Debt (Tables) (Linn Energy, LLC [Member])

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Linn Energy, LLC [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Summary of Outstanding Debt

Note 6 – Debt

The following summarizes debt outstanding:

	March 31, 2013					December 31, 2012
	Carrying Value			Fair Value (1)		Carrying Value			Fair Value (1)
	(in millions, except percentages)
Credit facility (2)	$	1,335		$	1,335	$	1,180		$	1,180
11.75% senior notes due 2017	41			44		41			44
9.875% senior notes due 2018	14			15		14			15
6.50% senior notes due May 2019	750			782		750			755
6.25% senior notes due November 2019	1,800			1,834		1,800			1,802
8.625% senior notes due 2020	1,300			1,433		1,300			1,414
7.75% senior notes due 2021	1,000			1,069		1,000			1,061
Less current maturities	—			—		—			—
	6,240			$	6,512	6,085			$	6,271
Unamortized discount	(46		)			(47		)
Total debt, net of discount	$	6,194				$	6,038

(1) The carrying value of the Credit Facility is estimated to be substantially the same as its fair value. Fair values of the senior notes were estimated based on prices quoted from third-party financial institutions.

(2) Variable interest rates of 1.96% and 1.97% at March 31, 2013, and December 31, 2012, respectively.

The following summarizes debt outstanding:

	December 31, 2012					December 31, 2011
	Carrying Value			Fair Value(1)		Carrying Value			Fair Value(1)
	(in millions, except percentages)
Credit facility (2)	$	1,180		$	1,180	$	940		$	940
11.75% senior notes due 2017	41			44		41			46
9.875% senior notes due 2018	14			15		14			16
6.50% senior notes due May 2019	750			755		750			742
6.25% senior notes due November 2019	1,800			1,802		—			—
8.625% senior notes due 2020	1,300			1,414		1,300			1,406
7.75% senior notes due 2021	1,000			1,061		1,000			1,036
Less current maturities	—			—		—			—
	6,085			$	6,271	4,045			$	4,186
Unamortized discount	(47		)			(51		)
Total debt, net of discount	$	6,038				$	3,994

⁽¹⁾  The carrying value of the Credit Facility is estimated to be substantially the same as its fair value. Fair values of the senior notes were estimated based on prices quoted from third-party financial institutions.

⁽²⁾  Variable interest rates of 1.97% and 2.57% at December 31, 2012, and December 31, 2011, respectively.