INCOME TAXES (Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Loss Carryforwards
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 440,300,000
Deferred tax assets:
Property and equipment	353,352,000	[1]	101,299,000	[1]
Accrual for postretirement benefits	3,134,000		11,545,000
Stock-based compensation accruals	10,748,000		7,921,000
Net operating loss carryforwards	157,103,000		60,965,000
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward	49,409,000		54,776,000
Other	32,278,000		8,418,000
Total gross deferred tax assets	606,024,000		244,924,000
Less valuation allowance	(575,570,000)		0
Net deferred tax assets	30,454,000		244,924,000
Deferred tax liabilities:
Unrealized gains on derivative contracts, net	(17,429,000)		(25,713,000)
Amortization of deferred gain on rig sales	(10,472,000)		(8,267,000)
Other	(2,553,000)		0
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	(30,454,000)		(33,980,000)
Current deferred tax liabilities	(14,681,000)		(20,172,000)
Non-current deferred tax assets	14,681,000		231,116,000
Net deferred tax assets	0		210,944,000
Expiring 2019
Operating Loss Carryforwards
Operating Loss Carryforwards	32,200,000
Italy and South Africa
Deferred tax assets:
Property and equipment	$ 28,300,000

[1] Includes deferred tax assets of $28.3 million related to Italy and South Africa as of December 31, 2012.