CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating Revenues
Oil and gas operations	$ 948,526	$ 958,762	$ 822,546
Natural gas distribution	534,953	619,772	617,874
Total operating revenues	1,483,479	1,578,534	1,440,420
Operating Expenses
Cost of gas	233,523	316,988	306,054
Operations and maintenance	419,119	429,165	380,625
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	283,997	247,865	235,084
Income taxes
Current	16,660	33,150	59,355
Deferred	129,041	133,840	84,616
Taxes, other than income taxes	91,734	84,961	78,329
Accretion expense	6,837	6,178	4,935
Total operating expenses	1,035,210	1,085,157	1,005,027
Operating Income (Expense)	448,269	493,377	435,393
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense	(44,822)	(39,222)	(39,379)
Other income	2,334	4,285	4,972
Other expense	(456)	(643)	(690)
Total other income (expense)	(42,944)	(35,580)	(35,097)
Interest Charges
Income Before Income Taxes	405,325	457,797	400,296
Income tax expense	145,701	166,990	143,971
Net income	259,624	290,807	256,325
Diluted Earnings Per Average Common Share (dollars per share)	$ 3.59	$ 4.04	$ 3.57
Basic Earnings Per Average Common Share (dollars per share)	$ 3.60	$ 4.05	$ 3.58
Dividends Per Common Share (dollars per share)	$ 0.54	$ 0.52	$ 0.50
Diluted Average Common Shares Outstanding	72,332,369	72,050,997	71,885,422
Basic Average Common Shares Outstanding	72,055,661	71,845,463	71,667,304
Alabama Gas Corporation
Operating Revenues
Natural gas distribution	534,953	619,772	617,874
Operating Expenses
Cost of gas	233,523	316,988	306,054
Operations and maintenance	139,030	128,830	134,847
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	39,916	44,042	50,995
Income taxes
Current	(1,388)	1,014	11,096
Deferred	28,058	28,861	16,257
Taxes, other than income taxes	36,268	41,529	41,994
Total operating expenses	475,407	561,264	561,243
Operating Income (Expense)	59,546	58,508	56,631
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense	(14,740)	(13,894)	(13,714)
Allowance for funds used during construction	807	808	1,106
Other income	1,309	1,923	2,014
Other expense	(320)	(462)	(622)
Total other income (expense)	1,796	2,269	2,498
Interest Charges
Interest on long-term debt	12,100	11,907	11,906
Other interest charges	2,640	1,987	1,808
Income tax expense	26,670	29,875	27,353
Net income	$ 46,602	$ 46,883	$ 45,415