Suspended Exploratory Well Costs

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

(7) SUSPENDED EXPLORATORY WELL COSTS

We capitalize exploratory well costs until a determination is made that the well has either found proved reserves or that it is impaired. Capitalized exploratory well costs are included in natural gas and oil properties in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. If an exploratory well is determined to be impaired, the well costs are charged to exploration expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. We did not have any exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period greater than one year as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015. All exploratory well costs in 2015 are wells drilled in the Marcellus Shale. The following table reflects the change in capitalized exploratory well costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

		September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
Balance at beginning of period	$	2,996		$	6,964
Additions to capitalized exploratory well costs pending the determination of proved reserves		61,493			18,747
Reclassifications to wells, facilities and equipment based on determination of proved reserves		¾			(15,735	)
Divested wells		¾			(6,980	)
Balance at end of period		64,489			2,996
Less exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period of one year or less		(64,489	)		(2,996	)
Capitalized exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period greater than one year	$	¾		$	¾