Oil And Gas Properties (Changess In Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Oil And Gas Properties [Abstract]
Beginning balance January 1	$ 1,624
Reclassified to Proved Oil and Gas Properties per Shouyang Modification Agreement	(1,624)
Ending balance at September 30	$ 0

The change during the reporting period in capitalized exploratory well costs. This change comprises additions of capitalized costs where proven reserves have not been found, reclassification of capitalized costs where proved reserves were found, and capitalized costs that were expensed when proved reserves were definitively not found.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS19-1

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 932

-SubTopic 235

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-Subparagraph a

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=8451039&loc=SL6806780-109447

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalizedExploratoryWellCostPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration