Derivative Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments:

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS:

CONSOL Energy enters into financial derivative instruments to manage our exposure to commodity price volatility. The fair value of CONSOL Energy's derivatives (natural gas price swaps and options) are based on pricing models which utilize inputs that are either readily available in the public market, such as natural gas forward curves, or can be corroborated from active markets or broker quotes. These values are then compared to the values given by our counterparties for reasonableness. Changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recorded currently in earnings unless special hedge accounting criteria are met. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, the changes in fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged item are recorded in earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reported in Other Comprehensive Income or Loss (OCI) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and reclassified into Natural Gas, NGL's and Oil Sales on the Consolidated Statements of Income in the same period or periods which the forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portions of hedges are recognized in earnings in the current period. CONSOL Energy currently utilizes only cash flow hedges that are considered highly effective.

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

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

None of our counterparty master agreements currently require CONSOL Energy to post collateral for any of its hedges. However, as stated in the counterparty master agreements, if CONSOL Energy's obligations with one of its counterparties cease to be secured on the same basis as similar obligations with the other lenders under the credit facility, CONSOL Energy would have to post collateral for hedges in a liability position in excess of defined thresholds. All of our derivative instruments are subject to master netting arrangements with our counterparties.  CONSOL Energy recognizes all financial derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a gross basis.

                Each of CONSOL Energy's counterparty master agreements allows, in the event of default, the ability to elect early termination of outstanding contracts. If early termination is elected, CONSOL Energy and the applicable counterparty would net settle all open hedge positions.

CONSOL Energy has entered into swap and option contracts for natural gas to manage the price risk associated with the forecasted natural gas sales. The objective of these hedges is to reduce the variability of the cash flows associated with the forecasted sales from the underlying commodity. As of September 30, 2014, the total notional amount of the Company’s outstanding derivative instruments was 199.6 billion cubic feet. These derivative instruments are forecasted to settle through December 31, 2016 and meet the criteria for cash flow hedge accounting. As these contracts settle, the cash received and/or paid will be shown on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as Changes in Prepaid Expenses, Changes in Other Assets, Changes in Other Operating Liabilities and/or Changes in Other Liabilities. Assuming no changes in price during the next twelve months, $14,853 of unrealized gain is expected to be reclassified from Other Comprehensive Income on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and into Natural Gas, NGL's and Oil Sales on the Consolidated Statements of Income, as a result of the gross settlements of cash flow hedges. No gains or losses have been reclassified into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedges.

The gross fair value at September 30, 2014 of CONSOL Energy's derivative instruments, which all qualify as cash flow hedges, was an asset of $51,710 and a liability of $8,554. The total asset is comprised of $31,520 and $20,190 which were included in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The total liability is comprised of $7,204 and $1,350 which was included in Other Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The gross fair value at December 31, 2013 of CONSOL Energy's derivative instruments, which all qualify as cash flow hedges, was an asset of $83,661 and a liability of $18,212. The total asset is comprised of $59,605 and $24,056 which was included in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The total liability is comprised of $12,327 and $5,885 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 net of tax was as follows:

	For the Three Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013
Natural Gas Price Swaps and Options
Beginning Balance – Accumulated OCI	$	6,574	$	71,674
Gain recognized in Accumulated OCI	39,151		13,246
Less: Gain reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Natural Gas, NGL's and Oil Sales	19,510		24,354
Ending Balance – Accumulated OCI	$	26,215	$	60,566
Gain recognized in Natural Gas, NGL's and Oil Sales for ineffectiveness	$	1,850	$	2,592

	For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013
Natural Gas Price Swaps and Options
Beginning Balance – Accumulated OCI	$	42,493		$	76,761
(Loss)/Gain recognized in Accumulated OCI	(20,032		)	40,400
Less: (Loss)/Gain reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Natural Gas, NGL's and Oil Sales	(3,754		)	56,595
Ending Balance – Accumulated OCI	$	26,215		$	60,566
Gain/(Loss) recognized in Natural Gas, NGL's and Oil Sales for ineffectiveness	$	2,713		$	(120	)

There were no amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 or 2013.