Other Expense

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Other Expense [Abstract]

Other Expense

NOTE P. Other Expense

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

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012		2011
	(in thousands)
Transportation commitment charges (a)	$	8,453	$	5,272
Inventory valuation charges (b)		6,041		285
Above market drilling rig rates (c)		4,986		5,159
Other		2,714		3,483
Contingency and environmental accrual adjustments		1,216		1,295
Loss on extinguishment of debt		197		2,367
Total other expense	$	23,607	$	17,861

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

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

(c) Primarily represents charges for the portion of Pioneer's contracted drilling rig rates that are above current market rates and are not charged to joint operations.