PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT Impairment of Natural Gas and Crude Oil Properties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Continuing Operations:
Impairment of proved and unproved properties	$ 5,562	$ 154,608	$ 161,604
Amortization of Individually Insignificant Unproved Properties	1,379	7,012	4,465
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of	3,032	0	778
Results of Operations, Impairment of Oil and Gas Properties	9,973	161,620	166,847
Discontinued operations:
Impairment of individually significant unproved properties from discontinued operations	0	0	433
Total discontinued operations	0	0	433
Total impairment of natural gas and crude oil properties	$ 9,973	161,620	167,280
Capitalized Well Costs
Continuing Operations:
Impairment of proved and unproved properties		24,700
Lease Acquisition Costs
Continuing Operations:
Impairment of proved and unproved properties		150,300
Unproved Properties
Continuing Operations:
Impairment of proved and unproved properties		$ 125,600	45,700
Proved and unproved properties
Continuing Operations:
Impairment of proved and unproved properties			158,300
Proved Properties
Continuing Operations:
Impairment of proved and unproved properties			$ 112,600