Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current Assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 343,520	$ 4,143
Restricted cash	3,461	115
Oil and gas revenue receivable	66,892	61,881
Joint interest billing and other receivables	10,498	11,356
Deposits and retainers	13,453	236
Income tax receivable	5,384	5,150
Inventory	3,790	4,269
Other current assets	5,006	4,064
Total current assets	452,004	91,214
Oil And Gas Properties Net Using Full Cost Method Of Accounting [Abstract]
Proven	958,764	851,145
Property, plant and equipment, net	7,810	8,844
Deferred tax assets	0	1
Other noncurrent assets	1,653	835
Total assets	1,420,231	952,039
Current Liabilities [Abstract]
Accounts payable	24,336	93,415
Accrued liabilities	46,067	72,428
Production taxes payable	63,255	52,273
Current portion of long term debt	0	3,370,553
Interest payable	0	42,657
Capital cost accrual	9,761	20,571
Total current liabilities	143,419	3,651,897
Deferred gain on sale of liquids gathering system	118,380	126,295
Other long-term obligations	164,809	165,784
Liabilities not subject to compromise parent	426,608	3,943,976
Liabilities subject to compromise	3,889,544	0
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Common Stock, Value, Issued	507,807	502,050
Treasury Stock, Value	(49)	(176)
Retained loss	(3,403,679)	(3,493,811)
Total shareholders' deficit	(2,895,921)	(2,991,937)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 1,420,231	$ 952,039