DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS:

CONSOL Energy enters into financial derivative instruments to manage our exposure to commodity price volatility. We measure each derivative instrument at fair value and record it on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability. Changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recorded currently in earnings unless special hedge accounting criteria are met. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, the changes in fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged item are recorded in earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portions of changes in fair value of the derivative are reported in Other Comprehensive Income or Loss (OCI) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods which the forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portions of hedges are recognized in earnings in the current period. CONSOL Energy currently utilizes only cash flow hedges that are considered highly effective.

CONSOL Energy formally assesses both at inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis whether each derivative is highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair values or the cash flows of the hedged item. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or if a derivative ceases to be a highly effective hedge, CONSOL Energy will discontinue hedge accounting prospectively.

CONSOL Energy is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties. The creditworthiness of counterparties is subject to continuing review. The Company has not experienced any issues of non-performance by derivative counterparties.

CONSOL Energy has entered into swap contracts for natural gas to manage the price risk associated with the forecasted natural gas revenues. The objective of these hedges is to reduce the variability of the cash flows associated with the forecasted revenues from the underlying commodity. As of December 31, 2011, the total notional amount of the Company’s outstanding natural gas swap contracts was 164.1 billion cubic feet. These swap contracts are forecasted to settle through December 31, 2015 and meet the criteria for cash flow hedge accounting. During the next twelve months, $93,298 of unrealized gain is expected to be reclassified from Other Comprehensive Income and into earnings, as a result of the settlement of cash flow hedges. No gains or losses have been reclassified into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedges.

The fair value at December 31, 2011 of CONSOL Energy's derivative instruments, which were all natural gas swaps and qualify as cash flow hedges, was an asset of $251,277. The total asset is comprised of $153,376 and $97,901 which were included in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The fair value at December 31, 2010 of CONSOL Energy’s derivative instruments, which were all natural gas swaps and qualify as cash flow hedges, was an asset of $79,960 and a liability of $3,720. The total asset is comprised of $52,022 and $27,938 which were included in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The total liability is comprised of $3,191 and $529 which were included in Other Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships on the Consolidated Statements of Income and the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity are as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Natural Gas Price Swaps
Gain recognized in Accumulated OCI	$	200,699	$	140,985	$	186,824
Gain reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Outside Sales	$	95,006	$	166,276	$	239,956
Gain/(Loss) recognized in Outside Sales for ineffectiveness	$	1,034	$	31	$	(962	)