Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (294,790)	$ 31,190	$ 14,082
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	2,626	(2,941)	320
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	63,497	87,818	71,445
Ceiling test write-down	266,562	0	0
Accretion of asset retirement obligation	3,259	2,958	1,753
Share based compensation expense	4,617	5,248	4,216
Gain on sale of assets	(21,937)	0	0
Amortization costs and other	2,259	2,188	1,473
Non-cash derivative income	0	0	(233)
Payments to settle asset retirement obligations	(2,776)	(3,623)	(3,335)
Changes in working capital accounts:
Revenue receivable	10,009	10,083	(8,826)
Prepaid drilling and pipe costs	0	(370)	1,221
Joint interest billing receivable	223	(20,276)	15,685
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(9,400)	50,243	(12,865)
Advances from co-owners	3,299	11,850	(19,490)
Other	2,657	3,840	(5,592)
Net cash provided by operating activities	30,105	178,208	59,854
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
Investment in oil and gas properties	(90,218)	(174,633)	(298,824)
Investment in other property and equipment	(454)	(926)	(1,679)
Sale of oil and gas properties	271,769	11,908	20,400
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	181,097	(163,651)	(280,103)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Net payments for share based compensation	(199)	(75)	(38)
Deferred financing costs	(1,094)	(253)	(320)
Payment of preferred stock dividend	(5,139)	(5,139)	(5,139)
Proceeds from bank borrowings	70,000	17,500	73,000
Repayment of bank borrowings	(145,000)	(17,500)	(48,000)
Proceeds from issuance of 10% Senior Notes	0	0	200,000
Costs to issue 10% Senior Notes	0	0	(5,005)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(81,432)	(5,467)	214,498
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	129,770	9,090	(5,751)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	18,243	9,153	14,904
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	148,013	18,243	9,153
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	36,217	37,174	20,101
Income taxes	$ 0	$ 270	$ 12