Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows of SandRidge Energy, Inc. and Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantors and Non-Guarantors' (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows [Line Items]
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$ 475,485	$ 390,128	$ 311,559
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(918,860)	(962,753)	(1,247,059)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	645,193	570,627	942,725
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	201,818	(1,998)	7,225
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	5,863	7,861	636
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	207,681	5,863	7,861
Parent
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows [Line Items]
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	413,954	(442,955)	(717,969)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(138,428)	(240,992)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(211,380)	582,485	959,282
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	202,574	1,102	321
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1,441	339	18
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	204,015	1,441	339
Guarantors
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows [Line Items]
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(32,534)	823,534	1,008,040
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	32,171	(821,609)	(990,148)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	236	(4,202)	(15,643)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(127)	(2,277)	2,249
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	564	2,841	592
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	437	564	2,841
Non-Guarantors
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows [Line Items]
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	106,483	9,549	21,488
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,015,141)	(6,231)	(15,945)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	908,029	(4,141)	(888)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(629)	(823)	4,655
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	3,858	4,681	26
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	3,229	3,858	4,681
Eliminations
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows [Line Items]
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(12,418)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	64,110	3,515	26
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	$ (51,692)	$ (3,515)	$ (26)

Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits are not generally reported as cash and cash equivalents. Includes cash and cash equivalents associated with the entity's continuing operations. Excludes cash and cash equivalents associated with the disposal group (and discontinued operation).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 7

-Footnote 1

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3044-108585

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 8, 9

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361293&loc=d3e6676-107765

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Cash

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506951

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 7, 26

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Cash Equivalents

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016

+ Details

- Definition

The net cash from (used in) all of the entity's operating activities, including those of discontinued operations, of the reporting entity. Operating activities generally involve producing and delivering goods and providing services. Operating activity cash flows include transactions, adjustments, and changes in value that are not defined as investing or financing activities. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a debit balance consistent with its label.

+ References+ Details