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Impairment of Assets:
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2015
Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]  
Asset Impairment Charges [Text Block]
IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS

Long-lived assets

Our Oil and Gas segment accounts for oil and gas activities under the full cost method of accounting. Under the full cost method, all productive and non-productive costs related to acquisition, exploration, development, abandonment and reclamation activities are capitalized. These capitalized costs, less accumulated amortization and related deferred income taxes, are subject to a ceiling test which limits the pooled costs to the aggregate of the discounted value of future net revenue attributable to proved natural gas and crude oil reserves using a discount rate defined by the SEC plus the lower of cost or market value of unevaluated properties. Any costs in excess of the ceiling are written off as a non-cash charge.

During the first quarter of 2015, we recorded a $22 million pre-tax non-cash impairment of oil and gas assets included in our Oil and Gas segment. In determining the ceiling value of our assets under the full cost accounting rules of the SEC, we utilized the average of the quoted prices from the first day of each month from the previous 12 months. For natural gas, the average NYMEX price was $3.88 per Mcf, adjusted to $2.69 per Mcf at the wellhead; for crude oil, the average NYMEX price was $82.72 per barrel, adjusted to $74.13 per barrel at the wellhead. As a result of continued low commodity prices during the second quarter of 2015, we recorded a $94 million pre-tax non-cash impairment of oil and gas assets. For natural gas, the average NYMEX price was $3.39 per Mcf, adjusted to $2.14 per Mcf at the wellhead; for crude oil, the average NYMEX price was $71.68 per barrel, adjusted to $63.76 per barrel at the wellhead.

Equity investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries

Our Oil and Gas segment owns a 25% interest in a pipeline and gathering system, accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Due to sustained low commodity prices, recurring operating losses and future expectations we reviewed this investment interest for impairment utilizing the other-than-temporary impairment model under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements. We valued this investment applying a market method approach utilizing assumptions consistent with similar known and measurable transactions. The carrying amount of this equity method investment exceeded the fair value, and we concluded the decline is considered to be other than temporary. As a result we recorded a pre-tax impairment loss at June 30, 2015 of $5.2 million, the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the investment.