Coterra Energy (CTRA) 10-Q 25 Oct 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 21, 2013
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	CABOT OIL & GAS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	858470
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		421,959,520
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$27,932	$30,736
Accounts receivable, net	178,479	172,419
Income taxes receivable	1,972
Inventories	20,839	14,173
Derivative instruments	56,831	50,824
Other current assets	3,703	2,158
Total current assets	289,756	270,310
Properties and equipment, net (Successful efforts method)	4,690,176	4,310,977
Derivative instruments	8,708
Other assets	42,752	35,026
TOTAL ASSETS	5,031,392	4,616,313
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	335,349	312,480
Current portion of long-term debt		75,000
Accrued liabilities	59,234	49,789
Income taxes payable		1,667
Deferred income taxes	4,690	5,203
Total current liabilities	399,273	444,139
Postretirement benefits	41,041	38,864
Long-term debt	1,162,000	1,012,000
Deferred income taxes	986,943	882,672
Asset retirement obligation	70,525	67,016
Other liabilities	42,876	40,175
Total liabilities	2,702,658	2,484,866
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity
Common stock: Authorized -- 480,000,000 shares of $0.10 par value in 2013 and 2012, respectively Issued--421,959,520 shares and 420,859,462 shares in 2013 and 2012, respectively	42,196	42,086
Additional paid-in capital	698,383	695,566
Retained earnings	1,558,260	1,373,264
Accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss)	33,244	23,880
Less treasury stock, at cost: 808,800 shares in 2013 and 2012, respectively	-3,349	-3,349
Total stockholders' equity	2,328,734	2,131,447
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$5,031,392	$4,616,313

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
Common stock, Authorized shares	480,000,000	480,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10
Common stock, Issued shares	421,959,520	420,859,462
Treasury stock, shares	808,800	808,800

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
OPERATING REVENUES
Natural gas	$341,901	$231,896	$1,004,085	$639,729
Crude oil and condensate	84,209	57,870	220,090	165,317
Brokered natural gas	7,165	5,238	26,302	23,831
Other	2,575	1,870	8,338	5,790
TOTAL OPERATING REVENUES	435,850	296,874	1,258,815	834,667
OPERATING EXPENSES
Direct operations	32,923	28,269	101,398	84,895
Transportation and gathering	60,803	34,430	159,672	97,827
Brokered natural gas cost	5,913	4,258	21,006	20,380
Taxes other than income	11,532	10,436	34,583	39,873
Exploration	3,891	9,303	12,444	29,548
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	168,980	110,448	469,022	335,421
General and administrative	24,697	23,829	82,009	93,249
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES	308,739	220,973	880,134	701,193
Gain / (loss) on sale of assets	4,421	-126	4,601	67,042
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	131,532	75,775	383,282	200,516
Interest expense and other	15,796	16,219	48,752	51,631
Income before income taxes	115,736	59,556	334,530	148,885
Income tax expense	45,847	22,948	132,703	58,021
NET INCOME	$69,889	$36,608	$201,827	$90,864
Earnings per share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.17	$0.09	$0.48	$0.22
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.17	$0.09	$0.48	$0.22
Weighted-average shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	420,986	419,312	420,664	418,866
Diluted (in shares)	423,453	422,452	422,824	421,994
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.02	$0.01	$0.04	$0.03

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income	$69,889		$36,608		$201,827		$90,864
Other comprehensive income / (loss), net of taxes:
Reclassification adjustment for settled hedge contracts	-11,942	[1]	-37,294	[1]	-22,372	[1]	-115,943	[1]
Changes in fair value of hedge contracts	-1,447	[2]	-24,361	[2]	31,417	[2]	30,091	[2]
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Amortization of prior service cost							135	[3]
Amortization of net loss	70	[4]	79	[4]	319	[4]	8,428	[4]
Total other comprehensive income / (loss)	-13,319		-61,576		9,364		-77,289
Comprehensive income / (loss)	$56,570		($24,968)		$211,191		$13,575
[1]	Net of income taxes of $7,742 and $23,644 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $14,504 and $73,507 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
[2]	Net of income taxes of $937 and $15,444 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $(20,366) and $(19,208) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
[3]	Net of income taxes of $0 and $0 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $0 and $(86) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
[4]	Net of income taxes of $(46) and $(53) for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $(206) and $(5,347) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Reclassification adjustment for settled hedge contracts, income taxes	$7,742	$23,644	$14,504	$73,507
Changes in fair value of hedge contracts, income taxes	937	15,444	-20,366	-19,208
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Amortization of prior service cost, income taxes	0	0	0	-86
Amortization of net loss, income taxes	($46)	($53)	($206)	($5,347)

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$201,827	$90,864
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	469,022	335,421
Deferred income tax expense	107,235	42,714
(Gain) / loss on sale of assets	-4,601	-67,042
Exploration expense	807	12,118
Unrealized (gain) / loss on derivative instruments		449
Amortization of debt issuance costs	2,767	4,300
Stock-based compensation, pension and other	36,684	37,518
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	-6,321	10,747
Inventories	-6,665	3,582
Other current assets	-1,547	-1,125
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-19,837	-16,391
Income taxes	-3,639	205
Other assets and liabilities	228	1,752
Stock-based compensation tax benefit	-9,284
Net cash provided by operating activities	766,676	455,112
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	-843,528	-669,198
Proceeds from sale of assets	15,174	132,740
Investment in equity method investment	-8,624	-4,488
Net cash used in investing activities	-836,978	-540,946
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Borrowings from debt	585,000	280,000
Repayments of debt	-510,000	-168,000
Stock-based compensation tax benefit	9,284
Dividends paid	-16,830	-12,561
Capitalized debt issuance costs		-5,005
Other	44	-1,010
Net cash provided by financing activities	67,498	93,424
Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents	-2,804	7,590
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	30,736	29,911
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$27,932	$37,501

FINANCIAL_STATEMENT_PRESENTATI

FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION
FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION	1. FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION
	During interim periods, Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (the Company) follows the same accounting policies disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (Form 10-K) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements and information presented in the Form 10-K. In management’s opinion, the accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements contain all material adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement. The results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the expected results for the entire year.
	Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year statements to conform with current year presentation. These reclassifications have no impact on previously reported net income.
	On July 23, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a 2-for-1 stock split of the Company’s common stock in the form of a stock dividend. The stock dividend was distributed on August 14, 2013 to shareholders of record on August 6, 2013. All common stock accounts and per share data have been retroactively adjusted to give effect to the 2-for-1 split of the Company’s common stock.
	With respect to the unaudited financial information of the Company as of September 30, 2013 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reported that they have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such information. However, their separate report dated October 25, 2013 appearing herein states that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that unaudited financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their report on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their report on the unaudited financial information because that report is not a “report” or a “part” of a registration statement prepared or certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” The amendments in this update clarify the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	Effective January 1, 2013, the Company adopted the amended disclosure requirements prescribed in ASU No. 2011-11, “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” and ASU No. 2013-01, “Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” This guidance impacted the disclosures associated with the Company’s commodity derivatives (Note 7) and did not impact its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	Effective January 1, 2013, the Company adopted the amended disclosure requirements prescribed in ASU No. 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” This guidance impacted the Company’s disclosures associated with items reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss) (Note 9) and did not impact its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

PROPERTIES_AND_EQUIPMENT_NET

PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT, NET	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT, NET
PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT, NET	2. PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT, NET
	Properties and equipment, net are comprised of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Proved oil and gas properties	$	6,522,753		$	5,724,940
	Unproved oil and gas properties	444,353			467,483
	Gathering and pipeline systems	240,285			239,656
	Land, building and other equipment	92,740			86,137
		7,300,131			6,518,216
	Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(2,609,955		)	(2,207,239		)
		$	4,690,176		$	4,310,977
	At September 30, 2013, the Company did not have any projects that had exploratory well costs that were capitalized for a period of greater than one year after drilling.
	Divestitures
	In June 2012, the Company sold a 35% non-operated working interest associated with certain of its Pearsall Shale undeveloped leaseholds in south Texas to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (Osaka) for total consideration of approximately $251.0 million. The Company received $125.0 million in cash proceeds and Osaka agreed to fund 85% of the Company’s share of future drilling and completion costs associated with these leaseholds until it has paid approximately $126.0 million in accordance with a joint development agreement entered into at the closing. The Company recognized a $67.0 million gain on sale of assets associated with this sale. The drilling and completion carry under the joint development agreement will terminate two years after the closing of the transaction; however, based on the Company’s current drilling and completion activities in the Pearsall Shale, the Company expects that the carry will be fully satisfied in the fourth quarter of 2013.
	Subsequent Event
	In October 2013, the Company entered into purchase and sale agreements to sell certain proved and unproved oil and gas properties located in the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles for approximately $160.0 million and west Texas for approximately $28.0 million. These transactions are expected to close in the fourth quarter 2013, subject to customary closing conditions and adjustments.

ADDITIONAL_BALANCE_SHEET_INFOR

ADDITIONAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
ADDITIONAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
ADDITIONAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION	3. ADDITIONAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
	Certain balance sheet amounts are comprised of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Accounts receivable, net
	Trade accounts	$	173,096		$	165,070
	Joint interest accounts	5,452			5,659
	Other accounts	1,612			2,817
		180,160			173,546
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(1,681		)	(1,127		)
		$	178,479		$	172,419
	Inventories
	Natural gas in storage	$	11,732		$	7,494
	Tubular goods and well equipment	9,136			6,392
	Other accounts	(29		)	287
		$	20,839		$	14,173
	Other current assets
	Prepaid balances and other	3,703			2,158
		$	3,703		$	2,158
	Other assets
	Deferred compensation plan	$	11,865		$	10,608
	Debt issuance cost	14,652			17,420
	Equity method investment	16,154			6,915
	Other accounts	81			83
		$	42,752		$	35,026
	Accounts payable
	Trade accounts	$	24,295		$	5,097
	Natural gas purchases	6,389			4,892
	Royalty and other owners	75,896			66,321
	Accrued capital costs	175,828			164,862
	Taxes other than income	10,479			19,164
	Drilling advances	35,686			44,203
	Producer gas imbalances	1,381			1,602
	Other accounts	5,395			6,339
		$	335,349		$	312,480
	Accrued liabilities
	Employee benefits	$	32,870		$	16,011
	Postretirement benefits	1,304			1,304
	Taxes other than income	10,576			8,735
	Interest payable	11,560			22,329
	Other accounts	2,924			1,410
		$	59,234		$	49,789
	Other liabilities
	Deferred compensation plan	$	31,800		$	23,893
	Other accounts	11,076			16,282
		$	42,876		$	40,175

DEBT_AND_CREDIT_AGREEMENTS

DEBT AND CREDIT AGREEMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
DEBT AND CREDIT AGREEMENTS
DEBT AND CREDIT AGREEMENTS	4. DEBT AND CREDIT AGREEMENTS
	The Company’s debt and credit agreements consisted of the following:
	(In thousands)	September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Total debt
	7.33% weighted-average fixed rate notes	$	20,000	$	95,000
	6.51% weighted-average fixed rate notes	425,000		425,000
	9.78% notes	67,000		67,000
	5.58% weighted-average fixed rate notes	175,000		175,000
	Credit facility	475,000		325,000
	Current maturities
	7.33% weighted-average fixed rate notes	—		(75,000		)
	Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	$	1,162,000	$	1,012,000
	Effective April 17, 2013, the lenders under the Company’s revolving credit facility approved an increase in the Company’s borrowing base from $1.7 billion to $2.3 billion as part of the annual redetermination under the terms of the credit facility. The Company’s commitments under the credit facility of $900.0 million remained unchanged. At September 30, 2013, the Company had $475.0 million of borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facility at a weighted-average interest rate of 2.4% and $424.0 million available for future borrowings.

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	5. EARNINGS PER COMMON 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 appreciation rights were exercised and stock awards were vested at the end of the applicable period.
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,
	(In thousands)	2013	2012	2013	2012
	Weighted-average shares - basic	420,986	419,312	420,664	418,866
	Dilution effect of stock appreciation rights and stock awards at end of period	2,467	3,140	2,160	3,128
	Weighted-average shares - diluted	423,453	422,452	422,824	421,994
	Weighted-average shares excluded from diluted earnings per share due to the anti-dilutive effect	1	92	3	204

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Contractual Obligations
	The Company has various contractual obligations in the normal course of its operations. Except for certain new and amended transportation agreements and two new drilling rig commitments described below, there have been no material changes to the Company’s contractual obligations described under “Transportation Agreements”, “Drilling Rig Commitments” and “Lease Commitments” as disclosed in Note 8 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Form 10-K.
	Transportation Agreements
	During the first nine months of 2013, the Company entered into or amended certain natural gas transportation agreements associated with the Company’s production in Pennsylvania. These agreements increased the Company’s future aggregate obligations under its transportation commitments by approximately $49.4 million compared to those amounts in disclosed in Note 8 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Form 10-K.
	Drilling Rig Commitments
	During the first nine months of 2013, the Company entered into two drilling rig commitments for its capital program in the Marcellus Shale. One agreement commenced in the third quarter of 2013 with an initial term of two years and the other agreement is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2013 with an initial term of three years. The future minimum commitments under all of the Company’s drilling rig commitments as of September 30, 2013 are approximately $3.4 million in 2013, $14.9 million in 2014, $6.8 million in 2015 and $4.4 million in 2016.
	Legal Matters
	The Company is a defendant in various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. All known liabilities are accrued when management determines they are probable based on its best estimate of the potential loss. While the outcome and impact of these legal proceedings on the Company cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that the resolution of these proceedings will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	Contingency Reserves
	When deemed necessary, the Company establishes reserves for certain legal proceedings. The establishment of a reserve is based on an estimation process that includes the advice of legal counsel and subjective judgment of management. While management believes these reserves to be adequate, it is reasonably possible that the Company could incur additional losses with respect to those matters in which reserves have been established. The Company believes that any such amount above the amounts accrued is not material to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Future changes in facts and circumstances not currently foreseeable could result in the actual liability exceeding the estimated ranges of loss and amounts accrued.
	Environmental Matters
	Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
	On December 15, 2010, the Company entered into a consent order and settlement agreement (CO&SA) with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP), addressing a number of environmental issues originally identified in 2008 and 2009, including alleged releases of drilling mud and other substances, alleged record keeping violations at various wells and alleged natural gas contamination of water supplies to 14 households in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. During 2010 and 2011, the Company paid a total of $1.3 million in settlement of fines and penalties sought or claimed by the PaDEP related to this matter. On January 11, 2011, certain of the affected households appealed the CO&SA to the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board (PEHB). On October 17, 2011, the Company requested PaDEP approval to resume hydraulic fracturing and new natural gas well drilling operations in the affected area, along with a request to cease temporary water deliveries to the affected households pursuant to prior consent orders with the PaDEP. The PaDEP concurred that temporary water deliveries to the property owners are no longer necessary. On November 18, 2011, certain of the affected households appealed this order to the PEHB, which appeal was later consolidated with the CO&SA appeal. All appellants have accepted their portion of the $2.2 million that was placed into escrow in 2011 for their benefit and on October 18, 2012 had dismissed their appeal to the PEHB. Subsequent to the withdrawal of the appeals, the PEHB allowed three groups of appellants to reinstate their appeal. It is expected that the PEHB will hold a hearing with respect to the appellants’ appeal in the first quarter of 2014.
	The Company is in continuing discussions with the PaDEP to address the results of the Company’s natural gas well test data, water quality sampling and water well headspace screenings, which were required pursuant to the CO&SA. On August 21, 2012, the PaDEP notified the Company that it could commence completion operations on existing wells within the concerned area.

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS_AND_HED

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES	7. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
	The Company periodically enters into commodity derivative instruments to hedge its exposure to price fluctuations related to its natural gas and crude oil production. The Company’s credit agreement restricts the ability of the Company to enter into commodity hedges other than to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Company has actual or projected exposure or as permitted under the Company’s risk management policies and where such derivatives do not subject the Company to material speculative risks. All of the Company’s derivatives are used for risk management purposes and are not held for trading purposes.
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company had the following outstanding commodity derivatives:
								Collars										Swaps
								Floor						Ceiling
	Type of Contract	Volume				Contract Period		Range			Weighted-			Range		Weighted-		Weighted-
											Average					Average		Average
	Collar Agreements
	Natural gas	4.5		Bcf		Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2013		$	—		$	5.15		$6.18-$6.23		$	6.2
	Natural gas	54.5		Bcf		Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2013		$3.09-$4.37			$	3.63		$3.98-$5.02		$	4.27
	Natural gas	44.4		Bcf		Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2014		$3.60-$3.96			$	3.78		$4.55-$4.59		$	4.57
	Natural gas	124.1		Bcf		Jan. 2014 - Dec. 2014		$3.86-$4.37			$	4.19		$4.63-$4.80		$	4.7
	Swap Agreements
	Crude oil	276		Mbbl		Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2013												$	101.9
	Natural gas prices are stated per Mcf and crude oil prices are stated per barrel.
	The changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as hedges that are effective are recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss) in stockholders’ equity in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of derivatives designated as hedges, if any, and the change in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedges are recorded currently in earnings as a component of natural gas revenue and crude oil and condensate revenue in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	The following disclosures reflect the impact of derivative instruments on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements:
	Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
				Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
				Derivative Assets						Derivative Liabilities
	(In thousands)	Balance Sheet Location		September 30,			December 31,			September 30,			December 31,
				2013			2012			2013			2012
	Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Commodity contracts	Derivative instruments (current assets)		$	56,831		$	50,824		$	—		$	—
	Commodity contracts	Derivative instruments (non-current assets)		8,708			—			—			—
	Commodity contracts	Accrued Liabilities		—			—			—			192
				$	65,539		$	50,824		$	—		$	192
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, unrealized gains of $65.5 million ($39.8 million, net of tax) and $50.6 million ($30.7 million, net of tax), respectively, were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss) in stockholder’s equity in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Based upon estimates at September 30, 2013, the Company expects to reclassify $34.5 million in after-tax income associated with its commodity hedges from accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss) to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations over the next 12 months.
	Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
	(In thousands)	September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Derivative Assets
	Gross amounts of recognized assets	$	66,473		$	54,454
	Gross amounts offset in the statement of financial position	(934		)	(3,630		)
	Net amounts of assets presented in the statement of financial position	65,539			50,824
	Gross amounts of financial instruments not offset in the statement of financial position	—			1,892
	Net amount	$	65,539		$	52,716
	Derivative Liabilities
	Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	$	934		$	3,822
	Gross amounts offset in the statement of financial position	(934		)	(3,630		)
	Net amounts of liabilities presented in the statement of financial position	—			192
	Gross amounts of financial instruments not offset in the statement of financial position	390			—
	Net amount	$	390		$	192
	Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
	Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
		Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives
		(Effective Portion)
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012
	Commodity Contracts	$	(2,384	)	$	(39,805	)	$	51,783		$	49,299
		Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into
		Income (Effective Portion)
	Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	from Accumulated OCI into Income	2013			2012			2013			2012
	Natural gas revenues	$	20,766		$	57,139		$	33,822		$	183,867
	Crude oil and condensate revenues	(1,082		)	3,799			3,054			5,583
		$	19,684		$	60,938		$	36,876		$	189,450
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, there was no ineffectiveness recorded in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations related to its derivative instruments designated as hedges.
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
		Location of Gain (Loss)		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		Recognized in Income on		September 30,						September 30,
	(In thousands)	Derivatives		2013			2012			2013			2012
Commodity Contracts	Natural gas revenues		$	—		$	(149	)	$	—		$	(449	)
Additional Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The use of derivative instruments involves the risk that the counterparties will be unable to meet their obligation under the agreement. The Company enters into derivative contracts with multiple counterparties in order to limit its exposure to individual counterparties. The Company also has netting arrangements with each of its counterparties that allow it to offset assets and liabilities from separate derivative contracts with that counterparty.
Certain counterparties to the Company’s derivative instruments are also lenders under its credit facility. The Company’s credit facility and derivative instruments contain certain cross default and acceleration provisions that may require immediate payment of its derivative liabilities in certain situations.

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	The Company follows the authoritative guidance for measuring fair value of assets and liabilities in its financial statements. The authoritative guidance also established a formal fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 measurements and the lowest priority to Level 3 measurements. The Company has classified its assets and liabilities into these levels depending upon the data relied on to determine the fair values. For further information regarding the fair value hierarchy, refer to Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Form 10-K.
	Non-Financial Assets and Liabilities
	The Company discloses or recognizes its non-financial assets and liabilities, such as impairments of long-lived assets, at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. As none of the Company’s non-financial assets and liabilities were impaired as of September 30, 2013 and 2012 and no other assets or liabilities were required to be measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, additional disclosures were not provided.
	The estimated fair value of the Company’s asset retirement obligation at inception is determined by utilizing the income approach by applying a credit-adjusted risk-free rate, which takes into account the Company’s credit risk, the time value of money, and the current economic state, to the undiscounted expected abandonment cash flows. Given the unobservable nature of the inputs, the measurement of the asset retirement obligation is deemed to use Level 3 inputs.
	Financial Assets and Liabilities
	The following fair value hierarchy table presents information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
	(In thousands)	Quoted Prices in			Significant			Significant			September 30,
		Active Markets			Other			Unobservable			2013
		for Identical			Observable			Inputs
		Assets			Inputs			(Level 3)
		(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	Assets
	Deferred compensation plan	$	11,865		$	—		$	—		$	11,865
	Derivative instruments	—			93			65,446			65,539
	Total assets	$	11,865		$	93		$	65,446		$	77,404
	Liabilities
	Deferred compensation plan	$	31,800		$	—		$	—		$	31,800
	Total liabilities	$	31,800		$	—		$	—		$	31,800
	(In thousands)	Quoted Prices in			Significant			Significant			December 31,
		Active Markets			Other			Unobservable			2012
		for Identical			Observable			Inputs
		Assets			Inputs			(Level 3)
		(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	Assets
	Deferred compensation plan	$	10,608		$	—		$	—		$	10,608
	Derivative instruments	—			9,473			41,351			50,824
	Total assets	$	10,608		$	9,473		$	41,351		$	61,432
	Liabilities
	Deferred compensation plan	$	23,893		$	—		$	—		$	23,893
	Derivative instruments	—			—			192			192
	Total liabilities	$	23,893		$	—		$	192		$	24,085
	The Company’s investments associated with its deferred compensation plan consist of mutual funds and deferred shares of the Company’s common stock that are publicly traded and for which market prices are readily available.
	The derivative instruments were measured based on quotes from the Company’s counterparties. Such quotes have been derived using an income approach that considers various inputs including current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, quoted forward prices for natural gas and crude oil, basis differentials, volatility factors and interest rates, such as a LIBOR curve for a similar length of time as the derivative contract term as applicable. Estimates are verified using relevant NYMEX futures contracts and/or are compared to multiple quotes obtained from counterparties for reasonableness. The determination of the fair values presented above also incorporates a credit adjustment for non-performance risk. The Company measured the non-performance risk of its counterparties by reviewing credit default swap spreads for the various financial institutions with which it has derivative transactions, while non-performance risk of the Company is evaluated using a market credit spread provided by the Company’s bank.
	The significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 derivative contracts include basis differentials and volatility factors.  An increase (decrease) in these unobservable inputs would result in an increase (decrease) in fair value, respectively. The Company does not have access to the specific assumptions used in its counterparties’ valuation models. Consequently, additional disclosures regarding significant Level 3 unobservable inputs were not provided.
	The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of financial assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012
	Balance at beginning of period	$	83,878		$	129,213		$	41,159		$	195,127
	Total gains / (losses) (realized or unrealized):
	Included in earnings (1)	20,766			56,990			33,822			183,418
	Included in other comprehensive income	(18,432		)	(85,466		)	24,287			(153,008		)
	Settlements	(20,766		)	(55,915		)	(33,822		)	(181,100		)
	Transfers in and/or out of level 3	—			—			—			385
	Balance at end of period	$	65,446		$	44,822		$	65,446		$	44,822
	(1)             There were no unrealized gains or losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. Unrealized losses of $0.1 million and $0.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, were included in natural gas revenues in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 measurements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments
	The estimated fair value of financial instruments is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged currently between willing parties. The carrying amounts reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
	The fair value of long-term debt is the estimated amount the Company would have to pay a third party to assume the debt, including a credit spread for the difference between the issue rate and the period end market rate. The credit spread is the Company’s default or repayment risk. The credit spread (premium or discount) is determined by comparing the Company’s fixed-rate notes and credit facility to new issuances (secured and unsecured) and secondary trades of similar size and credit statistics for both public and private debt. The fair value of all fixed-rate notes and the credit facility is based on interest rates currently available to the Company.  The Company’s long-term debt is valued using an income approach and classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy due to the unobservable nature of the inputs.
	The Company uses available market data and valuation methodologies to estimate the fair value of debt. The carrying amounts and fair values of long-term debt are as follows:
		September 30, 2013						December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)	Carrying			Estimated Fair			Carrying			Estimated Fair
		Amount			Value			Amount			Value
	Total debt	$	1,162,000		$	1,258,627		$	1,087,000		$	1,213,474
	Current maturities	—			—			(75,000		)	(77,175		)
	Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	$	1,162,000		$	1,258,627		$	1,012,000		$	1,136,299

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS)
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS)	9. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS)
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss) by component, net of tax, were as follows:
	(In thousands)	Net Gains /			Postretirement			Total
		(Losses) on Cash			Benefits
		Flow Hedges
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	30,717		$	(6,837	)	$	23,880
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	31,417			—			31,417
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(22,372		)	319			(22,053		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income	9,045			319			9,364
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	39,762		$	(6,518	)	$	33,244
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss) into the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations were as follows:
	(In thousands)	Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended			Affected Line Item in the
		September 30, 2013			September 30, 2013			Condensed Consolidated
								Statement of Operations
	Net gains / (losses) on cash flow hedges
	Commodity contracts	$	20,766		$	33,822		Natural gas revenues
	Commodity contracts	(1,082		)	3,054			Crude oil and condensate revenues
	Postretirement benefits
	Amortization of net loss	(116		)	(525		)	General and administrative expense
		19,568			36,351			Total before tax
		(7,696		)	(14,298		)	Tax (expense) / benefit
	Total reclassifications for the period	$	11,872		$	22,053		Net of tax

PENSION_AND_POSTRETIREMENT_BEN

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS	10. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
	The components of net periodic benefit costs, included in general and administrative expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
	(In thousands)	2013		2012		2013		2012
	Qualified Pension Plan (1)
	Interest cost	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	922
	Expected return on plan assets	—		—		—		(1,748		)
	Settlement	—		—		—		7,111
	Amortization of prior service cost	—		—		—		221
	Amortization of net loss	—		—		—		13,083
	Net periodic pension cost	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	19,589
	Postretirement Benefits
	Service cost	$	455	$	234	$	1,285	$	1,280
	Interest cost	355		351		1,145		1,187
	Amortization of net loss	116		132		525		692
	Total postretirement benefit cost	$	926	$	717	$	2,955	$	3,159
	(1) On July 13, 2012, the Company made a final distribution of benefits from the qualified pension plan.

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	11. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	Stock-based compensation expense during the first nine months of 2013 and 2012 was $41.0 million and $23.4 million, respectively, and is included in general and administrative expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Stock-based compensation expense in the third quarter of 2013 and 2012 was $12.2 million and $10.4 million, respectively.
	Restricted Stock Awards
	During the first nine months of 2013, 5,700 restricted stock awards were granted to employees with a weighted-average grant date per share value of $35.56. The fair value of restricted stock grants is based on the average of the high and low stock price on the grant date. The Company used an annual forfeiture rate assumption of 6.0% for purposes of recognizing stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock awards.
	Restricted Stock Units
	During the first nine months of 2013, 49,042 restricted stock units were granted to non-employee directors of the Company with a weighted-average grant date per unit value of $27.19. The fair value of these units is measured based on the average of the high and low stock price on grant date and compensation expense is recorded immediately. These units immediately vest and will be issued when the director ceases to be a director of the Company.
	Performance Share Awards
	During the first nine months of 2013, three types of performance share awards were granted to employees for a total of 804,500 performance shares, which included 549,520 performance share awards based on performance conditions measured against the Company’s internal performance metrics and 254,980 performance share awards based on market conditions. The Company used an annual forfeiture rate assumption ranging from 0% to 6% for purposes of recognizing stock-based compensation expense for its performance share awards. The performance period for the awards granted in 2013 commenced on January 1, 2013 and ends on December 31, 2015.  Refer to Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Form 10-K for further description of the various types of performance share awards.
	Awards Based on Performance Conditions. The performance awards based on internal metrics had a grant date per share value of $26.62, which is based on the average of the high and low stock price on the grant date. These awards represent the right to receive up to 100% of the award in shares of common stock.  Of the 549,520 performance awards granted based on internal metrics, 169,980 shares have a three-year graded performance period. For these shares, 25% of the shares vest on each of the first and second anniversary dates following the date of the grant and 50% of the shares vest on the third anniversary date following the date of the grant, provided that the Company has $100 million or more of operating cash flow for the year preceding the vesting date. If the Company does not meet this metric for the applicable period, then the portion of the performance shares that would have been issued on that anniversary date will be forfeited.
	For the remaining 379,540 performance awards, the actual number of shares issued at the end of the performance period will be determined based on the Company’s performance against three performance criteria set by the Company’s Compensation Committee. An employee will earn one-third of the award granted for each internal performance metric that the Company meets at the end of the performance period. These performance criteria are based on the Company’s average production, average finding costs and average reserve replacement over the three-year performance period.
	Based on the Company’s probability assessment at September 30, 2013, it is considered probable that the criteria for the performance awards based on performance conditions will be met.
	Awards Based on Market Conditions. The 254,980 performance shares based on market conditions are earned, or not earned, based on the comparative performance of the Company’s common stock measured against fifteen other companies in the Company’s peer group over a three-year performance period. These performance shares have both an equity and liability component. The equity portion of the 2013 awards was valued on the grant date (February 21, 2013) and is not marked to market. The liability portion of the awards was valued as of September 30, 2013 on a mark-to-market basis.
	The following assumptions were used to determine the grant date fair value of the equity component and the period-end fair value of the liability component of the Company’s performance share awards based on market conditions using a Monte Carlo model:
		Grant Date		September 30, 2013
	Value per Share	$	23.06	$22.17 - $36.98
	Assumptions:
	Stock Price Volatility	43.80%		26.2% - 42.8%
	Risk Free Rate of Return	0.40%		0.0% - 0.4%
	Expected Dividend Yield	0.20%		0.10%
	Supplemental Employee Incentive Plan
	On May 1, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the Supplemental Employee Incentive Plan III (SEIP III) to replace the previously adopted Supplemental Employee Incentive Plan II that expired on June 30, 2012. For further information regarding the terms of the SEIP III, refer to Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Form 10-K. The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $4.1 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30,  2013 and 2012 and $9.2 million and a benefit of $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which is included in general and administrative expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	On February 11, 2013, the Company achieved the price goal of $25 per share prior to the interim trigger date. Accordingly, a total distribution of approximately $6.8 million was made to the Company’s eligible employees under the SEIP III, of which 25% of the total distribution, or $1.7 million, was paid in February 2013 and the remaining 75%, or $5.1 million, was deferred until August 2014 in accordance with the SEIP III.
	On August 27, 2013, the Company achieved the price goal of $37.50 per share prior to the final trigger date.  Accordingly, a total distribution of approximately $11.1 million was made to the Company’s eligible employees under the SEIP III, of which 25% of the total distribution, or $2.8 million, was paid in September 2013 and the remaining 75%, or $8.3 million, was deferred until August 2014 in accordance with the SEIP III.
	On September 19, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the Supplemental Employee Incentive Plan IV (SEIP IV) to replace the SEIP III with an effective date of October 1, 2013. The SEIP IV provides for a payout if, for any 20 trading days out of any 60 consecutive trading days, the closing price per share of the Company’s common stock equals or exceeds the price goal of $55 per share by September 30, 2015 (interim trigger date) or $80 per share by September 30, 2017 (final trigger date). The remaining provisions of the SEIP IV are consistent with the provisions of the SEIP III as disclosed in Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Form 10-K.

ASSET_RETIREMENT_OBLIGATION

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION	12. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION
	Activity related to the Company’s asset retirement obligation is as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	67,016
	Liabilities incurred	3,945
	Liabilities settled	(800		)
	Liabilities divested	(341		)
	Accretion expense	2,705
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	72,525
	As of September 30, 2013, approximately $2.0 million, which represents the current portion of the Company’s asset retirement obligation, is included in accrued liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

PROPERTIES_AND_EQUIPMENT_NET_T

PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Components of net properties and equipment
		September 30,			December 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Proved oil and gas properties	$	6,522,753		$	5,724,940
	Unproved oil and gas properties	444,353			467,483
	Gathering and pipeline systems	240,285			239,656
	Land, building and other equipment	92,740			86,137
		7,300,131			6,518,216
	Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(2,609,955		)	(2,207,239		)
		$	4,690,176		$	4,310,977

ADDITIONAL_BALANCE_SHEET_INFOR1

ADDITIONAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
ADDITIONAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
Additional Balance Sheet Information
		September 30,			December 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Accounts receivable, net
	Trade accounts	$	173,096		$	165,070
	Joint interest accounts	5,452			5,659
	Other accounts	1,612			2,817
		180,160			173,546
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(1,681		)	(1,127		)
		$	178,479		$	172,419
	Inventories
	Natural gas in storage	$	11,732		$	7,494
	Tubular goods and well equipment	9,136			6,392
	Other accounts	(29		)	287
		$	20,839		$	14,173
	Other current assets
	Prepaid balances and other	3,703			2,158
		$	3,703		$	2,158
	Other assets
	Deferred compensation plan	$	11,865		$	10,608
	Debt issuance cost	14,652			17,420
	Equity method investment	16,154			6,915
	Other accounts	81			83
		$	42,752		$	35,026
	Accounts payable
	Trade accounts	$	24,295		$	5,097
	Natural gas purchases	6,389			4,892
	Royalty and other owners	75,896			66,321
	Accrued capital costs	175,828			164,862
	Taxes other than income	10,479			19,164
	Drilling advances	35,686			44,203
	Producer gas imbalances	1,381			1,602
	Other accounts	5,395			6,339
		$	335,349		$	312,480
	Accrued liabilities
	Employee benefits	$	32,870		$	16,011
	Postretirement benefits	1,304			1,304
	Taxes other than income	10,576			8,735
	Interest payable	11,560			22,329
	Other accounts	2,924			1,410
		$	59,234		$	49,789
	Other liabilities
	Deferred compensation plan	$	31,800		$	23,893
	Other accounts	11,076			16,282
		$	42,876		$	40,175

DEBT_AND_CREDIT_AGREEMENTS_Tab

DEBT AND CREDIT AGREEMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
DEBT AND CREDIT AGREEMENTS
Company's Long-Term Debt and credit agreements Components
	(In thousands)	September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Total debt
	7.33% weighted-average fixed rate notes	$	20,000	$	95,000
	6.51% weighted-average fixed rate notes	425,000		425,000
	9.78% notes	67,000		67,000
	5.58% weighted-average fixed rate notes	175,000		175,000
	Credit facility	475,000		325,000
	Current maturities
	7.33% weighted-average fixed rate notes	—		(75,000		)
	Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	$	1,162,000	$	1,012,000

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE_Tabl

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Calculation of basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,
	(In thousands)	2013	2012	2013	2012
	Weighted-average shares - basic	420,986	419,312	420,664	418,866
	Dilution effect of stock appreciation rights and stock awards at end of period	2,467	3,140	2,160	3,128
	Weighted-average shares - diluted	423,453	422,452	422,824	421,994
	Weighted-average shares excluded from diluted earnings per share due to the anti-dilutive effect	1	92	3	204

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS_AND_HED1

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
Outstanding Commodity Derivatives	As of September 30, 2013, the Company had the following outstanding commodity derivatives:
								Collars										Swaps
								Floor						Ceiling
	Type of Contract	Volume				Contract Period		Range			Weighted-			Range		Weighted-		Weighted-
											Average					Average		Average
	Collar Agreements
	Natural gas	4.5		Bcf		Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2013		$	—		$	5.15		$6.18-$6.23		$	6.2
	Natural gas	54.5		Bcf		Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2013		$3.09-$4.37			$	3.63		$3.98-$5.02		$	4.27
	Natural gas	44.4		Bcf		Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2014		$3.60-$3.96			$	3.78		$4.55-$4.59		$	4.57
	Natural gas	124.1		Bcf		Jan. 2014 - Dec. 2014		$3.86-$4.37			$	4.19		$4.63-$4.80		$	4.7
	Swap Agreements
	Crude oil	276		Mbbl		Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2013												$	101.9
	Natural gas prices are stated per Mcf and crude oil prices are stated per barrel.
Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
				Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
				Derivative Assets						Derivative Liabilities
	(In thousands)	Balance Sheet Location		September 30,			December 31,			September 30,			December 31,
				2013			2012			2013			2012
	Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Commodity contracts	Derivative instruments (current assets)		$	56,831		$	50,824		$	—		$	—
	Commodity contracts	Derivative instruments (non-current assets)		8,708			—			—			—
	Commodity contracts	Accrued Liabilities		—			—			—			192
				$	65,539		$	50,824		$	—		$	192
Schedule of offsetting of derivative assets and liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet
	(In thousands)	September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Derivative Assets
	Gross amounts of recognized assets	$	66,473		$	54,454
	Gross amounts offset in the statement of financial position	(934		)	(3,630		)
	Net amounts of assets presented in the statement of financial position	65,539			50,824
	Gross amounts of financial instruments not offset in the statement of financial position	—			1,892
	Net amount	$	65,539		$	52,716
	Derivative Liabilities
	Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	$	934		$	3,822
	Gross amounts offset in the statement of financial position	(934		)	(3,630		)
	Net amounts of liabilities presented in the statement of financial position	—			192
	Gross amounts of financial instruments not offset in the statement of financial position	390			—
	Net amount	$	390		$	192
Effect of Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
		Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives
		(Effective Portion)
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012
	Commodity Contracts	$	(2,384	)	$	(39,805	)	$	51,783		$	49,299
		Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into
		Income (Effective Portion)
	Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	from Accumulated OCI into Income	2013			2012			2013			2012
	Natural gas revenues	$	20,766		$	57,139		$	33,822		$	183,867
	Crude oil and condensate revenues	(1,082		)	3,799			3,054			5,583
		$	19,684		$	60,938		$	36,876		$	189,450
Effect of Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
		Location of Gain (Loss)		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		Recognized in Income on		September 30,						September 30,
	(In thousands)	Derivatives		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Commodity Contracts	Natural gas revenues		$	—		$	(149	)	$	—		$	(449	)

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
	(In thousands)	Quoted Prices in			Significant			Significant			September 30,
		Active Markets			Other			Unobservable			2013
		for Identical			Observable			Inputs
		Assets			Inputs			(Level 3)
		(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	Assets
	Deferred compensation plan	$	11,865		$	—		$	—		$	11,865
	Derivative instruments	—			93			65,446			65,539
	Total assets	$	11,865		$	93		$	65,446		$	77,404
	Liabilities
	Deferred compensation plan	$	31,800		$	—		$	—		$	31,800
	Total liabilities	$	31,800		$	—		$	—		$	31,800
	(In thousands)	Quoted Prices in			Significant			Significant			December 31,
		Active Markets			Other			Unobservable			2012
		for Identical			Observable			Inputs
		Assets			Inputs			(Level 3)
		(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	Assets
	Deferred compensation plan	$	10,608		$	—		$	—		$	10,608
	Derivative instruments	—			9,473			41,351			50,824
	Total assets	$	10,608		$	9,473		$	41,351		$	61,432
	Liabilities
	Deferred compensation plan	$	23,893		$	—		$	—		$	23,893
	Derivative instruments	—			—			192			192
	Total liabilities	$	23,893		$	—		$	192		$	24,085
Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Classified as Level 3
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012
	Balance at beginning of period	$	83,878		$	129,213		$	41,159		$	195,127
	Total gains / (losses) (realized or unrealized):
	Included in earnings (1)	20,766			56,990			33,822			183,418
	Included in other comprehensive income	(18,432		)	(85,466		)	24,287			(153,008		)
	Settlements	(20,766		)	(55,915		)	(33,822		)	(181,100		)
	Transfers in and/or out of level 3	—			—			—			385
	Balance at end of period	$	65,446		$	44,822		$	65,446		$	44,822
	(1)             There were no unrealized gains or losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. Unrealized losses of $0.1 million and $0.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, were included in natural gas revenues in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Carrying amounts and fair values of long-term debt
		September 30, 2013						December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)	Carrying			Estimated Fair			Carrying			Estimated Fair
		Amount			Value			Amount			Value
	Total debt	$	1,162,000		$	1,258,627		$	1,087,000		$	1,213,474
	Current maturities	—			—			(75,000		)	(77,175		)
	Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	$	1,162,000		$	1,258,627		$	1,012,000		$	1,136,299

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV1

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS)
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss) by component, net of tax
	(In thousands)	Net Gains /			Postretirement			Total
		(Losses) on Cash			Benefits
		Flow Hedges
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	30,717		$	(6,837	)	$	23,880
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	31,417			—			31,417
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(22,372		)	319			(22,053		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income	9,045			319			9,364
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	39,762		$	(6,518	)	$	33,244
Schedule of amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss) into the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
	(In thousands)	Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended			Affected Line Item in the
		September 30, 2013			September 30, 2013			Condensed Consolidated
								Statement of Operations
	Net gains / (losses) on cash flow hedges
	Commodity contracts	$	20,766		$	33,822		Natural gas revenues
	Commodity contracts	(1,082		)	3,054			Crude oil and condensate revenues
	Postretirement benefits
	Amortization of net loss	(116		)	(525		)	General and administrative expense
		19,568			36,351			Total before tax
		(7,696		)	(14,298		)	Tax (expense) / benefit
	Total reclassifications for the period	$	11,872		$	22,053		Net of tax

PENSION_AND_POSTRETIREMENT_BEN1

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
Components of net periodic benefit costs
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
	(In thousands)	2013		2012		2013		2012
	Qualified Pension Plan (1)
	Interest cost	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	922
	Expected return on plan assets	—		—		—		(1,748		)
	Settlement	—		—		—		7,111
	Amortization of prior service cost	—		—		—		221
	Amortization of net loss	—		—		—		13,083
	Net periodic pension cost	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	19,589
	Postretirement Benefits
	Service cost	$	455	$	234	$	1,285	$	1,280
	Interest cost	355		351		1,145		1,187
	Amortization of net loss	116		132		525		692
	Total postretirement benefit cost	$	926	$	717	$	2,955	$	3,159
	(1) On July 13, 2012, the Company made a final distribution of benefits from the qualified pension plan.

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION_Tables

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables) (Performance Share Awards)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Performance Share Awards
Stock-Based Compensation arrangements
Schedule of Value per Share and Assumptions Used
		Grant Date		September 30, 2013
	Value per Share	$	23.06	$22.17 - $36.98
	Assumptions:
	Stock Price Volatility	43.80%		26.2% - 42.8%
	Risk Free Rate of Return	0.40%		0.0% - 0.4%
	Expected Dividend Yield	0.20%		0.10%

ASSET_RETIREMENT_OBLIGATION_Ta

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION
Asset Retirement Obligation
	(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	67,016
	Liabilities incurred	3,945
	Liabilities settled	(800		)
	Liabilities divested	(341		)
	Accretion expense	2,705
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	72,525

FINANCIAL_STATEMENT_PRESENTATI1

FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION (Details)	0 Months Ended
	Jul. 23, 2013
FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION
Stockholders' Equity Note, Stock Split, Conversion Ratio	2

PROPERTIES_AND_EQUIPMENT_NET_D

PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Proved oil and gas properties	$6,522,753	$5,724,940
Unproved oil and gas properties	444,353	467,483
Gathering and pipeline systems	240,285	239,656
Land, building and other equipment	92,740	86,137
Properties and Equipment, gross, total	7,300,131	6,518,216
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	-2,609,955	-2,207,239
Properties and Equipment, Net	$4,690,176	$4,310,977

PROPERTIES_AND_EQUIPMENT_NET_D1

PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Details 2)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Minimum term of capitalization of exploratory well costs	1 year

PROPERTIES_AND_EQUIPMENT_NET_D2

PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
					Pearsall shale	Oklahoma and Texas panhandles oil and gas properties	West Texas oil and gas properties
						Subsequent event	Subsequent event
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals
Non-operated working interest (as a percent)					35.00%
Total consideration received from the sale of properties					$251,000,000	$160,000,000	$28,000,000
Proceeds from sale of oil and gas properties					125,000,000
Gain on sale of assets	4,421,000	-126,000	4,601,000	67,042,000	67,000,000
Percentage of fund for the Company's share of future drilling and completion costs					85.00%
Future drilling and completion costs to be funded by third party					$126,000,000
Drilling and completion carry					2 years

ADDITIONAL_BALANCE_SHEET_INFOR2

ADDITIONAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts receivable, net
Trade accounts	$173,096	$165,070
Joint interest accounts	5,452	5,659
Other accounts	1,612	2,817
Accounts receivable, gross	180,160	173,546
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-1,681	-1,127
Accounts receivable, net	178,479	172,419
Inventories
Natural gas in storage	11,732	7,494
Tubular goods and well equipment	9,136	6,392
Other accounts	-29	287
Inventory, net	20,839	14,173
Other current assets
Prepaid balances and other	3,703	2,158
Other assets current	3,703	2,158
Other assets
Deferred compensation plan	11,865	10,608
Debt issuance costs	14,652	17,420
Equity method investment	16,154	6,915
Other accounts	81	83
Other assets	42,752	35,026
Accounts payable
Trade accounts	24,295	5,097
Natural gas purchases	6,389	4,892
Royalty and other owners	75,896	66,321
Accrued capital costs	175,828	164,862
Taxes other than income	10,479	19,164
Drilling advances	35,686	44,203
Producer gas imbalances	1,381	1,602
Other accounts	5,395	6,339
Accounts payable current	335,349	312,480
Accrued liabilities
Employee benefits	32,870	16,011
Postretirement benefits	1,304	1,304
Taxes other than income	10,576	8,735
Interest payable	11,560	22,329
Other accounts	2,924	1,410
Accrued liabilities	59,234	49,789
Other liabilities
Deferred compensation plan	31,800	23,893
Other accounts	11,076	16,282
Other liabilities	$42,876	$40,175

DEBT_AND_CREDIT_AGREEMENTS_Det

DEBT AND CREDIT AGREEMENTS (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Apr. 17, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt
Current Maturities			($75,000,000)
Long-Term Debt, excluding current maturities	1,162,000,000		1,012,000,000
Borrowing base prior to approval		1,700,000,000
Borrowing base		2,300,000,000
7.33% weighted-average fixed rate notes
Debt
Total debt	20,000,000		95,000,000
Current Maturities			-75,000,000
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)	7.33%		7.33%
6.51% weighted-average fixed rate notes
Debt
Total debt	425,000,000		425,000,000
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)	6.51%		6.51%
9.78% notes
Debt
Total debt	67,000,000		67,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	9.78%		9.78%
5.58% weighted-average fixed rate notes
Debt
Total debt	175,000,000		175,000,000
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)	5.58%		5.58%
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt
Total debt	475,000,000		325,000,000
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)	2.40%
Availability under the credit facility	424,000,000
Line of credit	$900,000,000

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE_Deta

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Weighted-average shares - basic	420,986	419,312	420,664	418,866
Dilution effect of stock appreciation rights and stock awards at end of period (in shares)	2,467	3,140	2,160	3,128
Weighted-average shares - diluted	423,453	422,452	422,824	421,994
Weighted-average shares excluded from diluted earnings per share due to the anti-dilutive effect	1	92	3	204

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
	item
Drilling Rig Commitments
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Number of drilling rig commitments	2
Drilling Rig Commitments
2013	$3.40
2014	14.9
2015	6.8
2016	4.4
Drilling Rig Commitments One
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Drilling rig commitment term	2 years
Drilling Rig Commitments Two
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Drilling rig commitment term	3 years
Transportation Agreements
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Amount of increase in the future aggregate obligations under the transportation commitments	$49.40

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_1

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details 2) (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP), USD $)	0 Months Ended	24 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 18, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Nov. 18, 2011	Dec. 15, 2010
	item			item
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP)
Environmental Matters
Modified Consent Order, number of households to be supplied with potable water				14
Aggregate amount of fines and civil penalties paid to PaDEP		$1.30
Aggregate amount of settlement paid to and accepted by the appellants			$2.20
Number of appellants who were allowed by PEHB to reinstate their appeal	3

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS_AND_HED2

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Details) (Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments)	Sep. 30, 2013
	MMcf
Natural Gas Collars with contract period of Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2013 Tranche 1
Derivative disclosures
Volume	4,500
Natural Gas Collars with contract period of Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2013 Tranche 1 | Minimum
Derivative disclosures
Collar Ceiling Price	6.18
Natural Gas Collars with contract period of Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2013 Tranche 1 | Maximum
Derivative disclosures
Collar Ceiling Price	6.23
Natural Gas Collars with contract period of Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2013 Tranche 1 | Weighted Average
Derivative disclosures
Collar Floor Price	5.15
Collar Ceiling Price	6.2
Natural Gas Collars with contract period of Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2013 Tranche 2
Derivative disclosures
Volume	54,500
Natural Gas Collars with contract period of Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2013 Tranche 2 | Minimum
Derivative disclosures
Collar Floor Price	3.09
Collar Ceiling Price	3.98
Natural Gas Collars with contract period of Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2013 Tranche 2 | Maximum
Derivative disclosures
Collar Floor Price	4.37
Collar Ceiling Price	5.02
Natural Gas Collars with contract period of Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2013 Tranche 2 | Weighted Average
Derivative disclosures
Collar Floor Price	3.63
Collar Ceiling Price	4.27
Natural Gas Collars with contract period of Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2014 Tranche 3
Derivative disclosures
Volume	44,400
Natural Gas Collars with contract period of Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2014 Tranche 3 | Minimum
Derivative disclosures
Collar Floor Price	3.6
Collar Ceiling Price	4.55
Natural Gas Collars with contract period of Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2014 Tranche 3 | Maximum
Derivative disclosures
Collar Floor Price	3.96
Collar Ceiling Price	4.59
Natural Gas Collars with contract period of Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2014 Tranche 3 | Weighted Average
Derivative disclosures
Collar Floor Price	3.78
Collar Ceiling Price	4.57
Natural Gas Collars with contract period of Jan. 2014 - Dec. 2014 Tranche 4
Derivative disclosures
Volume	124,100
Natural Gas Collars with contract period of Jan. 2014 - Dec. 2014 Tranche 4 | Minimum
Derivative disclosures
Collar Floor Price	3.86
Collar Ceiling Price	4.63
Natural Gas Collars with contract period of Jan. 2014 - Dec. 2014 Tranche 4 | Maximum
Derivative disclosures
Collar Floor Price	4.37
Collar Ceiling Price	4.8
Natural Gas Collars with contract period of Jan. 2014 - Dec. 2014 Tranche 4 | Weighted Average
Derivative disclosures
Collar Floor Price	4.19
Collar Ceiling Price	4.7
Crude Oil Swaps with contract period of Oct. 2013 - Dec. 2013 Tranche 1
Derivative disclosures
Volume	276
Swaps Weighted Average	101.9

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS_AND_HED3

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Details 2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Effect of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
Fair Value Asset	$65,539,000	$50,824,000
Fair Value Liability		192,000
Unrealized gains included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax	39,800,000	30,700,000
Expected reclassification of income from commodity hedges over the next 12 months	34,500,000
Accumulated Net Gains / (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges
Effect of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
Unrealized gains included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, pretax	65,500,000	50,600,000
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Effect of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
Fair Value Asset	65,539,000	50,824,000
Fair Value Liability		192,000
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Commodity contracts | Current Assets
Effect of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
Fair Value Asset	56,831,000	50,824,000
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Commodity contracts | non-current assets
Effect of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
Fair Value Asset	8,708,000
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Commodity contracts | Accrued liabilities
Effect of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
Fair Value Liability		$192,000

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS_AND_HED4

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Details 3) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative Assets
Gross amounts of recognized assets	$66,473	$54,454
Gross amounts offset in the statement of financial position	-934	-3,630
Net amounts of assets presented in the statement of financial position	65,539	50,824
Gross amounts financial instrument not offset in the statement of financial position		1,892
Net amount	65,539	52,716
Derivative Liabilities
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	934	3,822
Gross amounts offset in the statement of financial position	-934	-3,630
Net amounts of liabilities presented in the statement of financial position		192
Gross amounts of financial instruments not offset in the statement of financial position	390
Net amount	$390	$192

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS_AND_HED5

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Effect of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Ineffectiveness related to derivative instruments	$0	$0	$0	$0
Natural Gas Revenues
Effect of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives Not Designated	0	-149	0	-449
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Effect of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	19,684	60,938	36,876	189,450
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Natural Gas Revenues
Effect of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	20,766	57,139	33,822	183,867
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Crude Oil and Condensate Revenues
Effect of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	-1,082	3,799	3,054	5,583
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Commodity contracts
Effect of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized In OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	($2,384)	($39,805)	$51,783	$49,299

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
	item	item
Financial Assets and Liabilities Fair Value Measurement
Number of non-financial assets and liabilities impaired	0	0
Assets
Deferred compensation plan	$11,865		$10,608
Derivative instruments	65,539		50,824
Total assets	77,404		61,432
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan	31,800		23,893
Derivative instruments			192
Total liabilities	31,800		24,085
Transfer of Assets from Level 1 to Level 2	0	0
Transfer of Liabilities from Level 1 to Level 2	0	0
Transfer of Assets from Level 2 to Level 1	0	0
Transfer of Liabilities from Level 2 to Level 1	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Assets
Deferred compensation plan	11,865		10,608
Total assets	11,865		10,608
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan	31,800		23,893
Total liabilities	31,800		23,893
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Assets
Derivative instruments	93		9,473
Total assets	93		9,473
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Derivative instruments	65,446		41,351
Total assets	65,446		41,351
Liabilities
Derivative instruments			192
Total liabilities			$192

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail1

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Reconciliation of changes in the fair value of financial assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy
Balance at beginning of period	$83,878	$129,213	$41,159	$195,127
Total gains / (losses) (realized or unrealized):
Included in earnings	20,766	56,990	33,822	183,418
Included in other comprehensive income	-18,432	-85,466	24,287	-153,008
Settlements	-20,766	-55,915	-33,822	-181,100
Transfers in and/or out of level 3				385
Balance at end of period	65,446	44,822	65,446	44,822
Derivative disclosures
Transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 measurements	0	0	0	0
Natural Gas Revenues
Derivative disclosures
Unrealized gain (loss) included in natural gas revenues	$0	($149)	$0	($449)

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail2

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details 3) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair value disclosures
Current maturities		($75,000)
Long-Term Debt, excluding current maturities	1,162,000	1,012,000
Carrying Amount
Fair value disclosures
Long-Term Debt	1,162,000	1,087,000
Current maturities		-75,000
Long-Term Debt, excluding current maturities	1,162,000	1,012,000
Estimated Fair Value
Fair value disclosures
Long-Term Debt	1,258,627	1,213,474
Current maturities		-77,175
Long-Term Debt, excluding current maturities	$1,258,627	$1,136,299

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss) by component, net of tax
Balance at beginning of period			$23,880
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			31,417
Amounts reclassifies from accumulated other comprehensive income			-22,053
Total other comprehensive income / (loss)	-13,319	-61,576	9,364	-77,289
Balance at end of period	33,244		33,244
Accumulated Net Gains / (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss) by component, net of tax
Balance at beginning of period			30,717
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			31,417
Amounts reclassifies from accumulated other comprehensive income			-22,372
Total other comprehensive income / (loss)			9,045
Balance at end of period	39,762		39,762
Accumulated Postretirement Benefits
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss) by component, net of tax
Balance at beginning of period			-6,837
Amounts reclassifies from accumulated other comprehensive income			319
Total other comprehensive income / (loss)			319
Balance at end of period	($6,518)		($6,518)

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV3

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS) (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Line items in income statement impacted by reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income
Natural gas revenues	$341,901		$231,896		$1,004,085		$639,729
Crude oil and condensate revenues	84,209		57,870		220,090		165,317
Amortization of net loss	70	[1]	79	[1]	319	[1]	8,428	[1]
Income before income taxes	115,736		59,556		334,530		148,885
Tax (expense) / benefit	-45,847		-22,948		-132,703		-58,021
NET INCOME	69,889		36,608		201,827		90,864
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Line items in income statement impacted by reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income
Income before income taxes	19,568				36,351
Tax (expense) / benefit	-7,696				-14,298
NET INCOME	11,872				22,053
Accumulated Net Gains / (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Commodity contracts
Line items in income statement impacted by reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income
Natural gas revenues	20,766				33,822
Crude oil and condensate revenues	-1,082				3,054
Accumulated Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Plans | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Line items in income statement impacted by reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income
Amortization of net loss	($116)				($525)
[1]	Net of income taxes of $(46) and $(53) for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $(206) and $(5,347) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

PENSION_AND_POSTRETIREMENT_BEN2

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Qualified Pension Plan
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Interest Cost				$922
Expected return on plan assets				-1,748
Settlement				7,111
Amortization of prior service cost				221
Amortization of net loss				13,083
Net periodic pension cost				19,589
Postretirement Benefit
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Service Cost	455	234	1,285	1,280
Interest Cost	355	351	1,145	1,187
Amortization of net loss	116	132	525	692
Net periodic pension cost	$926	$717	$2,955	$3,159

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION_Detail

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Feb. 21, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted Stock Units

Performance Share Awards

Performance Share Awards

Performance Share Awards

Performance shares based on performance conditions

Performance Share Awards Based on Internal Performance Metrics -3 Year Graded Vesting

Performance Share Awards Based on Internal Metrics-Three Performance Metrics

Performance shares based on market conditions

Performance shares based on market conditions

item

Greater than

Less than or equal to

item

item

Stock-Based Compensation arrangements

Stock based compensation expense

$12.20

$10.40

$41

$23.40

Granted (in shares)

5,700

804,500

549,520

169,980

379,540

254,980

Granted and fully vested (in shares)

49,042

Granted (in dollars per share)

$35.56

$27.19

$26.62

$23.06

Annual forfeiture rate assumption (as a percent)

6.00%

0.00%

6.00%

Number of types of performance awards granted to employees

3

Right to receive shares as percentage of award

100.00%

Number of years over which performance criteria is to be met

3 years

Minimum operating cash flow for the year preceding the performance period

$100

Number of criteria considered for awarding performance shares

3

Vesting rights

25% of the shares vest on each the first and second anniversary dates following the date of grant and 50% of the shares vest on the third anniversary following the date of the grant

An employee will earn one-third of the award granted for each internal performance metric that the Company meets at the end of the performance period.

Number of other companies in the Company's peer group

15

Assumptions:

Value per Share, low end of range (in dollars per share)

$22.17

Value per Share, high end of range (in dollars per share)

$36.98

Stock price volatility (as a percent)

43.80%

Risk free rate of return (as a percent)

0.40%

Expected dividend yield (as a percent)

0.20%

0.10%

Stock Price Volatility, low end of range (as a percent)

26.20%

Stock Price Volatility, high end of range (as a percent)

42.80%

Risk free rate of return, low end of range (as a percent)

0.00%

Risk free rate of return, high end of range (as a percent)

0.40%

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION_Detail1

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details 2) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Feb. 11, 2013

Feb. 11, 2013

Aug. 27, 2013

Sep. 19, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

SEIP III

SEIP III

SEIP III

SEIP III

SEIP III

SEIP III

SEIP III

SEIP IV

SEIP IV

SEIP IV

Interim trigger date occurs by June 30, 2014

Interim trigger date occurs by June 30, 2014

Final trigger date occurs by June 30, 2016

Interim trigger date occurs by September 30, 2015

Final trigger date occurs by September 30, 2017

February 2013 Trigger Achievement

Stock-Based Compensation arrangements

Stock based compensation expense

$12.20

$10.40

$41

$23.40

$4.10

$1.60

$9.20

($0.10)

Interim goal price (in dollars per share)

$25

$55

Distribution to be made to company's employees due to achievement of interim goal price of $25 per share

6.8

Percentage of total interim distribution paid in February

25.00%

Current distribution to be made to company's employees due to achievement of interim goal price of $25 per share

1.7

Percentage of total interim distribution deferred

75.00%

Deferred distribution to be made to company's employees due to achievement of interim goal price of $25 per share

5.1

Final goal price (in dollars per share)

$37.50

$80

Distribution to be made to the company's employees due to achievement of interim goal price of $25 per share

11.1

Percentage of the total distribution paid in September 2013

25.00%

Current distribution to be made to the company's employees due to achievement of final goal price of $37.50 per share

2.8

Percentage of the total distribution to be paid in August 2014

75.00%

Deferred distribution to be made to the company's employees due to achievement of final goal price of $37.50 per share

$8.30

Number of trading days during which the closing price per share of the company's common stock equals or exceeds the goal price

20 days

Number of consecutive trading days

60 days

ASSET_RETIREMENT_OBLIGATION_De

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Asset Retirement Obligation
Balance at the beginning of the period	$67,016,000
Liabilities incurred	3,945,000
Liabilities settled	-800,000
Liabilities divested	-341,000
Accretion expense	2,705,000
Balance at the end of the period	72,525,000
Additional disclosures
Asset retirement obligation, current	$2,000,000