CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues and other income:
Oil and gas revenue	$ 666,912
Interest income	9,093	4,231	985
Other income	775	5,109	9,210
Total revenues and other income	676,780	9,340	10,195
Costs and expenses:
Oil and gas production	83,551
Exploration expenses, including dry holes	126,409	73,126	22,127
General and administrative	113,579	98,967	55,619
Depletion and depreciation	140,469	2,423	1,911
Amortization - deferred financing costs	16,193	28,827	2,492
Interest expense	65,749	59,582	6,774
Derivatives, net	11,777	28,319
Loss on extinguishment of debt	59,643
Doubtful accounts expense	(39,782)	39,782
Other expenses, net	149	1,094	46
Total costs and expenses	577,737	332,120	88,969
Income (loss) before income taxes	99,043	(322,780)	(78,774)
Income tax expense (benefit)	76,686	(77,108)	973
Net income (loss)	22,357	(245,672)	(79,747)
Accretion to redemption value of convertible preferred units	(24,442)	(77,313)	(51,528)
Net loss attributable to common shareholders/unit holders	$ (2,085)	$ (322,985)	$ (131,275)
Net income per share attributable to common shareholders:
Pro forma basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06
Pro forma diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06
Weighted average number of shares used to compute net income (loss) per share:
Pro forma basic (in shares)	354,667
Pro forma diluted (in shares)	354,810