. Letters of credit outstanding under this facility totaled approximately $19.7 million as of March 31, 2006. BNP Paribas has the right to discontinue the issuance of letters of credit under this facility without prior notification to the Company.

The Company’s Adams Resources Marketing subsidiary also maintains a separate banking relationship with BNP Paribas in order to support its natural gas purchasing activities. In addition to providing up to $25 million in letters of credit, the facility finances up to $4 million of general working capital needs on a demand note basis. Such financing is provided on a demand note basis with interest at the bank’s prime rate plus one percent. No working capital advances were outstanding under this facility as of March 31, 2006. Letters of credit outstanding under this facility totaled $7.5 million as of March 31, 2006. Under this facility, BNP Paribas has the right to discontinue the issuance of letters of credit under this facility without prior notification to the Company.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

- Fair Value Accounting 

As an integral part of its marketing operation, the Company enters into certain forward commodity contracts that are required to be recorded at fair value in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” and related accounting pronouncements. Management believes this required accounting, known as mark-to-market accounting, creates variations in reported earnings and the reported earnings trend. Under mark-to-market accounting, significant levels of earnings are recognized in the period of contract initiation rather than the period when the service is provided and title passes from supplier to customer. As it affects the Company’s operation, management believes mark-to-market accounting impacts reported earnings and the presentation of financial condition in three important ways.

1.  
Gross margins, derived from certain aspects of the Company’s ongoing business, are front-ended into the period in which contracts are executed. Meanwhile, personnel and other costs associated with servicing accounts as well as substantially all risks associated with the execution of contracts are expensed as incurred during the period of physical product flow and title passage.

2.  
Mark-to-market earnings are calculated based on stated contract volumes. A significant risk associated with the Company’s business is the conversion of stated contract or planned volumes into actual physical commodity movement volumes without a loss of margin. Again the planned profit from such commodity contracts is bunched and front-ended into one period while the risk of loss associated with the difference between actual versus planned production or usage volumes falls in a subsequent period.
 
3.  
Cash flows, by their nature, match physical movements and passage of title. Mark-to-market accounting, on the other hand, creates a divergence between reported earnings and cash flows. Management believes this complicates the picture of stated financial conditions and liquidity.

The Company attempts to mitigate the identified risks by only entering into contracts where current market quotes in actively traded, liquid markets are available to determine the fair value of contracts. In addition, substantially all of the Company’s forward contracts are less than 18 months in duration. However, the reader is cautioned to develop a full understanding of how fair value or mark-to-market accounting creates differing reported results relative to those otherwise presented under conventional accrual accounting.

- Trade Accounts

Accounts receivable and accounts payable typically represent the single most significant assets and liabilities of the Company. Particularly within the Company’s energy marketing and oil and gas exploration and production operations, there is a high degree of interdependence with and reliance upon third parties, (including transaction counterparties) to provide adequate information for the proper recording of amounts receivable or payable. Substantially all such third parties are larger firms providing the Company with the source documents for recording trade activity. It is commonplace for these entities to retroactively adjust or correct such documents. This typically requires the Company to either absorb, benefit from, or pass along such corrections to another third party.

Due to the volume and the complexity of transactions and the high degree of interdependence with third parties, this is a difficult area to control and manage. The Company manages this process by participating in a monthly settlement process with each of its counterparties. Ongoing account balances are monitored monthly and the Company attempts to gain the cooperation of such counterparties to reconcile outstanding balances. The Company also places great emphasis on collecting cash balances due and paying only bonafide properly supported claims. In addition, the Company maintains and monitors its bad debt allowance. Nevertheless a degree of risk always remains due to the customs and practices of the industry.

- Oil and Gas Reserve Estimate

The value of capitalized costs of oil and gas exploration and production related assets are dependent on underlying oil and gas reserve estimates. Reserve estimates are based on many subjective factors. The accuracy of reserve estimates depends on the quantity and quality of geological data, production performance data and reservoir engineering data, changed prices, as well as the skill and judgment of petroleum engineers in interpreting such data. The process of estimating reserves requires frequent revision of estimates (usually on an annual basis) as additional information becomes available. Estimated future oil and gas revenue calculations are also based on estimates by petroleum engineers as to the timing of oil and gas production, and there is no assurance that the actual timing of production will conform to or approximate such estimates. Also, certain assumptions must be made with respect to pricing. The Company’s estimates assume prices will remain constant from the date of the engineer’s estimates, except for changes reflected under natural gas sales contracts. There can be no assurance that actual future prices will not vary as industry conditions, governmental regulation and other factors impact the market price for oil and gas.

The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting, so only costs (including development dry hole costs) associated with producing oil and gas wells are capitalized. Estimated oil and gas reserve quantities are the basis for the rate of amortization under the Company’s units of production method for depreciating, depleting and amortizing of oil and gas properties. Estimated oil and gas reserve values also provide the standard for the Company’s periodic review of oil and gas properties for impairment.




- -

 
18

 

- Contingencies

In March 2004, a suit styled Le Petit Chateau De Luxe, et. al. vs Great Southern Oil & Gas Co., et. al. was filed in the Civil District Court for Orleans Parish, Louisiana against the Company and its subsidiary, Adams Resources Exploration Corporation, among other defendants. The suit alleges that certain property in Acadia Parish, Louisiana was environmentally contaminated by oil and gas exploration and production activities during the 1970s and 1980s. An alleged amount of damage has not been specified. Management believes the Company has consistently conducted its oil and gas exploration and production activities in accordance with all environmental rules and regulations in effect at the time of operation. Management notified its insurance carrier about this claim, and thus far the insurance carrier has declined to offer coverage. The Company is litigating this matter with its insurance carrier. In any event, management does not believe the outcome of this matter will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

From time to time as incident to its operations, the Company becomes involved in various accidents, lawsuits and/or disputes. Primarily as an operator of an extensive trucking fleet, the Company may be a party to motor vehicle accidents, worker compensation claims or other items of general liability as would be typical for the industry. In addition, the Company has extensive operations that must comply with a wide variety of tax laws, environmental laws and labor laws, among others. Should an incident occur, management would evaluate the claim based on its nature, the facts and circumstances and the applicability of insurance coverage. To the extent management believes that such event may impact the financial condition of the Company, management will estimate the monetary value of the claim and make appropriate accruals or disclosure as provided in the guidelines of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies”.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Company is exposed to market risk, including adverse changes in interest rates and commodity prices.

 
-
Interest Rate Risk

Total long-term debt at March 31, 2006 included $11,475,000 of floating rate debt. As a result, the Company’s annual interest costs fluctuate based on interest rate changes. Because the interest rate on the Company’s long-term debt is a floating rate, the fair value approximates carrying value as of March 31, 2006. A hypothetical 10 percent adverse change in the floating rate would not have had a material effect on the Company’s results of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006.

 
-
Commodity Price Risk

The Company’s major market risk exposure is in the pricing applicable to its marketing and production of crude oil and natural gas. Realized pricing is primarily driven by the prevailing spot prices applicable to oil and gas. Commodity price risk in the Company’s marketing operations represents the potential loss that may result from a change in the market value of an asset or a commitment. From time to time, the Company enters into forward contracts to minimize or hedge the impact of market fluctuations on its purchases of crude oil and natural gas. The Company may also enter into price support contracts with certain customers to secure a floor price on the purchase of certain supply. In each instance, the Company locks in a separate matching price support contract with a third party in order to minimize the risk of these financial instruments. Substantially all forward contracts fall within a six-month to one-year term with no contracts extending longer than three years in duration. The Company monitors all commitments, positions and endeavors to maintain a balanced portfolio.




- -

 
19

 

Certain forward contracts are recorded at fair value, depending on management’s assessments of numerous accounting standards and positions that comply with generally accepted accounting principles. The undiscounted fair value of such contracts is reflected on the Company’s balance sheet as risk management assets and liabilities. The revaluation of such contracts is recognized on a net basis in the Company’s results of operations. Current market price quotes from actively traded liquid markets are used in all cases to determine the contracts’ fair value. Regarding net risk management assets, all of the presented values as of March 31, 2006 and 2005 were based on readily available market quotations. Risk management assets and liabilities are classified as short-term or long-term depending on contract terms. The estimated future net cash inflow based on year-end market prices is $1,489,000, all of which will be received during the remainder of 2006 through July 2007. The estimated future cash inflow approximates the net fair value recorded in the Company’s risk management assets and liabilities.

The following table illustrates the factors that impacted the change in the net value of the Company’s risk management assets and liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands):

   
2006
 
2005
 
Net fair value on January 1, 
 
$
1,781
 
$
630
 
Activity during the period
             
- Cash received from settled contracts 
   
(894
)
 
(520
)
- Net realized gain from prior years’ contracts 
   
107
   
115
 
- Net unrealized gain from prior years’ contracts  
   
-
   
63
 
- Net unrealized (loss) from prior years’ contracts
   
(57
)
 
-
 
- Net unrealized gain from current year contracts 
   
552
   
362
 
- Net fair value on September 30,  
 
$
1,489
 
$
650
 

Historically, prices received for oil and gas production have been volatile and unpredictable. Price volatility is expected to continue. From January 1, 2006 through March 31, 2006 natural gas price realizations ranged from a monthly low of $5.71 per mmbtu to a monthly high of $13.06 per mmbtu. Oil prices ranged from a low of $46.45 per barrel to a high of $64.40 per barrel during the same period. A hypothetical 10 percent adverse change in average natural gas and crude oil prices, assuming no changes in volume levels, would have reduced earnings by approximately $1,309,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006.

Forward-Looking Statements—Safe Harbor Provisions

This report for the period ended March 31, 2006 contains certain forward-looking statements intended to be covered by the safe harbors provided under Federal securities law and regulation. To the extent such statements are not recitations of historical fact, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, statements under the captions (a) Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, (b) Liquidity and Capital Resources, (c) Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates, (d) Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, among others, contain forward-looking statements. Where the Company expresses an expectation or belief to future results or events, such expression is made in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis in fact. However, there can be no assurance that such expectation or belief will actually result or be achieved.




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20

 

A number of factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated. Such factors include, among others, (a) general economic conditions, (b) fluctuations in hydrocarbon prices and margins, (c) variations between crude oil and natural gas contract volumes and actual delivery volumes, (d) unanticipated environmental liabilities or regulatory changes, (e) counterparty credit default, (f) inability to obtain bank and/or trade credit support, (g) availability and cost of insurance, (h) changes in tax laws, and (i) the availability of capital, (j) changes in regulations, (k) results of current items of litigation, (l) uninsured items of litigation or losses, (m) uncertainty in reserve estimates and cash flows, (n) ability to replace oil and gas reserves, (o) security issues related to drivers and terminal facilities, (p) commodity price volatility, and (q) successful completion of drilling activity. For more information, see the discussion under Forward-Looking Statements in the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Item 4. Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely discussions regarding required disclosure. As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective. During the Company’s first fiscal quarter, there have not been any changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-13(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.




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21

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.

In March 2004, a suit styled Le Petit Chateau De Luxe, et. al. vs Great Southern Oil & Gas Co., et. al. was filed in the Civil District Court for Orleans Parish, Louisiana against the Company and its subsidiary, Adams Resources Exploration Corporation, among other defendants. The suit alleges that certain property in Acadia Parish, Louisiana was environmentally contaminated by oil and gas exploration and production activities during the 1970s and 1980s. An alleged amount of damage has not been specified. Management believes the Company has consistently conducted its oil and gas exploration and production activities in accordance with all environmental rules and regulations in effect at the time of operation. Management notified its insurance carrier about this claim, and thus far the insurance carrier has declined to offer coverage. The Company is litigating this matter with its insurance carrier. In any event, management does not believe the outcome of this matter will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

From time to time as incident to its operations, the Company becomes involved in various lawsuits and/or disputes. Primarily as an operator of an extensive trucking fleet, the Company may be a party to motor vehicle accidents, worker compensation claims or other items of general liability as would be typical for the industry. Except as disclosed herein, management of the Company is presently unaware of any claims against the Company that are either outside the scope of insurance coverage, or that may exceed the level of insurance coverage, and could potentially represent a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.  

Item 1A. - There have bee no material changes in the Company’s risk factors from those disclosed in the 2005 Form 10-K.

Item 2. - None

Item 3. - None

Item 4. - None

Item 5. - None

Item 6. Exhibits

31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley of 2002
   
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   





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22

 


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.







 
ADAMS RESOURCES & ENERGY, INC
 
(Registrant)
   
   
   
Date: May 15, 2006
By /s/K. S. Adams, Jr.
 
K. S. Adams, Jr.
 
Chief Executive Officer
   
   
 
By /s/Frank T. Webster
 
Frank T. Webster
 
President & Chief Operating Officer
   
   
 
By /s/Richard B. Abshire
 
Richard B. Abshire
 
Chief Financial Officer





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23

 

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit
 
Number
Description
   
31.1
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
31.2
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
32.1
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
32.2
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002