Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 52,095	$ 26,397
Accounts receivable, net
Oil and gas sales	48,754	21,988
Joint interest billing	60,561	31,050
Related party	9,815	0
Other	3,506	1,740
Current assets held for sale	1,882	3,874
Advances to operators	3,784	97
Fair value of derivative instruments	23,981	27,877
Prepaids and other current assets	4,327	7,374
Total current assets	208,705	120,397
Oil and gas properties using the full cost method of accounting
Proved oil and gas properties, net	1,152,548	837,750
Unproved properties, not being amortized	323,688	394,429
Other property and equipment, net	11,438	8,738
TOTAL PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET	1,487,674	1,240,917
LONG-TERM ASSETS HELD FOR SALE	132,626	78,731
DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS, NET	23,914	20,321
INVESTMENT	2,523	2,523
FAIR VALUE OF DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS	5,180	9,617
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	21,272	53,517
OTHER ASSETS	2,102	1,657
TOTAL ASSETS	1,883,996	1,527,680
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable, trade	44,775	25,672
Revenue and royalties payable	82,300	54,600
Current taxes payable	765	1,048
Accrued drilling costs	60,729	89,152
Accrued interest	18,012	11,607
Other accrued liabilities	27,680	21,139
Advances for joint operations	8,069	54,179
Deferred income taxes	7,925	9,685
Current liabilities associated with assets held for sale	48,663	4,238
Total current liabilities	298,918	271,320
LONG-TERM DEBT, NET OF DEBT DISCOUNT	967,808	711,486
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH ASSETS HELD FOR SALE	23,547	22,429
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS	4,489	7,399
OTHER LIABILITIES	4,218	5,191
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, $0.01 par value (90,000 shares authorized, 40,165 and 39,563 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	402	395
Additional paid-in capital	667,096	647,429
Accumulated deficit	(82,482)	(137,969)
Total shareholders’ equity	585,016	509,855
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$ 1,883,996	$ 1,527,680