Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accounts receivable:
Allowances for doubtful accounts of oil and natural gas sales	$ 50	$ 50
Allowances for doubtful accounts of joint interest operations	479	479
Allowances for doubtful accounts other	11	48
OTHER ASSETS:
Accumulated amortization of deferred loan costs	$ 716	$ 5,012
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, par value	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	83,341,299	82,597,829
Common stock, shares outstanding	79,067,298	78,386,983
Treasury stock, shares	4,274,001	4,210,846