Guarantor Subsidiaries (Cash Flow Statement) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss	$ (44,870)	$ (14,046)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	44,968	22,947
Impairment of oil and gas properties		3,534
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	1,969	128
Unrealized (gains) losses on derivatives	(2,659)	(1,580)
Amortization of non-cash compensation	971	832
Amortization of loan costs and discount	6,705	3,439
Non-cash interest expense	1,883	2,274
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	6,856
Litigation settlement expense	19,034
Other	1,847	(4,723)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in receivables	19,001	15,829
(Increase) decrease in other current assets	(5,056)	(11,359)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities	(23,100)	30,330
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	27,549	47,605
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(28,845)	(59,074)
Proceeds from sales, net of cash	1,352
Increase in restricted cash	(2,457)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(29,950)	(59,074)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Repayments of borrowings	(115,163)
Borrowings under debt agreements, net of debt discount	140,625
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	12,376
Proceeds from issuance of MPP		43,000
Repayments of MPP	(5,000)
Financing costs paid	(9,273)	(9,935)
Other financing	(416)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	23,149	33,065
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	20,748	21,596
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	34,742	59,185
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	55,490	80,781
Eliminations [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of non-cash compensation	809	669
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase (decrease) in liabilities	(2,385)	(669)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	(1,576)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	1,576
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	1,576
Endeavour International Corporation [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss	(21,468)	(21,591)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Unrealized (gains) losses on derivatives	(469)	700
Amortization of non-cash compensation	162	163
Amortization of loan costs and discount	2,049	1,951
Other		43
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in other current assets		3,643
Increase (decrease) in liabilities	(17,438)	(17,112)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	(37,164)	(32,203)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Borrowings under debt agreements, net of debt discount	17,500
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	12,376
Financing costs paid	(456)	(591)
Intercompany cash management	8,160	32,794
Other financing	(416)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	37,164	32,203
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss	(7,714)	6,717
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	721	1,139
Impairment of oil and gas properties		3,534
Litigation settlement expense	19,034
Other	(4)	(4)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in receivables	(852)	275
(Increase) decrease in other current assets	(238)	(15,057)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities	20,381	52
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	31,328	(3,344)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(15,328)	(2,532)
Proceeds from sales, net of cash	1,352
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(13,976)	(2,532)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Intercompany cash management	8,984	(19,399)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	8,984	(19,399)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	26,336	(25,275)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	2,417	27,800
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	28,753	2,525
Combined Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss	(15,688)	828
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	44,247	21,808
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	1,969	128
Unrealized (gains) losses on derivatives	(2,190)	(2,280)
Amortization of loan costs and discount	4,656	1,488
Non-cash interest expense	1,883	2,274
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	6,856
Other	1,851	(4,762)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in receivables	19,853	15,554
(Increase) decrease in other current assets	(4,818)	55
Increase (decrease) in liabilities	(23,658)	48,059
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	34,961	83,152
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(15,093)	(56,542)
Increase in restricted cash	(2,457)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(17,550)	(56,542)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Repayments of borrowings	(115,163)
Borrowings under debt agreements, net of debt discount	123,125
Proceeds from issuance of MPP		43,000
Repayments of MPP	(5,000)
Financing costs paid	(8,817)	(9,344)
Intercompany cash management	(17,144)	(13,395)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	(22,999)	20,261
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(5,588)	46,871
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	32,325	31,385
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	$ 26,737	$ 78,256