Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues and other income:
Oil and gas	$ 2,294,063	$ 1,718,297	$ 1,402,436
Interest and other	101,960	56,972	101,589
Derivative gains (losses), net	392,752	448,434	(195,557)
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets, net	(3,644)	19,074	(774)
Hurricane activity, net	1,454	138,918	(17,313)
Revenues and other income	2,786,585	2,381,695	1,290,381
Costs and expenses:
Oil and gas production	453,085	364,764	345,885
Production and ad valorem taxes	147,664	112,141	98,371
Depletion, depreciation and amortization	607,405	499,856	564,149
Impairment of oil and gas properties	354,408		21,091
Exploration and abandonments	121,320	189,597	79,095
General and administrative	193,215	164,332	130,863
Accretion of discount on asset retirement obligations	8,256	7,945	8,050
Interest	181,660	183,084	173,353
Other	63,166	78,404	94,702
Costs and expenses, Total	2,130,179	1,600,123	1,515,559
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	656,406	781,572	(225,178)
Income tax benefit (provision)	(197,644)	(269,627)	83,195
Income (loss) from continuing operations	458,762	511,945	(141,983)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	423,152	134,050	99,716
Net income (loss)	881,914	645,995	(42,267)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(47,425)	(40,787)	(9,839)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	834,489	605,208	(52,106)
Basic earnings per share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders	$ 3.45	$ 4.00	$ (1.33)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders	$ 3.56	$ 1.14	$ 0.87
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$ 7.01	$ 5.14	$ (0.46)
Diluted earnings per share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders	$ 3.39	$ 3.96	$ (1.33)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders	$ 3.49	$ 1.12	$ 0.87
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$ 6.88	$ 5.08	$ (0.46)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	116,904	115,062	114,176
Diluted	119,215	116,330	114,176
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	411,337	471,158	(151,822)
Discontinued operations, net of tax	423,152	134,050	99,716
Net income (loss)	$ 834,489	$ 605,208	$ (52,106)