Supplemental Disclosures (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash paid for interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	$ 226	$ 36
Asset retirement obligations related to mineral properties	293	(22)
Asset retirement obligations related to support equipment and facilities	33	17
Increase (decrease) in liabilities for oil and natural gas properties capital expenditures	8,995	(12,587)
(Decrease) Increase in liabilities for support equipment and facilities	(215)	71
Increase in accounts receivable for oil and natural gas properties capital expenditures		45
Issuance of restricted stock units for Board and advisor services	10
Issuance of common stock and treasury stock for Board and advisor services	61	99
Decrease in liabilities for accrued cost to issue equity	(331)	(291)
Stock-based compensation expense recognized as liability	(491)	115
Transfer of costs to support equipment and facilities from oil and natural gas properties capital expenditures		129
Transfer of inventory from oil and natural gas properties		(157)
Receivable for inventory from other joint interest owners		$ (157)