Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of change in asset retirement obligation

In 2011, 2010 and 2009, Energen Resources recognized amounts representing expected future costs associated with site reclamation, facilities dismantlement, and plug and abandonment of wells as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance of ARO as of December 31, 2008	$	66,151
Liabilities incurred	8,226
Liabilities settled	(672		)
Revision in estimated cash flows	9,658
Accretion expense	4,935
Balance of ARO as of December 31, 2009	88,298
Liabilities incurred	4,033
Liabilities settled	(1,094		)
Accretion expense	6,178
Balance of ARO as of December 31, 2010	97,415
Liabilities incurred	4,627
Liabilities settled	(1,539		)
Accretion expense	6,837
Balance of ARO as of December 31, 2011	$	107,340