Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements contain the accounts of QEP and its majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and with the instructions for annual reports on Form 10-K and Regulations S-X and S-K. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Effective May 18, 2010, Questar Market Resources, Inc., (Market Resources) then a wholly owned subsidiary of Questar Corporation (Questar), merged with and into a newly-formed, wholly owned subsidiary, QEP, a Delaware corporation in order to reincorporate in the State of Delaware (Reincorporation Merger). The Reincorporation Merger was affected pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger entered into between Market Resources and QEP. The Reincorporation Merger was approved by the boards of directors of Market Resources and QEP and submitted to a vote of, and approved by, the Board of Directors of Questar, as sole shareholder of Market Resources, and by Market Resources, as sole shareholder of QEP on May 18, 2010.

On June 30, 2010, Questar distributed all of the shares of common stock of QEP held by Questar to Questar shareholders in a tax-free, pro rata dividend (the Spin-off). Each Questar shareholder received one share of QEP common stock for each one share of Questar common stock held (including fractional shares) at the close of business on the record date. In connection therewith, QEP distributed Wexpro Company (Wexpro), a wholly owned subsidiary of QEP at the time, to Questar. In addition, Questar contributed $250.0 million of equity to QEP prior to the Spin-off.

The financial information presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K presents QEP's financial results as an independent company separate from Questar and reflects Wexpro's financial condition and operating results as discontinued operations for all periods presented. A summary of discontinued operations can be found in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.

All dollar and share amounts in this Form 10-K are in millions, except per-share information and where otherwise noted.

Equity Method Investments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates

QEP uses the equity method to account for investment in unconsolidated affiliates where it does not have control, but has significant influence. The investment in unconsolidated affiliates on the Company's consolidated balance sheets equals the Company's proportionate share of equity reported by the unconsolidated affiliates. Investment is assessed for possible impairment when events indicate that the fair value of the investment may be below the Company's carrying value. When such a condition is deemed to be other than temporary, the carrying value of the investment is written down to its fair value, and the amount of the write-down is included in the determination of net income.

The principal unconsolidated affiliates and QEP's ownership percentage as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, were Uintah Basin Field Services, LLC, (38%) and and Three Rivers Gathering, LLC, (50%), both limited liability companies engaged in gathering and compressing natural gas.

Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Reclassifications

In 2011, "Gathering, processing and other" revenues included "NGL" which were reclassified to conform with the current period presentation on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The NGL reclassification is all within "Revenues" and has no effect on income from continuing operations, net income or earnings per share. Additionally, QEP reclassified "Materials and supplies" as of December 31, 2011, from current to long-term on the Consolidated Balance Sheet for consistency with current period presentation.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements and notes in conformity with GAAP requires that management formulate estimates and assumptions that affect revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. A significant item that requires management's estimates and assumptions is the estimate of proved natural gas, oil and NGL reserves which are used in the calculation of depreciation, depletion and amortization rates of its gas and oil properties, impairment of proved properties and asset retirement obligations. Changes in estimated quantities of its reserves could impact the Company's reported financial results as well as disclosures regarding the quantities and value of proved gas and oil reserves. Other items subject to estimates and assumptions include the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment and goodwill, assigning fair value and allocating purchase price in connection with business combinations, valuation allowances for receivables, income taxes, valuation of derivatives instruments, accrued liabilities, accrued revenue and related receivables and obligations related to employee benefits, among others. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

QEP subsidiaries recognize revenues in the period that services are provided or products are delivered. Revenues associated with the sale of natural gas and oil are accounted for using the sales method, whereby revenue is recognized as gas and oil is sold to purchasers. A liability is recorded to the extent that the Company has sold volumes in excess of its share of remaining gas and oil reserves in an underlying property. QEP's imbalance obligations at December 31, 2012 and 2011, were $13.2 million and $13.3 million, respectively.

QEP Marketing reports revenues on a gross basis because, in the judgment of management, the nature and circumstances of its marketing transactions are consistent with guidance for gross revenue reporting. QEP Marketing markets affiliate and third-party natural gas, oil and NGL volumes. QEP Marketing uses derivatives to secure a known price for a specific volume over a specific time period. QEP Marketing does not engage in speculative hedging transactions, nor does it buy and sell energy contracts with the objective of generating profits on short-term differences in price. QEP Marketing has not engaged in buy/sell arrangements, as described in ASC 845-10-25-4, Accounting for Purchases and Sales of Inventory with the Same Counterparty.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist principally of repurchase agreements with maturities of three months or less. The repurchase agreements are highly liquid investments in overnight securities made through commercial-bank accounts that result in available funds the next business day.

Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounts Receivable Trade

Accounts receivable trade consists mainly of receivables from oil and gas purchasers and joint interest owners on properties the Company operates. For receivables from joint interest owners, the Company has the ability to withhold future revenue disbursements to recover any non-payment of joint interest billings. Generally, the Company's oil and gas receivables are collected and bad-debts are minimal. Bad-debt expense associated with accounts receivable for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $1.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively, and a credit of $0.3 million in 2010. The Company routinely assesses the recoverability of all material trade and other receivables to determine their collectability. The allowance for bad-debt expenses was $2.8 million at December 31, 2012, and $1.7 million at December 31, 2011.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment balances are stated at historical cost. Material and supplies inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred with the exception of compressor maintenance costs, which are capitalized and depreciated. Significant accounting policies for our property, plant and equipment are as follows:

Gas and oil properties

QEP Energy uses the successful efforts method to account for gas and oil properties. The costs of acquiring leaseholds, drilling development wells, drilling successful exploratory wells, purchasing related support equipment and facilities are capitalized. Geological and geophysical studies and other exploratory activities are expensed as incurred. Costs of production and general- corporate activities are expensed in the period incurred. A gain or loss is generally recognized only when an entire field is sold or abandoned, or if the unit-of-production depreciation, depletion and amortization rate would be significantly affected.

Capitalized costs of unproved properties are reclassified as proved property when related proved reserves are determined or charged against the impairment allowance when abandoned.

Capitalized exploratory well costs

The Company capitalizes exploratory well costs until it determines whether an exploratory well is commercial or noncommercial. If the Company deems the well commercial, capitalized costs are depreciated on a field basis using the unit-of-production method and the estimated proved developed gas and oil reserves. If the Company concludes that the well is noncommercial, well costs are immediately charged to exploration expense. Exploratory-well costs capitalized for a period greater than one year since the completion of drilling are expensed unless the Company remains engaged in substantial activities to assess whether the well is commercial.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

Capitalized proved leasehold costs are depleted on a field-by-field basis using the unit-of-production method and the estimated proved gas and oil reserves. Oil and NGL volumes are converted to natural gas equivalents using the ratio of one barrel of crude oil, condensate or NGL to 6,000 cubic feet of natural gas. Capitalized costs of exploratory wells that have found proved gas and oil reserves and capitalized development costs are depreciated using the unit-of-production method based on estimated proved developed reserves for a successful effort field pool. The Company capitalizes an estimate of the fair value of future abandonment costs.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization for the remaining Company properties is based upon rates that will systematically charge the costs of assets against income over the estimated useful lives of those assets using either a straight-line or unit-of-production method. Investment in gas gathering and processing fixed assets is charged to expense using either the straight-line or unit-of-production method depending upon the facility. The estimated useful lives of those assets depreciated under the straight-line basis generally range as follows:

Buildings	10 to 30 years
Leasehold improvements	3 to 10 years
Service, transportation and field service equipment	3 to 7 years
Furniture and office equipment	3 to 7 years

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Proved gas and oil properties are evaluated on a field-by-field basis for potential impairment. Impairment is indicated when a triggering event occurs and/or the sum of the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows of an evaluated asset is less than the asset's carrying value. Triggering events could include, but are not limited to, an impairment of gas and oil reserves caused by mechanical problems, faster-than-expected decline of reserves, lease-ownership issues, declines in natural gas, NGL and crude oil prices and changes in the utilization of midstream gathering and processing assets. If impairment is indicated, fair value is calculated using a discounted-cash flow approach. Cash flow estimates require forecasts and assumptions for many years into the future for a variety of factors, including commodity prices, operating costs, and estimates of proved, probable and possible reserves. Cash flow estimates relating to future cash flows from probable and possible reserves are reduced by additional risk-weighting factors.

Unproved properties are evaluated on a specific-asset basis or in groups of similar assets, as applicable. The Company performs periodic assessments of unproved oil and gas properties for impairment and recognizes a loss at the time of impairment. In determining whether an unproved property is impaired, the Company considers numerous factors including, but not limited to, current development and exploration drilling plans, favorable or unfavorable exploration activity on adjacent leaseholds, in-house geologists' evaluation of the lease, future reserve cash flows and the remaining lease term.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, QEP recorded abandonment and impairment charges of $133.4 million on its oil and gas properties. Of the $133.4 million abandonment and impairment charges during the year ended December 31, 2012, $107.6 million related to price-related impairment charges on proved properties and $23.7 million related to impairment on unproved properties. The impairment charges were related to the reduced value of certain fields resulting from lower natural gas, crude oil and NGL prices and impairments of unproven leasehold acquisition costs. Of the $133.4 million abandonment and impairment charges during the year ended December 31, 2012, $104.8 million was related to oil and gas properties in the Southern Region and $28.6 million was related to oil and gas properties in the Northern Region. During the year ended December 31, 2011, QEP recorded abandonment and impairment charges of $218.4 million, $173.1 million were related to properties in the Northern Region with the remaining $45.3 million related to properties in the Southern Region. Of the $218.4 million abandonment and impairment charges during the year ended December 31, 2011, $195.5 million related to the impairment charges on proved properties and $20.3 million related to impairment on unproved properties. During the year ended December 31, 2010, QEP recorded abandonment and impairment charges of $46.1 million, of which $0.7 million related to proved property impairments and $40.7 million related to impairment on unproved properties.

Asset Retirement Obligations

Asset retirement obligations (ARO) associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets are recognized as liabilities with an increase to the carrying amounts of the related long-lived assets in the period incurred. The cost of the tangible asset, including the asset retirement costs, is depreciated over the useful life of the asset. ARO are recorded at estimated fair value, measured by reference to the expected future cash outflows required to satisfy the retirement obligations discounted at the Company's credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. Accretion expense is recognized over time as the discounted liabilities are accreted to their expected settlement value. If estimated future costs of ARO change, an adjustment is recorded to both the asset retirement obligation and the long-lived asset. Revisions to estimated ARO can result from changes in retirement cost estimates, revisions to estimated inflation rates and changes in the estimated timing of abandonment.

Capitalized Interest

The Company capitalizes interest costs during the construction phase of large capital projects that meet certain criteria. Capitalized interest was $3.4 million, $3.0 million and $3.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Litigation and Other Contingencies

In accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies, an accrual is recorded for a loss contingency when its occurrence is probable and damages can be reasonably estimated based on the anticipated most likely outcome or the minimum amount within a range of possible outcomes. QEP regularly reviews contingencies to determine the adequacy of its accruals and related disclosures. The amount of ultimate loss may differ from these estimates. See Note 9 - Commitments and Contingencies, for additional information.

Except for environmental contingencies acquired in a business combination, which are recorded at fair value, QEP accrues losses associated with environmental obligations when such losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Accruals for estimated environmental losses are recognized no later than at the time the remediation feasibility study, or the evaluation of response options, is complete. These accruals are adjusted as additional information becomes available or as circumstances change. Future environmental expenditures are not discounted to their present value. Recoveries of environmental costs from other parties are recorded separately as assets at their undiscounted value when receipt of such recoveries is probable.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the amount paid over the fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination and is not subject to amortization. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, goodwill was $59.5 million and related to the Uinta Basin reporting unit within QEP Energy. Goodwill is tested for impairment at a minimum of once a year or when a triggering event occurs using the income approach. Under the income approach, the fair value is estimated based on the value of expected future cash flows. Key assumptions used in the cash flow model consider estimated quantities of crude oil, NGL and natural gas reserves, including both proved reserves and risk-adjusted unproved reserves; estimates of market prices considering forward commodity price curves as of the measurement date; and estimates of operating, administrative and capital costs adjusted for inflation. The undiscounted net cash flows of the reporting unit to which the goodwill relates are evaluated. Impairment is indicated if undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets. The amount of the impairment is measured using a discounted, cash flow model considering future revenues, operating costs, a risk-adjusted discount rate and other factors. There have been no goodwill impairments.

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Derivative Instruments

Effective January 1, 2012, the Company elected to de-designate all of its natural gas, oil and NGL derivative contracts that had previously been designated as cash flow hedges and has elected to discontinue hedge accounting prospectively. Accordingly, all realized and unrealized gains and losses are recognized in earnings immediately as derivative contracts are settled and marked-to-market. For the year endedDecember 31, 2012, unrealized gains of $63.2 million were included in income that, prior to January 1, 2012, would have been deferred in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) under hedge accounting (Refer to Note 6 – Derivative Contracts, for additional information). At December 31, 2011, AOCI consisted of $395.9 million ($248.6 million after tax) of unrealized gains, representing the mark-to-market value of the Company's cash flow hedges as of the balance sheet date, less any ineffectiveness recognized. As a result of discontinuing hedge accounting, such mark-to-market values at December 31, 2011, were frozen in AOCI as of the de-designation date and are being reclassified into earnings as the original hedged transactions occur and effect earnings. QEP expects to reclassify into earnings from AOCI the remaining frozen value, $123.5 million ($77.6 million after tax), related to de-designated natural gas, oil and NGL hedges during 2013.

All of QEP's derivative contracts are net settled in cash without delivery of product. These contracts also have a nominal quantity and exchange an index price for a fixed price, and are net settled with the brokers as the price bulletins become available. These derivative contracts are recorded in revenues or cost of sales in the month of settlement. Basis-only swaps are used to manage the risk of widening basis differentials. These contracts are marked to market monthly with any change in the valuation recognized in the determination of income.

Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Credit Risk

The Northern and Southern Regions constitute the Company's primary market areas. Exposure to credit risk may be affected by the concentration of customers in these regions due to changes in economic or other conditions. Customers include individuals and numerous commercial and industrial enterprises that may react differently to changing conditions. Management believes that its credit-review procedures, loss reserves, customer deposits and collection procedures have adequately provided for usual and customary credit-related losses. Commodity-based hedging arrangements also expose the Company to credit risk. The Company monitors the creditworthiness of its counterparties, which generally are major financial institutions and energy companies. Loss reserves are periodically reviewed for adequacy and may be established on a specific case basis. QEP requests credit support and, in some cases, fungible collateral, financial guarantees, letters of credit or prepayment from companies with unacceptable credit risks. The Company has master-netting agreements with some counterparties that allow the offsetting of receivables and payables in a default situation.

The Company's five largest customers accounted for 37%, 32%, and 27% in aggregate, of QEP revenues during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2012, Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and Enterprise Products Operating, L.P. accounted for 13% and 10%, respectively, of the Company's total revenues. Management believes that the loss of either customer, or any other customer, would not have a material effect on the financial position or results of operations of QEP since there are numerous potential purchasers of its production. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, each of the five largest customers sales were below 10% of QEP's total revenues.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary differences arising between the book and tax carrying amounts of assets and liabilities. These differences create taxable or tax-deductible amounts for future periods. The Company records interest earned on income tax refunds in interest and other income and records penalties and interest charged on tax deficiencies in interest expense.

ASC 740, Income Taxes, specifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold for a tax position to be reflected in the financial statements. If recognized, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more-likely-than-not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. Management has considered the amounts and the probabilities of the outcomes that could be realized upon ultimate settlement and believes that it is more-likely-than-not that the Company's recorded income tax benefits will be fully realized. There were no unrecognized tax benefits at the beginning or at the end of the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. The federal income tax returns for 2011 and 2010 are currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Income tax returns for 2012 have not yet been filed. Most state tax returns for 2009 and subsequent years remain subject to examination.

TreasuryStock [Policy Text Block]

Treasury Stock

We record treasury stock purchases at costs, which includes incremental direct transaction costs. Amounts are recorded as a reduction in shareholders' equity in the consolidated balance sheets. Acquired treasury stock is used for stock grants to employees; refer to Note 10 - Share-Based Compensation for additional information.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (EPS) are computed by dividing net income attributable to QEP by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted EPS includes the potential increase in the number of outstanding shares that could result from the exercise of in-the-money stock options. QEP's unvested restricted shares are considered issued and outstanding, the historical forfeiture rate is minimal and the restricted shares receive dividends.

Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents are considered participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. The Company's unvested restricted stock awards contain nonforfeitable dividend rights and participate equally with common stock with respect to dividends issued or declared. However, the Company's unvested restricted stock does not have a contractual obligation to share in losses of the Company. The Company's unexercised stock options do not contain rights to dividends. Under the two-class method, the earnings used to determine basic earnings per common share are reduced by an amount allocated to participating securities. When the Company records a net loss, none of the loss is allocated to the participating securities since the securities are not obligated to share in Company losses. Use of the two-class method has an insignificant impact on the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Share-Based Compensation

QEP issues stock options and restricted shares to certain officers, employees and non-employee directors under its Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (LTSIP). QEP uses the Black-Scholes-Merton mathematical model to estimate the fair value of stock options for accounting purposes. The granting of restricted shares results in recognition of compensation cost measured at the grant-date market price. QEP uses an accelerated method in recognizing share-based compensation costs with graded-vesting periods. Stock options held by employees generally vest in three equal, annual installments and primarily have terms of seven years. Restricted shares vest in equal installments over a specified number of years after the grant date with the majority vesting in three years. Non-vested restricted shares have voting and dividend rights; however, sale or transfer is restricted. At the time of the Spin-off, all outstanding options and restricted stock were bifurcated. The Company also awards performance share units which are paid out in cash that is dependent upon the Company's total shareholder return compared to a group of its peers over a three-year period. The performance share unit's compensation cost is equal to its fair value as of the period end and is classified as a liability. For a summary of LTSIP transactions see Note 10—Share-Based Compensation.

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Pension Plans, Other Postretirement Benefits and Defined-Contribution Plans

QEP measures pension plan assets at fair value. Defined-benefit plan obligations and costs are actuarially determined, incorporating the use of various assumptions. Critical assumptions for pension and other postretirement plans include the discount rate, the expected rate of return on plan assets (for funded pension plans), the rate of future compensation increases and the health care cost trend rate. Other assumptions involve demographic factors such as retirement, mortality and turnover. QEP evaluates and updates its actuarial assumptions at least annually.

Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is the sum of net income attributable to QEP as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and changes in the components of other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes certain items that are recorded directly to equity and classified as AOCI. One component of other comprehensive income is changes in the market value of commodity-based derivative instruments that qualified for hedge accounting. Income or loss associated with commodity-based derivative instruments that qualified for hedge accounting is realized when the natural gas, oil or NGL underlying the derivative instrument is sold. Comprehensive income also includes changes in the under-funded portion of the defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefits plans and changes in deferred income taxes on such amounts. These transactions are not the culmination of the earnings process but result from periodically adjusting historical balances to fair value.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Business Segments

Line of business information is presented according to senior management's basis for evaluating performance considering differences in the nature of products, services and regulation. QEP's lines of business are QEP Energy, QEP Field Services, and QEP Marketing and other corporate activities not attributable to a line of business.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Developments

In December of 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities, which enhances disclosure requirements regarding an entity's financial instruments and derivative instruments that are offset or subject to a master netting arrangement. This information about offsetting and related netting arrangements will enable users of financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on the entity's financial position, including the effect of rights of setoff. The amendments are required for annual reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. QEP is evaluating the impact of this ASU on its disclosure requirements.

In July of 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-02, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment, which revises the way an entity can test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by allowing an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If there is no indication of impairment from the qualitative impairment test, the entity is not required to complete a quantitative impairment test of determining and comparing the fair value with the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived asset. Under the guidance in this ASU, an entity also has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment in any period and proceed directly in performing the quantitative impairment test and can resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. The amendments are effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The adoption of this standard will allow the Company to more efficiently complete the annual goodwill impairment test but will not have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.