Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 26,472	$ 4,359
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	120,429	97,672
Allowance for doubtful accounts	2	390
(Gain) loss on dispositions of property and equipment	(1,230)	628
Stock-based compensation expense	5,541	5,314
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and premium	2,224	2,657
Impairment of equipment	1,032	484
Deferred income taxes	12,270	2,656
Change in other long-term assets	(1,964)	2,136
Change in other long-term liabilities	(2,168)	824
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(27,471)	(49,035)
Inventory	(993)	(1,342)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,756	533
Accounts payable	4,769	3,339
Prepaid drilling contracts	(1,086)	669
Accrued expenses	(10,271)	4,921
Net cash provided by operating activities	129,312	76,205
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of production services businesses	0	(5,000)
Purchases of property and equipment	(291,051)	(140,565)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	2,433	2,261
Proceeds from sale of auction rate securities	0	12,569
Net cash used in investing activities	(288,618)	(130,735)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Debt repayments	(869)	(113,158)
Proceeds from issuance of debt	80,000	74,000
Debt issuance costs	(58)	(3,220)
Proceeds from exercise of options	684	2,344
Proceeds from common stock, net of offering costs of $5,707	0	94,340
Purchase of treasury stock	(357)	(452)
Excess tax benefit of stock option exercises	0	522
Net cash provided by financing activities	79,400	54,376
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(79,906)	(154)
Beginning cash and cash equivalents	86,197	22,011
Ending cash and cash equivalents	6,291	21,857
Supplementary disclosure:
Interest paid	43,349	26,595
Income taxes paid	$ 88	$ 592