STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income (Loss)	$ (975,354,541)	$ 163,745,945	$ 53,067,036
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Depletion, Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion	137,769,812	172,883,554	124,383,374
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs	3,696,532	2,776,024	2,625,240
Amortization of 8% Senior Notes Premium/Discount	(248,268)	(1,486,726)	(960,177)
(Gain) Loss on the Sale of Other Property & Equipment	(61,787)	0	473,915
Deferred Income Taxes	(202,350,555)	96,107,555	31,763,000
Loss (Gain) on the Mark-to-Market of Derivative Instruments	88,715,603	(171,275,719)	21,259,018
Amortization of Deferred Rent	(8,548)	(14,656)	(19,541)
Share-Based Compensation Expense	5,234,115	2,759,133	4,798,977
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties	1,163,959,246	0	0
Other	1,704,662	0	0
Changes in Working Capital and Other Items:
Trade Receivables	27,701,606	885,262	(16,597,312)
Prepaid Expenses and Other	2,220	(124,348)	28,350
Accounts Payable	(4,545,304)	4,094,145	2,006,516
Accrued Interest	590,630	(106,680)	(245,082)
Accrued Expenses	210,295	4,014,052	191,093
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities	247,015,718	274,257,541	222,774,407
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of Oil and Natural Gas Properties and Development Capital Expenditures, Net	(289,055,440)	(476,870,842)	(360,058,127)
Proceeds from Sale of Oil and Natural Gas Properties	138,524	0	908,000
Proceeds from Sale of Other Property and Equipment	72,000	0	1,003,025
Purchases of Other Property and Equipment	(90,751)	(169,003)	(389,317)
Net Cash Used For Investing Activities	(288,935,667)	(477,039,845)	(358,536,419)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Advances on Revolving Credit Facility	150,000,000	253,000,000	133,000,000
Repayments on Revolving Credit Facility	(298,000,000)	(30,000,000)	(182,000,000)
Issuance of Senior Unsecured Notes	190,000,000	0	210,500,000
Debt Issuance Costs Paid	(5,687,596)	(434,936)	(7,072,493)
Repurchases of Common Stock	(339,578)	(16,132,414)	(26,366,327)
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities	35,972,826	206,432,650	128,061,180
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(5,947,123)	3,650,346	(7,700,832)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD	9,337,512	5,687,166	13,387,998
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD	3,390,389	9,337,512	5,687,166
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
Cash Paid During the Period for Interest	55,209,662	44,913,994	35,761,112
Cash Paid During the Period for Income Taxes	3,258,160	0	13,614
Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities:
Oil and Natural Gas Properties Included in Accounts Payable	59,520,415	221,278,750	162,884,221
Capitalized Asset Retirement Obligations	421,394	952,087	1,852,580
Non-Cash Compensation Capitalized in Oil and Gas Properties	$ 1,330,693	$ 660,615	$ 2,143,415