Asset Retirement Obligations (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Asset Retirement Obligations (Policies)	Dec. 31, 2011
Asset Retirement Obligations [Abstract]
Asset Retirement Obligations	QEP records asset retirement obligations (ARO) when there are legal obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets. The Company's ARO liability applies primarily to abandonment costs associated with gas and oil wells, production facilities and certain other properties. The fair values of such costs are estimated by Company personnel based on abandonment costs of similar properties and depreciated over the life of the related assets. Revisions to ARO estimates result from changes in expected cash flows or material changes in estimated asset retirement costs. The ARO liability is adjusted to present value each period through an accretion calculation using a credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. Income or expense resulting from the settlement of ARO liabilities is included in net gain or (loss) from asset sales in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Disclosure of accounting policy for plant retirement and for abandonment (under construction or in use) in regulated industries when abandonment becomes probable. Any difference between the new asset and the asset cost is recognized as a loss in the income statement. May also indicate the discount rate used in the calculation of present value of recoverable abandoned assets.

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