Debt And Other Long Term Obligations (Narratives) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Apr. 01, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 01, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Ultra Resources Inc Bank Indebtednesss [Abstract]
Credit Agreement Consolidated Leverage Covenant	3.5 to 1.0
Credit Agreement Consolidated Leverage Ratio	4.6
Restrictive covenants present value Ultra Resources Inc Credit Agreement					1.5 times
Debt Instrument Restrictive Covenants Present Value Ratio					0.9
Ultra Resources Inc Senior Notes [Abstract]
Senior Notes issued by Ultra Resources Inc				$ 1,460,000	$ 1,460,000
Senior Notes Consolidated Leverage Covenant	3.5 to 1.0
Senior Notes Consolidated Leverage Covenant Ratio	4.6
Interest payment due Senior Notes Ultra Resources Inc			$ 40,000
Principal payment due Senior Notes Ultra Resources Inc			$ 62,000
Ultra Petroleum Corp Senior Notes
Senior Notes Ultra Petroleum Corp Due 2024				$ 850,000	850,000
Senior Notes Ultra Petroleum Corp Due 2024 Interest Rate				6.125%
Interest payment due Ultra Petroleum Corp Senior Notes due 2024		$ 26,000
Senior Notes Ultra Petroleum Corp Due 2018				$ 450,000	$ 450,000
Senior Notes Ultra Petroleum Corp Due 2018 Interest Rate				5.75%