Guarantor Subsidiaries (Cash Flow Statement)(Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss	$ (27,932)	$ (86,071)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
DD&A expense	74,870	18,533
Impairment of oil and gas properties	3,534	35,700
Deferred tax benefit	(2,457)	(24,008)
Unrealized (gains) lossess on derivatives	(303)	973
Amortization of non-cash compensation	1,632	3,114
Amortization of loan costs and discount	8,695	7,311
Non-cash interest expense	3,454	5,153
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		21,661
Other	(2,444)	4,687
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in receivables	17,568	(15,670)
(Increase) decrease in other current assets	2,355	(23,970)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities	(7,361)	24,500
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	71,611	(28,087)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(107,314)	(116,458)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(1,472)	(228,105)
Increase in restricted cash		(178)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(108,786)	(344,741)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Repayments of borrowings		(244,565)
Borrowings under debt agreements, net of debt discount		580,000
Proceeds from issuance of MPP	125,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		61,088
Dividends paid	(416)	(416)
Payments for early extinguishment of debt		(7,248)
Financing costs paid	(15,804)	(27,500)
Other financing		3
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	108,780	361,362
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	71,605	(11,466)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	59,185	106,036
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	130,790	94,570
Endeavour International Corporation [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss	(42,659)	(15,108)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Unrealized (gains) lossess on derivatives	377	379
Amortization of non-cash compensation	318	337
Amortization of loan costs and discount	3,913	2,899
Non-cash interest expense		160
Other	44	149
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in other current assets	(8)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities	39,131	(508,978)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	1,116	(520,162)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Borrowings under debt agreements, net of debt discount		480,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		61,088
Dividends paid	(416)	(416)
Financing costs paid	(700)	(20,514)
Other financing	2,232	3
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	1,116	520,161
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss	19,897	(41,354)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
DD&A expense	2,146	5,888
Impairment of oil and gas properties	3,534	35,700
Amortization of loan costs and discount		3,893
Non-cash interest expense	(582)	1,971
Other	(8)	3,351
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in receivables	(19,895)	74,690
(Increase) decrease in other current assets	16,294	(19,958)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities	(33,720)	470,470
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	(12,334)	534,651
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(6,694)	(13,455)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(390)	(26,925)
Proceeds from sales, net of cash		178
Issuance of note receivable to affiliates		(500,000)
Increase in restricted cash		(178)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(7,084)	(540,380)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Repayments of borrowings		(4,323)
Financing costs paid	(5,760)	20,514
Other financing		(1)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	(5,760)	16,190
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(25,178)	10,461
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	27,800	2,951
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	2,622	13,412
Combined Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss	(5,170)	(29,609)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
DD&A expense	72,724	12,645
Deferred tax benefit	(2,457)	(24,008)
Unrealized (gains) lossess on derivatives	(680)	594
Amortization of loan costs and discount	4,782	519
Non-cash interest expense	4,036	3,022
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		21,661
Other	(2,480)	1,187
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in receivables	37,463	(90,360)
(Increase) decrease in other current assets	(13,931)	(4,012)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities	(9,883)	65,785
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	84,404	(42,576)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(102,195)	(103,003)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(1,082)	(201,180)
Proceeds from sales, net of cash		(178)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(103,277)	(304,361)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Repayments of borrowings		(240,242)
Borrowings under debt agreements, net of debt discount		100,000
Borrowings from affiliates		500,000
Proceeds from issuance of MPP	125,000
Payments for early extinguishment of debt		(7,248)
Financing costs paid	(9,344)	(27,500)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	115,656	325,010
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	96,783	(21,927)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	31,385	103,085
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	128,168	81,158
Eliminations [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Amortization of non-cash compensation	1,314	2,777
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase (decrease) in liabilities	(2,889)	(2,777)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	(1,575)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	1,575
Issuance of note receivable to affiliates		500,000
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	1,575	500,000
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Borrowings from affiliates		(500,000)
Other financing	(2,232)	1
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	$ (2,232)	$ (499,999)