Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2000	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Percentage of working interests acquired	20.00%
Financing exploratory costs		$ 5,840,000	$ 3,252,000	$ 3,059,000	$ 2,105,000
Financing exploratory costs	20,000,000
Royalty interest	25.00%
Related party payments		8,300,000	11,200,000	11,300,000
Partnership interests		80.70%
Weatherford International, Ltd [Member]
Related party payments		$ 3,600,000	$ 6,900,000	$ 3,300,000

The amount of capitalized exploratory well costs that is pending the determination of proved reserves. This does not include amounts that were capitalized and subsequently expensed in the same annual period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS19-1

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 932

-SubTopic 235

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6821537&loc=SL6806780-109447

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalizedExploratoryWellCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant