Unit-Based Compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Share based Payments [Abstract]

Employee Service Share-Based Compensation Expense

A summary of unit-based compensation expenses included on the condensed consolidated statements of operations is presented below:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
	(in thousands)
General and administrative expenses	$	5,320	$	3,070	$	16,014	$	10,280
Lease operating expenses		258		76		745		266
Total unit-based compensation expenses	$	5,578	$	3,146	$	16,759	$	10,546
Income tax benefit	$	2,061	$	1,162	$	6,192	$	3,897