Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	86 Months Ended	95 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 Segment	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Information
Number of geographic operating segments			2
Segment Information
Operating costs and expense	$ 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)	(14,337)	1,339	(43,424)	3,955		(31,661)
Net income (loss)	(160,000)	(39,214)	(366,905)	(216,468)	(927,835)	(1,294,740)
Additions to Property and Equipment, net	149,591	94,797	323,869	162,797
United States
Segment Information
Operating costs and expense	122,995	(32,593)	167,817	(189,171)
Operating income (loss)	(122,995)	(32,593)	(167,817)	(189,171)
Additions to Property and Equipment, net	1,329	42,851	93,657	(7,438)
West Africa
Segment Information
Operating costs and expense	22,668	(7,960)	155,664	(31,252)
Operating income (loss)	(22,668)	(7,960)	(155,664)	(31,252)
Additions to Property and Equipment, net	$ 148,262	$ 51,946	$ 230,212	$ 170,235

Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 11

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7655603&loc=d3e1377-109256

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 128

-Paragraph 9

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

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-Paragraph 7

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