Property, Plant and Equipment Joint Participation Agreements (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Hess [Member]
Drilling commitment carry	$ 534,000,000
drilling carry billed	1,200
drill carry remaining	532,800,000
Noble JV[Member] [Member]
Drilling commitment carry	2,100,000,000
drilling carry billed	10,180
drill carry remaining	$ 2,089,820,000