Consolidated Statement of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating revenue:
Oil production	$ 663,958	$ 417,948	$ 438,942
Gas production	195,243	233,055	272,353
Other operational income	3,938	5,916	4,326
Derivative income, net	1,418	3,265	3,061
Total operating revenue	864,557	660,184	718,682
Operating expenses:
Lease operating expenses	179,475	152,326	156,786
Other operational expenses	2,149	5,579	11,798
Production taxes	9,380	5,808	7,920
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	280,020	248,201	259,639
Write-down of oil and gas properties			508,989
Accretion expense	30,764	34,469	39,306
Salaries, general and administrative expenses	40,169	42,759	41,367
Incentive compensation expense	11,600	5,888	6,402
Total operating expenses	553,557	495,030	1,032,207
Income (loss) from operations	311,000	165,154	(313,525)
Other (income) expenses:
Interest expense	9,289	12,192	21,361
Interest income	(420)	(1,464)	(528)
Other income	(1,942)	(776)	(36)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	607	1,820
Other expense		671	508
Total other expenses	7,534	12,443	21,305
Net income (loss) before income taxes	303,466	152,711	(334,830)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes:
Current	(20,386)	5,808	30,376
Deferred	129,520	50,474	(146,935)
Total income taxes	109,134	56,282	(116,559)
Net income (loss)	194,332	96,429	(218,271)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest			27
Net income (loss) attributable to Stone Energy Corporation	$ 194,332	$ 96,429	$ (218,298)
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stone Energy Corporation stockholders	$ 3.97	$ 1.99	$ (4.97)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stone Energy Corporation stockholders	$ 3.97	$ 1.99	$ (4.97)
Average shares outstanding	47,988	47,681	43,953
Average shares outstanding assuming dilution	48,030	47,706	43,953