Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	(15) INCOME TAXES The Company’s effective tax rate was approximately 3% and 1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, primarily as a result of the recognition of a valuation allowance. A $20 million tax benefit was recognized in the third quarter of 2016 primarily due to the lapse of the statute of limitations on uncertain tax positions associated with alternative minimum tax. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, including net operating losses, is recognized when it is more likely than not that some or all of the benefit from the deferred tax asset will not be realized. To assess that likelihood, the Company uses estimates and judgment regarding future taxable income, and considers the tax consequences in the jurisdiction where such taxable income is generated, to determine whether a valuation allowance is required. Such evidence can include current financial position, results of operations, both actual and forecasted, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, and tax planning strategies as well as the current and forecasted business economics of the oil and gas industry. Due to the material write-downs of the carrying value of natural gas and oil properties and operating results, the Company is in a net deferred tax asset position. The Company believes it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will not be realized and recorded a $256 million and $903 million tax expense for the increase in our valuation allowance for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit the use of deferred tax assets. A significant piece of objective negative evidence evaluated is the projected cumulative loss incurred over the three-year period ending December 31, 2016. Such objective negative evidence limits the ability to consider other subjective positive evidence, such as projections for future growth. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income are reduced or increased or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as future expected growth.

(15) INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rate was approximately 3% and 1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, primarily as a result of the recognition of a valuation allowance. A $20 million tax benefit was recognized in the third quarter of 2016 primarily due to the lapse of the statute of limitations on uncertain tax positions associated with alternative minimum tax.

A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, including net operating losses, is recognized when it is more likely than not that some or all of the benefit from the deferred tax asset will not be realized. To assess that likelihood, the Company uses estimates and judgment regarding future taxable income, and considers the tax consequences in the jurisdiction where such taxable income is generated, to determine whether a valuation allowance is required. Such evidence can include current financial position, results of operations, both actual and forecasted, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, and tax planning strategies as well as the current and forecasted business economics of the oil and gas industry.

Due to the material write-downs of the carrying value of natural gas and oil properties and operating results, the Company is in a net deferred tax asset position. The Company believes it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will not be realized and recorded a $256 million and $903 million tax expense for the increase in our valuation allowance for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit the use of deferred tax assets. A significant piece of objective negative evidence evaluated is the projected cumulative loss incurred over the three-year period ending December 31, 2016. Such objective negative evidence limits the ability to consider other subjective positive evidence, such as projections for future growth. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income are reduced or increased or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as future expected growth.