DERIVATIVES AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following table categorizes our commodity derivative instruments based upon the use of input levels:



	Asset Derivatives				Liability Derivatives
	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012

	(in thousands)				(in thousands)
Level 2 inputs	$	146,686	$	207,042	$	2,159	$	959
Level 3 inputs	4,194		11,595		13,231		16,526
Total	$	150,880	$	218,637	$	15,390	$	17,485

The fair value of “Level 2” derivative instruments included in these disclosures was estimated using prices quoted in active markets for the periods covered by the derivatives and the value reported by counterparties. The fair value of derivative instruments designated “Level 3” was estimated using prices quoted in markets where there is insufficient market activity for consideration as “Level 2” instruments. Currently, only our natural gas derivatives with an original tenure of 10 years utilize “Level 3” inputs, primarily due to comparatively less market data available for the later portion of their term compared with our other shorter term derivatives. The fair value of both the “Level 2” and the “Level 3” assets and liabilities are determined using a discounted cash flow model using the terms of the derivative instrument, market prices for the periods covered by the derivatives, and the credit adjusted risk-free interest rates. The “Level 3” unobservable inputs are the market prices for the latter half of the 10-year term as there is not an active market for that period of time. These unobservable inputs included within the fair value calculation range from $4.02 to $5.79 and are based upon prices quoted in active markets for the period of time available and applying the differential from this period of time to the market prices for the later years in the term.

The following table identifies the changes in “Level 3” net asset derivative fair values for the periods indicated:



	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012

	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	(4,931	)	$	150,989
Total gains (losses) for the period:
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(18		)	328
Transfers out of Level 3	—			(153,418		)
Settlements in production revenue	—			(3,738		)
Settlements in net derivative gains (losses)	(4,088		)	(6,876		)
Unrealized gains reported in OCI	—			34,302
Balance at end of period	$	(9,037	)	$	21,587

Total gains or losses included in net derivative gains (losses) attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) related to assets still held at the reporting date	$	(92	)	$	328

In 2012, transfers from Level 3 to Level 2 represent our ten-year derivative instruments that were exchanged in January and February 2012 for derivative instruments with shorter durations and are valued on the date of the transfer.

Commodity Price Derivatives

As of March 31, 2013, we had natural gas swaps as follows:



Production Year		Daily Production Volume
		MMcfd
2013		200
2014		170
2015		150
2016-2021		40

Effective December 31, 2012, we discontinued the use of hedge accounting. Changes in value subsequent to this date will be recognized in net derivative gains (losses) in the period in which they occur. The net deferred hedge gain that was included in AOCI as of December 31, 2012 will be released into revenue from natural gas, NGL and oil production during the following periods in which we expect the underlying production to occur as follows:



	(In thousands)
Remainder of 2013	$	50,420
2014	37,084
2015	33,191
2016	13,476
2017	12,531
2018 and thereafter	41,443
	$	188,145

Gains and losses from the effective portion of derivative assets and liabilities held in AOCI expected to be reclassified into earnings during the following twelve months would result in a gain of $60.0 million net of income taxes.

Interest Rate Derivatives

In 2010, we executed early settlements of our interest rate swaps that were designated as fair value hedges of our senior notes due 2015 and our senior subordinated notes. We received cash of $41.5 million in the settlements, including $10.7 million for interest previously accrued and earned. Upon the early settlements, we recorded the resulting gain as a fair value adjustment to our debt and began to recognize the deferred gain of $30.8 million as a reduction of interest expense over the lives of our senior notes due 2015 and our senior subordinated notes.

During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, we recognized $1.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively, of those deferred gains as a reduction of interest expense. The remaining $15.4 million deferral of the 2010 early settlements from all interest rate swaps will continue to be recognized as a reduction of interest expense over the life of the associated underlying debt instruments currently scheduled as follows:



	(In thousands)
Remainder of 2013	$	4,197
2014	6,012
2015	4,669
2016	568
	$	15,446

Fair Value Disclosures

The estimated fair value of our derivative instruments at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:



	Asset Derivatives				Liability Derivatives
	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012

	(In thousands)				(In thousands)
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
Commodity contracts reported in:
Current derivative assets	$	56,935	$	113,367	$	2,369	$	—
Noncurrent derivative assets	97,529		107,542		1,215		2,272
Current derivative liabilities	—		—		532		—
Noncurrent derivative liabilities	—		92		14,858		17,577
Total derivatives not designated as hedges	$	154,464	$	221,001	$	18,974	$	19,849

Derivative assets and liabilities shown in the table above are presented as gross assets and liabilities, without regard to master netting arrangements which are considered in the presentations of derivative assets and liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The change in carrying value of our commodity price derivatives since December 31, 2012 principally resulted from the overall increase in market prices for natural gas relative to the prices in our open derivative instruments, offset by settlements during the period.

The changes in the carrying value of our derivatives accounted for as hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2012 are presented below:



	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012
	Commodity Hedges

	(In thousands)
Derivative fair value at beginning of period	$	342,799
Settlements in production revenue	(41,737		)
Settlements in net derivative (gains) losses	(3,820		)
Ineffectiveness reported in net derivative gains (losses)	(5,241		)
Unrealized gains (losses) reported in OCI	99,894
Derecognition of hedge	(180,732		)
Derivative fair value at end of period	$	211,163

Hedge derivative ineffectiveness resulted in gains of $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 which is included in net derivative gains (losses).

Financial instruments not carried at fair value

Carrying values and fair values of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are included in Note 5.