FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

(In thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		March 31, 2013
Assets
Deferred compensation plan	$	11,372	$	—	$	—	$	11,372
Derivative instruments	—		4,215		—		4,215
Total assets	$	11,372	$	4,215	$	—	$	15,587
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan	$	29,429	$	—	$	—	$	29,429
Derivative instruments	—		—		29,899		29,899
Total liabilities	$	29,429	$	—	$	29,899	$	59,328

(In thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		December 31, 2012
Assets
Deferred compensation plan	$	10,608	$	—	$	—	$	10,608
Derivative instruments	—		9,473		41,351		50,824
Total assets	$	10,608	$	9,473	$	41,351	$	61,432
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan	$	23,893	$	—	$	—	$	23,893
Derivative instruments	—		—		192		192
Total liabilities	$	23,893	$	—	$	192	$	24,085

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Classified as Level 3

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(In thousands)	2013			2012
Balance at beginning of period	$	41,159		$	195,127
Total gains / (losses) (realized or unrealized):
Included in earnings (1)	13,328			57,038
Included in other comprehensive income	(71,058		)	22,692
Settlements	(13,328		)	(56,300		)
Transfers in and/or out of level 3	—			385
Balance at end of period	$	(29,899	)	$	218,942

(1)       Unrealized gains of $42,000  for the three months ended March 31, 2012 were included in natural gas revenues in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. There were no unrealized gains or losses for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

Carrying amounts and fair values of long-term debt

	March 31, 2013						December 31, 2012
(In thousands)	Carrying Amount			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Amount			Estimated Fair Value
Total debt	$	1,127,000		$	1,249,576		$	1,087,000		$	1,213,474
Current maturities	(75,000		)	(76,279		)	(75,000		)	(77,175		)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	$	1,052,000		$	1,173,297		$	1,012,000		$	1,136,299