Other Expense

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Other Expense [Abstract]

Other Expense

Other Expense

The following table provides the components of the Company's other expense:

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2012			2011			2012		2011
	(in thousands)
Transportation commitment charges (a)	$	9,227		$	5,688		$	17,680	$	10,960
Above market drilling rig rates (b)	5,760			5,410			10,746		10,569
Terminated drilling rig contract charges (c)	8,960			—			8,960		—
Inventory valuation charges (d)	1,262			302			7,454		587
Other	4,578			(934		)	6,346		2,549
Premier Silica acquisition costs	1,190			—			2,173		—
Contingency and environmental accrual adjustments	(326		)	1,587			702		2,882
Loss on extinguishment of debt	—			—			197		2,367
Total other expense	$	30,651		$	12,053		$	54,258	$	29,914

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(a) Primarily represents firm transportation payments on excess pipeline capacity commitments.

(b) Primarily represents expenses attributable to the portion of Pioneer's contracted drilling rig rates that are above current market rates and idle drilling rig fees, neither of which are charged to joint operations.

(c) Primarily represents charges to terminate rig contracts that are not required to meet planned drilling activities.

(d) Represents valuation charges on excess materials and supplies inventories; principally related to dry gas assets.