Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
OIL AND GAS REVENUES	$ 80,715	$ 44,058
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Lease operating	8,423	6,666
Production tax	3,099	941
Ad valorem tax	3,615	691
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	31,561	16,676
General and administrative (inclusive of stock-based compensation expense of $4,016 and $3,850 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	11,538	9,245
Accretion related to asset retirement obligations	178	74
TOTAL COSTS AND EXPENSES	58,414	34,293
OPERATING INCOME	22,301	9,765
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net	3,038	(187)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		(897)
Interest expense	(17,336)	(12,208)
Capitalized interest	6,023	5,260
Other income (expense), net	(585)	62
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	13,441	1,795
INCOME TAX EXPENSE	(4,018)	(1,060)
NET INCOME	$ 9,423	$ 735
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
Basic	$ 0.24	$ 0.02
Diluted	$ 0.24	$ 0.02
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic	39,445	38,783
Diluted	39,917	39,406