CNX Resources (CNX) 10-Q 1 Nov 13 2013 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 21, 2013
Document Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CONSOL Energy Inc	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001070412	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	228,941,697

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	$1,160,114	$1,084,041	$3,512,055	$3,584,805
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	15,506	12,968	46,738	34,707
Sales-Purchased Gas	1,608	953	4,372	2,443
Freight-Outside	11,563	27,430	35,749	126,195
Other Income (including equity earnings)	42,627	34,697	138,824	293,196
Total Revenue and Other Income	1,231,418	1,160,089	3,737,738	4,041,346
Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown below)	851,088	827,530	2,639,929	2,588,460
Gas Royalty Interests Costs	12,864	10,543	38,204	27,916
Purchased Gas Costs	941	737	2,961	2,123
Freight Expense	11,563	27,430	35,749	126,195
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	33,472	36,681	104,265	109,412
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	169,152	153,877	489,774	463,048
Interest Expense	56,301	54,075	164,197	168,788
Taxes Other Than Income	85,463	80,587	251,575	256,543
Total Costs	1,220,844	1,191,460	3,726,654	3,742,485
Earnings Before Income Taxes	10,574	-31,371	11,084	298,861
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	74,623	-19,898	89,767	60,428
Net Income (Loss)	-64,049	-11,473	-78,683	238,433
Add: Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-398	-105	-942	-134
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	($63,651)	($11,368)	($77,741)	$238,567
Earnings Per Share:	'	'	'	'
Basic	($0.28)	($0.05)	($0.34)	$1.05
Dilutive	($0.28)	($0.05)	($0.34)	$1.04
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic	228,876,336	227,654,395	228,640,671	227,491,284
Dilutive	228,876,336	227,654,395	228,640,671	229,191,870
Dividends Paid Per Share	$0.13	$0.13	$0.25	$0.38

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net Income (Loss)	($64,049)	($11,473)	($78,683)	$238,433
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	24,980	7,921	113,641	75,080
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	13,246	-6,459	40,400	80,280
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, Net	-24,354	-47,809	-56,595	-153,597
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	13,872	-46,347	97,446	1,763
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-50,177	-57,820	18,763	240,196
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-398	-105	-942	-134
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	($49,779)	($57,715)	$19,705	$240,330

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	$14,025	$29,683	$36,551	$97,760
Adjustment For Actuarially Determined Liabilities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	-15,422	-4,775	-70,161	-45,242
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	($8,536)	$4,161	($26,036)	($51,716)

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$21,086	$21,878
Accounts and Notes Receivable:	'	'
Trade	436,388	428,328
Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Current	25,813	318,387
Other Receivables	160,931	131,131
Accounts Receivable - Securitized	44,364	37,846
Inventories	238,348	247,766
Deferred Income Taxes	81,825	148,104
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	12,263	48,294
Prepaid Expenses	162,418	157,360
Total Current Assets	1,183,436	1,539,094
Property, Plant and Equipment:	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	16,571,104	15,545,204
Less-Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	5,940,247	5,354,237
Total Property, Plant and Equipment-Net	10,630,857	10,190,967
Other Assets:	'	'
Deferred Income Taxes	457,105	444,585
Restricted Cash	0	20,379
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	261,218	222,830
Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Noncurrent	155	25,977
Other	204,301	227,077
Total Other Assets	922,779	940,848
Total Assets	12,737,072	12,670,909
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Accounts Payable	512,182	507,982
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt	13,182	13,485
Short-Term Notes Payable	47,000	25,073
Accrued Income Taxes, Current	87,965	34,219
Secured Debt, Current	44,364	37,846
Other Accrued Liabilities	868,904	768,494
Total Current Liabilities	1,573,597	1,387,099
Long-Term Debt:	'	'
Long-Term Debt	3,123,755	3,124,473
Capital Lease Obligations	48,176	50,113
Total Long-Term Debt	3,171,931	3,174,586
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities	'	'
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions	2,814,234	2,832,401
Pneumoconiosis Benefits	178,508	174,781
Mine Closing	460,515	446,727
Gas Well Closing	197,093	148,928
Workers' Compensation	156,568	155,648
Salary Retirement	74,108	218,004
Reclamation	49,487	47,965
Other	103,855	131,025
Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities	4,034,368	4,155,479
TOTAL LIABILITIES	8,779,896	8,717,164
Stockholders' Equity:	'	'
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value; 500,000,000 Shares Authorized, 228,936,248 Issued and Outstanding at September 30, 2013; 228,129,467 Issued and 228,094,712 Outstanding at December 31, 2012	2,292	2,284
Capital in Excess of Par Value	2,347,973	2,296,908
Preferred Stock, 15,000,000 shares authorized, None issued and outstanding	0	0
Retained Earnings	2,257,796	2,402,551
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	-649,896	-747,342
Common Stock in Treasury, at Cost—No Shares at September 30, 2013 and 34,755 Shares at December 31, 2012	0	-609
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	3,958,165	3,953,792
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-989	-47
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,957,176	3,953,745
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$12,737,072	$12,670,909

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.01	$0.01
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	228,936,248	228,129,467
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	228,936,248	228,094,712
Treasury Stock, Shares	0	34,755
Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	15,000,000	15,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Common Stock in Treasury	Total CONSOL Energy Inc. Stockholders' Equity	Non-Controlling Interest
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest at Dec. 31, 2012	$3,953,745	$2,284	$2,296,908	$2,402,551	($747,342)	($609)	$3,953,792	($47)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Income	-77,741	0	0	-77,741	0	0	-77,741	-942
Net Income (Loss)	-78,683	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	97,446	0	0	0	97,446	0	97,446	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	18,763	0	0	-77,741	97,446	0	19,705	-942
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	2,698	8	2,690	0	0	0	2,698	0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Treasury Stock Reissued	-9,194	0	0	-9,803	0	609	-9,194	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation	-2,539	0	-2,539	0	0	0	-2,539	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	50,914	0	50,914	0	0	0	50,914	0
Dividends, Cash	-57,211	0	0	-57,211	0	0	-57,211	0
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest at Sep. 30, 2013	$3,957,176	$2,292	$2,347,973	$2,257,796	($649,896)	$0	$3,958,165	($989)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating Activities:	'	'
Net Income (Loss)	($78,683)	$238,433
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities:	'	'
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	489,774	463,048
Stock-Based Compensation	50,914	38,423
(Gain) Loss on Sale of Assets	-52,794	-190,257
Amortization of Mineral Leases	2,014	3,818
Deferred Income Taxes	-31,099	-5,225
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates	-20,276	-22,676
Changes in Operating Assets:	'	'
Accounts and Notes Receivable	11,145	13,359
Inventories	9,418	-8,204
Prepaid Expenses	-9,259	-1,362
Changes in Other Assets	24,318	-8,961
Changes in Operating Liabilities:	'	'
Accounts Payable	-20,553	5,218
Other Operating Liabilities	174,740	-11,130
Changes in Other Liabilities	8,148	1,469
Other	31,198	14,210
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	589,005	530,163
Investing Activities:	'	'
Capital Expenditures	-1,195,909	-1,152,021
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	56,410	0
Proceeds from Sales of Assets	598,174	583,942
Net Investment in Equity Affiliates	-18,112	-18,701
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	-559,437	-586,780
Financing Activities:	'	'
(Payments on) Proceeds from Short-Term Borrowings	47,000	'
Payments on Miscellaneous Borrowings	-32,290	-6,565
Payments on Securitzation Facility	6,518	0
Tax Benefit from Stock-Based Compensation	2,316	2,578
Dividends Paid	-57,211	-85,290
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	2,698	1,234
Issuance of Treasury Stock	609	109
Debt Issuance and Financing Fees	0	-227
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities	-30,360	-88,161
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-792	-144,778
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	21,878	375,736
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$21,086	$230,958

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
BASIS OF PRESENTATION: [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION:
	The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for future periods.
	The balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements at that date but does not include all the notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2012 included in CONSOL Energy Inc.'s Form 10-K.
	Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform with the report classifications of the year ended December 31, 2012, with no effect on previously reported net income or stockholders' equity.
	Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net (loss) income attributable to shareholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during the reporting period. Dilutive earnings per share are computed similarly to basic earnings per share except that the weighted average shares outstanding are increased to include additional shares from the assumed exercise of stock options, performance stock options, and CONSOL share units, and the assumed vesting of restricted and performance share units, if dilutive. The number of additional shares is calculated by assuming that outstanding stock options, performance share options, and CONSOL share units were exercised, that outstanding restricted stock units and performance share units were released, and that the proceeds from such activities were used to acquire shares of common stock at the average market price during the reporting period. CONSOL Energy Inc. (CONSOL Energy or the Company) includes the impact of pro forma deferred tax assets in determining potential windfalls and shortfalls for purposes of calculating assumed proceeds under the treasury stock method. The table below sets forth the share-based awards that have been excluded from the computation of the diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Anti-Dilutive Options	4,833,174			5,740,444			4,833,174			2,412,502
	Anti-Dilutive Restricted Stock Units	1,243,207			1,348,046			1,243,207			13,302
	Anti-Dilutive Performance Share Units	97,142			488,179			97,142			—
	Anti-Dilutive Performance Share Options	602,101			501,744			602,101			501,744
		6,775,624			8,078,413			6,775,624			2,927,548
	The table below sets forth the share-based awards that have been exercised or released:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Options	11,655			108,477			256,768			159,611
	Restricted Stock Units	130,523			22,025			698,664			548,492
	Performance Share Units	—			—			159,228			229,730
		142,178			130,502			1,114,660			937,833
	The weighted average exercise price per share of the options exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $17.40 and $7.13, respectively. The weighted average exercise price per share of the options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $10.49 and $8.39, respectively.
	The computations for basic and dilutive earnings per share are as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013				2012			2013				2012
	Net (Loss) Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders	$	(63,651	)		$	(11,368	)	$	(77,741		)	$	238,567
	Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
	Basic	228,876,336				227,654,395			228,640,671				227,491,284
	Effect of stock-based compensation awards	—				—			—				1,700,586
	Dilutive	228,876,336				227,654,395			228,640,671				229,191,870
	Earnings per share:
	Basic	$	(0.28	)		$	(0.05	)	$	(0.34		)	$	1.05
	Dilutive	$	(0.28	)		$	(0.05	)	$	(0.34		)	$	1.04
	Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss) by component, net of tax, were as follows:
		Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges				Postretirement Benefits			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	76,761			$	(824,103	)	$	(747,342		)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	40,400				61,912			102,312
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(56,595		)		51,729			(4,866			)
	New current period other comprehensive income	(16,195		)		113,641			97,446
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	60,566			$	(710,462	)	$	(649,896		)
	The following table shows the reclassification of adjustments out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:
		Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013				2012			2013				2012
	Derivative Instruments (Note 12)
	Natural gas price swaps	$	(38,379	)		$	(77,492	)	$	(93,146		)	$	(251,357	)
	Tax benefit	14,025				29,683			36,551				97,760
	Net of tax	$	(24,354	)		$	(47,809	)	$	(56,595		)	$	(153,597	)
	Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments*(Note 3 and Note 4)
	Amortization of prior service costs	$	(8,212	)		$	(13,915	)	$	(24,635		)	$	(39,937	)
	Recognized net actuarial loss	21,055				26,611			69,802				79,688
	Settlement loss	6,296				—			38,498				—
	Total	19,139				12,696			83,665				39,751
	Tax expense	(7,306		)		(4,775		)	(31,936			)	(14,946		)
	Net of tax	$	11,833			$	7,921		$	51,729			$	24,805
	*Excludes amounts related to the remeasurement of the Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liabilities for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012.

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions

Acquisitions and Dispositions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS: [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions and Dispositions:	'
	ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS:
	In September 2013, CONSOL Energy completed the sale of 1.5 MM tons of reserves of Pittsburgh 8 Coal in Belmont County, Ohio. The sale of this coal was structured as a $2,300 payment upfront and then a 3% overriding royalty paid as the coal is being mined. A gain of $2,300 was included in Other Income in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
	In August 2013, CONSOL Energy completed the sale of its 50% interest in the CONSOL Energy/Devon Energy joint venture in Alberta, Canada. The properties and coal leases included were those related to Grassy Mountain, Bellevue, Adanac, and Lynx Creek (Crowsnest Pass). Cash proceeds for the sale were $24,764 of which $12,263 was restricted, pending release by the Canadian Revenue Authority upon review of the tax consequences of the transaction. A gain of $15,260 was included in Other Income in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
	In June 2013, CONSOL Energy completed the sale of Potomac coal reserves in Grant and Tucker Counties in West Virginia. Cash proceeds for the sale were $25,000. A gain of $24,663 was included in Other Income in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
	In May 2013, CONSOL Energy completed a sale-leaseback of longwall shields for the Robinson Run Mine. Cash proceeds for the sale were $68,337. A loss of $236 was recognized due to transaction fees and was included in Other Income in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The lease has been accounted for as an operating lease. The lease term is five years.
	In April 2013, the Company and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Commonwealth) entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release settling all of the Commonwealth's claims regarding the Ryerson Park Dam (Dam) and the Ryerson Park Lake (Lake).   The Settlement provides in part for the payment to the Commonwealth of $36,000 for use to rebuild the Dam and restore the Lake with $13,728 of the settlement amount credited to lease bonus and royalty payments on the Commonwealth's Marcellus gas interests within the Park, subject to the Company's agreement to extract the gas from surface facilities located outside of the boundaries of the Park.  The Settlement also provides in part for the conveyance by the Company to the Commonwealth of eight surface parcels containing approximately 506 acres of land adjoining the Park after the parcels are no longer needed for the Company's operations and the conveyance by the Commonwealth to the Company of certain coal and mining rights in an area of the Bailey Mine where a mining permit application is currently pending.
	In March 2013, CNX Gas Company LLC (CNX Gas Company), a wholly owned subsidiary of CONSOL Energy, completed negotiations with the Allegheny County Airport Authority, which operates the Pittsburgh International Airport and the Allegheny County Airport, for the lease of the oil and gas rights on approximately 9.3 thousand acres.  A majority of these contiguous acres are in the liquids area of the Marcellus Shale play.  CNX Gas Company paid $46,315 as an up-front bonus payment at closing.  Approximately 7.6% of the bonus payment was placed into escrow while negotiations continue for a portion of the acres associated with the Allegheny County Airport and other acres that have potentially defective title.  CNX Gas Company must spud a well by February 21, 2015 and proceed with due diligence to complete the well or the lease terminates and CNX Gas Company forgoes the bonus. Our joint venture partner, Noble Energy Inc., has acquired 50% of the acreage and accordingly, reimbursed CNX Gas Company for 50% of the associated costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	In March 2013, CONSOL Energy completed a sale-leaseback of longwall shields for the Shoemaker Mine. Cash proceeds for the sale were $63,839. A loss of $279 was recognized due to transaction fees and was included in Other Income in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The lease has been accounted for as an operating lease. The lease term is five years.
	In January 2013, CONSOL Energy completed a sale-leaseback of longwall shields for the Bailey Mine. Cash proceeds for the sale were $71,166. A loss of $358 was recognized due to transaction fees and was included in Other Income in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The lease has been accounted for as an operating lease. The lease term is five years.
	On December 21, 2012, CONSOL Energy completed the disposition of its non-producing Ram River & Scurry Ram assets in Western Canada which consisted of 36 thousand acres of coal lands. In December 2012, cash proceeds of $51,869, of which $48,294 was restricted, were received related to this transaction. These proceeds were net of $637 in transaction fees. The restrictions on the cash were removed during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and are reflected as a Change in Restricted Cash in the Investing section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Additionally, a note receivable was recognized in 2012 related to the two additional cash payments to be received in June 2013 and June 2014. Payment of $25,500 was received in June 2013. A note receivable of $24,500 was included in Accounts and Notes Receivables - Notes Receivables in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2013. The second payment is due June 2014. The gain on the transaction was $89,943 and was included in Other Income in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	On June 29, 2012, CONSOL Energy completed the disposition of its non-producing Northern Powder River Basin assets in southern Montana and northern Wyoming for cash proceeds of $169,500. The assets consisted of CONSOL Energy's 50% interest in Youngs Creek Mining Company LLC, CONSOL Energy's 50% interest in CX Ranch and related properties in and around Sheridan, Wyoming. The gain on the transaction was $150,677 and was included in Other Income in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2012. Additionally, CONSOL Energy retained an 8% production royalty interest on approximately 200 million tons of permitted fee coal.
	On April 4, 2012, CONSOL Energy completed the disposition of its non-producing Elk Creek property in southern West Virginia, which consisted of 20 thousand acres of coal lands and surface rights, for proceeds of $26,000. The gain on the transaction was $11,235 and was included in Other Income in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	On February 9, 2012, CONSOL Energy completed the disposition of its Burning Star No. 4 property in Illinois, which consisted of 4.3 thousand acres of coal lands and surface rights, for proceeds of $13,023. The gain on the transaction was $11,261 and was included in Other Income in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Pension_and_OPEB_Periodic_Cost

Pension and OPEB - Periodic Cost	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COSTS: [Abstract]	'
Components of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans:	'
	COMPONENTS OF PENSION AND OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT (OPEB) PLANS NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COSTS:
	Components of net periodic costs (benefits) for the three and nine months ended September 30 are as follows:
		Pension Benefits												Other Post-Employment Benefits
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,						September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	4,897		$	5,527		$	16,184		$	15,530		$	4,849		$	4,525		$	14,547		$	14,291
	Interest cost	9,497			9,396			27,249			28,190			29,619			33,687			88,856			102,008
	Expected return on plan assets	(13,336		)	(11,538		)	(38,191		)	(34,617		)	—			—			—			—
	Amortization of prior service credits	(408		)	(408		)	(1,223		)	(1,223		)	(7,804		)	(13,409		)	(23,411		)	(38,418		)
	Recognized net actuarial loss	8,042			11,959			30,764			35,876			17,595			20,255			52,784			60,620
	Settlement loss	6,296			—			38,498			—			—			—			—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	14,988		$	14,936		$	73,281		$	43,756		$	44,259		$	45,058		$	132,776		$	138,501
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, $55,272 was paid to the pension trust from operating cash flows. Additional contributions to the pension trust are not expected to be significant for the remainder of 2013. CONSOL Energy expects to contribute to the pension trust using prudent funding methods. Net periodic benefit costs are allocated to Costs of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges and Selling, General and Administrative Expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	According to the Defined Benefit Plans Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification, if the lump sum distributions made for the plan year, which for CONSOL Energy is January 1 to December 31, exceed the total of the projected service cost and interest cost for the plan year, settlement accounting is required. Lump sum payments exceeded this threshold during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. Accordingly, CONSOL Energy recognized expense of $6,296 and $38,498 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, in Costs of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The settlement charges represented a pro rata portion of the net unrecognized loss based on the percentage reduction in the projected benefit obligation due to the lump sum payments. The settlement charges noted above also resulted in a remeasurement of the pension plan at September 30, June 30, and March 31, 2013. The September 30, 2013 remeasurement resulted in a change to the discount rate to 4.80% from 4.84% at June 30, 2013. The September remeasurement reduced the pension liability by $21,264. The September settlement and corresponding remeasurement of the pension plan resulted in an adjustment of $17,040 in Other Comprehensive Income, net of $10,520 in deferred taxes. It is reasonably possible that CONSOL Energy will incur additional settlement charges in 2013, which would require the pension plan to be remeasured using updated assumptions.
	CONSOL Energy does not expect to contribute to the other post-employment benefit plan in 2013. We intend to pay benefit claims as they become due. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, $124,504 of other post-employment benefits have been paid.

CWP_and_Workers_Comp_Net_Perio

CWP and Workers Comp - Net Periodic Costs	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
CWP And Workers Comp Net Periodic Cost [Abstract]	'
Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP) and Workers' Compensation:	'
	COMPONENTS OF COAL WORKERS’ PNEUMOCONIOSIS (CWP) AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COSTS:
	Components of net periodic costs (benefits) for the three and nine months ended September 30, are as follows:
		CWP												Workers' Compensation
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,						September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	2,135		$	1,927		$	6,405		$	5,783		$	3,533		$	3,634		$	10,599		$	10,903
	Interest cost	1,808			1,991			5,424			5,973			1,655			1,778			4,966			5,335
	Amortization of actuarial gain	(4,213		)	(4,933		)	(12,638		)	(14,799		)	(699		)	(986		)	(2,098		)	(2,958		)
	State administrative fees and insurance bond premiums	—			—			—			—			1,496			1,795			4,500			5,340
	Legal and administrative costs	—			—			—			—			591			648			1,773			1,943
	Net periodic (benefit) cost	$	(270	)	$	(1,015	)	$	(809	)	$	(3,043	)	$	6,576		$	6,869		$	19,740		$	20,563
	CONSOL Energy does not expect to contribute to the CWP plan in 2013. We intend to pay benefit claims as they become due. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, $7,879 of CWP benefit claims have been paid.
	CONSOL Energy does not expect to contribute to the workers’ compensation plan in 2013. We intend to pay benefit claims as they become due. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, $21,271 of workers’ compensation benefits, state administrative fees and surety bond premiums have been paid.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	INCOME TAXES:
	The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was 809.9% and 20.2%, respectively.
	The rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to a $111,104 income tax charge for excess depletion, $4,701 discrete income tax charge related to the gain on the sale of the Potomac coal reserves, $8,467 discrete income tax charge related to the gain on the sale of the Crowsnest Pass coal reserves, and a $1,585 income tax benefit due to a refund claim related to prior year Commonwealth of Pennsylvania taxes.
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013, CONSOL Energy recognized additional tax expense as a result of changes in estimates of percentage depletion and Domestic Production Activities Deduction related to the prior-year tax provision. The result of these changes was a tax increase of $5,875.
	The rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to a $53,932 benefit recorded for excess depletion, $48,976 discrete income tax charge related to the gain on the sale of non-producing North Powder River Basin assets, $983 discrete income tax reduction related to a successful resolution with the Internal Revenue Service Appeals Division of the company’s Extraterritorial Income Exclusion refund claims for tax years 2004 and 2005, and $1,786 discrete income tax reduction related to the successful resolution of an audit with the Canadian Revenue Agency.
	For the three months ended September 30, 2012, CONSOL Energy recognized additional tax expense as a result of changes in estimates of percentage depletion and Domestic Production Activities Deduction related to the prior-year tax provision. The result of these changes was a tax increase of $6,004.
	The total amounts of uncertain tax positions at September 30, 2013 and 2012 were $22,770 and $25,570, respectively. If these uncertain tax positions were recognized, approximately $2,071 and $3,891, respectively, would affect CONSOL Energy’s effective tax rate. There were no additions to the liability for unrecognized tax benefits during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	CONSOL Energy recognizes interest accrued related to uncertain tax positions in its interest expense. As of September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company reported an accrued interest liability relating to uncertain tax positions of $5,851 and $7,095, respectively. The accrued interest liability includes $1,020 and $1,722 of interest expense that is reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	CONSOL Energy recognizes penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in its income tax expense. As of September 30, 2013 and 2012, CONSOL Energy had no accrued liability for tax penalties.
	CONSOL Energy and its subsidiaries file federal income tax returns with the United States and returns within various states and Canadian jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to United States federal, state, local, or non-U.S. income tax determinations by tax authorities for the years before 2008.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	INVENTORIES:
	Inventory components consist of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Coal	$	58,050	$	78,825
	Merchandise for resale	37,792		35,363
	Supplies	142,506		133,578
	Total Inventories	$	238,348	$	247,766
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of coal inventories is determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Coal inventory costs include labor, supplies, equipment costs, operating overhead, depreciation, depletion and amortization, and other related costs.
	Merchandise for resale is valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) cost method. The excess of replacement cost of merchandise for resale inventories over carrying LIFO value was $18,683 and $19,700 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Accounts_Receivable_Securitiza

Accounts Receivable Securitization	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SECURITIZATION: [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable Securitization	'
	ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SECURITIZATION:
	CONSOL Energy and certain of our U.S. subsidiaries are party to a trade accounts receivable facility with financial institutions for the sale on a continuous basis of eligible trade accounts receivable. The facility allows CONSOL Energy to receive on a revolving basis up to $200,000. The facility also allows for the issuance of letters of credit against the $200,000 capacity. At September 30, 2013, there were letters of credit outstanding against the facility of $155,636. CONSOL Energy management believes that these letters of credit will expire without being funded, and therefore the commitments will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition. No amounts related to these financial guarantees and letters of credit are recorded as liabilities on the financial statements.
	CNX Funding Corporation, a wholly owned, special purpose, bankruptcy-remote subsidiary, buys and sells eligible trade receivables generated by certain subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy. Under the receivables facility, CONSOL Energy and certain subsidiaries, irrevocably and without recourse, sell all of their eligible trade accounts receivable to CNX Funding Corporation, who in turn sells these receivables to financial institutions and their affiliates, while maintaining a subordinated interest in a portion of the pool of trade receivables. This retained interest, which is included in Accounts and Notes Receivable Trade in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, is recorded at fair value. Due to a short average collection cycle for such receivables, our collection experience history and the composition of the designated pool of trade accounts receivable that are part of this program, the fair value of our retained interest approximates the total amount of the designated pool of accounts receivable. CONSOL Energy will continue to service the sold trade receivables for the financial institutions for a fee based upon market rates for similar services.
	In accordance with the Transfers and Servicing Topics of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification, CONSOL Energy records transactions under the securitization facility as secured borrowings on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The pledge of collateral is reported as Accounts Receivable - Securitized and the borrowings are classified as debt in Borrowings under Securitization Facility.
	The cost of funds under this facility is based upon commercial paper rates or LIBOR, plus a charge for administrative services paid to the financial institutions. Costs associated with the receivables facility totaled $416 and $1,328 for three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. Costs associated with the receivables facility totaled $420 and $1,276 for three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. These costs have been recorded as financing fees which are included in Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges in the Consolidated Statements of Income. No servicing asset or liability has been recorded. The receivables facility expires in March 2017 with the underlying liquidity agreement renewing annually each March.
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, eligible accounts receivable totaled $200,000. There was no subordinated retained interest at September 30, 2013 and at December 31, 2012. There were $44,364 of borrowings under the Securitization Facility recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2013 and $37,846 at December 31, 2012. The accounts receivable securitization program increased $6,518 in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and there was no change in the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The increase is reflected in the Net Cash Used in Financing Activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In accordance with the facility agreement, the Company is able to receive proceeds based upon the eligible accounts receivable at the previous month end.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Coal and other plant and equipment	$	6,207,105		$	6,030,620
	Intangible drilling cost	1,830,666			1,550,297
	Proven gas properties	1,601,106			1,596,838
	Coal properties and surface lands	1,449,526			1,346,151
	Unproven gas properties	1,383,921			1,266,017
	Gas gathering equipment	1,046,495			1,006,882
	Airshafts	746,134			706,388
	Mine development	608,630			537,939
	Leased coal lands	529,409			529,758
	Gas wells and related equipment	623,176			492,367
	Coal advance mining royalties	397,015			391,501
	Other gas assets	125,635			82,217
	Gas advance royalties	22,286			8,229
	Total Property Plant and Equipment	16,571,104			15,545,204
	Less: Accumulated DD&A	5,940,247			5,354,237
	Total Net PP&E	$	10,630,857		$	10,190,967
	Industry Participation Agreements
	CONSOL Energy has two significant industry participation agreements (referred to as "joint ventures" or "JVs") that provided drilling and completion carries for our retained interests.
	On October 21, 2011, CNX Gas Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of CONSOL Energy, completed a sale to Hess Ohio Developments, LLC (Hess) of 50% of nearly 200 thousand net Utica Shale acres in Ohio. Cash proceeds related to this transaction were $54,254, which were net of $5,719 in transaction fees. Additionally, CONSOL Energy and Hess entered into a joint development agreement pursuant to which Hess agreed to pay approximately $534,000 in the form of a 50% drilling carry of certain CONSOL Energy working interest obligations as the acreage is developed. The aggregate amount of the drilling carry can be adjusted downward under provisions of the joint venture agreements in certain events. The net gain on the transaction was $53,095 and was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income as Other Income for the year ended December 31, 2011. CONSOL Energy and Hess have agreed to focus their development efforts on six core counties in southeastern Ohio, in which the joint venture holds approximately 73,000 mostly fee acres. To this end, the parties have agreed to pursue the sale of approximately 63,000 acres outside of the focus areas. In addition, as previously announced, based on title work performed by Hess as part of the title defect process, we believe that there are chain of title issues with respect to approximately 39,000 of the joint venture acres representing approximately $153,000 of carry, most of which likely cannot be cured. These acres, together with another 26,000 acres of allegedly defective acres will be reassigned to CONSOL Energy. CONSOL Energy may elect to cure the alleged defects related to these acres and develop them, or sell the acres for its own account. After taking into account the reassignment of approximately 65,000 acres, the parties have agreed that the total carry remaining after these adjustments is $335,000. The loss of these Utica Shale acres will not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
	On September 30, 2011, CNX Gas Company completed a sale to Noble Energy, Inc. (Noble) of 50% of the Company's undivided interest in certain Marcellus Shale oil and gas properties in West Virginia and Pennsylvania covering approximately 628 thousand net acres and 50% of the Company's undivided interest in certain of its existing Marcellus Shale wells and related leases. In September 2011, cash proceeds of $485,464 were received related to this transaction, which were net of $34,998 transaction fees. Additionally, a note receivable was recognized related to the two additional cash payments to be received on the first and second anniversary of the transaction closing date. The discounted notes receivable of $311,754 and $296,344 were recorded in Accounts and Notes Receivables-Notes Receivable and Other Assets-Notes Receivable, respectively. In September 2013, cash proceeds of $327,964 were received related to the second anniversary note receivable. In September 2012, cash proceeds of $327,964 were received related to the first anniversary note receivable. During December 2011, an additional receivable of $16,703 and a payable of $980 were recorded for closing adjustments and were included in Accounts and Notes Receivable - Other and Accounts Payable, respectively. Adjusted cash proceeds of $15,598 related to the additional receivable were received in April 2012. The net loss on the transaction was $64,142 and was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income as Other Income for the year ended December 31, 2011. As part of the transaction, CNX Gas Company also received a commitment from Noble to pay one-third of the Company's working interest share of certain drilling and completion costs, up to approximately $2,100,000 with certain restrictions. These restrictions include the suspension of carry if average Henry Hub natural gas prices are below $4.00 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) for three consecutive months. The carry is currently suspended and will remain suspended until average natural gas prices are above $4.00/MMBtu for three consecutive months. Restrictions also include a $400,000 annual maximum on Noble's carried cost obligation. The aggregate amount of the drilling carry may also be adjusted downward under provisions of the joint venture agreements in certain events.
	Under our joint venture agreement with Noble, Noble had the right to perform due diligence on the title to the oil and gas interests which CONSOL Energy conveyed to them and to assert that title to the acreage is defective. CONSOL Energy then can review and respond to the asserted title defects, or cure them, and ultimately, if the claim is not resolved, either party can submit the defect to an arbitrator for resolution. The Company has substantially completed its review of the title defect notice, asserted by Noble, and working in collaboration with Noble, the Company has addressed defects with respect to approximately 86.498 gross deal acres, having a carry value of approximately $543,000, to the satisfaction of both parties. Noble has asserted title defects with respect to approximately 2,868 gross deal acres, having a carry value of approximately $27,000, which have not yet been addressed to the full satisfaction of both parties. The Company is working closely with Noble to address these remaining and final alleged defects. To date, the Company has conceded defects which have an aggregate value of approximately $204,000 in excess of the applicable deductibles. The impact of these conceded defects was $12,983 and $21,763 of expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and was included in Cost of Goods Sold and Other Charges in the Consolidated Statement of Income. CONSOL Energy and Noble made a concerted effort during the quarter to address the remaining title defects, which resulted in a higher write-off of defected acres than in prior quarters; however, as a result of this effort, the parties have resolved substantially all outstanding asserted defects and any final write-off in the fourth quarter is not expected to be material.
	The following table provides information about our industry participation agreements as of September 30, 2013:
	Shale Play		Industry Participation Agreement Partner	Industry Participation Agreement Date		Drilling Carries Remaining*
	Marcellus		Noble Energy, Inc.	30-Sep-11		$	1,885,785
	Utica		Hess Ohio Developments, LLC	21-Oct-11		$	255,148
	*See above for a description of the impact on the drilling carries of title defects that have been asserted by Noble.

ShortTerm_Notes_Payable

Short-Term Notes Payable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Short-term Debt, Other Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Short-Term Notes Payable:	'
	SHORT-TERM NOTES PAYABLE:
	CONSOL Energy's $1,500,000 Senior Secured Credit Agreement expires April 12, 2016. The facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of CONSOL Energy and certain of its subsidiaries. CONSOL Energy's credit facility allows for up to $1,500,000 of borrowings and letters of credit. CONSOL Energy can request an additional $250,000 increase in the aggregate borrowing limit amount. Fees and interest rate spreads are based on a ratio of financial covenant debt to twelve-month trailing earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA), measured quarterly. The facility includes a minimum interest coverage ratio covenant of no less than 2.50 to 1.00, measured quarterly. The interest coverage ratio was 3.96 to 1.00 at September 30, 2013. The facility includes a maximum leverage ratio covenant of no more than 4.50 to 1.00, measured quarterly. The leverage ratio was 3.21 to 1.00 at September 30, 2013. The facility also includes a senior secured leverage ratio covenant of not more than 2.00 to 1.00, measured quarterly. The senior secured leverage ratio was 0.11 to 1.00 at September 30, 2013. Affirmative and negative covenants in the facility limit our ability to dispose of assets, make investments, purchase or redeem CONSOL Energy common stock, pay dividends, merge with another corporation and amend, modify or restate the senior unsecured notes. At September 30, 2013, the $1,500,000 facility had no borrowings outstanding and $104,137 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $1,395,863 of capacity available for borrowings and the issuance of letters of credit. At December 31, 2012, the $1,500,000 facility had no borrowings outstanding and $100,292 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $1,399,708 of capacity available for borrowings and the issuance of letters of credit.
	CNX Gas Corporation's (CNX Gas) $1,000,000 Senior Secured Credit Agreement expires April 12, 2016. The facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of CNX Gas and its subsidiaries. CNX Gas' credit facility allows for up to $1,000,000 for borrowings and letters of credit. CNX Gas can request an additional $250,000 increase in the aggregate borrowing limit amount. Fees and interest rate spreads are based on the percentage of facility utilization, measured quarterly. Covenants in the facility limit CNX Gas’ ability to dispose of assets, make investments, pay dividends and merge with another corporation. The credit facility allows unlimited investments in joint ventures for the development and operation of gas gathering systems and provides for $600,000 of loans, advances and dividends from CNX Gas to CONSOL Energy. Investments in CONE Gathering, LLC (CONE) are unrestricted. The facility includes a maximum leverage ratio covenant of not more than 3.50 to 1.00, measured quarterly. The leverage ratio was 0.75 to 1.00 at September 30, 2013. The facility also includes a minimum interest coverage ratio covenant of no less than 3.00 to 1.00, measured quarterly. This ratio was 28.55 to 1.00 at September 30, 2013. At September 30, 2013, the $1,000,000 facility had $47,000 borrowings outstanding and $70,051 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $882,949 of capacity available for borrowings and the issuance of letters of credit. At December 31, 2012, the $1,000,000 facility had no borrowings outstanding and $70,203 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $929,797 of capacity available for borrowings and the issuance of letters of credit. The average interest rate for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was 1.80% and 1.76%, respectively. Accrued interest of $5 and $29 was included in Other Accrued Liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	CONSOL Energy entered into an interim funding arrangement for longwall shields. At December 31, 2012, CONSOL
	Energy had a note payable of $25,073 related to this funding arrangement. The interim funding arrangement bore a weighted average interest rate of 2.46% as of December 31, 2012. There were no interim funding agreements outstanding at September 30, 2013.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Long-term Debt, Other Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt	'
	LONG-TERM DEBT:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Debt:
	Senior notes due April 2017 at 8.00%, issued at par value	$	1,500,000	$	1,500,000
	Senior notes due April 2020 at 8.25%, issued at par value	1,250,000		1,250,000
	Senior notes due March 2021 at 6.375%, issued at par value	250,000		250,000
	MEDCO revenue bonds in series due September 2025 at 5.75%	102,865		102,865
	Advance royalty commitments (7.43% weighted average interest rate for September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012)	20,394		20,394
	Other long-term notes maturing at various dates through 2031 (total value of $6,268 and $7,300 less unamortized discount of $1,166 and $1,542 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively).	5,102		5,758
		3,128,361		3,129,017
	Less amounts due in one year *	4,606		4,544
	Long-Term Debt	$	3,123,755	$	3,124,473
	* Excludes current portion of Capital Lease Obligations of $8,576 and $8,941 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	Accrued interest related to Long-Term Debt of $113,589 and $63,363 was included in Other Accrued Liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
	CONSOL Energy and its subsidiaries are subject to various lawsuits and claims with respect to such matters as personal injury, wrongful death, damage to property, exposure to hazardous substances, governmental regulations including environmental remediation, employment and contract disputes and other claims and actions arising out of the normal course of business. We accrue the estimated loss for these lawsuits and claims when the loss is probable and can be estimated. Our current estimated accruals related to these pending claims, individually and in the aggregate, are immaterial to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of CONSOL Energy. It is possible that the aggregate loss in the future with respect to these lawsuits and claims could ultimately be material to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of CONSOL Energy; however, such amounts cannot be reasonably estimated. The amount claimed against CONSOL Energy is disclosed below when an amount is expressly stated in the lawsuit or claim, which is not often the case. The maximum aggregate amount claimed in those lawsuits and claims, regardless of probability, where a claim is expressly stated or can be estimated, exceeds the aggregate amounts accrued for all lawsuits and claims by approximately $792,000.
	The following lawsuits and claims include those for which a loss is probable and an accrual has been recognized.
	American Electric Corp: On August 8, 2011, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV, sent Consolidation Coal Company a General Notice and Offer to Negotiate regarding the Ellis Road/American Electric Corp. Superfund Site in Jacksonville, Florida. The General Notice was sent to approximately 180 former customers of American Electric Corp. CONSOL Energy has confirmed that it did business with American Electric Corp. in 1983 and 1984. The General Notice indicated that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other contaminants in the soils and sediments at and near the site require a removal action. The Offer to Negotiate invited the potentially responsible parties (PRPs) to enter into an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent (AOC) to provide for conducting the removal action under the EPA oversight and to reimburse the EPA for its past costs, in the amount of $384 and for its future costs. CONSOL Energy responded to the EPA indicating its willingness to participate in such negotiations, and CONSOL Energy is participating in a group of potentially responsible parties to conduct the removal action. The AOC was signed on July 20, 2012, and as a result, the EPA granted the performing parties a $408 orphan share credit, which will offset the EPA's past costs. The actual scope of the work has yet to be determined, but the current estimate of the total costs of the removal action is in the range of $2,000 to $5,400, with CONSOL Energy's share of such costs at approximately 8%. In 2011, CONSOL Energy established an initial accrual based on its allocated share of the costs among the viable former customers of American Electric Corp. During the year ended December 31, 2012, CONSOL Energy funded $250 to an independent trust established for the remediation, which is 50% of CONSOL Energy's allocated share of the trust fund. The liability is immaterial to the overall financial position of CONSOL Energy and was included in Other Accrued Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	Ward Transformer Superfund Site: CONSOL Energy was notified in November 2004 by the EPA that it is a potentially responsible party (PRP) under the Superfund program established by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (CERCLA), with respect to the Ward Transformer site in Wake County, North Carolina. The EPA, CONSOL Energy and two other PRPs entered into an administrative Settlement Agreement and Order of Consent, requiring those PRPs to undertake and complete a PCB soil removal action, at and in the vicinity of the Ward Transformer property. In June 2008, while conducting the PCB soil excavation on the Ward property, it was determined that PCBs have migrated onto adjacent properties and in September 2008, the EPA notified CONSOL Energy and 60 other companies that they are PRPs for these additional areas. The current estimated cost of remedial action for the area CONSOL Energy was originally named a PRP, including payment of the EPA's past and future cost, is approximately $65,000. The current estimated cost of the most likely remediation plan for the additional areas discovered is approximately $12,800. CONSOL Energy recognized $576 in expense in Cost of Goods Sold and Other charges in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and recognized no expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Also, CONSOL Energy has provided funding to an independent trust established for this remediation. CONSOL Energy funded $2,563 in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and funded $400 in the nine months ended September 30, 2012. As of September 30, 2013, CONSOL Energy and the other participating PRPs had asserted CERCLA cost recovery and contribution claims against approximately 225 nonparticipating PRPs to recover a share of the costs incurred and to be incurred to conduct the removal actions at the Ward Site. CONSOL Energy's portion of recoveries from settled claims is $3,805. Accordingly, the liability reflected in Other Accrued Liabilities was reduced by these settled claims. The remaining net liability at September 30, 2013 is $1,769.
	Asbestos-Related Litigation: One of our subsidiaries, Fairmont Supply Company (Fairmont), which distributes industrial supplies, currently is named as a defendant in approximately 6,900 asbestos-related claims in state courts in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Texas and Illinois. Because a very small percentage of products manufactured by third parties and supplied by Fairmont in the past may have contained asbestos and many of the pending claims are part of mass complaints filed by hundreds of plaintiffs against a hundred or more defendants, it has been difficult for Fairmont to determine how many of the cases actually involve valid claims or plaintiffs who were actually exposed to asbestos-containing products supplied by Fairmont. In addition, while Fairmont may be entitled to indemnity or contribution in certain jurisdictions from manufacturers of identified products, the availability of such indemnity or contribution is unclear at this time, and in recent years, some of the manufacturers named as defendants in these actions have sought protection from these claims under bankruptcy laws. Fairmont has no insurance coverage with respect to these asbestos cases. Based on over 15 years of experience with this litigation, we have established an accrual to cover our estimated liability for these cases. This accrual is immaterial to the overall financial position of CONSOL Energy and was included in Other Accrued Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Past payments by Fairmont with respect to asbestos cases have not been material.
	South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Arbitration: In April, 2009, South Carolina Electric & Gas Company (SCE&G), a public utility, filed an arbitration complaint, against CONSOL of Kentucky Inc. and CONSOL Energy Sales Company, both wholly owned subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy, seeking $36,000 in damages. SCE&G claimed it suffered those damages in obtaining cover coal to replace coal which was not delivered in 2008 under a coal sales agreement.  CONSOL Energy counterclaimed against SCE&G for $9,400 for terminating coal shipments under the sales agreement, alleging that SCE&G had agreed that shortfalls could be made up in 2009.  A four day hearing on the claims commenced on April 30, 2012. On December 21, 2012, the Arbitration Panel awarded SCE&G $9,735, plus interest at 8.75% from January 9, 2011, and attorney fees. The Award is against CONSOL of Kentucky only. On August 14, 2013, the Panel, over vigorous objection by CONSOL, awarded SCE&G $1,232 for attorneys’ fees and expenses. We had established an accrual to cover our estimated liability for this case, and have paid the final award in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. This matter is now concluded.
	Hale Litigation: A purported class action lawsuit was filed on September 23, 2010 in the U.S. District Court in Abingdon, Virginia styled Hale v. CNX Gas Company, et. al. The lawsuit alleges that the plaintiff class consists of forced-pooled unleased gas owners whose gas ownership is in conflict, the Virginia Supreme Court and General Assembly have decided that coalbed methane (CBM) belongs to the owner of the gas estate, the Virginia Gas and Oil Act of 1990 unconstitutionally provides only a 1/8 net proceeds royalty to CBM owners for gas produced under the forced-pooled orders, and CNX Gas Company relied upon control of only the coal estate in force pooling the CBM notwithstanding decisions by the Virginia Supreme Court. The lawsuit seeks a judicial declaration of ownership of the CBM and that the entire net proceeds of CBM production (that is, the 1/8 royalty and the 7/8 of net revenues since production began) be distributed to the class members. The lawsuit also alleges CNX Gas Company failed to either pay royalties due to conflicting claimants, or deemed lessors or paid them less than required because of the alleged practice of improper below market sales and/or taking alleged improper post-production deductions. The Magistrate Judge issued a Report and Recommendation in which she recommended that the District Judge decide that the deemed lease provision of the Gas and Oil Act is constitutional as is the 1/8 royalty. The Magistrate Judge recommended against the dismissal of certain other claims. The District Judge affirmed the Magistrate Judge's recommendations in their entirety. An amended complaint was filed, which added additional allegations that include gas hedging receipts should have been used as the basis for royalty payments, severance tax should not be allowed as a post-production deduction from royalties, and damages incurred because gas was produced prior to the entry of pooling orders. A motion to dismiss the Amended Complaint was filed and denied. The Magistrate Judge issued a Report & Recommendation on June 5, 2013, recommending that the District Judge grant plaintiffs' Motion for Class Certification. CNX Gas Company filed its extensive Objections to the Report & Recommendation on July 3, 2013. The District Judge heard argument on the Objections on September 12, 2013, and on September 30, 2013, entered an Order overruling the Objections, adopting the Report & Recommendation and certifying the class with a modified class definition. CNX Gas believes this case cannot properly proceed as a Rule 23 class action and intends to appeal the class certification Order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Discovery is proceeding in this litigation. CONSOL Energy believes that the case has meritorious defenses and intends to defend it vigorously. We have established an accrual to cover our estimated liability for this case. This accrual is immaterial to the overall financial position of CONSOL Energy and was included in Other Accrued Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	Addison Litigation: A purported class action lawsuit was filed on April 28, 2010 in the United States District Court in Abingdon, Virginia styled Addison v. CNX Gas Company, et al.  The lawsuit alleges that the plaintiff class consists of gas lessors whose gas ownership is in conflict. The lawsuit alleges that the Virginia Supreme Court and General Assembly have decided that the plaintiff owns the gas and is entitled to royalties held in escrow by the Commonwealth of Virginia or CNX Gas Company. The lawsuit also alleges CNX Gas Company failed to either pay royalties due these conflicting claimant lessors or paid them less than required because of the alleged practice of improper below market sales and/or taking alleged improper post-production deductions. Plaintiff seeks a declaratory judgment regarding ownership, an accounting and compensatory and punitive damages for breach of contract; conversion; negligence (voluntary undertaking) for improperly asserting that conflicting ownership exists, negligence (breach of duties as an operator); breach of fiduciary duties; and unjust enrichment. The Magistrate Judge issued a Report and Recommendation recommending dismissing some claims and allowing others to proceed. The District Judge affirmed the Magistrate Judge's recommendations in their entirety. An Amended Complaint was filed which added an additional allegation that gas hedging receipts should have been used as the basis for royalty payments. A motion to dismiss those claims was filed and was denied. The Magistrate Judge issued a Report & Recommendation on June 5, 2013, recommending that the District Judge grant plaintiffs' Motion for Class Certification. CNX Gas Company filed its extensive Objections to the Report & Recommendation on July 3, 2013. The District Judge heard argument on the Objections on September 12, 2013, and on September 30, 2013, entered an Order overruling the Objections, adopting the Report & Recommendation and certifying the class with a modified class definition. CNX Gas believes this case cannot properly proceed as a Rule 23 class action and intends to appeal the class certification Order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Discovery is proceeding in this litigation. CONSOL Energy believes that the case has meritorious defenses and intends to defend it vigorously. We have established an accrual to cover our estimated liability for this case. This accrual is immaterial to the overall financial position of CONSOL Energy and was included in Other Accrued Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	CNX Gas Shareholders Litigation: CONSOL Energy was named as a defendant in four putative class actions brought by alleged shareholders of CNX Gas Corporation challenging the tender offer by CONSOL Energy to acquire all of the shares of CNX Gas common stock that CONSOL Energy did not already own for $38.25 per share. The two cases filed in Pennsylvania Common Pleas Court have been stayed and the two cases filed in the Delaware Chancery Court have been consolidated under the caption In Re CNX Gas Shareholders Litigation (C.A. No. 5377-VCL).  (A third case filed in Delaware was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff in 2010.) All four actions generally allege that CONSOL Energy breached and/or aided and abetted in the breach of fiduciary duties purportedly owed to CNX Gas public shareholders, essentially alleging that the $38.25 per share price that CONSOL Energy paid to CNX Gas shareholders in the tender offer and subsequent short-form merger was unfair. Among other things, the actions sought a permanent injunction against or rescission of the tender offer, damages, and attorneys' fees and expenses. Following a mediation, the parties to the Delaware litigation have agreed in principle to a settlement and release of all of the claims of the plaintiff class (as defined in a January 20, 2011 order of certification) in exchange for defendants' agreement to establish a settlement fund in the amount of $42,730 for distribution to class members, of which CONSOL Energy is responsible for $19,200. On May 8, 2013, the parties executed and filed with the Court a Stipulation and Agreement of Compromise and Settlement. A Settlement Hearing was held by the Court on August 23, 2013, and the settlement was approved. There were no appeals, and the settlement was paid in October 2013.
	The following lawsuits and claims include those for which a loss is reasonably possible, but not probable, and accordingly no accrual has been recognized.
	The following royalty and land right lawsuits and claims include those for which a loss is reasonably possible, but not probable, and accordingly, no accrual has been recognized. These claims are influenced by many factors which prevent the estimation of a range of potential loss. These factors include, but are not limited to, generalized allegations of unspecified damages (such as improper deductions), discovery having not commenced or not having been completed, unavailability of expert reports on damages and non-monetary issues are being tried. For example, in instances where a gas lease termination is sought, damages would depend on speculation as to if and when the gas production would otherwise have occurred, how many wells would have been drilled on the lease premises, what their production would be, what the cost of production would be, and what the price of gas would be during the production period. An estimate is calculated, if applicable, when sufficient information becomes available.
	Ratliff Litigation: On March 22, 2012, the Company was served with four complaints filed on May 31, 2011 by four individuals against Consolidation Coal Company (CCC), Island Creek Coal Company (ICCC), CNX Gas Company, subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy, as well as CONSOL Energy itself in the Circuit Court of Russell County, Virginia. The complaints seek damages and injunctive relief in connection with the deposit of water from mining activities at CCC's Buchanan Mine into nearby void spaces at some of the mines of ICCC. The suits allege damage to coal and coalbed methane and seek recovery in tort, contract and assumpsit (quasi-contract). The cases were removed to federal court, motions to dismiss were filed by CCC, and then were voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs. On January 30, 2013, the four plaintiffs filed a single consolidated complaint against the same defendants in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, alleging the same damage and theories of recovery for storage of water in the mine voids ostensibly underlying their property. The suit seeks damages ranging from $4,000 to $8,000 plus punitive damages. Service was effected on April 1, 2013 by waiver. A Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs' Complaint and, in the Alternative, Motion for More Definitive Statement was filed by the defendants on May 31, 2013. Plaintiffs' Response in opposition to the Motion to Dismiss was filed on June 20, 2013, and the defendants on July 1, 2013, filed their Reply to the Response. Plaintiffs filed a Sur Reply brief on July 8, 2013, for the first time arguing the interpretation of the Virginia Mine Void Statute urged by defendants was unconstitutional. Based on Plaintiffs’ challenge, the Court on August 1, 2013, entered a Certificate pursuant to 28 USC Section 2304 notifying the Virginia Attorney General that the Mine Void Statute had been called into question and advising the Commonwealth of its right to intervene in the proceedings for the limited purpose of addressing the constitutionality of the statute. To date, the Virginia Attorney General has not responded. CONSOL Energy intends to vigorously defend the suit.
	Hall Litigation: A purported class action lawsuit was filed on December 23, 2010 styled Hall v. CONSOL Gas Company in Allegheny County Pennsylvania Common Pleas Court.  The named plaintiff is Earl D. Hall.  The purported class plaintiffs are all Pennsylvania oil and gas lessors to Dominion Exploration and Production Company, whose leases were acquired by CONSOL Energy.  The complaint alleges more than 1,000 similarly situated lessors.  The lawsuit alleges that CONSOL Energy incorrectly calculated royalties by (i) calculating line loss on the basis of allocated volumes rather than on a well-by-well basis, (ii) possibly calculating the royalty on the basis of an incorrect price, (iii) possibly taking unreasonable deductions for post-production costs and costs that were not arms-length, (iv) not paying royalties on gas lost or used before the point of sale, and (v) not paying royalties on oil production. The complaint also alleges that royalty statements were false and misleading.  The complaint seeks damages, interest and an accounting on a well-by-well basis. The case has been inactive since December 2011. CONSOL Energy believes that the case is without merit and intends to defend it vigorously. Consequently, we have not recognized any liability related to these actions.
	Kennedy Litigation: The Company is a party to a case filed on March 26, 2008 captioned Earl Kennedy (and others) v. CNX Gas Company and CONSOL Energy in the Court of Common Pleas of Greene County, Pennsylvania. The lawsuit alleges that CNX Gas Company and CONSOL Energy trespassed and converted gas and other minerals allegedly belonging to the plaintiffs in connection with wells drilled by CNX Gas Company. The complaint, as amended, seeks injunctive relief, including removing CNX Gas Company from the property, and compensatory damages of $20,000. The suit also sought to overturn existing law as to the ownership of coalbed methane in Pennsylvania, but that claim was dismissed by the court; the plaintiffs are seeking to appeal that dismissal. The suit also seeks a determination that the Pittsburgh 8 coal seam does not include the “roof/rider” coal. The court denied the plaintiff's summary judgment motion on that issue. The court held a bench trial on the “roof/rider” coal issue in November 2011 and ruled for CNX Gas Company and CONSOL Energy, holding that the “roof/rider” coal is included in the Pittsburgh 8 coal seam. The plaintiffs have indicated that they intend to appeal that decision. A trial on the issue of whether a drilling that deviates from the coal seam results in damage to the gas owner is anticipated for first quarter 2014. CNX Gas Company and CONSOL Energy believe this lawsuit to be without merit and intend to vigorously defend it. Consequently, we have not recognized any liability related to these actions.
	Rowland Litigation: Rowland Land Company filed a complaint in May 2011 against CONSOL Energy, CNX Gas Company, Dominion Resources Inc., and EQT Production Company (EQT) in Raleigh County Circuit Court, West Virginia. Rowland is the lessor on a 33,000 acre oil and gas lease in southern West Virginia. EQT was the original lessee, but farmed out the development of the lease to Dominion Resources in exchange for an overriding royalty. Dominion Resources sold the indirect subsidiary that held the lease to a subsidiary of CONSOL Energy on April 30, 2010. Subsequent to that acquisition, the subsidiary that held the lease was merged into CNX Gas Company as part of an internal reorganization. Rowland alleges that (i) Dominion Resources' sale of the subsidiary to CONSOL Energy was a change in control that required its consent under the terms of the farmout agreement and lease, and/or (ii) the subsequent merger of the subsidiary into CNX Gas Company was an assignment that required its consent under the lease. Rowland has recently been permitted to file its Third Amended Complaint to include additional allegations that CONSOL Energy has slandered Rowland's title. A motion to dismiss will be filed. Initial mediation efforts have been unsuccessful. A Status Conference and hearing on pending discovery motions has been scheduled by the Court for November 6, 2013. CONSOL Energy believes that the case is without merit and intends to defend it vigorously. Consequently, we have not recognized any liability related to these actions.
	Majorsville Storage Field Declaratory Judgment: On March 3, 2011, an attorney sent a letter to CNX Gas Company regarding certain leases that CNX Gas Company obtained from Columbia Gas in Greene County, Pennsylvania involving the Majorsville Storage Field. The letter was written on behalf of three lessors alleging that the leases totaling 525 acres are invalid and had expired by their terms. The plaintiffs' theory is that the rights of storage and production are severable under the leases. Ignoring the fact that the leases have been used for gas storage, they claim that since there has been no production or development of production, the right to produce gas expired at the end of the primary terms. On June 16, 2011, in the Court of Common Pleas of Greene County, Pennsylvania, the Company filed a declaratory judgment action, seeking to have a court confirm the validity of the leases. Discovery is proceeding in this litigation. We believe that we will prevail in this litigation based on the language of the leases and the current status of the law. Consequently, we have not recognized any liability related to these actions.
	The following lawsuit and claims include those for which a loss is remote and accordingly, no accrual has been recognized, although if a non-favorable verdict were received the impact could be material.
	Comer Litigation: In 2005, plaintiffs Ned Comer and others filed a purported class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi against a number of companies in energy, fossil fuels and chemical industries, including CONSOL Energy styled, Comer, et al. v. Murphy Oil, et al. (Comer I). The plaintiffs, residents and owners of property along the Mississippi Gulf coast, alleged that the defendants caused the emission of greenhouse gases that contributed to global warming, which in turn caused a rise in sea levels and added to the ferocity of Hurricane Katrina, which combined to destroy the plaintiffs' property. The District Court dismissed the case and the plaintiffs appealed. The Circuit Court panel reversed and the defendants sought a rehearing before the entire court. A rehearing before the entire court was granted, which had the effect of vacating the panel's reversal, but before the case could be heard on the merits, a number of judges recused themselves and there was no longer a quorum. As a result, the District Court's dismissal was effectively reinstated. The plaintiffs asked the U.S. Supreme Court to require the Circuit Court to address the merits of their appeal. On January 11, 2011, the Supreme Court denied that request. Although that should have resulted in the dismissal being final, the plaintiffs filed a lawsuit on May 27, 2011, in the same jurisdiction against essentially the same defendants making nearly identical allegations as in the original lawsuit (Comer II). The trial court dismissed this case, and the dismissal was appealed. On May 14, 2013, a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed, holding res judicata arising from Comer I bars the plaintiffs' claims in Comer II. On June 5, 2013, the Fifth Circuit issued its mandate. August 12, 2013, was the deadline by which Plaintiffs had to file a certiorari petition with the Supreme Court of the United States. They did not do so. This matter is now concluded.
	At September 30, 2013, CONSOL Energy has provided the following financial guarantees, unconditional purchase obligations and letters of credit to certain third parties, as described by major category in the following table. These amounts represent the maximum potential total of future payments that we could be required to make under these instruments. These amounts have not been reduced for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions. Generally, recoveries under reclamation bonds would be limited to the extent of the work performed at the time of the default. No amounts related to these financial guarantees and letters of credit are recorded as liabilities on the financial statements. CONSOL Energy management believes that these guarantees will expire without being funded, and therefore the commitments will not have a material adverse effect on financial condition.
		Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period
		Total			Less Than			1-3 Years			3-5 Years			Beyond
		Amounts			1  Year									5  Years
		Committed
	Letters of Credit:
	Employee-Related	$	190,358		$	71,624		$	118,734		$	—		$	—
	Environmental	56,294			54,566			1,728			—			—
	Other	83,246			34,488			48,758			—			—
	Total Letters of Credit	329,898			160,678			169,220			—			—
	Surety Bonds:
	Employee-Related	204,884			204,884			—			—			—
	Environmental	537,167			495,017			42,150			—			—
	Other	31,955			31,719			235			—			1
	Total Surety Bonds	774,006			731,620			42,385			—			1
	Total Commitments	$	1,103,904		$	892,298		$	211,605		$	—		$	1
	Employee-related financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support the United Mine Workers’ of America’s 1992 Benefit Plan and various state and federal workers’ compensation self-insurance programs. Environmental financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support various performance bonds related to reclamation and other environmental issues. Coal and Gas financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support various sales contracts. Other guarantees have also been extended to support insurance policies, legal matters, full and timely payments of mining equipment leases, and various other items necessary in the normal course of business.
	CONSOL Energy and CNX Gas enter into long-term unconditional purchase obligations to procure major equipment purchases, natural gas firm transportation, gas drilling services and other operating goods and services. These purchase obligations are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of September 30, 2013, the purchase obligations for each of the next five years and beyond were as follows:
	Obligations Due	Amount
	Less than 1 year	$	393,709
	1 - 3 years	253,025
	3 - 5 years	189,138
	More than 5 years	419,240
	Total Purchase Obligations	$	1,255,112
	Costs related to these purchase obligations include:
				Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
				September 30,						September 30,
				2013			2012			2013			2012
	Major equipment purchases			$	8,990		$	59,799		$	57,571		$	104,980
	Firm transportation expense			29,654			18,844			89,196			49,711
	Gas drilling obligations			26,296			27,100			81,419			85,192
	Other			—			65			—			492
	Total costs related to purchase obligations			$	64,940		$	105,808		$	228,186		$	240,375

Derivative_Instruments

Derivative Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments:	'
	DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS:
	CONSOL Energy enters into financial derivative instruments to manage our exposure to commodity price volatility. The fair value of CONSOL Energy's derivatives (natural gas price swaps) are based on intra-bank pricing models which utilize inputs that are either readily available in the public market, such as natural gas forward curves, or can be corroborated from active markets or broker quotes. These values are then compared to the values given by our counterparties for reasonableness. Changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recorded currently in earnings unless special hedge accounting criteria are met. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, the changes in fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged item are recorded in earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reported in Other Comprehensive Income or Loss (OCI) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and reclassified into Outside Sales on the Consolidated Statements of Income in the same period or periods which the forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portions of hedges are recognized in earnings in the current period. CONSOL Energy currently utilizes only cash flow hedges that are considered highly effective.
	CONSOL Energy formally assesses both at inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis whether each derivative is highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair values or the cash flows of the hedged item. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or if a derivative ceases to be a highly effective hedge, CONSOL Energy will discontinue hedge accounting prospectively.
	CONSOL Energy is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties. The creditworthiness of counterparties is subject to continuing review. The Company has not experienced any issues of non-performance by derivative counterparties.
	None of our counterparty master agreements currently require CONSOL Energy to post collateral for any of its hedges. However, as stated in the counterparty master agreements, if CONSOL Energy's obligations with one of its counterparties cease to be secured on the same basis as similar obligations with the other lenders under the credit facility, CONSOL Energy would have to post collateral for hedges in a liabilities position in excess of defined thresholds. All of our derivative instruments are subject to master netting arrangements with our counterparties.  CONSOL Energy recognizes all financial derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a gross basis.
	Each of CONSOL Energy's counterparty master agreements allows, in the event of default, the ability to elect early termination of outstanding contracts. If early termination is elected, CONSOL Energy and the applicable counterparty would net settle all open hedge positions.
	CONSOL Energy has entered into swap contracts for natural gas to manage the price risk associated with the forecasted natural gas sales. The objective of these hedges is to reduce the variability of the cash flows associated with the forecasted sales from the underlying commodity. As of September 30, 2013, the total notional amount of the Company’s outstanding natural gas swap contracts was 216.5 billion cubic feet. These swap contracts are forecasted to settle through December 31, 2016 and meet the criteria for cash flow hedge accounting. As these contracts settle, the cash received and/or paid will be shown on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as Changes in Prepaid Expenses, Changes in Other Assets, Changes in Other Operating Liabilities and/or Changes in Other Liabilities. Assuming no changes in price during the next twelve months, $44,438 of unrealized gain is expected to be reclassified from Other Comprehensive Income on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and into Outside Sales on the Consolidated Statements of Income, as a result of the gross settlements of cash flow hedges. No gains or losses have been reclassified into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedges.
	The gross fair value at September 30, 2013 of CONSOL Energy's derivative instruments, which were all natural gas swaps and qualify as cash flow hedges, was an asset of $107,366 and a liability of $5,252. The total asset is comprised of $75,735 and $31,631 which were included in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The total liability is comprised of $746 and $4,506 which were included in Other Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The gross fair value at December 31, 2012 of CONSOL Energy's derivative instruments, which were all natural gas swaps and qualify as cash flow hedges, was an asset of $135,969 and a liability of $7,024. The total asset is comprised of $80,057 and $55,912 which were included in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The total liability is comprised of $970 and $6,054 which were included in Other Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships on the Consolidated Statements of Income and the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity were as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
	Natural Gas Price Swaps
	Beginning Balance – Accumulated OCI	$	71,674		$	132,731
	Gain/(Loss) recognized in Accumulated OCI	$	13,246		$	(6,459	)
	Less: Gain reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Outside Sales	$	24,354		$	47,809
	Ending Balance – Accumulated OCI	$	60,566		$	78,463
	Gain/(Loss) recognized in Outside Sales for ineffectiveness	$	2,592		$	1,732
		For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
	Natural Gas Price Swaps
	Beginning Balance – Accumulated OCI	$	76,761		$	151,780
	Gain/(Loss) recognized in Accumulated OCI	$	40,400		$	80,280
	Less: Gain reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Outside Sales	$	56,595		$	153,597
	Ending Balance – Accumulated OCI	$	60,566		$	78,463
	Gain/(Loss) recognized in Outside Sales for ineffectiveness	$	(120	)	$	1,778
	There were no amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness in 2013 or 2012.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
	The financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
		Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013									Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012
	Description	Quoted Prices in			Significant			Significant			Quoted Prices in			Significant		Significant
		Active Markets			Other			Unobservable			Active Markets			Other		Unobservable
		for Identical			Observable			Inputs			for Identical			Observable		Inputs
		Liabilities			Inputs			(Level 3)			Liabilities			Inputs		(Level 3)
		(Level 1)			(Level 2)						(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	Gas Cash Flow Hedges	$	—		$	102,114		$	—		$	—		$	128,945	$	—
	The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value for which the fair value option was not elected:
	Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amount reported in the balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents approximates its fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
	Restricted cash: The carrying amount reported in the balance sheets for restricted cash approximates its fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
	Short-term notes payable: The carrying amount reported in the balance sheets for short-term notes payable approximates its fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
	Borrowings under Securitization Facility: The carrying amount reported in the balance sheets for borrowings under the securitization facility approximates its fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
	Long-term debt: The fair value of long-term debt is measured using unadjusted quoted market prices or estimated using discounted cash flow analyses. The discounted cash flow analyses are based on current market rates for instruments with similar cash flows.
	The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments for which the fair value option was not elected are as follows:
		September 30, 2013						December 31, 2012
		Carrying			Fair			Carrying			Fair
		Amount			Value			Amount			Value
	Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	21,086		$	21,086		$	21,878		$	21,878
	Restricted Cash (a)	$	12,263		$	12,263		$	68,673		$	68,673
	Short-Term Notes Payable	$	(47,000	)	$	(47,000	)	$	(25,073	)	$	(25,073	)
	Borrowings Under Securitization Facility	$	(44,364	)	$	(44,364	)	$	(37,846	)	$	(37,846	)
	Long-Term Debt	$	(3,128,361	)	$	(3,320,618	)	$	(3,129,017	)	$	(3,378,058	)
	(a) The 2013 restricted cash balance of $12,263 was included in current assets of the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The 2012 restricted cash balance includes $48,294 and $20,379 included in current assets and other assets of the Consolidated Balance Sheet, respectively.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	SEGMENT INFORMATION:
	CONSOL Energy has two principal business divisions: Coal and Gas. The principal activities of the Coal division are mining, preparation and marketing of thermal coal, sold primarily to power generators, and metallurgical coal, sold to metal and coke producers. The Coal division includes four reportable segments. These reportable segments are Thermal, Low Volatile Metallurgical, High Volatile Metallurgical and Other Coal. Each of these reportable segments includes a number of operating segments (mines or type of coal sold). For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Thermal aggregated segment includes the following mines: Bailey, Blacksville #2, Enlow Fork, Fola Complex, Loveridge, McElroy, Miller Creek Complex, Robinson Run and Shoemaker. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Low Volatile Metallurgical aggregated segment includes the Buchanan Mine and Amonate Complex. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the High Volatile Metallurgical aggregated segment includes: Bailey, Blacksville #2, Enlow Fork, Fola Complex, Loveridge and Robinson Run coal sales. The Other Coal segment includes our purchased coal activities, idled mine activities, general and administrative activities as well as various other activities assigned to the Coal division but not allocated to each individual mine. The principal activity of the Gas division is to produce pipeline quality natural gas for sale primarily to gas wholesalers. The Gas division includes four reportable segments. These reportable segments are Coalbed Methane, Marcellus, Shallow Oil and Gas and Other Gas. The Other Gas segment includes our purchased gas activities, general and administrative activities as well as various other activities assigned to the Gas division but not allocated to each individual well type. CONSOL Energy’s All Other segment includes terminal services, river and dock services, industrial supply services, general and administrative activities and other business activities. Intersegment sales have been recorded at amounts approximating market. Operating profit for each segment is based on sales less identifiable operating and non-operating expenses. Assets are reflected at the division level only (coal, gas and other) and are not allocated between each individual segment. This presentation is consistent with the information regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker. The assets are not allocated to each individual segment due to the diverse asset base controlled by CONSOL Energy where each individual asset may service more than one segment within the division. An allocation of such asset base would not be meaningful or representative on a segment by segment basis.
	Annually, the preparation of our gas reserve estimates are completed in accordance with CONSOL Energy's prescribed internal control procedures, which include verification of input data into a gas reserve forecasting and economic evaluation software, as well as multi-functional management review. The input data verification includes reviews of the price and cost assumptions used in the economic model to determine the reserves. Also, the production volumes are reconciled between the system used to calculate the reserves and other accounting/measurement systems. The technical employee responsible for overseeing the preparation of the reserve estimates is a petroleum engineer with over 10 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Our 2012 gas reserve results, which are reported in the Supplemental Gas Data year ended December 31, 2012 Form 10-K, were audited by Netherland Sewell. The technical person primarily responsible for overseeing the audit of our reserves is a registered professional engineer in the state of Texas with over 14 years of experience in the oil and gas industry.

Related_Party_Transaction

Related Party Transaction	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
	CONE Gathering LLC Related Party Transactions
	During the the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, CONE Gathering LLC (CONE), a 50% owned affiliate, provided CNX Gas Company LLC (CNX Gas Company) gathering services in the ordinary course of business. Gathering services received from CONE were $9,498 and $22,954 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and were $5,895 and $13,619 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, which were included in Cost of Goods Sold on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, CONSOL Energy and CNX Gas Company had a net payable of $1,563 and $3,142, respectively, due CONE which was comprised of the following items:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012			Location on Balance Sheet
	Reimbursement for CONE Expenses	$	(1,380	)	$	(1,336	)	Accounts Receivable–Other
	Reimbursement for Services Provided to CONE	(181		)	(341		)	Accounts Receivable–Other
	CONE Gathering Capital Reimbursement	—			(18		)	Accounts Receivable–Other
	CONE Gathering Fee Payable	3,124			4,837			Accounts Payable
	Net Payable due CONE	$	1,563		$	3,142

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]	'
Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted [Text Block]	'
	RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Update 2013-04 - Liabilities (Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date. The objective of the amendments in this update is to provide guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The guidance in this update requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, as the sum of the following: (a.) The amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement amount with its co-obligors, and (b.) Any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The guidance in this update also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The amendments in this update should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented for those obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements within the update's scope that exist at the beginning of an entity's fiscal year of adoption. We believe adoption of this new guidance will not have a material impact on CONSOL Energy's financial statements.

Subsequent_Event_Notes

Subsequent Event (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	'
	SUBSEQUENT EVENT:
	On October 25, 2013, CONSOL Energy entered into an agreement to sell Consolidation Coal Company (CCC) and certain of its subsidiaries, which contains all five of its longwall coal mines in West Virginia, to a subsidiary of Murray Energy Corporation (Murray Energy).  The CCC mines being sold are McElroy Mine, Shoemaker Mine, Robinson Run Mine, Loveridge Mine, and Blacksville No. 2 Mine. Collectively, these mines produced 28.5 million tons of thermal coal in 2012. Murray Energy is acquiring approximately 1.1 billion tons of Pittsburgh No. 8 seam reserves. CONSOL Energy’s River and Dock Operations are included in the transaction. In 2012, the fleet of 21 towboats and 600 barges transported 19.3 million tons of coal and other commodities along the upper Ohio River system. CONSOL Energy will receive $850,000 in cash as a result of the transaction and in addition Murray Energy will assume certain employee and environmental related liabilities with a book value of approximately $2,400,000 at September 30, 2013. The final financial gain will be calculated upon closing, which is expected to occur during the fourth quarter.

Basis_of_Presentation_Tables

Basis of Presentation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
BASIS OF PRESENTATION: [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	'
	The computations for basic and dilutive earnings per share are as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013				2012			2013				2012
	Net (Loss) Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders	$	(63,651	)		$	(11,368	)	$	(77,741		)	$	238,567
	Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
	Basic	228,876,336				227,654,395			228,640,671				227,491,284
	Effect of stock-based compensation awards	—				—			—				1,700,586
	Dilutive	228,876,336				227,654,395			228,640,671				229,191,870
	Earnings per share:
	Basic	$	(0.28	)		$	(0.05	)	$	(0.34		)	$	1.05
	Dilutive	$	(0.28	)		$	(0.05	)	$	(0.34		)	$	1.04
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	'
	The table below sets forth the share-based awards that have been excluded from the computation of the diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Anti-Dilutive Options	4,833,174			5,740,444			4,833,174			2,412,502
	Anti-Dilutive Restricted Stock Units	1,243,207			1,348,046			1,243,207			13,302
	Anti-Dilutive Performance Share Units	97,142			488,179			97,142			—
	Anti-Dilutive Performance Share Options	602,101			501,744			602,101			501,744
		6,775,624			8,078,413			6,775,624			2,927,548
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) by Component [Table Text Block]	'
	Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss) by component, net of tax, were as follows:
		Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges				Postretirement Benefits			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	76,761			$	(824,103	)	$	(747,342		)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	40,400				61,912			102,312
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(56,595		)		51,729			(4,866			)
	New current period other comprehensive income	(16,195		)		113,641			97,446
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	60,566			$	(710,462	)	$	(649,896		)
Schedule of Reclassification of Adjustments to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table shows the reclassification of adjustments out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:
		Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013				2012			2013				2012
	Derivative Instruments (Note 12)
	Natural gas price swaps	$	(38,379	)		$	(77,492	)	$	(93,146		)	$	(251,357	)
	Tax benefit	14,025				29,683			36,551				97,760
	Net of tax	$	(24,354	)		$	(47,809	)	$	(56,595		)	$	(153,597	)
	Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments*(Note 3 and Note 4)
	Amortization of prior service costs	$	(8,212	)		$	(13,915	)	$	(24,635		)	$	(39,937	)
	Recognized net actuarial loss	21,055				26,611			69,802				79,688
	Settlement loss	6,296				—			38,498				—
	Total	19,139				12,696			83,665				39,751
	Tax expense	(7,306		)		(4,775		)	(31,936			)	(14,946		)
	Net of tax	$	11,833			$	7,921		$	51,729			$	24,805
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	The table below sets forth the share-based awards that have been exercised or released:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Options	11,655			108,477			256,768			159,611
	Restricted Stock Units	130,523			22,025			698,664			548,492
	Performance Share Units	—			—			159,228			229,730
		142,178			130,502			1,114,660			937,833

Pension_and_OPEB_Periodic_Cost1

Pension and OPEB - Periodic Cost (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COSTS: [Abstract]	'
Components of Net Periodic Costs	'
	Components of net periodic costs (benefits) for the three and nine months ended September 30 are as follows:
		Pension Benefits												Other Post-Employment Benefits
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,						September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	4,897		$	5,527		$	16,184		$	15,530		$	4,849		$	4,525		$	14,547		$	14,291
	Interest cost	9,497			9,396			27,249			28,190			29,619			33,687			88,856			102,008
	Expected return on plan assets	(13,336		)	(11,538		)	(38,191		)	(34,617		)	—			—			—			—
	Amortization of prior service credits	(408		)	(408		)	(1,223		)	(1,223		)	(7,804		)	(13,409		)	(23,411		)	(38,418		)
	Recognized net actuarial loss	8,042			11,959			30,764			35,876			17,595			20,255			52,784			60,620
	Settlement loss	6,296			—			38,498			—			—			—			—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	14,988		$	14,936		$	73,281		$	43,756		$	44,259		$	45,058		$	132,776		$	138,501

CWP_and_Workers_Comp_Net_Perio1

CWP and Workers Comp - Net Periodic Costs (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
CWP And Workers Comp Net Periodic Costs [Abstract]	'
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs	'
	Components of net periodic costs (benefits) for the three and nine months ended September 30, are as follows:
		CWP												Workers' Compensation
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,						September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	2,135		$	1,927		$	6,405		$	5,783		$	3,533		$	3,634		$	10,599		$	10,903
	Interest cost	1,808			1,991			5,424			5,973			1,655			1,778			4,966			5,335
	Amortization of actuarial gain	(4,213		)	(4,933		)	(12,638		)	(14,799		)	(699		)	(986		)	(2,098		)	(2,958		)
	State administrative fees and insurance bond premiums	—			—			—			—			1,496			1,795			4,500			5,340
	Legal and administrative costs	—			—			—			—			591			648			1,773			1,943
	Net periodic (benefit) cost	$	(270	)	$	(1,015	)	$	(809	)	$	(3,043	)	$	6,576		$	6,869		$	19,740		$	20,563

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventory components	'
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Coal	$	58,050	$	78,825
	Merchandise for resale	37,792		35,363
	Supplies	142,506		133,578
	Total Inventories	$	238,348	$	247,766

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Collaborative Arrangement Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	The following table provides information about our industry participation agreements as of September 30, 2013:
	Shale Play		Industry Participation Agreement Partner	Industry Participation Agreement Date		Drilling Carries Remaining*
	Marcellus		Noble Energy, Inc.	30-Sep-11		$	1,885,785
	Utica		Hess Ohio Developments, LLC	21-Oct-11		$	255,148
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Coal and other plant and equipment	$	6,207,105		$	6,030,620
	Intangible drilling cost	1,830,666			1,550,297
	Proven gas properties	1,601,106			1,596,838
	Coal properties and surface lands	1,449,526			1,346,151
	Unproven gas properties	1,383,921			1,266,017
	Gas gathering equipment	1,046,495			1,006,882
	Airshafts	746,134			706,388
	Mine development	608,630			537,939
	Leased coal lands	529,409			529,758
	Gas wells and related equipment	623,176			492,367
	Coal advance mining royalties	397,015			391,501
	Other gas assets	125,635			82,217
	Gas advance royalties	22,286			8,229
	Total Property Plant and Equipment	16,571,104			15,545,204
	Less: Accumulated DD&A	5,940,247			5,354,237
	Total Net PP&E	$	10,630,857		$	10,190,967

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Long-term Debt, Other Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-term Debt	'
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Debt:
	Senior notes due April 2017 at 8.00%, issued at par value	$	1,500,000	$	1,500,000
	Senior notes due April 2020 at 8.25%, issued at par value	1,250,000		1,250,000
	Senior notes due March 2021 at 6.375%, issued at par value	250,000		250,000
	MEDCO revenue bonds in series due September 2025 at 5.75%	102,865		102,865
	Advance royalty commitments (7.43% weighted average interest rate for September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012)	20,394		20,394
	Other long-term notes maturing at various dates through 2031 (total value of $6,268 and $7,300 less unamortized discount of $1,166 and $1,542 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively).	5,102		5,758
		3,128,361		3,129,017
	Less amounts due in one year *	4,606		4,544
	Long-Term Debt	$	3,123,755	$	3,124,473

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Table Text Block]	'
	At September 30, 2013, CONSOL Energy has provided the following financial guarantees, unconditional purchase obligations and letters of credit to certain third parties, as described by major category in the following table. These amounts represent the maximum potential total of future payments that we could be required to make under these instruments. These amounts have not been reduced for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions. Generally, recoveries under reclamation bonds would be limited to the extent of the work performed at the time of the default. No amounts related to these financial guarantees and letters of credit are recorded as liabilities on the financial statements. CONSOL Energy management believes that these guarantees will expire without being funded, and therefore the commitments will not have a material adverse effect on financial condition.
		Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period
		Total			Less Than			1-3 Years			3-5 Years			Beyond
		Amounts			1  Year									5  Years
		Committed
	Letters of Credit:
	Employee-Related	$	190,358		$	71,624		$	118,734		$	—		$	—
	Environmental	56,294			54,566			1,728			—			—
	Other	83,246			34,488			48,758			—			—
	Total Letters of Credit	329,898			160,678			169,220			—			—
	Surety Bonds:
	Employee-Related	204,884			204,884			—			—			—
	Environmental	537,167			495,017			42,150			—			—
	Other	31,955			31,719			235			—			1
	Total Surety Bonds	774,006			731,620			42,385			—			1
	Total Commitments	$	1,103,904		$	892,298		$	211,605		$	—		$	1
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligations Disclosure	'
	CONSOL Energy and CNX Gas enter into long-term unconditional purchase obligations to procure major equipment purchases, natural gas firm transportation, gas drilling services and other operating goods and services. These purchase obligations are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of September 30, 2013, the purchase obligations for each of the next five years and beyond were as follows:
	Obligations Due	Amount
	Less than 1 year	$	393,709
	1 - 3 years	253,025
	3 - 5 years	189,138
	More than 5 years	419,240
	Total Purchase Obligations	$	1,255,112
Supply Commitment [Table Text Block]	'
	Costs related to these purchase obligations include:
				Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
				September 30,						September 30,
				2013			2012			2013			2012
	Major equipment purchases			$	8,990		$	59,799		$	57,571		$	104,980
	Firm transportation expense			29,654			18,844			89,196			49,711
	Gas drilling obligations			26,296			27,100			81,419			85,192
	Other			—			65			—			492
	Total costs related to purchase obligations			$	64,940		$	105,808		$	228,186		$	240,375

Derivative_Instruments_Tables

Derivative Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Derivative Instruments	'
	The effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships on the Consolidated Statements of Income and the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity were as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
	Natural Gas Price Swaps
	Beginning Balance – Accumulated OCI	$	71,674		$	132,731
	Gain/(Loss) recognized in Accumulated OCI	$	13,246		$	(6,459	)
	Less: Gain reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Outside Sales	$	24,354		$	47,809
	Ending Balance – Accumulated OCI	$	60,566		$	78,463
	Gain/(Loss) recognized in Outside Sales for ineffectiveness	$	2,592		$	1,732
		For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
	Natural Gas Price Swaps
	Beginning Balance – Accumulated OCI	$	76,761		$	151,780
	Gain/(Loss) recognized in Accumulated OCI	$	40,400		$	80,280
	Less: Gain reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Outside Sales	$	56,595		$	153,597
	Ending Balance – Accumulated OCI	$	60,566		$	78,463
	Gain/(Loss) recognized in Outside Sales for ineffectiveness	$	(120	)	$	1,778
	There were no amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness in 2013 or 2012.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	'
	The financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
		Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013									Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012
	Description	Quoted Prices in			Significant			Significant			Quoted Prices in			Significant		Significant
		Active Markets			Other			Unobservable			Active Markets			Other		Unobservable
		for Identical			Observable			Inputs			for Identical			Observable		Inputs
		Liabilities			Inputs			(Level 3)			Liabilities			Inputs		(Level 3)
		(Level 1)			(Level 2)						(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	Gas Cash Flow Hedges	$	—		$	102,114		$	—		$	—		$	128,945	$	—
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Nonrecurring Basis [Table Text Block]	'
		September 30, 2013						December 31, 2012
		Carrying			Fair			Carrying			Fair
		Amount			Value			Amount			Value
	Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	21,086		$	21,086		$	21,878		$	21,878
	Restricted Cash (a)	$	12,263		$	12,263		$	68,673		$	68,673
	Short-Term Notes Payable	$	(47,000	)	$	(47,000	)	$	(25,073	)	$	(25,073	)
	Borrowings Under Securitization Facility	$	(44,364	)	$	(44,364	)	$	(37,846	)	$	(37,846	)
	Long-Term Debt	$	(3,128,361	)	$	(3,320,618	)	$	(3,129,017	)	$	(3,378,058	)

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended																																																																9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013																																		Sep. 30, 2012																																	Sep. 30, 2013																																					Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'																																		'																																	'																																					'
Industry segment results	'																																		'																																	'																																					'
																																																																				Industry segment results for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are:																																					Industry segment results for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 are:
		Thermal		Low Volatile		High Volatile		Other			Total Coal		Coalbed		Marcellus		Shallow Oil and Gas			Other			Total			All			Corporate,			Consolidated				Thermal		Low Volatile		High Volatile		Other			Total		Coalbed		Marcellus		Shallow Oil and Gas			Other			Total Gas		All		Corporate,			Consolidated
				Metallurgical		Metallurgical		Coal					Methane		Shale					Gas			Gas			Other			Adjustments									Metallurgical		Metallurgical		Coal			Coal		Methane		Shale					Gas					Other		Adjustments
																													&																																&								Thermal			Low Volatile			High Volatile			Other			Total Coal		Coalbed		Marcellus		Shallow Oil and Gas			Other			Total			All			Corporate,			Consolidated				Thermal		Low Volatile		High Volatile		Other			Total		Coalbed		Marcellus		Shallow Oil and Gas			Other			Total Gas		All		Corporate,			Consolidated
																													Eliminations																																Eliminations											Metallurgical			Metallurgical			Coal					Methane		Shale					Gas			Gas			Other			Adjustments									Metallurgical		Metallurgical		Coal			Coal		Methane		Shale					Gas					Other		Adjustments
	Sales—outside	$	753,692	$	98,232	$	29,608	$	7,470		$	889,002	$	83,269	$	72,406	$	32,957		$	4,150		$	192,782		$	78,330		$	—		$	1,160,114	(A)	Sales—outside	$	667,372	$	110,239	$	48,484	$	5,214		$	831,309	$	94,169	$	36,253	$	32,288		$	2,392		$	165,102	$	87,630	$	—		$	1,084,041		(D)																																&																																&
																																																																																																			Eliminations																																Eliminations
	Sales—purchased gas	—		—		—		—			—		—		—		—			1,608			1,608			—			—			1,608			Sales—purchased gas	—		—		—		—			—		—		—		—			953			953		—		—			953				Sales—outside	$	2,212,909		$	356,066		$	145,345		$	18,138		$	2,732,458	$	254,708	$	167,394	$	99,138		$	10,620		$	531,860		$	247,737		$	—		$	3,512,055	(G)	Sales—outside	$	2,227,728	$	403,460	$	180,302	$	18,905		$	2,830,395	$	281,784	$	83,774	$	100,868		$	6,978		$	473,404	$	281,006	$	—		$	3,584,805	(J)
	Sales—gas royalty interests	—		—		—		—			—		—		—		—			15,506			15,506			—			—			15,506			Sales—gas royalty interests	—		—		—		—			—		—		—		—			12,968			12,968		—		—			12,968				Sales—purchased gas	—			—			—			—			—		—		—		—			4,372			4,372			—			—			4,372			Sales—purchased gas	—		—		—		—			—		—		—		—			2,443			2,443		—		—			2,443
	Freight—outside	—		—		—		11,563			11,563		—		—		—			—			—			—			—			11,563			Freight—outside	—		—		—		27,430			27,430		—		—		—			—			—		—		—			27,430				Sales—gas royalty interests	—			—			—			—			—		—		—		—			46,738			46,738			—			—			46,738			Sales—gas royalty interests	—		—		—		—			—		—		—		—			34,707			34,707		—		—			34,707
	Intersegment transfers	—		—		—		—			—		—		—		—			601			601			32,213			(32,814		)	—			Intersegment transfers	—		—		—		—			—		—		—		—			345			345		37,987		(38,332		)	—				Freight—outside	—			—			—			35,749			35,749		—		—		—			—			—			—			—			35,749			Freight—outside	—		—		—		126,195			126,195		—		—		—			—			—		—		—			126,195
	Total Sales and Freight	$	753,692	$	98,232	$	29,608	$	19,033		$	900,565	$	83,269	$	72,406	$	32,957		$	21,865		$	210,497		$	110,543		$	(32,814	)	$	1,188,791		Total Sales and Freight	$	667,372	$	110,239	$	48,484	$	32,644		$	858,739	$	94,169	$	36,253	$	32,288		$	16,658		$	179,368	$	125,617	$	(38,332	)	$	1,125,392			Intersegment transfers	—			—			—			—			—		—		—		—			2,363			2,363			100,118			(102,481		)	—			Intersegment transfers	—		—		—		—			—		—		—		—			1,171			1,171		111,332		(112,503		)	—
	Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	$	128,112	$	21,295	$	6,466	$	(70,068	)	$	85,805	$	20,909	$	27,941	$	(2,124	)	$	(48,593	)	$	(1,867	)	$	(6,991	)	$	(66,373	)	$	10,574	(B)	Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	$	89,743	$	42,722	$	9,640	$	(134,301	)	$	7,804	$	30,983	$	6,347	$	(3,439	)	$	(22,227	)	$	11,664	$	8,494	$	(59,333	)	$	(31,371	)	(E)	Total Sales and Freight	$	2,212,909		$	356,066		$	145,345		$	53,887		$	2,768,207	$	254,708	$	167,394	$	99,138		$	64,093		$	585,333		$	347,855		$	(102,481	)	$	3,598,914		Total Sales and Freight	$	2,227,728	$	403,460	$	180,302	$	145,100		$	2,956,590	$	281,784	$	83,774	$	100,868		$	45,299		$	511,725	$	392,338	$	(112,503	)	$	3,748,150
	Segment assets										$	5,792,969											$	5,994,072		$	356,848		$	593,183		$	12,737,072	(C)	Segment assets										$	5,594,926											$	5,870,451	$	376,400	$	714,817		$	12,556,594		(F)	Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	$	360,312		$	106,831		$	37,063		$	(259,421	)	$	244,785	$	64,345	$	53,389	$	(11,861	)	$	(112,990	)	$	(7,117	)	$	(48,426	)	$	(178,158	)	$	11,084	(H)	Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	$	351,889	$	164,843	$	44,994	$	(134,271	)	$	427,455	$	91,717	$	14,433	$	(9,571	)	$	(71,271	)	$	25,308	$	27,539	$	(181,441	)	$	298,861	(K)
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization										$	104,530											$	58,444		$	6,178		$	—		$	169,152		Depreciation, depletion and amortization										$	95,702											$	52,215	$	—	$	5,960		$	153,877			Segment assets													$	5,792,969											$	5,994,072		$	356,848		$	593,183		$	12,737,072	(I)	Segment assets										$	5,594,926											$	5,870,451	$	376,400	$	714,817		$	12,556,594	(L)
	Capital expenditures										$	156,730											$	273,474		$	7,705		$	—		$	437,909		Capital expenditures										$	254,864											$	166,617	$	16,141	$	—		$	437,622			Depreciation, depletion and amortization													$	307,992											$	163,079		$	18,703		$	—		$	489,774		Depreciation, depletion and amortization										$	297,148											$	148,344	$	—	$	17,556		$	463,048
																																																																				Capital expenditures													$	511,626											$	669,067		$	15,216		$	—		$	1,195,909		Capital expenditures										$	702,880											$	408,278	$	40,863	$	—		$	1,152,021
	(A)    Included in the Coal segment are sales of $164,572 to First Energy and $119,707 to Xcoal Energy & Resources each comprising over 10% of sales.
	(B)     Includes equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates of $(1,682), $5,307 and $(16) for Coal, Gas and All Other, respectively.																																		(D)	Included in the Coal segment are sales of $129,014 to First Energy which comprises over 10% of sales.
	(C)    Includes investments in unconsolidated equity affiliates of $20,131, $183,895 and $57,192 for Coal, Gas and All Other, respectively.																																																																			(G)    Included in the Coal segment are sales of $492,872 to First Energy and $441,528 to Xcoal Energy & Resources each comprising over 10% of sales.
																																			(E)	Includes equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates of $(3,504), $2,503 and $8,574 for Coal, Gas and All Other, respectively.																																(H)     Includes equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates of $10,661, $9,519 and $96 for Coal, Gas and All Other, respectively.																																					(J)	Included in the Coal segment are sales of $409,745 to First Energy and $382,950 to Xcoal Energy & Resources each comprising over 10% of sales.
																																			(F)    Includes investments in unconsolidated equity affiliates of $19,750, $135,048 and $58,910 for Coal, Gas and All Other, respectively.																																	(I)    Includes investments in unconsolidated equity affiliates of $20,131, $183,895 and $57,192 for Coal, Gas and All Other, respectively.
																																																																																																									(K)	Includes equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates of $7,588, $6,484 and $8,604 for Coal, Gas and All Other, respectively.
																																																																																																									(L)    Includes investments in unconsolidated equity affiliates of $19,750, $135,048 and $58,910 for Coal, Gas and All Other, respectively.
Reconciliation of Revenue and Operating Income from Segments to Consolidated	'																																		'																																	'																																					'
																																																																				Earnings Before Income Taxes:
																																																																					For the Three Months Ended September 30,						For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
																																																																					2013			2012			2013			2012
																																																																				Segment Earnings Before Income Taxes for total reportable business segments	$	83,938		$	19,468		$	237,668		$	452,763
																																																																				Segment (Loss) Earnings Before Income Taxes for all other businesses	(6,991		)	8,494			(48,426		)	27,539
																																																																				Interest expense, net and other non-operating activity (M)	(57,482		)	(56,338		)	(166,548		)	(175,323		)
																																																																				Other Corporate Items (M)	(8,891		)	(2,995		)	(11,610		)	(6,118		)
																																																																				Earnings Before Income Taxes	$	10,574		$	(31,371	)	$	11,084		$	298,861
Reconciliation of Assets and Liabilities from Segment to Consolidated	'																																		'																																	'																																					'
																																																																				Total Assets:	September 30,
																																																																					2013			2012
																																																																				Segment assets for total reportable business segments	$	11,787,041		$	11,465,377
																																																																				Segment assets for all other businesses	356,848			376,400
																																																																				Items excluded from segment assets:
																																																																				Cash and other investments (M)	17,988			40,331
																																																																				Recoverable income taxes	—			12,132
																																																																				Deferred tax assets	538,930			618,742
																																																																				Bond issuance costs	36,265			43,612
																																																																				Total Consolidated Assets	$	12,737,072		$	12,556,594
																																																																				_________________________
																																																																				(M) Excludes amounts specifically related to the gas segment.

Guarantor_Subsidiaries_Financi

Guarantor Subsidiaries Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended																																					9 Months Ended																																						12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013																			Sep. 30, 2012																		Sep. 30, 2013																			Sep. 30, 2012																			Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'																			'																		'																			'																			'
Guarantor FInancial Statements [Table Text Block] [Table Text Block]	'																			'																		'																			'																			'
	Income Statement for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 (unaudited):																			Income Statement for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 (unaudited):
																																							Parent			CNX Gas			Other			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated				Parent			CNX Gas			Other			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
																																							Issuer			Guarantor			Subsidiary			Guarantors										Issuer			Guarantor			Subsidiary			Guarantors
		Parent			CNX Gas			Other			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated				Parent			CNX Gas			Other			Non-		Elimination			Consolidated										Guarantors																			Guarantors
		Issuer			Guarantor			Subsidiary			Guarantors										Issuer			Guarantor			Subsidiary			Guarantors								Sales—Outside	$	—		$	534,221		$	2,813,430		$	161,837		$	2,567		$	3,512,055		Sales—Outside	$	—		$	474,574		$	2,919,814		$	192,212		$	(1,795	)	$	3,584,805
								Guarantors																			Guarantors
	Sales—Outside	$	—		$	193,381		$	911,732		$	54,174		$	827		$	1,160,114		Sales—Outside	$	—		$	165,448		$	861,009		$	58,405	$	(821	)	$	1,084,041		Sales—Gas Royalty Interests	—			46,738			—			—			—			46,738			Sales—Gas Royalty Interests	—			34,707			—			—			—			34,707
	Sales—Gas Royalty Interests	—			15,506			—			—			—			15,506			Sales—Gas Royalty Interests	—			12,968			—			—		—			12,968			Sales—Purchased Gas	—			4,372			—			—			—			4,372			Sales—Purchased Gas	—			2,443			—			—			—			2,443
	Sales—Purchased Gas	—			1,608			—			—			—			1,608			Sales—Purchased Gas	—			953			—			—		—			953			Freight—Outside	—			—			35,749			—			—			35,749			Freight—Outside	—			—			126,195			—			—			126,195
	Freight—Outside	—			—			11,563			—			—			11,563			Freight—Outside	—			—			27,430			—		—			27,430			Other Income	354,386			37,055			86,064			15,705			(354,386		)	138,824			Other Income	399,817			46,177			230,930			16,089			(399,817		)	293,196
	Other Income	78,203			12,596			25,103			4,928			(78,203		)	42,627			Other Income	(17,948		)	11,772			170,877			4,917		(134,921		)	34,697			Total Revenue and Other Income	354,386			622,386			2,935,243			177,542			(351,819		)	3,737,738			Total Revenue and Other Income	399,817			557,901			3,276,939			208,301			(401,612		)	4,041,346
	Total Revenue and Other Income	78,203			223,091			948,398			59,102			(77,376		)	1,231,418			Total Revenue and Other Income	(17,948		)	191,141			1,059,316			63,322		(135,742		)	1,160,089			Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown below)	117,830			359,397			1,971,483			162,050			29,169			2,639,929			Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown below)	90,230			296,959			1,992,371			186,635			22,265			2,588,460
	Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown below)	37,591			128,402			620,652			54,857			9,586			851,088			Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown below)	18,699			96,619			647,158			57,408		7,646			827,530			Gas Royalty Interests Costs	—			38,235			—			—			(31		)	38,204			Gas Royalty Interests Costs	—			27,951			—			—			(35		)	27,916
	Gas Royalty Interests Costs	—			12,874			—			—			(10		)	12,864			Gas Royalty Interests Costs	—			10,565			—			—		(22		)	10,543			Purchased Gas Costs	—			2,961			—			—			—			2,961			Purchased Gas Costs	—			2,123			—			—			—			2,123
	Purchased Gas Costs	—			941			—			—			—			941			Purchased Gas Costs	—			737			—			—		—			737			Related Party Activity	32,385			—			(87,620		)	1,298			53,937			—			Related Party Activity	1,575			—			5,078			1,376			(8,029		)	—
	Related Party Activity	9,710			—			(29,271		)	458			19,103			—			Related Party Activity	8,575			—			(18,962		)	427		9,960			—			Freight Expense	—			—			35,749			—			—			35,749			Freight Expense	—			—			126,195			—			—			126,195
	Freight Expense	—			—			11,563			—			—			11,563			Freight Expense	—			—			27,430			—		—			27,430			Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	—			33,429			69,887			949			—			104,265			Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	—			29,199			79,169			1,044			—			109,412
	Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	—			11,600			21,582			290			—			33,472			Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	—			9,906			26,412			363		—			36,681			Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	9,735			163,079			315,468			1,492			—			489,774			Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	8,901			148,343			304,245			1,559			—			463,048
	Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	3,288			58,444			106,910			510			—			169,152			Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	3,085			52,214			98,060			518		—			153,877			Interest Expense	153,141			6,375			4,871			34			(224		)	164,197			Interest Expense	158,505			3,554			7,056			33			(360		)	168,788
	Interest Expense	52,165			2,578			1,548			13			(3		)	56,301			Interest Expense	50,811			1,145			2,267			11		(159		)	54,075			Taxes Other Than Income	430			25,534			223,254			2,357			—			251,575			Taxes Other Than Income	159			24,790			229,381			2,213			—			256,543
	Taxes Other Than Income	165			9,847			74,730			721			—			85,463			Taxes Other Than Income	(504		)	8,426			71,985			680		—			80,587			Total Costs	313,521			629,010			2,533,092			168,180			82,851			3,726,654			Total Costs	259,370			532,919			2,743,495			192,860			13,841			3,742,485
	Total Costs	102,919			224,686			807,714			56,849			28,676			1,220,844			Total Costs	80,666			179,612			854,350			59,407		17,425			1,191,460			Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	40,865			(6,624		)	402,151			9,362			(434,670		)	11,084			Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	140,447			24,982			533,444			15,441			(415,453		)	298,861
	Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	(24,716		)	(1,595		)	140,684			2,253			(106,052		)	10,574			(Loss) Earnings Before Income Taxes	(98,614		)	11,529			204,966			3,915		(153,167		)	(31,371		)	Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	118,606			(2,557		)	(22,740		)	(3,542		)	—			89,767			Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	(98,120		)	9,706			143,001			5,841			—			60,428
	Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	38,935			(602		)	37,143			(853		)	—			74,623			Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	(87,246		)	4,433			61,424			1,491		—			(19,898		)	Net (Loss) Income	(77,741		)	(4,067		)	424,891			12,904			(434,670		)	(78,683		)	Net Income (Loss)	238,567			15,276			390,443			9,600			(415,453		)	238,433
	Net (Loss) Income	(63,651		)	(993		)	103,541			3,106			(106,052		)	(64,049		)	Net (Loss) Income	(11,368		)	7,096			143,542			2,424		(153,167		)	(11,473		)	Add: Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—			942			—			—			—			942			Add: Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—			134			—			—			—			134
	Add: Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—			398			—			—			—			398			Add: Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—			105			—			—		—			105			Net (Loss) Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders	$	(77,741	)	$	(3,125	)	$	424,891		$	12,904		$	(434,670	)	$	(77,741	)	Net Income (Loss) Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders	$	238,567		$	15,410		$	390,443		$	9,600		$	(415,453	)	$	238,567
	Net (Loss) Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders	$	(63,651	)	$	(595	)	$	103,541		$	3,106		$	(106,052	)	$	(63,651	)	Net (Loss) Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders	$	(11,368	)	$	7,201		$	143,542		$	2,424	$	(153,167	)	$	(11,368	)
Guarantor Condensed Cash Flow [Table Text Block]	'																			'																		'																			'																			'
																																						Cash Flow for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 (unaudited):																			Cash Flow for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 (unaudited):
																																							Parent			CNX Gas			Other Subsidiary Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated				Parent			CNX Gas			Other Subsidiary Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
																																										Guarantor						Guarantors													Guarantor						Guarantors
																																						Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Operating Activities	$	(7,813	)	$	383,504		$	180,580		$	(5,766	)	$	38,500		$	589,005		Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Operating Activities	$	(245,017	)	$	139,026		$	635,257		$	897		$	—		$	530,163
																																						Cash Flows from Investing Activities:																			Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
																																						Capital Expenditures	$	(15,216	)	$	(669,067	)	$	(511,626	)	$	—		$	—		$	(1,195,909	)	Capital Expenditures	$	(40,863	)	$	(408,278	)	$	(702,880	)	$	—		$	—		$	(1,152,021	)
																																						Change in Restricted Cash	—			—			56,410			—			—			56,410			Net Investments In Equity Affiliates	—			(31,650		)	12,949			—			—			(18,701		)
																																						Proceeds from Sales of Assets	—			335,142			263,015			17			—			598,174			Proceeds from Sales of Assets	169,500			359,636			54,756			50			—			583,942
																																						Net Investments In Equity Affiliates	—			(30,500		)	12,388			—			—			(18,112		)	Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	$	128,637		$	(80,292	)	$	(635,175	)	$	50		$	—		$	(586,780	)
																																						Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities	$	(15,216	)	$	(364,425	)	$	(179,813	)	$	17		$	—		$	(559,437	)	Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
																																																									Dividends Received (Paid)	$	114,710		$	(200,000	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(85,290	)
																																						Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
																																						Proceeds from (Payments on) Short-Term Borrowings	$	—		$	85,500		$	—		$	—		$	(38,500	)	$	47,000		Other Financing Activities	3,304			(4,107		)	(1,729		)	(339		)	—			(2,871		)
																																						Payments on Miscellaneous Borrowings	(26,591		)	—			(5,122		)	(577		)	—			(32,290		)	Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities	$	118,014		$	(204,107	)	$	(1,729	)	$	(339	)	$	—		$	(88,161	)
																																						Proceeds from Securitization Facility	—			—			—			6,518			—			6,518
																																						Dividends Received (Paid)	42,789			(100,000		)	—			—			—			(57,211		)
																																						Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	2,698			—			—			—			—			2,698
																																						Other Financing Activities	2,925			(4,084		)	4,084			—			—			2,925
																																						Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	$	21,821		$	(18,584	)	$	(1,038	)	$	5,941		$	(38,500	)	$	(30,360	)
Guarantor Condensed Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	'																			'																		'																			'																			'
																				Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 (Unaudited):
		Parent			CNX Gas			Other Subsidiary Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated																						Parent			CNX Gas			Other Subsidiary Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
					Guarantor						Guarantors																															Guarantor						Guarantors										Parent			CNX Gas			Other Subsidiary Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
	Net (Loss) Income	$	(63,651	)	$	(993	)	$	103,541		$	3,106		$	(106,052	)	$	(64,049	)		Parent			CNX Gas			Other Subsidiary Guarantors			Non-		Elimination			Consolidated			Net (Loss) Income	$	(77,741	)	$	(4,067	)	$	424,891		$	12,904		$	(434,670	)	$	(78,683	)					Guarantor						Guarantors
																								Guarantor						Guarantors																											Net Income (Loss)	$	238,567		$	15,276		$	390,443		$	9,600		$	(415,453	)	$	238,433
	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):																			Net (Loss) Income	$	(11,368	)	$	7,096		$	143,542		$	2,424	$	(153,167	)	$	(11,473	)	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
	Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments	24,980			—			24,980			—			(24,980		)	24,980																					Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments	113,641			—			113,641			—			(113,641		)	113,641			Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
																				Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:																																					Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments	75,080			—			75,080			—			(75,080		)	75,080
	Net Increase (Decrease) in the Value of Cash Flow Hedge	13,246			13,246			—			—			(13,246		)	13,246			Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments	7,921			—			7,921			—		(7,921		)	7,921			Net Increase (Decrease) in the Value of Cash Flow Hedge	40,400			40,400			—			—			(40,400		)	40,400
																																																									Net Increase (Decrease) in the Value of Cash Flow Hedge	80,280			80,280			—			—			(80,280		)	80,280
	Reclassification of Cash Flow Hedge from OCI to Earnings	(24,354		)	(24,354		)	—			—			24,354			(24,354		)	Net (Decrease) Increase in the Value of Cash Flow Hedge	(6,459		)	(6,459		)	—			—		6,459			(6,459		)	Reclassification of Cash Flow Hedge from OCI to Earnings	(56,595		)	(56,595		)	—			—			56,595			(56,595		)
																																																									Reclassification of Cash Flow Hedge from OCI to Earnings	(153,597		)	(153,597		)	—			—			153,597			(153,597		)
	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):	13,872			(11,108		)	24,980			—			(13,872		)	13,872			Reclassification of Cash Flow Hedge from OCI to Earnings	(47,809		)	(47,809		)	—			—		47,809			(47,809		)	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):	97,446			(16,195		)	113,641			—			(97,446		)	97,446
																																																									Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):	1,763			(73,317		)	75,080			—			(1,763		)	1,763
	Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(49,779		)	(12,101		)	128,521			3,106			(119,924		)	(50,177		)	Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:	(46,347		)	(54,268		)	7,921			—		46,347			(46,347		)	Comprehensive Income (Loss)	19,705			(20,262		)	538,532			12,904			(532,116		)	18,763
																																																									Comprehensive Income (Loss)	240,330			(58,041		)	465,523			9,600			(417,216		)	240,196
	Add: Comprehensive Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—			398			—			—			—			398			Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(57,715		)	(47,172		)	151,463			2,424		(106,820		)	(57,820		)	Add: Comprehensive Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—			942			—			—			—			942
																																																									Add: Comprehensive Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—			134			—			—			—			134
	Comprehensive (Loss) Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders	$	(49,779	)	$	(11,703	)	$	128,521		$	3,106		$	(119,924	)	$	(49,779	)	Add: Comprehensive Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—			105			—			—		—			105			Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders	$	19,705		$	(19,320	)	$	538,532		$	12,904		$	(532,116	)	$	19,705
																																																									Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders	$	240,330		$	(57,907	)	$	465,523		$	9,600		$	(417,216	)	$	240,330
																				Comprehensive (Loss) Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders	$	(57,715	)	$	(47,067	)	$	151,463		$	2,424	$	(106,820	)	$	(57,715	)
Guarantor Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	'																			'																		'																			'																			'
																																						Balance Sheet at September 30, 2013 (unaudited):																																						Balance Sheet at December 31, 2012:
																																																																													Parent		CNX Gas			Other			Non-		Elimination			Consolidated
																																							Parent			CNX Gas			Other			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated																							Issuer		Guarantor			Subsidiary			Guarantors
																																							Issuer			Guarantor			Subsidiary			Guarantors																																		Guarantors
																																													Guarantors																															Assets:
																																						Assets:																																						Current Assets:
																																						Current Assets:																																						Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	17,491	$	3,352		$	175		$	860	$	—		$	21,878
																																						Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	16,187		$	3,847		$	—		$	1,052		$	—		$	21,086
																																																																												Accounts and Notes Receivable:
																																						Accounts and Notes Receivable:																																						Trade	—		58,126			—			370,202		—			428,328
																																						Trade	—			60,255			—			376,133			—			436,388
																																																																												Notes Receivable	154		315,730			2,503			—		—			318,387
																																						Notes Receivable	1,193			—			24,620			—			—			25,813
																																																																												Other Receivables	6,335		214,748			33,289			5,159		(128,400		)	131,131
																																						Other Receivables	3,866			144,253			7,780			5,032			—			160,931
																																																																												Accounts Receivable—Securitized	—		—			—			37,846		—			37,846
																																						Accounts Receivable—Securitized	—			—			—			44,364			—			44,364
																																																																												Inventories	—		14,133			198,269			35,364		—			247,766
																																						Inventories	—			15,679			184,877			37,792			—			238,348
																																																																												Deferred Income Taxes	174,176		(26,072		)	—			—		—			148,104
																																						Deferred Income Taxes	106,291			(24,466		)	—			—			—			81,825
																																																																												Restricted Cash	—		—			48,294			—		—			48,294
																																						Restricted Cash	—			—			12,263			—			—			12,263
																																																																												Prepaid Expenses	29,589		86,186			40,215			1,370		—			157,360
																																						Prepaid Expenses	37,054			81,970			41,981			1,413			—			162,418
																																																																												Total Current Assets	227,745		666,203			322,745			450,801		(128,400		)	1,539,094
																																						Total Current Assets	164,591			281,538			271,521			465,786			—			1,183,436
																																																																												Property, Plant and Equipment:
																																						Property, Plant and Equipment:																																						Property, Plant and Equipment	216,448		5,956,207			9,347,370			25,179		—			15,545,204
																																						Property, Plant and Equipment	218,303			6,586,647			9,740,510			25,644			—			16,571,104
																																																																												Less-Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	126,048		960,613			4,249,507			18,069		—			5,354,237
																																						Less-Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	139,157			1,122,401			4,659,763			18,926			—			5,940,247
																																																																												Total Property, Plant and Equipment-Net	90,400		4,995,594			5,097,863			7,110		—			10,190,967
																																						Total Property, Plant and Equipment-Net	79,146			5,464,246			5,080,747			6,718			—			10,630,857
																																																																												Other Assets:
																																						Other Assets:																																						Deferred Income Taxes	884,310		(439,725		)	—			—		—			444,585
																																						Deferred Income Taxes	875,354			(418,249		)	—			—			—			457,105
																																																																												Restricted Cash	—		—			20,379			—		—			20,379
																																						Investment in Affiliates	10,234,178			183,895			750,771			—			(10,907,626		)	261,218
																																																																												Investment in Affiliates	9,917,050		143,876			769,058			—		(10,607,154		)	222,830
																																						Notes Receivable	155			—			—			—			—			155
																																																																												Notes Receivable	239		—			25,738			—		—			25,977
																																						Other	109,998			39,916			44,822			9,565			—			204,301
																																																																												Other	118,938		65,935			32,016			10,188		—			227,077
																																						Total Other Assets	11,219,685			(194,438		)	795,593			9,565			(10,907,626		)	922,779
																																																																												Total Other Assets	10,920,537		(229,914		)	847,191			10,188		(10,607,154		)	940,848
																																						Total Assets	$	11,463,422		$	5,551,346		$	6,147,861		$	482,069		$	(10,907,626	)	$	12,737,072
																																																																												Total Assets	$	11,238,682	$	5,431,883		$	6,267,799		$	468,099	$	(10,735,554	)	$	12,670,909
																																						Liabilities and Equity:
																																						Current Liabilities:																																						Liabilities and Equity:
																																						Accounts Payable	$	193,491		$	257,487		$	48,128		$	13,076		$	—		$	512,182																					Current Liabilities:
																																																																												Accounts Payable	$	177,734	$	166,182		$	154,936		$	9,130	$	—		$	507,982
																																						Accounts Payable (Recoverable)—Related Parties	3,882,644			39,594			(4,202,168		)	241,430			38,500			—
																																																																												Accounts Payable (Recoverable)-Related Parties	3,599,216		23,981			(3,749,584		)	254,787		(128,400		)	—
																																						Current Portion Long-Term Debt	1,454			6,036			4,914			778			—			13,182
																																																																												Current Portion of Long-Term Debt	1,554		5,953			5,222			756		—			13,485
																																						Short-Term Notes Payable	—			85,500			—			—			(38,500		)	47,000
																																																																												Short-Term Notes Payable	25,073		—			—			—		—			25,073
																																						Accrued Income Taxes	64,059			23,906			—			—			—			87,965
																																																																												Accrued Income Taxes	20,488		13,731			—			—		—			34,219
																																						Borrowings Under Securitization Facility	—			—			—			44,364			—			44,364
																																																																												Borrowings Under Securitization Facility	—		—			—			37,846		—			37,846
																																						Other Accrued Liabilities	209,321			70,835			578,019			10,729			—			868,904
Other Accrued Liabilities	135,407		57,074			566,485			9,528		—			768,494
																	Total Current Liabilities	4,350,969			483,358			(3,571,107		)	310,377			—			1,573,597
Total Current Liabilities	3,959,472		266,921			(3,022,941		)	312,047		(128,400		)	1,387,099
																	Long-Term Debt:	3,004,976			43,682			121,864			1,409			—			3,171,931
Long-Term Debt:	3,005,515		46,081			121,523			1,467		—			3,174,586
																	Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions	—			—			2,814,234			—			—			2,814,234			Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
																			Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions	—		—			2,832,401			—		—			2,832,401
Pneumoconiosis Benefits	—			—			178,508			—			—			178,508
																			Pneumoconiosis Benefits	—		—			174,781			—		—			174,781
Mine Closing	—			—			460,515			—			—			460,515
																			Mine Closing	—		—			446,727			—		—			446,727
Gas Well Closing	—			118,075			79,018			—			—			197,093
																			Gas Well Closing	—		80,097			68,831			—		—			148,928
Workers’ Compensation	—			—			156,242			326			—			156,568
																			Workers’ Compensation	—		—			155,342			306		—			155,648
Salary Retirement	74,108			—			—			—			—			74,108
																			Salary Retirement	218,004		—			—			—		—			218,004
Reclamation	—			—			49,487			—			—			49,487
																			Reclamation	—		—			47,965			—		—			47,965
Other	75,204			12,227			16,424			—			—			103,855
																			Other	101,899		24,518			4,608			—		—			131,025
Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities	149,312			130,302			3,754,428			326			—			4,034,368
																			Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities	319,903		104,615			3,730,655			306		—			4,155,479
Total CONSOL Energy Inc. Stockholders’ Equity	3,958,165			4,894,993			5,842,676			169,957			(10,907,626		)	3,958,165
																			Total CONSOL Energy Inc. Stockholders’ Equity	3,953,792		5,014,313			5,438,562			154,279		(10,607,154		)	3,953,792
Noncontrolling Interest	—			(989		)	—			—			—			(989		)
																			Noncontrolling Interest	—		(47		)	—			—		—			(47		)
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	11,463,422		$	5,551,346		$	6,147,861		$	482,069		$	(10,907,626	)	$	12,737,072
																			Total Liabilities and Equity	$	11,238,682	$	5,431,883		$	6,267,799		$	468,099	$	(10,735,554	)	$	12,670,909

Related_Party_Transaction_Tabl

Related Party Transaction (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
NOTE 16- RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS [Abstract]	'
Related Party Receivables Payables [Table Text Block]	'
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012			Location on Balance Sheet
	Reimbursement for CONE Expenses	$	(1,380	)	$	(1,336	)	Accounts Receivable–Other
	Reimbursement for Services Provided to CONE	(181		)	(341		)	Accounts Receivable–Other
	CONE Gathering Capital Reimbursement	—			(18		)	Accounts Receivable–Other
	CONE Gathering Fee Payable	3,124			4,837			Accounts Payable
	Net Payable due CONE	$	1,563		$	3,142

Basis_of_Presentation_AntiDilu

Basis of Presentation Anti-Dilutive Options and Units Exluded from Earnings Per Share (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	6,775,624	8,078,413	6,775,624	2,927,548
Antidilutive Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	4,833,174	5,740,444	4,833,174	2,412,502
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	1,243,207	1,348,046	1,243,207	13,302
Performance Share Units [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	97,142	488,179	97,142	0
Performance Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	602,101	501,744	602,101	501,744

Basis_of_Presentation_Sharebas

Basis of Presentation Share-based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	142,178	130,502	1,114,660	937,833
Performance Share Units [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity awards other than options, vested	0	0	159,228	229,730
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Options Exercised	11,655	108,477	256,768	159,611
Share-based comp Options Granted Weighted average exercise price	17.4	7.13	10.49	8.39
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity awards other than options, vested	130,523	22,025	698,664	548,492

Basis_of_Presentation_Earnings

Basis of Presentation Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	($63,651)	($11,368)	($77,741)	$238,567
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic	228,876,336	227,654,395	228,640,671	227,491,284
Effect of stock-based compensation awards	0	0	0	1,700,586
Dilutive	228,876,336	227,654,395	228,640,671	229,191,870
Earnings Per Share:	'	'	'	'
Basic	($0.28)	($0.05)	($0.34)	$1.05
Dilutive	($0.28)	($0.05)	($0.34)	$1.04

Basis_of_Presentation_Changes_

Basis of Presentation Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss) by component (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Natural Gas Swaps	($38,379)	($77,492)	($93,146)	($251,357)	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-649,896	'	-649,896	'	-747,342
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	13,872	-46,347	97,446	1,763	'
Tax Benefit of Natural Gas Swaps	14,025	29,683	36,551	97,760	'
Natural Gas Swaps, Net of Tax	-24,354	-47,809	-56,595	-153,597	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	-8,212	-13,915	-24,635	-39,937	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	21,055	26,611	69,802	79,688	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Finalization of Pension and Non-Pension Postretirement Plan Valuation, Net of Tax	-6,296	'	38,498	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	19,139	12,696	83,665	39,751	'
Tax Expense on Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liabilities	7,306	4,775	-31,936	-14,946	'
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments, Net of Tax	11,833	7,921	51,729	24,805	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-649,896	'	-649,896	'	-747,342
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	97,446	'	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	-4,866	'	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	'	'	102,312	'	'
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	60,566	'	60,566	'	76,761
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	-16,195	'	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	-56,595	'	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	'	'	40,400	'	'
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-710,462	'	-710,462	'	-824,103
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	113,641	'	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	51,729	'	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	'	'	61,912	'	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	-408	-408	-1,223	-1,223	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	-8,042	-11,959	-30,764	-35,876	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Finalization of Pension and Non-Pension Postretirement Plan Valuation, Net of Tax	-6,296	0	-38,498	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	$14,988	$14,936	$73,281	$43,756	'

Basis_of_Presentation_Reclassi

Basis of Presentation Reclassification of adjustments out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Natural Gas Swaps	($38,379)	($77,492)	($93,146)	($251,357)
Tax Benefit of Natural Gas Swaps	14,025	29,683	36,551	97,760
Natural Gas Swaps, Net of Tax	-24,354	-47,809	-56,595	-153,597
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	-8,212	-13,915	-24,635	-39,937
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	21,055	26,611	69,802	79,688
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Finalization of Pension and Non-Pension Postretirement Plan Valuation, Net of Tax	6,296	'	-38,498	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	19,139	12,696	83,665	39,751
Tax Expense on Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liabilities	7,306	4,775	-31,936	-14,946
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments, Net of Tax	11,833	7,921	51,729	24,805
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	-408	-408	-1,223	-1,223
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	-8,042	-11,959	-30,764	-35,876
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Finalization of Pension and Non-Pension Postretirement Plan Valuation, Net of Tax	6,296	0	38,498	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	$14,988	$14,936	$73,281	$43,756

Dispositions_Details

Dispositions (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Belmont County, Ohio Reserves [Member]

Crowsnest Pass [Member]

Potamac Coal Reserves [Member]

Robinson Run Longwall Shields [Member] [Member]

Burning Star Disposal [Member]

Ram River [Member]

Burning Start No.4 [Member]

Shoemaker Longwall Shields [Member]

Bailey Longwall Shields [Member]

Youngs Creek [Member]

Elk Creek Disposal [Member]

Elk Creek [Member]

T

Rate

acre

acre

acre

acre

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tons sold

'

1,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sale Leaseback Transaction, Net Proceeds

'

'

'

'

$68,337

'

'

'

$63,839

$71,166

'

'

'

Coal Lands and or Surface Rights

'

'

'

'

'

'

36,000

4,300

'

'

200,000,000

'

20,000

Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment

583,942

2,300

24,764

25,000

'

13,023

51,869

'

'

'

169,500

26,000

'

Increase (Decrease) of Restricted Investments

'

'

12,263

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets of Disposal Group

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'.5

'

'

Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets

'

2,300

15,260

24,663

'

11,261

89,943

'

'

'

150,677

11,235

'

Interest in Property Sold

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment

'

'

'

'

-236

'

'

'

279

358

'

'

'

royalty percentage retained

'

'.03

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'.08

'

'

Note Receivable 1 year - PPE Sale

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note Receivable 2 year - PPE Sale

'

'

'

'

'

'

24,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

'

'

'

'

'

'

48,294

'

'

'

'

'

'

Transaction and Financing Fees

'

'

'

'

'

'

$637

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
	Rate
Allegheny County Airport – Allegheny County Airport [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Bonus Payment in Escrow	7.60%
Interest in Property Sold	50.00%
Bonus Payment	$46,315
Ryerson Dam and Lake [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, Potential Cash Payment	36,000
Gas and Oil Area, Undeveloped, Gross	506,000
Bonus Payment	$13,728
Allegheny County Airport – Pittsburgh International Airport [Member] [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Gas and Oil Area, Undeveloped, Gross	9,300

Pension_and_OPEB_Periodic_Cost2

Pension and OPEB - Periodic Cost (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]

Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]

Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]

Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]

Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]

Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]

Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]

Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]

Change in Assumptions for Pension Plans [Member]

Change in Assumptions for Pension Plans [Member]

Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]

Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]

Rate

Rate

Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Service cost

'

'

'

'

'

$4,897

$5,527

$16,184

$15,530

$4,849

$4,525

$14,547

$14,291

'

'

Interest cost

'

'

'

'

'

9,497

9,396

27,249

28,190

29,619

33,687

88,856

102,008

'

'

Expected return on plan assets

'

'

'

'

'

-13,336

-11,538

-38,191

-34,617

0

0

0

0

'

'

Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)

-8,212

-13,915

-24,635

-39,937

'

-408

-408

-1,223

-1,223

-7,804

-13,409

-23,411

-38,418

'

'

Amortization of actuarial gain

-21,055

-26,611

-69,802

-79,688

'

8,042

11,959

30,764

35,876

17,595

20,255

52,784

60,620

'

'

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Finalization of Pension and Non-Pension Postretirement Plan Valuation, Net of Tax

6,296

'

-38,498

'

'

6,296

0

38,498

0

0

0

0

0

'

'

Net periodic (benefit) cost

19,139

12,696

83,665

39,751

'

14,988

14,936

73,281

43,756

44,259

45,058

132,776

138,501

'

'

Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.80%

4.84%

Pension Contributions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

55,272

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,264

'

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax

-24,980

-7,921

-113,641

-75,080

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,040

'

Deferred Income Taxes

81,825

'

81,825

'

148,104

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,520

'

Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$124,504

'

'

'

CWP_and_Workers_Comp_Net_Perio2

CWP and Workers Comp - Net Periodic Costs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Costs and Assumptions for Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of actuarial gain	($21,055)	($26,611)	($69,802)	($79,688)
Net periodic (benefit) cost	19,139	12,696	83,665	39,751
Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Costs and Assumptions for Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	2,135	1,927	6,405	5,783
Interest cost	1,808	1,991	5,424	5,973
Amortization of actuarial gain	-4,213	-4,933	-12,638	-14,799
State administrative fees and insurance bond premiums	0	0	0	0
Legal and administrative costs	0	0	0	0
Net periodic (benefit) cost	-270	-1,015	-809	-3,043
Payments for Coal Workers Pnenumoconiosis	'	'	7,879	'
Workers Compensation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Costs and Assumptions for Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	3,533	3,634	10,599	10,903
Interest cost	1,655	1,778	4,966	5,335
Amortization of actuarial gain	-699	-986	-2,098	-2,958
State administrative fees and insurance bond premiums	1,496	1,795	4,500	5,340
Legal and administrative costs	591	648	1,773	1,943
Net periodic (benefit) cost	6,576	6,869	19,740	20,563
Payments for workers compensation benefits, state administrative fees and surety bond premiums	'	'	$21,271	'

Income_Taxes_Income_Tax_Reconc

Income Taxes Income Tax Reconciliation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Amount	'	'	'
Income Tax Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Depletion	'	$111,104	$53,932
Percent	'	'	'
Statutory U.S. Federal Income Tax Rate	'	35.00%	'
Income Tax Expense / Effective Rate	'	809.90%	20.20%
Unusual or Infrequent, Tax Effect	$8,467	$4,701	'

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Deferred Tax Liability Not Recognized [Line Items]	'	'
Income Tax Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Depletion	$111,104	$53,932
Uncertain tax positions	22,770	25,570
Uncertain tax positions that, if recognized, would impact effective tax rate	2,071	3,891
Accrued interest liability relating to uncertain tax positions	5,851	7,095
Interest expense included in accrued interest liability	1,020	1,722
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments	'	$5,875

Income_Taxes_Tax_Examinations_

Income Taxes Tax Examinations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'
Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions	$6,004,000	'	'
Income Tax Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Depletion	'	111,104,000	53,932,000
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]	'	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'
Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions	983,000	'	'
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]	'	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'
Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions	$1,786,000	'	'

Income_Taxes_Discrete_Items_De

Income Taxes Discrete Items (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Other Tax Carryforward [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Depletion	'	'	$111,104,000	$53,932,000
Unusual or Infrequent, Tax Effect	8,467,000	'	4,701,000	'
Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions	'	6,004,000	'	'
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Tax Carryforward [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions	'	'	1,585,000	'
Northern Powder River Basin Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Tax Carryforward [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Unusual or Infrequent, Tax Effect	'	$48,976,000	'	'

Inventory_Components_Details

Inventory Components (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Coal	$58,050	$78,825
Merchandise for resale	37,792	35,363
Supplies	142,506	133,578
Total Inventories	238,348	247,766
Excess of replacement cost of merchandise for resl inventories over carrying LIFO value	$18,683	$19,700

Accounts_Receivable_Securitiza1

Accounts Receivable Securitization (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
			AR securitization facility [Member]	AR securitization facility [Member]	AR securitization facility [Member]	AR securitization facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	'	'	$200,000	'	$200,000	'
Current borrowing capacity of receivable facility	'	'	200,000	'	200,000	'
Letters of credit amount outstanding	'	'	155,636	'	155,636	'
Costs associated with the receivables facility	'	'	416	420	1,328	1,276
Expiration date of receivables facility	'	'	'	'	30-Mar-17	'
Accounts Receivable - Securitized	44,364	37,846	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable from Securitization	$6,518	'	'	'	'	'

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Coal and other plant and equipment	$6,207,105	$6,030,620
Drilling Cost	1,830,666	1,550,297
Proven gas properties	1,601,106	1,596,838
Coal properties and surface lands	1,449,526	1,346,151
Unproven gas properties	1,383,921	1,266,017
Gas gathering equipment	1,046,495	1,006,882
Airshafts	746,134	706,388
Mine development	608,630	537,939
Leased coal lands	529,409	529,758
Gas wells and related equipment	623,176	492,367
Coal advance mining royalties	397,015	391,501
Other gas assets	125,635	82,217
Gas advance royalties	22,286	8,229
Total property plant and equipment	16,571,104	15,545,204
Less Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	5,940,247	5,354,237
Total Property, Plant and Equipment-Net	$10,630,857	$10,190,967

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_J

Property, Plant and Equipment Joint Venture Activity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
			Noble JV[Member] [Member]	Hess [Member]	Noble JV[Member] [Member]	Noble JV[Member] [Member]	Noble JV[Member] [Member]	Hess [Member]
					acre	acre		Rate
								acre
Joint Venture Interest Percentage	'	'	'	'	'	50.00%	'	50.00%
Drilling commitment carry	'	'	'	'	'	'	$2,100,000,000	$534,000,000
Three Month Average Price Carry for carry not to be suspended	'	'	'	'	'	'	4	'
Joint Venture Percent of Carry in Drilling Obligations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.5
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals, Gain (Loss) on Sale or Disposal, Net of Tax	'	'	'	'	'	64,142,000	'	53,095,000
Acres in Joint Venture primarily focused on	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	73,000,000
Acres in Joint Venture to be sold	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	63,000,000
Maximum Annual Drilling Commitment Carry	'	'	'	'	'	'	400,000,000	'
Acres w/ Asserted Title Defects	'	'	'	'	86,498,000	'	'	39,000,000
Gas and Oil Acreage, Unproved, Net	'	'	'	'	'	628,000	'	200,000
Cash Proceeds Related to Joint Venture Activity	'	'	'	'	'	485,464,000	'	54,254,000
Joint Venture Transaction Fees	'	'	'	'	'	34,998,000	'	5,719,000
Note Receivable 1 year - joint venture proceed	'	'	'	'	'	311,754,000	'	'
Note receivable 2 year - joint venture proceeds	'	'	'	'	'	296,344,000	'	'
Cash Proceeds Related to 1 year Note	'	'	'	'	'	327,964,000	'	'
Oil and Gas Joint Interest Billing Receivables	'	'	'	'	'	16,703,000	'	'
Payable Related to Joint Venture Activity	'	'	'	'	'	980,000	'	'
Cash Proceeds Related to Receivable	'	'	'	'	'	15,598,000	'	'
Carry Value of Acres w/ Asserted Title Defects	'	'	'	'	543,000,000	'	'	153,000,000
Total Value of Asserted Title Defects	'	204,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tentative Acres w/ Asserted Title Defects	'	'	'	'	2,868,000	'	'	26,000,000
Carry Value of Tentative Acres w/ Asserted Title Defects	'	'	'	'	27,000,000	'	'	'
Acres to be reassigned by Joint Venture	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	65,000,000
drill carry remaining	'	'	1,885,785,000	255,148,000	'	'	'	335,000,000
Transaction Value of Asserted Title Defects	$12,983,000	$21,763,000	'	'	'	'	'	'

ShortTerm_Notes_Payable_Detail

Short-Term Notes Payable (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest Payable, Current	$113,589	$113,589	$63,363	'
Senior Secured Credit Facility April122016 Member [Member]	'	'	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Credit facility, face amount	'	'	1,500,000	'
Additional Capacity Available On Credit Lines At Request	250,000	250,000	'	'
Minimum interest coverage ratio	2.5	'	'	'
Interest coverage ratio	3.96	3.96	'	'
Maximum leverage ratio	4.5	'	'	'
Current maximum leverage ratio	3.21	'	'	'
Senior secured leverage ratio, maximum	2	2	'	'
Current secured leverage ratio	0.11	0.11	'	'
Letters of credit outstanding	104,137	104,137	100,292	'
Borrowings and issuance of letters of credit remaining capacity	1,395,863	1,395,863	1,399,708	'
CNX Gas Senior Secured Credit Facility April122016 Member [Member]	'	'	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Credit facility, face amount	'	'	1,000,000	'
Short-term Debt	47,000	47,000	'	'
Additional Capacity Available On Credit Lines At Request	250,000	250,000	'	'
loans, advances, dividends allowed	600,000	600,000	'	'
Minimum interest coverage ratio	3	'	'	'
Interest coverage ratio	28.55	28.55	'	'
Maximum leverage ratio	3.5	'	'	'
Current maximum leverage ratio	0.75	'	'	'
Letters of credit outstanding	70,051	70,051	70,203	'
Borrowings and issuance of letters of credit remaining capacity	882,949	882,949	929,797	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period	1.80%	1.76%	'	'
Interest Payable, Current	5	5	'	29
Interim Funding for Longwall Shields [Member]	'	'	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Short-term Debt	'	'	$25,073	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.46%	2.46%	'	'

LongTerm_Debt_Details

Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Capital Lease Obligations, Current	$8,576	$8,941
Debt	3,128,361	3,129,017
Less amounts due in one year	-4,606	-4,544
Long-Term Debt	3,123,755	3,124,473
Accrued interest	113,589	63,363
Senior Notes Due April 2017 at 8.00%	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	1,500,000	1,500,000
Senior notes due April 2020 at 8.25%	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	1,250,000	1,250,000
Senior notes due March 2021 at 6.375%	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	250,000	250,000
Baltimore Port Facility revenue bonds in series due September 2025 at 5.75%	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	102,865	102,865
Advance royalty commitments	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	20,394	20,394
Other long-term notes maturing at various dates through 2031	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	$5,102	$5,758

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies Additional Information (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2007

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Subsidiaries

South Carolina Electric Gas Company [Member]

South Carolina Electric Gas Company [Member]

South Carolina Electric Gas Company [Member]

South Carolina Electric Gas Company [Member]

South Carolina Electric Gas Company [Member]

PCB Soil Removal Action

PCB Soil Removal Action

American electric corp [Member]

American electric corp [Member]

Earl Kennedy

Cnx Gas Stock Acquisition [Member]

Cnx Gas Stock Acquisition [Member]

Ratliff [Member]

Counterclaim [Member]

Award Amount [Member]

Interest Rate on Amount Awarded [Member]

Attorney Fees [Member]

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Portion Not Accrued

$792,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Claims by plaintiff

'

'

'

'36000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'The complaint, as amended, seeks injunctive relief, including removing CNX Gas Company from the property, and compensatory damages of $20,000.

'

'

'$4,000 to $8,000

The current estimated cost of remedial action for the area CONSOL Energy was originally named a PRP, including payment of the EPA's past and future cost, is approximately

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

65,000,000

'

5,400,000

'

'

19,200

'

'

Litigation Settlement, Gross

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250,000

'

'

'

'

Counterclaim by the company

'

'

'

'

'9400

'9735

'8.75

'1232

'

'

'408

'

'

'

'

'

Sale of Stock, Price Per Share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$38.25

'

Loss Contingency, Settlement Agreement, Court

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'42730

'

'

Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost of Remediation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount Funded to Remidiation Trust appearing in Cost of Goods Sold

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,563,000

400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

CONSOL Energy's portion of probable recoveries from settled claims

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,805,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Remaining liability in PCB soil removal action

868,904,000

768,494,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,769,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$384,000

'

'

'

'

'

Commitments and Contingent, number of asbestos claims

'

'

6,900

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecorded_Unconditional_Purch

Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$1,103,904
Purchase Commitment [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Less than 1 year	393,709
1 - 3 years	253,025
3 - 5 years	189,138
More than 5 years	419,240
Total Purchase Obligations	1,255,112
Balance on First Anniversary [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	892,298
More Than One And Within Three Years From Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	211,605
More Than Three And Within Five Years From Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	0
Beyond Five Years of Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	1
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	329,898
Standby Letters of Credit [Member] | Balance on First Anniversary [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	160,678
Standby Letters of Credit [Member] | More Than One And Within Three Years From Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	169,220
Standby Letters of Credit [Member] | More Than Three And Within Five Years From Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	0
Standby Letters of Credit [Member] | Beyond Five Years of Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	0
Surety Bonds [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	774,006
Surety Bonds [Member] | Balance on First Anniversary [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	731,620
Surety Bonds [Member] | More Than One And Within Three Years From Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	42,385
Surety Bonds [Member] | More Than Three And Within Five Years From Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	0
Surety Bonds [Member] | Beyond Five Years of Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	1
Employee Related Commitments [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	190,358
Employee Related Commitments [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member] | Balance on First Anniversary [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	71,624
Employee Related Commitments [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member] | More Than One And Within Three Years From Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	118,734
Employee Related Commitments [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member] | More Than Three And Within Five Years From Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	0
Employee Related Commitments [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member] | Beyond Five Years of Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	0
Employee Related Commitments [Member] | Surety Bonds [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	204,884
Employee Related Commitments [Member] | Surety Bonds [Member] | Balance on First Anniversary [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	204,884
Employee Related Commitments [Member] | Surety Bonds [Member] | More Than One And Within Three Years From Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	0
Employee Related Commitments [Member] | Surety Bonds [Member] | More Than Three And Within Five Years From Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	0
Employee Related Commitments [Member] | Surety Bonds [Member] | Beyond Five Years of Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	0
Environment Related Commitments [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	56,294
Environment Related Commitments [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member] | Balance on First Anniversary [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	54,566
Environment Related Commitments [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member] | More Than One And Within Three Years From Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	1,728
Environment Related Commitments [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member] | More Than Three And Within Five Years From Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	0
Environment Related Commitments [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member] | Beyond Five Years of Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	0
Environment Related Commitments [Member] | Surety Bonds [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	537,167
Environment Related Commitments [Member] | Surety Bonds [Member] | Balance on First Anniversary [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	495,017
Environment Related Commitments [Member] | Surety Bonds [Member] | More Than One And Within Three Years From Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	42,150
Environment Related Commitments [Member] | Surety Bonds [Member] | More Than Three And Within Five Years From Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	0
Environment Related Commitments [Member] | Surety Bonds [Member] | Beyond Five Years of Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	0
Other Commitments [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	83,246
Other Commitments [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member] | Balance on First Anniversary [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	34,488
Other Commitments [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member] | More Than One And Within Three Years From Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	48,758
Other Commitments [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member] | More Than Three And Within Five Years From Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	0
Other Commitments [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member] | Beyond Five Years of Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	0
Other Commitments [Member] | Surety Bonds [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	31,955
Other Commitments [Member] | Surety Bonds [Member] | Balance on First Anniversary [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	31,719
Other Commitments [Member] | Surety Bonds [Member] | More Than One And Within Three Years From Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	235
Other Commitments [Member] | Surety Bonds [Member] | More Than Three And Within Five Years From Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	0
Other Commitments [Member] | Surety Bonds [Member] | Beyond Five Years of Balance Sheet Date [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$1

Costs_Related_to_Purchase_Obli

Costs Related to Purchase Obligations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule of Costs Related to Purchase Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total costs related to purchase obligations	$64,940	$105,808	$228,186	$240,375
Major equipment purchases	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Costs Related to Purchase Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total costs related to purchase obligations	8,990	59,799	57,571	104,980
Firm transportation expense	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Costs Related to Purchase Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total costs related to purchase obligations	29,654	18,844	89,196	49,711
Gas drilling obligations	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Costs Related to Purchase Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total costs related to purchase obligations	26,296	27,100	81,419	85,192
Other Obligations	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Costs Related to Purchase Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total costs related to purchase obligations	$0	$65	$0	$492

Derivative_Instruments_Details

Derivative Instruments (Details) (Cash Flow Hedging [Member], Price Swaps, Natural Gas, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	MMcf
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Notional Amount of Outstanding Natural Gas Forward Contracts (in MMcf)	216,500,000	'
Unrealized Gain Expected to be Reclassified from Other Comprehensive Income and into Earnings During the Next Twelve Months	$44,438	'
Derivative Assets Designated as Hedging Instruments	107,366	135,969
Derivative Liabilities Designated as Hedging Instruments	5,252	7,024
Prepaid Expenses	'	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Assets, Current	75,735	80,057
Other Assets	'	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Assets, Noncurrent	31,631	55,912
Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Assets, Current	746	970
Other Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Noncurrent	$4,506	$6,054

The_Effect_of_Derivative_Instr

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Income (Details) (Price Swaps, Derivative in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship, Natural Gas, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax	$60,566	$78,463	$60,566	$78,463	$71,674	$76,761	$132,731	$151,780
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative	13,246	-6,459	40,400	80,280	'	'	'	'
Outside Sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income	24,354	47,809	56,595	153,597	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net	$2,592	$1,732	($120)	$1,778	'	'	'	'

Financial_Instruments_Measured

Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Liabilities (Level 1)	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Gas Cash Flow hedges	$0	$0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Gas Cash Flow hedges	102,114	128,945
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Gas Cash Flow hedges	$0	$0

Carrying_Amounts_and_Fair_Valu

Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Financial Instruments for Which the Fair Value Option Was Not Elected (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Option, Disclosures Related to Election, Items Existing at Effective Date [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	$12,263	$48,294	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents	21,086	21,878	230,958	375,736
Notes and Loans Payable, Current	-47,000	-25,073	'	'
Secured Debt, Current	-44,364	-37,846	'	'
Long-term debt	-3,128,361	-3,129,017	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	0	20,379	'	'
Carrying Amount	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Option, Disclosures Related to Election, Items Existing at Effective Date [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	12,263	48,294	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents	21,086	21,878	'	'
Restricted cash	12,263	68,673	'	'
Long-term debt	-3,128,361	-3,129,017	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	'	20,379	'	'
Fair Value	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Option, Disclosures Related to Election, Items Existing at Effective Date [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents	21,086	21,878	'	'
Restricted cash	12,263	68,673	'	'
Long-term debt	($3,320,618)	($3,378,058)	'	'

Industry_Segment_Results_Detai

Industry Segment Results (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	$1,160,114	$1,084,041	$3,512,055	$3,584,805	'
Sales-Purchased Gas	1,608	953	4,372	2,443	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	15,506	12,968	46,738	34,707	'
Freight-Outside	11,563	27,430	35,749	126,195	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Total Sales and Freight	1,188,791	1,125,392	3,598,914	3,748,150	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	10,574	-31,371	11,084	298,861	'
Total Assets	12,737,072	12,556,594	12,737,072	12,556,594	12,670,909
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	169,152	153,877	489,774	463,048	'
Capital Expenditures	437,909	437,622	1,195,909	1,152,021	'
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates	'	'	-20,276	-22,676	'
Investments in Unconsolidated Equity Affiliates	261,218	'	261,218	'	222,830
Total Reportable Business Segments	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	83,938	19,468	237,668	452,763	'
Total Assets	11,787,041	11,465,377	11,787,041	11,465,377	'
Coal	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	889,002	831,309	2,732,458	2,830,395	'
Sales-Purchased Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	11,563	27,430	35,749	126,195	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Total Sales and Freight	900,565	858,739	2,768,207	2,956,590	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	85,805	7,804	244,785	427,455	'
Total Assets	5,792,969	5,594,926	5,792,969	5,594,926	'
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	104,530	95,702	307,992	297,148	'
Capital Expenditures	156,730	254,864	511,626	702,880	'
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates	-1,682	-3,504	10,661	7,588	'
Investments in Unconsolidated Equity Affiliates	20,131	19,750	20,131	19,750	'
Gas	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	192,782	165,102	531,860	473,404	'
Sales-Purchased Gas	1,608	953	4,372	2,443	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	15,506	12,968	46,738	34,707	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	601	345	2,363	1,171	'
Total Sales and Freight	210,497	179,368	585,333	511,725	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	-1,867	11,664	-7,117	25,308	'
Total Assets	5,994,072	5,870,451	5,994,072	5,870,451	'
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	58,444	52,215	163,079	148,344	'
Capital Expenditures	273,474	166,617	669,067	408,278	'
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates	5,307	2,503	9,519	6,484	'
Investments in Unconsolidated Equity Affiliates	183,895	135,048	183,895	135,048	'
All Other Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	78,330	87,630	247,737	281,006	'
Sales-Purchased Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	32,213	37,987	100,118	111,332	'
Total Sales and Freight	110,543	125,617	347,855	392,338	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	-6,991	8,494	-48,426	27,539	'
Total Assets	356,848	376,400	356,848	376,400	'
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	6,178	0	18,703	0	'
Capital Expenditures	7,705	16,141	15,216	40,863	'
Intersegment Elimination [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Purchased Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	-32,814	-38,332	-102,481	-112,503	'
Total Sales and Freight	-32,814	-38,332	-102,481	-112,503	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	-66,373	-59,333	-178,158	-181,441	'
Total Assets	593,183	714,817	593,183	714,817	'
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	0	5,960	0	17,556	'
Capital Expenditures	0	0	0	0	'
All Other	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates	-16	8,574	96	8,604	'
Investments in Unconsolidated Equity Affiliates	57,192	58,910	57,192	58,910	'
Steam [Member] | Coal	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	753,692	667,372	2,212,909	2,227,728	'
Sales-Purchased Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Total Sales and Freight	753,692	667,372	2,212,909	2,227,728	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	128,112	89,743	360,312	351,889	'
Low Volatile Metallurgical [Member] | Coal	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	98,232	110,239	356,066	403,460	'
Sales-Purchased Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Total Sales and Freight	98,232	110,239	356,066	403,460	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	21,295	42,722	106,831	164,843	'
High Volatile Metallurgical [member] | Coal	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	29,608	48,484	145,345	180,302	'
Sales-Purchased Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Total Sales and Freight	29,608	48,484	145,345	180,302	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	6,466	9,640	37,063	44,994	'
Other Coal [Member] | Coal	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	7,470	5,214	18,138	18,905	'
Sales-Purchased Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	11,563	27,430	35,749	126,195	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Total Sales and Freight	19,033	32,644	53,887	145,100	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	-70,068	-134,301	-259,421	-134,271	'
Coalbed Methane [Member] | Gas	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	83,269	94,169	254,708	281,784	'
Sales-Purchased Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Total Sales and Freight	83,269	94,169	254,708	281,784	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	20,909	30,983	64,345	91,717	'
Marcellus Shale [Member] | Gas	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	72,406	36,253	167,394	83,774	'
Sales-Purchased Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Total Sales and Freight	72,406	36,253	167,394	83,774	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	27,941	6,347	53,389	14,433	'
Conventional Gas [Member] | Gas	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	32,957	32,288	99,138	100,868	'
Sales-Purchased Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Total Sales and Freight	32,957	32,288	99,138	100,868	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	-2,124	-3,439	-11,861	-9,571	'
Other Gas | Gas	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	4,150	2,392	10,620	6,978	'
Sales-Purchased Gas	1,608	953	4,372	2,443	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	15,506	12,968	46,738	34,707	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	601	345	2,363	1,171	'
Total Sales and Freight	21,865	16,658	64,093	45,299	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	-48,593	-22,227	-112,990	-71,271	'
First Energy [Member] | Coal	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Amount	164,572	129,014	492,872	409,745	'
XCoal Energy and Resources [Member] | Coal	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Amount	$119,707	'	$441,528	$382,950	'

Reconciliation_of_Segment_Info

Reconciliation of Segment Information, Revenue and Other Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	$1,160,114	$1,084,041	$3,512,055	$3,584,805	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes:	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	10,574	-31,371	11,084	298,861	'
Revenue from Purchased Oil and Gas	1,608	953	4,372	2,443	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	15,506	12,968	46,738	34,707	'
Freight-Outside	11,563	27,430	35,749	126,195	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment	1,188,791	1,125,392	3,598,914	3,748,150	'
Total Assets	12,737,072	12,556,594	12,737,072	12,556,594	12,670,909
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	169,152	153,877	489,774	463,048	'
Capital Expenditures	437,909	437,622	1,195,909	1,152,021	'
Total Reportable Business Segments	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes:	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	83,938	19,468	237,668	452,763	'
Total Assets	11,787,041	11,465,377	11,787,041	11,465,377	'
Coal	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	889,002	831,309	2,732,458	2,830,395	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes:	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	85,805	7,804	244,785	427,455	'
Revenue from Purchased Oil and Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	11,563	27,430	35,749	126,195	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment	900,565	858,739	2,768,207	2,956,590	'
Total Assets	5,792,969	5,594,926	5,792,969	5,594,926	'
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	104,530	95,702	307,992	297,148	'
Capital Expenditures	156,730	254,864	511,626	702,880	'
Gas	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	192,782	165,102	531,860	473,404	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes:	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	-1,867	11,664	-7,117	25,308	'
Revenue from Purchased Oil and Gas	1,608	953	4,372	2,443	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	15,506	12,968	46,738	34,707	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	601	345	2,363	1,171	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment	210,497	179,368	585,333	511,725	'
Total Assets	5,994,072	5,870,451	5,994,072	5,870,451	'
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	58,444	52,215	163,079	148,344	'
Capital Expenditures	273,474	166,617	669,067	408,278	'
All Other Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	78,330	87,630	247,737	281,006	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes:	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	-6,991	8,494	-48,426	27,539	'
Revenue from Purchased Oil and Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	32,213	37,987	100,118	111,332	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment	110,543	125,617	347,855	392,338	'
Total Assets	356,848	376,400	356,848	376,400	'
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	6,178	0	18,703	0	'
Capital Expenditures	7,705	16,141	15,216	40,863	'
Excludes Gas Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes:	'	'	'	'	'
Interest Income (Expense), Net and Other Non-operating Activity	-57,482	-56,338	-166,548	-175,323	'
Fees for Disposing Non-core Assets	-8,891	-2,995	11,610	6,118	'
Intersegment Elimination [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes:	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	-66,373	-59,333	-178,158	-181,441	'
Revenue from Purchased Oil and Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	-32,814	-38,332	-102,481	-112,503	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment	-32,814	-38,332	-102,481	-112,503	'
Total Assets	593,183	714,817	593,183	714,817	'
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	0	5,960	0	17,556	'
Capital Expenditures	0	0	0	0	'
Steam [Member] | Coal	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	753,692	667,372	2,212,909	2,227,728	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes:	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	128,112	89,743	360,312	351,889	'
Revenue from Purchased Oil and Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment	753,692	667,372	2,212,909	2,227,728	'
High Volatile Metallurgical [member] | Coal	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	29,608	48,484	145,345	180,302	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes:	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	6,466	9,640	37,063	44,994	'
Revenue from Purchased Oil and Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment	29,608	48,484	145,345	180,302	'
Low Volatile Metallurgical [Member] | Coal	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	98,232	110,239	356,066	403,460	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes:	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	21,295	42,722	106,831	164,843	'
Revenue from Purchased Oil and Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment	98,232	110,239	356,066	403,460	'
Other Coal [Member] | Coal	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	7,470	5,214	18,138	18,905	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes:	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	-70,068	-134,301	-259,421	-134,271	'
Revenue from Purchased Oil and Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	11,563	27,430	35,749	126,195	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment	19,033	32,644	53,887	145,100	'
Coalbed Methane [Member] | Gas	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	83,269	94,169	254,708	281,784	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes:	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	20,909	30,983	64,345	91,717	'
Revenue from Purchased Oil and Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment	83,269	94,169	254,708	281,784	'
Marcellus Shale [Member] | Gas	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	72,406	36,253	167,394	83,774	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes:	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	27,941	6,347	53,389	14,433	'
Revenue from Purchased Oil and Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment	72,406	36,253	167,394	83,774	'
Conventional Gas [Member] | Gas	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	32,957	32,288	99,138	100,868	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes:	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	-2,124	-3,439	-11,861	-9,571	'
Revenue from Purchased Oil and Gas	0	0	0	0	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment	32,957	32,288	99,138	100,868	'
Other Gas | Gas	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	4,150	2,392	10,620	6,978	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes:	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes	-48,593	-22,227	-112,990	-71,271	'
Revenue from Purchased Oil and Gas	1,608	953	4,372	2,443	'
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	15,506	12,968	46,738	34,707	'
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0	'
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	601	345	2,363	1,171	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment	21,865	16,658	64,093	45,299	'
First Energy [Member] | Coal	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Amount	$164,572	$129,014	$492,872	$409,745	'

Reconciliation_of_Segment_Info1

Reconciliation of Segment Information, Total Assets (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'	'
Assets	$12,737,072	$12,670,909	$12,556,594
Total Reportable Business Segments	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'
Assets	11,787,041	'	11,465,377
Coal	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'
Assets	5,792,969	'	5,594,926
Gas	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'
Assets	5,994,072	'	5,870,451
All Other Segments [Member]	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'
Assets	356,848	'	376,400
Excludes Gas Segment [Member]	'	'	'
Items excluded from segment assets:	'	'	'
Cash and Other Investments	17,988	'	40,331
Intersegment Elimination [Member]	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'
Assets	593,183	'	714,817
Items excluded from segment assets:	'	'	'
Recoverable Income Taxes	0	'	12,132
Deferred Tax Assets	538,930	'	618,742
Bond Issuance Costs	$36,265	'	$43,612

Guarantor_Subsidiaries_Financi1

Guarantor Subsidiaries Financial Information Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$21,086	$21,878	$230,958	$375,736
Trade	436,388	428,328	'	'
Notes Receivable, Related Parties, Current	25,813	318,387	'	'
Other Receivables	160,931	131,131	'	'
Accounts Receivable - Securitized	44,364	37,846	'	'
Inventories	238,348	247,766	'	'
Deferred Income Taxes	81,825	148,104	'	'
Senior Notes Due April 2017 at 8.00%	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	1,500,000	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	8.00%	'	'	'
Senior notes due April 2020 at 8.25%	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	1,250,000	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	8.25%	'	'	'
Senior notes due March 2021 at 6.375%	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$250,000	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.38%	'	'	'

Guarantor_Subsidiaries_Income_

Guarantor Subsidiaries Income Statement (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	$1,160,114	$1,084,041	$3,512,055	$3,584,805
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	15,506	12,968	46,738	34,707
Sales-Purchased Gas	1,608	953	4,372	2,443
Freight-Outside	11,563	27,430	35,749	126,195
Other Income (including equity earnings)	42,627	34,697	138,824	293,196
Total Revenue and Other Income	1,231,418	1,160,089	3,737,738	4,041,346
Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown below)	851,088	827,530	2,639,929	2,588,460
Gas Royalty Interests Costs	12,864	10,543	38,204	27,916
Purchased Gas Costs	941	737	2,961	2,123
Related Party Activity	0	0	0	0
Freight Expense	11,563	27,430	35,749	126,195
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	33,472	36,681	104,265	109,412
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	169,152	153,877	489,774	463,048
Interest Expense	56,301	54,075	164,197	168,788
Taxes Other Than Income	85,463	80,587	251,575	256,543
Total Costs	1,220,844	1,191,460	3,726,654	3,742,485
Earnings Before Income Taxes	10,574	-31,371	11,084	298,861
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	74,623	-19,898	89,767	60,428
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	398	105	942	134
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	-63,651	-11,368	-77,741	238,567
Net Income (Loss)	-64,049	-11,473	-78,683	238,433
Parent Issuer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	0	0	0	0
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0
Sales-Purchased Gas	0	0	0	0
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0
Other Income (including equity earnings)	78,203	-17,948	354,386	399,817
Total Revenue and Other Income	78,203	-17,948	354,386	399,817
Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown below)	37,591	18,699	117,830	90,230
Gas Royalty Interests Costs	0	0	0	0
Purchased Gas Costs	0	0	0	0
Related Party Activity	9,710	8,575	32,385	1,575
Freight Expense	0	0	0	0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	0	0	0	0
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	3,288	3,085	9,735	8,901
Interest Expense	52,165	50,811	153,141	158,505
Taxes Other Than Income	165	-504	430	159
Total Costs	102,919	80,666	313,521	259,370
Earnings Before Income Taxes	-24,716	-98,614	40,865	140,447
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	38,935	-87,246	118,606	-98,120
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	-63,651	-11,368	-77,741	238,567
Net Income (Loss)	-63,651	-11,368	-77,741	238,567
CNX Gas Guarantor [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	193,381	165,448	534,221	474,574
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	15,506	12,968	46,738	34,707
Sales-Purchased Gas	1,608	953	4,372	2,443
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0
Other Income (including equity earnings)	12,596	11,772	37,055	46,177
Total Revenue and Other Income	223,091	191,141	622,386	557,901
Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown below)	128,402	96,619	359,397	296,959
Gas Royalty Interests Costs	12,874	10,565	38,235	27,951
Purchased Gas Costs	941	737	2,961	2,123
Related Party Activity	0	0	0	0
Freight Expense	0	0	0	0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	11,600	9,906	33,429	29,199
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	58,444	52,214	163,079	148,343
Interest Expense	2,578	1,145	6,375	3,554
Taxes Other Than Income	9,847	8,426	25,534	24,790
Total Costs	224,686	179,612	629,010	532,919
Earnings Before Income Taxes	-1,595	11,529	-6,624	24,982
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	-602	4,433	-2,557	9,706
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	398	105	942	134
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	-595	7,201	-3,125	15,410
Net Income (Loss)	-993	7,096	-4,067	15,276
Other Guarantors Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	911,732	861,009	2,813,430	2,919,814
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0
Sales-Purchased Gas	0	0	0	0
Freight-Outside	11,563	27,430	35,749	126,195
Other Income (including equity earnings)	25,103	170,877	86,064	230,930
Total Revenue and Other Income	948,398	1,059,316	2,935,243	3,276,939
Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown below)	620,652	647,158	1,971,483	1,992,371
Gas Royalty Interests Costs	0	0	0	0
Purchased Gas Costs	0	0	0	0
Related Party Activity	-29,271	-18,962	-87,620	5,078
Freight Expense	11,563	27,430	35,749	126,195
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	21,582	26,412	69,887	79,169
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	106,910	98,060	315,468	304,245
Interest Expense	1,548	2,267	4,871	7,056
Taxes Other Than Income	74,730	71,985	223,254	229,381
Total Costs	807,714	854,350	2,533,092	2,743,495
Earnings Before Income Taxes	140,684	204,966	402,151	533,444
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	37,143	61,424	-22,740	143,001
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	103,541	143,542	424,891	390,443
Net Income (Loss)	103,541	143,542	424,891	390,443
Non-Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	54,174	58,405	161,837	192,212
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0
Sales-Purchased Gas	0	0	0	0
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0
Other Income (including equity earnings)	4,928	4,917	15,705	16,089
Total Revenue and Other Income	59,102	63,322	177,542	208,301
Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown below)	54,857	57,408	162,050	186,635
Gas Royalty Interests Costs	0	0	0	0
Purchased Gas Costs	0	0	0	0
Related Party Activity	458	427	1,298	1,376
Freight Expense	0	0	0	0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	290	363	949	1,044
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	510	518	1,492	1,559
Interest Expense	13	11	34	33
Taxes Other Than Income	721	680	2,357	2,213
Total Costs	56,849	59,407	168,180	192,860
Earnings Before Income Taxes	2,253	3,915	9,362	15,441
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	-853	1,491	-3,542	5,841
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	3,106	2,424	12,904	9,600
Net Income (Loss)	3,106	2,424	12,904	9,600
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales-Outside	827	-821	2,567	-1,795
Sales-Gas Royalty Interests	0	0	0	0
Sales-Purchased Gas	0	0	0	0
Freight-Outside	0	0	0	0
Other Income (including equity earnings)	-78,203	-134,921	-354,386	-399,817
Total Revenue and Other Income	-77,376	-135,742	-351,819	-401,612
Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown below)	9,586	7,646	29,169	22,265
Gas Royalty Interests Costs	-10	-22	-31	-35
Purchased Gas Costs	0	0	0	0
Related Party Activity	19,103	9,960	53,937	-8,029
Freight Expense	0	0	0	0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	0	0	0	0
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	0	0	0	0
Interest Expense	-3	-159	-224	-360
Taxes Other Than Income	0	0	0	0
Total Costs	28,676	17,425	82,851	13,841
Earnings Before Income Taxes	-106,052	-153,167	-434,670	-415,453
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	0	0	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	-106,052	-153,167	-434,670	-415,453
Net Income (Loss)	($106,052)	($153,167)	($434,670)	($415,453)

Guarantor_Subsidiaries_Balance

Guarantor Subsidiaries Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$21,086	$21,878	$230,958	$375,736
Accounts and Notes Receivable:	'	'	'	'
Trade	436,388	428,328	'	'
Notes Receivable, Related Parties, Current	25,813	318,387	'	'
Other Receivables	160,931	131,131	'	'
Accounts Receivable - Securitized	44,364	37,846	'	'
Inventories	238,348	247,766	'	'
Deferred Income Taxes	81,825	148,104	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	12,263	48,294	'	'
Prepaid Expenses	162,418	157,360	'	'
Total Current Assets	1,183,436	1,539,094	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment:	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	16,571,104	15,545,204	'	'
Less-Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	5,940,247	5,354,237	'	'
Total Property, Plant and Equipment-Net	10,630,857	10,190,967	'	'
Other Assets:	'	'	'	'
Deferred Income Taxes	457,105	444,585	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	0	20,379	'	'
Investments in Unconsolidated Equity Affiliates	261,218	222,830	'	'
Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net	155	25,977	'	'
Other	204,301	227,077	'	'
Total Other Assets	922,779	940,848	'	'
Total Assets	12,737,072	12,670,909	12,556,594	'
Current Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts Payable	512,182	507,982	'	'
Accounts Payable (Recoverable)- Related Parties	0	0	'	'
Short-Term Notes Payable	'	25,073	'	'
Current Portion Long-Term Debt	13,182	13,485	'	'
Short-Term Notes Payable	47,000	25,073	'	'
Secured Debt, Current	44,364	37,846	'	'
Accrued Income Taxes, Current	87,965	34,219	'	'
Other Accrued Liabilities	868,904	768,494	'	'
Total Current Liabilities	1,573,597	1,387,099	'	'
Long-Term Debt:	3,171,931	3,174,586	'	'
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities	'	'	'	'
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions	2,814,234	2,832,401	'	'
Pneumoconiosis	178,508	174,781	'	'
Mine Closing	460,515	446,727	'	'
Gas Well Closing	197,093	148,928	'	'
Workers' Compensation	156,568	155,648	'	'
Salary Retirement	74,108	218,004	'	'
Reclamation	49,487	47,965	'	'
Other	103,855	131,025	'	'
Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities	4,034,368	4,155,479	'	'
Total CONSOL Energy Inc. Stockholders' Equity	3,958,165	3,953,792	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest	-989	-47	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	12,737,072	12,670,909	'	'
Parent Issuer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents	16,187	17,491	'	'
Accounts and Notes Receivable:	'	'	'	'
Trade	0	0	'	'
Notes Receivable, Related Parties, Current	1,193	154	'	'
Other Receivables	3,866	6,335	'	'
Accounts Receivable - Securitized	0	0	'	'
Inventories	0	0	'	'
Deferred Income Taxes	106,291	174,176	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	0	0	'	'
Prepaid Expenses	37,054	29,589	'	'
Total Current Assets	164,591	227,745	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment:	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	218,303	216,448	'	'
Less-Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	139,157	126,048	'	'
Total Property, Plant and Equipment-Net	79,146	90,400	'	'
Other Assets:	'	'	'	'
Deferred Income Taxes	875,354	884,310	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	'	0	'	'
Investments in Unconsolidated Equity Affiliates	10,234,178	9,917,050	'	'
Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net	155	239	'	'
Other	109,998	118,938	'	'
Total Other Assets	11,219,685	10,920,537	'	'
Total Assets	11,463,422	11,238,682	'	'
Current Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts Payable	193,491	177,734	'	'
Accounts Payable (Recoverable)- Related Parties	3,882,644	3,599,216	'	'
Short-Term Notes Payable	'	25,073	'	'
Current Portion Long-Term Debt	1,454	1,554	'	'
Short-Term Notes Payable	0	'	'	'
Secured Debt, Current	0	0	'	'
Accrued Income Taxes, Current	64,059	20,488	'	'
Other Accrued Liabilities	209,321	135,407	'	'
Total Current Liabilities	4,350,969	3,959,472	'	'
Long-Term Debt:	3,004,976	3,005,515	'	'
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities	'	'	'	'
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions	0	0	'	'
Pneumoconiosis	0	0	'	'
Mine Closing	0	0	'	'
Gas Well Closing	0	0	'	'
Workers' Compensation	0	0	'	'
Salary Retirement	74,108	218,004	'	'
Reclamation	0	0	'	'
Other	75,204	101,899	'	'
Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities	149,312	319,903	'	'
Total CONSOL Energy Inc. Stockholders' Equity	3,958,165	3,953,792	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	11,463,422	11,238,682	'	'
CNX Gas Guarantor [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents	3,847	3,352	'	'
Accounts and Notes Receivable:	'	'	'	'
Trade	60,255	58,126	'	'
Notes Receivable, Related Parties, Current	0	315,730	'	'
Other Receivables	144,253	214,748	'	'
Accounts Receivable - Securitized	0	0	'	'
Inventories	15,679	14,133	'	'
Deferred Income Taxes	-24,466	-26,072	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	0	0	'	'
Prepaid Expenses	81,970	86,186	'	'
Total Current Assets	281,538	666,203	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment:	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	6,586,647	5,956,207	'	'
Less-Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	1,122,401	960,613	'	'
Total Property, Plant and Equipment-Net	5,464,246	4,995,594	'	'
Other Assets:	'	'	'	'
Deferred Income Taxes	-418,249	-439,725	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	'	0	'	'
Investments in Unconsolidated Equity Affiliates	183,895	143,876	'	'
Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net	0	0	'	'
Other	39,916	65,935	'	'
Total Other Assets	-194,438	-229,914	'	'
Total Assets	5,551,346	5,431,883	'	'
Current Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts Payable	257,487	166,182	'	'
Accounts Payable (Recoverable)- Related Parties	39,594	23,981	'	'
Short-Term Notes Payable	'	0	'	'
Current Portion Long-Term Debt	6,036	5,953	'	'
Short-Term Notes Payable	85,500	'	'	'
Secured Debt, Current	0	0	'	'
Accrued Income Taxes, Current	23,906	13,731	'	'
Other Accrued Liabilities	70,835	57,074	'	'
Total Current Liabilities	483,358	266,921	'	'
Long-Term Debt:	43,682	46,081	'	'
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities	'	'	'	'
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions	0	0	'	'
Pneumoconiosis	0	0	'	'
Mine Closing	0	0	'	'
Gas Well Closing	118,075	80,097	'	'
Workers' Compensation	0	0	'	'
Salary Retirement	0	0	'	'
Reclamation	0	0	'	'
Other	12,227	24,518	'	'
Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities	130,302	104,615	'	'
Total CONSOL Energy Inc. Stockholders' Equity	4,894,993	5,014,313	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest	-989	-47	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	5,551,346	5,431,883	'	'
Other Guarantors Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents	0	175	'	'
Accounts and Notes Receivable:	'	'	'	'
Trade	0	0	'	'
Notes Receivable, Related Parties, Current	24,620	2,503	'	'
Other Receivables	7,780	33,289	'	'
Accounts Receivable - Securitized	0	0	'	'
Inventories	184,877	198,269	'	'
Deferred Income Taxes	0	0	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	12,263	48,294	'	'
Prepaid Expenses	41,981	40,215	'	'
Total Current Assets	271,521	322,745	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment:	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	9,740,510	9,347,370	'	'
Less-Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	4,659,763	4,249,507	'	'
Total Property, Plant and Equipment-Net	5,080,747	5,097,863	'	'
Other Assets:	'	'	'	'
Deferred Income Taxes	0	0	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	'	20,379	'	'
Investments in Unconsolidated Equity Affiliates	750,771	769,058	'	'
Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net	0	25,738	'	'
Other	44,822	32,016	'	'
Total Other Assets	795,593	847,191	'	'
Total Assets	6,147,861	6,267,799	'	'
Current Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts Payable	48,128	154,936	'	'
Accounts Payable (Recoverable)- Related Parties	-4,202,168	-3,749,584	'	'
Short-Term Notes Payable	'	0	'	'
Current Portion Long-Term Debt	4,914	5,222	'	'
Short-Term Notes Payable	0	'	'	'
Secured Debt, Current	0	0	'	'
Accrued Income Taxes, Current	0	0	'	'
Other Accrued Liabilities	578,019	566,485	'	'
Total Current Liabilities	-3,571,107	-3,022,941	'	'
Long-Term Debt:	121,864	121,523	'	'
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities	'	'	'	'
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions	2,814,234	2,832,401	'	'
Pneumoconiosis	178,508	174,781	'	'
Mine Closing	460,515	446,727	'	'
Gas Well Closing	79,018	68,831	'	'
Workers' Compensation	156,242	155,342	'	'
Salary Retirement	0	0	'	'
Reclamation	49,487	47,965	'	'
Other	16,424	4,608	'	'
Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities	3,754,428	3,730,655	'	'
Total CONSOL Energy Inc. Stockholders' Equity	5,842,676	5,438,562	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	6,147,861	6,267,799	'	'
Non-Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents	1,052	860	'	'
Accounts and Notes Receivable:	'	'	'	'
Trade	376,133	370,202	'	'
Notes Receivable, Related Parties, Current	0	0	'	'
Other Receivables	5,032	5,159	'	'
Accounts Receivable - Securitized	44,364	37,846	'	'
Inventories	37,792	35,364	'	'
Deferred Income Taxes	0	0	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	0	0	'	'
Prepaid Expenses	1,413	1,370	'	'
Total Current Assets	465,786	450,801	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment:	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	25,644	25,179	'	'
Less-Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	18,926	18,069	'	'
Total Property, Plant and Equipment-Net	6,718	7,110	'	'
Other Assets:	'	'	'	'
Deferred Income Taxes	0	0	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	'	0	'	'
Investments in Unconsolidated Equity Affiliates	0	0	'	'
Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net	0	0	'	'
Other	9,565	10,188	'	'
Total Other Assets	9,565	10,188	'	'
Total Assets	482,069	468,099	'	'
Current Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts Payable	13,076	9,130	'	'
Accounts Payable (Recoverable)- Related Parties	241,430	254,787	'	'
Short-Term Notes Payable	'	0	'	'
Current Portion Long-Term Debt	778	756	'	'
Short-Term Notes Payable	0	'	'	'
Secured Debt, Current	44,364	37,846	'	'
Accrued Income Taxes, Current	0	0	'	'
Other Accrued Liabilities	10,729	9,528	'	'
Total Current Liabilities	310,377	312,047	'	'
Long-Term Debt:	1,409	1,467	'	'
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities	'	'	'	'
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions	0	0	'	'
Pneumoconiosis	0	0	'	'
Mine Closing	0	0	'	'
Gas Well Closing	0	0	'	'
Workers' Compensation	326	306	'	'
Salary Retirement	0	0	'	'
Reclamation	0	0	'	'
Other	0	0	'	'
Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities	326	306	'	'
Total CONSOL Energy Inc. Stockholders' Equity	169,957	154,279	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	482,069	468,099	'	'
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents	0	0	'	'
Accounts and Notes Receivable:	'	'	'	'
Trade	0	0	'	'
Notes Receivable, Related Parties, Current	0	0	'	'
Other Receivables	0	-128,400	'	'
Accounts Receivable - Securitized	0	0	'	'
Inventories	0	0	'	'
Deferred Income Taxes	0	0	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	0	0	'	'
Prepaid Expenses	0	0	'	'
Total Current Assets	0	-128,400	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment:	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	0	0	'	'
Less-Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	0	0	'	'
Total Property, Plant and Equipment-Net	0	0	'	'
Other Assets:	'	'	'	'
Deferred Income Taxes	0	0	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	'	0	'	'
Investments in Unconsolidated Equity Affiliates	-10,907,626	-10,607,154	'	'
Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net	0	0	'	'
Other	0	0	'	'
Total Other Assets	-10,907,626	-10,607,154	'	'
Total Assets	-10,907,626	-10,735,554	'	'
Current Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts Payable	0	0	'	'
Accounts Payable (Recoverable)- Related Parties	38,500	-128,400	'	'
Short-Term Notes Payable	'	0	'	'
Current Portion Long-Term Debt	0	0	'	'
Short-Term Notes Payable	-38,500	'	'	'
Secured Debt, Current	0	0	'	'
Accrued Income Taxes, Current	0	0	'	'
Other Accrued Liabilities	0	0	'	'
Total Current Liabilities	0	-128,400	'	'
Long-Term Debt:	0	0	'	'
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities	'	'	'	'
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions	0	0	'	'
Pneumoconiosis	0	0	'	'
Mine Closing	0	0	'	'
Gas Well Closing	0	0	'	'
Workers' Compensation	0	0	'	'
Salary Retirement	0	0	'	'
Reclamation	0	0	'	'
Other	0	0	'	'
Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities	0	0	'	'
Total CONSOL Energy Inc. Stockholders' Equity	-10,907,626	-10,607,154	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	($10,907,626)	($10,735,554)	'	'

Guarantor_Subsidiaries_Condens

Guarantor Subsidiaries, Condensed Statement of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows [Line Items]	'	'
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	$589,005	$530,163
Investing Activities:	'	'
Capital Expenditures	-1,195,909	-1,152,021
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	-559,437	-586,780
Financing Activities:	'	'
Dividends Paid	-57,211	-85,290
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	2,698	1,234
(Payments on) Proceeds from Short-Term Borrowings	47,000	'
Other Financing Activities	2,925	-2,871
Payments on Securitization Facility	6,518	'
Repayments of Other Debt	-32,290	-6,565
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities	-30,360	-88,161
Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	-18,112	-18,701
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	'	583,942
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	56,410	0
Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities	-598,174	'
Parent Issuer [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows [Line Items]	'	'
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	-7,813	-245,017
Investing Activities:	'	'
Capital Expenditures	-15,216	-40,863
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	-15,216	128,637
Financing Activities:	'	'
Dividends Paid	42,789	114,710
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	2,698	'
(Payments on) Proceeds from Short-Term Borrowings	0	'
Other Financing Activities	2,925	3,304
Payments on Securitization Facility	0	'
Repayments of Other Debt	-26,591	'
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities	21,821	118,014
Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	0	0
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	'	169,500
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	0	'
Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities	0	'
CNX Gas Guarantor [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows [Line Items]	'	'
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	383,504	139,026
Investing Activities:	'	'
Capital Expenditures	-669,067	-408,278
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	-364,425	-80,292
Financing Activities:	'	'
Dividends Paid	-100,000	-200,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	0	'
(Payments on) Proceeds from Short-Term Borrowings	85,500	'
Other Financing Activities	-4,084	-4,107
Payments on Securitization Facility	0	'
Repayments of Other Debt	0	'
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities	-18,584	-204,107
Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	-30,500	-31,650
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	'	359,636
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	0	'
Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities	-335,142	'
Other Guarantors Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows [Line Items]	'	'
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	180,580	635,257
Investing Activities:	'	'
Capital Expenditures	-511,626	-702,880
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	-179,813	-635,175
Financing Activities:	'	'
Dividends Paid	0	0
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	0	'
(Payments on) Proceeds from Short-Term Borrowings	0	'
Other Financing Activities	4,084	-1,729
Payments on Securitization Facility	0	'
Repayments of Other Debt	-5,122	'
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities	-1,038	-1,729
Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	12,388	12,949
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	'	54,756
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	56,410	'
Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities	-263,015	'
Non-Guarantors [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows [Line Items]	'	'
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	-5,766	897
Investing Activities:	'	'
Capital Expenditures	0	0
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	17	50
Financing Activities:	'	'
Dividends Paid	0	0
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	0	'
(Payments on) Proceeds from Short-Term Borrowings	0	'
Other Financing Activities	0	-339
Payments on Securitization Facility	6,518	'
Repayments of Other Debt	-577	'
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities	5,941	-339
Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	0	0
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	'	50
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	0	'
Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities	-17	'
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows [Line Items]	'	'
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	38,500	0
Investing Activities:	'	'
Capital Expenditures	0	0
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	0	0
Financing Activities:	'	'
Dividends Paid	0	0
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	0	'
(Payments on) Proceeds from Short-Term Borrowings	-38,500	'
Other Financing Activities	0	0
Payments on Securitization Facility	0	'
Repayments of Other Debt	0	'
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities	-38,500	0
Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	0	0
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	'	0
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	0	'
Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities	$0	'

Guarantor_Subsidiaries_Financi2

Guarantor Subsidiaries Financial Information Gurantor Subsidiaries Statement of Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Income (Loss)	($64,049)	($11,473)	($78,683)	$238,433
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	24,980	7,921	113,641	75,080
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	13,246	-6,459	40,400	80,280
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, Net	-24,354	-47,809	-56,595	-153,597
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	13,872	-46,347	97,446	1,763
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-50,177	-57,820	18,763	240,196
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	398	105	942	134
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	-49,779	-57,715	19,705	240,330
Parent Issuer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Income (Loss)	-63,651	-11,368	-77,741	238,567
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	-24,980	-7,921	-113,641	-75,080
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	-13,246	6,459	-40,400	-80,280
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, Net	24,354	47,809	56,595	153,597
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-13,872	46,347	-97,446	-1,763
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-49,779	-57,715	19,705	240,330
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	-49,779	-57,715	19,705	240,330
CNX Gas Guarantor [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Income (Loss)	-993	7,096	-4,067	15,276
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	0	0	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	-13,246	6,459	-40,400	-80,280
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, Net	24,354	47,809	56,595	153,597
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	11,108	54,268	16,195	73,317
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-12,101	-47,172	-20,262	-58,041
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	398	105	942	134
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	-11,703	-47,067	-19,320	-57,907
Other Guarantors Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Income (Loss)	103,541	143,542	424,891	390,443
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	-24,980	-7,921	-113,641	-75,080
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	0	0	0	0
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, Net	0	0	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-24,980	-7,921	-113,641	-75,080
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	128,521	151,463	538,532	465,523
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	128,521	151,463	538,532	465,523
Non-Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Income (Loss)	3,106	2,424	12,904	9,600
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	0	0	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	0	0	0	0
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, Net	0	0	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,106	2,424	12,904	9,600
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	3,106	2,424	12,904	9,600
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Income (Loss)	-106,052	-153,167	-434,670	-415,453
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	24,980	7,921	113,641	75,080
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	13,246	-6,459	40,400	80,280
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, Net	-24,354	-47,809	-56,595	-153,597
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	13,872	-46,347	97,446	1,763
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-119,924	-106,820	-532,116	-417,216
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	($119,924)	($106,820)	($532,116)	($417,216)

Related_Party_Transaction_Deta

Related Party Transaction (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%	'	50.00%	'	'
CONE [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Due from Related Parties	$1,563	'	$1,563	'	$3,142
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	9,498	5,895	22,954	13,619	'
CONE [Member] | CONE Capital Reimbursement [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Due from Related Parties	0	'	0	'	-18
CONE [Member] | Reimbursement for CONE Expenses [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Due from Related Parties	-1,380	'	-1,380	'	-1,336
CONE [Member] | Reimbursement for Services Provided to Cone [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Due from Related Parties	-181	'	-181	'	-341
CONE [Member] | CONE Gathering Fees [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Due to Related Parties, Current	$3,124	'	$3,124	'	$4,837

Subsequent_Event_Details

Subsequent Event (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2013
	T
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Event, Date	25-Oct-13
Subsequent Event, Description	'CONSOL Energy entered into an agreement to sell Consolidation Coal Company (CCC) and certain of its subsidiaries, which contains all five of its longwall coal mines in West Virginia, to a subsidiary of Murray Energy Corporation (Murray Energy).  The CCC mines being sold are McElroy Mine, Shoemaker Mine, Robinson Run Mine, Loveridge Mine, and Blacksville No. 2 Mine.
Tons Produced in 2012	28,500
reserves sold	1,100
Towboats Sold	$21,000
Barges Sold	600,000
2012 TONS TRANSPORTED BY RIVER DIVISION	19,300
Cash Received	850,000
Book Value of Liabilites Assumed	$2,400,000