Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		89 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows provided from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ (128,087)	$ (36,531)	$ (1,055,922)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	459	201	5,210
Dry hole expense and impairment of unproved properties	68,168	5,324	306,901
Gain on sale of assets	(1,497)		(1,497)
Equity based compensation	6,283	6,636	66,991
Amortization of premium (accretion of discount) on investments	4,822	4,203	39,363
Amortization of debt discount	11,305		13,054
Other			558
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Joint interest and other receivables	(7,373)	7,694	(68,768)
Inventory	2,518	2,471	(62,768)
Prepaid expense and other current assets	(6,199)	2,102	(30,140)
Deferred charges	(2,938)	3,288	(25,538)
Trade and other accounts payable	(61,252)	(35,253)	6,626
Accrued liabilities and other	9,207	(17,579)	62,525
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(104,584)	(57,444)	(743,405)
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures for oil and gas properties	(50,855)	(122,851)	(897,803)
Capital expenditures for other property and equipment	(111)	(472)	(10,177)
Exploratory wells drilling in process	(53,667)	(42,880)	(647,573)
Proceeds from sale of oil and gas properties			339,001
Change in restricted funds	90,322	4,451	(221,760)
Proceeds from maturity of investment securities	346,709	307,582	2,945,762
Purchase of investment securities	(1,326,757)	(590,241)	(4,960,494)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(994,359)	(444,411)	(3,453,044)
Cash flows from financing activities
Capital contributions prior to IPO-Class A limited partners			1,256,180
Proceeds from initial public offering, net of costs			950,702
Proceeds from public offerings, net of costs		489,488	967,513
Proceeds from debt offering, net of costs	(1,190)		1,347,760
Proceeds from stock option exercises	74		412
Payments for common stock withheld for taxes on equity based compensation		(171)	(362)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(1,116)	489,317	4,522,205
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(1,100,059)	(12,538)	325,756
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,425,815	292,546
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	325,756	280,008	325,756
Non-Cash Disclosures
Changes in accrued capital expenditures	35,147	255,681	52,217
Transfer of investment securities to and from restricted funds	$ 26	$ 211,796	$ 178,804