Southwestern Energy (SWN) 10-Q1 May 142014 Q1 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 28, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Southwestern Energy Co	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000007332	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	353,073,499
Trading Symbol	'SWN	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Operating Revenues:	'		'
Gas sales	$793,352		$504,496
Gas marketing	272,161		179,841
Oil sales	2,048		5,350
Gas gathering	45,216		43,962
Total Operating Revenues	1,112,777		733,649
Operating Costs and Expenses:	'		'
Gas purchases - midstream services	271,120		179,956
Operating expenses	100,153		64,224
General and administrative expenses	56,387		37,215
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	225,076		179,467
Taxes, other than income taxes	25,422		20,827
Total Operating Costs and Expenses	678,158		481,689
Operating Income	434,619		251,960	[1]
Interest Expense:	'		'
Interest on debt	25,229		24,097
Other interest charges	1,062		1,110
Interest capitalized	-13,384		-16,186
Total Interest Expense	12,907	[1]	9,021	[1]
Other Gain (Loss), Net	1,193		-533
Loss on Derivatives	-99,720		-29,794
Income Before Income Taxes	323,185		212,612
Provision for Income Taxes:	'		'
Current	-520		136
Deferred	129,515		84,961
Total Provision for Income Taxes	128,995	[1]	85,097	[1]
Net Income	$194,190		$127,515
Earnings Per Share:	'		'
Basic	$0.55		$0.36
Diluted	$0.55		$0.36
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:	'		'
Basic	351,222,538		350,032,430
Diluted	351,985,821	[2]	350,738,309	[2]

[1]	Interest expense and the provision for income taxes by segment are allocated as they are incurred at the corporate level.
[2]	Options for 1,179,914 shares and 29,688 shares of restricted stock were excluded from the calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2014 because they would have had an antidilutive effect. Options for 2,112,679 shares and 271,674 shares of restricted stock were excluded from the calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2013 because they would have had an antidilutive effect.

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]	'		'
Net income	$194,190		$127,515
Change in derivatives:	'		'
Settlements	25,186	[1]	-47,173	[1]
Ineffectiveness	1,164	[2]	-781	[2]
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	-54,200	[3]	-45,481	[3]
Total change in derivatives	-27,850		-93,435
Change in value of pension and other postretirement liabilities:	'		'
Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic pension cost	81	[4]	267	[4]
Change in currency translation adjustment	-2,856		-1,029
Comprehensive income	$163,565		$33,318

[1]	Net of $16.8 and ($31.4) million in taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
[2]	Net of $0.8 and ($0.5) million in taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
[3]	Net of ($36.1) and ($30.3) million in taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
[4]	Net of $0.1 and $0.2 million in taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]	'	'
Settlements tax	$16.80	($31.40)
Ineffectiveness tax	0.8	-0.5
Change in fair value of derivative instruments tax	-36.1	-30.3
Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic pension cost tax	$0.10	$0.20

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:	'		'
Cash and cash equivalents	$18,719		$22,938
Accounts receivable	542,037		464,045
Inventories	38,846		37,745
Derivative assets	11,444		70,871
Other current assets	72,055		48,576
Total current assets	683,101		644,175
Property and Equipment:	'		'
Natural gas and oil properties, using the full cost method, including $878.7 million in 2014 and $956.5 million in 2013 excluded from amortization	13,773,604		13,293,841
Gathering systems	1,344,607		1,306,074
Other	709,856		702,544
Less: Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	-8,225,394		-8,005,836
Total property and equipment, net	7,602,673		7,296,623
Other long-term assets	137,390		106,928
TOTAL ASSETS	8,423,164		8,047,726
Current liabilities:	'		'
Accounts payable	642,744		507,468
Taxes payable	55,156		68,019
Interest payable	14,109		33,485
Current deferred income taxes	'		24,353
Other current liabilities	123,146		54,686
Total current liabilities	835,155		688,011
Long-term debt	1,827,426		1,950,096
Deferred income taxes	1,694,196		1,532,329
Pension and other postretirement liabilities	16,413		15,823
Other long-term liabilities	249,534		239,437
Total long-term liabilities	3,787,569		3,737,685
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)	'		'
Equity:	'		'
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,250,000,000 shares; issued 353,083,763 shares in 2014 and 352,938,584 in 2013	3,531		3,529
Additional paid-in capital	985,396		970,524
Retained earnings	2,846,843		2,652,653
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-34,967	[1]	-4,342	[1]
Common stock in treasury, 10,608 shares in 2014 and 9,924 in 2013	-363		-334
Total equity	3,800,440		3,622,030
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$8,423,164		$8,047,726

[1]	All amounts are net-of-tax.

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Abstract]	'	'
Natural gas and oil properties, using the full cost method, costs excluded from amortization	$878.70	$956.50
Common Stock, Par Value	$0.01	$0.01
Common Stock, Authorized, Shares	1,250,000,000	1,250,000,000
Common Stock, Issued, Shares	353,083,763	352,938,584
Common Stock in Treasury, Shares	10,608	9,924

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities	'	'
Net income	$194,190	$127,515
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	226,080	180,458
Deferred income taxes	129,515	84,961
Loss on derivatives, net of settlement	61,900	30,800
Stock-based compensation	4,490	2,994
Other	508	-476
Change in assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-78,154	-9,689
Inventories	564	-1,944
Accounts payable	94,346	7,312
Taxes payable	-12,863	-14,177
Interest payable	-9,512	-7,245
Advances from partners	56	-44,408
Other assets and liabilities	-2,254	16,037
Net cash provided by operating activities	608,866	372,138
Cash Flows From Investing Activities	'	'
Capital investments	-533,787	-483,634
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	16,794	'
Transfers from restricted cash	'	1,434
Other	1,309	1,038
Net cash used in investing activities	-515,684	-481,162
Cash Flows From Financing Activities	'	'
Payments on revolving long-term debt	-1,131,300	-369,700
Borrowings under revolving long-term debt	1,008,600	404,800
Change in bank drafts outstanding	19,388	33,046
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options	5,983	4,799
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-97,329	72,945
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-72	4
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-4,219	-36,075
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	22,938	53,583
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$18,719	$17,508

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Common Stock In Treasury [Member]	Total
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Common Stock In Treasury [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$3,529	$970,524	$2,652,653	($4,342)	($334)	$3,622,030
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	352,939	'	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	'	'	194,190	'	'	194,190
Other comprehensive loss	'	'	'	-30,625	'	-30,625	[1]
Comprehensive income	'	'	194,190	-30,625	'	163,565
Stock-based compensation	'	9,030	'	'	'	9,030
Exercise of stock options, shares	177	'	'	'	'	177,504
Exercise of stock options	2	5,841	'	'	'	5,843
Issuance of restricted stock, shares	9	'	'	'	'	'
Cancellation of restricted stock, shares	-41	'	'	'	'	'
Treasury stock - non-qualified plan	'	1	'	'	-29	-28
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$3,531	$985,396	$2,846,843	($34,967)	($363)	$3,800,440
Balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2014	353,084	'	'	'	'	'

[1]	All amounts are net-of-tax.

Basis_Of_Presentation

Basis Of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Basis Of Presentation	Mar. 31, 2014
Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Basis Of Presentation	'

	(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION

	Southwestern Energy Company (including its subsidiaries, collectively, “we”, “Southwestern” or the “Company”) is an independent energy company engaged in natural gas and oil exploration, development and production. The Company engages in natural gas and oil exploration and production, natural gas gathering and natural gas marketing through its subsidiaries. Southwestern’s exploration, development and production (“E&P”) activities are focused within the United States. The Company is actively engaged in exploration and production activities in Arkansas, where we are targeting the unconventional gas reservoir known as the Fayetteville Shale, in Pennsylvania, where we are targeting the unconventional gas reservoir known as the Marcellus Shale, and to a lesser extent in Texas and in Arkansas and Oklahoma in the Arkoma Basin. The Company also actively seeks to find and develop new oil and natural gas plays with significant exploration and exploitation potential. Southwestern’s natural gas gathering and marketing (“Midstream Services”) activities primarily support the Company’s E&P activities in Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and Texas.

	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information relating to the Company’s organization and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been appropriately condensed or omitted in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The Company believes the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.

	The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this report include all normal and recurring material adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented herein. It is recommended that these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (“2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K”).

	The Company’s significant accounting policies, which have been reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, are summarized in Note 1 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

	Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the 2014 presentation. The effects of the reclassifications were not material to the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions_And_Divestitures

Acquisitions And Divestitures	3 Months Ended
Acquisitions And Divestitures	Mar. 31, 2014
Acquisitions And Divestitures [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions And Divestitures	'
	(2) ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

	In March 2014, the Company signed an agreement to purchase approximately 312,000 net acres in northwest Colorado principally in the Niobrara formation for approximately $180 million, subject to closing adjustments. The Company utilized its Credit Facility to finance the acquisition. The Company closed on the acquisition on May 1, 2014 and plans to account for it as an asset acquisition.

	In April 2013, the Company entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire natural gas properties located in Pennsylvania prospective for the Marcellus Shale for approximately $93 million, subject to closing conditions. The Company utilized its revolving credit facility to finance the acquisition. The Company closed on the acquisition during the second quarter of 2013 and accounted for it as an asset acquisition.

Prepaid_Expenses

Prepaid Expenses	3 Months Ended
Prepaid Expenses	Mar. 31, 2014
Prepaid Expenses [Abstract]	'
Prepaid Expenses	'
	(3) PREPAID EXPENSES

	The components of prepaid expenses included in other current assets as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of the following:


		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
			(in thousands)

	Prepaid drilling costs	$	6,362	$	9,560
	Prepaid insurance		4,766		7,619
	Prepaid taxes		13,699		13,624
	Total	$	24,827	$	30,803

Inventory

Inventory	3 Months Ended
Inventory	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory [Abstract]	'
Inventory	'
	(4) INVENTORY

	Inventory recorded in current assets includes $2.3 million at March 31, 2014 and $3.7 million at December 31, 2013 for natural gas in underground storage owned by the Company’s E&P segment, and $36.4 million at March 31, 2014 and $34.1 million at December 31, 2013 for tubular and other equipment used in the E&P segment.

	Other long-term assets include $17.0 million at March 31, 2014 and $15.1 million at December 31, 2013, respectively, for inventory held by the Midstream Services segment consisting primarily of pipe that will be used to construct gathering systems.

Natural_Gas_And_Oil_Properties

Natural Gas And Oil Properties	3 Months Ended
Natural Gas And Oil Properties	Mar. 31, 2014
Natural Gas And Oil Properties [Abstract]	'
Natural Gas And Oil Properties	'
	(5) NATURAL GAS AND OIL PROPERTIES

	The Company utilizes the full cost method of accounting for costs related to the exploration, development and acquisition of natural gas and oil reserves. Under this method, all such costs (productive and nonproductive), including salaries, benefits and other internal costs directly attributable to these activities are capitalized on a country by country basis and amortized over the estimated lives of the properties using the units-of-production method. These capitalized costs, less accumulated amortization and related deferred income taxes, are subject to a ceiling test that limits such pooled costs to the aggregate of the present value of future net revenues attributable to proved natural gas and oil reserves, net of taxes, discounted at 10 percent plus the lower of cost or market value of unproved properties. Any costs in excess of the ceiling are written off as a non-cash expense. The expense may not be reversed in future periods, even though higher natural gas and oil prices may subsequently increase the ceiling. Full cost companies must use the average quoted price from the first day of each month from the previous 12 months, including the impact of derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedges, to calculate the ceiling value of their reserves.

	Using the average quoted price from the first day of each month from the previous 12 months for Henry Hub natural gas of $3.99 per MMBtu and $94.92 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate oil, adjusted for market differentials, the Company’s net book value of its United States natural gas and oil properties did not exceed the ceiling amount and did not result in a ceiling test impairment at March 31, 2014. Cash flow hedges of natural gas production in place increased the ceiling value by $40.2 million, net of tax, at March 31, 2014. Decreases in average quoted prices from March 31, 2014 levels as well as changes in production rates, levels of reserves, capitalized costs, the evaluation of costs excluded from amortization, future development costs, service costs and taxes could result in future ceiling test impairments.

	Using the average quoted price from the first day of each month from the previous 12 months for Henry Hub natural gas of $2.95 per MMBtu and $89.17 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate oil, adjusted for market differentials, the Company’s net book value of its United States natural gas and oil properties did not exceed the ceiling amount and did not result in a ceiling test impairment at March 31, 2013. Cash flow hedges of natural gas production in place increased the ceiling by $185.8 million at March 31, 2013.

	All of the Company’s costs directly associated with the acquisition and evaluation of properties in Canada relating to its exploration program at March 31, 2014 were unproved and did not exceed the ceiling amount. If the exploration program in Canada is unsuccessful on all or a portion of these properties, a ceiling test impairment may result in the future.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	(6) EARNINGS PER SHARE

	Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income (the numerator) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period (the denominator). Diluted EPS is similarly calculated except that the denominator is increased using the treasury stock method to reflect the potential dilution that could occur if outstanding stock options were exercised and unvested restricted stock and performance unit awards were vested at the end of the applicable period.

	The following table presents the computation of earnings per share for the three month period ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013

	Net income (in thousands)	$	194,190		$	127,515

	Number of common shares:
	Weighted average outstanding		351,222,538			350,032,430
	Issued upon assumed exercise of outstanding stock options		348,798			579,022
	Effect of issuance of nonvested restricted common stock		349,608			126,857
	Effect of issuance of nonvested performance units		64,877			–
	Weighted average and potential dilutive outstanding(1)		351,985,821			350,738,309

	Earnings (loss) per share:
	Basic	$	0.55		$	0.36

	Diluted	$	0.55		$	0.36

		-1		Options for 1,179,914 shares and 29,688 shares of restricted stock were excluded from the calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2014 because they would have had an antidilutive effect. Options for 2,112,679 shares and 271,674 shares of restricted stock were excluded from the calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2013 because they would have had an antidilutive effect.

Derivatives_And_Risk_Managemen

Derivatives And Risk Management	3 Months Ended
Derivatives And Risk Management	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivatives And Risk Management [Abstract]	'
Derivatives And Risk Management	'
	(7) DERIVATIVES AND RISK MANAGEMENT

	The Company is exposed to volatility in market prices and basis differentials for natural gas and crude oil which impacts the predictability of its cash flows related to the sale of natural gas and oil, and is exposed to volatility in interest rates. These risks are managed by the Company’s use of certain derivative financial instruments. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s derivative financial instruments consisted of fixed price swaps, basis swaps, fixed price call options, and interest rate swaps. A description of the Company’s derivative financial instruments is provided below:


	Fixed price swaps	The Company receives a fixed price for the contract and pays a floating market price to the counterparty.

	Basis swaps	Arrangements that guarantee a price differential for natural gas from a specified delivery point. The Company receives a payment from the counterparty if the price differential is greater than the stated terms of the contract and pays the counterparty if the price differential is less than the stated terms of the contract.



	Fixed price call options	The Company sells fixed price call options in exchange for a premium. At the time of settlement, if the market price exceeds the fixed price of the call option, the Company pays the counterparty such excess on sold fixed price call options. If the market price settles below the fixed price of the call option, no payment is due from either party.

	Interest rate swaps	Interest-rate swaps are used to fix or float interest rates on existing or anticipated indebtedness. The purpose of these instruments is to manage the Company’s existing or anticipated exposure to unfavorable interest-rate changes.

	GAAP requires that all derivatives be recognized in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability and be measured at fair value other than transactions for which normal purchase/normal sale is applied. Under GAAP, certain criteria must be satisfied in order for derivative financial instruments to be classified and accounted for as either a cash flow or a fair value hedge. Accounting for qualifying hedges requires a derivative’s gains and losses to be recorded either in earnings or as a component of other comprehensive income. Gains and losses on derivatives that are not elected for hedge accounting treatment or that do not meet hedge accounting requirements are recorded in earnings as a component of gain (loss) on derivatives. Within the gain (loss) on derivatives component of the statement of operations are gains (losses) on derivatives, net of settlement and gains (losses) on derivatives, settled. The Company calculates gains (losses) on derivatives, settled, as the summation of gains and losses on positions which have settled within the period.

	The Company utilizes counterparties for its derivative instruments that it believes are credit-worthy at the time the transactions are entered into and the Company closely monitors the credit ratings of these counterparties. Additionally, the Company performs both quantitative and qualitative assessments of these counterparties based on their credit ratings and credit default swap rates where applicable. However, the events in the financial markets in recent years demonstrate there can be no assurance that a counterparty will be able to meet its obligations to the Company.




	The balance sheet classification of the assets related to derivative financial instruments are summarized below at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:


			Derivative Assets
			31-Mar-14					31-Dec-13
			Balance Sheet Classification		Fair Value			Balance Sheet Classification	Fair Value

			(in thousands)
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Fixed price swaps		Derivative assets		$	1,362		Derivative assets	$	20,631
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments				$	1,362			$	20,631

	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Basis swaps		Derivative assets		$	9,692		Derivative assets	$	12,858
	Fixed price swaps		Derivative assets			390		Derivative assets		37,382
	Basis swaps		Other long-term assets			–		Other long-term assets		107
	Fixed price swaps		Other long-term assets			30,245		Other long-term assets		–
	Interest rate swaps		Other long-term assets			5,464		Other long-term assets		7,525
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments				$	45,791			$	57,872

	Total derivative assets				$	47,153			$	78,503

			Derivative Liabilities
			31-Mar-14					31-Dec-13
			Balance Sheet Classification		Fair Value			Balance Sheet Classification	Fair Value

			(in thousands)
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Fixed price swaps		Other current liabilities		$	32,971		Other current liabilities	$	3,884
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments				$	32,971			$	3,884
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Basis swaps		Other current liabilities		$	7,808		Other current liabilities	$	1,501
	Fixed price swaps		Other current liabilities			16,022		Other current liabilities		185
	Fixed price call options		Other current liabilities			17,273		Other current liabilities		–
	Interest rate swaps		Other current liabilities			2,177		Other current liabilities		1,520
	Basis swaps		Other long-term liabilities			603		Other long-term liabilities		–
	Fixed price call options		Other long-term liabilities			40,029		Other long-term liabilities		30,388
	Interest rate swaps		Other long-term liabilities			2,495		Other long-term liabilities		3,012
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments				$	86,407			$	36,606

	Total derivative liabilities				$	119,378			$	40,490

As of March 31, 2014, the Company had derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and derivatives not designated as hedges on the following volumes of natural gas production (in Bcf):


Year	Fixed price swaps	Fixed price swaps not designated for	Total
Year	Fixed price swaps	hedge accounting	Total
2014	211.8	136.8	348.6
2015	-	119.5	119.5






Cash Flow Hedges

The reporting of gains and losses on cash flow derivative hedging instruments depends on whether the gains or losses are effective at offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item. The effective portion of the gains and losses on the derivative hedging instruments are recorded in other comprehensive income until recognized in earnings during the period that the hedged transaction takes place. The ineffective portion of the gains and losses from the derivative hedging instrument is recognized in earnings immediately.

As of March 31, 2014, the Company recorded a net loss in accumulated other comprehensive income related to its hedging activities of $18.6 million net of a deferred income tax benefit of $12.4 million. The amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income will be relieved over time and recognized in the statement of operations as the physical transactions being hedged occur. Assuming the market prices of natural gas futures as of March 31, 2014 remain unchanged, the Company would expect to transfer an aggregate after-tax net loss of $18.6 million from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next 12 months. Gains or losses from derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are reflected as adjustments to natural gas sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Volatility in net income, comprehensive income and comprehensive income may occur in the future as a result of the Company’s derivative activities.

The following tables summarize the before tax effect of all cash flow hedges on the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:



				Loss Recognized in
				Other Comprehensive Income
				(Effective Portion)
				For the three months ended
				March 31,
Derivative Instrument				2014			2013
				(in thousands)
Fixed price swaps				$	-90,334		$	-73,902

		Classification of Gain (Loss)		Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated
		Reclassified from		Other Comprehensive Income
		Accumulated Other		into Earnings (Effective Portion)
		Comprehensive Income		For the three months ended
		into Earnings		March 31,
Derivative Instrument		(Effective Portion)		2014			2013
				(in thousands)
Fixed price swaps		Gas sales		$	-41,978		$	78,621

				Gain (Loss) Recognized in
				Earnings
				(Ineffective Portion)
		Classification of Gain (Loss)		For the three months ended
		Recognized in Earnings		March 31,
Derivative Instrument		(Ineffective Portion)		2014			2013
				(in thousands)
Fixed price swaps		Gas sales		$	-1,940		$	1,301




Fair Value Hedges and Other Derivative Contracts

For fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item are recognized in earnings immediately.

Although the Company’s basis swaps meet the objective of managing commodity price exposure, these trades are typically not entered into concurrent with the Company’s derivative instruments that qualify as cash flow hedges and therefore do not generally qualify for hedge accounting. Basis swap derivative instruments that are not designated for hedge accounting are recorded on the balance sheet at their fair values under derivative assets, other long-term assets, other current liabilities, and other long-term liabilities, as applicable and all gains and losses related to these contracts are recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of operations as a component of gain (loss) on derivatives.

As of March 31, 2014, the Company had basis swaps on natural gas production that were not designated for hedge accounting of 21.1 Bcf, 8.7 Bcf, and 0.9 Bcf in 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively.

As of March 31, 2014, the Company had fixed price call options on 199.8 Bcf and 119.9 Bcf of 2015 and 2016 natural gas production, respectively, not designated for hedge accounting treatment and fixed price swaps of 136.8 Bcf and 119.5 Bcf of 2014 and 2015 natural gas production not designated for hedge accounting.

The Company is a party to interest rate swaps that were entered into in order to mitigate the Company’s exposure to volatility in interest rates related to construction of its new corporate office complex. The interest rate swaps build to a notional amount of $170.0 million and expire on June 20, 2020. The Company did not designate the interest rate swaps for hedge accounting. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps are included in gain (loss) on derivatives in the consolidated statements of operations.

The following table summarizes the before tax effect of fair value hedges, fixed price call and basis swaps that were not designated for hedge accounting, and fixed price swaps and interest rate swaps not designated for hedge accounting on the uncondensed consolidated statements of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


				Gain (Loss) on Derivatives
				net of settlement
				Recognized in Earnings
				For the three months ended
		Consolidated Statement of Operations		March 31,
Derivative Instrument		Classification of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives, Net of Settlement		2014			2013
				(in thousands)
Basis swaps		Gain (Loss) on Derivatives		$	-10,184		$	-2,950
Fixed price call options		Gain (Loss) on Derivatives		$	-26,913		$	-57,082
Fixed price swaps		Gain (Loss) on Derivatives		$	-22,585		$	29,232
Interest rate swaps		Gain (Loss) on Derivatives		$	-2,202		$	–

				Gain (Loss)
				on Derivatives, Settled (1)
				Recognized in Earnings
		Consolidated Statement of Operations		For the three months ended
		Classification of Gain (Loss)		March 31,
Derivative Instrument		on Derivatives, Settled (1)		2014			2013
				(in thousands)
Basis swaps		Gain (Loss) on Derivatives		$	-14,270		$	1,007
Fixed price swaps		Gain (Loss) on Derivatives		$	-23,453		$	–
Interest rate swaps		Gain (Loss) on Derivatives		$	-113		$	–

	-1		The Company calculates gain (loss) on derivatives, settled, as the summation of gains and losses on positions that have settled within the period reported.

Reclassification_From_Accumula

Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	3 Months Ended
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Mar. 31, 2014
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]	'
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	(8) RECLASSIFICATIONS FROM ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

	The following tables detail the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss and the related tax effects for the three months ended March 31, 2014:



			For the three months ended
			31-Mar-14
			(in thousands) (1)
			Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges				Pension and Other Postretirement		Foreign Currency		Total
	Beginning balance, December 31, 2013		$	9,270			$	-9,558	$	-4,054	$	-4,342

	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			-54,200				–		-2,856		-57,056

	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (2)			26,350				81		–		26,431

	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)			-27,850				81		-2,856		-30,625

	Ending balance, March 31,2014		$	-18,580			$	-9,477	$	-6,910	$	-34,967

		-1		All amounts are net-of-tax.
		-2		See separate table below for details about these reclassifications.

	The following table details the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2014:



	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statement of Operations		Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
						For the three months ended
						31-Mar-14
						(in thousands)
	Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
	Settlements			Gas sales	$	-41,978
	Ineffectiveness			Gas sales		-1,940
				Income before income taxes		-43,918
				Provision for income taxes		-17,568
				Net income	$	-26,350

	Pension and other postretirement
	Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic pension cost (1)			General and administrative expenses	$	-135
				Loss before income taxes		-135
				Benefit for income taxes		-54
				Net loss	$	-81

	Total reclassifications for the period			Net income	$	-26,431

		-1		Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Footnote 13 for additional details).

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'



	(9) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

	The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:


		March 31,						December 31,
		2014						2013
		Carrying			Fair			Carrying			Fair
		Amount			Value			Amount			Value
		(in thousands)

	Cash and cash equivalents	$	18,719		$	18,719		$	22,938		$	22,938
	Credit facility	$	160,200		$	160,200		$	282,900		$	282,900
	Senior notes	$	1,668,426		$	1,825,949		$	1,668,396		$	1,795,935
	Derivative instruments	$	-72,225		$	-72,225		$	38,013		$	38,013

	The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other current assets and current liabilities on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value because of their short-term nature. For debt and derivative instruments, the following methods and assumptions were used to estimate fair value:

	Debt: The fair values of the Company’s senior notes were based on the market for the Company’s publicly-traded debt as determined based on yield of the Company’s 7.5% Senior Notes due 2018, which was 2.4% at March 31, 2014 and 2.6% at December 31, 2013, and its 4.10% Senior Notes due 2022, which was 3.7% at March 31, 2014, and 4.2% at December 31, 2013. The carrying value of the borrowings under the Company’s Credit Facility at March 31, 2014, approximate fair value because the interest rate is variable and reflective of market rates. The Company considers the fair value of its debt to be a Level 2 measurement on the fair value hierarchy.

	Derivative Instruments: The fair value of all derivative instruments is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged currently between willing parties. The amounts are based on quoted market prices, best estimates obtained from counterparties and an option pricing model, when necessary, for price option contracts.

	GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. As presented in the tables below, this hierarchy consists of three broad levels:

	Level 1 valuations - Consist of unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities and have the highest priority.

	Level 2 valuations - Consist of quoted market information for the calculation of fair market value.

	Level 3 valuations - Consist of internal estimates and have the lowest priority.

	The Company has classified its derivatives into these levels depending upon the data utilized to determine their fair values. The Company’s Level 2 fair value measurements include fixed-price swaps and are estimated using internal discounted cash flow calculations using the NYMEX futures index. The Company utilizes discounted cash flow models for valuing its interest rate derivatives. The net derivative values attributable to the Company's interest rate derivative contracts as of March 31, 2014 are based on (i) the contracted notional amounts, (ii) active market-quoted London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) yield curves and (iii) the applicable credit-adjusted risk-free rate yield curve. The Company's interest rate derivative asset and liability measurements represent Level 2 inputs in the hierarchy. The Company’s Level 3 fair value measurements include fixed price call options and basis swaps. The Company’s fixed price call options are valued using the Black-Scholes model, an industry standard option valuation model, and takes into account inputs such as contract terms, including maturity, and market parameters, including assumptions of the NYMEX futures index, interest rates, volatility and credit worthiness. The Company’s basis swaps are estimated using internal discounted cash flow calculations based upon forward commodity price curves.

	Inputs to the Black-Scholes model, including the volatility input, which is the significant unobservable input for Level 3 fair value measurements, are obtained from a third-party pricing source, with independent verification of most significant inputs on a monthly basis. An increase (decrease) in volatility would result in an increase (decrease) in fair value measurement, respectively.

	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below (in thousands):


			31-Mar-14
			Fair Value Measurements Using:
			Quoted Prices			Significant
			in Active			Other			Significant
			Markets			Observable Inputs			Unobservable Inputs			Assets (Liabilities)
			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)			at Fair Value
	Derivative assets		$	–		$	37,461		$	9,692		$	47,153
	Derivative liabilities			–			-53,665			-65,713			-119,378
	Total		$	–		$	-16,204		$	-56,021		$	-72,225

			31-Dec-13
			Fair Value Measurements Using:
			Quoted Prices			Significant
			in Active			Other			Significant
			Markets			Observable Inputs			Unobservable Inputs			Assets (Liabilities)
			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)			at Fair Value
	Derivative assets		$	–		$	65,538		$	12,965		$	78,503
	Derivative liabilities			–			-8,601			-31,889			-40,490
	Total		$	–		$	56,937		$	-18,924		$	38,013

	The table below presents reconciliations for the change in net fair value of derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013. The fair values of Level 3 derivative instruments are estimated using proprietary valuation models that utilize both market observable and unobservable parameters. Level 3 instruments presented in the table consist of net derivatives valued using pricing models incorporating assumptions that, in the Company’s judgment, reflect the assumptions a reasonable marketplace participant would have used at March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013.


		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)

Balance at beginning of period		$	-18,924		$	-115
Total gains (losses):
Included in earnings			-51,367			-59,025
Included in other comprehensive income			–			–
Purchases, issuances, and settlements:
Purchases			–			–
Issuances			–			–
Settlements			14,270			-1,007
Transfers into/out of Level 3			–			–
Balance at end of period		$	-56,021		$	-60,147
Change in losses included in earnings relating to derivatives still held as of March 31		$	-37,097		$	-60,032

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
Debt	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	(10) DEBT

	The components of debt as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of the following:


		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Short-term debt:
	7.15% Senior Notes due 2018	$	1,200	$	1,200
	Total short-term debt		1,200		1,200

	Long-term debt:
	Variable rate (1.62% and 1.64% at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively) Credit Facility, expires December 2018		160,200		282,900
	7.35% Senior Notes due 2017		15,000		15,000
	7.125% Senior Notes due 2017		25,000		25,000
	7.15% Senior Notes due 2018		28,200		28,200
	7.5% Senior Notes due 2018		600,000		600,000
	4.10% Senior Notes due 2022		1,000,000		1,000,000
	Unamortized discount		-974		-1,004
	Total long-term debt		1,827,426		1,950,096
	Total debt	$	1,828,626	$	1,951,296

	Credit Facility

	On December 16, 2013, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (“Credit Facility”), which exchanged our previous revolving credit facility. Under the Credit Facility, we have a borrowing capacity of $2.0 billion. The Credit Facility has a maturity date in December 2018 and options for two one-year extensions with participating lender approval. The amount available under the Credit Facility may be increased by $500.0 million upon the Company’s agreement with its participating lenders. The interest rate on the Credit Facility is calculated based upon our credit rating and is currently 150 basis points over the current LIBOR. The borrowing rate on our previous revolving credit facility was 200 basis points over LIBOR. The Credit Facility is unsecured and is not guaranteed by any subsidiaries of the Company. The Credit Facility contains covenants that impose certain restrictions on the Company, including a financial covenant whereby the Company may not issue total debt in excess of 60% of its total adjusted book capital. This financial covenant with respect to capitalization percentages excludes the effects of any full cost ceiling impairments (after December 31, 2011), certain hedging activities and our pension and other postretirement liabilities. As of March 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with the covenants of its Credit Facility and other debt agreements. Although the Company believes all of the lenders under the Credit Facility have the ability to provide funds, it cannot predict whether each will be able to meet its obligation under the facility.

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Commitments And Contingencies	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments And Contingencies	'

	(11) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

	Commitments

	In the first quarter of 2010, the Company was awarded exclusive licenses by the Province of New Brunswick in Canada to conduct an exploration program covering approximately 2.5 million acres in the province. The licenses require the Company to make certain capital investments in New Brunswick of approximately $47.0 million Canadian dollars in the aggregate over a three year period. In order to obtain the licenses, the Company provided promissory notes payable on demand to the Minister of Finance of the Province of New Brunswick with an aggregate principal amount of $44.5 million Canadian dollars. The promissory notes secure the Company's capital expenditure obligations under the licenses and are returnable to the Company to the extent the Company performs such obligations. If the Company fails to fully perform, the Minister of Finance may retain a portion of the applicable promissory notes in an amount equal to any deficiency. The Company commenced its Canada exploration program in 2010 and, as of March 31, 2014 has invested $42.2 million Canadian dollars, or $38.2 million USD, in New Brunswick towards the Company’s commitment. In December 2012, the Company received two one-year extensions to our exploration license agreements, the second of which will expire on March 16, 2015. No liability has been recognized in connection with the promissory notes due to the Company’s investments in New Brunswick as of March 31, 2014 and its future investment plans.

	The Company entered into new and amended natural gas transportation and gathering arrangements with third party pipelines, during the second quarter of 2013, in support of the Company’s production in the Marcellus Shale. As of March 31, 2014, the Company’s obligations for demand and similar charges under the firm transportation agreements and gathering agreements totaled approximately $3.6 billion and the Company has guarantee obligations of up to $100.0 million of that amount.

	Environmental Risk

	The Company is subject to laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. Environmental and cleanup related costs of a non-capital nature are accrued when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and when the amount can be reasonably estimated. Management believes any future remediation or other compliance related costs will not have a material effect on the financial position or reported results of operations of the Company.

	Litigation

	Tovah Energy

	In February 2009, Southwestern Energy Production Company (“SEPCO”) was added as a defendant in a case then styled Tovah Energy, LLC and Toby Berry-Helfand v. David Michael Grimes, et, al., pending in the 273rd District Court in Shelby County, Texas. By the time of trial in December 2010, Ms. Berry-Helfand (the only remaining plaintiff) alleged that, in 2005, she provided SEPCO with proprietary data regarding two prospects in the James Lime formation pursuant to a confidentiality agreement and that SEPCO refused to return the proprietary data to the plaintiff, subsequently acquired leases based upon such proprietary data and profited therefrom. Among other things, she alleged various statutory and common law claims, including, but not limited to, claims of misappropriation of trade secrets, violation of the Texas Theft Liability Act, breach of fiduciary duty and confidential relationships, various fraud based claims and breach of contract, including a claim of breach of a purported right of first refusal on all interests acquired by SEPCO between February 2005 and February 2006. She also sought disgorgement of SEPCO’s profits. A former associate of the plaintiff intervened in the matter claiming to have helped develop the prospect years earlier.

	The jury found in favor of the plaintiff and the intervenor with respect to all of the statutory and common law claims and awarded $11.4 million in compensatory damages but no special, punitive or other damages. Separately, the jury determined that SEPCO’s profits for purposes of disgorgement, if ordered as a remedy, were $381.5 million. (Disgorgement of profits is an equitable remedy determined by the judge, and it is within the judge’s discretion to award none, some or all of unlawfully obtained profits.) In August 2011, a judgment was entered pursuant to which the plaintiff and the intervenor were entitled to recover approximately $11.4 million in actual damages and approximately $23.9 million in disgorgement as well as prejudgment interest and attorneys’ fees, which currently are estimated to be up to $8.9 million, and all costs of court of the plaintiff and intervenor.

	Both sides appealed and in July 2013, the Tyler Court of Appeals ordered that (1) the judgment awarding the plaintiff and the intervenor $23.9 million as disgorgement of illicit gains be reversed and judgment rendered that they take nothing, (2) the award of $11.4 million for actual damages, insofar as it is based on the jury’s findings of breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, breach of contract, and theft of trade secret is reversed and judgment rendered that the plaintiff and the intervenor take nothing under those theories of recovery, (3) the award of $11.4 million to the plaintiff and the intervenor as damages for misappropriation of trade secret is affirmed, (4) the case be remanded to the trial court for a determination and award of attorney’s fees for SEPCO as the prevailing party under the Texas Theft Liability Act, and (5) in all other respects, the judgment is affirmed. All parties petitioned for rehearing. The Tyler Court of Appeals denied rehearing in November 2013.

	SEPCO filed a petition for review in the Supreme Court of Texas in February 2014. The plaintiff and the intervenor filed cross-petition for review in April 2014, but conditioned their filing on the court’s granting SEPCO’s petition for review; i.e., if the court denies SEPCO’s petition for review, then the plaintiff and the intervenor are not seeking further review of the court of appeals’ judgment. Based on the Company’s understanding and judgment of the facts and merits of this case, including appellate matters, and after considering the advice of counsel, the Company has determined that, although reasonably possible, a materially adverse final outcome to this action is not probable. As such, the Company has not accrued any amounts with respect to this action. If the Supreme Court declines to hear the case or affirms all aspects of the court of appeals’ judgment, then SEPCO would owe the $11.4 million in damages, plus interest and attorneys fees, offset by any award of attorneys’ fees for its prevailing on the theft count. The Company’s assessment may change in the future due to occurrence of certain events, such as the result of the petition or petitions for review at the Supreme Court of Texas, and such a re-assessment could lead to the determination that the potential liability is probable and could be material to the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

	Other

	The Company is subject to various litigation, claims and proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of business, such as for alleged breaches of contract, miscalculation of royalties and pollution, contamination or nuisance. Management believes that such litigation, claims and proceedings, individually or in aggregate and after taking into account insurance, are not likely to have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Many of these matters are in early stages, so the allegations and the damage theories have not been fully developed, and all subject to inherent uncertainties; therefore, management’s view may change in the future. If an unfavorable final outcome were to occur, there exists the possibility of a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows for the period in which the effect becomes reasonably estimable. The Company accrues for such items when a liability is both probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.

Supplemental_Disclosures_Of_Ca

Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information	3 Months Ended
Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information	Mar. 31, 2014
Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information	'
	(12) SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

	Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:


		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)

	Cash paid for interest	$	44,606	$	44,343
	Cash paid (received) for income taxes	$	-546	$	16,341
	Noncash property changes	$	10,172	$	35,857

Pension_Plan_And_Other_Postret

Pension Plan And Other Postretirement Benefits	3 Months Ended
Pension Plan And Other Postretirement Benefits	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension Plan And Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]	'
Pension Plan And Other Postretirement Benefits	'
	(13) PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

	The Company has defined pension and postretirement benefit plans which cover substantially all of the Company’s employees. Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs include the following components for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


		Pension Benefits
		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)

	Service cost	$	3,323	$	3,447
	Interest cost		1,284		1,026
	Expected return on plan assets		-1,788		-1,534
	Amortization of prior service cost		26		26
	Amortization of net loss		89		385
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,934	$	3,350

		Postretirement Benefits
		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)

	Service cost	$	619	$	574
	Interest cost		160		110
	Amortization of prior service cost		4		4
	Amortization of net loss		16		30
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	799	$	718

	As of March 31, 2014, the Company has contributed $3.0 million to the pension plan, and expects to contribute an additional $9.0 million to the pension plan in 2014.

	The Company maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation supplemental retirement savings plan (“Non-Qualified Plan”) for certain key employees who may elect to defer and contribute a portion of their compensation, as permitted by the plan. Shares of the Company’s common stock purchased under the terms of the Non-Qualified Plan are presented as treasury stock and totaled 10,608 shares at March 31, 2014 compared to 9,924 shares at December 31, 2013.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	(14) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

	The Company recognized the following amounts in employee stock-based compensation costs for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:


		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)

	Stock-based compensation cost – expensed	$	4,490		$	2,994
	Stock-based compensation cost – capitalized	$	4,540		$	2,862

	As of March 31, 2014, there was $81.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the Company’s unvested stock option grants, restricted stock grants, and performance units. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.4 years.

	The following table summarizes stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and provides information for options outstanding and options exercisable as of March 31, 2014:


				Weighted
				Average
		Number		Exercise
		of Options		Price

	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	3,312,693		$	35.70
	Granted	-			-
	Exercised	-177,504			32.91
	Forfeited or expired	-50,031			38.83
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	3,085,158			35.81
	Exercisable at March 31, 2014	1,927,252		$	35.13

	The following table summarizes restricted stock activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and provides information for unvested shares as of March 31, 2014:


				Weighted
				Average
		Number		Grant Date
		of Shares		Fair Value

	Unvested shares at December 31, 2013	1,770,922		$	37.55
	Granted	3,440			43.01
	Vested	-4,147			36.69
	Forfeited	-42,236			38.12
	Unvested shares at March 31, 2014	1,727,979		$	37.55




	The following table summarizes performance unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and provides information for unvested units as of March 31, 2014. The performance units include a market condition based on Relative Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) and a performance condition based on the Company's Present Value Index (“PVI”). The fair value of the TSR market condition of the performance units is based on a Monte Carlo model and is amortized to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award. The fair value of the PVI performance condition of the performance units is based on the closing price of the Company's common stock at the grant date and amortized to compensation expense on a straight line basis over the vesting period of the award.



				Weighted
				Average
		Number		Grant Date
		of Units		Fair Value

	Unvested units at December 31, 2013	-		$	-
	Granted	358,750			40.44
	Vested	-			-
	Forfeited	-			-
	Unvested units at March 31, 2014	358,750		$	40.44

	Liability-Classified Performance Units

Certain employees were provided performance units vesting equally over three years. The payout of these units is based on certain metrics, such as total shareholder return and reserve replacement efficiency, compared to a predetermined group of peer companies and Company goal. At the end of each performance period, the value of the vested performance units, if any, is paid in cash. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company's liability under the performance unit agreements was $34.7 million and $45.3 million, respectively.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
Segment Information	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	(15) SEGMENT INFORMATION

	The Company’s reportable business segments have been identified based on the differences in products or services provided. Revenues for the E&P segment are derived from the production and sale of natural gas and crude oil. The Midstream Services segment generates revenue through the marketing of both Company and third-party produced natural gas volumes and through gathering fees associated with the transportation of natural gas to market.

	Summarized financial information for the Company’s reportable segments is shown in the following table. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Management evaluates the performance of its segments based on operating income, defined as operating revenues less operating costs. Income before income taxes, for the purpose of reconciling the operating income amount shown below to consolidated income before income taxes, is the sum of operating income, interest expense and interest and other income (loss). The “Other” column includes items not related to the Company’s reportable segments including real estate and corporate items.


			Exploration
			and		Midstream
			Production		Services		Other			Total
			(in thousands)
	Three months ended March 31, 2014:
	Revenues from external customers		$	795,413	$	317,326	$	38		$	1,112,777
	Intersegment revenues			6,405		912,081		41			918,527
	Operating income (loss)			352,140		82,639		-160			434,619
	Other income (loss), net			1,512		47		-366			1,193
	Loss on derivatives			-99,242		-362		-116			-99,720
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense			211,080		13,953		43			225,076
	Interest expense(1)			9,116		3,597		194			12,907
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes(1)			97,767		31,507		-279			128,995
	Assets			6,621,342		1,543,944		257,878	-2		8,423,164
	Capital investments(3)			498,907		38,553		4,476			541,936

	Three months ended March 31, 2013:
	Revenues from external customers		$	510,094	$	223,534	$	21		$	733,649
	Intersegment revenues			1,508		497,373		54			498,935
	Operating income (loss)(1)			175,758		76,307		-105			251,960
	Other income (loss), net			-378		-155		–			-533
	Loss on derivatives			-29,794		–		–			-29,794
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense			167,450		11,912		105			179,467
	Interest expense(1)			6,176		2,645		200			9,021
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes(1)			55,816		29,403		-122			85,097
	Assets			5,389,728		1,278,256		248,807	-2		6,916,791
	Capital investments(3)			475,333		38,467		4,256			518,056

		-1		Interest expense and the provision for income taxes by segment are allocated as they are incurred at the corporate level.
		-2		Other assets represent corporate assets not allocated to segments and assets, including restricted cash and investments in cash equivalents, for non reportable segments.
		-3		Capital investments includes increases of $5.6 million and $32.9 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, relating to the change in accrued expenditures between periods.

	Included in intersegment revenues of the Midstream Services segment are $823.5 million and $419.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, for marketing of the Company’s E&P sales. Corporate assets include cash and cash equivalents, furniture and fixtures, prepaid debt and other costs. Corporate general and administrative costs, depreciation expense and taxes other than income are allocated to the segments. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, capital investments within the E&P segment include $4.1 million and $2.3 million, respectively, related to the Company’s activities in Canada. At March 31, 2014, E&P segment assets include $79.9 million and at March 31, 2013, assets include $45.9 million related to the Company’s activities in Canada.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	3 Months Ended
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	'
	(16) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

	As of December 16, 2013, following the release of all guarantees under the 7.15%, 7.5%, 7.35%, 7.125%, and 4.10% Senior Notes and our former revolving credit facility upon entering into the new Credit Facility, all of our wholly-owned subsidiaries have been released of their guarantees.

	Prior to that date, the Company’s obligation under registered public debt and outstanding senior notes as listed in Note 10 were fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by all of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, other than minor subsidiaries, on a senior unsecured basis, and the Company, as a parent company, had no independent assets or operations. The subsidiary guarantees (i) rank equally in right of payment with all of the existing and future senior debt of the subsidiary guarantors; (ii) rank senior to all of the existing and future subordinated debt of the subsidiary guarantors; (iii) were effectively subordinated to any future secured obligations of the subsidiary guarantors to the extent of the value of the assets securing such obligations; and (iv) were structurally subordinated to all debt and other obligations of the subsidiaries of the guarantors. In the case of each series of notes, if no default or event of default had occurred and was continuing, these guarantees would be released (i) automatically upon any sale, exchange or transfer of all the Company’s interest in the guarantor; (ii) automatically upon the liquidation and dissolution of a guarantor; (iii) following delivery of notice to the trustee of the release of the guarantor of its obligation under the Company’s revolving credit facility; and (iv) upon legal or covenant defeasance or other satisfaction of the obligations under the notes, in addition, there were no significant restrictions on the ability of the Company or a guarantor to obtain funds from its subsidiaries by dividend or loan, and none of the assets of the Company or a guarantor represented restricted net assets pursuant to rule 4-08(e)(3) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

	The company is providing condensed consolidating financial information for SEECO, SEPCO, and SES, its subsidiaries that were guarantors of the Company’s registered public debt and outstanding senior notes, and for its other subsidiaries that are not guarantors of such debt for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as applicable. The company has not provided comparative financial statements for 2014 because all guarantees were released in 2013. The Company has not presented separate financial and narrative information for each of the former subsidiary guarantors because it believes that such financial and narrative financial information would not provide any additional information that would be material in evaluating the sufficiency of the guarantees. The following condensed consolidating financial information summarizes the results of operations, financial position and cash flow for the Company’s former guarantor and other subsidiaries.






	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
	(Unaudited)
		Parent			Former Guarantors			Other Subsidiaries		Eliminations		Consolidated
		(in thousands)
	Three months ended March 31, 2013:
	Operating revenues	$	–		$	690,144		$	121,369	$	-77,864	$	733,649
	Operating costs and expenses:
	Gas purchases		–			180,164			–		-208		179,956
	Operating expenses		–			110,541			31,322		-77,639		64,224
	General and administrative expenses		–			31,866			5,366		-17		37,215
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization		–			167,522			11,945		–		179,467
	Taxes, other than income taxes		–			17,715			3,112		–		20,827
	Total operating costs and expenses		–			507,808			51,745		-77,864		481,689
	Operating income		–			182,336			69,624		–		251,960
	Other loss, net		–			-376			-157		–		-533
	Loss on Derivatives		–			-29,794			–		–		-29,794
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		127,515			–			–		-127,515		–
	Interest expense		–			6,938			2,083		–		9,021
	Income (loss) before income taxes		127,515			145,228			67,384		-127,515		212,612
	Provision for income taxes		–			58,046			27,051		–		85,097
	Net income		127,515			87,182			40,333		-127,515		127,515
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	33,318		$	-6,253		$	39,304	$	-33,051	$	33,318




	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	(Unaudited)

			Parent				Former Guarantors			Other Subsidiaries		Eliminations		Consolidated
			(in thousands)

	Three months ended March 31, 2013:
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	-55,189			$	289,060		$	138,267	$	–	$	372,138
	Investing activities:
	Capital investments			-17,873				-453,651			-12,110		–		-483,634
	Transfers from restricted cash			1,434				–			–		–		1,434
	Other			6,607				-5,762			193		–		1,038
	Net cash used in investing activities			-9,832				-459,413			-11,917		–		-481,162
	Financing activities:
	Intercompany activities			-38,036				164,365			-126,329		–		–
	Payments on revolving long-term debt			-369,700				–			–		–		-369,700
	Borrowing under revolving long-term debt			404,800				–			–		–		404,800
	Other Items			37,845				–			–		–		37,845
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			34,909				164,365			-126,329		–		72,945
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash			–				–			4		–		4
	Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			-30,112				-5,988			25		–		-36,075
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			47,491				5,988			104		–		53,583
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	17,379			$	–		$	129	$	–	$	17,508

Prepaid_Expenses_Tables

Prepaid Expenses (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Prepaid Expenses (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Prepaid Expenses [Abstract]	'
Components Of Prepaid Expenses	'

		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
			(in thousands)

	Prepaid drilling costs	$	6,362	$	9,560
	Prepaid insurance		4,766		7,619
	Prepaid taxes		13,699		13,624
	Total	$	24,827	$	30,803

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share	'

		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013

	Net income (in thousands)	$	194,190		$	127,515

	Number of common shares:
	Weighted average outstanding		351,222,538			350,032,430
	Issued upon assumed exercise of outstanding stock options		348,798			579,022
	Effect of issuance of nonvested restricted common stock		349,608			126,857
	Effect of issuance of nonvested performance units		64,877			–
	Weighted average and potential dilutive outstanding(1)		351,985,821			350,738,309

	Earnings (loss) per share:
	Basic	$	0.55		$	0.36

	Diluted	$	0.55		$	0.36

		-1		Options for 1,179,914 shares and 29,688 shares of restricted stock were excluded from the calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2014 because they would have had an antidilutive effect. Options for 2,112,679 shares and 271,674 shares of restricted stock were excluded from the calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2013 because they would have had an antidilutive effect.

Derivatives_And_Risk_Managemen1

Derivatives And Risk Management (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Derivatives And Risk Management (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivatives And Risk Management [Abstract]	'
Balance Sheet Classification Of Derivative Financial Instruments	'

			Derivative Assets
			31-Mar-14				31-Dec-13
			Balance Sheet Classification		Fair Value		Balance Sheet Classification		Fair Value

			(in thousands)
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Fixed price swaps		Derivative assets		$	1,362	Derivative assets		$	20,631
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments				$	1,362			$	20,631

	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Basis swaps		Derivative assets		$	9,692	Derivative assets		$	12,858
	Fixed price swaps		Derivative assets			390	Derivative assets			37,382
	Basis swaps		Other long-term assets			–	Other long-term assets			107
	Fixed price swaps		Other long-term assets			30,245	Other long-term assets			–
	Interest rate swaps		Other long-term assets			5,464	Other long-term assets			7,525
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments				$	45,791			$	57,872

	Total derivative assets				$	47,153			$	78,503

			Derivative Liabilities
			31-Mar-14				31-Dec-13
			Balance Sheet Classification		Fair Value		Balance Sheet Classification		Fair Value

			(in thousands)
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Fixed price swaps		Other current liabilities		$	32,971	Other current liabilities		$	3,884
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments				$	32,971			$	3,884
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Basis swaps		Other current liabilities		$	7,808	Other current liabilities		$	1,501
	Fixed price swaps		Other current liabilities			16,022	Other current liabilities			185
	Fixed price call options		Other current liabilities			17,273	Other current liabilities			–
	Interest rate swaps		Other current liabilities			2,177	Other current liabilities			1,520
	Basis swaps		Other long-term liabilities			603	Other long-term liabilities			–
	Fixed price call options		Other long-term liabilities			40,029	Other long-term liabilities			30,388
	Interest rate swaps		Other long-term liabilities			2,495	Other long-term liabilities			3,012
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments				$	86,407			$	36,606

	Total derivative liabilities				$	119,378			$	40,490


Schedule Of Derivative Instruments, Volumes Of Natural Gas Production	'

	Year	Fixed price swaps	Fixed price swaps not designated for	Total
	Year	Fixed price swaps	hedge accounting	Total
	2014	211.8	136.8	348.6
	2015	-	119.5	119.5


Summary Of Before Tax Effect Of Cash Flow Hedges On Consolidated Financial Statements	'

					Loss Recognized in
					Other Comprehensive Income
					(Effective Portion)
					For the three months ended
					March 31,
	Derivative Instrument				2014		2013
					(in thousands)
	Fixed price swaps				$	-90,334	$	-73,902

			Classification of Gain (Loss)		Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated
			Reclassified from		Other Comprehensive Income
			Accumulated Other		into Earnings (Effective Portion)
			Comprehensive Income		For the three months ended
			into Earnings		March 31,
	Derivative Instrument		(Effective Portion)		2014		2013
					(in thousands)
	Fixed price swaps		Gas sales		$	-41,978	$	78,621

					Gain (Loss) Recognized in
					Earnings
					(Ineffective Portion)
			Classification of Gain (Loss)		For the three months ended
			Recognized in Earnings		March 31,
	Derivative Instrument		(Ineffective Portion)		2014		2013
					(in thousands)
	Fixed price swaps		Gas sales		$	-1,940	$	1,301


Summary Of Before Tax Effect Of Fair Value Hedges Not Designated For Hedge Accounting	'

					Gain (Loss) on Derivatives
					net of settlement
					Recognized in Earnings
					For the three months ended
			Consolidated Statement of Operations		March 31,
	Derivative Instrument		Classification of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives, Net of Settlement		2014		2013
					(in thousands)
	Basis swaps		Gain (Loss) on Derivatives		$	-10,184	$	-2,950
	Fixed price call options		Gain (Loss) on Derivatives		$	-26,913	$	-57,082
	Fixed price swaps		Gain (Loss) on Derivatives		$	-22,585	$	29,232
	Interest rate swaps		Gain (Loss) on Derivatives		$	-2,202	$	–

					Gain (Loss)
					on Derivatives, Settled (1)
					Recognized in Earnings
			Consolidated Statement of Operations		For the three months ended
			Classification of Gain (Loss)		March 31,
	Derivative Instrument		on Derivatives, Settled (1)		2014		2013
					(in thousands)
	Basis swaps		Gain (Loss) on Derivatives		$	-14,270	$	1,007
	Fixed price swaps		Gain (Loss) on Derivatives		$	-23,453	$	–
	Interest rate swaps		Gain (Loss) on Derivatives		$	-113	$	–

		-1		The Company calculates gain (loss) on derivatives, settled, as the summation of gains and losses on positions that have settled within the period reported.

Reclassification_From_Accumula1

Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]	'
Components Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'


			For the three months ended
			31-Mar-14
			(in thousands) (1)
			Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges				Pension and Other Postretirement		Foreign Currency		Total
	Beginning balance, December 31, 2013		$	9,270			$	-9,558	$	-4,054	$	-4,342

	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			-54,200				–		-2,856		-57,056

	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (2)			26,350				81		–		26,431

	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)			-27,850				81		-2,856		-30,625

	Ending balance, March 31,2014		$	-18,580			$	-9,477	$	-6,910	$	-34,967

		-1		All amounts are net-of-tax.
		-2		See separate table below for details about these reclassifications.

Amounts Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'


	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statement of Operations		Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
						For the three months ended
						31-Mar-14
						(in thousands)
	Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
	Settlements			Gas sales	$	-41,978
	Ineffectiveness			Gas sales		-1,940
				Income before income taxes		-43,918
				Provision for income taxes		-17,568
				Net income	$	-26,350

	Pension and other postretirement
	Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic pension cost (1)			General and administrative expenses	$	-135
				Loss before income taxes		-135
				Benefit for income taxes		-54
				Net loss	$	-81

	Total reclassifications for the period			Net income	$	-26,431

		-1		Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Footnote 13 for additional details).

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Carrying Amount And Estimated Fair Values Of Financial Instruments	'

		March 31,						December 31,
		2014						2013
		Carrying			Fair			Carrying			Fair
		Amount			Value			Amount			Value
		(in thousands)

	Cash and cash equivalents	$	18,719		$	18,719		$	22,938		$	22,938
	Credit facility	$	160,200		$	160,200		$	282,900		$	282,900
	Senior notes	$	1,668,426		$	1,825,949		$	1,668,396		$	1,795,935
	Derivative instruments	$	-72,225		$	-72,225		$	38,013		$	38,013


Summary Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis	'

			31-Mar-14
			Fair Value Measurements Using:
			Quoted Prices			Significant
			in Active			Other			Significant
			Markets			Observable Inputs			Unobservable Inputs			Assets (Liabilities)
			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)			at Fair Value
	Derivative assets		$	–		$	37,461		$	9,692		$	47,153
	Derivative liabilities			–			-53,665			-65,713			-119,378
	Total		$	–		$	-16,204		$	-56,021		$	-72,225

			31-Dec-13
			Fair Value Measurements Using:
			Quoted Prices			Significant
			in Active			Other			Significant
			Markets			Observable Inputs			Unobservable Inputs			Assets (Liabilities)
			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)			at Fair Value
	Derivative assets		$	–		$	65,538		$	12,965		$	78,503
	Derivative liabilities			–			-8,601			-31,889			-40,490
	Total		$	–		$	56,937		$	-18,924		$	38,013


Assets Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3), Reconciliation	'

			For the three months ended
			March 31,
			2014			2013
			(in thousands)

	Balance at beginning of period		$	-18,924		$	-115
	Total gains (losses):
	Included in earnings			-51,367			-59,025
	Included in other comprehensive income			–			–
	Purchases, issuances, and settlements:
	Purchases			–			–
	Issuances			–			–
	Settlements			14,270			-1,007
	Transfers into/out of Level 3			–			–
	Balance at end of period		$	-56,021		$	-60,147
	Change in losses included in earnings relating to derivatives still held as of March 31		$	-37,097		$	-60,032

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Debt (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt [Abstract]	'
Components Of Debt	'

		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Short-term debt:
	7.15% Senior Notes due 2018	$	1,200	$	1,200
	Total short-term debt		1,200		1,200

	Long-term debt:
	Variable rate (1.62% and 1.64% at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively) Credit Facility, expires December 2018		160,200		282,900
	7.35% Senior Notes due 2017		15,000		15,000
	7.125% Senior Notes due 2017		25,000		25,000
	7.15% Senior Notes due 2018		28,200		28,200
	7.5% Senior Notes due 2018		600,000		600,000
	4.10% Senior Notes due 2022		1,000,000		1,000,000
	Unamortized discount		-974		-1,004
	Total long-term debt		1,827,426		1,950,096
	Total debt	$	1,828,626	$	1,951,296

Supplemental_Disclosures_Of_Ca1

Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information	'

		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)

	Cash paid for interest	$	44,606	$	44,343
	Cash paid (received) for income taxes	$	-546	$	16,341
	Noncash property changes	$	10,172	$	35,857

Pension_Plan_And_Other_Postret1

Pension Plan And Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Pension Plan And Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension Plan And Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]	'
Net Periodic Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Costs	'

		Pension Benefits
		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)

	Service cost	$	3,323	$	3,447
	Interest cost		1,284		1,026
	Expected return on plan assets		-1,788		-1,534
	Amortization of prior service cost		26		26
	Amortization of net loss		89		385
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,934	$	3,350

		Postretirement Benefits
		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)

	Service cost	$	619	$	574
	Interest cost		160		110
	Amortization of prior service cost		4		4
	Amortization of net loss		16		30
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	799	$	718

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Employee Stock-Based Compensation Costs	'

		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)

	Stock-based compensation cost – expensed	$	4,490		$	2,994
	Stock-based compensation cost – capitalized	$	4,540		$	2,862


Summary Of Stock Option Activity	'

				Weighted
				Average
		Number		Exercise
		of Options		Price

	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	3,312,693		$	35.70
	Granted	-			-
	Exercised	-177,504			32.91
	Forfeited or expired	-50,031			38.83
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	3,085,158			35.81
	Exercisable at March 31, 2014	1,927,252		$	35.13


Summary Of Restricted Stock Activity	'

				Weighted
				Average
		Number		Grant Date
		of Shares		Fair Value

	Unvested shares at December 31, 2013	1,770,922		$	37.55
	Granted	3,440			43.01
	Vested	-4,147			36.69
	Forfeited	-42,236			38.12
	Unvested shares at March 31, 2014	1,727,979		$	37.55


Summary Of Performance Unit Activity	'

				Weighted
				Average
		Number		Grant Date
		of Units		Fair Value

	Unvested units at December 31, 2013	-		$	-
	Granted	358,750			40.44
	Vested	-			-
	Forfeited	-			-
	Unvested units at March 31, 2014	358,750		$	40.44

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Segment Information (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Summary Financial Information For Company's Reportable Segments	'


			Exploration
			and		Midstream
			Production		Services		Other			Total
			(in thousands)
	Three months ended March 31, 2014:
	Revenues from external customers		$	795,413	$	317,326	$	38		$	1,112,777
	Intersegment revenues			6,405		912,081		41			918,527
	Operating income (loss)			352,140		82,639		-160			434,619
	Other income (loss), net			1,512		47		-366			1,193
	Loss on derivatives			-99,242		-362		-116			-99,720
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense			211,080		13,953		43			225,076
	Interest expense(1)			9,116		3,597		194			12,907
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes(1)			97,767		31,507		-279			128,995
	Assets			6,621,342		1,543,944		257,878	-2		8,423,164
	Capital investments(3)			498,907		38,553		4,476			541,936

	Three months ended March 31, 2013:
	Revenues from external customers		$	510,094	$	223,534	$	21		$	733,649
	Intersegment revenues			1,508		497,373		54			498,935
	Operating income (loss)(1)			175,758		76,307		-105			251,960
	Other income (loss), net			-378		-155		–			-533
	Loss on derivatives			-29,794		–		–			-29,794
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense			167,450		11,912		105			179,467
	Interest expense(1)			6,176		2,645		200			9,021
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes(1)			55,816		29,403		-122			85,097
	Assets			5,389,728		1,278,256		248,807	-2		6,916,791
	Capital investments(3)			475,333		38,467		4,256			518,056

		-1		Interest expense and the provision for income taxes by segment are allocated as they are incurred at the corporate level.
		-2		Other assets represent corporate assets not allocated to segments and assets, including restricted cash and investments in cash equivalents, for non reportable segments.
		-3		Capital investments includes increases of $5.6 million and $32.9 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, relating to the change in accrued expenditures between periods.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Operations	'

	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
	(Unaudited)
		Parent			Former Guarantors			Other Subsidiaries		Eliminations		Consolidated
		(in thousands)
	Three months ended March 31, 2013:
	Operating revenues	$	–		$	690,144		$	121,369	$	-77,864	$	733,649
	Operating costs and expenses:
	Gas purchases		–			180,164			–		-208		179,956
	Operating expenses		–			110,541			31,322		-77,639		64,224
	General and administrative expenses		–			31,866			5,366		-17		37,215
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization		–			167,522			11,945		–		179,467
	Taxes, other than income taxes		–			17,715			3,112		–		20,827
	Total operating costs and expenses		–			507,808			51,745		-77,864		481,689
	Operating income		–			182,336			69,624		–		251,960
	Other loss, net		–			-376			-157		–		-533
	Loss on Derivatives		–			-29,794			–		–		-29,794
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		127,515			–			–		-127,515		–
	Interest expense		–			6,938			2,083		–		9,021
	Income (loss) before income taxes		127,515			145,228			67,384		-127,515		212,612
	Provision for income taxes		–			58,046			27,051		–		85,097
	Net income		127,515			87,182			40,333		-127,515		127,515
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	33,318		$	-6,253		$	39,304	$	-33,051	$	33,318


Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows	'

	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	(Unaudited)

			Parent				Former Guarantors			Other Subsidiaries		Eliminations		Consolidated
			(in thousands)

	Three months ended March 31, 2013:
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	-55,189			$	289,060		$	138,267	$	–	$	372,138
	Investing activities:
	Capital investments			-17,873				-453,651			-12,110		–		-483,634
	Transfers from restricted cash			1,434				–			–		–		1,434
	Other			6,607				-5,762			193		–		1,038
	Net cash used in investing activities			-9,832				-459,413			-11,917		–		-481,162
	Financing activities:
	Intercompany activities			-38,036				164,365			-126,329		–		–
	Payments on revolving long-term debt			-369,700				–			–		–		-369,700
	Borrowing under revolving long-term debt			404,800				–			–		–		404,800
	Other Items			37,845				–			–		–		37,845
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			34,909				164,365			-126,329		–		72,945
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash			–				–			4		–		4
	Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			-30,112				-5,988			25		–		-36,075
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			47,491				5,988			104		–		53,583
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	17,379			$	–		$	129	$	–	$	17,508

Acquisitions_And_Divestitures_

Acquisitions And Divestitures (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2013	1-May-14
	Marcellus Shale In Pennsylvania [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
		Niobrara Formation In Colorado [Member]
		acre
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Cost to acquire property	$93	$180
Area of land purchased	'	312,000

Prepaid_Expenses_Details

Prepaid Expenses (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Prepaid Expenses [Abstract]	'	'
Prepaid drilling costs	$6,362	$9,560
Prepaid insurance	4,766	7,619
Prepaid taxes	13,699	13,624
Total	$24,827	$30,803

Inventory_Details

Inventory (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory [Abstract]	'	'
Current assets inventory, underground storage	$2.30	$3.70
Current assets inventory, tubulars & other equipment	36.4	34.1
Other assets non-current inventory, gathering systems pipe	$17	$15.10

Natural_Gas_And_Oil_Properties1

Natural Gas And Oil Properties (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Period of time needed to calculate ceiling value of reserves	'12 months	'
Discount rate of natural gas and oil reserves	10.00%	'
Cash flow hedges impact on ceiling value, net of tax	$40.20	$185.80
West Texas Intermediate Oil [Member]	'	'
Full cost ceiling test, price	94.92	89.17
Henry Hub Natural Gas [Member]	'	'
Full cost ceiling test, price	3.99	2.95

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'		'
Net income	$194,190		$127,515
Number of common shares, Weighted average outstanding	351,222,538		350,032,430
Number of common shares, Issued upon assumed exercise of outstanding stock options	348,798		579,022
Diluted	351,985,821	[1]	350,738,309	[1]
Basic	$0.55		$0.36
Diluted	$0.55		$0.36
Stock Options [Member]	'		'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'		'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1,179,914		2,112,679
Restricted Stock [Member]	'		'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'		'
Number of common shares, Effect of issuance of nonvested shares	349,608		126,857
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	29,688		271,674
Performance Units [Member]	'		'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'		'
Number of common shares, Effect of issuance of nonvested shares	64,877		'

[1]	Options for 1,179,914 shares and 29,688 shares of restricted stock were excluded from the calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2014 because they would have had an antidilutive effect. Options for 2,112,679 shares and 271,674 shares of restricted stock were excluded from the calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2013 because they would have had an antidilutive effect.

Derivatives_And_Risk_Managemen2

Derivatives And Risk Management (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net loss related to hedging activities	($18.60)
Deferred income tax benefit, accumulated other comprehensive income	-12.4
Cash flow hedge after-tax net loss to be transferred from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next twelve months	-18.6
Year 2014 [Member] \| Fixed Price Swaps [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Volume of natural gas production	348,600,000,000
Year 2015 [Member] \| Fixed Price Swaps [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Volume of natural gas production	119,500,000,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Year 2014 [Member] \| Fixed Price Swaps [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Volume of natural gas production	211,800,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Notional amount	$170
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Year 2014 [Member] \| Basis Swaps [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Volume of natural gas production	21,100,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Year 2014 [Member] \| Fixed Price Swaps [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Volume of natural gas production	136,800,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Year 2015 [Member] \| Basis Swaps [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Volume of natural gas production	8,700,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Year 2015 [Member] \| Fixed Price Call Options [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Volume of natural gas production	199,800,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Year 2015 [Member] \| Fixed Price Swaps [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Volume of natural gas production	119,500,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Year 2016 [Member] \| Basis Swaps [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Volume of natural gas production	900,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Year 2016 [Member] \| Fixed Price Call Options [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Volume of natural gas production	119,900,000,000

Derivatives_And_Risk_Managemen3

Derivatives And Risk Management (Balance Sheet Classification Of Derivative Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	$47,153	$78,503
Derivative liabilities	119,378	40,490
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	1,362	20,631
Derivative liabilities	32,971	3,884
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Fixed Price Swaps [Member] \| Derivative Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	1,362	20,631
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Fixed Price Swaps [Member] \| Other Current Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative liabilities	32,971	3,884
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	45,791	57,872
Derivative liabilities	86,407	36,606
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Fixed Price Swaps [Member] \| Derivative Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	390	37,382
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Fixed Price Swaps [Member] \| Other Long-Term Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	30,245	'
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Fixed Price Swaps [Member] \| Other Current Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative liabilities	16,022	185
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Basis Swaps [Member] \| Derivative Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	9,692	12,858
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Basis Swaps [Member] \| Other Long-Term Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	'	107
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Basis Swaps [Member] \| Other Current Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative liabilities	7,808	1,501
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Basis Swaps [Member] \| Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative liabilities	603	'
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Interest Rate Swaps [Member] \| Other Long-Term Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	5,464	7,525
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Interest Rate Swaps [Member] \| Other Current Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative liabilities	2,177	1,520
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Interest Rate Swaps [Member] \| Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative liabilities	2,495	3,012
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Fixed Price Call Options [Member] \| Other Current Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative liabilities	17,273	'
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Fixed Price Call Options [Member] \| Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative liabilities	$40,029	$30,388

Derivatives_And_Risk_Managemen4

Derivatives And Risk Management (Schedule Of Derivative Instruments, Volumes Of Natural Gas Production) (Details) (Fixed Price Swaps [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
	ft3
Year 2014 [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Volume of natural gas production	348,600,000,000
Year 2014 [Member] \| Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Volume of natural gas production	211,800,000,000
Year 2014 [Member] \| Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Volume of natural gas production	136,800,000,000
Year 2015 [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Volume of natural gas production	119,500,000,000
Year 2015 [Member] \| Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Volume of natural gas production	119,500,000,000

Derivatives_And_Risk_Managemen5

Derivatives And Risk Management (Summary Of Before Tax Effect Of Cash Flow Hedges On Consolidated Financial Statements) (Details) (Fixed Price Swaps [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Loss Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income, Effective Portion	($90,334)	($73,902)
Gas Sales [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Earnings, Effective Portion	-41,978	78,621
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings, Ineffective Portion	($1,940)	$1,301

Derivatives_And_Risk_Managemen6

Derivatives And Risk Management (Summary Of Before Tax Effect Of Fair Value Hedges Not Designated For Hedge Accounting) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Basis Swaps [Member]	'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative Instruments, Unrealized Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings	($10,184)		($2,950)
Derivative Instruments, Realized Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings	-14,270	[1]	1,007	[1]
Fixed Price Call Options [Member]	'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative Instruments, Unrealized Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings	-26,913		-57,082
Fixed Price Swaps [Member]	'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative Instruments, Unrealized Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings	-22,585		29,232
Derivative Instruments, Realized Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings	-23,453	[1]	'
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative Instruments, Unrealized Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings	-2,202		'
Derivative Instruments, Realized Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings	($113)	[1]	'

[1]	The Company calculates gain (loss) on derivatives, settled, as the summation of gains and losses on positions that have settled within the period reported.

Reclassification_From_Accumula2

Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Components Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Beginning balance	($4,342)	[1]
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-57,056	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	26,431	[1],[2]
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-30,625	[1]
Ending balance	-34,967	[1]
Gains (Losses) On Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Beginning balance	9,270	[1]
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-54,200	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	26,350	[1],[2]
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-27,850	[1]
Ending balance	-18,580	[1]
Pension And Other Postretirement [Member]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Beginning balance	-9,558	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	81	[1],[2]
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	81	[1]
Ending balance	-9,477	[1]
Foreign Currency [Member]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Beginning balance	-4,054	[1]
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-2,856	[1]
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-2,856	[1]
Ending balance	($6,910)	[1]

[1]	All amounts are net-of-tax.
[2]	See separate table below for details about these reclassifications.

Reclassification_From_Accumula3

Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Amounts Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Gas sales	$793,352		$504,496
General and administrative expenses	56,387		37,215
Income before income taxes	323,185		212,612
Provision for income taxes	128,995	[1]	85,097	[1]
Net Income	194,190		127,515
Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	'		'
Net income	-26,431		'
Gains (Losses) On Cash Flow Hedges [Member] \| Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	'		'
Income before income taxes	-43,918		'
Provision for income taxes	-17,568		'
Net income	-26,350		'
Gains (Losses) On Cash Flow Hedges [Member] \| Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] \| Settlements [Member]	'		'
Gas sales	-41,978		'
Gains (Losses) On Cash Flow Hedges [Member] \| Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] \| Ineffectiveness [Member]	'		'
Gas sales	-1,940		'
Pension And Other Postretirement [Member] \| Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	'		'
General and administrative expenses	-135	[2]	'
Income before income taxes	-135		'
Provision for income taxes	-54		'
Net Income	($81)		'

[1]	Interest expense and the provision for income taxes by segment are allocated as they are incurred at the corporate level.
[2]	Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Footnote 13 for additional details).

Fair_Value_Measurements_Narrat

Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
7.5% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	7.50%	'
Yield, Publicly-traded debt market	2.40%	2.60%
4.10% Senior Notes Due 2022 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.10%	'
Yield, Publicly-traded debt market	3.70%	4.20%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Carryi

Fair Value Measurements (Carrying Amount And Estimated Fair Values Of Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Carrying Amount [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$18,719	$22,938
Credit facility	160,200	282,900
Senior notes	1,668,426	1,668,396
Derivative instruments, net	-72,225	38,013
Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	18,719	22,938
Credit facility	160,200	282,900
Senior notes	1,825,949	1,795,935
Derivative instruments, net	($72,225)	$38,013

Fair_Value_Measurements_Summar

Fair Value Measurements (Summary Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	'	'
Derivative liabilities	'	'
Total	'	'
Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	37,461	65,538
Derivative liabilities	-53,665	-8,601
Total	-16,204	56,937
Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	9,692	12,965
Derivative liabilities	-65,713	-31,889
Total	-56,021	-18,924
Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	47,153	78,503
Derivative liabilities	-119,378	-40,490
Total	($72,225)	$38,013

Fair_Value_Measurements_Assets

Fair Value Measurements (Assets Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3), Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	($18,924)	($115)
Total gains or losses: Included in earnings	-51,367	-59,025
Total gains or losses: Included in other comprehensive income	'	'
Purchases, issuances, and settlements:	'	'
Purchases	'	'
Issuances	'	'
Settlements	14,270	-1,007
Transfers into/out of Level 3	'	'
Balance at end of period	-56,021	-60,147
Change in losses included in earnings relating to derivatives still held as of March 31	($37,097)	($60,032)

Debt_Narrative_Details

Debt (Narrative) (Details) (Credit Facility [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 16, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	item	Dec. 16, 2013	Over LIBOR [Member]	Over LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Unsecured revolving credit facility, borrowing capacity	'	$2,000,000,000	'	'
Unsecured revolving credit facility, maturity date	1-Dec-18	'	'	'
Number of extension options	2	'	'	'
Extension term	'1 year	'	'	'
Unsecured revolving credit facility, increase in current borrowing capacity potential	'	$500,000,000	'	'
Basis points	'	'	1.50%	2.00%
Debt percentage of adjusted book capital structure covenant	'	60.00%	'	'

Debt_Components_Of_Debt_Detail

Debt (Components Of Debt) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term debt	$1,200	$1,200
Unamortized discount	-974	-1,004
Long-term debt	1,827,426	1,950,096
Total debt	1,828,626	1,951,296
Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Variable rate (1.62% and 1.64% at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively) Credit Facility expires December 2018	160,200	282,900
Variable interest rate	1.62%	1.64%
Credit facility, maturity date	1-Dec-18	'
7.35% Senior Notes due 2017 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Stated interest rate	7.35%	'
Maturity date	'2017	'
7.125% Senior Notes due 2017 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Stated interest rate	7.13%	'
Maturity date	'2017	'
7.15% Senior Notes due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Stated interest rate	7.15%	'
Maturity date	'2018	'
7.5% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Stated interest rate	7.50%	'
Maturity date	'2018	'
4.10% Senior Notes Due 2022 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Stated interest rate	4.10%	'
Maturity date	'2022	'
Senior Notes [Member] \| 7.15% Senior Notes due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term debt	1,200	1,200
Senior Notes [Member] \| 7.35% Senior Notes due 2017 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	15,000	15,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| 7.125% Senior Notes due 2017 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	25,000	25,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| 7.15% Senior Notes due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	28,200	28,200
Senior Notes [Member] \| 7.5% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	600,000	600,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| 4.10% Senior Notes Due 2022 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	$1,000,000	$1,000,000

Commitments_And_Contingencies_

Commitments And Contingencies (Details)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended					1 Months Ended
	Aug. 24, 2011	Jul. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Mar. 31, 2010	Feb. 28, 2009	Dec. 31, 2010
	USD ($)	USD ($)	item	USD ($)	CAD	USD ($)	CAD	USD ($)	Licensing Agreement [Member]
							acre		item
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrecorded capital investments obligation, Exploration program acres coverage (acres)	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,500,000	'	'
Unrecorded capital investments obligation	'	'	'	'	'	'	47,000,000	'	'
Period licenses require capital investments be made, years	'	'	'	'3 years	'	'	'	'	'
Unrecorded promissory note payable	'	'	'	'	'	'	44,500,000	'	'
Obligations for demand and similar charges under transportation agreements	'	'	'	38,200,000	42,200,000	'	'	'	'
Number of extension options	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2
Extension term	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'1 year
Extension expiration	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	16-Mar-15
Promissory note payable, liability recognized	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	'	'
Obligation under transportation agreements	'	'	'	3,600,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Guarantee obligations relative to the firms transportation agreements and gathering project and services	'	'	'	100,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Number of prospects	'	'	2	'	'	'	'	'	'
Litigation settlement, gross	11,400,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Litigation, portion of profits considered for disgorgement	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	381,500,000	'
Disgorgement damages awarded in favor of the plantiff and intervenor	23,900,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Litigation, interest and attorney's fees claimed by plaintiffs	8,900,000	'	'	'	'	11,400,000	'	'	'
Disgorgement recoverable by plaintiff to be reversed	'	23,900,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Actual damages recoverable by plaintiff to be reversed	'	11,400,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Litigation settlement upheld	'	$11,400,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Supplemental_Disclosures_Of_Ca2

Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'	'
Cash paid for interest	$44,606	$44,343
Cash paid (received) for income taxes	-546	16,341
Noncash property changes	$10,172	$35,857

Pension_Plan_And_Other_Postret2

Pension Plan And Other Postretirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Defined Contribution Pension [Member]	Defined Contribution Pension [Member]	Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Employer contributions	'	'	$3
Company's expected additional annual contribution	'	'	$9
Common stock purchased under the terms of the Non-Qualified Plan presented as treasury stock	10,608	9,924	'

Pension_Plan_And_Other_Postret3

Pension Plan And Other Postretirement Benefits (Net Periodic Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Costs) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Service cost	$3,323	$3,447
Interest cost	1,284	1,026
Expected return on plan assets	-1,788	-1,534
Amortization of prior service cost	26	26
Amortization of net loss	89	385
Net periodic benefit cost	2,934	3,350
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Service cost	619	574
Interest cost	160	110
Amortization of prior service cost	4	4
Amortization of net loss	16	30
Net periodic benefit cost	$799	$718

StockBased_Compensation_Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Unrecognized compensation cost related to the Company's unvested stock option and restricted stock grants	$81.70	'
Weighted average period over which cost is recognized, years	'3 years 4 months 24 days	'
Performance Units [Member]	'	'
Vesting period for stock awards from grant date	'3 years	'
Performance unit liability	$34.70	$45.30

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Employee Stock-Based Compensation Costs) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'	'
Stock-based compensation costs - expensed	$4,490	$2,994
Stock-based compensation costs - capitalized	$4,540	$2,862

StockBased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-Based Compensation (Summary of Stock Option Activity) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Stock options, Outstanding at December 31, 2013, Number of options	3,312,693
Stock options, Granted, Number of options	'
Stock options, Exercised, Number of options	-177,504
Stock options, Forfeited or expired, Number of options	-50,031
Stock options, Outstanding at March 31, 2014, Number of options	3,085,158
Stock options, Outstanding at December 31, 2013, Weighted average exercise price	$35.70
Stock options, Granted, Weighted average exercise price	'
Stock options, Exercised, Weighted average exercise price	$32.91
Stock options, Forfeited or expired, Weighted average exercise price	$38.83
Stock options, Outstanding at March 31, 2014, Weighted average exercise price	$35.81
Stock options, Exercisable at March 31, 2014	1,927,252
Stock options Exercisable at March 31, 2014, Weighted average exercise price	$35.13

StockBased_Compensation_Summar1

Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Restricted Stock Activity) (Details) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Unvested shares/units at December 31, 2013, Number of Shares	1,770,922
Granted, Number of Shares/Units	3,440
Vested, Number of Shares/Units	-4,147
Forfeited, Number of Shares/Units	-42,236
Unvested shares/units at March 31, 2014, Number of Shares	1,727,979
Unvested shares/units at December 31, 2013, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$37.55
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$43.01
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$36.69
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$38.12
Unvested shares at March 31, 2014, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$37.55

StockBased_Compensation_Summar2

Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Performance Unit Activity) (Details) (Performance Units [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Performance Units [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Unvested shares/units at December 31, 2013, Number of Shares	'
Granted, Number of Shares/Units	358,750
Vested, Number of Shares/Units	'
Forfeited, Number of Shares/Units	'
Unvested shares/units at March 31, 2014, Number of Shares	358,750
Unvested shares/units at December 31, 2013, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$40.44
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'
Unvested shares at March 31, 2014, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$40.44

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'
Revenues	$1,112,777,000		$733,649,000		'
Operating income (loss)	434,619,000		251,960,000	[1]	'
Other loss, net	1,193,000		-533,000		'
Loss on derivatives	-99,720,000		-29,794,000		'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	225,076,000		179,467,000		'
Interest expense	12,907,000	[1]	9,021,000	[1]	'
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	128,995,000	[1]	85,097,000	[1]	'
Assets	8,423,164,000		6,916,791,000		8,047,726,000
Capital investments	541,936,000	[2]	518,056,000	[2]	'
Change in accrued expenditures	5,600,000		32,900,000		'
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'
Revenues	918,527,000		498,935,000		'
Exploration and Production [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'
Revenues	795,413,000		510,094,000		'
Operating income (loss)	352,140,000		175,758,000	[1]	'
Other loss, net	1,512,000		-378,000		'
Loss on derivatives	-99,242,000		-29,794,000		'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	211,080,000		167,450,000		'
Interest expense	9,116,000	[1]	6,176,000	[1]	'
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	97,767,000	[1]	55,816,000	[1]	'
Assets	6,621,342,000		5,389,728,000		'
Capital investments	498,907,000	[2]	475,333,000	[2]	'
Exploration and Production [Member] \| Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'
Revenues	6,405,000		1,508,000		'
Exploration and Production [Member] \| Canada [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'
Assets	79,900,000		45,900,000		'
Capital investments	4,100,000		2,300,000		'
Midstream Services [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'
Revenues	317,326,000		223,534,000		'
Operating income (loss)	82,639,000		76,307,000	[1]	'
Other loss, net	47,000		-155,000		'
Loss on derivatives	-362,000		'		'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	13,953,000		11,912,000		'
Interest expense	3,597,000	[1]	2,645,000	[1]	'
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	31,507,000	[1]	29,403,000	[1]	'
Assets	1,543,944,000		1,278,256,000		'
Capital investments	38,553,000	[2]	38,467,000	[2]	'
Midstream Services [Member] \| Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'
Revenues	912,081,000		497,373,000		'
Other [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'
Revenues	38,000		21,000		'
Operating income (loss)	-160,000		-105,000	[1]	'
Other loss, net	-366,000		'		'
Loss on derivatives	-116,000		'		'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	43,000		105,000		'
Interest expense	194,000	[1]	200,000	[1]	'
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	-279,000	[1]	-122,000	[1]	'
Assets	257,878,000	[3]	248,807,000	[3]	'
Capital investments	4,476,000	[2]	4,256,000	[2]	'
Other [Member] \| Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'
Revenues	41,000		54,000		'
Marketing [Member] \| Midstream Services [Member] \| Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'
Revenues	$823,500,000		$419,500,000		'

[1]	Interest expense and the provision for income taxes by segment are allocated as they are incurred at the corporate level.
[2]	Capital investments includes increases of $5.6 million and $32.9 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, relating to the change in accrued expenditures between periods.
[3]	Other assets represent corporate assets not allocated to segments and assets, including restricted cash and investments in cash equivalents, for non reportable segments.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Operating revenues	$1,112,777		$733,649
Gas purchases	271,120		179,956
Operating expenses	100,153		64,224
General and administrative expenses	56,387		37,215
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	225,076		179,467
Taxes, other than income taxes	25,422		20,827
Total operating costs and expenses	678,158		481,689
Operating income	434,619		251,960	[1]
Other loss, net	1,193		-533
Loss on derivatives	-99,720		-29,794
Interest expense	12,907	[1]	9,021	[1]
Income (loss) before income taxes	323,185		212,612
Provision for income taxes	128,995	[1]	85,097	[1]
Net income	194,190		127,515
Comprehensive income	163,565		33,318
Eliminations [Member]	'		'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Operating revenues	'		-77,864
Gas purchases	'		-208
Operating expenses	'		-77,639
General and administrative expenses	'		-17
Total operating costs and expenses	'		-77,864
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	'		-127,515
Income (loss) before income taxes	'		-127,515
Net income	'		-127,515
Comprehensive income	'		-33,051
Parent [Member]	'		'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	'		127,515
Income (loss) before income taxes	'		127,515
Net income	'		127,515
Comprehensive income	'		33,318
Former Guarantors [Member]	'		'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Operating revenues	'		690,144
Gas purchases	'		180,164
Operating expenses	'		110,541
General and administrative expenses	'		31,866
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	'		167,522
Taxes, other than income taxes	'		17,715
Total operating costs and expenses	'		507,808
Operating income	'		182,336
Other loss, net	'		-376
Loss on derivatives	'		-29,794
Interest expense	'		6,938
Income (loss) before income taxes	'		145,228
Provision for income taxes	'		58,046
Net income	'		87,182
Comprehensive income	'		-6,253
Other Subsidiaries [Member]	'		'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Operating revenues	'		121,369
Operating expenses	'		31,322
General and administrative expenses	'		5,366
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	'		11,945
Taxes, other than income taxes	'		3,112
Total operating costs and expenses	'		51,745
Operating income	'		69,624
Other loss, net	'		-157
Interest expense	'		2,083
Income (loss) before income taxes	'		67,384
Provision for income taxes	'		27,051
Net income	'		40,333
Comprehensive income	'		$39,304
7.35% Senior Notes due 2017 [Member]	'		'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Stated interest rate	7.35%		'
7.125% Senior Notes due 2017 [Member]	'		'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Stated interest rate	7.13%		'
7.15% Senior Notes due 2018 [Member]	'		'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Stated interest rate	7.15%		'
7.5% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]	'		'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Stated interest rate	7.50%		'
4.10% Senior Notes Due 2022 [Member]	'		'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Stated interest rate	4.10%		'

[1]	Interest expense and the provision for income taxes by segment are allocated as they are incurred at the corporate level.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$608,866	$372,138
Capital investments	-533,787	-483,634
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	16,794	'
Transfers from restricted cash	'	1,434
Other	1,309	1,038
Net cash used in investing activities	-515,684	-481,162
Payments on revolving long-term debt	-1,131,300	-369,700
Borrowings under revolving long-term debt	1,008,600	404,800
Other Items	'	37,845
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-97,329	72,945
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-72	4
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-4,219	-36,075
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	22,938	53,583
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	18,719	17,508
Parent [Member]	'	'
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'	-55,189
Capital investments	'	-17,873
Transfers from restricted cash	'	1,434
Other	'	6,607
Net cash used in investing activities	'	-9,832
Intercompany activities	'	-38,036
Payments on revolving long-term debt	'	-369,700
Borrowings under revolving long-term debt	'	404,800
Other Items	'	37,845
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	'	34,909
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'	-30,112
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	'	47,491
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	'	17,379
Former Guarantors [Member]	'	'
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'	289,060
Capital investments	'	-453,651
Other	'	-5,762
Net cash used in investing activities	'	-459,413
Intercompany activities	'	164,365
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	'	164,365
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'	-5,988
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	'	5,988
Other Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'	138,267
Capital investments	'	-12,110
Other	'	193
Net cash used in investing activities	'	-11,917
Intercompany activities	'	-126,329
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	'	-126,329
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	'	4
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'	25
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	'	104
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	'	$129