Consolidated Statement of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues [Abstract]
Natural gas sales	$ 271,539	$ 202,200
Oil sales	54,760	23,426
Oil and Gas Revenue	326,299	225,626
Operating Expenses [Abstract]
Lease operating expenses	21,013	18,817
LGS operating lease expense	5,076	5,000
Production taxes	25,931	16,555
Gathering fees	12,708	11,884
Transportation charges	20,575	20,309
Depletion, depreciation and amoritzation	63,181	61,468
General and administrative	6,345	5,961
Costs and Expenses	154,829	139,994
Operating Income (Loss)	171,470	85,632
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Interest Expense, Debt	(27,068)	(25,764)
Gain (loss) on commodity derivatives	(45,273)	(44,715)
Deferred gain on sale of liquids gathering system	2,638	2,640
Other income (expense) net	(48)	8
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(69,751)	(67,831)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest	101,719	17,801
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	4	1,368
Net Income (Loss)	$ 101,715	$ 16,433
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 0.66	$ 0.11
Fully Diluted Earnings per Share:
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 0.66	$ 0.11
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	153,042	152,947
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	155,049	154,470