FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

Our fixed-price swaps, basis swaps and physical purchases are included in Level 2 and our natural gas and crude oil collars, natural gas calls and physical sales are included in Level 3. The following table presents, for each applicable level within the fair value hierarchy, our derivative assets and liabilities, including both current and non-current portions, measured at fair value on a recurring basis:



	As of December 31,
	2012						2011
	Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
	(in thousands)
Assets:
Commodity-based derivative contracts	$	42,788	$	15,734	$	58,522	$	76,104	$	25,837	$	101,941
Basis protection derivative contracts	387		16		403		5		38		43
Total assets	43,175		15,750		58,925		76,109		25,875		101,984
Liabilities:
Commodity-based derivative contracts	9,839		2,081		11,920		9,888		3,768		13,656
Basis protection derivative contracts	16,656		—		16,656		35,424		—		35,424
Total liabilities	26,495		2,081		28,576		45,312		3,768		49,080
Net asset	$	16,680	$	13,669	$	30,349	$	30,797	$	22,107	$	52,904

Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

The following table presents a reconciliation of our Level 3 assets measured at fair value:



	2012			2011			2010
	(in thousands)

Fair value, net asset, beginning of year	$	22,107		$	10,762		$	15,048
Changes in fair value included in statement of operations line item:
Commodity price risk management gain, net	7,576			13,487			11,591
Sales from natural gas marketing	63			114			580
Cost of natural gas marketing	—			—			23
Changes in fair value included in balance sheet line item (1):
Accounts receivable affiliates	—			49			231
Accounts payable affiliates	(319		)	(454		)	(1,737		)
Settlements included in statement of operations line items:
Commodity price risk management loss, net	(15,644		)	(1,712		)	(14,467		)
Sales from natural gas marketing	(114		)	(139		)	(484		)
Cost of natural gas marketing	—			—			(23		)
Fair value, net asset end of year	$	13,669		$	22,107		$	10,762

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets (liabilities) still held
as of year-end, included in statement of operations line item:
Commodity price risk management gain, net	$	3,665		$	11,669		$	9,594
Sales from natural gas marketing	1			(3		)	54
Total	$	3,666		$	11,666		$	9,648

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(1)	Represents the change in fair value related to derivative instruments entered into by us and designated to our affiliated partnerships.