Segment Information (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment information
Income from operations	$ 34,495	$ 7,763	$ 140,022	$ 63,663	$ 61,450	$ 8,593	$ 257,741	$ 50,492	$ 245,943	$ 378,276	$ 315,466
Selling, general and administrative expenses									(101,549)	(93,444)	(80,441)
Depreciation									(299,884)	(183,250)	(143,704)
Amortization of intangible assets									(64,644)	(53,320)	(43,617)
(Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment									33,763	(6,254)	(8,797)
Accretion of asset retirement obligations									(824)	(672)	(1,185)
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates									1,422	2,328	158
Interest income									262	419	422
Interest expense									(151,851)	(120,191)	(113,631)
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discount (a component of interest expense)									(6,726)	(5,601)	(5,114)
Loss on redemption of debt				38,500					(38,455)		(78,996)
Miscellaneous income, net									2,519	62	144
Income before provision for income tax									53,114	255,293	118,449
Total segments
Segment information
Income from operations									706,181	643,479	609,795
Portion of operating income attributable to non-controlling interests									(3,478)	(1,183)	63,907
Unallocated Segment
Segment information
Derivative (loss) gain not allocated to segments									(25,770)	69,126	(75,515)
Revenue deferral adjustment and other									(6,182)	(5,935)	(13,947)
Compensation expense included in facility expenses not allocated to segments									(2,421)	(1,022)	(1,781)
Facility expenses adjustments									10,751	10,751	10,751
Selling, general and administrative expenses									(101,549)	(93,444)	(80,441)
Depreciation									(299,884)	(183,250)	(143,704)
Amortization of intangible assets									(64,644)	(53,320)	(43,617)
(Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment									33,763	(6,254)	(8,797)
Accretion of asset retirement obligations									(824)	(672)	(1,185)
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates									1,422	2,328	158
Interest income									262	419	422
Interest expense									(151,851)	(120,191)	(113,631)
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discount (a component of interest expense)									(6,726)	(5,601)	(5,114)
Loss on redemption of debt									(38,455)		(78,996)
Miscellaneous income, net									$ 2,519	$ 62	$ 144