CNX 10-Q Quarterly Report Sept. 30, 2016 | Alphaminr

CNX 10-Q Quarter ended Sept. 30, 2016

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10-Q 1 cnx-93016x10q.htm 10-Q Document


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 September 30, 2016
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 October 17, 2016
Common stock, $0.01 par value
229,440,368




TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
Condensed Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
ITEM 2.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 4.
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
ITEM 1A.
Risk Factors
ITEM 4.
ITEM 5.
Other Information
ITEM 6.

GLOSSARY OF CERTAIN OIL AND GAS MEASUREMENT TERMS

The following are abbreviations of certain measurement terms commonly used in the oil and gas industry and included within this Form 10-Q:

Bbl - One stock tank barrel, or 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume, used in reference to oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
Bcf - One billion cubic feet of natural gas.
Bcfe - One billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalents, with one barrel of oil being equivalent to 6,000 cubic feet of gas.
Btu - One British thermal unit.
Mbbls - One thousand barrels of oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
Mcf - One thousand cubic feet of natural gas.
Mcfe - One thousand cubic feet of natural gas equivalents, with one barrel of oil being equivalent to 6,000 cubic feet of gas.
MMbtu - One million British Thermal units.
MMcfe - One million cubic feet of natural gas equivalents, with one barrel of oil being equivalent to 6,000 cubic feet of gas.
NGL - Natural gas liquids.
Tcfe - One trillion cubic feet of natural gas equivalents, with one barrel of oil being equivalent to 6,000 cubic feet of gas.




PART I : FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
(Unaudited)
September 30,
September 30,
Revenues and Other Income:
2016
2015
2016
2015
Natural Gas, NGLs and Oil Sales
$
205,913

$
157,538

$
555,101

$
541,630

Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments
198,192

143,606

53,872

251,073

Coal Sales
267,685

323,171

744,411

1,026,596

Other Outside Sales
4,714

5,129

20,687

24,596

Purchased Gas Sales
12,086

2,535

28,633

7,649

Freight-Outside Coal
9,392

2,436

33,949

10,204

Miscellaneous Other Income
32,393

38,475

114,159

111,279

Gain on Sale of Assets
15,203

48,043

13,541

54,329

Total Revenue and Other Income
745,578

720,933

1,564,353

2,027,356

Costs and Expenses:
Exploration and Production Costs
Lease Operating Expense
22,602

29,452

73,996

96,229

Transportation, Gathering and Compression
94,796

89,965

279,753

248,682

Production, Ad Valorem, and Other Fees
9,027

8,475

23,732

24,605

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
101,257

92,083

312,122

269,377

Exploration and Production Related Other Costs
384

3,332

5,036

7,695

Purchased Gas Costs
11,940

1,921

28,692

5,939

Other Corporate Expenses
21,760

20,953

65,980

47,088

Impairment of Exploration and Production Properties



828,905

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs
26,198

23,919

74,067

80,396

Total Exploration and Production Costs
287,964

270,100

863,378

1,608,916

PA Mining Operations Costs
Operating and Other Costs
182,717

137,759

521,277

564,604

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
42,370

43,459

125,334

136,536

Freight Expense
9,392

2,436

33,949

10,204

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs
7,653

9,044

20,207

34,231

Total PA Mining Operations Costs
242,132

192,698

700,767

745,575

Other Costs
Miscellaneous Operating Expense
40,085

(3,078
)
127,531

70,554

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs
4,569

6,173

10,173

9,946

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
8,085

11,302

4,463

21,219

Loss on Debt Extinguishment



67,751

Interest Expense
47,317

48,558

144,609

150,185

Total Other Costs
100,056

62,955

286,776

319,655

Total Costs And Expenses
630,152

525,753

1,850,921

2,674,146

Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Tax
115,426

195,180

(286,568
)
(646,790
)
Income Taxes
52,858

65,868

(71,798
)
(251,181
)
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations
62,568

129,312

(214,770
)
(395,609
)
Loss From Discontinued Operations, net
(34,975
)
(3,842
)
(322,747
)
(3,192
)
Net Income (Loss)
27,593

125,470

(537,517
)
(398,801
)
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
2,248

6,490

4,541

6,490

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders
$
25,345

$
118,980

$
(542,058
)
$
(405,291
)





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


3



CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(CONTINUED)
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
September 30,
September 30,
(Unaudited)
2016
2015
2016
2015
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
$
0.26

$
0.54

$
(0.96
)
$
(1.75
)
Loss from Discontinued Operations
(0.15
)
(0.02
)
(1.40
)
(0.02
)
Total Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share
$
0.11

$
0.52

$
(2.36
)
$
(1.77
)
Dilutive
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
$
0.26

$
0.54

$
(0.96
)
$
(1.75
)
Loss from Discontinued Operations
(0.15
)
(0.02
)
(1.40
)
(0.02
)
Total Dilutive Earnings (Loss) Per Share
$
0.11

$
0.52

$
(2.36
)
$
(1.77
)
Dividends Declared Per Share
$

$
0.0100

$
0.0100

$
0.1350


CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)
September 30,
September 30,
(Unaudited)
2016
2015
2016
2015
Net Income (Loss)
$
27,593

$
125,470

$
(537,517
)
$
(398,801
)
Other Comprehensive Loss:
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments (Net of tax: ($1,043), $29,720, ($5,369), $24,935)
1,305

(49,353
)
6,866

(40,036
)
Reclassification of Cash Flow Hedges from OCI to Earnings (Net of tax: $7,139, $11,807, $19,284, $35,123)
(12,458
)
(20,602
)
(33,475
)
(60,720
)



Other Comprehensive Loss
(11,153
)
(69,955
)
(26,609
)
(100,756
)



Comprehensive Income (Loss)
16,440

55,515

(564,126
)
(499,557
)
Less: Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
2,248

6,490

4,541

6,490

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders
$
14,192

$
49,025

$
(568,667
)
$
(506,047
)









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


4



CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
September 30,
2016
December 31,
2015
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
80,247

$
72,574

Accounts and Notes Receivable:

Trade
163,955

151,383

Other Receivables
80,490

121,735

Inventories
62,622

66,792

Recoverable Income Taxes

13,887

Prepaid Expenses
125,490

297,287

Current Assets of Discontinued Operations
2,111

81,106

Total Current Assets
514,915

804,764

Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, Plant and Equipment
13,920,715

13,794,907

Less—Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
5,506,096

5,062,201

Property, Plant and Equipment of Discontinued Operations, Net

936,670

Total Property, Plant and Equipment—Net
8,414,619

9,669,376

Other Assets:
Deferred Income Taxes
149,680


Investment in Affiliates
257,423

237,330

Other
228,857

214,388

Other Assets of Discontinued Operations

4,044

Total Other Assets
635,960

455,762

TOTAL ASSETS
$
9,565,494

$
10,929,902

























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


5



CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
September 30,
2016
December 31,
2015
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts Payable
$
197,479

$
250,609

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
4,470

4,988

Short-Term Notes Payable
354,000

952,000

Accrued Income Taxes
5,485


Other Accrued Liabilities
508,144

421,827

Current Liabilities of Discontinued Operations
664

51,514

Total Current Liabilities
1,070,242

1,680,938

Long-Term Debt:
Long-Term Debt
2,734,004

2,708,320

Capital Lease Obligations
29,805

34,884

Long-Term Debt of Discontinued Operations

5,001

Total Long-Term Debt
2,763,809

2,748,205

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
Deferred Income Taxes

74,629

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
613,233

630,892

Pneumoconiosis Benefits
117,586

111,903

Mine Closing
216,232

227,339

Gas Well Closing
164,115

163,842

Workers’ Compensation
68,587

69,812

Salary Retirement
89,305

91,596

Reclamation

25

Other
172,218

166,957

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities of Discontinued Operations

107,988

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
1,441,276

1,644,983

TOTAL LIABILITIES
5,275,327

6,074,126

Stockholders’ Equity:
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value; 500,000,000 Shares Authorized, 229,438,910 Issued and Outstanding at September 30, 2016; 229,054,236 Issued and Outstanding at December 31, 2015
2,298

2,294

Capital in Excess of Par Value
2,453,275

2,435,497

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


Retained Earnings
2,033,849

2,579,834

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(342,207
)
(315,598
)
Total CONSOL Energy Inc. Stockholders’ Equity
4,147,215

4,702,027

Noncontrolling Interest
142,952

153,749

TOTAL EQUITY
4,290,167

4,855,776

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
9,565,494

$
10,929,902






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


6



CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Common
Stock
Capital in
Excess
of Par
Value
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Total CONSOL Energy Inc.
Stockholders’
Equity
Non-
Controlling
Interest
Total
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2015
$
2,294

$
2,435,497

$
2,579,834

$
(315,598
)
$
4,702,027

$
153,749

$
4,855,776

(Unaudited)
Net (Loss) Income


(542,058
)

(542,058
)
4,541

(537,517
)
Other Comprehensive Loss



(26,609
)
(26,609
)

(26,609
)
Comprehensive (Loss) Income


(542,058
)
(26,609
)
(568,667
)
4,541

(564,126
)
Issuance of Common Stock
4




4


4

Treasury Stock Activity


(1,633
)

(1,633
)

(1,633
)
Tax Cost From Stock-Based Compensation

(5,144
)


(5,144
)

(5,144
)
Amortization of Stock-Based Compensation Awards

22,922



22,922

903

23,825

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest





(16,241
)
(16,241
)
Dividends ($0.01 per share)


(2,294
)

(2,294
)

(2,294
)
Balance at September 30, 2016
$
2,298

$
2,453,275

$
2,033,849

$
(342,207
)
$
4,147,215

$
142,952

$
4,290,167


























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


7



CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
Nine Months Ended
(Unaudited)
September 30,
Operating Activities:
2016
2015
Net Loss
$
(537,517
)
$
(398,801
)
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities:


Net Loss from Discontinued Operations
322,747

3,192

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
441,919

427,132

Impairment of Exploration and Production Properties

828,905

Non-Cash Other Post-Employment Benefits

(151,871
)
Stock-Based Compensation
23,825

19,849

Gain on Sale of Assets
(13,541
)
(54,329
)
Loss on Debt Extinguishment

67,751

Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments
(53,872
)
(251,073
)
Net Cash Received in Settlement of Commodity Derivative Instruments
203,303

116,868

Deferred Income Taxes
(72,866
)
(273,497
)
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates
(41,239
)
(38,838
)
Return on Equity Investment
22,268

31,111

Changes in Operating Assets:


Accounts and Notes Receivable
4,555

119,064

Inventories
4,169

(9,922
)
Prepaid Expenses
71,423

103,466

Changes in Other Assets
(14,241
)
22,483

Changes in Operating Liabilities:


Accounts Payable
(12,654
)
(123,171
)
Accrued Interest
35,985

63,879

Other Operating Liabilities
(21,370
)
(105,692
)
Changes in Other Liabilities
(2,620
)
(12,360
)
Other
11,937

9,369

Net Cash Provided by Continuing Operating Activities
372,211

393,515

Net Cash Provided by Discontinued Operating Activities
14,427

10,768

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
386,638

404,283

Investing Activities:


Capital Expenditures
(179,389
)
(864,262
)
Proceeds from Sales of Assets
38,977

83,044

Net Investments in Equity Affiliates
(4,555
)
(70,224
)
Net Cash Used in Continuing Investing Activities
(144,967
)
(851,442
)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Investing Activities
366,251

(30,894
)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
221,284

(882,336
)
Financing Activities:


(Payments on) Proceeds from Short-Term Borrowings
(598,000
)
945,000

Payments on Miscellaneous Borrowings
(6,222
)
(1,523
)
Payments on Long-Term Notes, including Redemption Premium

(1,263,719
)
Net Proceeds from Revolver - CNX Coal Resources LP
23,000

180,000

Proceeds from Sale of MLP Interest

148,359

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest
(16,241
)

Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Notes

492,760

Tax Benefit from Stock-Based Compensation

208

Dividends Paid
(2,294
)
(30,991
)
Issuance of Common Stock
4

8,288

Purchases of Treasury Stock

(71,674
)
Debt Issuance and Financing Fees
(482
)
(22,586
)
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Continuing Financing Activities
(600,235
)
384,122

Net Cash Used in Discontinued Financing Activities
(14
)
(39
)
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities
(600,249
)
384,083

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
7,673

(93,970
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
72,574

176,985

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
$
80,247

$
83,015

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 nine months ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for future periods.

The Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2015 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, 2015 included in CONSOL Energy Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , CONSOL Energy Inc. ("CONSOL Energy" or "the Company") made certain adjustments to the financial statements to reflect the sale of the Buchanan Mine and the Fola and Miller Creek Mining Complexes, which are now reflected under discontinued operations. Additionally, CONSOL Energy made reclassifications within its financial statements to better align the Company's financial reporting with its peer group. These reclassifications impacted the Lease Operating Expense, Transportation, Gathering and Compression, Direct Administrative and Selling, Production Royalty Interests and Purchased Gas Sales, Production Royalty Interests and Purchased Gas Costs, Operating and Other Costs and Selling, General and Administrative Costs line items on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income. These changes are reflected in CONSOL Energy's current and historic Consolidated Statements of Income, with no effect on previously reported net income or stockholders’ equity.

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders 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 stock options, performance stock options, restricted stock units 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 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:
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
2016
2015
Anti-Dilutive Options
2,989,610
3,650,864
6,230,099
3,650,864
Anti-Dilutive Restricted Stock Units
3,455
785,585
645,302
1,394,115
Anti-Dilutive Performance Share Units
1,659,014
2,326,120
Anti-Dilutive Performance Stock Options
802,804
802,804
802,804
802,804
5,454,883
5,239,253
10,004,325
5,847,783

The table below sets forth the share-based awards that have been exercised or released:
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
2016
2015
Options
363,620
Restricted Stock Units
5,920
90,055
574,310
576,562
Performance Share Units
497,134
5,920

90,055
574,310
1,437,316


9



No options were exercised during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 or during the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The weighted average exercise price per share of the options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $22.78 .
The computations for basic and dilutive earnings per share are as follows:
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
2016
2015
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
$
62,568
$
129,312
$
(214,770
)
$
(395,609
)
Loss from Discontinued Operations
(34,975
)
(3,842
)
(322,747
)
(3,192
)
Net Income (Loss)
$
27,593
$
125,470
$
(537,517
)
$
(398,801
)
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
2,248
6,490
4,541
6,490
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders
$
25,345
$
118,980
$
(542,058
)
$
(405,291
)
Weighted Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding:
Basic
229,438,612
229,036,172
229,369,309
229,230,571
Effect of Stock-Based Compensation Awards
2,079,973
315,955
Dilutive
231,518,585
229,352,127
229,369,309
229,230,571
Income (Loss) per Share:
Basic (Continuing Operations)
$
0.26
$
0.54
$
(0.96
)
$
(1.75
)
Basic (Discontinued Operations)
(0.15
)
(0.02
)
(1.40
)
(0.02
)
Total Basic
$
0.11

$
0.52
$
(2.36
)
$
(1.77
)
Dilutive (Continuing Operations)
$
0.26
$
0.54
$
(0.96
)
$
(1.75
)
Dilutive (Discontinued Operations)
(0.15
)
(0.02
)
(1.40
)
(0.02
)
Total Dilutive
$
0.11
$
0.52
$
(2.36
)
$
(1.77
)

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by component, net of tax, were as follows:
Gains on Cash Flow Hedges
Postretirement Benefits
Total
Balance at December 31, 2015
$
43,470
$
(359,068
)
$
(315,598
)
Other Comprehensive Loss before Reclassifications
(13,912
)
(13,912
)
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(33,475
)
20,778
(12,697
)
Current period Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
(33,475
)
6,866
(26,609
)
Balance at September 30, 2016
$
9,995
$
(352,202
)
$
(342,207
)

The following table shows the reclassification of adjustments out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
2016
2015
Derivative Instruments (Note 14)
Natural Gas Price Swaps and Options
$
(19,597
)
$
(32,409
)
$
(52,759
)
$
(95,843
)
Tax Expense
7,139
11,807
19,284
35,123
Net of Tax
$
(12,458
)
$
(20,602
)
$
(33,475
)
$
(60,720
)
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments* (Note 5 and Note 6)
Amortization of Prior Service Costs
$
(148
)
$
(133,851
)
$
(443
)
$
(203,159
)
Recognized Net Actuarial Loss
6,332
41,755
17,549
80,497
Curtailment Loss
5
5
Settlement Loss
3,651
3,132
17,347
3,132
Total
9,835
(88,959
)
34,453
(119,525
)
Tax (Benefit) Expense
(3,664
)
33,436
(12,861
)
44,923
Net of Tax
$
6,171
$
(55,523
)
$
21,592
$
(74,602
)



10



*Excludes amounts related to the remeasurement of the Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liabilities. Also excludes $815 , net of tax, of reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income related to discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 .

NOTE 2—DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:

In August, 2016, CONSOL Energy completed the sale of its Miller Creek Mining Complex and Fola Mining Complex subsidiaries. In the transaction, the buyer acquired the Miller Creek and Fola assets and assumed the Miller Creek and Fola mine closing and reclamation liabilities; in order to equalize the value exchange, CONSOL Energy paid $28,271 cash at closing, which included property taxes associated with the properties sold and other closing costs (a portion of which will be held in escrow for purposes of obtaining the surety bonds required for the the permits to transfer). These amounts were included in Net Cash Provided by Discontinued Investing Activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow. In addition, CONSOL Energy will pay a total of $17,200 in installments over the next four years. The net loss on sale of $53,130 , excluding the related impairment charge discussed below, was included in Loss from Discontinued Operations, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Prior to the closing, the Miller Creek and Fola Mining Complexes were classified as held for sale in discontinued operations and in accordance with the accounting guidance for Property, Plant and Equipment, assets held for sale are measured at the lower of the carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. Upon meeting the assets held for sale criteria, the Company determined the carrying value of the Fola and Miller Creek mining complexes exceeded the fair value less costs to sell. As a result, an impairment charge of $355,681 was recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . This impairment is included in the Loss from Discontinued Operations, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

On March 31, 2016, CONSOL Energy completed the sale of its membership interests in CONSOL Buchanan Mining Company, LLC (BMC), which owned and operated the Buchanan Mine located in Mavisdale, Virginia; various assets relating to the Amonate Mining Complex located in Amonate, Virginia; Russell County, Virginia coal reserves and Pangburn Shaner Fallowfield coal reserves located in Southwestern, Pennsylvania to Coronado IV LLC ("Coronado"). Various CONSOL Energy assets were excluded from the sale including coalbed methane, natural gas and minerals other than coal, current assets of BMC, certain coal seams, certain surface rights, and the Amonate Preparation Plant. Coronado assumed only specified liabilities and various CONSOL Energy liabilities were excluded and not assumed. The excluded liabilities included BMC’s indebtedness, trade payables and liabilities arising prior to closing, as well as the liabilities of the subsidiaries other than BMC which are parties to the sale. In addition, the buyer agreed to pay CONSOL Energy for Buchanan Mine coal sold outside the U.S. and Canada during the five years following closing a royalty of 20% of any excess of the gross sales price per ton over the following amounts: (1) year one, $75.00 per ton; (2) year two, $78.75 per ton; (3) year three, $82.69 per ton; (4) year four, $86.82 per ton; (5) year five, $91.16 per ton. At closing, the parties entered into several agreements including, among others, agreements relating to the coordination and conduct of gas operations at the mines, an option to purchase the Amonate Preparation Plant and transition services. Cash proceeds of $402,799 were received at closing and are included in Net Cash Provided by Discontinued Investing Activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow. The net loss on the sale was $38,364 and was included in Loss from Discontinued Operations, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
For all periods presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income, BMC along with the various other assets and the Fola and Miller Creek Mining Complexes are classified as discontinued operations.
The following table details selected financial information for the divested business included within discontinued operations:
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
2016
2015
Coal Sales
$
6,974

$
80,432

$
102,904

$
286,557

Freight-Outside Coal
305

783

1,322

3,791

Miscellaneous Other Income
2,204

3

2,237

33

Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets
(53,119
)
80

(91,372
)
274

Total Revenue and Other Income
$
(43,636
)
$
81,298

$
15,091

$
290,655

Total Costs
11,789

92,865

124,865

302,055

Loss From Operations Before Income Taxes
$
(55,425
)
$
(11,567
)
$
(109,774
)
$
(11,400
)
Impairment on Assets Held for Sale


355,681


Income Tax Benefit
(20,450
)
(7,725
)
(142,708
)
(8,208
)
Loss From Discontinued Operations, net
$
(34,975
)
$
(3,842
)
$
(322,747
)
$
(3,192
)



11



The major classes of assets and liabilities of discontinued operations:
September 30,
2016
December 31,
2015
Assets:
Accounts Receivable - Trade
$
2,107

$
49,125

Inventories

30,646

Prepaid Expense

970

Other Current Assets
4

365

Total Current Assets
$
2,111

$
81,106

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

936,670

Other Assets

4,044

Total Assets of Discontinued Operations
$
2,111

$
1,021,820

Liabilities:
Accounts Payable
$
303

$
20,786

Other Current Liabilities
361

30,728

Total Current Liabilities
$
664

$
51,514

Long Term Debt

5,001

Pneumoconiosis Benefits

1,129

Mine Closing

71,941

Reclamation

34,126

Other liabilities

792

Total Liabilities of Discontinued Operations
$
664

$
164,503


NOTE 3—ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS:

In September 2015, CONSOL Energy sold its 49% interest in Western Allegheny Energy (WAE), a joint venture with Rosebud Mining Company engaged in coal mining activities in Pennsylvania. At closing, CONSOL Energy received $76,297 in cash and a $2,136 reduction in certain liabilities. During the quarter, CONSOL Energy also received a cash distribution of $10,780 from WAE. The net gain on the sale was $48,468 and was included in the Gain on Sale of Assets in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

In December 2014, CNX Gas Company LLC (CNX Gas Company), wholly-owned subsidiary of CONSOL Energy, finalized an agreement with Columbia Energy Ventures (CEVCO) to sublease from CEVCO approximately 20,000 acres of Utica Shale and Upper Devonian gas rights in Greene and Washington Counties in Pennsylvania and Marshall and Ohio Counties in West Virginia. Up-front bonus consideration of up to $ 96,106 was to be paid by CONSOL Energy over a five year period, as drilling occurs, in addition to royalties. CONSOL Energy made payments of $9,000 to CEVCO in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 while $50,970 of payments were made for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . At September 30, 2016 , the amounts recorded in Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities were $ 3,947 and $ 26,461 , respectively. At December 31, 2015, the amounts recorded in Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities were $ 8,349 and $ 29,333 , respectively.



12



NOTE 4—MISCELLANEOUS OTHER INCOME:
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
September 30,
2016
2015
2016
2015
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates - CONE
$
14,153

$
12,733

$
36,709

$
29,770

Rental Income
8,983

9,439

27,258

28,437

Gathering Revenue
2,602

1,426

7,998

7,379

Royalty Income - Non-Operated Coal
2,011

4,847

6,664

12,989

Purchased Coal Sales
1,908


2,512

1,596

Equity in Earnings of Affiliates - Other
1,202

2,855

4,530

9,068

Interest Income
214

361

975

1,868

Right of Way Issuance
149

5,252

17,952

13,202

Coal Contract Buyout


6,288


Other
1,171

1,562

3,273

6,970

Total Miscellaneous Other Income
$
32,393

$
38,475

$
114,159

$
111,279


NOTE 5—COMPONENTS OF PENSION AND OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT (OPEB) PLANS NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COSTS:

Components of net periodic benefit costs are as follows:
Pension Benefits
Other Post-Employment Benefits
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
2016
2015
2016
2015
2016
2015
Service Cost
$
482

$
2,162

$
1,445

$
6,862

$

$

$

$

Interest Cost
5,895

8,042

19,578

25,202

6,060

6,677

18,181

20,561

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(11,195
)
(12,903
)
(34,933
)
(38,282
)




Amortization of Prior Service Credits
(148
)
(166
)
(443
)
(518
)

(133,685
)

(202,641
)
Recognized net Actuarial Loss
2,743

5,335

6,975

19,215

4,792

37,713

14,376

65,161

Settlement Loss
3,651

3,132

17,347

3,132





Curtailment Loss

5


5





Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)
$
1,428

$
5,607

$
9,969

$
15,616

$
10,852

$
(89,295
)
$
32,557

$
(116,919
)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , $ 1,964 and $8,366 was paid to the pension trust from operating cash flows, respectively. Additional contributions to the pension trust are not expected to be material for the remainder of 2016 .

According to the Defined Benefit Plans Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification, if the lump sum distributions made during a plan year, which for CONSOL Energy is January 1 to December 31, exceed the total of the projected service cost and interest cost for the plan year, settlement accounting is required. Lump sum payments exceeded this threshold during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 . Accordingly, CONSOL Energy recognized settlement expense of $3,651 and $17,347 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively, in Other Costs - Miscellaneous Operating Expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The settlement charges resulted in remeasurements of the pension plan at September 30, 2016 and June 30, 2016, which increased the pension liability by $7,486 and $6,203 , respectively.

Lump sum payments also exceeded the settlement threshold during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 . Accordingly, settlement expense of $3,132 was recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 in Other Costs - Miscellaneous Operating Expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Settlement accounting was triggered in July 2015, resulting in a remeasurement of the pension plan at July 31. This remeasurement reduced the pension liability by $1,328 .

On August 31, 2015, the qualified pension plan was remeasured to reflect an announced plan amendment that reduced accruals of pension benefits as of January 1, 2016. The plan amendment called for a hard freeze of the qualified defined benefit


13



pension plan on January 1, 2016 for all remaining participants in the plan. The modifications to the pension plan resulted in a $26,352 reduction in the pension liability. The amendment resulted in a remeasurement of the qualified pension plan at August 31, 2015. The remeasurement increased the pension liability by $17,793 .
In the third quarter of 2015, CONSOL Energy remeasured its pension plan as a result of the previously discussed plan amendment. In conjunction with this remeasurement, the method used to estimate the service and interest components of net periodic benefit cost for pension was changed. This change was also made to other postretirement benefits during the fourth quarter during the annual remeasurement of that plan. This change compared to the previous method resulted in a decrease in the service and interest components for pension cost in the third quarter. Historically, CONSOL Energy estimated these service and interest cost components utilizing a single weighted-average discount rate derived from the yield curve used to measure the benefit obligation at the beginning of the period. CONSOL Energy has elected to utilize a full yield curve approach in the estimation of these components by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows. This change was made to provide a more precise measurement of service and interest costs by improving the correlation between projected benefit cash flows to the corresponding spot yield curve rates. This change does not affect the measurement of the total benefit obligations or the annual net periodic benefit cost as the change in the service and interest costs is completely offset in the actuarial (gain) loss reported. CONSOL Energy has accounted for this change as a change in accounting estimate that is inseparable from a change in accounting principle and accordingly has accounted for it prospectively.
On May 31, 2015, the Salaried OPEB and Production and Maintenance (P&M) OPEB plans were remeasured to reflect a plan amendment which eliminated Salaried and P&M OPEB benefits at December 31, 2015. The amendment to the OPEB plan resulted in a $43,598 reduction in the OPEB liability.The amendment resulted in a remeasurement of the OPEB plan at May 31, 2015 which decreased the liability by $1,070 .
CONSOL Energy does not expect to contribute to the other post-employment benefit plan in 2016 . The Company intends to pay benefit claims as they become due. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , $35,120 and $40,547 of other post-employment benefits have been paid, respectively.

NOTE 6—COMPONENTS OF COAL WORKERS’ PNEUMOCONIOSIS (CWP) AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COSTS:
Components of net periodic benefit costs are as follows:
CWP
Workers' Compensation
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
2016
2015
2016
2015
2016
2015
Service Cost
$
1,041

$
1,623

$
3,285

$
4,868

$
1,904

$
2,347

$
5,713

$
7,042

Interest Cost
1,053

1,279

3,230

3,837

638

799

1,913

2,396

Amortization of Actuarial Gain
(1,188
)
(1,394
)
(3,759
)
(4,182
)
(101
)
(8
)
(303
)
(23
)
State Administrative Fees and Insurance Bond Premiums




792

888

2,491

2,764

Curtailment Gain


(1,307
)





Net Periodic Benefit Cost
$
906

$
1,508

$
1,449

$
4,523

$
3,233

$
4,026

$
9,814

$
12,179


Expense (income) attributable to discontinued operations included in the CWP net periodic cost above was $74 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 , and $(1,290) and $223 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively.
On March 31, 2016, CONSOL Energy completed the sale of its membership interests in BMC (See Note 2 - Discontinued Operations). As a result of the sale, certain obligations of the CWP plan were transferred to the buyer. This transfer triggered a curtailment gain of $1,307 . The curtailment resulted in a plan remeasurement increasing plan liabilities by $5,014 at March 31, 2016.
CONSOL Energy does not expect to contribute to the CWP plan in 2016 . The Company intends to pay benefit claims as they become due. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , $8,519 and $8,369 of CWP benefit claims have been paid, respectively.


14



CONSOL Energy does not expect to contribute to the workers’ compensation plan in 2016 . The Company intends to pay benefit claims as they become due. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , $11,547 and $12,540 of workers’ compensation benefits, state administrative fees and surety bond premiums have been paid, respectively.

NOTE 7—INCOME TAXES:

The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was 46.7% and 24.7% , respectively. The effective tax rate is different from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to charges to record state valuation allowances and the effects of the 2010-2013 Federal tax audit still in progress, partially offset by a larger anticipated book loss and the income tax benefit for excess percentage depletion.

The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 34.9% and 38.4% , respectively. The effective tax rate is different from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to impairment charges recorded in June 2015. In addition, as the Company's loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 exceeded the anticipated ordinary loss for the full year, the tax benefit recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was limited to the amount that would be recognized if the year-to-date ordinary loss were the anticipated ordinary loss for the full year. Another item contributing to the benefit is the deduction for percentage depletion in excess of cost depletion related to the Company's coal operations.

The total amount of uncertain tax positions at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were $15,536 and $12,702 , respectively. If these uncertain tax positions were recognized, approximately $2,834 would affect CONSOL Energy's effective tax rate at September 30, 2016 . There would be no effect on the Company's effective tax rate at December 31, 2015 . There was an increase of $2,834 to the liability for unrecognized tax benefits during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 .
CONSOL Energy recognizes accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions in interest expense. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the Company reported an accrued interest liability relating to uncertain tax positions of $242 and $53 , respectively, in Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The accrued interest liability includes $189 of accrued interest expense that is reflected in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 .
CONSOL Energy recognizes penalties accrued related to uncertain tax positions in its income tax expense. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , CONSOL Energy had no accrued liabilities for tax penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
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 examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2010. The Company expects the Internal Revenue Service to conclude its audit of tax years 2010 through 2013 in the fourth quarter of 2016.

NOTE 8—INVENTORIES:

Inventory components consist of the following:
September 30,
2016
December 31,
2015
Coal
$
8,367

$
4,660

Supplies
54,255

62,132

Total Inventories
$
62,622

$
66,792


Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost of coal inventories is determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Coal inventory costs include labor, supplies, equipment costs, operating overhead, depreciation, depletion and amortization, and other related costs. The cost of supplies inventory is determined by the average cost method and includes operating and maintenance supplies to be used in the Company's natural gas and coal operations.

NOTE 9—ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SECURITIZATION:
CONSOL Energy and certain of its U.S. subsidiaries were party to a trade accounts receivable facility with financial institutions for the sale on a continuous basis of eligible trade accounts receivable. This facility was terminated on July 7, 2015.
CNX Funding Corporation, a wholly owned, special purpose, bankruptcy-remote subsidiary, bought and sold eligible trade receivables generated by certain subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy. Under the receivables facility, CONSOL Energy and certain


15



subsidiaries, irrevocably and without recourse, sold all of their eligible trade accounts receivable to CNX Funding Corporation, who in turn sold 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 was included in Accounts and Notes Receivable-Trade in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, was recorded at fair value. Due to a short average collection cycle for such receivables, CONSOL Energy's collection experience history and the composition of the designated pool of trade accounts receivable that were part of this program, the fair value of its retained interest approximated the total amount of the designated pool of accounts receivable. CONSOL Energy serviced the sold trade receivables for the financial institutions for a fee based upon market rates for similar services.
NOTE 10—PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
September 30,
2016
December 31,
2015
E&P Property, Plant and Equipment
Intangible drilling cost
$
3,515,485

$
3,452,989

Proved gas properties
1,933,211

1,922,602

Unproved gas properties
1,429,905

1,421,083

Gas gathering equipment
1,133,840

1,147,173

Gas wells and related equipment
819,902

785,744

Other gas assets
127,984

125,691

Gas advance royalties
15,265

19,745

Total E&P Property, Plant and Equipment
$
8,975,592

$
8,875,027

Less: Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
3,002,288

2,695,674

Total E&P Property, Plant and Equipment - Net
$
5,973,304

$
6,179,353

PA Mining Operations Property, Plant and Equipment
Coal and other plant and equipment
$
2,300,650

$
2,284,175

Coal properties and surface lands
457,372

456,044

Airshafts
368,031

351,870

Mine development
326,153

326,153

Coal advance mining royalties
16,294

16,263

Leased coal lands
26,569

26,402

Total PA Mining Operations and Other Property, Plant and Equipment
$
3,495,069

$
3,460,907

Less: Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
1,728,423

1,603,642

Total PA Mining Operations and Other Property, Plant and Equipment - Net
$
1,766,646

$
1,857,265

Other Property, Plant and Equipment
Coal and other plant and equipment
561,575

569,261

Coal properties and surface lands
481,371

313,493

Airshafts
10,002

10,002

Mine development
17,987

18,145

Coal advance mining royalties
314,537

312,452

Leased coal lands
64,582

235,620

Total Other Property, Plant and Equipment
$
1,450,054

$
1,458,973

Less: Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
775,385

762,885

Total Other Property, Plant and Equipment - Net
$
674,669

$
696,088

Total Company Property, Plant and Equipment
$
13,920,715

$
13,794,907

Less - Total Company Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
5,506,096

5,062,201

Total Property, Plant and Equipment of Continuing Operations - Net
$
8,414,619

$
8,732,706


Impairment of Proved Properties

CONSOL Energy performs a quantitative annual impairment test, during the fourth quarter of each year, over proved properties using the published NYMEX forward prices, timing, methods and other assumptions consistent with historical periods. During interim periods, management updates these annual tests whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that a property’s


16



carrying amount may not be recoverable. Throughout the first six months of 2015, spot prices and forward curves for natural gas continued to decline from December 31, 2014 prices, which together with other macro-economic factors in the exploration and production industry were deemed indicators of impairment for all of the Company's proved natural gas properties. Impairment tests require that the Company first compare future undiscounted cash flows by asset group to their respective carrying values. If the carrying amount exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, a reduction of the carrying amount of the natural gas properties to their estimated fair values is required, which is determined based on discounted cash flow techniques using a market-specific weighted average cost of capital.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2015, certain of the Company’s proved properties, primarily shallow oil and gas assets, failed the undiscounted cash flow portion of the test. After performing the discounted cash flow portion of the test, CONSOL Energy recorded an impairment of $ 824,742 in the Impairment of Exploration and Production Properties in the Consolidated Statement of Income. Valuation of the impaired assets is a Level 3 measurement as it incorporates significant unobservable inputs, such as future production levels and operating costs, within the discounted cash flow analysis. The impairment related to approximately 95% of the Company’s shallow oil and gas assets in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. No such impairments were recorded during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Impairment of Unproved Properties

CONSOL Energy evaluates capitalized costs of unproved gas properties for recoverability on a prospective basis. Indicators of potential impairment include potential shifts in business strategy, overall economic factors and historical experience. For the quarter ended June 30, 2015, unproved property impairments relating to the determination that the properties will not yield proved reserves were $ 4,163 and are included in the Impairment of Exploration and Production Properties in the Consolidated Statement of Income. Valuation of the impaired assets is a Level 3 measurement as it incorporates significant unobservable inputs, such as future production levels and operating costs, within the discounted cash flow analysis. This impairment primarily related to the court ruling in June 2015 in the state of New York that officially bans hydraulic fracturing. No such impairments were recorded during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Industry Participation Agreements

CONSOL Energy has two significant industry participation agreements (referred to as "joint ventures" or "JVs") that provided drilling and completion carries for the Company's retained interests.

CNX Gas Company is party to a joint development agreement with Hess Ohio Developments, LLC (Hess) with respect to approximately 155 thousand net Utica Shale acres in Ohio in which each party has a 50% undivided interest. Under the agreement, as amended, Hess is obligated to pay a total of approximately $ 335,000 in the form of a 50% drilling carry of certain CONSOL Energy working interest obligations as the acreage is developed. As of September 30, 2016 , Hess’ remaining carry obligation is $ 6,193 .

CNX Gas Company is party to a joint development agreement with Noble Energy, Inc. (Noble) with respect to approximately 700 thousand net Marcellus Shale natural gas and oil acres in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, in which each party owns a 50% undivided interest. Under the agreement, as amended, Noble Energy is obligated to pay a total of approximately $1,846,000 in the form of a one-third drilling carry of certain of CONSOL Energy’s working interest obligations as the property is developed, subject to certain limitations. These limitations include the suspension of the carry if average Henry Hub natural gas prices are below $4.00 per million British thermal units (MMbtu) for three consecutive months. The carry was in effect from March 1, 2014, until November 1, 2014 at which time natural gas prices had fallen below $4.00/MMbtu for three consecutive months. The carry remains suspended. Limitations also include a $400,000 annual maximum on Noble Energy's carried cost obligation. As of September 30, 2016 , Noble Energy’s remaining carry obligation is $1,624,448 .
NOTE 11—SHORT-TERM NOTES PAYABLE:
CONSOL Energy's current senior secured credit agreement expires on June 18, 2019. The credit facility allows for up to $ 2,000,000 of borrowings, which includes a $ 750,000 letters of credit sub-limit. CONSOL Energy can request an additional $ 500,000 increase in the aggregate borrowing limit amount.

The current facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of CONSOL Energy and certain of its subsidiaries. Fees and interest rate spreads are based on the percentage of facility utilization, measured quarterly. Availability under the facility is limited to a borrowing base, which is determined by the lenders syndication agent and approved by the required number of lenders in good faith by calculating a value of CONSOL Energy's proved natural gas reserves.



17



The current facility contains a number of affirmative and negative covenants that limit the Company's 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. In April 2016, the facility was amended to require that the Company must: (i) prepay outstanding loans under the revolving credit facility to the extent that cash on hand exceeds $150,000 for two consecutive business days; (ii) mortgage 85% of its proved reserves and 80% of its proved developed producing reserves, in each case, which are included in the borrowing base; (iii) maintain applicable deposit, securities and commodities accounts with the lenders or affiliates thereof; and (iv) enter into control agreements with respect to such applicable accounts. In addition, the Company pledged the equity interest it holds in CONE Gathering, LLC, and CONE Midstream Partners, LP as collateral to secure loans under the credit agreement.

The facility also requires that CONSOL Energy maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.50 to 1.00, which is calculated as the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to cash interest expense of CONSOL Energy and certain of its subsidiaries, measured quarterly. CONSOL Energy must also maintain a minimum current ratio of no less than 1.00 to 1.00, which is calculated as the ratio of current assets, plus revolver availability, to current liabilities, excluding borrowings under the revolver, measured quarterly. At September 30, 2016 , the interest coverage ratio was 3.99 to 1.00 and the current ratio was 2.73 to 1.00. Further, the credit facility allows unlimited investments in joint ventures for the development and operation of natural gas gathering systems and permits CONSOL Energy to separate its E&P and coal businesses if the leverage ratio (which is, essentially, the ratio of debt to EBITDA) of the E&P business immediately after the separation would not be greater than 2.75 to 1.00. The calculation of all of the ratios exclude CNX Coal Resources LP ("CNXC").

At September 30, 2016 , the $2,000,000 facility had $ 354,000 of borrowings outstanding and $ 323,761 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $ 1,322,239 of unused capacity. At December 31, 2015 , the $2,000,000 facility had $952,000 of borrowings outstanding and $ 258,177 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $ 789,823 of unused capacity.

NOTE 12—LONG-TERM DEBT:
September 30,
2016
December 31,
2015
Debt:
Senior Notes due April 2022 at 5.875% (Principal of $1,850,000 plus Unamortized Premium of $4,953 and $5,617, respectively)
$
1,854,953

$
1,855,617

Senior Notes due April 2023 at 8.00% (Principal of $500,000 less Unamortized Discount of $5,882 and $6,561, respectively)
494,118

493,439

Revolving Credit Facility - CNX Coal Resources LP
208,000

185,000

MEDCO Revenue Bonds in Series due September 2025 at 5.75%
102,865

102,865

Senior Notes due April 2020 at 8.25%, Issued at Par Value
74,470

74,470

Senior Notes due March 2021 at 6.375%, Issued at Par Value
20,611

20,611

Advance Royalty Commitments (16.35% Weighted Average Interest Rate)
3,482

3,964

Other Long-Term Note Maturing in 2018 (Principal of $2,146 and $3,096 less Unamortized Discount of $162 and $327, respectively)
1,984

2,769

Less: Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs
29,028

33,017

2,731,455

2,705,718

Net Amounts Due in One Year and Current Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs*
(2,549
)
(2,602
)
Long-Term Debt
$
2,734,004

$
2,708,320


* Represents $1,873 and $1,820 due in one year, less $4,422 of unamortized debt issuance costs at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively. Excludes current portion of Capital Lease Obligations of $7,019 and $ 7,590 at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively.

In March 2015, CONSOL Energy closed on the private placement of $500,000 of 8.00% senior notes due in 2023 (the "Notes") less $7,240 of unamortized bond discount. The Notes are guaranteed by substantially all of CONSOL Energy's wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries. CONSOL Energy used the net proceeds of the sale of the Notes, together with borrowings under its revolving credit facility, to purchase $937,822 of its outstanding 8.25% senior notes due in 2020 and $229,176 of its outstanding 6.375% senior notes due in 2021. As part of this transaction, $ 67,734 was included in Loss on Debt Extinguishment on the Consolidated Statements of Income.



18



Also in April 2015, CONSOL Energy purchased $2,508 of its outstanding 8.25% senior notes due in 2020 and $213 of its outstanding 6.375% senior notes due in 2021. As part of this transaction, $17 was included in Loss on Debt Extinguishment on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

In July 2015, CNXC, entered into a Credit Agreement for a $400,000 revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, CNXC had $208,000 and $185,000 of outstanding borrowings on the facility, respectively. CONSOL Energy is not a guarantor of CNXC's revolving credit facility. See Note 18 - Related Party Transactions for more information.

NOTE 13—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES:
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. CONSOL Energy accrues the estimated loss for these lawsuits and claims when the loss is probable and can be estimated. The Company's 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 $642,852 .

The following lawsuits and claims include those for which a loss is probable and an accrual has been recognized:

Hale Litigation: This class action lawsuit was filed on September 23, 2010 in the U.S. District Court in Abingdon, Virginia. The putative class consists of forced-pooled unleased gas owners whose ownership of the coalbed methane (CBM) gas was declared to be in conflict with rights of others. The lawsuit seeks a judicial declaration of ownership of the CBM and damages based on allegations CNX Gas Company failed to either pay royalties due to conflicting claimants or deemed 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. On September 30, 2013, the District Judge entered an Order certifying the class, and CNX Gas Company appealed the Order to the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. On August 19, 2014, the Fourth Circuit agreed with CNX Gas Company, reversed the Order certifying the class and remanded the case to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with the decision. On April 23, 2015, Plaintiffs filed a Renewed Motion for Class Certification, and on June 23, 2015 CNX Gas Company filed its Opposition to same. The Court held a hearing on the Motion on September 18, 2015 and has not yet ruled. CONSOL Energy continues to believe this action cannot properly proceed as a class action in any form, believes the case has meritorious defenses, and intends to defend it vigorously. The Company has established an accrual to cover its 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 Sheets.

Addison Litigation: This class action lawsuit was filed on April 28, 2010 in the U.S. District Court in Abingdon, Virginia. The putative class consists of gas lessors whose gas ownership is in conflict. The lawsuit seeks a judicial declaration of ownership of the CBM and damages based on the allegations that CNX Gas Company failed to either pay royalties due to 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. On September 30, 2013, the District Judge entered an Order certifying the class, and CNX Gas Company appealed the Order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. On August 19, 2014, the Fourth Circuit agreed with CNX Gas Company, reversed the Order certifying the class and remanded the case to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with the decision. On April 23, 2015, Plaintiffs filed a Renewed Motion for Class Certification, and on June 23, 2015 CNX Gas Company filed its Opposition to same. The Court held a hearing on the Motion on September 18, 2015 and has not yet ruled. CONSOL Energy continues to believe this action cannot properly proceed as a class action in any form, believes the case has meritorious defenses, and intends to defend it vigorously. The Company has established an accrual to cover its 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 Sheets.

Clean Water Act - Bailey Mine:  The Company received from the U.S. EPA on April 8, 2011, a request for information relating to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit compliance at the Company’s Bailey and Enlow Fork Mines. In response, CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company submitted water discharge monitoring and other data to the EPA. In early 2013, the case was referred to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) also became involved. On December 18, 2014, the DOJ provided the Company a proposed Consent Decree to resolve certain Clean Water Act and Clean Streams Law claims against CONSOL Energy, Inc. and CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company with respect to the Bailey Mine Complex. After negotiations, the parties reached an agreement in principle on the terms of a Consent


19



Decree naming CONSOL Energy Inc., Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC and CNX Coal Resources LP as defendants. On August 4, 2016, EPA and PA DEP filed a Complaint and Notice of Lodging of the proposed Consent Decree in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. No comments were received on the Consent Decree before the public comment period closed. On September 14, 2016, the Court signed the Consent Decree and entered final judgment in this matter. The Consent Decree imposed on defendants a civil penalty of $3,000 and various compliance requirements. The Company has established an accrual to cover its liability in this matter. This accrual is immaterial to the overall financial position of CONSOL Energy and is included in Other Accrued Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following royalty and land rights lawsuits and claims include those for which a loss is reasonably possible, but not probable, and accordingly, an accrual may not have 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 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.

Virginia Mine Void Litigation: The Company is currently defending three lawsuits naming Consolidation Coal Company (CCC), Island Creek Coal Company (ICCC), CNX Gas Company, and/or CONSOL Energy. The lawsuits were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia. On October 26, 2015, the trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants in two of the actions upon its finding that plaintiffs' claims are barred by the applicable statutes of limitation. Plaintiffs have appealed both cases to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, where oral argument is scheduled for December 8, 2016. The third case remains pending in the trial court. On January 26, 2016, six mine void lawsuits that have twice before been filed and voluntarily dismissed, were refiled for a third time in state court but have not been served. The Complaints seek damages and injunctive relief in connection with the transfer of water from mining activities at Buchanan Mine into void spaces in inactive ICCC mines adjacent to the Buchanan operations, voids ostensibly underlying plaintiffs’ properties. While some of the plaintiffs have an ownership interest in the coal, others have some interest in one or more of the fee, surface, oil/gas or other mineral estates. The suits allege the water storage precludes access to and has damaged coal, impeded coalbed methane gas production and was made without compensation to the property owners. Plaintiffs seek recovery in tort, contract and trespass assumpsit (quasi-contract). The suits each seek damages between $50,000 and in excess of $100,000 plus punitive damages. The Company intends to vigorously defend these suits.

At September 30, 2016 , 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 of total future payments that the Company 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 in 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
$
82,273

$
54,574

$
27,699

$

$

Environmental
998

998




Other
240,490

37,477

203,013



Total Letters of Credit
323,761

93,049

230,712



Surety Bonds:
Employee-Related
112,810

111,760

1,050



Environmental
528,430

523,868

4,562



Other
22,522

21,371

1,149

2


Total Surety Bonds
663,762

656,999

6,761

2


Guarantees:
Coal
8,350

8,350




Other
77,622

41,693

18,386

13,860

3,683

Total Guarantees
85,972

50,043

18,386

13,860

3,683

Total Commitments
$
1,073,495

$
800,091

$
255,859

$
13,862

$
3,683


Included in the above table are commitments and guarantees entered into in conjunction with the sale of Consolidation Coal Company and certain of its subsidiaries, which contain all five of its longwall coal mines in West Virginia, and its river operations to a subsidiary of Murray Energy Corporation (Murray Energy). As part of the sales agreement, CONSOL Energy has guaranteed certain equipment lease obligations and coal sales agreements that were assumed by Murray Energy. In the event that Murray Energy would default on the obligations defined in the agreements, CONSOL Energy would be required to perform under the guarantees. If CONSOL Energy would be required to perform, the stock purchase agreement provides various recourse actions. At September 30, 2016 , and December 31, 2015, the fair value of these guarantees was $1,463 and $1,228 , respectively, and are included in Other Accrued Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of certain of the guarantees was determined using CONSOL Energy’s risk-adjusted interest rate. Significant increases or decreases in the risk-adjusted interest rates may result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. Coal sales agreement guarantees were valued based on an evaluation of coal market pricing compared to contracted sales price and includes an adjustment for nonperformance risk. No other amounts related to financial guarantees and letters of credit are recorded as liabilities in the financial statements. Significant judgment is required in determining the fair value of these guarantees. The guarantees of the leases and sales agreements are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

CONSOL Energy regularly evaluates the likelihood of default for all guarantees based on an expected loss analysis and records the fair value, if any, of its guarantees as an obligation in the consolidated financial statements.
CONSOL Energy and CNX Gas Company 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 Sheets. As of September 30, 2016 , the purchase obligations for each of the next five years and beyond were as follows:
Obligations Due
Amount
Less than 1 year
$
199,528

1 - 3 years
270,334

3 - 5 years
223,058

More than 5 years
587,331

Total Purchase Obligations
$
1,280,251




21



NOTE 14—DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS:

CONSOL Energy enters into financial derivative instruments to manage its exposure to commodity price volatility. CONSOL Energy de-designated all of its cash flow hedges on December 31, 2014 and accounts for all existing and future gas and NGL commodity hedges on a mark-to-market basis with changes in fair value recorded in current period earnings. In connection with this de-designation, CONSOL Energy froze the balances recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income at December 31, 2014 and reclassifies balances to earnings as the underlying physical transactions occur, unless it is no longer probable that the physical transaction will occur at which time the related gains deferred in Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) will be immediately recorded in earnings.

CONSOL Energy is exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by counterparties. The creditworthiness of counterparties is subject to continuing review. The Company has not experienced any issues of non-performance by derivative counterparties.

None of the Company's counterparty master agreements currently require CONSOL Energy to post collateral for any of its positions. However, as stated in the counterparty master agreements, if CONSOL Energy's obligations with one of its counterparties cease to be secured on the same basis as similar obligations with the other lenders under the credit facility, CONSOL Energy would have to post collateral for instruments in a liability position in excess of defined thresholds. All of the Company's derivative instruments are subject to master netting arrangements with our counterparties. CONSOL Energy recognizes all financial derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a gross basis.
Each of CONSOL Energy's counterparty master agreements allows, in the event of default, the ability to elect early termination of outstanding contracts. If early termination is elected, CONSOL Energy and the applicable counterparty would net settle all open hedge positions.

CONSOL Energy’s natural gas derivative instruments accounted for a total notional amount of production of 597.1 Bcf at September 30, 2016 and are forecasted to settle through 2020 . At December 31, 2015 , the natural gas derivative instruments accounted for a total notional amount of production of 456.1 Bcf. At September 30, 2016 , the basis only swaps were for notional amounts of 360.6 Bcf and are forecasted to settle through 2020 . At December 31, 2015 , the basis only swaps were for notional amounts of 124.4 Bcf. CONSOL Energy's NGL derivative instruments accounted for a total notional amount of production of 254.8 Mbbls of propane at September 30, 2016 and are forecasted to settle through 2017 . No NGL derivative instruments were outstanding at December 31, 2015 .

The gross fair value of CONSOL Energy's derivative instruments at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were as follows:
Asset Derivative Instruments
Liability Derivative Instruments
September 30,
December 31,
September 30,
December 31,
2016
2015
2016
2015
Commodity Swaps:
Prepaid Expense
$
36,686

$
234,409

Other Accrued Liabilities
$
51,829

$

Other Assets
39,124

44,539

Other Liabilities
40,636

5,137

Total Asset
$
75,810

$
278,948

Total Liability
$
92,465

$
5,137

Basis Only Swaps:
Prepaid Expense
$
55,209

$
5,429

Other Accrued Liabilities
$
6,909

$
12,206

Other Assets
36,998

1,093

Other Liabilities
4,275

1,569

Total Asset
$
92,207

$
6,522

Total Liability
$
11,184

$
13,775












22



The effect of derivative instruments on CONSOL Energy's Consolidated Statements of Income was as follows:
For the Three Months Ended
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
September 30,
2016
2015
2016
2015
Cash Received (Paid) in Settlement of Commodity Derivative Instruments:
Commodity Swaps:
Natural Gas
$
28,175

$
43,169

$
201,624

$
115,525

Propane
22


(92
)

Natural Gas Basis Swaps
10,440

1,300

1,771

1,343

Total Cash Received in Settlement of Commodity Derivative Instruments
38,637

44,469

203,303

116,868

Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Commodity Derivative Instruments:
Commodity Swaps:
Natural Gas
54,676

70,362

(289,722
)
41,189

Propane
48


(744
)

Natural Gas Basis Swaps
85,234

(3,634
)
88,276

(2,827
)
Reclassified from Accumulated OCI
19,597

32,409

52,759

95,843

Total Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Commodity Derivative Instruments
159,555

99,137

(149,431
)
134,205

Gain (Loss) on Commodity Derivative Instruments:
Commodity Swaps:
Natural Gas
82,851

113,531

(88,098
)
156,714

Propane
70


(836
)

Natural Gas Basis Swaps
95,674

(2,334
)
90,047

(1,484
)
Reclassified from Accumulated OCI
19,597

32,409

52,759

95,843

Total Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments
$
198,192

$
143,606

$
53,872

$
251,073


Changes in Accumulated OCI, net of tax, attributable to cash flow hedges that were de-designated December 31, 2014 were as follows:
For the Three Months Ended
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
September 30,
2016
2015
2016
2015
Beginning Balance – Accumulated OCI
$
22,453

$
81,403

$
43,470

$
121,521

Less: Gain Reclassified from Accumulated OCI (Net of tax: $7,139, $11,807, $19,284, $35,123)
(12,458
)
(20,602
)
(33,475
)
(60,720
)
Ending Balance – Accumulated OCI
$
9,995

$
60,801

$
9,995

$
60,801


CONSOL Energy expects to reclassify an additional $9,995 , net of tax of $5,727 , out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income prior to December 31, 2016.

NOTE 15—FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

CONSOL Energy determines the fair value of assets and liabilities based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The fair values are based on assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in valuation techniques and the inputs to valuations. The fair value hierarchy is based on whether the inputs to valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources (including NYMEX forward curves, LIBOR-based discount rates and basis forward curves), while unobservable inputs reflect the Company's own assumptions of what market participants would use.


23



The fair value hierarchy includes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value as described below:
Level One - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level Two - The fair value of the assets and liabilities included in Level 2 are based on standard industry income approach models that use significant observable inputs, including NYMEX forward curves, LIBOR-based discount rates and basis forward curves.
Level Three - Unobservable inputs significant to the fair value measurement supported by little or no market activity. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company's third party guarantees are the credit risk of the third party and the third party surety bond markets. A significant increase or decrease in these values, in isolation, would have a directionally similar effect resulting in higher or lower fair value measurement of the Company's Level 3 guarantees.
In those cases when the inputs used to measure fair value meet the definition of more than one level of the fair value hierarchy, the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its totality determines the applicable level in the fair value hierarchy.
The financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2016
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015
Description

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)
Gas Derivatives
$

$
64,368

$

$

$
266,558

$

Murray Energy Guarantees
$

$

$
(1,463
)
$

$

$
(1,228
)

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 Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents approximates its fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.

Short-term notes payable : The carrying amount reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for short-term notes payable 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:
September 30, 2016
December 31, 2015
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
80,247

$
80,247

$
72,574

$
72,574

Short-Term Notes Payable
$
354,000

$
354,000

$
952,000

$
952,000

Long-Term Debt
$
2,760,483

$
2,563,492

$
2,738,735

$
1,808,936

Cash and cash equivalents represent highly liquid instruments and constitute Level 1 fair value measurements. Certain of the Company’s debt is actively traded on a public market and, as a result, constitutes Level 1 fair value measurement. The portion of the Company’s debt obligations that are not actively traded are valued through reference to the applicable underlying benchmark rate and, as a result, constitutes Level 2 fair value measurement.



24



NOTE 16—SEGMENT INFORMATION:
CONSOL Energy consists of two principal business divisions: Exploration and Production (E&P) and Pennsylvania (PA) Mining Operations. The principal activity of the E&P division, which includes four reportable segments, is to produce pipeline quality natural gas for sale primarily to gas wholesalers. The E&P division's reportable segments are Marcellus, Utica, Coalbed Methane, and Other Gas. The Other Gas segment is primarily related to shallow oil and gas production and the Chattanooga Shale in Tennessee, neither of which are significant to the Company. It also includes the Company's purchased gas activities, selling, general and administrative activities, as well as various other activities assigned to the E&P division but not allocated to each individual strata. The principal activities of the PA Mining Operations division are mining, preparation and marketing of thermal coal, sold primarily to power generators. It also includes selling, general and administrative activities, as well as various other activities assigned to the PA Mining Operations division.
CONSOL Energy’s Other division includes expenses from various corporate and diversified business activities that are not allocated to the E&P or PA Mining Operations divisions. The diversified business activities include coal terminal operations, closed and idle mine activities, water operations, selling, general and administrative activities, as well as various other non-operated activities, none of which are individually significant to the Company.
Prior to the sale of the Buchanan Mine on March 31, 2016 and the Fola and Miller Creek Complexes on August 1, 2016, (See Note 2 - Discontinued Operations), CONSOL Energy had a Coal division. The Coal division had three reportable segments; PA Operations, Virginia (VA) Operations and Other Coal. The VA Operations segment included the Buchanan Mine and the Other Coal segment was primarily comprised of the assets and operations of the Fola and Miller Creek Complexes, as well as coal terminal operations, closed and idle mine activities, selling, general and administrative activities and various other non-operated activities. PA Operations now constitutes its own division and reportable segment, and the remaining activity in the Other Coal segment became part of CONSOL Energy's diversified business activities in the Other division.
In the preparation of the following information, 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 for E&P and are not allocated between each individual E&P segment. These assets are not allocated to each individual segment due to the diverse asset base controlled by CONSOL Energy, whereby 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.



25



Industry segment results for the three months ended September 30, 2016 are:
Marcellus
Shale
Utica Shale
Coalbed Methane
Other
Gas
Total
E&P
PA Mining Operations
Other
Adjustments and
Eliminations
Consolidated
Sales—Outside
$
107,676

$
40,312

$
46,917

$
11,008

$
205,913

$
267,685

$

$

$
473,598

Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments
23,548

4,646

8,197

161,801

198,192




198,192

Other Outside Sales






4,714


4,714

Sales—Purchased Gas



12,086

12,086




12,086

Freight—Outside





9,392



9,392

Total Sales and Freight
$
131,224

$
44,958

$
55,114

$
184,895

$
416,191

$
277,077

$
4,714

$

$
697,982

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes
$
10,465

$
4,342

$
6,989

$
139,279

$
161,075

$
34,741

$
(80,390
)
$

$
115,426

(A)
Segment Assets
$
6,537,210

$
2,007,767

$
1,018,406

$
2,111

$
9,565,494

(B)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
$
101,257

$
42,370

$
8,085

$

$
151,712

Capital Expenditures
$
48,746

$
12,292

$
3,094

$

$
64,132

(A)     Includes equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates of $15,219 and $136 for E&P and Other, respectively.
(B)    Includes investments in unconsolidated equity affiliates of $253,637 and $3,786 for E&P and Other, respectively.


26



Industry segment results for the three months ended September 30, 2015 are:
Marcellus
Shale
Utica
Shale
Coalbed Methane
Other
Gas
Total
E&P
PA Mining Operations
Other
Adjustments and
Eliminations
Consolidated
Sales—Outside
$
75,003

$
20,617

$
48,860

$
13,058

$
157,538

$
323,171

$

$

$
480,709

(C)
Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments
24,039

955

14,285

104,327

143,606




143,606

Other Outside Sales






5,129


5,129

Sales—Purchased Gas



2,535

2,535




2,535

Freight—Outside





2,436



2,436

Intersegment Transfers


298


298



(298
)

Total Sales and Freight
$
99,042

$
21,572

$
63,443

$
119,920

$
303,977

$
325,607

$
5,129

$
(298
)
$
634,415

(Loss) Earnings Before Income Taxes
$
(13,975
)
$
(10,505
)
$
11,541

$
63,126

$
50,187

$
132,327

$
12,964

$
(298
)
$
195,180

(D)
Segment Assets
$
6,843,935

$
2,141,700

$
1,067,176

$
1,028,463

$
11,081,274

(E)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
$
92,083

$
43,459

$
11,302

$

$
146,844

Capital Expenditures
$
209,560

$
34,978

$
3,240

$

$
247,778


(C)
Included in the PA Mining Operations segment are sales of $73,780 to Duke Energy, which comprises over 10% of sales.
(D)
Includes equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates of $13,467 and $2,121 for E&P and Other, respectively.
(E)    Includes investments in unconsolidated equity affiliates of $205,987 and $4,105 for E&P and Other, respectively.


























27



Industry segment results for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 are:
Marcellus
Shale
Utica Shale
Coalbed Methane
Other
Gas
Total
E&P
PA Mining Operations
Other
Adjustments and
Eliminations
Consolidated
Sales—Outside
$
287,465

$
115,610

$
122,410

$
29,616

$
555,101

$
744,411

$

$

$
1,299,512

Gain (Loss) on Commodity Derivative Instruments
120,982

24,674

43,796

(135,580
)
53,872




53,872

Other Outside Sales






20,687


20,687

Sales—Purchased Gas



28,633

28,633




28,633

Freight—Outside





33,949



33,949

Intersegment Transfers


424


424



(424
)

Total Sales and Freight
$
408,447

$
140,284

$
166,630

$
(77,331
)
$
638,030

$
778,360

$
20,687

$
(424
)
$
1,436,653

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes
$
43,251

$
17,521

$
24,813

$
(241,971
)
$
(156,386
)
$
80,588

$
(210,346
)
$
(424
)
$
(286,568
)
(F)
Segment Assets
$
6,537,210

$
2,007,767

$
1,018,406

$
2,111

$
9,565,494

(G)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
$
312,122

$
125,334

$
4,463

$

$
441,919

Capital Expenditures
$
134,967

$
38,295

$
6,127

$

$
179,389

(F)     Includes equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates of $39,980 and $1,259 for E&P and Other, respectively.
(G)    Includes investments in unconsolidated equity affiliates of $253,637 and $3,786 for E&P and Other, respectively.

























28



Industry segment results for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 are:
Marcellus
Shale
Utica
Shale
Coalbed Methane
Other
Gas
Total
E&P
PA Mining Operations
Other
Adjustments and
Eliminations
Consolidated
Sales—Outside
$
282,626

$
56,880

$
156,827

$
45,297

$
541,630

$
1,026,596

$

$

$
1,568,226

(H)
Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments
55,090

955

46,695

148,333

251,073




251,073

Other Outside Sales






24,596


24,596

Sales—Purchased Gas



7,649

7,649




7,649

Freight—Outside





10,204



10,204

Intersegment Transfers


1,194


1,194



(1,194
)

Total Sales and Freight
$
337,716

$
57,835

$
204,716

$
201,279

$
801,546

$
1,036,800

$
24,596

$
(1,194
)
$
1,861,748

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes
$
31,674

$
(21,336
)
$
44,106

$
(819,637
)
$
(765,193
)
$
292,533

$
(172,936
)
$
(1,194
)
$
(646,790
)
(I)
Segment Assets
$
6,843,935

$
2,141,700

$
1,067,176

$
1,028,463

$
11,081,274

(J)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
$
269,377

$
136,536

$
21,219

$

$
427,132

Capital Expenditures
$
749,015

$
102,939

$
12,308

$

$
864,262


(H)
Included in the PA Mining Operations segment are sales of $183,864 to Duke Energy, which comprises over 10% of sales.
(I)
Includes equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates of $31,877 and $6,961 for E&P and Other, respectively.
(J)    Includes investments in unconsolidated equity affiliates of $205,987 and $4,105 for E&P and Other, respectively.



29




Reconciliation of Segment Information to Consolidated Amounts:
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes:
2016
2015
2016
2015
Segment Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes for reportable business segments
$
195,816

$
182,514

$
(75,798
)
$
(472,660
)
Segment (Loss) Income Before Income Taxes for all other business segments
(33,073
)
61,522

(65,737
)
45,000

Interest expense, net
(47,317
)
(48,558
)
(144,609
)
(150,185
)
Eliminations

(298
)
(424
)
(1,194
)
Loss on debt extinguishment



(67,751
)
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
$
115,426

$
195,180

$
(286,568
)
$
(646,790
)

Total Assets:
September 30,
2016
2015
Segment assets for total reportable business segments
$
8,544,977

$
8,985,635

Segment assets for all other business segments
794,917

914,042

Items excluded from segment assets:
Cash and other investments
73,809

79,887

Recoverable income taxes

64,693

Deferred tax assets
149,680

8,554

Discontinued Operations
2,111

1,028,463

Total Consolidated Assets
$
9,565,494

$
11,081,274


NOTE 17—GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
The payment obligations under the $74,470 , 8.250% per annum senior notes due April 1, 2020 , the $20,611 , 6.375% per annum senior notes due March 1, 2021 , the $1,854,953 , 5.875% per annum senior notes due April 15, 2022 , and the $494,118 , 8.000% per annum senior notes due April 1, 2023 issued by CONSOL Energy are jointly and severally, and also fully and unconditionally, guaranteed by certain 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, CNX Coal Resources LP (CNXC), a non-guarantor subsidiary, and the remaining guarantor and 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.
On September 30, 2016, CNXC acquired an additional 5% undivided interest in the Pennsylvania Mining Complex from CONSOL Energy, increasing their total undivided interest to 25%. To account for the acquisition, CNXC recast its consolidated financial statements to retrospectively reflect the additional 5% interest as if the business was owned for all periods presented. This resulted in corresponding retrospective adjustments between the Other Subsidiary Guarantors and the CNXC Non-Guarantor columns below. See Note 18 - Related Party Transactions of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information.







30



Income Statement for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 (unaudited):
Parent
Issuer
CNX Gas
Guarantor
Other
Subsidiary
Guarantors
CNXC Non-Guarantor
Other
Subsidiary
Non-
Guarantors
Elimination
Consolidated
Revenues and Other Income:
Natural Gas, NGLs and Oil Sales
$

$
205,913

$

$

$

$

$
205,913

Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments


198,192





198,192

Coal Sales


200,763

66,922



267,685

Other Outside Sales


4,714




4,714

Purchased Gas Sales

12,086





12,086

Freight-Outside Coal


6,985

2,407



9,392

Miscellaneous Other Income
56,836

18,175

13,737

483


(56,838
)
32,393

Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets

15,342

(141
)
2



15,203

Total Revenue and Other Income
56,836

449,708

226,058

69,814


(56,838
)
745,578

Costs and Expenses:
Exploration and Production Costs
Lease Operating Expense

22,602





22,602

Transportation, Gathering and Compression

94,796





94,796

Production, Ad Valorem, and Other Fees

9,027





9,027

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

101,257





101,257

Exploration and Production Related Other Costs

384





384

Purchased Gas Costs

11,940





11,940

Other Corporate Expenses

21,760





21,760

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs


26,198





26,198

Total Exploration and Production Costs

287,964





287,964

PA Mining Operations Costs
Operating and Other Costs


137,186

45,531



182,717

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization


31,778

10,592



42,370

Freight Expense


6,985

2,407



9,392

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs


4,993

2,660



7,653

Total PA Mining Operations Costs


180,942

61,190



242,132

Other Costs
Miscellaneous Operating Expense
7,692


32,386


7


40,085

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs


4,569




4,569

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
150


7,935




8,085

Interest Expense
42,812

669

1,613

2,223



47,317

Total Other Costs
50,654

669

46,503

2,223

7


100,056

Total Costs And Expenses
50,654

288,633

227,445

63,413

7


630,152

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Tax
6,182

161,075

(1,387
)
6,401

(7
)
(56,838
)
115,426

Income Taxes
(19,163
)
64,241

7,783


(3
)

52,858

Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations
25,345

96,834

(9,170
)
6,401

(4
)
(56,838
)
62,568

Loss From Discontinued Operations, net




(34,975
)

(34,975
)
Net Income (Loss)
25,345

96,834

(9,170
)
6,401

(34,979
)
(56,838
)
27,593

Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest





2,248

2,248

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders
$
25,345

$
96,834

$
(9,170
)
$
6,401

$
(34,979
)
$
(59,086
)
$
25,345



31



Balance Sheet at September 30, 2016 (unaudited):
Parent
Issuer
CNX Gas
Guarantor
Other
Subsidiary
Guarantors
CNXC
Non-Guarantor
Other Subsidiary
Non-Guarantors
Elimination
Consolidated
Assets:
Current Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
72,879

$
94

$

$
6,314

$
960

$

$
80,247

Accounts and Notes Receivable:
Trade

79,276

63,678

21,001



163,955

Other Receivables
30,046

46,204

4,040

200



80,490

Inventories

12,088

38,954

11,580



62,622

Prepaid Expenses
10,232

94,009

16,510

4,739



125,490

Current Assets of Discontinued Operations




2,111


2,111

Total Current Assets
113,157

231,671

123,182

43,834

3,071


514,915

Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, Plant and Equipment
139,302

8,975,592

3,932,054

873,767



13,920,715

Less-Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
104,680

3,002,288

1,967,022

432,106



5,506,096

Total Property, Plant and Equipment-Net
34,622

5,973,304

1,965,032

441,661



8,414,619

Other Assets:
Deferred Income Taxes
265,425

(115,745
)




149,680

Investment in Affiliates
10,608,821

253,637

20,537



(10,625,572
)
257,423

Other
23,021

78,598

105,936

21,302



228,857

Total Other Assets
10,897,267

216,490

126,473

21,302


(10,625,572
)
635,960

Total Assets
$
11,045,046

$
6,421,465

$
2,214,687

$
506,797

$
3,071

$
(10,625,572
)
$
9,565,494

Liabilities and Equity:
Current Liabilities:
Accounts Payable
$
29,313

$
85,841

$
54,061

$
18,095

$

$
10,169

$
197,479

Accounts Payable (Recoverable)-Related Parties
3,945,832

1,367,030

(5,094,587
)
1,320

(209,426
)
(10,169
)

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
(2,810
)
6,288

902

90



4,470

Short-Term Notes Payable
354,000






354,000

Accrued Income Taxes
(53,541
)
59,026





5,485

Other Accrued Liabilities
95,891

147,961

223,196

41,096



508,144

Current Liabilities of Discontinued Operations




664


664

Total Current Liabilities
4,368,685

1,666,146

(4,816,428
)
60,601

(208,762
)

1,070,242

Long-Term Debt:
2,425,071

28,473

105,480

204,785



2,763,809

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions


613,233




613,233

Pneumoconiosis Benefits


115,049

2,537



117,586

Mine Closing


207,062

9,170



216,232

Gas Well Closing

134,258

29,756

101



164,115

Workers’ Compensation


65,454

3,133



68,587

Salary Retirement
89,305






89,305

Other
14,770

139,046

17,754

648



172,218

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
104,075

273,304

1,048,308

15,589



1,441,276

Total CONSOL Energy Inc. Stockholders’ Equity
4,147,215

4,453,542

5,877,327

225,822

211,833

(10,768,524
)
4,147,215

Noncontrolling Interest





142,952

142,952

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
11,045,046

$
6,421,465

$
2,214,687

$
506,797

$
3,071

$
(10,625,572
)
$
9,565,494









32



Income Statement for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 (unaudited):
Parent
Issuer
CNX Gas
Guarantor
Other
Subsidiary
Guarantors
CNXC
Non-Guarantor
Other
Subsidiary
Non-Guarantors

Elimination
Consolidated
Revenues and Other Income:
Natural Gas, NGLs and Oil Sales
$

$
157,835

$

$

$

$
(297
)
$
157,538

Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments

143,606





143,606

Coal Sales


242,378

80,793



323,171

Other Outside Sales


5,129




5,129

Purchased Gas Sales

2,535





2,535

Freight-Outside Coal


2,134

302



2,436

Miscellaneous Other Income
156,955

16,122

22,194

330

(171
)
(156,955
)
38,475

Gain on Sale of Assets

890

47,140

13



48,043

Total Revenue and Other Income
156,955

320,988

318,975

81,438

(171
)
(157,252
)
720,933

Costs and Expenses:
Exploration and Production Costs
Lease Operating Expense

29,452





29,452

Transportation, Gathering and Compression

89,965





89,965

Production, Ad Valorem, and Other Fees

8,475





8,475

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

92,083





92,083

Exploration and Production Related Other Costs

3,332



15

(15
)
3,332

Purchased Gas Costs

1,921





1,921

Other Corporate Expenses

20,953





20,953

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs

23,919





23,919

Total Exploration and Production Costs

270,100



15

(15
)
270,100

PA Mining Operations Costs
Operating and Other Costs


90,823

46,936



137,759

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization


32,671

10,788



43,459

Freight Expense


2,134

302



2,436

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs


6,428

2,616



9,044

Total PA Mining Operations Costs


132,056

60,642



192,698

Other Costs
Miscellaneous Operating Expense
16,543


(19,665
)

44


(3,078
)
Selling, General, and Administrative Costs


6,173




6,173

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
154


11,148




11,302

Interest Expense
44,385

701

1,600

1,872



48,558

Total Other Costs
61,082

701

(744
)
1,872

44


62,955

Total Costs And Expenses
61,082

270,801

131,312

62,514

59

(15
)
525,753

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Tax
95,873

50,187

187,663

18,924

(230
)
(157,237
)
195,180

Income Taxes
(23,107
)
19,841

69,222


(88
)

65,868

Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations
118,980

30,346

118,441

18,924

(142
)
(157,237
)
129,312

Loss From Discontinued Operations, net




(3,842
)

(3,842
)
Net Income (Loss)
$
118,980

$
30,346

$
118,441

$
18,924

$
(3,984
)
$
(157,237
)
$
125,470

Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests





6,490

6,490

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders
$
118,980

$
30,346

$
118,441

$
18,924

$
(3,984
)
$
(163,727
)
$
118,980



33



Balance Sheet at December 31, 2015 :
Parent
Issuer
CNX Gas
Guarantor
Other
Subsidiary
Guarantors
CNXC Non-Guarantor
Other
Subsidiary
Non-
Guarantors
Elimination
Consolidated
Assets:
Current Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
64,995

$
75

$

$
6,534

$
970

$

$
72,574

Accounts and Notes Receivable:
Trade

72,664

59,321

19,398



151,383

Other Receivables
18,933

99,001

3,330

471



121,735

Inventories

13,815

40,739

12,238



66,792

Recoverable Income Taxes
72,913

(59,026
)




13,887

Prepaid Expenses
27,245

244,680

20,273

5,089



297,287

Current Assets of Discontinued Operations




81,106


81,106

Total Current Assets
184,086

371,209

123,663

43,730

82,076


804,764

Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, Plant and Equipment
156,348

8,875,027

3,898,005

865,527



13,794,907

Less-Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
111,367

2,695,674

1,854,249

400,911



5,062,201

Property, Plant and Equipment of Discontinued Operations




936,670


936,670

Total Property, Plant and Equipment-Net
44,981

6,179,353

2,043,756

464,616

936,670


9,669,376

Other Assets:
Investment in Affiliates
10,563,985

234,803

6,293



(10,567,751
)
237,330

Other
53,529

47,892

95,369

17,598



214,388

Other Assets of Discontinued Operations




4,044


4,044

Total Other Assets
10,617,514

282,695

101,662

17,598

4,044

(10,567,751
)
455,762

Total Assets
$
10,846,581

$
6,833,257

$
2,269,081

$
525,944

$
1,022,790

$
(10,567,751
)
$
10,929,902

Liabilities and Equity:
Current Liabilities:
Accounts Payable
$
32,245

$
149,930

$
37,212

$
17,405

$

$
13,817

$
250,609

Accounts Payable (Recoverable)-Related Parties
2,650,732

1,521,442

(3,953,215
)
4,310

(209,452
)
(13,817
)

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
(2,777
)
6,798

906

61



4,988

Short-Term Notes Payable
952,000






952,000

Other Accrued Liabilities
63,668

102,753

218,186

37,220



421,827

Current Liabilities of Discontinued Operations




51,514


51,514

Total Current Liabilities
3,695,868

1,780,923

(3,696,911
)
58,996

(157,938
)

1,680,938

Long-Term Debt:
2,423,247

33,141

105,746

181,070

5,001


2,748,205

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
Deferred Income Taxes
(122,547
)
197,176





74,629

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions


630,892




630,892

Pneumoconiosis Benefits


109,969

1,934



111,903

Mine Closing


218,936

8,403



227,339

Gas Well Closing

135,174

28,572

96



163,842

Workers’ Compensation


66,883

2,929



69,812

Salary Retirement
91,596






91,596

Reclamation


25




25

Other
56,390

105,588

4,266

713



166,957

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities of Discontinued Operations




107,988


107,988

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
25,439

437,938

1,059,543

14,075

107,988


1,644,983

Total CONSOL Energy Inc. Stockholders’ Equity
4,702,027

4,581,255

4,800,703

271,803

1,067,739

(10,721,500
)
4,702,027

Noncontrolling Interest





153,749

153,749

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
10,846,581

$
6,833,257

$
2,269,081

$
525,944

$
1,022,790

$
(10,567,751
)
$
10,929,902



34



Income Statement for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 (unaudited):
Parent
Issuer
CNX Gas
Guarantor
Other
Subsidiary
Guarantors
CNXC Non-Guarantor
Other
Subsidiary
Non-
Guarantors
Elimination
Consolidated
Revenues and Other Income:
Natural Gas, NGLs and Oil Sales
$

$
555,526

$

$

$

$
(425
)
$
555,101

Loss on Commodity Derivative Instruments


53,872





53,872

Coal Sales


558,308

186,103



744,411

Other Outside Sales


20,687




20,687

Purchased Gas Sales

28,633





28,633

Freight-Outside Coal


25,476

8,473



33,949

Miscellaneous Other Income
(441,368
)
60,592

51,304

2,264


441,367

114,159

Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets

10,446

3,105

(10
)


13,541

Total Revenue and Other Income
(441,368
)
709,069

658,880

196,830


440,942

1,564,353

Costs and Expenses:
Exploration and Production Costs
Lease Operating Expense

73,996





73,996

Transportation, Gathering and Compression

279,753





279,753

Production, Ad Valorem, and Other Fees

23,732





23,732

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

312,122





312,122

Exploration and Production Related Other Costs

5,036





5,036

Purchased Gas Costs

28,692





28,692

Other Corporate Expenses

65,980





65,980

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs


74,067





74,067

Total Exploration and Production Costs

863,378





863,378

PA Mining Operations Costs
Operating and Other Costs


391,211

130,066



521,277

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization


94,002

31,332



125,334

Freight Expense


25,476

8,473



33,949

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs


13,649

6,558



20,207

Total PA Mining Operations Costs


524,338

176,429



700,767

Other Costs
Miscellaneous Operating Expense
30,077


97,417


37


127,531

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs


10,173




10,173

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
452


4,011




4,463

Interest Expense
131,431

2,077

4,824

6,277



144,609

Total Other Costs
161,960

2,077

116,425

6,277

37


286,776

Total Costs And Expenses
161,960

865,455

640,763

182,706

37


1,850,921

(Loss) Earnings Before Income Tax
(603,328
)
(156,386
)
18,117

14,124

(37
)
440,942

(286,568
)
Income Taxes
(61,270
)
(62,148
)
51,634


(14
)

(71,798
)
(Loss) Income From Continuing Operations
(542,058
)
(94,238
)
(33,517
)
14,124

(23
)
440,942

(214,770
)
Loss From Discontinued Operations, net




(322,747
)

(322,747
)
Net (Loss) Income
(542,058
)
(94,238
)
(33,517
)
14,124

(322,770
)
440,942

(537,517
)
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest





4,541

4,541

Net (Loss) Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders
$
(542,058
)
$
(94,238
)
$
(33,517
)
$
14,124

$
(322,770
)
$
436,401

$
(542,058
)




35



Income Statement for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 (unaudited):
Parent
Issuer
CNX Gas
Guarantor
Other
Subsidiary
Guarantors
CNXC Non-Guarantor
Other
Subsidiary
Non-
Guarantors
Elimination
Consolidated
Revenues and Other Income:
Natural Gas, NGLs and Oil Sales
$

$
542,824

$

$

$

$
(1,194
)
$
541,630

Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments


251,073





251,073

Coal Sales


769,945

256,651



1,026,596

Other Outside Sales


24,596




24,596

Purchased Gas Sales

7,649





7,649

Freight-Outside Coal


8,633

1,571



10,204

Miscellaneous Other Income
(246,791
)
43,941

68,130

768

4,105

241,126

111,279

Gain on Sale of Assets

3,076

51,208

45



54,329

Total Revenue and Other Income
(246,791
)
848,563

922,512

259,035

4,105

239,932

2,027,356

Costs and Expenses:
Exploration and Production Costs
Lease Operating Expense

96,229





96,229

Transportation, Gathering and Compression

248,682





248,682

Production, Ad Valorem, and Other Fees

24,605





24,605

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

269,377





269,377

Exploration and Production Related Other Costs

7,695



9

(9
)
7,695

Purchased Gas Costs

5,939





5,939

Other Corporate Expenses

47,088





47,088

Impairment of Exploration and Production Properties

828,905





828,905

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs


80,396





80,396

Total Exploration and Production Costs

1,608,916



9

(9
)
1,608,916

PA Mining Operations Costs
Operating and Other Costs


410,950

153,654



564,604

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization


102,479

34,057



136,536

Freight Expense


8,633

1,571



10,204

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs


25,318

8,913



34,231

Total PA Mining Operations Costs


547,380

198,195



745,575

Other Costs
Miscellaneous Operating Expense
43,343


26,715


496


70,554

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs


9,946




9,946

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
449


20,770




21,219

Loss on Debt Extinguishment
67,751






67,751

Interest Expense
141,493

4,840

4,821

7,758

76

(8,803
)
150,185

Total Other Costs
253,036

4,840

62,252

7,758

572

(8,803
)
319,655

Total Costs And Expenses
253,036

1,613,756

609,632

205,953

581

(8,812
)
2,674,146

(Loss) Earnings Before Income Tax
(499,827
)
(765,193
)
312,880

53,082

3,524

248,744

(646,790
)
Income Taxes
(94,536
)
(286,335
)
128,357


1,333


(251,181
)
(Loss) Income From Continuing Operations
(405,291
)
(478,858
)
184,523

53,082

2,191

248,744

(395,609
)
Loss From Discontinued Operations, net




(3,192
)

(3,192
)
Net (Loss) Income
$
(405,291
)
$
(478,858
)
$
184,523

$
53,082

$
(1,001
)
$
248,744

$
(398,801
)
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest





6,490

6,490

Net (Loss) Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders
$
(405,291
)
$
(478,858
)
$
184,523

$
53,082

$
(1,001
)
$
242,254

$
(405,291
)


36



Cash Flow for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 (unaudited):
Parent
CNX Gas
Guarantor
Other Subsidiary Guarantors
CNXC Non-Guarantor
Other
Subsidiary Non-Guarantors

Elimination
Consolidated
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations
$
611,844

$
106,017

$
32,398

$
47,324

$
(380,674
)
$
(44,698
)
$
372,211

Net Cash Used in Discontinued Operating Activities




14,427


14,427

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
$
611,844

$
106,017

$
32,398

$
47,324

$
(366,247
)
$
(44,698
)
$
386,638

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital Expenditures
$
(2,450
)
$
(134,967
)
$
(32,403
)
$
(9,569
)
$

$

$
(179,389
)
CNXC Acquisition of 5% Pennsylvania Mining Complex



(21,500
)

21,500


Proceeds From Sales of Assets

33,041

5,915

21



38,977

Net Distributions from (Investments in) Equity Affiliates

518

(5,073
)



(4,555
)
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Continuing Operations
(2,450
)
(101,408
)
(31,561
)
(31,048
)

21,500

(144,967
)
Net Cash Provided by Discontinued Investing Activities




366,251


366,251

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities
$
(2,450
)
$
(101,408
)
$
(31,561
)
$
(31,048
)
$
366,251

$
21,500

$
221,284

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Payments on Short-Term Borrowings
$
(598,000
)
$

$

$

$

$

$
(598,000
)
Payments on Miscellaneous Borrowings
(1,220
)
(4,590
)
(355
)
(57
)


(6,222
)
Proceeds from Revolver - MLP



23,000



23,000

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest



(30,486
)

14,245

(16,241
)
Pre-Merger Distributions to Parent



(8,953
)

8,953


Dividends Paid
(2,294
)





(2,294
)
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock
4






4

Debt Issuance and Financing Fees


(482
)



(482
)
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Continuing Operations
(601,510
)
(4,590
)
(837
)
(16,496
)

23,198

(600,235
)
Net Cash Used in Discontinued Financing Activities




(14
)

(14
)
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities
$
(601,510
)
$
(4,590
)
$
(837
)
$
(16,496
)
$
(14
)
$
23,198

$
(600,249
)












37



Cash Flow for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 (unaudited):
Parent
CNX Gas
Guarantor
Other Subsidiary Guarantors
CNXC Non-Guarantor
Other Subsidiary Non-
Guarantors
Elimination
Consolidated
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Continuing Operations

$
(130,726
)
$
712,504

$
(329,261
)
$
47,465

$
20,053

$
73,480

$
393,515

Net Cash Provided by Discontinued Operating Activities




10,768


10,768

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Operating Activities
$
(130,726
)
$
712,504

$
(329,261
)
$
47,465

$
30,821

$
73,480

$
404,283

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital Expenditures
$
(8,607
)
$
(749,015
)
$
(80,928
)
$
(25,712
)
$

$

$
(864,262
)
Proceeds From Sales of Assets
47

3,600

79,327

70



83,044

Net Investments in Equity Affiliates

(62,860
)
(7,364
)



(70,224
)
Net Cash Used in Continuing Operations
(8,560
)
(808,275
)
(8,965
)
(25,642
)


(851,442
)
Net Cash Used in Discontinued Investing Activities




(30,894
)

(30,894
)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
$
(8,560
)
$
(808,275
)
$
(8,965
)
$
(25,642
)
$
(30,894
)
$

$
(882,336
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from (Payments on) Short-Term Borrowings
$
945,000

$
70,000

$

$

$

$
(70,000
)
$
945,000

(Payments on) Proceeds from Miscellaneous Borrowings
(6,853
)
(4,823
)
4,148

6,005



(1,523
)
Payments on Long-Term Borrowings
(1,263,719
)





(1,263,719
)
Proceeds from Long-Term Borrowings
492,760






492,760

Proceeds from Revolver - MLP


200,000

180,000


(200,000
)
180,000

Proceeds from Sale of MLP Interest


148,359

148,359


(148,359
)
148,359

Net Distributions from Offering to Parent



(342,711
)

342,711


Net Change in Parent Advancements



(5,789
)

5,789


Pre-Merger Distributions to Parent



(355
)

355


Tax Benefit from Stock-Based Compensation
208






208

Dividends Paid
(30,991
)





(30,991
)
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock
8,288






8,288

Treasury Stock Activity
(71,674
)





(71,674
)
Debt Issuance and Financing Fees


(14,281
)
(4,329
)

(3,976
)
(22,586
)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations
73,019

65,177

338,226

(18,820
)

(73,480
)
384,122

Net Cash Used in Discontinued Financing Activities




(39
)

(39
)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
$
73,019

$
65,177

$
338,226

$
(18,820
)
$
(39
)
$
(73,480
)
$
384,083



38



Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 (unaudited):

Parent
CNX Gas
Guarantor
Other Subsidiary Guarantors
CNXC Non-
Guarantor
Other Subsidiary Non-
Guarantors
Elimination
Consolidated
Net Income (Loss)
$
25,345

$
96,834

$
(9,170
)
$
6,401

$
(34,979
)
$
(56,838
)
$
27,593

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments
1,305


1,327

(22
)

(1,305
)
1,305

Reclassification of Cash Flow Hedge from OCI to Earnings
(12,458
)
(12,458
)



12,458

(12,458
)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:
(11,153
)
(12,458
)
1,327

(22
)

11,153

(11,153
)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
14,192

84,376

(7,843
)
6,379

(34,979
)
(45,685
)
16,440

Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest





2,248

2,248

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders
$
14,192

$
84,376

$
(7,843
)
$
6,379

$
(34,979
)
$
(47,933
)
$
14,192



Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 (unaudited):

Parent
CNX Gas
Guarantor
Other Subsidiary Guarantors
CNXC Non-
Guarantor
Other Subsidiary Non-
Guarantors
Elimination
Consolidated
Net Income (Loss)
$
118,980

$
30,346

$
118,441

$
18,924

$
(3,984
)
$
(157,237
)
$
125,470

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments
(49,353
)

(49,337
)
(16
)

49,353

(49,353
)
Reclassification of Cash Flow Hedge from OCI to Earnings
(20,602
)
(20,602
)



20,602

(20,602
)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:
(69,955
)
(20,602
)
(49,337
)
(16
)

69,955

(69,955
)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
49,025

9,744

69,104

18,908

(3,984
)
(87,282
)
55,515

Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest





6,490

6,490

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders
$
49,025

$
9,744

$
69,104

$
18,908

$
(3,984
)
$
(93,772
)
$
49,025





39



Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 (unaudited):

Parent
CNX Gas
Guarantor
Other Subsidiary Guarantors
CNXC Non-
Guarantor
Other Subsidiary Non-
Guarantors
Elimination
Consolidated
Net (Loss) Income
$
(542,058
)
$
(94,238
)
$
(33,517
)
$
14,124

$
(322,770
)
$
440,942

$
(537,517
)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments
6,866


6,936

(70
)

(6,866
)
6,866

Reclassification of Cash Flow Hedge from OCI to Earnings
(33,475
)
(33,475
)



33,475

(33,475
)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:
(26,609
)
(33,475
)
6,936

(70
)

26,609

(26,609
)
Comprehensive (Loss) Income
(568,667
)
(127,713
)
(26,581
)
14,054

(322,770
)

467,551

(564,126
)
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest





4,541

4,541

Comprehensive (Loss) Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders
$
(568,667
)
$
(127,713
)
$
(26,581
)
$
14,054

$
(322,770
)
$
463,010

$
(568,667
)


Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 (unaudited):

Parent
CNX Gas
Guarantor
Other Subsidiary Guarantors
CNXC Non-
Guarantor
Other Subsidiary Non-
Guarantors
Elimination
Consolidated
Net (Loss) Income
$
(405,291
)
$
(478,858
)
$
184,523

$
53,082

$
(1,001
)
$
248,744

$
(398,801
)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments
(40,036
)

(38,284
)
(1,752
)

40,036

(40,036
)
Reclassification of Cash Flow Hedge from OCI to Earnings
(60,720
)
(60,720
)



60,720

(60,720
)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:
(100,756
)
(60,720
)
(38,284
)
(1,752
)

100,756

(100,756
)
Comprehensive (Loss) Income
(506,047
)
(539,578
)
146,239

51,330

(1,001
)
349,500

(499,557
)
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest





6,490

6,490

Comprehensive (Loss) Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders
$
(506,047
)
$
(539,578
)
$
146,239

$
51,330

$
(1,001
)
$
343,010

$
(506,047
)





40



NOTE 18—RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
CONE Gathering LLC (CONE) and CONE Midstream Partners LP (the Partnership)

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , additional capital contributions of $ 2,571 were made to CONE and additional capital contributions of $ 2,051 were made to the Partnership. The capital contributions were offset by $1,640 of distributions from CONE, and $ 20,628 of distributions from the Partnership. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , additional capital contributions of $ 8,541 were made to CONE, and additional capital contributions of $58,212 were made to the Partnership, offset in part, by $12,364 of distributions from the Partnership.

Following the Partnership IPO in September 2014, CONE has a 2% general partner interest in the Partnership, while each sponsor has a 32.1% limited partner interest. CNX Gas Company accounts for its portion of the earnings in the Partnership under the equity method of accounting. At September 30, 2016 , CNX Gas Company and Noble Energy each continue to own a 50% interest in the assets of CONE that were not contributed to the Partnership. Equity in earnings of affiliates during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 related to CONE was $6,567 and $6,423 , respectively. Equity in earnings of affiliates during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 related to the Partnership was $7,586 and $6,310 , respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , equity in earnings of affiliates related to CONE was $13,713 and $14,099 , respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , equity in earnings affiliates related to the Partnership was $22,996 and $15,671 , respectively.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , CONE and the Partnership provided gathering services to CNX Gas Company in the ordinary course of business. Gathering services provided were $31,216 and $27,890 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , gathering services were $93,209 and $75,176 , respectively. These costs were included in Transportation, Gathering and Compression Costs on CONSOL Energy’s accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , CONSOL Energy had a net payable of $8,543 and $12,216 respectively, due to both the Partnership and CONE primarily for accrued but unpaid gathering services. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , CONSOL Energy purchased $2,239 of supply inventory from the Partnership.

CNX Coal Resources LP (CNXC)

On July 7, 2015, CNXC closed its initial public offering of 5,000,000 common units representing limited partnership interests at a price to the public of $15.00 per unit. Additionally, Greenlight Capital entered into a common unit purchase agreement with CNXC pursuant to which Greenlight Capital agreed to purchase, and CNXC agreed to sell, 5,000,000 common units at a price per unit equal to $15.00 , which equates to $75,000 in net proceeds. CNXC's general partner is CNX Coal Resources GP, a wholly owned subsidiary of CONSOL Energy. The underwriters of the IPO filing exercised an over-allotment option of 561,067 common units to the public at $15.00 per unit.

In connection with the IPO offering, CNXC entered into a $400,000 senior secured revolving credit facility with certain lenders and PNC Bank, National Association (PNC), as administrative agent. Obligations under the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by CNXC's subsidiaries (the "guarantor subsidiaries") and are secured by substantially all of CNXC's and CNXC's subsidiaries' assets pursuant to a security agreement and various mortgages. Under the new revolving credit facility, CNXC made an initial draw of $200,000 , and after origination fees of $3,000 , the net proceeds were $197,000 .

The total net proceeds related to these transactions that were distributed to CONSOL Energy were $342,711 .

On September 30, 2016, CNXC and its wholly owned subsidiary, CNX Thermal Holdings LLC (CNX Thermal), entered into a Contribution Agreement with CONSOL Energy, CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC and Conrhein Coal Company (the Contributing Parties) under which CNX Thermal acquired an additional 5% undivided interest in and to the Pennsylvania Mine Complex, in exchange for (i) cash consideration in the amount of $21,500 and (ii) CNXC's issuance of 3,956,496 Class A Preferred Units representing limited partner interests in CNXC at an issue price of $17.01 per Class A preferred Unit (the "Class A Preferred Unit Issue Price"), or an aggregate $67,300 in equity consideration. The Class A Preferred Unit Issue Price was calculated as the volume-weighted average trading price of CNXC's common units (the "Common Units") over the trailing 15-day trading period ending on September 29, 2016 (or $14.79 per unit), plus a 15% premium.

In connection with the PA Mining acquisition, on September 30, 2016, the General Partner and CNXC entered into the First Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement (the "Amended Omnibus Agreement") with CONSOL Energy and certain of its subsidiaries. Under the Amended Omnibus Agreement, CONSOL Energy indemnified CNXC for certain liabilities. The Amended Omnibus Agreement also amended CNXC's obligations to CONSOL Energy with respect to the payment of an annual administrative


41



support fee and reimbursement for the provisions of certain management and operating services provided, in each case to reflect structural changes in how those services are provided to CNXC by CONSOL Energy.

Charges for services from CONSOL Energy include the following:
For the Three Months Ended
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
September 30,
2016
2015
2016
2015
Operating and Other Costs
$
854

$
2,736

$
3,390

$
5,177

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
856

2,598

3,090

6,904

Total Services from CONSOL Energy
$
1,710

$
5,334

$
6,480

$
12,081


At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, CNXC had a net payable to CONSOL Energy in the amount of $1,320 and $4,310 , respectively. This payable includes reimbursements for business expenses, executive fees, stock-based compensation and other items under the omnibus agreement.

NOTE 19—STOCK REPURCHASE:

In December 2014, CONSOL Energy's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program under which CONSOL Energy may purchase from time to time up to $250,000 of its common stock over the next two years. Under the terms of the program, CONSOL Energy may make repurchases in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, accelerated repurchase programs or in structured share repurchase programs. Any repurchases of common stock will be funded from available cash on hand or short-term borrowings. The program does not obligate CONSOL Energy to acquire any particular amount of common stock, and it may be modified or suspended at any time at the Company's discretion. The program will be conducted in compliance with applicable legal requirements and within the limits imposed by any credit agreement, receivables purchase agreement or indenture and shall be subject to market conditions and other factors. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , and during the three months ended September 30, 2015 , no shares were repurchased. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , 2,213,100 shares were repurchased and retired at an average price of $ 32.37 per share.

NOTE 20—RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:

In August 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-15 - Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The amendments relate to debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, and beneficial interests in securitization transactions. The Update also states that, in the absence of specific guidance for cash receipts and payments that have aspects of more than one class of cash flows, an entity should classify each separately identifiable source or use within the cash receipts and payments on the basis of their nature in financing, investing, or operating activities. In situations in which cash receipts or payments cannot be separated by source or use, the appropriate classification should depend on the activity that is likely to be the predominant source or use of cash flows for the item. The amendments in the Update will be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented and, for public entities, are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on CONSOL Energy's financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-13 - Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which provides financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. To achieve this, the amendments in this Update replace the incurred loss impairment methodology in current Generally Accepted Accounting Principals (GAAP) with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The measurement of expected credit losses will be based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectibility of the reported amount. The amendments in this Update will be applied using a modified-retrospective approach and, for public entities, are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company believes this guidance will not have a material impact on CONSOL Energy's financial statements.


42



In May 2014, the FASB issued Update 2014-09 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605 - Revenue Recognition and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. The objective of the amendments in this Update is to improve financial reporting by creating common revenue recognition guidance for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services and should disclose sufficient information, both qualitative and quantitative, to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The following updates to Topic 606 were made during 2016:
In March 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-08 - Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), which clarifies how an entity determines whether it is a principal or an agent for goods or services promised to a customer as well as the nature of the goods or services promised to their customers.
In April 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-10 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which seeks to address implementation issues in the areas of identifying performance obligations and licensing.
In May 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-12 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Narrow Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which seeks to address implementation issues in the areas of collectibility, presentation of sales taxes, noncash consideration, and completed contracts and contract modifications at transition.
After considering the FASB's issuance of a standard that delayed application of Topic 606 by one year, the new standards are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with the option to adopt as early as annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the method of adoption as it relates to Update 2014-09 and the impacts that these standards will have on CONSOL Energy's financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-09 - Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Specifically, this Update states that: all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies should be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement; excess tax benefits should be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity; an entity can make an accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest or account for forfeitures when they occur; the threshold to qualify for equity classification permits withholding up to the maximum statutory tax rates in the applicable jurisdictions; and cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax-withholding purposes should be classified as a financing activity. For public entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on CONSOL Energy's financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-02 - Leases (Topic 842), which increases transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Update 2016-02 does retain a distinction between finance leases and operating leases, which is substantially similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases in the previous lease guidance. Retaining this distinction allows the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease to not significantly change from previous GAAP. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities, but to recognize lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For both financing and operating leases, the right-to-use asset and lease liability will be initially measured at the present value of the lease payments in the statement of financial position.The accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under previous GAAP. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on CONSOL Energy's financial statements.
NOTE 21—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

On October 29, 2016, CNX Gas entered into an Exchange Agreement with Noble Energy, which would effectively terminate the joint development of the gas assets held in connection with our joint venture with Noble Energy and divide such gas assets among CNX Gas and Noble Energy. Noble Energy, Inc. will also remit a cash payment of approximately $205,000 to CONSOL Energy at closing (subject to certain adjustments provided for in the Exchange Agreement).
.


43



ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General

CONSOL Energy's E&P production increased by 12% in the just-ended quarter, compared to the year-earlier quarter. The E&P Division had earnings before income tax of $ 161 million in the third quarter of 2016 due primarily to an unrealized gain on commodity derivative instruments, related to changes in the fair market value of existing hedges on a mark-to-market basis, as well as, reductions to lease operating and transportation, gathering and compression expenses in the current period.

For the third quarter of 2016, CONSOL Energy's average sales price for natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), oil, and condensate was $ 2.54 per Mcfe. CONSOL Energy's average price for natural gas was $ 2.06 per Mcf for the quarter and, including cash settlements from hedging, was $2.53 per Mcf. The average realized price for all liquids for the third quarter of 2016 was $15.48 per barrel.

CONSOL Energy has continued recovering and selling ethane primarily via Sunoco Logistics' Mariner East project, which ships ethane to the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex for export. Such ethane sales have improved the NGL contribution to revenue. On an equivalent basis, these ethane sales yielded a significantly higher price than the Texas Eastern M2 market where sales would generally have occurred had the volumes been rejected into the natural gas stream. CONSOL expects further revenue enhancement in 2016 and beyond as its recovered ethane volumes grow and as the Mariner East project expands in 2017.

During the third quarter of 2016, CONSOL Energy's E&P Division achieved record production of 96.4 Bcfe, or an increase of 12% from the 86.1 Bcfe produced in the year-earlier quarter. The E&P Division's total unit cash costs declined during the quarter to $1.31 per Mcfe, compared to $1.49 per Mcfe during the year-earlier quarter, or an improvement of approximately 12%, driven by the reductions to lease operating and transportation, gathering and compression expenses. The Company also brought back two rigs to begin drilling in Monroe County, Ohio, which started in August. Since then, two dry Utica wells were drilled at an average lateral length of approximately 8,600 feet with drilling costs of $180 per foot of lateral, which is better than the previously stated expectation of $190 per foot of lateral.

CONSOL Energy's PA Mining Operations sold 6.0 million tons in the 2016 third quarter, compared to 5.7 million tons during the year-earlier quarter. Total unit costs were $ 35.79 per ton, compared to $ 40.26 per ton in the year-earlier quarter. The PA Mining Operations division had earnings before income tax of $35 million .

In August 2016, CONSOL Energy completed the sale of the Miller Creek and Fola Mining Complex subsidiaries. The net loss on sale was $53 million and was included in Loss from Discontinued Operations, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. In addition to the sale, at the end of the quarter, CONSOL Energy announced that CNX Coal Resources ("CNXC") acquired an additional 5% undivided interest in the Pennsylvanian Mining Complex and associated infrastructure from CONSOL Energy for $22 million in cash consideration and $67 million in equity consideration.

CONSOL Energy 2016 - 2017 Guidance

E&P DIVISION GUIDANCE

CONSOL Energy expects to maintain annual 2016 E&P Division production of 380-385 Bcfe.

Total hedged natural gas production in the 2016 fourth quarter is 63.6 Bcf. The annual gas hedge position is shown in the table below:

2016
2017
Total Yearly Production (Bcfe)
390-395
TBD *

Volumes Hedged (Bcf), as of 10/13/16
271.8**
237.8

* 2017 production will be a function of the second half of 2016 capital program, continued debottlenecking initiatives, and the company's drilled but uncompleted (DUC) well inventory.
** Includes actual settlements of 225.3 Bcf.

CONSOL Energy's hedged gas volumes include a combination of NYMEX financial hedges and index financial hedges (NYMEX plus basis). In addition, to protect the NYMEX hedge volumes from basis exposure, CONSOL enters into basis-only


44



financial hedges and physical sales with fixed basis at certain sales points. CONSOL Energy's gas hedge position is shown in the table below:

GAS HEDGES
Q4 2016
2016
2017
Total NYMEX + Basis * (Bcf)
61.8

264.5

207.5

Average Hedge Price ($/Mcf)
$
3.16

$
3.03

$
2.61

NYMEX Only Hedges Exposed to Basis (Bcf)
1.8

-

30.3

Average Hedge Price ($/Mcf)
$
3.41

-

$
3.02

Physical Sales With Fixed Basis Exposed to NYMEX (Bcf)
-

7.3

-

Average Hedge Basis Value ($/Mcf)
-

$
(0.06
)
-

* Includes physical sales with fixed basis in Q4 2016, 2016, and 2017 of 17.0 Bcf, 76.6 Bcf, and 34.6 Bcf, respectively.

During the third quarter of 2016, CONSOL Energy added additional NYMEX natural gas hedges of 7.7 Bcf for 2017. To help mitigate basis exposure on NYMEX hedges, in the third quarter, CONSOL added 2.6 Bcf and 22.7 Bcf of basis hedges for 2016 and 2017, respectively. Based on CONSOL Energy’s view of regional pricing during 2017, CONSOL Energy focused primarily on regional hedging. Of the 22.7 Bcf of basis hedges added for 2017, 12.1 Bcf is applicable to Texas Eastern M2 and Dominion South sales points. CONSOL Energy also has hedges in place for a portion of its 2018, 2019, and 2020 production.

CONSOL Energy's 2016 NYMEX plus basis natural gas hedge position has increased to 264.5 Bcf at an average hedge price of $3.03 per Mcf. NYMEX plus basis hedge volumes are not exposed to basis differentials but instead have protected revenue. As a result, in 2016, NYMEX plus basis gas hedges should lock in revenue of approximately $801 million.

During the third quarter of 2016, CONSOL Energy continued to add NGL (propane) hedges. Excluding actual 2016 settlements of 6.8 million gallons, CONSOL Energy currently has 10.7 million gallons of propane directly hedged through March of 2017 at an average price of $0.48 per gallon. CONSOL Energy also has direct, term sales contracts with counterparties for NGLs.

PA MINING OPERATIONS DIVISION GUIDANCE

CONSOL Energy now expects total consolidated annual 2016 PA Mining Operations sales to be approximately 23.6-24.4 million tons, compared to previous quarter's guidance of approximately 22.5-25.5 million tons.

CONSOL Energy's 2016 total consolidated PA Mining Operations capital expenditures is reduced to now be between $60-$76 million. The reduction to PA Mining Operations capital expenditures was primarily driven by the company's ongoing efforts to manage spending levels in 2016. On a normalized basis, the PA Mining Operations Division expects maintenance of production capital of $5-$6 per ton.



45


Results of Operations - Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders
CONSOL Energy reported net income attributable to CONSOL Energy shareholders of $ 25 million, or earnings of $ 0.11 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to net income attributable to CONSOL Energy shareholders of $ 119 million, or earnings of $ 0.52 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2015 .
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
2015
Variance
Income from Continuing Operations
$
62,568

$
129,312

$
(66,744
)
Loss from Discontinued Operations
(34,975
)
(3,842
)
(31,133
)
Net Income
$
27,593

$
125,470

$
(97,877
)
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
2,248

6,490

(4,242
)
Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders
$
25,345

$
118,980

$
(93,635
)

CONSOL Energy consists of two principal business divisions: Exploration and Production (E&P) and Pennsylvania (PA) Mining Operations. The total E&P division includes four segments: Marcellus, Utica, Coalbed Methane (CBM), and Other Gas.

The total E&P division contributed $ 161 million of earnings before income tax for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $50 million of earnings before income tax for the three months ended September 30, 2015 .

The following table presents a breakout of net liquid and natural gas sales information to assist in the understanding of the Company’s natural gas production and sales portfolio:
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
in thousands (unless noted)
2016
2015
Variance
Percent Change
LIQUIDS
NGLs:
Sales Volume (MMcfe)
12,341

9,598

2,743

28.6
%
Sales Volume (Mbbls)
2,057

1,600

457

28.6
%
Gross Price ($/Bbl)
$
13.14

$
4.80

$
8.34

173.8
%
Gross Revenue
$
27,048

$
7,645

$
19,403

253.8
%
Oil:
Sales Volume (MMcfe)
94

189

(95
)
(50.3
)%
Sales Volume (Mbbls)
16

32

(16
)
(50.0
)%
Gross Price ($/Bbl)
$
42.06

$
54.18

$
(12.12
)
(22.4
)%
Gross Revenue
$
663

$
1,706

$
(1,043
)
(61.1
)%
Condensate:
Sales Volume (MMcfe)
1,205

2,337

(1,132
)
(48.4
)%
Sales Volume (Mbbls)
201

390

(189
)
(48.5
)%
Gross Price ($/Bbl)
$
37.26

$
27.84

$
9.42

33.8
%
Gross Revenue
$
7,483

$
10,836

$
(3,353
)
(30.9
)%
GAS
Sales Volume (MMcf)
82,752

73,952

8,800

11.9
%
Sales Price ($/Mcf)
$
2.06

$
1.86

$
0.20

10.8
%
Gross Revenue
$
170,720

$
137,649

$
33,071

24.0
%
Hedging Impact ($/Mcf)
$
0.47

$
0.60

$
(0.13
)
(21.7
)%
Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments - Cash Settlement
$
38,637

$
44,469

$
(5,832
)
(13.1
)%





46


Total E&P sales volumes, average sales price (including the effects of derivative instruments), and average costs for all active E&P operations were as follows:
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Total E&P Sales Volumes (Bcfe)
96.4

86.1

10.3

12.0
%
Average Sales Price (per Mcfe)
$
2.54

$
2.35

$
0.19

8.1
%
Average Costs (per Mcfe)
2.36

2.54

(0.18
)
(7.1
)%
Margin
$
0.18

$
(0.19
)
$
0.37

194.7
%

Total E&P division Natural Gas, NGLs, and Oil sales were $ 206 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to $ 158 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The increase was primarily due to the 12.0% increase in total volumes sold and the 8.1% increase in average sales price per Mcfe. The increase in average sales price was the result of the overall improvement in general market prices in the Appalachian basin during the current period. The increase was offset, in part, by a decrease in the realized gain on commodity derivative instruments related to the Company's hedging program.

Changes in the average costs per Mcfe were primarily related to the following items:
The improvement in unit costs is primarily due to the continuing shift towards lower cost Marcellus and Utica Shale production, ongoing cost reduction efforts and the 12.0% increase in total volumes sold in the period-to-period comparison. Marcellus production made up 53.7% of natural gas and liquid sales volumes for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to 53.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . Utica production made up 23.3% of natural gas and liquid sales volumes for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to 17.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2015 .
Lease operating expense decreased on a per unit basis in the period-to-period comparison due to a decrease in well tending costs, employee related costs and salt water disposal costs. The decrease in unit costs was also due to the overall increase in E&P sales volumes.
Transportation, gathering and compression expense decreased on a per unit basis in the period-to-period comparison due to the overall increase in E&P sales volumes and the shift towards dry Utica Shale production which has lower gathering costs since there are no associated processing fees. The decrease in unit costs was partially offset by an increase in total dollars related to an increase in utilized firm transportation costs, increased processing fees associated with NGLs, and an increase in CONE gathering expense directly related to the increase in Marcellus production. See Note 18 - Related Party Transactions of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information.

The PA Mining Operations division had earnings before income tax of $35 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to earnings before income tax of $132 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 .
Sales tons, average sales price and average cost of goods sold per ton for the PA Mining Operations division were as follows:
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Company Produced PA Mining Operations Tons Sold (in millions)
6.0

5.7

0.3

5.3
%
Average Sales Price per ton sold
$
44.30

$
56.99

$
(12.69
)
(22.3
)%
Average Cost of Goods Sold per ton
35.79

40.26

(4.47
)
(11.1
)%
Margin
$
8.51

$
16.73

$
(8.22
)
(49.1
)%

The lower average sales price per ton sold in the 2016 period was primarily the result of the overall decline in both the domestic and global thermal coal markets. The PA Mining Operations division priced 0.6 million tons on the export market for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to 1.0 million tons for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . All other tons were sold on the domestic market.



47


Changes in the average cost of goods sold per ton were driven primarily by a reduction in staffing levels and a realignment of employee benefits in the period-to-period comparison. All of the above steps resulted in more consistent operating schedules, reduced labor costs and improved productivity.
The Other division includes other business activities not assigned to the E&P or PA Mining Operations divisions, as well as income taxes. The Other division had a net loss of $134 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to a net loss of $53 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 .
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) costs are allocated to the PA Mining Operations division based upon a shared service agreement that CONSOL Energy entered into with CNX Coal Resources LP (CNXC) upon execution of the CNXC initial public offering (IPO). The shared service agreement calls for CONSOL Energy to provide certain selling, general and administrative services that are paid for monthly, based on an agreed upon fixed fee, that is reset at least annually. See Note 18 - Related Party Transactions of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information. The remaining SG&A costs are allocated between the E&P and Other divisions based primarily on a percentage of total revenue and a percentage of total projected capital expenditures.

SG&A costs are excluded from the E&P and PA Mining Operations unit costs above. SG&A costs were $38 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to $39 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . SG&A costs decreased due to the following items:
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Short-Term Incentive Compensation
$
5

$
11

$
(6
)
(54.5
)%
Advertising and Promotion
1

2

(1
)
(50.0
)%
Consulting and Professional Services
4

4


%
Rent
2

2


%
Employee Wages and Related Expenses
14

14


%
Stock-Based Compensation
8

6

2

33.3
%
Other
4


4

100.0
%
Total Company Selling, General and Administrative Expense

$
38

$
39

$
(1
)
(2.6
)%

The decrease in Short-Term Incentive Compensation was a result of lower payouts in the current period.
Advertising and Promotion expense decreased $1 million due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Stock-Based Compensation expenses increased $2 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to additional non-cash amortization expense and accelerated non-cash amortization recorded in the current period for employees who received awards under the Performance Share Unit (PSU) program.
Other increased $4 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to a 401(k) discretionary contribution in the current period.

Total Company long-term liabilities, such as OPEB, the salary retirement plan, workers' compensation, Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP), and long-term disability are actuarially calculated for the Company as a whole. In general, the expenses are then allocated to the segments based upon criteria specific to each liability. Total CONSOL Energy continuing operations expense related to actuarial liabilities was $ 17 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to income of $ 78 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The increase in expense of $95 million is primarily due to modifications made to the OPEB and Pension plans in May 2015. See Note 16 - Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans and Note 17 - Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP) and Workers' Compensation in the Notes to the Audited Financial Statements in our December 31, 2015 Form 10-K and Note 5 - Components of Pension and OPEB Plans Net Periodic Benefit Costs in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q for additional details.



48


TOTAL E&P DIVISION ANALYSIS for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 :
The E&P division had earnings before income tax of $ 161 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to earnings before income tax of $ 50 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . Variances by individual E&P segment are discussed below.
For the Three Months Ended
Difference to Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016
September 30, 2015
(in millions)
Marcellus
Utica
CBM
Other
Gas
Total E&P
Marcellus
Utica
CBM
Other
Gas
Total
E&P
Natural Gas, NGLs and Oil Sales
$
107

$
40

$
47

$
12

$
206

$
32

$
19

$
(2
)
$
(1
)
$
48

Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments
24

5

8

161

198


4

(6
)
56

54

Purchased Gas Sales



12

12




9

9

Miscellaneous Other Income



19

19




4

4

Gain on Sale of Assets



15

15




14

14

Total Revenue and Other Income
131

45

55

219

450

32

23

(8
)
82

129

Lease Operating Expense
8

4

7

4

23

(2
)
(2
)
(1
)
(1
)
(6
)
Production, Ad Valorem, and Other Fees
5

1

2

1

9




1

1

Transportation, Gathering and Compression
57

14

18

6

95

3

5

(3
)

5

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
51

22

21

7

101

7

5

1

(5
)
8

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs




26

26




2

2

Purchased Gas Costs



12

12




10

10

Exploration and Production Related Other Costs








(3
)
(3
)
Other Corporate Expenses



22

22




1

1

Total Exploration and Production Costs
121

41

48

78

288

8

8

(3
)
5

18

Interest Expense



1

1






Total E&P Division Costs
121

41

48

79

289

8

8

(3
)
5

18

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Tax
$
10

$
4

$
7

$
140

$
161

$
24

$
15

$
(5
)
$
77

$
111




49


MARCELLUS GAS SEGMENT
The Marcellus segment had earnings before income tax of $ 10 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to a loss before income tax of $ 14 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 .
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Marcellus Gas Sales Volumes (Bcf)
43.0

39.1

3.9

10.0
%
NGLs Sales Volumes (Bcfe)*
8.3

5.5

2.8

50.9
%
Condensate Sales Volumes (Bcfe)*
0.5

1.3

(0.8
)
(61.5
)%
Total Marcellus Sales Volumes (Bcfe)*
51.8

45.9

5.9

12.9
%


Average Sales Price - Gas (Mcf)
$
2.06

$
1.59

$
0.47

29.6
%
Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments - Cash Settlement- Gas (Mcf)
$
0.55

$
0.62

$
(0.07
)
(11.3
)%
Average Sales Price - NGLs (Mcfe)*
$
1.94

$
0.97

$
0.97

100.0
%
Average Sales Price - Condensate (Mcfe)*
$
5.50

$
5.68

$
(0.18
)
(3.2
)%


Total Average Marcellus Sales Price (per Mcfe)
$
2.53

$
2.16

$
0.37

17.1
%
Average Marcellus Lease Operating Expenses (per Mcfe)
0.15

0.23

(0.08
)
(34.8
)%
Average Marcellus Production, Ad Valorem, and Other Fees (per Mcfe)
0.10

0.11

(0.01
)
(9.1
)%
Average Marcellus Transportation, Gathering and Compression costs (per Mcfe)
1.10

1.18

(0.08
)
(6.8
)%
Average Marcellus Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization costs (per Mcfe)
0.98

0.94

0.04

4.3
%
Total Average Marcellus Costs (per Mcfe)
$
2.33

$
2.46

$
(0.13
)
(5.3
)%
Average Margin for Marcellus (per Mcfe)
$
0.20

$
(0.30
)
$
0.50

166.7
%
* NGLs and Condensate are converted to Mcfe at the rate of one barrel equals six Mcf based upon the approximate relative energy content of oil and natural gas, which is not indicative of the relationship of oil, NGLs, condensate, and natural gas prices.

The Marcellus segment had natural gas, NGLs and oil sales of $ 107 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 75 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The $ 32 million increase was primarily due to a 29.6% increase in average gas sales price, as well as a 12.9% increase in total Marcellus sales volumes due to additional wells coming on-line in the current period.

The increase in Marcellus total average sales price was primarily due to the $ 0.47 per Mcf increase in gas market prices, offset in part by a $0.03 per Mcfe decrease in the uplift from NGLs and condensate sales volumes when excluding the impact of hedging. The increase d total average sales price was also offset by a $ 0.07 per Mcf decrease related to the Company's hedging program due to the improvement in market prices. Financial hedges represented approximately 44.2 Bcf of our total Marcellus sales volumes for the three months ended September 30, 2016 at an average gain of $0.53 per Mcf. For the three months ended September 30, 2015 , these financial hedges represented approximately 27.7 Bcf at an average gain of $0.85 per Mcf.

Total costs for the Marcellus segment were $ 121 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 113 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The increase in total dollars and decrease in unit costs for the Marcellus segment are due to the following items:

Marcellus lease operating expenses were $ 8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 10 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease in total dollars was primarily due to cost cutting measures that were implemented in the fourth quarter of 2015 which resulted in a decrease in well tending costs, salt water disposal costs and lower employee related costs in the current period. The decrease in unit costs was primarily due to the 12.9% increase in total Marcellus sales volumes, along with the decrease in total dollars as described above.

Marcellus production, ad valorem, and other fees were $ 5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease in unit costs was primarily due to the 12.9% increase in total Marcellus sales volumes.



50


Marcellus transportation, gathering and compression costs were $ 57 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 54 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The increase in total dollars primarily relates to an increase in CONE gathering fees due to the 10.0% increase in Marcellus gas sales volumes (See Note 18 - Related Party Transactions of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information), an increase in processing fees associated with NGLs primarily due to the 50.9% increase in NGLs sales volumes, and an increase in utilized firm transportation expense. The decrease in unit costs was due to the increase in Marcellus sales volumes, offset, in part, by the increase in total dollars.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization costs attributable to the Marcellus segment were $ 51 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 44 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . These amounts included depreciation on a unit of production basis of $0.97 per Mcf and $0.93 per Mcf, respectively. The increase in unit costs in the period-to-period comparison was primarily due to the decrease in the year-end 2015 Marcellus reserves. The remaining depreciation, depletion and amortization costs were either recorded on a straight-line basis or related to gas well closing.

UTICA GAS SEGMENT

The Utica segment had earnings before income tax of $ 4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to a loss before income tax of $ 11 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 .
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Utica Gas Sales Volumes (Bcf)
17.7

10.2

7.5

73.5
%
NGLs Sales Volumes (Bcfe)*
4.1

4.1


%
Condensate Sales Volumes (Bcfe)*
0.7

1.0

(0.3
)
(30.0
)%
Total Utica Sales Volumes (Bcfe)*
22.5

15.3

7.2

47.1
%
Average Sales Price - Gas (Mcf)
$
1.40

$
1.48

$
(0.08
)
(5.4
)%
Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments - Cash Settlement- Gas (Mcf)

$
0.26

$
0.09

$
0.17

188.9
%
Average Sales Price - NGLs (Mcfe)*
$
2.69

$
0.56

$
2.13

380.4
%
Average Sales Price - Condensate (Mcfe)*
$
6.80

$
3.24

$
3.56

109.9
%
Total Average Utica Sales Price (per Mcfe)
$
2.00

$
1.41

$
0.59

41.8
%
Average Utica Lease Operating Expenses (per Mcfe)
0.20

0.38

(0.18
)
(47.4
)%
Average Utica Production, Ad Valorem, and Other Fees (per Mcfe)
0.06

0.04

0.02

50.0
%
Average Utica Transportation, Gathering and Compression Costs (per Mcfe)
0.62

0.62


%
Average Utica Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs (per Mcfe)
0.93

1.06

(0.13
)
(12.3
)%
Total Average Utica Costs (per Mcfe)
$
1.81

$
2.10

$
(0.29
)
(13.8
)%
Average Margin for Utica (per Mcfe)
$
0.19

$
(0.69
)
$
0.88

127.5
%

*NGLs and Condensate are converted to Mcfe at the rate of one barrel equals six Mcf based upon the approximate relative energy content of oil and natural gas, which is not indicative of the relationship of oil, NGLs, condensate, and natural gas prices.

The Utica segment had natural gas, NGLs and oil sales of $ 40 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 21 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The $ 19 million increase was primarily due to the 47.1% increase in total Utica volumes sold. The 7.2 Bcfe increase in total Utica sales volumes was due to additional wells coming on-line, primarily in dry Utica areas, in the current period.

The increase in Utica total average sales price was primarily due to the $0.17 per Mcf increase in the gain on commodity derivative instruments in the current period due partially to lower prices for gas in this market, offset, in part, by the $0.08 per Mcf decrease in average gas sales price. Financial hedges represented approximately 8.7 Bcf of our produced Utica sales volumes for the three months ended September 30, 2016 at an average gain of $0.53 per Mcf. For the three months ended September 30, 2015 , these financial hedges represented approximately 1.4 Bcf at an average gain of $0.66 per Mcf.



51


Total costs for the Utica segment were $ 41 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 33 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The increase in total dollars and decrease in unit costs for the Utica segment are due to the following items:

Utica lease operating expenses were $ 4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease in total dollars was primarily due to a decrease in non-operated well costs as well as a decrease in repair and maintenance costs in the current period. The decrease in unit costs was due to the 47.1% increase in total Utica sales volumes, as well as the decrease d total dollars described above.

Utica production, ad valorem, and other fees were $ 1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The increase in unit costs in the current period, was primarily due to a nominal increase in total dollars, offset, in part, by the 47.1% increase in total Utica sales volumes.

Utica transportation, gathering and compression costs were $ 14 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The $ 5 million increase in total dollars was primarily related to an increase in processing fees associated with NGLs as well as increased gathering and processing fees associated with the overall increase in Utica sales volumes. Unit costs remained consistent in the period-to-period comparison.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization costs attributable to the Utica segment were $ 22 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 17 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . These amounts included depreciation on a unit of production basis of $0.93 per Mcf and $1.05 per Mcf, respectively. The decrease in unit costs in the period-to-period comparison was primarily due to an increase in Utica reserves. The remaining depreciation, depletion and amortization costs were either recorded on a straight-line basis or related to gas well closing.

COALBED METHANE (CBM) GAS SEGMENT
The CBM segment had earnings before income tax of $ 7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to earnings before income tax of $ 12 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 .
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
CBM Gas Sales Volumes (Bcf)
17.0

18.5

(1.5
)
(8.1
)%
Average Sales Price - Gas (Mcf)
$
2.77

$
2.65

$
0.12

4.5
%
Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments - Cash Settlement- Gas (Mcf)

$
0.48

$
0.77

$
(0.29
)
(37.7
)%
Total Average CBM Sales Price (per Mcf)
$
3.25

$
3.42

$
(0.17
)
(5.0
)%
Average CBM Lease Operating Expenses (per Mcf)
0.41

0.42

(0.01
)
(2.4
)%
Average CBM Production, Ad Valorem, and Other Fees (per Mcf)
0.10

0.12

(0.02
)
(16.7
)%
Average CBM Transportation, Gathering and Compression Costs (per Mcf)
1.06

1.12

(0.06
)
(5.4
)%
Average CBM Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs (per Mcf)
1.27

1.14

0.13

11.4
%
Total Average CBM Costs (per Mcf)
$
2.84

$
2.80

$
0.04

1.4
%
Average Margin for CBM (per Mcf)
$
0.41

$
0.62

$
(0.21
)
(33.9
)%

The CBM segment had natural gas sales of $ 47 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 49 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The $ 2 million decrease was primarily due to a 8.1% decrease in total CBM volumes sold, offset, in part, by a 4.5% increase in the average gas sales price per Mcf. The decrease in CBM volumes sold was primarily due to normal well declines and less drilling activity.

The CBM total average sales price decrease d $0.17 per Mcf in the current period, primarily as a result of a $0.29 per Mcf decrease related to the Company's hedging program due to the improvement in market prices. The hedging decrease s were offset, in part, by a $0.12 per Mcf increase in the average sales price. Financial hedges represented approximately 15.3 Bcf of our produced CBM sales volumes for the three months ended September 30, 2016 at an average gain of $0.54 per Mcf. For the three months ended September 30, 2015 , these financial hedges represented approximately 14.0 Bcf at an average gain of $1.02 per Mcf.


52


Total costs for the CBM segment were $ 48 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 51 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease in total dollars and increase in unit costs for the CBM segment were due to the following items:
CBM lease operating expenses were $ 7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease in total dollars was primarily related to a decrease in salt water disposal costs in the current period. The decrease in unit costs was primarily due to the decrease in total dollars described above, partially offset by the decrease in CBM sales volumes.

CBM production, ad valorem, and other fees were $ 2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and the three months ended September 30, 2015 . Unit costs were positively impacted by the decrease in average sales price which was offset, in part, by the decrease in CBM sales volumes.

CBM transportation, gathering and compression costs were $ 18 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 21 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease of $ 3 million was primarily related to a decrease in utilized firm transportation expense and a decrease in power expense, both of which resulted from the overall decrease in CBM sales volumes. Unit costs were also positively impacted by the decrease in total dollars which was offset, in part, by the decrease in CBM sales volumes.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization costs attributable to the CBM segment were $ 21 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and $20 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . These amounts included depreciation on a unit of production basis of $0.81 per Mcf and $0.73 per Mcf, respectively. The increase in unit costs in the period-to-period comparison was primarily due to the decrease in the year-end 2015 CBM reserves. The remaining depreciation, depletion and amortization costs were either recorded on a straight-line basis or related to gas well closing.

OTHER GAS SEGMENT

The Other Gas segment had earnings before income tax of $ 140 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to earnings before income tax of $ 63 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 .

For the Three Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Other Gas Sales Volumes (Bcf)
5.0

6.2

(1.2
)
(19.4
)%
Oil Sales Volumes (Bcfe)*
0.1

0.2

(0.1
)
(50.0
)%
Total Other Sales Volumes (Bcfe)*
5.1

6.4

(1.3
)
(20.3
)%
Average Sales Price - Gas (Mcf)
$
2.03

$
1.83

$
0.20

10.9
%
Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments - Cash Settlement- Gas (Mcf)

$
0.44

$
0.84

$
(0.40
)
(47.6
)%
Average Sales Price - Oil (Mcfe)*
$
7.03

$
9.25

$
(2.22
)
(24.0
)%
Total Average Other Sales Price (per Mcfe)
$
2.55

$
2.85

$
(0.30
)
(10.5
)%
Average Other Lease Operating Expenses (per Mcfe)
0.71

0.82

(0.11
)
(13.4
)%
Average Other Production, Ad Valorem, and Other Fees (per Mcfe)
0.16

0.12

0.04

33.3
%
Average Other Transportation, Gathering and Compression Costs (per Mcfe)
1.10

0.86

0.24

27.9
%
Average Other Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs (per Mcfe)
1.40

1.59

(0.19
)
(11.9
)%
Total Average Other Costs (per Mcfe)
$
3.37

$
3.39

$
(0.02
)
(0.6
)%
Average Margin for Other (per Mcfe)
$
(0.82
)
$
(0.54
)
$
(0.28
)
(51.9
)%

*Oil is converted to Mcfe at the rate of one barrel equals six Mcf based upon the approximate relative energy content of oil and natural gas, which is not indicative of the relationship of oil and natural gas prices.

The Other Gas segment includes activity not assigned to the Marcellus, Utica, or CBM segments. This segment also includes purchased gas activity, unrealized gain or loss on commodity derivative instruments, exploration and production related other costs, other corporate expenses and miscellaneous operational activity not assigned to a specific E&P segment.



53


Other Gas sales volumes are primarily related to shallow oil and gas production, as well as the Chattanooga shale in Tennessee. Natural gas, NGLs and oil sales related to the Other Gas segment were $ 12 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $13 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease in natural gas, NGLs and oil sales primarily related to the $0.30 per Mcfe decrease in total average sales price and a 20.3% decrease in sales volumes. Total costs related to these other sales were $18 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $23 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in depreciation, depletion and amortization costs related to the adjustment to our shallow oil and gas rates after an impairment in the carrying value was recognized in the second quarter of 2015.

There was an unrealized gain on commodity derivative instruments of $160 million and cash settlements of $1 million related to the Other Gas segment for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to an unrealized gain of $99 million and cash settlements of $6 million related to the Other Gas segment for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The unrealized gain represents changes in the fair value of all of the Company's existing commodity hedges on a mark-to-market basis. The unrealized gain on commodity derivative instruments is the result of the December 31, 2014 de-designation of all derivative positions as cash flow hedges. Changes in fair value were recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income prior to de-designation.

Purchased gas sales volumes represent volumes of gas sold at market prices that were purchased from third parties in order to fulfill contracts with certain customers. Purchased gas sales revenues were $12 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The period-to-period increase in purchased gas sales revenue was primarily due to the increase in purchased gas sales volumes, offset, in part, by the decrease in average sales price.
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Purchased Gas Sales Volumes (in billion cubic feet)
5.7

1.2

4.5

375.0
%
Average Sales Price (per Mcf)
$
2.11

$
2.12

$
(0.01
)
(0.5
)%

Miscellaneous other income was $19 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 15 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . Each component of miscellaneous other income is shown in the following table:
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Gathering Revenue
$
3

$
1

$
2

200.0
%
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates - CONE
15

13

2

15.4
%
Right of Way Sales

1

(1
)
(100.0
)%
Other
1


1

100.0
%
Total Miscellaneous Other Income
$
19

$
15

$
4

26.7
%

Gathering revenue primarily relates to the release (sale) of unutilized firm transportation capacity when possible and when beneficial in order to minimize unutilized firm transportation expense. Gathering revenue increased by $2 million in the period-to-period comparison, due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates - CONE increased $2 million due to an increase in earnings from CONE Midstream Partners, LP. and CONE Gathering, LLC. See Note 18 - Related Party Transactions of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information.
Right of Way Sales totaled $1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015 . No material sales occurred in the current period.
The remaining $1 million increase relates to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.

Gain on sale of assets was $ 15 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The $ 14 million increase was primarily due to various land asset sales in the current period. No material asset sales occurred in the prior period.

Selling, general and administrative costs are allocated to the total E&P segment based on percentage of total revenue and percentage of total projected capital expenditures. Costs were $26 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared


54


to $24 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . Refer to the discussion of total company selling, general and administrative costs contained in the section "Net Income attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders" of this quarterly report for a detailed cost explanation.

Purchased gas volumes represent volumes of gas purchased from third parties that CONSOL Energy sells. The higher average cost per thousand cubic feet is due to overall price changes, differing markets and contractual differences among customers in the period-to-period comparison. Purchased gas costs were $12 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and $2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 .
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Purchased Gas Volumes (in billion cubic feet)
5.7

1.2

4.5

375.0
%
Average Cost (per Mcf)
$
2.09

$
1.61

$
0.48

29.8
%

Exploration and other costs were nominal for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The $3 million decrease is due to the following items:
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Lease Expiration Costs
$

$
2

$
(2
)
(100.0
)%
Land Rentals

1

(1
)
(100.0
)%
Total Exploration and Other Costs
$

$
3

$
(3
)
(100.0
)%

Lease expiration costs decrease d by $2 million in the period-to-period comparison, primarily due to a decreased number of leases expiring in the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 .
Land rental costs decrease d by $1 million in the period-to-period comparison due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Other corporate expenses were $22 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 21 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The $1 million increase in the period-to-period comparison was made up of the following items:
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Unutilized Firm Transportation and Processing Fees
$
10

$
8

$
2

25.0
%
Idle Rig Fees
8

7

1

14.3
%
Litigation Expense
1

1


%
Insurance Expense
1

1


%
Severance Expense

3

(3
)
(100.0
)%
Other
2

1

1

100.0
%
Total Other Corporate Expenses
$
22

$
21

$
1

4.8
%

Unutilized firm transportation costs represent pipeline transportation capacity that the E&P division has obtained to enable gas production to flow uninterrupted as sales volumes increase, as well as additional processing capacity for natural gas liquids. Unutilized firm transportation increase d $2 million in the period-to-period comparison due to an increase in overall capacity. The Company attempts to minimize this expense by releasing (selling) unutilized firm transportation capacity to other parties when possible and when beneficial. During the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 the Company recognized approximately $2 million and $1 million, respectively, of revenue in connection with such releases. This revenue is included in Miscellaneous other income section (Gathering Revenue) of the Other Gas Segment.
Idle rig fees are fees related to the temporary idling of some of the Company's natural gas rigs. The total idle rig expense incurred by the Company has increased by $1 million for the current quarter as compared to the prior year quarter.
Severance expense was a result of the Company reorganization that occurred in the third quarter of 2015.
Other increase d $1 million due to a 401(k) discretionary contribution in the current period, as well as various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.


55


Interest expense related to the E&P division remained consistent at $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 . Interest expense was incurred by the Other Gas segment on interest allocated to the E&P segment under CONSOL Energy's credit facility.

TOTAL PA MINING OPERATIONS DIVISION ANALYSIS for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 :
The PA Mining Operations division principal activities consist of mining, preparation and marketing of thermal coal to power generators. The division also includes selling, general and administrative costs, as well as various other activities assigned to the PA Mining Operations division but not allocated to each individual mine and, therefore, not included in the unit cost presentation.

The PA Mining Operations division had earnings before income tax of $35 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to earnings before income tax of $132 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . Variances are discussed below.
For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Sales:
Coal Sales
$
268

$
323

$
(55
)
Freight Revenue
9

2

7

Miscellaneous Other Income
2

2


Total Revenue and Other Income
279

327

(48
)
Operating Costs and Expenses:
Operating Costs
176

187

(11
)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
40

41

(1
)
Total Operating Costs and Expenses
216

228

(12
)
Other Costs and Expenses:
Other Costs
7

(49
)
56

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
2

3

(1
)
Total Other Costs and Expenses
9

(46
)
55

Freight Expense
9

2

7

Selling, General and Administrative Costs
8

9

(1
)
Total PA Mining Operation Costs
242

193

49

Interest Expense
2

2


Total PA Mining Operations Division Expense
244

195

49

Earnings Before Income Tax
$
35

$
132

$
(97
)


The PA Mining Operations coal revenue and cost components on a per unit basis for these periods are as follows:
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Company Produced PA Mining Operations Tons Sold (in millions)
6.0

5.7

0.3

5.3
%
Average Sales Price Per PA Mining Operations Ton Sold
$
44.30

$
56.99

$
(12.69
)
(22.3
)%
Total Operating Costs Per Ton Sold
$
29.29

$
33.21

$
(3.92
)
(11.8
)%
Total Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs Per Ton Sold
6.50

7.05

(0.55
)
(7.8
)%
Total Costs Per PA Mining Operations Ton Sold
$
35.79

$
40.26

$
(4.47
)
(11.1
)%
Average Margin Per PA Mining Operations Ton Sold
$
8.51

$
16.73

$
(8.22
)
(49.1
)%



56


Coal Sales
PA Mining Operations produced coal sales were $268 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to $323 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The $55 million decrease was attributable to a $12.69 per ton lower average sales price, offset by a 0.3 million increase in tons sold. The lower average coal sales price per ton sold in the 2016 period was primarily the result of the overall decline in both the domestic and global thermal coal markets. The average realized price per ton decreased by 22.3% compared to the prior year period, as some of the higher priced coal contracts rolled off and were replaced by lower priced sales.
Freight Revenue and Freight Expense
Freight revenue is the amount billed to customers for transportation costs incurred. This revenue is based on the weight of coal shipped, negotiated freight rates and method of transportation, primarily rail, used by the customers to which the Company contractually provides transportation services. Freight revenue is completely offset in freight expense. Freight revenue and freight expense were both $9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to $2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The $7 million increase was due to increased shipments where transportation services were contractually provided.

Cost of Coal Sold
Cost of coal sold is comprised of operating costs related to produced tons sold, along with changes in both the volumes and carrying values of coal inventory. The cost of coal sold per ton includes items such as direct operating costs, royalty and production taxes, employee related expenses and depreciation, depletion, and amortization costs. Total cost of coal sold for PA Mining Operations was $216 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , or $12 million lower than the $228 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . Total costs per PA Mining Operations ton sold were $35.79 per ton for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to $40.26 per ton for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease in the cost of coal sold was driven by a reduction in staffing levels and a realignment of employee benefits. Productivity, as measured by tons per employee-hour, also improved by 2% in the period-to-period comparison, despite the fact that adverse geological conditions were encountered during the current period.

Other Costs and Expenses

Other costs include items that are assigned to the PA Mining Operations division but are not included in unit costs, such as OPEB plan changes and purchased coal costs. Other costs increase d $56 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The increase was primarily due to income of $53 million related to OPEB plan changes made in May 2015 for retired employees. Refer to the discussion of total Company long-term liabilities contained in the section "Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders" of this quarterly report for more information. No such transactions occurred in the current period.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

Depreciation, depletion and amortization decreased $1 million , primarily a result of fewer assets placed in service in the period-to-period comparison.

Selling, General and Administrative Costs
Upon execution of the CNXC IPO, CNXC entered into a service agreement with CONSOL Energy to provide certain selling, general and administrative services. These services are paid monthly based on an agreed upon fixed fee that is reset at least annually. See Note 18 - Related Party Transactions of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information. The amount of selling, general and administrative costs related to PA Mining Operations was $8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to $9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . Refer to the discussion of total Company selling, general and administrative costs contained in the section "Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders" of this quarterly report for a detailed cost explanation.

Interest Expense

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, of $2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 is primarily comprised of interest on the CNXC revolving credit facility that was drawn upon after the CNXC IPO on July 7, 2015.



57


OTHER DIVISION ANALYSIS for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 :

The Other division includes expenses from various corporate and diversified business activities that are not allocated to the E&P or PA Mining Operations divisions. The diversified business activities include coal terminal operations, closed and idle mine activities, water operations, selling, general and administrative activities, as well as various other non-operated activities.

The Other division had a loss before income tax of $81 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to earnings before income tax of $13 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The Other division also includes total Company income tax expense related to continuing operations of $ 53 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to income tax expense of $ 66 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 .

For the Three Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Other Outside Sales
$
5

$
5

$

%
Miscellaneous Other Income
11

21

(10
)
(47.6
)%
Gain on Sale of Assets

47

(47
)
(100.0
)%
Total Revenue
16

73

(57
)
(78.1
)%
Miscellaneous Operating Expense
40

(3
)
43

(1,433.3
)%
Selling, General, and Administrative Costs
5

6

(1
)
(16.7
)%
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
8

11

(3
)
(27.3
)%
Interest Expense
44

46

(2
)
(4.3
)%
Total Other Costs
97

60

37

61.7
%
(Loss) Income Before Income Tax
(81
)
13

(94
)
(723.1
)%
Income Tax Expense
53

66

(13
)
(19.7
)%
Net Loss
$
(134
)
$
(53
)
$
(81
)
152.8
%

Other Outside Sales
Other outside sales primarily consists of sales from the Company's coal terminal operations. Coal terminal operations sales were $5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 .

Miscellaneous Other Income

Miscellaneous other income was $11 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to $21 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The change is due to the following items:

For the Three Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Royalty Income
$
2

$
5

$
(3
)
Right of Way Sales

3

(3
)
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates

2

(2
)
Rental Income
9

9


Other Income

2

(2
)
Total Miscellaneous Other Income
$
11

$
21

$
(10
)

Royalty Income related to non-operated coal properties decrease d $3 million in the period-to period comparison primarily due to the overall decrease in domestic coal pricing.
Right of Way Sales decrease d $3 million due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.


58


Equity in Earnings of Affiliates decrease d $2 million due to the sale of the Company's 49% interest in Western Allegheny Energy in September 2015. See Note 3 - Acquisitions and Dispositions in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q for additional details.
Other Income decreased $2 million due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.

Gain on Sale of Assets
Gain on sale of assets decrease d $47 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to the sale of the Company's 49% interest in Western Allegheny Energy during the three months ended September 30, 2015 . See Note 3 - Acquisitions and Dispositions in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q for additional details.
Miscellaneous Operating Expense

Miscellaneous operating expense related to the Other division was $40 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to income of $3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . Miscellaneous operating expense increased in the period-to-period comparison due to the following items:
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
OPEB Plan Changes
$

$
(48
)
$
48

Pension Settlement
4

3

1

Bank Fees
5

4

1

Lease Rental Expense
8

7

1

Coal Terminal Operations
5

4

1

Closed and Idle Mines
2

2


UMWA OPEB Expense
11

12

(1
)
Severance Payments

4

(4
)
Pension Expense
(3
)
1

(4
)
Other
8

8


Miscellaneous Operating Expense
$
40

$
(3
)
$
43


Income of $48 million related to OPEB plan changes was the result of modifications made to the OPEB plan in May 2015 for retired employees. Refer to the discussion of total Company long-term liabilities contained in the section "Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders" of this quarterly report for more information. No such transactions occurred in the current period.
Pension settlement expense is required when lump sum distributions made for a given plan year exceed the total of the service and interest costs for that same plan year. Settlement accounting was triggered in the three months ended September 30, 2016 , primarily as a result of the sale of the Buchanan Mine in the first quarter of 2016 and the sale of the Fola and Miller Creek mining complexes in the third quarter of 2016. See Note 5 - Components of Pension and OPEB Plans Net Periodic Benefit Costs in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q for additional detail.
Bank Fees increased $1 million in the period-to-period comparison due to various items that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Lease Rental Expense increased $1 million due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Coal Terminal Operations costs increased $1 million primarily due to an increase in supply costs.
UMWA OPEB Expense decreased $1 million primarily due to a decrease in interest costs.
Severance Payments were $4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 related to the company reorganization that occurred in the prior year period. No such transactions occurred in the current period.
Actuarially-calculated amortization decreased $4 million in the period-to-period comparison due to modifications made to the pension plan in May 2015. See Note 16 - Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans in the Notes to the Audited Financial Statements in our December 31, 2015 Form 10-K for additional information.





59


Selling, General and Administrative Costs
Selling, general and administrative costs allocated to the Other division decrease d $1 million in the period-to-period comparison. Refer to the discussion of total Company selling, general and administrative costs contained in the section "Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders" of this quarterly report for a detailed cost explanation.

Deprecation, Depletion and Amortization
Depreciation, depletion and amortization decrease d $3 million , primarily related to a reduction of the asset retirement obligations at various closed and idled mine locations during the three months ended September 30, 2016 .

Interest Expense

Interest expense of $44 million was recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to $46 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease of $2 million in the period-to-period comparison was primarily due to a decrease in the average outstanding balance on the Company's revolving credit facility.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate for continuing operations when excluding noncontrolling interest was 46.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to 34.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The effective rates for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were calculated using the annual effective rate projections on recurring earnings and include tax liabilities related to certain discrete transactions. See Note 7 - Income Taxes of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q for additional information.
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Total Company Earnings Before Income Tax Excluding Noncontrolling Interest
$
113

$
189

$
(76
)
(40.2
)%
Income Tax Expense
$
53

$
66

$
(13
)
(19.7
)%
Effective Income Tax Rate
46.7
%
34.9
%
11.8
%



60



Results of Operations - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Net Loss Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders
CONSOL Energy reported a net loss attributable to CONSOL Energy shareholders of $542 million, or a dilutive loss per share of $ 2.36 , for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to a net loss attributable to CONSOL Energy shareholders of $405 million, or a dilutive loss per share of $ 1.77 , for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 .
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
2015
Variance
Loss from Continuing Operations
$
(214,770
)
$
(395,609
)
$
180,839

Loss from Discontinued Operations
(322,747
)
(3,192
)
(319,555
)
Net Loss
$
(537,517
)
$
(398,801
)
$
(138,716
)
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
4,541

6,490

(1,949
)
Net Loss Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders
$
(542,058
)
$
(405,291
)
$
(136,767
)

CONSOL Energy consists of two principal business divisions: Exploration and Production (E&P) and Pennsylvania (PA) Mining Operations. The total E&P division includes four segments: Marcellus, Utica, Coalbed Methane (CBM), and Other Gas.

The total E&P division contributed a loss before income tax of $ 156 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to a loss before income tax of $765 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 .

The following table presents a breakout of net liquid and natural gas sales information to assist in the understanding of the Company’s natural gas production and sales portfolio.
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
in thousands (unless noted)
2016
2015
Variance
Percent Change
LIQUIDS
NGLs:
Sales Volume (MMcfe)
31,020

23,357

7,663

32.8
%
Sales Volume (Mbbls)
5,170

3,893

1,277

32.8
%
Gross Price ($/Bbl)
$
12.78

$
11.52

$
1.26

10.9
%
Gross Revenue
$
66,161

$
44,838

$
21,323

47.6
%
Oil:
Sales Volume (MMcfe)
308

495

(187
)
(37.8
)%
Sales Volume (Mbbls)
51

83

(32
)
(38.6
)%
Gross Price ($/Bbl)
$
35.34

$
49.68

$
(14.34
)
(28.9
)%
Gross Revenue
$
1,818

$
4,098

$
(2,280
)
(55.6
)%
Condensate:
Sales Volume (MMcfe)
4,263

5,497

(1,234
)
(22.4
)%
Sales Volume (Mbbls)
711

916

(205
)
(22.4
)%
Gross Price ($/Bbl)
$
26.94

$
26.94

$

%
Gross Revenue
$
19,147

$
24,706

$
(5,559
)
(22.5
)%
GAS
Sales Volume (MMcf)
257,534

203,834

53,700

26.3
%
Sales Price ($/Mcf)
$
1.82

$
2.30

$
(0.48
)
(20.9
)%
Gross Revenue
$
468,399

$
469,182

$
(783
)
(0.2
)%
Hedging Impact ($/Mcf)
$
0.79

$
0.57

$
0.22

38.6
%
Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments - Cash Settlement
$
203,303

$
116,868

$
86,435

74.0
%




61



Total E&P sales volumes, average sales price (including the effects of derivative instruments), and average costs for all active E&P operations were as follows:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Total E&P Sales Volumes (Bcfe)
293.1

233.2

59.9

25.7
%
Average Sales Price (per Mcfe)
$
2.59

$
2.83

$
(0.24
)
(8.5
)%
Average Costs (per Mcfe)
2.35

2.73

(0.38
)
(13.9
)%
Margin
$
0.24

$
0.10

$
0.14

140.0
%

Total E&P division Natural Gas, NGLs, and Oil sales were $ 555 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to $ 542 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The increase was primarily due to the 25.7% increase in total volumes sold, offset in part, by the 8.5% decrease in average sales price per Mcfe. The decrease in average sales price was the result of the overall decrease in general market prices. The decrease was offset, in part, by an increase in the gain on commodity derivative instruments related to the Company's hedging program and increase in natural gas liquids pricing. The increase in the gain on commodity derivative instruments was primarily due to an increase in the percent of volumes hedged and lower market prices.

Changes in the average costs per Mcfe were primarily related to the following items:
The improvement in unit costs is primarily due to the continuing shift towards lower cost Marcellus and Utica Shale production, ongoing cost reduction efforts and the 25.7% increase in total volumes sold in the period-to-period comparison. Marcellus production made up 53.2% of natural gas and liquid sales volumes for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to 52.6% for the nine months months ended September 30, 2015 . Utica production made up 23.4% of natural gas and liquid sales volumes for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to 15.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 .
Lease operating expense decreased on a per unit basis in the period-to-period comparison due to a decrease in well tending costs, employee related costs and repairs and maintenance costs. The decrease in unit costs is also due to the overall increase in E&P sales volumes. The decrease in unit costs was partially offset by an increase in salt water disposal costs.
Transportation, gathering and compression expense decreased on a per unit basis in the period-to-period comparison due to the overall increase in E&P sales volumes and the shift towards dry Utica Shale production which has lower gathering costs since there are no associated processing fees. The decrease in unit costs was partially offset by an increase in total dollars related to an increase in utilized firm transportation costs, increased processing fees associated with NGLs, and an increase in CONE gathering expense directly related to the increase in Marcellus production. See Note 18 - Related Party Transactions of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization decreased on a per unit basis primarily due to the adjustment to the Company's shallow oil and gas rates following the impairment in carrying value that was recognized in the second quarter of 2015 (See Note 10 - Property, Plant, And Equipment, in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q for more information), as well as the increase in E&P sales volumes from the Company's lower cost Marcellus and Utica production. The decrease was offset, in part, by an overall increase in rates due to the reduction in the 2015 year-end reserves.

The PA Mining Operations division had earnings before income tax of $80 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to earnings before income tax of $292 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 .
Sales tons, average sales price and average cost of goods sold per ton for the PA Mining Operations division were as follows:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Company Produced PA Mining Operations Tons Sold (in millions)
17.5

17.9

(0.4
)
(2.2
)%
Average Sales Price per ton sold
$
42.60

$
57.41

$
(14.81
)
(25.8
)%
Average Cost of Goods Sold per ton
34.53

42.35

(7.82
)
(18.5
)%
Margin
$
8.07

$
15.06

$
(6.99
)
(46.4
)%


62




The lower average sales price per ton sold in the 2016 period was primarily the result of the overall decline in both the domestic and global thermal coal markets. The PA Mining Operations division priced 4.1 million tons on the export market for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to 4.0 million tons for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . All other tons were sold on the domestic market.

Changes in the average cost of goods sold per ton was primarily driven by the idling of one longwall at the PA Mining Operations complex for approximately 90 days, a reduction of staffing levels and a realignment of employee benefits in the current year. All of the above steps resulted in more consistent operating schedules, reduced labor costs and improved productivity.
The Other division includes other business activities not assigned to the E&P or PA Mining Operations divisions, as well as income taxes. The Other division had a net loss of $139 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to net income of $77 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 .
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) costs are allocated to the PA Mining Operations division based upon a shared service agreement that CONSOL Energy entered into with CNX Coal Resources LP (CNXC) upon execution of the CNXC initial public offering (IPO). The shared service agreement calls for CONSOL Energy to provide certain selling, general and administrative services that are paid for monthly, based on an agreed upon fixed fee, that is reset at least annually. See Note 18 - Related Party Transactions of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information. The remaining SG&A costs are allocated between the E&P and Other divisions based primarily on a percentage of total revenue and a percentage of total projected capital expenditures.

SG&A costs are excluded from the E&P and PA Mining Operations unit costs above. SG&A costs were $104 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to $125 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . SG&A costs decreased due to the following items:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Short-Term Incentive Compensation
$
12

$
33

$
(21
)
(63.6
)%
Employee Wages and Related Expenses
41

50

(9
)
(18.0
)%
Advertising and Promotion
4

5

(1
)
(20.0
)%
Consulting and Professional Services
11

11


%
Rent
6

6


%
Stock-Based Compensation
24

20

4

20.0
%
Other
6


6

100.0
%
Total Company Selling, General and Administrative Expense

$
104

$
125

$
(21
)
(16.8
)%

The decrease in Short-Term Incentive Compensation was a result of lower payouts in the current period.
Employee Wages and Related Expenses decreased $9 million primarily due to the Company reorganization that occurred in the second half of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016.
Advertising and Promotion expense decreased $1 million due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Stock-based compensation increased $4 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to additional non-cash amortization expense and accelerated non-cash amortization recorded in the current period for employees who received awards under the Performance Share Unit (PSU) program.
Other increased $6 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to a 401(k) discretionary contribution in the current period.



63



Total Company long-term liabilities, such as OPEB, the salary retirement plan, workers' compensation, Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP), and long-term disability are actuarially calculated for the Company as a whole. In general, the expenses are then allocated to the segments based upon criteria specific to each liability. Total CONSOL Energy continuing operations expense related to actuarial liabilities was $ 57 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to income of $ 83 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The increase of $140 million is primarily due to modifications made to the OPEB and Pension plans in May 2015. See Note 16 - Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans and Note 17 - Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP) and Workers' Compensation in the Notes to the Audited Financial Statements in our December 31, 2015 Form 10-K and Note 5 - Components of Pension and OPEB Plans Net Periodic Benefit Costs in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q for additional details.


64



TOTAL E&P DIVISION ANALYSIS for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 :
The E&P division had a loss before income tax of $ 156 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to a loss before income tax of $ 765 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . Variances by individual E&P segment are discussed below.
For the Nine Months Ended
Difference to Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
September 30, 2015
(in millions)
Marcellus
Utica
CBM
Other
Gas
Total E&P
Marcellus
Utica
CBM
Other
Gas
Total
E&P
Natural Gas, NGLs and Oil Sales
287

115

123

30

555

4

58

(35
)
(14
)
13

Gain (Loss) on Commodity Derivative Instruments
121

25

44

(136
)
54

66

24

(3
)
(284
)
(197
)
Purchased Gas Sales



29

29




21

21

Miscellaneous Other Income



61

61




16

16

Gain on Sale of Assets



10

10




7

7

Total Revenue and Other Income
408

140

167

(6
)
709

70

82

(38
)
(254
)
(140
)
Lease Operating Expense
27

17

18

12

74

(6
)

(9
)
(7
)
(22
)
Production, Ad Valorem, and Other Fees
13

4

4

3

24

(1
)
3

(2
)
(1
)
(1
)
Transportation, Gathering and Compression
171

37

54

18

280

29

14

(10
)
(2
)
31

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
154

64

66

27

311

37

26

2

(23
)
42

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs




74

74




(6
)
(6
)
Purchased Gas Costs



29

29




23

23

Exploration and Production Related Other Costs



5

5




(3
)
(3
)
Other Corporate Expenses



66

66




(810
)
(810
)
Total Exploration and Production Costs
365

122

142

234

863

59

43

(19
)
(829
)
(746
)
Interest Expense



2

2




(3
)
(3
)
Total E&P Division Costs
365

122

142

236

865

59

43

(19
)
(832
)
(749
)
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Tax
$
43

$
18

$
25

$
(242
)
$
(156
)
$
11

$
39

$
(19
)
$
578

$
609





65



MARCELLUS GAS SEGMENT
The Marcellus segment had earnings before income tax of $ 43 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to earnings before income tax of $ 32 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 .
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Marcellus Gas Sales Volumes (Bcf)
135.3

105.6

29.7

28.1
%
NGLs Sales Volumes (Bcfe)*
18.7

14.2

4.5

31.7
%
Condensate Sales Volumes (Bcfe)*
2.0

2.8

(0.8
)
(28.6
)%
Total Marcellus Sales Volumes (Bcfe)*
156.0

122.6

33.4

27.2
%
Average Sales Price - Gas (Mcf)
$
1.79

$
2.21

$
(0.42
)
(19.0
)%
Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments - Cash Settlement- Gas (Mcf)
$
0.89

$
0.52

$
0.37

71.2
%
Average Sales Price - NGLs (Mcfe)*
$
1.99

$
2.42

$
(0.43
)
(17.8
)%
Average Sales Price - Condensate (Mcfe)*
$
4.18

$
5.40

$
(1.22
)
(22.6
)%
Total Average Marcellus Sales Price (per Mcfe)
$
2.62

$
2.75

$
(0.13
)
(4.7
)%
Average Marcellus Lease Operating Expenses (per Mcfe)
0.17

0.27

(0.10
)
(37.0
)%
Average Marcellus Production, Ad Valorem, and Other Fees (per Mcfe)
0.09

0.12

(0.03
)
(25.0
)%
Average Marcellus Transportation, Gathering and Compression costs (per Mcfe)
1.10

1.16

(0.06
)
(5.2
)%
Average Marcellus Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization costs (per Mcfe)
0.98

0.94

0.04

4.3
%
Total Average Marcellus Costs (per Mcfe)
$
2.34

$
2.49

$
(0.15
)
(6.0
)%
Average Margin for Marcellus (per Mcfe)
$
0.28

$
0.26

$
0.02

7.7
%
* NGLs and Condensate are converted to Mcfe at the rate of one barrel equals six Mcf based upon the approximate relative energy content of oil and natural gas, which is not indicative of the relationship of oil, NGLs, condensate, and natural gas prices.

The Marcellus segment had natural gas, NGLs and oil sales of $ 287 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 283 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The $ 4 million increase was primarily due to a 27.2% increase in total Marcellus sales volumes, partially offset by a 19.0% decrease in the average gas sales price in the period-to-period comparison. The increased volumes were primarily due to additional wells coming on-line in the current period.

The decrease in Marcellus total average sales price was primarily the result of the $ 0.42 per Mcf decrease in gas market prices, along with a $0.05 per Mcfe decrease in the uplift from NGLs and condensate sales volumes, when excluding the impact of hedging. These decreases were offset, in part, by a $ 0.37 per Mcf increase in the gain on commodity derivative instruments resulting from the Company's hedging program. The increase in the gain was due to an increase in volumes hedged and lower market prices. These financial hedges represented approximately 120.5 Bcf of our produced Marcellus sales volumes for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 at an average gain of $1.00 per Mcf. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , these financial hedges represented approximately 54.2 Bcf at an average gain of $0.99 per Mcf.

Total costs for the Marcellus segment were $ 365 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 306 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The increase in total dollars and decrease in unit costs for the Marcellus segment are due to the following items:

Marcellus lease operating expenses were $ 27 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 33 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease in total dollars was primarily due to lower employee related costs, well tending costs and repairs and maintenance expense in the current period. The decrease in employee related costs was primarily the result of the company reorganization that occurred in the second half of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016. The decrease in unit costs was primarily due to the 27.2% increase in total Marcellus sales volumes, along with the decreased total dollars described above. The decreases were offset, in part, by an increase in salt water disposal costs in the period-to-period comparison.



66



Marcellus production, ad valorem, and other fees were $ 13 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $14 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease in total dollars was primarily due to the decrease in average gas sales price, offset, in part, by the increase in total Marcellus sales volumes.

Marcellus transportation, gathering and compression costs were $ 171 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 142 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The increase in total dollars primarily relates to an increase in CONE gathering fees due to the 28.1% increase in Marcellus gas sales volumes (See Note 18 - Related Party Transactions of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information), an increase in processing fees associated with NGLs primarily due to the 31.7% increase in NGLs sales volumes, and an increase in utilized firm transportation expense. The decrease in unit costs was due to the increase in total Marcellus sales volumes, offset, in part, by the increase in total dollars.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization costs attributable to the Marcellus segment were $ 154 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 117 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . These amounts included depreciation on a unit of production basis of $0.97 per Mcf and $0.93 per Mcf, respectively. The increase in unit costs in the period-to-period comparison was primarily due to the decrease in the year-end 2015 Marcellus reserves. The remaining depreciation, depletion and amortization costs were either recorded on a straight-line basis or related to gas well closing.

UTICA GAS SEGMENT

The Utica segment had earnings before income tax of $ 18 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to a loss before income tax of $ 21 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 .
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Utica Gas Sales Volumes (Bcf)
54.0

23.6

30.4

128.8
%
NGLs Sales Volumes (Bcfe)*
12.3

9.1

3.2

35.2
%
Oil Sales Volumes (Bcfe)*

0.1

(0.1
)
(100.0
)%
Condensate Sales Volumes (Bcfe)*
2.3

2.7

(0.4
)
(14.8
)%
Total Utica Sales Volumes (Bcfe)*
68.6

35.5

33.1

93.2
%
Average Sales Price - Gas (Mcf)
$
1.40

$
1.54

$
(0.14
)
(9.1
)%
Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments - Cash Settlement- Gas (Mcf)

$
0.46

$
0.04

$
0.42

1,050.0
%
Average Sales Price - NGLs (Mcfe)*
$
2.35

$
1.14

$
1.21

106.1
%
Average Sales Price - Oil (Mcfe)*
$

$
6.69

$
(6.69
)
(100.0
)%
Average Sales Price - Condensate (Mcfe)*
$
4.77

$
3.59

$
1.18

32.9
%
Total Average Utica Sales Price (per Mcfe)
$
2.04

$
1.63

$
0.41

25.2
%
Average Utica Lease Operating Expenses (per Mcfe)
0.25

0.48

(0.23
)
(47.9
)%
Average Utica Production, Ad Valorem, and Other Fees (per Mcfe)
0.05

0.04

0.01

25.0
%
Average Utica Transportation, Gathering and Compression Costs (per Mcfe)
0.54

0.65

(0.11
)
(16.9
)%
Average Utica Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs (per Mcfe)
0.94

1.06

(0.12
)
(11.3
)%
Total Average Utica Costs (per Mcfe)
$
1.78

$
2.23

$
(0.45
)
(20.2
)%
Average Margin for Utica (per Mcfe)
$
0.26

$
(0.60
)
$
0.86

143.3
%

*NGLs and Condensate are converted to Mcfe at the rate of one barrel equals six Mcf based upon the approximate relative energy content of oil and natural gas, which is not indicative of the relationship of oil, NGLs, condensate, and natural gas prices.

The Utica segment had natural gas, NGLs and oil sales of $ 115 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 57 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The $ 58 million increase was primarily due to the 93.2% increase in total Utica volumes sold, partially offset by the 9.1% decrease in average gas sales price. The 33.1 Bcfe increase in total Utica sales volumes was due to additional wells coming on-line, primarily in dry Utica areas, in the current period.



67



The increase in Utica total average sales price was primarily due to the $ 0.42 per Mcf increase in the gain on commodity derivative instruments in the current period, offset, in part, by the $0.14 per Mcf decrease in average gas sales price. Financial hedges represented approximately 24.6 Bcf of our produced Utica sales volumes for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 at an average gain of $1.00 per Mcf. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , these financial hedges represented approximately 1.4 Bcf at an average gain of $0.66 per Mcf.

Total costs for the Utica segment were $ 122 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 79 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The increase in total dollars and decrease in unit costs for the Utica segment are due to the following items:

Utica lease operating expenses were $ 17 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease in unit costs was primarily due to the 93.2% increase in total Utica sales volumes.

Utica production, ad valorem, and other fees were $ 4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The increase in total dollars was primarily due to the 93.2% increase in total Utica sales volumes. The increase in unit costs was also due to a credit received from a joint venture partner in the 2015 period, related to an over-billing of ad valorem taxes.

Utica transportation, gathering and compression costs were $ 37 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 23 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The $ 14 million increase in total dollars was primarily related to an increase in processing fees associated with NGLs as well as increased gathering and processing fees associated with the overall increase in Utica sales volumes. The decrease in unit costs was due to the increase in Utica sales volumes, predominantly dry Utica, which was offset, in part, by the increase in total dollars.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization costs attributable to the Utica segment were $ 64 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 38 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . These amounts included depreciation on a unit of production basis of $0.93 per Mcf and $1.05 per Mcf, respectively. The decrease in unit costs in the period-to-period comparison was primarily due to an increase in Utica reserves. The remaining depreciation, depletion and amortization costs were either recorded on a straight-line basis or related to gas well closing.

COALBED METHANE (CBM) GAS SEGMENT
The CBM segment had earnings before income tax of $ 25 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to earnings before income tax of $ 44 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 .
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
CBM Gas Sales Volumes (Bcf)
51.6

56.2

(4.6
)
(8.2
)%
Average Sales Price - Gas (Mcf)
$
2.38

$
2.81

$
(0.43
)
(15.3
)%
Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments - Cash Settlement- Gas (Mcf)

$
0.85

$
0.83

$
0.02

2.4
%
Total Average CBM Sales Price (per Mcf)
$
3.23

$
3.64

$
(0.41
)
(11.3
)%
Average CBM Lease Operating Expenses (per Mcf)
0.36

0.47

(0.11
)
(23.4
)%
Average CBM Production, Ad Valorem, and Other Fees (per Mcf)
0.09

0.11

(0.02
)
(18.2
)%
Average CBM Transportation, Gathering and Compression Costs (per Mcf)
1.05

1.14

(0.09
)
(7.9
)%
Average CBM Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs (per Mcf)
1.25

1.14

0.11

9.6
%
Total Average CBM Costs (per Mcf)
$
2.75

$
2.86

$
(0.11
)
(3.8
)%
Average Margin for CBM (per Mcf)
$
0.48

$
0.78

$
(0.30
)
(38.5
)%

The CBM segment had natural gas sales of $ 123 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 158 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The $ 35 million decrease was primarily due to a 15.3% decrease in the average gas sales price, as well as a 8.2% decrease in total CBM volumes sold. The decrease in CBM volumes sold was primarily due to normal well declines and less drilling activity.



68



The CBM total average sales price decrease d $ 0.41 per Mcf due primarily to a $ 0.43 per Mcf decrease in gas market prices. The decrease was offset, in part, by a $ 0.02 per Mcf increase in the gain on commodity derivative instruments resulting from the Company's hedging program. The increase in the gain was due to an increase in the volumes hedged and lower market prices. These financial hedges represented approximately 42.3 Bcf of our produced CBM sales volumes for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 at an average gain of $1.04 per Mcf. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , these financial hedges represented approximately 40.9 Bcf at an average gain of $1.14 per Mcf.

Total costs for the CBM segment were $ 142 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 161 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease in total dollars and decrease in unit costs for the CBM segment were due to the following items:
CBM lease operating expenses were $ 18 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 27 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease in total dollars was primarily related to a decrease in contractual services related to well tending, a decrease in repairs and maintenance expense, a decrease in employee related costs and a decrease in salt water disposal costs. The decrease in unit costs was primarily due to the decrease in total dollars, partially offset by the decrease in CBM sales volumes.

CBM production, ad valorem, and other fees were $ 4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The $2 million decrease was primarily caused by the decrease in average sales price, as well as the decrease in total CBM sales volumes. Unit costs were positively impacted by the decrease in average sales price which was offset, in part, by the decrease in CBM sales volumes.

CBM transportation, gathering and compression costs were $ 54 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 64 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease of $ 10 million was primarily related to a decrease in repairs and maintenance, a decrease in power and utilized firm transportation expense resulting from the decrease in CBM sales volumes. Unit costs were also positively impacted by the decrease in total dollars which was offset, in part, by the decrease in CBM sales volumes.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization costs attributable to the CBM segment were $ 66 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 64 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . These amounts included depreciation on a unit of production basis of $0.82 per Mcf and $0.73 per Mcf, respectively. The increase in unit costs in the period-to-period comparison was primarily due to the decrease in the year-end 2015 CBM reserves. The remaining depreciation, depletion and amortization costs were either recorded on a straight-line basis or related to gas well closing.



69



OTHER GAS SEGMENT

The Other Gas segment had a loss before income tax of $ 242 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to a loss before income tax of $ 820 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 .

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Other Gas Sales Volumes (Bcf)
16.6

18.5

(1.9
)
(10.3
)%
Oil Sales Volumes (Bcfe)*
0.3

0.4

(0.1
)
(25.0
)%
Total Other Sales Volumes (Bcfe)*
16.9

18.9

(2.0
)
(10.6
)%
Average Sales Price - Gas (Mcf)
$
1.68

$
2.25

$
(0.57
)
(25.3
)%
Gain on Commodity Derivative Instruments - Cash Settlement- Gas (Mcf)

$
0.84

$
0.77

$
0.07

9.1
%
Average Sales Price - Oil (Mcfe)*
$
5.99

$
8.49

$
(2.50
)
(29.4
)%
Total Average Other Sales Price (per Mcfe)
$
2.58

$
3.15

$
(0.57
)
(18.1
)%
Average Other Lease Operating Expenses (per Mcfe)
0.65

1.00

(0.35
)
(35.0
)%
Average Other Production, Ad Valorem, and Other Fees (per Mcfe)
0.13

0.17

(0.04
)
(23.5
)%
Average Other Transportation, Gathering and Compression Costs (per Mcfe)
1.03

1.02

0.01

1.0
%
Average Other Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs (per Mcfe)
1.62

2.57

(0.95
)
(37.0
)%
Total Average Other Costs (per Mcfe)
$
3.43

$
4.76

$
(1.33
)
(27.9
)%
Average Margin for Other (per Mcfe)
$
(0.85
)
$
(1.61
)
$
0.76

47.2
%

*Oil is converted to Mcfe at the rate of one barrel equals six Mcf based upon the approximate relative energy content of oil and natural gas, which is not indicative of the relationship of oil and natural gas prices.

The Other Gas segment includes activity not assigned to the Marcellus, Utica, or CBM segments. This segment also includes purchased gas activity, unrealized gain or loss on commodity derivative instruments, exploration and production related other costs, other corporate expenses and miscellaneous operational activity not assigned to a specific E&P segment.

Other Gas sales volumes are primarily related to shallow oil and gas production, as well as the Chattanooga shale in Tennessee. Natural gas, NGLs and oil sales related to the Other Gas segment were $ 30 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 44 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease in natural gas, NGLs and oil sales primarily related to the $ 0.57 per Mcfe decrease in total average sales price. Total costs related to these other sales were $ 60 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 93 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in depreciation, depletion and amortization costs related to the adjustment to our shallow oil and gas rates after an impairment in the carrying value was recognized in the second quarter of 2015.

There was an unrealized loss on commodity derivative instruments of $149 million offset, in part, by cash settlements of $13 million related to the Other Gas segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to an unrealized gain of $134 million and cash settlements of $14 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The unrealized loss/gain represents changes in the fair value of all of the Company's existing commodity hedges on a mark-to-market basis. The unrealized loss/gain on commodity derivative instruments is the result of the December 31, 2014 de-designation of all derivative positions as cash flow hedges. Changes in fair value were recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income prior to de-designation.

Purchased gas sales volumes represent volumes of gas sold at market prices that were purchased from third parties in order to fulfill contracts with certain customers. Purchased gas sales revenues were $ 29 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The period-to-period increase in purchased gas sales revenue was due to the increase in purchased gas sales volumes, offset, in part, by the decrease in average sales price.
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Purchased Gas Sales Volumes (in billion cubic feet)
15.7

2.6

13.1

503.8
%
Average Sales Price (per Mcf)
$
1.82

$
2.89

$
(1.07
)
(37.0
)%


70



Miscellaneous other income was $ 61 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 45 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The $ 16 million increase was primarily due to the following items:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Right of Way Sales
$
11

$
2

$
9

450.0
%
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates - CONE
40

32

8

25.0
%
Gathering Revenue
8

7

1

14.3
%
Other
2

4

(2
)
(50.0
)%
Total Miscellaneous Other Income
$
61

$
45

$
16

35.6
%

Right of Way Sales increased $ 9 million in the period-to-period comparison due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates - CONE increased $ 8 million due to an increase in earnings from CONE Midstream Partners, LP. and CONE Gathering, LLC. See Note 18 - Related Party Transactions of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information.
Gathering revenue primarily relates to the release (sale) of unutilized firm transportation capacity when possible and when beneficial in order to minimize unutilized firm transportation expense. Gathering revenue increased by $ 1 million in the period-to-period comparison, due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Other decrease d $ 2 million due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.

Gain on sale of assets was $ 10 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The $ 7 million increase was due to various land asset sales in the current period. No material asset sales occurred in the prior period.

Selling, general and administrative costs are allocated to the total E&P segment based on percentage of total revenue and percentage of total projected capital expenditures. Costs were $ 74 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 80 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . Refer to the discussion of total company selling, general and administrative costs contained in the section "Net Loss attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders" of this quarterly report for a detailed cost explanation.

Purchased gas volumes represent volumes of gas purchased from third parties that CONSOL Energy sells. The lower average cost per thousand cubic feet is due to overall price changes, differing markets and contractual differences among customers in the period-to-period comparison. Purchased gas costs were $ 29 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and $ 6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 .
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Purchased Gas Volumes (in billion cubic feet)
15.7

2.6

13.1

503.8
%
Average Cost (per Mcf)
$
1.82

$
2.25

$
(0.43
)
(19.1
)%

Exploration and other costs were $5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The $3 million decrease is due to the following items:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Lease Expiration Costs
$
1

$
4

$
(3
)
(75.0
)%
Land Rentals
2

3

(1
)
(33.3
)%
Other
2

1

1

100.0
%
Total Exploration and Other Costs
$
5

$
8

$
(3
)
(37.5
)%



71



Lease expiration costs decrease d by $3 million in the period-to-period comparison, primarily due to a decreased number of leases expiring in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 .
Land rental costs decrease d by $1 million in the period-to-period comparison due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
The remaining $1 million increase relates to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Other corporate expenses were $ 66 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 876 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The $ 810 million decrease in the period-to-period comparison was made up of the following items:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Impairment of Exploration and Production Properties
$

$
829

$
(829
)
(100.0
)%
Severance Expense
1

5

(4
)
(80.0
)%
Unutilized Firm Transportation and Processing Fees
25

26

(1
)
(3.8
)%
Insurance Expense
2

2


%
Litigation Expense
3

2

1

50.0
%
Idle Rig Fees
27

11

16

145.5
%
Other
8

1

7

700.0
%
Total Other Corporate Expenses
$
66


$
876

$
(810
)
(92.5
)%

Impairment of Exploration and Production properties primarily related to the write down of the Company's shallow oil and gas asset values in June 2015. See Note 10 - Property, Plant, And Equipment, in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in this form 10-Q for more information. No such impairment was recorded in the current period.
Severance expense decreased $4 million in period-to-period comparison primarily due to the Company reorganization that occurred in the third quarter of 2015. Amounts recorded in current period are in connection with the Company's ongoing cost reduction efforts.
Unutilized firm transportation costs represent pipeline transportation capacity that the E&P division has obtained to enable gas production to flow uninterrupted as sales volumes increase, as well as additional processing capacity for natural gas liquids. Unutilized firm transportation decrease d $ 1 million in the period-to-period comparison due to an increase in the utilization of the capacity. The Company attempts to minimize this expense by releasing (selling) unutilized firm transportation capacity to other parties when possible and when beneficial. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 the Company recognized approximately $7 million and $6 million, respectively, of revenue in connection with such releases. This revenue is included in miscellaneous other income (Gathering Revenue) of the Other Gas Segment.
Litigation expense increased $ 1 million in the period-to-period comparison due to various items throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Idle rig fees are fees related to the temporary idling of some of the Company's natural gas rigs. The total idle rig expense incurred by the Company has increase d by $16 million for the current period as compared to the prior period.
Other expenses increase d $7 million in the period-to-period comparison due to a 401(k) discretionary contribution in the current period, as well as various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.

Interest expense related to the E&P division was $ 2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $ 5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . Interest expense was incurred by the Other Gas segment on interest allocated to the E&P segment under CONSOL Energy's credit facility.



72



TOTAL PA MINING OPERATIONS DIVISION ANALYSIS for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 :
The PA Mining Operations division principal activities consist of mining, preparation and marketing of thermal coal to power generators. The division also includes selling, general and administrative costs, as well as various other activities assigned to the PA Mining Operations division but not allocated to each individual mine and, therefore, not included in the unit cost presentation.

The PA Mining Operations division had earnings before income tax of $80 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to earnings before income tax of $292 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . Variances are discussed below.
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Sales:
Coal Sales
$
744

$
1,027

$
(283
)
Freight Revenue
34

10

24

Miscellaneous Other Income
10

3

7

Total Revenue and Other Income
788

1,040

(252
)
Operating Costs and Expenses:
Operating Costs
489

629

(140
)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
114

129

(15
)
Total Operating Costs and Expenses
603

758

(155
)
Other Costs and Expenses:
Other Costs
33

(64
)
97

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
11

8

3

Total Other Costs and Expenses
44

(56
)
100

Freight Expense
34

10

24

Selling, General and Administrative Costs
20

34

(14
)
Total PA Mining Operation Costs
701

746

(45
)
Interest Expense
7

2

5

Total PA Mining Operations Division Expense
708

748

(40
)
Earnings Before Income Tax
$
80

$
292

$
(212
)

The PA Mining Operations coal revenue and cost components on a per unit basis for these periods are as follows:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Company Produced PA Mining Operations Tons Sold (in millions)
17.5

17.9

(0.4
)
(2.2
)%
Average Sales Price Per PA Mining Operations Ton Sold
$
42.60

$
57.41

$
(14.81
)
(25.8
)%
Total Operating Costs Per Ton Sold
$
28.05

$
35.28

$
(7.23
)
(20.5
)%
Total Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs Per Ton Sold
6.48

7.07

(0.59
)
(8.3
)%
Total Costs Per PA Mining Operations Ton Sold
$
34.53

$
42.35

$
(7.82
)
(18.5
)%
Average Margin Per PA Mining Operations Ton Sold
$
8.07

$
15.06

$
(6.99
)
(46.4
)%

Coal Sales
PA Mining Operations produced coal sales were $744 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to $1,027 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The $283 million decrease was attributable to a 0.4 million decrease in tons sold and a $14.81 per ton lower average sales price. The lower sales volumes and average coal sales price per ton sold in the 2016 period were primarily the result of the overall decline in both the domestic and global thermal coal markets. While the


73



overall trend of customer deferrals peaked in May 2016, the Company's marketing team continues to work with a few customers who are facing inventory challenges.
Freight Revenue and Freight Expense
Freight revenue is the amount billed to customers for transportation costs incurred. This revenue is based on the weight of coal shipped, negotiated freight rates and method of transportation, primarily rail, used by the customers to which the Company contractually provides transportation services. Freight revenue is completely offset in freight expense. Freight revenue and freight expense were both $34 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to $10 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The $24 million increase was due to increased shipments where transportation services were contractually provided.

Miscellaneous Other Income
Miscellaneous other income increased $7 million in the period-to-period comparison, primarily a result of a partial coal contract buyout in the amount of $6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . No such transactions occurred in the previous period.
Cost of Coal Sold
Cost of coal sold is comprised of operating costs related to produced tons sold, along with changes in both the volumes and carrying values of coal inventory. The cost of coal sold per ton includes items such as direct operating costs, royalty and production taxes, employee related expenses and depreciation, depletion, and amortization costs. Total cost of coal sold for the PA Mining Operations Division was $603 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , or $155 million lower than the $758 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . Total costs per PA Mining Operations ton sold were $34.53 per ton for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to $42.35 per ton for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease in the cost of coal sold was driven by the idling of one longwall at the PA Mining Operations complex for approximately 90 days, reduction of staffing levels and a realignment of employee benefits. All of the above steps resulted in more consistent operating schedules, reduced labor costs and improved productivity. Productivity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , as measured by tons per employee-hour, improved by 12% when compared to the year-earlier period, despite the temporary idling of one longwall in the current period.
Other Costs and Expenses
Other costs include items that are assigned to the PA Mining Operations division but not included in unit costs. Other costs increased $97 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . This increase was due to the following:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
OPEB Plan Changes
$

$
(79
)
$
79

Idle Mine Costs
13


13

Litigation Expense
3


3

Purchased Coal Costs
3


3

Severance Expense
1


1

Amortization of Financing Charges

7

(7
)
Other
13

8

5

Other Costs and Expenses
$
33

$
(64
)
$
97


Income of $79 million related to OPEB plan changes was the result of modifications made to the OPEB plan in May 2015 for retired employees. Refer to the discussion of total Company long-term liabilities contained in the section "Net Loss Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders" of this quarterly report for more information. No such transactions occurred in the current period.
Idle Mine Costs increased $13 million , due to the temporary idling of one longwall at the PA Mining Operations complex for approximately 90 days in the first half of 2016 to optimize operating schedules.


74



Approximately $3 million of costs were incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 related to the proposed consent decree with respect to the Bailey mine complex. See Note 13 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information.
Purchased Coal Costs increased $3 million due to higher volumes of coal that needed to be purchased to fulfill various contracts.
Severance expense of $ 1 million was incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 in connection with the Company's ongoing cost reduction efforts. No such transactions occurred in the prior period.
Accelerated amortization of financing charges totaling $7 million related to a backstop loan were incurred in the 2015 period.
Other increased $5 million in the period-to-period comparison due to a 401(k) discretionary contribution in the current period, as well as various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased $3 million , primarily a result of additional assets placed in service in the period-to-period comparison.
Selling, General and Administrative Costs
Upon execution of the CNXC IPO, CNXC entered into a service agreement with CONSOL Energy to provide certain selling, general and administrative services. These services are paid monthly based on an agreed upon fixed fee that is reset at least annually. See Note 18 - Related Party Transactions of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information. The amount of selling, general and administrative costs related to PA Mining Operations was $20 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to $34 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . Refer to the discussion of total Company selling, general and administrative costs contained in the section "Net Loss Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders" of this quarterly report for a detailed cost explanation.

Interest Expense

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, of $7 million and $2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, is primarily comprised of interest on the CNXC revolving credit facility that was drawn upon after the CNXC IPO on July 7, 2015.



75



OTHER DIVISION ANALYSIS for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 :

The Other division includes expenses from various corporate and diversified business activities that are not allocated to the E&P or PA Mining Operations divisions. The diversified business activities include coal terminal operations, closed and idle mine activities, water operations, selling, general and administrative activities, as well as various other non-operated activities.

The Other division had a loss before income tax of $211 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to a loss before income tax of $174 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The Other division also includes a total Company income tax benefit related to continuing operations of $72 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to an income tax benefit of $251 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 .

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Other Outside Sales
$
21

$
25

$
(4
)
(16.0
)%
Miscellaneous Other Income
43

63

(20
)
(31.7
)%
Gain on Sale of Assets
3

51

(48
)
(94.1
)%
Total Revenue
67

139

(72
)
(51.8
)%
Miscellaneous Operating Expense
128

71

57

80.3
%
Selling, General, and Administrative Costs
10

10


%
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
4

21

(17
)
(81.0
)%
Loss on Debt Extinguishment

68

(68
)
(100.0
)%
Interest Expense
136

143

(7
)
(4.9
)%
Total Other Costs
278

313

(35
)
(11.2
)%
Loss Before Income Tax
(211
)
(174
)
(37
)
21.3
%
Income Tax Benefit
(72
)
(251
)
179

(71.3
)%
Net (Loss) Income
$
(139
)
$
77

$
(216
)
(280.5
)%

Other Outside Sales
Other outside sales primarily consists of sales from the Company's coal terminal operations. Coal terminal operations sales were $21 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to $25 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The $4 million decrease in the period-to-period comparison was primarily due to a decrease in throughput volumes and rates in the current period.

Miscellaneous Other Income
Miscellaneous other income was $43 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to $63 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The change is due to the following items:

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Royalty Income
$
7

$
13

$
(6
)
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates
1

7

(6
)
Right of Way Sales
6

8

(2
)
Purchased Coal Sales

2

(2
)
Rental Income
27

28

(1
)
Interest Income
1

2

(1
)
Other Income
1

3

(2
)
Total Miscellaneous Other Income
$
43

$
63

$
(20
)



76



Royalty Income related to non-operated coal properties decreased $6 million primarily due to the overall decrease in domestic coal pricing.
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates decreased $6 million due to the sale of the Company's 49% interest in Western Allegheny Energy in September 2015. See Note 3 - Acquisitions and Dispositions in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q for additional details.
Right of Way sales decreased $2 million in the period-to-period comparison due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Purchased Coal Sales decreased $2 million due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material
Rental Income decreased $1 million due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Interest Income decreased $1 million due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Other Income decreased $2 million due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.

Gain on Sale of Assets

Gain on sale of assets decreased $48 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to the sale of the Company's 49% interest in Western Allegheny Energy during the three months ended September 30, 2015 . See Note 3 - Acquisitions and Dispositions in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q for additional details.

Miscellaneous Operating Expense

Miscellaneous operating expense related to the Other division was $128 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to $71 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . Miscellaneous operating expense increased in the period-to-period comparison due to the following items:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Pension Expense
$
(10
)
$
9

$
(19
)
Severance Payments
1

6

(5
)
Coal Terminal Operations
13

16

(3
)
Coal Reserve Holding Costs
4

6

(2
)
UMWA OPEB Expense
33

35

(2
)
Closed and Idle Mines
7

8

(1
)
Lease Rental Expense
23

23


Bank Fees
13

13


Workers' Compensation
5

5


Selling, General and Administrative Costs
10

9

1

Litigation Expense
4

1

3

Pension Settlement
17

3

14

OPEB Plan Changes

(73
)
73

Other
8

10

(2
)
Miscellaneous Operating Expense
$
128

$
71

$
57


Actuarially-calculated amortization decreased $19 million in the period-to-period comparison due to modifications made to the pension plan in May 2015. See Note 16 - Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans in the Notes to the Audited Financial Statements in our December 31, 2015 Form 10-K for additional information.
Severance payments decreased $5 million in the period-to-period comparison, primarily related to the company reorganization that occurred in the prior year period.
Coal Terminal Operations decreased $3 million due to decreased throughput volumes in the current period.
Coal Reserve Holding Costs decreased $2 million due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
UMWA OPEB Expense decreased $2 million primarily due to a decrease in interest costs.


77



Closed and Idle Mines decreased $1 million due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Selling, General and Administrative Costs increased $1 million in the period-to-period comparison. Refer to the discussion of total Company selling, general and administrative costs contained in the section "Net Loss Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders" of this quarterly report for a detailed cost explanation.
Litigation expense increased $3 million in the period-to-period comparison due to various items that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Pension settlement expense is required when lump sum distributions made for a given plan year exceed the total of the service and interest costs for that same plan year. Settlement accounting was triggered in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , primarily as a result of the sale of the Buchanan Mine in the first quarter of 2016 and the sale of the Fola and Miller Creek mining complexes in the third quarter of 2016. See Note 5 - Components of Pension and OPEB Plans Net Periodic Benefit Costs in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q for additional detail.
Income of $73 million related to OPEB plan changes was the result of modifications made to the OPEB plan in May 2015 for retired employees. Refer to the discussion of total Company long-term liabilities contained in the section "Net Loss Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders" of this quarterly report for more information. No such transactions occurred in the current period.
Other decreased $2 million in the period-to-period comparison due to various items that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.

Selling, General and Administrative Costs
Selling, general and administrative costs allocated to the Other division were $10 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 . Refer to the discussion of total Company selling, general and administrative costs contained in the section "Net Loss Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders" of this quarterly report for a detailed cost explanation.

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

Depreciation, depletion and amortization decreased $17 million , primarily related to a reduction of the asset retirement obligations at various closed and idled mine locations during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 .

Loss on Debt Extinguishment

Loss on Debt Extinguishment of $68 million was recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 related to the early extinguishment of debt due to the partial purchase of the 8.25% senior notes that were due in 2020 at an average price equal to 104.6% of the principal amount and the partial purchase of the 6.375% senior notes that were due in 2021 at an average price equal to 105.0% of the principal amount. No such transactions occurred in the current period.

Interest Expense

Interest expense of $136 million was recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to $143 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease of $7 million in the period-to-period comparison was due to the partial payoff of the 2020 and 2021 bonds in March and April 2015. Also contributing to the decrease was lower interest rates on the 2023 bonds issued in March 2015, as well as a decrease in the average outstanding balance on the Company's revolving credit facility.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate for continuing operations when excluding noncontrolling interest was 24.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to 38.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The effective rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were calculated using the annual effective rate projections on recurring earnings and include tax liabilities related to certain discrete transactions. See Note 7 - Income Taxes of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q for additional information.


78



For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Percent
Change
Total Company Loss Before Income Tax excluding Noncontrolling Interest
$
(291
)
$
(653
)
$
362

(55.4
)%
Income Tax Benefit
$
(72
)
$
(251
)
$
179

(71.3
)%
Effective Income Tax Rate
24.7
%
38.4
%
(13.7
)%

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. On June 18, 2014, CONSOL Energy entered into a five year Credit Agreement for a $2.0 billion senior secured revolving credit facility. In April 2016, the Company's lending group reaffirmed the $2.0 billion borrowing base of the facility which expires on June 18, 2019. 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 $2.0 billion of borrowings, which includes a $750 million letters of credit aggregate sub-limit. CONSOL Energy can request an additional $500 million increase in the aggregate borrowing limit amount. Fees and interest rate spreads are based on the percentage of facility utilization, measured quarterly. Availability under the facility is limited to a borrowing base, which is determined by the lenders syndication agent and approved by the required number of lenders in good faith by calculating a value of CONSOL Energy's proved gas reserves. The facility includes a minimum interest coverage ratio covenant of no less than 2.50 to 1.00, measured quarterly. The interest coverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to cash interest expense of CONSOL Energy and certain of its subsidiaries excluding CNXC. The interest coverage ratio was 3.99 to 1.00 at September 30, 2016 . Adjusted EBITDA, as used in the covenant calculation, excludes non-cash compensation expenses, non-recurring transaction expenses, extraordinary gains and losses, gains and losses on discontinued operations, losses on debt extinguishment and includes cash distributions received from affiliates, plus pro-rata earnings from material acquisitions. The facility also includes a minimum current ratio covenant of no less than 1.00 to 1.00, measured quarterly. The minimum current ratio is calculated as the ratio of current assets, plus revolver availability, to current liabilities excluding borrowings under the revolver. This calculation also excludes all of CNXC's current assets, current liabilities and revolver availability. The current ratio was 2.73 to 1.00 at September 30, 2016 . Affirmative and negative covenants in the facility limit the Company's 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. The credit facility allows unlimited investments in joint ventures for the development and operation of natural gas gathering systems. The facility permits CONSOL Energy to separate its natural gas and coal businesses if the leverage ratio (which, is essentially, the ratio of debt to EBITDA) of the natural gas business immediately after the separation would not be greater than 2.75 to 1.00. At September 30, 2016 , the facility had $ 354 million of borrowings outstanding and $ 324 million of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $ 1,322 million 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. CONSOL Energy sometimes uses letters of credit to satisfy these requirements and these letters of credit reduce the Company's borrowing facility capacity.
In April 2016, the facility was amended to require that the Company must: (i) prepay outstanding loans under the revolving credit facility to the extent that cash on hand exceeds $150 million for two consecutive business days; (ii) mortgage 85% of its proved reserves and 80% of its proved developed producing reserves, in each case, which are included in the borrowing base; (iii) maintain applicable deposit, securities and commodities accounts with the lenders or affiliates thereof; and (iv) enter into control agreements with respect to such applicable accounts. In addition, the Company pledged the equity interest it holds in CONE Gathering, LLC, and CONE Midstream Partners, LP as collateral to secure loans under the credit agreement.
CONSOL Energy terminated its accounts receivable securitization facility effective July 7, 2015. The outstanding borrowings were repaid, and the outstanding letters of credit were transferred against the revolving credit facility.

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

CONSOL Energy believes that cash generated from operations, asset sales and the Company's borrowing capacity will be sufficient to meet the Company's 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


79



CONSOL Energy to satisfy 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 natural gas and coal 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 natural gas supply transactions with both gas marketers and end users for terms varying in length. CONSOL Energy has also entered into various natural gas and NGL swap and option transactions, which exist parallel to the underlying physical transactions. The fair value of these contracts was a net asset of $ 64 million at September 30, 2016 and a net asset of $267 million at December 31, 2015. The Company has not experienced any issues of non-performance by derivative counterparties.
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 Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Change
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
$
387

$
404

$
(17
)
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
$
221

$
(882
)
$
1,103

Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities
$
(600
)
$
384

$
(984
)

Cash provided by operating activities changed in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to the following items:

Net loss increased $139 million in the period-to-period comparison.
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities decreased primarily due to the $829 million impairment of exploration and production properties recorded in 2015. (See Note 10 - Property, Plant, And Equipment, in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q for more information). This adjustment was offset, in part, by a net change in discontinued operations of $323 million (See Note 2 - Discontinued Operations in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q for more information), an increase in the loss on commodity derivative instruments of $197 million and an increase of $201 million related to changes in deferred taxes.
Other changes in operating assets, operating liabilities, other assets and other liabilities which occurred throughout both periods also contributed to the decrease in operating cash flows.

Cash provided by investing activities changed in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to the following items:

Capital expenditures decreased $685 million in the period-to-period comparison due to the following:

E&P division capital expenditures decreased $614 million due to decreased expenditures in both the Marcellus and Utica plays resulting from decreased drilling activity, as well as, other various transactions that occurred throughout both periods none of which were individually material.
PA Mining Operations division capital expenditures decreased $65 million primarily due to a $31 million decrease in equipment purchases and rebuilds, a $20 million decrease in preparation plant expenditures including water treatment systems and various other items that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.
Other capital expenditures decreased $6 million due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.

Proceeds from the sale of assets decreased $44 million primarily due to the $76 million received in September 2015 related to the sale of CONSOL Energy's interest in its Western Allegheny Energy joint venture. See Note 3 - Acquisitions and Dispositions in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q for additional details. The decrease was offset in part by various land and equipment asset sales that occurred throughout both periods none of which were individually material.
Net investment in equity affiliates changed $65 million in the period-to-period comparion primarily due to the sale of the Company's 49% interest in Western Allegheny Energy in September 2015, as discussed above. The remaining change was due to changes in the investment in CONE Midstream Partners, LP and CONE Gathering LLC (See Note


80



18 - Related Party Transactions of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information).
Discontinued Operations increased $397 million primarily as a result of the sale of the Buchanan Mine and certain other metallurgical coal reserves and the sale of the Miller Creek and Fola mining complexes in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . (See Note 2 - Discontinued Operations of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information).

Cash used in financing activities changed in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to the following items:

In the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , CONSOL Energy made payments on the senior secured credit facility of $598 million compared to proceeds from the senior secured credit facility of $945 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 .
In the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , CONSOL Energy made net payments of $771 million related to the partial extinguishment of the 2020 and 2021 bonds offset, in part, by the issuance of the 2023 bonds. No such transactions occurred in the 2016 period. (See Note 12 - Long-Term Debt in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q for additional details).
In the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , CONSOL Energy repurchased $72 million of its common stock on the open market under the previously announced share repurchase program. No repurchases were made in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 .
The remaining changes are due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods.

The following is a summary of our significant contractual obligations at September 30, 2016 (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
$
65,615

$
47,236

$
14,124

$
5,403

$
132,378

Gas Firm Transportation and Processing
133,913

223,098

208,934

581,928

1,147,873

Long-Term Debt
1,873

1,585

303,710

2,453,315

2,760,483

Interest on Long-Term Debt
170,061

340,100

323,676

216,315

1,050,152

Capital (Finance) Lease Obligations
7,019

14,618

14,024

1,163

36,824

Interest on Capital (Finance) Lease Obligations
2,255

3,261

1,268

7

6,791

Operating Lease Obligations
86,078

101,792

36,483

79,651

304,004

Long-Term Liabilities—Employee Related (a)
66,844

131,300

130,220

551,826

880,190

Other Long-Term Liabilities (b)
322,450

159,143

46,808

276,284

804,685

Total Contractual Obligations (c)
$
856,108

$
1,022,133

$
1,079,247

$
4,165,892

$
7,123,380

_________________________
(a)
Employee related long-term liabilities 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. Additional contributions to the pension trust are not expected to be significant for the remainder of 2016 .
(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 September 30, 2016 , CONSOL Energy's continuing operations had total long-term debt and capital lease obligations of $ 2,797 million outstanding, including the current portion of long-term debt of $ 9 million. This long-term debt consisted of:
An aggregate principal amount of $ 74 million 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 is guaranteed by most of CONSOL Energy’s subsidiaries.
An aggregate principal amount of $ 21 million of 6.375% senior unsecured 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 is guaranteed by most of CONSOL Energy's subsidiaries.


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An aggregate principal amount of $1,850 million of 5.875% senior unsecured notes due in April 2022 plus $5 million of unamortized bond premium. Interest on the notes is payable April 15 and October 15 of each year. Payment of the principal and interest on the notes is guaranteed by most of CONSOL Energy's subsidiaries.
An aggregate principal amount of $ 500 million of 8.00% senior unsecured notes due in April 2023 less $6 million of unamortized bond discount. Interest on the notes is payable April 1 and October 1 of each year. Payment of the principal and interest on the notes is 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 Baltimore port facility, 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. Payment of principal and interest on the notes is guaranteed by CONSOL Energy.
Advance royalty commitments of $ 3 million with an average interest rate of 16.35% per annum.
An aggregate principal amount of $ 2 million on a note maturing through March 2018.
An aggregate principal amount of $ 37 million of capital leases with a weighted average interest rate of 6.60% per annum.
An aggregate principal amount of $208 million in outstanding borrowings under the revolver for CNXC. CONSOL Energy is not a guarantor of CNXC's revolving credit facility.

At September 30, 2016 , CONSOL Energy had an aggregate principal amount of $ 354 million in outstanding borrowings and approximately $ 324 million of letters of credit outstanding under the $ 2.0 billion senior secured revolving credit facility.
Total Equity and Dividends
CONSOL Energy had total equity of $4,290 million at September 30, 2016 and $4,856 million at December 31, 2015 . 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 is as follows:
Declaration Date
Amount Per Share
Record Date
Payment Date
February 1, 2016
$
0.0100

February 16, 2016
March 3, 2016

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. CONSOL Energy suspended its quarterly dividend following the sale of the Buchanan Mine to Coronado IV LLC which took place on March 31, 2016. The determination to pay dividends in the future 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. The Company's credit facility limits CONSOL Energy's ability to pay dividends in excess of an annual rate of $0.50 per share when the Company's leverage ratio exceeds 3.50 to 1.00 and subject to an aggregate amount up to the then cumulative credit calculation. The total leverage ratio was 4.35 to 1.00 and the cumulative credit was approximately $859 million at September 30, 2016 . The calculation of this ratio excludes CNXC. The credit facility does not permit dividend payments in the event of default. The indentures to the 2022 and 2023 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 nine months ended September 30, 2016 .

On October 26, 2016 the Board of Directors of CONE Midstream GP LLC, the general partner of CONE Midstream Partners LP, announced the declaration of a cash distribution of $0.263 per unit with respect to the third quarter of 2016. The distribution will be made on November 14, 2016 to unitholders of record as of the close of business on November 4, 2016. The distribution, which equates to an annual rate of $1.052 per unit, represents an increase of 3.5% over the prior quarter, and an increase of 15.4% over the distribution paid with respect to the third quarter of 2015.

On October 31, 2016, the Board of Directors of CNXC declared a cash distribution to the Partnership's unitholders for the third quarter of 2016 of $0.5125 per common and subordinated units. The cash distribution will be paid on November 15, 2016 to the unitholders of record at the close of business on November 10, 2016.

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 of this Form 10-Q. CONSOL


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Energy participates in various multi-employer benefit plans such as the UMWA Combined Benefit Fund and the UMWA 1992 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 Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2016 . The various multi-employer benefit plans are discussed in Note 18—Other Employee Benefit Plans in the Notes to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of the December 31, 2015 Form 10-K. CONSOL Energy also uses a combination of surety bonds, corporate guarantees and letters of credit to secure the Company's financial obligations for employee-related, environmental, performance and various other items which are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2016 . Management believes these items will expire without being funded. See Note 13—Commitments and Contingent Liabilities 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.

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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) 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,” “will,” 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 economic conditions in any of the industries in which our customers operate may decrease demand for our products, impair our ability to collect customer receivables and impair our ability to access capital;
prices for natural gas, natural gas and other liquids and coal are volatile and can fluctuate widely based upon a number of factors beyond our control including oversupply relative to the demand available for our products, weather and the price and availability of alternative fuels.
an extended decline in the prices we receive for our natural gas, natural gas liquids and coal affecting our operating results and cash flows;
foreign currency fluctuations could adversely affect the competitiveness of our coal abroad;
our customers extending existing contracts or entering into new long-term contracts for coal on favorable terms;
our reliance on major customers;
our inability to collect payments from customers if their creditworthiness declines or they fail to enter their contracts;
the disruption of rail, barge, gathering, processing and transportation facilities and other systems that deliver our natural gas, natural gas liquids and coal to market;
a loss of our competitive position because of the competitive nature of the natural gas and coal industries, or a loss of our competitive position because of overcapacity in these industries impairing our profitability;
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 environmental regulations including any relating to greenhouse gas emissions on our operating costs as well as on the market for natural gas and coal and for our securities;
the risks inherent in natural gas and coal operations, including our reliance upon third party contractors, 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 and transportation operations;
obtaining and renewing governmental permits and approvals for our natural gas and coal 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 natural gas and coal operations;


83



our ability to find adequate water sources for our use in natural gas drilling, or our ability to dispose of water used or removed from strata in connection with our natural 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 our operations;
the potential for liabilities arising from environmental contamination or alleged environmental contamination in connection with our past or current natural gas and coal operations;
the effects of mine closing, reclamation, gas well closing and certain other liabilities;
uncertainties in estimating our economically recoverable natural gas, oil and coal reserves;
defects may exist in our chain of title and we may incur additional costs associated with perfecting title for gas rights on some of our properties or failing to acquire these additional rights may result in a reduction of our estimated reserves;
the outcomes of various legal proceedings, which are more fully described in our reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
exposure to employee-related long-term liabilities;
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;
divestitures we anticipate may not occur or produce anticipated benefits;
the terms of our existing joint ventures restrict our flexibility, actions taken by the other party in our natural gas joint ventures may impact our financial position and various circumstances could cause us not to realize the benefits we anticipate receiving from these joint ventures;
risks associated with our debt;
replacing our natural gas and oil reserves, which if not replaced, will cause our natural gas and oil reserves and production to decline;
declines in our borrowing base could occur for a variety of reasons, including lower natural gas or oil prices, declines in natural gas and oil proved reserves, and lending regulations requirements or regulations;
our hedging activities may prevent us from benefiting from price increases and may expose us to other risks;
changes in federal or state income tax laws, particularly in the area of percentage depletion and intangible drilling costs, could cause our financial position and profitability to deteriorate;
failure to appropriately allocate capital and other resources among our strategic opportunities may adversely affect our financial condition;
failure by Murray Energy to satisfy liabilities it acquired from us, or failure to perform its obligations under various arrangements, which we guaranteed, could materially or adversely affect our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows;
information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss resulting from a terrorist attack or cyber incident;
operating in a single geographic area;
certain provisions in our multi-year sales contracts may provided limited protection during adverse economic conditions, and may result in economic penalties or permit the customer to terminate the contract;
our common units in CNX Coal Resources LP and CONE Midstream Partners LP are subordinated, and we may not receive distributions from CNX Coal Resources LP or CONE Midstream Partners LP;
with respect to the sale of the Buchanan and Amonate mines and other coal assets to Coronado IV LLC - disruption to our business, including customer, employee and supplier relationships resulting from this transaction, and the impact of the transaction on our future operating results; and
other factors discussed in the 2015 Form 10-K under “Risk Factors,” as updated by any subsequent Form 10-Qs, which are on file at the Securities and Exchange Commission.



84



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 and to a lesser extent in the sale of coal. CONSOL Energy uses fixed-price contracts, options and derivative commodity instruments to minimize exposure to market price volatility in the sale of natural gas and NGLs. CONSOL Energy sells coal under both short-term and long-term contracts with fixed price and/or indexed price contracts that reflect market value. Under our risk management policy, it is not our intent to engage in derivative activities 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 the 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 2015 Form 10-K.

At September 30, 2016 , our open derivative instruments were in a net asset position with a fair value of $64 million . A sensitivity analysis has been performed to determine the incremental effect on future earnings related to open derivative instruments at September 30, 2016 . A hypothetical 10 percent increase in future natural gas prices would decrease future earnings related to derivatives by $196 million .
CONSOL Energy’s interest expense is sensitive to changes in the general level of interest rates in the United States. At September 30, 2016 , CONSOL Energy had $2,560 million aggregate principal amount of debt outstanding under fixed-rate instruments and $562 million of debt outstanding under variable-rate instruments. CONSOL Energy’s primary exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates to our revolving credit facility, under which there were $354 million of borrowings at September 30, 2016 , and CNXC's revolving credit facility, under which there were $208 million of borrowings at September 30, 2016 . A hypothetical 100 basis-point increase in the average rate for CONSOL Energy's and CNXC's revolving credit facilities would decrease pre-tax future earnings related to interest expense by $6 million .

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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Natural Gas Hedging Volumes

As of September 30, 2016 , 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
2016 Fixed Price Volumes
Hedged Bcf
N/A
N/A
N/A

63.6

63.6

Weighted Average Hedge Price per Mcf
N/A
N/A
N/A

$
3.17

$
3.17

2017 Fixed Price Volumes
Hedged Bcf
53.8

56.5

61.2

61.2

232.7

Weighted Average Hedge Price per Mcf
$
2.62

$
2.70

$
2.67

$
2.67

$
2.66

2018 Fixed Price Volumes
Hedged Bcf
39.7

40.1

40.5

40.5

160.8

Weighted Average Hedge Price per Mcf
$
2.70

$
2.73

$
2.73

$
2.73

$
2.72

2019 Fixed Price Volumes
Hedged Bcf
24.5

24.8

25.1

25.1

99.5

Weighted Average Hedge Price per Mcf
$
2.76

$
2.76

$
2.76

$
2.76

$
2.76

2020 Fixed Price Volumes
Hedged Bcf
10.0

10.1

10.2

10.2

40.5

Weighted Average Hedge Price per Mcf
$
2.87

$
2.87

$
2.87

$
2.88

$
2.88


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 September 30, 2016 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.

PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The first through the seventh paragraphs of Note 13—Commitments and Contingent Liabilites in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q are incorporated herein by reference.



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ITEM 1A.         RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” Section in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, together with the following risks that have been amended and restated from the prior “Risk Factors” disclosed in the Form 10-K. These described risks are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

Existing and future government laws, regulations and other legal requirements relating to protection of the environment, and others that govern our business may increase our costs of doing business for natural gas, and may restrict our gas operations.

On April 8, 2016, The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published in the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) that would significantly modify existing regulations related to reporting, impact, design, construction, maintenance, operations and integrity management of gas transmission and gathering pipelines. The proposed rule addresses four congressional mandates and six recommendations by the National Transportation Safety Board to broaden the scope of safety coverage by adding new assessment and repair criteria for gas transmission pipelines, and by expanding these protocols to include pipelines not formerly regulated by the federal standards. This includes extending regulatory requirements to transmission and gathering pipelines of 8 inches and greater in rural class 1 areas. Compliance with the rule, as proposed, may prove challenging and costly for operators of older pipelines due to the difficulty of locating historic records. Compliance could involve significant upfront costs and service disruptions. The relatively short 2-year timeframe for compliance for gathering pipelines could also be difficult to meet. Costs of compliance with the proposed rule could potentially affect shippers on pipelines as well as operators themselves, as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has allowed many interstate transmission pipelines to pass along costs attributable to safety measures directly to shippers. If implemented as proposed, CONSOL (CONE & CNX) will be affected by this rulemaking. However, long-term costs for compliance will be dependent on the finalized version of the rule.

We have entered into two significant natural gas joint ventures. These joint ventures restrict our operational and corporate flexibility; actions taken by our joint venture partners may materially impact our financial position and results of operations; and we may not realize the benefits we expect to realize from these joint ventures.

In the second half of 2011, we, through our principal natural gas operations subsidiary, CNX Gas, entered into joint venture arrangements with Noble Energy, Inc. and with a subsidiary of Hess Corporation, regarding our shale gas assets. We sold a 50% undivided interest in certain of our Marcellus shale oil and natural gas assets to Noble Energy and a 50% undivided interest in certain of our Utica shale acres in Ohio to Hess. On October 28, 2016, CNX Gas entered into an Exchange Agreement with Noble Energy, which would effectively terminate the joint development of the gas assets held in connection with our joint venture with Noble Energy and divide such gas assets among CNX Gas and Noble Energy (the Exchange Transaction). The following aspects of these joint ventures could materially impact us:

The development of these properties is subject to the terms of our joint development agreements with these parties and we no longer have the flexibility to control completely the development of these properties. For example, the joint development agreements for each of these joint ventures sets forth required capital expenditure programs that each party must participate in unless the parties mutually agree to change such programs or, in certain limited circumstances in the case of the Noble Energy joint development agreement, a party elects to exercise a non-consent right with respect to an entire year. If we do not timely meet our financial commitments under the respective joint development agreements, our rights to participate in such joint ventures will be adversely affected and the other parties to the joint ventures may have a right to acquire a share of our interest in such joint ventures proportionate to, and in satisfaction of, our unmet financial obligations. If our joint venture partners are unable or fail to pay their portion of development costs, our costs of operations could be increased, it could result in reduced drilling and production of oil and natural gas or loss of rights to develop the oil and natural gas properties held by that joint venture. In addition, each joint venture party has the right to elect to participate in all acreage and other acquisitions in certain defined areas of mutual interest. As noted above, upon closing of the Exchange Transaction, our obligations under the joint development agreement with Noble Energy will cease and we will obtain control over the gas assets we retained and/or received in connection with the termination of that joint venture.

Each joint development agreement assigns to each party designated areas over which that party will manage and control operations. We could incur liability as a result of action taken by one of our joint venture partners. Following the closing of the Exchange Transaction, we will solely control the gas assets we retained and/or received in connection with the Exchange Agreement


87



and will no longer be liable for the actions of Noble Energy with respect to those gas assets, except with respect to certain specified items in the Exchange Agreement.

One of the potential benefits of these two joint ventures was the obligation of the other party to pay a portion of our share of drilling and development costs for new wells, which we called "carried costs." At December 31, 2015 Noble Energy has a remaining carried costs obligation of approximately $1.6 billion while Hess's remaining carried costs obligation was $1.7 million. Following the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Agreement, Noble Energy will no longer have any obligations to us with respect to “carried costs.” Noble Energy's obligation to pay carried costs is suspended if average Henry Hub natural gas prices fall and remain below $4.00 per million British thermal units or “MMbtu” in any three consecutive month period and will remain suspended until average natural gas prices are above $4.00/MMbtu for three consecutive months. As a result of this provision, Noble Energy's obligation to pay carried costs was suspended from December 1, 2011 to March 1, 2014 and was again suspended on November 1, 2014 and remained suspended throughout 2015. We cannot predict when this latest suspension will be lifted and Noble Energy's obligation to pay the carried costs will resume. This suspension has the effect of requiring us to incur our entire 50 percent share of the drilling and completion costs for new wells during the suspension period and delaying receipt of a portion of the value we expected to receive in the transaction. When the carry obligation is in effect, the benefits we receive from it would also depend upon the rate at which new wells are drilled and developed in the Noble Energy joint venture, which could fluctuate significantly from period to period. Moreover, the performance of the carry obligation is outside our control.

The Hess joint development agreement provides that any transfer of interest in the joint venture by us or Hess will be subject to a right of first offer in favor of the other party. These restrictions may preclude transactions which could be beneficial to our shareholders.

Disputes between us and our joint venture partners may result in litigation or arbitration that would increase our expenses, delay or terminate projects and distract our officers and directors from focusing their time and effort on our business.

We may also enter into other joint venture arrangements in the future which could pose risks similar to risks described above.

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 5.     OTHER INFORMATION
As previously disclosed, on September 20, 2016, the Board of Directors of CONSOL Energy amended and restated the Company’s bylaws (the “Restated Bylaws”) to adopt “proxy access” and certain other amendments. As amended, Section 2.14 of the Restated Bylaws implements proxy access and generally provide that a shareholder, or group of 20 or fewer shareholders, owning at least 3% of the outstanding shares of the Company for at least three years may nominate candidates to serve on the Board and have such candidates included in the Company’s annual meeting proxy materials. The maximum number of such proxy access nominees is the greater of (i) two or (ii) 20% of the Board. This process is subject to additional eligibility, procedural and disclosure requirements set forth in the Restated Bylaws, including the requirement that notice of such nominations must be delivered to the Company not later than 120 days nor earlier than 150 days prior to the first anniversary of the date on which the Company mailed its proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting of shareholders.

ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS


88



10.1

Purchase and Sale Agreement dated July 19, 2016, among CONSOL of Kentucky Inc., Island Creek Coal Company, Laurel Run Mining Company, and CNX Land LLC and Southeastern Land, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K (file no. 001-14901) filed on July 25, 2016.
10.2

Purchase and Sale Agreement dated July 19, 2016, among AMVEST West Virginia Coal, L.L.C., Braxton-Clay Land & Mineral, Inc., Nicholas-Clay Land & Mineral, Inc., Peters Creek Mineral Services, Inc., Terry Eagle Limited Partnership, Terry Eagle Coal Company, L.L.C., Fola Coal Company, L.L.C., Little Eagle Coal Company, L.L.C., and Vaughan Railroad Company and Southeastern Land, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to Form 8-K (file no. 001-14901) filed on July 25, 2016.
10.3

Resignation, Consent and Appointment Agreement entered into as of September 12, 2016, by and among Bank of America, N.A., as the resigning Syndication Agent under that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 18, 2014, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the successor Syndication Agent, and CONSOL Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation, as the Borrower.
3.1

CONSOL Energy Inc. Bylaws (Amended and Restated on September 20, 2016), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K (file no. 001-14901) filed on September 26, 2016.
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 September 30, 2016 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: November 1, 2016
CONSOL ENERGY INC.
By:
/s/    NICHOLAS J. DEIULIIS
Nicholas J. DeIuliis
Chief Executive Officer and President and Director
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Executive Officer)
By:
/ S /    DAVID M. KHANI
David M. Khani
Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)
By:
/ S /    C. KRISTOPHER HAGEDORN
C. Kristopher Hagedorn
Vice President and Controller
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)


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