SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Supplemental Information Referable to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION [Abstract]
Interest (exclusive of amount capitalized)		$ 75,058	$ 85,140
Income taxes		72,544	46,955
Accrued liabilities for purchases of property, plant & equipment		16,765	28,828
Recognition of new asset retirement obligations		353	263
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	[1]	43,665	438,517
Amounts referable to business acquisitions, Liabilities assumed		5,637	3,525
Amounts referable to business acquisitions, Consideration payable to seller		8,980	0
Amounts referable to business acquisitions, Fair value of noncash assets and liabilities exchanged		21,214	0
Debt issued for purchases of property, plant & equipment		$ 2,571	$ 0

[1] The 2019 amount includes the initial right-of-use assets resulting from our adoption of ASU 2016-02, “Leases.”