Acquisitions (Purchase Price Allocation) (Details) (Linn Energy, LLC [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Linn Energy, LLC [Member]
Assets:
Current	$ 12,215
Noncurrent	210,390
Oil and natural gas properties	2,701,385
Total assets acquired	2,923,990
Liabilities:
Current	223,114
Asset retirement obligations	63,663
Noncurrent	196,601
Total liabilities assumed	483,378
Net assets acquired	$ 2,440,612

The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to the asset retirement obligation assumed.

No definition available.

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- Definition

The amount of current and other assets acquired in a business combination

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The amount of noncurrent assets acquired in a business combination.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The amount of payables assumed associated with pending acquisition included in noncurrent liabilities, as of the Agreement date, related to future funding commitment.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to assets acquired.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

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The total purchase price of the acquired entity. This includes cash paid to equity interest holders of the acquired entity, fair value of debt and equity securities issued to equity holders of the acquired entity, and transaction costs paid to third parties to consummate the acquisition.

+ References

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- Definition

The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to current liabilities of the acquired entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-Paragraph 51

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 37

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to liabilities assumed.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 98-1

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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-Number 141

-Paragraph 37

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to natural resources other than mineral rights in the mining industry.

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