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Exhibit 99.1
CONSOL Energy Reports Fourth Quarter Net Income of $150 million,
or $0.65 per Diluted Share;
Annual 2012 Net Income of $388 million, or $1.70 per Diluted Share;
Quarterly Coal Costs Per Ton Fall to $48.21


PITTSBURGH (January 31, 2013) - CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE: CNX), the leading diversified fuel producer in the Eastern United States, reported net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2012 of $150 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, compared to $196 million, or $0.85 per diluted share from the year-earlier quarter. Net income for 2012 was $388 million, or $1.70 per diluted share, compared to $632 million, or $2.76 per diluted share for 2011.

CONSOL's fourth quarter earnings included two discrete items. The company recorded a pre-tax charge of $13 million, or $0.04 per dilutive share (after tax), for a voluntary severance program for certain active salaried corporate and operation support employees and realized a pre-tax gain of $90 million, or $0.26 per dilutive share (after tax), on the sale of assets.

"CONSOL Energy continued to re-balance its world class portfolio of assets in 2012," commented J. Brett Harvey, chairman and CEO, "while successfully managing our coal and gas businesses through a very challenging environment. In our Coal Division for 2012, we worked with our domestic thermal coal customers and the railroads throughout the year to keep contracted shipments flowing despite weak markets. We carefully managed both thermal and metallurgical coal production to avoid building inventory. Our 100%-owned Baltimore Terminal saw near-record shipments, as CONSOL was able to continue to participate in the growth of world coal markets. CONSOL executed well in a tough macro environment characterized by a tepid economy and unusually warm winter weather."

In the Gas Division, 2012 represented the first full year of drilling for CONSOL Energy with its joint venture partner, Noble Energy, Inc., in the Marcellus Shale. The year was characterized by a broad strategic shift, as drilling shifted from the dry gas area to the wet gas area of the play in order to enhance margins. The company also saw success from its exploration program in the Ohio Utica Shale.

During 2012, CONSOL Energy sold non-revenue producing assets for $350 million. Assets sold included coal reserves and/or resources from Central Appalachia, the Powder River Basin, and western Canada. CONSOL expects to continue to sell assets in 2013. CONSOL also benefited in 2012 from the $328 million annual payment from Noble Energy. This was the second of three annual installments. Because of cash inflows from these items, cash from operations, and cash on hand, the company was able to fund its 2012 capital expenditures of $1.57 billion without incurring any net short-term debt on its revolving credit facilities.

"When investors step back for a minute and consider that in the past two years, CONSOL Energy has earned over $1 billion in net income and generated $2.3 billion in operating cash flow," continued Mr. Harvey, "I think they'll realize that we've executed at a level — in both good and challenging times — that few, if any, of our peers in the energy industry can match. This is why I believe that CONSOL Energy deserves to be a core holding for energy investors."

2012 Fourth Quarter Discussion

Total company sales revenue was $1.2 billion. This was lower than the $1.4 billion from the year-earlier quarter, which was the highest ever achieved by CONSOL in a fourth quarter. The decrease was due to lower coal sales volumes of 500,000 tons, as well as lower average sales prices for the company's low-vol and high-vol coal categories, at $129 and $68 per short ton, FOB mine, respectively. Thermal coal average sales prices, meanwhile, increased to $63 per ton. Coal margins, across all of the company's sales, were $18.20 per ton, a decrease of $0.68 per ton from the year-earlier quarter. Lower sales volumes and slightly smaller coal margins drove a decrease in Adjusted EBITDA1, a non-


1The term "Adjusted EBITDA" is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined and reconciled to the GAAP net income below, under the caption “Non-GAAP Financial Measures."



GAAP financial measure, and cash flow from operations. Adjusted EBITDA in the quarter ended December 31, 2012
was $419 million, down from $440 million in the year-earlier quarter. Cash flow from operations was $198 million, versus $275 million. Capital expenditures were $423 million in the current quarter, compared to $385 million for the December 2011 quarter.

The Gas Division reported net income of $9.4 million, which was nearly identical to year-earlier quarter, after adjusting for that quarter's $33 million (after-tax) gain from the Hess transaction. Higher production volumes were offset by smaller margins. The company remains encouraged that within the overall cost structure, the (fully-loaded) costs associated with its Marcellus Shale operations were $2.83 per Mcfe.

Coal Division Results

Overall costs per ton sold in the 2012 fourth quarter were $48.21, or a decrease of $4.43 from the $52.64 in the fourth quarter of 2011. This is the lowest quarterly cost per ton for any quarter of 2012. Cost containment has been a major focus of CONSOL Energy in 2012, as the company has sought to maintain overall margins in the face of weaker prices for its metallurgical coals.

COAL DIVISION RESULTS BY PRODUCT CATEGORY - Quarter-To-Quarter Comparison
 
 
Low-Vol
 
Low-Vol
 
High-Vol
 
High-Vol
 
Thermal
 
Thermal
 
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
 
Ended
 
Ended
 
Ended
 
Ended
 
Ended
 
Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning Inventory (millions of tons)
 
0.4

 
0.1

 

 

 
1.3

 
1.6

Coal Production (millions of tons)
 
0.7

 
1.4

 
0.7

 
1.2

 
12.9

 
12.6

Ending Inventory (millions of tons)
 
0.2

 
0.2

 

 

 
1.2

 
1.6

Sales - Company Produced (millions of tons)
 
0.8

 
1.3

 
0.7

 
1.2

 
13.1

 
12.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales Per Ton
 
$
128.78

 
$
191.69

 
$
68.29

 
$
76.00

 
$
62.53

 
$
58.83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning Inventory Cost Per Ton
 
$
87.32

 
$
67.35

 
$

 
$

 
$
51.55

 
$
52.89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Direct Costs Per Ton
 
$
36.73

 
$
38.84

 
$
29.30

 
$
34.64

 
$
29.26

 
$
32.58

Royalty/Production Taxes Per Ton
 
6.80

 
11.87

 
1.55

 
2.75

 
3.84

 
4.05

Direct Services to Operations Per Ton
 
7.27

 
3.60

 
5.07

 
5.74

 
4.14

 
4.29

Retirement and Disability Per Ton
 
6.43

 
7.41

 
3.60

 
4.29

 
3.58

 
4.55

DD&A Per Ton
 
10.80

 
7.07

 
6.93

 
7.26

 
5.95

 
5.99

Total Production Costs
 
$
68.03

 
$
68.79

 
$
46.45

 
$
54.68

 
$
46.77

 
$
51.46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending Inventory Cost Per Ton
 
$
86.38

 
$
67.60

 
$

 
$

 
$
50.94

 
$
58.32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Cost Per Ton Sold
 
$
71.71

 
$
68.85

 
$
46.45

 
$
54.68

 
$
46.88

 
$
50.80

Average Margin Per Ton Sold
 
$
57.07

 
$
122.84

 
$
21.84

 
$
21.32

 
$
15.65

 
$
8.03

Addback: DD&A Per Ton
 
$
10.80

 
$
7.07

 
$
6.93

 
$
7.26

 
$
5.95

 
$
5.99

Average Margin Per Ton, before DD&A
 
$
67.87

 
$
129.91

 
$
28.77

 
$
28.58

 
$
21.60

 
$
14.02

Cash Flow before Cap. Ex and DD&A ($MM)
 
$
54

 
$
169

 
$
20

 
$
34

 
$
283

 
$
177


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Sales and production exclude CONSOL Energy's portion from equity affiliates. Direct Costs per Ton include items such as labor and benefits, supplies, power, preparation costs, project expenses and gas well plugging costs. Direct Services to Operations Per Ton include items such as subsidence costs, direct administrative, selling expenses, permitting and compliance and asset retirement obligations. Retirement and Disability Per Ton Sold includes charges for pension, retiree medical and other employee related long-term liabilities. The treatment of general and administrative has changed; it has been removed from the costs shown in this table for both the current quarter and the year-earlier quarter. Management has decided to allocate G&A to the coal division and the gas division, but will no longer allocate G&A beyond that. Sales times Average Margin Per Ton, before DD&A is meant to approximate the amount of cash generated for the low-vol, high-vol, and thermal coal categories. This cash generation will be offset by maintenance of production (MOP) capital expenditures.
Costs per ton sold for low-vol coal were $2.86 higher than the prior year's quarter, due to inventory valuation changes. Price-related royalties and production taxes declined significantly. All other cost categories showed meaningful declines, except for DD&A, which was higher due to increased capital investment and lower volumes.Costs per ton sold for high-vol coal were $8.23 lower than the prior year's quarter, as a result of fewer maintenance and repair projects. Additionally, the higher-cost Fola Mine was idle during the just-ended quarter.

Costs per ton sold for thermal coal were $3.92 lower than the prior year's quarter, as the higher-cost Fola Mine was idle. Additionally, the mines producing high-vol coal had lower straight-time and overtime expenses, lower supply costs, and fewer maintenance and repair projects.

Coal Marketing Update

Low-Vol: Since November 2012, demand for low-vol coal has improved modestly in Asia, South America, Europe, and domestically.  After a period of de-stocking in China, customers have re-entered the market to purchase capesize vessels of low-vol coal through the 2013 first quarter.  For the Brazilian steel industry, recent changes in monetary, fiscal and tax policies have resulted in improved steel mill utilization rates. Although economic conditions throughout Europe are challenging, several blast furnaces have re-started operations.  These revived blast furnaces have sustained the European demand for Buchanan low-vol coking coal.
 
Strategically, CONSOL is attempting to diversify its customer base to include more domestic customers. CONSOL has succeeded in obtaining two new domestic customers in 2013.

High-Vol: CONSOL's high-vol coal has been penetrating new end-markets in both the U.S. and internationally. New test cargoes to steel mills in the U.S. and Brazil present opportunities for increased sales, while existing customers have re-affirmed interest to increase their blend of high-vol coal. In the Asian market, CONSOL's high-vol coal is benefiting from that China's re-stocking and fiscal stimulus. Shipments of high-vol coal to China resumed in November 2012 and are scheduled to continue through the end of 2013 first quarter. If demand continues, consistent shipments could occur throughout the remainder of 2013.
U.S. and Global Thermal: Under CONSOL's base case, the company's Northern Appalachian (NAPP) thermal coal is 100% sold for 2013. However, certain surge capacity exists to supply incremental volumes if additional demand materializes. Because the first part of winter has been mild, current PJM-area generator stockpiles are slightly above their five-year average.  Normal winter weather has started and we expect PJM-area generator stockpiles to decline accordingly.  Customer demand for contracted coal has been steady.   The company expects to continue to broaden its end-markets for our NAPP thermal coal and participate in the growth in world markets. The market for CONSOL's NAPP thermal coal in Europe remains stable from high natural gas prices, a carbon market which facilitates the use of coal, and uncertainties related to the future of government subsidies for renewable energy. During the 2012 fourth quarter, new markets were established for CONSOL's Pittsburgh #8 seam thermal coal with customers in the Caribbean Region and in South America.
The Asian markets are exhibiting signs of increased demand and pricing.  We expect India to import at least 30 million tons of incremental thermal coal in 2013 based on normal power and domestic production shortages.  CONSOL's high Btu Pittsburgh #8 seam thermal coal has been successfully used by power producers in India during 2012.

For 2013, CONSOL Energy expects 5 - 10 million tons of its coal, across all sales categories, will be exported.


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Gas Division Results

CONSOL Energy released detailed information on its gas operations in a release dated January 18, 2013.

Coalbed Methane (CBM): Total production was 21.4 Bcf, a decrease of 10% from the 23.8 Bcf produced in the year-earlier quarter. The company has been shifting rigs and capital toward higher potential return Marcellus and Utica drilling prospects.

Marcellus Shale: Total production was 12.4 Bcf (net to CONSOL), an increase of 73% from the 7.2 Bcf produced in the year-earlier quarter. The increase is attributable to increased drilling and longer laterals.

Shallow: Total production was 7.4 Bcf, a decrease of 10% from the 8.2 Bcf produced in the year-earlier quarter. The company has been shifting rigs and capital toward higher potential return Marcellus and Utica drilling prospects.

Other: Our other category had production of 0.7 Bcf, an increase of 19% from the 0.6 Bcf produced in the year-earlier quarter.

The table below shows the quarterly comparison of key metrics for the Gas Division:

GAS DIVISION RESULTS — Quarter-to-Quarter Comparison
 
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
 
Ended
 
Ended
 
 
December 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
Total Revenue and Other Income ($ MM)
 
$
212.2

 
$
269.7

Net Income
 
$
9.4

 
$
43.0

Net Cash from Operating Activities ($ MM)
 
$
(57.0
)
 
$
16.1

Total Period Production (Bcfe)
 
41.8

 
39.7

Average Daily Production (MMcfe)
 
454.7

 
431.2

Capital Expenditures ($ MM)
 
$
124.4

 
$
129.5

Production results are net of royalties.

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PRICE AND COST DATA PER MCFE — Quarter-to-Quarter Comparison

 
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
 
Ended
 
Ended
 
 
December 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
Average Sales Price
 
$4.44
 
$4.68
Costs - Production
 
 
 
 
  Lifting
 
$0.52
 
$0.77
Ad Valorem, Severance and Other Taxes
 
$0.17
 
$0.15
  DD&A
 
$1.11
 
$1.00
Total Production Costs
 
$1.80
 
$1.92
 
 
 
 
 
Costs - Gathering
 
 
 
 
  Operating Costs
 
$0.62
 
$0.64
  Transportation
 
$0.51
 
$0.34
  DD&A
 
$0.19
 
$0.21
Total Gathering Costs
 
$1.32
 
$1.19
 
 
 
 
 
Gas Direct Administrative Selling & Other
 
$0.28
 
$0.37
 
 
 
 
 
Total Costs
 
$3.40
 
$3.48
 
 
 
 
 
Margin
 
$1.04
 
$1.20
Note: Costs − Administration excludes incentive compensation and other corporate expenses.


Lifting costs were improved due to decreased road maintenance, decreased contract pumping and well tending services, and decreased swabbing, fishing, and scale removal costs, all of which were due in part to current cost containment efforts. Higher severance taxes were caused by the enactment of the Pennsylvania impact fee on Marcellus Shale wells in 2012.

Gas Acreage Update

Under our joint venture agreements with Noble Energy and Hess Corporation, each of them has the right to perform due diligence on the title to the oil and gas interests which we conveyed to them and to assert that title to the acreage is defective. If they establish any title defects which are not resolved in favor of CONSOL Energy or if the subject acreage is reassigned to us at our request, then subject to certain deductibles, Noble's and Hess's respective aggregate carried cost obligation under the joint venture agreements will be reduced by the value the parties previously allocated to the affected acreage in the transaction.

To date, in our Marcellus Shale joint venture transaction, Noble has asserted formal title defects with respect to approximately 25,780 gross deal acres, which have an aggregate transaction value of $175 million. We believe that we will resolve most of those defects favorably to CONSOL Energy. To date, we have conceded defects to Noble which have an aggregate transaction value equal to less than the applicable deductibles and the impact of these conceded defects on the Company's financial statements has not been material.

In the case of our Ohio Utica Shale joint venture with Hess, based on title work performed by Hess, we believe that there are chain of title issues with respect to approximately 36,000 of the joint venture acres, most of which likely cannot be cured. Hess's 50% interest in these 36,000 acres has an allocated transaction value of approximately $146

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million. The loss of these Utica Shale acres will not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.  After accounting for these defective acres, there are approximately 161,000 acres in our Ohio Utica Shale joint venture with Hess. Separately, CONSOL has acquired approximately 6,600 net Utica Shale acres in our area of mutual interest with Hess. In addition, the joint venture has an active leasing program in Ohio and has pending acquisitions totaling approximately 10,000 gross acres. As previously disclosed, CONSOL and Hess plan to drill 27 Utica Shale joint venture wells in 2013.  

CONSOL is also in negotiations with the authority that operates the Pittsburgh International Airport for the lease of the oil and gas rights on approximately 8,800 acres surrounding the airport. These are contiguous acres which are in the liquids area of the Marcellus Shale play.

Finally, we have a 100% interest in an additional approximately 60,000 net Marcellus Shale acres in Pennsylvania and West Virginia which were not included in the original joint venture transaction with Noble Energy. This acreage includes approximately 24,000 net acres that were held out of the transaction because of consent requirements and preferential rights, but which are included in our reported acreage numbers, and approximately 36,000 acres which we believe we control based further review of our land files, subject to title verification. We intend to either offer a 50% interest in these acres to Noble Energy for development as part of the joint venture, sell these acres to a third party, or seek to develop the acres on a 100% basis.

CONSOL Energy 2013 Production Guidance

CONSOL Energy expects its net gas production to be between 170-180 Bcfe (net to CONSOL) for 2013. First quarter gas production, net to CONSOL, is expected to be approximately 39 - 41 Bcfe, as fracking schedules and other seasonal factors are expected to limit wells turned online.

Total hedged gas production in the 2013 first quarter is 17.0 Bcf, at an average price of $4.66 per Mcf. The annual gas hedge position for three years is shown in the table below:

GAS DIVISION GUIDANCE
 
 
2013
 
2014
 
2015
Total Yearly Production (Bcfe)
 
170-180
 
N/A
 
N/A
Volumes Hedged (Bcf),as of 1/18/13
 
69.1
 
58.8
 
40.6
Average Hedge Price ($/Mcf)
 
$4.66
 
$4.87
 
$4.10

COAL DIVISION GUIDANCE

 
 
Q1 2013
 
2013

 
2014

 
2015

Estimated Coal Sales (millions of tons)
 
14.0

 
56.3

 
61.6

 
63.8

     Est. Low-Vol Met Sales
 
0.9

 
3.9

 
5.0

 
5.1

       Tonnage: Firm
 
0.8

 
1.5

 

 

       Avg. Price: Sold (Firm)
 
$
121.48

 
$
115.63

 
$

 
$

     Est. High-Vol Met Sales
 
1.1

 
1.8

 
4.8

 
6.3

       Tonnage: Firm
 
1.1

 
1.4

 
0.2

 
0.2

       Avg. Price: Sold (Firm)
 
$
64.24

 
$
62.95

 
$
75.53

 
$
74.74

     Est. Thermal Sales
 
11.9

 
50.1

 
51.1

 
51.7

       Tonnage: Firm
 
11.5

 
48.7

 
23.7

 
15.0

       Avg. Price: Sold (Firm)
 
$
58.76

 
$
59.06

 
$
59.92

 
$
61.42

Note: While the data in the table are presented as a single point estimates, the inherent uncertainty of markets and mining operations means that investors should consider a reasonable range around these estimates. CONSOL has chosen not to forecast prices for open tonnage due to ongoing customer negotiations. In the thermal sales category, the open tonnage includes two items: sold, but unpriced tons and collared tons. There are no collared tons in 2013. Collared tons in 2014 are 7.0 million tons, with a ceiling of $55.90 per ton and a floor of $46.32 per ton. Collared tons in 2015 are 8.7 million tons, with a ceiling of $57.43 per ton and a floor of $44.86 per ton. Total Amonate estimated coal sales for Q1 2013 are 0.1 million tons. Calendar years 2013, and 2014, and 2015 include 0.5, 0.7, and 0.7 million tons, respectively, from Amonate. The Amonate tons are not included in the category breakdowns.

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Liquidity
Total company liquidity as of December 31, 2012 was $2.4 billion, including cash of $21.9 million.
As of December 31, 2012, CONSOL Energy had $1,418.2 million in total liquidity, which is comprised of $18.5 million of cash and $1,399.7 million available to be borrowed under its $1.5 billion bank facility. CONSOL Energy's credit facility has no borrowings. Outstanding letters of credit are $100.3 million.
As of December 31, 2012, CNX Gas Corporation had $933.2 million in total liquidity, which is comprised of $3.4 million of cash and $929.8 million available to be borrowed under its $1.0 billion bank facility. CNX Gas' credit facility has no borrowings. Outstanding letters of credit are $70.2 million.

About CONSOL Energy Inc.
CONSOL Energy Inc., the leading diversified fuel producer in the Eastern U.S., is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 Equity Index and the Fortune 500. As of December 31, 2011, the company had 12 bituminous coal mining complexes in four states and reports proven and probable coal reserves of 4.5 billion tons. It is also a leading Eastern U.S. gas producer, with proved reserves of 3.5 trillion cubic feet. Additional information about CONSOL Energy can be found at its web site: www.consolenergy.com. The company will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. ET. The call can be accessed at the investor relations section of the company's web site, at www.consolenergy.com. A set of slides accompanying the call has been posted to the web site.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Definition: EBIT is defined as earnings before deducting net interest expense (interest expense less interest income) and income taxes. EBITDA is defined as earnings before deducting net interest expense (interest expense less interest income), income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA after adjusting for the discrete items listed below. Although EBIT, EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, management believes that it is useful to an investor in evaluating CONSOL Energy because it is widely used to evaluate a company's operating performance before debt expense and its cash or as a substitute for measures of performance in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, because all companies do not calculate EBIT, EBITDA, or Adjusted EBITDA identically, the presentation here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
 
Reconciliation of EBIT, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to financial net income attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholders is as follows (dollars in 000):


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Three Months Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Net Income
 
$
149,903

 
$
195,635

 
 
 
 
 
Add: Interest Expense
 
51,272

 
58,381

Less: Interest Income
 
(3,959
)
 
(8,118
)
Add: Income Taxes
 
48,773

 
42,035

Earnings Before Interest & Taxes (EBIT)
 
245,989

 
287,933

 
 
 
 
 
Add: Depreciation, Depletion & Amortization
 
159,732

 
151,785

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Before Interest, Taxes and DD&A (EBITDA)
 
405,721

 
439,718

 
 
 
 
 
Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
Voluntary Severance Incentive Program
 
13,304

 

Total Pre-tax Adjustments
 
13,304

 

 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes and DD&A ( Adjusted EBITDA)
 
$
419,025

 
$
439,718



Forward-Looking Statements
Various statements in this release, including those that express a belief, expectation or intention, may be considered forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 21E of the Exchange Act) that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. The forward-looking statements may include projections and estimates concerning the timing and success of specific projects and our future production, revenues, income and capital spending. When we use the words "believe," "intend," "expect," "may," "should," "anticipate," "could," "estimate," "plan," "predict," "project," or their negatives, or other similar expressions, the statements which include those words are usually forward-looking statements. When we describe strategy that involves risks or uncertainties, we are making forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release, if any, speak only as of the date of this press release; we disclaim any obligation to update these statements. 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, or sustained uncertainty in financial markets cause conditions we cannot predict; an extended decline in prices we receive for our coal and gas affecting our operating results and cash flows; our customers extending existing contracts or entering into new long-term contracts for coal; our reliance on major customers; our inability to collect payments from customers if their creditworthiness declines; the disruption of rail, barge, gathering, processing and transportation facilities and other systems that deliver our coal and gas to market; a loss of our competitive position because of the competitive nature of the coal and gas 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 regulations relating to greenhouse gas emissions on the demand for coal and natural gas, as well as the impact of any adopted regulations on our coal mining operations due to the venting of coalbed methane which occurs during mining; foreign currency fluctuations could adversely affect the competitiveness of our coal abroad; the risks inherent in coal and gas operations being subject to unexpected disruptions, including geological conditions, equipment failure, timing of completion of significant construction or repair of equipment, fires, explosions, accidents and weather conditions which could impact financial results; our focus on new gas development projects and exploration for gas in areas where we have little or no proven gas reserves; decreases in the availability of, or increases in, the price of commodities and services used in our mining and gas operations, as well as our exposure under "take or pay" contracts we entered into with well service providers to obtain services of which if not used could impact our cost of production; obtaining and renewing governmental permits and approvals for our coal and gas operations; the effects of government regulation on the discharge into the water or air, and the disposal and clean-up of, hazardous substances and wastes generated during our coal and gas operations; the effects of stringent federal and state employee health and safety regulations, including the ability of regulators to shut down a mine or well; the potential for liabilities arising from environmental contamination or alleged environmental contamination in connection with our past or current coal and gas operations; the effects of mine closing, reclamation, gas well closing and certain other liabilities; uncertainties in estimating our economically recoverable coal and gas reserves; defects may exist in our chain of title and we may incur additional costs associated with perfecting title for coal or gas rights on some of our properties or failing to acquire these additional rights we may have to reduce 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; the impacts

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of various asbestos litigation claims; increased exposure to employee related long-term liabilities; increased exposure to multi-employer pension plan liabilities; minimum funding requirements by the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the Pension Act) coupled with the significant investment and plan asset losses suffered during the recent economic decline has exposed us to making additional required cash contributions to fund the pension benefit plans which we sponsor and the multi-employer pension benefit plans in which we participate; lump sum payments made to retiring salaried employees pursuant to our defined benefit pension plan exceeding total service and interest cost in a plan year; acquisitions and joint ventures that we recently have completed or entered into or may make in the future including the accuracy of our assessment of the acquired businesses and their risks, achieving any anticipated synergies, integrating the acquisitions and unanticipated changes that could affect assumptions we may have made and divestitures we anticipate may not occur or produce anticipated proceeds including joint venture partners paying anticipated carry obligations; the anti-takeover effects of our rights plan could prevent a change of control; increased exposure on our financial performance due to the degree we are leveraged; replacing our natural gas reserves, which if not replaced, will cause our gas reserves and gas production to decline; our ability to acquire water supplies needed for gas drilling, or our ability to dispose of water used or removed from strata in connection with our gas operations at a reasonable cost and within applicable environmental rules; 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; and other factors discussed in the 2011 Form 10-K under "Risk Factors," as updated by any subsequent Form 10-Qs, which are on file at the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contacts:

Investors: Dan Zajdel at (724) 485-4169, danzajdel@consolenergy.com
and Tyler Lewis at (724) 485-3157, tylerlewis@consolenergy.com

Media: Lynn Seay at (724) 485-4065, lynnseay@consolenergy.com






9



CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended
(UNAUDITED)
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Sales—Outside
$
1,241,141

 
$
1,367,646

 
$
4,825,946

 
$
5,660,813

Sales—Gas Royalty Interests
14,698

 
14,738

 
49,405

 
66,929

Sales—Purchased Gas
873

 
1,047

 
3,316

 
4,344

Freight—Outside
15,741

 
75,225

 
141,936

 
231,536

Other Income
116,508

 
83,552

 
409,704

 
153,620

Total Revenue and Other Income
1,388,961

 
1,542,208

 
5,430,307

 
6,117,242

Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown below)
833,493

 
880,922

 
3,421,953

 
3,501,298

Gas Royalty Interests' Costs
10,951

 
12,749

 
38,867

 
59,331

Purchased Gas Costs
588

 
981

 
2,711

 
3,831

Freight Expense
15,741

 
75,225

 
141,936

 
231,347

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
38,659

 
45,156

 
148,071

 
175,467

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
159,732

 
151,785

 
622,780

 
618,397

Interest Expense
51,272

 
58,381

 
220,060

 
248,344

Taxes Other Than Income
80,112

 
79,339

 
336,655

 
344,460

Abandonment of Long-Lived Assets

 

 

 
115,817

Loss on Debt Extinguishment

 

 

 
16,090

Transaction and Financing Fees

 

 

 
14,907

Total Costs
1,190,548

 
1,304,538

 
4,933,033

 
5,329,289

Earnings Before Income Taxes
198,413

 
237,670

 
497,274

 
787,953

Income Taxes
48,773

 
42,035

 
109,201

 
155,456

Net Income
149,640

 
195,635

 
388,073

 
632,497

Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
263

 

 
397

 

Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders
$
149,903

 
$
195,635

 
$
388,470

 
$
632,497

Earnings Per Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.66

 
$
0.86

 
$
1.71

 
$
2.79

Dilutive
$
0.65

 
$
0.85

 
$
1.70

 
$
2.76

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
227,898,021

 
226,971,597

 
227,593,524

 
226,680,369

Dilutive
229,934,465

 
229,314,370

 
229,141,767

 
229,003,599

Dividends Paid Per Share
$
0.250

 
$
0.125

 
$
0.625

 
$
0.425













10





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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended
(UNAUDITED)
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Net Income
$
149,640

 
$
195,635

 
$
388,073

 
$
632,497

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

 

 

 
(96
)
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments (Net of tax: ($32,629), $22,145, ($77,871), $1,583)
54,151

 
(65,854
)
 
129,231

 
(32,813
)
Net Increase in the Value of Cash Flow Hedge (Net of tax: ($21,877), ($69,323), ($73,593), ($129,235))
33,960

 
108,279

 
114,240

 
200,700

Reclassification of Cash Flow Hedges from Other Comprehensive Income to Earnings (Net of tax: $23,724, $24,179, $121,484, $60,925)
(35,662
)
 
(38,288
)
 
(189,259
)
 
(95,007
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income
52,449

 
4,137

 
54,212

 
72,784

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income
202,089

 
199,772

 
442,285

 
705,281

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less: Comprehensive Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
263

 

 
397

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholders
$
202,352

 
$
199,772

 
$
442,682

 
$
705,281



















11










CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
 
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
 
December 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
21,878

 
$
375,736

Accounts and Notes Receivable:
 
 
 
Trade
428,328

 
462,812

Notes Receivable
318,387

 
314,950

Other Receivables
131,131

 
105,708

Accounts Receivable—Securitized
37,846

 

Inventories
247,766

 
258,335

Deferred Income Taxes
148,104

 
141,083

Restricted Cash
48,294

 

Prepaid Expenses
157,360

 
239,353

Total Current Assets
1,539,094

 
1,897,977

Property, Plant and Equipment:
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
15,545,204

 
14,087,319

Less—Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
5,354,237

 
4,760,903

Total Property, Plant and Equipment—Net
10,190,967

 
9,326,416

Other Assets:
 
 
 
Deferred Income Taxes
444,585

 
507,724

Restricted Cash
20,379

 
22,148

Investment in Affiliates
222,830

 
182,036

Notes Receivable
25,977

 
300,492

Other
227,077

 
288,907

Total Other Assets
940,848

 
1,301,307

TOTAL ASSETS
$
12,670,909

 
$
12,525,700




12



CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
 
December 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts Payable
$
507,982

 
$
522,003

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
13,485

 
20,691

Short-Term Notes Payable
25,073

 

Accrued Income Taxes
34,219

 
75,633

Borrowings Under Securitization Facility
37,846

 

Other Accrued Liabilities
768,494

 
770,070

Total Current Liabilities
1,387,099

 
1,388,397

Long-Term Debt:
 
 
 
Long-Term Debt
3,124,473

 
3,122,234

Capital Lease Obligations
50,113

 
55,189

Total Long-Term Debt
3,174,586

 
3,177,423

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
 
 
 
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
2,832,401

 
3,059,671

Pneumoconiosis Benefits
174,781

 
173,553

Mine Closing
446,727

 
406,712

Gas Well Closing
148,928

 
124,051

Workers’ Compensation
155,648

 
151,034

Salary Retirement
218,004

 
269,069

Reclamation
47,965

 
39,969

Other
131,025

 
124,936

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
4,155,479

 
4,348,995

TOTAL LIABILITIES
8,717,164

 
8,914,815

Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value; 500,000,000 Shares Authorized, 228,129,467 Issued and 228,094,712 Outstanding at December 31, 2012; 227,289,426 Issued and 227,056,212 Outstanding at December 31, 2011
2,284

 
2,273

Capital in Excess of Par Value
2,296,908

 
2,234,775

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

 

Retained Earnings
2,402,551

 
2,184,737

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(747,342
)
 
(801,554
)
Common Stock in Treasury, at Cost—34,755 Shares at December 31, 2012 and 233,214 Shares at December 31, 2011
(609
)
 
(9,346
)
Total CONSOL Energy Inc. Stockholders’ Equity
3,953,792

 
3,610,885

Noncontrolling Interest
(47
)
 

TOTAL EQUITY
3,953,745

 
3,610,885

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
12,670,909

 
$
12,525,700



13



CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
(UNAUDITED)
Common
Stock
 
Capital in
Excess
of Par
Value
 
Retained
Earnings
(Deficit)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
(Loss)
 
Common
Stock in
Treasury
 
Total
CONSOL
Energy Inc.
Stockholders’
Equity
 
Non-
Controlling
Interest
 
Total
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2011
$
2,273

 
$
2,234,775

 
$
2,184,737

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

 
$

 
$
3,610,885

Net Income

 

 
388,470

 

 

 
388,470

 
(397
)
 
388,073

Gas Cash Flow Hedge (Net of $47,891 Tax)

 

 

 
(75,019
)
 

 
(75,019
)
 

 
(75,019
)
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments (Net of ($77,871) Tax)

 

 

 
129,231

 

 
129,231

 

 
129,231

Comprehensive Income

 

 
388,470

 
54,212

 

 
442,682

 
(397
)
 
442,285

Issuance of Treasury Stock

 

 
(28,378
)
 

 
8,737

 
(19,641
)
 

 
(19,641
)
Issuance of Common Stock
11

 
8,267

 

 

 

 
8,278

 

 
8,278

Tax Benefit From Stock-Based Compensation

 
6,028

 

 

 

 
6,028

 

 
6,028

Amortization of Stock-Based Compensation Awards

 
47,838

 

 

 

 
47,838

 

 
47,838

Net Change in Noncontrolling Interest

 

 

 

 

 

 
350

 
350

Dividends ($0.625 per share)

 

 
(142,278
)
 

 

 
(142,278
)
 

 
(142,278
)
Balance at December 31, 2012
$
2,284

 
$
2,296,908

 
$
2,402,551

 
$
(747,342
)
 
$
(609
)
 
$
3,953,792

 
$
(47
)
 
$
3,953,745


14



CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended
(UNAUDITED)
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
149,640

 
195,635

 
$
388,073

 
$
632,497

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
159,732

 
151,785

 
622,780

 
618,397

Abandonment of Long-Lived Assets
 

 

 

 
115,817

Stock-Based Compensation
 
9,415

 
11,759

 
47,838

 
48,842

Gain on Sale of Assets
 
(91,978
)
 
(56,490
)
 
(282,235
)
 
(46,497
)
Loss on Debt Extinguishment
 

 

 

 
16,090

Amortization of Mineral Leases
 
840

 
3,459

 
4,658

 
7,608

Deferred Income Taxes
 
(1,424
)
 
(53,131
)
 
(6,649
)
 
(53,011
)
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates
 
(4,372
)
 
(4,674
)
 
(27,048
)
 
(24,663
)
Changes in Operating Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts and Notes Receivable
 
(33,577
)
 
(33,558
)
 
(20,218
)
 
(83,770
)
Inventories
 
18,773

 
(16,644
)
 
10,569

 
(380
)
Prepaid Expenses
 
9,457

 
5,042

 
8,095

 
4,431

Changes in Other Assets
 
1,920

 
1,299

 
(7,041
)
 
17,745

Changes in Operating Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts Payable
 
(25,324
)
 
46,332

 
(20,106
)
 
144,652

Other Operating Liabilities
 
(1,504
)
 
17,557

 
(12,634
)
 
84,146

Changes in Other Liabilities
 
448

 
877

 
1,917

 
30,309

Other
 
5,920

 
5,954

 
20,130

 
15,393

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
 
197,966

 
275,202

 
728,129

 
1,527,606

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures
 
(423,209
)
 
(384,908
)
 
(1,575,230
)
 
(1,382,371
)
Change in Restricted Cash
 
(48,294
)
 

 
(48,294
)
 

Proceeds from Sales of Assets
 
62,623

 
52,680

 
646,565

 
747,971

Distributions From, net of (Investments In), Equity Affiliates
 
(4,750
)
 
(14,984
)
 
(23,451
)
 
55,876

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
 
(413,630
)
 
(347,212
)
 
(1,000,410
)
 
(578,524
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payments on Short-Term Borrowings
 

 

 

 
(284,000
)
Proceeds from (Payments on) Miscellaneous Borrowings
 
22,159

 
(2,307
)
 
15,594

 
(11,627
)
Proceeds from (Payments on) Securitization Facility
 
37,846

 

 
37,846

 
(200,000
)
Payments on Long-Term Notes, Including Redemption Premium
 

 

 

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

 

 

 
250,000

Tax Benefit from Stock-Based Compensation
 
6,100

 
3,247

 
8,678

 
8,281

Dividends Paid
 
(56,988
)
 
(28,384
)
 
(142,278
)
 
(96,356
)
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock
 
7,044

 

 
8,278

 

(Purchases) Issuance of Treasury Stock
 
(9,594
)
 
2,814

 
(9,485
)
 
9,033

Debt Issuance and Financing Fees
 
17

 
(147
)
 
(210
)
 
(15,686
)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
 
6,584

 
(24,777
)
 
(81,577
)
 
(606,140
)
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
(209,080
)
 
(96,787
)
 
(353,858
)
 
342,942

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
 
230,958

 
472,523

 
375,736

 
32,794

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
 
$
21,878

 
$
375,736

 
$
21,878

 
$
375,736


15