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General Partner's interest in net income

26,900

44,934

37,556

156

252

212

Limited Partners' interest in net income

$ 26,744

$ 44,682

$ 37,344

Basic and diluted income per Limited Partner Unit

^[2]

$ 0.46

^[3]

$ 0.70

^[3]

$ 0.59

Weighted average number of Limited Partner units outstanding:

Basic and Diluted

55,888

57,022

57,285

[1]	Represents the change in value of unrealized open positions and expired options.
[2]	See Note 17 - Earnings Per Limited Partner Units.
[3]	The sum of the quarters do not add-up to the total due to the weighting of Limited Partner Units outstanding, rounding or the theoretical effects of FASB ASC 260-10-45-60 to Master Limited Partners earnings per unit.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2016

Sep. 30, 2015

$ 26,900

$ 44,934

$ 37,556

Other comprehensive income:

Tax effect of unrealized gain on pension plan obligation

^[1]

3,356

3,067

1,827

(1,359)

(1,285)

(753)

Total other comprehensive income

1,997

1,782

1,074

Total comprehensive income

$ 28,897

$ 46,716

$ 38,630

[1]	These items are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 12 - Employee Benefit Plans.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS' CAPITAL - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands

Total

General Partner

Common Stock

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2014

$ 273,245

$ (105)

$ 296,968

$ (23,618)

Beginning Balance, unit at Sep. 30, 2014

326

57,405

37,556

$ 212

$ 37,344

Tax effect of unrealized gain on pension plan obligation

^[1]

1,827

(753)

Retirement of units, shares

^[2]

(21,298)

(390)

$ (20,908)

^[3]

(123)

Retirement of units

^[3]

(691)

$ (691)

Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2015

289,886

$ (283)

$ 312,713

(22,544)

Ending Balance, Unit at Sep. 30, 2015

326

57,282

44,934

$ 252

$ 44,682

Tax effect of unrealized gain on pension plan obligation

^[1]

3,067

(1,285)

Retirement of units, shares

^[2]

(23,092)

(485)

$ (22,607)

^[3]

(1,395)

Retirement of units

^[3]

(12,017)

$ (12,017)

Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2016

301,493

$ (516)

$ 322,771

(20,762)

Ending Balance, Unit at Sep. 30, 2016

326

55,887

26,900

$ 156

$ 26,744

Tax effect of unrealized gain on pension plan obligation

3,356

^[1]

3,356

(1,359)

Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2017

^[2]

(24,322)

(569)

(23,753)

$ 306,068

$ (929)

$ 325,762

$ (18,765)

Ending Balance, Unit at Sep. 30, 2017

326

55,887

[1]	These items are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 12 - Employee Benefit Plans.
[2]	See Note 3 - Quarterly Distributions of Available Cash.
[3]	See Note 4 - Common Unit Repurchase Plans and Retirement.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2016

Sep. 30, 2015

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

$ 26,900

$ 44,934

$ 37,556

(Increase) decrease in fair value of derivative instruments

^[1]

(2,193)

(18,217)

4,187

Depreciation and amortization

29,163

27,777

26,748

Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal charge

17,796

Loss on redemption of debt

7,345

Provision (recovery) for losses on accounts receivable

1,639

(639)

3,738

Change in deferred taxes

10,134

9,670

(4,101)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities net of amounts related to acquisitions:

(Increase) decrease in receivables

(19,844)

10,965

30,141

(Increase) decrease in inventories

(10,598)

9,979

4,326

(Increase) decrease in other assets

(140)

(2,354)

113

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable

2,169

(705)

3,189

(Decrease) increase in customer credit balances

(23,085)

6,490

3,992

Increase in other current and long-term liabilities

6,913

14,057

1,823

Net cash provided by operating activities

21,058

101,957

136,853

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:

Capital expenditures

(12,164)

(10,134)

(9,555)

Proceeds from sales of fixed assets

734

318

300

Purchase of investments

^[2]

(11,647)

Acquisitions

(43,304)

(9,815)

(21,130)

Net cash used in investing activities

(66,381)

(19,631)

(30,385)

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:

Revolving credit facility borrowings

12,296

Revolving credit facility repayments

(12,296)

Redemption of senior notes

(125,000)

Debt redemption cost

(5,548)

Proceeds from term loan

100,000

Loan repayments

(16,200)

(7,500)

Customer retainage payments

(24,322)

(23,092)

(21,298)

Unit repurchases

(12,017)

(691)

(575)

(740)

Payments of debt issuance costs

(60)

(297)

(2,422)

Net cash used in financing activities

(41,157)

(43,646)

(54,959)

Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(86,480)

38,680

51,509

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

139,188

100,508

48,999

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$ 52,708

$ 139,188

$ 100,508

[1]	Represents the change in value of unrealized open positions and expired options.
[2]	See Note 2 - Investments and Note 19 - Subsequent Events

Organization

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Organization

1) Organization

Star Group, L.P. (“Star” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a full service provider specializing in the sale of home heating products and services to residential and commercial customers. The Company also services and sells heating and air conditioning equipment to its home heating oil and propane customers and to a lesser extent, provides these offerings to customers outside of our home heating oil and propane customer base. In certain of our marketing areas, we provide home security and plumbing services primarily to our home heating oil and propane customer base. We also sell diesel fuel, gasoline and home heating oil on a delivery only basis. These products and services are offered through our home heating oil and propane locations. The Company has one reportable segment for accounting purposes. We believe we are the nation’s largest retail distributor of home heating oil based upon sales volume. Including our propane locations, we serve customers in the more northern and eastern states within the Northeast, Central and Southeast U.S. regions.

The Company is organized as follows:

•

Star is limited partnership, which at September 30, 2017, had outstanding 55.9 million Common Units (NYSE: “SGU”), representing 99.4% limited partner interest in Star, and 0.3 million general partner units, representing 0.6% general partner interest in Star. Our general partner is Kestrel Heat, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Kestrel Heat” or the “general partner”). The Board of Directors of Kestrel Heat (the “Board”) is appointed by its sole member, Kestrel Energy Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Kestrel”).

•

Star owns 100% of Star Acquisitions, Inc. (“SA”), a Minnesota corporation, that owns 100% of Petro Holdings, Inc. (“Petro”). SA and its subsidiaries are subject to Federal and state corporate income taxes. Star’s operations are conducted through Petro and its subsidiaries. Petro is primarily a Northeast, Central and Southeast region retail distributor of home heating oil and propane that at September 30, 2017 served approximately 455,000 full-service residential and commercial home heating oil and propane customers. Petro also sold diesel fuel, gasoline and home heating oil to approximately 74,000 customers on a delivery only basis. In addition, Petro installed, maintained, and repaired heating and air conditioning equipment for its customers and provided ancillary home services, including home security and plumbing, to approximately 31,000 customers.

•

Petroleum Heat and Power Co., Inc. (“PH&P”) is a 100% owned subsidiary of Star. PH&P is the borrower and Star is the guarantor of the third amended and restated credit agreement’s five-year senior secured term loan and the $300 million ($450 million during the heating season of December through April of each year) revolving credit facility, both due July 30, 2020. (See Note 11—Long-Term Debt and Bank Facility Borrowings)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Star Group, L.P. and its subsidiaries. All material intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income consists of the unrealized gain amortization on the Company’s pension plan obligation for its two frozen defined benefit pension plans, and the corresponding tax effect.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Sales of petroleum products are recognized at the time of delivery to the customer and sales of heating and air conditioning equipment are recognized upon completion of installation. Revenue from repairs, maintenance and other services are recognized upon completion of the service. Payments received from customers for equipment service contracts are deferred and amortized into income over the terms of the respective service contracts, on a straight-line basis, which generally do not exceed one year. To the extent that the Company anticipates that future costs for fulfilling its contractual obligations under its service maintenance contracts will exceed the amount of deferred revenue currently attributable to these contracts, the Company recognizes a loss in current period earnings equal to the amount that anticipated future costs exceed related deferred revenues.

Cost of Product

Cost of product includes the cost of home heating oil, diesel, propane, kerosene, heavy oil, gasoline, throughput costs, barging costs, option costs, and realized gains/losses on closed derivative positions for product sales.

Cost of Installations and Services

Cost of installations and services includes equipment and material costs, wages and benefits for equipment technicians, dispatchers and other support personnel, subcontractor expenses, commissions and vehicle related costs.

Delivery and Branch Expenses

Delivery and branch expenses include wages and benefits and department related costs for drivers, dispatchers, garage mechanics, customer service, sales and marketing, compliance, credit and branch accounting, information technology, vehicle and property rental costs, insurance, weather hedge contract costs and recoveries, and operational management and support.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses include property rental costs, wages and benefits and department related costs for human resources, finance and corporate accounting, internal audit, administrative support and supply.

Allocation of Net Income

Net income for partners’ capital and statement of operations is allocated to the general partner and the limited partners in accordance with their respective ownership percentages, after giving effect to cash distributions paid to the general partner in excess of its ownership interest, if any.

Net Income per Limited Partner Unit

Income per limited partner unit is computed in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 260-10-05Earnings Per Share, Master Limited Partnerships (EITF 03-06), by dividing the limited partners’ interest in net income by the weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding. The pro forma nature of the allocation required by this standard provides that in any accounting period where the Company’s aggregate net income exceeds its aggregate distribution for such period, the Company is required to present net income per limited partner unit as if all of the earnings for the periods were distributed, regardless of whether those earnings would actually be distributed during a particular period from an economic or practical perspective. This allocation does not impact the Company’s overall net income or other financial results. However, for periods in which the Company’s aggregate net income exceeds its aggregate distributions for such period, it will have the impact of reducing the earnings per limited partner unit, as the calculation according to this standard results in a theoretical increased allocation of undistributed earnings to the general partner. In accounting periods where aggregate net income does not exceed aggregate distributions for such period, this standard does not have any impact on the Company’s net income per limited partner unit calculation. A separate and independent calculation for each quarter and year-to-date period is performed, in which the Company’s contractual participation rights are taken into account.

Cash Equivalents, Receivables, Revolving Credit Facility Borrowings, and Accounts Payable

The carrying amount of cash equivalents, receivables, revolving credit facility borrowings, and accounts payable approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents. At September 30, 2017, the $52.7 million of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows is composed of $52.5 million of cash and cash equivalents and $0.3 million of restricted cash. Restricted cash represents deposits held by our captive insurance company that are required by state insurance regulations to remain in the captive insurance company as cash.

Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivables from customers are recorded at the invoiced amounts. Finance charges may be applied to trade receivables that are more than 30 days past due, and are recorded as finance charge income.

The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of trade receivables that may not be collectible. The allowance is determined at an aggregate level by grouping accounts based on certain account criteria and its receivable aging. The allowance is based on both quantitative and qualitative factors, including historical loss experience, historical collection patterns, overdue status, aging trends, and current economic conditions. The Company has an established process to periodically review current and past due trade receivable balances to determine the adequacy of the allowance. No single statistic or measurement determines the adequacy of the allowance. The total allowance reflects management’s estimate of losses inherent in its trade receivables at the balance sheet date. Different assumptions or changes in economic conditions could result in material changes to the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Inventories

Liquid product inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the weighted average cost method of accounting. All other inventories, representing parts and equipment are stated at the lower of cost or market using the FIFO method.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets using the straight-line method over three to thirty years.

Investments

The investments are held by our captive insurance company in an irrevocable trust as collateral for workers’ compensation and automobile liability claims incurred and expected to be incurred in fiscal 2017. The collateral is required by a third party insurance carrier that insures per claim amounts above a set deductible. Due to the expected timing of claim payments, the nature of the collateral agreement with the carrier, and our captive insurance company’s source of other operating cash, the collateral is not expected to be used to pay obligations within the next twelve months.

Investments are currently comprised of $11.3 million of Level 1 debt securities measured at fair value and $0.5 million of mutual funds measured at net asset value. See Note 19 – Subsequent Events for discussion of investment activity after September 30, 2017.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets include goodwill, customer lists, trade names and covenants not to compete.

Goodwill is the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets in the acquisition of a company. In accordance with FASB ASC 350-10-05 Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but instead are annually tested for impairment. Also in accordance with this standard, intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment. The Company performs its annual impairment review during its fiscal fourth quarter or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the value of goodwill might be impaired.

Customer lists are the names and addresses of an acquired company’s customers. Based on historical retention experience, these lists are amortized on a straight-line basis over seven to ten years.

Trade names are the names of acquired companies. Based on the economic benefit expected and historical retention experience of customers, trade names are amortized on a straight-line basis over seven to twenty years.

Business Combinations

We use the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with FASB ASC 805 Business Combinations. The acquisition method of accounting requires us to use significant estimates and assumptions, including fair value estimates, as of the business combination date, and to refine those estimates as necessary during the measurement period (defined as the period, not to exceed one year, in which the amounts recognized for a business combination may be adjusted). Each acquired company’s operating results are included in our consolidated financial statements starting on the date of acquisition. The purchase price is equivalent to the fair value of consideration transferred. Tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition are recorded at the acquisition date fair value. The separately identifiable intangible assets generally are comprised of customer lists, trade names and covenants not to compete. Goodwill is recognized for the excess of the purchase price over the net fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

Costs that are incurred to complete the business combination such as legal and other professional fees are not considered part of consideration transferred, and are charged to general and administrative expense as they are incurred. For any given acquisition, certain contingent consideration may be identified. Estimates of the fair value of liability or asset classified contingent consideration are included under the acquisition method as part of the assets acquired or liabilities assumed. At each reporting date, these estimates are remeasured to fair value, with changes recognized in earnings.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

The Company reviews intangible assets and other long-lived assets in accordance with FASB ASC 360-10-05-4 Property Plant and Equipment, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets subsection, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company determines whether the carrying values of such assets are recoverable over their remaining estimated lives through undiscounted future cash flow analysis. If such a review should indicate that the carrying amount of the assets is not recoverable, the Company will reduce the carrying amount of such assets to fair value.

Deferred Charges

Deferred charges represent the costs associated with the issuance of the revolving credit facility and are amortized over the life of the facility.

Advertising and Direct Mail Expenses

Advertising and direct mail costs are expensed as they are incurred. Advertising and direct mail expenses were $15.1 million, $14.9 million, and $14.5 million, in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively and are recorded in delivery and branch expenses.

Customer Credit Balances

Customer credit balances represent payments received in advance from customers pursuant to a balanced payment plan (whereby customers pay on a fixed monthly basis) and the payments made have exceeded the charges for liquid product and other services.

Environmental Costs

Costs associated with managing hazardous substances and pollution are expensed on a current basis. Accruals are made for costs associated with the remediation of environmental pollution when it becomes probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated.

Insurance Reserves

The Company uses a combination of insurance, self-insured retention and self-insurance for a number of risks, including workers’ compensation, general liability, vehicle liability, medical liability and property. Reserves are established and periodically evaluated, based upon expectations as to what our ultimate liability may be for outstanding claims using developmental factors based upon historical claim experience, including frequency, severity, demographic factors and other actuarial assumptions, supplemented with support from qualified actuaries.

Income Taxes

Prior to November 1, 2017, Star was a master limited partnership and was not subject to tax at the entity level for Federal and State income tax purposes. While Star generated non-qualifying master limited partnership revenue through its corporate subsidiaries, distributions from the corporate subsidiaries to Star are generally included in the determination of qualified master limited partnership income. All or a portion of the distributions received by the Company from the corporate subsidiaries could be a dividend or capital gain to the partners. See Note 19- Subsequent Events for discussion of Company’s tax election effective November 1, 2017.

The accompanying financial statements are reported on a fiscal year, however, the Company and its Corporate subsidiaries file Federal and State income tax returns on a calendar year.

As most of the Company’s income is derived from its corporate subsidiaries, these financial statements reflect significant Federal and State income taxes. For corporate subsidiaries of the Company, a consolidated Federal income tax return is filed. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss carry-forwards. 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. A valuation allowance is recognized if, based on the weight of available evidence including historical tax losses, it is more likely than not that some or all of deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Sales, Use and Value Added Taxes

Taxes are assessed by various governmental authorities on many different types of transactions. Sales reported for product, installations and services exclude taxes.

Derivatives and Hedging

FASB ASC 815-10-05 Derivatives and Hedging, requires that derivative instruments be recorded at fair value and included in the consolidated balance sheet as assets or liabilities. The Company has elected not to designate its derivative instruments as hedging instruments under this guidance, and the changes in fair value of the derivative instruments are recognized in our statement of operations.

Weather Hedge Contract

To partially mitigate the effect of weather on cash flows, the Company has used weather hedge contracts for a number of years. Weather hedge contracts are recorded in accordance with the intrinsic value method defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815-45-15 Derivatives and Hedging, Weather Derivatives (EITF 99-2). The premium paid is included in the caption prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying balance sheets and amortized over the life of the contract, with the intrinsic value method applied at each interim period.

For fiscal years 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Company had weather hedge contracts that cover the five month period from November 1, through March 31, taken as a whole, for each respective fiscal year. The ultimate amount due to the Company (if any) was based on the entire five month accumulated calculation for the hedge period and had a maximum payout of $12.5 million for each respective fiscal year. During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company recorded a credit of $12.5 million under this contract that reduced delivery and branch expenses. This amount was collected in April 2016. No credit was recorded during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The update requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of being presented as an asset. The Company retrospectively adopted the ASU effective December 31, 2016. As a result of the adoption, certain prior year balances (September 30, 2016) changed to conform to the current year presentation as follows: deferred charges and other assets, net decreased from $11.9 million to $11.1 million and long-term debt decreased from $76.3 million to $75.4 million.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments, which requires an acquiring entity to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The acquiring entity is required to record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. In addition, the acquiring entity is to present separately on the face of its income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods as if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The Company adopted the ASU effective December 31, 2016. The adoption of ASU No. 2015-16did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flow (Topic 230): Restricted cash. The update requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted the ASU effective December 31, 2016. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-18 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The FASB has also issued several updates to ASU 2014-09. This ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective. This new guidance is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, with early adoption permitted beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is in the process of evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its revenue streams, consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method, nor does it intend to early adopt.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The update changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and net realizable value. This new guidance is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect ASU No. 2015-11 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. The update requires all leases with a term greater than twelve months to be recognized on the balance sheet by calculating the discounted present value of such leases and accounting for them through a right-of-use asset and an offsetting lease liability, and the disclosure of key information pertaining to leasing arrangements. This new guidance is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not intend to early adopt. The Company is continuing to evaluate the effect that ASU No. 2016-02 could have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, but has not yet selected a transition method. The new guidance will materially change how we account for operating leases for office space, trucks and other equipment. Upon adoption, we expect to recognize discounted right-of-use assets and offsetting lease liabilities related to our operating leases of office space, trucks and other equipment. As of September 30, 2017, the undiscounted future minimum lease payments through 2032 for such operating leases are approximately $134.3 million, but what amount of leasing activity is expected between September 30, 2017, and the date of adoption, are currently unknown. For this reason we are unable to estimate the discounted right-of-use assets and lease liabilities as of the date of adoption.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. The update broadens the information that an entity should consider in developing expected credit loss estimates, eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold, and allows for the immediate recognition of the full amount of expected credit losses. This new guidance is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, with early adoption permitted in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU No. 2016-13 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, but has not yet determined the timing of adoption.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flow (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The update addresses the issues of debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. This new guidance is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company has not determined the timing of adoption, but does not expect ASU 2016-15 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the definition of a business. The update clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This new guidance is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company has not determined the timing of adoption, but does not expect ASU 2017-01 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 230): Simplifying the test for goodwill impairment. The update simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, but not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. This new guidance is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, with early adoption permitted. The Company has not determined the timing of adoption, but does not expect ASU 2017-04 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Quarterly Distribution of Available Cash

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Quarterly Distribution of Available Cash

3) Quarterly Distribution of Available Cash

The Company agreement provides that beginning October 1, 2008, minimum quarterly distributions on the common units will start accruing at the rate of $0.0675 per quarter ($0.27 on an annual basis) in accordance with the Partnership Agreement. In general, the Company intends to distribute to its partners on a quarterly basis, all of its available cash, if any, in the manner described below. “Available cash” generally means, for any of its fiscal quarters, all cash on hand at the end of that quarter, less the amount of cash reserves that are necessary or appropriate in the reasonable discretion of the general partners to:

•

provide for the proper conduct of the Company’s business including acquisitions and debt payments;

•

comply with applicable law, any of its debt instruments or other agreements; or

•

provide funds for distributions to the common unitholders during the next four quarters, in some circumstances.

Available cash will generally be distributed as follows:

•

first, 100% to the common units, pro rata, until the Company distributes to each common unit the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.0675;

•

second, 100% to the common units, pro rata, until the Company distributes to each common unit any arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units for prior quarters;

•

third, 100% to the general partner units, pro rata, until the Company distributes to each general partner unit the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.0675;

•

fourth, 90% to the common units, pro rata, and 10% to the general partner units, pro rata (subject to the Management Incentive Plan), until the Company distributes to each common unit the first target distribution of $0.1125; and

•

thereafter, 80% to the common units, pro rata, and 20% to the general partner units, pro rata.

The Company is obligated to meet certain financial covenants under the third amended and restated credit agreement. The Company must maintain excess availability of at least 15.0% of the revolving commitment then in effect and a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.15 in order to make any distributions to unitholders.

For fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015, cash distributions declared per common unit were $0.425, $0.395, and $0.365, respectively.

For fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015, $0.5 million, $0.4 million, and $0.3 million, respectively, of incentive distributions were paid to the general partner, exclusive of amounts paid subject to the Management Incentive Plan.

Common Unit Repurchase Plans and Retirement

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Common Unit Repurchase Plans and Retirement

4) Common Unit Repurchase Plans and Retirement

In July 2012, the Board of Directors (“the Board”) of the general partner of the Company authorized the repurchase of up to 3.0 million of the Company’s Common Units (“Plan III”). In July 2013, the Board authorized the repurchase of an additional 1.9 million Common Units under Plan III. The authorized Common Unit repurchases may be made from time-to-time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or in such other manner deemed appropriate by management. There is no guarantee of the exact number of units that will be purchased under the program and the Company may discontinue purchases at any time. The program does not have a time limit. The Board may also approve additional purchases of units from time to time in private transactions. The Company’s repurchase activities take into account SEC safe harbor rules and guidance for issuer repurchases. All of the Common Units purchased in the repurchase program will be retired.

Under the Company’s third amended and restated credit agreement dated July 30, 2015, in order to repurchase Common Units we must maintain Availability (as defined in the amended and restated credit agreements) of $45 million, 15.0% of the facility size of $300 million (assuming the non-seasonal aggregate commitment is outstanding) on a historical pro forma and forward-looking basis, and a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.15 measured as of the date of repurchase.

The following table shows repurchases under Plan III.

(in thousands, except per unit amounts)


Period	Total Number of Units Purchased (a)		Average Price Paid per Unit (b)		Maximum Number of Units that May Yet Be Purchased
Plan III—Number of units authorized						4,894
Private transaction—Number of units authorized						2,450

						7,344

Plan III—Fiscal years 2012 to 2016 total (c)		5,137	$	5.78		2,207

Plan III—Fiscal year 2017 total		—	$	—		2,207

Plan III—October and November 2017		—	$	—		2,207

(a)	Units were repurchased as part of a publicly announced program, except as noted in a private transaction.

(b)	Amounts include repurchase costs.

(c)	Includes 2.45 million common units acquired in private transactions.

Derivatives and Hedging-Disclosures and Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Derivatives and Hedging-Disclosures and Fair Value Measurements

5) Derivatives and Hedging—Disclosures and Fair Value Measurements

The Company uses derivative instruments such as futures, options and swap agreements in order to mitigate exposure to market risk associated with the purchase of home heating oil for price-protected customers, physical inventory on hand, inventory in transit, priced purchase commitments and internal fuel usage. The Company has elected not to designate its derivative instruments as hedging derivatives, but rather as economic hedges whose change in fair value is recognized in its statement of operations in the line item (Increase) decrease in the fair value of derivative instruments. Depending on the risk being economically hedged, realized gains and losses are recorded in cost of product, cost of installations and services, or delivery and branch expenses.

As of September 30, 2017, to hedge a substantial majority of the purchase price associated with heating oil gallons anticipated to be sold to its price-protected customers, the Company held the following derivative instruments that settle in future months to match anticipated sales: 15.6 million gallons of swap contracts with a notional value of $25.5 million and a fair value of $2.3 million, 6.1 million gallons of call options with a notional value of $13.6 million and a fair value of $0.1 million, 8.1 million gallons of put options with a notional value of $8.8 million and a fair value of $2 thousand, and 79.0 million net gallons of synthetic call options with an average notional value of $134.3 million and a fair value of $4.1 million. To hedge the inter-month differentials for its price-protected customers, its physical inventory on hand and inventory in transit, the Company, as of September 30, 2017, had 1.3 million gallons of purchased swap contracts with a notional value of $2.2 million and a fair value of $0.2 million, and 16.8 million gallons of sold swap contracts with a notional value of $28.5 million and a fair value of $(1.9) million that settle in future months, 5.2 million gallons of purchased future contracts that settle daily with a notional value of $8.5 million, and 11.3 million gallons of sold future contracts that settle daily with a notional value of $18.0 million. To hedge its internal fuel usage and other related activities for fiscal 2018, the Company, as of September 30, 2017, had 6.3 million gallons of swap contracts with a notional value of $9.9 million and a fair value of $1.1 million that settle in future months.

As of September 30, 2016, to hedge a substantial majority of the purchase price associated with heating oil gallons anticipated to be sold to its price-protected customers, the Company held the following derivative instruments that settle in future months to match anticipated sales: 9.9 million gallons of swap contracts with a notional value of $14.3 million and a fair value of $1.2 million, 6.8 million gallons of call options with a notional value of $13.8 million and a fair value of $0.3 million, 6.2 million gallons of put options with a notional value of $6.5 million and a fair value of $0.02 million, and 84.9 million net gallons of synthetic call options with an average notional value of $133.5 million and a fair value of $1.3 million. To hedge the inter-month differentials for its price-protected customers, its physical inventory on hand and inventory in transit, the Company, as of September 30, 2016, had 1.2 million gallons of purchased swap contracts with a notional value of $1.7 million and a fair value of $0.2 million, 4.4 million gallons of purchased future contracts with a notional value of $6.7 million and a fair value of $0.5 million, and 21.8 million gallons of sold future contracts with a notional value of $32.2 million and a fair value of $(2.1) million that settle in future months. In addition to the previously described hedging instruments, to lock-inthe differential between high sulfur home heating oil and ultra low sulfur diesel, the Company as of September 30, 2016, had 7.9 million gallons of spread contracts (simultaneous long and short positions) with an average notional value of $10.8 million and a net fair value of $(0.04) million. To hedge its internal fuel usage and other related activities for fiscal 2017, the Company, as of September 30, 2016, had 5.7 million gallons of swap contracts with a notional value of $7.7 million and a fair value of $1.1 million that settle in future months.

The Company’s derivative instruments are with the following counterparties: Bank of America, N.A., Bank of Montreal, Cargill, Inc., Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Key Bank, N.A., Munich Re Trading LLC, Regions Financial Corporation, Societe Generale, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The Company assesses counterparty credit risk and considers it to be low. We maintain master netting arrangements that allow for the non-conditionaloffsetting of amounts receivable and payable with counterparties to help manage our risks and record derivative positions on a net basis. The Company generally does not receive cash collateral from its counterparties and does not restrict the use of cash collateral it maintains at counterparties. At September 30, 2017, the aggregate cash posted as collateral in the normal course of business at counterparties was $0.5 million. Positions with counterparties who are also parties to our credit agreement are collateralized under that facility. As of September 30, 2017, $0.1 million of hedge positions and payable amounts were secured under the credit facility.

FASB ASC 815-10-05 Derivatives and Hedging, established accounting and reporting standards requiring that derivative instruments be recorded at fair value and included in the consolidated balance sheet as assets or liabilities, along with qualitative disclosures regarding the derivative activity. To the extent derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are effective and the standard’s documentation requirements have been met, changes in fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income until the underlying hedged item is recognized in earnings. The Company has elected not to designate its derivative instruments as hedging instruments under this standard and the change in fair value of the derivative instruments is recognized in our statement of operations in the line item (Increase) decrease in the fair value of derivative instruments. Depending on the risk being hedged, realized gains and losses are recorded in cost of product, cost of installations and services, or delivery and branch expenses.

FASB ASC 820-10 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, established a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which classified the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; 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 in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. The Company’s Level 1 derivative assets and liabilities represent the fair value of commodity contracts used in its hedging activities that are identical and traded in active markets. The Company’s Level 2 derivative assets and liabilities represent the fair value of commodity contracts used in its hedging activities that are valued using either directly or indirectly observable inputs, whose nature, risk and class are similar. No significant transfers of assets or liabilities have been made into and out of the Level 1 or Level 2 tiers. All derivative instruments were non-trading positions and were either a Level 1 or Level 2 instrument. The Company had no Level 3 derivative instruments. The fair market value of our Level 1 and Level 2 derivative assets and liabilities are calculated by our counter-parties and are independently validated by the Company. The Company’s calculations are, for Level 1 derivative assets and liabilities, based on the published New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) market prices for the commodity contracts open at the end of the period. For Level 2 derivative assets and liabilities the calculations performed by the Company are based on a combination of the NYMEX published market prices and other inputs, including such factors as present value, volatility and duration.

The Company had no assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition. The Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are listed on the following table.


(In thousands)					Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Under FASB ASC 815-10	Balance Sheet Location	Total			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1			Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2
Asset Derivatives at September 30, 2017
Commodity contracts	Fair asset and fair liability value of derivative instruments	$	7,729		$	—		$	7,729
Commodity contracts	Long-term derivative assets included in the deferred charges and other assets, net balance		996			—			996

Commodity contract assets at September 30, 2017		$	8,725		$	—		$	8,725

Liability Derivatives at September 30, 2017
Commodity contracts	Fair liability and fair asset value of derivative instruments	$	(2,086	)	$	—		$	(2,086	)
Commodity contracts	Cash collateral		—			—			—
Commodity contracts	Long-term derivative liabilities included in the deferred charges and other assets, net and other long-term liabilities balances		(731	)		—			(731	)

Commodity contract liabilities at September 30, 2017		$	(2,817	)	$	—		$	(2,817	)

Asset Derivatives at September 30, 2016
Commodity contracts	Fair asset and fair liability value of derivative instruments	$	11,692		$	—		$	11,692
Commodity contracts	Long-term derivative assets included in the other long-term liabilities balance		1,369			481			888

Commodity contract assets at September 30, 2016		$	13,061		$	481		$	12,580

Liability Derivatives at September 30, 2016
Commodity contracts	Fair liability and fair asset value of derivative instruments	$	(9,990	)	$	(1,603	)	$	(8,387	)
Commodity contracts	Cash collateral		—			—			—
Commodity contracts	Long-term derivative liabilities included in the other long-term liabilities balance		(565	)		(484	)		(81	)

Commodity contract liabilities at September 30, 2016			$(10,555)			$(2,087)			$(8,468)

The Company’s derivative assets (liabilities) offset by counterparty and subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement are listed on the following table.


(In thousands)									Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
Offsetting of Financial Assets (Liabilities) and Derivative Assets (Liabilities)	Gross Assets Recognized		Gross Liabilities Offset in the Statement of Financial Position			Net Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Statement of Financial Position			Financial Instruments		Cash Collateral Received		Net Amount
Fair asset value of derivative instruments	$	6,023	$	(91	)	$	5,932		$	—	$	—	$	5,932
Long-term derivative assets included in other long-term assets, net		996		(730	)		266			—		—		266
Fair liability value of derivative instruments		1,706		(1,995	)		(289	)		—		—		(289	)
Long-term derivative liabilities included in other long-term liabilities, net		—		(1	)		(1	)		—		—		(1	)

Total at September 30, 2017	$	8,725	$	(2,817	)	$	5,908		$	—	$	—	$	5,908

Fair asset value of derivative instruments	$	7,716	$	(3,729	)	$	3,987		$	—	$	—	$	3,987
Long-term derivative assets included in other long-term assets, net		888		(81	)		807			—		—		807
Fair liability value of derivative instruments		3,976		(6,261	)		(2,285	)		—		—		(2,285	)
Long-term derivative liabilities included in other long-term liabilities, net		481		(484	)		(3	)		—		—		(3	)

Total at September 30, 2016	$	13,061	$	(10,555	)	$	2,506		$	—	$	—	$	2,506


(In thousands)
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations
		Amount of (Gain) or Loss Recognized Years Ended September 30,
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Under FASB ASC 815-10	Location of (Gain) or Loss Recognized in Income on Derivative	2017			2016			2015
Commodity contracts	Cost of product (a)	$	6,386		$	16,977		$	13,368
Commodity contracts	Cost of installations and service (a)	$	(526	)	$	949		$	1,831
Commodity contracts	Delivery and branch expenses (a)	$	(422	)	$	2,405		$	2,098
Commodity contracts	(Increase) / decrease in the fair value of derivative instruments (b)	$	(2,193	)	$	(18,217	)	$	4,187

(a)	Represents realized closed positions and includes the cost of options as they expire.

(b)	Represents the change in value of unrealized open positions and expired options.

Inventories

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Inventories

6) Inventories

The Company’s product inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market computed on the weighted average cost method. All other inventories, representing parts and equipment are stated at the lower of cost or market using the FIFO method. The components of inventory were as follows (in thousands):


	September 30,
	2017		2016
Product	$	37,941	$	25,419
Parts and equipment		21,655		20,475

Total inventory	$	59,596	$	45,894

Product inventories were comprised of 24.2 million gallons and 18.4 million gallons on September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively. The Company has market price based product supply contracts for approximately 292.3 million gallons of home heating oil and propane, and 47.0 million gallons of diesel and gasoline, which it expects to fully utilize to meet its requirements over the next twelve months.

During fiscal 2017 and 2016, Global Companies LLC and NIC Holding Corp. provided approximately 13% and 8%, respectively, of our petroleum product purchases. No other single supplier provided more than 8% of our product supply during fiscal 2017 and 2016.

Property and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Property and Equipment

7) Property and Equipment

The components of property and equipment were as follows (in thousands):


	September 30,
	2017		2016
Land and land improvements	$	18,127	$	17,645
Buildings and leasehold improvements		34,175		32,203
Fleet and other equipment		62,500		57,601
Tanks and equipment		41,744		34,035
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment		44,766		42,595

Total		201,312		184,079
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		121,639		113,669

Property and equipment, net	$	79,673	$	70,410

Depreciation and amortization expense was $11.1 million, $11.1 million, and $11.4 million, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Business Combinations

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Business Combinations

8) Business Combinations

During fiscal 2017, the Company acquired four heating oil dealers, two propane dealers and a plumbing service provider for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $44.8 million; $43.3 million in cash and $1.5 million of deferred liabilities (including $0.6 million of contingent consideration). The gross purchase price was allocated $37.5 million to intangible assets, $10.2 million to fixed assets and reduced by $2.9 million in working capital credits. The acquired companies’ operating results are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements starting on their respective acquisition date, and are not material to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

During fiscal 2016, the Company acquired a heating oil dealer, a motor fuel dealer, and two propane dealers for purchase prices aggregating approximately $9.8 million. The aggregate purchase price was allocated $5.7 million to intangible assets, $1.7 million to goodwill, $2.5 million to fixed assets, and reduced by $0.1 million for working capital credits. The acquired companies’ operating results are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements starting on their respective acquisition date, and are not material to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

During fiscal 2015, the Company acquired two heating oil and propane dealers (with one dealer also having motor fuel accounts) for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $21.1 million. The final gross allocation of the purchase price of both heating oil and propane dealers was $20.7 million to intangible assets, $2.5 million to fixed assets and reduced by $2.1 million for working capital credits. Each acquired company’s operating results are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements starting on its acquisition date.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

9) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The Company performs a qualitative, and when necessary quantitative, impairment test on its goodwill annually on August 31^st. This qualitative assessment includes reviewing factors such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance and other relevant entity-specific events. Under FASB ASC 350-10-05 Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, goodwill impairment if any, needs to be determined if the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. If goodwill of a reporting unit is determined to be impaired, the amount of impairment is measured based on the excess of the net book value of the goodwill over the implied fair value of the goodwill.

The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment valuation in each of the periods ending August 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, and it was determined based on each year’s analysis that there was no goodwill impairment.

A summary of changes in the Company’s goodwill during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 are as follows (in thousands):


Balance as of September 30, 2015	$	211,045
Fiscal year 2016 business combinations		1,715

Balance as of September 30, 2016		212,760
Fiscal year 2017 business combinations		13,155

Balance as of September 30, 2017	$	225,915

Intangibles, net

Intangible assets subject to amortization consist of the following (in thousands):


	September 30,
	2017								2016
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accum. Amortization		Net		Gross Carrying Amount		Accum. Amortization		Net
Customer lists	$	346,784	$	264,632	$	82,152	$	327,388	$	250,427	$	76,961
Trade names and other intangibles		32,047		8,981		23,066		27,134		6,439		20,695

Total	$	378,831	$	273,613	$	105,218	$	354,522	$	256,866	$	97,656

Amortization expense for intangible assets was $16.7 million, $15.4 million, and $13.5 million, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Total estimated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization, for the year ended September 30, 2018 and the four succeeding fiscal years ended September 30, is as follows (in thousands):


	Amount
2018	$	18,483
2019	$	16,859
2020	$	15,095
2021	$	12,374
2022	$	10,349

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

10) Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

The components of accrued expenses and other current liabilities were as follows (in thousands):


	September 30,
	2017		2016
Accrued wages and benefits	$	24,425	$	22,237
Accrued insurance and environmental costs		68,760		70,037
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities		15,264		11,581

Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	108,449	$	103,855

Long-Term Debt and Bank Facility Borrowings

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Long-Term Debt and Bank Facility Borrowings

11) Long-Term Debt and Bank Facility Borrowings


	September 30,
The Partnership’s debt is as follows	2017				2016
(in thousands):
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Revolving Credit Facility Borrowings	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Senior Secured Term Loan		75,717		76,300		91,641		92,500

Total debt	$	75,717	$	76,300	$	91,641	$	92,500

Total short-term portion of debt	$	10,000	$	10,000	$	16,200	$	16,200

Total long-term portion of debt	$	65,717	$	66,300	$	75,441	$	76,300

The face amount of the Company’s variable rate long-term debt approximates fair value.

On July 30, 2015, the Company entered into a third amended and restated asset based credit agreement with a bank syndicate comprised of thirteen participants, which enables the Company to borrow up to $300 million ($450 million during the heating season of December through April of each year) on a revolving credit facility for working capital purposes (subject to certain borrowing base limitations and coverage ratios), provides for a $100 million five-year senior secured term loan (“Term Loan”), allows for the issuance of up to $100 million in letters of credit, and has a maturity date of July 30, 2020.

The Company can increase the revolving credit facility size by $100 million without the consent of the bank group. However, the bank group is not obligated to fund the $100 million increase. If the bank group elects not to fund the increase, the Company can add additional lenders to the group, with the consent of the Agent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. Obligations under the third amended and restated credit facility are guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries and are secured by liens on substantially all of the Company’s assets including accounts receivable, inventory, general intangibles, real property, fixtures and equipment.

All amounts outstanding under the third amended and restated revolving credit facility become due and payable on the facility termination date of July 30, 2020. The Term Loan is repayable in quarterly payments of $2.5 million, plus an annual payment equal to 25% of the annual Excess Cash Flow as defined in the agreement (an amount not to exceed $15 million annually), less certain voluntary prepayments made during the year, with final payment at maturity. The Company does not expect to make additional term loan repayments due to Excess Cash Flow for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

The interest rate on the third amended and restated revolving credit facility and the term loan is based on a margin over LIBOR or a base rate. At September 30, 2017, the effective interest rate on the term loan was approximately 4.14%.

The Commitment Fee on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility is 0.30% from December through April, and 0.20% from May through November.

The third amended and restated credit agreement requires the Company to meet certain financial covenants, including a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of not less than 1.1 as long as the Term Loan is outstanding or revolving credit facility availability is less than 12.5% of the facility size. In addition, as long as the Term Loan is outstanding, a senior secured leverage ratio at any time cannot be more than 3.0 as calculated during the quarters ending June or September, and at any time no more than 4.5 as calculated during the quarters ending December or March.

Certain restrictions are also imposed by the agreement, including restrictions on the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, to pay distributions to unitholders, to pay certain inter-company dividends or distributions, make investments, grant liens, sell assets, make acquisitions and engage in certain other activities.

At September 30, 2017, $76.3 million of the term loan was outstanding, no amount was outstanding under the revolving credit facility, $0.1 million of hedge positions were secured under the credit agreement, and $48.0 million of letters of credit were issued and outstanding. At September 30, 2016, $92.5 million of the term loan was outstanding, no amount was outstanding under the revolving credit facility, $0.3 million of hedge positions were secured, and $50.6 million of letters of credit were issued and outstanding.

At September 30, 2017, availability was $166.1 million, the Company was in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio and the senior secured leverage ratio, and the restricted net assets totaled approximately $296 million. Restricted net assets are assets in the Company’s subsidiaries, the distribution or transfer of which to Star Group, L.P. are subject to limitations under its credit agreement. At September 30, 2016, availability was $163.4 million, the Company was in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio and the senior secured leverage ratio, and the restricted net assets totaled approximately $291 million.

As of September 30, 2017, the maturities (including working capital borrowings and expected repayments due to Excess Cash Flow) during fiscal years ending September 30, are set forth in the following table (in thousands):


2018	$	10,000
2019	$	10,000
2020	$	56,300
Thereafter	$	—

Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Employee Benefit Plans

12) Employee Benefit Plans

Defined Contribution Plans

The Company has several 401(k) and other defined contribution plans that cover eligible non-union and union employees, and makes employer contributions to these plans, subject to IRS limitations. These plans provide for each participant to contribute from 0% to 60% of compensation, subject to IRS limitations. The Company’s aggregate contributions to the 401(k) plans during fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015, were $6.3 million, $6.0 million, and $5.7 million, respectively. The Company’s aggregate contribution to the other defined contribution plans for fiscal years 2017, 2016, and 2015, were $0.7 million, $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

Management Incentive Compensation Plan

The Company has a Management Incentive Compensation Plan. The long-term compensation structure is intended to align the employee’s performance with the long-term performance of our unitholders. Under the Plan, certain named employees who participate shall be entitled to receive a pro rata share of an amount in cash equal to:

•

50% of the distributions (“Incentive Distributions”) of Available Cash in excess of the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.0675 per unit otherwise distributable to Kestrel Heat pursuant to the Company Agreement on account of its general partner units; and

•

50% of the cash proceeds (the “Gains Interest”) which Kestrel Heat shall receive from the sale of its general partner units (as defined in the Partnership Agreement), less expenses and applicable taxes.

The pro rata share payable to each participant under the Plan is based on the number of participation points as described under “Fiscal 2015 Compensation Decisions—Management Incentive Compensation Plan.” The amount paid in Incentive Distributions is governed by the Partnership Agreement and the calculation of Available Cash.

To fund the benefits under the Plan, Kestrel Heat has agreed to forego receipt of the amount of Incentive Distributions that are payable to plan participants. For accounting purposes, amounts payable to management under this Plan will be treated as compensation and will reduce net income. Kestrel Heat has also agreed to contribute to the Company, as a contribution to capital, an amount equal to the Gains Interest payable to participants in the Plan by the Company. The Company is not required to reimburse Kestrel Heat for amounts payable pursuant to the Plan.

The Plan is administered by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer under the direction of the Board or by such other officer as the Board may from time to time direct. In general, no payments will be made under the Plan if the Company is not distributing cash under the Incentive Distributions described above.

Effective as of July 19, 2012, the Board of Directors adopted certain amendments (the “Plan Amendments”) to the Plan. Under the Plan Amendments, the number and identity of the Plan participants and their participation interests in the Plan have been frozen at the current levels. In addition, under the Plan Amendments, the plan benefits (to the extent vested) may be transferred upon the death of a participant to his or her heirs. A participant’s vested percentage of his or her plan benefits will be 100% during the time a participant is an employee or consultant of the Company. Following the termination of such positions, a participant’s vested percentage shall be equal to 20% for each full or partial year of employment or consultation with the Company starting with the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 (33 1/3% in the case of the Company’s chief executive officer at that time).

The Company distributed to management and the general partner Incentive Distributions of approximately $963,000 during fiscal 2017, $795,000 during fiscal 2016, and $605,000 during fiscal 2015. Included in these amounts for fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015, were distributions under the management incentive compensation plan of $481,000, $397,000, and $302,000, respectively, of which named executive officers received approximately $214,378 during fiscal 2017, $177,034 during fiscal 2016, and $135,000 during fiscal 2015. With regard to the Gains Interest, Kestrel Heat has not given any indication that it will sell its general partner units within the next twelve months. Thus the Plan’s value attributable to the Gains Interest currently cannot be determined.

Multiemployer Pension Plans

At September 30, 2017, approximately 43% of our employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements and approximately 11% of our employees are in collective bargaining agreements that are up for renewal within the next fiscal year. We contribute to various multiemployer union administered pension plans under the terms of collective bargaining agreements that provide for such plans for covered union-represented employees. The risks of participating in these multiemployer plans are different from single-employer plans in that assets contributed are pooled and may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers. If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the remaining participating employers may be required to bear the unfunded obligations of the plan. If we choose to stop participating in a multiemployer plan, we may be required to pay a withdrawal liability in part based on the underfunded status of the plan.

The following table outlines our participation and contributions to multiemployer pension plans for the periods ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015. The EIN/Pension Plan Number column provides the Employer Identification Number (“EIN”) and the three-digit plan number. The most recent Pension Protection Act Zone Status for 2016 and 2015 relates to the plans’ two most recent fiscal year-ends, based on information received from the plans as reported on their Form 5500 Schedule MB. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are generally less than 65 percent funded, plans in the yellow zone are less than 80 percent funded, and plans in the green zone are at least 80 percent funded. The FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented column indicates plans for which a financial improvement plan (“FIP”) or a rehabilitation plan (“RP”) is either pending or has been implemented. Certain plans have been aggregated in the All Other Multiemployer Pension Plans line of the following table, as our participation in each of these individual plans is not significant.

For the Westchester Teamsters Pension Fund, Local 553 Pension Fund and Local 463 Pension Fund, we provided more than 5 percent of the total plan contributions from all employers for 2017 and 2015, and for the Westchester Teamsters Pension Fund and Local 553 Pension Fund we provided more than 5 percent of the total plan contributions from all employers for 2016, as disclosed in the respective plan’s Form 5500. The collective bargaining agreements of these plans require contributions based on the hours worked and there are no minimum contributions required.

Pension Protection
Act Zone
Status

FIP / RP Status

Partnership
Contributions
(in thousands)

Pension Fund

EIN /
Pension Plan
Number

2017

2016

Pending / Implemented

2017

2016

2015

Surcharge
Imposed

Expiration Date
of Collective-
Bargaining
Agreements

New England Teamsters and Trucking Industry Pension Fund

04-6372430
/ 001

Red

Yes / Implemented

2,621

2,507

3,183

04/30/18 to
09/30/2022

Westchester Teamsters Pension Fund

13-6123973
/ 001

Green

N/A

924

865

877

01/31/19 to
12/31/19

Local 553 Pension Fund

13-6637826
/ 001

Green

N/A

2,780

2,645

2,838

12/15/19 to
01/15/20

Local 463 Pension Fund

11-1800729
/ 001

Green

N/A

150

148

171

06/30/19 to
02/28/20

All Other Multiemployer Pension Plans

2,465

2,218

2,149

Total Contributions

8,940

8,383

9,218

Agreement with the New England Teamsters and Trucking Industry Pension Fund

In September 2015, the Teamsters ratified an agreement among certain subsidiaries of the Company and the New England Teamsters and Trucking Industry Pension Fund (“the NETTI Fund”), a multiemployer pension plan in which such subsidiaries participate, providing for the Company’s participating subsidiaries to withdraw from the NETTI Fund’s original employer pool and enter the NETTI Fund’s new employer pool. The withdrawal from the original employer pool triggered an undiscounted withdrawal obligation of $48.0 million that is to be paid in equal monthly installments over 30 years, or $1.6 million per year. The annual after tax cash impact of entering into this agreement is a reduction of approximately $0.9 million.

We recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, a $17.8 million charge in order to establish a withdrawal liability on our consolidated balance sheet, which represents the present value of the $48.0 million future payment obligation at a discount rate of 8.22%. In addition we recorded a non-cash deferred tax benefit of approximately $7.0 million. The net result of these two non-cash items reduced our net income for fiscal 2015 by $10.8 million.

The NETTI Fund includes over two hundred of our current employees and has been classified as carrying “red zone” status, meaning that the value of NETTI Fund’s assets are less than 65% of the actuarial value of the NETTI Fund’s benefit obligations.

As of September 30, 2017, we had $0.2 million and $17.3 million balances included in the captions accrued expenses and other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities, respectively, on our consolidated balance sheet representing the remaining balance of the NETTI withdrawal liability. Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for long-term financing of a similar maturity, the fair value of the NETTI withdrawal liability as of September 30, 2017 was $22.7 million. We utilized Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy of valuation techniques to determine the fair value of this liability.

Our status in the newly-established pool of the NETTI Fund is accounted for as participation in a new multiemployer pension plan, and therefore we recognize expense based on the contractually-required contribution for each period, and we recognize a liability for any contributions due and unpaid at the end of a reporting period.

Defined Benefit Plans

The Company accounts for its two frozen defined benefit pension plans (“the Plan”) in accordance with FASB ASC 715-10-05 Compensation-Retirement Benefits. The Company has no post-retirement benefit plans.

Effective September 30, 2017, the Company adopted the Society of Actuaries 2017 Mortality Tables Report and Mortality Improvement Scale, which updated the mortality assumptions that private defined benefit retirement plans in the United States use in the actuarial valuations that determine a plan sponsor’s pension obligations. The updated mortality data reflects higher mortality improvement than assumed in the Society of Actuaries 2016 Mortality Table Report and Improvement Scale, and affected plans generally expect the value of the actuarial obligations to decrease, depending on the specific demographic characteristics of the plan participants and the types of benefits.

The following table provides the net periodic benefit cost for the period, a reconciliation of the changes in the Plan assets, projected benefit obligations, and the amounts recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated other comprehensive income at the dates indicated using a measurement date of September 30 (in thousands):


Debit / (Credit)	Net Periodic Pension Cost in Income Statement			Cash			Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets			Projected Benefit Obligation			Other Comprehensive (Income) / Loss			Gross Pension Related Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Fiscal Year 2015
Beginning balance							$	65,379		$	(70,482	)				$	26,598

Interest cost		2,762									(2,762	)
Actual return on plan assets		(679	)					679
Employer contributions					(1,743	)		1,743
Benefit payments								(4,013	)		4,013
Investment and other expenses		(577	)								577
Difference between actual and expected return on plan assets		(2,259	)											2,259
Anticipated expenses		327									(327	)
Actuarial gain											1,860			(1,860	)
Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial loss		2,226												(2,226	)

Annual cost/change	$	1,800		$	(1,743	)		(1,591	)		3,361		$	(1,827	)		(1,827	)

Ending balance							$	63,788		$	(67,121	)				$	24,771

Funded status at the end of the year										$	(3,333	)

Fiscal Year 2016
Interest cost		2,622									(2,622	)
Actual return on plan assets		(8,595	)					8,595
Employer contributions					(17	)		17
Benefit payments								(4,124	)		4,124
Investment and other expenses		(362	)								362
Difference between actual and expected return on plan assets		5,579												(5,579	)
Anticipated expenses		319									(319	)
Actuarial loss											(5,103	)		5,103
Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial loss		2,591												(2,591	)

Annual cost/change	$	2,154		$	(17	)		4,488			(3,558	)	$	(3,067	)		(3,067	)

Ending balance							$	68,276		$	(70,679	)				$	21,704

Funded status at the end of the year										$	(2,403	)

Fiscal Year 2017
Interest cost		2,251									(2,251	)
Actual return on plan assets		(1,473	)					1,473
Employer contributions					(505	)		505
Benefit payments								(4,578	)		4,578
Investment and other expenses		(455	)								455
Difference between actual and expected return on plan assets		(1,232	)											1,232
Anticipated expenses		341									(341	)
Actuarial gain											2,457			(2,457	)
Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial loss		2,131												(2,131	)

Annual cost/change	$	1,563		$	(505	)		(2,600	)		4,898		$	(3,356	)		(3,356	)

Ending balance							$	65,676		$	(65,781	)				$	18,348

Funded status at the end of the year										$	(105	)

At September 30, 2017 and 2016, the amounts included on the balance sheet in other long-term liabilities were $0.1 million and $2.4 million, respectively.

The $18.3 million net actuarial loss balance at September 30, 2017 for the two frozen defined benefit pension plans in accumulated other comprehensive income will be recognized and amortized into net periodic pension costs as an actuarial loss in future years. The estimated amount that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic pension cost over the next fiscal year is $1.8 million.


	September 30,
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in the Measurement of the Partnership’s Benefit Obligation	2017			2016			2015
Discount rate at year end date		3.60	%		3.30	%		4.05	%
Expected return on plan assets for the year ended		4.80	%		5.50	%		5.50	%
Rate of compensation increase		N/A			N/A			N/A

The expected return on plan assets is determined based on the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the market-related value of plan assets determined using fair value.

The Company’s expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is updated at least annually, taking into consideration our asset allocation, historical returns on the types of assets held, and the current economic environment. For fiscal year 2018, the Company’s assumption for return on plan assets will be 4.9% per annum.

The discount rate used to determine net periodic pension expense for fiscal year 2017, 2016, and 2015 was 3.60%, 3.30%, and 4.05%, respectively. The discount rate used by the Company in determining pension expense and pension obligations reflects the yield of high quality (AA or better rating by a recognized rating agency) corporate bonds whose cash flows are expected to match the timing and amounts of projected future benefit payments.

The Plan’s objectives are to have the ability to pay benefit and expense obligations when due, to maintain the funded ratio of the Plan, to maximize return within reasonable and prudent levels of risk in order to minimize contributions and charges to the profit and loss statement, and to control costs of administering the Plan and managing the investments of the Plan. The target asset allocation of the Plan (currently 80% domestic fixed income, 15% domestic equities and 5% international equities) is based on a long-term perspective, and as the Plan gets closer to being fully funded, the allocations have been adjusted to lower volatility from equity holdings.

The Company had no Level 2 or Level 3 pension plan assets during the two years ended September 30, 2017. The fair values and percentage of the Company’s pension plan assets by asset category are as follows (in thousands):


	September 30,
	2017					2016
			Concentration					Concentration
Asset Category	Level 1		Percentage			Level 1		Percentage
Corporate and U.S. government bond fund (1)	$	52,735		80	%	$	54,267		79	%
U.S. large-cap equity (1)		9,270		14	%		10,207		15	%
International equity (1)		3,063		5	%		3,118		5	%
Cash		608		1	%		684		1	%

Total	$	65,676		100	%	$	68,276		100	%

(1) Represent investments in Vanguard funds that seek to replicate the asset category description.

The Company is not obligated to make a minimum required contribution in fiscal year 2018, but expects to make a $2.0 million optional pension contribution.

Expected benefit payments over each of the next five years will total approximately $4.5 million per year. Expected benefit payments for the five years thereafter will aggregate approximately $19.6 million.

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Income Taxes

13) Income Taxes

Income tax expense is comprised of the following for the indicated periods (in thousands):


	Years Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2015
Current:
Federal	$	7,578	$	18,724	$	28,793
State		2,664		5,344		8,143
Deferred
Federal		8,775		7,485		(3,719	)
State		1,359		2,185		(382	)

	$	20,376	$	33,738	$	32,835

The provision for income taxes differs from income taxes computed at the Federal statutory rate as a result of the following (in thousands):


	Years Ended September 30,
	2017			2016			2015
Income from continuing operations before taxes	$	47,276		$	78,672		$	70,391

Provision for income taxes:
Tax at Federal statutory rate	$	16,546		$	27,535		$	24,637
Impact of Partnership loss not subject to federal income taxes		741			477			3,228
State taxes net of federal benefit		3,170			5,672			4,922
Permanent differences		89			80			78
Deferred tax benefit		—			—			(3,179	)
Change in valuation allowance		115			26			3,027
Change in unrecognized tax benefit		—			—			81
Other		(285	)		(52	)		41

	$	20,376		$	33,738		$	32,835

The components of the net deferred taxes for the years ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 using current tax rates are as follows (in thousands):


	September 30,
	2017			2016
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	$	5,374		$	5,791
Vacation accrual		3,542			3,367
Pension accrual		7,455			8,549
Allowance for bad debts		2,166			1,728
Insurance accrual		19,914			25,828
Inventory capitalization		895			1,128
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward		—			266
Other, net		2,242			2,512

Total deferred tax assets		41,588			49,169
Valuation allowance		(3,168	)		(3,053	)

Net deferred tax assets	$	38,420		$	46,116

Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	$	8,001		$	3,999
Fair value of derivative instruments		1,683			788
Intangibles		34,876			35,976

Total deferred tax liabilities	$	44,560		$	40,763

Net deferred taxes	$	(6,140	)	$	5,353

In order to fully realize the net deferred tax assets, the Company’s corporate subsidiaries will need to generate future taxable income. A valuation allowance is recognized if, based on the weight of available evidence including historical tax losses, it is more likely than not that some or all of deferred tax assets will not be realized. The net change in the total valuation allowance for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 was an increase of $115 thousand. The net change in the total valuation allowance for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 was an increase of $26 thousand. Based upon a review of a number of factors and all available evidence, including recent historical operating performance, the expectation of sustainable earnings, and the confidence that sufficient positive taxable income would continue in all tax jurisdictions for the foreseeable future, management concludes for the year ended September 30, 2017, it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the full benefit of its deferred tax assets, net of existing valuation allowance at September 30, 2017.

As of January 1, 2017, Star Acquisitions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, had a Federal net operating loss carry forward (“NOLs”) of approximately $1.6 million. The Federal NOLs, which will expire between 2017 and 2030, are generally available to offset any future taxable income but are also subject to an annual limitation of $1.0 million.

FASB ASC 740-10-05-6 Income Taxes, Uncertain Tax Position, provides financial statement accounting guidance for uncertainty in income taxes and tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. At September 30, 2017, we did not have unrecognized income tax benefits.

Our continuing practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of income tax expense. We file U.S. Federal income tax returns and various state and local returns. A number of years may elapse before an uncertain tax position is audited and finally resolved. For our Federal income tax returns we have four tax years subject to examination. In our major state tax jurisdictions of New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania we have four years that are subject to examination. In the state tax jurisdiction of New Jersey we have five tax years that are subject to examination. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular uncertain tax position, based on our assessment of many factors including past experience and interpretation of tax law, we believe that our provision for income taxes reflect the most probable outcome. This assessment relies on estimates and assumptions and may involve a series of complex judgments about future events.

Lease Commitments

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Lease Commitments

14) Lease Commitments

The Company has entered into certain operating leases for office space, trucks and other equipment. The future minimum rental commitments at September 30, 2017 under operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable term of one year or more are as follows (in thousands):


2018		19,502
2019		19,315
2020		17,284
2021		14,859
2022		11,282
Thereafter		52,052

Total future minimum lease payments	$	134,294

Rent expense for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016, and 2015, was $21.4 million, $19.7 million, and $18.4 million, respectively.

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

15) Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information


	Years Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes, net	$	4,434	$	22,570	$	38,265
Interest	$	7,814	$	7,785	$	16,950
Non-cash investing activities:
Acquisition of NYC heating oil customer list	$	—	$	—	$	886
Non-cash financing activities:
Increase in interest expense—amortization of debt discount on 8.875% Senior Notes	$	—	$	—	$	112

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Commitments and Contingencies

16) Commitments and Contingencies

On April 18, 2017, a civil action was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, entitled M. Norman Donnenfeld v. Petro, Inc., Civil Action Number 2:17-cv-2310-JFB-SIL, against Petro, Inc. By amended complaint filed on August 15, 2017, the Plaintiff alleges he did not receive expected contractual benefits under his protected price plan contract when oil prices fell and asserts various claims for relief including breach of contract, violation of the New York General Business Law and fraud. The Plaintiff also seeks to have a class certified of similarly situated Petro customers who entered into protected price plan contracts and were denied the same contractual benefits. No class has yet been certified in this action. The Plaintiff seeks compensatory, punitive and other damages in unspecified amounts. On September 15, 2017, Petro filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint as time-barred and for failure to state a cause of action. The motion is fully briefed and awaiting oral argument. The Company believes the allegations lack merit and intends to vigorously defend the action; at this time we cannot assess the potential outcome or materiality of this matter. The Company’s operations are subject to the operating hazards and risks normally incidental to handling, storing and transporting and otherwise providing for use by consumers hazardous liquids such as home heating oil and propane. In the ordinary course of business, the Company is a defendant in various legal proceedings and litigation. The Company records a liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. We do not believe these matters, when considered individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

The Company maintains insurance policies with insurers in amounts and with coverages and deductibles we believe are reasonable and prudent. However, the Company cannot assure that this insurance will be adequate to protect it from all material expenses related to current and potential future claims, legal proceedings and litigation, including the above mentioned action, as certain types of claims may be excluded from our insurance coverage. If we incur substantial liability and the damages are not covered by insurance, or are in excess of policy limits, or if we incur liability at a time when we are not able to obtain liability insurance, then our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Earnings Per Limited Partner Units

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Earnings Per Limited Partner Units

17) Earnings Per Limited Partner Units

The following table presents the net income allocation and per unit data in accordance with FASB ASC 260-10-45-60 Earnings per Share, Master Limited Partnerships (EITF 03-06):


Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Limited Partner:	Years Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except per unit data)	2017		2016		2015

Net income	$	26,900	$	44,934	$	37,556
Less General Partners’ interest in net income		156		252		212

Net income available to limited partners		26,744		44,682		37,344
Less dilutive impact of theoretical distribution of earnings under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60 *		914		4,534		3,318

Limited Partner’s interest in net income under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60	$	25,830	$	40,148	$	34,026

Per unit data:
Basic and diluted net income available to limited partners	$	0.48	$	0.78	$	0.65
Less dilutive impact of theoretical distribution of earnings under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60 *		0.02		0.08		0.06

Limited Partner’s interest in net income under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60	$	0.46	$	0.70	$	0.59

Weighted average number of Limited Partner units outstanding		55,888		57,022		57,285

In any accounting period where the Company’s aggregate net income exceeds its aggregate distribution for such period, the Company is required as per FASB ASC 260-10-45-60 to present net income per limited partner unit as if all of the earnings for the period were distributed, based on the terms of the Partnership agreement, regardless of whether those earnings would actually be distributed during a particular period from an economic or practical perspective. This allocation does not impact the Company’s overall net income or other financial results.

Selected Quarterly Financial Data

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Selected Quarterly Financial Data

18) Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)


	Three Months Ended
(in thousands—except per unit data)	Dec. 31, 2016		Mar. 31, 2017		Jun. 30, 2017			Sep. 30, 2017			Total
Sales	$	384,118	$	532,052	$	225,801		$	181,584		$	1,323,555
Gross profit for product, installation and service	$	118,038	$	184,685	$	63,309		$	42,467			408,499
Operating income (loss)	$	33,237	$	69,032	$	(19,811	)	$	(27,126	)		55,332
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	31,138	$	66,996	$	(21,766	)	$	(29,092	)		47,276
Net income (loss)	$	18,275	$	39,704	$	(13,332	)	$	(17,747	)		26,900
Limited Partner interest in net income (loss)	$	18,170	$	39,471	$	(13,253	)	$	(17,644	)		26,744
Net income (loss) per Limited Partner unit:
Basic and diluted (a)	$	0.28	$	0.59	$	(0.24	)	$	(0.32	)	$	0.46

	Three Months Ended
(in thousands—except per unit data)	Dec. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2016		Jun. 30, 2016			Sep. 30, 2016			Total
Sales	$	319,055	$	462,025	$	218,194		$	162,064		$	1,161,338
Gross profit for product, installation and service		106,041		183,303		61,354		$	41,799			392,497
Operating income (loss)		23,646		96,319		(2,955	)	$	(29,606	)		87,404
Income (loss) before income taxes		21,475		94,113		(4,993	)	$	(31,923	)		78,672
Net income (loss)		12,058		55,209		(3,238	)	$	(19,095	)		44,934
Limited Partner interest in net income (loss)		11,990		54,896		(3,219	)	$	(18,985	)		44,682
Net income (loss) per Limited Partner unit:
Basic and diluted (a)	$	0.19	$	0.79	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.34	)	$	0.70

(a) The sum of the quarters do not add-up to the total due to the weighting of Limited Partner Units outstanding, rounding or the theoretical effects of FASB ASC 260-10-45-60 to Master Limited Partners earnings per unit.

Subsequent Events

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Subsequent Events

19) Subsequent Events

Quarterly Distribution Declared

In October 2017, we declared a quarterly distribution of $0.11 per unit, or $0.44 per unit on an annualized basis, on all Common Units with respect to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, payable on October 31, 2017, to holders of record on October 23, 2017. In accordance with our Partnership Agreement, the amount of distributions in excess of the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.0675, are distributed 90% to Common Unit holders and 10% to the General Partner unit holders (until certain distribution levels are met), subject to the management incentive compensation plan. As a result, $6.1 million will be paid to the Common Unit holders, $0.2 million to the General Partner unit holders (including $0.1 million of incentive distribution as provided in our Partnership Agreement) and $0.1 million to management pursuant to the management incentive compensation plan which provides for certain members of management to receive incentive distributions that would otherwise be payable to the General Partner.

Loss Portfolio Transfer to our Captive Insurance Company

On October 11, 2017, we deposited $34.2 million of cash into an irrevocable trust to secure certain workers’ compensation, automobile and general liabilities for our captive insurance company. The cash was invested in Level 1 debt securities. Outstanding letters of credit issued to support these liabilities decreased by $36.6 million to $11.4 million as compared to the $48.0 million as of September 30, 2017.

Company Tax Treatment and Name Change

At a special meeting of unitholders held on October 25, 2017, our unitholders voted in favor of proposals to have the Company elect to be treated as a corporation, instead of a partnership, for federal income tax purposes (commonly referred to as a “check-the-box election”), along with amendments to our partnership agreement to effect such changes in income tax classification, in each case effective November 1, 2017. In addition, the Company changed its name, effective October 25, 2017, from “Star Gas Partners, L.P.” to “Star Group, L.P.” to more closely align our name with the scope of our product and service offerings. For tax years after December 31, 2017, unitholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV and will not receive a Schedule K-1 as in previous tax years. We will remain a Delaware limited partnership and the distribution provisions under our limited partnership agreement, including the incentive distributions, will not change.

Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

Schedule I

STAR GROUP, L.P. (PARENT COMPANY)

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT


	September 30,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Balance Sheets
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	54	$	324
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		207		199

Total current assets		261		523

Investment in subsidiaries (a)		306,016		301,368

Total Assets	$	306,277	$	301,891

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
Current liabilities
Accrued expenses	$	209	$	398

Total current liabilities		209		398

Partners’ capital		306,068		301,493

Total Liabilities and Partners’ Capital	$	306,277	$	301,891

(a)	Investments in Star Acquisitions, Inc. and subsidiaries are recorded in accordance with the equity method of accounting.

Schedule I

STAR GROUP, L.P. (PARENT COMPANY)

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT


	Years Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Statements of Operations
Revenues	$	—		$	—		$	—
General and administrative expenses		2,116			1,363			1,314

Operating loss		(2,116	)		(1,363	)		(1,314	)
Net interest expense		—			—			(10,342	)
Amortization of debt issuance costs		—			—			(521	)
Loss on redemption of debt		—			—			(7,345	)

Net loss before equity income		(2,116	)		(1,363	)		(19,522	)
Equity income of Star Petro Inc. and subs		29,016			46,297			57,078

Net income	$	26,900		$	44,934		$	37,556

Schedule I

STAR GROUP, L.P. (PARENT COMPANY)

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT


	Years Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Statements of Cash Flows
Cash flows provided by operating activities:

Net cash provided by operating activities (a)	$	24,052		$	35,109		$	152,537

Cash flows provided by investing activities:

Net cash provided by investing activities		—			—			—

Cash flows used in financing activities:
Distributions		(24,322	)		(23,092	)		(21,298	)
Redemption of debt		—			—			(130,548	)
Unit repurchase		—			(12,017	)		(691	)

Net cash used in financing activities		(24,322	)		(35,109	)		(152,537	)

Net decrease in cash		(270	)		—			—
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		324			324			324

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	54		$	324		$	324



(a) Includes distributions from subsidiaries	$	24,052		$	35,109		$	152,537

- Definition

The entire disclosure for condensed financial information, including the financial position, cash flows, and the results of operations of the registrant (parent company) as of the same dates or for the same periods for which audited consolidated financial statements are being presented. Alternatively, the details of this disclosure can be reported by the specific parent company taxonomy elements, indicating the appropriate date and period contexts in an instance document.

+ References + Details

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

STAR GROUP, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Schedule II

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Years Ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015

(in thousands)


Year	Description	Balance at Beginning of Year		Charged to Costs & Expenses			Other Changes Add (Deduct)	Balance at End of Year
2017	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	4,419	$	1,639		$ (518)(a)	$	5,540
2016	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	6,713	$	(639	)	$(1,655)(a)	$	4,419
2015	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	9,220	$	3,738		$(6,245)(a)	$	6,713

^(a)	Bad debts written off (net of recoveries).

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2017
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Star Group, L.P. and its subsidiaries. All material intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income consists of the unrealized gain amortization on the Company’s pension plan obligation for its two frozen defined benefit pension plans, and the corresponding tax effect.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Sales of petroleum products are recognized at the time of delivery to the customer and sales of heating and air conditioning equipment are recognized upon completion of installation. Revenue from repairs, maintenance and other services are recognized upon completion of the service. Payments received from customers for equipment service contracts are deferred and amortized into income over the terms of the respective service contracts, on a straight-line basis, which generally do not exceed one year. To the extent that the Company anticipates that future costs for fulfilling its contractual obligations under its service maintenance contracts will exceed the amount of deferred revenue currently attributable to these contracts, the Company recognizes a loss in current period earnings equal to the amount that anticipated future costs exceed related deferred revenues.
Cost of Product	Cost of Product Cost of product includes the cost of home heating oil, diesel, propane, kerosene, heavy oil, gasoline, throughput costs, barging costs, option costs, and realized gains/losses on closed derivative positions for product sales.
Cost of Installations and Services	Cost of Installations and Services Cost of installations and services includes equipment and material costs, wages and benefits for equipment technicians, dispatchers and other support personnel, subcontractor expenses, commissions and vehicle related costs.
Delivery and Branch Expenses	Delivery and Branch Expenses Delivery and branch expenses include wages and benefits and department related costs for drivers, dispatchers, garage mechanics, customer service, sales and marketing, compliance, credit and branch accounting, information technology, vehicle and property rental costs, insurance, weather hedge contract costs and recoveries, and operational management and support.
General and Administrative Expenses	General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expenses include property rental costs, wages and benefits and department related costs for human resources, finance and corporate accounting, internal audit, administrative support and supply.
Allocation of Net Income	Allocation of Net Income Net income for partners’ capital and statement of operations is allocated to the general partner and the limited partners in accordance with their respective ownership percentages, after giving effect to cash distributions paid to the general partner in excess of its ownership interest, if any.
Net Income per Limited Partner Unit	Net Income per Limited Partner Unit Income per limited partner unit is computed in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 260-10-05 Earnings Per Share, Master Limited Partnerships (EITF 03-06), by dividing the limited partners’ interest in net income by the weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding. The pro forma nature of the allocation required by this standard provides that in any accounting period where the Company’s aggregate net income exceeds its aggregate distribution for such period, the Company is required to present net income per limited partner unit as if all of the earnings for the periods were distributed, regardless of whether those earnings would actually be distributed during a particular period from an economic or practical perspective. This allocation does not impact the Company’s overall net income or other financial results. However, for periods in which the Company’s aggregate net income exceeds its aggregate distributions for such period, it will have the impact of reducing the earnings per limited partner unit, as the calculation according to this standard results in a theoretical increased allocation of undistributed earnings to the general partner. In accounting periods where aggregate net income does not exceed aggregate distributions for such period, this standard does not have any impact on the Company’s net income per limited partner unit calculation. A separate and independent calculation for each quarter and year-to-date period is performed, in which the Company’s contractual participation rights are taken into account.
Cash Equivalents, Receivables, Revolving Credit Facility Borrowings, and Accounts Payable	Cash Equivalents, Receivables, Revolving Credit Facility Borrowings, and Accounts Payable The carrying amount of cash equivalents, receivables, revolving credit facility borrowings, and accounts payable approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash	Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents. At September 30, 2017, the $52.7 million of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows is composed of $52.5 million of cash and cash equivalents and $0.3 million of restricted cash. Restricted cash represents deposits held by our captive insurance company that are required by state insurance regulations to remain in the captive insurance company as cash.
Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Accounts receivables from customers are recorded at the invoiced amounts. Finance charges may be applied to trade receivables that are more than 30 days past due, and are recorded as finance charge income. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of trade receivables that may not be collectible. The allowance is determined at an aggregate level by grouping accounts based on certain account criteria and its receivable aging. The allowance is based on both quantitative and qualitative factors, including historical loss experience, historical collection patterns, overdue status, aging trends, and current economic conditions. The Company has an established process to periodically review current and past due trade receivable balances to determine the adequacy of the allowance. No single statistic or measurement determines the adequacy of the allowance. The total allowance reflects management’s estimate of losses inherent in its trade receivables at the balance sheet date. Different assumptions or changes in economic conditions could result in material changes to the allowance for doubtful accounts.
Inventories	Inventories Liquid product inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the weighted average cost method of accounting. All other inventories, representing parts and equipment are stated at the lower of cost or market using the FIFO method.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets using the straight-line method over three to thirty years.
Investments	Investments The investments are held by our captive insurance company in an irrevocable trust as collateral for workers’ compensation and automobile liability claims incurred and expected to be incurred in fiscal 2017. The collateral is required by a third party insurance carrier that insures per claim amounts above a set deductible. Due to the expected timing of claim payments, the nature of the collateral agreement with the carrier, and our captive insurance company’s source of other operating cash, the collateral is not expected to be used to pay obligations within the next twelve months. Investments are currently comprised of $11.3 million of Level 1 debt securities measured at fair value and $0.5 million of mutual funds measured at net asset value. See Note 19 – Subsequent Events for discussion of investment activity after September 30, 2017.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill and intangible assets include goodwill, customer lists, trade names and covenants not to compete. Goodwill is the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets in the acquisition of a company. In accordance with FASB ASC 350-10-05 Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but instead are annually tested for impairment. Also in accordance with this standard, intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment. The Company performs its annual impairment review during its fiscal fourth quarter or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the value of goodwill might be impaired. Customer lists are the names and addresses of an acquired company’s customers. Based on historical retention experience, these lists are amortized on a straight-line basis over seven to ten years. Trade names are the names of acquired companies. Based on the economic benefit expected and historical retention experience of customers, trade names are amortized on a straight-line basis over seven to twenty years.
Business Combinations	Business Combinations We use the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with FASB ASC 805 Business Combinations. The acquisition method of accounting requires us to use significant estimates and assumptions, including fair value estimates, as of the business combination date, and to refine those estimates as necessary during the measurement period (defined as the period, not to exceed one year, in which the amounts recognized for a business combination may be adjusted). Each acquired company’s operating results are included in our consolidated financial statements starting on the date of acquisition. The purchase price is equivalent to the fair value of consideration transferred. Tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition are recorded at the acquisition date fair value. The separately identifiable intangible assets generally are comprised of customer lists, trade names and covenants not to compete. Goodwill is recognized for the excess of the purchase price over the net fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Costs that are incurred to complete the business combination such as legal and other professional fees are not considered part of consideration transferred, and are charged to general and administrative expense as they are incurred. For any given acquisition, certain contingent consideration may be identified. Estimates of the fair value of liability or asset classified contingent consideration are included under the acquisition method as part of the assets acquired or liabilities assumed. At each reporting date, these estimates are remeasured to fair value, with changes recognized in earnings.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets	Impairment of Long-lived Assets The Company reviews intangible assets and other long-lived assets in accordance with FASB ASC 360-10-05-4 Property Plant and Equipment, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets subsection, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company determines whether the carrying values of such assets are recoverable over their remaining estimated lives through undiscounted future cash flow analysis. If such a review should indicate that the carrying amount of the assets is not recoverable, the Company will reduce the carrying amount of such assets to fair value.
Deferred Charges	Deferred Charges Deferred charges represent the costs associated with the issuance of the revolving credit facility and are amortized over the life of the facility.
Advertising and Direct Mail Expenses	Advertising and Direct Mail Expenses Advertising and direct mail costs are expensed as they are incurred. Advertising and direct mail expenses were $15.1 million, $14.9 million, and $14.5 million, in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively and are recorded in delivery and branch expenses.
Customer Credit Balances	Customer Credit Balances Customer credit balances represent payments received in advance from customers pursuant to a balanced payment plan (whereby customers pay on a fixed monthly basis) and the payments made have exceeded the charges for liquid product and other services.
Environmental Costs	Environmental Costs Costs associated with managing hazardous substances and pollution are expensed on a current basis. Accruals are made for costs associated with the remediation of environmental pollution when it becomes probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
Insurance Reserves	Insurance Reserves The Company uses a combination of insurance, self-insured retention and self-insurance for a number of risks, including workers’ compensation, general liability, vehicle liability, medical liability and property. Reserves are established and periodically evaluated, based upon expectations as to what our ultimate liability may be for outstanding claims using developmental factors based upon historical claim experience, including frequency, severity, demographic factors and other actuarial assumptions, supplemented with support from qualified actuaries.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Prior to November 1, 2017, Star was a master limited partnership and was not subject to tax at the entity level for Federal and State income tax purposes. While Star generated non-qualifying master limited partnership revenue through its corporate subsidiaries, distributions from the corporate subsidiaries to Star are generally included in the determination of qualified master limited partnership income. All or a portion of the distributions received by the Company from the corporate subsidiaries could be a dividend or capital gain to the partners. See Note 19-Subsequent Events for discussion of Company’s tax election effective November 1, 2017. The accompanying financial statements are reported on a fiscal year, however, the Company and its Corporate subsidiaries file Federal and State income tax returns on a calendar year. As most of the Company’s income is derived from its corporate subsidiaries, these financial statements reflect significant Federal and State income taxes. For corporate subsidiaries of the Company, a consolidated Federal income tax return is filed. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss carry-forwards. 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. A valuation allowance is recognized if, based on the weight of available evidence including historical tax losses, it is more likely than not that some or all of deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Sales, Use and Value Added Taxes	Sales, Use and Value Added Taxes Taxes are assessed by various governmental authorities on many different types of transactions. Sales reported for product, installations and services exclude taxes.
Derivatives and Hedging	Derivatives and Hedging FASB ASC 815-10-05 Derivatives and Hedging, requires that derivative instruments be recorded at fair value and included in the consolidated balance sheet as assets or liabilities. The Company has elected not to designate its derivative instruments as hedging instruments under this guidance, and the changes in fair value of the derivative instruments are recognized in our statement of operations.
Weather Hedge Contract	Weather Hedge Contract To partially mitigate the effect of weather on cash flows, the Company has used weather hedge contracts for a number of years. Weather hedge contracts are recorded in accordance with the intrinsic value method defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815-45-15 Derivatives and Hedging, Weather Derivatives (EITF 99-2). The premium paid is included in the caption prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying balance sheets and amortized over the life of the contract, with the intrinsic value method applied at each interim period. For fiscal years 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Company had weather hedge contracts that cover the five month period from November 1, through March 31, taken as a whole, for each respective fiscal year. The ultimate amount due to the Company (if any) was based on the entire five month accumulated calculation for the hedge period and had a maximum payout of $12.5 million for each respective fiscal year. During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company recorded a credit of $12.5 million under this contract that reduced delivery and branch expenses. This amount was collected in April 2016. No credit was recorded during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The update requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of being presented as an asset. The Company retrospectively adopted the ASU effective December 31, 2016. As a result of the adoption, certain prior year balances (September 30, 2016) changed to conform to the current year presentation as follows: deferred charges and other assets, net decreased from $11.9 million to $11.1 million and long-term debt decreased from $76.3 million to $75.4 million. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments, which requires an acquiring entity to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The acquiring entity is required to record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. In addition, the acquiring entity is to present separately on the face of its income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods as if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The Company adopted the ASU effective December 31, 2016. The adoption of ASU No. 2015-16 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flow (Topic 230): Restricted cash. The update requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted the ASU effective December 31, 2016. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-18 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The FASB has also issued several updates to ASU 2014-09. This ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective. This new guidance is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, with early adoption permitted beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is in the process of evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its revenue streams, consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method, nor does it intend to early adopt. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The update changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and net realizable value. This new guidance is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect ASU No. 2015-11 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. The update requires all leases with a term greater than twelve months to be recognized on the balance sheet by calculating the discounted present value of such leases and accounting for them through a right-of-use asset and an offsetting lease liability, and the disclosure of key information pertaining to leasing arrangements. This new guidance is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not intend to early adopt. The Company is continuing to evaluate the effect that ASU No. 2016-02 could have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, but has not yet selected a transition method. The new guidance will materially change how we account for operating leases for office space, trucks and other equipment. Upon adoption, we expect to recognize discounted right-of-use assets and offsetting lease liabilities related to our operating leases of office space, trucks and other equipment. As of September 30, 2017, the undiscounted future minimum lease payments through 2032 for such operating leases are approximately $134.3 million, but what amount of leasing activity is expected between September 30, 2017, and the date of adoption, are currently unknown. For this reason we are unable to estimate the discounted right-of-use assets and lease liabilities as of the date of adoption. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. The update broadens the information that an entity should consider in developing expected credit loss estimates, eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold, and allows for the immediate recognition of the full amount of expected credit losses. This new guidance is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, with early adoption permitted in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU No. 2016-13 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, but has not yet determined the timing of adoption. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flow (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The update addresses the issues of debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. This new guidance is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company has not determined the timing of adoption, but does not expect ASU 2016-15 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the definition of a business. The update clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This new guidance is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company has not determined the timing of adoption, but does not expect ASU 2017-01 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 230): Simplifying the test for goodwill impairment. The update simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, but not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. This new guidance is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, with early adoption permitted. The Company has not determined the timing of adoption, but does not expect ASU 2017-04 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Common Unit Repurchase Plans and Retirement (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Company's Repurchase Activities

The following table shows repurchases under Plan III.

(in thousands, except per unit amounts)


Period	Total Number of Units Purchased (a)		Average Price Paid per Unit (b)		Maximum Number of Units that May Yet Be Purchased
Plan III—Number of units authorized						4,894
Private transaction—Number of units authorized						2,450

						7,344

Plan III—Fiscal years 2012 to 2016 total (c)		5,137	$	5.78		2,207

Plan III—Fiscal year 2017 total		—	$	—		2,207

Plan III—October and November 2017		—	$	—		2,207

(a)	Units were repurchased as part of a publicly announced program, except as noted in a private transaction.

(b)	Amounts include repurchase costs.

(c)	Includes 2.45 million common units acquired in private transactions.

Derivatives and Hedging-Disclosures and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Company's Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are listed on the following table.


(In thousands)					Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Under FASB ASC 815-10	Balance Sheet Location	Total			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1			Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2
Asset Derivatives at September 30, 2017
Commodity contracts	Fair asset and fair liability value of derivative instruments	$	7,729		$	—		$	7,729
Commodity contracts	Long-term derivative assets included in the deferred charges and other assets, net balance		996			—			996

Commodity contract assets at September 30, 2017		$	8,725		$	—		$	8,725

Liability Derivatives at September 30, 2017
Commodity contracts	Fair liability and fair asset value of derivative instruments	$	(2,086	)	$	—		$	(2,086	)
Commodity contracts	Cash collateral		—			—			—
Commodity contracts	Long-term derivative liabilities included in the deferred charges and other assets, net and other long-term liabilities balances		(731	)		—			(731	)

Commodity contract liabilities at September 30, 2017		$	(2,817	)	$	—		$	(2,817	)

Asset Derivatives at September 30, 2016
Commodity contracts	Fair asset and fair liability value of derivative instruments	$	11,692		$	—		$	11,692
Commodity contracts	Long-term derivative assets included in the other long-term liabilities balance		1,369			481			888

Commodity contract assets at September 30, 2016		$	13,061		$	481		$	12,580

Liability Derivatives at September 30, 2016
Commodity contracts	Fair liability and fair asset value of derivative instruments	$	(9,990	)	$	(1,603	)	$	(8,387	)
Commodity contracts	Cash collateral		—			—			—
Commodity contracts	Long-term derivative liabilities included in the other long-term liabilities balance		(565	)		(484	)		(81	)

Commodity contract liabilities at September 30, 2016			$(10,555)			$(2,087)			$(8,468)

Company's Derivatives Assets (Liabilities) Offset by Counterparty

The Company’s derivative assets (liabilities) offset by counterparty and subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement are listed on the following table.


(In thousands)									Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
Offsetting of Financial Assets (Liabilities) and Derivative Assets (Liabilities)	Gross Assets Recognized		Gross Liabilities Offset in the Statement of Financial Position			Net Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Statement of Financial Position			Financial Instruments		Cash Collateral Received		Net Amount
Fair asset value of derivative instruments	$	6,023	$	(91	)	$	5,932		$	—	$	—	$	5,932
Long-term derivative assets included in other long-term assets, net		996		(730	)		266			—		—		266
Fair liability value of derivative instruments		1,706		(1,995	)		(289	)		—		—		(289	)
Long-term derivative liabilities included in other long-term liabilities, net		—		(1	)		(1	)		—		—		(1	)

Total at September 30, 2017	$	8,725	$	(2,817	)	$	5,908		$	—	$	—	$	5,908

Fair asset value of derivative instruments	$	7,716	$	(3,729	)	$	3,987		$	—	$	—	$	3,987
Long-term derivative assets included in other long-term assets, net		888		(81	)		807			—		—		807
Fair liability value of derivative instruments		3,976		(6,261	)		(2,285	)		—		—		(2,285	)
Long-term derivative liabilities included in other long-term liabilities, net		481		(484	)		(3	)		—		—		(3	)

Total at September 30, 2016	$	13,061	$	(10,555	)	$	2,506		$	—	$	—	$	2,506

Company's Derivatives Assets (Liabilities) Offset by Counterparty

The Company’s derivative assets (liabilities) offset by counterparty and subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement are listed on the following table.


(In thousands)									Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
Offsetting of Financial Assets (Liabilities) and Derivative Assets (Liabilities)	Gross Assets Recognized		Gross Liabilities Offset in the Statement of Financial Position			Net Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Statement of Financial Position			Financial Instruments		Cash Collateral Received		Net Amount
Fair asset value of derivative instruments	$	6,023	$	(91	)	$	5,932		$	—	$	—	$	5,932
Long-term derivative assets included in other long-term assets, net		996		(730	)		266			—		—		266
Fair liability value of derivative instruments		1,706		(1,995	)		(289	)		—		—		(289	)
Long-term derivative liabilities included in other long-term liabilities, net		—		(1	)		(1	)		—		—		(1	)

Total at September 30, 2017	$	8,725	$	(2,817	)	$	5,908		$	—	$	—	$	5,908

Fair asset value of derivative instruments	$	7,716	$	(3,729	)	$	3,987		$	—	$	—	$	3,987
Long-term derivative assets included in other long-term assets, net		888		(81	)		807			—		—		807
Fair liability value of derivative instruments		3,976		(6,261	)		(2,285	)		—		—		(2,285	)
Long-term derivative liabilities included in other long-term liabilities, net		481		(484	)		(3	)		—		—		(3	)

Total at September 30, 2016	$	13,061	$	(10,555	)	$	2,506		$	—	$	—	$	2,506

Company's Effect on Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations


(In thousands)
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations
		Amount of (Gain) or Loss Recognized Years Ended September 30,
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Under FASB ASC 815-10	Location of (Gain) or Loss Recognized in Income on Derivative	2017			2016			2015
Commodity contracts	Cost of product (a)	$	6,386		$	16,977		$	13,368
Commodity contracts	Cost of installations and service (a)	$	(526	)	$	949		$	1,831
Commodity contracts	Delivery and branch expenses (a)	$	(422	)	$	2,405		$	2,098
Commodity contracts	(Increase) / decrease in the fair value of derivative instruments (b)	$	(2,193	)	$	(18,217	)	$	4,187

(a)	Represents realized closed positions and includes the cost of options as they expire.

(b)	Represents the change in value of unrealized open positions and expired options.

Inventories (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Components of Inventory

The components of inventory were as follows (in thousands):


	September 30,
	2017		2016
Product	$	37,941	$	25,419
Parts and equipment		21,655		20,475

Total inventory	$	59,596	$	45,894

Property and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Component of Property and Equipment

The components of property and equipment were as follows (in thousands):


	September 30,
	2017		2016
Land and land improvements	$	18,127	$	17,645
Buildings and leasehold improvements		34,175		32,203
Fleet and other equipment		62,500		57,601
Tanks and equipment		41,744		34,035
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment		44,766		42,595

Total		201,312		184,079
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		121,639		113,669

Property and equipment, net	$	79,673	$	70,410

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Summary of Changes in the Company's Goodwill

A summary of changes in the Company’s goodwill during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 are as follows (in thousands):


Balance as of September 30, 2015	$	211,045
Fiscal year 2016 business combinations		1,715

Balance as of September 30, 2016		212,760
Fiscal year 2017 business combinations		13,155

Balance as of September 30, 2017	$	225,915

Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization

Intangible assets subject to amortization consist of the following (in thousands):


	September 30,
	2017								2016
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accum. Amortization		Net		Gross Carrying Amount		Accum. Amortization		Net
Customer lists	$	346,784	$	264,632	$	82,152	$	327,388	$	250,427	$	76,961
Trade names and other intangibles		32,047		8,981		23,066		27,134		6,439		20,695

Total	$	378,831	$	273,613	$	105,218	$	354,522	$	256,866	$	97,656

Estimated Annual Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization

Total estimated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization, for the year ended September 30, 2018 and the four succeeding fiscal years ended September 30, is as follows (in thousands):


	Amount
2018	$	18,483
2019	$	16,859
2020	$	15,095
2021	$	12,374
2022	$	10,349

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Components of Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

The components of accrued expenses and other current liabilities were as follows (in thousands):


	September 30,
	2017		2016
Accrued wages and benefits	$	24,425	$	22,237
Accrued insurance and environmental costs		68,760		70,037
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities		15,264		11,581

Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	108,449	$	103,855

Long-Term Debt and Bank Facility Borrowings (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Partnership's Debt


	September 30,
The Partnership’s debt is as follows	2017				2016
(in thousands):
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Revolving Credit Facility Borrowings	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Senior Secured Term Loan		75,717		76,300		91,641		92,500

Total debt	$	75,717	$	76,300	$	91,641	$	92,500

Total short-term portion of debt	$	10,000	$	10,000	$	16,200	$	16,200

Total long-term portion of debt	$	65,717	$	66,300	$	75,441	$	76,300

Maturities Including Working Capital Borrowings and Expected Repayments Due to Excess Cash Flow


2018	$	10,000
2019	$	10,000
2020	$	56,300
Thereafter	$	—

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84159872&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75038535&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84159872&loc=d3e21538-112644

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84159872&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84159872&loc=d3e21521-112644

+ Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Participation and Contributions to Multiemployer Pension Plans

Pension Protection
Act Zone
Status

FIP / RP Status

Partnership
Contributions
(in thousands)

Pension Fund

EIN /
Pension Plan
Number

2017

2016

Pending / Implemented

2017

2016

2015

Surcharge
Imposed

Expiration Date
of Collective-
Bargaining
Agreements

New England Teamsters and Trucking Industry Pension Fund

04-6372430
/ 001

Red

Yes / Implemented

2,621

2,507

3,183

04/30/18 to
09/30/2022

Westchester Teamsters Pension Fund

13-6123973
/ 001

Green

N/A

924

865

877

01/31/19 to
12/31/19

Local 553 Pension Fund

13-6637826
/ 001

Green

N/A

2,780

2,645

2,838

12/15/19 to
01/15/20

Local 463 Pension Fund

11-1800729
/ 001

Green

N/A

150

148

171

06/30/19 to
02/28/20

All Other Multiemployer Pension Plans

2,465

2,218

2,149

Total Contributions

8,940

8,383

9,218

Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Period Reconciliation of Changes in Plan Assets Projected Benefit Obligations and Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income


Debit / (Credit)	Net Periodic Pension Cost in Income Statement			Cash			Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets			Projected Benefit Obligation			Other Comprehensive (Income) / Loss			Gross Pension Related Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Fiscal Year 2015
Beginning balance							$	65,379		$	(70,482	)				$	26,598

Interest cost		2,762									(2,762	)
Actual return on plan assets		(679	)					679
Employer contributions					(1,743	)		1,743
Benefit payments								(4,013	)		4,013
Investment and other expenses		(577	)								577
Difference between actual and expected return on plan assets		(2,259	)											2,259
Anticipated expenses		327									(327	)
Actuarial gain											1,860			(1,860	)
Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial loss		2,226												(2,226	)

Annual cost/change	$	1,800		$	(1,743	)		(1,591	)		3,361		$	(1,827	)		(1,827	)

Ending balance							$	63,788		$	(67,121	)				$	24,771

Funded status at the end of the year										$	(3,333	)

Fiscal Year 2016
Interest cost		2,622									(2,622	)
Actual return on plan assets		(8,595	)					8,595
Employer contributions					(17	)		17
Benefit payments								(4,124	)		4,124
Investment and other expenses		(362	)								362
Difference between actual and expected return on plan assets		5,579												(5,579	)
Anticipated expenses		319									(319	)
Actuarial loss											(5,103	)		5,103
Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial loss		2,591												(2,591	)

Annual cost/change	$	2,154		$	(17	)		4,488			(3,558	)	$	(3,067	)		(3,067	)

Ending balance							$	68,276		$	(70,679	)				$	21,704

Funded status at the end of the year										$	(2,403	)

Fiscal Year 2017
Interest cost		2,251									(2,251	)
Actual return on plan assets		(1,473	)					1,473
Employer contributions					(505	)		505
Benefit payments								(4,578	)		4,578
Investment and other expenses		(455	)								455
Difference between actual and expected return on plan assets		(1,232	)											1,232
Anticipated expenses		341									(341	)
Actuarial gain											2,457			(2,457	)
Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial loss		2,131												(2,131	)

Annual cost/change	$	1,563		$	(505	)		(2,600	)		4,898		$	(3,356	)		(3,356	)

Ending balance							$	65,676		$	(65,781	)				$	18,348

Funded status at the end of the year										$	(105	)

Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in Measurement of Partnership's Benefit Obligation


	September 30,
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in the Measurement of the Partnership’s Benefit Obligation	2017			2016			2015
Discount rate at year end date		3.60	%		3.30	%		4.05	%
Expected return on plan assets for the year ended		4.80	%		5.50	%		5.50	%
Rate of compensation increase		N/A			N/A			N/A

Fair Values and Percentage of Company's Pension Plan Assets by Asset Category

The fair values and percentage of the Company’s pension plan assets by asset category are as follows (in thousands):


	September 30,
	2017					2016
			Concentration					Concentration
Asset Category	Level 1		Percentage			Level 1		Percentage
Corporate and U.S. government bond fund (1)	$	52,735		80	%	$	54,267		79	%
U.S. large-cap equity (1)		9,270		14	%		10,207		15	%
International equity (1)		3,063		5	%		3,118		5	%
Cash		608		1	%		684		1	%

Total	$	65,676		100	%	$	68,276		100	%

(1) Represent investments in Vanguard funds that seek to replicate the asset category description.

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Components of Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense is comprised of the following for the indicated periods (in thousands):


	Years Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2015
Current:
Federal	$	7,578	$	18,724	$	28,793
State		2,664		5,344		8,143
Deferred
Federal		8,775		7,485		(3,719	)
State		1,359		2,185		(382	)

	$	20,376	$	33,738	$	32,835

Provision for Income Taxes Differs from Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes differs from income taxes computed at the Federal statutory rate as a result of the following (in thousands):


	Years Ended September 30,
	2017			2016			2015
Income from continuing operations before taxes	$	47,276		$	78,672		$	70,391

Provision for income taxes:
Tax at Federal statutory rate	$	16,546		$	27,535		$	24,637
Impact of Partnership loss not subject to federal income taxes		741			477			3,228
State taxes net of federal benefit		3,170			5,672			4,922
Permanent differences		89			80			78
Deferred tax benefit		—			—			(3,179	)
Change in valuation allowance		115			26			3,027
Change in unrecognized tax benefit		—			—			81
Other		(285	)		(52	)		41

	$	20,376		$	33,738		$	32,835

Components of Net Deferred Taxes

The components of the net deferred taxes for the years ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 using current tax rates are as follows (in thousands):


	September 30,
	2017			2016
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	$	5,374		$	5,791
Vacation accrual		3,542			3,367
Pension accrual		7,455			8,549
Allowance for bad debts		2,166			1,728
Insurance accrual		19,914			25,828
Inventory capitalization		895			1,128
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward		—			266
Other, net		2,242			2,512

Total deferred tax assets		41,588			49,169
Valuation allowance		(3,168	)		(3,053	)

Net deferred tax assets	$	38,420		$	46,116

Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	$	8,001		$	3,999
Fair value of derivative instruments		1,683			788
Intangibles		34,876			35,976

Total deferred tax liabilities	$	44,560		$	40,763

Net deferred taxes	$	(6,140	)	$	5,353

Lease Commitments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Future Minimum Rental Commitments

The future minimum rental commitments at September 30, 2017 under operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable term of one year or more are as follows (in thousands):


2018		19,502
2019		19,315
2020		17,284
2021		14,859
2022		11,282
Thereafter		52,052

Total future minimum lease payments	$	134,294

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information


	Years Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes, net	$	4,434	$	22,570	$	38,265
Interest	$	7,814	$	7,785	$	16,950
Non-cash investing activities:
Acquisition of NYC heating oil customer list	$	—	$	—	$	886
Non-cash financing activities:
Increase in interest expense—amortization of debt discount on 8.875% Senior Notes	$	—	$	—	$	112

Earnings Per Limited Partner Units (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Net Income Allocation and Per Unit Data

The following table presents the net income allocation and per unit data in accordance with FASB ASC 260-10-45-60 Earnings per Share, Master Limited Partnerships (EITF 03-06):


Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Limited Partner:	Years Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except per unit data)	2017		2016		2015

Net income	$	26,900	$	44,934	$	37,556
Less General Partners’ interest in net income		156		252		212

Net income available to limited partners		26,744		44,682		37,344
Less dilutive impact of theoretical distribution of earnings under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60 *		914		4,534		3,318

Limited Partner’s interest in net income under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60	$	25,830	$	40,148	$	34,026

Per unit data:
Basic and diluted net income available to limited partners	$	0.48	$	0.78	$	0.65
Less dilutive impact of theoretical distribution of earnings under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60 *		0.02		0.08		0.06

Limited Partner’s interest in net income under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60	$	0.46	$	0.70	$	0.59

Weighted average number of Limited Partner units outstanding		55,888		57,022		57,285

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Selected Quarterly Financial Data


	Three Months Ended
(in thousands—except per unit data)	Dec. 31, 2016		Mar. 31, 2017		Jun. 30, 2017			Sep. 30, 2017			Total
Sales	$	384,118	$	532,052	$	225,801		$	181,584		$	1,323,555
Gross profit for product, installation and service	$	118,038	$	184,685	$	63,309		$	42,467			408,499
Operating income (loss)	$	33,237	$	69,032	$	(19,811	)	$	(27,126	)		55,332
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	31,138	$	66,996	$	(21,766	)	$	(29,092	)		47,276
Net income (loss)	$	18,275	$	39,704	$	(13,332	)	$	(17,747	)		26,900
Limited Partner interest in net income (loss)	$	18,170	$	39,471	$	(13,253	)	$	(17,644	)		26,744
Net income (loss) per Limited Partner unit:
Basic and diluted (a)	$	0.28	$	0.59	$	(0.24	)	$	(0.32	)	$	0.46

	Three Months Ended
(in thousands—except per unit data)	Dec. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2016		Jun. 30, 2016			Sep. 30, 2016			Total
Sales	$	319,055	$	462,025	$	218,194		$	162,064		$	1,161,338
Gross profit for product, installation and service		106,041		183,303		61,354		$	41,799			392,497
Operating income (loss)		23,646		96,319		(2,955	)	$	(29,606	)		87,404
Income (loss) before income taxes		21,475		94,113		(4,993	)	$	(31,923	)		78,672
Net income (loss)		12,058		55,209		(3,238	)	$	(19,095	)		44,934
Limited Partner interest in net income (loss)		11,990		54,896		(3,219	)	$	(18,985	)		44,682
Net income (loss) per Limited Partner unit:
Basic and diluted (a)	$	0.19	$	0.79	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.34	)	$	0.70

Organization - Additional Information (Detail) shares in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 Customer shares	Sep. 30, 2016 shares	Sep. 30, 2015 shares	Sep. 30, 2014 shares
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Percentage of limited partner interest		99.40%
Percentage of general partner interest		0.60%
Common Stock
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Number of outstanding units \| shares		55,887	55,887	57,282	57,405
Third Amendment
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Non Seasonal maximum borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility \| $	$ 300,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity (heating season December to April) under revolving credit facility \| $	$ 450,000,000
Due date of debt	Jul. 30, 2020
Third Amendment \| Term Loan
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Senior secured term loan maturity period	5 years
Star Acquisitions, Inc
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Ownership interest of partnership		100.00%
Petro Holdings, Inc
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Ownership interest of Star Acquisitions Inc.		100.00%
Number of full-service residential and commercial home heating oil and propane customers served		455,000
Number of customers to whom only home heating oil, gasoline and diesel fuel were sold on a delivery only basis		74,000
Number of customers to whom ancillary services were provided		31,000
Petroleum Heat and Power Co., Inc.
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Ownership interest of partnership		100.00%
General Partner
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Number of outstanding units \| shares		326	326	326	326

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash		$ 52,708,000	$ 139,188,000	$ 100,508,000	$ 48,999,000
Cash and cash equivalents		52,458,000	139,188,000
Restricted cash		250,000
Advertising and direct mail expenses		15,100,000	14,900,000	$ 14,500,000
Deferred charges and other assets, net		9,843,000	11,074,000
Long-term debt		$ 65,717,000	75,441,000
Operating lease expiration year		2032
Undiscounted future minimum lease payments through 2032		$ 134,300,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Investments, debt securities		11,300,000
Accounting Standards Update 2015-03
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Deferred charges and other assets, net			11,074,000
Long-term debt			75,411,000
Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 \| Scenario, Previously Reported
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Deferred charges and other assets, net			11,900,000
Long-term debt			$ 76,300,000
Subsidiaries of Swiss Re
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Derivative maximum payout		12,500,000
Subsidiaries of Swiss Re \| Delivery and branch expenses
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Credit on weather hedge contract	$ 12,500,000	$ 0
Maximum
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash equivalents, highly liquid investments maturity		3 months
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives		30 years
Maximum \| Customer Lists
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets, amortization period		10 years
Maximum \| Trade Names
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets, amortization period		20 years
Minimum
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives		3 years
Minimum \| Customer Lists
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets, amortization period		7 years
Minimum \| Trade Names
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets, amortization period		7 years
Mutual Funds
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Investments, net asset value		$ 500,000

Quarterly Distribution of Available Cash - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Selected Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Minimum distribution of available cash per unit	$ 0.0675
Common units distribution amount on annualized basis	$ 0.27
First tier, percentage of cash distribution to common units minimum quarterly distribution	100.00%
Second tier, percentage of available cash distribution to common units for any arrearages	100.00%
Third tier, percentage of available cash distribution to general partner unit holder until minimum quarterly distribution is met	100.00%
Fourth tier, percentage of distributions to common unit holders until first target distribution is met	90.00%
Fourth tier, percentage of distributions to general partner unit holder until first target distribution is met	10.00%
First target distribution	$ 0.1125
Thereafter, percentage of distributions to common unit holders after first target distribution is met	80.00%
Thereafter, percentage of distributions to general partner unit holders after first target distribution is met	20.00%
Percentage of excess availability of revolving commitment that must be maintained	15.00%
Fixed charge coverage ratio that must be maintained to make distributions	1.15
Annual cash distributions declared per common unit	$ 0.425	$ 0.395	$ 0.365
General partner incentive distributions exclusive of amounts paid subject to management incentive plan	$ 0.5	$ 0.4	$ 0.3

Common Unit Repurchase Plans and Retirement - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands	Jul. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2017	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Company's common units authorized for repurchase		7,344
Third Amendment
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Availability required to repurchase common units	$ 45,000,000
Percentage of the maximum facility size on a historical proforma and forward-looking basis	15.00%
Non Seasonal maximum borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility	$ 300,000,000
Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio for distributions to unit holders or to repurchase common units	115.00%
Initial Common Units Authorized Plan III Common Units Repurchase Program
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Company's common units authorized for repurchase				3,000
Additional Common Units Authorized Plan III Common Units Repurchase Program
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Company's common units authorized for repurchase			1,900

Company's Repurchase Activities (Detail) - $ / shares
shares in Thousands

60 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Nov. 30, 2017

Oct. 31, 2017

Sep. 30, 2017

Capital Unit [Line Items]

Company's common units authorized for repurchase

7,344

Plan III Common Units Repurchase Program

Capital Unit [Line Items]

Company's common units authorized for repurchase

4,894

Total Number of Units Purchased

^[1],[2]

5,137

Average Price Paid per Unit

^[1],[3]

$ 5.78

Maximum Number of Units that May Yet Be Purchased

2,207

^[1]

2,207

Private Transaction

Capital Unit [Line Items]

Company's common units authorized for repurchase

2,450

[1]	Includes 2.45 million common units acquired in private transactions.
[2]	Units were repurchased as part of a publicly announced program, except as noted in a private transaction.
[3]	Amounts include repurchase costs.

Company's Repurchase Activities (Parenthetical) (Detail) shares in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017 shares
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Company's common units authorized for repurchase	7,344
Private Transaction
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Company's common units authorized for repurchase	2,450

Derivatives and Hedging-Disclosures and Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands, gal in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) gal	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) gal
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative activity volume \| gal	11.3	7.9
Notional Value	$ 18,000	$ 10,800
Fair Value		(40)
Aggregated cash posted as collateral in normal course of business	500
Hedging positions and payable amounts secured under credit facility	$ 100	$ 300
Call Option
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative activity volume \| gal	6.1	6.8
Notional Value	$ 13,600	$ 13,800
Fair Value	$ 100	$ 300
Put Option
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative activity volume \| gal	8.1	6.2
Notional Value	$ 8,800	$ 6,500
Fair Value	$ 2	$ 20
Synthetic calls \| Call Option
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative activity volume \| gal	79.0	84.9
Notional Value	$ 134,300	$ 133,500
Fair Value	$ 4,100	$ 1,300
Swap Contracts Bought
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative activity volume \| gal	15.6	9.9
Notional Value	$ 25,500	$ 14,300
Fair Value	$ 2,300	$ 1,200
Swap Contracts Sold
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative activity volume \| gal	1.3	1.2
Notional Value	$ 2,200	$ 1,700
Fair Value	$ 200	$ 200
Purchased Futures Contracts
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative activity volume \| gal	5.2	4.4
Notional Value	$ 8,500	$ 6,700
Fair Value		$ 500
Long Swap Contracts
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative activity volume \| gal	16.8	21.8
Notional Value	$ 28,500	$ 32,200
Fair Value	$ (1,900)	$ (2,100)
Hedge its Internal Fuel Usage and Other Related Activities Swap Contracts Bought
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative activity volume \| gal	6.3	5.7
Notional Value	$ 9,900	$ 7,700
Fair Value	$ 1,100	$ 1,100

Company's Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring - Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments under FASB ASC 815-10 - Commodity Contract - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts	$ 8,725	$ 13,061
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts	(2,817)	(10,555)
Fair asset and fair liability value of derivative instruments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts	7,729	11,692
Other long-term liabilities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts		1,369
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts		(565)
Fair liability and fair asset value of derivative instruments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts	(2,086)	(9,990)
Cash Collateral
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts	0	0
Other long-term assets, net
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts	996
Deferred charges and other assets, net and other long-term liabilities balances
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts	(731)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts		481
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts		(2,087)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 \| Other long-term liabilities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts		481
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts		(484)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 \| Fair liability and fair asset value of derivative instruments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts		(1,603)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 \| Cash Collateral
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts	8,725	12,580
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts	(2,817)	(8,468)
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 \| Fair asset and fair liability value of derivative instruments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts	7,729	11,692
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 \| Other long-term liabilities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts		888
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts		(81)
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 \| Fair liability and fair asset value of derivative instruments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts	(2,086)	(8,387)
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 \| Cash Collateral
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts	0	$ 0
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 \| Other long-term assets, net
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts	996
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 \| Deferred charges and other assets, net and other long-term liabilities balances
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts	$ (731)

Offsetting of Financial Assets (Liabilities) and Derivative Assets (Liabilities) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Net Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	$ 5,932	$ 3,987
Net Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	(289)	(2,285)
Net Amount		(40)
Subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Gross Assets Recognized	8,725	13,061
Gross Liabilities Offset in the Statement of Financial Position	(2,817)	(10,555)
Net Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	5,908	2,506
Financial Instruments	0	0
Cash Collateral Received	0	0
Net Amount	5,908	2,506
Subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement \| Other long-term liabilities
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Gross Assets Recognized		481
Gross Liabilities Offset in the Statement of Financial Position	(1)	(484)
Net Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	(1)	(3)
Financial Instruments	0	0
Cash Collateral Received	0	0
Net Amount	(1)	(3)
Subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement \| Fair liability and fair asset value of derivative instruments
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Gross Assets Recognized	1,706	3,976
Gross Liabilities Offset in the Statement of Financial Position	(1,995)	(6,261)
Net Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	(289)	(2,285)
Financial Instruments	0	0
Cash Collateral Received	0	0
Net Amount	(289)	(2,285)
Subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement \| Fair asset and fair liability value of derivative instruments
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Gross Assets Recognized	6,023	7,716
Gross Liabilities Offset in the Statement of Financial Position	(91)	(3,729)
Net Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	5,932	3,987
Financial Instruments	0	0
Cash Collateral Received	0	0
Net Amount	5,932	3,987
Subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement \| Other long-term assets, net
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Gross Assets Recognized	996	888
Gross Liabilities Offset in the Statement of Financial Position	(730)	(81)
Net Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	266	807
Financial Instruments	0	0
Cash Collateral Received	0	0
Net Amount	$ 266	$ 807

Effect of Derivative Instruments on Statement of Operations (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2016

Sep. 30, 2015

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]

Amount of (Gain) or Loss Unrealized, commodity contracts

^[1]

$ (2,193)

$ (18,217)

$ 4,187

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments under FASB ASC 815-10 | Commodity Contract | Cost of product

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]

Amount of (Gain) or Loss Recognized, commodity contracts

^[2]

6,386

16,977

13,368

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments under FASB ASC 815-10 | Commodity Contract | Cost of installations and service

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]

Amount of (Gain) or Loss Recognized, commodity contracts

^[2]

(526)

949

1,831

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments under FASB ASC 815-10 | Commodity Contract | Delivery and branch expenses

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]

Amount of (Gain) or Loss Recognized, commodity contracts

^[2]

$ (422)

$ 2,405

$ 2,098

[1]	Represents the change in value of unrealized open positions and expired options.
[2]	Represents realized closed positions and includes the cost of options as they expire.

Components of Inventory (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Inventory [Line Items]
Product	$ 37,941	$ 25,419
Parts and equipment	21,655	20,475
Total inventory	$ 59,596	$ 45,894

Inventories - Additional Information (Detail) - gal gal in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Inventory [Line Items]
Heating oil and other fuel inventories	24.2	18.4
Maximum product supply by other supplier	8.00%	8.00%
Global Companies LLC
Inventory [Line Items]
Product purchases	13.00%	13.00%
Nic Holding Corp
Inventory [Line Items]
Product purchases	8.00%	8.00%
Home heating oil and Propane
Inventory [Line Items]
Market price based product supply contracts for next twelve months	292.3
Diesel and gasoline
Inventory [Line Items]
Market price based product supply contracts for next twelve months	47.0

Component of Property and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 201,312	$ 184,079
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	121,639	113,669
Property and equipment, net	79,673	70,410
Land and land improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	18,127	17,645
Buildings and leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	34,175	32,203
Fleet and other equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	62,500	57,601
Tanks and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	41,744	34,035
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 44,766	$ 42,595

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$ 11.1	$ 11.1	$ 11.4

Business Combinations - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) PartnershipUnit	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) PartnershipUnit	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) PartnershipUnit
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Aggregate purchase price partnership acquired			$ 21,100
Aggregate purchase price allocation, intangible assets			20,700
Aggregate purchase price allocation, fixed assets			2,500
Gross purchase price reduced by working capital credits			$ (2,100)
Number of dealers acquired \| PartnershipUnit	7	4	2
Goodwill	$ 225,915	$ 212,760	$ 211,045
Heating Oil Dealer, Propane Dealer and Plumbing Service Provider
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Aggregate purchase price partnership acquired	44,800
Cash paid	43,300
Deferred liabilities	1,500
Contingent consideration	600
Aggregate purchase price allocation, intangible assets	37,500
Aggregate purchase price allocation, fixed assets	10,200
Gross purchase price reduced by working capital credits	$ (2,900)
Heating Oil Dealer, Motor Fuel Dealer and Propane Dealer
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Aggregate purchase price partnership acquired		9,800
Aggregate purchase price allocation, intangible assets		5,700
Aggregate purchase price allocation, fixed assets		2,500
Gross purchase price reduced by working capital credits		(100)
Goodwill		$ 1,700

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)				12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Schedule Of Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Amortization expense for intangible assets				$ 16,700,000	$ 15,400,000	$ 13,500,000

Summary of Changes in the Company's Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance on beginning	$ 212,760	$ 211,045
Fiscal year business combinations	13,155	1,715
Balance on ending	$ 225,915	$ 212,760

Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 378,831	$ 354,522
Accum. Amortization	273,613	256,866
Net	105,218	97,656
Customer Lists
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	346,784	327,388
Accum. Amortization	264,632	250,427
Net	82,152	76,961
Trade Names And Other Intangibles
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	32,047	27,134
Accum. Amortization	8,981	6,439
Net	$ 23,066	$ 20,695

Estimated Annual Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2018	$ 18,483
2019	16,859
2020	15,095
2021	12,374
2022	$ 10,349

Components of Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Line Items]
Accrued wages and benefits	$ 24,425	$ 22,237
Accrued insurance and environmental costs	68,760	70,037
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities	15,264	11,581
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$ 108,449	$ 103,855

Partnership's Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, carrying Amount	$ 75,717	$ 91,641
Current maturities of long-term debt, carrying Amount	10,000	16,200
Long-term portion of debt, Carrying Amount	65,717	75,441
Long-term debt, fair value	76,300	92,500
Current maturities of long-term debt, fair value	10,000	16,200
Long-term portion of debt, fair value	66,300	76,300
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, carrying Amount
Long-term debt, fair value
Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, carrying Amount	75,717	91,641
Long-term debt, fair value	$ 76,300	$ 92,500

Long-Term Debt and Bank Facility Borrowings - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Jul. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Hedging positions and payable amounts secured under credit facility		$ 100,000	$ 300,000
Letters of credit issued and outstanding		48,000,000	50,600,000
Long-term debt, fair value		76,300,000	92,500,000
Availability in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio		166,100,000	163,400,000
Total restricted net assets		$ 296,000,000	291,000,000
Third Amendment
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Non Seasonal maximum borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility	$ 300,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity (heating season December to April) under revolving credit facility	450,000,000
Issuance of line of credit for working capital purposes	$ 100,000,000
Revolving credit facility expiry	Jul. 30, 2020
Additional revolving credit	$ 100,000,000
Facility size that can be increased without consulting bank group	$ 100,000,000
Term loan annual payment percentage	25.00%
Debt instrument, effective interest rate		4.14%
Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio	110.00%
Availability percentage to maximum facility size	12.50%
Third Amendment \| Quarterly
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan periodic payment	$ 2,500,000
Third Amendment \| Annually \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan periodic payment	$ 15,000,000
Third Amendment \| December through April
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee on the unused portion of the facility	0.30%
Third Amendment \| May through November
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee on the unused portion of the facility	0.20%
Third Amendment \| Quarters ending June or September \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured leverage ratio	300.00%
Third Amendment \| Quarters ending December or March \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured leverage ratio	450.00%
Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, fair value		$ 76,300,000	92,500,000
Term Loan \| Third Amendment
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding senior notes	$ 100,000,000
Senior secured term loan maturity period	5 years
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, fair value
Revolving credit facility outstanding		$ 0	$ 0

Maturities Including Working Capital Borrowings and Expected Repayments Due to Excess Cash Flow (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal [Line Items]
2018	$ 10,000
2019	10,000
2020	56,300
Thereafter	$ 0

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Employee	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Employee	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) Program $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Employee	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum participant contribution				60.00%
Partnership aggregate contributions to defined contribution plans				$ 6,300,000	$ 6,000,000	$ 5,700,000
Multiemployer pension plans, coverage of bargaining agreement, percentage				43.00%
Maximum funded for red zone				65.00%
Maximum funded for yellow zone				80.00%
Minimum funded for green zone				80.00%
Partnership contributions in excess of 0% of the plan's total contributions in percentage				5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Expected benefit payments in years				5 years
Payment obligation discount rate	4.05%	4.05%		3.60%	3.30%	4.05%
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities				$ 108,449,000	$ 103,855,000
Other long-term liabilities				23,659,000	25,255,000
Defined benefit plan funded status included in other long-term liabilities				100,000	$ 2,400,000
Net actuarial loss balance in accumulated other comprehensive income to be amortized				18,300,000
Amount to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income				$ 1,800,000
Discount rate to determine periodic pension expense				3.60%	3.30%	4.05%
Expected optional pension contribution				$ 2,000,000
Expected benefit payments over the next 5 years				4,500,000
Aggregate expected benefit payment for five years thereafter				19,600,000
Scenario, Forecast
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Rate pension plan assets expect to earn			4.90%
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair values of the Partnership's pension plan assets				0
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair values of the Partnership's pension plan assets				$ 0
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Participant Contribution				0.00%
Renewal within Next Fiscal Year
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Multiemployer pension plans, coverage of bargaining agreement, percentage				11.00%
Employee and Consultant
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Participant's vested percentage of plan benefits				100.00%
Termination of employment or consultation
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Participant's vested percentage of plan benefits				20.00%
Chief executive officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Participant's vested percentage of plan benefits				33.333%
Management And General Partner
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Partnership incentive distribution				$ 963,000	$ 795,000	$ 605,000
Management Incentive Compensation Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Partnership incentive distribution				481,000	397,000	302,000
Management Incentive Compensation Plan Executive Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Partnership incentive distribution				$ 214,378	177,034	135,000
Management
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Incentive distribution percentage of available cash in excess of minimum quarterly distribution				50.00%
Gains interest cash proceeds percentage from the sale of general partner units				50.00%
Management \| Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Quarterly distribution \| $ / shares				$ 0.0675
New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Pension Fund
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum funded for red zone		65.00%
Multiemployer plan undiscounted withdrawal obligation	$ 48,000,000	$ 48,000,000				48,000,000
Expected benefit payments in years	30 years
Multiemployer plan annual liability annual payment amount	$ 1,600,000	1,600,000				1,600,000
Multiemployer plan annual after tax cash impact on agreement	900,000	900,000				900,000
Multiemployer plan discounted withdrawal liability	$ 17,800,000	$ 17,800,000				$ 17,800,000
Payment obligation discount rate	8.22%	8.22%				8.22%
Multiemployer plan non-cash deferred tax benefit	$ 7,000,000	$ 7,000,000				$ 7,000,000
Net non-cash pension charge		$ 10,800,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities				$ 200,000
Other long-term liabilities				17,300,000
New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Pension Fund \| Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Multiemployer plan discounted withdrawal liability				$ 22,700,000
New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Pension Fund \| Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of employees \| Employee	200	200				200
Frozen Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of frozen defined benefit pension plans \| Program				2
Fair values of the Partnership's pension plan assets	$ 63,788,000	$ 63,788,000		$ 65,676,000	68,276,000	$ 63,788,000	$ 65,379,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Partnership aggregate contributions to defined contribution plans				$ 700,000	$ 700,000	$ 600,000
Domestic Fixed Income
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pension asset allocation				80.00%
International equity
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pension asset allocation				5.00%
Domestic Equities
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pension asset allocation				15.00%

Participation and Contributions to Multi Employer Pension Plans (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Partnership Contributions	$ 8,940	$ 8,383	$ 9,218
New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Pension Fund
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
EIN / Pension Plan Number	04-6372430 / 001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	Red	Red
FIP / RP Status Pending / Implemented	Implemented
Partnership Contributions	$ 2,621	$ 2,507	3,183
Surcharge Imposed	No
Westchester Teamsters Pension Fund
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
EIN / Pension Plan Number	13-6123973 / 001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	Green	Green
FIP / RP Status Pending / Implemented	NA
Partnership Contributions	$ 924	$ 865	877
Surcharge Imposed	No
Local 553 Pension Fund
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
EIN / Pension Plan Number	13-6637826 / 001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	Green	Green
FIP / RP Status Pending / Implemented	NA
Partnership Contributions	$ 2,780	$ 2,645	2,838
Surcharge Imposed	No
Local 463 Pension Fund
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
EIN / Pension Plan Number	11-1800729 / 001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	Green	Green
FIP / RP Status Pending / Implemented	NA
Partnership Contributions	$ 150	$ 148	171
Surcharge Imposed	No
All Other Multiemployer Pension Plans
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Partnership Contributions	$ 2,465	$ 2,218	$ 2,149

Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Period Reconciliation of Changes in Plan Assets Projected Benefit Obligations and Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) - Frozen Defined Benefit Pension Plans - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets, Beginning Balance	$ 68,276	$ 63,788	$ 65,379
Net Periodic Pension Cost in Income Statement, Interest cost	2,251	2,622	2,762
Net Periodic Pension Cost in Income Statement, Actual return on plan assets	(1,473)	(8,595)	(679)
Net Periodic Pension Cost in Income Statement, Investment and other expenses	(455)	(362)	(577)
Net Periodic Pension Cost in Income Statement, Difference between actual and expected return on plan assets	(1,232)	5,579	(2,259)
Net Periodic Pension Cost in Income Statement, Anticipated expenses	341	319	327
Net Periodic Pension Cost in Income Statement, Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial loss	2,131	2,591	2,226
Net Periodic Pension Cost in Income Statement, Annual cost/change	1,563	2,154	1,800
Cash, Employer contributions/ Annual cost/change	(505)	(17)	(1,743)
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets, Actual return on plan assets	1,473	8,595	679
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets, Employer contributions	505	17	1,743
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets, Benefit payments	(4,578)	(4,124)	(4,013)
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets, Annual cost/change	(2,600)	4,488	(1,591)
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets, Ending Balance	65,676	68,276	63,788
Projected Benefit Obligation, Beginning balance	(70,679)	(67,121)	(70,482)
Projected Benefit Obligation, Interest cost	(2,251)	(2,622)	(2,762)
Projected Benefit Obligation, Benefit payments	4,578	4,124	4,013
Projected Benefit Obligation, Investment and other expenses	455	362	577
Projected Benefit Obligation , Anticipated expenses	(341)	(319)	(327)
Projected Benefit Obligation, Actuarial gain (loss)	2,457	(5,103)	1,860
Projected Benefit Obligation , Annual cost/change	4,898	(3,558)	3,361
Projected Benefit Obligation, Ending balance	(65,781)	(70,679)	(67,121)
Funded status at the end of the year	(105)	(2,403)	(3,333)
Other Comprehensive (Income) / Loss, Difference between actual and expected return on plan assets	1,232	(5,579)	2,259
Other Comprehensive (Income) / Loss, Actuarial gain (loss)	(2,457)	5,103	(1,860)
Other Comprehensive (Income) / Loss, Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial loss	(2,131)	(2,591)	(2,226)
Other Comprehensive (Income) / Loss, Annual cost/change	(3,356)	(3,067)	(1,827)
Gross Pension Related Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Beginning Balance	21,704	24,771	26,598
Other Comprehensive (Income) / Loss, Annual cost/change	(3,356)	(3,067)	(1,827)
Gross Pension Related Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Ending Balance	$ 18,348	$ 21,704	$ 24,771

Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in Measurement of Partnership's Benefit Obligation (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate at year end date	3.60%	3.30%	4.05%
Expected return on plan assets for the year ended	4.80%	5.50%	5.50%
Rate of compensation increase	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Fair Values and Percentage of Company's Pension Plan Assets by Asset Category (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Sep. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2016

Percentage of the Partnership's pension plan assets

100.00%

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1

Fair values of the Partnership's pension plan assets

$ 65,676

$ 68,276

Corporate and U.S. government bond fund

Percentage of the Partnership's pension plan assets

^[1]

80.00%

79.00%

Corporate and U.S. government bond fund | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1

Fair values of the Partnership's pension plan assets

^[1]

$ 52,735

$ 54,267

U.S. large-cap equity

Percentage of the Partnership's pension plan assets

^[1]

14.00%

15.00%

U.S. large-cap equity | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1

Fair values of the Partnership's pension plan assets

^[1]

$ 9,270

$ 10,207

International equity

Percentage of the Partnership's pension plan assets

^[1]

5.00%

International equity | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1

Fair values of the Partnership's pension plan assets

^[1]

$ 3,063

$ 3,118

Cash

Percentage of the Partnership's pension plan assets

1.00%

Cash | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1

Fair values of the Partnership's pension plan assets

$ 608

$ 684

[1]	Represent investments in Vanguard funds that seek to replicate the asset category description.

Income Tax Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Income Tax Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Current:
Federal	$ 7,578	$ 18,724	$ 28,793
State	2,664	5,344	8,143
Deferred
Federal	8,775	7,485	(3,719)
State	1,359	2,185	(382)
Income tax expense	$ 20,376	$ 33,738	$ 32,835

Income Taxes Computed at Federal Statutory Rate (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations before taxes	$ (29,092)	$ (21,766)	$ 66,996	$ 31,138	$ (31,923)	$ (4,993)	$ 94,113	$ 21,475	$ 47,276	$ 78,672	$ 70,391
Provision for income taxes:
Tax at Federal statutory rate									16,546	27,535	24,637
Impact of Partnership loss not subject to federal income taxes									741	477	3,228
State taxes net of federal benefit									3,170	5,672	4,922
Permanent differences									89	80	78
Deferred tax benefit											(3,179)
Change in valuation allowance									115	26	3,027
Change in unrecognized tax benefit											81
Other									(285)	(52)	41
Income tax expense									$ 20,376	$ 33,738	$ 32,835

Components of Net Deferred Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	$ 5,374	$ 5,791
Vacation accrual	3,542	3,367
Pension accrual	7,455	8,549
Allowance for bad debts	2,166	1,728
Insurance accrual	19,914	25,828
Inventory capitalization	895	1,128
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward		266
Other, net	2,242	2,512
Total deferred tax assets	41,588	49,169
Valuation allowance	(3,168)	(3,053)
Net deferred tax assets	38,420	46,116
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	8,001	3,999
Fair value of derivative instruments	1,683	788
Intangibles	34,876	35,976
Total deferred tax liabilities	44,560	40,763
Net deferred tax assets		$ 5,353
Net deferred tax liabilities	$ (6,140)

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Increase in net valuation allowance		$ 115,000	$ 26,000
Net operating loss carryforward	$ 1,600,000
Annual limitation of federal NOLs	$ 1,000,000
Unrecognized income tax benefits		$ 0
Federal
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of years for examination		4 years
New York
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of years for examination		4 years
Connecticut
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of years for examination		4 years
Pennsylvania
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of years for examination		4 years
New Jersey
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of years for examination		5 years
Minimum
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Expiration date of net operating loss carryforward	Dec. 31, 2017
Maximum
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Expiration date of net operating loss carryforward	Dec. 31, 2030

Future Minimum Rental Commitments (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Schedule of minimum future rent payment receivable
2018	$ 19,502
2019	19,315
2020	17,284
2021	14,859
2022	11,282
Thereafter	52,052
Total future minimum lease payments	$ 134,294

Leases Commitments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Leases Disclosure [Line Items]
Rent expense for the fiscal years	$ 21.4	$ 19.7	$ 18.4

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes, net	$ 4,434	$ 22,570	$ 38,265
Interest	$ 7,814	$ 7,785	16,950
Non-cash investing activities:
Acquisition of NYC heating oil customer list			886
Non-cash financing activities:
Increase in interest expense-amortization of debt discount on 8.875% Senior Notes			$ 112

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2015
8.875% Senior Notes
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest on senior notes	8.875%

Net Income Allocation and Per Unit Data (Detail) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Jun. 30, 2017

Mar. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Sep. 30, 2016

Jun. 30, 2016

Mar. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Sep. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2016

Sep. 30, 2015

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Limited Partner:

Less General Partners' interest in net income

$ (17,747)

$ (13,332)

$ 39,704

$ 18,275

$ (19,095)

$ (3,238)

$ 55,209

$ 12,058

$ 26,900

$ 44,934

$ 37,556

156

252

212

Net income available to limited partners

$ (17,644)

$ (13,253)

$ 39,471

$ 18,170

$ (18,985)

$ (3,219)

$ 54,896

$ 11,990

26,744

44,682

37,344

Less dilutive impact of theoretical distribution of earnings under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60

^[1]

914

4,534

3,318

Limited Partner's interest in net income under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60

$ 25,830

$ 40,148

$ 34,026

Per unit data:

Basic and diluted net income available to limited partners

$ 0.48

$ 0.78

$ 0.65

Less dilutive impact of theoretical distribution of earnings under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60

^[1]

0.02

0.08

0.06

Limited Partner's interest in net income under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60

$ (0.32)

^[2]

$ (0.24)

^[2]

$ 0.59

^[2]

$ 0.28

^[2]

$ (0.34)

^[2]

$ (0.06)

^[2]

$ 0.79

^[2]

$ 0.19

^[2]

$ 0.46

^[2],[3]

$ 0.70

^[2],[3]

$ 0.59

^[3]

Weighted average number of Limited Partner units outstanding

55,888

57,022

57,285

[1]	In any accounting period where the Company's aggregate net income exceeds its aggregate distribution for such period, the Company is required as per FASB ASC 260-10-45-60 to present net income per limited partner unit as if all of the earnings for the period were distributed, based on the terms of the Partnership agreement, regardless of whether those earnings would actually be distributed during a particular period from an economic or practical perspective. This allocation does not impact the Company's overall net income or other financial results.
[2]	The sum of the quarters do not add-up to the total due to the weighting of Limited Partner Units outstanding, rounding or the theoretical effects of FASB ASC 260-10-45-60 to Master Limited Partners earnings per unit.
[3]	See Note 17 - Earnings Per Limited Partner Units.

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Jun. 30, 2017

Mar. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Sep. 30, 2016

Jun. 30, 2016

Mar. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Sep. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2016

Sep. 30, 2015

Selected Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]

Sales

$ 181,584

$ 225,801

$ 532,052

$ 384,118

$ 162,064

$ 218,194

$ 462,025

$ 319,055

$ 1,323,555

$ 1,161,338

$ 1,674,291

Gross profit for product, installation and service

42,467

63,309

184,685

118,038

41,799

61,354

183,303

106,041

408,499

392,497

Operating income (loss)

(27,126)

(19,811)

69,032

33,237

(29,606)

(2,955)

96,319

23,646

55,332

87,404

93,613

Income (loss) before income taxes

(29,092)

(21,766)

66,996

31,138

(31,923)

(4,993)

94,113

21,475

47,276

78,672

70,391

Net income (loss)

(17,747)

(13,332)

39,704

18,275

(19,095)

(3,238)

55,209

12,058

26,900

44,934

37,556

Limited Partner interest in net income (loss)

$ (17,644)

$ (13,253)

$ 39,471

$ 18,170

$ (18,985)

$ (3,219)

$ 54,896

$ 11,990

$ 26,744

$ 44,682

$ 37,344

Net income (loss) per Limited Partner unit:

Basic and diluted

$ (0.32)

^[1]

$ (0.24)

^[1]

$ 0.59

^[1]

$ 0.28

^[1]

$ (0.34)

^[1]

$ (0.06)

^[1]

$ 0.79

^[1]

$ 0.19

^[1]

$ 0.46

^[1],[2]

$ 0.70

^[1],[2]

$ 0.59

^[2]

[1]	The sum of the quarters do not add-up to the total due to the weighting of Limited Partner Units outstanding, rounding or the theoretical effects of FASB ASC 260-10-45-60 to Master Limited Partners earnings per unit.
[2]	See Note 17 - Earnings Per Limited Partner Units.

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions		1 Months Ended
	Oct. 11, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Letters of credit issued and outstanding			$ 48.0	$ 50.6
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash deposit in support of liability	$ 34.2
Decrease in outstanding letters of credit	36.6
Letters of credit issued and outstanding	$ 11.4
Subsequent Event \| Dividend Declared
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Distribution declared		$ 0.11
Partners capital projected distribution amount on annualized basis		0.44
Minimum dividend distribution per unit		$ 0.0675
Percentage of distributions to common unit holders in excess of minimum quarterly distribution		90.00%
Percentage of distributions to general unit holders in excess of minimum quarterly distribution		10.00%
Amount to paid to common unit holders		$ 6.1
Amount to paid to the General Partner		0.2
Incentive distribution to the General Partner		0.1
Incentive distributions to management		$ 0.1
Dividend payable date		Oct. 31, 2017
Dividend record date		Oct. 23, 2017

Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Sep. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2016

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 52,458

$ 139,188

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

26,652

27,139

Total current assets

241,241

294,858

Total assets

673,917

692,111

Current liabilities

Accrued expenses

108,449

103,855

Total current liabilities

272,333

289,922

Partners' capital

306,068

301,493

$ 289,886

$ 273,245

Total liabilities and partners' capital

673,917

692,111

STAR GROUP, L.P.

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

324

$ 324

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

207

199

Total current assets

261

523

Investment in subsidiaries

^[1]

306,016

301,368

Total assets

306,277

301,891

Current liabilities

Accrued expenses

209

398

Total current liabilities

209

398

Partners' capital

306,068

301,493

Total liabilities and partners' capital

$ 306,277

$ 301,891

[1]	Investments in Star Acquisitions, Inc. and subsidiaries are recorded in accordance with the equity method of accounting.

Condensed Financial Information of Registrant of Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 181,584	$ 225,801	$ 532,052	$ 384,118	$ 162,064	$ 218,194	$ 462,025	$ 319,055	$ 1,323,555	$ 1,161,338	$ 1,674,291
General and administrative expenses									24,998	23,366	25,908
Operating income (loss)	(27,126)	(19,811)	69,032	33,237	(29,606)	(2,955)	96,319	23,646	55,332	87,404	93,613
Net interest expense									(6,775)	(7,485)	(14,059)
Amortization of debt issuance costs									(1,281)	(1,247)	(1,818)
Loss on redemption of debt											(7,345)
Net loss before equity income	(29,092)	(21,766)	66,996	31,138	(31,923)	(4,993)	94,113	21,475	47,276	78,672	70,391
Net income	$ (17,747)	$ (13,332)	$ 39,704	$ 18,275	$ (19,095)	$ (3,238)	$ 55,209	$ 12,058	26,900	44,934	37,556
STAR GROUP, L.P.
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
General and administrative expenses									2,116	1,363	1,314
Operating income (loss)									(2,116)	(1,363)	(1,314)
Net interest expense											(10,342)
Amortization of debt issuance costs											(521)
Loss on redemption of debt											(7,345)
Net loss before equity income									(2,116)	(1,363)	(19,522)
Equity income of Star Petro Inc. and subs									29,016	46,297	57,078
Net income									$ 26,900	$ 44,934	$ 37,556

Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2016

Sep. 30, 2015

Cash flows used in financing activities:

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

$ (24,322)

$ (23,092)

$ (21,298)

Redemption of debt

(125,000)

Unit repurchase

(12,017)

(691)

139,188

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

52,458

139,188

STAR GROUP, L.P.

Cash flows provided by operating activities:

Net cash provided by operating activities

^[1]

24,052

35,109

152,537

Cash flows provided by investing activities:

Net cash provided by investing activities

Cash flows used in financing activities: