Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Chesapeake	Dec. 31, 2011 Chesapeake	Sep. 30, 2012 Chesapeake Holdings Corporation	Sep. 30, 2012 Properties Operated by Chesapeake	Sep. 30, 2011 Properties Operated by Chesapeake	Sep. 30, 2012 Properties Operated by Chesapeake	Sep. 30, 2011 Properties Operated by Chesapeake	Sep. 30, 2012 Properties Operated by Chaparral	Sep. 30, 2011 Properties Operated by Chaparral	Sep. 30, 2012 Properties Operated by Chaparral	Sep. 30, 2011 Properties Operated by Chaparral
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Chaparral common stock owned by Chesapeake			20.00%
Revenue from jointly owned properties				$ 831	$ 1,366	$ 2,600	$ 3,828	$ (1,062)	$ (833)	$ (2,521)	$ (2,252)
Joint interest billings				(828)	(346)	(4,295)	(882)	3,093	608	7,737	3,667
Amounts receivable from Chesapeake	1,561	223
Amounts payable to Chesapeake	$ 773	$ 207