Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Fair Value Hierarchy Table for Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

We use a market approach for our recurring fair value measurements and endeavor to use the best information available. Accordingly, valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable impacts are favored. The following tables present the fair value hierarchy table for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, on a recurring basis (in thousands):

		Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017 Using:
		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Carrying Value as of December 31, 2017
Trading securities held in the deferred compensation plans		$	67,117	$	—		$	—	$	67,117
Derivatives	–swaps		—		3,910			—		3,910
	–collars		—		3,039			85		3,124
	–basis swaps		—		(9,025	)		39		(8,986	)
	–freight swaps		—		276			—		276
	–swaptions		—		—			6,534		6,534

		Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016 Using:
		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Carrying Value as of December 31, 2016
Trading securities held in the deferred compensation plans		$	61,717	$	—		$	—	$	61,717
Derivatives	–swaps		—		(207,979	)		—		(207,979	)
	–collars		—		3,673			—		3,673
	–puts		—		18,159			—		18,159
	–calls		—		(1,041	)		—		(1,041	)
	–basis swaps		—		11,106			—		11,106
	–freight swaps		—		65			—		65

Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Balances for Derivative Instruments Classified as Level 3 in the Fair Value Hierarchy

The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for derivative instruments classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):

		Year Ended December 31, 2017
Balance at the beginning of period	$	—
Total gains (losses):
Included in earnings		6,658
Settlements received		—
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3		—
Balance at end of period	$	6,658

Value of Assets Measured at Fair Value on Nonrecurring Basis

The following table presents the value of these assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at the time impairment was recorded (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2017				2016				2015
	Fair Value		Impairment		Fair Value		Impairment		Fair Value		Impairment
Natural gas and oil properties	$	85,597	$	63,679	$	90,150	$	43,040	$	152,230	$	590,174

Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The following table presents the carrying amounts and the fair values of our financial instruments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):

	December 31, 2017						December 31, 2016
	Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
Assets:
Commodity swaps, options and basis swaps	$	58,880		$	58,880		$	13,483		$	13,483
Marketable securities ^(a)		67,117			67,117			61,717			61,717
(Liabilities):
Commodity swaps, options and basis swaps		(54,022	)		(54,022	)		(189,500	)		(189,500	)
Bank credit facility ^(b)		(1,211,000	)		(1,211,000	)		(882,000	)		(882,000	)
5.75% senior notes due 2021 ^(b)		(475,952	)		(493,872	)		(475,952	)		(496,180	)
5.00% senior notes due 2022 ^(b)		(580,032	)		(578,727	)		(580,032	)		(577,132	)
5.875% senior notes due 2022 ^(b)		(329,244	)		(339,200	)		(329,244	)		(343,648	)
Other senior notes due 2022 ^(b)		(590	)		(591	)		(1,090	)		(1,104	)
5.00% senior notes due 2023 ^(b)		(741,531	)		(735,614	)		(741,531	)		(735,043	)
4.875% senior notes due 2025 ^(b)		(750,000	)		(733,755	)		(750,000	)		(724,688	)
5.75% senior subordinated notes due 2021 ^(b)		(22,214	)		(22,192	)		(22,214	)		(22,325	)
5.00% senior subordinated notes due 2022 ^(b)		(19,054	)		(18,741	)		(19,054	)		(18,387	)
5.00% senior subordinated notes due 2023 ^(b)		(7,712	)		(7,614	)		(7,712	)		(7,645	)
Deferred compensation plan ^(c)		(114,414	)		(114,414	)		(139,580	)		(139,580	)

^(a)	Marketable securities, which are held in our deferred compensation plans, are actively traded on major exchanges.

^(b)	The book value of our bank debt approximates fair value because of its floating rate structure. The fair value of our senior notes and our senior subordinated notes is based on end of period market quotes which are Level 2 inputs.

^(c)	The fair value of our deferred compensation plan is updated at the closing price on the balance sheet date which is a Level 1 input.