Other Expense (Schedule Of Components Of Other Expense) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010
Other Expense
Transportation commitment charge	$ 5,688	[1]			$ 10,960	[1]
Above market drilling rig related costs	5,410	[2]	10,270	[2]	10,569	[2]	20,551	[2]
Other	1,909		2,617		4,193		3,170
Loss on extinguishment of debt					2,367
Contingency and environmental accrual adjustments	1,587		94		2,882		247
Cancelled well costs (recoveries)	(442)		(126)		759		(29)
Inventory impairment	302	[3]	13	[3]	587	[3]	1,570	[3]
Tax penalties	1,749				1,749
Bad debt recoveries	(1,815)		(254)		(1,797)		(30)
Well servicing operations			1,579	[4]			4,660	[4]
Total other expense	$ 14,388		$ 14,193		$ 32,269		$ 30,139

[1] Primarily represents firm transportation contract deficiency payment obligations.

[2] Primarily represents charges for the portion of Pioneer's contracted drilling rig rates that are above market rates and are not charged to joint operations.

[3] Represents impairment charges on excess materials and supplies inventories.

[4] Represents idle well servicing costs.