Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		89 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Oil and gas revenue	$ 0		$ 0
Operating costs and expenses:
Seismic and exploration	22,318	17,350	412,490
Dry hole expense and impairment	68,168	5,324	306,901
General and administrative	21,507	14,840	327,450
Depreciation and amortization	459	201	5,210
Total operating costs and expenses	112,452	37,715	1,052,051
Operating income (loss)	(112,452)	(37,715)	(1,052,051)
Other income (expense):
Gain on sale of assets	1,497		1,497
Interest income	1,525	1,184	16,569
Interest expense, net	(18,657)		(21,937)
Total other income (expense)	(15,635)	1,184	(3,871)
Net income (loss) before income tax	(128,087)	(36,531)	(1,055,922)
Net income (loss)	$ (128,087)	$ (36,531)	$ (1,055,922)
Basic and diluted income (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.09)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	406,651,869	394,058,437