Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		95 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Oil and gas revenue			$ 0
Operating costs and expenses:
Seismic and exploration	14,555	6,327	41,430	35,682	431,603
Dry hole expense and impairment	108,321	15,041	212,199	131,720	450,931
General and administrative	22,347	18,916	68,507	52,239	374,448
Depreciation and amortization	440	269	1,345	782	6,097
Total operating costs and expenses	145,663	40,553	323,481	220,423	1,263,079
Operating income (loss)	(145,663)	(40,553)	(323,481)	(220,423)	(1,263,079)
Other income (expense):
Gain on sale of assets			2,993		2,993
Interest income	1,465	1,339	4,610	3,955	19,653
Interest expense	(15,802)		(51,027)		(54,307)
Total other income (expense)	(14,337)	1,339	(43,424)	3,955	(31,661)
Net income (loss) before income tax	(160,000)	(39,214)	(366,905)	(216,468)	(1,294,740)
Income tax expense			0
Net income (loss)	$ (160,000)	$ (39,214)	$ (366,905)	$ (216,468)	$ (1,294,740)
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.39)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.90)	$ (0.54)
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	406,941,392	406,543,628	406,803,860	402,272,534