Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment information
Revenue									$ 1,534,434	$ 1,241,563	$ 858,635
Derivative (loss) gain not allocated to segments									(29,035)	(53,932)	(120,352)
Revenue deferral adjustment									(15,385)
Total revenue	333,913	507,826	400,439	263,221	299,991	255,411	323,850	308,379	1,505,399	1,187,631	738,283
Selling, general and administrative expenses									(81,229)	(75,258)	(63,728)
Depreciation									(149,954)	(123,198)	(95,537)
Amortization of intangible assets									(43,617)	(40,833)	(40,831)
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment									(8,797)	(3,149)	(1,677)
Accretion of asset retirement obligations									(1,190)	(237)	(198)
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets											5,855
Income (loss) from operations	(7,557)	207,801	133,214	(15,294)	25,172	646	109,071	53,573	318,164	188,462	(73,856)
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates									(1,095)	1,562	3,505
Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliate											6,801
Interest income									422	1,670	349
Interest expense									(113,631)	(103,873)	(87,419)
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discount (a component of interest expense)									(5,114)	(10,264)	(9,718)
Derivative gain related to interest expense										1,871	2,509
Loss on redemption of debt	(35,500)			(43,300)	(46,300)				(78,996)	(46,326)
Miscellaneous income (expense), net									144	1,189	2,459
Income (loss) before provision for income tax									119,894	34,291	(155,370)
Total reportable segments
Segment information
Revenue									1,549,819	1,241,563	858,635
Portion of operating income attributable to non-controlling interests									69,162	32,566	9,250
Income (loss) from operations									615,051	471,720	314,237
Southwest Segment
Segment information
Revenue									935,513	665,768	492,369
Revenue deferral adjustment									7,200
Portion of operating income attributable to non-controlling interests									5,431	6,440	2,613
Income (loss) from operations									340,410	268,596	195,114
Northeast Segment
Segment information
Revenue									268,884	384,724	260,529
Revenue deferral adjustment									8,200
Income (loss) from operations									150,146	112,384	64,864
Unallocated Segment
Segment information
Derivative (loss) gain not allocated to segments									(75,515)	(80,350)	(188,862)
Revenue deferral adjustment									(15,385)
Compensation expense included in facility expenses not allocated to segments									(1,781)	(1,890)	(1,032)
Facility expenses adjustments									$ 11,419	$ 9,091	$ 377