Montauk Renewables Inc
For the period ended Dec 31, 2023. Filed Mar 14, 2024.
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FY2023 · Filed Mar 14, 2024
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE 1—DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Operations and organization
Montauk Renewables’ Business
Montauk Renewables, Inc. (the “Company” or “Montauk Renewables”) is a renewable energy company specializing in the management, recovery and conversion of biogas into Renewable Natural Gas (“RNG”). The Company captures methane, preventing it from being released into the atmosphere, and converts it into either RNG or electrical power for the electrical grid (“Renewable Electricity”). The Company, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has more than 30 years of experience in the development, operation and management of landfill methane-fueled renewable energy projects. The Company has current operations at 15 operating projects located in California, Idaho, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Texas. The Company sells RNG and Renewable Electricity, taking advantage of Environmental Attribute premiums available under federal and state policies that incentivize their use.
Two of the Company’s key revenue drivers are sales of captured gas and sales of Renewable Identification Numbers (“RINs”) to fuel blenders. The Renewable Fuel Standard (“RFS”) is an Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) administered federal law that requires transportation fuel to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuel. RNG derived from landfill methane, agricultural digesters and wastewater treatment facilities used as a vehicle fuel qualifies as a D3 (cellulosic biofuel with a 60% greenhouse gas reduction requirement) RIN. The RINs are compliance units for fuel blenders that were created by the RFS program in order to reduce greenhouse gases and imported petroleum into the United States.
An additional program utilized by the Company is the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (“LCFS”). This is state specific and is designed to stimulate the use of low-carbon fuels. To the extent that RNG from the Company’s facilities is used as a transportation fuel in states that have adopted an LCFS program, it is eligible to receive an Environmental Attribute additional to the RIN value under the federal RFS.
Another key revenue driver is the sale of captured electricity and the associated environmental premiums related to renewable sales. The Company’s electric facilities are designed to conform to and monetize various state renewable portfolio standards requiring a percentage of the electricity produced in that state to come from a renewable resource. Such premiums are in the form of Renewable Energy Credits (“RECs”). The Company’s largest electric facility, located in California, receives revenue for the monetization of RECs as a part of a purchase power agreement.
Collectively, the Company benefits from federal and state government incentives in the United States, provided in the form of RINs, RECs, LCFS credits, tax credits and other incentives to end users, distributors, system integrators and manufacturers of renewable energy projects, that promote the use of renewable energy, as Environmental Attributes.
Background and Reorganization Transactions
On January 4, 2021, the Company, Montauk Holdings Limited (“MNK”) and Montauk Holdings USA, LLC (a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of MNK at the time, “Montauk USA”) entered into a series of transactions, including an equity exchange and a distribution collectively referred to as the “Reorganization Transactions,” that resulted in the Company owning all of the assets and entities (other than Montauk USA) previously owned by Montauk USA, and Montauk Renewables became a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of MNK. Prior to the Reorganization Transactions, MNK’s business and operations were conducted entirely through Montauk USA and its U.S. subsidiaries, and MNK held no substantial assets other than equity of Montauk USA. The Company had no significant operations or assets prior to January 4, 2021 when it engaged in the equity exchange with Montauk USA and MNK.
After completion of the Reorganization Transactions, (i) Montauk USA ceased to own any substantial assets and (ii) all entities through which MNK’s business and operations were conducted became owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company. MNK adopted a plan contemporaneously with the completion of the Reorganization Transactions that authorized the liquidation and dissolution of MNK.
On January 15, 2021, MNK sold the membership interest of Montauk USA to a third party. On January 26, 2021, MNK distributed all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock as a pro rata dividend to the holders of MNK’s ordinary shares (the “Distribution”), subject to any tax withholding obligations under applicable South African law. Each ordinary share of MNK outstanding on January 21, 2021, the record date for the Distribution (the “Record Date”), entitled the holder thereof to receive one share of the Company’s common stock.
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On January 26, 2021, the Company closed the initial public offering of its common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market (the “IPO”) with the shares traded under the symbol “MNTK”. Montauk Renewables issued 2,702,500 shares at $8.50 per share and received gross proceeds of $22,971. The Company’s common stock was also secondarily listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (“JSE”) under the trading symbol “MKR”.
On January 26, 2021, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement and Secured Promissory Note (as amended on February 22, 2021, December 22, 2021, December 22, 2022 and December 27, 2023) with MNK pursuant to which the Company advanced a cash loan to MNK for MNK to pay its dividends tax liability arising from the Reorganization Transactions under the South African Income Tax Act, 1962 (Act No. 58 of 1962), as amended. The terms of the loan following the amendments are substantially similar to the initial loan agreement and were primarily entered into to (1) increase the principal amount outstanding under the loan to $10,040 in the aggregate (2) extended the maturity date to December 31, 2033 also, in accordance with Montauk Renewables’ obligations set forth in the Transaction Implementation Agreement. MNK is currently an affiliate of the Company and certain of the Company’s directors are also directors of MNK. See Note 17 for more information.
NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The historical consolidated financial information included reflects the historical results of operations and financial position of Montauk USA through January 4, 2021 when MNK sold the membership interest of Montauk USA. The consolidated financial statements of Montauk USA became the Company’s historical financial statements following the IPO. Certain historical financial information included relates to periods prior to the Reorganization Transactions. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company utilizes the equity method of accounting for companies where its ownership is greater than 50% and significant but controlling interest does not exist.
Retrospective Presentation of Ownership Related to the Reorganization Transactions
As discussed in Note 1, as a result of the Reorganization Transactions, the Company acquired the assets and entities (excluding Montauk USA) which were previously owned by MNK. As part of the Reorganization Transactions, a 1:1 pro rata distribution of shares of the Company’s common stock was made to holders of MNK’s ordinary shares. The Reorganization Transactions resulted in a pro rata distribution whereby the ownership of the Company after the Reorganization Transactions was identical to the ownership of MNK prior to the Reorganization Transaction and was therefore akin to a common control transaction. All member’s equity in the financial statements and notes have been retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the Distribution, as if such pro rata distribution on a 1:1 basis occurred as of all pre-IPO periods presented, including periods presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations, Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ and Member’s Equity and notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein.
Reclassifications
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported total assets, total liabilities, stockholders’ equity, results of operations or cash flows.
Segment Reporting
The Company reports segment information inthree segments: RNG, Renewable Electricity Generation and Corporate. This is consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision maker who evaluates operating results and performance. The aforementioned business services and offerings described in Note 1 are grouped and defined by management as two distinct operating segments: RNG and Renewable Electricity Generation. Below is a description of the Company’s operating segments and other activities.
The RNG segment represents the sale of gas sold at fixed-price contracts, counterparty share RNG volumes and applicable Environmental Attributes. This business unit represents the majority of the revenues generated by the Company.
The Renewable Electricity Generation segment represents the sale of captured electricity and applicable Environmental Attributes. Corporate & Other relates to additional discrete financial information for the corporate function. It is primarily used as a shared service center for maintaining functions such as executive, accounting, treasury, legal, human resources, tax, environmental,
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Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with maturity dates of three months or less from the date of purchase and are recorded at cost. The Company may hold cash in excess of federally insured limits. Restricted cash is classified as current or non-current based on the terms of the underlying agreements and represents cash held as deposits, cash held in escrow and cash collateral for financial letters of credit.
Accounts and Other Receivables
Accounts and other receivables on the Consolidated Balance Sheets represent outstanding billings for goods and services delivered to customers on an unsecured basis as well as reimbursable expenses. In evaluating its allowance for doubtful accounts for accounts receivable, the Company performs ongoing reviews of its outstanding receivables to determine if any amounts are uncollectible and adjusts the allowance for doubtful accounts accordingly.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment purchases are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are based on costs less estimated salvage values, primarily using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives or, if applicable, the term of the related gas rights agreements or power purchase agreements, whichever is shorter. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Major improvements that extend the useful lives of property are capitalized.
The estimated useful lives of the Company’s property, plant and equipment reflect the expected consumption of the economic benefit of these assets as noted in the following table:
| Buildings and improvements | 5 - 30 years |
|---|---|
| Machinery and equipment | 1 - 43 years |
| Gas mineral rights | 15 - 25 years |
$313 and $332 in insurance proceeds were received for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to an engine failure at an RNG Facility. These insurance proceeds are included in Gain on insurance proceeds for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively within the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill is the cost of an acquisition less the fair value of the identified net assets of the acquired business.
Separately identifiable intangible assets are recorded at their fair values upon acquisition. The Company accounts for its intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”). Finite-lived intangible assets include interconnections, customer contracts and trade names & trademarks. The interconnection intangible asset is the exclusive right to utilize an interconnection line between the operating plant and a utility substation to transmit produced natural gas and electricity. Included in that right is full maintenance provided on this line by the utility. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life as depicted in the chart below. Indefinite intangible assets are not amortized and include emission allowances and land use rights.
The estimated useful lives of separately identified intangible assets are as follows:
| Interconnection | 10 - 25 years |
|---|---|
| Customer contracts | 2 - 15 years |
| Emissions allowances | Indefinite |
| Land use rights | Indefinite |
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Assets Held for Sale
Assets classified as held for sale are reported at the lower of their carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. Assets are classified as held for sale if their carrying amounts will be recovered through a sale transaction, rather than through continued use. This condition is met only when the sale is highly probable and the assets are available for immediate sale in their present condition, subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets. Management must be committed to a sale, which should be expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year from the date of classification as held for sale and actions required to complete the plan of sale indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. Impairment losses on initial classification as held-for-sale are recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Assets classified as held for sale are no longer depreciated or amortized.
Leases
The Company assesses leases in accordance with ASU 2016-02, Leases, (“ASU 2016-02”). This ASU requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet for leases classified as either operating or finance leases. 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 a right-of-use asset and lease liability. Additionally, when measuring assets and liabilities arising from a lease, optional payments should be included only if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise an option to extend the lease, exercise a purchase option, or not exercise an option to terminate the lease. A right-of-use asset represents an entity’s right to use the underlying asset for the lease term, and a lease liability represents an entity’s obligation to make lease payments. The measurement, recognition and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from leases by a lessee remains the same. The Company has included further lease disclosures in Note 19.
Long-lived Asset Impairment
In accordance with ASC 360, Property, plant, equipment and intangible assets with finite useful lives are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset or asset group to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. Such estimates are based on certain assumptions, which are subject to uncertainty and may materially differ from actual results. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.
A summary of impairment losses on tangible and intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 is included in Note 3.
Indefinite-Lived Asset Impairment
Indefinite-lived intangible assets are required to be evaluated for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. The evaluation of impairment under ASC 350 requires the use of projections, estimates and assumptions as to the future performance of the Company’s operations, including anticipated future revenues, expected operating costs and the discount factor used. Actual results may differ from projections. If such indefinite-lived assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company accounts for asset retirement obligations as required under ASC 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations, (“ASC 410”). ASC 410 requires the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which the legal obligation arises, with the associated discounted asset retirement costs being capitalized as a part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset and the annual accretion expense recorded in operations. The Company has recorded in the consolidated financial statements estimates for asset retirement obligations related to the decommissioning and removal requirements for specific gas processing and distribution assets, as required by their associated gas rights agreements.
Revenue
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). Revenue from the Company’s point in time product sales is recognized when products are transferred, or services are invoiced and control transferred. Revenue from the Company’s product and service sales provided under long-term agreements is recognized as the Company transfers control of the product or renders service to its customers, which approximates the time when the customer is invoiced. The Company has presented the disclosures required by ASC 606 in Note 4.
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Income Taxes
The Company is treated as a corporation for income tax purposes. Therefore, income taxes are accounted for under the liability method on a consolidated basis by the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws. The provision for income taxes includes federal and state income taxes.
The Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining the relevant tax authority would more-likely-than-not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.
Derivative Instruments
The Company applies the provisions of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, (“ASC 815”). ASC 815 requires each derivative instrument to be recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at its fair value. Changes in a derivative instrument’s fair value are recognized currently in earnings.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company employs varying methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practical to estimate fair value. For cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables, the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. For long-term debt, the carrying amounts approximate fair value as the interest rates obtained by the Company approximate the prevailing interest rates available to the Company for similar instruments.
In accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), a hierarchy is established which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The hierarchy defines three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical unrestricted assets and liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the assets and liabilities or can be corroborated with observable market data for substantially the entire contractual term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3—Unobservable inputs that reflect the entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in the pricing of the assets or liabilities and are consequently not based on market activity but rather through particular valuation techniques. The Company uses the fair value methodology to value the assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, including the Company’s asset retirement obligations and earn out liability.
The values of the Level 2 interest rate derivatives were determined using a model, which incorporates market inputs including the implied forward interest rate yield curve for the same period as the future interest rate swap settlement. The Company has also considered both its own credit risk and counterparty credit risk in determining fair value and determined these adjustments were insignificant for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company’s asset retirement obligations are recorded at fair value at the time the liability is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. Fair value is determined by calculating the estimated present value of the cost to retire the asset as determined by qualified engineers, based on currently available information and inflation estimates and is considered a Level 3 measurement. The Company’s earn-out liability fair value is determined by calculating the estimated present value of future obligations based on currently available information and the discount factor used and is considered a Level 3 measurement.
A summary of changes in the fair values of the Company’s Level 3 instruments, attributable to asset retirement obligations and the earn out liability, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is included in Note 11.
Renewable Identification Numbers (“RINs”)
The Company generates D3 RINs through its production and sale of RNG used for transportation purposes as prescribed under the Federal Renewable Fuel Standard. The RINs that the Company generates as government incentives through its renewable operating projects can be separated and sold as credits independent from the energy produced and not a result of physical attributes of the Company’s production. Therefore, no cost is allocated to the RIN when it is generated. Revenue is recognized on these
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Environmental Attributes when there is an agreement in place to monetize the credits at an agreed upon price with a customer and transfer of control has occurred. Realized prices for Environmental Attributes monetized in a year may not correspond directly to index prices due to the forward selling of commitments. The Company had 0.1 and 0.7 million RINs generated and unsold as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Renewable Energy Credits (“RECs”)
The Company generates RECs through its production and sale of landfill methane into renewable electric energy as prescribed by the State of California Renewables Portfolio Standard or the EPA. The RECs that the Company generates as government incentives through its renewable operating projects are able to be separated and sold as credits independent from the electricity produced and not a result of physical attributes of the Company’s production. Therefore, no cost is allocated to the REC when it is generated. Revenue is recognized on these Environmental Attributes when there is an agreement in place to monetize the credits at an agreed upon price with a customer and transfer of control has occurred.
Equity-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for equity-based compensation under the provisions of ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, (“ASC 718”). ASC 718 requires compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions, measured based on the fair value of the instruments issued, be recognized in the consolidated financial statements over the requisite service period of the award. Stock options are initially measured on the grant date using the Black-Scholes valuation model, which requires the use of subjective assumptions related to the expected stock price volatility, term, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. For restricted stock shares, the Company determines the grant date fair value based on the closing market price of the stock on the date of the grant.
Employee Benefits
Leave entitlement
Employee entitlements to annual leave are recognized when they accrue to employees. An accrual is made for the estimated liability to the employees for annual leave up to the financial year end date. This liability is included in “Accrued liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Bonus Plans
The Company recognizes a liability and an expense for incentive compensation bonuses awarded based on the achievement of Company and personnel goals where contractually obliged or where there is a past practice that has created a constructive obligation. An accrual is maintained for the appropriate proportion of the expected bonuses which would become payable at year end.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt: Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40), which simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The ASU does not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related financial statement disclosures.
In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). This ASU and subsequent amendments are codified as Accounting Standards Codification Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (“ASC 326”). Application of ASC 326 was effective for SEC Issuers (excluding smaller reporting companies) for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Adoption for smaller reporting companies, emerging growth companies and nonpublic entities was deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related financial statement disclosures.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), which provides optional expedients and exceptions to the current guidance on contract modifications and hedging relationships to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The guidance was effective upon issuance and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. The FASB included a sunset provision within Topic 848 based on expectations of when the LIBOR would cease being published. The sunset provision has been amended from December
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31, 2022, to December 31, 2024, after which entities will no longer be permitted to apply the relief in Topic 848. The Company’s current debt agreement bears interest at the Bloomberg Short-Term Bank Yield Index Rate plus an applicable margin. LIBOR is no longer utilized as a reference rate.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segments. The amendments in 2023-07 aim to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. ASU 2023-07 is effective for the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and subsequent interim periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The amendments in 2023-09 aim to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. ASU 2023-09 is effective for the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 3—ASSET IMPAIRMENT
The Company recorded $902, $4,852 and $1,191 in impairment losses for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. 2023 impairments included $777 for specifically identified RNG machinery and feedstock processing equipment that were no longer in operational use and recorded in the Company's RNG segment. The remaining $125 in impairments were for specifically identified obsolete REG critical spares. The 2022 impairments included $2,133 for a REG site wherein the forecasted future cash flows did not exceed the carrying value of the site’s long lived assets. A second REG site was impaired for $1,393 due to a discrete conclusion that certain assets acquired in the May 2021 Asset acquisition would no longer be utilized by the Company. More information on the Asset acquisition can be found in Note 7. An RNG site wasimpaired for $1,108 due to the specific identification of certain assets no longer capable of being used as designed. Additional impairments were recorded for computer software and hardware no longer being utilized ($191) and an amended customer contract ($27) no longer in use. The 2021 impairment loss of $1,191 was due to the closure of two REG Sites and also the disposal of machinery at one RNG site.
Impairment loss was recorded under Operating expenses within the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
NOTE 4—REVENUES FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
The Company’s revenues are comprised of renewable energy and related Environmental attribute sales provided under long-term contracts with its customers. All revenue is recognized when (or as) the Company satisfies its performance obligation(s) under the contract (either implicit or explicit) by transferring the promised product or service to its customer either when (or as) its customer obtains control of the product or service. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct product or service to a customer. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation. The Company allocates the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation using the product’s observable market standalone selling price for each distinct product in the contract.
Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring its products or services. As such, revenue is recorded net of allowances and customer discounts as well as net of transportation and gathering costs incurred by the customer following the transfer of control of the commodities sold. To the extent applicable, sales, value add and other taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a net (excluded from revenues) basis.
The Company’s performance obligations related to the sale of renewable energy (i.e. RNG and Renewable Electricity) are generally satisfied over time. Revenue related to the sale of renewable energy is generally recognized over time using an output based upon the product quantity delivered to the customer. This measure is used to best depict the Company’s performance to date under the terms of the contract. Revenue from products transferred to customers over time accounted for approximately 23%,29% and 28% of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The nature of the Company’s long-term contracts may give rise to several types of variable consideration, such as periodic price increases. This variable consideration is outside of the Company’s influence as the variable consideration is dictated by the market. Therefore, the variable consideration associated with the long-term contracts is considered fully constrained.
The Company’s performance obligations related to the sale of Environmental Attributes are generally satisfied at a point in time and were approximately 77%,71% and 72%of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company recognizes Environmental Attribute revenue at the point in time in which the customer obtains control of the Environmental Attributes, which is generally when the title of the Environmental Attribute passes to the customer upon delivery. In limited cases, title does not transfer to the customer and revenue is not recognized until the customer has accepted the Environmental Attributes. The
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Company’sperformance obligations under its counterparty sharing agreements are generally satisfied at a point in time when the earnings process is completed by the counterparty. Counterparty sharing arrangement revenues were approximately 1% and 10% of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company does not currently recognize revenues under counterparty sharing arrangements.
The following tables display the Company’s disaggregated revenue by major source, excluding realized and unrealized gains or losses under the Company’s gas hedge program, based on product type and timing of transfer of goods and services for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| Goods transferred at a point in time | Goods transferred over time | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major goods/Service line: | |||
| Natural gas commodity | $977 | $29,230 | $30,207 |
| Natural gas environmental attributes | 125,874 | — | 125,874 |
| Electric commodity | — | 11,301 | 11,301 |
| Electric environmental attributes | 7,522 | — | 7,522 |
| $134,373 | $40,531 | $174,904 | |
| Operating segment: | |||
| RNG | $126,851 | $29,230 | $156,081 |
| REG | 7,522 | 11,301 | 18,823 |
| $134,373 | $40,531 | $174,904 | |
| Goods transferred at a point in time | Goods transferred over time | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major goods/Service line: | |||
| Natural gas commodity | $2,053 | $50,845 | $52,898 |
| Natural gas environmental attributes | 143,025 | — | 143,025 |
| Electric commodity | — | 10,449 | 10,449 |
| Electric environmental attributes | 7,016 | — | 7,016 |
| $152,094 | $61,294 | $213,388 | |
| Operating segment: | |||
| RNG | $145,078 | $50,845 | $195,923 |
| REG | 7,016 | 10,449 | 17,465 |
| $152,094 | $61,294 | $213,388 | |
| Goods transferred at a point in time | Goods transferred over time | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major goods/Service line: | |||
| Natural gas commodity | $15,178 | $32,143 | $47,321 |
| Natural gas environmental attributes | 84,906 | — | 84,906 |
| Electric commodity | — | 9,692 | 9,692 |
| Electric environmental attributes | 6,208 | — | 6,208 |
| $106,292 | $41,835 | $148,127 | |
| Operating segment: | |||
| RNG | $100,084 | $32,143 | $132,227 |
| REG | 6,208 | 9,692 | 15,900 |
| $106,292 | $41,835 | $148,127 | |
Practical expedients and remaining performance obligations
The Company recognizes the sale of natural gas and electric commodities using the right to invoice practical expedient. The Company determined that the revenues recognized as of period end correspond directly with the value transferred to customers and the Company's satisfaction of the performance obligations to date. Furthermore, with the application of the right to invoice practical
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NOTE 5—ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
The Company extends credit based upon an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition. Credit terms are consistent with industry standards and practices. Accounts Receivable consist of sales to large creditworthy energy and utility companies. Reserves for uncollectible accounts, if any, are recorded as part of general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. No reserve expense was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Accounts and other receivables consist of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Accounts receivables | $12,557 | $7,148 |
| Other receivables | 148 | 57 |
| Reimbursable expenses | 47 | 17 |
| Accounts and other receivables, net | $12,752 | $7,222 |
NOTE 6—ASSETS HELD FOR SALE
In 2021, the Company initiated a plan to sell nitrogen oxide (“NOx”) emissions allowances credits. The Company concluded that it met the criteria under applicable guidance for a long-lived asset to be held for sale, and accordingly reclassified the emissions allowances of $777 as current assets held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2021. The Company estimated the fair value of these assets and concluded that the fair value exceeded the carrying value andno impairment was recorded by the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021. In March 2022, the NOx emissions allowances credits were sold for $1,088. A $311 gain on sale of intangible assets was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2022.
NOTE 7—PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property, plant and equipment consists of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Land | $748 | $595 |
| Buildings and improvements | 30,329 | 29,268 |
| Machinery and equipment | 255,421 | 247,631 |
| Gas mineral rights | 35,526 | 34,526 |
| Construction work in progress | 67,747 | 20,745 |
| Total | $389,771 | $332,765 |
| Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (175,482) | (156,819) |
| Property, plant & equipment, net | $214,289 | $175,946 |
Depreciation expense for property plant and equipment was $19,624, $19,251 and $19,617 and amortization expense for gas mineral rights was $489, $515 and $1,828 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
In 2023, the Company specifically identified $777 in discrete RNG machinery and feedstock processing equipment that were no longer in operational use and recorded an impairment in the Company's RNG segment. The remaining $125 in impairments were for obsolete REG critical spares.
In 2022, the Company performed a recoverability test for one REG site when it was determined that it was more likely than not the carrying value of the long-lived assets would not be recoverable. The results of the testing indicated that the site had carrying values in excess of the asset group’s fair value. As a result of the analysis, the company recorded an impairment totaling $2,089 in property, plant and equipment for the year ended December 31, 2022. Additionally, $1,393 in property, plant and equipment at another REG site was impaired due a discrete conclusion that certain assets acquired in the Asset acquisition would no longer be utilized by the Company. An RNG site wasimpaired for $1,108 due specific identification of certain assets no longer capable of being used as designed. Finally, computer software and hardware no longer being utilized ($191) were impaired in 2022. The 2021 impairment loss of $1,191 was due to the closure of two REG Sites and also the disposal of machinery at one RNG site.
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NOTE 8—GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
Intangible assets consist of the following as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Goodwill | $60 | $60 |
| Intangible assets with indefinite lives: | ||
| Land use rights | 329 | 329 |
| Total intangible assets with indefinite lives: | $329 | $329 |
| Intangible assets with finite lives: | ||
| Interconnection, net of accumulated amortization of $3,847 and $3,107 | $14,584 | $11,686 |
| Customer contracts, net of accumulated amortization of $17,254 and $17,022 | 3,448 | 3,680 |
| Total intangible assets with finite lives: | $18,032 | $15,366 |
| Total Goodwill and Intangible assets | $18,421 | $15,755 |
The weighted average remaining useful life of the customer contracts and interconnection is approximately 15 years for both intangible asset categories. Amortization expense was $972, $887 and $1,424 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Impairments related to intangibles totaled $71 for the year ended December 31, 2022, which included $44 related to one REG site discussed in Note 7 and $27 related to an RNG site associated with the early termination of a customer contract.
Amortization expense for customer contracts and interconnection the next five years is as follows:
| Customer · Inter- | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year ending | Contracts | connections |
| 2024 | $231 | $740 |
| 2025 | 230 | 740 |
| 2026 | 230 | 740 |
| 2027 | 230 | 740 |
| 2028 | 230 | 740 |
| Thereafter | 2,297 | 10,884 |
NOTE 9—ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
The Company accounts for asset retirement obligations by recording the fair value of the liability in the period in which it is incurred. The Company estimates the fair value of asset retirement obligations by calculating the estimated present value of the cost to retire the asset. Factors that are considered when determining the present value of the cost to retire the asset include future inflation and discount rates, along with estimates date(s) of retiring the asset. Additionally, changes in legal, regulatory, environmental, and political environments can affect the fair value of the obligations. As such, asset retirement obligations are considered a level 3 financial instrument. The following table summarizes the activity associated with asset retirement obligations of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| Year ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| Asset retirement obligations—beginning of period | $5,493 | $5,301 | $5,689 |
| Accretion expense | 407 | 296 | (160) |
| Decommissioning | — | (104) | (228) |
| Asset retirement obligations—end of period | $5,900 | $5,493 | $5,301 |
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NOTE 10—DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
To mitigate market risk associated with fluctuations in energy commodity prices (natural gas) and interest rates, the Company utilizes various derivative contracts to secure energy commodity pricing and interest rates under a board-approved program. The Company does not apply hedge accounting to any of its derivative instruments, and all realized and unrealized gains and losses from changes in derivative values are recognized in earnings each period. As a result of the hedging strategy employed, the Company had the following cash received (paid) on derivatives in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derivative Instrument | Location | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Commodity contracts: | ||||
| Cash paid on derivatives | Operating revenue | $— | $(7,829) | $— |
| Interest rate swaps | Interest expense | (560) | 2,652 | 1,422 |
| Net gain (loss) | $(560) | $(5,177) | $1,422 | |
NOTE 11—FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy:
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interest rate swap derivative asset | $— | $1,255 | $— | $1,255 |
| Asset retirement obligations | — | — | (5,900) | (5,900) |
| Pico earn-out liability | — | — | (5,109) | (5,109) |
| $— | $1,255 | $(11,009) | $(9,754) |
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interest rate swap derivative asset | $— | $1,815 | $— | $1,815 |
| Asset retirement obligations | — | — | (5,493) | (5,493) |
| Pico earn-out liability | — | — | (3,843) | (3,843) |
| $— | $1,815 | $(9,336) | $(7,521) |
A summary of change in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 instrument, attributable to asset retirement obligations, for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 is included in Note 9. The Company’s earn-out fair value liability is determined by calculating the estimated present value of the future obligation. The present value is assessed quarterly and is based on macro-economic factors such as inflation and risk-free US Treasury rates. Company specific estimates utilized include current and future interest rates, inlet gas flow, and projected EBITDA, as defined in the underlying earnout agreement. The earn-out is classified as a Level 3 financial instrument. Interest rate swap derivatives are classified as Level 2 financial instruments and are valued utilizing quoted forward Bloomberg Short-Term Bank Yield Index Rates. In addition, certain assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis when an indicator of impairment is identified and the assets’ fair values are determined to be less than its carrying value. See Note 3 for additional information.
NOTE 12—ACCRUED LIABILITIES
The Company’s accrued liabilities consists of the following as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Accrued expenses | $3,983 | $3,221 |
| Payroll and related benefits | 2,355 | 1,561 |
| Royalty | 3,897 | 7,836 |
| Utility | 1,653 | 1,605 |
| Accrued interest | 827 | 794 |
| Other | 74 | 73 |
| Accrued liabilities | $12,789 | $15,090 |
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NOTE 13—DEBT
The Company’s debt consists of the following as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Term loans | $64,000 | $72,000 |
| Less: current principal maturities | (8,000) | (8,000) |
| Less: debt issuance costs (on long-term debt) | (386) | (495) |
| Long-term debt | $55,614 | $63,505 |
| Current portion of long-term debt | 7,886 | 7,870 |
| Total debt | $63,500 | $71,375 |
Amended Credit Agreement
On December 12, 2018, Montauk Energy Holdings LLC (“MEH”) entered into the Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement (as amended, “Credit Agreement”), by and among MEH, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto as lenders and Comerica Bank, as the administrative agent, sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner (“Comerica”). The Credit Agreement (i) amended and restated in its entirety MEH’s prior revolving credit and term loan facility, dated as of August 4, 2017, as amended, with Comerica and certain other financial institutions and (ii) replaced in its entirety the prior credit agreement, dated as of August 4, 2017, as amended, between Comerica and Bowerman Power LFG, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MEH.
On March 21, 2019, MEH entered into the first amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “First Amendment”), which clarified a variety of terms, definitions and calculations in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain customary affirmative and negative covenants, including certain financial covenants, which are measured at the end of each fiscal quarter.
On August 28, 2019, the Company received a temporary waiver for an anticipated Event of Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement) for the consecutive three-month period ended on August 31, 2019 (the “Specified Event of Default”). The Specified Event of Default was waived through October 1, 2019. On September 12, 2019, the Company entered into the Second Amendment. Among other matters, the Second Amendment redefined the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), reduced the commitments under the revolving credit facility to $80,000, redefined the Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and eliminated the RIN Floor (as defined in the Second Amendment) as an Event of Default. In connection with the Second Amendment, the Company paid down the outstanding term loan by $38,250 and the resulting quarterly principal installments were reduced to $2,500.
In connection with the completion of the Reorganization Transactions and the IPO, the Company entered into the third amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Third Amendment”). This amendment permitted the Change of Control provisions, as defined in the underlying agreement, to permit the Reorganization Transactions and IPO to be completed.
On December 21, 2021, MEH entered into the Fourth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement. The current credit agreement, which is secured by a lien on substantially all assets of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, provides for a $80,000 term loan and a $120,000 revolving credit facility. The term loan amortizes in quarterly installments of $2,000 through 2024, then increases to $3,000 from 2025 to 2026 with a final payment of $32,000 in late 2026.
As of December 31, 2023, $64,000 was outstanding under the term loan. In addition, the Company had $2,505 of outstanding letters of credit as of December 31, 2023. Amounts available under the revolving credit facility are reduced by any amounts outstanding under letters of credit. As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s capacity available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility was $117,495. Borrowings of the term loan and revolving credit facility bear interest at the Bloomberg Short-Term Bank Yield Index Rate plus an applicable margin. Interest rates as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were 6.11% and 4.12%, respectively.
The Company accounted for the Fourth amendment as both a debt modification and debt extinguishment in accordance with ASC 470, Debt (“ASC 470”). In connection with the Credit Agreement, the Company paid $2,027 in fees. Of this amount, $326 was expensed and $1,701 was capitalized and will be amortized over the life of the Credit Agreement. Amortized debt issuance expense in the amount of $367, $412 and $483 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, was recorded in interest expense on the Statement of Operations.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants related to the Credit Agreement.
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Annual Maturities of Long-Term Debt
The following is a summary of annual principal maturities of long-term debt as of December 31, 2023:
| Year ending | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $8,000 |
| 2025 | 12,000 |
| 2026 | 44,000 |
| Total | $64,000 |
NOTE 14—INCOME TAXES
The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and local jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply.
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) was signed into law. The ARPA contains several corporate income tax provisions which include (i) extending the $1,000 limitation on deductions for compensation paid to executives of publicly traded corporations to include compensation paid to the eight highest paid individuals (rather than three highest), plus the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer (effective for tax years after 2026), and (ii) extending the period for which companies may claim an employee retention credit. The ARPA did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements for the years ending December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
The following table details the components of the Company’s income tax provision (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| Year ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| Current expense (benefit): | |||
| Federal | $1,006 | $321 | $— |
| State | 536 | 1,109 | (91) |
| $1,542 | $1,430 | $(91) | |
| Deferred expense: | |||
| Federal | $1,869 | $6,446 | $3,368 |
| State | 7 | 172 | 884 |
| $1,876 | $6,618 | $4,252 | |
| Income tax expense | $3,418 | $8,048 | $4,161 |
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The following table illustrates the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Deferred tax assets: | ||
| Net operating loss carry forwards | $4,107 | $6,744 |
| Federal tax credits | 13,042 | 13,691 |
| Book reserves | 1,473 | 1,368 |
| Intangible asset amortization | 5,799 | 6,701 |
| Stock compensation | 1,370 | 1,087 |
| Impairment | 306 | — |
| Total deferred tax assets | 26,097 | 29,591 |
| Less: valuation analysis | (3,950) | (3,950) |
| Net deferred tax assets | $22,147 | $25,641 |
| Deferred tax liabilities: | ||
| Property depreciation | $(20,048) | $(21,683) |
| Other | (23) | (6) |
| Total deferred tax liabilities | (20,071) | (21,689) |
| Net deferred tax assets | 2,076 | 3,952 |
As of December 31, 2023, the Company has no remaining federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards that it is able to utilize. The Company does have $12,986 of federal net operating losses that are not expected to be realizable due to loss limitation rules. In 2022, the Company utilized all of its non-limited NOLs.
The Company has $13,042 of federal tax credit carryforwards that expire 20 years from the date incurred, which begin to expire in tax year 2026.
The Company has pre-tax state net operating loss carryforwards of $18,059 which will begin to expire in tax year 2026.
The following table details the components of the Company’s income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| Year ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| Tax provision at federal statutory rate of 21% | $3,857 | $9,081 | $(77) |
| State tax provision | 430 | 998 | 800 |
| Permanent differences | 114 | 15 | 79 |
| Stock compensation | (175) | (24) | 723 |
| 162(m) compensation limitation | 1,530 | — | 4,382 |
| Valuation allowance | — | 50 | 12 |
| Production tax credit | (2,324) | (2,052) | (2,112) |
| Return to provision | — | (20) | (29) |
| Deferred tax adjustments | — | — | 383 |
| Other | (14) | — | — |
| Total income tax expense | $3,418 | $8,048 | $4,161 |
As of December 31, 2023, the tax years 2020,2021 and 2022 are open for examination by the IRS.
Valuation Allowance
The Company annually reviews its deferred tax assets for the possibility they will not be realized. A valuation allowance will be recorded if it is determined more than a 50% likelihood exists that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. A $3,950 valuation allowance exists at December 31, 2023, which represents the Company’s deferred tax assets that are not expected to be realized. The balance at December 31, 2022, was also $3,950.
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Uncertain Tax Position
The calculation of the Company’s tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations in both federal and state jurisdictions. ASC 740 states that a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, on the basis of each situation’s technical merits.
At this point in time the Company is not aware of any tax positions taken that would give rise to recording an uncertain tax position. As such, the Company has not recorded any liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2023 or 2022. The Company records interest and penalties as a component of income tax expense. However, as there areno unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company hasno penalties or interest accrued at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
NOTE 15—SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
In January 2021, Montauk Renewables undertook the Reorganization Transactions which resulted in the Company owning all of the assets and entities (excluding Montauk USA) through which MNK’s business and operations were conducted. As a result of the Distribution, the options outstanding under MNK’s Employee Share Appreciation Rights Scheme (the “SAR Plan”) were cancelled. The Company recorded $2,050 of accelerated compensation expense in its consolidated statements of operations within general and administrative expenses in connection with the cancellation of the options under the SAR Plan for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The board of directors of Montauk Renewables adopted the Montauk Renewables, Inc. Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (“MRI EICP”) in January 2021. Following the closing of the IPO, the board of directors of Montauk Renewables approved the grant of non-qualified stock options, restricted stock units and restricted share awards to the employees of Montauk Renewables and its subsidiaries in January 2021. In connection with the restricted share awards, the officers of the Company made elections under Section 83(b) of the Code. Pursuant to such elections, the Company withheld 950,214 shares of common stock from such awards at a price of $11.38 per share from such awards. The Company records and reports restricted shares and restricted stock units when vested and in the case of options, when such awards are settled in the Company’s common stock. Stock compensation expense related to these awards was $1,723, $6,979 and $9,474 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
In connection with a May 2021 asset acquisition,1,250,000 restricted share awards (“RS Awards”) were granted totwo employees that were hired by the Company in connection with such acquisition. The RS Awards were to vest over a five-year period and subject to the achievement of time and performance-based vesting criteria over such period. In May 2022, the RS Awards were amended to remove the performance-based vesting criteria and will only be subject to time-based vesting requirements over a five-year period. The awards were revalued at $15,500. Stock compensation expense related to the two awards was $4,908, $2,863 and $0 for the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
In April 2023, the board of directors of the Company approved the grant of non-qualified stock options to the executive officers of the Company, which vest ratably over a period of three to five years. In September 2023, the board of directors approved the grant of non-qualified stock options to a new executive officer of the Company, which also vest ratably over a period of three to five years. Stock compensation expense related to these awards was $1,692 for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The restricted shares, restricted stock units and option awards are subject to vesting schedules and are subject to the terms and conditions of the MRI EICP and related award agreements including, in the case of the restricted share awards, each officer having made an election under Section 83(b) of the Code. The Company recorded $10,813 of compensation expense in its consolidated statements of operations within general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021 in connection with the withheld 950,214 shares associated with the Section 83(b) elections.
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Options granted under the MRI EICP allow the recipient to receive the Company’s common stock equal to the appreciation in the fair market value of the Company’s common stock between the grant date and the exercise and settlement of options into shares as of the exercise date(s). The fair value of the MRI EICP options was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions (no dividends were expected):
| September 2023 Awards | |
|---|---|
| Options awarded | 225,000 |
| Risk-free interest rate | 4.44%-4.65% |
| Expected volatility | 71%-73% |
| Expected option life (in years) | 3.5-5.5 |
| Grant-date fair value | $5.72 |
| April 2023 Awards | |
| Options awarded | 2,100,000 |
| Risk-free interest rate | 3.71%-3.97% |
| Expected volatility | 78%-80% |
| Expected option life (in years) | 3.5-5.5 |
| Grant-date fair value | $4.25 |
| January 2021 Awards | |
| Options awarded | 950,214 |
| Risk-free interest rate | 0.5% |
| Expected volatility | 32% |
| Expected option life (in years) | 5.5 |
| Grant-date fair value | $3.44 |
The following table summarizes the restricted shares, restricted stock units and options outstanding under the MRI EICP for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| Restricted Shares · Restricted Stock Units · Options | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number ofshares | WeightedAverageGrant DateFair Value | Number ofshares | WeightedAverageGrant DateFair Value | Number ofshares | WeightedAverageExercisePrice | |
| End of period - December 31, 2021 | 2,569,613 | $10.08 | 377,984 | $10.23 | 950,214 | $11.38 |
| Beginning of period - January 1, 2022 | 2,569,613 | $10.08 | 377,984 | $10.23 | 950,214 | $11.38 |
| Granted | 1,250,000 | 12.40 | — | — | — | — |
| Vested | (541,312) | 11.38 | (97,984) | 10.49 | (950,214) | 11.38 |
| Forfeited | (1,250,000) | 9.04 | — | — | — | — |
| End of period - December 31, 2022 | 2,028,301 | $11.80 | 280,000 | $10.13 | — | $— |
| Beginning of period - January 1, 2023 | 2,028,301 | $11.80 | 280,000 | $10.13 | — | $— |
| Granted | — | — | — | — | 2,325,000 | 7.04 |
| Vested | (316,228) | 11.38 | (50,000) | 10.09 | — | — |
| Forfeited | (73,395) | 11.38 | (80,000) | 10.23 | — | — |
| End of period - December 31, 2023 | 1,638,678 | $11.91 | 150,000 | $10.09 | 2,325,000 | $7.04 |
As of December 31, 2023 none of the 950,214 vested options have been exercised. Unrecognized MRI EICP compensation expense for awards the Company expects to vest as of December 31, 2023, was $18,158 and will be recognized over approximately 5 years.
NOTE 16—DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
The Company maintains a 401(k) defined contribution plan for eligible employees. The Company matches 50% of an employee’s deferrals up to 4%. The Company also contributes 3% of eligible employee’s compensation expense as a safe harbor contribution. The matching contributions vest ratably over four years of service, while the safe harbor contributions vest immediately. Incurred expense related to the 401(k) plan was approximately $640, $589 and $502 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
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NOTE 17—RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Related Party Loan
On January 26, 2021, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement and Secured Promissory Note (the “Initial Promissory Note”) with Montauk Holdings Limited (“MNK”). MNK is currently an affiliate of the Company and certain of the Company’s directors are also directors of MNK. Pursuant to the Initial Promissory Note, the Company advanced a cash loan of $5,000 to MNK for MNK to pay its dividend's tax liability arising from the Reorganization Transactions under the South African Income Tax Act, 1962 (Act No. 58 of 1962), as amended (the “South African Income Tax Act”). On February 22, 2021, the Company and MNK entered into an Amended and Restated Promissory Note (the “Amended Promissory Note”) to increase the principal amount of the loan to a total of $7,140, in the aggregate, on December 22, 2021 entered into the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and Secured Promissory Note (the “Second Amended Promissory Note”) to increase the principal amount of the loan to a total of $8,940, in the aggregate, and on December 22, 2022 entered into the First Amendment of the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and Secured Promissory Note (the “First Amendment of Second Amended Promissory Note”) to amend the maturity date to June 30, 2023, and on June 21, 2023 entered into the Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and Secured Promissory Note (the "Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and Secured Promissory Note") to increase the principal amount of the loan to a total of $10,040, in the aggregate and extend the maturity date of the loan to December 31, 2023 and on December 27, 2023 entered into the Fourth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and Secured Promissory Note to extend the maturity date of the loan to December 31, 2033 each in accordance with the Company’s obligations set forth in the transaction implementation agreement entered into by and among the Company, MNK and the other party thereto, dated November 6, 2020, and amended on January 14, 2021. The "Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and Secured Promissory Note" increased the security interest of the Company from 800,000 shares of the common stock of the Company owned by MNK to 976,623 shares of the Company. MNK is required to use the proceeds of any such sale of the shares to repay the note. The Amended Promissory Note has default provisions where MNK will deliver any unsold shares of the Company back to the Company to satisfy repayment of the note.
Under applicable guidance for variable interest entities in ASC 810, Consolidation, the Company determined that MNK is a variable interest entity. The Company concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity, as the Company does not have a controlling financial interest and does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of MNK. Accordingly, the Company concluded that presentation of the Amended Promissory Note as a related party receivable remains appropriate. The maximum exposure to loss is limited to the Promissory Note principal and accrued interest, which totaled $10,138 and $9,000 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Related Party Reimbursements
Periodically the Company will reimburse MNK and HCI Managerial Services Proprietary Limited, the administrator for the Company’s secondarily listed Johannesburg Stock Exchange trading symbol, for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company. Amounts reimbursed were $156, $68 and $813 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. $11 and $26 were owed as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
NOTE 18—SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company’s reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are Renewable Natural Gas and Renewable Electricity Generation. Renewable Natural Gas includes the production of RNG. Renewable Electricity Generation includes generation of electricity at biogas-to-electricity plants. The corporate entity is not determined to be an operating segment but is discretely disclosed for purposes of reconciliation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The following table is consistent with the manner in which the chief operating decision maker evaluates the performance of each segment and allocates the Company’s resources. In the following tables “RNG” refers to Renewable Natural Gas and “REG” refer to Renewable Electricity Generation.
| RNG | REG | Corporate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total revenue | $156,455 | $18,449 | $— | $174,904 |
| Net income (loss) | 59,271 | (572) | (43,751) | 14,948 |
| EBITDA | 74,991 | 4,621 | (34,335) | 45,277 |
| Adjusted EBITDA (1) | 75,859 | 4,749 | (34,157) | 46,451 |
| Total assets | 176,951 | 73,369 | 99,918 | 350,238 |
| Capital expenditures | 41,325 | 21,682 | 84 | 63,091 |
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(1)
2023 EBITDA Reconciliation
The following table is a reconciliation of the Company’s reportable segments’ net income from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2023:
| RNG | REG | Corporate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income (loss) | $59,271 | $(572) | $(43,751) | $14,948 |
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 15,720 | 5,193 | 245 | 21,158 |
| Interest expense | — | — | 5,753 | 5,753 |
| Income tax expense | — | — | 3,418 | 3,418 |
| EBITDA | $74,991 | $4,621 | $(34,335) | $45,277 |
| Impairment loss | 777 | 125 | — | 902 |
| Net loss on sale of assets | 91 | 3 | — | 94 |
| Transaction costs | — | — | 178 | 178 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $75,859 | $4,749 | $(34,157) | $46,451 |
| RNG | REG | Corporate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total revenue | $196,218 | $17,170 | $(7,829) | $205,559 |
| Net income (loss) | 94,330 | (6,756) | (52,380) | 35,194 |
| EBITDA | 109,297 | (1,297) | (42,266) | 65,734 |
| Adjusted EBITDA (2) | 110,510 | 1,918 | (41,890) | 70,538 |
| Total assets | 151,998 | 53,255 | 127,063 | 332,316 |
| Capital expenditures | 16,667 | 5,033 | 577 | 22,277 |
(2)
2022 EBITDA Reconciliation
The following table is a reconciliation of the Company’s reportable segments’ net income from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2022:
| RNG | REG | Corporate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income (loss) | $94,330 | $(6,756) | $(52,380) | $35,194 |
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 14,967 | 5,443 | 290 | 20,700 |
| Interest expense | — | — | 1,792 | 1,792 |
| Income tax expense | — | 16 | 8,032 | 8,048 |
| EBITDA | $109,297 | $(1,297) | $(42,266) | $65,734 |
| Impairment loss | 1,135 | 3,526 | 191 | 4,852 |
| Net loss (gain) on sale of assets | 78 | (311) | — | (233) |
| Transaction costs | — | — | 185 | 185 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $110,510 | $1,918 | $(41,890) | $70,538 |
| RNG | REG | Corporate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total revenue | $131,803 | $15,449 | $875 | $148,127 |
| Net income (loss) | 49,387 | (3,129) | (50,786) | (4,528) |
| EBITDA | 66,549 | 2,399 | (43,518) | 25,430 |
| Adjusted EBITDA (3) | 67,812 | 3,149 | (43,012) | 27,949 |
| Total assets | 150,472 | 57,980 | 78,028 | 286,480 |
| Capital expenditures | 7,647 | 2,296 | 43 | 9,986 |
(3)
2021 EBITDA Reconciliation
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The following table is a reconciliation of the Company’s reportable segments’ net income from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2021:
| RNG | REG | Corporate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income (loss) | $49,387 | $(3,129) | $(50,786) | $(4,528) |
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 17,162 | 5,528 | 179 | 22,869 |
| Interest expense | — | — | 2,928 | 2,928 |
| Income tax expense | — | — | 4,161 | 4,161 |
| EBITDA | $66,549 | $2,399 | $(43,518) | $25,430 |
| Impairment loss | 441 | 750 | — | 1,191 |
| Net loss on sale of assets | 822 | — | — | 822 |
| Transaction costs | — | — | 352 | 352 |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | — | 154 | 154 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $67,812 | $3,149 | $(43,012) | $27,949 |
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, three, two and two customers, respectively, made up greater than 10% of our total revenues.
| RNG | REG | Corporate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer A | 22.0% | — | — | 22.0% |
| Customer B | 11.7% | — | — | 11.7% |
| Customer C | 11.7% | — | — | 11.7% |
| RNG | REG | Corporate | Total | |
| Customer A | 32.0% | — | — | 32.0% |
| Customer B | 17.0% | — | — | 17.0% |
| RNG | REG | Corporate | Total | |
| Customer A | 13.1% | — | — | 13.1% |
| Customer B | 12.4% | — | — | 12.4% |
NOTE 19—LEASES
The Company leases office space and other office equipment under operating lease arrangements (with initial terms greater than twelve months), expiring in various years through 2033. These leases have been entered into to better enable the Company to conduct business operations. Office space is leased to provide adequate workspace for all employees in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Houston, Texas. Office space and office equipment agreements that exceed 12 months are accounted for as operating leases in accordance with ASC 842, Leases.
The Company also leases safety equipment for the various operational sites in the United States. The term of certain equipment exceeds twelve months and is accordingly classified as a finance lease under ASC 842. The finance leases expire in 2024 and were entered into in order to provide a safe work environment for operational employees.
The Company determines if an arrangement is, or contains, a lease at inception based on whether that contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset in exchange for consideration for a period of time. For all operating lease arrangements, the Company presents at the commencement date: a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term.
The Company has elected, as a practical expedient, not to separate non-lease components from lease components, and instead account for each separate component as a single lease component for all lease arrangements, as lessee. In addition, the Company has elected, as a practical expedient, not to apply lease recognition requirements to short-term lease arrangements, generally those with a lease term of less than twelve months, for all classes of underlying assets. In determination of the lease term, the Company considers the likelihood of lease renewal options and lease termination provisions.
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The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate, as the basis to calculate the present value of future lease payments, at lease commencement. The incremental borrowing rate represents the rate of interest a lessee would have to pay to borrow an amount equal to the total lease payments on a collateralized basis over a similar term in a similar economic environment.
As of December 31, 2023, there were no leases entered into which have not yet commenced and that would entitle the Company to significant rights or create additional obligations. The total lease cost included in our consolidated financial statements statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were $695, $412, and $349, respectively.
Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the lease expense for those leases is recognized on a straight-line basis. The short-term lease expense for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were approximately $1,182, $895 and $494, respectively.
Supplemental information related to operating lease arrangements was as follows as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| Year ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities | $431 | $385 | $304 |
| Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) | 5.24 | 5.87 | 1.03 |
| Weighted average discount rate | 5.00% | 5.00% | 5.00% |
Future minimum lease payments for the years ending December 31, are as follows:
| Year Ending | |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $611 |
| 2025 | 624 |
| 2026 | 573 |
| 2027 | 583 |
| 2028 | 594 |
| Thereafter | 2,714 |
| Imputed interest | (1,146) |
| Total | $4,553 |
Supplemental information related to finance lease arrangements was as follows:
| Year ended December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of financing lease liabilities | $79 | $50 |
| Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) | 3.54 | 1.25 |
| Weighted average discount rate | 5.00% | 5.00% |
Future minimum finance lease payments are as follows:
| Year Ending | |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $27 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
| 2027 | 1 |
| 2028 | 1 |
| Thereafter | 10 |
| Imputed interest | (5) |
| Total | $36 |
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NOTE 20—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Concentrations
A substantial portion of the Company’s revenues are generated from five locations in 2023, 2022, and 2021, each in separate areas of the country. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, excluding the impact of derivative instruments, approximately 68%,72% and 76%, respectively, of operating revenues were derived from these locations. In addition, five customers make up approximately 71% and 69% of trade receivables as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Environmental
The Company is subject to a variety of environmental laws and regulations governing discharges to the air and water, as well as the handling, storage and disposing of hazardous or waste materials. The Company believes its operations currently comply in all material respects with all environmental laws and regulations applicable to its business. However, there can be no assurance that environmental requirements will not change in the future or that the Company will not incur significant costs to comply with such requirements.
Contingencies
The Company, from time to time, may be involved in litigation. At December 31, 2023, management does not believe there are any matters outstanding that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
Note 21—INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share was computed using the following common share data for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively:
| Year ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| Net income (loss) | $14,948 | $35,194 | $(4,528) |
| Basic weighted-average shares outstanding | 141,727,905 | 141,238,851 | 141,015,213 |
| Dilutive effect of share-based awards | 423,735 | 1,340,538 | — |
| Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding | 142,151,640 | 142,579,389 | 141,015,213 |
| Basic income (loss) per share | $0.11 | $0.25 | $(0.03) |
| Diluted income (loss) per share | $0.11 | $0.25 | $(0.03) |
As a result of incurring a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2021,3,897,811 potential antidilutive shares were excluded from the above loss per share calculation.
NOTE 22—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated its December 31, 2023 consolidated financial statements through the date the financial statements were issued. The Company is not aware of any subsequent events which would require recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements, except for the matters discussed below.
On February 18, 2024, for one of its renewable electrical sites, the Company entered into a bill of sale, assignment and assumption agreement to sell its rights to the existing fuel supply agreement and property back to the site host in advance of the fuel supply agreement termination date. The agreement will transfer all rights, titles, interests and landfill improvements back to the site host. The Company received proceeds of $1,000 and will no longer have any obligation to decommission or remove any machinery or equipment at the site. The site is reported within the Company’s REG segment and the consideration received is in excess of the carrying value of the assets. The effective date of the sale, assignment and assumption agreement is October 1, 2024.
In connection with the bill of sale, assignment and assumption agreement, the Company entered into agreements with the same site host to extend the fuel supply agreements attwo RNG sites for an additional five years.
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The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.