Suspended Well Costs (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Suspended Well Costs

Schedule of capitalized exploratory well costs

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance	$	226,714	$	376,166	$	372,492
Additions to capitalized exploratory well costs pending the determination of proved reserves		223,542		71,039		32,804
Reclassification due to determination of proved reserves		—		(220,491)		—
Capitalized exploratory well costs charged to expense		(23,375)		—		(29,130)
Ending balance	$	426,881	$	226,714	$	376,166

Schedule of aging of capitalized exploratory well costs and number of projects for which exploratory well costs were capitalized for more than one year

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
	(In thousands, except well counts)
Exploratory well costs capitalized for a period of one year or less	$	199,486	$	16,814	$	11,426
Exploratory well costs capitalized for a period of one to two years		17,702		40,865		229,140
Exploratory well costs capitalized for a period of three to six years		209,693		169,035		135,600
Ending balance	$	426,881	$	226,714	$	376,166
Number of projects that have exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period greater than one year		3		5		8