Other Expense (Schedule Of Components Of Other Expense) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Other Expense [Abstract]
Transportation commitment charge	$ 23,248	[1]	$ 1,589	[1]	$ 6,839	[1]
Above market drilling and rig termination costs	20,132	[2]	37,516	[2]	54,223	[2]
Other	5,503		4,758		4,151
Contingency and environmental accrual adjustments	4,057		5,581		7,796
Inventory impairment	3,126	[3]	10,729	[3]	2,275	[3]
Cancelled wells	3,009		1,591		2,047
Legal settlements	2,725		501		315
Loss on extinguishment of debt	2,366
Tax penalties and adjustments	693		3,516		263
Well servicing operations			13,065	[4]	12,437	[4]
Bad debt expense (recovery)	(1,693)		(442)		4,356
Total other expense	$ 63,166		$ 78,404		$ 94,702

[1] Primarily represents contract deficiency payments on excess pipeline capacity.

[2] Primarily represents rig termination fees and 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.