LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Long-term debt
Long-term debt	$ 4,546,789	$ 3,595,277
Less current portion	(17,500)	(116,900)
Long-term debt, noncurrent	4,529,289	3,478,377
Revolving Credit Facility due in December 2012
Long-term debt
Long-term debt	100,000
Term Loan A Facility
Long-term debt
Long-term debt		975,000
6.50% Senior Notes due in July 2016
Long-term debt
Long-term debt	950,000
Interest rate on debt (as a percent)	6.50%
6.75% Senior Notes due in October 2017
Long-term debt
Long-term debt	497,770	497,589
Interest rate on debt (as a percent)	6.75%
6.875% Senior Notes due in December 2018
Long-term debt
Long-term debt	992,973	992,498
Interest rate on debt (as a percent)	6.875%
7.00% Senior Notes due in October 2020
Long-term debt
Long-term debt	695,956	695,735
Interest rate on debt (as a percent)	7.00%
6.75% Senior Notes due in August 2021
Long-term debt
Long-term debt	650,000
Interest rate on debt (as a percent)	6.75%
7.25% Senior Notes due in July 2022
Long-term debt
Long-term debt	539,973
Interest rate on debt (as a percent)	7.25%
4.00% Convertible Notes due in November 2013
Long-term debt
Long-term debt		220,792
Interest rate on debt (as a percent)		4.00%
5.375% Convertible notes due August 2014
Long-term debt
Long-term debt	102,617	196,763
Interest rate on debt (as a percent)	5.375%
Other.
Long-term debt
Long-term debt	$ 17,500	$ 16,900