The carrying amounts of our other current financial instruments such as cash and equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, notes payable and current maturities of long-term obligations approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of the instruments. We consider our long-term obligations a Level 2 liability and utilize the market approach valuation technique based on interest rates that are currently available to us for issuance of debt with similar terms and maturities. The estimated fair value of our long-term obligations was $1.1 billion as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. As discussed in Note 18 – Acquisitions, we have a contingent consideration obligation to the selling shareholders of Gateway Analytical (“Gateway”) in connection with the Gateway Acquisition (as defined herein) based on 2020 and 2022 performance targets defined by the purchase agreement. We consider this a Level 3 liability and on a quarterly basis we assess the projected results for the acquired business in comparison to the earnout targets and adjust the liability accordingly.
NOTE 12 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company, in the normal course of business, is subject to a number of lawsuits and claims both actual and potential in nature. While management believes the resolution of these claims and lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows, claims and legal proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable outcomes could occur and could include amounts in excess of any accruals which management has established. Were such unfavorable final outcomes to occur, it is possible that they could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Under our Certificate of Incorporation, we have agreed to indemnify our officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving at our request in such capacity. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, we have a directors and officers liability insurance policy that covers a portion of our exposure. As a result of our insurance policy coverage, we believe the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. We have no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
An environmental investigation, undertaken to assess areas of possible contamination, was completed at our facility in Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil. The facility is primarily an internal supplier of anodized aluminum components for certain of our dispensing systems. The testing indicated that soil and groundwater in certain areas of the facility were impacted above acceptable levels established by local regulations. In March 2017, we reported the findings to the relevant environmental authority, the Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo – CETESB. Based upon our best estimate, we recorded a reserve of $1.5 million (operating expense) in the first quarter of 2017 related to this contingency. As of June 30, 2019, our outstanding reserve is $0.5 million. The ultimate loss associated with this environmental contingency is subject to the investigation and ongoing review of the CETESB. We will continue to evaluate the range of likely costs as the investigation proceeds and we have further clarity on the nature and extent of remediation that will be required. We note that the contamination, or any failure to complete any required remediation in a timely manner, could potentially result in fines or penalties.
During the quarter ended June 30, 2018, we recorded a $750 thousand accrual for a potential environmental matter at a U.S. manufacturing site. This matter was remediated and settled during the third quarter of 2018 for $239 thousand and the remaining accrual was released.
In March 2017, the Supreme Court of Brazil issued a decision that a certain state value added tax should not be included in the calculation of federal gross receipts taxes. The decision reduces our gross receipts tax in Brazil prospectively and, potentially, retrospectively. During the first quarter of 2019, we received a favorable court decision of $2.7 million for the retrospective right to recover part of our claim. This amount is recorded in cost of sales as a favorable impact of $1.7 million and $1.0 million was recognized as interest income. During the fourth quarter of 2018, we recorded an amount of $631 thousand based on the favorable court decision. If the Judicial Court grants full retrospective recovery, we estimate remaining potential recoveries of up to $10.2 million, including interest. Due to uncertainties around our remaining court recovery claims, we have not recorded any further amounts relating to the retrospective nature of this matter. However, we anticipate decisions on our remaining claims in 2019 and 2020.
NOTE 13 – STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM
On April 18, 2019, we announced a share repurchase authorization of up to $350 million of common stock. This authorization replaces previous authorizations and has no expiration date. We may repurchase shares through the open market, privately negotiated transactions or other programs, subject to market conditions.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, we repurchased approximately 34 thousand and 193 thousand shares for approximately $4.1 million and $19.1 million, respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, we repurchased approximately 480 thousand and 668 thousand shares for approximately $45.0 million and $61.7 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2019, there was $345.9 million of authorized share repurchases available to us.