Suspended Well Costs (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Suspended Well Costs

Schedule of capitalized exploratory well costs

	Years Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance	$	426,881	$	226,714	$	376,166
Additions to capitalized exploratory well costs pending the determination of proved reserves		307,582		223,542		71,039
Reclassification due to determination of proved reserves		—		—		(220,491)
Capitalized exploratory well costs charged to expense		—		(23,375)		—
Ending balance	$	734,463	$	426,881	$	226,714

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,
	2016		2015		2014
	(In thousands, except well counts)
Exploratory well costs capitalized for a period of one year or less	$	279,809	$	199,486	$	16,814
Exploratory well costs capitalized for a period of one to two years		244,804		17,702		40,865
Exploratory well costs capitalized for a period of three to seven years		209,850		209,693		169,035
Ending balance	$	734,463	$	426,881	$	226,714
Number of projects that have exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period greater than one year		5		3		5