Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Feb. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Jul. 15, 2014 a
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Total capitalized internal costs	$ 3,100	$ 6,900	$ 10,100	$ 20,900
Discount rate for estimated future net revenues from proved properties			10.00%
Write-down of oil and gas properties	321,522	0	$ 1,084,595	0
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, current	100		100			$ 100
Accounts receivable, gross	22,600		22,600			34,800
Accounts receivable related to joint interest owners	9,600		9,600			8,400
Severance tax receivable	3,400		3,400			3,100
Other receivables	1,000		$ 1,000			2,200
Percentage of working interest in wells			100.00%
Total amount of supervision fees charged to wells	2,100	$ 3,500	$ 7,000	$ 9,200
Inventories carried at cost	900		900			3,100
Prepaid expenses	3,100		3,100			3,900
Outstanding checks included in trade accounts payable	2,200		2,200			13,700
Acreage Sold in Oil and Gas Properties | a							8,300
Participation Interest Sold in Oil and Gas Properties							36.00%
Restricted cash and cash equivalents included in other long term assets	$ 1,000		1,000			$ 1,000
Treasury stock reissued at lower than repurchase price			$ 4,900
Minimum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of property			2 years
Maximum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of property			20 years
Line of Credit [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Borrowing Base Redetermination Acceleration Clause					50.00%