CNX-6.30.12-10Q


 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 __________________________________________________
FORM 10-Q
  __________________________________________________ 
(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file number: 001-14901
  __________________________________________________
CONSOL Energy Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
51-0337383
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1000 CONSOL Energy Drive
Canonsburg, PA 15317-6506
(724) 485-4000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
 __________________________________________________ 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes  x    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes  x    No   o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  o    Non-accelerated filer  o    Smaller Reporting Company  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes  o    No  x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
 
Shares outstanding as of July 19, 2012
Common stock, $0.01 par value
 
227,628,861
 




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
Page
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
ITEM 1.
Condensed Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 2.
 
 
 
ITEM 3.
 
 
 
ITEM 4.
 
 
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
ITEM 1.
 
 
 
ITEM 6.




PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Sales—Outside
$
1,189,293

 
$
1,486,000

 
$
2,500,764

 
$
2,871,478

Sales—Gas Royalty Interests
9,533

 
16,273

 
21,739

 
35,108

Sales—Purchased Gas
651

 
1,162

 
1,490

 
2,142

Freight—Outside
49,472

 
59,572

 
98,765

 
96,440

Other Income
205,538

 
24,921

 
258,499

 
48,137

Total Revenue and Other Income
1,454,487

 
1,587,928

 
2,881,257

 
3,053,305

Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown below)
856,889

 
927,399

 
1,760,930

 
1,741,108

Loss on Debt Extinguishment

 
16,090

 

 
16,090

Gas Royalty Interests Costs
7,124

 
14,366

 
17,373

 
31,173

Purchased Gas Costs
869

 
1,776

 
1,386

 
2,452

Freight Expense
49,472

 
59,572

 
98,765

 
96,251

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
33,732

 
43,423

 
72,731

 
83,619

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
153,824

 
157,800

 
309,171

 
306,862

Abandonment of Long-Lived Assets

 
115,479

 

 
115,479

Interest Expense
56,593

 
64,597

 
114,713

 
131,079

Taxes Other Than Income
84,329

 
88,642

 
175,956

 
179,331

Total Costs
1,242,832

 
1,489,144

 
2,551,025

 
2,703,444

Earnings Before Income Taxes
211,655

 
98,784

 
330,232

 
349,861

Income Taxes
58,945

 
21,400

 
80,326

 
80,328

Net Income
152,710

 
77,384

 
249,906

 
269,533

Add: Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
29

 

 
29

 

Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders
$
152,739

 
$
77,384

 
$
249,935

 
$
269,533

Earnings Per Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.67

 
$
0.34

 
$
1.10

 
$
1.19

Dilutive
$
0.67

 
$
0.34

 
$
1.09

 
$
1.18

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
227,548,394

 
226,647,752

 
227,408,832

 
226,499,994

Dilutive
229,252,185

 
229,138,024

 
229,122,594

 
228,917,335

Dividends Paid Per Share
$
0.125

 
$
0.100

 
$
0.250

 
$
0.200


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


3



CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30
 
June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Net Income
$
152,710

 
$
77,384

 
$
249,906

 
$
269,533

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Treasury Rate Lock (Net of tax: $-, $47, $-, $59)

 
(76
)
 

 
(96
)
  Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
          Change in Prior Service Cost (Net of tax: $-, $-, ($30,295), $-)

 

 
50,276

 

          Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Net of tax: $5,232, $4,583, $9,784, $9,166)
(8,683
)
 
(7,364
)
 
(16,237
)
 
(14,729
)
          Amortization of Net Loss (Net of tax: ($9,802), ($13,108), ($19,956), ($22,874))
16,269

 
21,064

 
33,120

 
36,756

  Net Increase in the Value of Cash Flow Hedge (Net of tax: ($6,869), ($18,308), ($55,877), ($21,122))
10,663

 
28,430

 
86,739

 
32,801

  Reclassification of Cash Flow Hedges from OCI to Earnings (Net of tax: $36,696, $10,839, $68,077, $23,454)
(57,847
)
 
(16,905
)
 
(105,788
)
 
(35,745
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
(39,598
)
 
25,149

 
48,110

 
18,987

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income
113,112

 
102,533

 
298,016

 
288,520

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Add: Comprehensive Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
29

 

 
29

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders
$
113,141

 
$
102,533

 
$
298,045

 
$
288,520






















4




The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
June 30,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
200,207

 
$
375,736

Accounts and Notes Receivable:
 
 

Trade
416,838

 
462,812

Notes Receivables
314,646

 
314,950

Other Receivables
99,597

 
105,708

Inventories
305,061

 
258,335

Deferred Income Taxes
148,977

 
141,083

Prepaid Expenses
195,297

 
239,353

Total Current Assets
1,680,623

 
1,897,977

Property, Plant and Equipment:
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
14,736,339

 
14,087,319

Less—Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
5,065,462

 
4,760,903

Total Property, Plant and Equipment—Net
9,670,877

 
9,326,416

Other Assets:
 
 
 
Deferred Income Taxes
439,745

 
507,724

Restricted Cash
20,365

 
22,148

Investment in Affiliates
209,273

 
182,036

Notes Receivable
300,307

 
300,492

Other
276,706

 
288,907

Total Other Assets
1,246,396

 
1,301,307

TOTAL ASSETS
$
12,597,896

 
$
12,525,700




















The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


5



CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
June 30,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts Payable
$
472,804

 
$
522,003

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
20,862

 
20,691

Accrued Income Taxes
35,065

 
75,633

Other Accrued Liabilities
744,186

 
770,070

Total Current Liabilities
1,272,917

 
1,388,397

Long-Term Debt:
 
 
 
Long-Term Debt
3,122,234

 
3,122,234

Capital Lease Obligations
53,032

 
55,189

Total Long-Term Debt
3,175,266

 
3,177,423

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
 
 
 
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
2,971,297

 
3,059,671

Pneumoconiosis Benefits
175,611

 
173,553

Mine Closing
441,670

 
406,712

Gas Well Closing
144,577

 
124,051

Workers’ Compensation
150,007

 
151,034

Salary Retirement
208,506

 
269,069

Reclamation
56,184

 
39,969

Other
131,549

 
124,936

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
4,279,401

 
4,348,995

TOTAL LIABILITIES
8,727,584

 
8,914,815

Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value; 500,000,000 Shares Authorized, 227,628,661 Issued and 227,593,906 Outstanding at June 30, 2012; 227,289,426 Issued and 227,056,212 Outstanding at December 31, 2011
2,276

 
2,273

Capital in Excess of Par Value
2,262,159

 
2,234,775

Preferred Stock, 15,000,000 shares authorized, None issued and outstanding

 

Retained Earnings
2,359,609

 
2,184,737

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(753,444
)
 
(801,554
)
Common Stock in Treasury, at Cost—34,755 Shares at June 30, 2012 and 233,214 Shares at December 31, 2011
(609
)
 
(9,346
)
Total CONSOL Energy Inc. Stockholders’ Equity
3,869,991

 
3,610,885

Noncontrolling Interest
321

 

TOTAL EQUITY
3,870,312

 
3,610,885

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
12,597,896

 
$
12,525,700










The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


6



CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Common
Stock
 
Capital in
Excess
of Par
Value
 
Retained
Earnings
(Deficit)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
(Loss)
 
Common
Stock in
Treasury
 
Total CONSOL Energy Inc.
Stockholders’
Equity
 
Non-
Controlling
Interest
 
Total

Equity
Balance at December 31, 2011
$
2,273

 
$
2,234,775

 
$
2,184,737

 
$
(801,554
)
 
$
(9,346
)
 
$
3,610,885

 
$

 
$
3,610,885

(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income (Loss)

 

 
249,935

 

 

 
249,935

 
(29
)
 
249,906

Other Comprehensive Income

 

 

 
48,110

 

 
48,110

 

 
48,110

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 
249,935

 
48,110

 

 
298,045

 
(29
)
 
298,016

Issuance of Common Stock
3

 
454

 

 

 

 
457

 

 
457

Issuance of Treasury Stock

 

 
(18,230
)
 

 
8,737

 
(9,493
)
 

 
(9,493
)
Tax Cost From Stock-Based Compensation

 
(5
)
 

 

 

 
(5
)
 

 
(5
)
Amortization of Stock-Based Compensation Awards

 
26,935

 

 

 

 
26,935

 

 
26,935

Net Change in Greenshale Energy Noncontrolling Interest

 

 

 

 

 

 
350

 
350

Dividends ($0.25 per share)

 

 
(56,833
)
 

 

 
(56,833
)
 

 
(56,833
)
Balance at June 30, 2012
$
2,276

 
$
2,262,159

 
$
2,359,609

 
$
(753,444
)
 
$
(609
)
 
$
3,869,991

 
$
321

 
$
3,870,312






























The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


7



CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
2012

2011
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders
$
249,935

 
$
269,533

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
309,171

 
306,862

Abandonment of Long-Lived Assets

 
115,479

Stock-Based Compensation
26,935

 
25,575

Gain on Sale of Assets
(189,981
)
 
(5,139
)
Loss on Debt Extinguishment

 
16,090

Amortization of Mineral Leases
3,631

 
3,578

Deferred Income Taxes
30,625

 
7,592

Equity in Earnings of Affiliates
(15,103
)
 
(11,312
)
Changes in Operating Assets:
 
 
 
Accounts and Notes Receivable
40,034

 
(51,097
)
Inventories
(46,726
)
 
(1,708
)
Prepaid Expenses
19,709

 
23,679

Changes in Other Assets
10,604

 
15,307

Changes in Operating Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts Payable
(41,266
)
 
21,184

Other Operating Liabilities
(65,693
)
 
23,391

Changes in Other Liabilities
23,456

 
29,607

Other
12,618

 
6,862

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
367,949

 
795,483

Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures
(714,399
)
 
(585,441
)
Proceeds from Sales of Assets
252,229

 
7,480

Distributions From, net of (Investments In), Equity Affiliates
(21,839
)
 
3,870

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
(484,009
)
 
(574,091
)
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Payments on Short-Term Borrowings

 
(23,250
)
Payments on Miscellaneous Borrowings
(4,662
)
 
(7,105
)
Payments on Long Term Notes, including Redemption Premium

 
(265,785
)
Payments on Securitization Facility

 
(130,000
)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Notes

 
250,000

Tax Benefit from Stock-Based Compensation
1,608

 
4,181

Dividends Paid
(56,833
)
 
(45,293
)
Issuance of Common Stock
457

 

Issuance of Treasury Stock
109

 
5,012

Debt Issuance and Financing Fees
(148
)
 
(15,427
)
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities
(59,469
)
 
(227,667
)
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents
(175,529
)
 
(6,275
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
375,736

 
32,794

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
$
200,207

 
$
26,519



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


8



CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 1—BASIS OF PRESENTATION:
The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for future periods.
The balance sheet at December 31, 2011 has been derived from the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements at that date but does not include all the notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2011 included in CONSOL Energy Inc.'s Form 10-K.
Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average shares outstanding during the reporting period. Dilutive earnings per share are computed similarly to basic earnings per share except that the weighted average shares outstanding are increased to include additional shares from the assumed exercise of stock options and performance stock options and the assumed vesting of restricted and performance share units, if dilutive. The number of additional shares is calculated by assuming that outstanding stock options and performance share options were exercised, that outstanding restricted stock units and performance share units were released, and that the proceeds from such activities were used to acquire shares of common stock at the average market price during the reporting period. CONSOL Energy Inc. (CONSOL Energy or the Company) includes the impact of pro forma deferred tax assets in determining potential windfalls and shortfalls for purposes of calculating assumed proceeds under the treasury stock method. The table below sets forth the share-based awards that have been excluded from the computation of the diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive:
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Anti-Dilutive Options
2,421,923
 
 
987,471
 
 
2,418,983
 
 
1,005,303
 
Anti-Dilutive Restricted Stock Units
2,642
 
 
2,099
 
 
13,552
 
 
 
Anti-Dilutive Performance Share Units
91,340
 
 
 
 
91,340
 
 
 
Anti-Dilutive Performance Share Options
501,744
 
 
 
 
501,744
 
 
 
 
3,017,649
 
 
989,570
 
 
3,025,619
 
 
1,005,303
 

The table below sets forth the share-based awards that have been exercised or released:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Options
39,418
 
 
58,353
 
 
51,134
 
 
238,749
 
Restricted Stock Units
64,589
 
 
63,228
 
 
522,607
 
 
404,369
 
Performance Share Units
 
 
 
 
229,730
 
 
40,752
 
 
104,007
 
 
121,581
 
 
803,471
 
 
683,870
 

The weighted average exercise price per share of the options exercised during the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 was $10.26 and $22.50, respectively. The weighted average exercise price per share of the options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 was $11.07 and $21.00, respectively.


9



The computations for basic and dilutive earnings per share are as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders
$
152,739
 
 
$
77,384
 
 
$
249,935
 
 
$
269,533
 
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
227,548,394
 
 
226,647,752
 
 
227,408,832
 
 
226,499,994
 
Effect of stock-based compensation awards
1,703,791
 
 
2,490,272
 
 
1,713,762
 
 
2,417,341
 
Dilutive
229,252,185
 
 
229,138,024
 
 
229,122,594
 
 
228,917,335
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.67
 
 
$
0.34
 
 
$
1.10
 
 
$
1.19
 
Dilutive
$
0.67
 
 
$
0.34
 
 
$
1.09
 
 
$
1.18
 

NOTE 2—ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS:
On June 29, 2012, CONSOL Energy completed the disposition of its non-producing Northern Powder River Basin assets in southern Montana and northern Wyoming for cash proceeds of $169,500. The assets consisted of CONSOL Energy's 50% interest in Youngs Creek Mining Company LLC, CONSOL Energy's 50% interest in CX Ranch and related properties in and around Sheridan, Wyoming. The gain on the transaction was $150,677 and is included in Other Income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Additionally, CONSOL Energy retained an 8% production royalty interest on approximately 200 million tons of permitted fee coal.

On April 4, 2012, CONSOL Energy completed the disposition of its non-producing Elk Creek property in southern West Virginia, which consisted of 20 thousand acres of coal lands and surface rights, for proceeds of $26,000. The gain on the transaction was $11,235 and is included in Other Income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

On February 9, 2012, CONSOL Energy completed the disposition of its Burning Star No. 4 property in Illinois, which consisted of 4.3 thousand acres of coal lands and surface rights, for proceeds of $13,023. The gain on the transaction was $11,261 and is included in Other Income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

On October 21, 2011, CNX Gas Company LLC (CNX Gas Company), a wholly owned subsidiary of CONSOL Energy, completed a sale to Hess Ohio Developments, LLC (Hess) of 50% of its nearly 200 thousand net Utica Shale acres in Ohio. Cash proceeds related to this transaction were $54,254, which are net of $5,719 transaction fees. Additionally, CONSOL Energy and Hess entered into a joint development agreement pursuant to which Hess agreed to pay approximately $534,000 in the form of a 50% drilling carry of certain CONSOL Energy working interest obligations as the acreage is developed. The aggregate amount of the drilling carry can be adjusted downward under provisions of the joint venture agreements in certain events. The net gain on the transaction was $53,095 and was recognized in the three months ended December 31, 2011.

On September 30, 2011, CNX Gas Company completed a sale to Noble Energy, Inc. (Noble) of 50% of the Company's undivided interest in certain Marcellus Shale oil and gas properties in West Virginia and Pennsylvania covering approximately 628 thousand net acres and 50% of the Company's undivided interest in certain of its existing Marcellus Shale wells and related leases. In September 2011, cash proceeds of $485,464 were received related to this transaction, which were net of $34,998 transaction fees. Additionally, a note receivable was recognized related to the two additional cash payments to be received on the first and second anniversary of the transaction closing date. The discounted notes receivable of $311,754 and $296,344 were recorded in Accounts and Notes Receivables—Notes Receivable and Other Assets—Notes Receivable, respectively. In the three months ended December 31, 2011, an additional receivable of $16,703 and a payable of $980 were recorded for closing adjustments and were included in Accounts and Notes Receivable - Other and Accounts Payable, respectively. The net loss on the transaction was $64,142 and was recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2011. As part of the transaction, CNX Gas Company also received a commitment from Noble to pay one-third of the Company's working interest share of certain drilling and completion costs, up to approximately $2,100,000 with certain restrictions. These restrictions include the suspension of carry if average Henry Hub natural gas prices are below $4.00 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) for three consecutive months. The carry is currently suspended and will remain suspended until average natural gas prices are above $4.00/MMBtu for three consecutive months. Restrictions also include a $400,000 annual maximum on


10



Noble's carried cost obligation. The aggregate amount of the drilling carry may also be adjusted downward under provisions of the joint venture agreements in certain events.

The following unaudited pro forma combined financial statements are based on CONSOL Energy's historical consolidated financial statements and adjusted to give effect to the September 30, 2011 sale of a 50% interest in certain Marcellus Shale assets. The unaudited pro forma results for the period presented below are prepared as if the transaction occurred as of January 1, 2011 and do not include material, non-recurring charges.
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
 
2011
 
2011
Total Revenue and Other Income
 
$
1,573,910

 
$
3,029,036

Earnings Before Income Taxes
 
$
94,858

 
$
342,276

Net Income
 
$
74,359

 
$
263,689

Basic Earnings Per Share
 
$
0.33

 
$
1.17

Dilutive Earnings Per Share
 
$
0.32

 
$
1.15

The pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of what actually would have occurred if the transaction with Noble had been completed as of January 1, 2011, nor are they necessarily indicative of future consolidated results.
On September 30, 2011, CNX Gas Company and Noble formed CONE Gathering LLC (CONE), a joint venture established to develop and operate each company's gas gathering system needs in the Marcellus Shale play. CNX Gas Company's 50% ownership interest in CONE is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. CNX Gas Company contributed its existing Marcellus Shale gathering infrastructure which had a net book value of $119,740 and Noble contributed cash of approximately $67,545. CONE made a cash distribution to CNX Gas Company in the amount of $67,545. The cash proceeds were recognized as cash inflows of $59,870 and $7,675 in Distributions from Equity Affiliates and Proceeds from the Sale of Assets, respectively, in CONSOL Energy's results of operations in the three months ended September 30, 2011. The gain on the transaction was $7,161 and was recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2011.

On September 21, 2011, CONSOL Energy entered into an agreement with Antero Resources Appalachian Corp. (Antero), pursuant to which CONSOL Energy assigned to Antero overriding royalty interests (ORRI) of approximately 7% in approximately 116 thousand net acres of Marcellus Shale located in nine counties in southwestern Pennsylvania and north central West Virginia, in exchange for $193,000. The net gain on the transaction was $41,057 and was recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2011.

NOTE 3—COMPONENTS OF PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT (OPEB) PLANS NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COSTS:
Components of net periodic costs for the three and six months ended June 30 are as follows:
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Service cost
$
4,850

 
$
4,440

 
$
10,003

 
$
8,729

 
$
4,566

 
$
2,862

 
$
9,766

 
$
6,839

Interest cost
9,415

 
9,794

 
18,793

 
18,872

 
32,795

 
47,665

 
68,322

 
89,869

Expected return on plan assets
(11,452
)
 
(9,631
)
 
(23,079
)
 
(19,261
)
 

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service cost (credits)
(407
)
 
(166
)
 
(815
)
 
(333
)
 
(13,410
)
 
(11,600
)
 
(25,009
)
 
(23,199
)
Recognized net actuarial loss
11,654

 
9,905

 
23,917

 
19,051

 
20,020

 
30,318

 
40,365

 
52,682

Net periodic benefit cost
$
14,060

 
$
14,342

 
$
28,819

 
$
27,058

 
$
43,971

 
$
69,245

 
$
93,444

 
$
126,191





11



For the six months ended June 30, 2012, $67,292 was paid to the pension trust for pension benefits from operating cash flows. CONSOL Energy expects to contribute to the pension trust using prudent funding methods. Currently, depending on asset values and asset returns held in the trust, we expect to contribute $110,000 to the pension trust in 2012.

On March 31, 2012, the salaried OPEB plan was remeasured to reflect an announced plan amendment that will reduce medical and prescription drug benefits as of January 1, 2014. The plan amendment calls for a fixed annual retiree medical contribution into a Health Reimbursement Account for eligible employees. The amount of contribution is dependent on several factors. The money in the account can be used to help pay for a commercial medical plan, Medicare Part B or Part D premiums, and other qualified expenses. Employees who work or worked in corporate or operational support positions at retirement and who are age 50 or older at December 31, 2013 will receive the revised benefit in lieu of the current retiree medical and prescription drug benefits. Employees who work or worked in corporate or operational support positions who are under age 50 at December 31, 2013 will receive no retiree medical or prescription drug benefits. The remeasurement reflects the reduction in benefits and the change in discount rate to 4.57% at March 31, 2012 from 4.51% at December 31, 2011. The remeasurement resulted in an $80,570 reduction in the OPEB liability with a corresponding adjustment of $50,275 in other comprehensive income, net of $30,295 in deferred taxes. The change was made to align our corporate and operational support compensation package more closely with our peer group. The change resulted in a $3,142 reduction in OPEB expense compared to what was originally expected to be recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2012. Additionally, the change will result in a $6,283 reduction to OPEB expense compared to what was originally expected to be recognized for the remaining six months of 2012.

CONSOL Energy does not expect to contribute to the other postemployment benefit plan in 2012. We intend to pay benefit claims as they become due. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, $83,353 of other postemployment benefits have been paid.
For the six months ended June 30, 2011, CONSOL Energy received proceeds of $7,781 under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) related to reimbursement from the Federal government for retiree health spending. This amount was included as a reduction of benefit and other payments in the reconciliation of changes in benefit obligation. No additional proceeds will be received under this program.

NOTE 4—COMPONENTS OF COAL WORKERS’ PNEUMOCONIOSIS (CWP) AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COSTS:
Components of net periodic costs (benefits) for the three and six months ended June 30 are as follows:
 
 
CWP
 
Workers’ Compensation
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Service cost
$
1,178

 
$
1,155

 
$
2,356

 
$
2,310

 
$
3,634

 
$
4,468

 
$
7,268

 
$
8,936

Interest cost
1,991

 
2,332

 
3,982

 
4,665

 
1,778

 
2,059

 
3,556

 
4,119

Amortization of actuarial gain
(4,933
)
 
(5,477
)
 
(9,867
)
 
(10,955
)
 
(986
)
 
(976
)
 
(1,972
)
 
(1,953
)
State administrative fees and insurance bond premiums

 

 

 

 
1,635

 
1,986

 
3,545

 
3,208

Legal and administrative costs
750

 
750

 
1,500

 
1,500

 
648

 
719

 
1,296

 
1,437

Net periodic (benefit) cost
$
(1,014
)
 
$
(1,240
)
 
$
(2,029
)
 
$
(2,480
)
 
$
6,709

 
$
8,256

 
$
13,693

 
$
15,747


CONSOL Energy does not expect to contribute to the CWP plan in 2012. We intend to pay benefit claims as they become due. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, $5,654 of CWP benefit claims have been paid.
CONSOL Energy does not expect to contribute to the workers’ compensation plan in 2012. We intend to pay benefit claims as they become due. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, $16,018 of workers’ compensation benefits, state administrative fees and surety bond premiums have been paid.





12




NOTE 5—INCOME TAXES:
The following is a reconciliation, stated in dollars and as a percentage of pretax income, of the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate to CONSOL Energy’s effective tax rate:
 
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate
$
115,591

 
35.0
 %
 
$
122,451

 
35.0
 %
Excess tax depletion
(39,275
)
 
(11.9
)
 
(52,839
)
 
(15.1
)
Effect of domestic production activities
(251
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(5,131
)
 
(1.5
)
Net effect of state income taxes
5,831

 
1.8

 
11,906

 
3.4

Other
(1,570
)
 
(0.5
)
 
3,941

 
1.2

Income Tax Expense / Effective Rate
$
80,326

 
24.3
 %
 
$
80,328

 
23.0
 %

The effective rates for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 were calculated using the annual effective rate projection on recurring earnings and include tax liabilities related to certain discrete transactions which are described below.

In the three months ended June 30, 2012, CONSOL Energy disposed of non-producing Northern Powder River Basin assets. The Company recognized a gain of $150,677 on the disposition. CONSOL Energy recorded $48,643 in federal and state income taxes related to the sale.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, CONSOL Energy reached an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service Appeals Division on its Extraterritorial Income Exclusion refund claim for tax years 2004-2005. As a result of the agreement, the Company reflected $983 as a discrete reduction to income tax expense. The discrete transaction was reflected in the Other line of the rate reconciliation.
The total amounts of uncertain tax positions at June 30, 2012 and 2011 were $25,570 and $65,510, respectively. If these uncertain tax positions were recognized, approximately $3,891 and $16,802, respectively, would affect CONSOL Energy’s effective tax rate. There were no additions to the liability for unrecognized tax benefits during the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011.
CONSOL Energy recognizes interest accrued related to uncertain tax positions in its interest expense. As of June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company reported an accrued interest liability relating to uncertain tax positions of $6,429 and $13,043, respectively. The accrued interest liability includes $1,055 of interest income and $2,269 of interest expense that is reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
CONSOL Energy recognizes penalties accrued related to uncertain tax positions in its income tax expense. As of June 30, 2012 and 2011, CONSOL Energy had no accrued liability for tax penalties.

CONSOL Energy and its subsidiaries file federal income tax returns with the United States and returns within various states and Canadian jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to United States federal, state, local, or non-U.S. income tax determinations by tax authorities for the years before 2008.

NOTE 6—INVENTORIES:
Inventory components consist of the following:
 
 
June 30,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
Coal
$
135,800

 
$
105,378

Merchandise for resale
38,761

 
43,639

Supplies
130,500

 
109,318

Total Inventories
$
305,061

 
$
258,335




13



Merchandise for resale is valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) cost method. The excess of replacement cost of merchandise for resale inventories over carrying LIFO value was $21,802 and $22,406 at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

NOTE 7—ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SECURITIZATION:
CONSOL Energy and certain of our U.S. subsidiaries are party to a trade accounts receivable facility with financial institutions for the sale on a continuous basis of eligible trade accounts receivable. The facility allows CONSOL Energy to receive on a revolving basis up to $200,000. The facility also allows for the issuance of letters of credit against the $200,000 capacity. At June 30, 2012, there were letters of credit outstanding against the facility of $160,779. CONSOL Energy management believes that these guarantees will expire without being funded, and therefore the commitments will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition. No amounts related to these financial guarantees and letters of credit are recorded as liabilities on the financial statements.
CNX Funding Corporation, a wholly owned, special purpose, bankruptcy-remote subsidiary, buys and sells eligible trade receivables generated by certain subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy. Under the receivables facility, CONSOL Energy and certain subsidiaries, irrevocably and without recourse, sell all of their eligible trade accounts receivable to CNX Funding Corporation, who in turn sells these receivables to financial institutions and their affiliates, while maintaining a subordinated interest in a portion of the pool of trade receivables. This retained interest, which is included in Accounts and Notes Receivable Trade in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, is recorded at fair value. Due to a short average collection cycle for such receivables, our collection experience history and the composition of the designated pool of trade accounts receivable that are part of this program, the fair value of our retained interest approximates the total amount of the designated pool of accounts receivable. CONSOL Energy will continue to service the sold trade receivables for the financial institutions for a fee based upon market rates for similar services.
In accordance with the Transfers and Servicing Topics of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification, CONSOL Energy records transactions under the securitization facility as secured borrowings on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The pledge of collateral is reported as Accounts Receivable - Securitized and the borrowings are classified as debt in Borrowings under Securitization Facility.
The cost of funds under this facility is based upon commercial paper rates, plus a charge for administrative services paid to the financial institutions. Costs associated with the receivables facility totaled $437 and $856 for three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. Costs associated with the receivables facility totaled $572 and $1,297 for three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. These costs have been recorded as financing fees which are included in Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges in the Consolidated Statements of Income. No servicing asset or liability has been recorded. The receivables facility expires in March 2017 with the underlying liquidity agreement renewing annually each March.
At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, eligible accounts receivable totaled $179,700 and $192,700, respectively. There was subordinated retained interest of $18,921 at June 30, 2012 and $192,700 at December 31, 2011. There were no borrowings under the Securitization Facility recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. However, there were letters of credit of $160,779 outstanding against the facility at June 30, 2012. The accounts receivable securitization program decreased by $130,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease is reflected in the Net Cash Used in Financing Activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In accordance with the facility agreement, the Company is able to receive proceeds based upon the eligible accounts receivable at the previous month end.

















14



NOTE 8—PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
 
 
June 30,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
Coal and other plant and equipment
$
5,533,114

 
$
5,160,759

Proven gas properties
1,542,842

 
1,542,837

Intangible drilling cost
1,446,650

 
1,277,678

Coal properties and surface lands
1,333,362

 
1,340,757

Unproven gas properties
1,270,758

 
1,258,027

Gas gathering equipment
988,337

 
963,494

Airshafts
678,234

 
659,736

Leased coal lands
540,516

 
540,817

Mine development
495,607

 
457,179

Gas wells and related equipment
419,409

 
408,814

Coal advance mining royalties
398,781

 
393,340

Other gas assets
81,934

 
79,816

Gas advance royalties
6,795

 
4,065

Total Property Plant and Equipment
14,736,339

 
14,087,319

Less: Accumulated DD&A
5,065,462

 
4,760,903

Total Net PP&E
$
9,670,877

 
$
9,326,416


Industry Participation Agreements
As of June 30, 2012, CONSOL Energy had entered into two significant industry participation agreements (referred to as "joint ventures" or "JVs") that provided drilling and completion carries for our retained interests. The following table provides information about our industry participation agreements as of June 30, 2012:
Shale Play
 
Industry Participation Agreement Partner
 
Industry Participation Agreement Date
 
Total Drilling Carries
 
Drilling Carries Billed to Partner
 
Drilling Carries Remaining
Marcellus
 
Noble Energy, Inc.
 
September 30, 2011
 
$
2,100,000

 
$
10,204

 
$
2,089,796

Utica
 
Hess Ohio Developments, LLC
 
October 21, 2011
 
$
534,000

 
$
6,366

 
$
527,634

NOTE 9—SHORT-TERM NOTES PAYABLE:
CONSOL Energy's $1,500,000 Senior Secured Credit Agreement expires April 12, 2016. The facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of CONSOL Energy and certain of its subsidiaries. CONSOL Energy's credit facility allows for up to $1,500,000 of borrowings and letters of credit. CONSOL Energy can request an additional $250,000 increase in the aggregate borrowing limit amount. Fees and interest rate spreads are based on a ratio of financial covenant debt to twelve-month trailing earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization (EBITDA), measured quarterly. The facility includes a minimum interest coverage ratio covenant of no less than 2.50 to 1.00, measured quarterly. The interest coverage ratio was 6.29 to 1.00 at June 30, 2012. The facility includes a maximum leverage ratio covenant of not more than 4.75 to 1.00, measured quarterly through March 31, 2013, and no more than 4.50 to 1.00 thereafter. The leverage ratio was 1.92 to 1.00 at June 30, 2012. The facility also includes a senior secured leverage ratio covenant of not more than 2.00 to 1.00, measured quarterly. The senior secured leverage ratio was 0.07 to 1.00 at June 30, 2012. Affirmative and negative covenants in the facility limit our ability to dispose of assets, make investments, purchase or redeem CONSOL Energy common stock, pay dividends, merge with another corporation and amend, modify or restate the senior unsecured notes. At June 30, 2012, the $1,500,000 facility had no borrowings outstanding and $100,088 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $1,399,912 of capacity available for borrowings and the issuance of letters of credit. The facility had no borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2011.

CNX Gas Corporation's (CNX Gas) $1,000,000 Senior Secured Credit Agreement expires April 12, 2016. The facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of CNX Gas and its subsidiaries. CNX Gas' credit facility allows for up to $1,000,000


15



for borrowings and letters of credit. CNX Gas can request an additional $250,000 increase in the aggregate borrowing limit amount. Fees and interest rate spreads are based on the percentage of facility utilization, measured quarterly. Covenants in the facility limit CNX Gas’ ability to dispose of assets, make investments, pay dividends and merge with another corporation. The credit facility allows investments in joint ventures for the development and operation of gas gathering systems and provides for $600,000 of loans, advances and dividends from CNX Gas to CONSOL Energy. Investments in the CONE are unrestricted. The facility includes a maximum leverage ratio covenant of not more than 3.50 to 1.00, measured quarterly. The leverage ratio was 0.46 to 1.00 at June 30, 2012. The facility also includes a minimum interest coverage ratio covenant of no less than 3.00 to 1.00, measured quarterly. This ratio was 35.17 to 1.00 at June 30, 2012. At June 30, 2012, the $1,000,000 facility had no borrowings outstanding and $70,203 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $929,797 of capacity available for borrowings and the issuance of letters of credit. The facility had no borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2011. The average interest rate for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 was 2.12%. Accrued interest of $9 is included in Other Accrued Liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at June 30, 2012. There was no accrued interest at December 31, 2011.


NOTE 10—LONG-TERM DEBT:
 
 
June 30,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
Debt:
 
 
 
Senior notes due April 2017 at 8.00%, issued at par value
$
1,500,000

 
$
1,500,000

Senior notes due April 2020 at 8.25%, issued at par value
1,250,000

 
1,250,000

Senior notes due March 2021 at 6.375%, issued at par value
250,000

 
250,000

Baltimore Port Facility revenue bonds in series due September 2025 at 5.75%
102,865

 
102,865

Advance royalty commitments (6.73% weighted average interest rate for June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)
31,053

 
31,053

Other long-term note maturing in 2031
75

 
75

 
3,133,993

 
3,133,993

Less amounts due in one year
11,759

 
11,759

Long-Term Debt
$
3,122,234

 
$
3,122,234


Accrued interest related to Long-Term Debt of $63,262 and $63,259 was included in Other Accrued Liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

NOTE 11—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
CONSOL Energy and its subsidiaries are subject to various lawsuits and claims with respect to such matters as personal injury, wrongful death, damage to property, exposure to hazardous substances, governmental regulations including environmental remediation, employment and contract disputes and other claims and actions arising out of the normal course of business. We accrue the estimated loss for these lawsuits and claims when the loss is probable and can be estimated. Our current estimated accruals related to these pending claims, individually and in the aggregate, are immaterial to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of CONSOL Energy. It is possible that the aggregate loss in the future with respect to these lawsuits and claims could ultimately be material to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of CONSOL Energy; however, such amounts cannot be reasonably estimated. The amount claimed against CONSOL Energy is disclosed below when an amount is expressly stated in the lawsuit or claim, which is not often the case. The maximum aggregate amount claimed in those lawsuits and claims, regardless of probability, where a claim is expressly stated or can be estimated, exceeds the aggregate amounts accrued for all lawsuits and claims by approximately $1,099,260.
The following lawsuits and claims include those for which a loss is probable and an accrual has been recognized.

American Electric Corp: On August 8, 2011, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV, sent Consolidation Coal Company a General Notice and Offer to Negotiate regarding the Ellis Road/American Electric Corp. Superfund Site in Jacksonville, Florida. The General Notice was sent to approximately 180 former customers of American Electric Corp. CONSOL Energy has confirmed that it did business with American Electric Corp. in 1983 and 1984. The General Notice indicated that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other contaminants in the soils and sediments at and near the site require a removal action. The Offer to Negotiate invited the potentially responsible parties (PRPs) to enter into an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent


16



(AOC) to provide for conducting the removal action under the EPA oversight and to reimburse the EPA for its past costs, in the amount of $384 and for its future costs. CONSOL Energy responded to the EPA indicating its willingness to participate in such negotiations, and CONSOL Energy is participating in a group of potentially responsible parties to conduct the removal action. The AOC was signed July 20, 2012, and as a result, the EPA granted the performing parties a $408 orphan share credit, which will offset the EPA's past costs. The actual scope of the work has yet to be determined, but the current estimate of the total costs of the removal action is in the range of $2,000 to $5,400, with CONSOL Energy's share of such costs at approximately 8%. CONSOL Energy has established an initial accrual based on its allocated share of the costs among the viable former customers of American Electric Corp. The liability is immaterial to the overall financial position of CONSOL Energy and is included in Other Accrued Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Ward Transformer Superfund Site: CONSOL Energy was notified in November 2004 by the EPA that it is a potentially responsible party (PRP) under the Superfund program established by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (CERCLA), with respect to the Ward Transformer site in Wake County, North Carolina. The EPA, CONSOL Energy and two other PRPs entered into an administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent, requiring those PRPs to undertake and complete a PCB soil removal action, at and in the vicinity of the Ward Transformer property. In June 2008, while conducting the PCB soil excavation on the Ward property, it was determined that PCBs have migrated onto adjacent properties and in September 2008, the EPA notified CONSOL Energy and 60 other companies that they are PRPs for these additional areas. The current estimated cost of remedial action for the area CONSOL Energy was originally named a PRP, including payment of the EPA's past and future cost, is approximately $65,000. The current estimated cost of the most likely remediation plan for the additional areas discovered is approximately $11,000. CONSOL Energy recognized no expense in Cost of Goods Sold and Other charges in the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. CONSOL Energy funded $250 in the six months ended June 30, 2011 to an independent trust established for this remediation. No contributions were made to the trust in the six months ended June 30, 2012. As of June 30, 2012, CONSOL Energy and the other participating PRPs had asserted CERCLA cost recovery and contribution claims against approximately 225 nonparticipating PRPs to recover a share of the costs incurred and to be incurred to conduct the removal actions at the Ward Site. CONSOL Energy's portion of recoveries from settled claims is $4,488. Accordingly, the liability reflected in Other Accrued Liabilities was reduced by these settled claims. The remaining net liability at June 30, 2012 is $3,472.

Asbestos-Related Litigation: One of our subsidiaries, Fairmont Supply Company (Fairmont), which distributes industrial supplies, currently is named as a defendant in approximately 6,900 asbestos-related claims in state courts in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Texas and Illinois. Because a very small percentage of products manufactured by third parties and supplied by Fairmont in the past may have contained asbestos and many of the pending claims are part of mass complaints filed by hundreds of plaintiffs against a hundred or more defendants, it has been difficult for Fairmont to determine how many of the cases actually involve valid claims or plaintiffs who were actually exposed to asbestos-containing products supplied by Fairmont. In addition, while Fairmont may be entitled to indemnity or contribution in certain jurisdictions from manufacturers of identified products, the availability of such indemnity or contribution is unclear at this time, and in recent years, some of the manufacturers named as defendants in these actions have sought protection from these claims under bankruptcy laws. Fairmont has no insurance coverage with respect to these asbestos cases. Based on over 15 years of experience with this litigation, we have established an accrual to cover our estimated liability for these cases. This accrual is immaterial to the overall financial position of CONSOL Energy and is included in Other Accrued Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Past payments by Fairmont with respect to asbestos cases have not been material.
Ryerson Dam Litigation: In 2008, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (the Commonwealth) filed a six-count Complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, claiming that the Company's underground longwall mining activities at its Bailey Mine caused cracks and seepage damage to the Ryerson Park Dam. The Commonwealth subsequently breached the dam, thereby eliminating the Ryerson Park Lake. The Commonwealth claimed that the Company is liable for dam reconstruction costs, lake restoration costs and natural resource damages totaling $58,000. In October 2008, the Common Pleas Court ruled that natural resource damages were not recoverable and referred the Commonwealth's claim to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). On February 16, 2010, the DEP issued an interim report, concluding that the alleged damage was subsidence related. The DEP estimated the cost of repair to be approximately $20,000. The Company has appealed the DEP's findings to the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board (PEHB), which will consider the case de novo, meaning without regard to the DEP's decision, as to any finding of causation of damage and/or the amount of damages. Either party may appeal the decision of the PEHB to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, and then, as may be allowed, to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. A hearing on the merits of the case will not occur until sometime in the spring or summer of 2013. As to the underlying claim, CONSOL Energy believes it is not responsible for the damage to the dam and that numerous grounds exist upon which to challenge the propriety of the claims. If CONSOL Energy is ultimately found to be liable for damages to the dam, we believe the range of loss would be between $9,000 and $30,000. There have been settlement discussions and we have established an accrual to cover our estimated


17



settlement liability for this case. This accrual is immaterial to the overall financial position of CONSOL Energy and is included in Other Accrued Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

C. L. Ritter: On March 1, 2011, the Company was served with a complaint instituted by C. L. Ritter Lumber Company Incorporated against Consolidation Coal Company (CCC), Island Creek Coal Company, (ICCC), CNX Gas Company, subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy Inc., as well as CONSOL Energy itself in the Circuit Court of Buchanan County, Virginia, seeking damages and injunctive relief in connection with the deposit of untreated water from mining activities at CCC's Buchanan Mine into nearby void spaces at one of the mines of ICCC. The suit alleged damages of between $34,000 and $430,000 for alleged damage to coal and coalbed methane, as well as breach of contract damages. We removed the case to federal court and filed a motion to dismiss, largely predicated on the statute of limitations bar. The trial judge ruled that the issue of the applicability of the statute of limitations bar can only be addressed after discovery. The case has settled for an amount which is immaterial to the overall financial position of CONSOL Energy and has been dismissed with prejudice.
 
Hale Litigation: A purported class action lawsuit was filed on September 23, 2010 in U.S. District Court in Abingdon, Virginia styled Hale v. CNX Gas Company, et. al. The lawsuit alleges that the plaintiff class consists of oil and gas owners, that the Virginia Supreme Court has decided that coalbed methane (CBM) belongs to the owner of the oil and gas estate, that the Virginia Gas and Oil Act of 1990 unconstitutionally allows force pooling of CBM, that the Act unconstitutionally provides only a 1/8 royalty to CBM owners for gas produced under the force pooling orders, and that the Company only relied upon control of the coal estate in force pooling the CBM notwithstanding the Virginia Supreme Court decision holding that if only the coal estate is controlled, the CBM is not thereby controlled. The lawsuit seeks a judicial declaration of ownership of the CBM and that the entire net proceeds of CBM production (that is, the 1/8 royalty and the 7/8 of net revenues since production began) be distributed to the class members. The Magistrate Judge issued a Report and Recommendation in which she recommended that the District Judge decide that the deemed lease provision of the Gas and Oil Act is constitutional as is the 1/8 royalty, and that CNX Gas need not distribute the net proceeds to class members. The Magistrate Judge recommended against the dismissal of certain other claims, none of which are believed to have any significance. The District Judge affirmed the Magistrate Judge's recommendations in their entirety. Discovery is proceeding in this litigation. CONSOL Energy believes that the case is without merit and intends to defend it vigorously. We have established an accrual to cover our estimated liability for this case. This accrual is immaterial to the overall financial position of CONSOL Energy and is included in Other Accrued Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Addison Litigation: A purported class action lawsuit was filed on April 28, 2010 in Federal court in Virginia styled Addison v. CNX Gas Company. The case involves two primary claims: (i) the plaintiff and similarly situated CNX Gas Company lessors identified as conflicting claimants during the force pooling process before the Virginia Gas and Oil Board are the owners of the CBM and, accordingly, the owners of the escrowed royalty payments being held by the Commonwealth of Virginia; and (ii) CNX Gas Company failed to either pay royalties due these conflicting claimant lessors or paid them less than required because of the alleged practice of improper below market sales and/or taking alleged improper post-production deductions. Plaintiffs seek a declaratory judgment regarding ownership and compensatory and punitive damages for breach of contract; conversion; negligence (voluntary undertaking), for force pooling coal owners after the Ratliff decision declared coal owners did not own the CBM; negligent breach of duties as an operator; breach of fiduciary duties; and unjust enrichment. We filed a Motion to Dismiss in this case, and the Magistrate Judge recommended dismissing some claims and allowing others to proceed. The District Judge affirmed the Magistrate Judge's recommendations in their entirety. Discovery is proceeding in this litigation. CONSOL Energy believes that the case is without merit and intends to defend it vigorously. We have established an accrual to cover our estimated liability for this case. This accrual is immaterial to the overall financial position of CONSOL Energy and is included in Other Accrued Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
South Carolina Gas & Electric Company Arbitration: South Carolina Electric & Gas Company (SCE&G), a utility, has demanded arbitration, seeking $36,000 in damages against CONSOL of Kentucky and CONSOL Energy Sales Company, both wholly owned subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy. SCE&G claims it suffered damages in obtaining cover coal to replace coal which was not delivered in 2008 under a coal sales agreement.  CONSOL Energy counterclaimed against SCE&G for $9,400 for terminating coal shipments under the sales agreement which SCE&G had agreed could be made up in 2009.  A hearing on the claims commenced on April 30, 2012. Initial briefs have been filed, with reply briefs to follow. A decision will likely be rendered within sixty days following those briefs and oral argument. The named CONSOL Energy defendants deny all liability and intend to vigorously defend the action filed against them. Notwithstanding that fact, we have established an accrual to cover our estimated liability for this case. This accrual is immaterial to the overall financial position of CONSOL Energy and is included in Other Accrued Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. If liability is ultimately imposed on the named CONSOL Energy defendants, we believe the range of loss would be between $1,000 and $29,000.
The following lawsuits and claims include those for which a loss is reasonably possible, but not probable, and accordingly no accrual has been recognized.


18



CNX Gas Shareholders Litigation: CONSOL Energy has been named as a defendant in five putative class actions brought by alleged shareholders of CNX Gas challenging the tender offer by CONSOL Energy to acquire all of the shares of CNX Gas common stock that CONSOL Energy did not already own for $38.25 per share. The two cases filed in Pennsylvania Common Pleas Court have been stayed and the three cases filed in the Delaware Chancery Court have been consolidated under the caption In Re CNX Gas Shareholders Litigation (C.A. No. 5377-VCL).  All five actions generally allege that CONSOL Energy breached and/or aided and abetted in the breach of fiduciary duties purportedly owed to CNX Gas public shareholders, essentially alleging that the $38.25 per share price that CONSOL Energy paid to CNX Gas shareholders in the tender offer and subsequent short-form merger was unfair. Among other things, the actions sought a permanent injunction against or rescission of the tender offer, damages, and attorneys' fees and expenses. The lawsuit will likely go to trial, probably in 2013. CONSOL Energy believes that these actions are without merit and intends to defend them vigorously. For that reason, we have not accrued a liability for this claim; however, if liability is ultimately imposed, based on the expert reports that have been exchanged by the parties, we believe the potential loss could be up to $221,000.

The following royalty and land right lawsuits and claims include those for which a loss is reasonably possible, but not probable, and accordingly, no accrual has been recognized. These claims are influenced by many factors which prevent the estimation of a range of potential loss. These factors include, but are not limited to, generalized allegations of unspecified damages (such as improper deductions), discovery having not commenced or not having been completed, unavailability of expert reports on damages and non-monetary issues are being tried. For example, in instances where a gas lease termination is sought, damages would depend on speculation as to if and when the gas production would otherwise have occurred, how many wells would have been drilled on the lease premises, what their production would be, what the cost of production would be, and what the price of gas would be during the production period. An estimate is calculated, if applicable, when sufficient information becomes available.

Ratliff: On March 22, 2012, the Company was served with four complaints filed on May 31, 2011 which were instituted by four individuals against CCC, ICCC, CNX Gas Company, subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy, as well as CONSOL Energy itself in the Circuit Court of Russell County, Virginia, seeking damages and injunctive relief in connection with the deposit of untreated water from mining activities at CCC's Buchanan Mine into nearby void spaces at some of the mines of ICCC. The suits each allege damages of between $25,750 and $119,500 for alleged damage to coal and coalbed methane, as well as breach of contract and assumpsit damages. We have removed the cases to federal court and filed a motion to dismiss, largely predicated on the statute of limitations bar. Three similar lawsuits were filed recently, one in federal court and two in the Circuit Court of Buchanan County, Virginia, by other plaintiffs that collectively allege damages of between $100,000 and $622,000. One of the three suits which claimed damages of $22,000 was dismissed in federal court and has been appealed. Another which claimed damages of $312,000 was settled for an amount immaterial to the overall financial position of CONSOL Energy. The Company removed the third case to federal court and filed a motion to dismiss the case. CCC believes that it had, and continues to have, the right to store water in these void areas. CCC and the other named CONSOL Energy defendants deny all liability and intend to vigorously defend the actions filed against them in connection with the removal and deposit of water from the Buchanan Mine. Consequently, we have not recognized any liability related to these actions.
 
Hall Litigation: A purported class action lawsuit was filed on December 23, 2010 styled Hall v. CONSOL Gas Company in Allegheny County Pennsylvania Common Pleas Court.  The named plaintiff is Earl D. Hall.  The purported class plaintiffs are all Pennsylvania oil and gas lessors to Dominion Exploration and Production Company, whose leases were acquired by CONSOL Energy.  The complaint alleges more than 1,000 similarly situated lessors.  The lawsuit alleges that CONSOL Energy incorrectly calculated royalties by (i) calculating line loss on the basis of allocated volumes rather than on a well-by-well basis, (ii) possibly calculating the royalty on the basis of an incorrect price, (iii) possibly taking unreasonable deductions for post-production costs and costs that were not arms-length, (iv) not paying royalties on gas lost or used before the point of sale, and (v) not paying royalties on oil production. The complaint also alleges that royalty statements were false and misleading.  The complaint seeks damages, interest and an accounting on a well-by-well basis. CONSOL Energy believes that the case is without merit and intends to defend it vigorously. Consequently, we have not recognized any liability related to these actions.
Kennedy Litigation: The Company is a party to a case filed on March 26, 2008 captioned Earl Kennedy (and others) v. CNX Gas Company and CONSOL Energy in the Court of Common Pleas of Greene County, Pennsylvania. The lawsuit alleges that CNX Gas Company and CONSOL Energy trespassed and converted gas and other minerals allegedly belonging to the plaintiffs in connection with wells drilled by CNX Gas Company. The complaint, as amended, seeks injunctive relief, including removing CNX Gas Company from the property, and compensatory damages of $20,000. The suit also sought to overturn existing law as to the ownership of coalbed methane in Pennsylvania, but that claim was dismissed by the court; the plaintiffs are seeking to appeal that dismissal. The suit also seeks a determination that the Pittsburgh 8 coal seam does not include the “roof/rider” coal. The court denied the plaintiff's summary judgment motion on that issue. The court held a bench trial on the “roof/rider” coal issue in November 2011 and we are awaiting a decision. CNX Gas Company and CONSOL


19



Energy believe this lawsuit to be without merit and intend to vigorously defend it. Consequently, we have not recognized any liability related to these actions.

Rowland Litigation: Rowland Land Company filed a complaint in May 2011 against CONSOL Energy, CNX Gas Company, Dominion Resources, and EQT Production Company (EQT) in Raleigh County Circuit Court, West Virginia. Rowland is the lessor on a 33,000 acre oil and gas lease in southern West Virginia. EQT was the original lessee, but they farmed out the development of the lease to Dominion Resources, in exchange for an overriding royalty. Dominion Resources sold the indirect subsidiary that held the lease to a subsidiary of CONSOL Energy on April 30, 2010. Subsequent to that acquisition, the subsidiary that held the lease was merged into CNX Gas Company as part of an internal reorganization. Rowland alleges that (i) Dominion Resources' sale of the subsidiary to CONSOL Energy was a change in control that required its consent under the terms of the farmout agreement and lease, and (ii) the subsequent merger of the subsidiary into CNX Gas Company was an assignment that required its consent under the lease. Rowland amended its complaint to include allegations that CONSOL Energy and Dominion Resources are liable for their subsidiaries' actions. CONSOL Energy and CNX Gas Company filed a motion to dismiss the complaint which was denied. Discovery is proceeding. CONSOL Energy believes that the case is without merit and intends to defend it vigorously. Consequently, we have not recognized any liability related to these actions.
Majorsville Storage Field Declaratory Judgment: On March 3, 2011, an attorney sent a letter to CNX Gas Company regarding certain leases that CNX Gas Company obtained from Columbia Gas in Greene County, Pennsylvania involving the Majorsville Storage Field. The letter was written on behalf of three lessors alleging that the leases totaling 525 acres are invalid, and had expired by their terms. The plaintiffs' theory is that the rights of storage and production are severable under the leases. Ignoring the fact that the leases have been used for gas storage, they claim that since there has been no production or development of production, the right to produce gas expired at the end of the primary terms. On June 16, 2011 in the Court of Common Pleas of Greene County, Pennsylvania, the Company filed a declaratory judgment action, seeking to have a court confirm the validity of the leases. We believe that we will prevail in this litigation based on the language of the leases and the current status of the law. Consequently, we have not recognized any liability related to these actions.
The following lawsuit and claims include those for which a loss is remote and accordingly, no accrual has been recognized, although if a non-favorable verdict were received the impact could be material.
Comer Litigation: In 2005, plaintiffs Ned Comer and others filed a purported class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi against a number of companies in energy, fossil fuels and chemical industries, including CONSOL Energy styled, Comer, et al. v. Murphy Oil, et al. The plaintiffs, residents and owners of property along the Mississippi Gulf coast, alleged that the defendants caused the emission of greenhouse gases that contributed to global warming, which in turn caused a rise in sea levels and added to the ferocity of Hurricane Katrina, which combined to destroy the plaintiffs' property. The District Court dismissed the case and the plaintiffs appealed. The Circuit Court panel reversed and the defendants sought a rehearing before the entire court. A rehearing before the entire court was granted, which had the effect of vacating the panel's reversal, but before the case could be heard on the merits, a number of judges recused themselves and there was no longer a quorum. As a result, the District Court's dismissal was effectively reinstated. The plaintiffs asked the U.S. Supreme Court to require the Circuit Court to address the merits of their appeal. On January 11, 2011, the Supreme Court denied that request. Although that should have resulted in the dismissal being final, the plaintiffs filed a lawsuit on May 27, 2011, in the same jurisdiction against essentially the same defendants making nearly identical allegations as in the original lawsuit. The trial court has dismissed this case. The dismissal is being appealed.
At June 30, 2012, CONSOL Energy has provided the following financial guarantees, unconditional purchase obligations and letters of credit to certain third parties, as described by major category in the following table. These amounts represent the maximum potential total of future payments that we could be required to make under these instruments. These amounts have not been reduced for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions. Generally, recoveries under reclamation bonds would be limited to the extent of the work performed at the time of the default. No amounts related to these financial guarantees and letters of credit are recorded as liabilities on the financial statements. CONSOL Energy management believes that these guarantees will expire without being funded, and therefore the commitments will not have a material adverse effect on financial condition.
 


20



 
Amount of Commitment
Expiration Per Period
 
Total
Amounts
Committed
 
Less Than
1  Year
 
1-3 Years
 
3-5 Years
 
Beyond
5  Years
Letters of Credit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employee-Related
$
193,641

 
$
127,158

 
$
66,483

 
$

 
$

Environmental
56,994

 
55,266

 
1,728

 

 

Other
80,508

 
28,717

 
51,791

 

 

Total Letters of Credit
331,143

 
211,141

 
120,002

 

 

Surety Bonds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employee-Related
204,884

 
193,384

 
11,500

 

 

Environmental
453,668

 
444,560

 
9,108

 

 

Other
28,626

 
28,614

 
11

 

 
1

Total Surety Bonds
687,178

 
666,558

 
20,619

 

 
1

Guarantees:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coal
15,931

 
9,863

 
1,068

 
1,000

 
4,000

Gas
113,513

 
62,906

 
19,985

 

 
30,622

Other
457,169

 
86,289

 
141,638

 
85,476

 
143,766

Total Guarantees
586,613

 
159,058

 
162,691

 
86,476

 
178,388

Total Commitments
$
1,604,934

 
$
1,036,757

 
$
303,312

 
$
86,476

 
$
178,389


Employee-related financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support the United Mine Workers’ of America’s 1992 Benefit Plan and various state and federal workers’ compensation self-insurance programs. Environmental financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support various performance bonds related to reclamation and other environmental issues. Coal and Gas financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support various sales contracts. Other guarantees have also been extended to support insurance policies, legal matters, full and timely payments of mining equipment leases, and various other items necessary in the normal course of business.
CONSOL Energy and CNX Gas enter into long-term unconditional purchase obligations to procure major equipment purchases, natural gas firm transportation, gas drilling services and other operating goods and services. These purchase obligations are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of June 30, 2012, the purchase obligations for each of the next five years and beyond were as follows:
 
Obligations Due
Amount
Less than 1 year
$
532,315

1 - 3 years
393,635

3 - 5 years
503,786

More than 5 years
1,552,111

Total Purchase Obligations
$
2,981,847


Costs related to these purchase obligations include:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June, 30
 
June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Major equipment purchases
$
31,989

 
$
9,522

 
$
45,175

 
$
17,177

Firm transportation expense
15,822

 
15,316

 
30,867

 
28,134

Gas drilling obligations
28,517

 
26,244

 
58,093

 
52,062

Other
129

 
89

 
427

 
190

Total costs related to purchase obligations
$
76,457

 
$
51,171

 
$
134,562

 
$
97,563

        




21



NOTE 12—DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS:
CONSOL Energy enters into financial derivative instruments to manage our exposure to commodity price volatility. We measure each derivative instrument at fair value and record it on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability. The fair value of CONSOL Energy's derivatives (natural gas price swaps) are based on intra-bank pricing models which utilize inputs that are either readily available in the public market, such as natural gas forward curves, or can be corroborated from active markets or broker quotes. These values are then compared to the values given by our counterparties for reasonableness. Changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recorded currently in earnings unless special hedge accounting criteria are met. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, the changes in fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged item are recorded in earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portions of changes in fair value of the derivative are reported in Other Comprehensive Income or Loss (OCI) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods which the forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portions of hedges are recognized in earnings in the current period. CONSOL Energy currently utilizes only cash flow hedges that are considered highly effective.
CONSOL Energy formally assesses both at inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis whether each derivative is highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair values or the cash flows of the hedged item. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or if a derivative ceases to be a highly effective hedge, CONSOL Energy will discontinue hedge accounting prospectively.
CONSOL Energy is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties. The creditworthiness of counterparties is subject to continuing review. The Company has not experienced any issues of non-performance by derivative counterparties.
CONSOL Energy has entered into swap contracts for natural gas to manage the price risk associated with the forecasted natural gas revenues. The objective of these hedges is to reduce the variability of the cash flows associated with the forecasted revenues from the underlying commodity. As of June 30, 2012, the total notional amount of the Company’s outstanding natural gas swap contracts was 162.7 billion cubic feet. These swap contracts are forecasted to settle through December 31, 2015 and meet the criteria for cash flow hedge accounting. During the next twelve months, $78,123 of unrealized gain is expected to be reclassified from Other Comprehensive Income and into earnings, as a result of the settlement of cash flow hedges. No gains or losses have been reclassified into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedges.
The fair value at June 30, 2012 of CONSOL Energy's derivative instruments, which were all natural gas swaps and qualify as cash flow hedges, was an asset of $222,942 and a liability of $2,868. The total asset is comprised of $129,075 and $93,867 which were included in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The total liability is comprised of $6 and $2,862 which were included in Other Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The fair value at December 31, 2011 of CONSOL Energy's derivative instruments, which were all natural gas swaps and qualify as cash flow hedges, was an asset of $251,277. The total asset is comprised of $153,376 and $97,901 which were included in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships on the Consolidated Statements of Income and the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity were as follows:


 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
Natural Gas Price Swaps
 
 
 
Gain recognized in Accumulated OCI
$
10,663


$
28,430

Gain reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Outside Sales
$
57,847


$
16,905

Gain/(Loss) recognized in Outside Sales for ineffectiveness 
$
882


$
72


    


22



 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
Natural Gas Price Swaps
 
 
 
Gain recognized in Accumulated OCI
$
86,739


$
32,801

Gain reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Outside Sales
$
105,788


$
35,745

Gain/(Loss) recognized in Outside Sales for ineffectiveness 
$
47


$
(36
)


NOTE 13—FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
The financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2012
 
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2011
Description
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Gas Cash Flow Hedges
$

 
$
220,074

 
$

 
$

 
$
251,277

 
$


The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value for which the fair value option was not elected:
Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amount reported in the balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents approximates its fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
Restricted cash: The carrying amount reported in the balance sheets for restricted cash approximates its fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
Long-term debt: The fair value of long-term debt is measured using unadjusted quoted market prices or estimated using discounted cash flow analyses. The discounted cash flow analyses are based on current market rates for instruments with similar cash flows.
The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments for which the fair value option was not elected are as follows:
 
 
June 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
Cash and cash equivalents
$
200,207

 
$
200,207

 
$
375,736

 
$
375,736

Restricted cash
$
20,365

 
$
20,365

 
$
22,148

 
$
22,148

Long-term debt
$
(3,133,993
)
 
$
(3,188,986
)
 
$
(3,133,993
)
 
$
(3,422,452
)



23



NOTE 14—SEGMENT INFORMATION:
CONSOL Energy has two principal business divisions: Coal and Gas. The principal activities of the Coal division are mining, preparation and marketing of thermal coal, sold primarily to power generators, and metallurgical coal, sold to metal and coke producers. The Coal division includes four reportable segments. These reportable segments are Thermal, Low Volatile Metallurgical, High Volatile Metallurgical and Other Coal. Each of these reportable segments includes a number of operating segments (mines or type of coal sold). For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Thermal aggregated segment includes the following mines: Bailey, Blacksville #2, Enlow Fork, Fola Complex, Loveridge, McElroy, Miller Creek Complex, Robinson Run and Shoemaker. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Low Volatile Metallurgical aggregated segment includes the Buchanan Mine and Amonate Complex. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the High Volatile Metallurgical aggregated segment includes: Bailey, Blacksville #2, Enlow Fork, Fola Complex, Loveridge and Robinson Run coal sales. The Other Coal segment includes our purchased coal activities, idled mine activities, general and administrative activities as well as various other activities assigned to the Coal division but not allocated to each individual mine. The principal activity of the Gas division is to produce pipeline quality natural gas for sale primarily to gas wholesalers. The Gas division includes four reportable segments. These reportable segments are Coalbed Methane, Marcellus, Shallow Oil and Gas and Other Gas. The Other Gas segment includes our purchased gas activities, general and administrative activities as well as various other activities assigned to the Gas division but not allocated to each individual well type. CONSOL Energy’s All Other segment includes terminal services, river and dock services, industrial supply services, general and administrative activities and other business activities. Intersegment sales have been recorded at amounts approximating market. Operating profit for each segment is based on sales less identifiable operating and non-operating expenses. Assets are reflected at the division level only (coal, gas and other) and are not allocated between each individual segment. This presentation is consistent with the information regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker. The assets are not allocated to each individual segment due to the diverse asset base controlled by CONSOL Energy where each individual asset may service more than one segment within the division. An allocation of such asset base would not be meaningful or representative on a segment by segment basis.




24



Industry segment results for the three months ended June 30, 2012 are:
 
 
Thermal
 
Low Volatile
Metallurgical
 
High Volatile
Metallurgical
 
Other
Coal
 
Total Coal
 
Coalbed
Methane
 
Marcellus
Shale
 
Shallow Oil and Gas
 
Other
Gas
 
Total
Gas
 
All
Other
 
Corporate,
Adjustments
&
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
Sales—outside
$
748,303

 
$
120,481

 
$
71,250

 
$
4,736

 
$
944,770

 
$
88,080

 
$
23,730

 
$
34,207

 
$
2,082

 
$
148,099

 
$
96,424

 
$

 
$
1,189,293

(A)
Sales—purchased gas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
651

 
651

 

 

 
651

  
Sales—gas royalty interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
9,533

 
9,533

 

 

 
9,533

  
Freight—outside

 

 

 
49,472

 
49,472

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
49,472

  
Intersegment transfers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
360

 
360

 
36,136

 
(36,496
)
 

  
Total Sales and Freight
$
748,303

 
$
120,481

 
$
71,250

 
$
54,208

 
$
994,242

 
$
88,080

 
$
23,730

 
$
34,207

 
$
12,626

 
$
158,643

 
$
132,560

 
$
(36,496
)
 
$
1,248,949

  
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes
$
133,363

 
$
42,760

 
$
19,666

 
$
56,590

 
$
252,379

 
$
24,344

 
$
4,835

 
$
(2,410
)
 
$
(25,625
)
 
$
1,144

 
$
19,764

 
$
(61,632
)
 
$
211,655

(B)
Segment assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
5,445,502

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
5,970,939

 
$
360,673

 
$
820,782

 
$
12,597,896

(C)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
100,684

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
47,326

 
$
(5,782
)
 
$
11,596

 
$
153,824

  
Capital expenditures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
253,587

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
143,206

 
$
11,160

 
$

 
$
407,953

  
 
(A)
Included in the Coal segment are sales of $136,576 to First Energy and $181,566 to Xcoal Energy & Resources each comprising over 10% of sales.
(B)
Includes equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates of $1,483, $2,037 and $3,648 for Coal, Gas and All Other, respectively.
(C)
Includes investments in unconsolidated equity affiliates of $21,090, $132,545 and $55,638 for Coal, Gas and All Other, respectively.



25



Industry segment results for the three months ended June 30, 2011 are:
 
 
Thermal
 
Low Volatile
Metallurgical
 
High Volatile
Metallurgical
 
Other
Coal
 
Total
Coal
 
Coalbed
Methane
 
Marcellus
Shale
 
Shallow Oil and Gas
 
Other
Gas
 
Total Gas
 
All
Other
 
Corporate,
Adjustments
&
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
Sales—outside
$
781,380

 
$
279,171

 
$
117,688

 
$
33,508

 
$
1,211,747

 
$
115,985

 
$
28,238

 
$
42,180

 
$
2,638

 
$
189,041

 
$
85,212

 
$

 
$
1,486,000

(D)
Sales—purchased gas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,162

 
1,162

 

 

 
1,162

  
Sales—gas royalty interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
16,273

 
16,273

 

 

 
16,273

  
Freight—outside

 

 

 
59,572

 
59,572

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
59,572

  
Intersegment transfers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
929

 
929

 
55,243

 
(56,172
)
 

  
Total Sales and Freight
$
781,380

 
$
279,171

 
$
117,688

 
$
93,080

 
$
1,271,319

 
$
115,985

 
$
28,238

 
$
42,180

 
$
21,002

 
$
207,405

 
$
140,455

 
$
(56,172
)
 
$
1,563,007

  
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes
$
126,183

 
$
187,193

 
$
48,869

 
$
(210,095
)
 
$
152,150

 
$
43,660

 
$
7,468

 
$
624

 
$
(23,506
)
 
$
28,246

 
$
4,422

 
$
(86,034
)
 
$
98,784

(E)
Segment assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
5,026,836

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
6,096,958

 
$
317,677

 
$
759,647

 
$
12,201,118

(F)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
101,915

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
51,314

 
$
4,571

 
$

 
$
157,800

  
Capital expenditures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
152,700

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
168,599

 
$
9,364

 
$

 
$
330,663

  

(D) Included in the Coal segment are sales of $189,529 to Xcoal Energy & Resources comprising over 10% of sales.
(E)
Includes equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates of $4,240, $517 and $1,074 for Coal, Gas and All Other, respectively.
(F)    Includes investments in unconsolidated equity affiliates of $26,995, $24,570 and $49,386 for Coal, Gas and All Other, respectively.























26



Industry segment results for the six months ended June 30, 2012 are:
 
 
Thermal
 
Low Volatile
Metallurgical
 
High Volatile
Metallurgical
 
Other
Coal
 
Total Coal
 
Coalbed
Methane
 
Marcellus
Shale
 
Shallow Oil and Gas
 
Other
Gas
 
Total
Gas
 
All
Other
 
Corporate,
Adjustments
&
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
Sales—outside
$
1,560,356

 
$
293,221

 
$
131,818

 
$
13,691

 
$
1,999,086

 
$
187,615

 
$
47,521

 
$
68,580

 
$
4,586

 
$
308,302

 
$
193,376

 
$

 
$
2,500,764

(G)
Sales—purchased gas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,490

 
1,490

 

 

 
1,490

  
Sales—gas royalty interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
21,739

 
21,739

 

 

 
21,739

  
Freight—outside

 

 

 
98,765

 
98,765

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
98,765

  
Intersegment transfers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
826

 
826

 
73,345

 
(74,171
)
 

  
Total Sales and Freight
$
1,560,356

 
$
293,221

 
$
131,818

 
$
112,456

 
$
2,097,851

 
$
187,615

 
$
47,521

 
$
68,580

 
$
28,641

 
$
332,357

 
$
266,721

 
$
(74,171
)
 
$
2,622,758

  
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes
$
261,893

 
$
122,121

 
$
35,602

 
$
(4,767
)
 
$
414,849

 
$
60,734

 
$
8,086

 
$
(6,132
)
 
$
(49,044
)
 
$
13,644

 
$
23,847

 
$
(122,108
)
 
$
330,232

(H)
Segment assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
5,445,502

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
5,970,939

 
$
360,673

 
$
820,782

 
$
12,597,896

(I)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
201,446

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
96,129

 
$

 
$
11,596

 
$
309,171

  
Capital expenditures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
448,016

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
241,661

 
$
24,722

 
$

 
$
714,399

  
 
(G)    Included in the Coal segment are sales of $280,731 to First Energy and $319,907 to Xcoal Energy & Resources each comprising over 10% of sales.
(H)     Includes equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates of $6,290, $3,981 and $4,832 for Coal, Gas and All Other, respectively.
(I)    Includes investments in unconsolidated equity affiliates of $21,090, $132,545 and $55,638 for Coal, Gas and All Other, respectively.


27



Industry segment results for the six months ended June 30, 2011 are:
 
 
Thermal
 
Low Volatile
Metallurgical
 
High Volatile
Metallurgical
 
Other
Coal
 
Total
Coal
 
Coalbed
Methane
 
Marcellus
Shale
 
Shallow Oil and Gas
 
Other
Gas
 
Total Gas
 
All
Other
 
Corporate,
Adjustments
&
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
Sales—outside
$
1,583,332

 
$
516,066

 
$
195,921

 
$
46,872

 
$
2,342,191

 
$
229,759

 
$
49,280

 
$
80,925

 
$
5,286

 
$
365,250

 
$
164,037

 
$

 
$
2,871,478

(J)
Sales—purchased gas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
2,142

 
2,142

 

 

 
2,142

  
Sales—gas royalty interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
35,108

 
35,108

 

 

 
35,108

  
Freight—outside

 

 

 
96,440

 
96,440

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
96,440

  
Intersegment transfers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,922

 
1,922

 
108,639

 
(110,561
)
 

  
Total Sales and Freight
$
1,583,332

 
$
516,066

 
$
195,921

 
$
143,312

 
$
2,438,631

 
$
229,759

 
$
49,280

 
$
80,925

 
$
44,458

 
$
404,422

 
$
272,676

 
$
(110,561
)
 
$
3,005,168

  
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes
$
320,227

 
$
329,787

 
$
89,762

 
$
(288,934
)
 
$
450,842

 
$
93,663

 
$
15,971

 
$
(2,126
)
 
$
(55,086
)
 
$
52,422

 
$
2,573

 
$
(155,976
)
 
$
349,861

(K)
Segment assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
5,026,836

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
6,096,958

 
$
317,677

 
$
759,647

 
$
12,201,118

(L)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
196,996

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
100,978

 
$
8,888

 
$

 
$
306,862

  
Capital expenditures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
253,230

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
319,237

 
$
12,974

 
$

 
$
585,441

  

(J)
Included in the Coal segment are sales of $379,726 to Xcoal Energy & Resources comprising over 10% of sales
(K)
Includes equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates of $8,702, $1,001 and $1,609 for Coal, Gas and All Other, respectively.
(L)    Includes investments in unconsolidated equity affiliates of $26,995, $24,570 and $49,386 for Coal, Gas and All Other, respectively.



28




Reconciliation of Segment Information to Consolidated Amounts:
Earnings Before Income Taxes:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Segment Earnings Before Income Taxes for total reportable business segments
$
253,523

 
$
180,396

 
$
428,493

 
$
503,264

Segment Earnings Before Income Taxes for all other businesses
19,764

 
4,422

 
23,847

 
2,573

Interest income (expense), net and other non-operating activity (M)
(58,943
)
 
(67,339
)
 
(118,985
)
 
(136,625
)
Other Corporate Items (M)
(2,689
)
 
(2,605
)
 
(3,123
)
 
(3,261
)
Loss on debt extinguishment

 
(16,090
)
 


 
(16,090
)
Earnings Before Income Taxes
$
211,655

 
$
98,784

 
$
330,232

 
$
349,861

 
Total Assets:
June, 30
2012
 
2011
Segment assets for total reportable business segments
$
11,416,441

 
$
11,123,794

Segment assets for all other businesses
360,673

 
317,677

Items excluded from segment assets:
 
 
 
Cash and other investments (M)
186,611

 
25,852

Recoverable income taxes

 
44,920

Deferred tax assets
588,722

 
636,193

Bond issuance costs
45,449

 
52,682

Total Consolidated Assets
$
12,597,896

 
$
12,201,118

_________________________ 
(M) Excludes amounts specifically related to the gas segment.


29




NOTE 15—GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
The payment obligations under the $1,500,000, 8.000% per annum notes due April 1, 2017, the $1,250,000, 8.250% per annum notes due April 1, 2020, and the $250,000, 6.375% per annum notes due March 1, 2021 issued by CONSOL Energy are jointly and severally, and also fully and unconditionally guaranteed by substantially all subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy. In accordance with positions established by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the following financial information sets forth separate financial information with respect to the parent, CNX Gas, a guarantor subsidiary, the remaining guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries. The principal elimination entries include investments in subsidiaries and certain intercompany balances and transactions. CONSOL Energy, the parent, and a guarantor subsidiary manage several assets and liabilities of all other wholly owned subsidiaries. These include, for example, deferred tax assets, cash and other post-employment liabilities. These assets and liabilities are reflected as parent company or guarantor company amounts for purposes of this presentation.

Income Statement for the three months ended June 30, 2012 (unaudited):
 
 
Parent
Issuer
 
CNX Gas
Guarantor
 
Other
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Sales—Outside
$

 
$
148,459

 
$
976,515

 
$
64,785

 
$
(466
)
 
$
1,189,293

Sales—Gas Royalty Interests

 
9,533

 

 

 

 
9,533

Sales—Purchased Gas

 
651

 

 

 

 
651

Freight—Outside

 

 
49,472

 

 

 
49,472

Other Income (including equity earnings)
250,416

 
18,098

 
30,352

 
5,215

 
(98,543
)
 
205,538

Total Revenue and Other Income
250,416

 
176,741

 
1,056,339

 
70,000

 
(99,009
)
 
1,454,487

Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges
22,351

 
101,695

 
662,457

 
62,811

 
7,575

 
856,889

Gas Royalty Interests’ Costs

 
7,131

 

 

 
(7
)
 
7,124

Purchased Gas Costs

 
869

 

 

 

 
869

Related Party Activity
(15,104
)
 

 
22,782

 
447

 
(8,125
)
 

Freight Expense

 

 
49,472

 

 

 
49,472

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

 
9,313

 
24,185

 
234

 

 
33,732

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
3,986

 
47,326

 
101,994

 
518

 

 
153,824

Interest Expense
52,932

 
1,191

 
2,560

 
11

 
(101
)
 
56,593

Taxes Other Than Income
663

 
8,164

 
74,789

 
713

 

 
84,329

Total Costs
64,828

 
175,689

 
938,239

 
64,734

 
(658
)
 
1,242,832

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes
185,588

 
1,052

 
118,100

 
5,266

 
(98,351
)
 
211,655

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
32,849

 
326

 
23,788

 
1,982

 

 
58,945

Net Income (Loss)
152,739

 
726

 
94,312

 
3,284

 
(98,351
)
 
152,710

  Add: Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

 
29

 

 

 

 
29

Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders
$
152,739

 
$
755

 
$
94,312

 
$
3,284

 
$
(98,351
)
 
$
152,739




30



Balance Sheet at June 30, 2012 (unaudited):
 
 
Parent
Issuer
 
CNX Gas
Guarantor
 
Other
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
185,128

 
$
14,281

 
$
120

 
$
678

 
$

 
$
200,207

Accounts and Notes Receivable:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade

 
41,260

 
454

 
375,124

 

 
416,838

Notes Receivable
2,564

 
311,754

 
328

 

 

 
314,646

Other
2,635

 
84,777

 
7,727

 
4,458

 

 
99,597

Inventories

 
12,972

 
253,328

 
38,761

 

 
305,061

Deferred Income Taxes
190,075

 
(41,098
)
 

 

 

 
148,977

Prepaid Expenses
11,079

 
133,685

 
49,042

 
1,491

 

 
195,297

Total Current Assets
391,481

 
557,631

 
310,999

 
420,512

 

 
1,680,623

Property, Plant and Equipment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
210,967

 
5,710,088

 
8,791,013

 
24,271

 

 
14,736,339

Less-Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
117,370

 
871,556

 
4,059,107

 
17,429

 

 
5,065,462

Property, Plant and Equipment-Net
93,597

 
4,838,532

 
4,731,906

 
6,842

 

 
9,670,877

Other Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred Income Taxes
897,934

 
(458,189
)
 

 

 

 
439,745

Restricted Cash
20,365

 

 

 

 

 
20,365

Investment in Affiliates
9,532,321

 
132,545

 
745,871

 

 
(10,201,464
)
 
209,273

Notes Receivable
3,963

 
296,344

 

 

 

 
300,307

Other
122,937

 
104,783

 
39,126

 
9,860

 

 
276,706

Total Other Assets
10,577,520

 
75,483

 
784,997

 
9,860

 
(10,201,464
)
 
1,246,396

Total Assets
$
11,062,598

 
$
5,471,646

 
$
5,827,902

 
$
437,214

 
$
(10,201,464
)
 
$
12,597,896

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts Payable
$
173,906

 
$
202,547

 
$
85,694

 
$
10,657

 
$

 
$
472,804

Accounts Payable (Recoverable)—Related Parties
3,063,218

 
4,803

 
(3,339,571
)
 
271,550

 

 

Current Portion Long-Term Debt
708

 
5,930

 
13,533

 
691

 

 
20,862

Accrued Income Taxes
30,228

 
4,837

 

 

 

 
35,065

Other Accrued Liabilities
609,693

 
51,236

 
72,372

 
10,885

 

 
744,186

Total Current Liabilities
3,877,753

 
269,353

 
(3,167,972
)
 
293,783

 

 
1,272,917

Long-Term Debt:
3,000,975

 
48,523

 
124,644

 
1,124

 

 
3,175,266

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

 

 
2,971,297

 

 

 
2,971,297

Pneumoconiosis Benefits

 

 
175,611

 

 

 
175,611

Mine Closing

 

 
441,670

 

 

 
441,670

Gas Well Closing

 
77,443

 
67,134

 

 

 
144,577

Workers’ Compensation

 

 
149,747

 
260

 

 
150,007

Salary Retirement
208,506

 

 

 

 

 
208,506

Reclamation

 

 
56,184

 

 

 
56,184

Other
105,373

 
22,275

 
3,901

 

 

 
131,549

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
313,879

 
99,718

 
3,865,544

 
260

 

 
4,279,401

Total Stockholders’ Equity
3,869,991

 
5,053,731

 
5,005,686

 
142,047

 
(10,201,464
)
 
3,869,991

Noncontrolling Interest

 
321

 

 

 

 
321

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
$
11,062,598

 
$
5,471,646

 
$
5,827,902

 
$
437,214

 
$
(10,201,464
)
 
$
12,597,896




31



Income Statement for the three months ended June 30, 2011 (unaudited):
 
 
Parent
Issuer
 
CNX Gas
Guarantor
 
Other
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Sales—Outside
$

 
$
189,970

 
$
1,241,265

 
$
56,058

 
$
(1,293
)
 
$
1,486,000

Sales—Gas Royalty Interests

 
16,273

 

 

 

 
16,273

Sales—Purchased Gas

 
1,162

 

 

 

 
1,162

Freight—Outside

 

 
59,572

 

 

 
59,572

Other Income (including equity earnings)
149,780

 
2,635

 
10,216

 
9,355

 
(147,065
)
 
24,921

Total Revenue and Other Income
149,780

 
210,040

 
1,311,053

 
65,413

 
(148,358
)
 
1,587,928

Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges
34,424

 
92,207

 
700,615

 
53,718

 
46,435

 
927,399

Gas Royalty Interests’ Costs

 
14,379

 

 

 
(13
)
 
14,366

Purchased Gas Costs

 
1,776

 

 

 

 
1,776

Loss on Debt Extinguishment
16,090

 

 

 

 

 
16,090

Related Party Activity
704

 

 
(10,996
)
 
535

 
9,757

 

Freight Expense

 

 
59,572

 

 

 
59,572

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

 
11,394

 
80,415

 
317

 
(48,703
)
 
43,423

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
3,003

 
51,314

 
102,864

 
619

 

 
157,800

Abandonment of Long-Lived Assets

 

 
115,479

 

 

 
115,479

Interest Expense
59,286

 
2,552

 
2,841

 
14

 
(96
)
 
64,597

Taxes Other Than Income
1,883

 
8,269

 
77,760

 
730

 

 
88,642

Total Costs
115,390

 
181,891

 
1,128,550

 
55,933

 
7,380

 
1,489,144

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes
34,390

 
28,149

 
182,503

 
9,480

 
(155,738
)
 
98,784

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
(42,994
)
 
11,034

 
49,774

 
3,586

 

 
21,400

Net Income (Loss)
$
77,384

 
$
17,115

 
$
132,729

 
$
5,894

 
$
(155,738
)
 
$
77,384



32



Balance Sheet at December 31, 2011:
 
 
Parent
Issuer
 
CNX Gas
Guarantor
 
Other
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
37,342

 
$
336,727

 
$
1,269

 
$
398

 
$

 
$
375,736

Accounts and Notes Receivable:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade

 
63,299

 
500

 
399,013

 

 
462,812

Notes Receivable
2,669

 
311,754

 
527

 

 

 
314,950

Other
2,913

 
91,582

 
7,458

 
3,755

 

 
105,708

Inventories

 
8,600

 
206,096

 
43,639

 

 
258,335

Deferred Income Taxes
191,689

 
(50,606
)
 

 

 

 
141,083

Prepaid Expenses
28,470

 
159,900

 
49,224

 
1,759

 

 
239,353

Total Current Assets
263,083

 
921,256

 
265,074

 
448,564

 

 
1,897,977

Property, Plant and Equipment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
198,004

 
5,488,094

 
8,376,831

 
24,390

 

 
14,087,319

Less-Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
109,924

 
778,716

 
3,855,323

 
16,940

 

 
4,760,903

Property, Plant and Equipment-Net
88,080

 
4,709,378

 
4,521,508

 
7,450

 

 
9,326,416

Other Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred Income Taxes
963,332

 
(455,608
)
 

 

 

 
507,724

Restricted Cash
22,148

 

 

 

 

 
22,148

Investment in Affiliates
9,126,453

 
96,914

 
760,548

 

 
(9,801,879
)
 
182,036

Notes Receivable
4,148

 
296,344

 

 

 

 
300,492

Other
116,624

 
110,128

 
52,009

 
10,146

 

 
288,907

Total Other Assets
10,232,705

 
47,778

 
812,557

 
10,146

 
(9,801,879
)
 
1,301,307

Total Assets
$
10,583,868

 
$
5,678,412

 
$
5,599,139

 
$
466,160

 
$
(9,801,879
)
 
$
12,525,700

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts Payable
$
140,823

 
$
206,072

 
$
164,521

 
$
10,587

 
$

 
$
522,003

Accounts Payable (Recoverable)-Related Parties
2,900,546

 
9,431

 
(3,222,648
)
 
312,671

 

 

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
805

 
5,587

 
13,543

 
756

 

 
20,691

Accrued Income Taxes
68,819

 
6,814

 

 

 

 
75,633

Other Accrued Liabilities
493,450

 
58,401

 
206,649

 
11,570

 

 
770,070

Total Current Liabilities
3,604,443

 
286,305

 
(2,837,935
)
 
335,584

 

 
1,388,397

Long-Term Debt:
3,001,092

 
50,326

 
124,674

 
1,331

 

 
3,177,423

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

 

 
3,059,671

 

 

 
3,059,671

Pneumoconiosis Benefits

 

 
173,553

 

 

 
173,553

Mine Closing

 

 
406,712

 

 

 
406,712

Gas Well Closing

 
61,954

 
62,097

 

 

 
124,051

Workers’ Compensation

 

 
150,786

 
248

 

 
151,034

Salary Retirement
269,069

 

 

 

 

 
269,069

Reclamation

 

 
39,969

 

 

 
39,969

Other
98,379

 
16,899

 
9,658

 

 

 
124,936

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
367,448

 
78,853

 
3,902,446

 
248

 

 
4,348,995

Total Stockholders’ Equity
3,610,885

 
5,262,928

 
4,409,954

 
128,997

 
(9,801,879
)
 
3,610,885

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
$
10,583,868

 
$
5,678,412

 
$
5,599,139

 
$
466,160

 
$
(9,801,879
)
 
$
12,525,700







33



Income Statement for the six months ended June 30, 2012 (unaudited):
 
 
Parent
Issuer
 
CNX Gas
Guarantor
 
Other
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Sales—Outside
$

 
$
309,128

 
$
2,058,803

 
$
133,807

 
$
(974
)
 
$
2,500,764

Sales—Gas Royalty Interests

 
21,739

 

 

 

 
21,739

Sales—Purchased Gas

 
1,490

 

 

 

 
1,490

Freight—Outside

 

 
98,765

 

 

 
98,765

Other Income (including equity earnings)
420,439

 
34,403

 
60,055

 
11,172

 
(267,570
)
 
258,499

Total Revenue and Other Income
420,439

 
366,760

 
2,217,623

 
144,979

 
(268,544
)
 
2,881,257

Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges
71,531

 
200,340

 
1,345,213

 
129,227

 
14,619

 
1,760,930

Gas Royalty Interests’ Costs

 
17,386

 

 

 
(13
)
 
17,373

Purchased Gas Costs

 
1,386

 

 

 

 
1,386

Related Party Activity
(9,089
)
 

 
24,040

 
949

 
(15,900
)
 

Freight Expense

 

 
98,765

 

 

 
98,765

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

 
19,293

 
52,757

 
681

 

 
72,731

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
7,905

 
96,129

 
204,096

 
1,041

 

 
309,171

Interest Expense
107,694

 
2,409

 
4,789

 
22

 
(201
)
 
114,713

Taxes Other Than Income
3,337

 
16,364

 
154,722

 
1,533

 

 
175,956

Total Costs
181,378

 
353,307

 
1,884,382

 
133,453

 
(1,495
)
 
2,551,025

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes
239,061

 
13,453

 
333,241

 
11,526

 
(267,049
)
 
330,232

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
(10,874
)
 
5,273

 
81,577

 
4,350

 

 
80,326

Net Income (Loss)
249,935

 
8,180

 
251,664

 
7,176

 
(267,049
)
 
249,906

  Add: Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

 
29

 

 

 

 
29

Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders
$
249,935

 
$
8,209

 
$
251,664

 
$
7,176

 
$
(267,049
)
 
$
249,935























34








Income Statement for the six months ended June 30, 2011 (unaudited):
 
 
Parent
Issuer
 
CNX Gas
Guarantor
 
Other
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Sales—Outside
$

 
$
367,172

 
$
2,396,615

 
$
110,154

 
$
(2,463
)
 
$
2,871,478

Sales—Gas Royalty Interests

 
35,108

 

 

 

 
35,108

Sales—Purchased Gas

 
2,142

 

 

 

 
2,142

Freight—Outside

 

 
96,440

 

 

 
96,440

Other Income (including equity earnings)
396,644

 
4,315

 
21,637

 
18,596

 
(393,055
)
 
48,137

Total Revenue and Other Income
396,644

 
408,737

 
2,514,692

 
128,750

 
(395,518
)
 
3,053,305

Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges
63,400

 
178,577

 
1,345,161

 
107,705

 
46,265

 
1,741,108

Gas Royalty Interests’ Costs

 
31,200

 

 

 
(27
)
 
31,173

Purchased Gas Costs

 
2,452

 

 

 

 
2,452

Loss on Debt Extinguishment
16,090

 

 

 

 

 
16,090

Related Party Activity
(2,536
)
 

 
(12,737
)
 
1,001

 
14,272

 

Freight Expense

 

 
96,251

 

 

 
96,251

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

 
21,992

 
109,730

 
600

 
(48,703
)
 
83,619

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
5,364

 
100,978

 
199,272

 
1,248

 

 
306,862

Abandonment of Long-Lived Assets

 

 
115,479

 

 

 
115,479

Interest Expense
120,428

 
5,232

 
5,583

 
27

 
(191
)
 
131,079

Taxes Other Than Income
3,386

 
16,076

 
158,274

 
1,595

 

 
179,331

Total Costs
206,132

 
356,507

 
2,017,013

 
112,176

 
11,616

 
2,703,444

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes
190,512

 
52,230

 
497,679

 
16,574

 
(407,134
)
 
349,861

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
(79,021
)
 
20,469

 
132,611

 
6,269

 

 
80,328

Net Income (Loss)
$
269,533

 
$
31,761

 
$
365,068

 
$
10,305

 
$
(407,134
)
 
$
269,533




35



Cash Flow for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (unaudited):
 
 
Parent
 
CNX Gas
Guarantor
 
Other Subsidiary Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Net Cash Provided by (Used In) Operating Activities
$
271,127

 
$
124,367

 
$
(28,281
)
 
$
736

 
$

 
$
367,949

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures
$
(24,722
)
 
$
(241,661
)
 
$
(448,016
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(714,399
)
Investment in Equity Affiliates

 
(35,150
)
 
(750
)
 

 

 
(35,900
)
Distributions from Equity Affiliates

 
3,500

 
10,561

 

 

 
14,061

Other Investing Activities
169,500

 
30,249

 
52,469

 
11

 

 
252,229

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
$
144,778

 
$
(243,062
)
 
$
(385,736
)
 
$
11

 
$

 
$
(484,009
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends Received (Paid)
$
143,167

 
$
(200,000
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(56,833
)
Other Financing Activities
1,580

 
(3,751
)
 
2

 
(467
)
 

 
(2,636
)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
$
144,747

 
$
(203,751
)
 
$
2

 
$
(467
)
 
$

 
$
(59,469
)

Cash Flow for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 (unaudited):
 
 
Parent
 
CNX Gas
Guarantor
 
Other Subsidiary Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Net Cash Provided by (Used In) Operating Activities
$
370,780

 
$
182,364

 
$
243,823

 
$
(1,484
)
 
$

 
$
795,483

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures
$
(12,974
)
 
$
(319,237
)
 
$
(253,230
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(585,441
)
Distributions from Equity Affiliates

 

 
3,870

 

 

 
3,870

Other Investing Activities
10

 
1,106

 
4,897

 
1,467

 

 
7,480

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities
$
(12,964
)
 
$
(318,131
)
 
$
(244,463
)
 
$
1,467

 
$

 
$
(574,091
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends Paid
$
(45,293
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(45,293
)
(Payments on) Proceeds from Short-Term Borrowings
(155,000
)
 
131,750

 

 

 

 
(23,250
)
Payments on Securitization Facility
(130,000
)
 

 

 

 

 
(130,000
)
Payments on Long-Term Notes, including Redemption Premium
(265,785
)
 

 

 

 

 
(265,785
)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Notes
250,000

 

 

 

 

 
250,000

Debt Issuance and Financing Fees
(10,360
)
 
(5,067
)
 

 

 

 
(15,427
)
Other Financing Activities
8,740

 
(6,138
)
 
(109
)
 
(405
)
 

 
2,088

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
$
(347,698
)
 
$
120,545

 
$
(109
)
 
$
(405
)
 
$

 
$
(227,667
)


36



Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2012 (Unaudited):

 
Parent
 
CNX Gas
Guarantor
 
Other Subsidiary Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Net Income
$
152,739

 
$
726

 
$
94,312

 
$
3,284

 
$
(98,351
)
 
$
152,710

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Amortization of Prior Service Cost
(8,683
)
 

 
(8,767
)
 

 
8,767

 
(8,683
)
  Amortization of Net Loss
16,269

 

 
18,820

 

 
(18,820
)
 
16,269

Net Increase in the Value of Cash Flow Hedge
10,663

 
10,663

 

 

 
(10,663
)
 
10,663

Reclassification of Cash Flow Hedges from Other Comprehensive Income to Earnings
(57,847
)
 
(57,847
)
 

 

 
57,847

 
(57,847
)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
(39,598
)
 
(47,184
)
 
10,053

 

 
37,131

 
(39,598
)
Comprehensive Income
113,141

 
(46,458
)
 
104,365

 
3,284

 
(61,220
)
 
113,112

  Add: Comprehensive Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

 
29

 

 

 

 
29

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders'
$
113,141

 
$
(46,429
)
 
$
104,365

 
$
3,284

 
$
(61,220
)
 
$
113,141



Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011 (Unaudited):

 
Parent
 
CNX Gas
Guarantor
 
Other Subsidiary Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Net Income
$
77,384

 
$
17,115

 
$
132,729

 
$
5,894

 
$
(155,738
)
 
$
77,384

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Treasury Rate Lock
(76
)
 

 

 

 

 
(76
)
  Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Amortization of Prior Service Cost
(7,364
)
 

 
(7,398
)
 

 
7,398

 
(7,364
)
  Amortization of Net Loss
21,064

 

 
22,943

 

 
(22,943
)
 
21,064

Net Increase in the Value of Cash Flow Hedge
28,430

 
28,430

 

 

 
(28,430
)
 
28,430

Reclassification of Cash Flow Hedges from Other Comprehensive Income to Earnings
(16,905
)
 
(16,905
)
 

 

 
16,905

 
(16,905
)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
25,149

 
11,525

 
15,545

 

 
(27,070
)
 
25,149

Comprehensive Income (Loss)
$
102,533

 
$
28,640

 
$
148,274

 
$
5,894

 
$
(182,808
)
 
$
102,533





37



Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (Unaudited):

 
Parent
 
CNX Gas
Guarantor
 
Other Subsidiary Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Net Income
$
249,935

 
$
8,180

 
$
251,664

 
$
7,176

 
$
(267,049
)
 
$
249,906

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Change in Prior Service Cost
50,276

 

 
50,276

 

 
(50,276
)
 
50,276

  Amortization of Prior Service Cost
(16,237
)
 

 
(16,067
)
 

 
16,067

 
(16,237
)
  Amortization of Net Loss
33,120

 

 
28,019

 

 
(28,019
)
 
33,120

Net Increase in the Value of Cash Flow Hedge
86,739

 
86,739

 

 

 
(86,739
)
 
86,739

Reclassification of Cash Flow Hedges from Other Comprehensive Income to Earnings
(105,788
)
 
(105,788
)
 

 

 
105,788

 
(105,788
)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
48,110

 
(19,049
)
 
62,228

 

 
(43,179
)
 
48,110

Comprehensive Income
298,045

 
(10,869
)
 
313,892

 
7,176

 
(310,228
)
 
298,016

  Add: Comprehensive Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

 
29

 

 

 

 
29

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders'
$
298,045

 
$
(10,840
)
 
$
313,892

 
$
7,176

 
$
(310,228
)
 
$
298,045



Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 (Unaudited):

 
Parent
 
CNX Gas
Guarantor
 
Other Subsidiary Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Elimination
 
Consolidated
Net Income
$
269,533

 
$
31,761

 
$
365,068

 
$
10,305

 
$
(407,134
)
 
$
269,533

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Treasury Rate Lock
(96
)
 

 

 

 

 
(96
)
  Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Amortization of Prior Service Cost
(14,729
)
 

 
(14,660
)
 

 
14,660

 
(14,729
)
  Amortization of Net Loss
36,756

 

 
32,998

 

 
(32,998
)
 
36,756

Net Increase in the Value of Cash Flow Hedge
32,801

 
32,801

 

 

 
(32,801
)
 
32,801

Reclassification of Cash Flow Hedges from Other Comprehensive Income to Earnings
(35,745
)
 
(35,745
)
 

 

 
35,745

 
(35,745
)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
18,987

 
(2,944
)
 
18,338

 

 
(15,394
)
 
18,987

Comprehensive Income (Loss)
$
288,520

 
$
28,817

 
$
383,406

 
$
10,305

 
$
(422,528
)
 
$
288,520












38



NOTE 16—RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
CONE Gathering LLC Related Party Transactions
During the six months ended June 30, 2012, CONE Gathering LLC (CONE), a 50% owned affiliate, provided CNX Gas Company gathering services in the ordinary course of business. Gathering services received from CONE were $4,262 and $7,724, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, which were included in Cost of Goods Sold on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, CONSOL Energy and CNX Gas Company had a net receivable of $486 and $8,966, respectively, which were comprised of the following items:
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Location on Balance Sheet
CONE Gathering Capital Reimbursement
$
2,033

 
$
8,042

Accounts Receivable–Other
Reimbursement for CONE Expenses
4

 
2,009

Accounts Receivable–Other
Reimbursement for Services Provided to CONE
67

 
414

Accounts Receivable–Other
CONE Gathering Fee Payable
(1,618
)
 
(1,499
)
Accounts Payable
Net Receivable due from CONE
$
486

 
$
8,966

 



39





ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General
The domestic coal and natural gas industries faced another challenging quarter as the effects of excess supply in both markets have continued to limit a recovery in prices. Flat electric demand, strong natural gas supply, and global economic uncertainties have sent inventories to historically high levels and kept coal and gas prices under pressure. The uncertain European economic situation and increased international supply reduced prices for thermal coals internationally, while pricing for metallurgical coals slipped due to oversupply in the world market.
    
Together, the unusually warm 2011-2012 winter and flat electric demand kept domestic thermal coal consumption low during the second quarter. As natural gas prices averaged below $3.00/MMBtu, natural gas-fired generation continued to gain market share from coal. Early estimates indicate that coal-fired generation produced 36% of the U.S. electric power sector during the second quarter compared with 43% during the same period in 2011. Likewise, utility coal stockpiles remained at elevated levels throughout the quarter, although this growth has recently declined. Warmer average spring temperatures, modest increases in the price of natural gas, and reductions in domestic thermal coal production have helped reduce the stress on the sector. The significant switching to natural gas has not built coal inventories as fast as might have been expected, largely due to customer pushback of deliveries and producer production cuts. This development should shorten the recovery period for coal prices.

In the longer-term, the outlook for domestic thermal coal faces regulatory challenges as new Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") power plant rules encourage greater adoption of natural gas-fired generation. Few new-build coal-fired power plants are expected and utilities will likely retire older, smaller, and less competitive coal-fired units rather than invest in costly emissions controls to maintain compliance. International thermal coal demand is strong, but prices have fallen as U.S. tons have moved abroad to compete with Colombian and South African coals for European imports. European consumption has grown recently to take advantage of the cheaper coal prices and to offset decreases in nuclear generation, renewable energy subsidies and the removal of subsidized European mining.

During the second quarter, metallurgical coal prices fell from the prior quarter and were down significantly from the comparable period in 2011.  Low-volatile coal continues to be oversupplied in a world economy that has weakened in the last three months. Steel utilization rates were weak in Europe and Brazil, which impacts CONSOL Energy's exports.
 
CONSOL Energy's coal sales outlook as of July 26, 2012 is as follows:
 
 
Q3 2012
 
2012
 
2013
 
2014
Estimated Coal Sales (millions of tons)
 
14.9

 
59.4

 
57.6

 
62.0

     Est. Low-Vol Met Sales
 
1.2

 
4.4

 
4.6

 
4.4

       Tonnage: Firm
 
0.8

 
3.4

 
0.3

 

       Avg. Price: Sold (Firm)
 
$
139.87

 
$
149.47

 
$
126.65

 
$

       Price: Estimated (For open tonnage)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

     Est. High-Vol Met Sales
 
0.9

 
4.2

 
5.2

 
5.8

       Tonnage: Firm
 
0.7

 
3.4

 
0.4

 
0.3

       Avg. Price: Sold (Firm)
 
$
72.40

 
$
68.35

 
$
72.11

 
$
75.53

       Price: Estimated (For open tonnage)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

     Est. Thermal Sales
 
12.7

 
50.5

 
47.2

 
51.2

       Tonnage: Firm
 
12.5

 
49.7

 
25.1

 
17.7

       Avg. Price: Sold (Firm)
 
$
63.51

 
$
62.37

 
$
62.57

 
$
63.91

       Price: Estimated (For open tonnage)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A


Note: While most of the data in the table are single point estimates, the inherent uncertainty of markets and mining operations means
that investors should consider a reasonable range around these estimates. N/A means not available or not forecast. CONSOL Energy has chosen
not to forecast prices for open tonnage due to ongoing customer negotiations. In the thermal sales category, the open tonnage includes
4.7 million collared tons in 2013, with a ceiling of $59.78 per ton and a floor of $51.63 per ton. For 2014, the open tonnage in the thermal
sales category includes 7.0 million tons, with a ceiling of $59.31 per ton and a floor of $45.93 per ton. Total Amonate estimated coal sales
for Q3 2012 are 0.1 million tons. Calendar years 2012, 2013, and 2014 include 0.3, 0.6, and 0.6 million tons, respectively, from Amonate.
The Amonate tons are not included in the category breakdowns. None of the Amonate tons have been sold to date.


40




In response to current weak market conditions for domestic coal, CONSOL Energy announced during the quarter that it extended the annual miners' vacation period at its Blacksville No. 2 and Robinson Run mines in Northern West Virginia. The Blacksville No. 2 vacation period was extended for two weeks. Consistent with its core values of safety, compliance and continuous improvement, two belt rehabilitation projects were conducted during the extended vacation period. The longwall at Blacksville No. 2 was restarted the week of July 22, 2012. The Robinson Run extension was one week. Work was completed during the week extension to maintain the mine in a ready state. The longwall at Robinson Run restarted the week of July 16, 2012. The extended vacation periods are expected to reduce total annual Company production by 300 thousand tons.

Also in response to the current weak market conditions for domestic coal and recent proposals and final rules adopted by the EPA, CONSOL Energy issued a notice under the Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) of a layoff at its Fola Operations near Bickmore, West Virginia. The layoffs are expected to occur during a 14-day period beginning on August 30, 2012. Production from underground operations will continue until the layoffs occur. Production from the surface areas was idled as of June 29, 2012, and employees have been reassigned to reclamation activities. The idling of the Fola Complex is expected to reduce total annual Company production by approximately 800 thousand tons.

CONSOL Energy also idled the longwalls at Blacksville No. 2 and Buchanan Mine in March and April 2012. These longwalls resumed production on May 1, 2012.

On July 27, 2011 CONSOL Energy incurred a structural failure on its newly installed above-ground conveyor system at the Bailey Preparation Plant in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The belt system conveys coal from the Bailey and Enlow Fork mines to the Bailey Preparation Plant. CONSOL Energy is conducting a thorough assessment and initial indications are that coal from the Bailey and Enlow Fork mines could be fully impacted for an estimated two weeks. If, at the end of two weeks, one of the two collapsed belts is returned to service, the mines could operate at an estimated 60% of capacity. CONSOL Energy does not currently expect to curtail any domestic sales; however, overseas shipments in the spot market could be affected. Impacts related to this incident on the sales guidance table presented above are currently under review.
  
Natural gas production continues to be very strong, although there are indicators that growth rates have abated. Although still above last year's level, the rate of dry-gas growth has decreased as capital and drilling have shifted towards liquids-rich targets. Although prices have increased slightly, significant market opportunity exists for domestic gas-fired electric generation. Longer-term outlooks are strong as the abundant domestic supply may encourage widespread gas-fired electric-generation adoption and increased demand from the U.S. manufacturing and chemical industry. Recent EPA regulations have made natural gas the preferred fuel for future electric generation capacity growth.

Low natural gas prices have encouraged capital to be directed towards liquids-rich and oil producing plays. The number of rigs targeting dry gas, most noticeably in the traditional Barnett and Haynesville plays, has dropped while those targeting liquids-rich and oil-focused drilling has increased. Rig counts have fallen nationally to the lowest levels since 2009. However, the Marcellus region's production level has grown due to its advantageous proximity to the consuming regions of the Northeast United States. Although storage levels are still at record highs, warmer spring weather and increased demand, have slowed the growth in storage. A warm summer forecast is expected to give some relief to a strong gas supply base. CONSOL Energy expects its 2012 net gas production to be between 157 - 159 Bcf. Third quarter 2012 gas production, net to CONSOL Energy, is expected to be approximately 40 - 42 Bcf.

As the global economy faces another phase of European deliberations, concerns of lingering high U.S. unemployment and slowing Chinese economic growth, continue to exist. However, the reversal of unseasonal weather, small increases in the price of natural gas, and domestic thermal production cuts have slightly improved the situation compared with the first quarter 2012.

The fundamental drivers for longer-term growth are strong. Because the developing world continues to invest strongly in electric generation infrastructure, CONSOL Energy expects the international thermal coal market to remain robust. Additionally, continued strong blast furnace demand in the U.S. and abroad signals a strong need for a competitively priced and secure supply of U.S. metallurgical and cross-over grade coals. Domestic demand for natural gas will continue to rise as industries exploit the current low prices and abundant supply. The fundamental and primary drivers of CONSOL Energy's business remain solid as the Company continues to produce the low-cost, reliable, and abundant fuels necessary to drive the growth of both industrialized and developing economies.

The following developments impacting CONSOL Energy occurred in the six months ended June 30, 2012:

In June 2012, CONSOL Energy announced that it acquired a minority equity interest in Epiphany Solar Water


41



Systems, a privately-held company founded in New Castle, PA in 2009. Epiphany Solar Water Systems is testing what is believed to be the world's first concentrated solar powered water purification system. Under the agreement, CONSOL Energy has made an initial investment of $0.5 million and one of its Marcellus gas well locations in Greene County will serve as the site to pilot test this solar powered water purifications system. The pilot test is scheduled to begin in July with initial results expected in early fall.

In June 2012, CONSOL Energy sold its non-producing Northern Powder River Basin assets in southern Montana and northern Wyoming for $170 million in cash to Cloud Peak Energy. Additionally, CONSOL Energy retained an 8% production royalty interest on approximately 200 million tons of permitted fee coal. This transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of $151 million.

In June 2012, CONSOL Energy expanded an existing mining joint venture with a privately-held company in Central Pennsylvania. The joint venture will self-fund, through retained earnings, a $54 million (gross) expansion in 2012 and 2013. The expansion will enable CONSOL Energy's share of high-vol A and mid-vol forecasted coal production to increase from 150,000 tons in 2012 to 900,000 tons in 2015.

In April 2012, CONSOL Energy announced certain changes to the salaried other post-retirement benefit plan that current retirees and current active employees will receive as of January 1, 2014. The change provides a fixed annual retiree medical contribution into a Health Reimbursement Account for eligible employees. The money in the account can be used to help pay for a commercial medical plan, Medicare Part B and Part D premiums and other qualified expenses. Employees who work or worked in corporate or operational support positions at retirement and who are age 50 or older at December 31, 2013 will receive the revised benefit in lieu of the current retiree medical and prescription drug coverage. Employees who work or worked in corporate or operations support positions who are under age 50 at December 31, 2013 will receive no retiree medical or prescription drug benefit. CONSOL Energy remeasured the salaried other postretirement plan as of March 31, 2012 to recognize these changes. The remeasurement reflects the reduction in benefits and the change in discount rate from 4.51% at December 31, 2011 to 4.57% at March 31, 2012. The remeasurement resulted in a reduction of approximately $80.6 million of Other Post-Retirement Benefits (OPEB) liability with a corresponding offset to Other Comprehensive Income, net of applicable deferred taxes. The change resulted in a $3.1 million reduction in OPEB expense compared to what was originally expected to be recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2012. Additionally, the change will result in a $6.3 million reduction to OPEB expense compared to what was originally expected to be recognized for the remaining six months of 2012. The change was made to align CONSOL Energy's corporate and operational support compensation package more closely with our peer group.

Pennsylvania enacted Act 13 of 2012, which provides for the comprehensive regulation of Marcellus Shale development in Pennsylvania. Among other things, Act 13 requires an impact fee be paid annually on all nonconventional gas wells drilled in the state. The annual fee is based on annual average sales price and is modified annually for a 15-year period for each well. The impact fee also required the first year fee be paid on all applicable wells drilled before January 1, 2012 with subsequent annual fees to apply each year thereafter. CONSOL Energy's retroactive impact fee related to wells drilled prior to January 1, 2012 was approximately $4 million.

West Virginia has an alternative bond system (ABS) for coal mine reclamation which consists of (i) individual site bonds posted by the permittee that are less than the full estimated reclamation cost plus (ii) a bond pool (Special Reclamation Fund) funded by a per ton fee on coal mined in the State which is used to supplement the site specific bonds if needed in the event of bond forfeiture. The Special Reclamation Fund is currently underfunded. As a result of a decision by the U.S District Court in West Virginia in a citizens' suit concerning the adequacy of the Special Reclamation Fund, effective July 1, 2012, the rate per ton fee on coal mined in the state of West Virginia will be increased from $0.144 cents per ton to $0.279 per ton. CONSOL Energy expects to produce approximately 15 million tons of coal in West Virginia during the second half of 2012.

In April 2012, CONSOL Energy sold its non-producing Elk Creek reserves in southern West Virginia. The transaction resulted in cash proceeds of approximately $25 million and a gain on sale of assets of approximately $10 million.

CONSOL Energy is managing several significant matters that may affect our business and impact our financial results in the future including the following:
Challenges in the overall environment in which we operate create increased risks that we must continuously monitor and manage. These risks include (i) increased prices for commodities such as diesel fuel, synthetic rubber and steel that we use in our operations (although prices for some of these commodities declined during the quarter from


42



previous quarters), (ii) increased scrutiny of existing safety regulations and the development of new safety regulations and (iii) additional environmental restrictions.

Federal and state environmental regulators are reviewing our operations more closely and are more strictly interpreting and enforcing existing environmental laws and regulations, resulting in increased costs and delays. For example, we entered into a consent decree with the EPA and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to which we agreed to construct an advanced technology mine water treatment plant and related facilities to reduce high levels of total dissolved solids in water discharges from certain of our mines in Northern West Virginia, at a total estimated cost of approximately $200 million.  The new facility must be placed into service no later than May 2013.

Federal and state regulators have proposed regulations which, if adopted, would adversely impact our business.   These proposed regulations could require significant changes in the manner in which we operate and/or would increase the cost of our operations. For example, the Department of Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is currently preparing an environmental impact statement relating to OSM's consideration of five alternatives for amending its coal mining stream protection rules.  All of the alternatives, except the no action alternative, could make it more costly to mine our coal and/or could eliminate the ability to mine some of our coal.  Another example is the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) that was finalized by the EPA on July 6, 2011, although the effective date of the rule has been stayed by a court.  CSAPR replaces the Clean Air Interstate Rule and regulates the amount of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) that power plants in 23 eastern States can emit in order to meet clean air requirements in downwind states.  Another example is the Mercury and Air Toxic Standards issued by the EPA on December 16, 2011.  The new regulations set mercury and air toxic standards for new and existing coal and oil fired electric utility steam generating units and include more stringent new source performance standards (NSPS) for particulate matter (PM), SO2 and NOx.  Some older coal fired power plants may be retired or have operation time reduced rather than install additional expensive emission controls which could reduce the amount of coal consumed.   On April 18, 2012, the EPA published new final New Source Performance Standards for gas wells and related facilities.  These rules apply to wells that were hydraulically fractured after August, 23, 2011 and require the implementation by January 1, 2015 of technologies that capture the gas that is currently vented or flared during completion (hydrofracturing) of a well.  Low pressure wells, including coalbed methane wells, are excluded from these new standards.

In April 2012, the EPA published its proposed New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for carbon dioxide emissions from coal powered electric generating units.  The public comment period has run and publication of the final rules is expected soon. The proposed rules will apply to new power plants and to existing plants that make major modifications. If the rules are adopted as proposed, the only new coal fired power plants that will be able to meet the proposed emission limits will be coal fired plants with carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS). Commercial scale CCS is not likely to be available in the near future, and if available, it may make coal fired electric generation units uneconomical compared to new gas fired electric generation units. Thus, if finalized the proposed rules could seriously threaten the construction of new coal fired electric generating units.

On June 11, 2012, the governor of Ohio signed amendments to Ohio's existing oil and gas laws that regulate the natural gas industry's hydraulic fracturing and ancillary activities in the Utica/Point Pleasant shale.  CONSOL Energy is currently reviewing the amendments for their potential impacts to our growing operations in that State.

On May 25, 2012, CONSOL Energy received a citizens' Notice of Intent to Sue from the Sierra Club, the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition and the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy alleging violations of the Clean Water Act relating to selenium at its Fola mining complex in central West Virginia.  CONSOL Energy is currently in discussions with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection concerning a consent order with the State relating to the alleged violations.

In late June, CONSOL Energy received informal notification from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection of the Department's intent pursuant to a Technical Guidance Document entitled “Surface Water Protection-Underground Bituminous Coal Mining” to require a change in the mine plan of a pending application for a permit for expansion of the Company's Bailey East longwall mine.  This change in mine plan could have a material effect on CONSOL Energy's forecasted production for 2015.  Although CONSOL Energy does not agree that a modification of its mining plan is necessary to comply with applicable regulatory performance standards, CONSOL Energy is currently reviewing the notification and any modifications that would be required if CONSOL Energy is compelled to modify its application. 

CONSOL Energy continues to explore potential sales of non-core assets.


43




Results of Operations
Three Months Ended June 30, 2012 Compared with Three Months Ended June 30, 2011

Net Income
CONSOL Energy reported net income of $153 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2012. Net income was $77 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2011.
The coal division includes thermal coal, high volatile metallurgical coal, low volatile metallurgical coal and other coal. The total coal division contributed $252 million of earnings before income tax for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $152 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The coal division sold 14.4 million tons of coal produced from CONSOL Energy mines, excluding our portion of tons sold from equity affiliates, for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 16.2 million tons for the three months ended June 30, 2011.
The average sales price and average costs per ton for all active coal operations were as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Average Sales Price per ton sold
$
65.57

 
$
73.08

 
$
(7.51
)
 
(10.3
)%
Average Costs per ton sold
52.03

 
50.88

 
1.15

 
2.3
 %
Margin
$
13.54

 
$
22.20

 
$
(8.66
)
 
(39.0
)%

The average sales price per ton sold was lower in the period-to-period comparison due to weakened pricing in the metallurgical coal markets, slightly offset by strength in our contracted domestic thermal sales. The decreased sales tonnage is due to decreased coal demand in both thermal and metallurgical markets.

Changes in the average operating costs per ton sold were primarily related to the following items:

Average costs per ton sold increased due to fewer tons sold. Fixed costs are allocated over fewer sales tons, resulting in higher unit costs.
Average costs per ton sold increased due to the idling of longwalls at the Blacksville mine and the Buchanan mine during April 2012. The decrease in tonnage negatively impacted the average operating costs per ton sold by approximately $1.80 per ton.
Average labor and labor-related costs per ton increased as a result of the impact of the $2.00 per hour worked United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) contract wage increases, offset, in part, by fewer hours worked.
Average operating supplies and maintenance costs per ton increased due to increased gas well plugging expenses and increased maintenance project expenses.
Average subsidence costs per ton decreased due to the settlement of a previously incurred subsidence liability for an amount lower than expected.
Average provision costs per ton decreased due to the improvement in other postretirement benefits discussed in the long-term liabilities section below.

The total gas division includes coalbed methane (CBM), shallow oil and gas, Marcellus and other gas. The total gas division contributed $1 million of earnings before income tax for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $28 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Total gas production was 37.3 billion cubic feet for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 37.5 billion cubic feet for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Total gas production decreased as a result of a decrease of 3.5 billion net cubic feet of production related to the 2011 divestiture of Antero and the 2011 Noble Joint Venture, offset, in part, by the on-going drilling program. See Note 2—Acquisitions and Dispositions in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details on the Antero and Noble transactions.
The average sales price and average costs for all active gas operations were as follows: 


44



 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Average Sales Price per thousand cubic feet sold
$
3.98

 
$
5.07

 
$
(1.09
)
 
(21.5
)%
Average Costs per thousand cubic feet sold
3.34

 
3.57

 
(0.23
)
 
(6.4
)%
Margin
$
0.64

 
$
1.50

 
$
(0.86
)
 
(57.3
)%

Total gas division outside sales revenue was $149 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $190 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease was primarily due to the 21.5% reduction in average sales price. The decrease in average sales price is the result of lower general market prices for natural gas, offset, in part, by various gas swap transactions maturing in each period. The gas swap transactions qualify as financial cash flow hedges that exist parallel to the underlying physical transactions. These financial hedges represented approximately 19.1 billion cubic feet of produced gas sales volumes for the three months ended June 30, 2012 at an average price of $5.25 per thousand cubic feet. These financial hedges represented 23.1 billion cubic feet of produced gas sales volumes for the three months ended June 30, 2011 at an average price of $5.14 per thousand cubic feet.
Changes in the average cost per thousand cubic feet of gas sold were primarily related to the following items:
Lower direct administrative, selling and other costs per unit due to decreased actual dollars due to reduced direct administrative labor and other costs.
Lower units-of-production depreciation, depletion and amortization rates for producing properties. These rates were generally calculated using the net book value of assets divided by either proved or proved developed reserve additions. Increased proved and proved developed reserves relative to the net book value of the producing assets resulted in a lower units-of-production rate.
Lower lifting costs that were the result of decreased road maintenance and well tending costs.
The other segment includes industrial supplies activity, terminal, river and dock service activity, income taxes and other business activities not assigned to the coal or gas segment.
At the beginning of 2012, management decided that it would no longer consider general and administrative costs on a segment by segment basis as a factor in their decision making process. These decisions include allocation of capital and individual segment profit performance results. Management also concluded that general and administrative costs would continue to be considered in results at the divisional level (total coal and total gas). In order to present financial information in a manner consistent with internal management's evaluations, the prior periods general and administrative costs have been reclassified to reflect information consistent with the current year's presentation. The total divisional results have not changed. Individual segment results within the division have been recast to reflect costs excluding general and administrative. General and administrative costs are excluded from the coal and gas unit costs above. As in the prior periods, general and administrative costs are allocated between divisions (Coal, Gas, Other) based primarily on percentage of total revenue and percentage of total projected capital expenditures. The total general and administrative costs were made up of the following items:
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Employee wages and related expenses
$
14

 
$
16

 
$
(2
)
 
(12.5
)%
Consulting and professional services
7

 
9

 
(2
)
 
(22.2
)%
Miscellaneous
8

 
10

 
(2
)
 
(20.0
)%
Total Company General and Administrative Expenses
$
29

 
$
35

 
$
(6
)
 
(17.1
)%

Total Company General and Administrative Expenses changed due to the following:
Employee wages and related expenses decreased $2 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily attributable to lower salary other post-retirement benefit expenses in the period-to-period comparison. The lower expenses relate to changes in the discount rates and other assumptions and a modification to the benefit plan for certain salaried employees.
 
Consulting and professional services decreased $2 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to a


45



reduction in CONSOL Energy's advertising and promotion campaign.
Miscellaneous general and administrative expenses decreased $2 million in the period-to-period comparison due to various corporate projects that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Included in both coal and gas unit costs are total Company long-term liabilities, such as other postretirement benefits (OPEB), the salary retirement plan, workers' compensation and long-term disability. These long-term liabilities costs are actuarially calculated for the Company as a whole. The expenses are then allocated to operational units based on active employee counts or active salary dollars. Total CONSOL Energy expense related to our actuarial calculated liabilities was $62 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $90 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease of $28 million for total CONSOL Energy expense was primarily due to a decrease in the discount rate assumptions used to calculate expense for benefit plans at the measurement date, which is December 31. Additionally, a part of the decrease was due to a plan modification for the salaried other post-retirement benefit plan which required a remeasurement as of March 31, 2012. See Note 3—Components of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Net Periodic Benefit Costs and Note 4—Components of Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP) and Workers' Compensation Net Periodic Benefit Costs in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail of the total Company expense decrease.

TOTAL COAL SEGMENT ANALYSIS for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011:
The coal segment contributed $252 million of earnings before income tax for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $152 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Variances by the individual coal segments are discussed below.
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
Difference to Three Months Ended
 
June 30, 2012
 
June 30, 2011
 
Thermal
Coal
 
High
Vol
Met
Coal
 
Low
Vol
Met
Coal
 
Other
Coal
 
Total
Coal
 
Thermal
Coal
 
High
Vol
Met
Coal
 
Low
Vol
Met
Coal
 
Other
Coal
 
Total
Coal
Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Produced Coal
$
748

 
$
71

 
$
121

 
$
2

 
$
942

 
$
(33
)
 
$
(47
)
 
$
(158
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$
(243
)
Purchased Coal

 

 

 
3

 
3

 

 

 

 
(24
)
 
(24
)
Total Outside Sales
748

 
71

 
121

 
5

 
945

 
(33
)
 
(47
)
 
(158
)
 
(29
)
 
(267
)
Freight Revenue

 

 

 
49

 
49

 

 

 

 
(10
)
 
(10
)
Other Income

 
1

 

 
180

 
181

 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 

 
166

 
163

Total Revenue and Other Income
748

 
72

 
121

 
234

 
1,175

 
(34
)
 
(49
)
 
(158
)
 
127

 
(114
)
Costs and Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total operating costs
472

 
40

 
57

 
42

 
611

 
(24
)
 
(13
)
 
(12
)
 
(33
)
 
(82
)
Total provisions
43

 
3

 
7

 
40

 
93

 
(16
)
 
(3
)
 
(4
)
 
18

 
(5
)
Total direct administrative & other costs
23

 
2

 
3

 
42

 
70

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(6
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
77

 
8

 
11

 
4

 
100

 
1

 
(2
)
 
2

 
(112
)
 
(111
)
Total Costs and Expenses
615

 
53

 
78

 
128

 
874

 
(41
)
 
(20
)
 
(15
)
 
(128
)
 
(204
)
Freight Expense

 

 

 
49

 
49

 

 

 

 
(10
)
 
(10
)
Total Costs
615

 
53

 
78

 
177

 
923

 
(41
)
 
(20
)
 
(15
)
 
(138
)
 
(214
)
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes
$
133

 
$
19

 
$
43

 
$
57

 
$
252

 
$
7

 
$
(29
)
 
$
(143
)
 
$
265

 
$
100







46



THERMAL COAL SEGMENT
The thermal coal segment contributed $133 million to total Company earnings before income tax for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $126 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The thermal coal revenue and cost components on a per unit basis for these periods were as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Produced Thermal Tons Sold (in millions)
12.2

 
13.2

 
(1.0
)
 
(7.6
)%
Average Sales Price Per Thermal Ton Sold
$
61.47

 
$
58.97

 
$
2.50

 
4.2
 %
Average Operating Costs Per Thermal Ton Sold
38.76

 
37.49

 
1.27

 
3.4
 %
Average Provision Costs Per Thermal Ton Sold
3.49

 
4.42

 
(0.93
)
 
(21.0
)%
Average Direct Administrative and Other Costs Per Thermal Ton Sold
1.92

 
1.93

 
(0.01
)
 
(0.5
)%
Average Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs Per Thermal Ton Sold
6.35

 
5.73

 
0.62

 
10.8
 %
     Total Average Costs Per Thermal Ton Sold
50.52

 
49.57

 
0.95

 
1.9
 %
     Margin Per Thermal Ton Sold
$
10.95

 
$
9.40

 
$
1.55

 
16.5
 %

Thermal coal revenue was $748 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $781 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The $33 million decrease was attributable to a 1.0 million reduction in thermal tons sold, offset, in part, by a $2.50 per ton higher average sales price. The sales ton decrease was primarily due to lower natural gas prices and a sluggish economy adversely impacting domestic coal-fired electric generation demand for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011. The higher average thermal coal sales price in the 2012 period was the result of several successful re-negotiations of domestic thermal contracts whose pricing took effect on January 1, 2012. Produced thermal coal inventory was 2.0 million tons at June 30, 2012 compared to 1.6 million tons at June 30, 2011.

Other income attributable to the thermal coal segment represents earnings from our equity affiliates that operate thermal coal mines. The equity in earnings of affiliates is insignificant to the total segment activity.

Operating costs are comprised of labor, supplies, maintenance, subsidence, taxes other than income and preparation plant charges related to the extraction and sale of coal. These costs are reviewed regularly by management and are considered to be the direct responsibility of mine management. Operating costs related to the thermal coal segment were $472 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $496 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011.
Changes in the average operating costs per ton for thermal coal sold were primarily related to the following items:

Average operating costs per thermal ton sold increased due to fewer tons sold. Fixed costs are allocated over less tons, resulting in higher unit costs.
Average operating costs per thermal ton sold increased due to the idling of the Blacksville Mine longwall during April 2012. The decrease in tonnage negatively impacted the average operating costs per thermal ton sold by approximately $1.01 per ton.
Average operating supplies & maintenance cost per thermal ton sold increased due to the timing of major equipment overhaul costs and timing of gas well plugging expenditures in the period-to-period comparison.
Labor and related benefits average costs per thermal ton sold increased. This was primarily due to the impact of the wage increases of $2.00 per hour worked related to the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) collective bargaining agreement in the period-to-period comparison, offset, in part, by fewer overtime hours worked.
Production taxes average cost per thermal ton sold increased due to the $2.50 per ton higher average sales price.
Subsidence costs per thermal ton sold decreased due to the settlement of a previously incurred subsidence liability for an amount lower than expected.
    
Provision costs are comprised of the expenses related to the Company's long-term liabilities, such as other post-retirement benefits (OPEB), the salary retirement plan, workers' compensation, long-term disability and accretion on mine closing and related liabilities. With the exception of accretion expense on mine closing and related liabilities, these liabilities are actuarially calculated for the Company as a whole. The expenses are then allocated to operational units based on active employee counts or active salary dollars. Accretion is calculated on a mine-by-mine basis. The average provision costs attributable to the thermal coal segment were $43 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $59 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in the thermal coal provision expense was primarily attributable to a decrease in discount


47



rates used to calculate the cost of the long-term liabilities and a modification of the salaried other post-retirement benefit plan. This improvement was offset, in part, by the reduction in sales volumes which negatively impacted unit costs.

Direct administrative and other costs attributable to the thermal coal segment include selling, direct administrative costs and other allocated services which directly benefit the segment. Selling costs, excluding commission expense, are allocated to various segments based on a percentage of sales revenue attributable to each segment. Commission expense, which is a component of selling, is charged directly to the mine incurring the cost. Direct administrative and other allocated services costs are associated directly with the coal segment of the business and are allocated to various mines based on a combination of estimated time worked and production. Direct administrative and other costs related to the thermal coal segment were $23 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $25 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in total costs were primarily a result of lower commissions and demurrage expenses. This improvement was offset, in part, by the reduction in sales volumes which negatively impacted unit costs.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization for the thermal coal segment was $77 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $76 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The increase was primarily due to additional equipment and infrastructure placed into service after the 2011 period that is depreciated on a straight-line basis. These higher expenses coupled with fewer tons sold resulted in a $0.62 increase in average depreciation, depletion and amortization costs per ton sold.


HIGH VOL METALLURGICAL COAL SEGMENT
The high volatile metallurgical coal segment contributed $19 million to total Company earnings before income tax for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $48 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The high volatile metallurgical coal revenue and cost components on a per unit basis for these periods were as follows:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Produced High Vol Met Tons Sold (in millions)
1.2

 
1.5

 
(0.3
)
 
(20.0
%)
Average Sales Price Per High Vol Met Ton Sold
$
59.94

 
$
78.84

 
$
(18.90
)
 
(24.0
%)
Average Operating Costs Per High Vol Met Ton Sold
33.66

 
35.08

 
(1.42
)
 
(4.0
%)
Average Provision Costs Per High Vol Met Ton Sold
2.74

 
4.18

 
(1.44
)
 
(34.4
%)
Average Direct Administrative and Other Costs Per High Vol Met Ton Sold
1.87

 
2.33

 
(0.46
)
 
(19.7
%)
Average Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs Per High Vol Met Ton Sold
6.46

 
6.36

 
0.10

 
1.6
%
     Total Average Costs Per High Vol Met Ton Sold
44.73

 
47.95

 
(3.22
)
 
(6.7
%)
     Margin Per High Vol Met Ton Sold
$
15.21

 
$
30.89

 
$
(15.68
)
 
(50.8
%)
High volatile metallurgical coal revenue was $71 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $118 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Average sales prices for high volatile metallurgical coal decreased compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011 due to weakened global metallurgical coal demand. CONSOL Energy priced 1.1 million tons of high volatile metallurgical coal in the export market at an average sales price of $57.30 per ton for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 1.4 million tons at an average price of $78.91 per ton for the three months ended June 30, 2011.
Other income attributed to the high volatile metallurgical coal segment represents earnings from our equity affiliates that operate high volatile metallurgical coal mines. The equity in earnings of affiliates is insignificant to the total segment activity.
Operating costs related to the high volatile metallurgical coal segment were $40 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $53 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Changes in average operating costs per ton for high volatile metallurgical coal sold were primarily related to the following items:

Subsidence cost per high volatile metallurgical ton sold decreased due to a settlement of a previously incurred subsidence liability for an amount lower than expected.
Royalty cost per high volatile metallurgical ton sold decreased due to lower average realized price per ton sold.
Average operating supplies & maintenance cost per high volatile metallurgical ton sold increased due to additional


48



maintenance costs for heavy equipment at surface mines, timing of longwall and belt overhauls, and increased use of pumpable cribs used for tailgate projects in the current period.
 
The provision expense attributable to the high volatile metallurgical coal segment was $3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in the high volatile metallurgical coal provision expense was primarily attributable to a decrease in discount rates used to calculate the cost of the long-term liabilities and a modification of the salaried other post-retirement benefit plan. This improvement was offset, in part, by the reduction in sales volumes which negatively impacted unit costs.

Direct administrative and other costs attributable to the high volatile coal segment include selling, direct administrative costs and other allocated services which directly benefit the segment. Selling costs, excluding commission expense, are allocated to various segments based on a percentage of sales revenue attributable to each segment. Commission expense, which is a component of selling, is charged directly to the mine incurring the cost. Direct administrative and other allocated services costs are costs associated directly with the coal segment of the business and are allocated to various mines based on a combination of estimated time worked and production. Direct administrative and other costs related to the high volatile metallurgical coal segment were $2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The improvement is primarily due to decreased commissions and demurrage expenses. This improvement was offset, in part, by the reduction in sales volumes which negatively impacted unit costs.
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization for the high volatile metallurgical coal segment was $8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $10 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Unit costs were increased in the period-to-period comparison due to lower volumes.

LOW VOL METALLURGICAL COAL SEGMENT
The low volatile metallurgical coal segment contributed $43 million to total Company earnings before income tax for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $186 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The low volatile metallurgical coal revenue and cost components on a per ton basis for these periods are as follows:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Produced Low Vol Met Tons Sold (in millions)
1.0

 
1.4

 
(0.4
)
 
(28.6
)%
Average Sales Price Per Low Vol Met Ton Sold
$
123.71

 
$
202.36

 
$
(78.65
)
 
(38.9
)%
Average Operating Costs Per Low Vol Met Ton Sold
57.65

 
50.03

 
7.62

 
15.2
%
Average Provision Costs Per Low Vol Met Ton Sold
7.59

 
7.26

 
0.33

 
4.5
 %
Average Direct Administrative and Other Costs Per Low Vol Met Ton Sold
3.41

 
2.76

 
0.65

 
23.6
 %
Average Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs Per Low Vol Met Ton Sold
11.15

 
6.62

 
4.53

 
68.4
 %
     Total Average Costs Per Low Vol Met Ton Sold
79.80

 
66.67

 
13.13

 
19.7
 %
     Margin Per Low Vol Met Ton Sold
$
43.91

 
$
135.69

 
$
(91.78
)
 
(67.6
)%

Low volatile metallurgical coal revenue was $121 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $279 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The $158 million decrease was attributable to the 0.4 million ton decrease in sales tons and a $78.65 per ton decrease in average sales price. CONSOL Energy priced 0.8 million tons of low volatile metallurgical coal in the export market at an average sales price of $107.72 per ton for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 1.1 million tons at an average price of $209.85 per ton for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Produced low volatile metallurgical coal inventory was 0.4 million tons at June 30, 2012 compared to 0.2 million tons at June 30, 2011.
Operating costs are made up of labor, supplies, maintenance, subsidence, taxes other than income and preparation plant charges related to the extraction and sale of coal. These costs are reviewed regularly by management and are considered to be the direct responsibility of mine management. Operating costs related to the low volatile metallurgical coal segment were $57 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $69 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Changes in average operating costs per ton sold of low volatile metallurgical coal were primarily related to the following items:
    
Average operating costs per low volatile ton sold primarily increased due to fewer tons sold. Fixed costs are allocated over less tons, resulting in higher unit costs.


49



Average operating costs per low volatile ton sold also increased due to the idling of the Buchanan Mine longwall during April 2012. The decrease in tonnage negatively impacted the average operating costs per low volatile ton sold by approximately $12.14 per ton.
Average gas well plugging and degasification costs increased due to an increased number of degasification wells drilled in the current period.
Average production taxes and royalties were improved due to lower realized pricing on sales tons.
The provision expense attributable to the low volatile metallurgical coal segment was $7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $11 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in the low volatile metallurgical coal provision expense was primarily attributable to a decrease in discount rates used to calculate the cost of the long-term liabilities. The per unit increase was due to fewer tons sold in the period-to-period comparison.
 
Direct administrative and other costs attributable to the low volatile coal segment include selling, direct administrative costs and other allocated services which directly benefit the segment. Selling costs, excluding commission expense, are allocated to various segments based on a percentage of sales revenue attributable to each segment. Commission expense, which is a component of selling, is charged directly to the mine incurring the cost. Direct administrative and other allocated services costs are costs associated directly with the coal segment of the business and are allocated to various mines based on a combination of estimated time worked and production. Direct administrative and other costs related to the low volatile metallurgical coal segment were $3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The per unit increase was due to fewer tons sold in the period-to-period comparison.
    
Depreciation, depletion and amortization for the low volatile metallurgical coal segment was $11 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The increase was primarily due to additional equipment and infrastructure placed into service after the 2011 period that is depreciated on a straight-line basis. These increases were offset, in part, by lower total costs for units-of-production amortization due to the decreased tonnage. The decrease in sales tons increased average unit cost for depreciation, depletion and amortization due to fixed straight-line basis costs being allocated over fewer tons.

OTHER COAL SEGMENT
The other coal segment had earnings before income tax of $57 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to a loss before income tax of $208 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The other coal segment includes purchased coal activities, idle mine activities, coal general and administrative costs as well as various activities assigned to the coal division but not allocated to each individual mine.
Other coal segment produced coal sales include revenue from the sale of less than 0.1 million tons and 0.1 million tons for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2011, respectively. The primary focus of the activity at these locations is reclaiming disturbed land in accordance with the mining permit requirements after final mining has occurred. The tons sold were incidental to total Company production or sales.
Purchased coal sales consist of revenues from processing third-party coal in our preparation plants for blending purposes to meet customer coal specifications, coal purchased from third parties and sold directly to our customers and revenues from processing third-party coal in our preparation plants. The revenues were $3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $27 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease was due to purchasing additional tons of third party coal in the 2011 period due to a railroad bridge outage in order to meet contractual deliveries during the outage.
Freight revenue is the amount billed to customers for transportation costs incurred. This revenue is based on weight of coal shipped, negotiated freight rates and method of transportation (i.e. rail, barge, truck, etc.) used by the customers to which CONSOL Energy contractually provides transportation services. Freight revenue is offset in freight expense. Freight revenue was $49 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $59 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The $10 million decrease in freight expense is due to decreased shipments on contracts for which CONSOL Energy contractually provides transportation services.
Miscellaneous other income was $180 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $14 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The increase of $166 million primarily related to the sales of non-producing assets in the Northern Powder River Basin that resulted in income of $151 million, as well as coal and surface lands in Illinois and West Virginia that resulted in income of $22 million. See Note 2—Acquisitions and Dispositions in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail of these sales. Other revenue also includes $6 million of income from certain thermal coal contract buyouts received during the quarter. These improvements were offset, in part, by various


50



transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Other coal segment total costs were $177 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $315 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease of $138 million was due to the following items:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
Abandonment of long-lived assets
 
$

 
$
115

 
$
(115
)
Purchased coal
 
9

 
34

 
(25
)
Freight expense
 
49

 
59

 
(10
)
Coal contract buyout
 

 
5

 
(5
)
Closed and idle mines
 
51

 
32

 
19

Other
 
68

 
70

 
(2
)
Total Other Coal Segment Costs
 
$
177

 
$
315

 
$
(138
)

Abandonment of long-lived assets were $115 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 as a result of the 2011 decision to permanently idle Mine 84.

Purchased coal costs decreased approximately $25 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to coal purchases to fulfill various contracts during a railroad bridge outage that occurred in the 2011 period.

Freight expense is based on weight of coal shipped, negotiated freight rates and method of transportation (i.e. rail, barge, truck, etc.) used for the customers to which CONSOL Energy contractually provides transportation services. Freight revenue is the amount billed to customers for transportation costs incurred. Freight expense is offset in freight revenue. Freight expense decreased $10 million primarily due to decreased shipments on contracts for which CONSOL Energy contractually provides transportation services.

Coal contract buyouts decreased due to comparison period including the cost of buying out of a lower priced sales contract in order to sell the tons on higher priced contracts.

Closed and idle mine costs increased approximately $19 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011.  The increase was the result of a $32 million addition to the Fola Complex reclamation liabilities in the three months ended June 30, 2012 as a result of changes in the mine plan due to new regulatory requirements, water and selenium treatment estimates, and the decision to idle mining due to market conditions. The current period Fola Complex adjustment was an increase of $24 million compared to the Fola Complex reclamation liability adjustment recognized in the three months ended June 30, 2011. Closed and idle mine costs decreased $10 million as the result of  a decision to permanently abandon Mine 84 in 2011. Closed and idle mine costs increased $5 million due to other changes in the operational status of various other mines, between idled and operating throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.

Other expenses related to the coal segment decreased $2 million in the period-to-period comparison due to various miscellaneous transactions which occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.




51



TOTAL GAS SEGMENT ANALYSIS for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011:
The gas segment contributed $1 million to the total Company earnings before income tax for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $28 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011.
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
Difference to Three Months Ended
 
June 30, 2012
 
June 30, 2011
 
CBM
 
Shallow
Oil & Gas
 
Marcellus
 
Other
Gas
 
Total
Gas
 
CBM
 
Shallow
Oil & Gas
 
Marcellus
 
Other
Gas
 
Total
Gas
Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Produced
$
88

 
$
34

 
$
24

 
$
2

 
$
148

 
$
(28
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(4
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(41
)
Related Party
1

 

 

 

 
1

 

 

 

 

 

Total Outside Sales
89

 
34

 
24

 
2

 
149

 
(28
)
 
(8
)
 
(4
)
 
(1
)
 
(41
)
Gas Royalty Interest

 

 

 
10

 
10

 

 

 

 
(6
)
 
(6
)
Purchased Gas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Other Income

 

 

 
18

 
18

 

 

 

 
15

 
15

Total Revenue and Other Income
89

 
34

 
24

 
30

 
177

 
(28
)
 
(8
)
 
(4
)
 
7

 
(33
)
Lifting
11

 
11

 
2

 

 
24

 
1

 
1

 
(2
)
 

 

Ad Valorem, Severance, and Other Taxes
2

 
2

 
1

 

 
5

 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
1

 

 
(2
)
Gathering
26

 
5

 
5

 
1

 
37

 
2

 

 
1

 
(1
)
 
2

Gas Direct Administrative, Selling & Other
4

 
4

 
2

 
2

 
12

 
(4
)
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
3

 
(5
)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
22

 
14

 
9

 
2

 
47

 
(3
)
 
(2
)
 
1

 

 
(4
)
General & Administration

 

 

 
9

 
9

 

 

 

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Gas Royalty Interest

 

 

 
7

 
7

 

 

 

 
(7
)
 
(7
)
Purchased Gas

 

 

 
1

 
1

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Exploration and Other Costs

 

 

 
16

 
16

 

 

 

 
15

 
15

Other Corporate Expenses

 

 

 
17

 
17

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Interest Expense

 

 

 
1

 
1

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Total Cost
65

 
36

 
19

 
56

 
176

 
(5
)
 
(5
)
 
(1
)
 
5

 
(6
)
Earnings Before Income Tax
$
24

 
$
(2
)
 
$
5

 
$
(26
)
 
$
1

 
$
(23
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
2

 
$
(27
)




52



COALBED METHANE (CBM) GAS SEGMENT
The CBM segment contributed $24 million to the total Company earnings before income tax for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $47 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011.
 
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Produced Gas CBM sales volumes (in billion cubic feet)
22.3

 
22.9

 
(0.6
)
 
(2.6
)%
Average CBM sales price per thousand cubic feet sold
$
3.96

 
$
5.12

 
$
(1.16
)
 
(22.7
)%
Average CBM lifting costs per thousand cubic feet sold
0.45

 
0.42

 
0.03

 
7.1
 %
Average CBM ad valorem, severance, and other taxes per thousand cubic feet sold
0.11

 
0.14

 
(0.03
)
 
(21.4
)%
Average CBM gathering costs per thousand cubic feet sold
1.17

 
1.06

 
0.11

 
10.4
 %
Average CBM direct administrative, selling & other costs per thousand cubic feet sold
0.18

 
0.36

 
(0.18
)
 
(50.0
)%
Average CBM depreciation, depletion and amortization costs per thousand cubic feet sold
0.96

 
1.11

 
(0.15
)
 
(13.5
)%
   Total Average CBM costs per thousand cubic feet sold
2.87

 
3.09

 
(0.22
)
 
(7.1
)%
   Average Margin for CBM
$
1.09

 
$
2.03

 
$
(0.94
)
 
(46.3
)%


CBM sales revenues were $89 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $117 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The $28 million decrease was primarily due to a 22.7% decrease in average sales price per thousand cubic feet sold, as well as a 2.6% decrease in average volumes sold. The decrease in CBM average sales price is the result of lower general market prices for natural gas, offset, in part, by various gas swap transactions maturing in each period. The gas swap transactions qualify as financial cash flow hedges that exist parallel to the underlying physical transactions. These financial hedges represented approximately 10.9 billion cubic feet of produced CBM gas sales volumes for the three months ended June 30, 2012 at an average price of $5.33 per thousand cubic feet. In the three months ended June 30, 2011, these financial hedges represented 16.8 billion cubic feet at an average price of $5.26 per thousand cubic feet. CBM sales volumes decreased 0.6 billion cubic feet for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the 2011 period primarily due to normal well declines without a corresponding increase in wells drilled. Currently, the focus of the gas division is to develop the Marcellus and Utica acreage. At June 30, 2012, there were 4,482 gross CBM wells in production. At June 30, 2011, there were 4,327 gross CBM wells in production.
Total costs for the CBM segment were $65 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $70 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Lower costs in the period-to-period comparison were primarily related to lower unit costs.
 
CBM lifting costs were $11 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $10 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011. Higher average CBM lifting unit costs were related to increased well site maintenance due to slip repairs and increased well plugging costs, offset, in part by a prior year contract buyout that eliminated idle rig fees that were incurred in the 2011 period.

CBM ad valorem, severance and other taxes were $2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $3 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in total dollars and unit costs was primarily due to reduced severance tax expense caused by lower average gas sales prices during 2012.
CBM gathering costs were $26 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $24 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The $2 million increase was due to increased direct labor associated with gathering activities.
CBM direct administrative, selling & other costs for the CBM segment were $4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Direct administrative, selling & other costs attributable to the total gas segment are allocated to the individual gas segments based on a combination of production and employee counts. The decrease in direct administrative, selling & other costs was primarily due to reduced direct administrative labor and other costs.


53



Depreciation, depletion and amortization attributable to the CBM segment was $22 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $25 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. There was approximately $15 million, or $0.67 per unit-of-production, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to CBM gas and related well equipment that was reflected on a unit-of-production method of depreciation for the three months ended June 30, 2012. The production portion of depreciation, depletion and amortization was $18 million, or $0.79 per unit-of-production for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The unit-of-production rates are generally calculated using the net book value of assets divided by either proved or proved developed reserves. There was approximately $7 million, or $0.29 average per unit cost of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to gathering and other equipment that is reflected on a straight line basis in the three months ended June 30, 2012. There was $7 million, or $0.32 per thousand cubic feet, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to gathering and other equipment that is reflected on a straight-line basis for the three months ended June 30, 2011.

SHALLOW OIL AND GAS SEGMENT
The Shallow Oil and Gas segment had a loss before income tax of $2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to earnings before income tax of $1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011.
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Produced Gas Shallow Oil and Gas sales volumes (in billion cubic feet)
7.2

 
8.0

 
(0.8
)
 
(10.0
)%
Average Shallow Oil and Gas sales price per thousand cubic feet sold
$
4.74

 
$
5.27

 
$
(0.53
)
 
(10.1
)%
Average Shallow Oil and Gas lifting costs per thousand cubic feet sold
1.46

 
1.27

 
0.19

 
15.0
 %
Average Shallow Oil and Gas ad valorem, severance, and other taxes per thousand cubic feet sold
0.30

 
0.46

 
(0.16
)
 
(34.8
)%
Average Shallow Oil and Gas gathering costs per thousand cubic feet sold
0.77

 
0.66

 
0.11

 
16.7
 %
Average Shallow Oil and Gas direct administrative, selling & other costs per thousand cubic feet sold
0.53

 
0.80

 
(0.27
)
 
(33.8
)%
Average Shallow Oil and Gas depreciation, depletion and amortization costs per thousand cubic feet sold
2.01

 
1.94

 
0.07

 
3.6
 %
   Total Average Shallow Oil and Gas costs per thousand cubic feet sold
5.07

 
5.13

 
(0.06
)
 
(1.2
)%
   Average Margin for Shallow Oil and Gas
$
(0.33
)
 
$
0.14

 
$
(0.47
)
 
(335.7
)%

Shallow Oil and Gas sales revenues were $34 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $42 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The $8 million decrease was primarily due to the 10.1% decrease in average sales price per thousand cubic feet sold. Shallow Oil and Gas sales volumes also decreased 0.8 billion cubic feet for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the 2011 period primarily due to normal well declines without a corresponding increase in wells drilled. Currently, the focus of the gas division is to develop the Marcellus and Utica acreage. Average sales price decreased primarily due to lower general market prices of natural gas in the period-to-period comparison. This decrease was offset, in part by the result of various gas swap transactions that matured in the three months ended June 30, 2012. These gas swap transactions qualify as financial cash flow hedges that exist parallel to the underlying physical transactions. These financial hedges represented approximately 5.4 billion cubic feet of produced Shallow Oil and Gas gas sales volumes for the three months ended June 30, 2012 at an average price of $5.25 per thousand cubic feet. In the three months ended June 30, 2011, these financial hedges represented 4.1 billion cubic feet at an average price of $4.99 per thousand cubic feet. At June 30, 2012, there were 10,018 gross Shallow Oil and Gas wells in production. At June 30, 2011, there were 9,947 gross Shallow Oil and Gas wells in production.
Total costs for the Shallow Oil and Gas segment were $36 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $41 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011.
Shallow Oil and Gas lifting costs were $11 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $10 million for three months ended June 30, 2011. Lifting costs per unit increased due to increased equipment maintenance costs, increased water disposal costs and increased direct labor costs. Average lifting costs per unit were also negatively impacted by the


54



decrease in sales volumes.
Shallow Oil and Gas ad valorem, severance and other taxes were $2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in unit costs was primarily due to reduced severance tax expense caused by lower average gas sales prices during 2012.
Shallow Oil and Gas gathering costs were $5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. Average gathering costs per unit were negatively impacted by the decrease in sales volumes.
Shallow Oil and Gas direct administrative, selling & other costs were $4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Direct administrative, selling & other costs attributable to the total gas segment are allocated to the individual gas segments based on a combination of production and employee counts. The $2 million decrease in the period-to-period comparison is due to Shallow Oil and Gas volumes representing a smaller proportion of total natural gas volumes.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization costs were $14 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $16 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. There was approximately $12 million, or $1.77 per unit-of production, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to Shallow Oil and Gas gas and related well equipment that was reflected on a units-of-production method of depreciation for the three months ended June 30, 2012. There was approximately $14 million, or $1.69 per unit-of-production, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to Shallow Oil and Gas gas and related well equipment that was reflected on a units-of-production method of depreciation for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The rate is calculated by taking the net book value of the related assets divided by either proved or proved developed reserves, generally at the previous year end. There was approximately $2 million, or $0.24 per thousand cubic feet, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to gathering and other equipment that is reflected on a straight-line basis for the three months ended June 30, 2012. There was $2 million, or $0.25 per thousand cubic feet, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to gathering and other equipment that is reflected on a straight-line basis for the three months ended June 30, 2011.

MARCELLUS GAS SEGMENT
The Marcellus segment contributed $5 million to the total Company earnings before income tax for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011.

 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Produced Gas Marcellus sales volumes (in billion cubic feet)
7.2

 
6.2

 
1.0

 
16.1
 %
Average Marcellus sales price per thousand cubic feet sold
$
3.28

 
$
4.59

 
$
(1.31
)
 
(28.5
)%
Average Marcellus lifting costs per thousand cubic feet sold
0.28

 
0.63

 
(0.35
)
 
(55.6
)%
Average Marcellus ad valorem, severance, and other taxes per thousand cubic feet sold
0.13

 
0.05

 
0.08

 
160.0
 %
Average Marcellus gathering costs per thousand cubic feet sold
0.64

 
0.69

 
(0.05
)
 
(7.2
)%
Average Marcellus direct administrative, selling & other costs per thousand cubic feet sold
0.27

 
0.52

 
(0.25
)
 
(48.1
)%
Average Marcellus depreciation, depletion and amortization costs per thousand cubic feet sold
1.29

 
1.37

 
(0.08
)
 
(5.8
)%
   Total Average Marcellus costs per thousand cubic feet sold
2.61

 
3.26

 
(0.65
)
 
(19.9
)%
   Average Margin for Marcellus
$
0.67

 
$
1.33

 
$
(0.66
)
 
(49.6
)%

The Marcellus segment sales revenues were $24 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $28 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in Marcellus average sales price was the result of lower general market prices, offset, in part, by various gas swap transactions that matured in each period. These gas swap transactions qualify as financial cash flow hedges that exist parallel to the underlying physical transactions. These financial hedges represented approximately 2.8 billion cubic feet of produced Marcellus gas sales volumes for the three months ended June 30, 2012 at an average price of $4.95 per thousand cubic feet. These financial hedges represented 2.2 billion cubic feet of produced Marcellus gas sales volumes for the three months ended June 30, 2011 at an average price of $4.53 per thousand cubic feet.


55



The increased sales volumes are primarily due to additional wells coming on-line from our on-going drilling program, offset, in part, by a decrease of 3.5 billion net cubic feet of production related to the Antero divestiture and Noble joint venture. At June 30, 2012, there were 161 gross Marcellus Shale wells in production. At June 30, 2011, there were 150 gross Marcellus Shale wells in production.
Marcellus lifting costs were $2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $4 million for the three months ended June 301, 2011. Lifting costs per unit decreased $0.35 per thousand cubic feet sold due to decreased repairs and maintenance, well tending costs, well site maintenance and idle rig charges as a result of an unutilized rig in the 2011 period.
Marcellus ad valorem, severance and other taxes were $1 million in the period ended June 30, 2012 compared to less than $1 million in the period ended June 30, 2011. The increase in the current period per unit cost is primarily due to new legislation passed in the state of Pennsylvania (Act 13 of 2012, House Bill 1950). This legislation permits Pennsylvania counties to impose annual fees on unconventional gas wells located within Pennsylvania.
Marcellus gathering costs were $5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Marcellus gathering average unit costs decreased primarily as a result of 1.0 billion cubic feet of additional volumes sold.
Marcellus direct administrative, selling & other costs related to the Marcellus gas segment were $2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Direct administrative, selling & other costs attributable to the total gas division are allocated to the individual gas segments based on a combination of production and employee counts. The decrease in direct administrative, selling & other costs was primarily due to reduced direct administrative labor and other costs.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization costs were $9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. There was approximately $8 million, or $1.14 per unit-of-production, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to Marcellus gas and related well equipment that was reflected on a units-of-production method of depreciation for the three months ended June 30, 2012. There was approximately $7 million, or $1.17 per unit-of-production, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to Marcellus gas and related well equipment that was reflected on a units-of-production method of depreciation for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The rate is calculated by taking the net book value of the related assets divided by either proved or proved developed reserves, generally at the previous year end. Additionally, there was $1 million, or $0.15 per thousand cubic feet, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to gathering and other equipment that was reflected on a straight line basis in the three months ended June 30, 2012. There was $1 million, or $0.20 per thousand cubic feet, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to gathering and other equipment that was reflected on a straight line basis in the three months ended June, 2011. The $0.05 decrease in unit costs related to gathering and other equipment is due to increased production volumes. Fixed costs are allocated over more volumes, resulting in lower unit costs.

OTHER GAS SEGMENT
The other gas segment includes activity not assigned to the CBM, Shallow Oil and Gas or Marcellus gas segments. This segment includes gas general and administrative costs, purchased gas activity, gas royalty interest activity, exploration and other costs, other corporate expenses, and miscellaneous operational activity not assigned to a specific gas segment.
Other gas sales volumes are primarily related to production from the Chattanooga Shale in Tennessee. Revenue from this operation was approximately $2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Total costs related to these other sales were $5 million in the 2012 period and were $7 million in the 2011 period. The decrease in costs is due to various items, none of which are individually material. A per unit analysis of the other operating costs in the Chattanooga shale is not meaningful due to the low volumes produced in the period-to-period analysis.
Royalty interest gas sales represent the revenues related to the portion of production belonging to royalty interest owners sold by the CONSOL Energy gas segment. Royalty interest gas sales revenue was $10 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $16 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The changes in market prices, contractual differences among leases, and the mix of average and index prices used in calculating royalties contributed to the period-to-period change.
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Gas Royalty Interest Sales Volumes (in billion cubic feet)
4.2

 
4.0

 
0.2

 
5.0
 %
Average Sales Price Per thousand cubic feet
$
2.26

 
$
4.08

 
$
(1.82
)
 
(44.6
)%


56




Purchased gas sales volumes represent volumes of gas we sold at market prices that were purchased from third-party producers. Purchased gas sales revenues were less than $1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011.
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Purchased Gas Sales Volumes (in billion cubic feet)
0.3

 
0.3

 

 
 %
Average Sales Price Per thousand cubic feet
$
2.39

 
$
4.61

 
$
(2.22
)
 
(48.2
)%

Other income was $18 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The $15 million increase was due to $8 million of additional interest income relating to the notes receivable from the Noble joint venture transaction, $5 million of additional gains on dispositions of non-core acreage and equipment and a $2 million increase in earnings from equity affiliates.
General and administrative costs are allocated to the total gas segment based on percentage of total revenue and percentage of total projected capital expenditures. Costs were $9 million for the three month ended June 30, 2012 compared to $11 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Refer to the discussion of total general and administrative costs contained in the section "Net Income" of this quarterly report.
Royalty interest gas costs represent the costs related to the portion of production belonging to royalty interest owners sold by the CONSOL Energy gas segment. Royalty interest gas costs were $7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $14 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The changes in market prices, contractual differences among leases, and the mix of average and index prices used in calculating royalties contributed to the period-to-period change.
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Gas Royalty Interest Sales Volumes (in billion cubic feet)
4.2

 
4.0

 
0.2

 
5.0
 %
Average Cost Per thousand cubic feet sold
$
1.69

 
$
3.61

 
$
(1.92
)
 
(53.2
)%

Purchased gas volumes represent volumes of gas purchased from third-party producers that we sell. Purchased gas volumes also reflect the impact of pipeline imbalances. The lower average cost per thousand cubic feet is due to overall price changes and contractual differences among customers in the period-to-period comparison. Purchased gas costs were $1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and $2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011.
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Purchased Gas Volumes (in billion cubic feet)
0.3

 
0.3

 

 
 %
Average Cost Per thousand cubic feet sold
$
2.19

 
$
4.37

 
$
(2.18
)
 
(49.9
)%
Exploration and other costs were $16 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011.
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Lease Expiration Costs
$
12

 
$

 
$
12

 
100.0
%
Dry Hole Costs
2

 

 
2

 
100.0
%
Exploration
2

 
1

 
1

 
100.0
%
Total Exploration and Other Costs
$
16

 
$
1

 
$
15

 
1,500.0
%

Lease Expiration costs increased $12 million due to various lease expirations at locations where CONSOL Energy allowed primary term leases to expire because of unfavorable drilling economics.
Dry Hole Costs increased $2 million primarily due to a favorable settlement involving defective pipe in 2011 which reduced expenses.


57



Exploration expenses increased $1 million due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.

Other corporate expenses were $17 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $18 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The $1 million decrease in the period-to-period comparison was made up of the following items:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Short-term incentive compensation
$
7

 
$
8

 
$
(1
)
 
(12.5
)%
Stock-based compensation
3

 
4

 
(1
)
 
(25.0
)%
Unutilized firm transportation
4

 
4

 

 
 %
Bank fees
2

 
2

 

 
 %
Other
1

 

 
1

 
100.0
 %
Total Other Corporate Expenses
$
17

 
$
18

 
$
(1
)
 
(5.6
)%

The short-term incentive compensation program is designed to increase compensation to eligible employees when CNX Gas reaches predetermined targets for safety, environmental compliance, production, and unit costs.

Stock-based compensation decreased $1 million in the period-to-period comparison due to various changes in share-based compensation programs, none of which were individually material.

Unutilized firm transportation costs represent excess pipeline transportation capacity that the gas division obtained to enable gas production to flow on an uninterrupted basis as sales volumes increase. These costs remained consistent in the period-to-period comparison.

Bank fees remained consistent in the period-to-period comparison.

Other expenses increased $1 million due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.

Interest expense related to the other gas segment was $1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The $1 million decrease in interest expense in the period-to-period comparison is primarily due to lower average borrowings during the period on the CNX Gas Credit Facility.


OTHER SEGMENT ANALYSIS for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011:
The other segment includes activity from the sales of industrial supplies, the transportation operations and various other corporate activities that are not allocated to the coal or gas segments. The other segment had a loss before income tax of $42 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to a loss before income tax of $82 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The other segment also included total company income tax expense of $59 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $21 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011.
 


58



 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Sales—Outside
$
96

 
$
85

 
$
11

 
12.9
 %
Other Income
7

 
4

 
3

 
75.0
 %
Total Revenue
103

 
89

 
14

 
15.7
 %
Cost of Goods Sold and Other Charges
80

 
101

 
(21
)
 
(20.8
)%
Depreciation, Depletion & Amortization
7

 
5

 
2

 
40.0
 %
Taxes Other Than Income Tax
2

 
3

 
(1
)
 
(33.3
)%
Interest Expense
56

 
62

 
(6
)
 
(9.7
)%
Total Costs
145

 
171

 
(26
)
 
(15.2
)%
Loss Before Income Tax
(42
)
 
(82
)
 
40

 
48.8
 %
Income Tax
59

 
21

 
38

 
181.0
 %
Net Loss
$
(101
)
 
$
(103
)
 
$
2

 
1.9
 %

Industrial supplies:
Total revenue from industrial supplies was $65 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $56 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The increase was primarily related to higher sales volumes.
Total costs related to industrial supply sales were $64 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $56 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The increase of $8 million was primarily related to higher sales volumes and various changes in inventory costs, none of which were individually material.
Transportation operations:
Total revenue from transportation operations was $34 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $32 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The increase of $2 million was primarily attributable to higher per ton thru-put rates at the CNX Marine Terminal.
Total costs related to the transportation operations were $21 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and $22 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease was due to various items in both periods, none of which were individually material.
Miscellaneous other:
Additional other income of $4 million was recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The $3 million increase was primarily due to the earnings from our equity affiliates that are included in the other segment.
Other corporate costs in the other segment include interest expense, bank fees and various other miscellaneous corporate charges. Total other costs were $60 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $93 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Other corporate costs decreased due to the following items:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
Loss on extinguishment of debt
 
$

 
$
16

 
$
(16
)
Interest Expense
 
56

 
62

 
(6
)
Evaluation fees for non-core asset dispositions
 

 
3

 
(3
)
Bank Fees
 
3

 
5

 
(2
)
Other
 
1

 
7

 
(6
)
 
 
$
60

 
$
93

 
$
(33
)
On April 11, 2011, CONSOL Energy redeemed all of its outstanding $250 million, 7.875% senior secured notes due March 1, 2012 in accordance with the terms of the indenture governing these notes. The loss on extinguishment of debt was $16 million, which primarily represented the interest that would have been paid on these notes if held to


59



maturity.
Interest expense decreased $6 million primarily due to an increase in capitalized interest due to higher capital expenditures for major construction projects in the current period. Interest expense also decreased due to lower borrowings on the revolving credit facilities.
Evaluation fees for non-core asset dispositions decreased $3 million in the period-to-period comparison due to various corporate initiatives that were completed in 2011.
Bank fees decreased $2 million due to lower borrowings on the revolving credit facilities in the period-to-period comparison.
Other corporate items decreased $6 million due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.


Income Taxes:
The effective income tax rate was 27.8% in the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 21.2% in the three months ended June 30, 2011. The increase in the effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011 was attributable to the gain on sale of CONSOL Energy's non-producing Northern Powder River Basin (PRB) assets on June 29, 2012 of $151 million. The relationship between pre-tax earnings and percentage depletion also impacts the effective tax rate. See Note 5—Income Taxes of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q for additional information. 
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Total Company Earnings Before Income Tax
$
212

 
$
99

 
$
113

 
114.1
%
Income Tax Expense
$
59

 
$
21

 
$
38

 
181.0
%
Effective Income Tax Rate
27.8
%
 
21.2
%
 
6.6
%
 
 



60




Results of Operations
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 Compared with Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders
CONSOL Energy reported net income attributable to CONSOL Energy shareholders of $250 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2012. Net income attributable to CONSOL Energy shareholders was $270 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2011.
The coal division includes thermal coal, high volatile metallurgical coal, low volatile metallurgical coal and other coal. The total coal division contributed $415 million of earnings before income tax for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $451 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The total coal division sold 29.6 million tons of coal produced from CONSOL Energy mines, excluding our portion of tons sold from equity affiliates, for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 32.7 million tons for the six months ended June 30, 2011.
The average sales price and total costs per ton for all active coal operations were as follows:
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Average Sales Price per ton sold
$
67.36

 
$
70.62

 
$
(3.26
)
 
(4.6
)%
Average Costs per ton sold
53.34

 
48.14

 
5.20

 
10.8
 %
Margin per ton sold
$
14.02

 
$
22.48

 
$
(8.46
)
 
(37.6
)%

The lower average sales price per ton sold reflects a decrease in the global metallurgical coal markets. The coal division priced 6.7 million tons on the export market at an average sales price of $75.85 for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 6.0 million tons at an average price of $118.20 per ton for the six months ended June 30, 2011.

Changes in the average costs per ton sold were primarily related to the following items:

Average costs per ton sold increased due to fewer tons sold. Fixed costs are allocated over fewer sales tons, resulting in higher unit costs.
The idle longwalls at the Blacksville mine and the Buchanan mine during March and April 2012 resulted in an increase in unit costs of approximately $1.23 per ton as the fixed costs were allocated over fewer tons.
Average operating supplies and maintenance costs per ton sold increased due to additional equipment maintenance, timing of major equipment overhaul costs, increased fuels and lubricants and use of pumpable cribs for roof support.
Average labor and labor related expenses per ton sold increased primarily as a result of the impact of the $2.00 per hour worked UMWA contract wage increases, offset, in part, by lower overtime.
Average depreciation, depletion and amortization per ton sold increased due to additional assets placed into service after the 2011 period.
Average provision costs per ton decreased due to the improvement in other postretirement benefits discussed in the long-term liabilities section below.

The total gas division includes CBM, shallow oil and gas, Marcellus and other gas. The total gas division contributed $13 million of earnings before income tax for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $52 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Total gas production was 75.0 billion cubic feet for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 73.4 billion cubic feet for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Total gas production increased primarily as a result of the on-going drilling program, offset, in part, by a 6.2 billion cubic feet decrease in production related to the Antero divestiture and Noble joint venture both of which occurred in 2011.
The average sales price and total costs for all active gas operations were as follows: 
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Average Sales Price per thousand cubic feet sold
$
4.12

 
$
5.00

 
$
(0.88
)
 
(17.6
)%
Average Costs per thousand cubic feet sold
3.36

 
3.52

 
(0.16
)
 
(4.5
)%
Margin per thousand cubic feet sold
$
0.76

 
$
1.48

 
$
(0.72
)
 
(48.6
)%


61




Total gas division outside sales revenues were $310 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $367 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease was primarily due to the 17.6% reduction in average price per thousand cubic feet sold, offset, in part, by the 2.2% increase in volumes sold. The decrease in average sales price is the result of various gas swap transactions that occurred throughout both periods and lower average market prices. The gas swap transactions qualify as financial cash flow hedges that exist parallel to the underlying physical transactions. These financial hedges represented approximately 38.2 billion cubic feet of our produced gas sales volumes for the six months ended June 30, 2012 at an average price of $5.25 per thousand cubic feet. These financial hedges represented 36.1 billion cubic feet of our produced gas sales volumes for the six months ended June 30, 2011 at an average price of $5.29 per thousand cubic feet.
Changes in the average cost per thousand cubic feet of gas sold were primarily related to the following items:
Higher volumes in the period-to-period comparison due to the on-going drilling program, offset, in part, by 6.2 billion cubic feet divested in the Noble and Antero transactions resulted in lower average costs per thousand cubic feet sold. Fixed costs are allocated over increased volumes, resulting in lower unit costs.
Lower depreciation, depletion and amortization rates per thousand cubic feet sold due to increased sales volumes reducing the unit cost of straight line depreciation since actual dollars were consistent in the period-to-period comparison.
Lower direct administrative, selling and other costs per thousand cubic feet sold due to increased sales volumes and decreased actual dollars due to reduced direct administrative labor and other costs.
Gathering costs increased slightly in the period-to-period comparison due to increased transportation charges.

The other segment includes industrial supplies activity, terminal, river and dock service activity, income taxes and other business activities not assigned to the coal or gas segment.
In the six months ended June 30, 2012, management decided that it would no longer consider general and administrative costs on a segment by segment basis as a factor in their decision making process. These decisions include allocation of capital and individual segment profit performance results. Management did conclude that general and administrative costs would continue to be considered in results at the divisional level (total coal and total gas). In order to present financial information in a manner consistent with internal management's evaluations, the prior periods general and administrative costs have been reclassified to reflect information consistent with the current year's presentation. The total divisional results have not changed. Individual segment results within the division have been recast to reflect costs excluding general and administrative. General and administrative costs are excluded from the coal and gas unit costs above. As in the prior periods, general and administrative costs are allocated between divisions (Coal, Gas, Other) based primarily on percentage of total revenue and percentage of total projected capital expenditures. The total general and administrative costs were made up of the following items:
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Consulting and professional services
$
15

 
$
18

 
$
(3
)
 
(16.7
)%
Employee wages and related expenses
31

 
32

 
(1
)
 
(3.1
)%
Miscellaneous
17

 
20

 
(3
)
 
(15.0
)%
Total Company General and Administrative Expenses
$
63

 
$
70

 
$
(7
)
 
(10.0
)%

Total Company General and Administrative Expenses changed due to the following:
Consulting and professional services decreased $3 million in the period-to-period comparison due to a reduction in CONSOL Energy's advertising and promotion campaign.
Employee wages and related expenses decreased $1 million primarily attributable to lower salary OPEB expenses in the period-to-period comparison. The lower expenses relate to changes in the discount rates and other assumptions and a modification to the benefit plan for certain salaried employees.
 
Miscellaneous general and administrative expenses decreased $3 million in the period-to-period comparison due to various transactions, none of which were individually material.



62



Total Company long-term liabilities, such as OPEB, the salary retirement plan, workers' compensation and long-term disability are actuarially calculated for the Company as a whole. The expenses are then allocated to operational units based on active employee counts or active salary dollars. Total CONSOL Energy expense related to our actuarial liabilities was $131 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $167 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease of $36 million for total CONSOL Energy expense was primarily due to a decrease in the discount rate assumptions used to calculate expense for benefit plans at the measurement date, which is December 31. Additionally, a part of the decrease was due to a plan modification for the salaried OPEB plan which required a remeasurement at March 31, 2012. See Note 3—Components of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Net Periodic Benefit Costs and Note 4—Components of Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP) and Workers' Compensation Net Periodic Benefit Costs in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail of the total Company expense decrease.


TOTAL COAL SEGMENT ANALYSIS for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011:
The coal segment contributed $415 million of earnings before income tax in the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $451 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011. Variances by the individual coal segments are discussed below.

 
For the Six Months Ended
 
Difference to Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2012
 
June 30, 2011
 
Thermal
Coal
 
High
Vol
Met
Coal
 
Low
Vol
Met
Coal
 
Other
Coal
 
Total
Coal
 
Thermal
Coal
 
High
Vol
Met
Coal
 
Low
Vol
Met
Coal
 
Other
Coal
 
Total
Coal
Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Produced Coal
$
1,560

 
$
132

 
$
293

 
$
6

 
$
1,991

 
$
(23
)
 
$
(64
)
 
$
(223
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(318
)
Purchased Coal

 

 

 
8

 
8

 

 

 

 
(25
)
 
(25
)
Total Outside Sales
1,560

 
132

 
293

 
14

 
1,999

 
(23
)
 
(64
)
 
(223
)
 
(33
)
 
(343
)
Freight Revenue

 

 

 
99

 
99

 

 

 

 
3

 
3

Other Income

 
6

 

 
207

 
213

 
(3
)
 

 

 
179

 
176

Total Revenue and Other Income
1,560

 
138

 
293

 
320

 
2,311

 
(26
)
 
(64
)
 
(223
)
 
149

 
(164
)
Costs and Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total operating costs
1,002

 
78

 
128

 
84

 
1,292

 
50

 
(4
)
 
(14
)
 
(39
)
 
(7
)
Total provisions
89

 
6

 
15

 
50

 
160

 
(22
)
 
(3
)
 
(4
)
 
17

 
(12
)
Total direct administrative & other costs
50

 
4

 
7

 
84

 
145

 
(3
)
 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(6
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
157

 
14

 
21

 
8

 
200

 
6

 
(1
)
 
3

 
(114
)
 
(106
)
Total Costs and Expenses
1,298

 
102

 
171

 
226

 
1,797

 
31

 
(10
)
 
(16
)
 
(136
)
 
(131
)
Freight Expense

 

 

 
99

 
99

 

 

 

 
3

 
3

Total Costs
1,298

 
102

 
171

 
325

 
1,896

 
31

 
(10
)
 
(16
)
 
(133
)
 
(128
)
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes
$
262

 
$
36

 
$
122

 
$
(5
)
 
$
415

 
$
(57
)
 
$
(54
)
 
$
(207
)
 
$
282

 
$
(36
)








63



THERMAL COAL SEGMENT
The thermal coal segment contributed $262 million to total Company earnings before income tax for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $319 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The thermal coal revenue and cost components on a per unit basis for these periods are as follows:
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Produced Thermal Tons Sold (in millions)
25.3

 
27.2

 
(1.9
)
 
(7.0
)%
Average Sales Price Per Thermal Ton Sold
$
61.65

 
$
58.30

 
$
3.35

 
5.7
 %
Average Operating Costs Per Thermal Ton Sold
$
39.59

 
$
35.05

 
$
4.54

 
13.0
 %
Average Provision Costs Per Thermal Ton Sold
$
3.52

 
$
4.08

 
$
(0.56
)
 
(13.7
)%
Average Direct Administrative and Other Costs Per Thermal Ton Sold
$
1.98

 
$
1.95

 
$
0.03

 
1.5
 %
Average Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs Per Thermal Ton Sold
$
6.23

 
$
5.55

 
$
0.68

 
12.3
 %
     Total Average Costs Per Thermal Ton Sold
$
51.32

 
$
46.63

 
$
4.69

 
10.1
 %
     Margin Per Thermal Ton Sold
$
10.33

 
$
11.67

 
$
(1.34
)
 
(11.5
)%

Thermal coal revenue was $1,560 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $1,583 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The $23 million decrease was attributable to 1.9 million less tons sold offset in part by a $3.35 per ton higher average sales prices. The higher average thermal coal sales price in the 2012 period was the result of several successful renegotiations of domestic thermal contracts whose pricing took effect on January 1, 2012. Also, 3.3 million tons of thermal coal was priced on the export market at an average sales price of $57.12 per ton for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 1.2 million tons at an average price of $67.50 per ton for the six months ended June 30, 2011.

Other income attributable to the thermal coal segment represents earnings from our equity affiliates that operate thermal coal mines. The equity in earnings of affiliates is insignificant to the total segment activity.
Operating costs are comprised of labor, supplies, maintenance, subsidence, taxes other than income and preparation plant charges related to the extraction and sale of coal. These costs are reviewed regularly by management and are considered to be the direct responsibility of mine management. Operating costs related to the thermal coal segment were $1,002 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $952 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Operating costs related to the thermal coal segment increased primarily due to higher average costs per ton sold coupled with lower volumes sold.
Changes in the average operating costs per ton for thermal coal sold were primarily related to the following items:

Average operating costs per thermal ton sold increased due to fewer tons sold. Fixed costs are allocated over less tons, resulting in higher unit costs.
Average operating costs per thermal ton sold increased due to the idling of the Blacksville Mine longwall during March and April 2012. The decrease in tonnage negatively impacted the average operating costs per thermal ton sold by approximately $1.01 per ton.
Average operating supplies & maintenance cost per thermal ton sold increased due to the timing of major equipment overhaul costs and timing of gas well plugging expenditures in the period-to-period comparison.
Labor and related benefits increased per thermal ton sold due to higher costs and lower volumes sold. This was primarily due to the impact of the wage increases of $2.00 per hour worked related to the new collective bargaining agreement in the period-to-period comparison, offset, in part, by fewer overtime hours worked.
Provision costs are made up of the expenses related to the Company's long-term liabilities, such as OPEB, the salary retirement plan, workers' compensation, and long-term disability and accretion on the mine closing and related liabilities. With the exception of accretion expense on mine closing and related liabilities, these liabilities are actuarially calculated for the Company as a whole. The expenses are then allocated to operational units based on active employee counts or active salary dollars. Accretion is calculated on a mine-by-mine basis. The average provision costs attributable to the thermal coal segment were $89 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $111 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in thermal coal provision expense was attributable to the total Company decrease in long-term liability expense due to a decrease in discount rates used to calculate the cost of the long-term liabilities and a modification of the salaried OPEB plan. Thermal coal accretion expense related to mine closing and related liabilities increased approximately $1 million due to the results of the annual engineering survey adjustments and due to various changes in the related liability, none of which were


64



individually material. These decreases were offset, in part, by lower thermal coal tons sold.  

Direct administrative and other costs attributable to the thermal coal segment include selling, direct administrative costs and other allocated services which directly benefit the segment. Selling, excluding commission expense, are allocated to various segments on a combination of estimated time worked by various support groups and operating costs incurred at the mine. Commission expense, which is a component of selling, is charged directly to the mine incurring the cost. Direct administrative costs are associated directly with the coal segment of the business and are allocated to various mines based on a combination of estimated time worked and production. Direct administrative and other costs related to the thermal coal segment were $50 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $53 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The total cost decrease attributable to the thermal coal segment was primarily attributable to lower selling expenses due to lower commission expenses and lower demurrage charges. The increase in units costs in the current period is attributable to lower thermal tons sold.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization for the thermal coal segment was $157 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $151 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The increase was primarily due to additional equipment and infrastructure placed into service after the 2011 period that is depreciated on a straight-line basis. The increase was also due to higher units-of-production rates for thermal coal mines due to additional air shafts being placed into service after the 2011 period which had a higher unit rate than historical shafts put into service. These higher expenses, coupled in part with lower sales tons, resulted in an $0.68 increase in average costs per ton sold.

HIGH VOL METALLURGICAL COAL SEGMENT
The high volatile metallurgical coal segment contributed $36 million to total Company earnings before income tax for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $90 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The high volatile metallurgical coal revenue and cost components on a per unit basis for these periods are as follows:

 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Produced High Vol Met Tons Sold (in millions)
2.2

 
2.5

 
(0.3
)
 
(12.0
%)
Average Sales Price Per High Vol Met Ton Sold
$
60.95

 
$
77.37

 
$
(16.42
)
 
(21.2
%)
Average Operating Costs Per High Vol Met Ton Sold
36.27

 
32.37

 
3.90

 
12.0
%
Average Provision Costs Per High Vol Met Ton Sold
2.88

 
3.68

 
(0.80
)
 
(21.7
%)
Average Direct Administrative and Other Costs Per High Vol Met Ton Sold
2.00

 
2.21

 
(0.21
)
 
(9.5
%)
Average Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs Per High Vol Met Ton Sold
6.26

 
5.86

 
0.40

 
6.8
%
     Total Average Costs Per High Vol Met Ton Sold
47.41

 
44.12

 
3.29

 
7.5
%
     Margin Per High Vol Met Ton Sold
$
13.54

 
$
33.25

 
$
(19.71
)
 
(59.3
%)

High volatile metallurgical coal revenue was $132 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $196 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Average sales prices for high volatile metallurgical coal decreased in a period-to-period comparison due to weakening in global metallurgical coal demand. CONSOL Energy priced 1.9 million tons of high volatile metallurgical coal in the export market at an average sales price of $58.15 per ton for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 2.5 million tons at an average price of $77.37 per ton for the six months ended June 30, 2011.
Other income attributed to the high volatile metallurgical coal segment represents earnings from our equity affiliates that operate high volatile metallurgical coal mines. The equity in earnings of affiliates is insignificant to the total segment activity.
Operating costs related to the high volatile metallurgical coal segment were $78 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $82 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Operating costs related to the high volatile metallurgical coal segment decreased primarily due to lower volumes sold, offset, in part, by higher average operating costs.
Changes in average operating costs per ton for high volatile metallurgical coal sold were primarily related to the following items:
Average operating supplies & maintenance cost per high volatile metallurgical ton sold increased due to additional


65



maintenance costs for heavy equipment at surface mines, timing of longwall and belt overhauls, and increased use of pumpable cribs used for tailgate projects in the current period.
Average coal preparation costs per ton sold decreased due to fewer maintenance projects completed at preparation plants in the period-to-period comparison.
Royalty cost per high volatile metallurgical ton sold decreased due to lower average realized price per ton sold.

The provision expense attributable to the high volatile metallurgical coal segment was $6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in the high volatile metallurgical coal provision expense was attributable to a decrease in discount rates used to calculate the cost of the long-term liabilities and a modification of the salaried other post-retirement benefit plan. The per unit improvement was offset, in part, by lower tons sold in the period-to-period comparison.
Direct administrative and other costs attributable to the high volatile metallurgical coal segment include selling and direct administrative costs. Selling, excluding commission expense, are allocated to various segments on a combination of estimated time worked by various support groups and operating costs incurred at the mine. Commission expense, which is a component of selling, is charged directly to the mine incurring the cost. Direct administrative costs are associated directly with the coal segment of the business and are allocated to various mines based on a combination of estimated time worked and production. Direct administrative and other costs related to the high volatile metallurgical coal segment were $4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The total cost decrease attributable to the high volatile coal segment was primarily attributable to lower selling expenses due to lower commission expenses and lower demurrage charges.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization for the high volatile metallurgical coal segment was $14 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $15 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease was primarily due to equipment and infrastructure utilized on other products in the period-to-period comparison. This increase in unit costs per ton sold was a result of lower high volatile metallurgical tons sold which increased the unit cost per ton impact. 

LOW VOL METALLURGICAL COAL SEGMENT
The low volatile metallurgical coal segment contributed $122 million to total Company earnings before income tax in the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $329 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011. The low volatile metallurgical coal revenue and cost components on a per ton basis for these periods are as follows:

 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Produced Low Vol Met Tons Sold (in millions)
2.0

 
2.8

 
(0.8
)
 
(28.6
)%
Average Sales Price Per Low Vol Met Ton Sold
$
146.40

 
$
183.71

 
$
(37.31
)
 
(20.3
)%
Average Operating Costs Per Low Vol Met Ton Sold
63.83

 
50.63

 
13.20

 
26.1
%
Average Provision Costs Per Low Vol Met Ton Sold
7.60

 
6.59

 
1.01

 
15.3
 %
Average Direct Administrative and Other Costs Per Low Vol Met Ton Sold
3.65

 
2.77

 
0.88

 
31.8
 %
Average Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs Per Low Vol Met Ton Sold
10.34

 
6.32

 
4.02

 
63.6
 %
     Total Average Costs Per Low Vol Met Ton Sold
85.42

 
66.31

 
19.11

 
28.8
 %
     Margin Per Low Vol Met Ton Sold
$
60.98

 
$
117.40

 
$
(56.42
)
 
(48.1
)%

Low volatile metallurgical coal revenue was $293 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $516 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The $223 million decrease was attributable to a $37.31 per ton lower average sales price. Average sales prices for low volatile metallurgical coal decreased in the period-to-period comparison due to weakening in global metallurgical coal demand. For the 2012 period, 1.6 million tons of low volatile metallurgical coal was priced on the export market at an average price of $136.32 per ton compared to 2.3 million tons at an average price of $187.88 per ton for the 2011 period.

Operating costs are made up of labor, supplies, maintenance, subsidence, taxes other than income and preparation plant charges related to the extraction and sale of coal. These costs are reviewed regularly by management and are considered to be the direct responsibility of mine management. Operating costs related to the low volatile metallurgical coal segment were $128


66



million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $142 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Operating costs related to the low volatile metallurgical coal segment decreased primarily due to lower volumes sold, offset, in part, by higher average operating costs per ton sold.
 
  Changes in the average operating costs per ton for low volatile metallurgical coal sold were primarily related to the following items:

Average operating costs per low volatile metallurgical tons sold increased due to fewer tons sold. Fixed costs are then allocated over less tons, thereby increasing unit costs.
Average operating costs per low volatile ton sold increased due to the idling of the Buchanan Mine longwall during March and April 2012. The decrease in tonnage negatively impacted the average operating costs per low volatile ton sold by approximately $14.07 per ton.
Average operating supplies and maintenance costs per low volatile ton sold increased due to increased equipment maintenance for belts and continuous mining equipment and increased contractor services.
Labor and related benefits were impaired on a cost per ton sold basis due to lower volumes sold. Labor and related benefit dollars spent were consistent in the 2012 period compared to the 2011 period.
Preparation plant and power average cost per ton sold were impaired primarily due to lower tons sold.
Royalty cost per low volatile ton sold decreased due to the lower average sales price per ton sold.

The provision expense attributable to the low volatile metallurgical coal segment was $15 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $19 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in the low volatile metallurgical coal provision expense was primarily attributable to a decrease in discount rates used to calculate the cost of the long-term liabilities and a modification of the salaried other post-retirement benefit plan. The per unit increase was due to fewer tons sold in the period-to-period comparison.

Direct administrative and other costs attributable to the low volatile metallurgical coal segment include selling, direct administrative costs and water treatment expenses generated from the reverse osmosis plant. Selling, excluding commission expense and water treatment expense, are allocated to various segments on a combination of estimated time worked by various support groups and operating costs incurred at the mine. Commission expense, which is a component of selling, is charged directly to the mine incurring the cost. Direct administrative costs are associated directly with the coal segment of the business and are allocated to various mines based on a combination of estimated time worked and production. Direct administrative and other costs related to the low volatile metallurgical coal segment were $7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The cost decrease related to the low volatile metallurgical coal segment was attributable to lower selling expenses due to lower commissions and demurrage expenses. Also, a reverse osmosis plant was completed and placed into service near the Buchanan Mine in the six months ended June 30, 2011. Active mine water discharge is being treated by this facility and the costs of these services are charged to the mine based on gallons of water treated. Currently, the Buchanan Mine is the only facility using the plant. The increased cost of the reverse osmosis plant is due to additional operating days in a period-to-period comparison. The net decrease in expense was offset, in part, by lower volumes of low volatile metallurgical coal sold.
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization for the low volatile metallurgical coal segment was $21 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $18 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The increase was primarily due to additional equipment and infrastructure placed into service after the 2011 period that is depreciated on a straight-line basis. These increases in average costs per ton sold were also due to lower low volatile metallurgical tons sold which increased the unit cost per ton impact. 

OTHER COAL SEGMENT
The other coal segment had a loss before income tax of $5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to a loss before income tax of $287 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The other coal segment includes purchased coal activities, idle mine activities, as well as various activities assigned to the coal segment but not allocated to each individual mine.
Other coal segment produced coal sales includes revenue from the sale of 0.1 million tons of coal which was recovered during the reclamation process at idled facilities for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 0.2 million tons for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The primary focus of the activity at these locations is reclaiming disturbed land in accordance with the mining permit requirements after final mining has occurred. The tons sold are incidental to total Company production or sales.
Purchased coal sales consist of revenues from processing third-party coal in our preparation plants for blending purposes


67



to meet customer coal specifications, coal purchased from third parties and sold directly to our customers and revenues from processing third-party coal in our preparation plants. The revenues were $8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $33 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease was due to the purchase of additional tons of third party coal in the 2011 period due to a railroad bridge outage in order to meet contractual deliveries during the outage.
Freight revenue is the amount billed to customers for transportation costs incurred. This revenue is based on weight of coal shipped, negotiated freight rates and method of transportation (i.e. rail, barge, truck, etc.) used by the customers to which CONSOL Energy contractually provides transportation services. Freight revenue is offset by freight expense. Freight revenue was $99 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $96 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011.
Miscellaneous other income was $207 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $28 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The increase of $179 million is primarily related to sales of non-producing assets in the Northern Powder River Basin that resulted in income of $151 million, as well as coal and surface lands in Illinois and West Virginia that resulted in income of $22 million. See Note 2—Acquisitions and Dispositions in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail of these sales. Other revenue also includes $6 million of income from certain thermal coal contract buyouts received in the six months ended June 30, 2012.
Other coal segment total costs were $325 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $458 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease of $133 million was due to the following items:
 
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
Abandonment of long-lived assets
 
$

 
$
115

 
$
(115
)
Purchased Coal
 
21

 
47

 
(26
)
Coal contract buyout
 

 
5

 
(5
)
Freight expense
 
99

 
96

 
3

Closed and idle mines
 
72

 
59

 
13

Other
 
133

 
136

 
(3
)
Total Other Coal Segment Costs
 
$
325

 
$
458

 
$
(133
)

Abandonment of long-lived assets were $115 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 as a result of the 2011 decision to permanently idle Mine 84.
Purchased coal costs decreased approximately $26 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to coal purchases to fulfill various contracts during a railroad bridge outage that occurred in the 2011 period.
Coal contract buyout costs decreased $5 million as a result of a lower priced coal sales contract being bought out in 2011 in order to sell the tons on a higher priced contract.
Freight expense is based on weight of coal shipped, negotiated freight rates and method of transportation (i.e. rail, barge, truck, etc.) used by the customers to which CONSOL Energy contractually provides transportation services. Freight revenue is the amount billed to customers for transportation costs incurred. Freight expense is offset by freight revenue.
Closed and idle mine costs increased approximately $13 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011.  The increase was the result of a $32 million addition to the Fola Complex reclamation liabilities in the six months ended June 30, 2012 as a result of changes in the mine plan due to new regulatory requirements, water and selenium treatment estimates, and the decision to idle mining due to market conditions. The current period Fola Complex adjustment was an increase of $24 million compared to the Fola Complex reclamation liability adjustment recognized in the six months ended June 30, 2011. Closed and idle mine costs decreased $10 million as the result of a 2011 decision to permanently abandon Mine 84 in 2011.  Closed and idle mine costs decreased $1 million due to other changes in the operational status of various other mines, between idled and operating throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Other expenses related to the coal segment decreased $3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011 due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.


68




TOTAL GAS SEGMENT ANALYSIS for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011:
The gas segment contributed $13 million to earnings before income tax in the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $52 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011.

 
For the Six Months Ended
 
Difference to Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2012
 
June 30, 2011
 
CBM
 
Shallow Oil and Gas
 
Marcellus
 
Other
Gas
 
Total
Gas
 
CBM
 
Shallow Oil and Gas
 
Marcellus
 
Other
Gas
 
Total
Gas
Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Produced
$
187

 
$
69

 
$
48

 
$
5

 
$
309

 
$
(42
)
 
$
(12
)
 
$

 
$
(2
)
 
$
(56
)
Related Party
1

 

 

 

 
1

 
(1
)
 

 

 

 
(1
)
Total Outside Sales
188

 
69

 
48

 
5

 
310

 
(43
)
 
(12
)
 

 
(2
)
 
(57
)
Gas Royalty Interest

 

 

 
22

 
22

 

 

 

 
(13
)
 
(13
)
Purchased Gas

 

 

 
1

 
1

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Other Income

 

 

 
34

 
34

 

 

 

 
29

 
29

Total Revenue and Other Income
188

 
69

 
48

 
62

 
367

 
(43
)
 
(12
)
 

 
13

 
(42
)
Lifting
19

 
21

 
6

 
1

 
47

 

 

 

 

 

Ad Valorem, Severance, and Other Taxes
5

 
5

 
2

 

 
12

 
(1
)
 

 
2

 
(1
)
 

Gathering
51

 
11

 
9

 
1

 
72

 
4

 
(1
)
 
2

 
(1
)
 
4

Gas Direct Administrative, Selling & Other
9

 
8

 
5

 
3

 
25

 
(7
)
 
(4
)
 

 
5

 
(6
)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
43

 
30

 
18

 
6

 
97

 
(6
)
 
(3
)
 
4

 
1

 
(4
)
General & Administration

 

 

 
19

 
19

 

 

 

 
(3
)
 
(3
)
Gas Royalty Interest

 

 

 
17

 
17

 

 

 

 
(14
)
 
(14
)
Purchased Gas

 

 

 
1

 
1

 

 

 

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Exploration and Other Costs

 

 

 
21

 
21

 

 

 

 
17

 
17

Other Corporate Expenses

 

 

 
40

 
40

 

 

 

 
11

 
11

Interest Expense

 

 

 
3

 
3

 

 

 

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Total Cost
127

 
75

 
40

 
112

 
354

 
(10
)
 
(8
)
 
8

 
11

 
1

Earnings Before Noncontrolling Interest and Income Tax
61

 
(6
)
 
8

 
(50
)
 
13

 
(33
)
 
(4
)
 
(8
)
 
2

 
(43
)
Noncontrolling Interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(4
)
 
(4
)
Earnings Before Income Tax
$
61

 
$
(6
)
 
$
8

 
$
(50
)
 
$
13

 
$
(33
)
 
$
(4
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
6

 
$
(39
)








69



COALBED METHANE (CBM) GAS SEGMENT
The CBM segment contributed $61 million to the total Company earnings before income tax for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $94 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011.
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Produced Gas CBM sales volumes (in billion cubic feet)
45.1

 
45.3

 
(0.2
)
 
(0.4
)%
Average CBM sales price per thousand cubic feet sold
$
4.18

 
$
5.12

 
$
(0.94
)
 
(18.4
)%
Average CBM lifting costs per thousand cubic feet sold
0.43

 
0.43

 

 
 %
Average CBM ad valorem, severance, and other taxes per thousand cubic feet sold
0.12

 
0.14

 
(0.02
)
 
(14.3
)%
Average CBM gathering costs per thousand cubic feet sold
1.12

 
1.04

 
0.08

 
7.7
 %
Average CBM direct administrative, selling & other costs per thousand cubic feet sold
0.21

 
0.35

 
(0.14
)
 
(40.0
)%
Average CBM depreciation, depletion and amortization costs per thousand cubic feet sold
0.95

 
1.09

 
(0.14
)
 
(12.8
)%
   Total Average CBM costs per thousand cubic feet sold
2.83

 
3.05

 
(0.22
)
 
(7.2
)%
   Average Margin for CBM
$
1.35

 
$
2.07

 
$
(0.72
)
 
(34.8
)%

CBM sales revenues were $188 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $231 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The $43 million decrease was primarily due to a 18.4% decrease in average sales price per thousand cubic feet sold and a 0.4% decrease in average volumes sold. The decrease in CBM average sales price is the result of various gas swap transactions that matured in each period and lower average market prices. The gas swap transactions qualify as financial cash flow hedges that exist parallel to the underlying physical transactions. These financial hedges represented approximately 23.1 billion cubic feet of our produced CBM gas sales volumes for the six months ended June 30, 2012 at an average price of $5.33 per thousand cubic feet. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, these financial hedges represented 28.6 billion cubic feet at an average price of $5.26 per thousand cubic feet. CBM sales volumes decreased 0.2 billion cubic feet for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the 2011 period primarily due to normal well declines without a corresponding increase in wells drilled. Currently, the focus of the gas division is to develop the Marcellus and Utica acreage. At June 30, 2012, there were 4,482 gross CBM wells in production. At June 30, 2011, there were 4,327 gross CBM wells in production.
Total costs for the CBM segment were $127 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $137 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Lower costs in the period-to-period comparison are primarily related to lower unit costs.
 
CBM lifting costs were $19 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. Lifting costs remained consistent in the period-to-period comparison. Decreased volumes sold did not significantly impact lifting costs per unit which also remained consistent at $0.43 per thousand cubic feet sold.

CBM ad valorem, severance and other taxes were $5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in unit costs was primarily due to reduced severance tax expense caused by lower average gas sales prices during 2012.
CBM gathering costs were $51 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $47 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Higher average CBM gathering unit costs are related to higher transportation costs, compressor maintenance, equipment lease expenses and lower volumes sold in the period-to-period comparison.
CBM direct administrative, selling & other costs for the CBM segment were $9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $16 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Direct administrative, selling & other costs attributable to the total gas segment are allocated to the individual gas segments based on a combination of production and employee counts. The decrease in direct administrative, selling & other costs was primarily due to reduced direct administrative labor and other costs.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization attributable to the CBM segment was $43 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $49 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. There was approximately $30 million, or $0.66 per


70



unit-of-production, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to CBM gas and related well equipment that was reflected on a units-of-production method of depreciation in the six months ended June 30, 2012. The production portion of depreciation, depletion and amortization was $35 million, or $0.79 per unit-of-production in the six months ended June 30, 2011. The CBM unit-of-production rate decreased due to revised rates which were generally calculated using the net book value of assets divided by either proved or proved developed reserve additions. There was approximately $13 million, or $0.29 average per unit cost of depreciation, depletion and amortization relating to gathering and other equipment reflected on a straight line basis for the six months ended June 30, 2012. The non-production related depreciation, depletion and amortization was $14 million, or $0.30 per thousand cubic feet for the six months ended June 30, 2011.
SHALLOW OIL AND GAS SEGMENT
The shallow oil and gas segment had a loss before income tax of $6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to a loss before income tax of $2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011.
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Produced Gas Shallow Oil and Gas sales volumes (in billion cubic feet)
14.8

 
16.2

 
(1.4
)
 
(8.6
)%
Average Shallow Oil and Gas sales price per thousand cubic feet sold
$
4.63

 
$
5.01

 
$
(0.38
)
 
(7.6
)%
Average Shallow Oil and Gas lifting costs per thousand cubic feet sold
1.39

 
1.21

 
0.18

 
14.9
 %
Average Shallow Oil and Gas ad valorem, severance, and other taxes per thousand cubic feet sold
0.32

 
0.41

 
(0.09
)
 
(22.0
)%
Average Shallow Oil and Gas gathering costs per thousand cubic feet sold
0.78

 
0.76

 
0.02

 
2.6
 %
Average Shallow Oil and Gas direct administrative, selling & other costs per thousand cubic feet sold
0.56

 
0.75

 
(0.19
)
 
(25.3
)%
Average Shallow Oil and Gas depreciation, depletion and amortization costs per thousand cubic feet sold
1.99

 
2.01

 
(0.02
)
 
(1.0
)%
   Total Average Shallow Oil and Gas costs per thousand cubic feet sold
5.04

 
5.14

 
(0.10
)
 
(1.9
)%
   Average Margin for Shallow Oil and Gas
$
(0.41
)
 
$
(0.13
)
 
$
(0.28
)
 
215.4
 %
Shallow oil and gas sales revenues were $69 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $81 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The $12 million decrease was primarily due to the 8.6% decrease in volumes sold as well as the 7.6% decrease in average sales price. The decrease in shallow oil and gas sales price is the result of various gas swap transactions that matured in the six months ended June 30, 2012. These gas swap transactions qualify as financial cash flow hedges that exist parallel to the underlying physical transactions. These financial hedges represented approximately 9.5 billion cubic feet of our produced shallow oil and gas sales volumes for the six months ended June 30, 2012 at an average price of $5.23 per thousand cubic feet. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, these financial hedges represented 4.0 billion cubic feet at an average price of $4.99 per thousand cubic feet. At June 30, 2012, there were 10,018 gross Shallow Oil and Gas wells in production. At June 30, 2011, there were 9,947 gross Shallow Oil and Gas wells in production.
 
Total costs for the shallow oil and gas segment were $75 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $83 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease is attributable to decreased variable costs associated with the lower sales volumes and lower average unit costs.
Shallow Oil and Gas lifting costs were $21 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. Costs were consistent in the period-to-period comparison. The increase in unit costs was due to lower sales volumes.
Shallow Oil and Gas ad valorem, severance and other taxes were $5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. The decrease in unit costs was primarily due to reduced severance tax expense caused by lower average gas sales prices during 2012.
Shallow Oil and Gas gathering costs were $11 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $12 million


71



for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Gathering costs decreased primarily due to lower compressor maintenance and lower equipment lease expenses in the period-to-period comparison
Shallow Oil and Gas direct administrative, selling & other costs were $8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $12 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Direct administrative, selling & other costs attributable to the total gas segment are allocated to the individual gas segments based on a combination of production and employee counts. The $4 million decrease in the period-to-period comparison is due to Shallow Oil and Gas volumes representing a smaller proportion of total natural gas volumes.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization costs were $30 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $33 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. There was approximately $26 million, or $1.74 per unit-of production, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to Shallow Oil and Gas gas and related well equipment that was reflected on a units-of-production method of depreciation for the six months ended June 30, 2012. There was approximately $29 million, or $1.78 per unit-of-production, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to Shallow Oil and Gas gas and related well equipment that was reflected on a units-of-production method of depreciation for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The rate is calculated by taking the net book value of the related assets divided by either proved or proved developed reserves, generally at the previous year end. There was approximately $4 million, or $0.25 per thousand cubic feet, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to gathering and other equipment that is reflected on a straight-line basis for the six months ended June 30, 2012. There was $4 million, or $0.23 per thousand cubic feet, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to gathering and other equipment that is reflected on a straight-line basis for the six months ended June 30, 2011.


MARCELLUS GAS SEGMENT
The Marcellus segment contributed $8 million to the total Company earnings before income tax for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $16 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011.
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Produced Gas Marcellus sales volumes (in billion cubic feet)
13.9

 
11.0

 
2.9

 
26.4
 %
Average Marcellus sales price per thousand cubic feet sold
$
3.41

 
$
4.48

 
$
(1.07
)
 
(23.9
)%
Average Marcellus lifting costs per thousand cubic feet sold
0.43

 
0.51

 
(0.08
)
 
(15.7
)%
Average Marcellus ad valorem, severance, and other taxes per thousand cubic feet sold
0.14

 
0.05

 
0.09

 
180.0
 %
Average Marcellus gathering costs per thousand cubic feet sold
0.61

 
0.64

 
(0.03
)
 
(4.7
)%
Average Marcellus direct administrative, selling & other costs per thousand cubic feet sold
0.34

 
0.51

 
(0.17
)
 
(33.3
)%
Average Marcellus depreciation, depletion and amortization costs per thousand cubic feet sold
1.31

 
1.32

 
(0.01
)
 
(0.8
)%
   Total Average Marcellus costs per thousand cubic feet sold
2.83

 
3.03

 
(0.20
)
 
(6.6
)%
   Average Margin for Marcellus
$
0.58

 
$
1.45

 
$
(0.87
)
 
(60.0
)%
The Marcellus segment sales revenues were $48 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. Sales revenues remained consistent due to a 26.4% increase in average volumes sold, offset by a 23.9% decrease in average sales price per thousand cubic feet sold. The decrease in Marcellus average sales price was the result of the decline in general market prices. These decreases were offset, in part, by various gas swap transactions that matured in the six months ended June 30, 2012. These gas swap transactions qualify as financial cash flow hedges that exist parallel to the underlying physical transactions. These financial hedges represented approximately 5.5 billion cubic feet of our produced Marcellus gas sales volumes for the six months ended June 30, 2012 at an average price of $4.97 per thousand cubic feet. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, these financial hedges represented 3.5 billion cubic feet at an average price of $4.53 per thousand cubic feet. The increase in sales volumes is primarily due to additional wells coming on-line from our on-going drilling program, offset, in part, by a 6.2 billion cubic feet decrease in production related to the Antero divestiture and Noble joint venture. At June 30, 2012, there were 161 gross Marcellus Shale wells in production. At June 30, 2011, there were 150 gross Marcellus Shale wells in production.
Marcellus lifting costs were $6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. Costs were consistent in the period-to-period comparison. Unit costs decreased due to additional sales volumes.


72



Marcellus ad valorem, severance and other taxes were $2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to less than $1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The increase in the current period per unit cost is primarily due to new legislation passed in the state of Pennsylvania (Act 13 of 2012, House Bill 1950). This legislation permits Pennsylvania counties to impose annual fees on unconventional gas wells located within Pennsylvania.
Marcellus gathering costs were $9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Average gathering costs decreased $0.03 per unit primarily due to the 2.9 billion cubic feet of additional volumes sold.
Marcellus direct administrative, selling & other costs were $5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. Direct administrative, selling & other costs attributable to the total gas segment are allocated to the individual gas segments based on a combination of production and employee counts. The decrease in direct administrative, selling & other costs was primarily due to reduced direct administrative labor and other costs.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization costs were $18 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $14 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. There was approximately $16 million, or $1.17 per unit-of-production, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to Marcellus gas and related well equipment that was reflected on a units-of-production method of depreciation in the six months ended June 30, 2012. There was approximately $11 million, or $1.09 per unit-of-production, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to Marcellus gas and related well equipment that was reflected on a units-of-production method of depreciation for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The rate was calculated by taking the net book value of the related assets divided by either proved or proved developed reserves, generally at the previous year end. There was approximately $2 million, or $0.14 per thousand cubic feet, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to gathering and other equipment that was reflected on a straight line basis for the six months ended June 30, 2012. There was $3 million, or $0.23 per thousand cubic feet, of depreciation, depletion and amortization related to gathering and other equipment reflected on a straight line basis for the six months ended June 30, 2011.

OTHER GAS SEGMENT
The other gas segment includes activity not assigned to the CBM, shallow oil and gas or Marcellus gas segments. This segment includes purchased gas activity, gas royalty interest activity, exploration and other costs, other corporate expenses, and miscellaneous operational activity not assigned to a specific gas segment.
Other gas sales volumes are primarily related to production from the Chattanooga Shale in Tennessee. Revenue from this operation was approximately $5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and $7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Total costs related to these other sales were $11 million for the 2012 period and were $7 million for the 2011 period. The increase in costs in the period-to-period comparison were primarily attributable to depreciation, depletion and amortization and increased direct administrative, selling & other costs. Increased direct administrative, selling and other costs is primarily related to higher proportional allocation relating to Utica operating area during 2012. Higher depreciation, depletion and amortization was due to higher volumes produced and higher unit of production rates. The increase in the rate was related to a higher proportion of capital assets placed in service versus the proportion of proved developed reserve additions. A per unit analysis of the other operating costs in Chattanooga is not meaningful due to the low volumes produced in the period-to-period analysis.
Royalty interest gas sales represent the revenues related to the portion of production belonging to royalty interest owners sold by the CONSOL Energy gas segment. Royalty interest gas sales revenue was $22 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $35 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The changes in market prices, contractual differences among leases, and the mix of average and index prices used in calculating royalties contributed to the period-to-period change.
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Gas Royalty Interest Sales Volumes (in billion cubic feet)
8.3

 
8.3

 

 
 %
Average Sales Price Per thousand cubic feet
$
2.61

 
$
4.24

 
$
(1.63
)
 
(38.4
)%

Purchased gas sales volumes represent volumes of gas sold at market prices that were purchased from third-party producers. Purchased gas sales revenues were $1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and $2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011.


73



 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Purchased Gas Sales Volumes (in billion cubic feet)
0.6

 
0.5

 
0.1

 
20.0
 %
Average Sales Price Per thousand cubic feet
$
2.70

 
$
4.54

 
$
(1.84
)
 
(40.5
)%

Other income was $34 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The $29 million increase was primarily due to $16 million of additional interest income relating to the notes receivable from the Noble joint venture transaction, $9 million of additional gains on dispositions of non-core acreage and equipment, $3 million increase relating to earnings from equity affiliates. The remaining $1 million increase resulted from various other miscellaneous transactions throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
General and administrative costs are allocated to the total gas segment based on percentage of total revenue and percentage of total projected capital expenditures. Costs were $19 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $22 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Refer to the discussion of total general and administrative costs contained in the section "Net Income" of this quarterly report.
Royalty interest gas costs represent the costs related to the portion of production belonging to royalty interest owners sold by the CONSOL Energy gas segment. Royalty interest gas costs were $17 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $31 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The changes in market prices, contractual differences among leases, and the mix of average and index prices used in calculating royalties contributed to the period-to-period change.
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Gas Royalty Interest Sales Volumes (in billion cubic feet)
8.3

 
8.3

 

 
 %
Average Cost Per thousand cubic feet sold
$
2.08

 
$
3.76

 
$
(1.68
)
 
(44.7
)%

Purchased gas volumes represent volumes of gas purchased from third-party producers that we sell. Purchased gas volumes also reflect the impact of pipeline imbalances. The lower average cost per thousand cubic feet is due to overall price changes and contractual differences among customers in the period-to-period comparison. Purchased gas costs were $1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011.
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Purchased Gas Volumes (in billion cubic feet)
0.6

 
0.5

 
0.1

 
20.0
 %
Average Cost Per thousand cubic feet sold
$
1.94

 
$
3.47

 
$
(1.53
)
 
(44.1
)%
Exploration and other costs were $21 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011.
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Lease Expiration Costs
$
14

 
$
2

 
$
12

 
600.0
 %
Dry Hole Costs
4

 
(1
)
 
5

 
(500.0
)%
Exploration
3

 
3

 

 
 %
Total Exploration and Other Costs
$
21

 
$
4

 
$
17

 
425.0
 %
Lease Expiration costs increased $12 million due to various lease expirations at locations where CONSOL Energy allowed primary lease terms to expire because of unfavorable drilling economics.
Dry Hole Costs increased $5 million primarily due to a favorable settlement involving defective pipe in 2011 which reduced expenses in the six months ended June 30, 2011.
Exploration expenses were consistent on a period-to-period basis.


74




Other corporate expenses were $40 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $29 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The $11 million increase in the period-to-period comparison was made up of the following items:
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
2011 PA impact fees
$
4

 
$

 
$
4

 
100.0
 %
Variable interest earnings

 
(4
)
 
4

 
(100.0
)%
Short-term incentive compensation
14

 
13

 
1

 
7.7
 %
Stock-based compensation
10

 
9

 
1

 
11.1
 %
Bank fees
3

 
3

 

 
 %
Unutilized firm transportation
5

 
6


(1
)
 
(16.7
)%
Other
4

 
2

 
2

 
100.0
 %
Total Other Corporate Expenses
$
40

 
$
29

 
$
11

 
37.9
 %
PA impact fees are related to legislation in the state of Pennsylvania (Act 13 of 2012, House Bill 1950) which was signed into law during the first quarter of 2012. This legislation permits Pennsylvania counties to impose annual fees on unconventional gas wells located within their borders. As part of the legislation, all unconventional wells which were drilled prior to January 1, 2012 were assessed an initial fee related to periods prior to 2012. The $4 million represents this one-time initial assessment on wells drilled prior to January 1, 2012. On-going PA impact fees which relate to current year wells drilled are included as part of ad valorem, severance and other taxes in the Marcellus gas segment.
Variable interest earnings are related to various adjustments a third party entity reflected in its financial statements. CONSOL Energy held no ownership interest, but guaranteed bank loans the entity held related to its purchases of drilling rigs. Also, CONSOL Energy was the main customer of the third party, and based on analysis, was the primary beneficiary. Therefore, the entity was fully consolidated and the earnings impact was fully reversed in the non-controlling interest line discussed below. In July 2011, the drilling contract with the variable interest entity was bought out and the variable interest entity was subsequently deconsolidated.
The short-term incentive compensation program is designed to increase compensation to eligible employees when CNX Gas reaches predetermined targets for safety, production and unit costs. Short-term incentive compensation expense was higher for the 2012 period compared to the 2011 period due to the projected higher payouts related to the periods presented.
Stock-based compensation was higher in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to the increased allocation from CONSOL Energy as a result of an increase in total CONSOL Energy stock-based compensation expense. Stock-based compensation costs are allocated to the gas segment based on revenue and capital expenditure projections between coal and gas.
Bank Fees remained consistent in the period-to-period comparison.
Unutilized firm transportation costs represent pipeline transportation capacity the gas segment has obtained to enable gas production to flow uninterrupted as sales volumes increase.
Other corporate related expense increased $2 million in the period-to-period comparison due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Interest expense related to the gas segment was $3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Interest was incurred by the gas segment on the CNX Gas revolving credit facility, a capital lease and debt that was held by a variable interest entity. The $2 million decrease was primarily due to lower levels of borrowings on the revolving credit facility in the period-to-period comparison.

Noncontrolling interest represents 100% of the earnings impact of a third party in which CONSOL Energy held the majority ownership interest. The consolidation did not significantly impact any amounts reflected in the gas segment income statement.



75



OTHER SEGMENT ANALYSIS for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011:
The other segment includes activity from the sales of industrial supplies, the transportation operations and various other corporate activities that are not allocated to the coal or gas segment. The other segment had a loss before income tax of $98 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to a loss before income tax of $153 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The other segment also includes total Company income tax expense of $80 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2011.

 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Sales—Outside
$
193

 
$
164

 
$
29

 
17.7
 %
Other Income
11

 
7

 
4

 
57.1
 %
Total Revenue
204

 
171

 
33

 
19.3
 %
Cost of Goods Sold and Other Charges
172

 
183

 
(11
)
 
(6.0
)%
Depreciation, Depletion & Amortization
12

 
9

 
3

 
33.3
 %
Taxes Other Than Income Tax
6

 
6

 

 
 %
Interest Expense
112

 
126

 
(14
)
 
(11.1
)%
Total Costs
302

 
324

 
(22
)
 
(6.8
)%
Loss Before Income Tax
(98
)
 
(153
)
 
55

 
35.9
 %
Income Tax
80

 
80

 

 
 %
Net Loss
$
(178
)
 
$
(233
)
 
$
55

 
(23.6
)%

Industrial supplies:
Total revenue from industrial supplies was $134 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $110 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The increase was related to higher sales volumes.
Total costs related to industrial supply sales were $132 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $113 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The increase of $19 million was primarily related to higher sales volumes and various changes in inventory costs, none of which were individually material.
Transportation operations:
Total revenue from transportation operations was $64 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $59 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The increase of $5 million was primarily attributable to higher per ton thru-put rates at the CNX Marine Terminal.
Total costs related to the transportation operations were $42 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $44 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease was due to various items in both periods, none of which were individually material.
Miscellaneous other:
Additional other income of $6 million was recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The $4 million increase was primarily due to the earnings from our equity affiliates that are included in the other segment.
Other corporate costs in the other segment include interest expense, acquisition and financing costs and various other miscellaneous corporate charges. Total other costs were $128 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $167 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Other corporate costs decreased due to the following items:



76



 
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
Loss on extinguishment of debt
 
$

 
$
16

 
$
(16
)
Interest Expense
 
113

 
126

 
(13
)
Bank fees
 
7

 
11

 
(4
)
Evaluation fees for non-core asset dispositions
 
1

 
3

 
(2
)
Other
 
7

 
11

 
(4
)
 
 
$
128

 
$
167

 
$
(39
)
On April 11, 2011, CONSOL Energy redeemed all of its outstanding $250 million, 7.875% senior secured notes due March 1, 2012 in accordance with the terms of the indenture governing these notes. The loss on extinguishment of debt was $16 million, which primarily represented the interest that would have been paid on these notes if held to maturity.
Interest Expense decreased $13 million in the period-to-period comparison. Interest expense decreased $9 million due to an increase in capitalized interest due to higher capital expenditures for major construction projects in the current period. Capital expenditures for coal activities increased $180 million in the period-to-period comparison. Interest expense also decreased $2 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to the 2011 redemption of the 7.875% notes that were due in 2012, being replaced by the 2011 issuance of the 6.375% senior unsecured notes due March 2021. Additionally, a $3 million decrease in interest expense is due to lower borrowings on the revolving credit facilities. The increases were offset, in part, by $1 million due to various transactions that occurred in both periods, none of which were individually material.
Bank fees decreased $4 million due to lower borrowings on the revolving credit facilities in the period-to-period comparison.
Evaluation fees for non-core asset dispositions decreased $2 million in the period-to-period comparison due to various corporate initiatives that began after 2010.
Other corporate items decreased $4 million due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.


Income Taxes:
The effective income tax rate was 24.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 23.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The increase in the effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011 was attributable to the gain on sale of CONSOL Energy's non-producing Northern Powder River Basin (PRB) assets on June 29, 2012 of $151 million. The relationship between pre-tax earnings and percentage depletion also impacts the effective tax rate. See Note 5—Income Taxes of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q for additional information. 

 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
Percent
Change
Total Company Earnings Before Income Tax
$
330

 
$
350

 
$
(20
)
 
(5.7
)%
Income Tax Expense
$
80

 
$
80

 
$

 
 %
Effective Income Tax Rate
24.3
%
 
23.0
%
 
1.3
%
 
 



Liquidity and Capital Resources
CONSOL Energy generally has satisfied its working capital requirements and funded its capital expenditures and debt service obligations with cash generated from operations and proceeds from borrowings. CONSOL Energy's $1.5 billion Senior Secured Credit Agreement expires April 12, 2016. CONSOL Energy's credit facility allows for up to $1.5 billion of borrowings and letters of credit. CONSOL Energy can request an additional $250 million increase in the aggregate borrowing limit


77



amount. Fees and interest rate spreads are based on a ratio of financial covenant debt to twelve-month trailing earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization (EBITDA), measured quarterly. The facility includes a minimum interest coverage ratio covenant of no less than 2.50 to 1.00, measured quarterly. The minimum interest coverage ratio covenant is calculated as the ratio of EBITDA to cash interest expense of CONSOL Energy and certain of its subsidiaries. The minimum interest coverage ratio was 6.29 to 1.00 at June 30, 2012. The facility includes a maximum leverage ratio covenant of no more than 4.75 to 1.00 through March 2013, and no more than 4.50 to 1.00 thereafter, measured quarterly. The maximum leverage ratio covenant is calculated as the ratio of financial covenant debt to twelve-month trailing EBITDA for CONSOL Energy and certain subsidiaries. Financial covenant debt is comprised of the outstanding indebtedness and specific letters of credit, less cash on hand, for CONSOL Energy and certain of its subsidiaries. EBITDA, as used in the covenant calculation, excludes non-cash compensation expenses, non-recurring transaction expenses, uncommon gains and losses, gains and losses on discontinued operations and includes cash distributions received from affiliates plus pro-rata earnings from material acquisitions. The maximum leverage ratio was 1.92 to 1.00 at June 30, 2012. The facility also includes a senior secured leverage ratio covenant of no more than 2.00 to 1.00, measured quarterly. The senior secured leverage ratio covenant is calculated as the ratio of secured debt to EBITDA. Secured debt is defined as the outstanding borrowings and letters of credit on the revolving credit facility. The senior secured leverage ratio was 0.07 to 1.00 at June 30, 2012. Covenants in the facility limit our ability to dispose of assets, make investments, purchase or redeem CONSOL Energy common stock, pay dividends, merge with another company and amend, modify or restate, in any material way, the senior unsecured notes. At June 30, 2012, the facility had no outstanding borrowings and $100 million of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $1.4 billion of unused capacity. From time to time, CONSOL Energy is required to post financial assurances to satisfy contractual and other requirements generated in the normal course of business. Some of these assurances are posted to comply with federal, state or other government agencies statutes and regulations. We sometimes use letters of credit to satisfy these requirements and these letters of credit reduce our borrowing facility capacity.
CONSOL Energy also has an accounts receivable securitization facility. This facility allows the Company to receive, on a revolving basis, up to $200 million of short-term funding and letters of credit. The accounts receivable facility supports sales, on a continuous basis to financial institutions, of eligible trade accounts receivable. CONSOL Energy has agreed to continue servicing the sold receivables for the financial institutions for a fee based upon market rates for similar services. The cost of funds is based on commercial paper rates plus a charge for administrative services paid to financial institutions. At June 30, 2012, eligible accounts receivable totaled approximately $179.7 million. At June 30, 2012, the facility had no outstanding borrowings and $161 million of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $39 million of unused capacity.
CNX Gas' $1.0 billion Senior Secured Credit Agreement expires April 12, 2016. The facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of CNX Gas and its subsidiaries. CNX Gas' credit facility allows for up to $1.0 billion for borrowings and letters of credit. CNX Gas can request an additional $250 million increase in the aggregate borrowing limit amount. Fees and interest rate spreads are based on the percentage of facility utilization, measured quarterly. The facility includes a minimum interest coverage ratio covenant of no less than 3.00 to 1.00, measured quarterly. The minimum interest coverage ratio covenant is calculated as the ratio of EBITDA to cash interest expense for CNX Gas and its subsidiaries. The minimum interest coverage ratio was 35.17 to 1.00 at June 30, 2012. The facility also includes a maximum leverage ratio covenant of no more than 3.50 to 1.00, measured quarterly. The maximum leverage ratio covenant is calculated as the ratio of financial covenant debt to twelve-month trailing EBITDA for CNX Gas and its subsidiaries. Financial covenant debt is comprised of the outstanding indebtedness and letters of credit, less cash on hand, for CNX Gas and its subsidiaries. EBITDA, as used in the covenant calculation, excludes non-cash compensation expenses, non-recurring transaction expenses, gains and losses on the sale of assets, uncommon gains and losses, gains and losses on discontinued operations and includes cash distributions received from affiliates plus pro-rata earnings from material acquisitions. The maximum leverage ratio was 0.46 to 1.00 at June 30, 2012. Covenants in the facility limit CNX Gas' ability to dispose of assets, make investments, pay dividends and merge with another company. The credit facility allows unlimited investments in joint ventures for the development and operation of gas gathering systems and provides for $600,000 of loans, advances and dividends from CNX Gas to CONSOL Energy. Investments in the CONE Gathering LLC (CONE) are unrestricted. At June 30, 2012, the facility had no amounts drawn and $70 million of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $930 million of unused capacity.

Uncertainty in the financial markets brings additional potential risks to CONSOL Energy. The risks include declines in our stock price, less availability and higher costs of additional credit, potential counterparty defaults, and commercial bank failures. Financial market disruptions may impact our collection of trade receivables. As a result, CONSOL Energy regularly monitors the creditworthiness of our customers. We believe that our current group of customers are financially sound and represent no abnormal business risk.

CONSOL Energy believes that cash generated from operations and our borrowing capacity will be sufficient to meet our working capital requirements, anticipated capital expenditures (other than major acquisitions), scheduled debt payments, anticipated dividend payments and to provide required letters of credit. Nevertheless, the ability of CONSOL Energy to satisfy


78



its working capital requirements, to service its debt obligations, to fund planned capital expenditures or to pay dividends will depend upon future operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions in the coal and gas industries and other financial and business factors, some of which are beyond CONSOL Energy’s control.
In order to manage the market risk exposure of volatile natural gas prices in the future, CONSOL Energy enters into various physical gas supply transactions with both gas marketers and end users for terms varying in length. CONSOL Energy has also entered into various gas swap transactions that qualify as financial cash flow hedges, which exist parallel to the underlying physical transactions. The fair value of these contracts was a net asset of $220 million at June 30, 2012. The ineffective portion of these contracts was insignificant to earnings in the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012. No issues related to our hedge agreements have been encountered to date.
CONSOL Energy frequently evaluates potential acquisitions. CONSOL Energy has funded acquisitions with cash generated from operations and a variety of other sources, depending on the size of the transaction, including debt and equity financing. There can be no assurance that additional capital resources, including debt and equity financing, will be available to CONSOL Energy on terms which CONSOL Energy finds acceptable, or at all.

Cash Flows (in millions)
 
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Change
Cash flows from operating activities
$
368

 
$
795

 
$
(427
)
Cash used in investing activities
$
(484
)
 
$
(574
)
 
$
90

Cash used in financing activities
$
(60
)
 
$
(228
)
 
$
168


Cash flows provided by operating activities changed in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to the following items:
Operating cash flow decreased $20 million in 2012 due to lower net income in the period-to-period comparison.
Operating cash flows decreased due to various other changes in operating assets, operating liabilities, other assets and other liabilities which occurred throughout both years, none of which were individually material.

Net cash used in investing activities changed in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to the following items:

During the 2012 period, $35 million was contributed to CONE in order to meet the operating and capital expenditure needs of the joint venture. The joint venture, of which CONSOL Energy owns 50%, was established on September 30, 2011 to develop and operate the gas gathering system in the Marcellus Shale play.

Total capital expenditures increased $129 million to $714 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $585 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011. Capital expenditures for the gas segment decreased $79 million primarily due to a decrease in CBM drilling and gathering system expenditures in the period-to-period comparison. Capital expenditures for coal and other activities increased $208 million in the period-to-period comparison. The ongoing development and expenditures of the BMX mine, which is scheduled to go on-line in 2014, increased $49 million in the period-to-period comparison. Capital expenditures for the Northern West Virginia RO system were $61 million for the 2012 period. The remaining $98 million increase was due to various projects throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.

Proceeds from the sale of assets increased $245 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to the sale of CONSOL Energy's non-producing Northern Powder River Basin (PRB) assets on June 29, 2012, which resulted in proceeds of $170 million, the sale of the Elk Creek property in June 2012, which resulted in proceeds of $26 million, and the sale of the Burning Star No. 4 property in February 2012, which resulted in proceeds of $13 million. See Note 2 - Acquisitions and Dispositions, in the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q for more information. Various other transactions occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities changed in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to the following items:


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In 2011, proceeds of $250 million were received in connection with the issuance of $250 million of 6.375% senior unsecured notes due in March 2021.
In 2011, CONSOL Energy repaid $130 million of borrowings under the accounts receivable securitization facility.
In 2011, CONSOL Energy paid outstanding borrowings of $23 million under the revolving credit facilities. CONSOL Energy had no amounts outstanding on the revolving credit facilities for the six months ended June 30, 2012.
In April 2011, CONSOL Energy paid $266 million, including a make-whole provision, to redeem the 7.875% notes that were due in March 2012.
Dividends of $57 million were paid in 2012 compared to $45 million in 2011. This is due to the increase of the quarterly dividend by 25%, or $0.10 per share, to $0.125 per share in the 2012 period.

The following is a summary of our significant contractual obligations at June 30, 2012 (in thousands):
 
 
Payments due by Year
 
Less Than
1 Year
 
1-3 Years
 
3-5 Years
 
More Than
5 Years
 
Total
Purchase Order Firm Commitments
$
420,825

 
$
37,430

 
$

 
$

 
$
458,255

Gas Firm Transportation
72,490

 
151,855

 
133,386

 
458,711

 
816,442

CONE Gathering Commitments
39,000

 
204,350

 
370,400

 
1,093,400

 
1,707,150

Long-Term Debt
11,759

 
6,279

 
1,505,287

 
1,610,668

 
3,133,993

Interest on Long-Term Debt
244,977

 
490,592

 
491,303

 
431,667

 
1,658,539

Capital (Finance) Lease Obligations
9,103

 
14,914

 
10,812

 
27,306

 
62,135

Interest on Capital (Finance) Lease Obligations
4,090

 
6,522

 
4,847

 
4,657

 
20,116

Operating Lease Obligations
97,966

 
167,232

 
104,752

 
155,993

 
525,943

Long-Term Liabilities—Employee Related (a)
226,331

 
466,425

 
481,007

 
2,377,180

 
3,550,943

Other Long-Term Liabilities (b)
300,767

 
134,698

 
88,543

 
482,216

 
1,006,224

Total Contractual Obligations (c)
$
1,427,308

 
$
1,680,297

 
$
3,190,337

 
$
6,641,798

 
$
12,939,740

 _________________________
(a)
Long-Term Liabilities—Employee Related include other post-employment benefits, work-related injuries and illnesses. Estimated salaried retirement contributions required to meet minimum funding standards under ERISA are excluded from the pay-out table due to the uncertainty regarding amounts to be contributed. Estimated 2012 contributions are expected to approximate $110 million.

(b)
Other long-term liabilities include mine reclamation and closure and other long-term liability costs.
(c)
The significant obligation table does not include obligations to taxing authorities due to the uncertainty surrounding the ultimate settlement of amounts and timing of these obligations.

Debt
At June 30, 2012, CONSOL Energy had total long-term debt of $3.196 billion outstanding, including the current portion of long-term debt of $21 million. This long-term debt consisted of:
An aggregate principal amount of $1.5 billion of 8.00% senior unsecured notes due in April 2017. Interest on the notes is payable April 1 and October 1 of each year. Payment of the principal and interest on the notes are guaranteed by most of CONSOL Energy’s subsidiaries.
An aggregate principal amount of $1.25 billion of 8.25% senior unsecured notes due in April 2020. Interest on the notes is payable April 1 and October 1 of each year. Payment of the principal and interest on the notes are guaranteed by most of CONSOL Energy’s subsidiaries.
An aggregate principal amount of $250 million of 6.375% notes due in March 2021. Interest on the notes is payable March 1 and September 1 of each year. Payment of the principal and interest on the notes are guaranteed by most of CONSOL Energy's subsidiaries.
An aggregate principal amount of $103 million of industrial revenue bonds which were issued to finance the


80



Baltimore port facility and bear interest at 5.75% per annum and mature in September 2025. Interest on the industrial revenue bonds is payable March 1 and September 1 of each year.
$31 million in advance royalty commitments with an average interest rate of 6.73% per annum.
An aggregate principal amount of $62 million of capital leases with a weighted average interest rate of 6.35% per annum.
At June 30, 2012, CONSOL Energy also had no outstanding borrowings and had approximately $100 million of letters of credit outstanding under the $1.5 billion senior secured revolving credit facility.
At June 30, 2012, CONSOL Energy had no outstanding borrowings and had $161 million of letters of credit outstanding under the accounts receivable securitization facility.
At June 30, 2012, CNX Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of CONSOL Energy, had no outstanding borrowings and approximately $70 million of letters of credit outstanding under its $1.0 billion secured revolving credit facility.
Total Equity and Dividends
CONSOL Energy had total equity of $3.9 billion at June 30, 2012 and $3.6 billion at December 31, 2011. Total equity increased primarily due to net income, changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges, adjustments to actuarial liabilities, and the amortization of stock-based compensation awards. These increases were offset, in part, by the declaration of dividends and the issuance of treasury stock. See the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional details.
Dividend information for the current year to date were as follows:

Declaration Date
 
Amount Per Share
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
July 27, 2012
 
$
0.125

 
August 10, 2012
 
August 24, 2012
April 27, 2012
 
$
0.125

 
May 11, 2012
 
May 25, 2012
January 27, 2012
 
$
0.125

 
February 7, 2012
 
February 21, 2012
The declaration and payment of dividends by CONSOL Energy is subject to the discretion of CONSOL Energy’s Board of Directors, and no assurance can be given that CONSOL Energy will pay dividends in the future. CONSOL Energy’s Board of Directors determines whether dividends will be paid quarterly. The determination to pay dividends will depend upon, among other things, general business conditions, CONSOL Energy’s financial results, contractual and legal restrictions regarding the payment of dividends by CONSOL Energy, planned investments by CONSOL Energy and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant. Our credit facility limits our ability to pay dividends in excess of an annual rate of $0.50 per share when our leverage ratio exceeds 4.50 to 1.00 or our availability is less than or equal to $100 million. The leverage ratio was 1.92 to 1.00 and our availability was approximately $1.4 billion at June 30, 2012. The credit facility does not permit dividend payments in the event of default. The indentures to the 2017, 2020 and 2021 notes limit dividends to $0.50 per share annually unless several conditions are met. Conditions include no defaults, ability to incur additional debt and other payment limitations under the indentures. There were no defaults in the six months ended June 30, 2012.
Off-Balance Sheet Transactions
CONSOL Energy does not maintain off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or others that are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on CONSOL Energy’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources which are not disclosed in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements. CONSOL Energy participates in various multi-employer benefit plans such as the UMWA 1974 Pension Plan, the UMWA Combined Benefit Fund and the UMWA 1993 Benefit Plan which generally accepted accounting principles recognize on a pay as you go basis. These benefit arrangements may result in additional liabilities that are not recognized on the balance sheet at June 30, 2012. The various multi-employer benefit plans are discussed in Note 17—Other Employee Benefit Plans in the Notes to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of the December 31, 2011 Form 10-K. CONSOL Energy also uses a combination of surety bonds, corporate guarantees and letters of credit to secure our financial obligations for employee-related, environmental, performance and various other items which are not reflected on the balance sheet at June 30, 2012. Management believes these items will expire without being funded. See Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional details of the various financial guarantees that have been issued by CONSOL Energy.


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Forward-Looking Statements
We are including the following cautionary statement in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to make applicable and take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf, of us. With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 21E of the Exchange Act) that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. The forward-looking statements may include projections and estimates concerning the timing and success of specific projects and our future production, revenues, income and capital spending. When we use the words “believe,” “intend,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “could,” “estimate,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” or their negatives, or other similar expressions, the statements which include those words are usually forward-looking statements. When we describe strategy that involves risks or uncertainties, we are making forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q; we disclaim any obligation to update these statements unless required by securities law, and we caution you not to rely on them unduly. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. These risks, contingencies and uncertainties relate to, among other matters, the following:
deterioration in global economic conditions in any of the industries in which our customers operate, or sustained uncertainty in financial markets cause conditions we cannot predict;
a significant or extended decline in prices we receive for our coal and natural gas affecting our operating results and cash flows;
our customers extending existing contracts or entering into new long-term contracts for coal;
our reliance on major customers;
our inability to collect payments from customers if their creditworthiness declines;
the disruption of rail, barge, gathering, processing and transportation facilities and other systems that deliver our coal and natural gas to market;
a loss of our competitive position because of the competitive nature of the coal and natural gas industries, or a loss of our competitive position because of overcapacity in these industries impairing our profitability;
our inability to maintain satisfactory labor relations;
coal users switching to other fuels in order to comply with various environmental standards related to coal combustion emissions;
the impact of potential, as well as any adopted regulations relating to greenhouse gas emissions on the demand for coal and natural gas
foreign currency fluctuations could adversely affect the competitiveness of our coal abroad;
the risks inherent in coal and natural gas operations being subject to unexpected disruptions, including geological conditions, equipment failure, timing of completion of significant construction or repair of equipment, fires, explosions, accidents and weather conditions which could impact financial results;
decreases in the availability of, or increases in, the price of commodities or capital equipment used in our mining operations;
decreases in the availability of, an increase in the prices charged by third party contractors or, failure of third party contractors to provide quality services to us in a timely manner could impact our profitability;
obtaining and renewing governmental permits and approvals for our coal and gas operations;
the effects of government regulation on the discharge into the water or air, and the disposal and clean-up of, hazardous substances and wastes generated during our coal and natural gas operations;
our ability to find adequate water sources for our use in gas drilling, or our ability to dispose of water used or removed from strata in connection with our gas operations at a reasonable cost and within applicable environmental rules;
the effects of stringent federal and state employee health and safety regulations, including the ability of regulators to shut down a mine or natural gas well;
the potential for liabilities arising from environmental contamination or alleged environmental contamination in connection with our past or current coal and gas operations;


82



the effects of mine closing, reclamation, gas well closing and certain other liabilities;
uncertainties in estimating our economically recoverable coal and gas reserves;
costs associated with perfecting title for coal or gas rights on some of our properties;
the impacts of various asbestos litigation claims;
the outcomes of various legal proceedings, which are more fully described in our reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
increased exposure to employee-related long-term liabilities;
our accruals for obligations for long-term employee benefits are based upon assumptions which, if inaccurate, could result in our being required to expend greater amounts than anticipated;
due to our participation in an underfunded multi-employer pension plan, we have exposure under that plan that extends beyond what our obligation would be with respect to our employees and in the future we may have to make additional cash contributions to fund the pension plan or incur withdrawal liability;
lump sum payments made to retiring salaried employees pursuant to our defined benefit pension plan exceeding total service and interest cost in a plan year;
acquisitions and joint ventures that we recently have completed or entered into or may make in the future including the accuracy of our assessment of the acquired businesses and their risks, achieving any anticipated synergies, integrating the acquisitions and unanticipated changes that could affect assumptions we may have made and divestitures we anticipate may not occur or produce anticipated proceeds including joint venture partners paying anticipated carry obligations;
the terms of our existing joint ventures restrict our flexibility and actions taken by the other party in our gas joint ventures may impact our financial position;
the anti-takeover effects of our rights plan could prevent a change of control;
risks associated with our debt;
replacing our natural gas reserves, which if not replaced, will cause our gas reserves and gas production to decline;
our hedging activities may prevent us from benefiting from price increases and may expose us to other risks;
other factors discussed in our 2011 Form 10-K under “Risk Factors,” as updated by any subsequent Form 10-Qs, which are on file at the Securities and Exchange Commission.



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ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
In addition to the risks inherent in operations, CONSOL Energy is exposed to financial, market, political and economic risks. The following discussion provides additional detail regarding CONSOL Energy's exposure to the risks of changing commodity prices, interest rates and foreign exchange rates.
CONSOL Energy is exposed to market price risk in the normal course of selling natural gas production and to a lesser extent in the sale of coal. CONSOL Energy sells coal under both short-term and long-term contracts with fixed price and/or indexed price contracts that reflect market value. CONSOL Energy uses fixed-price contracts, collar-price contracts and derivative commodity instruments that qualify as cash-flow hedges under the Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification to minimize exposure to market price volatility in the sale of natural gas. Our risk management policy prohibits the use of derivatives for speculative purposes.
CONSOL Energy has established risk management policies and procedures to strengthen the internal control environment of the marketing of commodities produced from its asset base. All of the derivative instruments without other risk assessment procedures are held for purposes other than trading. They are used primarily to mitigate uncertainty, volatility and cover underlying exposures. CONSOL Energy's market risk strategy incorporates fundamental risk management tools to assess market price risk and establish a framework in which management can maintain a portfolio of transactions within pre-defined risk parameters.
CONSOL Energy believes that the use of derivative instruments, along with our risk assessment procedures and internal controls, mitigates our exposure to material risks. However, the use of derivative instruments without other risk assessment procedures could materially affect CONSOL Energy's results of operations depending on market prices. Nevertheless, we believe that use of these instruments will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or liquidity.
For a summary of accounting policies related to derivative instruments, see Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of CONSOL Energy's 2011 Form 10-K.
A sensitivity analysis has been performed to determine the incremental effect on future earnings, related to open derivative instruments at June 30, 2012. A hypothetical 10 percent decrease in future natural gas prices would increase future earnings related to derivatives by $35.0 million. Similarly, a hypothetical 10 percent increase in future natural gas prices would decrease future earnings related to derivatives by $35.4 million.
CONSOL Energy’s primary exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates to our revolving credit facility, under which there were no borrowings outstanding during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012. CNX Gas did not have borrowings under its revolving credit facility for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012.
Almost all of CONSOL Energy’s transactions are denominated in U.S. dollars, and, as a result, it does not have material exposure to currency exchange-rate risks.














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Hedging Volumes
As of July 13, 2012 our hedged volumes for the periods indicated are as follows:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
 
 
March 31,
 
June 30,
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
Total Year
2012 Fixed Price Volumes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedged Mcf
19,108,632

 
19,108,632

 
19,318,617

 
19,318,617

 
76,854,498

Weighted Average Hedge Price/Mcf
$
5.25

 
$
5.25

 
$
5.25

 
$
5.25

 
$
5.25

2013 Fixed Price Volumes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedged Mcf
15,223,760

 
15,392,913

 
15,562,066

 
15,562,066

 
61,740,805

Weighted Average Hedge Price/Mcf
$
4.79

 
$
4.79

 
$
4.79

 
$
4.79

 
$
4.79

2014 Fixed Price Volumes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedged Mcf
12,668,749

 
12,809,512

 
12,950,276

 
12,950,276

 
51,378,813

Weighted Average Hedge Price/Mcf
$
5.01

 
$
5.01

 
$
5.01

 
$
5.01

 
$
5.01

2015 Fixed Price Volumes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedged Mcf
5,493,518

 
5,554,557

 
5,615,596

 
5,615,596

 
22,279,267

Weighted Average Hedge Price/Mcf
$
4.04

 
$
4.04

 
$
4.04

 
$
4.04

 
$
4.04



85




ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure controls and procedures. CONSOL Energy, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including CONSOL Energy’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, CONSOL Energy’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of June 30, 2012 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by CONSOL Energy in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and includes controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by CONSOL Energy in such reports is accumulated and communicated to CONSOL Energy’s management, including CONSOL Energy’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in internal controls over financial reporting. There were no changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.



86



PART II
OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The first through the twentieth paragraphs of Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q are incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 4.     MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
The information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.104) is included in exhibit 95 to this quarterly report.

ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
10.1

 
Letter Agreement Re: Receivables Purchase Agreement - Dilution Ratio, dated as of June 21, 2012, by and among CNX Funding Corporation, CONSOL Energy Inc., the Sub-Services listed on the signature pages thereto, the Purchasers and LC Participant listed on the signature pages thereto, and PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrator, Purchaser Agent, LC Bank and LC Participant.

 
 
31.1

  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
31.2

  
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.1

  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.2

  
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
95

 
Mine Safety and Health Administration Safety Data.
 
 
101

  
Interactive Data File (Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012 furnished in XBRL).
In accordance with SEC Release 33-8238, Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 are being furnished and not filed.





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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Dated: August 1, 2012
 
 
CONSOL ENERGY INC.
 
 
 
 
 
By: 
 
/S/    J. BRETT HARVEY        
 
 
 
J. Brett Harvey
 
 
 
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
By: 
 
/S/    WILLIAM J. LYONS        
 
 
 
William J. Lyons
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
 


88