Segment Reporting Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
TOTAL ASSETS	$ 562,901	$ 645,029	$ 562,901	$ 645,029	$ 636,042
Capital expenditures	6,219	6,965	18,203	19,661
Depreciation and amortization	5,738	5,814	17,374	17,334
Total Revenue	231,344	199,221	663,862	586,460
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0
OPERATING INCOME	63,564	60,217	177,866	165,350
Operating Segment Reservoir Description [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
TOTAL ASSETS	267,425	261,582	267,425	261,582
Capital expenditures	2,940	5,351	10,322	15,280
Depreciation and amortization	3,521	3,485	10,520	10,515
Total Revenue	119,853	106,485	346,232	317,106
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	446	441	1,262	989
OPERATING INCOME	28,780	28,014	81,847	78,229
Operating Segment Production Enhancement [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
TOTAL ASSETS	235,152	189,481	235,152	189,481
Capital expenditures	2,410	1,135	5,713	2,527
Depreciation and amortization	1,563	1,600	4,780	4,849
Total Revenue	97,407	78,992	268,292	227,553
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	232	390	897	1,103
OPERATING INCOME	30,728	26,260	78,490	73,355
Operating Segment Reservoir Management [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
TOTAL ASSETS	16,211	14,958	16,211	14,958
Capital expenditures	204	201	595	458
Depreciation and amortization	164	199	513	523
Total Revenue	14,084	13,744	49,338	41,801
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	377	319	1,331	1,034
OPERATING INCOME	3,502	5,535	17,473	14,827
Operating Segment Corporate And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
TOTAL ASSETS	44,113	179,008	44,113	179,008
Capital expenditures	665	278	1,573	1,396
Depreciation and amortization	490	530	1,561	1,447
Total Revenue	0	0	0	0
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue	(1,055)	(1,150)	(3,490)	(3,126)
OPERATING INCOME	$ 554	$ 408	$ 56	$ (1,061)

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