CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Oil and gas properties, accumulated depletion (in dollars)	$ 135,622,000	$ 6,430,000
Other property, accumulated depreciation (in dollars)	8,068,000	5,343,000
Long-term receivables - joint interest billings, allowance (in dollars)		39,800,000
Deferred financing costs and other assets, accumulated amortization (in dollars)	$ 6,582,000	$ 32,093,000
Convertible preferred units, units authorized		100,000,000
Preference shares, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01
Preference shares, authorized shares	200,000,000
Preference shares, issued shares	0
Common shares, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01
Common shares, authorized shares	2,000,000,000
Common shares, issued shares	390,530,946
Common units, units authorized		100,000,000
Common units, units issued		19,069,662
Treasury stock, shares	649,818
Series A Convertible preferred units
Convertible preferred units, units issued		30,000,000
Series B Convertible preferred units
Convertible preferred units, units issued		20,000,000
Series C Convertible preferred units
Convertible preferred units, units issued		884,956