XML 58 R7.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT

Organization and Nature of Operations	9 Months Ended
Organization and Nature of Operations	Sep. 30, 2011
Organization and Nature of Operations [Abstract]
Organization and Nature of Operations	1. Organization and Nature of Operations Brigham Exploration Company is a Delaware corporation formed on February 25, 1997 for the purpose of exchanging its common stock for the common stock of Brigham, Inc. and the partnership interests of Brigham Oil & Gas, L.P. (the “Partnership”). Hereinafter, Brigham Exploration Company and the Partnership are collectively referred to as “Brigham.” The Partnership was formed in May 1992 to explore and develop onshore domestic oil and natural gas properties using 3-D seismic imaging and other advanced technologies. Brigham’s exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties is currently focused in the Williston Basin, the Onshore Gulf Coast, the Anadarko Basin, and West Texas and Other.