Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Operations [Abstract]
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ 275,670,000	$ 31,234,000	$ 520,726,000	$ 281,767,000
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax:
Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(3,949,000)	0	(6,925,000)	0
Interest rate lock derivative contracts reclassified to income, net of tax	17,000	17,000	52,000	52,000
Change in deferred hedge loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax	0	(68,000)	0	(155,000)
Consolidated comprehensive income (loss)	271,738,000	31,183,000	513,853,000	281,664,000
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	(2,074,000)	0	(20,308,000)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Denbury stockholders	$ 271,738,000	$ 29,109,000	$ 513,853,000	$ 261,356,000