Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	(14) INCOME TAXES The Company’s effective tax rate was approximately (21%) and (2%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and 3% and 1% for the same periods in 2016, respectively. The income tax benefits recognized in the third quarter of 2017 resulted from an expected alternative minimum tax refund along with the expiration of a portion of the Company’s uncertain tax provision. The low effective tax rates are primarily a result of the existence of a valuation allowance. 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 assets 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. The Company maintained its net deferred tax asset position at September 30, 2017 primarily due to the write-downs of the carrying value of natural gas and oil properties in 2015 and 2016. The Company recorded decreases in our valuation allowance of $38 million and $220 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, there were increases in our valuation allowance of $256 million and $903 million, 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. In management’s view, the cumulative loss incurred over recent years outweighs any positive factors, such as the possibility of future growth. The amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income are 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.

(14) INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rate was approximately (21%) and (2%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and 3% and 1% for the same periods in 2016, respectively. The income tax benefits recognized in the third quarter of 2017 resulted from an expected alternative minimum tax refund along with the expiration of a portion of the Company’s uncertain tax provision. The low effective tax rates are primarily a result of the existence of a valuation allowance. 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 assets 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.

The Company maintained its net deferred tax asset position at September 30, 2017 primarily due to the write-downs of the carrying value of natural gas and oil properties in 2015 and 2016. The Company recorded decreases in our valuation allowance of $38 million and $220 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, there were increases in our valuation allowance of $256 million and $903 million, 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. In management’s view, the cumulative loss incurred over recent years outweighs any positive factors, such as the possibility of future growth. The amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income are 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.