Supplemental Disclosures (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash paid for interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	$ 442	$ 201
Asset retirement obligations related to mineral properties	405	437
Asset retirement obligations related to support equipment and facilities	54	15
Increase (decrease) in liabilities for oil and natural gas properties capital expenditures	19,067	(3,638)
Increase in liabilities for support equipment and facilities	482	112
Issuance of restricted stock units for Board and advisor services	34
Issuance of common stock for Board and advisor services	71	125
Decrease in liabilities for accrued cost to issue equity	(332)	(173)
Stock-based compensation expense recognized as liability	(930)	1,254
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	$ (91)	$ (313)