Transactions with Affiliates (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Transactions with Affiliates
Number of employees	0		0
Transactions with Affiliates
Due to affiliate for joint interest and general and administrative charges in excess of net revenues	$ 127		$ 127
Due from affiliate for net revenues processed in excess of joint interest and general and administrative charges					40,789
Reef Oil & Gas Partners, L.P. ("Reef") | Pending litigation
Transactions with Affiliates
Legal fees reimbursed	2,756	4,420	13,360	9,210
Reef Exploration, L.P. ("RELP")
Transactions with Affiliates
Administrative costs incurred	3,877	10,720	17,450	31,795
Technical services costs incurred	0	0	0	0
Due to affiliate for joint interest and general and administrative charges in excess of net revenues	127		127
Due from affiliate for net revenues processed in excess of joint interest and general and administrative charges					$ 40,789
Reef Exploration, L.P. ("RELP") | Minimum
Transactions with Affiliates
Period for receipt of cash from oil and gas purchasers, associated with the net revenues processed by affiliate			30 days
Reef Exploration, L.P. ("RELP") | Maximum
Transactions with Affiliates
Period for receipt of cash from oil and gas purchasers, associated with the net revenues processed by affiliate			60 days