Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	15. Contingencies Contingencies relating to production leases and exploration permits Selmo We are involved in litigation with persons who claim ownership of a portion of the surface at the Selmo oil field in Turkey. These cases are being vigorously defended by TEMI and Turkish governmental authorities. We do not have enough information to estimate the potential additional operating costs we would incur in the event the purported surface owners’ claims are ultimately successful. Any adjustment arising out of the claims will be recorded when it becomes probable and measurable. Morocco During 2012, we were notified that the Moroccan government may seek to recover approximately $5.5 million in contractual obligations under our Tselfat exploration permit work program. In February 2013, the Moroccan government drew down our $1.0 million bank guarantee that was put in place to ensure our performance of the Tselfat exploration permit work program. Although we believe that the bank guarantee satisfies our contractual obligations, we recorded $5.0 million in accrued liabilities relating to our Tselfat exploration permit during 2012 for this contingency. In September 2016, management determined that, because it had received no communication from the Moroccan government since early 2013, the probability of payment of this contingency is remote, and therefore the Company reversed the $6.0 million in contingent liabilities previously classified as liabilities held for sale. Bulgaria During 2012, we were notified that the Bulgarian government may seek to recover approximately $2.0 million in contractual obligations under our Aglen exploration permit work program. Due to the Bulgarian government’s January 2012 ban on fracture stimulation and related activities, a force majeure event under the terms of the exploration permit was recognized by the government. Although we invoked force majeure, we recorded $2.0 million in general and administrative expense relating to our Aglen exploration permit during 2012 for this contractual obligation. In October 2015, the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy and Economy filed a suit against our subsidiary, Direct Petroleum Bulgaria EOOD (“Direct Bulgaria”), claiming a $200,000 penalty for Direct Bulgaria’s alleged failure to fulfill the work program associated with the Aglen exploration permit. Direct Bulgaria received a force majeure recognition in 2012 from the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy and Economy, and the force majeure event has not been rectified. We believe that Direct Bulgaria is not under any obligation to fulfill the work program until the force majeure event is rectified, and continue to vigorously defend this claim.

15. Contingencies

Contingencies relating to production leases and exploration permits

Selmo

We are involved in litigation with persons who claim ownership of a portion of the surface at the Selmo oil field in Turkey. These cases are being vigorously defended by TEMI and Turkish governmental authorities. We do not have enough information to estimate the potential additional operating costs we would incur in the event the purported surface owners’ claims are ultimately successful. Any adjustment arising out of the claims will be recorded when it becomes probable and measurable.

Morocco

During 2012, we were notified that the Moroccan government may seek to recover approximately $5.5 million in contractual obligations under our Tselfat exploration permit work program. In February 2013, the Moroccan government drew down our $1.0 million bank guarantee that was put in place to ensure our performance of the Tselfat exploration permit work program. Although we believe that the bank guarantee satisfies our contractual obligations, we recorded $5.0 million in accrued liabilities relating to our Tselfat exploration permit during 2012 for this contingency. In September 2016, management determined that, because it had received no communication from the Moroccan government since early 2013, the probability of payment of this contingency is remote, and therefore the Company reversed the $6.0 million in contingent liabilities previously classified as liabilities held for sale.

Bulgaria

During 2012, we were notified that the Bulgarian government may seek to recover approximately $2.0 million in contractual obligations under our Aglen exploration permit work program. Due to the Bulgarian government’s January 2012 ban on fracture stimulation and related activities, a force majeure event under the terms of the exploration permit was recognized by the government. Although we invoked force majeure, we recorded $2.0 million in general and administrative expense relating to our Aglen exploration permit during 2012 for this contractual obligation.

In October 2015, the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy and Economy filed a suit against our subsidiary, Direct Petroleum Bulgaria EOOD (“Direct Bulgaria”), claiming a $200,000 penalty for Direct Bulgaria’s alleged failure to fulfill the work program associated with the Aglen exploration permit. Direct Bulgaria received a force majeure recognition in 2012 from the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy and Economy, and the force majeure event has not been rectified. We believe that Direct Bulgaria is not under any obligation to fulfill the work program until the force majeure event is rectified, and continue to vigorously defend this claim.