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Exploratory Costs
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Extractive Industries [Abstract]  
Exploratory Costs
EXPLORATORY COSTS

Energen capitalizes exploratory drilling costs until a determination is made that the well or project has either found proved reserves or is impaired. After an exploratory well has been drilled and found oil and natural gas reserves, a determination may be pending as to whether the oil and natural gas quantities can be classified as proved. In those circumstances, Energen continues to capitalize the drilling costs pending the determination of proved status if (i) the well has found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify its completion as a producing well and (ii) Energen is making sufficient progress assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project. Capitalized exploratory drilling costs are presented in unproved properties in the balance sheets. If the exploratory well is determined to be impaired, the impaired costs are charged to exploration expense. Other exploration costs, including geological and geophysical costs, are expensed as incurred.

The following table sets forth capitalized exploratory well costs and includes additions pending determination of proved reserves, reclassifications to proved reserves and costs charged to expense:

 
Three months ended
June 30,
Six months ended
June 30,
(in thousands)
2014
2013
2014
2013
Capitalized exploratory well costs at beginning of period
$
109,968

$
106,175

$
57,600

$
79,791

Additions pending determination of proved reserves
200,347

123,719

365,189

219,580

Reclassifications due to determination of proved reserves
(142,666
)
(157,722
)
(255,140
)
(227,199
)
Exploratory well costs charged to expense
(1,191
)

(1,191
)

Capitalized exploratory well costs at end of period
$
166,458

$
72,172

$
166,458

$
72,172





The following table sets forth capitalized exploratory wells costs and includes amounts capitalized for a period greater than one year:

 
Six months ended
Six months ended
(in thousands)
June 30, 2014
June 30, 2013
Exploratory wells in progress
$
35,753

$
25,728

Capitalized exploratory well costs capitalized for a period of one year or less
129,477

45,245

Capitalized exploratory well costs for a period greater than one year
1,228

1,199

Total capitalized exploratory well costs
$
166,458

$
72,172



At June 30, 2014, Energen had 56 gross exploratory wells either drilling or waiting on results from completion and testing. These wells are located primarily in the Permian Basin. Energen has one gross well capitalized greater than a year which is pending results from completion and testing. This well is currently waiting on facilities.