<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <Version>1.0.0.3</Version>
  <ReportType />
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0010 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R1.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0015 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R2.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0020 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R3.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0025 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R4.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0030 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R5.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0040 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</LongName>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R6.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0045 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R7.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>1010 - Disclosure - BASIS OF PRESENTATION</LongName>
      <ShortName>BASIS OF PRESENTATION</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R8.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>1020 - Disclosure - DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS</LongName>
      <ShortName>DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R9.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>1030 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</LongName>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R10.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>1040 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING</LongName>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R11.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>1050 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS</LongName>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R12.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>1060 - Disclosure - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS</LongName>
      <ShortName>ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R13.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>1070 - Disclosure - LONG TERM DEBT</LongName>
      <ShortName>LONG TERM DEBT</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R14.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>1080 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</LongName>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R15.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>1090 - Disclosure - CAPITAL STOCK</LongName>
      <ShortName>CAPITAL STOCK</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R16.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>1100 - Disclosure - EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE</LongName>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R17.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>1110 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS</LongName>
      <ShortName>EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R18.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>1120 - Disclosure - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS</LongName>
      <ShortName>RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R19.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>1130 - Disclosure - MAJOR CUSTOMERS</LongName>
      <ShortName>MAJOR CUSTOMERS</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R20.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>1140 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION (in thousands)</LongName>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION (in thousands)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R21.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>1150 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</LongName>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R22.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>1160 - Disclosure - PROPERTY SALES AND ACQUISITIONS</LongName>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY SALES AND ACQUISITIONS</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R23.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>1170 - Disclosure - UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL OIL AND GAS DISCLOSURES</LongName>
      <ShortName>UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL OIL AND GAS DISCLOSURES</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R24.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>1180 - Disclosure - UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA</LongName>
      <ShortName>UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R25.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>9999 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R26.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName />
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <ContextCount>46</ContextCount>
  <SegmentCount>6</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <UnitCount>3</UnitCount>
  <ElementCount>161</ElementCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2009</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>89</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2007_TreasuryStockMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>2</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2009_ComprehensiveIncomeMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>3</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2009</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>48</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2006_RetainedEarningsMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2007_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>6</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2009_TreasuryStockMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2008_RetainedEarningsMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2009SO</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2008_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>7</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2008_TreasuryStockMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2007_TreasuryStockMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2008</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>64</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2009_CommonStockMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>2</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2007_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2009_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>7</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2007_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>2</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2006_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2007_CommonStockMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>2</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2008_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>2</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2009_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2008_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2007</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>66</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2009_RetainedEarningsMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2008_TreasuryStockMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2009_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2009_CommonStockMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>11</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2008</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>48</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2008_CommonStockMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>2</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2007</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>2</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2009PF</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2009_RetainedEarningsMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>2</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2009_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2008_CommonStockMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>12</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2007_CommonStockMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>8</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2006</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>2</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2008_ComprehensiveIncomeMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>4</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2007_ComprehensiveIncomeMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>4</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2006_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2008_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2008_RetainedEarningsMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>2</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2007_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>D2007_RetainedEarningsMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>2</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2006_TreasuryStockMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2007_RetainedEarningsMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>I2006_CommonStockMember</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>2</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
  </ContextSummary>
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
