Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Short-term investments	$ 86,682,000	$ 93,020,000
Oil and natural gas derivative contracts	47,431,000	37,161,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Oil and natural gas derivative contracts	(41,312,000)	(81,162,000)
Total	92,801,000	49,019,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Short-term investments	86,682,000	93,020,000
Oil and natural gas derivative contracts	0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Oil and natural gas derivative contracts	0	0
Total	86,682,000	93,020,000
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Short-term investments	0	0
Oil and natural gas derivative contracts	23,481,000	20,683,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Oil and natural gas derivative contracts	(41,312,000)	(81,162,000)
Total	(17,831,000)	(60,479,000)
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Short-term investments	0	0
Oil and natural gas derivative contracts	23,950,000	16,478,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Oil and natural gas derivative contracts	0	0
Total	$ 23,950,000	$ 16,478,000

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.

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Fair values as of the balance sheet date of all assets resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments, net of the effects of master netting arrangements.

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- Definition

Derivative instrument obligations meeting the definition of a liability which the Company is a party to as of the balance sheet date.

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