Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 27, 2012
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of non-operating working interest overriding royalty interests				15.00%
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1,200,000		$ 1,400,000
Interest costs capitalized	2,100,000	3,400,000
Average DD&A Per Boe (in USD per BOE)	19.04	13.66
Oil and Gas, Exploratory Period	5 years
Capitalized interest	6,776,000	6,023,000
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax	37,294,000	0
Reserves discount factor	10.00%
Minimum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, years	5 years
Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, years	10 years
Stock Options And SARs [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Vesting period, in years	3 years
Stock Options [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Expiration period after date of grant, in years	10 years
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Expiration period after date of grant, in years	4 years
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Expiration period after date of grant, in years	7 years
Restricted Stock Awards And Units [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Vesting period, in years	1 year
Restricted Stock Awards And Units [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Vesting period, in years	3 years
Restricted Stock Granted To Contractors [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Vesting period, in years	3 years
Carrizo United Kingdom [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of non-operating working interest overriding royalty interests				15.00%
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax	$ 37,300,000