SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Asset Retirement Obligations Activity

The following table summarizes the activity for the Company’s asset retirement obligations of its continuing operations for the periods indicated:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2012			2011
	(In Thousands)
Asset retirement obligations at beginning of period	$	78,938		$	73,132
Accretion expense	6,663			6,082
Liabilities incurred	1,412			2,321
Liabilities settled	(5,650		)	(3,103		)
Disposition of properties	(27,418		)	(282		)
Revisions of estimated liabilities	4,640			788
Asset retirement obligations at end of period	58,585			78,938
Less: current asset retirement obligations	(2,430		)	(1,040		)
Long-term asset retirement obligations	$	56,155		$	77,898

Schedule of Accounts Receivable

The components of accounts receivable are as follows:

	December 31,
	2012			2011
	(In Thousands)
Oil, natural gas, and NGL sales	$	50,679		$	58,799
Joint interest billings	5,845			14,451
Tax incentive refunds due from Texas	6,836			6,604
Other	5,619			698
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(1,463		)	(1,463		)
Total accounts receivable	$	67,516		$	79,089

Schedule of Earnings Per Share Reconciliation

The following reconciles net earnings (loss) as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations to net earnings (loss) used for calculating basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the periods presented.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2012								2011									2010
	Continuing Operations			Discontinued Operations		Total			Continuing Operations			Discontinued Operations			Total			Continuing Operations			Discontinued Operations			Total
	(In Thousands)
Net earnings (loss)	$	(1,288,931	)	$	—	$	(1,288,931	)	$	98,260		$	44,569		$	142,829		$	189,662		$	37,859		$	227,521
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—		—			—			(4,987		)	(4,987		)	—			—			—
Net earnings attributable to participating securities	—			—		—			(2,037		)	(821		)	(2,858		)	(3,736		)	(746		)	(4,482		)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common stock for basic earnings (loss) per share	(1,288,931		)	—		(1,288,931		)	96,223			38,761			134,984			185,926			37,113			223,039
Adjustment for liability classified stock-based compensation awards	—			—		—			—			(707		)	(707		)	—			500			500
Net earnings (loss) for diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	(1,288,931	)	$	—	$	(1,288,931	)	$	96,223		$	38,054		$	134,277		$	185,926		$	37,613		$	223,539

Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares

The following reconciles basic weighted average common shares outstanding to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the periods presented.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2012	2011	2010
	(In Thousands)
Weighted average common shares outstanding during the period for basic earnings (loss) per share	114,958	111,690	110,809
Dilutive effects of potential common shares	—	1,178	689
Weighted average common shares outstanding during the period, including the effects of dilutive potential common shares, for diluted earnings (loss) per share	114,958	112,868	111,498

Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The components of other comprehensive income (loss), both before-tax and net-of-tax, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 are as follows:

	Before-Tax			Tax (Expense) / Benefit			Net-of-Tax
	(In Thousands)
Year Ended December 31, 2012:
Defined benefit postretirement plans - net loss	$	(2,036	)	$	(206	)	$	(2,242	)
Other comprehensive loss	$	(2,036	)	$	(206	)	$	(2,242	)
Year Ended December 31, 2011:
Defined benefit postretirement plans - net loss	$	(10,417	)	$	3,748		$	(6,669	)
Foreign currency translation losses	(27,852		)	—			(27,852		)
Other comprehensive loss	$	(38,269	)	$	3,748		$	(34,521	)
Year Ended December 31, 2010:
Defined benefit postretirement plans - net loss	$	(1,221	)	$	475		$	(746	)
Foreign currency translation gains	15,153			—			15,153
Other comprehensive income	$	13,932		$	475		$	14,407

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Forest Oil Corporation common shareholders for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 are as follows:

	Foreign Currency Translation			Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	(In Thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2009	$	78,514		$	(10,857	)	$	67,657
Other comprehensive income (loss)	15,153			(746		)	14,407
Balance at December 31, 2010	93,667			(11,603		)	82,064
Other comprehensive loss	(21,535		)	(6,669		)	(28,204		)
Changes in ownership interest in Lone Pine Resources	(72,132		)	—			(72,132		)
Balance at December 31, 2011	—			(18,272		)	(18,272		)
Other comprehensive loss	—			(2,242		)	(2,242		)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	—		$	(20,514	)	$	(20,514	)