Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Assets Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents Noncurrent Restricted cash Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $0 and $225, respectively) Accounts Receivable, Net, Current, Total Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $0 and $225, respectively) Deferred Tax Assets Net Current Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred tax asset Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Total Derivative asset Other current assets Assets, Current Total current assets Oil and gas properties (using the successful efforts method of accounting): Oil and gas properties (using the successful efforts method of accounting): Proved properties Unproved properties Oil and Gas Property, Successful Effort Method, Gross Total oil and gas Less accumulated depletion, depreciation, impairment and amortization Less accumulated depletion, depreciation, impairment and amortization Oil and Gas Property, Successful Effort Method, Net Oil and gas properties, net Restricted cash Deferred financing costs, net Deferred Finance Costs, Noncurrent, Net, Total Other assets, net Other Assets, Noncurrent, Total Total assets Total assets Liabilities and Equity Other Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable and accruals Current maturities of long-term debt Long-term Debt, Current Maturities, Total Asset Retirement Obligation Current Asset Retirement Obligation, Current, Ending Balance Asset Retirement Obligation, Current, Beginning Balance Asset retirement obligation Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current Deferred tax liability Current derivative liability Derivative liability Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Current maturities of other long-term obligations Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Long Term Debt Noncurrent Long-term debt Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities, Total Other Liabilities Noncurrent Other long-term obligations Other Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Asset Retirement Obligations Noncurrent Asset Retirement Obligations, Noncurrent, Ending Balance Asset retirement obligation Asset Retirement Obligations, Noncurrent, Total Deferred tax liability Derivative liability Liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) Commitments and contingencies (Note 13) Temporary equity: Noncontrolling Interest in Limited Partnerships Balance, end of year Balance, beginning of year Temporary equity - redeemable noncontrolling interest Redeemable noncontrolling interest Temporary Equity, Carrying Amount, Total Balance, end of year Balance, beginning of year Balance, beginning of period Temporary Equity, Carrying Amount, Total 8% convertible perpetual preferred stock: $0.001 par value; 790,957 shares and 806,847 shares issued and outstanding and liquidation value of $79.1 million and $80.7 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively Equity [Abstract] Shareholders' equity: 8% convertible perpetual preferred stock: $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; 1,400,000 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 at liquidation value Balance, end of period Balance, beginning of period Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total 8% convertible perpetual preferred stock: $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; 2,314,043 shares and 2,318,153 shares issued and outstanding and liquidation value of $231.4 million and $231.8 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Common stock: $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 51,210,266 issued and 51,134,423 outstanding at March 31, 2010; 50,755,310 issued and 50,679,470 outstanding at December 31, 2009 Balance, end of period Balance, beginning of period Common stock: $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 52,127,262 issued and 52,051,422 outstanding at March 31, 2012; 52,034,547 issued and 51,958,707 outstanding at December 31, 2011 Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Total Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Balance, end of period Balance, beginning of period Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Treasury stock, at cost Treasury stock, at cost Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Balance, end of year Balance, beginning of year Total shareholders' equity Total shareholders' equity (deficit) Total Shareholders' Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and equity Accounts receivable, allowance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Ending Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Beginning Balance Temporary Equity, Par or Stated Value Per Share Temporary equity, convertible perpetual preferred stock, par value Temporary Equity, Shares Issued Temporary equity, convertible perpetual preferred stock, shares issued Temporary Equity, Shares Outstanding Temporary equity, convertible perpetual preferred stock, shares outstanding Temporary Equity, Liquidation Preference Temporary equity, convertible perpetual preferred stock, liquidation value 8% convertible perpetual preferred stock, par value 8% convertible perpetual preferred stock, shares authorized 8% convertible perpetual preferred stock, issued Balance, end of period, shares Balance, beginning of period, shares Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total Balance, beginning of period, shares 8% convertible perpetual preferred stock, outstanding Preferred stock ending balance, share Preferred stock beginning balance, share Convertible perpetual preferred stock liquidation value, discount. Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock Liquidation Value, Discount 8% convertible perpetual preferred stock, liquidation value, discount Common stock, par value Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common stock, outstanding Common stock ending balance, share Common stock beginning balance, share Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract] Oil and gas production revenues Oil and gas production revenues Costs, operating expenses and other: Lease operating Exploration General and administrative General and Administrative Expense, Total Depreciation, depletion and amortization Depreciation, depletion and amortization, Total Impairment of oil and gas properties Accretion of asset retirement obligation Accretion of asset retirement obligation Consists of stand-by and contract termination costs for drilling operations resulting from the deepwater drilling moratoriums and subsequent drilling permit delays caused by the April 2010 Macondo incident in the Gulf of Mexico. Drilling Interruption Costs Drilling interruption costs Costs incurred in excess of existing liability for abandonment or changes in revisions to short term abandonment obligations due to changes in estimated total costs or changes in timing of cash flows of abandonment operations. Loss on Abandonment of Property (Gain) loss on abandonment Operating Expenses Total operating expenses Operating Income (Loss) Income from operations Other income (expense): Interest income Interest expense, net Interest expense, net Interest Expense, Debt, Total Derivative expense Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total other non operating income (expenses) Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Loss before income taxes Deferred Deferred income tax expense Deferred income tax benefit Deferred Deferred Deferred income tax expense Net loss Net loss Net loss Net loss Less income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest Less income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest Less income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest Income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest Less comprehensive income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest Dividends, Preferred Stock Less convertible preferred stock dividends Dividends, Preferred Stock, Total Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net loss attributable to common shareholders Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders: Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic Basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted Diluted Weighted average number of common shares Weighted average number of common shares: Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income Loss [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss) - foreign currency translation adjustment Other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation adjustment Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive loss Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive loss attributable to common shareholders Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities - Derivative (income) expense Derivative expense Share Based Compensation Stock-based compensation Share-based Compensation, Total Amortization of Financing Costs and Discounts Noncash interest expense Amortization of Financing Costs and Discounts, Total Other noncash items, net Other noncash items, net Other Noncash Income (Expense), Total Changes in assets and liabilities Changes in assets and liabilities - Increase Decrease Accounts Receivable And Other Assets Accounts receivable and other current assets Accounts receivable and other current assets Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable and accruals Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Total Other assets Other assets and liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets, Total Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Cash flows from investing activities - Additions to oil and gas properties Additions to oil and gas properties Increase in restricted cash Decrease (increase) in restricted cash Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash, Total Net cash used in investing activities Net cash used in investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Cash flows from financing activities - Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt Proceeds from first lien term loans Proceeds from first lien term loans Proceeds from term loan facility-ATP Titan assets Proceeds from term loan facility ATP Titan assets Payments of term loans Payments of term loans Deferred financing costs Deferred financing costs Payments of Financing Costs, Total Proceeds from other long-term obligations Payments of other long-term obligations Payments of other long-term obligations Distributions to noncontrolling interest Distributions to noncontrolling interest Payments Of dividends, Preferred Stock And Preference Stock Preferred stock dividends Preferred stock dividends Derivative contracts, net Derivative Contracts, Net Derivative contracts, net Short-term borrowings, net Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-term Debt, Total Other financings, net Exercise of stock options/warrants Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided by financing activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Noncash investing and financing activities Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Fixed Assets Acquired Decrease in noncash property additions Consolidated Statements Of Temporary Equity And Shareholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Temporary Equity-Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Temporary Equity-Eight Percent Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B Temporary Equityeight Percent Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock Series B [Member] Temporary Equity-Eight Percent Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member] Eight Percent Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member] Eight Percent Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member] Eight Percent Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Paid-In Capital [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated Deficit [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] Treasury Stock [Member] Treasury Stock At Cost [Member] Shares, Issued Balance, end of year, shares Balance, beginning of year, shares Limited partner distributions Limited partner distributions Transfer from shareholders equity. Transfer from Shareholders Equity Shareholders' equity transfers Transfer from shareholders equity, shares. Transfer from Shareholders Equity, Shares Shareholders' equity transfers, shares Shareholders' equity transfers, shares Transfer to temporary equity. Transfer to Temporary Equity Temporary equity transfers Transfer to temporary equity, shares. Transfer to Temporary Equity, Shares Temporary equity transfers, shares Issuance of common stock-exercise of stock options/warrants Issuance of common stock - exercise of stock options/warrants Issuance of common stock 0 exercise of stock options/warrants Issuance of common stock-exercise of stock options/warrants, shares Issuance of common stock - exercise of stock options/warrants, shares Issuance of common stock 0 exercise of stock options/warrants, shares Restricted stock, net of forfeitures Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures, Total Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures Restricted stock, net of forfeitures, shares Restricted stock, net of forfeitures Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition, Value Stock-based compensation Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition, Total Preferred stock dividends Preferred stock dividends Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities Conversion to common stock Conversion of preferred stock. Conversion of Preferred Stock Conversion of preferred stock Conversion of preferred stock,shares Conversion of Preferred Stock,Shares Conversion of preferred stock,shares Conversion of preferred stock,shares Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities Conversion to common stock,shares Conversion to common stock,shares Other comprehensive income Other comprehensive income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss) Organization [Abstract] Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure Text Block Organization Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract] Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Text Block] Recent Accounting Pronouncements Risks And Uncertainties [Abstract] Unusual Risks And Uncertainties Text Block Risks And Uncertainties Impairment Of Oil And Gas Properties [Abstract] Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Industries Disclosures [Text Block] Impairment Of Oil And Gas Properties Income Taxes [Abstract] Income tax benefit (expense): Income Tax Disclosure Text Block Income Taxes Long-Term Debt [Abstract] Long Term Debt Text Block Long-Term Debt Other Long-Term Obligations [Abstract] This represents obligations which arise from sales of interests in assets, future revenues and future net profits which, due to the economic substance of the transactions, are liabilities expected to be repaid after one year. This balance also includes amounts due to vendors for which payment has been contractually deferred and is expected to be repaid after one year. Other Long Term Debt Noncurrent [Text Block] Other Long-Term Obligations Preferred Stock [Abstract] Preferred Stock [Text Block] Preferred Stock Asset Retirement Obligation [Abstract] Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Text Block] Asset Retirement Obligation Earnings Per Share Text Block Earnings Per Share Derivative Instruments And Risk Management Activities [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivative Instruments And Risk Management Activities Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure Text Block Commitments And Contingencies Segment Information [Abstract] Segment Reporting Disclosure Text Block Segment Information Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures Text Block Fair Value Measurements Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract] Stock-Based Compensation Disclosure Stock-Based Compensation Subsequent Events [Abstract] Schedule Of Subsequent Events Text Block Subsequent Events