Investment In BBEP (Operations Statement) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended															12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011 BBEP [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 114,246		$ 153,116		$ 175,497		$ 118,703	$ 223,966		$ 118,188		$ 194,018		$ 172,866		$ 561,562	$ 709,038	$ 943,623	$ 425,386	[1]
Operating expense																436,246	3,215,896	821,019	313,388
Operating income (loss)	13,575	[2]	60,049	[3]	394,894	[4]	(3,874)	(468,213)	[5]	(576,551)	[6]	(1,153,012)	[7]	(267,985)	[8]	464,644	(2,465,761)	122,604	111,998
Interest and other																			40,759	[9]
Income tax (benefit) expense																14,550	(295,570)	57,863	1,070
Noncontrolling interests																			183
Net income (loss) attributable to Quicksilver	$ (31,775)		$ 10,577		$ 242,523		$ (59,707)	$ (548,499)	[5]	$ (790,520)	[6]	$ (802,022)		$ (211,565)		$ 161,618	$ (2,352,606)	$ 90,046	$ 69,986

[1] For the twelve months ended September 30, 2011, unrealized gains of $24.0 million on commodity derivatives were recognized.

[2] Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2013 includes a decrease of $5.9 million to correct for immaterial items which pertain to prior 2013 quarters. These items include an adjustment to non-cash expense to settle litigation recognized in the first quarter of 2013 of $3.0 million, non-cash decrease in the gain related to the Tokyo Gas Transaction of $1.7 million arising from a change in the amount of surface real estate conveyed to TGBR, increase in the amortization of deferred financing costs and original issue discount of $0.8 million and strategic transaction fees of $0.5 million arising in the second quarter of 2013.

[3] Operating income for the third quarter of 2013 includes an increase of $8.2 million to correct for immaterial items which pertain to earlier quarters in 2013, comprised of an increase to the gain related to the Tokyo Gas Transaction of $7.8 million arising from a change to the amount of unevaluated properties allocated to TGBR

[4] Operating income for the second quarter of 2013 includes gains of $333.2 million related to the Tokyo Gas Transaction which was subsequently adjusted in later quarters to be a gain of $339.3 million. The period also includes an immaterial correction of $3.6 million for equity-based compensation granted to retirement-eligible employees whose awards required no future service at the time of grant but which expense was being recognized over multiple periods. The impact to the first quarter of 2013 expense was $1.2 million and the impact to 2012 and prior years was $2.4 million.

[5] Operating loss for the fourth quarter of 2012 includes charges for impairment of $451.5 million and $102.8 million for our U.S. and Canadian oil and gas properties, respectively. Operating loss also includes a $2.9 million impairment charge related to non-oil and gas properties. Net loss includes a valuation allowance for Canada of $61.3 million.

[6] Operating loss for the third quarter of 2012 includes charges for impairment of $479.9 million and $66.3 million for our U.S. and Canadian oil and gas properties, respectively. Operating loss also includes a $4.9 million impairment charge for other property and equipment in Colorado. Net loss includes a valuation allowance for the U.S. of

[7] Operating loss for the second quarter of 2012 includes charges for impairment of $1,042.7 million and $157.0 million for our U.S. and Canadian oil and gas properties, respectively.

[8] Operating loss for the first quarter of 2012 includes charges for impairment of $178.0 million and $139.9 million for our U.S. and Canadian oil and gas properties, respectively.

[9] The twelve months ended September 30, 2011 included $3.3 million for unrealized gains on interest rate swaps.