ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE - OTHER (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010 acre	Jul. 31, 2010 Gulf United Energy, Inc. [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Hupecol Operating, LLC [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Additional ownership interest acquired in CPO 4 Block (in hundredths)				12.50%
Gas and oil area in CPO 4 Block (in acres)				345,452
Payment period under agreement					30 days
Share of past costs receivable under agreement (in hundredths)					12.50%
Bad debt expense	$ 3,951,370	$ 3,951,370
Percentage of acquisition costs receivable under agreement (in hundredths)					25.00%
Amount receivable under agreement in connection with seismic acquisition costs					3,951,423
Escrow receivables, percentage (in hundredths)	13.30%	13.30%				5.00%
Expected period of reimbursement						12 months
Amount receivable for entity's proportionate share of escrow funds	$ 370,834	$ 370,834	$ 4,322,063			$ 370,834