Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 193,397	$ (1,804,107)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depletion, depreciation and accretion	47,911	136,469	[1]
Impairment expense	0	2,068,787	[1]
Crestwood earn-out		(41,097)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	17,833	(326,149)
Non-cash (gain) loss from hedging and derivative activities	(12,223)	88,913
Stock-based compensation	13,699	16,983
Non-cash interest expense	23,643	8,060
Fortune Creek accretion	14,490	14,549	[1]
Other	3,622	495
Changes in assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable	7,398	27,259
Prepaid expenses and other assets	344	(4,503)
Accounts payable	(17,973)	(24,329)
Accrued and other liabilities	(32,098)	(19,954)
Net cash flow provided by (used in) by operating activities	(81,103)	141,376
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(78,549)	(437,172)
Proceeds from Divestiture of Interest in Subs & Affiliates		41,097
Proceeds from sale of properties and equipment	2,994	3,843
Payments to acquire marketable securities	(142,823)	0
Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Held-to-maturity Securities	13,178	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	300,515	(392,232)
Financing activities:
Issuance of debt	1,173,306	367,646
Repayments of debt	(1,308,382)	(111,115)
Debt issuance costs paid	(25,868)	(3,048)
Distribution of Fortune Creek Partnership funds	(8,079)	(6,520)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	11
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	0	1,089
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,472)	(2,810)
Net cash provided by financing activities	(170,495)	245,253
Effect of exchange rate changes in cash	2,610	(107)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	51,527	(5,710)
Cash at beginning of period	4,951	13,146
Cash at end of period	56,478	7,436
kwk_CrestwoodLP [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Crestwood earn-out	0	(41,097)	[1]
Investing activities:
Proceeds from Divestiture of Interest in Subs & Affiliates	0	41,097
Tokyo Gas [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Oil and Gas and Timber Property	341,146	0	[1]
Crestwood earn-out	(341,146)
Investing activities:
Proceeds from Divestiture of Interest in Subs & Affiliates	463,418	0
Synergy [Member]
Investing activities:
Proceeds from Divestiture of Interest in Subs & Affiliates	$ 42,297	$ 0

[1] Note 1 contains additional information