LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	May 18, 2012
Senior Unsecured Notes [Abstract]
Rate of Senior unsecured notes (in hundredths)	8.00%
Number of days due in default for payment of interest	30 days
Aggregate principal amount	$ 25
Final judgments aggregate amount	25
Number of days due in default payment of final judgments aggregate	60 days
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing	750
Borrowing base	350
Credit facility outstanding balance	68.0
Borrowing capacity remainder	282
Additional indebtedness	500
Percentage borrowing base will be reduced (in hundredths)	25.00%
Credit Facility termination date	2017-01-01
Credit Facility interest rate description	Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility can either be at the Alternate Base Rate (as defined) plus a spread ranging from 0.75% to 1.75% or LIBOR borrowings at the Adjusted LIBO Rate (as defined) plus a spread ranging from 1.75% to 2.75%.
Commitment fee, description	A commitment fee is paid on the undrawn balance based on an annual rate of 0.375% to 0.50%.
Commitment Fee Percentage (in hundredths)	0.375%
Credit facility covenants	The Revolving Credit Facility contains negative covenants that limit the Company's ability, among other things, to pay any cash dividends, incur additional indebtedness, sell assets, enter into certain hedging contracts, change the nature of its business or operations, merge, consolidate, or make investments. In addition, the Company is required to maintain a ratio of debt to EBITDAX (as defined in the credit agreement) of no greater than 4.0 to 1.0, maintain a ratio of EBITDAX to interest expense (as defined in the credit agreement) of not less that 3.0 to 1.0 and a current ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of no less than 1.0 to 1.0.
Covenant compliance status	The Company was in compliance with its covenants under the Revolving Credit Facility at September 30, 2012.
Collateral	All of the Company's obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are secured by a first priority security interest in any and all assets of the Company.
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Senior Unsecured Notes [Abstract]
Senior unsecured notes issued		300
Rate of Senior unsecured notes (in hundredths)		8.00%
Senior unsecured notes, maturity date	Jun. 01, 2020
Net proceeds from senior unsecured notes	$ 291.2
Percentage of notes redeemed, maximum (in hundredths)	35.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Notes redemption prior to June 1, 2015 [Member]
Senior Unsecured Notes [Abstract]
Redemption price as a percentage of principal amount (in hunderdths)	108.00%
Number of days for redemption, maximum	180 days
Percentage of notes remain outstanding after redemption, minimum (in hundredths)	65.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Notes redemption prior to June 1, 2016 [Member]
Senior Unsecured Notes [Abstract]
Redemption price as a percentage of principal amount (in hunderdths)	100.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Notes redemption period beginning June 1, 2017 [Member]
Senior Unsecured Notes [Abstract]
Redemption price as a percentage of principal amount (in hunderdths)	102.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Notes redemption period beginning on June 1, 2018 [Member]
Senior Unsecured Notes [Abstract]
Redemption price as a percentage of principal amount (in hunderdths)	100.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Notes redemption period beginning June 1, 2016 [Member]
Senior Unsecured Notes [Abstract]
Redemption price as a percentage of principal amount (in hunderdths)	104.00%
LIBOR Loans [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Interest rate margin in effect during period (in hundredths)	1.75%
Base Rate Loans [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Interest rate margin in effect during period (in hundredths)	0.75%