Attached files

file filename
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - Emerge Energy Services LPa10q15930-q3xex312.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - Emerge Energy Services LPa10q15930-q3xex311.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - Emerge Energy Services LPa10q15930-q3xex321.htm
EX-10.1 - EXHIBIT 10.1 - Emerge Energy Services LPa10q15930-q3xex101.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - Emerge Energy Services LPa10q15930-q3xex322.htm
EX-95.1 - EXHIBIT 95.1 - Emerge Energy Services LPa10q15930-q3ex951msha.htm

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

Form 10-Q
 
ý  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015
 
OR
 
¨  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from        to
 
Commission File No.  001-35912
 
EMERGE ENERGY SERVICES LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
90-0832937
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
180 State Street, Suite 225, Southlake, Texas 76092
 
(817) 865-5830
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
 
Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered
Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests
 
New York Stock Exchange
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None
 
 
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.    ý  Yes    o  No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    ý  Yes    o  No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one)
Large-Accelerated Filer  x
 
Accelerated Filer  o
Non-Accelerated Filer  o
 
Smaller Reporting Company  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    o  Yes    ý  No
 
As of November 13, 2015, 24,119,972 common units were outstanding.
 




TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


2


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 
Certain statements and information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may constitute “forward-looking statements.”  The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “foresee,” “should,” “would,” “could” or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature.  These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on us.  While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate.  All comments concerning our expectations for future revenues and operating results are based on our forecasts for our existing operations and do not include the potential impact of any future acquisitions.  Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those summarized below: 
failure to secure or maintain contracts with our largest customers, or non-performance of any of those customers under the applicable contract;
competitive conditions in our industry;
the amount of frac sand we are able to excavate and process, which could be adversely affected by, among other things, operating difficulties and unusual or unfavorable geologic conditions;
the volume of frac sand we are able to sell;
the price at which we are able to sell frac sand;
changes in the long-term supply of and demand for oil and natural gas;
volatility of fuel prices;
unanticipated ground, grade or water conditions at our sand mines;
actions taken by our customers, competitors and third-party operators;
our ability to complete growth projects on time and on budget;
increasing costs and minimum contractual obligations relating to our transportation services and infrastructure;
inclement or hazardous weather conditions, including flooding, and the physical impacts of climate change;
environmental hazards;
industrial accidents;
changes in laws and regulations (or the interpretation thereof) related to the mining and hydraulic fracturing industries, silica dust exposure or the environment;
inability to acquire or maintain necessary permits or mining or water rights;
facility shutdowns in response to environmental regulatory actions;
inability to obtain necessary production equipment or replacement parts;
reduction in the amount of water available for processing;
technical difficulties or failures;
labor disputes and disputes with our excavation contractor;
late delivery of supplies;
difficulty collecting receivables;
inability of our customers to take delivery of our products;
changes in the price and availability of transportation;
fires, explosions or other accidents;
pit wall failures or rock falls;
the effects of future litigation; and
other factors discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the detailed factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2014.
When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the known material risk factors and other cautionary statements set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2014 in “Risk Factors” and in this Form 10-Q in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors.”  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


3


PART I                                           FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.                                      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
EMERGE ENERGY SERVICES LP
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($ in thousands, except unit data)
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
5,888

 
$
6,876

 
Trade and other receivables, net
59,534

 
75,708

 
Inventories
39,298

 
32,278

 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
9,089

 
9,262

 
Total current assets
113,809

 
124,124

 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
233,089

 
238,657

 
Intangible assets, net
25,947

 
31,158

 
Goodwill
29,264

 
29,264

 
Other assets, net
12,026

 
8,924

 
Total assets
$
414,135

 
$
432,127

 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
18,849

 
$
21,341

 
Accrued liabilities
25,190

 
24,411

 
Current portion of long-term debt

 
53

 
Current portion of capital lease liability

 
930

 
Total current liabilities
44,039

 
46,735

 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, net of current portion
272,940

 
217,023

 
Business acquisition obligation, net of current portion
8,914

 
10,737

 
Capital lease liability, net of current portion

 
57

 
Other long-term liabilities
3,786

 
2,386

 
Total liabilities
329,679

 
276,938

 
 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies


 


 
Partners’ equity:
 
 
 
 
General partner

 

 
Limited partner common units (issued and outstanding 24,119,972 units and 23,718,961 units as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)
84,456

 
155,189

 
Total partners’ equity
84,456

 
155,189

 
Total liabilities and partners’ equity
$
414,135

 
$
432,127

 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


4


EMERGE ENERGY SERVICES LP
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
($ in thousands, except unit and per unit data)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
Revenues (1)
$
176,320

 
$
296,338

 
$
581,133

 
$
868,692

 
Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) (1)
169,765

 
251,766

 
515,028

 
752,957

 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
7,530

 
6,421

 
21,325

 
17,902

 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
7,693

 
9,559

 
25,475

 
27,028

 
Project termination
(68
)
 

 
9,344

 

 
Total operating expenses
184,920

 
267,746

 
571,172

 
797,887

 
Operating income (loss)
(8,600
)
 
28,592

 
9,961

 
70,805

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other expense (income):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
3,275

 
1,479

 
9,036

 
5,006

 
Other
(9
)
 
775

 
(53
)
 
624

 
Total other expense
3,266

 
2,254

 
8,983

 
5,630

 
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
(11,866
)
 
26,338

 
978

 
65,175

 
Provision for income taxes
32

 
255

 
501

 
514

 
Net income (loss)
$
(11,898
)
 
$
26,083

 
$
477

 
$
64,661

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per common unit (basic) (2)
$
(0.49
)
 
$
1.08

 
$
0.02

 
$
2.69

 
Earnings (loss) per common unit (diluted) (2)
$
(0.49
)
 
$
1.08

 
$
0.02

 
$
2.69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common units outstanding including participating securities (basic) (2)
24,159,656

 
24,115,926

 
24,139,772

 
24,054,747

 
Weighted average number of common units outstanding (diluted) (2)
24,159,656

 
24,118,599

 
24,142,197

 
24,060,548

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Fuel revenues and cost of goods sold include excise taxes and similar taxes:
$
14,264

 
$
13,688

 
$
38,579

 
$
38,885

 
(2) See Note 8.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


5


EMERGE ENERGY SERVICES LP
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS’ EQUITY
($ in thousands)
 
 
Limited Partner Common Units
 
General Partner
(non-economic 
interest)
 
Total Partners’ Equity
 
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
155,189

 
$

 
$
155,189

 
Net income
477

 

 
477

 
Equity-based compensation expense
3,444

 

 
3,444

 
Distributions paid
(74,337
)
 

 
(74,337
)
 
Distribution equivalent rights accrued
(632
)
 

 
(632
)
 
Recovery of short swing profit
315

 
$

 
315

 
Balance at September 30, 2015
$
84,456

 
$

 
$
84,456

 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


6


EMERGE ENERGY SERVICES LP
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
($ in thousands) 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
477

 
$
64,661

 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
21,325

 
17,902

 
Equity-based compensation expense
3,595

 
6,726

 
Project termination costs - non-cash portion
8,684

 

 
Provision for doubtful accounts
581

 
101

 
Loss on disposal of assets
110

 
4

 
Amortization of debt discount/premium and deferred financing costs
855

 
698

 
Loss on termination of sand supply agreement

 
689

 
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments
536

 
387

 
Other non-cash
80

 
17

 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of business acquired:
 
 
 
 
Restricted cash and equivalents

 
6,188

 
Accounts receivable
18,220

 
(43,313
)
 
Inventories
(7,020
)
 
8,377

 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
177

 
(2,780
)
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(1,957
)
 
7,997

 
Other assets
(3,100
)
 
(6,368
)
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
42,563

 
61,286

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
(23,827
)
 
(59,089
)
 
Proceeds from disposals of assets
1,089

 
335

 
Collection of notes receivable
10

 
374

 
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 
(11,000
)
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
(22,728
)
 
(69,380
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from line of credit borrowings
249,500

 
266,357

 
Repayment of line of credit borrowings
(194,000
)
 
(171,203
)
 
Repayment of other long-term debt
(53
)
 
(168
)
 
Distributions to unitholders
(74,351
)
 
(79,711
)
 
Payment of business acquisition obligation
(809
)
 

 
Payments on capital lease obligation
(987
)
 
(3,656
)
 
Payment of financing costs
(438
)
 
(2,342
)
 
Recovery of short swing profit
315

 
11

 
Cash flows from financing activities:
(20,823
)
 
9,288

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease)
(988
)
 
1,194

 
Balance at beginning of period
6,876

 
2,167

 
Balance at end of period
$
5,888

 
$
3,361

 
 See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


7


EMERGE ENERGY SERVICES LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
1.              ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION 
Organization 
Emerge Energy Services LP (“Emerge”) is a Delaware limited partnership that completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) on May 14, 2013 to become a publicly traded partnership.  The combined entities of Superior Silica Sands LLC (“SSS”), a Texas limited liability company, Allied Energy Company LLC (“AEC”), an Alabama limited liability company, and Emerge Energy Services Operating LLC (“Emerge Operating”), a Delaware limited liability company, represent the predecessor for accounting purposes (the “Predecessor”) of Emerge.  Emerge acquired Direct Fuels LLC (“Direct Fuels”) in a business combination concurrent with the IPO on May 14, 2013,
References to the “Partnership,” “we,” “our” or “us” when used for dates or periods ended prior to the IPO, refer collectively to the Predecessor.  References to the “Partnership,” “we,” “our” or “us” when used for dates or periods ended on or after the IPO, refer collectively to Emerge and all of its subsidiaries, including Direct Fuels.
We are a growth-oriented energy services company engaged in: (i) the business of mining, producing, and distributing silica sand that is a key input for the hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells; and, (ii) the business of distributing refined motor fuels, refining transportation mixture (“transmix”) and biodiesel, operating bulk motor fuel storage terminals, and providing complementary services.  We report silica sand activities through the Sand segment and motor fuel operations through the Fuel segment.  We report items of income (if any) and expense that cannot be directly associated with the Sand and Fuel segments as “corporate.” 
The Sand segment conducts mining and processing operations from facilities located in Wisconsin and Texas.  In addition to mining and processing silica sand for the oil and gas industry, the Sand segment sells its product for use in building products and foundry operations.  The Fuel segment operates transmix processing facilities located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and in Birmingham, Alabama.  The Fuel segment also offers third-party bulk motor fuel storage and terminal services, biodiesel refining, sale and distribution of wholesale motor fuels, reclamation services (which consists primarily of cleaning bulk storage tanks used by other petroleum terminal and others) and blending of renewable fuels. 
Secondary Offering
On June 20, 2014, we and our general partner, along with certain selling unitholders named therein (the “Selling Unitholders”) entered into an Underwriting Agreement with underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”), with respect to the offer and sale (the “Secondary Offering”) by the Selling Unitholders of 3,515,388 common units at a price to the public of $109.06 per common unit ($105.2429 per common unit, net of underwriting discounts and commissions). On June 25, 2014, the Selling Unitholders completed the Secondary Offering. We did not receive any proceeds from the Secondary Offering. Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Selling Unitholders also granted the Underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to an additional 527,307 common units on the same terms, and on July 18, 2014, the Underwriters partially exercised the option to purchase 165,635 common units. Following the closing of this transaction and as of September 30, 2015, Insight Equity Management Company LLC and its affiliated investment funds and its controlling equity owners (collectively “Insight Equity”) held approximately 35% of all of our outstanding common units.
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation 
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared using generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all information or notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for annual financial statements and should be read together with our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K/A. These financial statements include the accounts of all of our subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments and disclosures necessary for a fair presentation of these interim statements have been included.
Acquisition from Midwest
On July 25, 2014, we acquired certain assets and obligations of Midwest Frac and Sands LLC (“Midwest”) in order to expand access to high quality sand reserves near our Wisconsin processing plants, improve earnings, and exert greater control over our sand feedstock supply. Midwest operated a sand mine and wet wash facility in Barron County, Wisconsin. The assets include, but are not limited to, mineral reserves, real estate, buildings, land improvements, wet wash processing and conveying equipment, fixtures and office equipment, permits, and a non-compete agreement with the seller. The liabilities assumed include accounts payable and a local government highway repair and maintenance agreement. We have accounted for the acquisition as a business

8


combination under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“FASB ASC”) 805, Business Combinations.
The purchase agreement specifies a total cash purchase price of $24.0 million plus contingent consideration, if any. The agreement required an advance payment of $11.0 million in June 2014. The additional $13.0 million is being paid over time as sand is removed from the reserves, with a minimum of $2.0 million paid each year. After repayment of $13.0 million, we will continue to pay contingent consideration for any additional sand we remove, for as long as the sand reserves remain economically viable. We used a discounted cash flow analysis to estimate the present value of the contingent consideration and other liabilities assumed as of the purchase date, using management’s estimates of the volumes and timing of sand extraction. We estimate that the entire obligation will be repaid within 7 - 8 years after acquisition, assuming production of approximately 850,000 tons of wet washed sand per year. The seller can repurchase the land when we determine the property is no longer viable for our sand mining and processing activities.
As part of the agreement, we cancelled an existing tolling agreement whereby we agreed to convert Midwest’s wet washed sand to dry sand as well as an existing supply contract whereby Midwest agreed to supply and deliver wet washed sand. We recorded a $0.7 million loss on settlement of pre-existing agreements as a component of “Other” expense on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. We estimated the fair values of the terminated agreements using a discounted cash flow analysis.
We retained a third-party expert to assist in determining the volumes and quality of the in-place mineral reserves. With assistance from a third-party valuations expert, we then used this data in our determination of the fair values of identifiable net assets, using the income approach. Our assessment of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of July 25, 2014 indicates that there was no goodwill associated with the acquisition. We recognized the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon the fair values determined on the date of acquisition, using significant inputs that are not observable in the market (i.e., Level 3 inputs). Such values are preliminary and may be revised as we complete our analysis of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, but will be finalized no later than one year from the acquisition date.
Following is a reconciliation of the total consideration to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date ($ in thousands):
Consideration:
 
 
 
Cash deposit
 
$
11,000

 
Present value of purchase obligation
 
11,226

 
Present value of contingent consideration
 
853

 
Loss on settlement of pre-existing agreements
 
(689
)
 
Total consideration
 
$
22,390

 
 
 
 
 
Assets acquired:
 
 
 
Mineral reserves
 
$
19,381

 
Other property, plant and equipment
 
4,403

 
Non-compete agreement
 
100

 
Total assets acquired
 
23,884

 
Less liabilities assumed:
 
 
 
Governmental highway improvement obligation
 
1,128

 
Asset retirement obligation
 
227

 
Accounts payable
 
139

 
Net assets acquired
 
$
22,390

 
In our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, we have classified the non-current portion of the purchase obligation in “Business acquisition obligation, net of current portion.” The governmental highway improvement obligation and the current portion of the purchase obligation are classified as “Accrued liabilities.”
We incurred approximately $0.1 million in transaction costs, which were recorded as “Selling, general and administrative expenses” as incurred.
The historical financial information for the assets acquired was impractical to obtain, and inclusion of pro forma information would require us to make estimates and assumptions regarding these assets’ historical financial results that may not be reasonable or accurate. As a result, supplemental pro forma results are not presented. This acquisition is not expected to impact our consolidated

9


revenues. It is impractical to determine net income included in our consolidated statements of operations relating to Midwest since the date of acquisition because Midwest has been fully integrated into our Sand segment operations and the operating results. For this reason, the operating results of Midwest cannot be separately identified.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications do not impact net income and do not reflect a material change in the information previously presented in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
2.              OTHER FINANCIAL DATA 
Restricted Cash and Equivalents 
We were required under agreements with our chief executive officer (“CEO”) and an officer in our Sand segment (the “Sand Officer”) to establish and maintain Rabbi Trusts which were used to fund deferred compensation as described in the agreements.  Restricted cash and equivalents were invested in short-term instruments at market rates; therefore the carrying values approximated fair value. In May 2014, all funds in the Rabbi Trusts were distributed to our CEO and Sand Officer and the Rabbi Trusts were terminated.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 
The allowance for doubtful accounts was $1.0 million and $0.4 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. 
Inventories 
Inventories consisted of the following: 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Sand work in process
$
17,807

 
$
14,413

 
Sand finished goods
12,628

 
7,582

 
Refined fuels
6,820

 
8,031

 
Fuel raw materials and supplies
1,950

 
2,157

 
Sand raw materials and supplies
93

 
95

 
Total
$
39,298

 
$
32,278

 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment 
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following: 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Machinery and equipment (1)
$
151,548

 
$
146,951

 
Buildings and improvements (1)
55,680

 
51,027

 
Land and improvements (1)
40,169

 
37,461

 
Mineral reserves
30,181

 
30,181

 
Construction in progress
22,644

 
24,172

 
Capitalized reclamation costs
2,445

 
2,332

 
Total cost
302,667

 
292,124

 
Accumulated depreciation and depletion
69,578

 
53,467

 
Net property, plant and equipment
$
233,089

 
$
238,657

 
(1) Includes assets under capital lease 
We recognized $16.1 million and $11.6 million of depreciation and depletion expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 


10


Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill 
Our intangible assets other than goodwill consisted of the following:
 
Cost
 
Accumulated 
Amortization
 
Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
September 30, 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade names
$
46

 
$
23

 
$
23

 
Customer relationships
43,922

 
19,773

 
24,149

 
Supply and transportation agreements
3,330

 
2,217

 
1,113

 
Non-compete agreement
1,550

 
888

 
662

 
Total
$
48,848

 
$
22,901

 
$
25,947

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade names
$
46

 
$
20

 
$
26

 
Customer relationships
43,922

 
15,293

 
28,629

 
Supply and transportation agreements
3,330

 
1,769

 
1,561

 
Non-compete agreement
1,550

 
608

 
942

 
Total
$
48,848

 
$
17,690

 
$
31,158

 
We recognized $5.2 million and $6.3 million of amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 
Other Assets, Net 
Other assets, net consisted of the following:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Prepaid lease assets, net of current portion*
$
10,654

 
$
8,333

 
Other
1,372

 
591

 
Total
$
12,026

 
$
8,924

 
*
The cost to transport leased railcars from the manufacturer to our site for initial placement in service is capitalized and amortized over the term of the lease (typically five to seven years). This balance reflects the non-current portion of these capitalized costs.

11


Accrued Liabilities 
Accrued liabilities consisted of the following:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Sales, excise, property and income taxes
$
6,105

 
$
5,002

 
Mining
2,945

 
951

 
Logistics
2,890

 
3,185

 
Deferred revenue
2,750

 
127

 
Current portion of business acquisition obligations
2,401

 
2,702

 
Salaries and other employee-related
1,852

 
4,048

 
Deferred compensation
1,812

 
1,341

 
Derivative contract liability
1,016

 
422

 
Accrued interest
681

 
407

 
Sand purchases and royalties
216

 
659

 
Current portion of contract termination
135

 

 
Construction

 
3,379

 
Other
2,387

 
2,188

 
Total
$
25,190

 
$
24,411

 
Mining and Wet Sand Processing Agreement
In April 2014, a five-year contract with a sand processor (“Processor”) became effective to support our sand business in Wisconsin. Under this contract, the Processor financed and built a wet wash processing plant near our Wisconsin operations. As part of the agreement, the Processor wet washes our sand, creates stockpiles of washed sand and maintains the plant and equipment. During the term of the agreement the Processor will own the wet plant along with the equipment and other temporary structures used to support this activity. At the end of the five-year term of the agreement or following a default under the contract by the Processor, we have the right to take ownership of the wet plant and other equipment without charge. Subject to certain conditions, ownership of the plant and equipment will transfer to us at the expiration of the term. We accounted for the wet plant as a capital lease obligation. The original capitalized lease asset and corresponding capital lease obligation totaled $3.3 million.
Project Termination
In 2014, we began development of sand processing facilities in Independence, Wisconsin.  Due to a number of complications, such as an increase in projected operating costs and a decline in the market price and demand for frac sand in early 2015, we determined that this project was no longer economically viable.  As of September 30, 2015, we have recorded a $7.9 million charge to earnings for non-recoverable costs incurred for this project to-date, including items such as engineering, legal and other professional service fees, site preparation costs, and writedowns of assets to estimated net realizable value.  We may adjust this estimate in the future as certain contingencies are resolved and a complete analysis of remaining assets is completed, but we do not expect any such adjustments to be significant. We expect to complete any necessary analysis of assets and record any significant adjustments by the end of 2015.
Management committed to a plan to discontinue this project in April 2015. In accordance with FASB ASC 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations, any contract termination charges and estimated values of continuing contractual obligations for which we will receive no future value will be recognized as a charge to earnings as of the contract termination date or cease-use date. We currently estimate these contract termination charges will be approximately $1.4 million, which were accrued in the three months ended June 30, 2015. These liabilities will be reviewed periodically and may be adjusted when necessary, but we do not expect any such adjustments to be significant.
The following table illustrates the exit and disposal reserves related to the termination of the Independence, Wisconsin project included in Accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

12


 
($ in thousands)
 
Balance at December 31, 2014
$

 
Contract termination charges
1,352

 
Accretion
20

 
Payments

 
Balance at September 30, 2015
$
1,372

 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments 
Our financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt instruments.  The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are representative of their fair values due to their short maturities.  The carrying amounts of our revolving credit facility approximates fair value because the underlying instrument includes provisions that adjust our interest rates based on current market rates. 
Retirement Plan 
We sponsor a 401(k) plan for substantially all employees that provides for us to match 100% of participant contributions up to 5% of the participant’s pay.  Additionally, we can make discretionary contributions as deemed appropriate by management.  Our employer contributions to these plans totaled $0.6 million and $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 
Seasonality 
For our Sand segment, winter weather affects the months during which we can wash and wet-process sand in Wisconsin.  Seasonality is not a significant factor in determining our ability to supply sand to our customers because we accumulate a stockpile of wet sand feedstock during non-winter months.  During the winter, we process the stockpiled sand to meet customer requirements.  However, we sell sand for use in oil and natural gas production basins where severe weather conditions may curtail drilling activities.  This is particularly true in drilling areas located in the northern U.S. and western Canada.  If severe winter weather precludes drilling activities, our frac sand sales volume may be adversely affected.  Generally, severe weather episodes affect production in the first quarter with effects possibly continuing into the second quarter.  Generally, our Fuel segment does not experience dramatic seasonal shifts in quantities delivered to its customers. 
Concentration of Credit Risk 
We provide credit, in the normal course of business, to customers located throughout the United States and Canada.  We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and generally do not require collateral.  In addition, we regularly evaluate our credit accounts for loss potential. 
Our largest customer balance represented 17% of our net accounts receivable balance as of September 30, 2015.  On December 31, 2014, our two largest customers represented 24% and 15% of our net accounts receivable balance. No other customer balance exceeded 10% of the total net accounts receivable balance as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. 
No customer represented 10% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, while one customer represented 12% of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. 
Interim Indicators of Impairment
In accordance with our policies, we test goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter as well as in interim periods when indicators of impairment exist.  We also review our long-lived assets other than goodwill for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amount may not be recoverable.  We have determined that the downturn in the energy industry, a significant decline in our market capitalization and a declining profitability trend are indicators of possible impairment of goodwill as well as other long-lived assets as of September 30, 2015.
Goodwill
The $29.3 million balance of goodwill at September 30, 2015 is related solely to our fuel reporting unit.  Even though our Fuel segment experienced a loss in the third quarter of 2015, we do not believe that these unfavorable results constitute a long-term trend, but are temporary based on the current extreme volatility of refined fuel prices and a temporary sales constraint on our diesel which will be corrected in 2016 with the completion of certain processing equipment.  We have begun the process of performing step one of the two-step goodwill impairment test for our annual assessment, but will complete this analysis in the fourth quarter.  We do not currently believe that this analysis will indicate potential impairment and require the second step of the test.  However, if an impairment is indicated upon completion of the test, it could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

13


Long-Lived Assets
We believe the decrease in our common units’ market value is attributable primarily to our Sand segment’s decreasing profits and the frac sand industry’s downturn.  Therefore, we have assessed the recoverability of long-lived assets for our Sand segment, and determined that the carrying values are recoverable from our forecasted cash flows as of September 30, 2015
Recent Accounting Pronouncements 
In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as a new Topic, Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606. The new revenue recognition standard provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted on January 1, 2017 and shall be applied retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance but do not expect adoption will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest, to modify the presentation of debt issuance costs. Under ASU 2015-03 debt issuance costs are required to be presented as a direct deduction of debt balances on the statement of financial position, similar to the presentation of debt discounts. ASU 2015-03 is effective for public companies for years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal periods. For all other entities, ASU 2015-03 is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not already been issued. Additionally, the provisions should be applied on a retrospective basis as a change in accounting principle. We adopted ASU 2015-03 as of March 31, 2015. The adoption of this new accounting guidance resulted in a reclassification of deferred financing costs from “Other assets, net” to “Long-term debt, net of current portion” on our condensed consolidated balance sheets for the current and all prior periods. There was no impact on our results of operations or cash flows.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. Under this ASU, inventory will be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value and options that currently exist for market value will be eliminated. The ASU defines net realizable value as the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. No other changes were made to the current guidance on inventory measurement. ASU 2015-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted and should be applied prospectively. We are evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance but do not expect adoption will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
3.              LONG-TERM DEBT 
Following is a summary of our long-term debt: 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Revolving credit facility:
 
 
 
 
Principal
$
277,364

 
$
221,864

 
Deferred financing costs
(4,424
)
 
(4,841
)
 
Other notes

 
53

 
Total debt
272,940

 
217,076

 
Less current portion

 
53

 
Long-term portion
$
272,940

 
$
217,023

 
Revolving Credit Facility  
On May 14, 2013, we entered into a $150 million revolving credit and security agreement (as amended and restated, the “Credit Agreement”) among Emerge Energy Services LP, as parent guarantor, each of its subsidiaries, as borrowers (the “Borrowers”), and PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent.  Substantially all of the assets of the Borrowers are pledged as collateral under the Credit Agreement.
On December 10, 2013, we amended the Credit Agreement to revise certain definitions and to increase the commitment amount for our revolving loan credit facility to $200 million.
On June 27, 2014, we amended and restated the Credit Agreement to:

14


increase our revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) to $350 million, which we may increase from time to time upon our satisfaction of certain conditions by up to an aggregate of $150 million;
revise the interest rates applicable to borrowings under the Credit Facility as follows (at our option);
a base rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement), which will be the base commercial lending rate of PNC Bank, as publicly announced to be in effect from time to time, plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.25% to 2% based on our total leverage ratio; or
LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging from 2.25% to 3% based on our total leverage ratio;
increase the sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit to $30 million;
revise financial covenants as discussed below; and
extend the maturity date to June 27, 2019.
We also incur a commitment fee of 0.375% on committed amounts that are neither used for borrowings nor under letters of credit. 
The Credit Agreement contains various covenants and restrictive provisions and requires maintenance of financial covenants as follows: 
an interest coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of not less than 3.00 to 1.00; and
a total leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of not greater than 3.00 to 1.00.  On April 6, 2015, we entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement that increased this leverage ratio to 3.50 to 1.00. 
On September 30, 2015, our total leverage ratio exceeded the threshold of 3.50 to 1.00.  We were in compliance with all other covenants at that time. We advised the lenders under the Credit Agreement when we became aware of the potential covenant breach, and on October 19, 2015, we entered into a limited waiver to the Credit Agreement whereby the lenders waived any default or right to exercise any remedy as a result of our failure to be in compliance with the leverage covenant for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2015. As consideration for the waiver, we agreed to not make any repurchases of or quarterly cash distributions on our common units prior to November 13, 2015 and to limit the aggregate amount of advances made under the Credit Agreement between October 19, 2015 and November 13, 2015 to no more than $25 million. On November 12, 2015, we entered into a second limited waiver to the Credit Agreement which extended the period of the waiver granted until November 20, 2015.
On November 18, 2015, we, PNC Bank, National Association, as agent, and the lenders entered into the Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Second Amendment”). The Second Amendment, among other things, forgoes the application of the total leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio covenants until the earlier of June 30, 2018 or such time as our total leverage ratio is less than 3.50 to 1.00 as of the end of any two consecutive fiscal quarters (the “ratio compliance date”). Prior to the ratio compliance date, we will be subject to the following covenants and restrictions:
the $350 million total aggregate commitment under the Credit Agreement will be reduced in an amount equal to the net proceeds of any notes offerings we may make in the future;
we will be required to maintain at least $25 million of excess availability (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement; and
we will be required to generate consolidated EBITDA in certain minimum amounts beginning with the quarter ending December 31, 2015 and rolling forward thereafter.
In addition, the Second Amendment increases the interest rates applicable to borrowings under the Credit Agreement to either, (at our option) (i) LIBOR plus 4.25% or (ii) the base rate plus 3.25%. The Second Amendment also provides for the following covenants and restrictions:
our subsidiaries will be restricted from making distributions to us (to permit us to make distributions to unitholders) if, after giving pro forma effect to such distribution, our total leverage ratio would be greater than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00 or the excess availability under the Credit Agreement would be less than the greater of $43.75 million or 12.5% of the total aggregate commitments;
we will be restricted from entering into certain substantial acquisition or merger agreements with third-party businesses or making certain other investments;
through March 31, 2019, our capital expenditures for growth and maintenance will be restricted and may not exceed certain amounts per quarter;
The foregoing description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Second Amendment, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and incorporated herein by reference.

15


At September 30, 2015, we had undrawn availability under the Credit Facility totaling $63.3 million. At September 30, 2015, our outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement bore interest at a weighted-average rate of 3.45%. 
4.              COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 
Contractual Obligations 
The following table represents the remaining minimum contractual obligations as of September 30, 2015. 
 
Railcar Leases (1)
 
Other Operating Leases (2)
 
Royalty Commitments (3)
 
Purchase Commitments (4)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
Remainder of 2015
$
13,526

 
$
381

 
$

 
$
15,351

 
2016
60,236

 
1,599

 
230

 
23,214

 
2017
53,557

 
907

 
230

 
22,407

 
2018
56,470

 
567

 
230

 
23,352

 
2019
61,935

 
387

 
230

 
22,373

 
Thereafter
226,141

 
2,842

 
1,710

 
54,122

 
Total
$
471,865

 
$
6,683

 
$
2,630

 
160,819

 
Less amount representing interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,441
)
 
Total less interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
159,378

 
(1)
Includes minimum amounts payable under various operating leases for railcars as well as estimated costs to transport leased railcars from the manufacturer to our site for initial placement in service.
(2)
Includes lease agreements for land, facilities and equipment.
(3)
Represents minimum royalty payments for various sand mining locations. The amounts paid will differ based on amounts extracted.
(4)
Includes minimum amounts payable under a business acquisition agreement, long-term rail transportation agreements, and other purchase commitments.
Excise Tax Penalty
In 2012, we received an IRS notice of a penalty totaling $340,000 due to failure to file terminal operator reports in electronic format. We filed these returns in paper format. Management protested the audit findings through IRS appeal channels. On May 29, 2015, IRS offered to reduce the penalty to $50,000 which we accepted and paid on June 9, 2015.
Environmental Matter 
On November 21, 2013, the EPA issued a General Notice Letter and Information Request (“Notice”) under Section 104(e) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”), to one of our subsidiaries operating within the Fuel segment.  The Notice provides that the subsidiary may have incurred liability with respect to the Reef Environmental site in Alabama, and requested certain information in accordance with Section 107(a) of CERCLA.  We timely responded to the Notice.  At this time, no specific claim for cost recovery has been made by the EPA (or any other potentially responsible party) against us.  There is uncertainty relating to our share of environmental remediation liability, if any, because our allocable share of wastewater is unknown and the total remediation cost is also unknown.  Consequently, management is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any.  We have not recorded a loss contingency accrual as of September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014.  In the opinion of management, the outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity or results of operations. 
Property Value Guarantees
On September 17, 2015, we entered into an agreement to purchase certain properties and assume leases and other related agreements for future development of sand mining and processing facilities in Wisconsin.  We expect to close this transaction in the fourth quarter of 2015, but do not plan to begin development for at least one year.  Under a mining agreement with a local town, we have assumed contingent obligations to indemnify owners of approximately 145 properties for diminution of value associated with mine operations and limited moving expenses when each landowner decides to sell a property, even if no mine is yet in operation.  As these contingent liabilities cannot be reasonably estimated, no liability has been recorded.

16


5.              RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 
Related party transactions included in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations are summarized in the following table:
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Wages and employee-related costs (1) 
$
21,280

 
$
19,627

 
General and administrative expense reimbursements (2)
$
280

 
$
75

 
Lease expense
$
19

 
$
19

 
Recovery of short swing profit
$
315

 
$
11

 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Accounts receivable
$
475

 
$
181

 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
1,285

 
$
704

 
(1)
We do not have any employees.  Our general partner manages our human resource assets, including fringe benefits and other employee-related charges.  We routinely and regularly reimburse our general partner for any employee-related costs paid on our behalf, and report such costs as operating expenses.
(2)
We reimbursed Insight Equity for certain general and administrative costs paid on our behalf.
(3)
Recovery of short swing profits under Section 16(b) under the Exchange Act.
6.              EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION 
Effective May 14, 2013, we adopted our 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) for providing long-term incentives for employees, directors, and consultants who provide services to us, and provides for the issuance of an aggregate of up to 2,321,968 common units to be granted either as options, restricted units, phantom units, distribution equivalent rights, unit appreciation rights, unit award, profits interest units, or other unit-based award granted under the plan.  All of our outstanding grants will be settled through issuance of limited partner common units.
On May 14, 2013, we granted 530,588 and 265,294 phantom units to our CEO and Sand Officer, respectively.  Half of these phantom units vested after one year, and the remaining half vested on May 14, 2015. For phantom units granted to employees in 2013, we currently assume a 43-month vesting period, which represents management’s estimate of the amount of time until all vesting conditions have been met. Concurrent with the closing of a secondary offering in June 2014 and the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment in July 2014, 90,686 of these phantom units vested and common units were issued. For other phantom units granted to employees, we assume a 36 to 48-month vesting period. Restricted units are awarded to our independent directors on each anniversary of our IPO, each with a vesting period of one year.  Regarding distributions for independent directors and other employees, distributions are credited to a distribution equivalent rights account for the benefit of each participant and become payable generally within 45 days following the date of vesting.  As of September 30, 2015, the unpaid liability for distribution equivalent rights totaled $1.8 million
In 2015, we granted 25,442 time based phantom units to certain officers and other employees to vest in equal installments on each anniversary date of the grant over a period of three or four years. We also granted 16,242 performance based phantom units to certain officers in 2015. Half of these units will vest when the per-unit closing price increases by 25% or 50% (depending on the grants) and the other half will vest when the per-unit closing price doubles from the per-unit closing price on the initial grant dates.

17


The following table summarizes awards granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. 
 
Total
Units
 
Phantom
Units
 
Restricted
Units
 
Fair Value per Unit
at Award Date
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2014
605,664

 
602,836

 
2,828

 
$
18.12

 
Granted
52,171

 
41,684

 
10,487

 
39.95

 
Vested
(401,011
)
 
(397,941
)
 
(3,070
)
 
17.50

 
Forfeitures
(7,864
)
 
(5,815
)
 
(2,049
)
 
93.21

 
Outstanding at September 30, 2015
248,960

 
240,764

 
8,196

 
$
21.32

 
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we recorded non-cash equity-based compensation expense of $3.6 million and $6.7 million, respectively, in selling, general and administrative expenses.  As of September 30, 2015, the unrecognized compensation expense related to the grants discussed above amounted to $3.2 million to be recognized over a weighted average of 1.47 years.
7.              INCOME TAXES 
Provision for Income Taxes 
Our provision for income taxes relates to: (i) Texas margin taxes for the Partnership and for Emerge Energy Distributors Inc. (“Distributor”), (ii) federal and state income taxes for Distributor, and (iii) an insignificant amount of Canadian income taxes on SSS earnings in Canada (most of our earnings are exempted under a U.S/Canada tax treaty).  For federal income tax purposes, we report our income, expenses, gains, and losses as a partnership not subject to income taxes.  As such, each partner is responsible for his or her share of federal and state income tax.  Net earnings for financial statement purposes may differ significantly from taxable income reportable to each partner because of differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities. Distributor reports its income, expenses, gains, and losses as a corporation and is subject to both federal and state income taxes.
The composition of our provision for income taxes follows:
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Federal and state income tax expense for Distributor
$
215

 
$
275

 
Texas margin tax
259

 
239

 
Canadian income tax
27

 

 
Total provision for income taxes
$
501

 
$
514

 
 
Effective Income Tax Rate 
Distributor began operations in May 2013.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, Distributor’s effective income tax rate was 35%.  For Distributor, there were no significant differences between book and taxable income.  We are responsible for our portion of the Texas margin tax that is included in our subsidiaries’ consolidated Texas franchise tax returns.  For our operations in Texas, the effective margin tax rate is approximately 0.95% as defined by applicable state law.  The margin tax qualifies as an income tax under GAAP, which requires us to recognize the impact of this tax on the temporary differences between the financial statement assets and liabilities and their tax basis attributable to such tax.
8.              EARNINGS PER COMMON UNIT  
We compute basic earnings per unit by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common units outstanding including participating securities.  Participating securities include unvested equity-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to distributions. 
Diluted earnings per unit is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common units outstanding, including participating securities, and increased further to include the number of common units that would have been outstanding had potential dilutive units been exercised.  The dilutive effect of restricted units is reflected in diluted net income per unit by applying the treasury stock method.  Under FASB ASC 260-10-45, Contingently Issuable Shares, 201,080 of our outstanding phantom units are not included in basic or diluted earnings per common unit calculations as of September 30, 2015.  We incurred

18



a net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2015, and therefore excluded all potentially dilutive restricted units from the diluted earnings per unit calculation for that period as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
Basic and diluted earnings per unit are computed as follows:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands, except per unit data)
 
Net Income (loss)
$
(11,898
)
 
$
26,083

 
$
477

 
$
64,661

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings (loss) per unit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common units outstanding
24,119,972

 
23,717,985

 
23,924,608

 
23,462,937

 
Weighted average phantom units deemed participating securities
39,684

 
397,941

 
215,164

 
591,810

 
Total
24,159,656

 
24,115,926

 
24,139,772

 
24,054,747

 
Earnings (loss) per common unit (basic)
$
(0.49
)
 
$
1.08

 
$
0.02

 
$
2.69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per unit:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
Weighted average common units outstanding
24,119,972

 
23,717,985

 
23,924,608

 
23,462,937

 
Weighted average phantom units deemed participating securities
39,684

 
397,941

 
215,164

 
591,810

 
Weighted average potentially dilutive units outstanding

 
2,673

 
2,425

 
5,801

 
Total
24,159,656

 
24,118,599

 
24,142,197

 
24,060,548

 
Earnings (loss) per common unit (diluted)
$
(0.49
)
 
$
1.08

 
$
0.02

 
$
2.69

 
9.              SEGMENT INFORMATION AND GEOGRAPHICAL DATA 
Segment Information 
We operate our business through two reportable business segments: 
Sand - the production and sale of various grades of sand primarily used in the extraction of oil and natural gas and the production of numerous building products and foundry materials.
Fuel - the refining of transmix, distribution of finished fuel products, terminal and reclamation activities, and refining of biodiesel. 
Segments have been identified based on how management makes operating decisions, assesses performance and allocates resources.  Certain items are reviewed by our management on a consolidated basis, and are therefore presented as corporate income rather than segment income: 
general and administrative costs related to corporate overhead, such as headquarters facilities and personnel, as well as equity-based compensation;
non-operating items such as interest, other income and income taxes.
Although not used by management in its performance monitoring activities, asset information is included in the following tables together with financial information concerning our reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.


19


 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
Sand Segment
 
Fuel Segment
 
Corporate
 
Total
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Revenues
$
60,654

 
$
95,783

 
$
115,666

 
$
200,555

 
$

 
$

 
$
176,320

 
$
296,338

 
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization)
53,180

 
55,747

 
116,585

 
196,019

 

 

 
169,765

 
251,766

 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
4,888

 
3,396

 
2,633

 
3,017

 
9

 
8

 
7,530

 
6,421

 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
3,645

 
3,904

 
1,039

 
1,487

 
3,009

 
4,168

 
7,693

 
9,559

 
Project termination
(68
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(68
)
 

 
Operating income (loss)
$
(991
)
 
$
32,736

 
$
(4,591
)
 
$
32

 
$
(3,018
)
 
$
(4,176
)
 
$
(8,600
)
 
$
28,592

 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
Sand Segment
 
Fuel Segment
 
Corporate
 
Total
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
Revenues
$
225,016

 
$
237,587

 
$
356,117

 
$
631,105

 
$

 
$

 
$
581,133

 
$
868,692

 
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization)
170,173

 
146,483

 
344,855

 
606,474

 

 

 
515,028

 
752,957

 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
13,395

 
8,842

 
7,906

 
9,039

 
24

 
21

 
21,325

 
17,902

 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
11,048

 
9,568

 
3,842

 
4,276

 
10,585

 
13,184

 
25,475

 
27,028

 
Project termination
9,344

 

 

 

 

 

 
9,344

 

 
Operating income (loss)
$
21,056

 
$
72,694

 
$
(486
)
 
$
11,316

 
$
(10,609
)
 
$
(13,205
)
 
$
9,961

 
$
70,805

 
Total assets (at period end)
$
270,394

 
$
255,825

 
$
139,021

 
$
160,076

 
$
4,720

 
$
5,952

 
$
414,135

 
$
421,853

 
Geographical Data 
Although we own no long-term assets outside the United States, our Sand segment began selling product in Canada during 2013.  We recognized $33.2 million and $30.8 million of revenues in Canada for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  All other sales have occurred in the United States.
10.       DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES 
We follow FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and specifies disclosures about fair value measurements.  This guidance establishes a hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to valuations used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows. 
Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3 inputs are measured based on prices or valuation models that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and less observable from objective sources.
Our valuation models consider various inputs including (a) mark to market valuations, (b) time value and, (c) credit worthiness of valuation of the underlying measurement.
A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. 

20


The following table shows the three interest rate swap agreements we entered into during 2013 to manage interest rate risk associated with our variable rate borrowings. 
Agreement Date
 
Effective Date
 
Maturity Date
 
Notional Amount
 
Fixed Rate
 
Variable Rate
 
Nov. 1, 2013
 
Oct. 14, 2014
 
Oct. 16, 2017
 
$25,000,000
 
1.33200%
 
1 Month LIBOR
 
Nov. 7, 2013
 
Oct. 14, 2014
 
Oct. 16, 2017
 
$25,000,000
 
1.25500%
 
1 Month LIBOR
 
Nov. 21, 2013
 
Oct. 14, 2014
 
Oct. 16, 2017
 
$20,000,000
 
1.21875%
 
1 Month LIBOR
 
Our Fuel segment utilizes financial hedging arrangements whereby we hedge a portion of our gasoline and diesel inventory, which reduces our commodity price exposure on some of our activities.  The derivative commodity instruments we utilize consist mainly of futures traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange.  As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had 82 and 0 open commodity derivative contracts, respectively, to manage fuel price risk.
We do not designate our derivative instruments as hedges under GAAP.  As a result, we recognize derivatives at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet with resulting gains and losses reflected in interest expense (for interest rate swap agreements) and cost of goods sold (for derivative commodity instruments), as reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.  Our derivative instruments serve the same risk management purpose whether designated as a hedge or not.  We derive fair values principally from published market interest rates and fuel price quotes (Level 2 inputs).  The precise level of open position commodity derivatives is dependent on inventory levels, expected inventory purchase patterns and market price trends.  We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. 
The fair values of outstanding derivative instruments and their classifications within our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are summarized as follows: 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Classification
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
Derivative assets:
 

 
 

 
 
 
Commodity derivative contracts
$
58

 
$

 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
Derivative liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$
942

 
$
422

 
Accrued liabilities
 
Commodity derivative contracts
$
74

 
$

 
Accrued liabilities
 
The effect of derivative instruments, none of which has been designated for hedge accounting, on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was as follows: 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
Classification
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(expense $ in thousands)
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$
419

 
$
(246
)
 
$
1,100

 
$
387

 
Interest expense, net
 
Commodity derivative contracts
(972
)
 
(714
)
 
181

 
(310
)
 
Cost of goods sold
 
 
$
(553
)
 
$
(960
)
 
$
1,281

 
$
77

 
 
 

21



11.       SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES 
The following supplemental disclosures may assist in the understanding of our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows: 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Cash paid for interest
$
7,388

 
$
4,174

 
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds
$
1,014

 
$
413

 
Deferred compensation expense
$

 
$
182

 
Distribution equivalent rights accrued, net of payments
$
618

 
$
555

 
Capitalized reclamation costs
$
113

 
$
420

 
Purchases of PP&E accrued but not paid at period-end
$
376

 
$
1,641

 
Purchases of PP&E accrued in a prior period and paid in the current period
$
5,238

 
$
3,789

 
ITEM 2.                                                MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 
Emerge Energy Services LP (“Emerge”) is a Delaware limited partnership that completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) on May 14, 2013 to become a publicly traded partnership.  The combined entities of Superior Silica Sands LLC (“SSS”), a Texas limited liability company, Allied Energy Company LLC (“AEC”), an Alabama limited liability company, and Emerge Energy Services Operating LLC (“Emerge Operating”), a Delaware limited liability company, represent the predecessor for accounting purposes (the “Predecessor”) of Emerge. 
References to the “Partnership,” “we,” “our” or “us” when used for dates or periods ended prior to the IPO, refer collectively to the Predecessor.  References to the “Partnership,” “we,” “our” or “us” when used for dates or periods ended on or after the IPO, refer collectively to Emerge and all of its subsidiaries, including Direct Fuels LLC (“Direct Fuels”), which was acquired in a business combination concurrent with our IPO. 
Overview 
We are a publicly-traded limited partnership formed in 2012 by management and affiliates of Insight Equity Management Company LLC and its affiliates (collectively “Insight Equity”) to own, operate, acquire and develop a diversified portfolio of energy service assets. 
Our current operations are organized into two service-oriented business segments:  our Sand segment and our Fuel segment (formerly referred to as our “Fuel Processing and Distribution” segment).  Through our Sand segment, we are engaged in the businesses of mining, processing, and distributing silica sand, a key input for the hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells.  Our Fuel segment processes transmix, distributes refined motor fuels and renewable fuels, operates bulk motor fuel storage terminals, and provides complementary services.  We believe this diverse set of operations provides a stable cash flow profile when compared to companies with only one line of business. 
We conduct our Sand operations through our subsidiary SSS and our Fuel operations through our subsidiaries Direct Fuels and AEC.  We believe that our subsidiary brands, especially our SSS brand, have significant name recognition and a strong reputation with our customers. 
The following discussion analyzes our financial condition and results of operations and should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2014, as well as historical condensed consolidated financial statements and notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. 
Acquisition of Mineral Reserves
On July 25, 2014, we completed an acquisition of mineral reserves and related assets to help manage the supply and cost of raw sand to our Wisconsin sand processing plants. See Note 1 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.



22


Results of Operations 
The following table summarizes our consolidated operating results.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Revenues
$
176,320

 
$
296,338

 
$
581,133

 
$
868,692

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization)
169,765

 
251,766

 
515,028

 
752,957

 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
7,530

 
6,421

 
21,325

 
17,902

 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
7,693

 
9,559

 
25,475

 
27,028

 
Project termination
(68
)
 

 
9,344

 

 
Total operating expenses
184,920

 
267,746

 
571,172

 
797,887

 
Operating income (loss)
(8,600
)
 
28,592

 
9,961

 
70,805

 
Other expense (income):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
3,275

 
1,479

 
9,036

 
5,006

 
Other
(9
)
 
775

 
(53
)
 
624

 
Total other expense
3,266

 
2,254

 
8,983

 
5,630

 
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
(11,866
)
 
26,338

 
978

 
65,175

 
Provision for income taxes
32

 
255

 
501

 
514

 
Net income (loss)
$
(11,898
)
 
$
26,083

 
$
477

 
$
64,661

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA (a) 
$
(342
)
 
$
37,439

 
$
44,996

 
$
95,555

 
(a)         See “Adjusted EBITDA” below for a discussion of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation to net income (loss). 
Major Factors Impacting Comparability Between Prior and Future Periods
Market Trends
Beginning in late 2014, the market prices for crude oil and refined products began an unpredictably steep and protracted decline which has continued throughout 2015. This has greatly impacted the demand for frac sand as drilling and completion of new oil and natural gas wells has been significantly curtailed in North America. As a result, we are experiencing continued, significant downward pressure on pricing while rig counts and oil prices continue to decline. We expect drilling and well completion activity levels, based on indications from our customers and other industry sources, will be extremely weak in the fourth quarter of this year. While we do ultimately expect a recovery in the frac sand market, we now expect that any market recovery in our frac sand business will occur during the second half of 2016 or, potentially, not until 2017. We expect that this decline in completion activity will put further pressure on frac sand prices, resulting in weak frac sand demand for an extended period of time.
During periods of rapid declines in refined fuel market prices, our Fuel segment experienced lower margins, as the wholesale price of fuels decreased between the time the fuel was purchased or processed and the time it was sold. Generally, as market prices stabilize, margins in our Fuel segment also tend to stabilize.
Cost Reductions
In order to conserve liquidity and respond to the industry downturn, we have become increasingly focused on prudently reducing costs while maintaining our ability to quickly respond to increased demand when the market begins to recover in the future. We have already implemented plans, but will continue to aggressively contain costs in the future. As the market trends have had the most impact on our frac sand business, we have concentrated our efforts on the Sand segment. However, we continue to explore cost reductions across all areas of our business, including the Fuel segment and corporate. Such measures include, but are not limited to:
We reduced headcount in all areas - Sand segment, Fuel segment, and corporate. Most of these reductions occurred in the fourth quarter of 2015.

23


We are minimizing the overall cost of sand sold by finding the lowest cost combinations of sand source, production location and transportation providers wherever possible.
We began shutting down our more expensive wet plants for winter earlier than normal this year, as we have sufficient wet sand stockpiled for processing in our dry plants throughout the winter months.
We have idled one of our Wisconsin wet plants with the highest cost per ton, and we have strategically shifted sourcing of wet sand from higher cost sources to lower cost sources as demand for our frac sand has decreased.
We began using new mining techniques at two of our Wisconsin mines in the third quarter of 2015, and plan to introduce these techniques to our Kosse mine in the near term. We expect to see over $1 per ton savings for frac sand sourced from these mines as these techniques are fully implemented and the resulting finished sand is sold.
We introduced new processing techniques at our Kosse plant in the third quarter of 2015 that allowed us to inexpensively extract significant amounts of saleable frac sand from previously mined and discarded waste sand.
We have negotiated, and continue to negotiate, price concessions and purchase commitment concessions from our major vendors, such as rail transportation providers, mine operators, transload facilities operators, and professional services providers.
We have cut our planned 2015 capital expenditures to less than half of the $110 million planned at the beginning of the year, including the first quarter termination of a sand facilities project described below.
Development of Sand Distribution System
In 2013 and 2014, we developed our sand distribution system through the addition of third-party transload facilities in the basins in which our customers operate. We are able to charge higher prices for these in-basin sales than for FOB-plant sales to provide this additional service and convenience to our customers and to cover related transportation and other services costs. However, these additional markups for in-basin sales have also been cut due to pricing pressures during this industry down-cycle.
Increasing Fixed Costs for Sand
During 2014, our rapidly expanding frac sand business required us to contract for numerous railcars to be delivered and leased in the future as well as contracting for the new transload facilities discussed above. As our railcar fleet and distribution system has expanded while sales volumes contracted, our fixed costs per ton have increased, and will continue to increase as new railcars are placed in service in the fourth quarter of 2015. These increasing fixed costs may offset the impact of our cost reduction activities described above. We are currently working with our vendors to delay further shipment of railcars in the future and to provide relief on certain of our fixed costs similar to the relief we have provided to our own customers.
Expansion of Sand Resources
In 2014, our Sand segment added the LP mine and wet plant, Thompson Hills mine and wet plant, and the Arland dry plant. We also acquired the Church Road mineral reserves and related assets in July 2014 to better manage the cost of raw sand for a portion of our Wisconsin plants’ production.
Project Termination
In 2014, we began development of sand processing facilities in Independence, Wisconsin.  Due to a number of complications, such as an increase in projected operating costs and a decline in the market price and demand for frac sand in early 2015, we determined that this project was no longer economically viable.  As of September 30, 2015, we have recorded a $7.9 million charge to earnings for non-recoverable costs incurred for this project to-date, including items such as engineering, legal and other professional service fees, site preparation costs, and writedowns of assets to estimated net realizable value.  We may adjust this estimate in the future as certain contingencies are resolved and a complete analysis of remaining assets is completed, but we do not expect any such adjustments to be significant. We expect to complete any necessary analysis of assets and record any significant adjustments by the end of 2015.
Management committed to a plan to discontinue this project in April 2015. In accordance with FASB ASC 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations, any contract termination charges and estimated values of continuing contractual obligations for which we will receive no future value will be recognized as a charge to earnings as of the contract termination date or cease-use date. We currently estimate these contract termination charges will be approximately $1.4 million, which were accrued in the three months ended June 30, 2015. These liabilities will be reviewed periodically and may be adjusted when necessary, but we do not expect any such adjustments to be significant.
Diesel Fuel
As discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2014, railroads must begin purchasing Tier 4 locomotives, which only accept 15 ppm sulfur diesel, starting in 2015. As a result, the 500 ppm sulfur diesel our Fuel segment

24


currently sells from our transmix processing has begun to be phased out of the locomotive market, beginning in the middle of 2015. During the quarter ended June 30, 2015, we adopted business practices to accommodate the shift in product mix from our railroad customers.  The shift to other uses was less profitable in the third quarter.  We have worked with the suppliers of our transmix to mitigate the impact to our bottom line going forward. To remediate this condition long term, we have contracted to purchase and install two hydrotreaters designed to remove sulfur to the level of 15 ppm.  At 15 ppm sulfur, diesel we derive from transmix can be sold for any legal use including railroads and on-road transportation.  We will install one unit at our Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas facility and a second unit at our Birmingham, Alabama facility.  We expect the hydrotreaters to become operational in the spring of 2016.  We plan to invest approximately $17 million for both units, of which we had already paid $4.7 million as of September 30, 2015
Interim Indicators of Impairment
In accordance with our policies, we test goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter as well as in interim periods when indicators of impairment exist.  We also review our long-lived assets other than goodwill for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amount may not be recoverable.  We have determined that the downturn in the energy industry, a significant decline in our market capitalization and a declining profitability trend are indicators of possible impairment of goodwill as well as other long-lived assets as of September 30, 2015.
Goodwill
The $29.3 million balance of goodwill at September 30, 2015 is related solely to our fuel reporting unit.  Even though our Fuel segment experienced a loss in the third quarter of 2015, we do not believe that these unfavorable results constitute a long-term trend, but are temporary based on the current extreme volatility of refined fuel prices and a temporary sales constraint on our diesel which will be corrected in 2016 with the completion of certain processing equipment.  We have begun the process of performing step one of the two-step goodwill impairment test for our annual assessment, but will complete this analysis in the fourth quarter.  We do not currently believe that this analysis will indicate potential impairment and require the second step of the test.  However, if an impairment is indicated upon completion of the test, it could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Long-lived assets
We believe the decrease in our common units’ market value is attributable primarily to our Sand segment’s decreasing profits and the frac sand industry’s downturn.  Therefore, we have assessed the recoverability of long-lived assets for our Sand segment, and determined that the carrying values are recoverable from our forecasted cash flows as of September 30, 2015
Sand Segment
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Revenues
$
60,654

 
$
95,783

 
$
225,016

 
$
237,587

 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization)
53,180

 
55,747

 
170,173

 
146,483

 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
4,888

 
3,396

 
13,395

 
8,842

 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
3,645

 
3,904

 
11,048

 
9,568

 
Project termination
(68
)
 

 
9,344

 

 
Operating income (loss)
$
(991
)
 
$
32,736

 
$
21,056

 
$
72,694

 
Adjusted EBITDA (a) 
$
4,220

 
$
36,139

 
$
44,446

 
$
81,560

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Volume of sand sold (tons in thousands)
799

 
1,146

 
2,811

 
3,073

 
Volume of sand produced by dry plant (tons in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Arland, Wisconsin facility
246

 

 
899

 

 
Barron, Wisconsin facility
389

 
598

 
1,239

 
1,654

 
New Auburn, Wisconsin facility
78

 
365

 
561

 
1,015

 
Kosse, Texas facility
85

 
88

 
215

 
218

 
Total volume of sand produced
798

 
1,051

 
2,914

 
2,887

 
(a)         See “Adjusted EBITDA” below for a discussion of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation to net income (loss). 

25


Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30,  2014
Revenues
Sand revenues decreased by $35.1 million, primarily due to significant price decreases and a 30% decrease in total volumes sold as a result of the downturn in market demand for frac sand.  However, we have increased the volumes sold through transload sites from 30% to 51% of total volumes sold. We typically charge higher prices for sales from transload sites in order to cover the additional transportation costs.
The major changes from 2014 to 2015 are as follows: 
$31.2 million decrease in sales of Northern White sand (excluding estimated transportation markups and shortfall revenues), relating primarily to a 33% decrease in volumes sold as well as decreased pricing in light of current market conditions for frac sand;
an estimated $5.4 million decrease for significant reductions in markups per ton sold through transload sites, net of increased volumes sold through these sites; offset by
$0.8 million of business interruption insurance proceeds received in 2015 to reimburse us for lost sales during a time of equipment failure in 2014;
$0.6 million increase in sales of native Texas sand (from our Kosse plant) due to increased markups; and
$0.1 million of shortfall revenues recognized on a take-or-pay customer contract in 2015.
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) 
Our cost of goods sold consists primarily of direct costs such as processing plant wages, royalties, mining, purchased sand, and transportation to the plant or to transload facilities, as well as indirect costs such as plant repairs and maintenance. Our direct costs of producing sand decreased with our decreased sales, but our logistics costs for finished product have increased as we expand our sales through transload sites.  The most significant components of the $2.6 million decrease are:
$9.2 million decrease in the total cost to acquire and produce wet and dry sand, due mainly to lower sales volumes and lower-cost sources for wet sand; offset by
$5.2 million increase in rail transportation-related expense, due mainly to higher railcar lease expense and rail use charges as we expand our shipping operations to transload facilities; and
$1.3 million increase in costs of transload facilities.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased by $1.5 million due mainly to deprecation of the Arland dry plant that was placed in service in December 2014 as well as depletion on the mineral reserves purchased in July 2014.
Selling, general and administrative expenses 
The $0.3 million decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses is attributable primarily to:
$1.0 million refund of legal fees associated with past litigation; offset by
$0.2 million increase in bad debt expense; and
$0.2 million additional property taxes for sand processing assets. 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30,  2014
Revenues
Sand revenues decreased by $12.6 million, primarily due to a 9% decrease in total volumes sold, due to strong sales volumes in the first quarter of 2015, offset by significant price reductions.  We have also increased the volumes sold through transload sites from 21% to 40% of total volumes sold. We charge higher prices for sales from transload sites in order to cover the additional transportation costs. 
The major changes from 2014 to 2015 are as follows: 
an estimated $17.3 million increase for higher markups related to transportation for increased sales through transload sites, net of reductions in these markups per ton;
$4.1 million of shortfall revenues recognized on take-or-pay customer contracts in 2015;

26


$2.6 million of business interruption insurance proceeds received in 2015 to reimburse us for lost sales during a time of equipment failure in 2014; and
$2.1 million increase in sales of native Texas sand (from our Kosse plant) due to a 4% increase in volumes sold; offset by
$38.7 million decrease in sales of Northern White sand (excluding estimated transportation markups and shortfall revenues), due to decreased pricing in light of current market conditions for frac sand.
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) 
Our cost of goods sold consists primarily of direct costs such as processing plant wages, royalties, mining, purchased sand, and transportation to the plant or to transload facilities, as well as indirect costs such as plant repairs and maintenance. Our direct costs of producing sand decreased with our decreased sales, but our logistics costs for finished product have increased as we expand our sales through transload sites.  The most significant components of the $23.7 million increase are:
$30.9 million increase in rail transportation-related expense, due mainly to higher rail use charges and railcar lease expense as we expand our shipping operations to transload facilities; and
$5.1 million increase in costs of transload facilities; offset by
$12.3 million decrease in the cost of sand due mainly to lower cost sources of wet sand.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased by $4.6 million due mainly to deprecation of the Arland dry plant that was placed in service in December 2014 as well as depletion on the mineral reserves purchased in July 2014.
Selling, general and administrative expenses 
The $1.5 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is attributable primarily to:
$0.7 million additional property taxes for sand processing assets;
$0.6 million increase in employee-related costs;
$0.5 million increase in bad debt expense; and
$0.2 million increase in other licenses and permits; offset by
$1.0 million refund of legal fees associated with past litigation.
Project termination 
We recorded a $9.3 million charge to earnings for non-recoverable costs incurred for an uncompleted construction project. See Note 2 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

27


Fuel Segment
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Revenues
$
115,666

 
$
200,555

 
$
356,117

 
$
631,105

 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization)
116,585

 
196,019

 
344,855

 
606,474

 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
2,633

 
3,017

 
7,906

 
9,039

 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
1,039

 
1,487

 
3,842

 
4,276

 
Operating income (loss)
$
(4,591
)
 
$
32

 
$
(486
)
 
$
11,316

 
Adjusted EBITDA (a) 
$
(1,921
)
 
$
3,072

 
$
7,540

 
$
20,453

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Volume of refined fuels sold (gallons in thousands)
64,567

 
67,421

 
184,364

 
206,163

 
Volume of terminal throughput (gallons in thousands)
24,580

 
52,577

 
107,142

 
167,238

 
Volume of transmix refined (gallons in thousands)
19,215

 
28,082

 
65,814

 
91,777

 
Refined transmix as a percent of total refined fuels sold
29.8
%
 
41.7
%
 
35.7
%
 
44.5
%
 
(a)         See “Adjusted EBITDA” below for a discussion of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation to net income (loss).
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 
Revenues 
The major components of the $84.9 million decrease in Fuel segment revenues are:
$77.6 million decrease due to lower average fuel sales prices;
$7.9 million decrease for lower volumes of fuel sold; and
$0.6 million increase in excise and other transaction taxes.
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) 
Our cost of goods sold consists primarily of direct costs associated with the purchase of refined fuels, transmix feedstock, plant labor and burden, and costs to operate our transmix and terminal facilities.  The primary components of the $79.4 million decrease in costs of goods sold are:
$72.8 million decrease for lower average fuel purchase prices;
$7.6 million decrease for lower volumes of fuel sold; and
$0.6 million increase in excise and other transaction taxes.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization decreased $0.4 million due primarily to full amortization of certain short-term intangible assets acquired in May 2013.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30,  2014
Revenues 
The major components of the $275.0 million decrease in Fuel segment revenues are:
$212.1 million decrease due to lower average fuel sales prices;
$62.2 million decrease for lower volumes of fuel sold; and
$0.3 million decrease in excise and other transaction taxes.

28


Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) 
Our cost of goods sold consists primarily of direct costs associated with the purchase of refined fuels, transmix feedstock, plant labor and burden, and costs to operate our transmix and terminal facilities.  The primary components of the $261.6 million decrease in costs of goods sold are:
$202.4 million decrease for lower average fuel purchase prices;
$58.9 million decrease for lower volumes of fuel sold; and
$0.3 million decrease in excise and other transaction taxes.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization decreased $1.1 million due primarily to full amortization of certain short-term intangible assets acquired in May 2013.
Corporate 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
$
9

 
$
8

 
$
24

 
$
21

 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
3,009

 
4,168

 
10,585

 
13,184

 
Operating income (loss)
(3,018
)
 
(4,176
)
 
(10,609
)
 
(13,205
)
 
Other expense (income):
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
3,275

 
1,479

 
9,036

 
5,006

 
Other
(9
)
 
775

 
(53
)
 
624

 
Income (loss) before provision for taxes
(6,284
)
 
(6,430
)
 
(19,592
)
 
(18,835
)
 
Provision for income taxes
32

 
255

 
501

 
514

 
Unallocated corporate income (loss)
$
(6,316
)
 
$
(6,685
)
 
$
(20,093
)
 
$
(19,349
)
 
Adjusted EBITDA (a) 
$
(2,641
)
 
$
(1,772
)
 
$
(6,990
)
 
$
(6,458
)
 
(a)         See “Adjusted EBITDA” below for a discussion of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation to net income (loss). 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2014  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
The largest component of the $1.2 million decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses is the $2.0 million decrease in equity-based compensation expense resulting from the vesting of phantom units in May 2015, partially offset by a $0.7 million increase in professional fees.
Interest
Our interest expense increased by $1.8 million due to higher average balances on outstanding debt, as well as larger net losses on our interest rate swap agreements.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30,  2014
Selling, general and administrative expenses
The largest component of the $2.6 million decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses is the $3.2 million decrease in equity-based compensation expense resulting from the vesting of phantom units in May 2015.
Interest
Our interest expense increased by $4.0 million due to higher average balances on outstanding debt, larger net losses on our interest rate swap agreements, and higher interest on long-term purchase obligations, partially offset by interest recognized for capital leases in 2014.


29


Liquidity and Capital Resources 
Sources of Liquidity
Our principal liquidity requirements are to finance current operations, fund capital expenditures, including acquisitions from time to time, to service our debt and to pay distributions to partners.  Our sources of liquidity generally include cash generated by our operations, borrowings under our revolving credit and security agreement and issuances of equity and debt securities.  We depend on the Credit Agreement for both short-term and long-term capital needs and may use borrowings under our Credit Agreement to fund our operations and capital expenditures to the extent cash generated by our operations is insufficient in any period. Following our entry into the Second Amendment described below, we believe that cash generated from our liquidity sources will be sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure needs for at least the next 12 months. At September 30, 2015, we had undrawn availability under the Credit Facility totaling $63.3 million.
In addition to our continued focus on generating and preserving cash from operations and maintaining availability under the Credit Agreement, we may access the capital markets to obtain additional liquidity through equity and debt offerings. Any new issuances may take the form of public or private offerings for cash, equity issued to consummate acquisitions or equity issued in exchange for a portion of our outstanding debt. We may also from time to time seek to retire or purchase outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges for equity or other debt securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to complete any of these transactions on favorable terms or at all.
Credit Agreement Amendment and Waiver
As of September 30, 2015, the total leverage ratio requirement under our Credit Agreement, one of the primary financial covenants that we are required to maintain thereunder, exceeded the covenant’s limitation of 3.50 to 1.00. We advised the lenders under the Credit Agreement when we became aware of the potential covenant breach, and on October 19, 2015, we entered into a limited waiver to the Credit Agreement whereby the lenders waived any default or right to exercise any remedy as a result of our failure to be in compliance with the leverage covenant for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2015. As consideration for the waiver, we agreed to not make any repurchases of or quarterly cash distributions on our common units prior to November 13, 2015 and to limit the aggregate amount of advances made under the Credit Agreement between October 19, 2015 and November 13, 2015 to no more than $25.0 million. On November 12, 2015, we entered into a second limited waiver to the Credit Agreement which extended the period of the waiver granted until November 20, 2015.
On November 18, 2015, we, PNC Bank, National Association, as agent, and the lenders entered into the Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Second Amendment”). The Second Amendment, among other things, forgoes the application of the total leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio covenants until the earlier of June 30, 2018 or such time as our total leverage ratio is less than 3.50 to 1.00 as of the end of any two consecutive fiscal quarters (the “ratio compliance date”). Prior to the ratio compliance date, we will be subject to the following covenants and restrictions:
the $350 million total aggregate commitment under the Credit Agreement will be reduced in an amount equal to the net proceeds of any notes offerings we may make in the future;
we will be required to maintain at least $25 million of excess availability (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement; and
we will be required to generate consolidated EBITDA in certain minimum amounts beginning with the quarter ending December 31, 2015 and rolling forward thereafter.
In addition, the Second Amendment increases the interest rates applicable to borrowings under the Credit Agreement to either, (at our option) (i) LIBOR plus 4.25% or (ii) the base rate plus 3.25%. The Second Amendment also provides for the following covenants and restrictions:
our subsidiaries will be restricted from making distributions to us (to permit us to make distributions to unitholders) if, after giving pro forma effect to such distribution, our total leverage ratio would be greater than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00 or the excess availability under the Credit Agreement would be less than the greater of $43.75 million or 12.5% of the total aggregate commitments;
we will be restricted from entering into certain substantial acquisition or merger agreements with third-party businesses or making certain other investments;
through March 31, 2019, our capital expenditures for growth and maintenance will be restricted and may not exceed certain amounts per quarter;
The foregoing description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Second Amendment, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and incorporated herein by reference.

30


Liquidity Trends
Beginning in the second half of 2014 and continuing through the third quarter of 2015, prices for natural gas, crude oil and refined fuels have been extremely volatile and decreased significantly. Our cash flows from operating activities are subject to significant quarterly variations as these volatile commodity prices negatively impact demand for our Sand segment’s frac sand as well as our Fuel segment’s exposure to partially-unhedged commodity price risk for refined products. Therefore, the cash generated by our operations are driven by a number of factors beyond our control, including global and regional product supply and demand, weather, product distribution, refining and processing capacity and other supply chain dynamics, among other factors. In this current environment, we anticipate that our liquidity needs will not be met solely by cash generated from operations, and we expect to rely more heavily on borrowings under the Credit Agreement as a source of future liquidity.
However, our ability to comply with the restrictions and covenants of the Credit Agreement is uncertain and will be affected by the amount of cash flow from our operations and events or circumstances beyond our control, including events and circumstances that may stem from the condition of financial markets and commodity price levels. If in the future we are unable to comply with the financial covenants of the Credit Agreement and the lenders are unwilling to provide us with additional flexibility or a waiver, we may be forced to repay or refinance amounts then outstanding under the Credit Agreement and seek alternative sources of capital to fund our business and anticipated capital expenditures. Any such alternative sources of capital, such as equity transactions or debt financing, may be on terms less favorable or at higher costs than our current financing sources, depending on future market conditions and other factors.
Cash Flow Summary 
The table below summarizes our cash flows. 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Cash flows from operating activities
$
42,563

 
$
61,286

 
Cash flows from investing activities
$
(22,728
)
 
$
(69,380
)
 
Cash flows from financing activities
$
(20,823
)
 
$
9,288

 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
$
6,876

 
$
2,167

 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
5,888

 
$
3,361

 
Operating cash flows 
Net cash provided from operating activities has generally trended the same as our net income adjusted for non-cash items of depreciation, depletion and amortization, equity-based compensation, amortization of deferred financing costs, project termination costs, and unrealized losses on derivative instruments. The changes in our operating assets and liabilities were also significantly impacted by lower accounts receivable balances resulting from lower sales of sand and fuel in 2015, a build-up of inventories in 2015, lower accounts payables and accrued liabilities balances due to lower cost of fuel in 2015, and higher spending for prepaid railcar lease assets in 2014.
Investing cash flows 
As a result of the current market conditions, we have significantly curtailed our capital expenditure plans for 2015 and now expect to spend approximately $30 to $40 million dollars for capital expenditures for the full year 2015.
Financing cash flows 
The main categories of our financing cash flows can be summarized as follows: 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Net debt proceeds (payments)
$
55,447

 
$
94,986

 
Distributions to owners
(74,351
)
 
(79,711
)
 
Other
(1,919
)
 
(5,987
)
 
Total
$
(20,823
)
 
$
9,288

 

31


Contractual Obligations 
The following table presents the remaining minimum contractual obligations as of September 30, 2015.
 
Payments Due By Period
 
 
Total
 
< 1 Year
 
1 - 3 Years
 
3 - 5 Years
 
> 5 Years
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Long-term debt (1)
$
317,090

 
$
2,664

 
$
20,912

 
$
293,514

 
$

 
Railcar leases (2)
471,865

 
13,526

 
113,793

 
118,405

 
226,141

 
Other operating leases (3)
6,683

 
381

 
2,506

 
954

 
2,842

 
Purchase commitments (4)
160,819

 
15,351

 
45,621

 
45,725

 
54,122

 
Minimum royalty payments (5)
2,630

 

 
460

 
460

 
1,710

 
Total
$
959,087

 
$
31,922

 
$
183,292

 
$
459,058

 
$
284,815

 
(1)
Assumes balances outstanding as of 9/30/15 will be paid at maturity and includes interest using interest rates in effect at 9/30/15.
(2)
Includes minimum amounts payable under various operating leases for railcars as well as estimated costs to transport leased railcars from the manufacturer to our site for initial placement in service.
(3)
Includes lease agreements for land, facilities and equipment.
(4)
Includes minimum amounts payable under a business acquisition agreement, long-term rail transportation agreements, asset purchase/construction agreements, and other purchase commitments.
(5)
Represents minimum royalty payments for various sand mining locations. The amounts paid will differ based on amounts extracted.
Property Value Guarantees
On September 17, 2015, we entered into an agreement to purchase certain properties and assume leases and other related agreements for future development of sand mining and processing facilities in Wisconsin.  We expect to close this transaction in the fourth quarter of 2015, but do not plan to begin development for at least one year.  Under a mining agreement with a local town, we have assumed contingent obligations to indemnify owners of approximately 145 properties for diminution of value associated with mine operations and limited moving expenses when each landowner decides to sell a property, even if no mine is yet in operation.  As these contingent liabilities cannot be reasonably estimated, no liability has been recorded.

ADJUSTED EBITDA 
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure we define generally as: net income plus interest expense, tax expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, non-cash charges and unusual or non-recurring charges less interest income, tax benefits and selected gains that are unusual or non-recurring.  Adjusted EBITDA is used as a supplemental financial measure by our management and external users of our financial statements, such as investors and commercial banks, to assess: 
the financial performance of our assets without regard to the impact of financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis of our assets;
the viability of capital expenditure projects and the overall rates of return on alternative investment opportunities;
our liquidity position and the ability of our assets to generate cash sufficient to make debt payments and to make distributions; and
our operating performance as compared to those of other companies in our industry without regard to the impact of financing methods and capital structure. 
We believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors because, when viewed with our GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliations, it provides a more complete understanding of our performance than GAAP results alone.  We also believe that external users of our financial statements benefit from having access to the same financial measures that management uses in evaluating the results of our business.  In addition, the lenders under our credit facility use a metric similar to Adjusted EBITDA to measure our compliance with certain financial covenants. 

32


Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP.  Moreover, our Adjusted EBITDA as presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. 
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA 
The following tables present a reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA for each segment, corporate, and in total. 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
Sand Segment
 
Fuel Segment
 
Corporate
 
Total
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Net income (loss)
$
(991
)
 
$
32,736

 
$
(4,591
)
 
$
32

 
$
(6,316
)
 
$
(6,685
)
 
$
(11,898
)
 
$
26,083

 
Interest expense, net

 

 

 

 
3,275

 
1,479

 
3,275

 
1,479

 
Other (income) loss

 

 

 

 
(9
)
 
775

 
(9
)
 
775

 
Provision for income taxes

 

 

 

 
32

 
255

 
32

 
255

 
Operating income (loss)
(991
)
 
32,736

 
(4,591
)
 
32

 
(3,018
)
 
(4,176
)
 
(8,600
)
 
28,592

 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
4,888

 
3,396

 
2,633

 
3,017

 
9

 
8

 
7,530

 
6,421

 
Equity-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 
368

 
2,396

 
368

 
2,396

 
Loss (gain) on disposal of equipment
102

 

 

 
(15
)
 

 

 
102

 
(15
)
 
Provision for doubtful accounts
248

 

 
37

 
38

 

 

 
285

 
38

 
Accretion expense
41

 
7

 

 

 

 

 
41

 
7

 
Project termination
(68
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(68
)
 

 
Adjusted EBITDA
$
4,220

 
$
36,139

 
$
(1,921
)
 
$
3,072

 
$
(2,641
)
 
$
(1,772
)
 
$
(342
)
 
$
37,439

 

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
Sand Segment
 
Fuel Segment
 
Corporate
 
Total
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Net income (loss)
$
21,056

 
$
72,694

 
$
(486
)
 
$
11,316

 
$
(20,093
)
 
$
(19,349
)
 
$
477

 
$
64,661

 
Interest expense, net

 

 

 

 
9,036

 
5,006

 
9,036

 
5,006

 
Other (income) loss

 

 

 

 
(53
)
 
624

 
(53
)
 
624

 
Provision for income taxes

 

 

 

 
501

 
514

 
501

 
514

 
Operating income (loss)
21,056

 
72,694

 
(486
)
 
11,316

 
(10,609
)
 
(13,205
)
 
9,961

 
70,805

 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
13,395

 
8,842

 
7,906

 
9,039

 
24

 
21

 
21,325

 
17,902

 
Equity-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 
3,595

 
6,726

 
3,595

 
6,726

 
Loss (gain) on disposal of equipment
102

 
19

 
8

 
(15
)
 

 

 
110

 
4

 
Provision for doubtful accounts
469

 
(12
)
 
112

 
113

 

 

 
581

 
101

 
Accretion expense
80

 
17

 

 

 

 

 
80

 
17

 
Project termination
9,344

 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
9,344

 

 
Adjusted EBITDA
$
44,446

 
$
81,560

 
$
7,540

 
$
20,453

 
$
(6,990
)
 
$
(6,458
)
 
$
44,996

 
$
95,555

 


33


ITEM 3.                                                QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 
Information about market risks for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, does not differ materially from that discussed under Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for 2014. 
ITEM 4.                                                 CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) rules and forms, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that this information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. It should be noted that, because of inherent limitations, our disclosure controls and procedures, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met.
In connection with the preparation of this Quarterly Report, our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act), as of September 30, 2015. In making this evaluation, our management considered the matters relating to the material weaknesses disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2014. Based on this evaluation, and because we are continuing to remediate the material weakness regarding information technology and Sand segment activity controls as described below, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our general partner concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) were not effective as of September 30, 2015.
Remediation of previously reported material weaknesses
Information Technology Controls
We are in the process of remediating information technology general control deficiencies that contributed to our material weakness in information technology control activities. Management is currently evaluating the effectiveness of remediation efforts implemented during the second and third quarter of 2015; and in connection with those efforts, management has:
added competent information technology support personnel as outlined in the headcount and competency gap analysis performed by management shortly after issuing the 2014 10-K/A;
provided training for new and existing information technology personnel to improve competencies and understanding of information technology policies, monitoring activities, and controls established by management and the board of directors of our general partner; and
removed, and continues to remove, system access rights that result in segregation of duty conflicts that are not mitigated with manual compensating controls or processes.
Sand Segment Control Activities
We are in the process of remediating Sand segment accounting control deficiencies that contributed to our material weakness in Sand segment control activities. Management is currently evaluating the effectiveness of remediation efforts implemented during the second and third quarter of 2015; and in connection with those efforts, management has:
added competent accounting and finance personnel as outlined in the headcount and competency gap analysis performed by management shortly after issuing the 2014 10-K/A;
provided training for new and existing Sand segment accounting and finance personnel to improve competencies and understanding in regards to the Sand segment’s procurement, general and railcar lease accounting, and capital expenditures policies, controls, and documentation requirements established by management and the board of directors of our general partner;
implemented and continue to implement, additional controls related to the Sand segment’s procurement, general and railcar lease accounting, and capital expenditures processes; and
implemented compensating manual controls and processes related to the remaining system access conflicts for Sand segment accounting and finance personnel.
Other Remediation Activities

34



In addition to the above actions, management has engaged outside resources with expertise in internal controls to assist in the remediation of both material weaknesses.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in management’s evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act during the quarter ended September 30, 2015 that materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II                                      OTHER INFORMATION 
ITEM 1.                                      LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 
Although we are, from time to time, involved in litigation and claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business, we do not believe that we are a party to any litigation that could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations.  We are not aware of any undisclosed significant legal or governmental proceedings against us, or contemplated to be brought against us.  We maintain such insurance policies with insurers in amounts and with coverage and deductibles as our general partner believes are reasonable and prudent.  However, we cannot assure you that this insurance will be adequate to protect us from all material expenses related to potential future claims for personal and property damage or that these levels of insurance will be available in the future at acceptable prices. 
Environmental Matter 
On November 21, 2013, the EPA issued a General Notice Letter and Information Request (“Notice”) under Section 104(e) of CERCLA to one of our subsidiaries operating within the Fuel segment.  The Notice provides that the subsidiary may have incurred liability with respect to the Reef Environmental site in Alabama, and requested certain information in accordance with Section 107(a) of CERCLA.  We timely responded to the Notice.  At this time, no specific claim for cost recovery has been made by the EPA (or any other potentially responsible party) against us.  There is uncertainty relating to our share of environmental remediation liability, if any, because our allocable share of wastewater is unknown and the total remediation cost is also unknown.  Consequently, management is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any.  We have not recorded a loss contingency accrual in our financial statements.  In the opinion of management, the outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity or results of operations.
ITEM 1A.                                                RISK FACTORS 
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2014, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results.  The risks described in this report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A are not the only risks we face.  Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or future results. 
We may have difficulty maintaining compliance with the covenants and ratios required under our Credit Agreement, which include a maximum leverage ratio on a quarterly basis. Failure to maintain compliance with these financial covenants could adversely affect our operations, financial condition and our ability to pay distributions to our unitholders.
We depend on our Credit Agreement for future capital needs and to fund our operations and capital expenditures, as necessary. We are required to comply with certain financial covenants and ratios under the Credit Agreement. Our ability to comply with these restrictions and covenants in the future is uncertain and will be affected by the levels of cash flow from our operations and events or circumstances beyond our control, including events and circumstances that may stem from the condition of financial markets and commodity price levels. We were unable to maintain compliance with total leverage ratio required by our Credit Agreement as it existed prior to the Second Amendment during the quarter ended September 30, 2015. On November 18, 2015, we entered into the Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement that, among other things, forgoes the application of the total leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio covenants until the earlier of June 30, 2018 or such time as our total leverage ratio is less than 3.5 to 1.00 as of the end of any two consecutive fiscal quarters. Prior to our required compliance with these ratios, we will be subject to additional covenants and restrictions including, among other things, covenants to maintain certain levels of excess available borrowings under the Credit Agreement and to generate a certain minimum amount of consolidated EBITDA.
Our failure to comply with any of the covenants of the Credit Agreement could result in a default, which could cause all of our existing indebtedness to become immediately due and payable. In the event that we are unable to access sufficient capital to fund our business and planned capital expenditures, we may be required to curtail our acquisitions, strategic growth projects, portions of our current operations and other activities. A lack of capital could result in a decrease in the operations of our sand and fuel

35


segments, subject us to claims of breach under customer and supplier contracts and may force us to sell some of our assets on an untimely or unfavorable basis, each of which could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay distributions to our unitholders.
Despite our current level of indebtedness, we may still be able to incur substantially more debt. This could further exacerbate the risks associated with our current indebtedness.
We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, subject to certain limitations, including under our Credit Agreement. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could increase. Our level of indebtedness could, for instance, prevent us from engaging in transactions that might otherwise be beneficial to us or from making desirable capital expenditures. This could put us at a competitive disadvantage relative to other less leveraged competitors that have more cash flow to devote to their operations. In addition, the incurrence of additional indebtedness could make it more difficult to satisfy our existing financial obligations.
ITEM 4.                                      MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES 
We adhere to a strict occupational health program aimed at controlling exposure to silica dust, which includes dust sampling, a respiratory protection program, medical surveillance, training and other components.  We designed our safety program to ensure compliance with the standards of our Occupational Health and Safety Manual and U.S. Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) regulations.  For both health and safety issues, extensive training is provided to employees.  We have organized safety committees at our plants made up of both salaried and hourly employees.  We perform annual internal health and safety audits and conduct semi-annual crisis management drills to test our abilities to respond to various situations.  Our corporate health and safety department administers the health and safety programs with the assistance of plant environmental, health and safety coordinators.
All of our production facilities are classified as mines and are subject to regulation by MSHA under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine Act”).  MSHA inspects our mines on a regular basis and issues various citations and orders when it believes a violation has occurred under the Mine Act.  Following passage of The Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, MSHA significantly increased the numbers of citations and orders charged against mining operations.  The dollar penalties assessed for citations issued has also increased in recent years.  Information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.104) is included in Exhibit 95.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. 
ITEM 5.                                      OTHER INFORMATION
On November 18, 2015, we, PNC Bank, National Association, as agent, and the lenders entered into the Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Second Amendment”). The Second Amendment, among other things, forgoes the application of the total leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio covenants until the earlier of June 30, 2018 or such time as our total leverage ratio is less than 3.50 to 1.00 as of the end of any two consecutive fiscal quarters (the “ratio compliance date”). Prior to the ratio compliance date, we will be subject to the following covenants and restrictions:
the $350 million total aggregate commitment under the Credit Agreement will be reduced in an amount equal to the net proceeds of any notes offerings we may make in the future;
we will be required to maintain at least $25 million of excess availability (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement; and
we will be required to generate consolidated EBITDA in certain minimum amounts beginning with the quarter ending December 31, 2015 and rolling forward thereafter.
In addition, the Second Amendment increases the interest rates applicable to borrowings under the Credit Agreement to either, (at our option) (i) LIBOR plus 4.25% or (ii) the base rate plus 3.25%. The Second Amendment also provides for the following covenants and restrictions:
our subsidiaries will be restricted from making distributions to us (to permit us to make distributions to unitholders) if, after giving pro forma effect to such distribution, our total leverage ratio would be greater than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00 or the excess availability under the Credit Agreement would be less than the greater of $43.75 million or 12.5% of the total aggregate commitments;
we will be restricted from entering into certain substantial acquisition or merger agreements with third-party businesses or making certain other investments;
through March 31, 2019, our capital expenditures for growth and maintenance will be restricted and may not exceed certain amounts per quarter;

36



The foregoing description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Second Amendment, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and incorporated herein by reference.
Notice of Late Filing
On November 17, 2015, the Partnership received a letter from the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) advising that the procedures in Section 802.01E of the Listed Company Manual are applicable to the Partnership as a result of the Partnership’s failure to file with the SEC this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q by November 9, 2015, the date on which it was required to have been filed under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The NYSE informed the Partnership that, under the NYSE’s rules, the Partnership had six months from November 9, 2015 to file this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the SEC in order to cure the noncompliance with the NYSE’s requirement to timely file all annual and quarterly reports. With the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Partnership believes it is now in compliance with the NYSE’s listing standards, which the Company expects to be confirmed shortly by the NYSE.
ITEM 6.                                      EXHIBITS 
Exhibit
Number
 
Description
 
 
 
3.1
 
Certificate of Limited Partnership of Emerge Energy Services LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-187487).
 
 
 
3.2
 
Amendment to Certificate of Limited Partnership of Emerge Energy Services LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-187487).
 
 
 
3.3
 
First Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Emerge Energy Services LP, dated as of May 14, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 20, 2013).
 
 
 
3.4
 
Certificate of Limited Formation of Emerge Energy Services GP LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-187487).
 
 
 
3.5
 
Amendment to Certificate of Formation of Emerge Energy Services GP LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-187487).
 
 
 
3.6
 
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Emerge Energy Services GP, LLC, dated as of May 14, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 20, 2013).
 
 
 
10.1*
 
Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated November 18, 2015, among Emerge Energy Services LP, as parent guarantor, the Borrowers party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the Lenders party thereto.
 
 
 
31.1*
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
31.2*
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
32.1*
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
32.2*
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
95.1*
 
Mine Safety Disclosure Exhibit.
 
 
 
101*
 
Interactive Data Files - XBRL.
 
*    Filed herewith (or furnished in the case of Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2).


37


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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. 
Date: November 20, 2015  
 
EMERGE ENERGY SERVICES LP
 
 
 
 
 
By:
EMERGE ENERGY SERVICES GP LLC, its general partner
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Rick Shearer
 
 
 
Rick Shearer
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Joseph C. Tusa, Jr.
 
 
 
Joseph C. Tusa, Jr.
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 

38


INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
 
Description
 
 
 
3.1
 
Certificate of Limited Partnership of Emerge Energy Services LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-187487).
 
 
 
3.2
 
Amendment to Certificate of Limited Partnership of Emerge Energy Services LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-187487).
 
 
 
3.3
 
First Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Emerge Energy Services LP, dated as of May 14, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 20, 2013).
 
 
 
3.4
 
Certificate of Limited Formation of Emerge Energy Services GP LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-187487).
 
 
 
3.5
 
Amendment to Certificate of Formation of Emerge Energy Services GP LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-187487).
 
 
 
3.6
 
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Emerge Energy Services GP, LLC, dated as of May 14, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 20, 2013).
 
 
 
10.1*
 
Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated November 18, 2015, among Emerge Energy Services LP, as parent guarantor, the Borrowers party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the Lenders party thereto.
 
 
 
31.1*
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
31.2*
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
32.1*
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
32.2*
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
95.1*
 
Mine Safety Disclosure Exhibit.
 
 
 
101*
 
Interactive Data Files - XBRL.

*    Filed herewith (or furnished in the case of Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2).


39