Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
Operating Revenues	$ 392,567	$ 472,846	$ 1,044,623	$ 1,146,582
Cost of Gas	219,636	304,168	641,686	754,962
Margin	172,931	168,678	402,937	391,620
Operating Expenses:
Operations and maintenance	58,936	57,503	109,994	109,542
Depreciation	25,425	24,483	50,472	48,838
General taxes	9,464	8,758	20,561	17,343
Utility income taxes	26,179	25,709	78,114	75,871
Total operating expenses	120,004	116,453	259,141	251,594
Operating Income	52,927	52,225	143,796	140,026
Other Income (Expense):
Income from equity method investments	12,384	13,309	20,140	25,142
Gain on sale of interest in equity method investment	0	0	0	49,674
Non-operating income	470	221	638	315
Non-operating expense	(794)	(1,013)	(1,179)	(1,376)
Income taxes	(4,716)	(4,906)	(7,667)	(28,892)
Total other income (expense)	7,344	7,611	11,932	44,863
Utility Interest Charges:
Interest on long-term debt	12,071	13,251	24,171	26,526
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction	(1,341)	(782)	(3,675)	(1,302)
Other	2,133	542	3,384	(909)
Total utility interest charges	12,863	13,011	23,880	24,315
Net Income	$ 47,408	$ 46,825	$ 131,848	$ 160,574
Average Shares of Common Stock:
Basic	71,824	71,788	72,012	72,492
Diluted	72,061	72,118	72,279	72,842
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock: [Abstract]
Basic	$ 0.66	$ 0.65	$ 1.83	$ 2.22
Diluted	$ 0.66	$ 0.65	$ 1.82	$ 2.20
Cash Dividends Per Share of Common Stock	$ 0.29	$ 0.28	$ 0.57	$ 0.55