Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership interest in subsidiaries			100.00%
Assets	$ 1,976,919		$ 1,976,919		$ 5,331,364
Net loss	$ 158,643	$ 98,902	$ 2,693,903	$ 342,471
9.875% senior notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	9.875%		9.875%
8.50% senior notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	8.50%		8.50%
Blue Creek Energy, Inc.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Assets	$ 22,700		$ 22,700
Net loss	$ 200		$ 600