Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended		95 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows provided from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ (366,905)	$ (216,468)	$ (1,294,740)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,345	782	6,097
Dry hole expense and impairment of unproved properties	212,199	131,720	450,931
Gain on sale of assets	(2,993)		(2,993)
Equity based compensation	18,795	16,650	79,501
Amortization of premium (accretion of discount) on investments	17,043	13,269	51,584
Amortization of debt discount	34,751		36,500
Other			558
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Joint interest and other receivables	(48,218)	(32,171)	(113,413)
Inventory	(17,939)	(3,627)	(83,225)
Prepaid expense and other current assets	(2,482)	6,919	(26,423)
Deferred charges	(13,264)	2,769	(13,264)
Trade and other accounts payable	(57,459)	(53,892)	10,418
Accrued liabilities and other	(14,856)	(7,344)	22,018
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(239,983)	(141,393)	(876,451)
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures for oil and gas properties	(80,439)	(130,719)	(927,387)
Capital expenditures for other property and equipment	(7,689)	(3,376)	(17,733)
Exploratory wells drilling in process	(356,764)	(228,299)	(956,846)
Proceeds from sale of oil and gas properties	3,006		342,007
Change in restricted funds	90,372	51,076	(221,710)
Proceeds from maturity of investment securities	1,003,020	768,230	3,602,074
Purchase of investment securities	(1,615,834)	(970,709)	(5,245,771)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(964,328)	(513,797)	(3,425,366)
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		489,309	967,513
Proceeds from debt offering, net of costs	(1,190)		1,347,760
Proceeds from stock option exercises	198	275	536
Payments for common stock withheld for taxes on equity based compensation		(170)	(362)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(992)	489,414	4,522,329
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(1,205,303)	(165,776)	220,512
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,425,815	292,546
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	220,512	126,770	220,512
Cash paid for interest	16,502		16,502
Non-Cash Disclosures
Changes in accrued capital expenditures	(92,534)	270,031	135,389
Transfer of investment securities to and from restricted funds	$ 26	$ 178,830	$ 178,804