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Asset Retirement Obligations
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Asset Retirement Obligation [Abstract]  
Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company's asset retirement obligations primarily relate to the future plugging and abandonment of wells, restoration of certain sand mines and related facilities. Market risk premiums associated with asset retirement obligations are estimated to represent a component of the Company's credit-adjusted risk-free rate that is utilized in the calculations of asset retirement obligations.
The following table summarizes the Company's asset retirement obligation activity during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011: 

 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
(in thousands)
Beginning asset retirement obligations
 
$
134,314

 
$
154,689

 
$
136,742

 
$
152,291

Liabilities assumed in acquisitions
 
8,515

 
—

 
8,515

 
6

New wells placed on production
 
1,581

 
1,404

 
2,411

 
2,075

Changes in estimates
 
1,603

 
(179
)
 
1,603

 
121

Disposition of wells
 
—

 
(367
)
 
—

 
(448
)
Liabilities settled
 
(3,054
)
 
(6,235
)
 
(8,742
)
 
(7,469
)
Accretion of discount from continuing operations
 
2,444

 
2,048

 
4,874

 
4,092

Accretion of discount from integrated services (a)
 
54

 
—

 
54

 
—

Accretion of discount from discontinued operations
 
—

 
610

 
—

 
1,302

Ending asset retirement obligations
 
$
145,457

 
$
151,970

 
$
145,457

 
$
151,970

_____________________
(a)
Accretion of discount from integrated services includes Premier Silica accretion expense, which is recorded as a reduction in third-party income from vertical integration services in interest and other income in the Company's accompanying consolidated statements of operations. See Note M for more information about interest and other income.
The Company records the current and noncurrent portions of asset retirement obligations in other current liabilities and other liabilities, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the current portions of the Company's asset retirement obligations were $18.6 million and $14.2 million, respectively.