Aris Water Solutions, Inc. Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

All dollar amounts, except per unit amounts, in the financial statements and tables in the notes are stated in thousands of dollars unless otherwise indicated.

In these consolidated financial statements, periods prior to IPO closing on October 26, 2021 reflect the financial statements of Solaris LLC and its subsidiaries, described below (referred to herein as the “Predecessor”). Periods subsequent to IPO closing on October 26, 2021 reflect the financial statements of the consolidated Company including Aris Inc., Solaris LLC and Solaris LLC’s subsidiaries (referred to herein as the “Successor”).

On January 15, 2021, ConocoPhillips acquired Concho Resources, Inc. (“Concho”). We refer to Concho as ConocoPhillips, their successor, throughout these consolidated financial statements.

Consolidation

We have determined that the members with equity at risk in Solaris LLC lack the authority, through voting rights or similar rights, to direct the activities that most significantly impact Solaris LLC’s economic performance; therefore, Solaris LLC is considered a variable interest entity (“VIE”). As the managing member of Solaris LLC, we operate and control all of the business and affairs of Solaris LLC as well as have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be potentially significant to us. Therefore, we are considered the primary beneficiary and consolidate Solaris LLC.

The financial statements include the accounts of the Company, Solaris LLC and Solaris LLC’s wholly owned subsidiaries which include Solaris Water Midstream, LLC, Solaris Midstream DB-TX, LLC, Solaris Midstream MB, LLC, Solaris Midstream DB-NM, LLC, 829 Martin County Pipeline, LLC and Clean H2O Technologies,

LLC (collectively, the “subsidiaries”). All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Noncontrolling Interests

Our consolidated financial statements include noncontrolling interests representing the percentage of Solaris LLC units not held by Aris Inc.

Use of Estimates

Management has made certain estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts in these financial statements and disclosures of contingencies. These critical estimates include, among others, determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in acquisitions, the collectability of accounts receivable, useful lives of property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets, the fair value of asset retirement obligations (“ARO”), accruals for environmental matters, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, and the liability associated with our Tax Receivable Agreement (the “TRA liability”). Management evaluates estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including current economic and industry conditions. Actual results could differ from management’s estimates as additional information or actual results become available in the future, and those differences could be material.

Reclassification of Prior Year Presentation

Certain 2020 and 2019 amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the 2021 presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Management considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents. We place our cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; however, we maintain deposits in banks which exceed the amount of deposit insurance available. Management routinely assesses the financial condition of the institutions and believes that any possible credit loss would be minimal.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable consists of trade receivables recorded at the invoice amount, plus accrued revenue that is earned but not yet billed, less an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable are generally due within 60 days or less. Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts by considering several factors, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, previous loss history, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligation, and macro level conditions of the U.S. economy and the energy industry. Accounts receivable are written off when they are deemed uncollectible, and payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to the allowance for doubtful accounts. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had $0.2 million and $0.4 million of allowance for doubtful accounts, respectively.

Revenue Recognition

We generate revenue by providing services related to Produced Water Handling and Water Solutions. The services related to produced water are fee-based arrangements and are based on the volume of water that flows through our systems and facilities while the sales of recycled produced water and groundwater are priced based on negotiated rates with the customer.

We have customer contracts that contain minimum transportation and/or disposal volume delivery requirements and we are entitled to deficiency payments if such minimum contractual volumes are not delivered by the customer. These deficiency amounts are based on fixed, daily minimum volumes (measured over monthly, quarterly or annual periods depending on the contract) at a fixed rate per barrel.

In determining the appropriate amount of revenue to be recognized as we fulfill our obligations under contracts, the following steps must be performed at contract inception: (i) identification of the promised goods or services in the contract; (ii) determination of whether the promised goods or services are performance obligations, including whether they are distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or as) we satisfy each performance obligation.

For all our produced water transfer and disposal contracts, revenue is recognized over time utilizing the output method based on the volume of wastewater accepted from the customer. We have determined that the performance obligation is satisfied over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by performance of services, typically as customers’ wastewater is accepted. We typically charge customers a disposal and transportation fee on a per barrel basis according to the applicable contract.

For some contracts, we are entitled to shortfall payments if a customer does not deliver a contractually minimum volume of water for handling over a certain period. In these cases, we recognize volumes and the revenues for the difference between the physical volumes handled and the contractual minimum. Moreover, some contracts also have a mechanism that allows for shortfalls to be made up over a limited period of time. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had long-term deferred revenue liabilities of $1.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively, related to these contracts.

For contracts that involve sales of recycled produced water and groundwater, revenue is recognized at a point in time, based on when control of the product is transferred to the customer.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost, or at fair value for assets acquired in a business combination, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful service lives of the assets, as noted below:


Pipelines	30-50	years
Wells, Facilities, Water Ponds, and Related Equipment	30	years
Vehicles, Equipment, Computers and Office Furniture	5-10	years

All costs necessary to place an asset into operation are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are expensed when incurred. Upgrades and enhancements that substantially extend the useful lives of the assets are capitalized. When property is abandoned, retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from appropriate accounts and any gain or loss is included in earnings. Costs incurred for construction of facilities and related equipment and pipelines are included in construction in progress. Direct project costs on potential future projects are capitalized and included in construction in progress. These costs generally relate to acquiring the appropriate permits, rights-of-way and other related expenditures necessary prior to construction. No depreciation is recorded for these assets as they have not been placed in operation. See Note 5. Property, Plant and Equipment for discussion regarding abandoned well costs incurred during the third quarter of 2021.

Capitalization of Interest

We capitalize interest costs associated with significant projects undergoing construction that is necessary to bring them to their intended use. Interest is capitalized using an interest rate equivalent to the weighted

average interest rate we pay on long-term debt, including our Senior Sustainability-Linked Notes and Credit Facility. Capitalized interest is included in the cost of property, plant and equipment and depreciated with other costs on a straight-line basis.

Asset Retirement Obligations

The fair value of a liability for an ARO is recognized in the period in which it is incurred. These obligations are those for which we have a legal obligation for settlement. The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset. The significant unobservable inputs to this fair value measurement include estimates of plugging, abandonment and remediation costs, inflation rates, credit-adjusted risk-free rate, and facilities lives. This additional carrying amount is then depreciated over the life of the asset. The liability increases due to the passage of time based on the time value of money until the obligation is settled. Our ARO relate primarily to the dismantlement, removal, site reclamation and similar activities of our pipelines, water handling facilities and associated operations.

Definite-Lived intangible assets

Definite-Lived Intangible Assets

Our intangible assets are related to customer contracts that were acquired in connection with previous acquisitions. Amortization of these assets is primarily based on the percentage of discounted cash flows expected to occur over the lives of the contracts.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of a business over the estimated fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the fair value may have been reduced below its carrying value. Before employing detailed impairment testing methodologies, management may first evaluate the likelihood of impairment by considering qualitative indicators relevant to the business, such as macroeconomic, industry, market or any other factors that have a significant bearing on fair value. If management, after considering qualitative impairment indicators, determines that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, detailed testing methodologies are then applied. Otherwise, management concludes that no impairment has occurred. Management may also choose to bypass a qualitative approach and opt instead to employ detailed testing methodologies.

If management determines through the qualitative approach that detailed testing methodologies are required, or if the qualitative approach is bypassed, we compare the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount under Step 1 of the impairment test. We may use a combination of the income approach and the market approach to determine fair value. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of a reporting unit, we perform Step 2 and compare the fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the implied fair value; however, the loss recognized may not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. We have not recognized any goodwill impairment associated with any of our acquisitions.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, goodwill increased by $7.6 million due to an acquisition. See Note. 4. ─ Acquisitions.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, equipment and definite-lived intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Individual assets are first grouped based on the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows from other assets. Management then compares estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount is not recoverable, we would recognize an impairment loss equal to

the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds fair value. Management estimates fair value based on projected future discounted cash flows. Fair value calculations for long-lived assets and intangible assets contain uncertainties because they require us to apply judgment and estimates concerning future cash flows, strategic plans, useful lives and market performance. We also apply judgment in the selection of a discount rate that reflects the risk inherent in the current business model.

There were no asset impairments during the year ended December 31, 2021, other than the abandonment of a saltwater disposal asset during third quarter 2021. See Note 5. Property, Plant and Equipment.

Fair Value Measurements

Our financial assets and liabilities are to be measured using inputs from the three levels of the fair value hierarchy, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, which are as follows:

Level 1—Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that management has the ability to access at the measurement date;

Level 2—Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active or other inputs corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s assumptions that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities based on the best information available.

Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

Nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include certain nonfinancial assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, units granted in previous acquisitions, and the initial recognition of ARO, for which fair value is used. These assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value when acquired/incurred but not re-measured at fair value in subsequent periods.

Asset retirement obligation estimates are derived from historical data as well as management’s expectation of future cost environments and other unobservable inputs. As there is no corroborating market activity to support the assumptions used, management has designated these measurements as Level 3.

Additional Fair Value Disclosures

The fair value of our Senior Sustainability-Linked Notes, which are fixed-rate debt, is estimated based on the published market prices for the same or similar issues. Management has designated this measurement as Level 2. The fair value of our Credit Facility approximates carrying value as the debt bears interest at a variable rate which is reflective of current rates otherwise available to us. Management has designated this measurement as Level 3. See Note 9. Long-Term Debt.

Fair value information regarding our debt is as follows:


(in thousands)	December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
	Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
	Amount		Value		Amount		Value
Senior Sustainability-Linked Notes	$	400,000	$	424,000	$	—	$	—
Credit Facility	$	—	$	—	$	297,000	$	297,000

The carrying values of our financial instruments, consisting of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable, approximate their fair values due to the short maturity of such instruments.

Transaction costs

Transaction Costs

Transaction costs are comprised of acquisition related expenses and/or expenses incurred as part of our capital restructuring activities and are included in Other Operating Expenses.

Transaction costs associated with the IPO are netted against IPO proceeds, as a component of equity.

TRA Liability

We update our accrual for a liability under a Tax Receivable Agreement (“TRA liability”) on a quarterly basis, based on current period conversions of Solaris LLC units, current estimates of taxable income and current income tax rates in effect at the time of the accrual. See Note 8. TRA Liability.

Income taxes

Income Taxes

Income tax (benefit) expense included in our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 is calculated based only on our allocable share of income (loss) of Solaris LLC, which is taxed as a partnership. We recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. We measure current and deferred tax assets and liabilities based on provisions of enacted tax law. We evaluate the realization of our deferred tax assets based on all available evidence and establish a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that they will not be realized.

We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the tax position.

Our policy is to recognize accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in other expense (income) in the consolidated statements of operations. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, we did not have a liability recorded for payment of interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions. See Note 11. Income Taxes.

Stock-Based Compensation

Restricted stock and restricted stock units issued to employees and directors are recorded on grant-date at fair value. Expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the employee’s and director’s requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the award) as either operating expense or general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations. We have elected to account for forfeitures as they occur (e.g., when an employee or director leaves the Company). Therefore, compensation cost previously recognized for an award that is forfeited because of a failure to satisfy a service condition will be reversed in the period of the forfeiture. See Note 15. Stock-Based Compensation.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Aris Inc.

We use the two-class method to give effect to participating securities in periods in which there is net income. Basic earnings (loss) per share (EPS) of our Class A common stock is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period. The diluted EPS of our Class A common stock includes the effect of outstanding common stock equivalents, except in periods in which there is a net loss. In the event of a net loss, we exclude the effect of outstanding common stock equivalents from the calculation of diluted EPS as the inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

In addition, although we include shares of restricted stock granted to members of our Board of Directors in our count of Class A common stock outstanding, we exclude those shares of restricted stock from our EPS calculation because vesting of the restricted stock is contingent upon continued service as Board members.

All net earnings (loss) for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2021 to October 26, 2021 and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were entirely allocable to Predecessor shareholders and non-controlling interest. See Note 14. Earnings Per Share.

Acquisitions

To determine if a transaction should be accounted for as a business combination or an acquisition of assets, we first calculate the relative fair values of the assets acquired. If substantially all of the relative fair value is concentrated in a single asset or group of similar assets, or, if not, but the transaction does not include a significant process (does not meet the definition of a business), the transaction is recorded as an acquisition of assets. For acquisitions of assets, the purchase price is allocated based on the relative fair values and no goodwill is recorded. All other transactions are recorded as business combinations. We record the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination at their acquisition date fair values. Transactions in which we acquire control of a business are accounted for under the acquisition method. The identifiable assets, liabilities and any non-controlling interests are recorded at the estimated fair value as of the acquisition date. The purchase price in excess of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill.

Environmental matters

Environmental Matters

We are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. Management has established procedures for the ongoing evaluation of our operations to identify potential environmental exposures and to comply with regulatory policies and procedures. Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are expensed or capitalized as appropriate. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations and do not contribute to current or future revenue generation are expensed as incurred. Liabilities are recorded when environmental costs are probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated. We maintain insurance which may cover in whole or in part certain environmental expenditures. See Note 13. Commitments and Contingencies.

Segment Information

Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in making decisions on how to allocate resources and assess performance. Our chief operating decision maker is the Chief Executive Officer. We view our operations and manage the business as one operating segment as the assets support all revenue streams. All our assets reside in the United States.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company is an “emerging growth company”, as defined in the JOBS Act. Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act until those standards apply to private companies. We have elected to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date that we (i) are no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with the new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.

Leases In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02 (ASU 2016-02): Leases. The standard requires lessees to recognize assets and

liabilities on the balance sheet for the rights and obligations created by leases with terms of more than 12 months. ASU 2016-02 also requires disclosures designed to give financial statement users information on the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases.

In the normal course of business, we enter into operating lease agreements to support our operations and lease assets such as ponds, storage yards, office space and other assets. We adopted the new standard with an effective date of January 1, 2022.

Adoption and implementation as of January 1, 2022 resulted in an increase in assets and liabilities of approximately $7.0 million and $7.5 million, respectively, and will result in additional disclosures in the future.

Goodwill In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This pronouncement 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. The pronouncement was effective for public business entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The ASU is effective for private companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. We adopted the standard effective January 1, 2022.

Financial Instruments – Credit Losses On June 16, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, which requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The ASU requires enhanced disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an organization’s portfolio. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements that provide additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements. The ASU was effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The ASU is effective for private companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. We early adopted this standard effective January 1, 2022. Adoption did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Income Taxes In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. ASU 2019-12 includes removal of certain exceptions to the general principles of ASC 740 and simplification in several other areas such as accounting for a franchise tax or similar tax that is partially based on income. The ASU Update was effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. The ASU is effective for private companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. We early adopted this standard effective January 1, 2021. Adoption had no impact on our financial statements.