Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ 3,800,576	$ (27,595,665)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities
Unrealized loss on derivatives	3,269,652	1,668,115
Depletion, depreciation and amortization	11,205,450	7,111,211
Accretion of asset retirement obligations	52,750	39,220
Full-cost ceiling impairment		35,673,098
Stock option and grant expense	(373,372)	42,342
Restricted stock expense	10,970	11,001
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	3,063,832	(6,906,257)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable	(8,455,502)	(1,487,670)
Prepaid expenses	(544,078)	510,035
Other assets	12,939
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other current liabilities	(8,563,482)	4,098,248
Royalties payable	1,341,405	416,170
Advances from joint interest owners		(722,843)
Other long-term liabilities	288,706	(125,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	5,109,846	12,732,005
Investing activities
Oil and natural gas properties capital expenditures	(51,959,003)	(34,113,878)
Expenditures for other property and equipment	(1,413,013)	(1,180,181)
Purchases of certificates of deposit	(150,000)	(1,329,000)
Maturities of certificates of deposit	758,000	1,599,000
Net cash used in investing activities	(52,764,016)	(35,024,059)
Financing activities
Repayments of borrowings under Credit Agreement	(123,000,000)
Borrowings under Credit Agreement	25,000,000	15,000,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	146,510,004	591,492
Cost to issue equity	(11,329,305)	(31,877)
Proceeds from stock options exercised	2,659,500	202,500
Payment of dividends - Class B	(96,356)	(68,713)
Net cash provided by financing activities	39,743,843	15,693,402
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(7,910,327)	(6,598,652)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	10,284,180	21,059,519
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 2,373,853	$ 14,460,867