Other Expense

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Other Expense [Abstract]

Other Expense

Other Expense

The following table provides the components of the Company's other expense for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013		2012
	(in thousands)
Transportation commitment charge (a)	$	9,377	$	8,453
Other	4,565		2,911
Above market and idle drilling and well services equipment rates (b)	3,507		4,986
Inventory impairment (c)	1,587		6,041
Contingency and environmental accrual adjustments	1,294		1,216
Terminated drilling rig contract charges (d)	1,019		—
Total other expense	$	21,349	$	23,607

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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) Represents valuation charges on excess materials and supplies inventories.

(d) Primarily represents charges to terminate a drilling rig contract that is not required to meet planned activities.