Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues:
Oil and gas production	$ 687,208	$ 437,997	$ 298,490
Other			13,664
Total revenue	687,208	437,997	312,154
Costs, operating expenses and other:
Lease operating	122,202	132,544	84,956
Exploration	1,251	1,174	264
General and administrative	43,242	43,948	43,469
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	298,574	220,657	152,780
Impairment of oil and gas properties	57,639	63,267	45,799
Accretion of asset retirement obligation	15,000	13,827	11,676
Drilling interruption costs	19,691	23,647
Loss on abandonment	3,916	4,829	2,872
Gain on exchange/disposal of properties	(27,000)	(26,720)	(12,433)
Total operating expenses	534,515	477,173	329,383
Income (loss) from operations	152,693	(39,176)	(17,229)
Other income (expense):
Interest income	223	696	710
Interest expense, net	(326,411)	(222,104)	(40,884)
Derivative income (expense)	25,191	(22,419)	(712)
Gain (loss) on debt extinguishment	1,095	(75,316)
Total other non operating income (expenses)	(299,902)	(319,143)	(40,886)
Loss before income taxes	(147,209)	(358,319)	(58,115)
Income tax (expense) benefit:
Current	1,327	859	(545)
Deferred	(19,395)	35,414	23,079
Total	(18,068)	36,273	22,534
Net loss	(165,277)	(322,046)	(35,581)
Less income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest	(26,622)	(15,503)	(13,380)
Less convertible preferred stock dividends	(18,583)	(11,248)	(2,856)
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	$ (210,482)	$ (348,797)	$ (51,817)
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic	$ (4.12)	$ (6.88)	$ (1.24)
Diluted	$ (4.12)	$ (6.88)	$ (1.24)
Weighted average number of common shares:
Basic	51,077	50,715	41,853
Diluted	51,077	50,715	41,853