Suspended Exploratory Well Costs

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Extractive Industries [Abstract]

Suspended Exploratory Well Costs

(7) Suspended Exploratory Well Costs

We capitalize exploratory well costs until a determination is made that the well has either found proved reserves or that it is impaired. Capitalized exploratory well costs are presented in natural gas and oil properties in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. If an exploratory well is determined to be impaired, the well costs are charged to exploration expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The project with exploratory well costs at December 31, 2015 was completed in 2016. The following table reflects the changes in capitalized exploratory well costs for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands, except for number of projects):

	2016			2015			2014
Balance at beginning of period	$	4,161		$	2,996		$	6,964
Additions to capitalized exploratory well costs pending the determination of proved reserves		9,128			1,165			18,747
Reclassifications to wells, facilities and equipment based on determination of proved reserves		(5,877	)		—			(15,735	)
Capitalized exploratory well costs charged to expense		—			—			(6,980	)
Balance at end of period		7,412			4,161			2,996
Less exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period of one year or less		(7,412	)		(1,165	)		(2,996	)
Capitalized exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period greater than one year	$	—		$	2,996		$	—
Number of projects that have exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period greater than one year		—			1			—