Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Revenues and other income:
Oil and gas	$ 718,956	$ 475,728
Interest and other	28,448	32,320
Derivative gains (losses), net	91,750	(244,432)
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets, net	43,596	(2,191)
Revenues and other income	882,750	261,425
Costs and expenses:
Oil and gas production	138,321	98,835
Production and ad valorem taxes	45,796	33,296
Depletion, depreciation and amortization	181,418	126,681
Exploration and abandonments	53,287	17,484
General and administrative	63,067	43,911
Accretion of discount on asset retirement obligations	2,430	2,044
Interest	46,858	45,227
Hurricane activity, net		71
Other	23,607	17,861
Costs and expenses, Total	554,784	385,410
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	327,966	(123,985)
Income tax benefit (provision)	(117,703)	47,907
Income (loss) from continuing operations	210,263	(76,078)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	10,695	419,882
Net income	220,958	343,804
Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(6,339)	4,790
Net income attributable to common stockholders	214,619	348,594
Basic earnings per share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders	$ 1.65	$ (0.62)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.08	$ 3.58
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 1.73	$ 2.96
Diluted earnings per share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders	$ 1.60	$ (0.62)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.08	$ 3.58
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 1.68	$ 2.96
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	122,480	115,869
Diluted	126,247	115,869
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.04	$ 0.04
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	203,924	(71,288)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	10,695	419,882
Net income	$ 214,619	$ 348,594