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Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule Of Asset Retirement Obligations
The following table shows certain information about our AROs for the periods indicated:
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
(In thousands)
 
ARO liability, January 1:
$
96,446

 
$
69,265

 
Accretion of discount
4,615

 
3,838

 
Liability incurred
56,650

(1) 
15,068

 
Liability settled
(2,788
)
 
(1,009
)
 
Liability Sold
(1,258
)
 
—

 
Revision of estimates
(7,506
)
(2) 
9,284

 
ARO liability, December 31:
146,159

 
96,446

 
Less current portion
2,953

 
3,040

 
Total long-term ARO liability
$
143,206

 
$
93,406

 
_________________________
(1)
The liability incurred increased $46.7 million related to the Noble properties acquired in September 2012.
(2)
Plugging liability estimates were revised in March 2012 for updates in the cost of services used to plug wells over the preceding year. Although cost per well increased, a slight decrease in the inflation factor resulted in a decrease in estimated cost. Costs were reviewed each quarter resulting in no change to the March 2012 estimates.