Quicksilver Stockholders' Equity (Estimated Fair Value Of Stock Options Granted) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Quicksilver Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Wtd avg grant date fair value	$ 9.16
Wtd avg grant date	Jan 3, 2011
Wtd avg risk-free interest rate	2.38%
Expected life (in years)	6.0
Wtd avg volatility	66.80%
Expected dividends

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The estimated dividend rate (a percentage of the share price) to be paid (expected dividends) to holders of the underlying shares over the option's term.

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The period of time an equity-based award is expected to be outstanding. An equity-based award's expected term is generally determined based on, among other factors, the instrument's contractual term and the effects of employees' expected exercise and post-vesting employment termination behavior.

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The risk-free interest rate assumption that is used in valuing an option on its own shares.

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The range of expected volatilities used and the weighted-average expected volatility for an entity using a valuation technique with different volatilities during the contractual term.

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The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology.

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