Quarterlytics / Basic Materials / Oil & Gas Equipment & Services / CARBO Ceramics Inc.

CARBO Ceramics Inc.

crr · NYSE Basic Materials
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Employees 501-1000
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FY2016 Annual Report · CARBO Ceramics Inc.
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2 0 1 6   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

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Clients come to us with specific needs. Or we identify an industry problem that hasn’t been addressed. 
No matter the challenge, CARBO moves forward with engineering expertise, innovative thinking and powerful 
technology, developing breakthroughs that deliver unmatched performance and exceptional value.

KRYPTOSPHERE 
World’s highest conductivity proppant 
technology engineered to maximize and 
sustain hydrocarbon flow.

Where Industry 
Challenges Become 

CARBO 
Solutions

GUARD TECHNOLOGY 
Proppant-delivered treatments prevent 
undesirable buildup of deposits and 
minimize expensive workovers.

ACCUCAST 
Reduces manufacturing costs and 
improves production quality, without 
the health risk of silicosis. 

CARBOGRIND 
Longer life, increased efficiency and 
reduced equipment wear.

FUSION 
Proppant pack consolidation technology 
maximizes water injection rates.

QUANTUM
Breakthrough far-field fracture imaging 
that shows actual proppant location.

To Our Shareholders, Clients and Employees:

For CARBO®, 2016 was a pivotal year. As the year began, 

of an at-the-market equity offering program. On December 

the entire oil and natural gas industry faced the ongoing 

31, 2016, our balance sheet included $91.7 million in cash 

challenges of one of the most severe cyclical downturns 

and cash equivalents against $80.4 million in debt.

in history. In the face of this downturn, CARBO maintained 

its focus on cash preservation, cost reductions, and the 

development of new and differentiating technologies 

that provide immediate and long-term value for clients. 

In addition, we focused on leveraging our unique 

technologies and manufacturing expertise to capture 

opportunities in other industries to offset the severe 

cyclicality of the oilfield. 

By mid-year, oil prices had stabilized and then slowly 

rebounded through the remainder of the year, signaling 

the beginning of an energy industry recovery. While this 

portends improved market conditions for our oilfield-

related products and services, our initiatives to identify  

and capture new opportunities repositioned CARBO as  

a company with a much broader base on which to build  

for 2017 and beyond.

FINANCIAL MEASURES

NAVIGATING CHALLENGING  
MARKET CONDITIONS

The CARBO portfolio of high-quality, high-performance 

technology has been the core offering of the company. 

CARBO pioneered ceramic proppant almost four decades 

ago, and its value is still proven today. Through a multitude 

of field trials and case studies, ceramic proppant has shown 

greater conductivity, superior crush resistance and greater 

durability than alternative proppants.

Although 2016 showed signs of an industry recovery, many 

exploration and production (E&P) companies continued 

to focus primarily on completing wells at the lowest 

cost. We continue to encourage the industry to focus on 

maximizing estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) by using 

higher-performing ceramic proppant. To improve our cash 

flow in this type of market and meet client demand, we 

In 2016, we successfully drove down operational costs, 

restarted our Marshfield plant, which produces high quality 

supplier costs and SG&A expenses. 

Northern White sand.

CARBO has always maintained a strong balance sheet;  

While the industry continues to emphasize the use of  

this is especially important in an uncertain business 

sand in order to reduce short-term costs, we firmly believe 

climate. During 2016, we bolstered our cash reserves 

that there will always be a market for ceramic proppant. 

through placement of subordinated notes and execution 

CARBO 2016 A NNU AL   REPORT

1

More than 50 percent of the wells drilled in North America 

involve closure stress greater than 6,000 psi, the level that 

crushes sand, accelerating production declines and  

lowering EUR. 

Proponents of extensive sand use commonly employ a 

technique called ceramic tail-in, in which ceramic proppant 

is pumped after the sand. This maintains high conductivity 

where it is needed the most—near the wellbore, where all  

of the hydrocarbons must flow.

MOVING THE INDUSTRY FORWARD 
WITH CARBO TECHNOLOGY 

In 2016, CARBO continued to develop proprietary 

technologies that significantly increase value for operators. 

KRYPTOSPHERE® technology produces ultra high-strength, 

ultra-conductive ceramic proppant that represents a step 

change from traditional ceramic proppant. KRYPTOSPHERE 

HD (high density) proppant, engineered for critical high-

stress wells, has been used by two supermajor oil companies 

operating in deepwater Gulf of Mexico where closure stress 

can exceed 20,000 psi.

During the year, KRYPTOSPHERE LD (low density) proppant 

was pumped in a high-profile well in the Utica basin of 

the northeastern U.S., leading to additional jobs from the 

same client. It is being incorporated into a number of new 

completion designs in other U.S. and international basins.

QUANTUM, a breakthrough in far-field Propped Reservoir 

Volume™ (PRV™) imaging, provides visualization of the 

propped fracture for the first time. QUANTUM field trials 

were conducted in 2016.

QUANTUM, FRACPRO  
and STRATAGEN:
Fractures you can see

CARBO provides the industry’s most powerful 

suite of fracture design, development and 

evaluation resources. Using our FRACPRO® 

fracture simulation software and QUANTUMSM 

propped reservoir evaluation service, our 

STRATAGEN® team of consultants helps clients 

optimize well drainage and spacing, stage and 

perforation cluster spacing, and vertical fracture 

coverage, as well as the impact of fracture design 

changes. QUANTUM can unlock tremendous value 

for E&Ps by enabling them to maximize their EURs 

and develop their reserves more economically.

2

CARBONRT®, an inert tracer technology, continued to 

create ceramic proppant for the oilfield are ideally suited to 

expand its applications globally. CARBONRT is now available 

produce high-performance granular pellets that can stand 

to mix with all proppant types and can be used in hydraulic 

up to harsh industrial environments.

fracs, gravel packs and frac-and-packs.  

Historically, industrial sales have been a small percentage 

of our overall business. In 2016, we strategically focused on 

increasing industrial sales. The sales cycle for these industrial 

applications is typically longer than the oilfield, but the 

resulting commercial relationship is usually long-term in 

nature. We believe there is opportunity for substantial 

growth for CARBO in the segment, and we are committed  

to making the necessary investment in people and products 

to capture a larger share of the market.

VERSATILE ENVIRONMENTAL 
PROTECTION

ASSETGUARD provides environmental protection to the 

oilfield in the form of seamless and maintenance-free 

containment systems, tank bases and liners made with 

proprietary polyurea technology. We have worked to make 

the ASSETGUARD sales mix more product-driven than 

service-oriented. This has made operations more efficient, 

cost-effective and scalable. 

The GUARD™ family of proppant-delivered production 

assurance continues to gain wide acceptance in every 

type of reservoir by preventing the buildup of undesirable 

deposits that inhibit production. Our GUARD products can 

minimize or eliminate the substantial cost and time required 

to regularly shut wells down for workovers and traditional 

cleaning treatments. Alongside the growing domestic and 

international success of SCALEGUARD®, field trials began for 

We are also expanding ASSETGUARD technology to 

SALTGUARD™, PARAGUARD™ and H2SGUARD™. The GUARD 

applications outside the oilfield. The versatile, weatherproof 

products can be added to sand as well as ceramic proppant, 

polyurea coating can be sprayed on or prefabricated, and 

can adhere to a variety of surfaces, including metal and 

concrete. Industrial and commercial applications include 

equipment and facility protection, water storage, fuel spill 

protection, marine coatings and many others. 

opening up large markets.

FUSION®, a novel technology that creates a bonded 

proppant pack without closure stress and provides long-

term well integrity for production and injector wells, was 

introduced in the Gulf of Mexico. 

CARBOAIR™, an ultra-low density proppant engineered 

to transport deeper into the frac than sand to maximize 

reservoir coverage and contact, was introduced to the 

market during the year. CARBOAIR has a density that is 

25% lower than sand.

EXPANDING OUR  
INDUSTRIAL PRESENCE

For decades, CARBO has provided ceramic media to 

the industrial casting and grinding industries. The same 

technologies, processes and manufacturing facilities that 

CARBO 2016 A NNU AL   REPORT

3

ACCUCAST and CARBOGRIND: 
Hard at work

The thermal, physical and chemical properties that give ceramic proppant 

superior performance in the oilfield also make ceramic media excellent for 

industrial applications. ACCUCAST® and CARBOGRIND™ are durable, consistent,  

heat-resistant, recyclable and environmentally safe. They are proven to increase 

process efficiency, improve end-product quality and reduce operating costs.

ACCUCAST products are engineered to outperform specialty and silica sand 

products without the health risks associated with zircon or silica.

CARBOGRIND media provide longer life, while the uniform size and spherical 

shape add efficiency to the grind and reduce wear on mechanical parts of  

milling equipment.

PUTTING EXCESS CAPACITY TO WORK

CARBO facilities for product development, testing and 

manufacturing are among the most advanced in the 

world. During 2016, CARBO initiated several programs to 

employ idled or under-utilized assets to generate cash 

flow. Leveraging the CARBO Technology Center and our 

•  We anticipate that oil and gas commodity price support will 

enable the Company to generate strong revenue growth 

in 2017. 

•  We will continue to expand our technology portfolio, which 

differentiates CARBO from others in the industry. In 2017,  

we expect technology sales to show strong growth as well.

state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, we provided toll 

•  We will continue to exploit opportunities to participate 

manufacturing and minerals processing capacity to a number 

in the oil and gas industry’s increased use of sand while 

of companies in the oil and gas, construction, manufacturing 

simultaneously educating our clients on the value of 

and metal casting industries. CARBO enabled these companies 

ceramic proppant in maximizing their production and EURs.

to meet incremental market demand, reduce product 

development lead times, decrease product commercialization 

costs, and achieve high-quality product standards without 

making large infrastructure investments. During the year,  

we had several projects that took advantage of our expertise, 

specialized equipment and plant capacity.

OUR OUTLOOK

•  We will continue our aggressive efforts to utilize our idle 

plants to process other mineral products.

•  We will continue to deploy increased resources in pursuit  

of industrial technologies business, where we expect 

double-digit growth.

As we look toward a brighter future, I want to express my 

deep appreciation for our CARBO employees, management 

While the upward trend in oil prices in 2016 was a welcome 

team and Board of Directors. You have all played a vital part in 

development, we don’t anticipate a rapid or pronounced 

making CARBO a strong, innovative and resilient Company.

industry recovery. Nevertheless, we are encouraged about  

our outlook for 2017. 

Sincerely, 

•  With the operational initiatives we implemented in  

2016 showing strong results on the whole, our primary 

financial goal is for CARBO to achieve a positive EBITDA  

exit rate by year-end 2017. 

Gary Kolstad

President and Chief Executive Officer

4

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

Form 10-K 

☒  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE 

ACT OF 1934 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 
or 
☐  TRANSITION  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  13  OR  15(D)  OF  THE  SECURITIES 

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

For the transition period from ____________ to _____________ 
Commission File No. 001-15903 

CARBO Ceramics Inc. 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

DELAWARE 
(State or other jurisdiction of 
incorporation or organization) 

72-1100013 
(I.R.S. Employer 
Identification Number) 

575 North Dairy Ashford 
Suite 300 
Houston, Texas 77079 
(Address of principal executive offices) 
(281) 921-6400 
(Registrant’s telephone number) 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

Title of each class 
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share 

Name of each exchange on which registered 
New York Stock Exchange 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ☐    No  ☒ 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ☐    No  ☒ 

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  ☒    No  ☐ 

 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required 
to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that 
the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐ 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the 
best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to 
this Form 10-K. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the 
definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act: 

Large accelerated filer 
Non-accelerated filer 

  ☐ 
    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) 

   Accelerated filer 
   Smaller reporting company 

  ☒
  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒ 

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, based upon the closing sale price of the Common Stock on June 
30, 2016, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, was approximately $205,760,194.  Shares of Common Stock held by each director and executive 
officer and each person who owns 10% or more of the outstanding Common Stock have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates.  
This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes. 

As of February 17, 2017, the Registrant had 27,142,528 shares of Common Stock outstanding. 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 

Portions of the Proxy Statement for Registrant’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 16, 2017, are incorporated by reference in Part III. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PART I

Item 1. 
Business .............................................................................................................................................
Item 1A.  Risk Factors .......................................................................................................................................
Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments ..............................................................................................................
Properties ...........................................................................................................................................
Item 2. 
Item 3. 
Legal Proceedings ..............................................................................................................................
Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosure ......................................................................................................................

PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of 

Equity Securities ...........................................................................................................................
Item 6. 
Selected Financial Data ......................................................................................................................
Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations .............
Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk ............................................................
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data ..................................................................................
Item 8. 
Item 9. 
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure .............
Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures ....................................................................................................................
Item 9B.  Other Information ..............................................................................................................................

PART III

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance .................................................................
Item 11.  Executive Compensation ....................................................................................................................
Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder 

Matters ..........................................................................................................................................
Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence ...................................
Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and Services ............................................................................................

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11
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18

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34
35
35
35
35

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36
36

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PART IV

Item 15.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules ......................................................................................
Item 16.    Form 10-K Summary .........................................................................................................................
Signatures .............................................................................................................................................................
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting ..................................................................
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm ...............................................................................
Consolidated Financial Statements .......................................................................................................................

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F-1
F-2
F-4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1. 

Business 

General 

PART I 

CARBO Ceramics Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our” or our “Company”) is a technology company that provides products 

and services to the global oil and gas and industrial markets to enhance value for its clients.  The Company was 
incorporated in 1987 in Delaware.  As used herein, “Company”, “CARBO”, “we”, “our” and “us” may refer to the 
Company and/or its consolidated subsidiaries. 

The Company conducts its business within two operating segments: 1) Oilfield Technologies and Services and 

2) Environmental Products and Services.  Financial information about reportable operating segments is provided in 
Note 13 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.   

Our oilfield technologies and services segment includes the manufacturing and selling of proppant products 
for use primarily in the hydraulic fracturing of oil and natural gas wells, Fracpro software for the design of fracture 
treatments, and StrataGen consulting services for the optimizing of well completions.  Hydraulic fracturing is the 
most widely used method of increasing production from oil and natural gas wells.  The hydraulic fracturing process 
consists of pumping fluids down a natural gas or oil well at pressures sufficient to create fractures in the 
hydrocarbon-bearing rock formation.  A granular material, called proppant, is suspended and transported in the fluid 
and fills the fracture, “propping” it open once high-pressure pumping stops.  The proppant-filled fracture creates a 
conductive channel through which the hydrocarbons can flow more freely from the formation to the well and then to 
the surface. 

There are three primary types of proppant that can be utilized in the hydraulic fracturing process: sand, 
resin-coated sand and ceramic.  Sand is the least expensive proppant, resin-coated sand is more expensive and 
ceramic proppant is typically the most expensive.  The higher initial cost of ceramic proppant is justified by the fact 
that its use in certain well conditions results in an increase in the production rate of oil and natural gas, an increase in 
the total oil or natural gas that can be recovered from the well and, consequently, an increase in cash flow for the 
operators of the well.  The increased production rates are primarily attributable to the higher strength and more 
uniform size and shape of ceramic proppant versus alternative materials.  We are one of the world’s largest suppliers 
of ceramic proppant. 

We manufacture various distinct ceramic proppants.  KRYPTOSPHERE® HD, introduced in 2013, is a high-

performance ceramic proppant engineered to deliver increased conductivity and durability in the highest closure 
stress wells.  Even in challenging, high-cost environments such as deep water wells, KRYPTOSPHERE® HD retains 
its integrity and enables greater Estimated Ultimate Recovery (“EUR”) from the reservoir. 

KRYPTOSPHERE® LD meets client needs for a lower density proppant than KRYPTOSPHERE® HD, yet 

has similar characteristics and conductivity in high stress wells. 

CARBOHSP® and CARBOPROP® are high and intermediate density ceramic proppants, respectively, 

designed primarily for use in deep oil and gas wells. 

CARBOLITE®, CARBOECONOPROP® and CARBOHYDROPROP® are low-density ceramic proppants.  

CARBOLITE® is used in medium depth oil and gas wells, where higher production rates can be achieved due to the 
product’s uniform size and spherical shape.  CARBOECONOPROP® was introduced to provide a lower cost 
ceramic to compete more directly with resin-coated sand and sand proppant, and CARBOHYDROPROP® was 
introduced to improve performance in “slickwater” fracture treatments. 

We produce resin-coated ceramic (CARBOBOND® LITE®), which addresses a niche market in which oil and 

natural gas wells are subject to the risk of proppant flow-back. 

CARBO NORTHERN WHITE is a frac sand that is used by operators that still value quality, but do not wish 

to pay the higher costs associated with ceramic or resin-coated sand proppants. 

1 

 
In addition, we manufacture CARBONRT®, a detectable proppant that utilizes a non-radioactive tracer 
material to assist operators in determining the locations of fractures in a natural gas or oil well.  This tracer is added 
to the proppant granules during the manufacturing process, and can be added to most of the types of proppant that 
the Company sells. 

In 2014, we began sales of SCALEGUARD®, a porous ceramic proppant that is infused with scale-inhibiting 
chemicals and placed throughout the fracture as part of the hydraulic fracturing process.  The infused scale inhibitor 
in SCALEGUARD is designed to be released into the fracture only on contact with water and thereby reduce or 
eliminate expensive remedial maintenance programs.  We also are developing SALTGUARD® and PARAGUARD® 
to help prevent salt and paraffin wax buildup in wells, which we expect to begin marketing and selling during 2017. 

Our FUSION® technology, introduced in 2015, improves well productivity by forming a stable, high-
permeability proppant pack that prevents proppant washout from the non-compressive annulus and near-wellbore 
areas. 

CARBOAIRTM, introduced in late 2016, is a high-transport, ultra-low-density ceramic proppant technology 

that has been developed primarily to increase production and EUR from slickwater fracturing operations. The 
technology enables E&P operators to avoid the introduction of gel into their fracs while improving reservoir contact 
and fracture conductivity. 

Our manufacturing facilities also produce ceramic pellets for use in various industrial technology applications, 

including but not limited to casting and milling. 

Through our wholly-owned subsidiary StrataGen, Inc., our oilfield technologies and services segment also 

promotes increased production and EUR of oil and natural gas by selling one of the most widely used fracture 
stimulation software under the brand FracPro®, and providing fracture design and consulting services to oil and 
natural gas E&P companies under the brand StrataGen. 

FracPro® provides a suite of stimulation software solutions used for designing fracture treatments and for on-

site real-time analysis.  Use of FracPro has enabled our clients to recognize and remedy potential stimulation 
problems.  Recently, FracPro has been integrated with third party reservoir simulation software, furthering its reach 
and utility. 

StrataGen, our specialized consulting team, works with operators around the world to help optimize well 

placement, fracture treatment design and production enhancement.  The broad range of expertise of the StrataGen 
consultants includes: fracture treatment design; completion support; on-site treatment supervision, quality control; 
post-treatment evaluation and optimization; reservoir and fracture studies; rock mechanics and software application 
and training. 

Our environmental products and services segment is intended to protect operators’ assets, minimize 
environmental risks, and lower lease operating expense (“LOE”).  Asset Guard Products Inc. (“AGPI”), the only 
wholly-owned subsidiary of ours to operate in this segment, provides spill prevention, containment and 
countermeasure systems for the oil and gas industry.   AGPI uses proprietary technology to make products designed 
to enable its clients to extend the life of their storage assets, reduce the potential for hydrocarbon spills and provide 
containment of stored materials.  AGPI was formerly known as Falcon Technologies and Services, Inc. 

Generally, demand for most of our products and services depends primarily upon the supply of and demand 

for natural gas and oil and on the number of natural gas and oil wells drilled, completed or re-completed worldwide.  
More specifically, the demand for most of our products and services is dependent on the number of oil and natural 
gas wells that are hydraulically fractured to stimulate production.  Because the demand for these products and 
services is also dependent on the commodity price of oil and natural gas, lower commodity prices result in less of 
our premium products being purchased.  In addition to rig counts and commodity prices, our results of operations 
are also significantly affected by a host of other factors, including but not limited to (a) well completions activity, 
which is not necessarily correlated with rig count, (b) customer preferences, (c) new product and technology 
adoption (including of our new KRYPTOSPHERE, CARBOAIR and SCALEGUARD technologies), (d) imports 

2 

 
and competition, (e) changes in the product mix of what we sell, (f) costs of developing our products and services 
and running our business, and (g) changes in our strategy and execution.  Current demand for proppant is extremely 
dynamic, but even if rig count and commodity prices remain constant, our business results are also highly dependent 
on these additional factors. 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we generated approximately 66% of our revenues in the United 

States and 34% in international markets. 

Competition 

As the demand for ceramic proppant (including proppant produced by us) continued to be negatively impacted 

by the severe decline in the oil and natural gas industry in 2016, the number of domestic and international 
competitors in the marketplace has decreased, and many of our competitors have shut down plants and/or reduced 
production.  However, we do not have full visibility as to the extent or duration of these shut-downs and reductions.  
One of our worldwide proppant competitors is Saint-Gobain Proppants (“Saint-Gobain”).  Saint-Gobain is a division 
of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, a large French glass and materials company.  Saint-Gobain manufactures a variety 
of ceramic proppants that it markets in competition with some of our products.  Saint-Gobain’s primary 
manufacturing facilities are located in Fort Smith and Bauxite, Arkansas.  Saint-Gobain also manufactures ceramic 
proppant in China.  Mineracao Curimbaba (“Curimbaba”), based in Brazil, also manufactures and markets ceramic 
proppants in competition with some of our products.  Imerys, S.A., a competitor based in France (“Imerys”), has 
ceramic proppant manufacturing facilities in Andersonville and Wrens, Georgia. 

We are aware of two major manufacturers of ceramic proppant in Russia.  Borovichi Refractory Plant 

(“Borovichi”) located in Borovichi, Russia, and FORES Refractory Plant (“FORES”) located in Ekaterinburg, 
Russia.  Although we have limited information about Borovichi and FORES, we believe that Borovichi primarily 
manufactures intermediate-density ceramic proppants and markets its products principally within Russia, and that 
FORES manufactures intermediate-density and low-density ceramic proppant lines and markets its products both 
inside and outside of Russia.  We believe that these companies have added manufacturing capacity in recent years 
and now manufacture and supply a majority of the ceramic proppant used in Russia.  We are also aware of a large 
number of manufacturers in China.  Most of these companies produce intermediate-density ceramic proppants that 
are marketed both inside and outside of China.  Chinese proppant imports into the United States increased beginning 
in 2010 and 2011, which contributed to an over-supply of ceramic proppant beginning in 2012.  However, beginning 
in early 2015, imports declined significantly. 

Competition for CARBOHSP® and CARBOPROP® principally includes ceramic proppant manufactured by 

Saint-Gobain, Curimbaba and various producers located in China.  Our CARBOLITE®, CARBOECONOPROP® and 
CARBOHYDROPROP® products compete primarily with ceramic proppant produced by Saint-Gobain, Curimbaba 
and Imerys and with sand-based proppant for use in the hydraulic fracturing of medium depth natural gas and oil 
wells.  At this time, there is not in our view a comparable competitor’s product to our KRYPTOSPHERE product 
line, which is the subject of patent protection. 

The leading suppliers of mined sand are Unimin Corp., U.S. Silica Company, Fairmount Minerals Limited, 
Inc., Hi-Crush Partners LP, and Badger Mining Corp.  The leading suppliers of resin-coated sand are Hexion and 
Santrol, a subsidiary of Fairmount Minerals. 

We believe that some of the significant factors that influence a customer’s decision to purchase our ceramic 

proppant are (i) reservoir and geological characteristics, (ii) price/performance ratio, (iii) on-time delivery 
performance, (iv) technical support, (v) proppant availability and (vi) the financial status of E&P operators.  We 
believe that our products are competitively priced and that our delivery performance is good.  We also believe that 
our superior technical support has enabled us to persuade customers to use our technology products in an 
increasingly broad range of applications and has increased the overall market for our technology products. 

3 

 
Product Development 

We continually conduct testing and development activities with respect to alternative raw materials to be used 

in our existing and alternative production methods.  During 2015, we completed the first line of a plant retrofit to 
enable production of KRYPTOSPHERE® products including both KRYPTOSPHERE® LD and KRYPTOSPHERE® 
HD.  We introduced KRYPTOSPHERE® HD in 2013, a proppant with greatly increased strength and conductivity 
when compared to our traditional proppants.  This new proppant is intended for use in ultra-high stress wells.  In 
2015, we introduced KRYPTOSPHERE® LD, a lower density proppant than KRYPTOSPHERE® HD.  For 
information regarding our research and development expenditures, see Note 1 to the “Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements.” 

SCALEGUARD®, our new proppant-delivered, scale-inhibiting technology continues to show positive 
performance results in multiple basins across North America.  SCALEGUARD has now been successfully used in 
hundreds of hydraulic fracturing stages.  We are pursuing the development of other infused proppant technologies, 
some of which underwent field trials in 2016. 

Going beyond our existing proppant detection capabilities, we are developing technology for far-field 

detection of proppant in a fracture, which has shown positive results. 

We are aware of others engaged in the development of alternative products for use as proppants in the 
hydraulic fracturing process, but are uncertain of the financial status and product viability of these potential 
competitors.  We believe that while there are potential specialty applications for such products, they will not 
significantly impact the use of ceramic proppants.  We believe that the “know-how” and trade secrets necessary to 
efficiently manufacture a product of consistently high quality are difficult barriers to entry to overcome. 

Customers and Marketing 

Our largest customers are participants in the hydraulic fracturing industry.  Specifically, Halliburton Energy 

Services, Inc. and Baker Hughes Incorporated each accounted for more than 10% of our 2016 revenues while 
Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. and Schlumberger Limited each accounted for more than 10% of our 2015 and 
2014 revenues.  However, the end users of our products are the operators of natural gas and oil wells that hire the 
pressure pumping service companies to hydraulically fracture wells.  We work both with the pressure pumping 
service companies and with the operators of natural gas and oil wells to present the technical and economic 
advantages of using ceramic proppant.  We generally supply our customers with products on a just-in-time basis, as 
specified in individual purchase orders.  Continuing sales of product depend on our direct customers and the 
operators being satisfied with product quality, availability and delivery performance.  In addition, continuing sales 
of product depend heavily on a favorable level of activity in the upstream natural gas and oil industries.  We provide 
our software products and consulting services directly to operators of oil and natural gas wells as well as service 
companies involved in hydraulic fracturing. 

We recognize the importance of a technical marketing program in demonstrating long-term economic 
advantages when selling products and services that offer financial benefits over time.  We have a broad technical 
sales force to advise end users on the benefits of using ceramic proppant, fracture simulation software, and related 
consulting services. 

Although originally our ceramic products were intended for use in deeper, higher-stress wells that require 

high-strength proppant, we believe that there is economic benefit to operators of using ceramic proppant in 
shallower, lower-stress wells.  We believe that our new product introductions and education-based technical 
marketing efforts have enabled us to maintain our position not only as one of the world’s largest suppliers of 
ceramic proppant but also as a leading innovator in our industry. 

We provide a variety of technical support services and have developed computer software that models the 

return on investment achievable by using our ceramic proppant versus alternatives in the hydraulic fracturing of a 
natural gas or oil well.  In addition to the technical marketing effort, we from time to time engage in field trials to 
demonstrate the economic benefits of our products and validate the findings of our computer simulations.  
Periodically, we provide proppant to operators for field trials, on a discounted basis, in exchange for their agreement 

4 

 
to provide production data for direct comparison of the results of fracturing with ceramic proppant as compared to 
alternative proppants. 

Our international marketing efforts are conducted primarily through our sales offices in the United Arab 

Emirates, Canada, Russia, and South America.  Our products and services are used worldwide by U.S. customers 
operating domestically and abroad, and by foreign customers.  Sales outside the United States accounted for 34%, 
29% and 24% of our sales for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The distribution of our international and domestic 
revenues is shown below, based upon the region in which the customer used the products and services: 

For the years ended December 31, 
2015 
($ in millions) 

2014 

2016 

Location 

United States .......................................................................  $ 67.6   $ 199.2     $ 491.0 
  35.4     80.4        157.3 
International ........................................................................ 
Total ..............................................................................  $ 103.0   $ 279.6     $ 648.3  

Production Capacity 

We have constructed adequate capacity to support present and foreseeable demand for our ceramic proppant. 

We continue to incorporate new methods and technologies to reduce our manufacturing costs and make our products 
more cost-competitive.   As production levels increase, our manufacturing costs per unit tend to decrease. 

During 2014, we completed construction of the first 250 million pound ceramic proppant production line in 

Millen, Georgia and the plant commenced operations.  In addition, we began the construction on a second 250 
million pound production line in Millen.  However, due to current market conditions, the completion of this second 
line continues to be suspended until such time that market conditions improve sufficiently to warrant completion.  
Similarly, the first production line is idled due to current market conditions. 

The following table sets forth the current stated capacity of each of our existing ceramic manufacturing and 

other facilities: 

Location

Annual 
Capacity 
(millions of pounds)    

Eufaula, Alabama ...............................................   
McIntyre, Georgia ..............................................   
Toomsboro, Georgia ...........................................   
Millen, Georgia ...................................................   
Kopeysk, Russia .................................................   
Total ceramic manufacturing capacity ..........   
Marshfield, Wisconsin – sand processing ...........   
New Iberia, Louisiana – resin-coating ................   
Total current capacity ....................................   

275  * 
275  * 
1,000  * 
250  * 
100   
1,900 ** 
1,500 * 

300 *** 

3,700   

* 

Given market conditions, throughout 2016, we mothballed our Millen manufacturing facility and greatly 
reduced output levels at our Eufaula, McIntyre, Toomsboro and Marshfield facilities. 

**  During 2013, the Company began production of KRYPTOSPHERE® at its New Iberia facility.  Production 

volumes will vary, but are not expected to exceed 15 million pounds annually. 

***  Processing activities at the New Iberia facility primarily involve resin-coating of previously manufactured 

ceramic proppant substrate. 

The retrofit of the first production line at an existing plant to produce KRYPTOSPHERE® was completed in 
late 2015.  With this retrofit, we can now produce up to approximately 100 million pounds of KRYPTOSPHERE® 
annually.  While this retrofit enables production of our new KRYPTOSPHERE® technology products, it did not add 

5 

 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
   
  
      
  
 
  
 
   
 
 
   
  
 
additional production capacity.  The retrofit of a second production line has been deferred until market conditions 
warrant moving forward with the project. 

During 2016, our overall total ceramic plant utilization was approximately 18% of stated capacity.  Our sand 
processing plant in Marshfield operated at approximately 5% of its stated capacity during 2016.  We do not expect 
any significant improvements to our ceramic plant utilization in 2017; however, we expect utilization at our sand 
processing plant to improve during 2017.  If industry conditions do not improve, we expect to reduce output levels 
or idle operations at plants as a result of decreased demand for our products.  Refer to our discussion of impairment 
considerations in the “Critical Accounting Policies” section of Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations.  Construction of additional manufacturing capacity beyond these 
facilities is not expected in the foreseeable future, and would be dependent on the expected future demand for our 
products, access to needed capital and the ability to obtain necessary environmental permits. 

Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area 

Long-lived assets, consisting of net property, plant and equipment, goodwill, intangibles, and other long-term 

assets as of December 31 in the United States and other countries are as follows: 

Long-lived assets: 

United States ........................................................................   $496.0    $538.8      $ 578.5  
  10.2      12.3         18.1  
International (primarily Russia, Canada, and China) ...........  
Total ...............................................................................   $506.2    $551.1      $ 596.6   

  2016 

2015 
($ in millions) 

      2014 

Distribution 

We maintain finished goods inventories at each of our manufacturing facilities and at remote stocking 

facilities.  The North American remote stocking facilities consist of bulk storage silos with truck trailer loading 
facilities, as well as rail yards for direct transloading from rail car to tank trucks.  International remote stocking sites 
are duty-free warehouses operated by independent owners.  North American sites are typically supplied by rail, and 
international sites are typically supplied by container ship.  In total, we lease approximately 2,530 rail cars for use in 
the distribution of our products, of which we have subleased approximately 545 rail cars.  The price of our products 
sold for delivery in the lower 48 United States and Canada typically includes just-in-time delivery of proppant to the 
operator’s well site, which eliminates the need for customers to maintain an inventory of ceramic proppant. 

Raw Materials   

Ceramic proppant is made from alumina-bearing ores (commonly referred to as clay, bauxite, bauxitic clay or 
kaolin, depending on the alumina content) that are readily available on the world market.  Bauxite is largely used in 
the production of aluminum metal, refractory material and abrasives.  The main known deposits of alumina-bearing 
ores in the United States are in Arkansas, Alabama and Georgia; other economically mineable known deposits are 
located in Australia, Brazil, China, Gabon, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Russia and Surinam. 

For the production of CARBOHSP® and CARBOPROP® in the United States we use bauxite, and have 
historically purchased our annual requirements at the seller’s current prices.  We believe that our ability to purchase 
bauxite on the open market and current bauxite inventories will sufficiently provide for our bauxite needs in the 
United States during 2017. 

Our Eufaula, McIntyre, Toomsboro and Millen facilities primarily use locally mined kaolin for the production 
of CARBOLITE®, CARBOECONOPROP® and CARBOHYDROPROP®.  We have entered into bi-lateral contracts 
that require a supplier to sell to us, and us to purchase from the supplier, at least fifty percent of the Eufaula 
facility’s and Millen facility’s annual kaolin requirements.  The Eufaula contract runs through May 2017, with 
options to extend this agreement for additional three year terms.  The Millen contract, which commenced in July 
2014, has an initial term of five years with options to extend the agreement for additional five year terms.  We have 

6 

 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
     
  
       
  
 
 
obtained ownership rights in acreage in Wilkinson County, Georgia, which contains in excess of a twelve year 
supply of kaolin for our Georgia facilities based on full capacity production rates.  We have entered into a long-term 
agreement with a third party to mine and transport this material at a fixed price subject to annual adjustment.  The 
agreement requires us to utilize the third party to mine and transport a majority of the McIntyre and Toomsboro 
facility’s annual kaolin requirement.  Overall, we estimate that our fee simple and leasehold mineral rights in the 
states of Alabama and Georgia contain approximately 20.1 million tons of kaolin suitable for use in production of 
our kaolin-based proppants. 

Our production facility in Kopeysk, Russia currently uses bauxite for the production of CARBOPROP®.  

Bauxite is purchased under annual agreements that stipulate fixed prices for up to a specified quantity of material. 

We utilize our own CARBO Northern White sand and purchase third party wet processed sand reserves for 

our sand processing facility in Marshfield, Wisconsin, which supplies raw frac sand to the proppant market. 

Ceramic Production Process 

Ceramic proppants are made by grinding or dispersing ore to a fine powder, combining the powder into small 

pellets and firing the pellets in a rotary kiln.  We use three different methods to produce ceramic proppant. 

Our plants in McIntyre, Georgia and Kopeysk, Russia use a dry process, which utilizes clay, bauxite, bauxitic 

clay or kaolin.  The raw material is ground, pelletized and screened.  The manufacturing process is completed by 
firing the product in a rotary kiln. 

Our plants in Eufaula, Alabama, Toomsboro, Georgia, and Millen, Georgia, use a wet process, which starts 

with kaolin that is formed into slurry.  The slurry is then pelletized in a dryer and the pellets are then fired in a rotary 
kiln. 

The portion of our plant in New Iberia, Louisiana that manufactures ceramic proppant uses a new 
manufacturing process associated with the Company’s KRYPTOSPHERE® product line.  The first phase of a 
retrofit with this new process was substantially completed during late 2015 at our manufacturing facility in Eufaula, 
Alabama. 

Our rotary kilns are primarily heated by the use of natural gas. 

Patent Protection and Intellectual Property 

We make ceramic proppant and ceramic media used in foundry and scouring processes (the latter two items 

comprising a minimal volume of overall sales) by processes and techniques that involve a high degree of proprietary 
technology, some of which is protected by patents. 

We own multiple patents in the United States and various foreign countries that relate to different types of 
ceramic proppant and production methods used for ceramic proppant and media; however, depending on market 
conditions, production of products pursuant to these patents may not necessarily constitute a material portion of our 
output.  We also own multiple U.S. and foreign patents that relate to methods for the detection of subterranean 
fractures and material, including gravel packs, in the near-borehole region.  We also own multiple U.S. patents that 
relate to detectable proppant. 

During 2014 and 2015, we obtained three U.S. patents relating to our KRYPTOSPHERE® manufacturing 

process, and expect these patents to provide assistance in the future sales of this product line.  During 2015, 2016 
and January 2017, we obtained four U.S. patents relating to our far-field proppant detection products, systems, and 
methods which relate to our iONTM product line and the QUANTUMTM service line, which are still under 
development.  

We own multiple U.S. patent applications (together with a number of counterpart applications pending in 

foreign jurisdictions).  A portion of the U.S. patent applications cover ceramic proppant, detectable proppant, 

7 

 
processes for making ceramic and detectable proppant, detection of subterranean fractures, and our GUARDTM, 
FUSION® and AIRTM product lines and methods for making and using these products.  The applications are in 
various stages of the patent prosecution process, and patents may not issue on such applications in any jurisdiction 
for some time, if they issue at all. 

AGPI (formerly Falcon) owns three U.S. patents, which expire in 2026, 2027 and 2034 and relate to 

construction of secondary containment areas.  In addition, AGPI owns three U.S. patents, which expire in 2030 and 
2031 and relate to polyurea-encapsulated tank bases.  AGPI also owns multiple U.S. patent applications (together 
with a number of counterpart applications pending in foreign jurisdictions), each of which relates to tank bases or 
methods of constructing secondary containment areas. 

We believe that our patents have historically been important in enabling us to compete in the market to supply 

proppant to the natural gas and oil industry.  We intend to enforce, and have in the past vigorously enforced, our 
patents.  We may from time to time in the future be involved in litigation to determine the enforceability, scope and 
validity of our patent rights.  In addition to patent rights, and perhaps more notably, we use a significant amount of 
trade secrets, or “know-how,” and other proprietary information and technology in the conduct of our business.  
None of this “know-how” and technology is licensed from third parties.  However, we have negotiated a long term 
license for some third party intellectual property used or jointly developed in connection with our QUANTUM 
service line. 

Seasonality 

Historically, our business has not been subject to regular material seasonality fluctuations.  However, with the 

activity in resource plays in the northern and eastern United States, we have experienced higher levels of proppant 
sales activities during warmer weather periods and less during colder weather months.  In addition, sales activities 
can be decreased by the spring snow and ice “break-up” in Canada, North Dakota, Montana, and the Northeast U.S., 
as well as the winter holidays in December and January. 

Environmental and Other Governmental Regulations 

We believe that our operations are in substantial compliance with applicable domestic and foreign federal, 

state and local environmental and safety laws and regulations. 

Existing federal environmental requirements such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, as amended, 

impose certain restrictions on air and water pollutants from our operations via permits and regulations.  Those 
pollutants include volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, storm water and 
wastewater discharges and other by-products.  In addition to meeting environmental requirements for existing 
operations, we must also demonstrate compliance with environmental regulations in order to obtain permits prior to 
any future expansion.  The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and state programs require 
covered facilities to obtain individual permits or have coverage under an EPA general permit issued to groups of 
facilities.  A number of federal and state agencies, including but not limited to, the EPA, the Texas Commission of 
Environmental Quality, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, the Alabama Department of 
Environmental Management, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the Georgia Environmental 
Protection Division, in states in which we do business, have environmental regulations applicable to our operations.  
Historically we have been able to obtain permits, where necessary, to build new facilities and modify existing 
facilities that allow us to continue compliant operations and obtaining these permits in a timely manner will continue 
to be an important factor in our ability to do so in the future. 

Employees 

As of December 31, 2016, we had 431 employees worldwide.  In addition to the services of our employees, 

we employ the services of consultants as required.  Our employees are not represented by labor unions.  There have 
been no work stoppages or strikes during the last three years that have resulted in the loss of production or 
production delays.  We believe our relations with our employees are satisfactory. 

8 

 
Executive Officers of the Registrant 

Gary A. Kolstad (age 58) was elected in June 2006, by our Board of Directors to serve as President and Chief 

Executive Officer and a Director of the Company.  Mr. Kolstad previously served in a variety of positions over 21 
years with Schlumberger.  Mr. Kolstad became a Vice President of Schlumberger in 2001, where he last held the 
positions of Vice President, Oilfield Services – U.S. Onshore and Vice President, Global Accounts. 

Ernesto Bautista III (age 45) joined the Company as a Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in January 

2009.  From July 2006 until joining the Company, Mr. Bautista served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
of W-H Energy Services, Inc., a Houston, Texas based diversified oilfield services company (“W-H Energy”).  From 
July 2000 to July 2006, he served as Vice President and Corporate Controller of W-H Energy.  From September 
1994 to May 2000, Mr. Bautista served in various positions at Arthur Andersen LLP, most recently as a manager in 
the assurance practice, specializing in emerging, high growth companies.  Mr. Bautista is a certified public 
accountant in the State of Texas. 

Don P. Conkle (age 52) was appointed Vice President, Marketing and Sales in October 2012.  Mr. Conkle 
previously held a variety of domestic and international managerial positions in engineering, marketing and sales, and 
technology development over a 26 year period with Schlumberger.  He served in the positions of Vice President of 
Stimulation Services from 2007 until 2009, as GeoMarket Manager (Qatar & Yemen) from 2009 until 2011 and as 
Production Group Marketing and Technology Director from 2011 until he joined the Company. 

Roger Riffey (age 58) joined the Company in July 2006 as Director of Logistics and Customer Service.  He 

was appointed Plant Manager of the Toomsboro, Georgia, facility in July 2010, and was named Vice President, 
Manufacturing in May 2013.  Previously, Mr. Riffey held positions with Rio Tinto Energy in Special Projects, U.S. 
Borax as Global Logistics Manager and Kerr-McGee Coal Corporation as Manager of Marketing. 

John R. Bakht (age 47) was appointed Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief 
Compliance Officer in June 2015.  Mr. Bakht joined the Company after 13 years with Baker Hughes Incorporated, 
where he last served as Vice President – Legal, U.S. Operations, Strategy and Corporate Development, and 
Reservoir Development Services.  Mr. Bakht holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of North Carolina at 
Chapel Hill and a J.D. from The University of Texas. 

All officers are elected for one-year terms or until their successors are duly elected.  There are no 

arrangements between any officer and any other person pursuant to which he was selected as an officer.  There is no 
family relationship between any of the named executive officers or between any of them and the Company’s 
directors. 

Forward-Looking Information 

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements.  

This Form 10-K, our Annual Report to Shareholders, any Form 10-Q or any Form 8-K of the Company or any other 
written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company may include forward-looking statements which 
reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance.  The words “believe”, 
“expect”, “anticipate”, “project”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “plan” or “intend” and similar expressions identify forward-
looking statements.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, each of 
which speaks only as of the date the statement was made.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise 
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  Our forward-
looking statements are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable but that may not prove to be accurate.  
All of our forward-looking information is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ 
materially from the results expected.  Although it is not possible to identify all factors, these risks and uncertainties 
include the risk factors discussed below. 

9 

 
Our results of operations could be adversely affected if our business assumptions do not prove to be accurate 

or if adverse changes occur in our business environment, including but not limited to: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

changes in the cost of raw materials and natural gas used in manufacturing our products; 

risks related to our ability to access needed cash and capital; 

our ability to meet our current and future debt service obligations, including our ability to maintain 
compliance with our debt covenants; 

our ability to manage distribution costs effectively; 

changes in demand and prices charged for our products; 

technological, manufacturing and product development risks; 

our dependence on and loss of key customers and end users; 

potential declines or increased volatility in oil and natural gas prices that adversely affect our 
customers, the energy industry or our production costs; 

potential reductions in spending on exploration and development drilling in the oil and natural gas 
industry that reduce demand for our products and services; 

seasonal sales fluctuations; 

an increase in competition in the proppant market, including imports from foreign countries; 

logistical and distribution challenges relating to certain resource plays that do not have the type of 
infrastructure systems that are needed to efficiently support oilfield services activities; 

the development of alternative stimulation techniques that would not benefit from the use of our 
existing products and services, such as extraction of oil or gas without fracturing; 

changes in foreign and domestic governmental regulations, including environmental restrictions on 
operations and regulation of hydraulic fracturing; 

increased regulation of emissions from our manufacturing facilities; 

the development and utilization of alternative proppants for use in hydraulic fracturing; 

general global economic and business conditions; 

  weather-related risks and other risks and uncertainties; 

 

 

 

 

changes in foreign and domestic political and legislative risks; 

risks of war and international and domestic terrorism; 

risks associated with foreign operations and foreign currency exchange rates and controls; and 

the potential expropriation of assets by foreign governments. 

Our results of operations could also be adversely affected as a result of worldwide economic, political and 

military events, including, but not limited to, war, terrorist activity or initiatives by the Organization of the 
Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”).  For further information, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” 

Available Information 

Our annual reports on Form 10-K, proxy statements, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 

8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) are made available free of charge on our internet website at 
http://www.carboceramics.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is filed with, or furnished to, 
the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). 

10 

 
The public may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 

100 F Street, Room 1580, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.  The public may obtain information on the operation of 
the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  The SEC maintains an Internet site that 
contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically 
with the SEC, at http://www.sec.gov. 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors 

You should consider carefully the trends, risks and uncertainties described below and other information in this 

Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the SEC before making any investment decision with respect to our 
securities.  If any of the following trends, risks or uncertainties actually occurs or continues, our business, financial 
condition or operating results could be materially adversely affected, the trading prices of our securities could 
decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. 

Our business and financial performance depend on the level of activity in the natural gas and oil industries. 

Our operations are materially dependent upon the levels of activity in natural gas and oil exploration, 
development and production.  More specifically, the demand for our products is closely related to the number of 
natural gas and oil wells completed in geologic formations where ceramic or sand proppants are used in fracture 
treatments.  These activity levels are affected by both short-term and long-term trends in oil and natural gas prices.  
In recent years, oil and natural gas prices and, therefore, the level of exploration, development and production 
activity, have experienced significant fluctuations.  Worldwide economic, political and military events, including 
war, terrorist activity, events in the Middle East and initiatives by OPEC, have contributed, and are likely to 
continue to contribute, to price volatility.  Despite recent initiatives to curb supply, the global supply of oil is 
currently at historically high levels, and there is potential for geopolitical and regulatory events, such as 
normalization of trade relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, to further increase supply of oil.  Additionally, 
warmer than normal winters in North America and other weather patterns may adversely impact the short-term 
demand for natural gas and, therefore, demand for our products and services.  Natural gas prices experienced a 
significant decline during 2012 and, although they increased during 2016, remain relatively low on a historic basis, 
resulting in generally lower gas drilling activity.  Further, the price of oil declined precipitously from the second half 
of 2014 through mid-2016 and, although the price has rebounded from its low, it still remains at weakened levels for 
industry activity.  This reduction in oil and natural gas prices has depressed the level of natural gas and oil 
exploration, development, production and well completions activity, resulting in significantly reduced demand and 
pricing for our products.  This decline has had and continues to have a significant adverse impact on our results.  If 
oil and natural gas prices and well completion activity do not materially improve and/or demand for our products 
does not otherwise increase, this decline could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our 
financial condition or operations, including, but not limited to, temporary idling all or a portion of our facilities until 
such time as market conditions improve. 

We may not have sufficient cash and/or be able to access liquidity alternatives in the credit and capital markets to 
meet our liquidity needs.  In addition, an inability to comply with our obligations under our Amended Credit 
Agreement may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. 

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand and cash flow from operations.  Our ability to fund our 
working capital, capital expenditures, debt service under our Amended Credit Agreement and other obligations and 
to comply with the restrictive covenants under our credit facility depends on our future operating performance and 
cash from operations and other liquidity-generating transactions, which are in turn subject to prevailing oil and 
natural gas prices, economic conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.  Under the 
Amended Credit Agreement, our principal financial covenant requires us to have minimum cash on hand as 
described under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – 
Liquidity and Capital Resources”, which will be $40 million until March 2017, $30 million from April 2017 until 
December 2017 and $25 million thereafter.  Unless the Company is able to raise additional cash as described above 
or there is a significant improvement in operating conditions, there is a significant risk that the Company will not be 
able to satisfy that covenant. 

11 

 
 
 
If our future operating performance falls materially below our expectations, our plans prove to be materially 
inaccurate, or industry conditions do not materially improve, we may require additional financing.  However, our 
Amended Credit Agreement imposes certain restrictions on our ability to obtain additional financing, the availability 
of which cannot be guaranteed even if permitted under our Amended Credit Agreement.  Further, our Amended 
Credit Agreement imposes certain restrictions on our ability to sell certain assets and to engage in more than $2.5 
million in non-ordinary course asset sales, and, subject to certain exceptions, also imposes restrictions on our ability 
to use the future proceeds from such transactions. 

Even if additional or alternative financing is permitted and is or becomes available to us, future financing 
transactions may significantly increase the Company’s interest expense, which could in turn reduce our financial 
flexibility and our ability to fund other activities and could make us more vulnerable to changes in operating 
performance or economic downturns generally.  The inability to generate sufficient cash, modify our credit 
agreement, or obtain replacement or additional financing, or an event of default under our credit agreement, could 
have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. 

We therefore cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to access the capital or credit markets on 
acceptable terms or timing, or at all.  Access to the capital markets and the cost and availability of credit may be 
adversely affected by factors beyond our control, including turmoil in the financial services industry, volatility in 
securities trading markets, the continuing downturn in the oil and gas industry and general economic conditions.  
Currently, we no longer qualify as a “well-known seasoned issuer,” which previously enabled us to, among other 
things, file automatically effective shelf registration statements.  Now, even if we are able to access the public capital 
markets, any attempt to do so could be more expensive or subject to significant delays when compared with previous 
periods. 

Our business and financial performance has suffered and could suffer further if the levels of hydraulic 
fracturing continue to decline or cease as a result of the low commodity price of oil and natural gas, development 
of new processes, increased regulation or a continued decrease in drilling activity. 

Substantially all of our products are proppants used in the completion and re-completion of natural gas and oil 

wells through the process of hydraulic fracturing.  Completion activity is directly impacted by the price of oil and 
natural gas.  In addition, demand for our proppants is substantially higher in the case of horizontally drilled wells, 
which allow for multiple hydraulic fractures within the same well bore but are more expensive to develop than 
vertically drilled wells.  A reduction in horizontal drilling or the development of new processes for the completion of 
natural gas and oil wells leading to a reduction in, or discontinuation of the use of, hydraulic fracturing could cause a 
decline in demand for our products.  Additionally, increased regulation or environmental restrictions on hydraulic 
fracturing or the materials used in this process could negatively affect our business by increasing the costs of 
compliance or resulting in operational delays, which could cause operators to abandon the process due to 
commercial impracticability.  Moreover, future federal, state local or foreign laws or regulations could otherwise 
limit or ban hydraulic fracturing.  Several states in which our customers operate have adopted, or are considering 
adopting, regulations that have imposed, or could impose, more stringent permitting, transparency, disposal and well 
construction requirements on hydraulic fracturing operations.  Some states, such as New York, have banned the 
process of hydraulic fracturing altogether.  Similar efforts have been proposed in other states.  Any of these events 
could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.  As stated elsewhere, the 
upstream oil and natural gas industry is in the midst of a severe contraction, resulting in a significant reduction in 
horizontal drilling and further resulting in a material decline in demand for our products and services. 

We have distribution and logistical challenges in our business 

As oil and natural gas prices fluctuate, our customers may shift their focus back and forth between different 

resource plays, some of which can be located in geographic areas that do not have well-developed transportation and 
distribution infrastructure systems.  Transportation and logistical operating expenses continue to comprise a 
significant portion of our total delivered cost of sales.  Therefore, serving our clients in these less-developed areas 
presents distribution and other operational challenges that affect our sales and negatively impact our operating costs.  
Disruptions in transportation services, including shortages of rail cars or a lack of rail transportation services or 
developed infrastructure, could affect our ability to timely and cost effectively deliver to our customers and could 
provide a competitive advantage to competitors located in closer proximity to customers.  Additionally, increases in 

12 

 
the price of diesel fuel could negatively impact operating costs if we are unable to pass those increased costs along 
to our customers.  Failure to find long-term solutions to these logistical challenges could adversely affect our ability 
to respond quickly to the needs of our customers or result in additional increased costs, and thus could negatively 
impact our results of operations and financial condition.  

We operate in an increasingly competitive market. 

The proppant market is highly competitive.  We compete with other domestic and international suppliers of 

ceramic proppant, as well as with suppliers of sand for use as proppant, in the hydraulic fracturing of natural gas and 
oil wells.  The expiration of key patents owned by the Company has resulted in additional competition in the market 
for ceramic proppant.  Specifically, Chinese manufacturers have imported ceramic proppant of varying quality into 
North America, which has led to an oversupply of product in the marketplace.  While we believe our ceramic 
proppant can be differentiated from low quality imports, the oversupply in the marketplace had resulted in pricing 
and margin pressures.  From 2013 through 2016, ceramic proppant imports from China decreased somewhat when 
compared to early 2012, but these imports were still present in the market.  Imports of ceramic proppant from China 
into North America remained low in 2016, as demand and pricing for ceramic proppant weakened.  The entry of 
additional competitors into the market to supply ceramic proppant or a surge in the level of ceramic proppant 
imports into North America could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. 

We have been and may continue to be adversely affected by decreased demand for our proppant or the 
development by our competitors of alternative proppants. 

Ceramic proppant is a premium product capable of withstanding higher pressure and providing more highly 

conductive fractures than mined sand, which is the most commonly used proppant type.  During 2015 and 2016, we 
saw some operators that traditionally used ceramic proppant use mined sand in its place.  Despite recently improving 
commodity prices in the oil and natural gas industry, continued pressure on operators to reduce cost or to evaluate 
returns on a shorter horizon has had a detrimental impact on the demand for ceramic proppant, which is a higher cost 
product than mined sand.  Although we believe that the use of quality ceramic proppant in appropriate geologic 
formations typically generates higher production rates and more favorable long term production economics than 
mined sand, the shifting of customer demand to lower cost products, such as mined sand, has had an adverse effect 
on our results of operations and its continuation could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.  The 
development and use of alternative proppant could also cause a decline in demand for our products, and could have 
a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. 

We have no current plans to pay cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future and our 
Amended Credit Agreement contains restrictions on our ability to pay dividends; therefore, you may not receive 
any return on investment unless you sell your common stock for a price greater than you paid. 

We do not plan to declare dividends on shares of our common stock in the foreseeable future.  In addition, our 

Amended Credit Agreement prohibits us from paying such dividends.  We currently intend to retain any future 
earnings to finance the operation of our business and meet our debt obligations.  As a result, you may only receive a 
return on your investment in our common stock if the market price of our common stock increases.  Further, one of 
our financing options involves the issuance of equity securities, which would dilute current stockholders and could 
reduce our stock price. 

The outstanding indebtedness under our Amended Credit Agreement is secured by substantially all of our 
domestic assets and guaranteed by our two domestic operating subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions. 

The outstanding indebtedness under our Amended Credit Agreement is secured by substantially all of our 
domestic assets and guaranteed by our two domestic operating subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions.  A breach 
of certain covenants or payment obligations in the Amended Credit Agreement would result in a default.  In the 
event of such a default, our lenders may (1) elect to declare all outstanding borrowings made under the Amended 
Credit Agreement and the guaranties of the two operating subsidiaries, together with accrued interest and other fees, 
to be immediately due and payable; (2) exercise their set-off rights; and/or (3) enforce and foreclose on their security 
interest and liquidate some or all of such pledged assets. 

13 

 
We rely upon, and receive a significant percentage of our revenues from, a limited number of key customers and 
end users. 

During 2016, our key customers included several of the largest participants in the worldwide petroleum 

pressure pumping industry.  Two of these customers each accounted for more than 10% of our 2016 
revenues.  However, the end users of our products are numerous operators of natural gas and oil wells that hire 
pressure pumping service companies to hydraulically fracture wells.  During 2016, a majority of our ceramic 
proppant sales were directed to a concentrated number of end users.  We generally supply our domestic pumping 
service customers with products on a just-in-time basis, with transactions governed by individual purchase orders 
and/or a master supply agreement.  Because of their purchasing power, our key customers may have greater 
bargaining leverage than us with respect to the negotiation of prices and other terms of sale in their supply contracts 
with us, which could adversely affect our profit margins associated with those contracts.  Disparities in bargaining 
leverage, when combined with the Company’s desire to maintain long-term relationships with key customers, could 
limit our practical ability to assert certain terms of our supply agreements with them.  Continuing sales of our 
products depend on our direct customers and the end user well operators being satisfied with product quality, 
pricing, availability, and delivery performance.  While we believe our relations with our customers and our end 
users are satisfactory, a material decline in the level of sales to any one of our major customers or loss of a key end 
user due to unsatisfactory product performance, pricing, delivery delays or any other reason could have a material 
adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. 

The operations of our customers, and thus the results of our operations, are subject to a number of operational 
risks, interruptions and seasonal trends. 

As hydraulic fracturing jobs have increased in size and intensity, common issues such as weather, equipment 

delays or changes in the location and types of oil and natural gas plays can result in increased variability in proppant 
sales volumes.  Our business operations and those of our customers involve a high degree of operational risk.  
Natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, collisions and operator error could cause personal injury or loss of 
life, severe damage to and destruction of property, equipment and the environment, and suspension of operations.  
Our customers perform work that is subject to unexpected or arbitrary interruption or termination.  The occurrence 
of any of these events could result in work stoppage, loss of revenue, casualty loss, increased costs and significant 
liability to third parties.  We have not historically considered seasonality to be a significant risk, but with the 
increase in resource plays in the northern and eastern United States as well as our operations in Marshfield, 
Wisconsin, our results of operations are exposed to seasonal variations and inclement weather.  Operations in certain 
regions involve more seasonal risk in the winter months, and work is hindered during other inclement weather 
events.  This variability makes it more difficult to predict sales and can result in greater fluctuations to our quarterly 
financial results.  These quarterly fluctuations could result in operating results that are below the expectations of 
public market analysts and investors, and therefore may adversely affect the market price for our common stock. 

The ability of our customers to complete work, as well as our ability to mine sand from cold climate areas, 

could be affected during the winter months.  Our revenue and profitability could decrease during these periods and 
in other severe weather conditions because work is either prevented or more costly to complete.  If a substantial 
amount of production is interrupted, our cash flow and, in turn, our results of operations could be materially and 
adversely affected. 

Our North American ceramic proppant production is manufactured at two plants.  All of our mined sand is 
processed at one plant.  Any adverse developments at those plants could have a material adverse effect on our 
financial condition and results of operations. 

With the mothballing of our Millen plant and very limited production at our McIntyre plant, we are producing 

the majority of our North American ceramic production from two plants.  Our Marshfield, Wisconsin plant 
represents 100% of our annual mined sand processing capacity.  Any adverse developments at these plants, 
including a material disruption in production, an inability to supply the plant with raw materials at a competitive 
cost, or adverse developments due to catastrophic events, could have a material adverse effect on our financial 
condition and results of operations. 

14 

 
We provide environmental warranties on certain of our containment and spill prevention products. 

AGPI’s tank liners, secondary containments and related products and services are designed to contain or avoid 

spills of hydrocarbons and other materials.  If a release of these materials occurs, it could be harmful to the 
environment.  Although we attempt to negotiate appropriate limitations of liability in the applicable terms of sale, 
some customers have required expanded warranties, indemnifications or other terms that could hold AGPI 
responsible in the event of a spill or release under particular circumstances.  If AGPI is held responsible for a spill or 
release of materials from one of its customer’s facilities, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of 
operations and financial condition. 

We rely upon intellectual property to protect our proprietary rights.  Failure to protect our intellectual property 
rights may affect our competitive position, and protecting our rights or defending against third-party allegations 
of infringement may be costly. 

The Company uses a significant amount of trade secrets, or “know-how,” and other proprietary information 

and technology in the conduct of its business.  In some cases, we rely on trade secrets, trademarks or contractual 
restrictions to protect intellectual property rights that are not patented.  The steps we take to protect the non-patented 
intellectual property may not be sufficient to protect it and any loss or diminishment of such intellectual property 
rights could negatively impact our competitive advantage.  Additionally, our competitors could independently 
develop the same or similar technologies that are only protected by trade secret and thus do not prevent third parties 
from competing with us.  Furthermore, even protected intellectual property rights can be infringed upon by third 
parties.  Monitoring unauthorized use of Company intellectual property can be difficult and expensive, and adequate 
remedies may not be available. 

Although the Company does not believe that it is infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others by 

using such proprietary information and technology, it is possible that such a claim might be asserted against the 
Company in the future.  In the event any third party makes a claim against us for infringement of patents or other 
intellectual property rights of a third party, such claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming and result 
in costly litigation.  In addition, the Company could experience loss or cancellation of customer orders, experience 
product shipment delays, or be subject to significant liabilities to third parties.  If our products or services were 
found to infringe on a third party’s proprietary rights, the Company could be required to enter into royalty or 
licensing agreements to continue selling its products or services.  Royalty or licensing agreements, if required, may 
not be available on acceptable terms, if at all, which could seriously harm our business.  Involvement in any patent 
dispute or other intellectual property dispute or action to protect trade secrets and expertise could have a material 
adverse effect on the Company’s business. 

Significant increases in fuel prices for any extended periods of time will increase our operating expenses. 

The price and supply of natural gas are unpredictable, and can fluctuate significantly based on international, 
political and economic circumstances, as well as other events outside of our control, such as changes in supply and 
demand due to weather conditions, actions by OPEC and other oil and gas producers, regional production patterns 
and environmental concerns.  Natural gas is a significant component of our direct manufacturing costs and price 
escalations will likely increase our operating expenses and can have a negative impact on income from operations 
and cash flows.  We operate in a competitive marketplace and may not be able to pass through all of the increased 
costs that could result from an increase in the cost of natural gas. 

Environmental compliance costs and liabilities could reduce our earnings and cash available for operations. 

We are subject to increasingly stringent laws and regulations relating to environmental protection, including 

laws and regulations governing air emissions, water discharges and waste management.  The technical requirements 
of complying with these environmental laws and regulations are becoming increasingly expensive and complex, and 
may affect the Company’s ability to expand its operations.  Our ability to continue the expansion of our 
manufacturing capacity to meet market demand is contingent upon obtaining required environmental permits and 
compliance with their terms, which continue to be more restrictive and require longer lead times to obtain in 
anticipation of any efforts to expand and increase capacity.  We incur, and expect to continue to incur, capital and 
operating costs to comply with environmental laws and regulations. 

15 

 
In addition, we use some hazardous substances and generate certain industrial wastes in our operations.  Many 

of our current and former properties are or have been used for industrial purposes.  Accordingly, we could become 
subject to potentially material liabilities relating to the investigation and cleanup of contaminated properties, and to 
claims alleging personal injury or property damage as the result of exposures to, or releases of, hazardous 
substances.  These laws also may provide for “strict liability” for damages to natural resources or threats to public 
health and safety.  Strict liability can render a party liable for environmental damage without regard to negligence or 
fault on the part of the party.  Some environmental laws provide for joint and several strict liability for remediation 
of spills and releases of hazardous substances. 

Stricter enforcement of existing laws and regulations, new laws and regulations, the discovery of previously 

unknown contamination or the imposition of new or increased requirements could restrict our expansion efforts, 
require us to incur costs, or become the basis of new or increased liabilities.  Any of these events could reduce our 
earnings and our cash available for operations. 

Our international operations subject us to risks inherent in doing business on an international level that could 
adversely impact our results of operations. 

International revenues accounted for approximately 34%, 29% and 24% of our total revenues in 2016, 2015 

and 2014, respectively.  We may not succeed in overcoming the risks that relate to or arise from operating in 
international markets.  Risks inherent in doing business on an international level include, among others, the 
following: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

economic and political instability (including as a result of the threat or occurrence of armed 
international conflict or terrorist attacks); 

potential declines or increased volatility in oil and natural gas prices that would adversely affect our 
customers, the energy industry or our production costs; 

changes in regulatory requirements, economic sanctions, tariffs, customs, duties and other trade 
barriers; 

transportation delays and costs; 

power supply shortages and shutdowns; 

difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations and other labor problems; 

currency rate fluctuations, convertibility and repatriation; 

taxation of our earnings and the earnings of our personnel; 

potential expropriation of assets by foreign governments; and 

other risks relating to the administration of or changes in, or new interpretations of, the laws, 
regulations and policies of the jurisdictions in which we conduct our business. 

In particular, we are subject to risks associated with our production facility in Kopeysk, Russia.  The legal 

systems in Russia are still developing and are subject to change.  Accordingly, our operations and orders for 
products in Russia could be adversely impacted by changes to or interpretation of the country’s law.  Moreover, 
some parts of our Russian operations have been impacted by the imposition of trade sanctions enacted by the U.S. 
government in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.  These sanctions continue in place and changes to them 
or additional measures implemented by the U.S. government or other applicable authorities could further affect our 
sales and operations in the region.  Further, if manufacturing in the region is disrupted, our overall capacity could be 
significantly reduced and sales and/or profitability could be negatively impacted. 

Undetected defects in our fracture simulation software could adversely affect our business. 

Despite extensive testing, our software could contain defects, bugs or performance problems.  If any of these 
problems are not detected, the Company could be required to incur extensive development costs or costs related to 
product recalls or replacements.  The existence of any defects, errors or failures in our software products may 

16 

 
subject us to liability for damages, delay the development or release of new products and adversely affect market 
acceptance or perception of our software products or related services, any one of which could materially and 
adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. 

The market price of our common stock will fluctuate, and could fluctuate significantly. 

The market price of the Company’s common stock will fluctuate, and could fluctuate significantly, in response 

to various factors and events, including the following: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the liquidity of the market for our common stock; 

seasonal or quarterly sales fluctuations; 

differences between our actual financial or operating results and those expected by investors and 
analysts; 

changes in analysts' recommendations or projections; 

a substantial short position in our stock; 

new statutes or regulations or changes in interpretations of existing statutes and regulations affecting 
our business; 

changes in general economic or market conditions; and 

broad market fluctuations. 

Our actual results could differ materially from results anticipated in forward-looking statements we make. 

Some of the statements included or incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K are forward-looking 

statements.  These forward-looking statements include statements relating to trends in the natural gas and oil 
industries, the demand for ceramic proppant and our performance in the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business" sections of this Form 10-K.  In addition, we have 
made and may continue to make forward-looking statements in other filings with the SEC, and in written material, 
press releases and oral statements issued by us or on our behalf.  Forward-looking statements include statements 
regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company or its officers.  Our actual results could differ 
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, and our financial forecasts are particularly 
sensitive to changes in the current market conditions.  Further, out financial forecasts have been less accurate during 
the recent downturn.  If actual results are less than our forecasts, we may not have sufficient cash to maintain 
compliance with the minimum cash balance required by the Amended Credit Agreement.  See "Business–Forward-
Looking Information." 

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments 

Not applicable. 

Item 2. 

Properties 

We maintain our corporate headquarters in leased office space in Houston, Texas and also lease space for our 

technology center in Houston.  We own our manufacturing facilities, land and substantially all of the related 
production equipment in New Iberia, Louisiana, Eufaula, Alabama, and Kopeysk, Russia and lease our McIntyre, 
Toomsboro, and Millen, Georgia, facilities.  We own the buildings and production equipment at our facility in 
Luoyang, China, and have been granted use of the land on which the facility is located through 2051 under the terms 
of a land use agreement with the People’s Republic of China.  The Luoyang, China facility was shut down during 
2015, and we do not intend to resume production. 

The facilities in McIntyre and Toomsboro, Georgia, include real property, plant and equipment that we lease 

from the Development Authority of Wilkinson County.  The original lease was executed in 1997 and was last 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
amended in 2008.  The term of the current lease, which covers both locations, terminates on November 1, 2017, and 
includes a Company renewal option to extend through November 1, 2021.  Under the terms of the lease, we are 
responsible for all costs incurred in connection with the premises, including costs of construction of the plant and 
equipment.  At the termination of the lease, title to all of the real property, plant and equipment is to be conveyed to 
us in exchange for nominal consideration.  We have the right to purchase the property, plant and equipment at any 
time during the term of the lease for a nominal price. 

In November 2012, we entered into a lease with the Development Authority of Jenkins County for the land 

and improvements associated with the construction of a plant in Millen, Georgia.  The lease term continues until the 
tenth anniversary of the completion of the last phase of the facility.  Similar to lease terms of the two other Georgia 
facilities, the Millen lease requires us to be responsible for all costs (including construction costs) incurred in 
connection with the premises.  Moreover, title to the real property, plant and equipment of the facility is to be 
conveyed to us at the end of the lease term for nominal consideration, and may be purchased by us at any time for a 
nominal price.  We completed construction and commenced operations of the first 250 million pound ceramic 
production line in Millen during 2014.  We began the construction on a second 250 million pound production line in 
Millen.  However, due to current market conditions, the construction and completion of this second line has been 
suspended until market conditions warrant completion. 

The Marshfield, Wisconsin sand processing plant, which became operational during 2012, is located on land 

owned by us.  We made a decision that we will not move forward with construction of a resin coating plant in 
Marshfield, Wisconsin for which we had previously developed engineering plans and procured certain equipment 
that had long-lead delivery times. 

We own or otherwise utilize distribution facilities in multiple locations around the world.  See “Item 1. 

Business – Distribution.” 

We own approximately 4,618 acres of land and leasehold interests near our plants in Georgia and Alabama.  

The land contains raw material for use in the production of our lightweight ceramic proppants.  We also hold 
approximately 113 acres of land and leasehold interests in Wisconsin. 

AGPI owns its service facility located in Decatur, Texas, and leases other regional service facilities within the 

United States. 

Item 3. 

Legal Proceedings 

From time to time, we are the subject of legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business.  We do 

not believe that any of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our business or our results of 
operations. 

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosure 

Several of our U.S. manufacturing facilities process mined minerals, and therefore are viewed as mine 

operations subject to regulation by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration under the Federal Mine 
Safety and Health Act of 1977.  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 the recently proposed 
Item 106 of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.106) is included in Exhibit 95 to this annual report. 

18 

 
 
 
PART II 

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of 

Equity Securities 

Common Stock Market Prices, Dividends and Stock Repurchases 

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol CRR).  The number of record 

and beneficial holders of our common stock as of February 1, 2017 was approximately 10,537. 

The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of our common stock on the New York Stock 

Exchange and dividends for the last two fiscal years: 

2016 

2015 

Quarter Ended 
March 31 ........................................................................................ $23.68 $14.20   — 
June 30 ...........................................................................................   16.70   10.63   — 
September 30 .................................................................................   14.91   10.00   — 
December 31 ..................................................................................   11.87   6.08   — 

High 

Sales Price 

Cash 
Dividends   
Low  Declared    High 

Sales Price 

Cash 
Dividends 
   Low  Declared (1)
$0.43 

  $ 41.61   $ 30.00  
    46.00     30.04    — 
    39.05     18.99   
    24.74     15.40    — 

  0.20 

(1)  Represents quarters during which dividends were declared.  The payment months for cash dividends were 

February 2015 ($0.33), May 2015 ($0.10), August 2015 ($0.10) and November 2015 ($0.10). 

In January 2016, our Board of Directors suspended our policy of paying quarterly cash dividends, and there 

can be no assurance as to the payment of future dividends because they depend on future earnings, capital 
requirements and financial condition. 

On January 28, 2015, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to two million shares of our 

common stock.  Shares are effectively retired at the time of purchase.  As of February 28, 2017, we had not 
repurchased any shares under this plan. 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans 

For information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, refer to “ITEM 
12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED 
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS” and “NOTE 10 — Stock Based Compensation” in the accompanying “Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements” in this Annual Report. 

19 

 
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
    
  
    
  
  
 
 
The following table provides information about our repurchases of common stock during the quarter ended 

December 31, 2016, all of which represent shares surrendered to us for tax withholding obligations upon the vesting 
of restricted stock: 

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES 

Period 
10/01/16 to 10/31/16 ............................................................................   
11/01/16 to 11/30/16 ............................................................................    — 
12/01/16 to 12/31/16 ............................................................................    — 
589 

Total ...............................................................................................   

Total 
Number of 
Shares 
Purchased 
as Part of 
Publicly 
Announced 
Plan (1)    

Maximum 
Number of 
Shares that May
be Purchased 
Under the 
Plan (2) 
     2,000,000
     2,000,000
     2,000,000

Total 
Number 
of Shares
Purchased   

Average 
Price Paid 
per Share   
589  (3)  $10.94      — 
     — 
     — 
      — 

    — 
    — 

(1)  On January 28, 2015, we announced the authorization by our Board of Directors for the repurchase of up to 

two million shares of our Common Stock. 

(2)  Represents the maximum number of shares that may be repurchased under the plan as of period end.  As of 

February 28, 2017, a maximum of 2,000,000 shares may be repurchased under the plan. 

(3)  Represents shares of stock withheld for the payment of withholding taxes upon the vesting of restricted stock. 

20 

 
  
   
    
 
 
Stock Performance Graph 

The graph below compares the cumulative shareholder return on our common stock with the cumulative 
returns of the the S&P 500 index, the S&P Smallcap 600 index, and the S&P SmallCap 600 - Oil & Gas Equipment 
& Services index.  The graph tracks the performance of a $100 investment in our common stock and in each of the 
indexes (with the reinvestment of all dividends) from December 31, 2011 to December 31, 2016. 

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN* 
Among CARBO Ceramics Inc., the S&P 500 Index, the S&P Smallcap 600 Index, 
and S&P SmallCap 600 - Oil & Gas Equipment & Services Index 

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

$0

12/11 3/12 6/12 9/12 12/12 3/13 6/13 9/13 12/13 3/14 6/14 9/14 12/14 3/15 6/15 9/15 12/15 3/16 6/16 9/16 12/16

CARBO Ceramics Inc.

S&P 500

S&P Smallcap 600

S&P SmallCap 600 - Oil & Gas Equipment & Services Index

* 

$100 invested on 12/31/11 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.  Fiscal year ending 
December 31. 

Copyright© 2017 S&P, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved. 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
Item 6. 

Selected Financial Data 

The following selected financial data are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements.  The data 

should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. 

Statement of Income Data: 

2016 

Years ended December 31, 
2014 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

2013 

2015 

2012 

Revenues .............................................................    $ 103,051   $ 279,574   $ 648,325      $ 667,398     $ 645,536 
Cost of sales ........................................................      188,065     335,699     467,045         474,403       422,031 
(56,125)    181,280         192,995       223,505 
Gross (loss) profit ................................................     
72,535         68,447       64,033 
62,199    
Selling, general, & administrative expenses ........     
15,890        
Other operating expenses (income) (1) ...............     
586 
44,908    
92,855         124,591       158,886 
Operating (loss) profit .........................................      (125,902)    (163,232)   
Other (expense) income, net ................................     
(296)
(517)   
92,871         125,201       158,590 
(Loss) income before income taxes .....................      (131,208)    (163,749)   
Income tax (benefit) expense ..............................     
37,283         40,315       52,657 
(54,205)   
Net (loss) income ................................................    $ (80,127)  $(109,544)  $ 55,588      $ 84,886     $ 105,933 
(Loss) earnings per share: 

(85,014)   
39,984    
904    

(51,081)   

(5,306)   

610      

(43 )   

16        

Basic ..............................................................    $
Diluted ...........................................................    $

(3.29)  $
(3.29)  $

(4.76)  $
(4.76)  $

2.41      $
2.41      $

3.67     $
3.67     $

4.59 
4.59  

Balance Sheet Data: 

2016 

December 31, 
2014 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

2015 

2013 

2012 

Current assets .........................................................  $ 217,223   $ 285,277   $ 337,611    $  371,382     $ 349,917
Current liabilities ....................................................   
50,830
Property, plant and equipment, net .........................    494,103     537,731     568,716       478,535       426,232
Total assets .............................................................    723,457     836,369     934,226       878,951       808,878
Total shareholders’ equity ......................................    616,570     642,306     776,057       768,587       713,078
1.02  
Cash dividends per share ........................................   

77,415       56,688      

34,804    

70,290    

1.26    $ 

1.14     $

0.63   $

—   $

(1)  Other operating expenses include costs of start-up activities and gains/losses on disposal or impairment of 

assets. 

22 

 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
     
    
 
  
 
 
  
    
    
        
      
 
  
    
    
        
      
 
  
  
 
  
 
   
   
     
    
  
 
  
    
    
      
      
 
 
 
Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

Executive Level Overview 

CARBO Ceramics Inc. is a technology company that generates revenue primarily through the sale of products 
and services to the global oil and gas industry for production enhancement and environmental products and services. 

The Company conducts its business within two operating segments: 1) Oilfield Technologies and Services and 

2) Environmental Products and Services.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company concluded that the 
Environmental Products and Services operating segment met the requirements of ASC 280, Segment Reporting, 
because its segment revenues represents 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated revenues and, accordingly, the 
Company now identifies and reports it as an independent segment. Our Environmental Products and Services 
segment is limited to production and sales by our AGPI subsidiary. 

Our oilfield technologies and services segment includes the manufacturing and selling of proppant products 
for use primarily in the hydraulic fracturing of oil and natural gas wells, Fracpro software for the design of fracture 
treatments, and StrataGen consulting services for the optimization of well completions.  These products include 
ceramic proppant and raw frac sand.  Our manufacturing facilities also produce ceramic pellets for use in various 
industrial technology applications, including but not limited to casting and milling.  Through our wholly-owned 
subsidiary StrataGen, Inc., this segment also promotes increased operators’ production and EUR by providing one of 
the industry’s most widely used hydraulic fracture simulation software under the brand FracPro®, as well as 
hydraulic fracture design and consulting services under the brand StrataGen.  Our environmental products and 
services segment, through AGPI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, uses proprietary technology to provide 
products that are designed to enable its clients to extend the life of their storage assets, reduce the potential for 
hydrocarbon spills and provide containment of stored materials.  This business is intended to protect operators’ 
assets, minimize environmental risk, and lower LOE. 

Our products and services help oil and gas producers increase production and recovery rates from their wells, 
thereby lowering overall finding and development costs.  As a result, our business is dependent to a large extent on 
the level of drilling and hydraulic fracturing activity in the oil and gas industry worldwide.  Although our ceramic 
proppants are more expensive than alternative non-ceramic proppants, we have been able to demonstrate the cost-
effectiveness of our products to numerous operators of oil and gas wells through technical marketing activity.  We 
believe our future prospects benefit from both an increase in drilling and hydraulic fracturing activity worldwide and 
the desire of industry participants to improve production results and lower their overall development costs. 

We believe international sales will continue to have an important role in our business.  International revenues 

represented 34%, 29% and 24% of total revenues in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 

Operating profit margin for our ceramic proppant business is principally impacted by sales volume, product 

mix, sales price, distribution costs, manufacturing costs, including natural gas, and our production levels as a 
percentage of our capacity.  The level of selling, general and administrative spending, as well as other operating 
expenses, can also impact operating profit margins.  In 2015 and 2014, operating profit margin was also impacted by 
spending to bring our new KRYPTOSPHERE® proppant technology to a commercial state.  And, in 2016, 2015 and 
2014, the Company recognized asset impairment charges related to certain long-lived assets. 

As a result of the depressed commodity price for oil during 2016 and the resulting negative impact on industry 
activity levels, which is having a negative impact on demand for ceramic proppant, we are currently focused on cash 
preservation and cost reduction strategies.  Beginning in 2015, we slowed and idled proppant production to assist in 
managing cash and inventory levels.  We mothballed our proppant facility in McIntyre, Georgia and shut down our 
facility in Luoyang, China, both in early 2015.  However, we are now utilizing our McIntyre, Georgia facility only 
in a limited capacity primarily to supply the industrial market.  We mothballed our proppant facility in Millen, 
Georgia.  These events resulted in significant negative impact to the financial results of our operations.  
Additionally, we suspended completion of two large construction projects until such time that market conditions 
improve enough to warrant completion.  We suspended completion of the second production line at Millen, Georgia 
and also the second phase of the retrofit of an existing plant with our new KRYPTOSPHERE® technology.  As of 
December 31, 2016, the value of the temporarily suspended assets relating to these two projects totaled 

23 

 
approximately 94% of the Company’s total construction in progress and we estimate that both projects are over 90% 
complete.  See “Item 1 - Business” and “Item 1A - Risk Factors”. 

Although most direct manufacturing expenses have been relatively stable or predictable over time, we have 
experienced volatility in the cost of natural gas, which is used in production by our domestic manufacturing facilities.  
The cost of natural gas has been a significant component of total monthly domestic direct production expense.  In 
recent years, the price of natural gas has been low compared to historical prices, as well as fairly stable from period to 
period.  However, in an effort to mitigate volatility in the cost of natural gas purchases and reduce exposure to short 
term spikes in the price of this commodity, we contract in advance for portions of our future natural gas requirements.  
Our gas contract commitments can extend several years into the future.  Despite the efforts to reduce exposure to 
changes in natural gas prices, it is possible that, given the significant portion of manufacturing costs represented by this 
item, gross margins as a percentage of sales may decline and changes in net income may not directly correlate to 
changes in revenue.  Due to the severe decline in industry activity beginning in early 2015, we significantly reduced 
production levels and consequently did not take delivery of all of the contracted natural gas quantities.  As a result, we 
have accounted for the relevant contracts as derivative instruments. 

In 2013, we began selling raw frac sand.  Raw frac sand products sell at much lower prices than our ceramic 

proppant and can lower the overall average selling price of all proppants sold. 

General Business Conditions 

Our oilfield technologies and services segment is impacted by the number of natural gas and oil wells drilled 

in North America, and the need to hydraulically fracture these wells.  In markets outside North America, sales of our 
products are also influenced by the overall level of drilling and hydraulic fracturing activity.  Furthermore, because 
the decision to use ceramic proppant is based on comparing the higher initial costs to the future value derived from 
increased production and recovery rates, our business is influenced by the current and expected prices of natural gas 
and oil. 

Beginning in late 2014 and continuing throughout 2015 and 2016, a severe decline in oil and natural gas 
prices led to a significant decline in oil and natural gas industry drilling activities and capital spending.  We expect 
that these low oil and natural gas prices will continue for the foreseeable future and will continue to negatively 
impact both pricing and demand for proppant.  During 2016, the average price of West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) 
crude oil fell 11% to $43.14 per barrel compared to $48.69 per barrel in 2015.  The average North American rig 
count fell 45% in 2016 to 640 rigs compared to 1,169 rigs in 2015.  In addition, exploration and production (“E&P”) 
operators continued a movement to lowest-cost completions, a trend that we expect to continue in 2017, as our 
customers are under increasing pressure to consider lower cost alternatives in the current commodity price 
environment, notwithstanding the superior performance results of our products.  These events, along with an 
oversupplied ceramic proppant market and low oil and natural gas prices, drove lower demand and lower average 
prices for our proppants during 2016, when compared with 2015.   

In addition to rig counts and commodity prices, our results of operations are also significantly affected by a 

host of other factors, including but not limited to (a) completion activity, which is not necessarily correlated with rig 
count, (b) customer preferences, (c) new product and technology adoption (including our new KRYPTOSPHERE, 
CARBOAIR and SCALEGUARD technologies), (d) imports and competition, (e) changes in the product mix of 
what we sell, (f) costs of developing our products and services and running our business, and (g) changes in our 
strategy and execution.  Current demand for proppant is extremely dynamic, but even if rig count and commodity 
prices remain constant, our business results are also highly dependent on these additional factors. 

Beginning early in 2015, we implemented a number of initiatives to preserve cash and lower costs, including: 

(1) reducing workforce across our organization, (2) lowering our production output levels in order to align with 
lower demand, including through idling and mothballing of some of our production facilities (3) limiting capital 
expenditures and (4) eliminating dividends.  In 2016, we idled the majority of the production activities at our New 
Iberia, Louisiana plant until such time as market conditions warrant bringing them back online.  Our facility in 
Millen, Georgia remained idled due to market conditions, however we recently restarted our Marshfield, Wisconsin 
sand processing facility.  Our remaining domestic plants remain at significantly reduced output levels.  As a result of 
operating some of our plants below their normal production capacity, we expensed $47.3 million of production 

24 

 
overhead costs in excess of amounts that would have been allocated to each unit of production at normal production 
levels.  In addition to continued headcount rationalizing, we also implemented programs that allowed us to further 
reduce cash compensation.  Also, we recorded a gain on derivative contracts of $1.9 million and a loss on derivative 
contracts of $15.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

The Company’s environmental products and services segment is also impacted by the global drilling and 
hydraulic fracturing activity, and has been negatively impacted by the significant decline in oil and natural gas 
industry drilling activities and capital spending. 

Critical Accounting Policies 

Our Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally 
accepted in the U.S., which require us to make estimates and assumptions (see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements).  We believe that, of our significant accounting policies, the following may involve a higher degree of 
judgment and complexity. 

Revenue is recognized when title passes to the customer (generally upon delivery of products) or at the time 
services are performed.  We generate a significant portion of our revenues and corresponding accounts receivable 
from sales to the petroleum pressure pumping industry.  In addition, we generate a significant portion of our 
revenues and corresponding accounts receivable from sales to two major customers, both of which are in the 
petroleum pressure pumping industry.  As of December 31, 2016, approximately 33% of the balance in trade 
accounts receivable was attributable to those two customers.  We record an allowance for doubtful accounts based 
on our assessment of collectability risk and periodically evaluate the allowance based on a review of trade accounts 
receivable.  Trade accounts receivable are periodically reviewed for collectability based on customers’ past credit 
history and current financial condition, and the allowance is adjusted, if necessary.  If the economic downturn in the 
petroleum pressure pumping industry worsens or does not materially improve or, for some other reason, any of our 
primary customers were to experience significant adverse conditions, our estimates of the recoverability of accounts 
receivable could be reduced by a material amount and the allowance for doubtful accounts could be increased by a 
material amount.  At December 31, 2016, the allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $2.8 million. 

We value inventory using the weighted average cost method.  Assessing the ultimate realization of inventories 
requires judgments about future demand and market conditions.  We regularly review inventories to determine if the 
carrying value of the inventory exceeds market value and we record an adjustment to reduce the carrying value to 
market value, as necessary.  We evaluate the carrying value of our inventories relative to market value generally on 
a geographic by-country basis.  As needed, more specific reviews within a particular country are made on a product 
group basis.  Future changes in demand and market conditions could cause us to be exposed to additional 
obsolescence or slow moving inventory.  If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by 
management, lower of cost or market adjustments may be required.  We recorded a $1.5 million and $4.5 million 
lower of cost or market inventory adjustment for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

Income taxes are provided for in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes”.  This standard takes into 

account the differences between financial statement treatment and tax treatment of certain transactions.  Deferred tax 
assets (“DTAs”) and liabilities (“DTLs”) are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences 
between the financial statement carrying value of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.  
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the 
years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect of a change in tax 
rates is recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date.  This calculation requires us 
to make certain estimates about our future operations.  Changes in state, federal and foreign tax laws, as well as 
changes in the Company’s financial condition, could affect these estimates. 

As of December 31, 2016, our net DTL was $1.2 million, which included a $71.3 million DTL related to 

accelerated tax depreciation.  This DTL was partially offset by a $51.7 million DTA related to net operating loss 
carryforwards and $18.4 million in other DTAs primarily relating to inventories, goodwill, and employee benefits.  
The majority of the balance of NOL carryforwards recorded are expected to expire in 2036.  In 2016, capital projects 
that were slowed or stalled resulted in fewer opportunities for current period accelerated tax depreciation over book 
depreciation.  If capital projects remain stalled, future periods will see a decrease in the DTL related to depreciation.  

25 

 
Keeping all other deferred items constant, a decreasing DTL related to depreciation could cause a change from a net 
DTL position to a net DTA position. 

We evaluate the realizability of deferred tax assets by assessing whether it is more likely than not that some or 

all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends on the 
generation of future taxable income, including income generated through reduced levels of tax depreciation in future 
years.  Therefore, unless we are able to generate sufficient taxable income to utilize our net operating loss carry 
forwards, a valuation allowance to reduce our DTA may be required in 2017.  While this would increase our 
expenses in the period the allowance is recognized and adversely affect our results of operations and statement of 
financial condition for that period, there would be no cash impact. 

Long-lived assets, which include net property, plant and equipment, goodwill, intangibles and other long-term 
assets, comprise a significant amount of the Company’s total assets.  The Company makes judgments and estimates 
in conjunction with the carrying values of these assets, including amounts to be capitalized, depreciation and 
amortization methods and useful lives.  Additionally, the carrying values of these assets are periodically reviewed 
for impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be 
recoverable.  An impairment loss is recorded in the period in which it is determined that the carrying amount is not 
recoverable.  This requires the Company to make long-term forecasts of its future revenues and costs related to the 
assets subject to review.  These forecasts require assumptions about demand for the Company’s products and 
services, future market conditions and technological developments.  Significant and unanticipated changes to these 
assumptions could require a provision for impairment in a future period. 

As a result of the continued depressed conditions in the oil and natural gas industry, during the fourth quarter 
of 2016 we evaluated substantially all our long-lived assets for possible impairment as of December 31, 2016.  Our 
key assumptions used in evaluating our long-lived assets for possible impairments varied by facility due to the type 
of product produced and, in the case of ceramic proppant, the production process used at each facility.  For example, 
the operational economics and financial results associated with frac sand are materially different from those 
associated with a technology-based product, like ceramic proppant.  We produce both bauxite and kaolin-based 
ceramic proppant products.  In addition, we use three generations of technologies to produce ceramic proppant.  
From oldest to newest, those technologies are the dry process, the wet process and the KRYPTOSPHERE process. 

With respect to the overriding assumptions we used to determine undiscounted cash flows, we define full 

recovery of the oilfield services industry as consecutive periods of (a) sustained, profitable growth, (b) increases in 
equipment utilization, and (c) increases in headcount.  We define our normal ceramic proppant production levels as 
facility utilization at or above 65% of a facility’s stated capacity. 

Given the impact that the industry downturn has had on pricing for both frac sand and ceramic proppant, and 
the Company’s advancements in KRYPTOSPHERE technology, which we believe may render obsolete the use of 
bauxite based ceramic proppant, we identified indicators of impairment associated with our U.S. proppant 
manufacturing facilities.  These indicators included the fact that (a) our Marshfield, Wisconsin facility only produces 
dried and sized frac sand, (b) products produced in our wet process facilities, collectively, are subject to the market 
pricing pressures discussed above, and (c) our McIntyre, Georgia facility is our least efficient ceramic proppant 
production facility.  The McIntyre facility utilizes the oldest generation ceramic production process (or the dry 
process), which is almost exclusively used to produce bauxite based ceramic proppant. 

Based on these qualitative considerations, we prepared an undiscounted cash flow analysis for all of our U.S. 
proppant manufacturing facilities.  Key assumptions underlying our undiscounted cash flow analysis included, but 
were not limited to, facility utilization, raw material cost inflation and long-term sales prices for products produced.  
Based on these analyses, we noted that the carrying value was below the sum of the undiscounted cash flows, and 
thus no further impairments were required. 

If there are changes to our material assumptions, it is possible that we may have to recognize impairments in 

the future.  However, we believe that the material assumptions used in our impairment analysis were reasonable and 
were based on available information and forecasts at the time.  We continue to monitor whether or not events or 
circumstances would indicate that the carrying value of any of our long-lived assets might not be recoverable.   

26 

 
During the year ended December 31, 2015, as a result of worsening conditions in the oil and natural gas 
industry during the fourth quarter of 2015, we recorded a $43.7 million impairment of long-lived assets, primarily 
relating to machinery and equipment at our McIntyre, Georgia manufacturing plant and our Marshfield, Wisconsin 
sand processing facility.  As of December 31, 2016, the remaining carrying value of machinery and equipment 
relating to those previously impaired facilities was approximately $4.4 million. 

Early in 2015, we identified an existing accounting policy as critical related to the accounting for derivative 

instruments as a result of not taking delivery of all of our contracted natural gas quantities.  We began accounting for 
relevant natural gas contracts as derivative instruments, which requires us to recognize the gas contracts as either 
assets or liabilities at fair value with an offsetting entry in earnings.  We use the income approach in determining the 
fair value of our derivative instruments.  The model used considers the difference, as of each balance sheet date, 
between the contracted prices and the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) forward strip price for each 
contracted period.  The estimated cash flows from these contracts are discounted using a discount rate of 5.5%, 
which reflects the nature of the contracts as well as the timing and risk of estimated cash flows associated with the 
contracts.  The discount rate had an immaterial impact on the fair value of the contracts for the year ended December 
31, 2016.  The last natural gas contract will expire in December 2018.  During the year ended December 31, 2016 
and 2015, we recognized a gain on derivative instruments of $1.9 million and a loss on derivative instruments of 
$15.0 million, respectively, in cost of sales.  As of December 31, 2016, gas contracts covering 4,080,000 MMBtu 
are subject to accounting as derivative instruments.  Future decreases in the NYMEX forward strip prices will result 
in additional derivative losses while future increases in the NYMEX forward strip prices will result in derivative 
gains.  Future gains or losses will approximate the change in NYMEX natural gas prices relative to the total quantity 
of natural gas under contracts subject to accounting as derivatives. 

Early in 2015, low production levels triggered the component of our inventory accounting policy relating to 

operating at production levels below normal capacity.  To determine the amount of production costs that we expense 
during each period, the Company allocates fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion based on the 
normal capacity of each production facility, generally considered to be 65% of a facility's stated capacity or higher. 

When a production facility operates at normal capacity, all of its fixed production overheads are allocated to 

costs of conversion of each product manufactured, based on the actual level of production.  This determination is 
made facility-by-facility on a monthly basis in order to calculate the initial measurement value to recognize as cost 
of goods produced in a month by a given facility. 

When a facility's total production in a month drops below 65% of its normal capacity, it is considered to be 
operating at an abnormally low production level.  In such cases, each unit of production receives an allocation of 
fixed overheads in the amount that would have been allocated at the lower-end of normal capacity.  The remaining 
unallocated excess fixed overhead cost for the facility is recognized as expense in the period and classified as Cost 
of Sales. 

Materials are the only variable component of production.  Plant labor and all other overhead costs incurred in 

the production of the Company's products are either semi-fixed or fixed in nature, therefore all are included in the 
monthly evaluation of costs allocable to costs of conversion at normal capacity. 

The Company maintains a rate for each production facility that represents the maximum fixed production 
overhead cost per unit of production allocable to costs of conversion.  The rates are based on an analysis of a recent 
historical period considered representative of a normal operating environment in which the facility operated at 
normal capacity.  The maximum rate is calculated by recasting the fixed production overhead cost per unit of 
production on a pro forma basis as if the facility had operated at the lower-end threshold of its range of normal 
capacity, generally 65% of stated capacity.  The current rates are based on 2014 as the representative year.  Implied 
in this method is the assumption that 2014 production costs relative to sales prices yield a normal profit margin.  A 
significant, permanent deterioration in the average selling prices of the Company’s products could result in a 
significant lowering of the rates, thereby increasing the periodic charge. 

All of the Company's production facilities are subject to this policy; however, since January 1, 2015, only the 
U.S. production facilities have operated at abnormally low production rates.  Therefore, such excess fixed overhead 

27 

 
costs have been expensed for each U.S. production facility in both 2015 and 2016.  The most recent period in which 
normal capacity was achieved at the U.S. production facilities was the year-ended December 31, 2014. 

Results of Operations 

Net (Loss) Income 

 ($ in thousands) 
Net (Loss) Income .............................................................  $(80,127)  

2016 

Percent 
Change   

2015 

Percent 
Change    

2014 

(27)% $(109,544 )    

(297 )% $ 55,588  

For the year ended December 31, 2016, we reported net loss of $80.1 million, a decrease of 27% compared to 
the $109.5 million net loss reported in the previous year.  Operations in 2016 continued to be negatively impacted by 
the severe decline in the oil and natural gas industry.  Net loss in 2016 was impacted by a 45% reduction in the 
North American rig count which resulted in lower ceramic proppant sales volumes, a decrease in the average selling 
price of ceramic proppant, and $47.3 million in production costs expensed as a result of low production levels and 
idled and mothballed facilities.  Further impacting net loss were $6.4 million in severance costs, $1.5 million of 
lower of cost or market inventory adjustments, and a $1.5 million railcar lease termination fee.  Net loss was 
partially offset by actions taken throughout 2016 to reduce our cost base and a $1.9 million gain on natural gas 
derivative instruments. 

For the year ended December 31, 2015, we reported net loss of $109.5 million, a decrease of 297% compared 
to the $55.6 million net income reported in the previous year.  Operations in 2015 were negatively impacted by the 
severe decline in the oil and natural gas industry.  Net loss in 2015 was impacted by a 48% reduction in the North 
American rig count which resulted in lower ceramic proppant sales volumes, a decrease in the average selling price 
of ceramic proppant, a $43.7 million impairment of long-lived and other assets, a $9.5 million impairment of 
goodwill and intangible assets, a $15.0 million loss on natural gas derivative instruments, and $33.7 million in 
production costs expensed as a result of low production levels and idled and mothballed facilities.  Further 
impacting net loss were $9.5 million in severance costs, and $4.5 million of lower of cost or market inventory 
adjustments.  Net loss was partially offset by actions taken throughout 2015 to reduce our cost base and an $8.9 
million non-cash gain from realizing our China-related cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment. 

Individual components of financial results by reportable operating segment are discussed below. 

Revenues 

 ($ in thousands) 
Consolidated revenues .......................................................  $103,051   
Revenues by operating segment: 

2016 

Percent 
Change   

2015 

Percent 
Change    

2014 

(63)% $279,574       

(57 )% $648,325 

Oilfield Technologies and Services ..............................  $ 89,351   
Environmental Products and Services ..........................  $ 13,700   

(65)% $257,373       
(38)% $ 22,201       

(58 )% $617,233 
(29 )% $ 31,092  

Oilfield technologies and services segment revenues of $89.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 

decreased 65% compared to $257.4 million in 2015.  The decrease was mainly attributable to a decrease in proppant 
sales volumes, in conjunction with market-driven declines in the average selling prices of proppant, both which are 
presented in the table below.  The decline in ceramic sales volume was largely attributable to a 45% reduction in the 
North American rig count and depressed oil prices and the resulting negative impact on industry activity levels, 
along with E&P operators continuing to use a higher percentage of raw frac sand as an alternative to proppant due to 
its lower cost. 

Oilfield technologies and services segment revenues of $257.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 
decreased 58% compared to $617.2 million in 2014.  The decrease was mainly attributable to a decrease in proppant 
sales volumes, in conjunction with market-driven declines in the average selling prices of proppant, both which are 
presented in the table below.  The decline in ceramic sales volume was largely attributable to a 48% reduction in the 

28 

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
  
   
  
  
       
   
  
 
 
North American rig count and depressed oil prices and the resulting negative impact on industry activity levels, 
along with an increased number of E&P operators using a higher percentage of raw frac sand as an alternative to 
proppant due to its lower cost. 

Worldwide proppant sales volumes were as follows. 

Proppant Sales Volumes 
(Volumes in million pounds) 

2016 

For the years ended December 31, 
2015 

2014 

  Volumes  

  Price / lb  

  Volumes  

  Price / lb      Volumes  

Ceramic .......................................................................    
356   $
Resin Coated Sand ......................................................     —    
311    
Northern White Sand ..................................................    
667    
Total ............................................................................    

0.22    
818   $
—    
19    
819    
0.02    
0.13     1,656    

0.27         1,618   $
0.19        
162    
0.03         1,131    
0.15         2,911   $

  Price / lb  
0.33 
0.22 
0.03 
0.21  

North American (defined as Canada and the U.S.) proppant sales volume decreased 65% in 2016 compared to 

2015.  North American ceramic proppant sales volume decreased 67% in 2016 compared to 2015.  International 
(excluding Canada) proppant sales volume decreased 19% in 2016 compared to 2015, primarily due to decreases in 
Europe, Latin America, and China, partially offset by an increase in Russia. 

North American (defined as Canada and the U.S.) proppant sales volume decreased 44% in 2015 compared to 

2014.  North American ceramic proppant sales volume decreased 54% in 2015 compared to 2014.  International 
(excluding Canada) proppant sales volume decreased 36% in 2015 compared to 2014, primarily due to decreases in 
Latin America, China, and Africa, partially offset by an increase in Russia. 

Primarily due to the change in product mix and reductions in selling prices due to the down cycle, the average 
selling price per pound of all proppant was $0.13 during 2016 compared to $0.15 during 2015 and $0.21 in 2014.  In 
addition to product mix and sales prices, average selling prices can be impacted by geographic areas of sale, 
customer requirements and delivery methods. 

Environmental products and services segment revenues of $13.7 million for the year ended December 31, 
2016 decreased 38% compared to $22.2 million in 2015.  Environmental products and services segment revenues of 
$22.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 decreased 29% compared to $31.1 million in 2014.  These 
decreases were mainly attributable to the depressed commodity price environment and the resulting negative impact 
on industry activity levels.   

Gross (Loss) Profit 

 ($ in thousands) 
Consolidated gross (loss) profit ...............................  $ (85,014) 
Consolidated as a % of revenues .............................   
Gross (loss) profit by operating segment: 

2016 

(82)%  

Oilfield Technologies and Services ....................  $ (84,866) 
Oilfield Technologies and Services %................   
Environmental Products and Services ................  $
Environmental Products and Services % ............   

(148) 

(95)%  

(1)%  

Percent 
Change   

2015 

Percent 
Change    

2014 

(51)% $ (56,125) 

(20)%    

(131 )%  $ 181,280  
28%

(44)% $ (58,801) 

(23)%    

(106)% $

2,676  

12%     

(133 )%  $ 175,809  
28%
5,471  
18%

(51 )%  $

Our cost of sales related to our oilfield technologies and services segment consists of manufacturing costs, 

packaging and transportation expenses associated with the delivery of our products to our customers and handling 
costs related to maintaining finished goods inventory and operating our remote stocking facilities.  Variable 
manufacturing costs include raw materials, while labor, utilities and repair and maintenance supplies are semi-fixed.  
Fixed manufacturing costs include depreciation, property taxes on production facilities, insurance and factory 
overhead. 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
   
  
 
   
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
   
   
  
  
 
   
  
 
   
  
 
   
  
 
   
  
 
Oilfield Technologies and Services segment gross loss for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $84.9 
million, or (95)% of revenues, compared to gross loss of $58.8 million, or (23)% of revenues, for 2015.  Gross loss 
in 2016 was primarily the result of a 56% decline in worldwide ceramic proppant sales volumes and a decrease in 
the average selling price of ceramic proppant, resulting in a 65% decrease in revenues.  Also negatively affecting 
gross loss during 2016 was $47.3 million in production costs that were not offset by increases in revenue, as a result 
of low production levels and idled and mothballed facilities.  We expect to incur these types of expenses in the 
future until our production levels return to normal capacity.  Gross loss was further impacted by $6.2 million in 
severance costs, a $1.5 million lower of cost or market inventory adjustment, and a $1.5 million railcar lease 
termination fee to preserve cash in future years for unused railcars.  Gross loss was partially offset by a $1.9 million 
gain on natural gas derivative instruments. 

Oilfield Technologies and Services segment gross loss for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $58.8 
million, or (23)% of revenues, compared to gross profit of $175.8 million, or 28% of revenues, for 2014.  The 
decrease in gross (loss) profit was primarily the result of a 49% decline in worldwide ceramic proppant sales 
volumes and a decrease in the average selling price of ceramic proppant, resulting in a 55% decrease in revenues.  In 
addition, we recorded a $15.0 million loss on natural gas derivative instruments and expensed $33.7 million in 
production costs that were not offset by increases in revenues, as a result of low production levels and idled and 
mothballed facilities.  We expect to incur these types of expenses in the future until our production levels return to 
normal capacity.  Gross (loss) profit was further reduced by $6.7 million in severance costs incurred as a result of 
the reductions in workforce and $4.5 million of lower of cost or market inventory adjustments primarily associated 
with inventories in China. 

Environmental products and services segment gross loss for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $0.1 
million, or (1)% of revenues, compared to gross profit of $2.7 million, or 12% of revenues, for 2015.  Environmental 
products and services segment gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $2.7 million, or 12% of 
revenues, compared to $5.5 million, or 18% of revenues, for 2014.  These decreases in gross profit were primarily 
the result of the depressed commodity price environment and the resulting negative impact on industry activity 
levels. 

Consolidated cost of sales for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 included the following: 

 (In thousands) 
Primary cost of sales ....................................................................................................  $133,431    $ 274,554 $461,682
—
Slowing and idling production .....................................................................................    47,318       33,724  
—
(1,886 )     15,040  
(Gain) loss on derivative instruments ..........................................................................   
—
1,500      
Railcar lease termination fee ........................................................................................   
—  
5,363
4,546  
1,515      
Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment ............................................................   
Severance and other charges ........................................................................................   
—
7,835  
6,187      
Total Cost of Sales .......................................................................................................  $188,065    $ 335,699 $467,045  

2016 

2015 

2014 

Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) and Other Operating Expenses 

2016 

 ($ in thousands) 
Consolidated SG&A and start-up ..............................................  $39,999  
Consolidated as a % of revenues ...............................................   
Consolidated loss (gain) on disposal or impairment of assets ...  $
SG&A and start-up by operating segments: 
  Oilfield Technologies and Services .........................................  $36,908  
  Oilfield Technologies and Services % .....................................   
  Environmental Products and Services......................................  $ 3,091  
  Environmental Products and Services % ..................................  

889  

41%  

23%  

39%  

Percent
Change  

2015 

Percent 
Change   

2014 

(37)% $62,996       
23 %    

(14 )% $73,346  
11%
(98)% $44,111        193 % $15,079  

(36)% $57,738       
22 %    
(41)% $ 5,258       
24 %    

(14 )% $66,753  
11%
(20 )% $ 6,593  
21%

30 

 
   
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
   
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
       
   
 
  
 
  
 
   
 
 
  
 
   
 
 
Oilfield Technologies and Services segment SG&A and start-up expenses was $36.9 million for the year 
ended December 31, 2016 compared to $57.7 million for 2015.  The decrease in SG&A expenses primarily resulted 
from actions we took during 2015 to reduce our cost base and preserve cash in light of the severe decline in the oil 
and natural gas industry.  These savings were partially offset by $0.2 million in SG&A related severance costs in 
2016.  Consolidated loss on disposal or impairment of assets in 2016 consisted of $1.1 million impairment of the 
long-term portion of bauxite raw materials partially offset by $0.2 million gain on disposal of assets.  As a 
percentage of revenues, oilfield technologies and services segment SG&A and start-up expenses for 2016 increased 
to 41% compared to 22% in 2015, primarily due to the decrease in revenues. 

Oilfield Technologies and Services segment SG&A and start-up expenses consisted of $56.9 million of 
SG&A expenses and $0.8 million of start-up costs for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to $65.9 million 
of SG&A expenses and $0.8 million of start-up costs for 2014.  The decrease in SG&A expenses primarily resulted 
from actions we took during 2015 to reduce our cost base and preserve cash in light of the severe decline in the oil 
and natural gas industry.  These savings were partially offset by $2.6 million in SG&A related severance costs in 
2015.  Consolidated loss on disposal or impairment of assets in 2015 consisted primarily of $43.7 million of oilfield 
technologies and services segment impairment charges associated with certain long-lived assets at our 
manufacturing facility in McIntyre, Georgia, our sand processing facility in Marshfield, Wisconsin, and various 
other assets, and a $9.5 million impairment of goodwill and intangible assets within our Environmental Products and 
Services segment.  These losses were partially offset by an $8.9 million non-cash gain in our oilfield technologies 
and services segment from realizing our China-related cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment and $0.2 
million gain on disposal of assets.  As a percentage of revenues, oilfield technologies and services segment SG&A 
and start-up expenses for 2015 increased to 22% compared to 11% in 2014, primarily due to the decrease in 
revenues. 

Environmental products and services segment SG&A of $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 

decreased 41% compared to $5.3 million in 2015.  Environmental products and services segment SG&A of $5.3 
million for the year ended December 31, 2015 decreased 20% compared to $6.6 million in 2014.  These decreases 
were primarily the result of actions we took, beginning in 2015, to reduce our cost base and preserve cash in light of 
the severe decline in the oil and natural gas industry. 

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense 

 ($ in thousands) 
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense ................................................  $(51,081)   
38.9%  
Effective Income Tax Rate ......................................................   

2016 

Percent
Change  

2015 

Percent 
Change   

2014 

(6)% $(54,205 )      (245 )% $37,283  
40.1%

33.1 %    

Income taxes are not allocated between the two operating segments.  Consolidated income tax benefit was 

$51.1 million, or 38.9% of pretax loss, for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $54.2 million, or 33.1% 
of pretax loss for 2015.  The tax benefit is due largely to net operating losses sustained during 2015 and 2016.  Net 
operating losses generated in 2015 were carried back to 2013 and 2014.  As a result of the net operating loss in 
2015, we lost the benefit of our Section 199 manufacturing deduction, which negatively impacted the effective tax 
rate for 2015.  In 2016, the effective tax rate increased as it normalized and due to a change in election for certain 
foreign tax credits. 

Consolidated income tax benefit was $54.2 million, or 33.1% of pretax loss, for the year ended December 31, 
2015 compared to $37.3 million, or 40.1% of pretax income for 2014.  The tax benefit is due largely to net operating 
losses sustained during 2015.  We filed amended 2013 and 2014 income tax returns in 2016 and received a refund of 
$37.4 million on those tax returns in April 2016.  As a result of the net operating loss in 2015, we lost the benefit of 
our Section 199 manufacturing deduction, which negatively impacted the effective tax rate. 

Outlook 

Over the last two years, we have taken significant steps to reduce costs, including but not limited to reducing 

headcount to right-size the organization, and align production levels with lower customer demand resulting from the 

31 

 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
   
 
 
severe decline in oil and natural gas completion activity.  While the depressed commodity prices experienced during 
2016 may continue to create a challenging operating environment, we are projecting that the operating environment 
for CARBO will continue to improve in 2017. 

We anticipate strong sales growth year-over-year in 2017 from our ceramic technologies but we expect base 
ceramic volume growth will likely be more modest as a focus on low cost completions is unlikely to change in the 
near term.  We expect first quarter of 2017 ceramic sales to be similar to the fourth quarter of 2016. 

We believe it will be beneficial to our results of operations to expand our industrial technologies business year 

over year given the challenges we have seen over this oilfield downturn and we believe that increasing sales from 
our industrial technologies business will help mitigate the impact of continued depressed oilfield activity in the 
future.  We have sold into the industrial markets for many years and are currently pursuing multiple sales strategies 
for both end-customers and distribution channels to increase our industrial technologies sales.  The initial sales cycle 
for industrial technologies sales is longer than the oilfield sales cycle; however, the resulting commercial 
relationship with customers is typically long-term in nature. 

We are pleased with the progress we have made on ramping up our raw frac sand production facility, which 

we had idled early in 2016.  The fourth quarter of 2016 saw sand volumes more than triple on a sequential basis, 
from 46 million pounds to 149 million pounds, and we expect our sand sales to continue to increase and contribute 
towards our goal of generating positive cash. 

We believe technology sales growth, broader sources of revenue, an improving commodity price environment 

and a corresponding increase in industry activity, will improve our results of operations in 2017.  This view, 
including increased demand for our products, is based on changing industry conditions and interactions with our 
customers.  Despite our outlook for an improved operating environment in 2017, we have found generating accurate 
financial forecasts in the industry downturn has been difficult. 

In addition, we continue to explore certain asset monetization opportunities to further strengthen the balance 

sheet. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

At December 31, 2016, we had cash and cash equivalents of $91.7 million compared to cash and cash 
equivalents of $78.9 million at December 31, 2015.  During the year ended December 31, 2016, we received 
proceeds of $45.6 million relating to sales of common stock under our ATM program, $25.0 million in proceeds 
from notes payable, related parties, and generated $0.8 million from the effect of exchange rate changes on cash.  
Uses of cash included $32.1 million in repayments on our line of credit, $6.8 million for capital expenditures, $17.9 
million used in operating activities, $0.9 million in repayments on notes payable, $0.5 million for purchases of our 
common stock, and $0.3 million for payments of debt issuance costs.  Major capital spending in 2016 included 
retrofitting an existing plant with the new KRYPTOSPHERE® proppant technology. 

On January 19, 2016, our Board of Directors suspended our policy of paying quarterly cash dividends.  Future 

quarterly dividends to holders of our common stock, if at all, will be dependent on our financial condition, the 
amount of funds generated from operations and the level of capital expenditures.  We estimate our total capital 
expenditures in 2017 will be less than $5.0 million.  Due to market conditions, the completion of the second line at 
the manufacturing facility in Millen, Georgia and the second phase of a plant retrofit with new KRYPTOSPHERE® 
technology have been suspended until such time that market conditions warrant completion. 

In April 2016, we restructured our revolving credit agreement by entering into the Amended Credit 

Agreement, as it is reasonably likely we would have been unable to comply with certain financial covenants under 
the prior credit agreement.  The Amended Credit Agreement consists of a $65.0 million fully drawn term loan, 
which replaced the previous $90.0 million revolver, and up to $15.0 million in standby letters of credit.  Our 
obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement are secured by a pledge of substantially all of our domestic assets 
and guaranteed by our two domestic operating subsidiaries.  Such obligations bear interest at LIBOR plus 7.00%.  
Under the Amended Credit Agreement, all of the cash of the Company, including any of the subsidiary guarantors 

32 

 
that is held in U.S. banks must be deposited into accounts with the administrative agent and therefore will be subject 
to set-off in the event, and to the extent, CARBO Ceramics Inc. or any of the subsidiary guarantors is unable to 
satisfy its obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement.  The Amended Credit Agreement requires minimum 
quarterly repayments of principal of $3.033 million during the fourth quarter of 2016 and $3.250 million thereafter 
until its maturity on December 31, 2018.  The Amended Credit Agreement eliminates the financial covenants 
contained in the prior credit agreement, but instead requires us to maintain minimum cash amounts held with the 
administrative agent at the end of each calendar month commencing August 2016 as follows: $40.0 million from 
August 2016 until March 2017; $30.0 million from April 2017 until December 2017; and $25.0 million thereafter.  
In connection with the Amended Credit Agreement, the lender waived non-compliance with the asset coverage ratio 
for the months of January, February, and March 2016.  We are required to use proceeds from the sale of certain 
assets to repay principal amounts outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement.  As of December 31, 2016, our 
outstanding debt under the credit agreement was $55.901 million, and we had issued $11.980 million in standby 
letters of credit. 

In January 2017, we repaid $3.25 million under our Amended Credit Agreement.  As of February 28, 2017, 

our outstanding debt under the Amended Credit Agreement was $52.7 million. 

In May 2016, we received proceeds of $25.0 million from the issuance of separate unsecured Promissory 
Notes (the “Notes”) to two of our Directors.  Each Note matures on April 1, 2019 and bears interest at 7.00%.  
Additionally, in May 2016, each of those directors entered into a Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement with 
our bank lender, which, among other things, provides that each Note is subordinated to the indebtedness outstanding 
under our Amended Credit Agreement.   

In July 2016, we filed a prospectus supplement and associated sales agreement related to an “at-the-market” 

equity offering program pursuant to which the Company may sell, from time to time, common stock with an 
aggregate offering price of up to $75.0 million through Cowen and Company LLC, as sales agent, for general 
corporate purposes.  As of December 31, 2016, we sold a total of 3,405,709 shares of our common stock under the 
ATM program for $46.6 million, or an average of $13.69 per share, and received proceeds of $45.6 million, net of 
commissions of $1.0 million.  These sales occurred during August and September 2016, and we have not utilized the 
program since those sales. 

Additional information as to the applicable definitions and requirements of these covenants is contained in the 
credit agreement.  The Company anticipates that cash on hand will be sufficient to meet planned operating expenses 
and other cash needs for the next 12 months from the date this Form 10-K is issued.  The Company’s view regarding 
sufficiency of cash and liquidity is primarily based on our financial forecast for 2017, which is impacted by various 
assumptions regarding demand and sales prices for our products.  Generally, we expect demand for our products and 
the sales prices to increase in 2017 compared to 2016.  Although we have observed certain factors in the fourth 
quarter 2016 that support improving industry conditions, our financial forecasts are based on estimates of customer 
demand, which is highly volatile in the current operating environment, and we have no committed sales backlog 
with our customers.  As a result, there is inherent uncertainty in our forecasts.  If actual results are less than our 
forecasts, we may not have sufficient cash to maintain compliance with the minimum cash balance required by the 
Credit Agreement. 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 

We had no off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2016. 

33 

 
Contractual Obligations 

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2016: 

Payments due in period 

($ in thousands) 

More 
than 
    5 years   
Long-term debt obligations .......................................................... $ 80,901  $13,000  $ 67,901    $  —  $ — 
Capital lease obligations ..............................................................  
— 
Operating lease obligations: 

   Less than    
    1 year 

3 - 5 
    years 

—       —   

1 - 3 
years 

  Total 

—   

—   

- Primarily railroad equipment (net of subleases) ........................    112,835    15,272    27,629      32,069    37,865 

Purchase obligations: 

- Natural gas contracts ............................................................   22,218    12,884   
- Raw materials contracts .......................................................   14,000    5,600   
—   

— 
— 
— 
Other long-term obligations .........................................................  
Total contractual obligations ....................................................... $229,954  $46,756  $113,264    $ 32,069  $37,865  

9,334       —   
8,400       —   
—       —   

—   

See Note 3, Note 5, and Note 15 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Operating lease obligations relate primarily to railroad equipment leases and include leases of other property, 

plant and equipment. 

We use natural gas to power our domestic manufacturing plants.  From time to time, we enter into contracts to 
purchase a portion of the anticipated natural gas requirements at specified prices.  As of December 31, 2016, the last 
such contract was due to expire in December 2018. 

We have entered into contracts to supply raw materials, primarily kaolin, bauxite, slurry and various forms of 

sand, to our manufacturing plants.  Four outstanding contracts do not require us to purchase minimum annual 
quantities, but do require the purchase of minimum annual percentages, ranging from 50% to 100% of the respective 
plants’ requirements for the specified raw materials.  One outstanding contract requires us to purchase a minimum 
annual quantity of frac sand. Each of the contracts is described in Note 15 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements. 

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 

Our major market risk exposure is to foreign currency fluctuations that could impact our investments in 
Russia.  As of December 31, 2016, our net investment that is subject to foreign currency fluctuations totaled $15.7 
million, and we have recorded a cumulative foreign currency translation loss of $34.3 million, all related to Russia.  
This cumulative translation loss is included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.  From time to time, we may 
enter into forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.  There were no 
such foreign exchange contracts outstanding at December 31, 2016.  During 2014 and continuing into 2015 and 
2016, the value of the Russian Ruble significantly declined relative to the U.S. dollar.  The financial impact of this 
decline on our net assets in Russia is included in Other Comprehensive Income and the cumulative foreign currency 
translation loss noted above.  No income tax benefits have been recorded on these losses as a result of the 
uncertainty about recoverability of the related deferred income tax benefits. 

As of December 31, 2016, we had a $65.0 million fully drawn term loan.  Under the terms of the agreement, 
the interest rate is set at LIBOR plus 7.00%.  Our outstanding debt under the credit agreement was $55.901 million 
at December 31, 2016.  We do not believe that we have any material exposure to market risk associated with interest 
rates. 

We are subject to the risk of market price fluctuations of certain commodities, such as natural gas, and utilize 

forward purchase contracts to manage or reduce market risks relating to these costs.  We do not enter into these 

34 

 
 
  
 
 
  
  
   
   
 
  
   
 
   
   
      
   
 
 
   
   
      
   
 
 
 
 
transactions for speculative or trading purposes.  As of December 31, 2016, we have contracted for a total of 
4,320,000 MMBtu of natural gas at an average price of $4.36 per MMBtu through December 31, 2018. 

Item 8. 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 

The information required by this Item is contained in pages F-3 through F-28 of this Report. 

Item 9. 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 

Not applicable. 

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures 

(a)  Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the 

reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, 
summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and 
procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be 
disclosed in the reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including 
the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required 
disclosure. 

As of December 31, 2016, management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the 

participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and 
operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures.  There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness 
of any system of disclosure controls and procedures.  Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures 
can only provide reasonable assurances of achieving their control objectives.  Based upon and as of the date of that 
evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure 
controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the 
reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time 
periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the 
Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the 
Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow 
timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 

(b)  Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

For Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, see page F-1 of this Report. 

(c)  Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

For the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on the Company’s internal control over 

financial reporting, see page F-2 of this Report. 

(d)  Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 

2016 that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, those controls. 

Item 9B.  Other Information 

Not applicable. 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART III 

Certain information required by Part III is omitted from this Report.  We will file a definitive proxy statement 
pursuant to Regulation 14A (the “Proxy Statement”) not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered 
by this Report and certain information included therein is incorporated herein by reference.  Only those sections of 
the Proxy Statement that specifically address the items set forth herein are incorporated by reference.  Such 
incorporation does not include the Compensation Committee Report included in the Proxy Statement. 

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 

Information concerning executive officers under Item 401 of Regulation S-K is set forth in Part I of this 

Form 10-K.  The other information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the portions of the 
Company’s Proxy Statement entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management,” 
“Election of Directors,” “Board of Directors, Committees of the Board of Directors and Meeting Attendance,” 
“Code of Business Conduct and Ethics,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Report 
of the Audit Committee.” 

Item 11.  Executive Compensation 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the portions of the Company’s Proxy 
Statement entitled “Compensation of Executive Officers,” "Director Compensation" and "Potential Termination 
and Change in Control Payments." 

Item 12. 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement under the 
captions “Securities Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Equity Compensation Plan 
Information.” 

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the portion of our Proxy Statement 

entitled “Election of Directors.” 

Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and Services 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the portion of our Proxy Statement 

entitled “Ratification of Appointment of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.” 

36 

 
 
 
PART IV 

Item 15.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 

(a)  Exhibits, Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules: 

1. 

Consolidated Financial Statements 

The Consolidated Financial Statements of CARBO Ceramics Inc. listed below are contained in pages F-3 

through F-28 of this Report: 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2016 and 2015 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for each of the three years ended December 31, 
2016, 2015 and 2014 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for each of the three years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 
and 2014 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 

2. 

Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules 

All schedules have been omitted since they are either not required or not applicable. 

3. 

Exhibits 

The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, 

this Report. 

Item 16.  Form 10-K Summary 

None 

37 

 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has 

duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. 

SIGNATURES 

CARBO Ceramics Inc. 

By:

/S/ GARY A KOLSTAD 

Gary A. Kolstad 
President and Chief Executive Officer 

By:

/S/ ERNESTO BAUTISTA III 

Ernesto Bautista III 
Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer 

Dated: February 28, 2017 

38 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes 

and appoints Gary A. Kolstad and Ernesto Bautista III, jointly and severally, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the 
power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Report on Form 10-K, and to 
file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, 
may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by 

the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. 

Signature 

Title 

Date 

/S/ WILLIAM C. MORRIS 
William C. Morris 

/S/ GARY A. KOLSTAD 
Gary A. Kolstad 

/S/ ERNESTO BAUTISTA III 
Ernesto Bautista III 

/S/ SIGMUND L. CORNELIUS 
Sigmund L. Cornelius 

/S/ CHAD C. DEATON 
Chad C. Deaton 

/S/ JAMES B. JENNINGS 
James B. Jennings 

/S/ H.E. LENTZ, JR. 
H.E. Lentz, Jr. 

/S/ RANDY L. LIMBACHER 
Randy L. Limbacher 

/S/ ROBERT S. RUBIN 
Robert S. Rubin 

Chairman of the Board 

February 28, 2017 

February 28, 2017 

February 28, 2017 

February 28, 2017 

February 28, 2017 

February 28, 2017 

February 28, 2017 

February 28, 2017 

February 28, 2017 

President, Chief Executive Officer and 
Director (Principal Executive Officer) 

Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Financial and 
Accounting Officer) 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

39 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, 

as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The Company’s internal 
control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial 
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles. 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect 
misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that 
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the 
policies or procedures may deteriorate. 

Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, assessed the 

effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016.  In making this 
assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission (COSO) in Internal Control–Integrated Framework (2013).  Based on its assessment and those criteria, 
management has concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of 
December 31, 2016. 

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has issued an attestation 

report on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.  That report is included herein. 

F-1 

 
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders 
CARBO Ceramics Inc. 

We have audited CARBO Ceramics Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, 

based on criteria established in Internal Control–Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). CARBO Ceramics Inc.’s 
management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment 
of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report 
on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal 
control over financial reporting based on our audit. 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board 

(United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit 
included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material 
weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the 
assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe 
that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance 
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting 
includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, 
accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable 
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance 
with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made 
only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable 
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s 
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect 
misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that 
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the 
policies or procedures may deteriorate. 

In our opinion, CARBO Ceramics Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over 

financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on the COSO criteria. 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board 
(United States), the consolidated balance sheets of CARBO Ceramics Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and 
the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows 
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016, and our report dated February 28, 2017 
expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. 

/S/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP 

New Orleans, Louisiana 
February 28, 2017 

F-2 

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders 
CARBO Ceramics Inc. 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CARBO Ceramics Inc. as of 

December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, 
shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016.  These 
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an 
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight 

Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance 
about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test 
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing 
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall 
financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the 
consolidated financial position of CARBO Ceramics Inc. at December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the consolidated 
results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016, in 
conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board 
(United States), CARBO Ceramics Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based 
on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated February 28, 2017 expressed 
an unqualified opinion thereon. 

/S/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP 

New Orleans, Louisiana 
February 28, 2017 

F-3 

 
 
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

December 31, 

2016 

2015 

Current assets: 

ASSETS 

Cash and cash equivalents ..................................................................................................................    $
Trade accounts and other receivables, net ..........................................................................................      
Inventories: 

91,680     $
23,622      

78,866
48,596

Finished goods .............................................................................................................................      
Raw materials and supplies ..........................................................................................................      
Total inventories ....................................................................................................................      
Prepaid expenses and other current assets ..........................................................................................      
Prepaid income taxes .........................................................................................................................      
Deferred income taxes .......................................................................................................................      

74,133      
23,041      
97,174      
3,548      
1,199      
—      
Total current assets ......................................................................................................................       217,223      

77,537
27,021
104,558
3,762
—
49,495
285,277

Property, plant and equipment: 

45,530      
Land and land improvements .............................................................................................................      
19,696      
Land-use and mineral rights ...............................................................................................................      
Buildings ............................................................................................................................................      
87,318      
Machinery and equipment ..................................................................................................................       647,753      
92,704      
Construction in progress ....................................................................................................................      
Total .............................................................................................................................................       893,001      
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization ................................................................................      398,898      
Net property, plant and equipment ................................................................................................      494,103      
3,500      
8,631      

45,774
19,877
83,500
642,396
96,084
887,631
349,900
537,731
3,500
9,861
Total assets ....................................................................................................................................   $ 723,457     $ 836,369

Goodwill ...................................................................................................................................................     
Intangible and other assets, net .................................................................................................................     

Current liabilities: 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 

Long-term debt, current portion ..........................................................................................................   $
Notes payable ......................................................................................................................................     
Accounts payable ................................................................................................................................     
Accrued payroll and benefits ..............................................................................................................     
Accrued freight ...................................................................................................................................     
Accrued utilities ..................................................................................................................................     
Accrued income taxes .........................................................................................................................     
Derivative instruments ........................................................................................................................     
Other accrued expenses .......................................................................................................................     
Total current liabilities ..................................................................................................................     
Deferred income taxes ..............................................................................................................................     
Long-term debt .........................................................................................................................................     
Notes payable, related parties ...................................................................................................................     
Other long-term liabilities .........................................................................................................................     
Shareholders’ equity: 

13,000     $
551      
7,782      
3,434      
593      
1,169      
—      
1,599      
6,676      
34,804      
1,236      
42,404      
25,000      
3,443      

33,000
—
10,709
6,003
3,068
2,414
139
6,240
8,717
70,290
63,858
55,000
—
4,915

Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 5,000 shares authorized, none outstanding ......................     
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 80,000,000 shares authorized; 26,881,066 
   and 23,280,696 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2015, 
233
   respectively ......................................................................................................................................     
269      
65,067
Additional paid-in capital....................................................................................................................      117,192      
614,708
Retained earnings ................................................................................................................................      533,435      
(37,702)
(34,326 )    
Accumulated other comprehensive loss ..............................................................................................     
Total shareholders’ equity .............................................................................................................      616,570      
642,306
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity ......................................................................................   $ 723,457     $ 836,369  

—      

—

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

F-4 

 
 
 
  
  
  
   
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
 
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

Revenues ............................................................................................................ 
Cost of sales ....................................................................................................... 
Gross (loss) profit .............................................................................................. 
Selling, general and administrative expenses ..................................................... 
Start-up costs ...................................................................................................... 
Loss on disposal or impairment of assets, net .................................................... 
Operating (loss) profit ........................................................................................ 
Other (expense) income: 

Interest (expense) income, net ...................................................................... 
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net .................................................. 
Other, net ...................................................................................................... 

(Loss) income before income taxes.................................................................... 
Income tax (benefit) expense ............................................................................. 
Net (loss) income ............................................................................................... 
(Loss) earnings per share: 

2014 

2016 

Years ended December 31, 
2015 
 $ 103,051      $ 279,574     $ 648,325 
   188,065         335,699       467,045 
(85,014 )      (56,125 )    181,280 
39,984         62,199       72,535 
15        
811 
889         44,111       15,079 
   (125,902 )     (163,232 )    92,855 

797      

(470 )   
94      
(141 )   
(517 )   

(5,435 )     
119        
10        
(5,306 )     

597 
(303)
(278)
16 
   (131,208 )     (163,749 )    92,871 
(51,081 )      (54,205 )    37,283 
 $ (80,127 )   $(109,544 )  $ 55,588 

Basic ............................................................................................................. 
Diluted .......................................................................................................... 

 $
 $

(3.29 )   $
(3.29 )   $

(4.76 )  $
(4.76 )  $

2.41 
2.41  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

F-5 

 
 
  
 
  
 
     
    
 
  
  
  
  
  
        
      
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
        
      
 
 
 
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME 
($ in thousands) 

Net (loss) income ..............................................................................  $
Other comprehensive income (loss): 

Foreign currency translation adjustment .....................................   
Reclassification of China cumulative translation gain to Net  
   Loss upon substantial liquidation .............................................   
Deferred income taxes .................................................................   
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax .................................   
Comprehensive (loss) income ...........................................................   $

Years ended December 31, 
2015 
(109,544 )    $ 

2016 
(80,127)   $

2014 

55,588 

3,376     

(5,880 )      

(17,952)

—     
—     
3,376     
(76,751)   $

(8,853 )      
—        
(14,733 )      
(124,277 )    $ 

— 
(1,756)
(19,708)
35,880  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

F-6 

 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
     
 
  
     
        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

Balances at January 1, 2014 ..................................... 
Net income ......................................................... 
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of 
tax expense of $1,756 .................................... 
Comprehensive income ...................................... 
Tax benefit from stock based compensation ...... 
Stock granted under restricted stock plan, net .......   
Stock based compensation .................................. 
Shares repurchased and retired ........................... 
Shares surrendered by employees to pay taxes .....   
Cash dividends ($1.26 per share) ....................... 
Balances at December 31, 2014 ...............................  $
Net loss ............................................................... 
Foreign currency translation adjustment ............ 
Reclassification of China cumulative translation 

Comprehensive loss ............................................ 
Tax expense from stock based compensation .......   
Stock granted under restricted stock plan, net .......   
Stock based compensation .................................. 
Shares surrendered by employees to pay taxes .....   
Cash dividends ($0.63 per share) ....................... 
Balances at December 31, 2015 ...............................  $
Net loss ............................................................... 
Foreign currency translation adjustment ............ 
Comprehensive loss ............................................ 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting 

policy ............................................................. 
Stock sold under ATM program ......................... 
Stock granted under restricted stock plan, net .......   
Stock based compensation .................................. 
Shares surrendered by employees to pay taxes .....   
Balances at December 31, 2016 ...............................  $

Common 
Stock

Additional
Paid-In 
Capital

Retained 
Earnings    
56,782    714,835     
55,588     

—   

231   
—   

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive 
Income (Loss)    

—   

—   

—     

—     
303   
—   
—     
699   
1   
—     
6,688   
—   
—     
(5,175)  
(1)  
(1,804)    
—   
—   
(29,121)    
—   
—   
231  $ 59,297  $ 739,498   $ 
—    (109,544)    
—     
—   

—   
—   

—     
(1,768)  
—   
—     
698   
2   
—     
6,840   
—   
(580)    
—   
—   
—   
(14,666)    
—   
233  $ 65,067  $ 614,708   $ 
(80,127)    
—   
—     
—   

—   
—   

Total 

(3,261 )    768,587 
55,588 

—     

(19,708 )   

—     
—     
—     
—     
—     
—     

(19,708)
35,880 
303 
700 
6,688 
(5,176)
(1,804)
(29,121)
(22,969 )  $ 776,057 
—      (109,544)
(5,880)

(5,880 )   

(8,853 )   

—     
—     
—     
—     
—     

(8,853)
      (124,277)
(1,768)
700 
6,840 
(580)
(14,666)
(37,702 )  $ 642,306 
(80,127)
3,376 
(76,751)

—     
3,376     

—   
34   
2   
—   
—   

(697)    
697   
—     
45,530   
—     
478   
—     
5,420   
(449)    
—   
269  $ 117,192  $ 533,435   $ 

—     
—     
—     
—     
—     

— 
45,564 
480 
5,420 
(449)
(34,326 )  $ 616,570  

gain to Net Loss upon substantial liquidation ....   

—   

—   

—     

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

F-7 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
     
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
($ in thousands) 

Years ended December 31, 
2015 

2014 

2016 

Operating activities 
Net (loss) income ........................................................................................   $ (80,127)   $  (109,544 )    $
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided
   by operating activities: 

Depreciation and amortization ..............................................................    
Provision for doubtful accounts.............................................................    
Deferred income taxes ...........................................................................    
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation .............................    
Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment ......................................    
Loss on disposal or impairment of assets ..............................................    
Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss, net .........................................    
Stock compensation expense .................................................................    
Change in fair value of derivative instruments ......................................    
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 

Trade accounts and other receivables ..............................................    
Inventories .......................................................................................    
Prepaid expenses and other current assets .......................................    
Long-term other assets .....................................................................    
Accounts payable .............................................................................    
Accrued expenses ............................................................................    
Other long-term liabilities ................................................................    
Income tax receivable, net ...............................................................    
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities ....................................    
Investing activities 
Capital expenditures ...................................................................................    
Net cash used in investing activities ...........................................................    
Financing activities 
Proceeds from long-term debt .....................................................................    
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under ATM program ................    
Repayments on long-term debt ...................................................................    
Repayments on notes payable .....................................................................    
Payment of debt issuance costs ...................................................................    
Proceeds from notes payable, related parties ..............................................    
Dividends paid ............................................................................................    
Purchase of common stock .........................................................................    
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation ...................................    
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities ....................................    
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash ....................................................    
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents .................................    
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year .........................................    
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year ....................................................   $
Supplemental cash flow information 
Interest paid ................................................................................................   $
Income taxes paid .......................................................................................   $

55,588 

50,860 
546 
24,389 
(372)
5,363 
15,079 
303 
7,529 
— 

54,457        
1,857        
(56,800 )      
—        
4,546        
44,111        
(94 )      
7,547        
11,155        

81,371        
(9,511)
27,022        
(25,624)
1,437        
(112)
697        
(122)
(7,861 )      
2,079 
(9,104 )      
(2,487)
—        
— 
(17,726)
19,780        
70,577         105,782 

48,451 
918 
(50,535)     
— 
1,515 
889 
(119)     
5,939 
(7,687)     

24,569 
6,433 
1,726 
156 
631 
(8,405)     
1,574 
36,137 
(17,935)     

(6,848)     
(6,848)     

(62,747 )       (161,469)
(62,747 )       (161,469)

— 
45,564 
(32,099)     
(917)     
(339)     

25,000 
— 
(450)     
— 
36,759 
838 
12,814 
78,866 
91,680 

  $ 

70,000        
—        
(7,000 )      
—        
—        
—        
(14,666 )      
(580 )      
—        
47,754        
(1,016 )      
54,568        
24,298        
78,866      $

25,000 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
(29,121)
(6,979)
372 
(10,728)
(3,537)
(69,952)
94,250 
24,298 

5,269 
— 

  $ 
  $ 

2,613      $
—      $

135 
30,619  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 

F-8 

 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
     
 
   
 
    
        
 
   
 
    
        
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
    
        
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
    
        
 
   
 
    
        
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
    
        
 
 
 
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

1. 

Significant Accounting Policies 

Description of Business 

CARBO Ceramics Inc. (the “Company”) was formed in 1987 and is a manufacturer of ceramic proppants and 

also produces resin-coated ceramic proppants.  The Company has production plants in: New Iberia, Louisiana; 
Eufaula, Alabama; McIntyre, Georgia; Toomsboro, Georgia; Millen, Georgia; and Kopeysk, Russia; and a sand 
processing facility in Marshfield, Wisconsin.  The Company predominantly sells its proppant products through 
pumping service companies that perform hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas companies.  Finished goods inventories 
are stored at the plant sites and various domestic and international remote distribution facilities.  The Company also 
provides the industry’s most widely used hydraulic fracture simulation software FracPro®, as well as hydraulic 
fracture design and consulting services.  In addition, the Company provides a broad range of technologies for spill 
prevention, containment and countermeasures. 

Beginning in late 2014 and continuing throughout 2015 and 2016, a severe decline in oil and natural gas 
prices led to a significant decline in oil and natural gas industry drilling activities and capital spending.  Beginning 
in 2015, the Company implemented a number of initiatives to preserve cash and lower costs, including: reducing 
workforce across the organization, lowering production output levels in order to align with lower demand, limiting 
capital expenditures and reducing dividends.  The Company incurred severance costs of $6,426 and $9,497 during 
2016 and 2015, respectively, as a result of these actions. 

Temporarily idled facilities are expected to remain closed for a short period of time, generally less than one 
year.  Mothballed facilities are expected to remain closed for one year or longer.  The accounting treatment is the 
same for both temporarily idled and mothballed facilities, except that mothballed assets are evaluated for possible 
impairment while temporarily idled assets are not necessarily assessed for impairment.  The Company continues to 
depreciate both temporarily idled and mothballed assets. 

As of December 31, 2016, we are producing ceramic proppants from our Eufaula, Alabama and Kopeysk, 

Russia manufacturing facilities, and processing sand at our Marshfield, Wisconsin facility.  We are currently 
producing ceramic pellets only in a limited capacity at our McIntyre, Georgia facility.  Our Millen facility is 
currently mothballed, and our Toomsboro facility is currently idled.  The Company continues to assess liquidity 
needs and manage cash flows and, if industry conditions do not improve and/or demand for its products does not 
otherwise increase, the Company would expect to temporarily idle all or a portion of our currently active facilities in 
the short term.  As a result of the steps the Company has taken to enhance its liquidity, the Company currently 
believes that cash on hand will enable the Company to meet its working capital, capital expenditure, debt service 
and other funding requirements for at least one year from the date this Form 10-K is issued.  The Company’s view 
regarding sufficiency of cash and liquidity is primarily based on our financial forecast for 2017, which is impacted 
by various assumptions regarding demand and sales prices for our products.  Generally, we expect demand for our 
products and the sales prices to increase in 2017 compared to 2016, and this expectation is included within our 2017 
financial forecast.  Although we have observed certain factors in the fourth quarter 2016 that support improving 
industry conditions, our financial forecasts in recent periods have proven less reliable given customer demand, 
which is highly volatile in the current operating environment and no committed sales backlog exists with our 
customers.  As a result, there is no guarantee that our financial forecast, which projects sufficient cash will be 
available to meet planned operating expenses and other cash needs as well as maintain compliance with the 
minimum cash balance required by the Credit Agreement, will be achieved.     

Additionally, the Company suspended completion of two large construction projects until such time that 

market conditions improve enough to warrant completion.  The two suspended projects include the second 
production line at Millen, Georgia and the second phase of the retrofit of an existing plant with the new 
KRYPTOSPHERE® technology.  As of December 31, 2016, the value of the temporarily suspended assets relating 
to these two projects totaled approximately 94% of the Company’s total construction in progress and both projects 
are over 90% complete. 

F-9 

 
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

Principles of Consolidation 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CARBO Ceramics Inc. and its operating 

subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. 

Concentration of Credit Risk, Accounts Receivable and Other Receivables 

The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does 
not require collateral.  Receivables are generally due within 30 days.  The majority of the Company’s receivables are 
from customers in the petroleum pressure pumping industry.  The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful 
accounts based on its assessment of collectability risk and periodically evaluates the balance in the allowance based 
on a review of trade accounts receivable.  Trade accounts receivable are periodically reviewed for collectability 
based on customers’ past credit history and current financial condition, and the allowance is adjusted if necessary.  
Credit losses historically have been insignificant.  The allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2016 and 
2015 was $2,804 and $2,688, respectively.  Other receivables were $650 and $300 as of December 31, 2016 and 
2015, respectively, of which related mainly to miscellaneous receivables in the United States. 

Cash Equivalents 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased 

to be cash equivalents.  The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash equivalents approximate fair 
value. 

Inventories 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (weighted average) or market.  Finished goods inventories include 

costs of materials, plant labor and overhead incurred in the production of the Company’s products and costs to 
transfer finished goods to distribution centers.  The Company evaluates the carrying value of its inventories relative 
to market value generally on a geographic by-country basis.  As needed, more specific reviews within a particular 
country are made on a product group basis. 

The Company evaluated the carrying values of its inventories and concluded that market prices had fallen 
below carrying costs for certain inventory.  Consequently, the Company recognized $1,515 and $4,546 lower of cost 
or market adjustments in cost of sales in 2016 and 2015, respectively, to adjust finished goods and raw materials 
carrying values to the lower market prices. 

Property, Plant and Equipment 

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost.  Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.  
Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes using the following estimated 
useful lives: 

Buildings and improvements .........................................  15 to 30 years 
3 to 30 years 
Machinery and equipment ............................................. 
30 years 
Land-use rights .............................................................. 

The Company holds approximately 4,618 acres of land and leasehold interests containing kaolin reserves near 
its plants in Georgia and Alabama.  The Company also holds approximately 113 acres of land and leasehold interests 
containing sand reserves near its sand processing facility in Marshfield, Wisconsin.  The capitalized costs of land 
and mineral rights as well as costs incurred to develop such property are amortized using the units-of-production 
method based on estimated total tons of these reserves. 

F-10 

 
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Intangible Assets 

Long-lived assets to be held and used and intangible assets that are subject to amortization are reviewed for 

impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate their carrying amounts might not be recoverable.  
Recoverability is assessed by comparing the undiscounted expected future cash flows from the assets with their 
carrying amount.  If the carrying amount exceeds the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows an impairment loss 
is recorded.  The impairment loss is measured by comparing the fair value of the assets with their carrying amounts.  
Intangible assets that are not subject to amortization are tested for impairment at least annually by comparing their 
fair value with the carrying amount and recording an impairment loss for any excess of carrying amount over fair 
value.  Fair values are generally determined based on discounted expected future cash flows or appraised values, as 
appropriate.  For additional information on the Company’s long-lived assets and intangible assets impairment 
assessment, please refer to Note 4 - Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. 

Manufacturing Production Levels Below Normal Capacity 

As a result of the Company substantially reducing manufacturing production levels, including by idling and 

mothballing certain facilities, the component of the Company’s accounting policy for inventory relating to operating 
at production levels below normal capacity was triggered and resulted in certain production costs being expensed 
instead of being capitalized into inventory.  The Company expenses fixed production overhead amounts in excess of 
amounts that would have been allocated to each unit of production at normal production levels.  For the years ended 
December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company expensed $47,318 and $33,724, respectively, in production costs.  
There were no such costs in 2014. 

Capitalized Software 

The Company capitalizes certain software costs, after technological feasibility has been established, which are 
amortized utilizing the straight-line method over the economic lives of the related products, generally not to exceed 
five years. 

Goodwill 

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of companies acquired over the fair value of their net assets at the 
date of acquisition.  Goodwill relating to each of the Company’s reporting units is tested for impairment annually, 
during the fourth quarter, as well as when an event, or change in circumstances, indicates an impairment is more 
likely than not to have occurred.  For additional information on the Company’s goodwill impairment assessment, 
please refer to Note 4 - Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. 

Revenue Recognition 

Revenue from proppant sales is recognized when title passes to the customer, generally upon delivery.  
Revenue from consulting and geotechnical services is recognized at the time service is performed.  Revenue from 
the sale of fracture simulation software is recognized when title passes to the customer at time of shipment.  
Revenue from the sale of spill prevention services is recognized at the time service is performed.  Revenue from the 
sale of containment goods is recognized at the time goods are delivered. 

Shipping and Handling Costs 

Shipping and handling costs are classified as cost of sales.  Shipping costs consist of transportation costs to 

deliver products to customers.  Handling costs include labor and overhead to maintain finished goods inventory and 
operate distribution facilities. 

F-11 

 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

Cost of Start-Up Activities 

Start-up activities, including organization costs, are expensed as incurred.  Start-up costs for 2016 and 2015 
related to the start-up of the first phase of a retrofit of an existing plant to produce KRYPTOSPHERE® products.  
Start-up costs for 2014 related to the start-up of the new manufacturing facility in Millen, Georgia. 

Use of Estimates 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the 

United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the 
financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. 

Research and Development Costs 

Research and development costs are charged to operations when incurred and are included in Selling, General 

and Administrative expenses.  The amounts incurred in 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $3,817, $7,047 and $10,855, 
respectively. 

Foreign Subsidiaries 

Financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated using current exchange rates for 

assets and liabilities; average exchange rates for the period for revenues, expenses, gains and losses; and historical 
exchange rates for equity accounts.  Resulting translation adjustments are included in, and the only component of, 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.  For additional 
information on the Company’s Cumulative Translation Adjustment, please refer to Note 17 – Foreign Currencies. 

New Accounting Pronouncements 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles – Intangibles and Other (Topic 350): 
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment,” which removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which 
requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation.  A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a 
reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill.  ASU 2017-04 
will be effective for the interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption 
permitted, and will be applied on a prospective basis.  The adoption of ASU 2017-04 is not expected to have a 
material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of 

Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force),” which clarifies 
existing guidance on cash flow statement presentation and classification.  ASU 2016-15 will be effective for the 
interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted.  The adoption of ASU 
2016-15 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related 
disclosures. 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718),” 

which amends and simplifies the accounting for stock compensation.  The guidance addresses various stock 
compensation aspects including accounting for income taxes, classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of 
cash flows, forfeitures, minimum statutory tax withholding requirements, and classification of employee taxes paid 
on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares for tax withholding purposes, among other 
things.  In order to simplify the accounting for stock-based compensation, the Company made a change in 
accounting policy to account for forfeitures when they occur as permitted by this ASU, and as a result, the Company 
recognized a $697 cumulative-effect reduction to retained earnings under the modified retrospective approach.  The 
Company elected prospective transition for the requirement to classify excess tax benefits as an operating activity.  
No prior periods have been adjusted.  Additionally, as a result of the new guidance requirements, on a prospective 
basis, the Company now recognizes all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax expense or benefit in 
the income statement as a discrete item in the period in which restricted shares vest.  During the year ended 

F-12 

 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

December 31, 2016, the Company recognized $789, or $0.03 per share, in tax deficiencies, which reduced our 
income tax benefit.  The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2016.  The adoption did not have a 
material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, other than the 
cumulative-effect reduction to retained earnings and income tax benefit effect. 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” which amends current lease 

guidance.  This guidance requires, among other things, that lessees recognize the following for all leases (with the 
exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date: (1) a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to 
make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (2) 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.  Lessees and 
lessors must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the 
beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements.  The new guidance will be 
effective for the interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted.  The 
Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this new guidance on the consolidated financial 
statements and related disclosures. 

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Balance Sheet 

Classification of Deferred Taxes,” (“ASU 2015-17”), which requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be 
classified as noncurrent in the balance sheet.  The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2016 on a 
prospective basis.  The Company’s deferred tax liabilities and assets for prior periods were not retrospectively 
adjusted.  The Company has changed its accounting principle to present deferred taxes as noncurrent in order to 
simplify the accounting for income taxes and to comply with ASU 2015-17. 

In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) – 

Deferral of the Effective Date,” which revises the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts 
with Customers (Topic 606),” (“ASU 2014-09”) to interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, 
with early adoption permitted no earlier than interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016.  In 
May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, which amends current revenue guidance.  The core principle of the 
guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers 
in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or 
services.  Upon initial evaluation, the Company does not believe there will be a material impact on its consolidated 
financial statements.  The Company’s analysis of proppant sales contracts under ASC 606 supports the recognition 
of revenue at a point in time, typically when title passes to the customer upon delivery, for the majority of contracts, 
which is consistent with the current revenue recognition model.  The Company is still evaluating the potential 
impact, if any, on sales contracts relating to the sale of fracture stimulation software and environmental products and 
services.  The Company expects to utilize the modified retrospective approach, which requires a cumulative 
adjustment to retained earnings and no adjustments to prior periods.  The Company does not expect a material 
cumulative adjustment upon adoption. 

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, “Inventory (Topic 330),” (“ASU 2015-11”) which amends 

and simplifies the measurement of inventory.  The main provisions of the standard require that inventory be 
measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value.  Prior to the issuance of the standard, inventory was measured 
at the lower of cost or market (where market was defined as replacement cost, with a ceiling of net realizable value 
and floor of net realizable value less a normal profit margin).  ASU 2015-11 will be effective for the interim and 
annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted.  The Company is currently 
evaluating the potential impact, if any, of adopting this new guidance on the consolidated financial statements and 
related disclosures. 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, “Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30),” 
(“ASU 2015-03”), which amends and simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs.  The main provisions of the 
standard require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct 
deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, and amortization of the debt issuance costs must be 
reported as interest expense.  In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, “Presentation and Subsequent 
Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements – Amendments to SEC 

F-13 

 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting (SEC Update),” which clarified that the 
SEC (as defined below) staff will not object to an entity presenting the costs of securing line-of-credit arrangements 
as an asset.  The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2016 on a retroactive basis.  The adoption did not 
have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. 

In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, “Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items 
(Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items,” 
(“ASU 2015-01”), which eliminates the concept of extraordinary items from U.S. GAAP.  The Company adopted 
this guidance as of January 1, 2016.  The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial 
position, results of operations or cash flows. 

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern 
(Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” (“ASU 
2014-15”) which provides guidance in U.S. GAAP about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is 
substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures.  
The Company adopted ASU 2014-15 for the annual period ending December 31, 2016.  The adoption of ASU 2014-
15 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash 
flows, or related footnote disclosures. 

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): 
Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be 
Achieved after the Requisite Service Period (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force),” (“ASU 2014-
12”), which amends current guidance for stock compensation tied to performance targets.  The amendments require 
that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated 
as a performance condition and apply existing guidance in Topic 718 as it relates to awards with performance 
conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards.  The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 
2016.  The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or 
cash flows. 

2. 

Intangible and Other Assets 

Following is a summary of intangible assets as of December 31: 

2016 

2015 

Weighted
Average
Life

Gross 
Amount

Accumulated 
Amortization   

Gross 
Amount   

Accumulated
Amortization

Intangibles: 

Patents and licenses, software and hardware 
   designs ...................................................................................  6 years $ 5,033 $
Developed technology ..............................................................  10 years   2,782  
Customer relationships and non-compete.................................  9 years   2,838  
$10,653 $

3,187   $  4,754  $
2,017      2,782   
2,331      2,838   
7,535   $ 10,374  $

2,839
1,739
2,042
6,620  

Amortization expense for 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $915, $1,235 and $1,313, respectively.  Estimated 
amortization expense for each of the ensuing years through December 31, 2021 is $638, $565, $279, $17 and $0, 
respectively. 

F-14 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
    
  
  
  
  
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

Following is a summary of other assets as of December 31: 

Other assets: 
Bauxite raw materials: 

Inventories ................................................................................  $3,989   $ 4,145  
Other assets ....................................................................................    1,524     1,962  
$5,513   $ 6,107   

2016 

   2015 

Bauxite raw materials are used in the production of heavyweight ceramic products.  As of December 31, 2016 

and 2015, the Company has classified as long-term assets those bauxite raw materials inventories that are not 
expected to be consumed in production during the upcoming twelve month period.  For additional information, refer 
to Note 4 – Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. 

3. 

Long-Term Debt and Notes Payable 

The Company maintains a credit agreement, which until April 2016 included a revolving line of credit, with a 

bank lender.  As of January 31, 2016, February 29, 2016 and March 31, 2016, the Company failed to comply with 
the asset coverage ratio covenant in such credit agreement.  In connection with entering into Agreement and 
Amendment No. 7 to the Credit Agreement referred to below (the “Amended Credit Agreement”), the bank lender 
waived non-compliance with the asset coverage ratio for the months of January, February and March 2016. 

As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s outstanding debt under its Amended Credit Agreement was 
$55,901, of which $13,000 was classified as current and $42,901 was classified as long-term.  As of December 31, 
2016, the Company had $497 of debt issuance costs that are presented as a direct reduction from the carrying 
amount of the long-term debt obligation.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, the weighted average interest rate 
was 6.447% based on LIBOR-based rate borrowings.  The Company had $11,980 and $8,875 in standby letters of 
credit issued as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, primarily as collateral relating to our 
natural gas commitments and railcar leases.  As of December 31, 2015, the Company’s outstanding debt under the 
prior credit agreement was $88,000, of which $33,000 was classified as current and $55,000 was classified as long-
term.  As of December 31, 2015, the weighted average interest rate was 4.664% based on LIBOR-based rate 
borrowings.  Interest cost for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $6,022, $2,973 and $135, 
respectively, of which $80 and $2,038 was capitalized into the cost of property, plant and equipment in the years 
ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  No interest was capitalized in 2014. 

In April 2016, the Company restructured its revolving credit agreement by entering into the Amended Credit 

Agreement, as it is reasonably likely the Company would have been unable to comply with certain financial 
covenants under the prior credit agreement.  The Amended Credit Agreement consists of a $65,000 fully drawn term 
loan, which replaced the previous $90,000 revolving line of credit, and up to $15,000 in standby letters of credit.  
The Company’s obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement are secured by a pledge of substantially all of the 
Company’s domestic assets and guaranteed by its two domestic operating subsidiaries.  Such obligations bear 
interest at a floating rate of LIBOR plus 7.00%.  Under the Amended Credit Agreement, all of the cash of the 
Company, including any of the subsidiary guarantors, that is held in U.S. banks must be deposited into accounts at 
the administrative agent and therefore will be subject to set-off in the event, and to the extent, CARBO Ceramics 
Inc. or any of the subsidiary guarantors is unable to satisfy its obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement.  
The Amended Credit Agreement requires minimum quarterly repayments of principal of $3,250 per quarter until its 
maturity on December 31, 2018.  The Amended Credit Agreement eliminates the financial covenants contained in 
the prior credit agreement, but instead requires the Company to maintain minimum cash amounts held with the 
administrative agent at the end of each calendar month commencing August 2016 as follows: $40,000 from August 
2016 until March 2017; $30,000 from April 2017 until December 2017; and $25,000 thereafter.  The Company is 
required to use proceeds from the sale of certain assets to repay principal amounts outstanding under the Amended 
Credit Agreement.   

F-15 

 
  
 
 
 
     
  
 
     
  
  
 
 
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

In January 2017, the Company repaid $3,250 under its Amended Credit Agreement.  As of February 28, 2017, 

the Company’s outstanding debt under the Amended Credit Agreement was $52,651. 

In May 2016, the Company received proceeds of $25,000 from the issuance of separate unsecured Promissory 

Notes (the “Notes”) to two of the Company’s Directors.  Each Note matures on April 1, 2019 and bears interest at 
7.00%.  Additionally, in May 2016, each of those directors entered into a Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement 
with the Company’s bank lender, which, among other things, provides that each Note is subordinated to the 
indebtedness outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement. 

In June 2016, the Company entered into an agreement with a financing company to finance certain insurance 
premiums in the amount of $1,468.  Payments are due monthly through April 1, 2017 with an effective interest rate 
of 0.75%.  The liability is included in Notes Payable within Current Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  
As of December 31, 2016, the outstanding balance was $551. 

4. 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets 

During 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded losses totaling $1,065, $43,697 and $15,120, 
respectively, on impairment of certain long-lived assets as market conditions changed with regard to demand for 
certain products offered by the Company. 

A decline in oil and natural gas prices during the second half of 2014 resulted in a severe decline in market 
conditions beginning in early 2015.  During the fourth quarter of 2015, industry conditions further deteriorated as oil 
prices fell below $30 per barrel.  As a result of these worsening conditions, the Company evaluated substantially all 
of its long-lived assets for possible impairment as of December 31, 2015.  Key assumptions used in the analysis 
varied by facility.  However, the overriding assumptions included: 1) the industry downturn would last longer than 
originally anticipated, taking up to five years to fully recover; 2) production levels would rise over the recovery 
period eventually returning to production levels within normal capacity; 3) market pricing would be similar to lower 
2015 levels, thus conservatively reducing expected gross profit and thus cash flows; 4) the Company’s wet process 
manufacturing plants (Toomsboro and Millen, Georgia and Eufaula, Alabama) were evaluated as a group of assets 
because these facilities manufacture like products; and 5) other facilities were separately evaluated.  Pursuant to that 
analysis, the Company determined that the projected gross cash flows attributable to certain assets did not exceed 
the carrying value of the assets; therefore, the Company concluded that there was indication of possible impairment.  
The Company engaged the services of a third party consulting firm to assist with the determination of the fair market 
value of the related assets and concluded that the assets were impaired.  The key assumptions and inputs impacting 
the fair value analysis were the weighted average cost of capital and perpetuity growth rate as well as certain market 
data with respect to the property and equipment at each facility.  As a result, during the year-ended December 31, 
2015, the Company recorded a $36,177 impairment of long-lived assets, primarily relating to machinery and 
equipment at the McIntyre, Georgia manufacturing plant and Marshfield, Wisconsin sand processing facility. 

During the year-ended December 31, 2016, industry conditions remained depressed, however showed signs of 

improvement in the second half of the year with oil prices above $50 per barrel exiting the year.  The Company 
evaluated substantially all of its long-lived assets for impairment as of December 31, 2016.  Key assumptions were 
not materially different from the December 31, 2015 analysis.  Pursuant to the December 31, 2016 analysis, the 
Company determined that the projected gross cash flows attributable to each asset group exceeded the carrying 
value; therefore, the Company concluded there was no indication of impairment for the year-ended December 31, 
2016. 

The Company also evaluated the carrying value of the long-term portion of bauxite raw materials.  Much of 
the bauxite raw material was intended for use in production at the McIntyre facility.  Based upon this evaluation, 
during 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $1,065 and $6,488, respectively, on the 
long-term portion of the bauxite raw material inventories. 

Market conditions inside China deteriorated somewhat earlier relative to conditions in the United States.  As a 

result of deteriorating market conditions in China during the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company recorded a 

F-16 

 
 
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

$10,164 impairment of its long-lived assets in China during that period.  As a result of the further deterioration of 
conditions in 2015, the Company ceased production activities at its Luoyang, China manufacturing plant.  During 
the course of 2015, the Company released substantially all of its employees inside China, sold off inventories and 
proceeded to wind-down the operation.  The Company does not intend to resume operations in China.  During the 
fourth quarter of 2015, the Company incurred a loss of $1,033 related to the write-off of abandoned inventories and 
other assets, and substantially liquidated the China assets and liabilities, as defined by U.S generally accepted 
accounting principles.  As a result, during the fourth quarter of 2015, the foreign currency cumulative translation 
gain of $8,853 was released into the statement of operations and is netted with other impairment losses. 

In addition, during late 2014, the Company made a decision that it will not move forward with construction of 
a resin coating plant in Marshfield, Wisconsin for which the Company had previously developed engineering plans 
and procured certain equipment that had long-lead delivery times.  As such, the Company recorded a $4,956 
impairment of those assets during the year ended December 31, 2014. 

The Company assesses goodwill for possible impairment annually or sooner if circumstances indicate possible 
impairment may have occurred.  The Company evaluated goodwill during the fourth quarter of 2015, and as a result 
of the further decline in the oil and natural gas industry during the fourth quarter of 2015, concluded that Asset 
Guard Products Inc. (“AGPI”) projected future cash flows were negatively impacted and thus indicated possible 
impairment of the AGPI goodwill.  AGPI was formerly known as Falcon Technologies and Services, Inc.  The 
Company engaged a third party to assist in the evaluation and concluded that impairment had occurred.  Fair value, 
which was determined using a discounted cash flows method, fell below the carrying value.  Consequently, during 
the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company recorded an $8,664 impairment of AGPI goodwill and an $833 impairment 
of the indefinite-lived AGPI Trademark intangible asset, both the full value of each of those assets.  Evaluation of 
the StrataGen goodwill resulted in no indication of possible impairment.  There were no such impairments during 
2016 or 2014. 

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, the Company recognized gains of $176, $230, 

and $41 on disposal of various assets. 

Components of loss (gain) on disposal or impairment of assets are as follows: 

Domestic long-lived assets impairment ....................   $
China assets impairment ...........................................  
Goodwill and intangible assets impairment ..............  
China CTA gain realization.......................................  
Gain on disposal of assets .........................................  

Total .....................................................................   $

For the years ended December 31, 
2015 
2014 
2016 
42,664    $ 
1,033      
9,497      
(8,853 )    
(230 )    

4,956  
10,164  
—  
—  
(41 )
44,111    $  15,079   

1,065   $
—    
—    
—    
(176)   
889   $

5. 

Leases 

The Company leases certain property, plant and equipment under operating leases, primarily consisting of 
railroad equipment leases.  Net minimum future rental payments due under non-cancelable operating leases with 
remaining terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2016 are as follows: 

2017 ................................................................................   $
2018 ................................................................................    
2019 ................................................................................    
2020 ................................................................................    
2021 ................................................................................    
Thereafter .......................................................................    
Total................................................................................   $

15,272  
13,262  
14,367  
16,174  
15,895  
37,865  
112,835   

F-17 

 
 
  
 
  
  
 
   
     
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

Leases of railroad equipment generally provide for renewal options at their fair rental value at the time of 

renewal.  In the normal course of business, operating leases for railroad equipment are generally renewed or 
replaced by other leases.  For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, minimum future rental payments in the 
table above are presented net of sublease income related to subleases of railroad equipment of $993 and $581, 
respectively.  Rent expense for all operating leases was $22,040 in 2016, $23,757 in 2015 and $24,116 in 2014.  For 
the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, rent expense is stated net of sublease income of $4,778, $5,031 
and $1,816, respectively. 

6. 

Income Taxes 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of 
assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.  Significant 
components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 are as follows: 

2016 

     2015 

Deferred tax assets: 
Employee benefits ..................................................................   $ 1,349    $  1,296   
Inventories .............................................................................     8,811       7,071   
Natural gas derivatives ...........................................................     1,281       4,183   
Goodwill & other intangibles .................................................     4,881       3,980   
Net operating loss ..................................................................     51,722      39,360   
Other ......................................................................................     2,027       1,723   
—       1,230   
Foreign losses ........................................................................    
—       (1,230 ) 
Foreign tax assets valuation allowance ..................................    
Total deferred tax assets ...................................................     70,071      57,613   

Deferred tax liabilities: 
Depreciation ...........................................................................     71,308      71,976   
Total deferred tax liabilities ..............................................     71,308      71,976   
Net deferred tax liabilities ................................................   $ 1,237    $ 14,363   

Significant components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31 are as follows: 

Current: 

2016 

2015 

2014 

(495)  $ 1,509     $  11,310  
120       
(496)   
500  
966        1,084  
445    
2,595        12,894  
(546)   
   (50,535)    (56,800 )      24,389  
 $ (51,081)  $ (54,205 )   $  37,283   

Federal ..........................................................................   $
State ..............................................................................    
Foreign ..........................................................................    
Total current ............................................................    

Deferred ............................................................................

F-18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
      
   
  
      
   
 
 
  
 
   
     
 
  
    
       
  
  
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

The reconciliation of income taxes computed at the U.S. statutory tax rate to the Company’s income tax 

expense for the years ended December 31 is as follows: 

2016 
  Amount    Percent    

2015 
  Amount    Percent    

U.S. statutory rate ............................................  $(45,923)  
(3,283)  
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit ..   
(378)  
Mining depletion ..............................................   
(2,753)  
Change in election for foreign tax credits ........   
—   
Foreign tax assets valuation allowance ............   
(323)  
Foreign investments .........................................   
789   
Stock compensation excess tax deficiency ......   
790   
Other permanent differences ............................   
$(51,081)  

(35.0)% $(57,312)  
(3,474)  
(1,557)  
1,442   
1,230   
847   
—   
4,619   
(38.9)% $(54,205)  

(2.5) 
(0.3) 
(2.1) 
—  
(0.2) 
0.6  
0.6  

2014 
   Amount     Percent    
35.0%
2.0  
(3.3) 
—  
4.6  
3.2  
—  
(1.4) 
40.1%

(35.0 )%  $  32,505    
    1,882    
    (3,035 )  
—    
    4,300    
    2,980    
—    
    (1,349 )  
(33.1 )%  $  37,283    

(2.1 ) 
(0.9 ) 
0.9   
0.7   
0.5   
—   
2.8   

Provision has been made for deferred U.S. income taxes on all foreign earnings based on the Company’s 

intent to repatriate foreign earnings.  During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company adjusted the DTL 
associated with its foreign investments which resulted in an additional benefit of $323.  During the year ended 
December 31, 2015, the Company did not recognize benefits on foreign investments of $847 and recorded a 
valuation allowance of $1,230 due to the uncertainty of the Company being able to realize the foreign tax assets in 
light of current market conditions in China.  During 2016, there was no change to this foreign valuation allowance. 

During 2016 and 2015, the Company incurred a net operating loss in the United States.  The tax benefit of 
these net operating losses totals $51,722 and $39,360, respectively, and is included in the deferred income tax asset.  
The Company filed amended 2013 and 2014 Federal income tax returns to claim $37,397 of the tax benefit which 
was received as a refund in April 2016.  After finalization of the 2015 Federal return and a change in the attribute of 
the NOL carryback, additional refunds for 2012 through 2014 tax years are being claimed in the amount of $1,732.  
These amounts are included within deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2016.  The federal NOLs generated in 
2016 will be carried forward until they are utilized or their expiration in 2036. 

The Company elected to claim bonus tax depreciation totaling $29,221 and $61,781 on assets placed in 

service in the United States during 2015 and 2014, respectively.  This election increased the net operating loss in 
2015 and reduced current taxable income in 2014.  No such bonus depreciation is anticipated for 2016. 

The Company has not recognized any uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2016.  The reserve recorded 
as of December 31, 2015 of $153 was associated with a period no longer subject to audit and thus was reduced to $0 
during 2016.   

The Company files its tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the jurisdictions in which it operates, the 
most significant of which are U.S. federal and certain state jurisdictions.  In 2016, the Company received an audit 
notice from the Internal Revenue Service for periods 2013-2015.  The Company does not anticipate any material 
findings.  Various U.S. state jurisdiction tax years remain open to examination as well, although the Company 
believes assessments, if any, would be immaterial to its consolidated financial statements. 

7. 

Shareholders’ Equity 

Common Stock 

Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted on by shareholders and 
do not have cumulative voting rights.  Subject to preferences of any Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock 
are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors 
out of funds legally available for that purpose.  In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the 
Company, holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, 
subject to prior distribution rights of any Preferred Stock then outstanding.  The Common Stock has no preemptive 

F-19 

 
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

or conversion rights or other subscription rights.  There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to 
the Common Stock.  All outstanding shares of Common Stock are fully paid and non-assessable. 

On January 19, 2016, the Board of Directors suspended the Company’s policy of paying quarterly cash 

dividends. 

Preferred Stock 

The Company’s charter authorizes 5,000 shares of Preferred Stock.  The Board of Directors has the authority 

to issue Preferred Stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof, 
including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation 
preferences and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of such series, without further vote or 
action by the Company’s shareholders. 

Common Stock Repurchase Program 

On January 28, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to two million shares 
of the Company’s common stock.  Shares are effectively retired at the time of purchase.  As of December 31, 2016, 
the Company had not repurchased any shares under the plan. 

Equity Offering Program 

On July 28, 2016, the Company filed a prospectus supplement and associated sales agreement related to an at-
the-market (“ATM”) equity offering program pursuant to which the Company may sell, from time to time, common 
stock with an aggregate offering price of up to $75,000 through Cowen and Company LLC, as sales agent, for 
general corporate purposes.  As of December 31, 2016, the Company sold a total of 3,405,709 shares of its common 
stock under the ATM program for $46,612, or an average of $13.69 per share, and received proceeds of $45,564, net 
of commissions of $1,048.  These sales occurred during August and September 2016, and we have not utilized the 
program since those sales. 

8. 

Natural Gas Derivative Instruments 

Natural gas is used to fire the kilns at the Company’s domestic manufacturing plants.  In an effort to mitigate 
potential volatility in the cost of natural gas purchases and reduce exposure to short-term spikes in the price of this 
commodity, from time to time, the Company enters into contracts to purchase a portion of the anticipated monthly 
natural gas requirements at specified prices.  Contracts are geographic by plant location.  Historically, the Company 
has taken delivery of all natural gas quantities under contract, which exempted the Company from accounting for the 
contracts as derivative instruments.  However, due to the severe decline in industry activity beginning in early 2015, 
the Company significantly reduced production levels and consequently did not take delivery of all of the contracted 
natural gas quantities.  As a result, the Company began to account for relevant contracts as derivative instruments. 

Derivative accounting requires the natural gas contracts to be recognized as either assets or liabilities at fair 

value with an offsetting entry in earnings.  The Company uses the income approach in determining the fair value of 
these derivative instruments.  The model used considers the difference, as of each balance sheet date, between the 
contracted prices and the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) forward strip price for each contracted 
period.  The estimated cash flows from these contracts are discounted using a discount rate of 5.5%, which reflects 
the nature of the contracts as well as the timing and risk of estimated cash flows associated with the contracts.  The 
discount rate had an immaterial impact on the fair value of the contracts for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 
2015.  The last natural gas contract will expire in December 2018.  As a result, during the year ended December 31, 
2016 and 2015, the Company recognized a gain on derivative instruments of $1,886 and a loss on derivative 
instruments of $15,040, respectively in cost of sales.  The cumulative present value of the losses on these natural gas 
derivative contracts as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are presented as current and long-term liabilities, as 
applicable, in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. 

F-20 

 
 
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

At December 31, 2016, the Company has contracted for delivery a total of 4,320,000 MMBtu of natural gas at 

an average price of $4.36 per MMBtu through December 31, 2018.  Contracts covering 4,080,000 MMBtu are 
subject to accounting as derivative instruments.  Future decreases in the NYMEX forward strip prices will result in 
additional derivative losses while future increases in the NYMEX forward strip prices will result in derivative gains.  
Future gains or losses will approximate the change in NYMEX natural gas prices relative to the total quantity of 
natural gas under contracts now subject to accounting as derivatives.  The historical average NYMEX natural gas 
contract settlement prices for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $2.46 per MMBtu and $2.66 per 
MMBtu, respectively. 

9. 

Fair Value Measurements 

The Company’s derivative instruments are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  U.S. GAAP establishes 

a fair value hierarchy that has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine the fair value.  
These levels include: Level 1, defined as inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical 
assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or 
indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for use when little or no market data exists, 
therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. 

The Company’s natural gas derivative instruments are included within the Level 2 fair value hierarchy.  For 

additional information on the derivative instruments, refer to Note 8 – Natural Gas Derivative Instruments.  The 
following table sets forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s assets and liabilities that were 
accounted for at fair value: 

Liabilities: 

Derivative instruments ..........................................................   $ —   $ (3,468)  $  —     $ (3,468)
Total fair value ................................................................   $ —   $ (3,468)  $  —     $ (3,468)

Fair value as of December 31, 2016 

  Level 1      Level 2        Level 3        Total 

Assets: 

Impaired long-lived assets.....................................................  $ —  $

—   $  5,896    $  5,896 

Liabilities: 

Derivative instruments ..........................................................    —    (11,155)     —      (11,155)
Total fair value ................................................................  $ —  $(11,155)  $  5,896    $  (5,259)

Fair value as of December 31, 2015 

  Level 1      Level 2 

     Level 3       Total 

At December 31, 2016, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt approximated the carrying value. 

10.  Stock Based Compensation 

On May 20, 2014, the shareholders approved the 2014 CARBO Ceramics Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan (the 

“2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan”).  The 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan replaces the expired 2009 Omnibus Incentive 
Plan.  Under the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the Company may grant cash-based awards, stock options (both non-
qualified and incentive) and other equity-based awards (including stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, 
restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, deferred share units or share-denominated performance 
units) to employees and non-employee directors.  The amount paid under the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan to any 
single participant in any calendar year with respect to any cash-based award shall not exceed $5,000.  Awards may 
be granted with respect to a number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock that in the aggregate does not 
exceed 750,000 shares prior to the fifth anniversary of its effective date, plus (i) the number of shares that are 
forfeited, cancelled or returned, and (ii) the number of shares that are withheld from the participants to satisfy an 
option exercise price or minimum statutory tax withholding obligations.  No more than 50,000 shares may be 
granted to any single participant in any calendar year.  Equity-based awards may be subject to performance-based 

F-21 

 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
    
      
       
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
     
      
 
 
   
     
      
 
 
 
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

and/or service-based conditions.  With respect to stock options and stock appreciation rights granted, the exercise 
price shall not be less than the market value of the underlying Common Stock on the date of grant.  The maximum 
term of an option is ten years.  Restricted stock awards granted generally vest (i.e., transfer and forfeiture restrictions 
on these shares are lifted) proportionately on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date, but subject to 
certain limitations, awards may specify other vesting periods.  As of December 31, 2016, 316,848 shares were 
available for issuance under the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan.  Although the Company’s 2009 Omnibus Incentive 
Plan has expired, certain unvested shares granted under that plan remain outstanding in accordance with its terms.  
Additionally, certain units of phantom stock remain outstanding under the 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as 
described below. 

A summary of restricted stock activity and related information for the year ended December 31, 2016 is 

presented below: 

Nonvested at January 1, 2016 ........................................   266,152   
Granted ..........................................................................   234,412   
Vested ............................................................................   (110,367)  
Forfeited .........................................................................  
(51,057)  
Nonvested at December 31, 2016 ..................................   339,140   

Shares 

  Weighted-    
  Average 
  Grant-Date    
  Fair Value    
  Per Share    
$51.39 
$17.27 
$59.18 
$29.31 
$28.59 

As of December 31, 2016, there was $4,978 of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated 

forfeitures, related to restricted shares granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plans.  That cost is expected to be 
recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years.  The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted 
stock granted during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $17.27, $34.62 and $111.99, 
respectively.  The total fair value of shares vested during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was 
$6,532, $6,910 and $5,638, respectively. 

As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s outstanding market-based cash awards to certain executives of the 

Company had a total Target Award of $1,938.  The amount of awards that will ultimately vest can range from 0% to 
200% based on the Company’s Relative Total Shareholder Return calculated over a three year period beginning 
January 1 of the year each grant was made. 

The Company also made phantom stock awards to key international employees pursuant to the expired 2009 
Omnibus Incentive Plan prior to its expiration and pursuant to the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan.  The units subject 
to an award vest and cease to be forfeitable in equal annual installments over a three-year period.  Participants 
awarded units of phantom stock are entitled to a lump sum cash payment equal to the fair market value of a share of 
Common Stock on the vesting date.  In no event will Common Stock of the Company be issued with regard to 
outstanding phantom stock awards.  As of December 31, 2016, there were 18,180 units of phantom stock granted 
under the expired 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan, of which 13,737 have vested and 3,954 have been forfeited.  As of 
December 31, 2016, there were 11,115 units of phantom stock granted under the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, of 
which 1,302 have vested and 2,292 have been forfeited.  As of December 31, 2016, nonvested units of phantom 
stock under the 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan and the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan have a total value of $84, a 
portion of which is accrued as a liability within Accrued Payroll and Benefits. 

F-22 

 
  
 
   
  
 
  
   
  
 
  
  
   
  
 
  
   
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

11. 

(Loss) Earnings Per Share 

ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”, provides that unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-
forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall 
be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method.  The Company’s outstanding 
non-vested restricted stock awards are participating securities.  Accordingly, earnings per common share are 
computed using the two-class method.    

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share under the two-

class method: 

Numerator for basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share: 

Net (loss) income ............................................................   $
Effect of reallocating undistributed earnings of 
   participating securities .................................................    

Net (loss) income available under the two-class 
   method ....................................................................   $

Denominator: 

2016 

2015 

2014 

(80,127)  $ (109,544 )   $

55,588 

—    

—        

(376)

(80,127)  $ (109,544 )   $

55,212 

Denominator for basic (loss) earnings per 
   share—weighted-average shares ..................................     24,377,839     22,999,318        22,946,395 
Effect of dilutive potential common shares .....................    
— 
Denominator for diluted (loss) earnings per 
   share—adjusted weighted-average shares ....................     24,377,839     22,999,318        22,946,395 
2.41 
2.41  

Basic (loss) earnings per share ..................................   $
Diluted (loss) earnings per share ...............................   $

(3.29)  $
(3.29)  $

(4.76 )   $
(4.76 )   $

—        

—    

12.  Quarterly Operating Results––(Unaudited) 

Quarterly results for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows: 

Three Months Ended 

  March 31     

June 30 

   September 30       December 31  

2016 
Revenues ....................................................................  $
Gross loss ...................................................................   
Net loss .......................................................................   
Loss per share: 

33,102   $
(23,641)   
(24,684)   

20,651   $
(20,012)   
(20,296)   

20,241    $  29,058 
(20,495)
(20,865 )    
(15,197)
(19,950 )    

Basic ......................................................................  $
Diluted ..................................................................  $

(1.07)  $
(1.07)  $

(0.88)  $
(0.88)  $

(0.81 )  $ 
(0.81 )  $ 

(0.57)
(0.57)

2015 
Revenues ....................................................................  $
..
 .................................................................   
Gross
 loss
Net
 .................................................................   
..
 ....
Loss per share: 

 loss

73,747   $
(25,998)   
(28,602)   

73,752   $
(10,302)   
(17,004)   

75,807    $  56,768 
(15,228)
(4,597 )    
(50,040)
(13,898 )    

Basic ......................................................................  $
Diluted ..................................................................  $

(1.24)  $
(1.24)  $

(0.74)  $
(0.74)  $

(0.60 )  $ 
(0.60 )  $ 

(2.17)
(2.17)

Quarterly data may not sum to full year data reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements due to 

rounding. 

F-23 

 
  
  
 
 
 
     
 
  
    
        
 
  
    
        
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
    
    
      
 
  
    
    
      
 
  
    
    
      
 
  
    
    
      
 
 
 
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

13.  Segment Information 

The Company has two operating segments: 1) Oilfield Technologies and Services and 2) Environmental 
Products and Services.  Discrete financial information is available for each operating segment.  Management of each 
operating segment reports to our Chief Executive Officer, the Company’s chief operating decision maker, who 
regularly evaluates income before income taxes as the measure to evaluate segment performance and to allocate 
resources.  The accounting policies of each segment are the same as those described in the summary of significant 
accounting policies in Note 1.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company concluded that the 
Environmental Products and Services operating segment met the disclosure requirements defined by ASC 280, 
Segment Reporting, and that operating segment became a reportable segment. 

The Company’s oilfield technologies and services segment manufactures and sells ceramic proppants on a 

global basis for use primarily in the hydraulic fracturing of natural gas and oil wells.  All of the Company’s ceramic 
proppant products have similar production processes and economic characteristics and are marketed predominantly 
to pressure pumping companies that perform hydraulic fracturing for major oil and gas companies.  The Company’s 
manufacturing facilities also produce ceramic pellets for use in various industrial technology applications, including 
but not limited to casting and milling.  This segment also promotes increased production and Estimated Ultimate 
Recovery (“EUR”) of oil and natural gas by providing industry leading technology to Design, Build, and Optimize 
the FracTM.  Through our wholly-owned subsidiary StrataGen, Inc., we sell one of the most widely used fracture 
stimulation software under the brand FracPro® and provide fracture design and consulting services to oil and natural 
gas E&P companies under the brand StrataGen.   

Our environmental products and services segment is intended to protect operators’ assets, minimize 

environmental risks, and lower lease operating expense (“LOE”).  AGPI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, 
provides spill prevention, containment and countermeasure systems for the oil and gas industry.  AGPI uses 
proprietary technology designed to enable its clients to extend the life of their storage assets, reduce the potential for 
hydrocarbon spills and provide containment of stored materials. 

Summarized financial information for the Company’s operating segments for the three-year period ended 

December 31, 2016 is shown in the following tables.  Intersegment sales are not material. 

Oilfield 
Technologies 
and Services  

Environmental 
Products and 
Services 
($ in thousands) 

    Total 

89,351  $
(128,128)  
709,180   
7,008   
46,871   

2016 
Revenue from external customers ..................................................  $
Loss before income taxes ...............................................................   
Total assets .....................................................................................   
Capital expenditures, net ................................................................   
Depreciation and amortization........................................................   
2015 
Revenue from external customers ..................................................  $ 257,373  $
(151,772)  
Loss before income taxes ...............................................................   
817,845   
Total assets .....................................................................................   
62,996   
Capital expenditures, net ................................................................   
Depreciation and amortization........................................................   
52,451   
2014 
Revenue from external customers ..................................................  $ 617,233  $
94,019   
Income (loss) before income taxes .................................................   
899,709   
Total assets .....................................................................................   
160,820   
Capital expenditures, net ................................................................   
48,361   
Depreciation and amortization........................................................   

13,700    $  103,051 
(3,080 )    (131,208)
14,277       723,457 
(160 )    
6,848 
1,580       48,451 

22,201    $  279,574 
(11,977 )    (163,749)
18,524       836,369 
(249 )     62,747 
2,006       54,457 

31,092    $  648,325 
(1,148 )     92,871 
34,517       934,226 
649       161,469 
2,499       50,860  

F-24 

 
  
  
 
  
 
 
   
      
 
 
   
      
 
 
   
      
 
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

Geographic Information 

Long-lived assets, consisting of net property, plant and equipment and other long-term assets, as of December 

31 in the United States and other countries are as follows: 

Long-lived assets: 

United States ............................................................  $ 489,374   $ 531,518      $ 561,109   
12,320         18,052   
International .............................................................   
Total ...................................................................  $ 499,615   $ 543,838      $ 579,161   

10,241    

2016 

2015 

2014 

Revenues outside the United States accounted for 34%, 29% and 24% of the Company’s revenues for 2016, 

2015 and 2014, respectively.  Revenues for the years ended December 31 in the United States, Canada and other 
countries are as follows: 

Revenues: 

United States ............................................................  $ 67,609   $ 199,187      $ 491,004   
33,614         73,092   
Canada .....................................................................   
46,773         84,229   
Other international ...................................................   
Total ...................................................................  $ 103,051   $ 279,574      $ 648,325   

7,460    
27,982    

2016 

2015 

2014 

Sales to Customers 

The following schedule presents customers, primarily from the oilfield technologies and services segment, 

from whom the Company derived 10% or more of total revenues for the years ended December 31: 

2016 ................................................................. 
2015 ................................................................. 
2014 ................................................................. 

A 

Major Customers 
B 
20.4%
26.9%
29.9%

—  
10.7%
22.4%

C 
11.1 % 
—   
—   

14.  Benefit Plans 

The Company has defined contribution savings and profit sharing plans pursuant to Section 401(k) of the 

Internal Revenue Code.  Benefit costs recognized as expense under these plans consisted of the following for the 
years ended December 31: 

Contributions: 

Profit sharing .................................................................................  $ —  $  —    $ 2,337  
Savings...........................................................................................    939    1,547      1,849  
$939  $ 1,547    $ 4,186   

2016     2015 

     2014 

All contributions to the plans are 100% participant directed.  Participants are allowed to invest up to 20% of 

contributions in the Company’s Common Stock. 

15.  Commitments 

In January 2011, the Company entered into an agreement with one of the Company’s existing suppliers to 
purchase from the supplier at least 70 percent of the annual kaolin requirements for the Eufaula plant at specified 
contract prices.  The term of the agreement was three years, with options to extend for an additional six years.  In 

F-25 

 
  
  
 
 
 
     
  
  
    
        
   
 
  
  
 
 
 
     
  
  
    
        
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
    
      
  
  
 
 
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

May 2012, the agreement was amended to require the Company to purchase from the supplier at least 50 percent of 
the annual kaolin requirements for the Eufaula, Alabama plant at specified contract prices for the remainder of 2012 
and the ensuing five calendar years.  The agreement has options to extend the term for an additional three years.  For 
the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company purchased from the supplier $968, $2,380 and 
$2,263, respectively, of kaolin under the agreement. 

In January 2003, the Company entered into a mining agreement with a contractor to provide kaolin for the 
Company’s McIntyre plant at specified contract prices, from lands owned or leased by either the Company or the 
contractor.  The term of the agreement, which commenced on January 1, 2003, and remains in effect until such time 
as all Company-owned minerals have been depleted, previously required the Company to accept delivery from the 
contractor of at least 80 percent of the McIntyre plant’s annual kaolin requirements.  In 2006, the Company’s plant 
in Toomsboro, Georgia commenced operations and became part of this agreement.  In November 2015, the 
agreement was amended to require the Company to accept delivery from the contractor of 100 percent of the annual 
kaolin requirements for the plants in McIntyre and Toomsboro.  For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 
2014, the Company purchased $1,196, $3,245 and $14,823, respectively, of kaolin under the agreement. 

In July 2011, the Company entered into an agreement with a supplier to provide hydro sized sand for the 

Company’s Marshfield, Wisconsin plant at a specified contract price.  The term of the agreement was five years 
commencing on July 30, 2011 and required the Company to purchase a minimum of 40,000 tons and 100,000 tons 
of hydro sized sand during 2011 and 2012, respectively.  Effective January 30, 2012, the agreement was amended 
and requires the Company to purchase a minimum of 150,000 tons of hydro sized sand annually during 2012 and 
2013 and a minimum of 350,000 tons of hydro sized sand in 2014, all at a stated contract price.  There were no 
purchase commitments required during 2015 or through the end of the agreement.  For the years ended December 
31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company purchased $0, $3,997, and $6,922, respectively, of sand under this 
agreement. 

In May 2012, the Company entered into a supply agreement with a contractor to provide kaolin for the 

Company’s manufacturing plant in Millen, Georgia at specified contract prices, from lands owned or leased by 
either the Company or the contractor.  The term of the agreement, which commenced in July 2014, has an initial 
term of five years with options to extend for an additional five years and requires the Company to accept delivery 
from the contractor of at least 50 percent of the Millen plant’s annual kaolin requirements.  For the years ended 
December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company purchased $0, $561 and $1,465, respectively, of kaolin under this 
agreement. 

In October 2014, the Company entered into an agreement with a supplier to mine kaolin and process into a 

slurry for the Company’s manufacturing plant in Millen, Georgia at specified contract prices.  The term of the 
agreement was five years with automatic two (2) year extensions and requires the Company to source at least 50 
percent of the Millen plant’s annual slurry requirement from the supplier.  For the years ended December 31, 2016, 
2015 and 2014, the Company purchased $0, $1,300 and $577, respectively, of slurry under this agreement. 

In November 2014, the Company entered into an agreement with a supplier to provide frac sand for the 

Company’s Marshfield, Wisconsin plant at a specified contract price.  The term of the agreement, which 
commenced on November 13, 2014, remains in effect until the specified sand is depleted and required the Company 
to purchase a minimum of 300,000 tons of frac sand during 2015 and 400,000 tons of frac sand for each year 
thereafter.  Effective October 12, 2015, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement with the supplier resulting in 
the adjustment of required annual minimum purchased tons of frac sand to 123,203 and 116,599 for years 2015 and 
2016, respectively.  On July 21, 2016, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement with the supplier which 
removed the required annual minimum purchased tons of frac sand for 2016.  The minimum frac sand purchase 
requirements of 400,000 tons for years 2017 and thereafter until the specified sand is depleted remains unchanged.  
For the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company purchased $252 and $1,751, respectively, of frac 
sand under this agreement. 

The Company has entered into a lease agreement dated November 1, 2008 with the Development Authority of 

Wilkinson County (the “Wilkinson County Development Authority”) and a lease agreement dated November 1, 

F-26 

 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

2012 with the Development Authority of Jenkins County (the “Jenkins County Development Authority” and 
together with the Wilkinson County Development Authority, the “Development Authorities”) each in the State of 
Georgia.  Pursuant to the 2008 agreement, the Wilkinson County Development Authority holds the title to the real 
and personal property of the Company's McIntyre and Toomsboro manufacturing facilities and leases the facilities 
to the Company for an annual rental fee of $50 per year through November 1, 2017, and includes a Company 
renewal option to extend through November 1, 2021.  Pursuant to the 2012 agreement, the Jenkins County 
Development Authority holds title to the real estate and personal property of the Company’s Millen, Georgia 
manufacturing facility, and leases the facility to the Company until the tenth anniversary of completion of the final 
phase of the facility.  At any time prior to the scheduled termination of either lease, the Company has the option to 
terminate the lease and purchase the property for a nominal fee plus the payment of any rent payable through the 
balance of the lease term.  Furthermore, the Company has security interests in the titles held by the Development 
Authorities.  The Company has also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (the “MOU”) with the 
Development Authorities and other local agencies, under which the Company receives tax incentives in exchange 
for its commitment to invest in the county and increase employment.  The MOU with the Jenkins County 
Development Authority also requires the Company to pay an administrative payment of $50 per year during the term 
of the Millen lease.  The Company is required to achieve certain employment levels in order to retain its tax 
incentives.  In the event the Company does not meet the agreed-upon employment targets or the MOU is otherwise 
terminated, the Company would be subjected to additional property taxes annually.  Based on adverse economic 
conditions beyond the Company’s control that negatively impacted employment levels, a notice dated December 1, 
2015 sent by the Company to the Development Authority of Jenkins County declared a force majeure, which 
suspended employment levels defined in the original agreement and preserved tax incentives until further 
notification of the restart of plant operations.  The suspension period defined in the amended agreement cannot 
extend beyond January 1, 2021.  Based on adverse economic conditions beyond the Company’s control that 
negatively impacted employment levels, a notice dated February 1, 2016 sent by the Company to the Development 
Authority of Wilkinson County declared a force majeure, which suspended employment levels defined in the 
original agreement and preserved tax incentives until further notification of the restart of plant operations.  The 
Development Authority of Jenkins County and the Development Authority of Wilkinson County has not challenged 
the Company’s declaring a force majeure.  The properties subject to these lease agreements are included in Property, 
Plant and Equipment (net book value of $289,154 at December 31, 2016) in the accompanying consolidated 
financial statements. 

16.  Employment Agreements 

The Company has an employment agreement through December 31, 2017 with its President and Chief 

Executive Officer.  The agreement provides for an annual base salary and incentive bonus.  If the President and 
Chief Executive Officer is terminated early without cause, the Company will be obligated to pay two years base 
salary and a prorated incentive bonus.  Under the agreement, the timing of the payment of severance obligations to 
the President in the event of the termination of his employment under certain circumstances has been conformed so 
that a portion of such obligations will be payable in a lump sum, with the remainder of the obligations to be paid 
over an 18 month period.  The agreement also contains a two-year non-competition covenant that would become 
effective upon termination for any reason.  The employment agreement extends automatically for successive one-
year periods without prior written notice. 

17.  Foreign Currencies 

As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s net investment that is subject to foreign currency fluctuations 
totaled $15,710, and the Company has recorded a cumulative foreign currency translation loss of $34,326, all related 
to Russia.  This cumulative translation loss is included in and is the only component of accumulated other 
comprehensive loss within shareholders’ equity.  During 2014 and continuing into 2015 and 2016, the value of the 
Russian Ruble significantly declined relative to the U.S. dollar for which the financial impact on the Company’s net 
assets in Russia is included in other comprehensive income and the cumulative foreign currency translation loss 
noted above.  No income tax benefits have been recorded on these losses as a result of the uncertainty about 
recoverability of the related deferred income tax benefits. 

F-27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
CARBO CERAMICS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––(Continued) 
($ in thousands, except per share data) 

18.  Legal Proceedings and Regulatory Matters 

The Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business.  

While the outcome of these matters is currently not determinable, management does not expect that the ultimate 
costs to resolve these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, 
results of operations, or cash flows. 

19.  Subsequent Events 

In January 2017, the Company awarded the following: 

297,685 shares of restricted stock to certain employees.  The fair value of the stock award on the date of 

grant totaled $3,066, which will be recognized as expense, less actual forfeitures as they occur, on a straight-
line basis over the three-year vesting period. 

147,950 units of phantom shares to certain employees.  The fair value of the phantom shares on the date 
of grant totaled $1,524.  Compensation expense for these shares will be recognized over the three-year vesting 
period.  The amount of compensation expense recognized each period will be based on the fair value of the 
Company’s common stock at the end of each period. 

In January 2017, the Company repaid $3,250 under its Amended Credit Agreement. 

F-28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit Index 

      3.1 

   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of CARBO Ceramics Inc. (incorporated by reference to 

Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed for the period ending June 30, 2012) 

      3.2 

      4.1 

Second Amended and Restated By-Laws of CARBO Ceramics Inc. (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed July 17, 2013) 

Form of Common Stock Certificate of CARBO Ceramics Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 
of the Registrant’s Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 333-1884 filed July 19, 1996) 

      4.2 

  Certificate of Designations of Series A Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 of the 

Registrant’s Form 8-A12B Registration Statement No. 001-15903 filed February 26, 2002) 

**10.1 

  Amended and Restated Mining Agreement dated as of November 30, 2015 between CARBO Ceramics 
Inc. and Arcilla Mining & Land Co. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s 
Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2015) 

    10.2 

  Addendum to Mining Agreement dated as of November 10, 2009 between CARBO Ceramics Inc. and 
Arcilla Mining & Land Co. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Form 10-K 
Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2010) 

  *10.3 

  *10.4 

  *10.5 

    10.6 

Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated effective as of January 1, 2012, by and 
between CARBO Ceramics Inc. and Gary A. Kolstad (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the 
Registrant’s Form 10-K filed for the period ending December 31, 2011) 

Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated effective as of December 16, 2014, by and 
between CARBO Ceramics Inc. and Gary A. Kolstad (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the 
Registrant’s Form 10-K filed for the period ending December 31, 2014) 

Fourth Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of March 15, 2016, by and between 
CARBO Ceramics Inc. and Gary A. Kolstad (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the 
Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed for the period ending March 31, 2016) 

Proppant Supply Agreement dated as of August 28, 2008 between CARBO Ceramics Inc. and 
Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s 
Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2008) 

    10.7 

  Amendment No. 1 to Proppant Supply Agreement dated as of February 28, 2011 between CARBO 

Ceramics Inc. and Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the 
Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended March 31, 2011) 

    10.8 

Side Letter to Proppant Supply Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 between CARBO Ceramics Inc. 
and Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s 
Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2011) 

    10.9 

  Amendment No. 3 to Proppant Supply Agreement dated as of March 24, 2014 by and between CARBO 
Ceramics Inc. and Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the 
Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended March 31, 2014) 

    10.10   Amendment No. 4 to Proppant Supply Agreement dated as of September 25, 2015 between CARBO 
Ceramics Inc. and Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the 
Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2015) 

**10.11   Amendment No. 5 to Proppant Supply Agreement dated as of September 25, 2015 between CARBO 

Ceramics Inc. and Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the 
Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2015) 

    10.12   Amendment No. 6 to Proppant Supply Agreement dated as of April 30, 2016 between CARBO 

Ceramics Inc. and Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the 
Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2016) 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    10.13  

Promissory Note between CARBO Ceramics Inc. and Williams C. Morris (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2016) 

    10.14  

Promissory Note between CARBO Ceramics Inc. and Robert S. Rubin (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2016) 

**10.15   Master Purchase Agreement for Goods and Services dated as of January 18, 2017 between CARBO 

Ceramics Inc. and Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. 

    10.16  

Lease Agreement dated as of November 1, 2008 between the Development Authority of Wilkinson 
County and CARBO Ceramics Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s 
Form 8-K Current Report filed December 30, 2008) 

    10.17   Option Agreement dated as of November 1, 2008 between the Development Authority of Wilkinson 

County and CARBO Ceramics Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s 
Form 8-K Current Report filed December 30, 2008) 

    10.18  

Lease Agreement dated as of November 1, 2012 between the Development Authority of Jenkins County 
and CARBO Ceramics Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Registrant’s Form 10-K 
Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2012) 

  *10.19   CARBO Ceramics Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the 

Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed May 21, 2009) 

  *10.20  

2014 CARBO Ceramics Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the 
Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed April 2, 2014) 

  *10.21  

  *10.22  

  *10.23  

  *10.24  

    10.25  

Form of Officer Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.20 of the Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended 
December 31, 2010) 

Form of Amended and Restated Officer Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Omnibus Incentive Plan 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year 
ended December 31, 2013) 

Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Omnibus Incentive Plan 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of the Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year 
ended December 31, 2010) 

Form of Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Agreement for 
Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of the Registrant’s Form 10-K 
Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2013) 

Form of Performance-Based Cash Award Agreement for 2014 CARBO Ceramics Inc. Omnibus 
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly 
Report for the quarter ended March 31, 2015) 

  *10.26   Description of Annual Non-Employee Director Stock Grants (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 

of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2010) 

  *10.27   Description of Modification to Annual Non-Employee Director Stock Grants (incorporated by reference 

to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended March 31, 2011) 

  *10.28   Description of Modification to the Annual Non-Employee Director Stock Grants (incorporated by 

reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended 
March 31, 2012) 

  *10.29   Description of Modification to Annual Non-Employee Director Stock Grants (incorporated by reference 

to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended March 31, 2013) 

  *10.30   Description of Modification to Annual Non-Employee Director Stock Grants (incorporated by reference 

to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended March 31, 2014) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  *10.31   CARBO Ceramics Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan Annual Incentive Arrangement (incorporated by 

reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed January 21, 2010) 

  *10.32   CARBO Ceramics Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan Annual Incentive Arrangement (incorporated by 

reference to Exhibit 10.24 of the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed for the period ending December 31, 
2014) 

    10.33   Office Lease dated as of January 20, 2009 between I-10 EC Corridor #2 Limited Partnership and 
CARBO Ceramics Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 of the Registrant’s Form 10-K 
Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2009) 

    10.34  

    10.35  

First Amendment to Lease dated as of January 15, 2010 between I-10 EC Corridor #2 Limited 
Partnership and CARBO Ceramics Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 of the Registrant’s 
Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2009) 

Second Amendment to Lease dated as of March 1, 2015 between I-10 EC Corridor #2 Limited 
Partnership and CARBO Ceramics Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s 
Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended March 31, 2015) 

    10.36   Credit Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2010, among CARBO Ceramics Inc., as borrower, Wells 

Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, issuing lender and swing line lender, and the 
lenders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current 
Report filed February 4, 2010) 

    10.37   Amendment No. 1, dated as of March 5, 2012, among CARBO Ceramics Inc., as borrower, Wells Fargo 

Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, issuing lender and swing line lender, and the 
lenders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current 
Report filed March 6, 2012) 

    10.38   Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of July 25, 2013, among CARBO Ceramics Inc., as 
borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, issuing lender and swing 
line lender, and the lenders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s 
Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2013) 

    10.39   Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2014, among CARBO Ceramics Inc., 

as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, issuing lender and swing 
line lender, and the lenders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s 
Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2014) 

    10.40   Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2015, among CARBO Ceramics Inc., as 
borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, issuing lender and swing 
line lender, and the lenders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s 
Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2015) 

    10.41   Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 14, 2015, among CARBO Ceramics 

Inc., as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, issuing lender and 
swing line lender, and the lenders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the 
Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2015) 

    10.42   Amendment No. 6 to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 26, 2016, among CARBO Ceramics Inc., 
as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, issuing lender and swing 
line lender, and the lenders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 of the 
Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2015) 

    10.43   Agreement and Amendment No. 7 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2016, by and among 
CARBO Ceramics Inc., as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, 
issuing lender and swing line lender, and the lenders named therein (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended March 31, 2016) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    10.44   Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2016, by and between 
CARBO Ceramics Inc., as borrower and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative 
agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the 
quarter ended March 31, 2016) 

    10.45  

Patent and Trademark Security Agreement dated as of April 27, 2016 by and among CARBO Ceramics 
Inc., as borrower, certain Material Domestic Subsidiaries of the Borrower and Wells Fargo Bank, 
National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the 
Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended March 31, 2016) 

    10.46   Waiver Agreement dated as of April 27, 2016, by and among CARBO Ceramics Inc., as borrower, 

certain Lenders parties thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the 
quarter ended March 31, 2016) 

    10.47   Guaranty Agreement dated as of April 27, 2016, by and among certain Guarantors of CARBO Ceramics 

Inc. thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended 
March 31, 2016) 

    10.48  

Security Agreement, dated July 27, 2015, among CARBO Ceramics Inc., as borrower and Wells Fargo 
Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the 
Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2015) 

  *10.49  

Form of Change in Control Severance Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the 
Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended March 31, 2012) 

    10.50  

Sales Agreement between CARBO Ceramics Inc. and Cowen and Company, LLC, dated July 28, 2016 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed July 28, 
2016) 

  *10.51  

Summary of Initial Compensation Terms for John R. Bakht (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 
of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2015) 

    21 

Subsidiaries 

    23 

  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

    31.1 

  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by Gary A. Kolstad 

    31.2 

  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by Ernesto Bautista III 

    32 

  Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-

Oxley Act of 2002 

    95 

  Mine Safety Disclosure 

    101 

The following financial information from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year 
ended December 31, 2016, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated 
Statements of Operations; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income; (iv) 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

*  Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 15(b) of the 

** 

requirements for an Annual Report on Form 10-K. 
Pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, confidential portions of these 
exhibits have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a 
request for confidential treatment. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Information

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
William C. Morris
Chairman of the Board, CARBO Ceramics Inc.
Chairman of the Board, Clysar, LLC and
Gulf Coast Supply & Manufacturing, LLC

Sigmund L. Cornelius
President & COO, Freeport LNG, L.P.

Chad Deaton
Retired Chairman & Chief Executive Officer,
Baker Hughes Incorporated

James B. Jennings
Former Senior Advisor,
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Former Chairman, Hunt Oil Company

Gary A. Kolstad
President and Chief Executive Officer,
CARBO Ceramics Inc.

H. E. Lentz, Jr.
Former Managing Director,
Lazard Frères & Co.

CORPORATE OFFICERS
Gary A. Kolstad
President and Chief Executive Officer

Ernesto Bautista, III
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Don P. Conkle
Vice President, Marketing and Sales

Roger Riffey
Vice President, Manufacturing

Ellen M. Smith
Vice President, Human Resources

John R. Bakht
Vice President and General Counsel

Paul Howard
Vice President, Research and Development

Stephen Love
Vice President, Industrial Technologies, 
Logistics, and Frac Sand

Randy L. Limbacher
Former President, Chief Executive Officer  
and Director, Samson Resources Corporation

Robert S. Rubin
Former Senior Vice President,
JPMorgan Chase & Co.

CORPORATE OFFICES
Energy Center II 
575 N. Dairy Ashford 
Suite 300 
Houston, Texas 77079 
281-921-6400

STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING
The New York Stock Exchange 
Symbol: CRR

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
Computershare 
P.O. Box 30170 
College Station, Texas 77842-3170 
800-635-9270

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Ernst & Young LLP 
New Orleans, Louisiana

FORM 10-K
A copy of the Company’s Annual Report to 
the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(Form 10-K) is available free of charge by 
contacting:

Ernesto Bautista, III 
Chief Financial Officer 
CARBO Ceramics Inc. 
575 N. Dairy Ashford 
Suite 300 
Houston, Texas 77079

CERTIFICATIONS
The certifications required by Section 302  
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 were filed 
as exhibits to the Form 10-K. In addition, 
we have submitted to the New York Stock 
Exchange the annual certification of our 
Chief Executive Officer regarding the 
Company’s compliance with the NYSE 
corporate governance listing standards.

INVESTOR RELATIONS
Additional corporate information  
is available from our website at  
www.carboceramics.com or by e-mailing 
the Company at IR@carboceramics.com.

Mission Statement –  
Profitable Growth for CARBO and Clients

Production Enhancement: 
Our Production Enhancement businesses increase  
E&P Operators’ Production and EUR by providing 
industry-leading technology to Design, Build and 
Optimize the Frac.

Performance Enhancement:  
Our Industrial Performance Enhancement business 
increases manufacturers’ process efficiency, improves 
end-product quality and reduces operating costs. 

Environmental Services: 
Our Environmental Services business protects E&P 
Operators’ assets, minimizes environmental risk and 
lowers lease operating expenses (LOE).

Core Values

We achieve our mission within the framework established by our  
core values.

•  HSE: We are committed to a Safe and Healthy workplace and 

protection of the Environment.

•  Ethics: We conduct our business with the highest ethical standards.  
We are truthful and honor our commitments and responsibilities.

•  Respect: We foster a supportive environment by treating each 

other with mutual respect and understanding.

•  Goals: We set aggressive goals and strive to exceed them.

•  Results: We value and celebrate a high level of individual 

achievement and team performance.

•  Profitable Growth: We encourage innovation and continuous 

improvement to ensure future profitable business growth.

Energy Center II
575 N. Dairy Ashford
Suite 300
Houston, TX  77079
Corporate Office: 281-921-6400

www.carboceramics.com