10-Q 1 a3311810-q.htm 10-Q Document
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
__________________________________________________
FORM 10-Q
__________________________________________________
(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file number: 001-38147
__________________________________________________
CONSOL Energy Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
82-1954058

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Suite 100
Canonsburg, PA 15317-6506
(724) 485-3300
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
__________________________________________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes  x    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant 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).
Yes  x    No   o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer  o    Accelerated filer  o    Non-accelerated filer  x (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
   Smaller reporting company  o Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  o    No  x
CONSOL Energy Inc. had 28,029,450 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding at April 27, 2018.
.
 




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
Page
 
Part I. Financial Information
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2018
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017
 
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
Part II. Other Information
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 



















2


IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS REFERENCED IN THIS QUARTERLY REPORT
Unless the context otherwise requires:

“we,” “our,” “us,” “our Company,” “the Company” and “CONSOL Energy” refer to CONSOL Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries on or after November 28, 2017 and to CONSOL Mining Corporation and its subsidiaries prior to November 28, 2017, except to the extent of any discussion of the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and other business activities of the Company on or prior to November 28, 2017 that relate specifically to the Coal Business, in which case such references shall be to the Predecessor;

“Btu” means one British Thermal unit;

“Coal Business” prior to November 28, 2017 refers to all of ParentCo’s interest in the Pennsylvania Mining Operations (PAMC) and certain related coal assets, including ParentCo’s ownership interest in the Partnership, which owns a 25% undivided interest stake in PAMC, the CONSOL Marine Terminal and undeveloped coal reserves (Greenfield Reserves) located in the Northern Appalachian, Central Appalachian and Illinois basins and certain related coal assets and liabilities. References in this report to historical assets, liabilities, products, businesses or activities generally refer to the historical assets, liabilities, products, businesses or activities of the Coal Business as it was conducted as part of ParentCo prior to the completion of the separation and distribution;

“Coal Business” on or after November 28, 2017 refers to CONSOL Energy Inc.’s interest in the Coal Business;

“distribution” refers to the pro rata distribution of the Company's issued and outstanding shares of common stock to ParentCo stockholders as of the close of business on the record date for the distribution;

“CONSOL Marine Terminal” refers to the terminal operations located at the Port of Baltimore that were transferred from ParentCo to the Company as part of the separation. Prior to November 28, 2017, the CONSOL Marine Terminal was named CNX Marine Terminal. As part of the separation and distribution on November 28, 2017, the terminal changed its name to CONSOL Marine Terminal;

the “General Partner” refers to CONSOL Coal Resources GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, formerly known as CNX Coal Resources GP LLC;

“GasCo” refers to ParentCo after the completion of the separation and distribution. Prior to November 28, 2017, ParentCo was named CONSOL Energy Inc. In connection with the separation and distribution on November 28, 2017, ParentCo changed its name to CNX Resources Corporation, and its business is now comprised of ParentCo’s oil and natural gas exploration and production business, focused on Appalachian area natural gas and liquids activity, including production, gathering, processing and acquisition of natural gas properties in the Appalachian Basin (collectively, the “Gas Business”);

“Greenfield Reserves” means those undeveloped reserves owned by the Company in the Northern Appalachian, Central Appalachian and Illinois basins;

“mmBtu” means one million British Thermal units;

“ParentCo” or “CNX” refers to CNX Resources Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries on or after November 28, 2017 and to CONSOL Energy Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries prior to November 28, 2017 (including the Company and the Coal Business prior to completion of the separation and distribution on November 28, 2017);

“Partnership” or “CCR” refers to a Delaware limited partnership that holds a 25% undivided interest in, and is the sole operator of, the Pennsylvania Mining Complex. Prior to November 28, 2017, the Partnership was named CNX Coal Resources LP and its common units traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “CNXC.” As part of the separation and distribution on November 28, 2017, the Partnership changed its name to CONSOL Coal Resources LP and changed its NYSE ticker to “CCR”;

“Pennsylvania Mining Complex” or “PAMC” refers to coal mines, coal reserves and related assets and operations, located primarily in southwestern Pennsylvania and owned 75% by the Company and 25% by the Partnership;


3


“Predecessor” historical assets, liabilities, products, businesses or activities generally refers to the historical assets, liabilities, products, businesses or activities of the Coal Business as the business was conducted as part of ParentCo prior to the completion of the separation; and

“separation” refers to the separation of the Coal Business from ParentCo’s other businesses and the creation, as a result of the distribution, of an independent, publicly-traded company (the Company) to hold the assets and liabilities associated with the Coal Business after the distribution.


4



PART I : FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOL ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
Revenue and Other Income:
2018
 
2017
Coal Revenue
$
351,009

 
$
316,448

Terminal Revenue
15,221

 
12,886

Freight Revenue
17,887

 
12,282

Miscellaneous Other Income
25,887

 
22,650

Gain on Sale of Assets
254

 
7,955

Total Revenue and Other Income
410,258

 
372,221

Costs and Expenses:
 
 
 
Operating and Other Costs
229,802

 
229,994

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
49,471

 
52,993

Freight Expense
17,887

 
12,282

Selling, General and Administrative Costs
13,484

 
17,079

Loss on Debt Extinguishment
1,426

 

Interest Expense, net
21,045

 
4,022

Total Costs and Expenses
333,115

 
316,370

Earnings Before Income Tax
77,143

 
55,851

Income Tax Expense
6,185

 
9,406

Net Income
70,958

 
46,445

Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
8,550

 
5,464

Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders
$
62,408

 
$
40,981

 
 
 
 
Earnings per Share:
 
 
 
Total Basic Earnings per Share
$
2.23

 
$
1.47

Total Dilutive Earnings per Share
$
2.20

 
$
1.47






















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

5



CONSOL ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Net Income
$
70,958

 
$
46,445

 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income:
 
 
 
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments (Net of tax: ($1,281), ($1,967))

3,997

 
3,414

Other Comprehensive Income
3,997

 
3,414

 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income
$
74,955

 
$
49,859

 
 
 
 
Less: Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
8,548

 
5,452

 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders
$
66,407

 
$
44,407














































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

6



CONSOL ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)

 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
191,719

 
$
153,979

Accounts and Notes Receivable
 
 
 
       Trade
127,348

 
131,545

       Other Receivables
32,359

 
36,552

Inventories
60,766

 
53,420

Prepaid Expenses
24,855

 
23,744

Total Current Assets
437,047

 
399,240

Property, Plant and Equipment:
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
4,722,123

 
4,676,353

Less—Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
2,599,775

 
2,554,056

Total Property, Plant and Equipment—Net
2,122,348

 
2,122,297

Other Assets:
 
 
 
Deferred Income Taxes
67,538

 
75,065

Other
102,183

 
110,497

Total Other Assets
169,721

 
185,562

TOTAL ASSETS
$
2,729,116

 
$
2,707,099





























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


7



CONSOL ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)

 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts Payable
$
84,691

 
$
109,100

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
18,386

 
22,482

Other Accrued Liabilities
285,132

 
290,627

Total Current Liabilities
388,209

 
422,209

Long-Term Debt:
 
 
 
Long-Term Debt
843,523

 
856,650

Capital Lease Obligations
22,814

 
8,639

Total Long-Term Debt
866,337

 
865,289

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
 
 
 
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
549,244

 
554,099

Pneumoconiosis Benefits
150,541

 
149,868

Asset Retirement Obligations
231,783

 
228,343

Workers’ Compensation
66,280

 
66,648

Salary Retirement
48,361

 
52,960

Other
19,173

 
24,042

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
1,065,382

 
1,075,960

TOTAL LIABILITIES
2,319,928

 
2,363,458

 
 
 
 
Stockholders' Equity:
 
 
 
Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value; 62,500,000 Shares Authorized, 28,024,321 Issued and Outstanding at March 31, 2018; 27,973,281 Issued and Outstanding at December 31, 2017
280

 
280

Capital in Excess of Par Value
549,929

 
552,793

Retained Earnings (Deficit)
103,007

 
(43,713
)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(385,830
)
 
(305,100
)
Total CONSOL Energy Inc. Stockholders' Equity
267,386

 
204,260

Noncontrolling Interest
141,802

 
139,381

TOTAL EQUITY
409,188

 
343,641

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
2,729,116

 
$
2,707,099


















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

8



CONSOL ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands)


 
 
Common Stock
 
Capital in Excess of Par Value
 
Retained Earnings (Deficit)
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
 
Common Stock in Treasury
 
Total CONSOL Energy Inc. Stockholders' Equity
 
Noncontrolling Interest
 
Total Equity
December 31, 2017
 
$
280

 
$
552,793

 
$
(43,713
)
 
$
(305,100
)
 
$

 
$
204,260

 
$
139,381

 
$
343,641

(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 

 

 
62,408

 

 

 
62,408

 
8,550

 
70,958

Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments (Net of $1,281 Tax)
 

 

 

 
3,999

 

 
3,999

 
(2
)
 
3,997

Comprehensive Income
 

 

 
62,408

 
3,999

 

 
66,407

 
8,548

 
74,955

Reclassification of Stranded Tax Effect of Change in Tax Law
 

 

 
84,729

 
(84,729
)
 

 

 

 

Separation Adjustments
 

 
(1,595
)
 

 

 

 
(1,595
)
 

 
(1,595
)
Issuance of Common Stock
 
1

 
(1
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement of Common Stock (44,000 shares)
 
(1
)
 
(867
)
 
(417
)
 

 

 
(1,285
)
 

 
(1,285
)
Amortization of Stock-Based Compensation Awards
 

 
1,488

 

 

 

 
1,488

 
359

 
1,847

Units/Shares Withheld for Taxes
 

 
(1,889
)
 

 

 

 
(1,889
)
 
(899
)
 
(2,788
)
Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(5,587
)
 
(5,587
)
March 31, 2018
 
$
280

 
$
549,929

 
$
103,007

 
$
(385,830
)
 
$

 
$
267,386

 
$
141,802

 
$
409,188

































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

9



CONSOL ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net Income
$
70,958

 
$
46,445

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
49,471

 
52,993

Gain on Sale of Assets
(254
)
 
(7,955
)
Stock/Unit Based Compensation
1,847

 
3,760

Deferred Income Taxes
7,527

 
(5,938
)
Changes in Operating Assets:
 
 
 
Accounts and Notes Receivable
8,390

 
(34,007
)
Inventories
(7,346
)
 
(4,906
)
Prepaid Expenses
(1,185
)
 
1,063

Changes in Other Assets
8,314

 
7,795

Changes in Operating Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts Payable
(11,267
)
 
(17,508
)
Other Operating Liabilities
(6,213
)
 
14,346

Changes in Other Liabilities
(7,376
)
 
(5,680
)
Other
2,867

 
(1,871
)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
115,733

 
48,537

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures
(21,956
)
 
(9,021
)
Proceeds from Sales of Assets
393

 
9,709

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities
(21,563
)
 
688

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Payments on Capitalized Lease Obligations
(1,366
)
 

Net Payments on Revolver - MLP

 
(4,000
)
Payments on PNC Term Loan A
(15,000
)
 

Payments on PNC Term Loan B
(1,000
)
 

Buyback of Second Lien Notes
(10,000
)
 

Repurchases of Common Stock
(1,285
)
 

Spin Distribution to CNX Resources
(18,234
)
 

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest
(5,587
)
 
(5,467
)
Other Parent Net Distributions

 
(45,624
)
Shares/Units Withheld for Taxes
(2,788
)
 
(807
)
Debt-Related Financing Fees
(1,170
)
 

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
(56,430
)
 
(55,898
)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash
37,740

 
(6,673
)
Cash at Beginning of Period
153,979

 
13,311

Cash at End of Period
$
191,719

 
$
6,638

 
 
 
 
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Capital Lease
$
22,631

 
$

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

10



CONSOL ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 1—BASIS OF PRESENTATION:

Unless otherwise indicated or except where the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “our,” “us,” “our Company,” “the Company” and “CONSOL Energy” refer to CONSOL Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries on or after November 28, 2017 and to CONSOL Mining Corporation and its subsidiaries prior to November 28, 2017, except to the extent of any discussion of the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and other business activities of the Company on or prior to November 28, 2017 that relate specifically to the Coal Business, in which case such references shall be to the Predecessor.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for future periods.

The Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017 has been derived from the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements at that date but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. This Form 10-Q report should be read in conjunction with CONSOL Energy Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which includes all disclosures required by GAAP.

Basis of Consolidation
The Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of CONSOL Energy Inc., and its wholly owned and majority-owned and/or controlled subsidiaries. The portion of these entities that is not owned by the Company is presented as non-controlling interest. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts between subsidiaries within the Company have been eliminated in consolidation.

Prior to the separation and distribution, CONSOL Energy did not operate as a separate, standalone entity. The Company's operations were included in ParentCo's financial results. Accordingly, for all periods prior to the separation and distribution, the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared from ParentCo's historical accounting records and were presented on a standalone basis as if the Company's operations had been conducted independently from ParentCo. Such Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements include the historical operations that were considered to comprise the Company's businesses, as well as certain assets and liabilities that were historically held at ParentCo's corporate level but were specifically identifiable or otherwise attributable to the Company. ParentCo's net investment in these operations is reflected as Parent Net Investment in the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements. All significant intercompany transactions between ParentCo and the Company were included within Parent Net Investment in the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cost Allocations

The description and information on cost allocations is applicable for all periods included in the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements prior to the separation and distribution.

Prior to the completion of the separation and distribution, the Company utilized centralized functions of ParentCo to support its operations, and in return, ParentCo allocated certain of its expenses to the Company. Such expenses represent costs related, but not limited, to treasury, legal, accounting, insurance, information technology, payroll administration, human resources, incentive plans and other services. These costs, together with an allocation of ParentCo overhead costs, are included within the Selling, General and Administrative Costs caption of the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income. Where it was possible to specifically attribute such expenses to activities of the Company, amounts have been charged or credited directly to the Company without allocation or apportionment. Allocation of all other such expenses was based on a reasonable reflection of the utilization of service provided or benefits received by the Company during the periods presented on a consistent basis, such as a percentage

11



of total revenue and a percentage of total projected capital expenditures. The Company's management supports the methods used in allocating expenses and believes these methods to be reasonable estimates.

Nevertheless, the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of CONSOL Energy Inc. may not reflect the actual expenses that would have been incurred and may not reflect CONSOL Energy Inc.'s consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows had it been a standalone company during the periods prior to the separation and distribution. Actual costs that would have been incurred if CONSOL Energy Inc. had been a standalone company would depend on multiple factors, including organizational structure, capital structure, and strategic decisions made in various areas, including information technology and infrastructure. Transactions between CONSOL Energy Inc. and ParentCo were included as related party transactions in the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and were considered to be effectively settled for cash at the time the transaction was recorded. The total net effect of the settlement of these transactions is reflected in the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as a financing activity and in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets as Parent Net Investment.

Long-term employee obligations, comprised of pensions, OPEB, CWP and workers' compensation, have been allocated to CONSOL Energy Inc. on the basis of the underlying employees comprising those plans.

All external debt not directly attributable to the ParentCo Coal Business has been excluded from the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets of CONSOL Energy Inc.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-02 - Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the newly enacted federal corporate income tax rate under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The amount of the reclassification would be the difference between the historical corporate income tax rate and the newly enacted 21% corporate income tax rate. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. Early adoption is permitted. CONSOL Energy adopted the new guidance during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and elected to make the reclassification. As a result, retained earnings increased $84,727 with a corresponding decrease to accumulated other comprehensive income.

In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01 - Leases (Topic 842): Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842. This Update, if elected, would not require an entity to reassess the accounting treatment of existing land easements not currently accounted for as a lease under Topic 840. Once an entity adopts Topic 842, it should apply that Topic prospectively to all new (or modified) land easements to determine whether the arrangement should be accounted for as a lease. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application of the amendments in this update is permitted for all entities. Management is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on the Company’s financial statements.

In     November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18 - Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Restricted Cash, which addressed the diversity that exists in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this Update require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in the Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This guidance was adopted during the three months ended March 31, 2018, and there was no material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 - Leases (Topic 842), which increases transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Update 2016-02 does retain a distinction between finance leases and operating leases, which is substantially similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases in the previous lease guidance. Retaining this distinction allows the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease to not significantly change from previous GAAP. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities, but to recognize lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For both financing and operating leases, the right-to-use asset and lease liability will be initially measured at the present value of the lease payments in the statement of financial position. The accounting applied

12



by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under previous GAAP. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. Management is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on the Company’s financial statements.

Separation Transaction

In December 2016, CNX announced its intent to separate into two independent, publicly-traded companies - an independently traded coal company and an independently traded oil and natural gas exploration and production company focused on Appalachian area natural gas and liquids activities, including production, gathering, processing and acquisition of natural gas properties in the Appalachian Basin.

In anticipation of the separation, CONSOL Energy was originally formed as CONSOL Mining Corporation in Delaware on June 21, 2017 to hold all of ParentCo’s Coal Business, including its interest in the Pennsylvania Mining Complex, and certain related coal assets, including ParentCo’s ownership interest in CNX Coal Resources LP, which owns a 25% undivided interest stake in PAMC, the CONSOL Marine Terminal and undeveloped coal reserves (Greenfield Reserves) located in the Northern Appalachian, Central Appalachian and Illinois basins and certain related coal assets and liabilities (the Coal Business). The Registration Statement on Form 10 (as amended) filed by the Company with the SEC describes the Company and the assets and liabilities that comprise the Coal Business that it now owns after completion of the separation and distribution.

The separation occurred on November 28, 2017, through the pro rata distribution by ParentCo of all of the outstanding common stock of CONSOL Mining Corporation to ParentCo’s shareholders. Following the separation and distribution, ParentCo continues to own the Gas Business. In connection with the separation, CONSOL Mining Corporation changed its name to CONSOL Energy Inc. and ParentCo changed its name to CNX Resources Corporation. In addition, CNX Coal Resources LP changed its name to CONSOL Coal Resources LP and its ticker to CCR.

The separation was subject to a number of conditions, including, but not limited to: final approval by ParentCo’s Board of Directors; the continuing validity of the private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the transaction; receipt of an opinion of legal counsel regarding the qualification of the distribution, together with certain related transactions, as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and the SEC declaring effective a Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended. The registration statement on Form 10 was declared effective on November 3, 2017.

In connection with the separation and distribution, CONSOL Mining Corporation and ParentCo entered into a separation and distribution agreement on November 28, 2017 that identified the assets of the Coal Business that were transferred to CONSOL Mining Corporation, the liabilities that were assumed and the contracts that were transferred to each of CONSOL Mining Corporation and ParentCo as part of the separation into two companies. The agreement also implemented the legal and structural separation between the two companies. ParentCo and the Company also entered into additional ancillary agreements that govern the relationship between the two companies after the completion of the separation and distribution, and allocate between GasCo and the Company various assets, liabilities and obligations, including, among other things, employee benefits, environmental liabilities, intellectual property, and tax-related assets and liabilities. These additional agreements included a tax matters agreement, employee matters agreement, transition services agreement and certain agreements related to intellectual property.

Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during the reporting period. Dilutive earnings per share are computed similarly to basic earnings per share, except that the weighted average shares outstanding are increased to include additional shares from restricted stock units and performance share units, if dilutive. The number of additional shares is calculated by assuming that outstanding restricted stock units and performance share units were released, and that the proceeds from such activities were used to acquire shares of common stock at the average market price during the reporting period. The first quarter of 2018 represents CONSOL Energy's first full quarter as a publicly-traded company.
The table below sets forth the share-based awards that have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive:

13



 
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Anti-Dilutive Restricted Stock Units

 

Anti-Dilutive Performance Share Units
96,508

 

 
96,508

 

The computations for basic and dilutive earnings per share are as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended
Amounts in thousands, except per share data
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Numerator:
 
 
 
Net Income

$
70,958

 
$
46,445

Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
8,550

 
5,464

Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders
$
62,408

 
$
40,981

 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 
 
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding
28,029,146

 
27,967,509

Effect of dilutive shares
295,724

 

Weighted-average diluted shares of common stock outstanding
28,324,870

 
27,967,509

 
 
 
 
Earnings per Share:
 
 
 
Basic
$
2.23

 
$
1.47

Dilutive
$
2.20

 
$
1.47

In 2017, the earnings per share included on the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income was calculated based on the 27,967,509 shares of CONSOL Energy common stock distributed in conjunction with the completion of the separation and distribution, and is considered pro forma in nature. Prior to November 28, 2017, CONSOL Energy did not have any issued or outstanding common stock. As of March 31, 2018, CONSOL Energy had 500,000 shares of preferred stock, none of which were issued or outstanding.

NOTE 2—REVENUE:

The following table disaggregates CONSOL Energy's revenue by major source for the period ended March 31, 2018:

 
 
Consolidated
Coal Revenue
 
$
351,009

Terminal Revenue
 
15,221

Freight Revenue
 
17,887

Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers
 
$
384,117


ASU 2014-09 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the new accounting standard ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and all the related amendments (“new revenue standard”) for all contracts using the modified retrospective method. No cumulative adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings was made as a result of initially applying the new revenue standard. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The Company does not expect the adoption of the new revenue standard to have a material impact to its net income on an ongoing basis. CONSOL Energy's revenue continues to be recognized when title passes to the customer.



14



Coal Revenue

Revenues are recognized when title passes to the customers and the price is fixed and determinable. Generally, title passes when coal is loaded at the central preparation facility and, on occasion, at terminal locations or other customer destinations. The Company's coal contract revenue per ton is fixed and determinable and adjusted for nominal quality adjustments. Some coal contracts also contain positive electric power price related adjustments in addition to a fixed base price per ton. None of the Company’s coal contracts allow for retroactive adjustments to pricing after title to the coal has passed.

Some of the Company's contracts span multiple years and have annual pricing modifications, based upon market-driven or inflationary adjustments, where no additional value is exchanged. Also, the Company's contracts contain favorable electric power price related adjustments, which represent market-driven price adjustments, wherein there is no additional value being exchanged. Management believes that the invoice price is the most appropriate rate at which to recognize revenue.

While CONSOL Energy does, from time to time, experience costs of obtaining coal customer contracts with amortization periods greater than one year, those costs are immaterial to the Company's net income. As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company does not have any capitalized costs to obtain customer contracts on its balance sheet nor has the Company recognized any amortization of previously existing capitalized costs of obtaining customer contracts. Further, the Company has not recognized any revenue in the current period that is not a result of current period performance.

Terminal Revenue

Terminal revenues are attributable to the Company's CONSOL Marine Terminal and include revenues earned from providing receipt and unloading of coal from rail cars, transporting coal from the receipt point to temporary storage or stockpile facilities located at the Terminal, stockpiling, blending, weighing, sampling, redelivery, and loading of coal onto vessels. Revenues for these services are generally earned on a per ton of throughput basis, and performance obligations are considered fulfilled as the services are performed.

CONSOL Marine Terminal does not normally experience material costs of obtaining customer contracts with amortization periods greater than one year. As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company does not have any capitalized costs to obtain customer contracts on its balance sheet nor has the Company recognized any amortization of previously existing capitalized costs of obtaining Terminal customer contracts. Further, the Company has not recognized any revenue in the current period that is not a result of current period performance.

Freight Revenue

Some of CONSOL Energy's coal contracts require that the Company sell its coal at locations other than its central preparation plant. The cost to transport the Company's coal to the ultimate sales point is passed through to the Company's customers and CONSOL Energy recognizes the freight revenue equal to the transportation costs when title of the coal passes to the customer.

NOTE 3—MISCELLANEOUS OTHER INCOME:

 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Royalty Income - Non-Operated Coal
$
9,806

 
$
8,697

Purchased Coal Sales
8,746

 
3,541

Property Easements and Option Income
4,151

 
392

Rental Income
1,122

 
8,527

Interest Income
601

 
590

Other
1,461

 
903

Miscellaneous Other Income
$
25,887

 
$
22,650






15



NOTE 4—COMPONENTS OF PENSION AND OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT (OPEB) PLANS NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COSTS:

Components of Net Periodic Benefit (Credit) Cost are as follows:
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Post-Employment Benefits
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Service Cost
$
288

 
$
737

 
$

 
$

Interest Cost
5,876

 
6,316

 
4,677

 
5,986

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(10,092
)
 
(10,596
)
 

 

Amortization of Prior Service Credits
(126
)
 
(126
)
 
(601
)
 
(601
)
Amortization of Actuarial Loss
2,179

 
2,224

 
4,051

 
5,778

Net Periodic Benefit (Credit) Cost
$
(1,875
)
 
$
(1,445
)
 
$
8,127

 
$
11,163


Expenses related to pension and other post-employment benefits are reflected in Operating and Other Costs in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
NOTE 5—COMPONENTS OF COAL WORKERS’ PNEUMOCONIOSIS (CWP) AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COSTS:

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost are as follows:

 
CWP
 
Workers' Compensation
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Service Cost
$
1,662

 
$
1,280

 
$
1,558

 
$
1,568

Interest Cost
1,311

 
1,013

 
571

 
580

Amortization of Actuarial Gain
(213
)
 
(1,908
)
 
(20
)
 
(149
)
State Administrative Fees and Insurance Bond Premiums

 

 
593

 
783

Net Periodic Benefit Cost
$
2,760

 
$
385

 
$
2,702

 
$
2,782


NOTE 6—INCOME TAXES:

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was 8.0% and 16.8%, respectively. The effective rate for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% and 35%, respectively, primarily due to the income tax benefit for excess percentage depletion.

On December 22, 2017, the President of the United States signed Public Law 115-97 “An Act to Provide for Reconciliation Pursuant to Titles II and V of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018,” commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Bill”). Under U.S. GAAP, the effects of new legislation are recognized upon enactment, which, for federal legislation, is the date the President signs a bill into law. Accordingly, recognition of the tax effects of the Tax Bill is required in the interim and annual periods that include December 22, 2017. The SEC also released Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 on December 22, 2017. This bulletin clarifies certain aspects of ASC 740 and provides a three-step process for applying ASC 740. First, a company must reflect in its financial statements the income tax effects of the Tax Bill on items for which the company can make a complete assessment. Next, a measurement period not to exceed one year is provided for a company to report provisional amounts of the income tax effects of the Tax Bill for items for which the company's assessment is incomplete, but for which it can make a reasonable estimate. A company may adjust provisional amounts as it obtains additional information in subsequent reporting periods. Finally, for items for which a company cannot make a reasonable estimate, a company is not required to report provisional amounts and will continue to apply ASC 740 based on tax law existing immediately before December 22, 2017. A company is required to report provisional amounts for these items in the first reporting period in which the company is able to make a reasonable estimate of the income tax effects of the Tax Bill.

16



The Company recorded a deferred tax expense of approximately $58,558 in its financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2017. This impact is related to the reduction of the net deferred tax asset as a result of the federal corporate income tax rate being reduced from 35% to 21% for all periods after December 31, 2017. The Company did not recognize any additional impacts related to the Tax Bill in its financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is a comprehensive tax reform bill containing a number of provisions that either currently or in the future could impact the Company. Examples include the ability to fully expense certain depreciable property, and the limitation on the deductibility of business interest expense. As a result, the Company continues to monitor and evaluate all applicable provisions of the Tax Bill during the measurement period.

The Company utilizes the “more likely than not” standard in recognizing a tax benefit in its financial statements. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits. If accrual for interest or penalties is required, it is the Company's policy to include these as a component of income tax expense.

The Company is subject to taxation in the United States, as well as various states and Canada, as well as various provinces. Under the provisions of the Tax Matters Agreement signed on November 28, 2017 by and between CONSOL Energy Inc. (Parent) and CONSOL Mining Corporation (Company), certain subsidiaries of the Company are subject to examination for tax years for the period January 1, 2015 through the three months ended March 31, 2018 for certain state and foreign returns. Further, the Company is subject to examination for the period November 28, 2017 through the three months ended March 31, 2018 for federal and certain state returns.
NOTE 7—INVENTORIES:
Inventory components consist of the following:
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Coal
$
17,104

 
$
11,411

Supplies
43,662

 
42,009

Total Inventories
$
60,766

 
$
53,420


Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost of coal inventories is determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Coal inventory costs include labor, supplies, equipment costs, operating overhead, depreciation, depletion and amortization, and other related costs. The cost of supplies inventory is determined by the average cost method and includes operating and maintenance supplies to be used in the Company's coal operations.
NOTE 8—ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SECURITIZATION:

CONSOL Energy and certain of its U.S. subsidiaries were party to a trade accounts receivable facility with financial institutions for the sale on a continuous basis of eligible trade accounts receivable.

Pursuant to the securitization facility, CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC will sell current and future trade receivables to CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC. CONSOL Marine Terminals LLC and CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC will sell and/or contribute current and future trade receivables (including receivables sold to CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC by CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC) to CONSOL Funding LLC (the “SPV”). The SPV will, in turn, pledge its interests in the receivables to PNC Bank, which will either make loans or issue letters of credit on behalf of the SPV. The maximum amount of advances and letters of credit outstanding under the securitization facility may not exceed $100 million.

Loans under the securitization facility will accrue interest at a reserve-adjusted LIBOR market index rate equal to the one-month Eurodollar rate. Loans and letters of credit under the securitization facility will also accrue a program fee and a letter of credit participation fee, respectively, equal to 4.00% per annum. In addition, the SPV paid certain structuring fees to PNC Capital Markets LLC and will pay other customary fees to the lenders, including a fee on unused commitments equal to 0.60% per annum.

At March 31, 2018, the Company's eligible accounts receivable yielded $61,398 of borrowing capacity. At March 31, 2018, the facility had no outstanding borrowings and $61,398 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving no unused capacity. At December 31, 2017, the Company's eligible accounts receivable yielded $60,582 of borrowing capacity. At December 31, 2017, the facility had no outstanding borrowings and $60,582 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving no unused capacity. Costs associated with the

17



receivables facility totaled $666 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2018. These costs have been recorded as financing fees which are included in Operating and Other Costs in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company has not derecognized any receivables due to its continued involvement in the collections efforts.
NOTE 9—PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:

 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Plant and Equipment
$
2,799,723

 
$
2,757,062

Coal Properties and Surface Lands
858,218

 
857,031

Airshafts
393,347

 
392,266

Mine Development
344,139

 
344,139

Advance Mining Royalties
326,696

 
325,855

Total Property, Plant and Equipment
4,722,123

 
4,676,353

Less: Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
2,599,775

 
2,554,056

Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
$
2,122,348

 
$
2,122,297


Coal reserves are controlled either through fee ownership or by lease. The duration of the leases vary; however, the lease terms are generally extended automatically to the exhaustion of economically recoverable reserves, as long as active mining continues. Coal interests held by lease provide the same rights as fee ownership for mineral extraction and are legally considered real property interests.

As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, property, plant and equipment includes gross assets under capital lease of $26,255 and $3,559, respectively. Accumulated amortization for capital leases was $4,215 and $2,839 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Amortization expense for assets under capital leases approximated $1,376 and $113 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and is included in Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization in the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income.

NOTE 10—OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES:
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31, 2017
Subsidence Liability
$
87,633

 
$
88,027

Longwall Equipment Buyout
23,348

 
22,631

Accrued Interest
16,410

 
10,039

Accrued Payroll and Benefits
14,511

 
14,689

Litigation
10,190

 
8,197

Accrued Other Taxes
8,486

 
7,510

Equipment Lease Rental
7,839

 
9,865

Deferred Revenue
1,967

 
6,807

Short-Term Incentive Compensation
1,764

 
4,729

Other
19,959

 
23,900

Current Portion of Long-Term Liabilities:
 
 
 
Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions
37,388

 
37,464

Asset Retirement Obligations
30,480

 
30,480

Workers' Compensation
12,912

 
13,317

Pneumoconiosis Benefits
12,245

 
12,972

Total Other Accrued Liabilities
$
285,132

 
$
290,627


18



NOTE 11—LONG-TERM DEBT:
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Debt:
 
 
 
Term Loan B due in November 2022 (Principal of $399,000 and $400,000 less Unamortized Discount of $7,453 and $7,853, respectively, 7.99% Weighted Average Interest Rate)
$
391,547

 
$
392,147

11.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2025
290,000

 
300,000

MEDCO Revenue Bonds in Series due September 2025 at 5.75%
102,865

 
102,865

Term Loan A due in November 2021 (6.41% Weighted Average Interest Rate)
85,000

 
100,000

Advance Royalty Commitments (9.42% Weighted Average Interest Rate)
2,085

 
2,085

Less: Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs
19,905

 
21,129

 
851,592

 
875,968

Less: Amounts Due in One Year*
8,069

 
19,318

      Long-Term Debt
$
843,523

 
$
856,650


* Excludes current portion of Capital Lease Obligations of $10,317 and $3,164 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

In November 2017, CONSOL Energy entered into a revolving credit facility with commitments up to $300 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), a Term Loan A Facility of up to $100 million (the “TLA Facility”) and a Term Loan B Facility of up to $400 million (the “TLB Facility”, and together with the Revolving Credit Facility and the TLA Facility, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”). Borrowings under the Company's Senior Secured Credit Facilities bear interest at a floating rate which can be, at the Company's option, either (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin or (ii) an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for the Revolving Credit Facility and TLA Facility depends on the total net leverage ratio, whereas the applicable margin for the TLB Facility is fixed. The Revolving Credit and TLA Facilities mature on November 28, 2021. The TLB Facility matures on November 28, 2022. Obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are guaranteed by (i) all owners of the 75% undivided economic interest in the PAMC held by the Company, (ii) any other members of the Company’s group that own any portion of the collateral securing the Revolving Credit Facility, and (iii) subject to certain customary exceptions and agreed materiality thresholds, all other existing or future direct or indirect wholly owned restricted subsidiaries of the Company (excluding the Partnership and its wholly-owned subsidiaries).

The Revolving Credit Facility and TLA Facility also include financial covenants, including (i) a maximum first lien gross leverage ratio, (ii) a maximum total net leverage ratio, and (iii) a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. CONSOL Energy must maintain a maximum first lien gross leverage ratio covenant of no more than 2.25 to 1.00, measured quarterly, stepping down to 2.00 to 1.00 in March 2019 and 1.75 to 1.00 in March 2020. The maximum first lien gross leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of Consolidated First Lien Debt to Consolidated EBITDA, excluding the Partnership. The maximum first lien gross leverage ratio was 1.45 to 1.00 at March 31, 2018. CONSOL Energy must maintain a maximum total net leverage ratio covenant of no more than 3.25 to 1.00, measured quarterly, stepping down to 3.00 to 1.00 in March 2019 and 2.75 to 1.00 in March 2020. The maximum total net leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness, minus Cash on Hand, to Consolidated EBITDA, excluding the Partnership. The maximum total net leverage ratio was 2.03 to 1.00 at March 31, 2018. Consolidated EBITDA, as used in the covenant calculation, excludes non-cash compensation expenses, non-recurring transaction expenses, extraordinary gains and losses, gains and losses on discontinued operations, non-cash charges related to legacy employee liabilities and gains and losses on debt extinguishment, and includes cash distributions received from the Partnership and subtracts cash payments related to legacy employee liabilities. The facilities also include a minimum fixed charge coverage covenant of no less than 1.00 to 1.00, measured quarterly, stepping up to 1.05 to 1.00 in March 2020 and 1.10 to 1.00 in March 2021. The minimum fixed charge coverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Fixed Charges, excluding the Partnership. Consolidated Fixed Charges, as used in the covenant calculation, includes cash interest payments, cash payments for income taxes, scheduled debt repayments, dividends paid, and Maintenance Capital Expenditures. The minimum fixed charge coverage ratio was 2.53 to 1.00 at March 31, 2018.

At March 31, 2018, the Revolving Credit Facility had no borrowings outstanding and $54,355 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $245,645 of unused capacity. At December 31, 2017, the Revolving Credit Facility had no borrowings outstanding and $27,426 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $272,574 of unused capacity. From time to time, CONSOL Energy is required to post financial assurances to satisfy contractual and other requirements generated in the normal course of business. Some of these assurances are posted to comply with federal, state or other government agencies' statutes and regulations. CONSOL Energy

19



sometimes uses letters of credit to satisfy these requirements and these letters of credit reduce the Company's borrowing facility capacity.

In November 2017, CONSOL Energy issued $300 million in aggregate principal amount of 11.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2025 (the “Second Lien Notes”) pursuant to an indenture (the “Indenture”) dated as of November 13, 2017, by and between the Company and UMB Bank, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee and collateral trustee (the “Trustee”). On November 28, 2017, certain subsidiaries of the Company executed a supplement to the Indenture and became party to the Indenture as a guarantor (the “Guarantors”). The Second Lien Notes are secured by second priority liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Guarantors that are pledged and on a first-priority basis as collateral securing the Company’s obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities (described above), subject to certain exceptions under the Indenture.

During the first quarter of 2018, CONSOL Energy made an accelerated payment of $11.25 million on its outstanding Term Loan A Facility and purchased $10 million of its outstanding 11.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due in 2025. As part of these transactions, $1,426 was included in Loss on Debt Extinguishment on the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income.
NOTE 12—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES:

The Company and ParentCo entered into a separation and distribution agreement on November 28, 2017 that implemented the legal and structural separation of the Company from ParentCo. The separation and distribution agreement also identified the assets of the Coal Business that were transferred to the Company and the liabilities and contracts related to the Coal Business that were assumed by the Company as part of the separation and distribution, and provides post-closing indemnification obligations and procedures between the Company and ParentCo relating to the liabilities of the Coal Business that the Company assumed.

The Company (as the owner of the Coal Business following the separation and distribution) is subject to various lawsuits and claims with respect to such matters as personal injury, wrongful death, damage to property, exposure to hazardous substances, governmental regulations including environmental remediation, employment and contract disputes and other claims and actions arising out of the normal course of business. The Company accrues the estimated loss for these lawsuits and claims when the loss is probable and reasonably estimable. The Company's estimated accruals as of March 31, 2018 related to these pending claims, individually and in the aggregate, are immaterial to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company as of March 31, 2018. It is possible that the aggregate loss in the future with respect to these lawsuits and claims could ultimately be material to the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows; however, such amounts cannot be reasonably estimated. The amount claimed against the Company as of March 31, 2018 is disclosed below when an amount is expressly stated in the lawsuit or claim, which is not often the case.

Fitzwater Litigation: Three nonunion retired coal miners have sued Fola Coal Company LLC, Consolidation Coal Company (“CCC”) and CONSOL of Kentucky Inc. (“COK”) (as well as ParentCo) in West Virginia Federal Court alleging ERISA violations in the termination of retiree health care benefits. The Plaintiffs contend they relied to their detriment on oral statements and promises of “lifetime health benefits” allegedly made by various members of management during Plaintiffs’ employment and that they were allegedly denied access to Summary Plan Documents that clearly reserved the right to modify or terminate the Retiree Health and Welfare Plan subject to Plaintiffs' claims. Pursuant to Plaintiffs' amended complaint filed on April 24, 2017, Plaintiffs request that retiree health benefits be reinstated and seek to represent a class of all nonunion retirees who were associated with AMVEST and COK areas of operation. The Company believes it has a meritorious defense and intends to vigorously defend this suit.

Casey Litigation: A class action lawsuit was filed on August 23, 2017 on behalf of two nonunion retired coal miners against CCC, COK, CONSOL Buchanan Mining Co., LLC and Kurt Salvatori in West Virginia Federal Court alleging ERISA violations in the termination of retiree health care benefits. Filed by the same lawyers who filed the Fitzwater litigation, and raising nearly identical claims, the Plaintiffs contend they relied to their detriment on oral promises of “lifetime health benefits” allegedly made by various members of management during Plaintiffs’ employment and that they were not provided with copies of Summary Plan Documents clearly reserving to the Company the right to modify or terminate the Retiree Health and Welfare Plan. Plaintiffs request that retiree health benefits be reinstated for them and their dependents and seek to represent a class of all nonunion retirees of any ParentCo subsidiary that operated or employed individuals in McDowell or Mercer Counties, West Virginia, or Buchanan or Tazewell Counties, Virginia whose retiree welfare benefits were terminated. On December 1, 2017, the trial court judge in Fitzwater signed an order to consolidate Fitzwater with Casey. The Casey complaint was amended on March 1, 2018 to add new plaintiffs, add defendant CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company, LLC and eliminate defendant CONSOL Buchanan Mining Co., LLC in an attempt to expand the class of retirees.

Other Matters: Various Company subsidiaries are defendants in certain other legal proceedings arising out of the conduct of the Coal Business prior to the separation and distribution, and the Company is also a defendant in other legal proceedings following the separation and distribution. In the opinion of management, based upon an investigation of these matters and discussion

20



with legal counsel, the ultimate outcome of such other legal proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

As part of the separation and distribution, the Company assumed various financial obligations relating to the Coal Business or agreed to reimburse ParentCo for certain financial guarantees relating to the Coal Business that ParentCo retained following the separation and distribution. Employee-related financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support the United Mine Workers’ of America’s 1992 Benefit Plan and various state workers’ compensation self-insurance programs. Environmental financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support various performance bonds related to reclamation and other environmental issues. Coal and other financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support various sales contracts. Other guarantees have been extended to support insurance policies, legal matters, full and timely payments of mining equipment leases, and various other items necessary in the normal course of business.
 
The following is a summary, as of March 31, 2018, of the financial guarantees, unconditional purchase obligations and letters of credit to certain third parties. These amounts represent the maximum potential of total future payments that the Company could be required to make under these instruments, or under the separation and distribution agreement to the extent retained by ParentCo on behalf of the Coal Business. These amounts have not been reduced for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions. Generally, recoveries under reclamation bonds would be limited to the extent of the work performed at the time of the default. No amounts related to these financial guarantees and letters of credit are recorded as liabilities in the financial statements. The Company's management believes that these guarantees will expire without being funded, and therefore, the commitments will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition.

 
Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period
 
Total Amounts Committed
 
Less Than 1 Year
 
1-3 Years
 
3-5 Years
 
Beyond 5 Years
Letters of Credit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employee-Related
$
82,266

 
$
79,766

 
$
2,500

 
$

 
$

Environmental
398

 
398

 

 

 

Other
33,110

 
33,110

 

 

 

Total Letters of Credit
115,774

 
113,274

 
2,500

 

 

Surety Bonds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employee-Related
108,948

 
76,068

 
32,880

 

 

Environmental
456,350

 
420,439

 
35,911

 

 

Other
4,736

 
4,498

 
237

 
1

 

Total Surety Bonds
570,034

 
501,005

 
69,028

 
1

 

Guarantees:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other
31,202

 
8,961

 
14,936

 
6,575

 
730

Total Guarantees
31,202

 
8,961

 
14,936

 
6,575

 
730

Total Commitments
$
717,010

 
$
623,240

 
$
86,464

 
$
6,576

 
$
730


Included in the above table are commitments and guarantees entered into in conjunction with the sale of Consolidation Coal Company and certain of its subsidiaries, which contain all five of its longwall coal mines in West Virginia and its river operations, to a subsidiary of Murray Energy Corporation. As part of the separation and distribution, ParentCo agreed to indemnify the Company and the Company agreed to indemnify ParentCo in each case with respect to guarantees of certain equipment lease obligations that were assumed by Murray Energy. In the event that Murray Energy would default on the obligations defined in the agreements, the Company would be required to perform under the guarantees. If the Company would be required to perform, the stock purchase agreement provides various recourse actions. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the fair value of these guarantees was $982 and $1,040, respectively, and is included in Other Accrued Liabilities on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of certain of the guarantees was determined using the Company’s risk-adjusted interest rate. Significant increases or decreases in the risk-adjusted interest rates may result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. No other amounts related to financial guarantees and letters of credit are recorded as liabilities in the financial statements. Significant judgment is required in determining the fair value of these guarantees. The guarantees of the leases are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.


21



The Company regularly evaluates the likelihood of default for all guarantees based on an expected loss analysis and records the fair value, if any, of its guarantees as an obligation in the consolidated financial statements. 
NOTE 13—FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

CONSOL Energy determines the fair value of assets and liabilities based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The fair values are based on assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in valuation techniques and the inputs to valuations. The fair value hierarchy is based on whether the inputs to valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources (including LIBOR-based discount rates), while unobservable inputs reflect the Company's own assumptions of what market participants would use.

The fair value hierarchy includes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value as described below.

Level One - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level Two - The fair value of the assets and liabilities included in Level 2 are based on standard industry income approach models that use significant observable inputs, including LIBOR-based discount rates.

Level Three - Unobservable inputs significant to the fair value measurement supported by little or no market activity. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company's third party guarantees are the credit risk of the third party and the third party surety bond markets. A significant increase or decrease in these values, in isolation, would have a directionally similar effect resulting in higher or lower fair value measurement of the Company's Level 3 guarantees.

In those cases when the inputs used to measure fair value meet the definition of more than one level of the fair value hierarchy, the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its totality determines the applicable level in the fair value hierarchy.

The financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
 
Fair Value Measurements at
March 31, 2018
 
Fair Value Measurements at
December 31, 2017
Description
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Murray Energy Guarantees
$

 
$

 
$
(982
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(1,040
)

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value for which the fair value option was not elected:

Long-term debt: The fair value of long-term debt is measured using unadjusted quoted market prices or estimated using discounted cash flow analyses. The discounted cash flow analyses are based on current market rates for instruments with similar cash flows.

The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments for which the fair value option was not elected are as follows:
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
Long-Term Debt
$
871,497

 
$
912,091

 
$
897,097

 
$
931,768

Certain of the Company’s debt is actively traded on a public market and, as a result, constitute Level 1 fair value measurements. The portion of the Company’s debt obligations that are not actively traded are valued through reference to the applicable underlying benchmark rate and, as a result, constitute Level 2 fair value measurements.

NOTE 14—SEGMENT INFORMATION:

CONSOL Energy Inc. consists of one reportable segment: Pennsylvania Mining Complex. The principal activities of PAMC are mining, preparation and marketing of thermal coal, sold primarily to power generators. It also includes selling, general and administrative activities, as well as various other activities assigned to PAMC.


22



CONSOL Energy Inc.’s Other segment includes revenue and expenses from various corporate and diversified business activities that are not allocated to PAMC. The diversified business activities include coal terminal operations, closed and idle mine activities, selling, general and administrative activities, as well as various other non-operated activities, none of which are individually significant to the Company.

Industry segment results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are:
 
PAMC
 
Other
 
Adjustments and Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
Coal Revenue
$
351,009

 
$

 
$

 
$
351,009

 
(A)
Terminal Revenue

 
15,221

 

 
15,221

 
 
Freight Revenue
17,887

 

 

 
17,887

 
 
Total Revenue and Freight
$
368,896

 
$
15,221

 
$

 
$
384,117

 
 
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Tax
$
98,480

 
$
(21,337
)
 
$

 
$
77,143

 
 
Segment Assets
$
1,965,979

 
$
763,137

 
$

 
$
2,729,116

 
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
$
43,257

 
$
6,214

 
$

 
$
49,471

 
 
Capital Expenditures
$
19,714

 
$
2,242

 
$

 
$
21,956

 
 

(A)
Included in the PAMC segment are sales of $86,826 to Key-Con Fuels, $52,213 to Duke Energy and $39,262 to Raven Power Fort Smallwood LLC, each comprising over 10% of sales.

Industry segment results for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are:
 
PAMC
 
Other
 
Adjustments and Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
Coal Revenue
$
316,448

 
$

 
$

 
$
316,448

 
(B)
Terminal Revenue

 
12,886

 

 
12,886

 
 
Freight Revenue
12,282

 

 

 
12,282

 
 
Total Revenue and Freight
$
328,730

 
$
12,886

 
$

 
$
341,616

 
 
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Tax
$
61,015

 
$
(5,164
)
 
$

 
$
55,851

 
 
Segment Assets
$
1,955,172

 
$
729,904

 
$

 
$
2,685,076

 
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
$
42,301

 
$
10,692

 
$

 
$
52,993

 
 
Capital Expenditures
$
8,118

 
$
903

 
$

 
$
9,021

 
 

(B)
Included in the PAMC segment are sales of $57,070 to Duke Energy and sales of $54,820 to Xcoal, each comprising over 10% of sales.

Reconciliation of Segment Information to Consolidated Amounts:

Total Assets:

 
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Segment assets for total reportable business segments
$
1,965,979

 
$
1,955,172

Segment assets for all other business segments
504,822

 
539,164

Items excluded from segment assets:
 
 
 
   Cash and other investments
190,777

 
72

   Deferred tax assets
67,538

 
190,668

Total Consolidated Assets
$
2,729,116

 
$
2,685,076




23


NOTE 15—GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

The payment obligations under the $400,000, Term Loan B due in November 2022, less the $7.5 million of unamortized bond discount, the $300,000, 11.000% per annum senior notes due November 2025, and the $100,000, Term Loan A due in November 2021 issued by CONSOL Energy are jointly and severally, and also fully and unconditionally, guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy. In accordance with positions established by the SEC, the following financial information sets forth separate financial information with respect to the parent, guarantor subsidiaries, CCR, a non-guarantor subsidiary, and the remaining non-guarantor subsidiaries. The principal elimination entries include investments in subsidiaries and certain intercompany balances and transactions. CONSOL Energy, the parent, and a guarantor subsidiary manage several assets and liabilities of all other wholly owned subsidiaries. These include, for example, deferred tax assets, cash and other post-employment liabilities. These assets and liabilities are reflected as parent company or guarantor company amounts for purposes of this presentation.

Income Statement for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 (unaudited):

 
Parent
Issuer
 

Guarantor
 
CCR Non-Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Revenues and Other Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coal Revenue
$

 
$
263,257

 
$
87,752

 
$

 
$

 
351,009

Terminal Revenue

 
15,221

 

 

 

 
15,221

Freight Revenue

 
13,415

 
4,472

 

 

 
17,887

Miscellaneous Other Income
90,304

 
11,018

 
2,201

 

 
(77,636
)
 
25,887

Gain on Sale of Assets

 
178

 
76

 

 

 
254

Total Revenue and Other Income
90,304

 
303,089

 
94,501

 

 
(77,636
)
 
410,258

Costs and Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating and Other Costs

 
176,820

 
52,287

 
695

 

 
229,802

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

 
38,657

 
10,814

 

 

 
49,471

Freight Expense

 
13,415

 
4,472

 

 

 
17,887

Selling, General and Administrative Costs

 
10,464

 
3,020

 

 

 
13,484

Loss on Debt Extinguishment
1,426

 

 

 

 

 
1,426

Interest Expense
20,285

 
944

 
(184
)
 

 

 
21,045

Total Costs And Expenses
21,711

 
240,300

 
70,409

 
695

 

 
333,115

Earnings Before Income Tax
68,593

 
62,789

 
24,092

 
(695
)
 
(77,636
)
 
77,143

Income Tax Expense
6,185

 

 
 
 

 

 
6,185

Net Income (Loss)
62,408

 
62,789

 
24,092

 
(695
)
 
(77,636
)
 
70,958

Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

 

 

 

 
8,550

 
8,550

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders
$
62,408

 
$
62,789

 
$
24,092

 
$
(695
)
 
$
(86,186
)
 
$
62,408
























Balance Sheet at March 31, 2018 (unaudited):

 
Parent
Issuer
 

Guarantor
 
CCR Non-Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
190,564

 
$
369

 
$
748

 
$
38

 
$

 
$
191,719

Accounts and Notes Receivable:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade

 

 

 
127,348

 

 
127,348

Other Receivables
14,645

 
16,283

 
1,431

 

 

 
32,359

Inventories

 
46,645

 
14,121

 

 

 
60,766

Prepaid Expenses
7,034

 
13,417

 
4,404

 

 

 
24,855

Total Current Assets
212,243

 
76,714

 
20,704

 
127,386

 

 
437,047

Property, Plant and Equipment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment

 
3,802,245

 
919,878

 

 

 
4,722,123

Less-Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

 
2,106,017

 
493,758

 

 

 
2,599,775

Total Property, Plant and Equipment-Net

 
1,696,228

 
426,120

 

 

 
2,122,348

Other Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred Income Taxes
67,538

 

 

 

 

 
67,538

Affiliated Credit Facility
156,228

 

 

 

 
(156,228
)
 

Investment in Affiliates
682,407

 

 

 

 
(682,407
)
 

Other
40,642

 
46,858

 
14,683

 

 

 
102,183

Total Other Assets
946,815

 
46,858

 
14,683

 

 
(838,635
)
 
169,721

Total Assets
$
1,159,058

 
$
1,819,800

 
$
461,507

 
$
127,386

 
$
(838,635
)
 
$
2,729,116

Liabilities and Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts Payable
$
10,521

 
$
54,070

 
$
17,872


$
8

 
$
2,220

 
$
84,691

Accounts Payable (Recoverable)-Related Parties
(2,291
)
 
36,221

 

 
122,298

 
(156,228
)
 

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt

 
16,568

 
1,818

 

 

 
18,386

Other Accrued Liabilities
106,974

 
136,810

 
43,527

 

 
(2,179
)
 
285,132

Total Current Liabilities
115,204

 
243,669

 
63,217

 
122,306

 
(156,187
)
 
388,209

Long-Term Debt:
728,107

 
134,462

 
159,996

 

 
(156,228
)
 
866,337

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

 
549,244

 

 

 

 
549,244

Pneumoconiosis Benefits

 
146,336

 
4,205

 

 

 
150,541

Asset Retirement Obligations

 
221,975

 
9,808

 

 

 
231,783

Workers’ Compensation

 
62,827

 
3,453

 

 

 
66,280

Salary Retirement
48,361

 

 

 

 

 
48,361

Other

 
18,570

 
603

 

 

 
19,173

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
48,361

 
998,952

 
18,069

 

 

 
1,065,382

Total CONSOL Energy Inc. Stockholders’ Equity
267,386

 
442,717

 
220,225

 
5,080

 
(668,022
)
 
267,386

Noncontrolling Interest

 

 

 

 
141,802

 
141,802

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
1,159,058


$
1,819,800

 
$
461,507

 
$
127,386

 
$
(838,635
)
 
$
2,729,116









Condensed Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 (unaudited):

 
Parent Issuer
 

Guarantor
 
CCR Non-Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
$
(2,305
)
 
$
88,774

 
$
29,264

 
$

 
$

 
$
115,733

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures

 
(17,027
)
 
(4,929
)
 

 

 
(21,956
)
Proceeds From Sales of Assets

 
318

 
75

 

 

 
393

(Investments in), net of Distributions from, Equity Affiliates
(2,048
)
 
2,048

 

 

 

 

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities
(2,048
)
 
(14,661
)
 
(4,854
)
 

 

 
(21,563
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payments on Capitalized Lease Obligations

 
(999
)
 
(367
)
 

 

 
(1,366
)
Affiliated Credit Facility

 

 
(9,583
)
 

 
9,583

 

Payments on PNC Term Loan A
(15,000
)
 

 

 

 

 
(15,000
)
Payments on PNC Term Loan B
(1,000
)
 

 

 

 

 
(1,000
)
Buyback of Second Lien Notes
(10,000
)
 

 

 

 

 
(10,000
)
Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest

 

 
(14,346
)
 

 
8,759

 
(5,587
)
Shares/Units Withheld for Taxes


 
(1,889
)
 
(899
)
 

 

 
(2,788
)
Intercompany Contributions/(Distributions)
72,317

 
(72,317
)
 

 

 

 

Spin Distribution to CNX Resources
(1,595
)
 
(16,639
)
 

 

 

 
(18,234
)
Repurchases of Common Stock
(1,285
)
 

 

 

 

 
(1,285
)
Debt-Related Financing Fees
(755
)
 
(415
)
 

 

 

 
(1,170
)
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities
$
42,682

 
$
(92,259
)
 
$
(25,195
)
 
$

 
$
18,342

 
$
(56,430
)


Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 (unaudited):

 
Parent Issuer
 

Guarantor
 
CCR Non-Guarantor
 
Non-
Guarantor
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Net (Loss) Income
$
62,408

 
$
62,789

 
$
24,092

 
$
(695
)
 
$
(77,636
)
 
$
70,958

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Actuarial Loss (Gain)
3,999

 

 
(2
)
 

 

 
3,997

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:
3,999

 

 
(2
)
 

 

 
3,997

Comprehensive (Loss) Income
66,407

 
62,789

 
24,090

 
(695
)
 
(77,636
)
 
74,955

Less: Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

 

 

 

 
8,548

 
8,548

Comprehensive (Loss) Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders
$
66,407

 
$
62,789

 
$
24,090

 
$
(695
)
 
$
(86,184
)
 
$
66,407


















Income Statement for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 (unaudited):

 
Parent
Issuer
 

Guarantor
 
CCR Non-Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Revenues and Other Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coal Revenue
$

 
$
237,336

 
$
79,112

 
$

 
$

 
$
316,448

Terminal Revenue

 
12,886

 

 

 

 
12,886

Freight Revenue

 
9,212

 
3,070

 

 

 
12,282

Miscellaneous Other Income
50,598

 
6,494

 
1,101

 

 
(35,543
)
 
22,650

Gain on Sale of Assets
 
 
7,958

 
(3
)
 

 

 
7,955

Total Revenue and Other Income
50,598

 
273,886

 
83,280

 

 
(35,543
)
 
372,221

Costs and Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating and Other Costs

 
180,111

 
49,883

 

 

 
229,994

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

 
42,472

 
10,521

 

 

 
52,993

Freight Expense

 
9,212

 
3,070

 

 

 
12,282

Selling, General and Administrative Costs

 
13,796

 
3,283

 

 

 
17,079

Loss on Debt Extinguishment

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense
211

 
1,354

 
2,457

 

 

 
4,022

Total Costs And Expenses
211

 
246,945

 
69,214

 

 

 
316,370

Earnings Before Income Tax
50,387

 
26,941

 
14,066

 

 
(35,543
)
 
55,851

Income Tax Expense
9,406

 
 
 
 
 

 

 
9,406

Net Income (Loss)
40,981

 
26,941

 
14,066

 

 
(35,543
)
 
46,445

Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

 

 

 

 
5,464

 
5,464

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders
$
40,981


$
26,941


$
14,066


$

 
$
(41,007
)
 
$
40,981





































Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017:

 
Parent
Issuer
 

Guarantor
 
CCR Non-Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
152,235

 
$
105

 
$
1,533

 
$
106

 
$

 
$
153,979

Accounts and Notes Receivable:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade

 

 

 
131,545

 

 
131,545

Other Receivables
17,702

 
16,880

 
1,970

 

 

 
36,552

Inventories

 
41,117

 
12,303

 

 

 
53,420

Prepaid Expenses
5,745

 
13,568

 
4,428

 
3

 

 
23,744

Total Current Assets
175,682

 
71,670

 
20,234

 
131,654

 

 
399,240

Property, Plant and Equipment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment

 
3,765,885

 
910,468

 

 

 
4,676,353

Less-Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

 
2,070,646

 
483,410

 

 

 
2,554,056

Total Property, Plant and Equipment-Net

 
1,695,239

 
427,058

 

 

 
2,122,297

Other Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred Income Taxes
75,065

 

 

 

 

 
75,065

Affiliated Credit Facility
165,110

 

 

 

 
(165,110
)
 

Investment in Affiliates
645,157

 

 

 

 
(645,157
)
 

Other
44,177

 
50,846

 
15,474

 

 

 
110,497

Total Other Assets
929,509

 
50,846

 
15,474

 

 
(810,267
)
 
185,562

Total Assets
$
1,105,191

 
$
1,817,755

 
$
462,766

 
$
131,654

 
$
(810,267
)
 
$
2,707,099

Liabilities and Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts Payable
$
20,014

 
$
66,271

 
$
22,789

 
$
8

 
$
18

 
$
109,100

Accounts Payable (Recoverable)-Related Parties
(2,291
)
 
36,221

 

 
129,139

 
(163,069
)
 

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt

 
22,405

 
77

 

 

 
22,482

Other Accrued Liabilities
101,994

 
149,425

 
44,102

 
(20
)
 
(4,874
)
 
290,627

Total Current Liabilities
119,717

 
274,322

 
66,968

 
129,127

 
(167,925
)
 
422,209

Long-Term Debt:
728,254

 
135,390

 
165,183

 
1,572

 
(165,110
)
 
865,289

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

 
554,099

 

 

 

 
554,099

Pneumoconiosis Benefits

 
146,035

 
3,833

 

 

 
149,868

Asset Retirement Obligations

 
218,728

 
9,615

 

 

 
228,343

Workers’ Compensation

 
63,244

 
3,404

 

 

 
66,648

Salary Retirement
52,960

 

 

 

 

 
52,960

Other

 
23,435

 
607

 

 

 
24,042

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
52,960

 
1,005,541

 
17,459

 

 

 
1,075,960

Total CONSOL Energy Inc. Stockholders’ Equity
204,260

 
402,502

 
213,156

 
955

 
(616,613
)
 
204,260

Noncontrolling Interest

 

 

 

 
139,381

 
139,381

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
1,105,191

 
$
1,817,755

 
$
462,766

 
$
131,654

 
$
(810,267
)
 
$
2,707,099















Condensed Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 (unaudited):

 
Parent Issuer
 

Guarantor
 
CCR Non-Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
$
(4,643
)
 
$
35,518

 
$
17,662

 
$

 
$

 
$
48,537

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures

 
(6,991
)
 
(2,030
)
 

 

 
(9,021
)
Proceeds From Sales of Assets

 
9,709

 

 

 

 
9,709

(Investments in), net of Distributions from, Equity Affiliates
20,226

 
(20,226
)
 

 

 

 

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities
20,226

 
(17,508
)
 
(2,030
)
 

 

 
688

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payments on Capitalized Lease Obligations
(896
)
 
922

 
(26
)
 

 

 

Net (Payments on) Proceeds from Revolver - MLP

 

 
(4,000
)
 

 

 
(4,000
)
Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest

 

 
(14,050
)
 

 
8,583

 
(5,467
)
Shares/Units Withheld for Taxes


 

 
(807
)
 

 

 
(807
)
Intercompany Contributions/(Distributions)
45,624

 
(45,624
)
 

 

 

 

Other Parent Net Distributions
(45,624
)
 

 

 

 

 
(45,624
)
Debt Issuance and Financing Fees
(7,995
)
 
7,995

 

 

 

 

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities
$
(8,891
)
 
$
(36,707
)
 
$
(18,883
)
 
$

 
$
8,583

 
$
(55,898
)


Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 (unaudited):

 
Parent Issuer
 

Guarantor
 
CCR Non-Guarantor
 
Non-
Guarantor
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Net (Loss) Income
$
40,981

 
$
26,941

 
$
14,066

 
$

 
$
(35,543
)
 
$
46,445

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Actuarial Loss (Gain)
3,414

 

 
39

 

 
(39
)
 
3,414

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:
3,414

 

 
39

 

 
(39
)
 
3,414

Comprehensive (Loss) Income
44,395

 
26,941

 
14,105

 

 
(35,582
)
 
49,859

Less: Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

 

 

 

 
5,452

 
5,452

Comprehensive (Loss) Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders
$
44,395

 
$
26,941

 
$
14,105

 
$

 
$
(41,034
)
 
$
44,407

NOTE 16—RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

CNX Resources Corporation Transactions

Separation from CNX Resources Corporation (ParentCo)

On November 28, 2017, in connection with the separation and distribution, the Company and/or certain of its subsidiaries entered into several agreements with CNX Resources Corporation and/or the Partnership and/or certain of its subsidiaries that govern the relationship of the various parties following the separation, including the following:

Separation and Distribution Agreement (“SDA”);
Transition Services Agreement (“TSA”);
Tax Matters Agreement (“TMA”);
Employee Matters Agreement (“EMA”);
Intellectual Property Matters Agreement (“IPMA”);
CNX Resources Corporation to CONSOL Energy Inc. Trademark License Agreement (“TLA 1”);
CONSOL Energy Inc. to CNX Resources Corporation Trademark License Agreement (“TLA 2”);
First Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement (“Omnibus Amendment”);




First Amendment to Contract Agency Agreement by and among CONSOL Energy Sales Company, CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC (formerly known as CNX Thermal Holdings LLC) and the other parties thereto (“Contract Agency Amendment”);
First Amendment to Water Supply and Services Agreement by and between CNX Water Assets LLC and CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC (formerly known as CNX Thermal Holdings LLC) (“Water Supply Amendment”);
Second Amendment to Pennsylvania Mine Complex Operating Agreement by and among CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, Conrhein Coal Company, CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC (formerly known as CNX Thermal Holdings LLC) and CONSOL Coal Resources LP (formerly known as CNX Coal Resources LP) (the “Operating Agreement Amendment”);
Affiliated Company Credit Agreement, dated November 28, 2017, by and among CONSOL Coal Resources LP, certain of its affiliates party thereto, CONSOL Energy Inc. and PNC Bank, National Association (the “Affiliated Company Credit Agreement”); and
Second Amendment and Restatement of Master Cooperation and Safety Agreement, dated October 20, 2017, by and between CONSOL Energy Inc., CNX Gas Company LLC and certain other parties thereto (the “MCSA”).

Summaries of the material terms of the SDA, TSA, TMA, EMA, Omnibus Amendment, Contract Agency Amendment, Water Supply Amendment and MCSA may be found under the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” in that certain Information Statement of the Company, dated November 3, 2017, and the summaries of the material terms of the IPMA, TLA1, TLA2, the Operating Agreement Amendment and the Affiliated Company Credit Agreement may be found under Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement to Form 8-K filed December 4, 2017.

Refer to Note 1 - Basis of Presentation for further information on the separation from ParentCo. Also refer to Note 16 - Stock-Based Compensation in the Notes to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of the Company's December 31, 2017 Form 10-K for information regarding the conversion of share-based awards from ParentCo to the Company as of the date of the separation and distribution.

Cash Management and Treasury

For periods prior to the separation and distribution, the Company participated in ParentCo's centralized treasury and cash management processes. Transactions occurring in periods prior to the separation and distribution were considered to be effectively settled for cash at the time the transactions were recorded. These transactions and net cash transfers to and from ParentCo's centralized cash management system are reflected as a component of ParentCo's net investment on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets and as a financing activity within the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. In the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity, ParentCo's net investment on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets represents the cumulative net investment by ParentCo in the Company, including net income through the completion of the separation and distribution and net cash transfers to and from ParentCo.

All significant transactions between the Company and CNX Resources Corporation have been included in the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Transition Services Agreements

The Company also entered into a TSA and certain other agreements in connection with the SDA with ParentCo to cover certain continued corporate services provided by the Company and ParentCo to each other following the completion of the separation and distribution. In connection with the separation and distribution, the Company began to set up its own corporate functions, and pursuant to the TSA, ParentCo provided various corporate support services, including certain accounting, human resources, information technology, office and building, risk, security, tax and treasury, building security and tax services, as well as certain regulatory compliance services required during the period in which the Company remained a majority-owned subsidiary of ParentCo. Additional services may be identified from time to time and also be provided under the TSA. The charges associated with these services were not material during the three months ended March 31, 2018, and are consistent with expenses that ParentCo has historically allocated or incurred with respect to such services.

CNX Resources Receivables and Payables

At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had a payable to CNX Resources Corporation of $1,003 and $12,540, respectively, recorded in other current liabilities on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company also had a receivable from CNX Resources Corporation of $11,134 and $15,415, of which $4,845 and $4,500 was recorded in current assets and $6,289 and $10,915 was included in other assets on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2018 and

30



December 31, 2017, respectively. These items relate to the reimbursement of the one-time transaction costs as well as other reimbursements per the terms of the SDA.

The one-time transaction costs related to the separation and distribution were approximately $40,545 for the year ended December 31, 2017. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company paid CNX Resources $18,234 for its portion of the one-time transaction costs related to the separation and distribution. Per the SDA, these costs are split equally by the two companies. These costs consist of consulting and professional fees associated with preparing for and executing the separation and distribution, as well as various other items.

Corporate Allocations

Prior to the completion of the separation and distribution, the Company utilized centralized functions of ParentCo to support its operations, and in return, ParentCo allocated certain of its expenses to the Company. Such expenses represent costs related, but not limited, to treasury, legal, accounting, insurance, information technology, payroll administration, human resources, incentive plans and other services. These costs, together with an allocation of ParentCo overhead costs, are included within the Selling, General and Administrative Costs caption on the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income. Where it was possible to specifically attribute such expenses to activities of the Company, amounts have been charged or credited directly to the Company without allocation or apportionment. Allocation of all other such expenses was based on a reasonable reflection of the utilization of service provided or benefits received by the Company during the periods presented on a consistent basis, such as a percentage of total revenue and a percentage of total projected capital expenditures. The Company's management supports the methods used in allocating expenses and believes these methods to be reasonable estimates.

CONSOL Coal Resources LP

In July 2015, CONSOL Coal Resources LP closed its initial public offering of 5,000,000 common units representing limited partnership interests at a price to the public of $15.00 per unit. Additionally, Greenlight Capital entered into a common unit purchase agreement with CCR pursuant to which Greenlight Capital agreed to purchase, and CCR agreed to sell, 5,000,000 common units at a price per unit equal to $15.00, which equates to $75,000 in net proceeds. CCR's general partner is CONSOL Coal Resources GP LLC. The underwriters of the IPO filing exercised an over-allotment option of 561,067 common units to the public at $15.00 per unit.

In connection with its IPO, CCR entered into a $400,000 senior secured revolving credit facility with certain lenders and PNC Bank, National Association (PNC), as administrative agent. Obligations under the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by CCR's subsidiaries (the guarantor subsidiaries) and are secured by substantially all of CCR's and CCR's subsidiaries' assets pursuant to a security agreement and various mortgages. Under the new revolving credit facility, CCR made an initial draw of $200,000, and after origination fees of $3,000, the net proceeds were $197,000.

The total net proceeds related to these transactions that were distributed to ParentCo were $342,711.

In September 2016, CCR and its wholly owned subsidiary, CONSOL Thermal, entered into a Contribution Agreement with ParentCo, CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC and Conrhein Coal Company (the Contributing Parties) under which CONSOL Thermal acquired an additional 5% undivided interest in and to the Pennsylvania Mining Complex, in exchange for (i) cash consideration in the amount of $21,500 and (ii) CCR's issuance of 3,956,496 Class A Preferred Units representing limited partnership interests in CCR at an issue price of $17.01 per Class A Preferred Unit (the “Class A Preferred Unit Issue Price”), or an aggregate $67,300 in equity consideration. The Class A Preferred Unit Issue Price was calculated as the volume-weighted average trading price of CCR’s common units (the “Common Units”) over the trailing 15-day trading period ending on September 29, 2016 (or $14.79 per unit), plus a 15% premium.

In October 2017, ParentCo elected to have the 3,956,496 Class A Preferred Units, representing its limited partnership interest in CCR, converted into an equal number of Common Units under the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of CCR.

In connection with the PAMC acquisition, in September 2016, CCR's General Partner and CCR entered into the First Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement (the “Amended Omnibus Agreement”) with ParentCo and certain of its subsidiaries. Under the Amended Omnibus Agreement, ParentCo indemnified CCR for certain liabilities. The Amended Omnibus Agreement also amended CCR’s obligations to ParentCo with respect to the payment of an annual administrative support fee and reimbursement for the provisions of certain management and operating services provided, in each case to reflect structural changes in how those services are provided to CCR by ParentCo. The Company assumed this agreement as part of the separation and distribution.


31



On November 28, 2017, the Company also entered into an Affiliated Company Credit Agreement with the Partnership and certain of its subsidiaries (the Partnership Credit Parties) under which the Company provides as lender a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $275 million to the Partnership Credit Parties. In connection with the completion of the separation, the Partnership drew an initial $201 million, the net proceeds of which were used to repay its then-existing senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Old Partnership Revolver”) and to provide working capital for the Partnership following the separation and for other general corporate purposes.

The Affiliated Company Credit Agreement matures on February 27, 2023. Interest is charged at a flat rate of 4.25% calculated based on the average daily balance, subject to the Partnership's net leverage ratio. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, $2,134 of interest expense is included in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income. The collateral obligations under the Affiliated Company Credit Agreement generally mirror the Old Partnership Revolver, as does the list of entities that will act as guarantors thereunder. The Affiliated Company Credit Agreement is subject to financial covenants relating to a maximum first lien gross leverage ratio and a maximum total net leverage ratio, which will be calculated on a consolidated basis for the Partnership and its restricted subsidiaries at the end of each fiscal quarter. The Partnership was in compliance with each of these financial covenants at March 31, 2018. The Affiliated Company Credit Agreement also contains a number of customary affirmative covenants and negative covenants, including limitations on the ability of the Partnership to incur additional indebtedness, grant liens, and make investments, acquisitions, dispositions, restricted payments, and prepayments of junior indebtedness (subject to certain limited exceptions).

Charges for services from the Company include the following:

 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Operating and Other Costs
$
685

 
$
872

Selling, General and Administrative Costs
1,645

 
717

Total Services from CONSOL Energy
$
2,330

 
$
1,589

    
Operating and Other Costs includes service costs for pension and insurance expenses. Selling, General and Administrative Costs include charges for incentive compensation, an annual administrative support fee and reimbursement for the provision of certain management and operating services provided by CNX. As of November 28, 2017, certain administrative services historically incurred by the Partnership are now incurred by CONSOL Energy and the Partnership's portion is reimbursed to CONSOL Energy.
At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, CCR had a net payable to the Company in the amount of $935 and $3,071, respectively. This payable includes reimbursements for business expenses, executive fees, stock-based compensation and other items under the omnibus agreement.

NOTE 17—STOCK REPURCHASE:

In December 2017, CONSOL Energy’s Board of Directors approved a program to repurchase, from time to time, the Company's outstanding shares of common stock or its 11.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2025, in an aggregate amount of up to $50,000 through the period ending June 30, 2019. Under the terms of the program, CONSOL Energy is permitted to make repurchases in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, accelerated repurchase programs or in structured share repurchase programs. Any repurchases of common stock or notes are to be funded from available cash on hand or short-term borrowings. The program does not obligate CONSOL Energy to acquire any particular amount of its common stock or notes, and can be modified or suspended at any time at the Company’s discretion. The program is conducted in compliance with applicable legal requirements and within the limits imposed by any credit agreement, receivables purchase agreement or indenture and is subject to market conditions and other factors. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, 44,000 shares were repurchased and retired at an average price of $29.19 per share.
NOTE 18—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

On April 25, 2018, the Board of Directors of CCR's general partner declared a cash distribution to the Partnership's unitholders for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 of $0.5125 per common and subordinated unit. The cash distribution will be paid on May 15, 2018 to the unitholders of record at the close of business on May 8, 2018.


32



ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) in conjunction with the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and corresponding notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. In addition, this Form 10-Q report should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements for the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 included in CONSOL Energy Inc.'s Form 10-K, filed on February 16, 2018, which includes all disclosures required by GAAP. This MD&A contains forward-looking statements and covers periods prior to the consummation of the separation and distribution, and accordingly, the discussion of such historical periods does not necessarily reflect the impact the separation and distribution may have on the Company. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risk, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. Please see “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.

All amounts discussed are in millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

The Separation and Distribution

In December 2016, CNX announced its intent to separate into two independent, publicly-traded companies - an independently traded coal company and an independently traded oil and natural gas exploration and production company focused on Appalachian area natural gas and liquids activities, including production, gathering, processing and acquisition of natural gas properties in the Appalachian Basin.

In anticipation of the separation, CONSOL Energy was originally formed as CONSOL Mining Corporation in Delaware on June 21, 2017 to hold all of ParentCo’s Coal Business, including its interest in the Pennsylvania Mining Complex, and certain related coal assets, including ParentCo’s ownership interest in CNX Coal Resources LP, which owns a 25% undivided interest stake in PAMC, the CONSOL Marine Terminal and undeveloped coal reserves (Greenfield Reserves) located in the Northern Appalachian, Central Appalachian and Illinois basins and certain related coal assets and liabilities (the Coal Business). The Registration Statement on Form 10 (as amended) filed by the Company with the SEC describes the Company and the assets and liabilities that comprise the Coal Business that it now owns after completion of the separation and distribution.

The separation occurred on November 28, 2017, through the pro rata distribution by ParentCo of all of the outstanding common stock of CONSOL Mining Corporation to ParentCo’s shareholders. Following the separation and distribution, ParentCo continues to own the Gas Business. In connection with the separation, CONSOL Mining Corporation changed its name to CONSOL Energy Inc. and ParentCo changed its name to CNX Resources Corporation. In addition, CNX Coal Resources LP changed its name to CONSOL Coal Resources LP and its ticker to CCR.

The separation was subject to a number of conditions, including, but not limited to: final approval by ParentCo’s Board of Directors; the continuing validity of the private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the transaction; receipt of an opinion of legal counsel regarding the qualification of the distribution, together with certain related transactions, as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and the SEC declaring effective a Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended. The Registration Statement on Form 10 was declared effective on November 3, 2017.

In connection with the separation and distribution, CONSOL Mining Corporation and ParentCo entered into a separation and distribution agreement on November 28, 2017 that identified the assets of the Coal Business that were transferred to CONSOL Mining Corporation, the liabilities that were assumed and the contracts that were transferred to each of CONSOL Mining Corporation and ParentCo as part of the separation into two companies. The agreement also implemented the legal and structural separation between the two companies. ParentCo and the Company also entered into additional ancillary agreements that govern the relationship between the two companies after the completion of the separation and distribution, and allocate between GasCo and the Company various assets, liabilities and obligations, including, among other things, employee benefits, environmental liabilities, intellectual property, and tax-related assets and liabilities. These additional agreements included a tax matters agreement, employee matters agreement, transition services agreement and certain agreements related to intellectual property.

Our Business

We are a leading, low-cost producer of high-quality bituminous coal, focused on the extraction and preparation of coal in the Appalachian Basin due to our ability to efficiently produce and deliver large volumes of high-quality coal at competitive prices,

33


the strategic location of our mines, and the industry experience of our management team. Our predecessors have been mining coal, primarily in the Appalachian Basin, since 1864.

Coal from the PAMC is valued because of its high energy content (as measured in Btu per pound), relatively low levels of sulfur and other impurities, and strong thermoplastic properties that enable it to be used in metallurgical as well as thermal applications. We take advantage of these desirable quality characteristics and our extensive logistical network, which is directly served by both the Norfolk Southern and CSX railroads, to aggressively market our product to a broad base of strategically-selected, top-performing power plant customers in the eastern United States. We also capitalize on the operational synergies afforded by the CONSOL Marine Terminal to export our coal to thermal and metallurgical end-users in Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa.

Our operations, including the PAMC and the CONSOL Marine Terminal, have consistently generated strong cash flows. As of December 31, 2017, the PAMC controls 735.5 million tons of high-quality Pittsburgh seam reserves, enough to allow for approximately 26 years of full-capacity production. In addition, we own or control approximately 1.6 billion tons of Greenfield Reserves in the Northern Appalachian (“NAPP”), the Central Appalachian (“CAPP”) and the Illinois Basins (“ILB”), which we believe could provide a solid growth platform in the future. Our vision is to maximize cash flow generation through the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of this core asset base, while strategically reducing debt, returning capital through share buybacks or dividends, and, when prudent, allocating capital toward compelling growth opportunities.

Our core businesses consist of our:

Pennsylvania Mining Complex: The PAMC, which includes the Bailey Mine, the Enlow Fork Mine and the Harvey Mine, has extensive high-quality coal reserves. We mine our reserves from the Pittsburgh No. 8 Coal Seam, which is a large contiguous formation of uniform, high-Btu thermal coal that is ideal for high productivity, low-cost longwall operations. The design of the PAMC is optimized to produce large quantities of coal on a cost-efficient basis. We are able to sustain high production volumes at comparatively low operating costs due to, among other things, the technologically advanced longwall mining systems, logistics infrastructure and safety. All of our mines utilize longwall mining, which is a highly automated underground mining technique that produces large volumes of coal at lower costs compared to other underground mining methods. We own a 75% undivided interest in PAMC, and the remaining 25% is owned by CCR, as discussed below.
CCR Ownership: Approximately 60% limited partnership ownership and 100% general partnership ownership interest in the Partnership, a master limited partnership originally formed by CNX to manage and further develop its active coal operations in Pennsylvania. At March 31, 2018, CCR's assets included a 25% undivided interest in, and full operational control over, the PAMC.
CONSOL Marine Terminal: Through our subsidiary CONSOL Marine Terminals LLC, we provide coal export terminal services through the Port of Baltimore. The terminal can either store coal or load coal directly into vessels from rail cars. It is also one of the few terminals in the United States served by two railroads, Norfolk Southern Corporation and CSX Transportation Inc.
Greenfield Reserves: Ownership of approximately 1.6 billion tons of high-quality, undeveloped coal reserves located in NAPP, CAPP, and the ILB.

These assets and the diverse markets they serve provide robust flexibility for generating cash across a wide variety of demand and pricing scenarios. This flexibility begins with the low-cost structure and optionality afforded by our PAMC. The three mines at the PAMC, which include the Bailey, Enlow Fork, and Harvey mines, produce coal from the Pittsburgh No. 8 Coal Seam using longwall mining, a highly automated underground mining technique that produces large volumes of coal at lower costs compared to alternative mining methods. These three mines collectively operate five longwalls, and the production from all three mines is processed at a single, centralized preparation plant, which is connected via conveyor belts to each mine. The Bailey Central Preparation Plant, which can clean and process up to 8,200 raw tons of coal per hour, provides economies of scale while also maintaining the ability to segregate and blend coal based on quality. This infrastructure enables us to tailor our production levels and quality specifications to meet market demands. It also results in a highly productive, low-cost operation as compared to other NAPP coal mines. The PAMC is the most productive and efficient coal mining complex in NAPP, averaging 6.77 tons of coal production per employee hour in 2015-2016, compared to 4.94 tons of coal production per employee hour for other currently-operating NAPP longwall mines. For the year ending December 31, 2017, productivity further increased to 7.31 tons of coal per employee hour, compared with an average of 5.23 tons per employee hour for all other currently-operating NAPP longwalls. Our high productivity helps drive a low cost structure. Our efficiency strengthens our margins throughout the commodity cycle, and has allowed us to continue to generate positive margins even in challenging pricing environments.

Coal from the PAMC is versatile in that it can be sold either domestically or abroad, in the thermal coal market or as a crossover product in the high-volatile metallurgical coal market. Domestically, we have a well-established and diverse blue chip

34


customer base, comprised primarily of domestic electric-power-producing companies located in the eastern United States. For 2018 and 2019, our contracted position, as of February 6, 2018, is at >95% and 70%, respectively, assuming a 27 million ton annual coal sales volume. We believe our committed and contracted position is well-balanced in hedging against market downside risk while allowing us to continue to build out the customer portfolio strategically and opportunistically as the market evolves.

Q1 2018 Highlights:

Net income of $71 million
Reduced outstanding debt by $26 million with a weighted average interest cost of 8.2%
Repurchased 44,000 common shares outstanding at an average price of $29.19 per share
Reduced 2018 cash spending by approximately $10 million through lease conversions

2018 Outlook:

The Company's 2018 coal production is expected to be approximately 27 million tons.
The Company's 2018 coal capital investment is expected to be approximately $125-$145 million.1 

1CONSOL Energy is unable to provide a reconciliation of this guidance to any GAAP measure due to the unknown effect, timing and potential significance of certain income statement items.

How We Evaluate Our Operations

Our management team uses a variety of financial and operating metrics to analyze our performance. These metrics are
significant factors in assessing our operating results and profitability. The metrics include: (i) coal production, sales volumes and average revenue per ton; (ii) cost of coal sold, a non-GAAP financial measure; (iii) cash cost of coal sold, a non-GAAP financial measure; and (iv) average cash margin per ton, an operating ratio derived from non-GAAP financial measures.

Cost of coal sold, cash cost of coal sold, and average cash margin per ton normalize the volatility contained within comparable GAAP measures by adjusting certain non-operating or non-cash transactions. Each of these non-GAAP metrics are used as supplemental financial measures by management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, industry analysts, lenders and ratings agencies, to assess:

our operating performance as compared to the operating performance of other companies in the coal industry,
without regard to financing methods, historical cost basis or capital structure;
the ability of our assets to generate sufficient cash flow;
our ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures;
the viability of acquisitions and other capital expenditure projects and the returns on investment of various investment opportunities; and
the attractiveness of capital projects and acquisitions and the overall rates of return on alternative investment opportunities.

The non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered an alternative to total costs, net income, operating cash flow, or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income or net cash, and these measures may vary from those of other companies. As a result, the items presented below may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We evaluate our cost of coal sold and cash cost of coal sold on a cost per ton basis. Our cost of coal sold per ton represents our costs of coal sold divided by the tons of coal we sell. We define cost of coal sold as operating and other production costs related to produced tons sold, along with changes in coal inventory, both in volumes and carrying values. The cost of coal sold per ton includes items such as direct operating costs, royalty and production taxes, direct administration costs, and depreciation, depletion and amortization costs. Our costs exclude any indirect costs, such as selling, general and administrative costs, freight expenses, interest expenses and other costs not directly attributable to the production of coal. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to cost of coal sold is total costs. The cash cost of coal sold includes cost of coal sold less depreciation, depletion and amortization cost on production assets. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to cash cost of coal sold is total costs.

We define average cash margin per ton as average coal revenue per ton, net of average cash cost of coal sold per ton. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to average cash margin per ton is total coal revenue.


35


The following table presents a reconciliation of cash cost of coal sold to total costs, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, on a historical basis for each of the periods indicated (in thousands).
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Total Costs and Expenses
 
$
333,115

 
$
316,370

Freight Expense
 
(17,887
)
 
(12,282
)
Selling, General and Administrative Costs
 
(13,484
)
 
(17,079
)
Loss on Debt Extinguishment
 
(1,426
)
 

Interest Expense
 
(21,045
)
 
(4,022
)
Other Costs (Non-Production)
 
(36,758
)
 
(36,434
)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (Non-Production)
 
(8,375
)
 
(13,107
)
Cost of Coal Sold
 
$
234,140

 
$
233,446

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (Production)
 
(41,096
)
 
(39,886
)
Cash Cost of Coal Sold
 
$
193,044

 
$
193,560


The following table presents a reconciliation of average cash margin per ton to coal revenue, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure for each of the periods indicated (in thousands, except per ton information).

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Coal Revenue
 
$
351,009

 
$
316,448

   Operating and Other Costs
 
229,802

 
229,994

   Less: Other Costs (Non-Production)
 
(36,758
)
 
(36,434
)
Cash Cost of Coal Sold
 
193,044

 
193,560

   Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
49,471

 
52,993

   Less: Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (Non-Production)
 
(8,375
)
 
(13,107
)
Cost of Coal Sold
 
$
234,140

 
$
233,446

Total Tons Sold (in millions)
 
6.6

 
6.8

Average Revenue per Ton Sold
 
$
52.98

 
$
46.80

Average Cash Cost per Ton Sold
 
29.21

 
28.75

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs per Ton Sold
 
6.13

 
5.77

Average Cost per Ton Sold
 
35.34

 
34.52

Average Margin per Ton Sold
 
17.64

 
12.28

Add: Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs per Ton Sold
 
6.13

 
5.77

Average Cash Margin per Ton Sold
 
$
23.77

 
$
18.05



36



Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Compared with the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders

CONSOL Energy reported net income attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. shareholders of $62 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to net income attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. shareholders of $41 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

CONSOL Energy consists of the Pennsylvania Mining Complex, as well as various corporate and other business activities that are not allocated to PAMC. The other business activities include the CONSOL Marine Terminal, the Greenfield Reserves, closed and idle mine activities, selling, general and administrative activities, and income taxes, as well as various other non-operated activities.

PAMC ANALYSIS:

The PAMC division's principal activities consist of mining, preparation and marketing of thermal coal, sold primarily to power generators. The division also includes selling, general and administrative costs, as well as various other activities assigned to the PAMC division, but not included in the cost components on a per unit basis.

The PAMC division had earnings before income tax of $98 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to earnings before income tax of $61 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Variances are discussed below.
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
(in millions)
2018
 
2017
 
Variance
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
Coal Revenue
$
351

 
$
316

 
$
35

Freight Revenue
18

 
12

 
6

Miscellaneous Other Income
9

 
4

 
5

     Total Revenue and Other Income
378

 
332

 
46

Cost of Coal Sold:
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Costs
193

 
193

 

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
41

 
40

 
1

Total Cost of Coal Sold
234

 
233

 
1

Other Costs:
 
 
 
 
 
Other Costs
15

 
7

 
8

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
2

 
2

 

Total Other Costs
17

 
9

 
8

Freight Expense
18

 
12

 
6

Selling, General and Administrative Costs
11

 
15

 
(4
)
Interest Expense

 
2

 
(2
)
     Total Costs and Expenses
280

 
271

 
9

Earnings Before Income Tax
$
98

 
$
61

 
$
37





37



Coal Production

The table below presents total tons produced (in thousands) from the Pennsylvania Mining Complex for the periods indicated:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
Mine
 
2018
 
2017
 
Variance
Bailey
 
3,813

 
3,094

 
719

Enlow Fork
 
2,017

 
2,701

 
(684
)
Harvey
 
872

 
1,112

 
(240
)
     Total
 
6,702

 
6,907

 
(205
)

Coal production was 6.7 million tons for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 6.9 million tons for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Coal production decreased 0.2 million tons, primarily driven by continued adverse geological conditions at the Enlow Fork mine, as well as operational delays associated with a longwall move at the Harvey mine. The decrease was offset, in part, by an increase in production at the Bailey mine to satisfy demand.

Coal Operations

The PAMC division's coal revenue and cost components on a per unit basis for these periods were as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Variance
Total Tons Sold (in millions)
6.6

 
6.8

 
(0.2
)
Average Revenue per Ton Sold
$
52.98

 
$
46.80

 
$
6.18

 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Cash Cost per Ton Sold
$
29.21

 
$
28.75

 
$
0.46

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs per Ton Sold (Non-Cash Cost)
6.13

 
5.77

 
0.36

Total Costs per Ton Sold
$
35.34

 
$
34.52

 
$
0.82

Average Margin per Ton Sold
$
17.64

 
$
12.28

 
$
5.36

Add: Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs per Ton Sold
6.13

 
5.77

 
0.36

Average Cash Margin per Ton Sold (1)
$
23.77

 
$
18.05

 
$
5.72

(1) Average cash margin per ton is an operating ratio derived from non-GAAP measures. See “How We Evaluate Our Operations - Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

Coal Revenue

Coal revenue was $351 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $316 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The $35 million increase was primarily attributable to a $6.18 higher average sales price per ton sold, partially offset by a 0.2 million decrease in tons sold. The decrease in tons sold was primarily driven by weather-related challenges that affected rail and port logistics and limited further upside to shipment volumes. The higher average sales price per ton sold in the 2018 period was primarily driven by improved revenue under the Company's netback contracts, which resulted from stronger PJM West power prices during the quarter as compared to the year-ago quarter. The Company's revenue per ton also benefited from improved pricing under CONSOL Energy's other (non-netback) domestic contracts and from continued strength in the export markets.

Freight Revenue and Freight Expense

Freight revenue is the amount billed to customers for transportation costs incurred. This revenue is based on the weight of coal shipped, negotiated freight rates and method of transportation, primarily rail, used by the customers to which the Company contractually provides transportation services. Freight revenue is completely offset by freight expense. Freight revenue and freight expense were both $18 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $12 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017. The $6 million increase was due to increased shipments where transportation services were contractually provided.




38



Miscellaneous Other Income

Miscellaneous other income was $9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The $5 million increase was primarily attributable to an increase in sales of externally purchased coal, for blending purposes only.

Cost of Coal Sold

Cost of coal sold is comprised of operating costs related to produced tons sold, along with changes in both the volumes and carrying values of coal inventory. The costs of coal sold include items such as direct operating costs, royalty and production taxes, employee-related expenses and depreciation, depletion, and amortization costs. Total cost of coal sold was $234 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, or $1 million higher than the $233 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Total costs per ton sold were $35.34 per ton for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $34.52 per ton for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in the cost of coal sold was primarily driven by higher royalty and production taxes due to a $6.18 per ton higher average sales price.

Other Costs

Other costs include items that are assigned to the PAMC division but are not included in unit costs, such as coal reserve holding costs and purchased coal costs. Total other costs increased $8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in current quarter costs related to externally purchased coal for blending purposes only, and demurrage charges incurred in the current quarter.

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs

At March 31, 2018, CONSOL Energy was party to a service agreement with CONSOL Coal Resources LP that required CONSOL Energy to provide certain selling, general and administrative services to CCR. These services are paid monthly based on an agreed-upon fixed fee that is reset at least annually. See Note 16 - Related Party Transactions of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information. An additional portion of CONSOL Energy's selling, general and administrative costs are allocated to the PAMC division, outside of the service agreement, based on a percentage of total revenue and a percentage of total projected capital expenditures. The amount of selling, general and administrative costs related to the PAMC division was $11 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $15 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The $4 million decrease in the period-to-period comparison was primarily related to a decrease in long-term incentive compensation recognized and decreases in the portion of selling, general and administrative expenses allocated from ParentCo.

Interest Expense

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, decreased $2 million in the period-to-period comparison. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, net interest expense is primarily comprised of interest on the Old Partnership Revolver. No such interest expense was incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2018.



39



OTHER ANALYSIS:

Other includes revenue and expenses from various corporate and diversified business activities that are not allocated to the PAMC division. The diversified business activities include coal terminal operations, closed and idle mine activities, selling, general and administrative activities, and income taxes, as well as various other non-operated activities, none of which are individually significant to the Company.

Other business activities had a loss before income tax of $21 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to a loss before income tax of $6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Variances are discussed below.
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
(in millions)
2018
 
2017
 
Variance
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
Terminal Revenue
$
15

 
$
13

 
$
2

Miscellaneous Other Income
17

 
19

 
(2
)
Gain on Sale of Assets

 
8

 
(8
)
Total Revenue and Other Income
32

 
40

 
(8
)
Other Costs and Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Operating and Other Costs
22

 
31

 
(9
)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
7

 
11

 
(4
)
Selling, General and Administrative Costs
2

 
2

 

Loss on Debt Extinguishment
1

 

 
1

Interest Expense
21

 
2

 
19

Total Other Costs and Expenses
53

 
46

 
7

Loss Before Income Tax
$
(21
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(15
)

Terminal Revenue

Terminal revenue consists of sales from the CONSOL Marine Terminal, which is located on 200 acres in the Port of Baltimore, Maryland and provides access to international coal markets. CONSOL Marine Terminal sales were $15 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $13 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The $2 million increase in the period-to-period comparison was attributable to a 0.4 million increase in throughput tons, from 3.1 million tons in the three months ended March 31, 2017, to 3.5 million tons in the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Miscellaneous Other Income

Miscellaneous other income was $17 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $19 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The change is due to the following items:
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
(in millions)
2018
 
2017
 
Variance
Rental Income
$
1

 
$
9

 
$
(8
)
Interest Income
1

 

 
1

Royalty Income
10

 
9

 
1

Property Easements and Option Income
4

 

 
4

Other Income
1

 
1

 

     Total Miscellaneous Other Income
$
17

 
$
19

 
$
(2
)

Rental Income decreased $8 million primarily due to a decrease in lease payments received as a result of the sale of certain subleased equipment to Murray Energy in the second quarter of 2017.


40



Gain on Sale of Assets

Gain on sale of assets decreased $8 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to the sale of Powhatan #4 coal reserves during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Operating and Other Costs

Operating and other costs were $22 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $31 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Operating and other costs decreased in the period-to-period comparison due to the following items:
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
(in millions)
2018
 
2017
 
Variance
Terminal Operating Costs
$
5

 
$
5

 
$

Employee-Related Legacy Liability Expense
10

 
12

 
(2
)
Lease Rental Expense
1

 
8

 
(7
)
Coal Reserve Holding Costs
1

 
2

 
(1
)
Closed and Idle Mines
1

 
2

 
(1
)
Litigation Expense
3

 

 
3

Other
1

 
2

 
(1
)
   Total Operating and Other Costs
$
22

 
$
31

 
$
(9
)

Lease Rental Expense decreased $7 million primarily due to the sale of certain subleased equipment to Murray Energy in the second quarter of 2017.

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

Depreciation, depletion and amortization decreased $4 million in the period-to-period comparison due to changes in the Company's asset retirement obligations.

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs

Selling, general, and administrative costs are allocated to the Company's Other Division based on a percentage of total revenue and a percentage of total projected capital expenditures.

Loss on Debt Extinguishment

Loss on debt extinguishment of $1 million was recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2018 due to accelerated payments made on the Term Loan A Facility and the open market repurchase of the 11.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2025.

Interest Expense

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, of $21 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is comprised of interest on the 5.75% MEDCO Revenue Bonds, as well as interest on the Company's Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the 11.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes. Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, of $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is comprised of interest on the 5.75% MEDCO Revenue Bonds.



41



Liquidity and Capital Resources

Historically, ParentCo provided capital, cash management and other treasury services to ParentCo's Coal Business, which ParentCo continued to provide until the separation was consummated on November 28, 2017. Following the separation, the Company's capital structure and sources of liquidity changed significantly from its historical capital structure. The Company will no longer participate in capital management with ParentCo; rather, the Company's ability to fund its cash needs will depend on its ongoing ability to generate and raise cash in the future. Transfers of cash, both to and from ParentCo’s centralized cash management system, are reflected as a component of Change in Parent Net Investment in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The Company expects the cash flow generated from operations in 2018 to be improved compared to 2017. The Company expects strong demand from the export and thermal domestic markets. In the first quarter of 2018, CONSOL Energy took advantage of a strong leasing market and bought out longwall shields, terminating the operating leases and re-financing them as capital leases. The financing rates on the new capital leases are significantly below the Company's weighted average cost of capital, and the transactions are immediately accretive to the Company's cash flows. In aggregate, the Company expects an approximate $10 million reduction in 2018 cash spending as a result of these re-financings. The financing charges on these capital leases are fixed and will insulate the Company from future increases in interest rates. Furthermore, through consistent cost control measures, the Company expects to provide adequate cash flows to meet its maintenance capital requirements. The Company started construction on the course refuse disposal area project in 2017, which is expected to continue through 2021. The Company's 2018 capital needs are expected to be between $125 million to $145 million, which is increased from 2017 levels due to additional capital expenditures related to the refuse disposal area project, as well as additional maintenance equipment and other purchases.

CONSOL Energy's coal is shipped to multiple geographies domestically and globally. From time to time, the Company changes its exposure to various countries depending on the economics and profitability of coal sales. Given that coal markets are global, the Company expects, if possible, to offset any potential adverse impact from tariffs, if enacted, by reallocating its customer base to other countries or to the domestic U.S. markets.

CONSOL Energy believes the Company will provide adequate cash flows and liquidity to meet reasonable increases in the cost of supplies that are passed on from suppliers. CONSOL Energy will also continue to seek alternate sources of supplies and replacement materials to offset any unexpected increase in the cost of supplies.

Uncertainty in the financial markets brings additional potential risks to CONSOL Energy. These risks include declines in the Company's stock price, less availability and higher costs of additional credit, potential counterparty defaults, and commercial bank failures. Financial market disruptions may impact the Company's collection of trade receivables. As a result, CONSOL Energy regularly monitors the creditworthiness of its customers and counterparties and manages credit exposure through payment terms, credit limits, prepayments and security. CONSOL Energy believes that its current group of customers is financially sound and represents no abnormal business risk.

CONSOL Energy expects its ongoing sources of liquidity to include cash generated from operations, cash on hand, borrowings under the revolving credit facility and A/R Securitization facility (which are discussed below), and, if necessary, the issuance of additional equity or debt securities. The Company believes that cash generated from these sources will be sufficient to meet its short-term working capital requirements, long-term capital expenditure requirements, and debt servicing obligations, as well as to provide required letters of credit.

Following the separation, the Company owns an undivided interest in 75% of the PAMC and the Partnership owns the remaining undivided 25% interest of the PAMC. The Company has a 61.1% economic ownership interest in the Partnership through its various holdings of the general partner and limited partnership interests of the Partnership.


42



Cash Flows (in millions)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
$
116

 
$
49

 
$
67

Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities
$
(22
)
 
$
1

 
$
(23
)
Cash Used in Financing Activities
$
(56
)
 
$
(56
)
 
$


Cash provided by operating activities increased $67 million in the period-to-period comparison, primarily due to a $25 million increase in net income, as well as a $13 million change in deferred taxes year over year. Changes in working capital that occurred throughout both periods also contributed to the increase in operating cash flows.

Cash (used in) provided by investing activities increased $23 million in the period-to-period comparison. Capital expenditures increased $13 million primarily due to an increase in the refuse project expenditures. Additionally, proceeds from the sale of assets decreased $9 million, primarily related to the sale of surface rights and reserves during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Cash used in financing activities remained consistent in the period-to-period comparison. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, total payments of $26 million were made on the Company's Term Loan A Facility, Term Loan B Facility, and Senior Secured Second Lien Notes. Also during the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company paid CNX Resources Corporation $18 million related to deferred, shared spin-related fees. Prior to the separation and distribution, during the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company's net distributions to ParentCo were $46 million.

Senior Secured Credit Facilities

In connection with the separation and distribution, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility with commitments up to $300 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), a Term Loan A Facility of up to $100 million (the “TLA Facility”) and a Term Loan B Facility of up to $400 million (the “TLB Facility”, and together with the Revolving Credit Facility and the TLA Facility, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”). Borrowings under the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facilities bear interest at a floating rate which can be, at the Company’s option, either (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin or (ii) an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for the Revolving Credit Facility and TLA Facility depends on the total net leverage ratio, whereas the applicable margin for the TLB Facility is fixed. The Revolving Credit and TLA Facilities mature on November 28, 2021. The TLB Facility matures on November 28, 2022. Starting with the quarter ending March 31, 2018, the TLA Facility will amortize in equal quarterly installments of (i) 3.75% of the original principal amount thereof, for the first eight quarterly installments, (ii) 6.25% of the original principal amount thereof for the subsequent four quarterly installments and (iii) 11.25% of the original principal amount thereof for the quarterly installments thereafter, with the remaining balance due at final maturity. Starting with the quarter ending March 31, 2018, the TLB Facility will amortize in equal quarterly installments in an amount equal to 0.25% per annum of the original principal amount thereof, with the remaining balance due at final maturity.

Obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are guaranteed by (i) all owners of the 75% undivided economic interest in the PAMC held by the Company, (ii) any other members of the Company’s group that own any portion of the collateral securing the Revolving Credit Facility, and (iii) subject to certain customary exceptions and agreed materiality thresholds, all other existing or future direct or indirect wholly owned restricted subsidiaries of the Company (excluding the Partnership and its wholly-owned subsidiaries). As currently contemplated, all obligations are secured by, subject to certain exceptions (including a limitation of pledges of equity interests in certain subsidiaries and certain thresholds with respect to real property), a first-priority lien on (i) the Company’s 75% undivided economic interest in the Pennsylvania Mining Complex, (ii) the limited partner units of the Partnership held by the Company, (iii) the equity interests in CONSOL Coal Resources GP LLC held by the Company (iv) the CONSOL Marine Terminal and (v) the 1.6 billion tons of Greenfield Reserves. The Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain a number of customary affirmative covenants. In addition, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain a number of negative covenants, including (subject to certain exceptions) limitations on (among other things): indebtedness, liens, investments, acquisitions, dispositions, restricted payments, and prepayments of junior indebtedness.

The Revolving Credit Facility and TLA Facility also include financial covenants, including (i) a maximum first lien gross leverage ratio, (ii) a maximum total net leverage ratio, and (iii) a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. CONSOL Energy must maintain a maximum first lien gross leverage ratio covenant of no more than 2.25 to 1.00, measured quarterly, stepping down to 2.00 to 1.00 in March 2019 and 1.75 to 1.00 in March 2020. The maximum first lien gross leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of Consolidated First Lien Debt to Consolidated EBITDA, excluding the Partnership. The maximum first lien gross leverage ratio was 1.45 to 1.00 at March 31, 2018. CONSOL Energy must maintain a maximum total net leverage ratio covenant of no more than 3.25 to 1.00, measured quarterly, stepping down to 3.00 to 1.00 in March 2019 and 2.75 to 1.00 in March 2020. The maximum total net leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness, minus Cash on Hand, to Consolidated EBITDA,

43



excluding the Partnership. The maximum total net leverage ratio was 2.03 to 1.00 at March 31, 2018. Consolidated EBITDA, as used in the covenant calculation, excludes non-cash compensation expenses, non-recurring transaction expenses, extraordinary gains and losses, gains and losses on discontinued operations, non-cash charges related to legacy employee liabilities and gains and losses on debt extinguishment, and includes cash distributions received from the Partnership and subtracts cash payments related to legacy employee liabilities. The facilities also include a minimum fixed charge coverage covenant of no less than 1.00 to 1.00, measured quarterly, stepping up to 1.05 to 1.00 in March 2020 and 1.10 to 1.00 in March 2021. The minimum fixed charge coverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Fixed Charges, excluding the Partnership. Consolidated Fixed Charges, as used in the covenant calculation, includes cash interest payments, cash payments for income taxes, scheduled debt repayments, dividends paid, and Maintenance Capital Expenditures. The minimum fixed charge coverage ratio was 2.53 to 1.00 at March 31, 2018.

The Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain customary events of default, including with respect to a failure to make payments when due, cross-default and cross-judgment default and certain bankruptcy and insolvency events.

The aggregate gross proceeds of the borrowings under the TLA and TLB Facilities and the Second Lien Notes was $792 million and was used, among other things, to (i) make a cash payment of $425 million to ParentCo on November 28, 2017, (ii) to refinance as an intercompany loan the existing indebtedness of the Partnership under the Old Partnership Revolver, as described below, (iii) to pay related fees and expenses and (iv) otherwise fund the Company’s working capital needs and general corporate purposes following the separation.

At March 31, 2018, the Revolving Credit Facility had no borrowings outstanding and $54 million of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $246 million of unused capacity. From time to time, CONSOL Energy is required to post financial assurances to satisfy contractual and other requirements generated in the normal course of business. Some of these assurances are posted to comply with federal, state or other government agencies' statutes and regulations. CONSOL Energy sometimes uses letters of credit to satisfy these requirements and these letters of credit reduce the Company's borrowing facility capacity.

Securitization Facility

On November 30, 2017, (1)(i) CONSOL Marine Terminals LLC, formerly known as CNX Marine Terminals LLC, as an originator of receivables, (ii) CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC (“CONSOL Pennsylvania”), as an originator of receivables and as initial servicer of the receivables for itself and the other originators (collectively, the “Originators”), each a wholly owned subsidiary of CONSOL Energy, and (iii) CONSOL Funding LLC (the “SPV”), a Delaware special purpose entity and wholly owned subsidiary of CONSOL Energy, as buyer, entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Purchase and Sale Agreement”) and (2)(i) CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership, as sub-originator (the “Sub-Originator”), and (ii) CONSOL Pennsylvania, as buyer and as initial servicer of the receivables for itself and the Sub-Originator, entered into a Sub-Originator Sale Agreement (the “Sub-Originator PSA”). In addition, on that date, the SPV entered into a Receivables Financing Agreement (the “Receivables Financing Agreement”) by and among (i) the SPV, as borrower, (ii) CONSOL Pennsylvania, as initial servicer, (iii) PNC Bank, as administrative agent, LC Bank and lender, and (iv) the additional persons from time to time party thereto as lenders. Together, the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Sub-Originator PSA and the Receivables Financing Agreement establish the primary terms and conditions of an accounts receivable securitization program (the “Securitization”).

Pursuant to the Securitization, (i) the Sub-Originator will sell current and future trade receivables to CONSOL Pennsylvania and (ii) the Originators will sell and/or contribute current and future trade receivables (including receivables sold to CONSOL Pennsylvania by the Sub-Originator) to the SPV and the SPV will, in turn, pledge its interests in the receivables to PNC Bank, which will either make loans or issue letters of credit on behalf of the SPV. The maximum amount of advances and letters of credit outstanding under the Securitization may not exceed $100 million.

Loans under the Securitization will accrue interest at a reserve-adjusted LIBOR market index rate equal to the one-month Eurodollar rate. Loans and letters of credit under the Securitization also will accrue a program fee and a letter of credit participation fee, respectively, equal to 4.00% per annum. In addition, the SPV paid certain structuring fees to PNC Capital Markets LLC and will pay other customary fees to the lenders, including a fee on unused commitments equal to 0.60% per annum.

The SPV’s assets and credit are not available to satisfy the debts and obligations owed to the creditors of CONSOL Energy, the Sub-Originator or any of the Originators. The Sub-Originator, the Originators and CONSOL Pennsylvania as servicer are independently liable for their own customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities. In addition, CONSOL Energy has guaranteed the performance of the obligations of the Sub-Originator, the Originators and CONSOL Pennsylvania as servicer, and will guarantee the obligations of any additional originators or successor servicer that may become party to the Securitization.

44



However, neither CONSOL Energy nor its affiliates will guarantee collectability of receivables or the creditworthiness of obligors thereunder.

The Securitization contains various customary representations and warranties, covenants and default provisions which provide for the termination and acceleration of the commitments and loans under the Securitization in circumstances including, but not limited to, failure to make payments when due, breach of representation, warranty or covenant, certain insolvency events or failure to maintain the security interest in the trade receivables, and defaults under other material indebtedness.

At March 31, 2018, eligible accounts receivable totaled approximately $61 million. At March 31, 2018, the facility had no outstanding borrowings and $61 million of letters of credit outstanding, leaving no unused capacity. Costs associated with the receivables facility totaled $666 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2018. These costs have been recorded as financing fees which are included in Operating and Other Costs in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company has not derecognized any receivables due to its continued involvement in the collections efforts.

11.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2025

On November 13, 2017, the Company issued $300 million in aggregate principal amount of 11.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2025 (the “Second Lien Notes”) pursuant to an indenture (the “Indenture”) dated as of November 13, 2017, by and between the Company and, UMB Bank, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee and collateral trustee (the “Trustee”). On November 28, 2017, certain subsidiaries of the Company executed a supplement to the Indenture and became party to the Indenture as a guarantor (the “Guarantors”). The Second Lien Notes are secured by second priority liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Guarantors that are pledged and on a first-priority basis as collateral securing the Company’s obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities (described above), subject to certain exceptions under the Indenture.
On or after November 15, 2021, the Company may redeem all or part of the Second Lien Notes at the redemption prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date (subject to the rights of holders of the Second Lien Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), beginning on November 15 of the years indicated:
 
Year
Percentage
 
 
2021
105.50%
 
 
2022
102.75%
 
 
2023 and thereafter
100.00%
 

Prior to November 15, 2020, the Company may on one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of the Second Lien Notes with an amount of cash not greater than the amount of the net cash proceeds from one or more equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 111.00% of the principal amount of the Second Lien Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption, as long as at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Second Lien Notes originally issued on the issue date (excluding Second Lien Notes held by the Company and its subsidiaries) remains outstanding after each such redemption and the redemption occurs within less than 180 days after the date of the closing of the equity offering.

At any time or from time to time prior to November 15, 2021, the Company may also redeem all or a part of the Second Lien Notes, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium, as defined in the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date (subject to the rights of holders of the Second Lien Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

In December 2017, CONSOL Energy’s Board of Directors approved a program to repurchase, from time to time, the Company's outstanding shares of common stock or its 11.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2025, in an aggregate amount of up to $50,000 through the period ending June 30, 2019. Under the terms of the program, CONSOL Energy is permitted to make repurchases in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, accelerated repurchase programs or in structured share repurchase programs. Any repurchases of common stock or notes are to be funded from available cash on hand or short-term borrowings. The program does not obligate CONSOL Energy to acquire any particular amount of its common stock or notes, and can be modified or suspended at any time at the Company’s discretion. The program is conducted in compliance with applicable legal requirements and within the limits imposed by any credit agreement, receivables purchase agreement or indenture and is subject to market conditions and other factors. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, 44,000 shares were repurchased and retired at an average price of $29.19 per share, and $10 million of the 11.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes were repurchased in the open market at an average price equal to 107.55% of the principal amount.


45



The Indenture contains covenants that will limit the ability of the Company and the Guarantors, to (i) incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock; (ii) create liens to secure indebtedness; (iii) declare or pay dividends on the Company’s common stock, redeem stock or make other distributions to the Company’s stockholders; (iv) make investments; (v) restrict dividends, loans or other asset transfers from the Company’s restricted subsidiaries; (vi) merge or consolidate, or sell, transfer, lease or dispose of substantially all of the Company’s assets; (vii) sell or otherwise dispose of certain assets, including equity interests in subsidiaries; (viii) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (ix) create unrestricted subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications. If the Second Lien Notes achieve an investment grade rating from both Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and no default under the Indenture exists, many of the foregoing covenants will terminate and cease to apply. The Indenture also contains customary events of default, including (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the Notes; (ii) default in payment when due of principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise; (iii) covenant defaults, (iv) cross-defaults to certain indebtedness and (v) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any of the Guarantors. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Second Lien Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default arises from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to the Company, any restricted subsidiary of the Company that is a significant subsidiary or any group of restricted subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a significant subsidiary, all outstanding Second Lien Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice.

If the Company experiences certain kinds of changes of control, holders of the Second Lien Notes will be entitled to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of that holder’s Second Lien Notes pursuant to an offer on the terms set forth in the Indenture. The Company will offer to make a cash payment equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Second Lien Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Second Lien Notes repurchased to, but not including, the date of purchase, subject to the rights of holders of the Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

The Second Lien Notes were issued in a private offering that is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A and to persons outside of the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.

Affiliated Company Credit Agreement with Partnership

On November 28, 2017, the Company also entered into an Affiliated Company Credit Agreement with the Partnership and certain of its subsidiaries (the “Partnership Credit Parties”) under which the Company provides as lender a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $275 million to the Partnership Credit Parties. In connection with the completion of the separation, the Partnership drew an initial $201 million, the net proceeds of which were used to repay the Old Partnership Revolver and to provide working capital for the Partnership following the separation and for other general corporate purposes.

The Affiliated Company Credit Agreement matures on February 27, 2023. The collateral obligations under the Affiliated Company Credit Agreement generally mirror the Old Partnership Revolver, as does the list of entities that will act as guarantors thereunder. The Affiliated Company Credit Agreement is subject to financial covenants relating to a maximum first lien gross leverage ratio and a maximum total net leverage ratio, which will be calculated on a consolidated basis for the Partnership and its restricted subsidiaries at the end of each fiscal quarter. The Partnership was in compliance with each of these financial covenants at March 31, 2018. The Affiliated Company Credit Agreement also contains a number of customary affirmative covenants and negative covenants, including limitations on the ability of the Partnership to incur additional indebtedness, grant liens, and make investments, acquisitions, dispositions, restricted payments, and prepayments of junior indebtedness (subject to certain limited exceptions).


46



Contractual Obligations

CONSOL Energy is required to make future payments under various contracts. CONSOL Energy also has commitments to fund its pension plans, provide payments for other postretirement benefit plans, and fund capital projects. The following is a summary of the Company's significant contractual obligations at March 31, 2018 (in thousands):

 
Payments due by Year
 
Less than 1 Year
 
1-3 Years
 
3-5 Years
 
More Than 5 Years
 
Total
Purchase Order Firm Commitments
$
1,090

 
$
2,083

 
$
296

 
$

 
$
3,469

Long-Term Debt
8,069

 
56,057

 
421,161

 
393,663

 
878,950

Interest on Long-Term Debt
75,146

 
147,809

 
139,465

 
111,441

 
473,861

Capital (Finance) Lease Obligations
10,317

 
21,411

 
1,404

 

 
33,132

Interest on Capital (Finance) Lease Obligations
1,698

 
1,495

 
24

 

 
3,217

Operating Lease Obligations
25,660

 
45,473

 
29,078

 
20,503

 
120,714

Long-Term Liabilities - Employee Related (a)
64,516

 
120,647

 
114,966

 
542,328

 
842,457

Other Long-Term Liabilities (b)
186,891

 
41,827

 
40,205

 
157,608

 
426,531

Total Contractual Obligations (c)
$
373,387

 
$
436,802

 
$
746,599

 
$
1,225,543

 
$
2,782,331


(a)
Employee related long-term liabilities include other post-employment benefits, work-related injuries and illnesses. Estimated salaried retirement contributions required to meet minimum funding standards under ERISA are excluded from the pay-out table due to the uncertainty regarding amounts to be contributed. CONSOL Energy does not expect to contribute to the pension trust in 2018.
(b)
Other long-term liabilities include mine reclamation and closure and other long-term liability costs.
(c)
The significant obligation table does not include obligations to taxing authorities due to the uncertainty surrounding the ultimate settlement of amounts and timing of these obligations.

Debt

At March 31, 2018, CONSOL Energy had total long-term debt and capital lease obligations of $905 million outstanding, including the current portion of long-term debt of $18 million. This long-term debt consisted of:

An aggregate principal amount of $399 million in connection with the Term Loan B (TLB) Facility, due in November 2022, less $7 million of unamortized bond discount. Borrowings under the TLB Facility bear interest at a floating rate.
An aggregate principal amount of $290 million of 11.00% senior secured second lien notes due in November 2025. Interest on the notes is payable May 15 and November 15 of each year.
An aggregate principal amount of $85 million in connection with the Term Loan A (TLA) Facility, due in November 2021. Borrowings under the TLA Facility bear interest at a floating rate.
An aggregate principal amount of $103 million of industrial revenue bonds which were issued to finance the Baltimore port facility and bear interest at 5.75% per annum and mature in September 2025. Interest on the industrial revenue bonds is payable March 1 and September 1 of each year. Payment of the principal and interest on the notes is guaranteed by CONSOL Energy.
Advance royalty commitments of $2 million with an average interest rate of 9.42% per annum.
An aggregate principal amount of $33 million of capital leases with a weighted average interest rate of 5.95% per annum.

At March 31, 2018, CONSOL Energy had no borrowings outstanding and approximately $54 million of letters of credit outstanding under the $300 million senior secured revolving credit facility. At March 31, 2018, CONSOL Energy had no borrowings outstanding and approximately $61 million of letters of credit outstanding under the $100 million securitization facility.


47



Total Equity and Dividends

Total equity attributable to CONSOL Energy was $409 million at March 31, 2018 and $344 million at December 31, 2017. See the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional details.
The declaration and payment of dividends by CONSOL Energy is subject to the discretion of CONSOL Energy's Board of Directors, and no assurance can be given that CONSOL Energy will pay dividends in the future. The determination to pay dividends in the future will depend upon, among other things, general business conditions, CONSOL Energy's financial results, contractual and legal restrictions regarding the payment of dividends by CONSOL Energy, planned investments by CONSOL Energy and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant. The Company's senior secured credit facilities limit CONSOL Energy's ability to pay dividends when the Company's total net leverage ratio exceeds 2.00 to 1.00 and subject to an aggregate amount up to a cumulative credit calculation set forth in the facilities. The total net leverage ratio was 2.03 to 1.00 at March 31, 2018. The cumulative credit starts with $50 million and builds with excess cash flow commencing in 2018. The calculation of the total net leverage ratio excludes the Partnership. The credit facilities do not permit dividend payments in the event of default. The indenture to the senior secured second lien notes limits dividends when the Company's total net leverage ratio exceeds 2.00 to 1.00 and subject to an amount not to exceed an annual rate of 4.0% of the quoted public market value per share of such common stock at the time of the declaration. The indenture does not permit dividend payments in the event of default.
In connection with the separation and distribution, the Partnership entered into an intercompany loan arrangement with the Company with an initial outstanding balance of $201 million. The Partnership used the initial loan to repay outstanding borrowings under the prior revolving credit facility, which was then terminated. The new intercompany loan arrangement similarly limits the Partnership's ability to pay distributions to its unitholders (including the Company) when the Partnership's net leverage ratio exceeds 3.25 to 1.00 or the Partnership's first lien gross leverage ratio exceeds 2.75 to 1.00.
On April 25, 2018, the Board of Directors of CCR's general partner declared a cash distribution to the Partnership's unitholders for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 of $0.5125 per common and subordinated unit. The cash distribution will be paid on May 15, 2018 to the unitholders of record at the close of business on May 8, 2018.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

CONSOL Energy does not maintain off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or others that are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on CONSOL Energy’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources which are not disclosed in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q. CONSOL Energy participates in the United Mine Workers of America (the “UMWA”) Combined Benefit Fund and the UMWA 1992 Benefit Plan which generally accepted accounting principles recognize on a pay-as-you-go basis. These benefit arrangements may result in additional liabilities that are not recognized on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2018. The various multi-employer benefit plans are discussed in Note 15—Other Employee Benefit Plans in the Notes to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of the December 31, 2017 Form 10-K. CONSOL Energy also uses a combination of surety bonds, corporate guarantees and letters of credit to secure its financial obligations for employee-related, environmental, performance and various other items which are not reflected on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2018. Management believes these items will expire without being funded. See Note 12—Commitments and Contingent Liabilities in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional details of the various financial guarantees that have been issued by CONSOL Energy.
Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. The forward-looking statements may include projections and estimates concerning the timing and success of specific projects and our future production, revenues, income and capital spending. When we use the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” or their negatives, or other similar expressions, the statements which include those words are usually forward-looking statements. When we describe strategy that involves risks or uncertainties, we are making forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q; we disclaim any obligation to update these statements unless required by securities law, and we caution you not to rely on them unduly. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are

48



inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. These risks, contingencies and uncertainties relate to, among other matters, the following:
whether the operational, strategic and other benefits of the separation can be achieved;
whether the costs and expenses of the separation can be controlled within expectations;
deterioration in economic conditions in any of the industries in which our customers operate may decrease demand for our products, impair our ability to collect customer receivables and impair our ability to access capital;
volatility and wide fluctuation in coal prices based upon a number of factors beyond our control including oversupply relative to the demand available for our products, weather and the price and availability of alternative fuels;
an extended decline in the prices we receive for our coal affecting our operating results and cash flows;
the risk of our debt agreements, our debt and changes in interest rates affecting our operating results and cash flows;
the effect of our affiliated company credit agreement on our cash flows;
foreign currency fluctuations that could adversely affect the competitiveness of our coal abroad;
our customers extending existing contracts or entering into new long-term contracts for coal on favorable terms;
our reliance on major customers;
our inability to collect payments from customers if their creditworthiness declines or if they fail to honor their contracts;
our inability to acquire additional coal reserves and other assets;
our inability to control the timing of divestitures and whether they provide their anticipated benefits;
the availability and reliability of transportation facilities and other systems, disruption of rail, barge, gathering, processing and transportation facilities and other systems that deliver our coal to market and fluctuations in transportation costs;
a loss of our competitive position because of the competitive nature of coal industries, or a loss of our competitive position because of overcapacity in these industries impairing our profitability;
coal users switching to other fuels in order to comply with various environmental standards related to coal combustion emissions;
the impact of potential, as well as any adopted environmental regulations including any relating to greenhouse gas emissions on our operating costs as well as on the market for coal;
the risks inherent in coal operations, including our reliance upon third party contractors, being subject to unexpected disruptions, including geological conditions, equipment failure, delays in moving out longwall equipment, railroad derailments, security breaches or terroristic acts and other hazards, timing of completion of significant construction or repair of equipment, fires, explosions, seismic activities, accidents and weather conditions which could impact financial results;
decreases in the availability of, or increases in, the price of commodities or capital equipment used in our coal mining operations;
obtaining, maintaining and renewing governmental permits and approvals for our coal operations;
the effects of government regulation on the discharge into the water or air, and the disposal and clean-up of, hazardous substances and wastes generated during our coal operations;
the effects of stringent federal and state employee health and safety regulations, including the ability of regulators to shut down our operations;
the potential for liabilities arising from environmental contamination or alleged environmental contamination in connection with our past or current coal operations;
the effects of mine closing, reclamation and certain other liabilities;
defects in our chain of title for our undeveloped reserves or failure to acquire additional property to perfect our title to coal rights;
uncertainties in estimating our economically recoverable coal reserves;
the outcomes of various legal proceedings, including those which are more fully described herein;
exposure to employee-related long-term liabilities;
failure by Murray Energy to satisfy certain liabilities it acquired from ParentCo, or failure to perform its obligations under various arrangements, which ParentCo guaranteed and for which we have indemnification obligations to ParentCo;
information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss resulting from a terrorist attack or cyber incident;
operating in a single geographic area;
certain provisions in our multi-year coal sales contracts may provide limited protection during adverse economic conditions, and may result in economic penalties or permit the customer to terminate the contract;
the majority of our common units in the Partnership are subordinated, and we may not receive distributions from the Partnership;
the potential failure to retain and attract skilled personnel of the Company;

49



the impact of the separation and the distribution and risks relating to the Company's ability to operate effectively as an independent, publicly traded company, including various costs associated with operation, and any difficulties associated with enhancing our accounting systems and internal controls and complying with financial reporting requirements;
unfavorable terms in our separation from ParentCo, related agreements and other transactions and the Company’s agreement to provide certain indemnification to ParentCo following the separation;
any failure of the Company’s customers, prospective customers, suppliers or other companies with whom the Company conducts business to be satisfied with the Company’s financial stability, or the Company’s failure to obtain any consents that may be required under existing contracts and other arrangements with third parties;
a determination by the IRS that the distribution or certain related transactions should be treated as a taxable transaction;
the Company’s ability to engage in desirable strategic or capital-raising transactions after the separation;
the existence of any actual or potential conflicts of interest of the Company’s directors or officers because of their equity ownership in ParentCo following the separation and distribution;
exposure to potential liabilities arising out of state and federal fraudulent conveyance laws and legal dividend requirements as a result of the separation and related transactions;
uncertainty with respect to the Company’s common stock, including as to whether an active trading market will develop for the Company’s common stock, potential stock price volatility and future dilution;
the existence of certain anti-takeover provisions in our governance documents, which could prevent or delay an acquisition of the Company and negatively impact the trading price of the Company’s common stock; and
other unforeseen factors.

The above list of factors is not exhaustive or necessarily in order of importance. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include those discussed under “Risk Factors” elsewhere in this report. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

For quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk, see Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. There have been no material changes to the Company's exposures to market risk since December 31, 2017.
ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

CONSOL Energy, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including CONSOL Energy's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, CONSOL Energy's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of March 31, 2018 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by CONSOL Energy in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and includes controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by CONSOL Energy in such reports is accumulated and communicated to CONSOL Energy's management, including CONSOL Energy's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.


50



PART II: OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Refer to the first six paragraphs of Note 12 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities within Part 1, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, which is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this quarterly report, including the risk factors below, you should carefully consider the factors described in “Part 1 - Item 1A. Risk Factors” of CONSOL Energy's 2017 Form 10-K. These described risks are not the only risks the Company faces. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to CONSOL Energy or that the Company currently deems to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect CONSOL Energy's business, financial condition and/or operating results.

Our business could be materially and adversely affected by cybersecurity threats.

Our business could be materially and adversely affected by cybersecurity threats against the Company and our third-party vendors and suppliers, as well as potential increased costs arising from maintaining effective cybersecurity controls and insurance coverage.

The threat of a cybersecurity attack poses a material risk to the Company. As a publicly-traded longwall coal mining business, we rely on information technology systems, including computer software, data hosting facilities, Internet sites and other hardware and platforms, some of which are hosted by third parties, to assist in conducting our coal mining business. Our technologies systems and networks, and those of our business associates, may become the target of cybersecurity attacks, including, without limitation, malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data and systems, and other electronic security breaches that could lead to disruption in critical systems and materially and adversely affect us in a variety of ways, including the following:

unauthorized access to and potential disablement of proprietary or third-party software and networks required to run our coal mining machinery and our day-to-day business operations, which could result in safety hazards, accidents, loss of production and/or increased operating costs;
unauthorized access to and release of confidential coal mining data, reserves information, strategic information or other sensitive or proprietary information, which could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, our ability to market our product or compete for business in the U.S. and global coal markets;
unauthorized access to and release of personal identifying information of employees and vendors, which could expose us to allegations that we did not sufficiently protect that information;
a cybersecurity attack on a vendor or service provider, which could result in supply chain disruptions and could delay or halt operations;
a cybersecurity attack on third-party transportation, processing or export facilities, which could delay or prevent us from transporting and marketing our production, resulting in a loss of revenues;
a cybersecurity attack could result in increased insurance and remediation costs, or expose us to litigation arising from data breaches, accidents or work stoppages; and
the ongoing and increasing threat and sophistication of cybersecurity attacks and any responsive regulations or required system enhancements could result in increased operating costs and/or capital expenditures.

The occurrence of any of the above events could damage our reputation and lead to financial losses from remedial actions, loss of business or potential liability, thereby potentially materially and adversely affecting our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Certain cyber incidents may remain undetected for an extended period. At this time, we have not uncovered any active or historic material cybersecurity threat to our systems, and none of our vendors, suppliers or other third-party providers have informed us of any cybersecurity threat that would materially impact our business.

Recent action and the possibility of future action on trade by U.S. and foreign governments creates uncertainty in global markets, and may adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations.

The U.S. government has indicated its intent to alter its approach to international trade policy and in some cases to renegotiate, or potentially terminate, certain existing bilateral or multi-lateral trade agreements and treaties with foreign countries, including the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”).


51



In addition, the U.S. government has recently imposed tariffs on certain foreign goods, including steel and aluminum, and has indicated a willingness to impose tariffs on imports of other products. Related to this action, certain foreign governments, including China, have instituted retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. goods, and have indicated a willingness to impose additional tariffs on U.S. products.

At this time, it remains unclear what the U.S. administration or foreign governments will or will not do with respect to recent or future tariffs, NAFTA or other international trade agreements and policies. A trade war or other governmental action related to tariffs or international trade agreements or policies has the potential to adversely impact our business. Our suppliers could face additional costs to produce coal mining machinery and replacement parts, which costs could in turn be passed on to us. It is also possible that foreign governments, including China, could impose tariffs on imports of U.S. coal in the future, which would adversely impact our ability to compete in those markets. The uncertainties and potential future actions arising out of the current global trading climate could have an adverse material impact on demand for our products, our costs, customers, suppliers and/or the U.S. economy, the seaborne U.S. coal trade or certain sectors thereof, and could accordingly result in an adverse material impact to our business.
ITEM 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The following table sets forth repurchases of the Company's common stock during the first quarter of 2018:
 
 
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
 
(d)
 
Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (in millions) (2)
 
January 1, 2018 - January 31, 2018
 

 
$

 

 
$
50,000

 
February 1, 2018 - February 28, 2018
 

 
$

 

 
$
50,000

 
March 1, 2018 -March 31, 2018
 
44,000

 
$
29.19

 
44,000

 
$
37,961

(3) 
Total
 
44,000

 
$
29.19

 


 
 
 
(1) In December 2017, CONSOL Energy's Board of Directors approved a program to repurchase, from time to time, the Company's outstanding shares of common stock or its 11.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2025, in an aggregate amount of up to $50,000. The repurchases will be effected from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions or under a Rule 10b5-1 plan.
(2) Management cannot estimate the number of shares that will be repurchased because purchases are made based upon the Company's stock price, the Company's financial outlook and alternative investment options.
(3) In March 2018, CONSOL Energy utilized approximately $10.755 million to repurchase its 11.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2025.

ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
The 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 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS

Exhibits
Description
Method of Filing
 
 
 
Employment Agreement of James A. Brock
Filed herewith
 
 
 
Change in Control Severance Agreement for David M. Khani
Filed herewith
 
 
 
Change in Control Severance Agreement for James J. McCaffrey
Filed herewith
 
 
 
Change in Control Severance Agreement for Martha A. Wiegand
Filed herewith
 
 
 
Change in Control Severance Agreement for Kurt Salvatori
Filed herewith
 
 
 
Change in Control Severance Agreement for John Rothka
Filed herewith
 
 
 
Form Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award and Terms and Conditions
Filed herewith
 
 
 
Form Notice of Performance-based Restricted Stock Unit Award and Terms and Conditions
Filed herewith
 
 
 
Form Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award and Terms and Conditions for Spin Recognition (Non-Employee Director)
Filed herewith
 
 
 
Form Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award and Terms and Conditions for Spin Recognition
Filed herewith
 
 
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Filed herewith
 
 
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Filed herewith
 
 
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Filed herewith
 
 
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Filed herewith
 
 
 
Mine Safety and Health Administration Safety Data.
Filed herewith
 
 
 
101
Interactive Data File (Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018, furnished in XBRL).
Filed herewith
*Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, as of the 3rd day of May, 2018.

 
CONSOL ENERGY INC.
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ JAMES A. BROCK
 
 
 
James A. Brock
 
 
 
Director, Chief Executive Officer and President
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ DAVID M. KHANI
 
 
 
David M. Khani
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ JOHN M. ROTHKA
 
 
 
John M. Rothka
 
 
 
Chief Accounting Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)


54