Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Rental and lease expenses were $20.5 million, $19.9 million and $19.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The rental and lease expenses primarily relate to compressor rentals during the year and the lease of our office space in Houston, Texas.

Our remaining minimum annual obligations under non-cancelable operating lease commitments were $9.0 million for 2014, $1.3 million for 2015, $0.1 million for 2016 and $10.5 million in total. The remaining minimum annual obligations under non-cancelable operating lease commitments primarily relate to our initial ten-year lease for our office space in Houston, Texas which was set to expire in February 2015. In February 2014 we amended the lease eliminating our renewal options and extending the lease through November 30, 2015. We will amortize the total payments required under the lease agreement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Our employment agreement liabilities for certain named executive officers, as detailed in our most recent proxy statement, constitute the majority of other long-term liabilities on the balance sheet at both December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Our remaining gas transportation and processing minimum obligations were $8.8 million for 2014, $8.0 million for 2015, $6.5 million for 2016, $3.7 million for 2017, $3.7 million for 2018 and $36.2 million in the aggregate.

In the ordinary course of business, we have been party to various legal actions, which arise primarily from our activities as operator of oil and natural gas wells. In management's opinion, the outcome of any such currently pending legal actions will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.