Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 10,548	$ 47,126	$ (90,190)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	(1,810)	1,630	(14,635)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	58,243	59,326	84,772
Ceiling test writedown	18,907		156,134
Non-cash gain on legal settlement		(4,164)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		5,973
Gain on sale of assets			(485)
Accretion of asset retirement obligation	2,049	1,306	2,452
Pipe inventory impairment			913
Share-based compensation expense	4,833	7,137	6,328
Amortization costs and other	625	1,334	1,512
Payments to settle asset retirement obligations	(905)	(6,274)	(1,803)
Changes in working capital accounts:
Revenue receivable	(2,474)	3,071	3,617
Joint interest billing receivable	(35,252)	(401)	11,937
Prepaid drilling and pipe costs	5,530	9,180	14,828
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	34,599	3,368	(51,375)
Advances from co-owners	25,904	4,301	(1,687)
Other	(2,907)	(1,269)	(496)
Net cash provided by operating activities	117,890	131,644	121,822
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment in oil and gas properties	(194,536)	(103,926)	(63,420)
Investment in gas gathering assets			(204)
Proceeds from sale of unevaluated properties	28,461	22,473
Proceeds from sale of oil and gas properties and other	14,000	35,000	7,451
Net cash used in investing activities	(152,075)	(46,453)	(56,173)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net payments for share based compensation	(1,133)	(210)	(366)
Deferred financing costs	(517)	(12)	(114)
Proceeds from common stock offering			38,036
Costs of common stock offering			(258)
Payment of preferred stock dividend	(5,139)	(5,137)	(5,139)
Repayment of bank borrowings	(22,000)	(29,000)	(101,000)
Proceeds from bank borrowings	22,000
Redemption of 10 3/8% Senior Notes		(150,000)
Costs to redeem 10 3/8% Senior Notes		(4,187)
Proceeds from issuance of 10% Senior Notes		150,000
Costs to issue 10% Senior Notes		(4,180)
Net cash used in financing activities	(6,789)	(42,726)	(68,841)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(40,974)	42,465	(3,192)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	63,237	20,772	23,964
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	22,263	63,237	20,772
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	16,017	11,195	20,335
Income taxes	$ 51	$ 192	$ 227