Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Statements of Comprehensive Operations [Abstract]
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ 573,333,000	$ 285,527,000	$ (75,156,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax:
Interest rate lock derivative contracts reclassified to income, net of tax of $43, $43 and $43, respectively	70,000	69,000	70,000
Change in deferred hedge loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax benefit of $0, $62 and $0, respectively	0	(83,000)	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	573,403,000	285,513,000	(75,086,000)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	(13,727,000)	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Denbury stockholders	$ 573,403,000	$ 271,786,000	$ (75,086,000)