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Equity Method Investment
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Equity Method Investment  
Equity Method Investment

5. Equity Method Investment

Constitution Pipeline Company, LLC

        In February 2012, the Company entered into a Precedent Agreement with Constitution Pipeline Company, LLC (Constitution), at the time a wholly owned subsidiary of Williams Partners L.P., to develop and construct a 120 mile large diameter pipeline to transport its production in northeast Pennsylvania to both the New England and New York markets. Under the terms of the Precedent Agreement, the Company will have transportation rights for up to approximately 500,000 Mcf per day of capacity on the newly constructed pipeline, subject to regulatory approval and certain terms and conditions to be determined.

        In April 2012, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (LLC Agreement) with Constitution, which thereby became an unconsolidated investee. Under the terms of the LLC Agreement, the Company acquired a 25% equity interest and agreed to invest its proportionate share of costs associated with the development and construction of the pipeline and related facilities, subject to a contribution cap of $250 million, which is expected to occur over approximately four years.

        During 2012, the Company made contributions of $6.9 million to fund costs associated with the project. The Company's net book value in this equity investment was $6.9 million as of December 31, 2012 and is included in Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. There were no material earnings or losses associated with Constitution during 2012. Earnings (losses) on equity method investment are included in Interest expense and other in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.