Condensed Statements Of Consolidated Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 29,860	$ 32,271
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	17,796	12,860
Unrealized foreign exchange gain	(99)	(493)
Dry hole costs (credits)	(36)	130
Stock based compensation	1,902	1,571
Bad debt provision	4,061
Other	4
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables	2,924	(12,943)
Accounts with partners	3,221	15,116
Other receivables	6,275	(6,474)
Crude oil inventory	(3,342)	(301)
Materials and supplies	221	(256)
Prepayments and other	(3,741)	(693)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities	(4,704)	(6,358)
Other long term assets		502
Net cash provided by operating activities	54,342	34,932
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Funds in escrow, net	3,920	28
Property and equipment expenditures	(22,963)	(19,941)
Net cash used in investing activities	(19,043)	(19,913)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	1,237	123
Redemption of rights plan		6
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(5,195)	(4,495)
Net cash used in financing activities	(3,958)	(4,366)
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	31,341	10,653
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	81,234	80,570
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	112,575	91,223
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Income taxes paid	62,399	25,938
Supplemental disclosure of non cash transactions
Property and equipment additions incurred during the period but not paid at period end	5,945	7,671
Receivable from employee for stock option exercise		$ 44