Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Pension Plans

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Schedule of Net Benefit Costs

The components of net periodic benefit cost from continuing operations for Energen’s defined benefit non-contributory pension plan and certain nonqualified supplemental pension plans were as follows:

	Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2015		2014
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	—	$	1,635
Interest cost	204		1,413
Expected long-term return on assets	—		(1,460		)
Actuarial loss	184		1,412
Prior service cost amortization	—		57
Settlement charge	2,662		3,558
Net periodic expense	$	3,050	$	6,615

Postretirement Benefit Plans

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Schedule of Net Benefit Costs

The components of net periodic postretirement benefit expense from continuing operations for Energen’s postretirement benefit plan were as follows:

	Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2015			2014
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	98		$	60
Interest cost	117			226
Expected long-term return on assets	(114		)	(387		)
Actuarial gain	—			(212		)
Transition amortization	—			15
Net periodic (income) expense	$	101		$	(298	)