Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	May 02, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	FOREST OIL CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000038079
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2013
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		119,292,850
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1