Operating Segment Information (Reconciliation of Segment Income (loss) to Net Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		4 Months Ended		8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016		Aug. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment income (loss)		$ (18,214)
General and administrative expenses	[1]	(18,496)
Interest expense	[1]	(18,327)
Gain (loss) on asset sales and disposal	[1]	180
Reorganization items, net		(870)	[1]		$ (16,614)
Other income (loss)	[1]	22,413
Net loss		(33,314)
Predecessor
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment income (loss)				$ (55,961)		$ (639,534)	$ (470,726)
General and administrative expenses	[1]			(47,098)		(65,968)	(72,349)
Interest expense	[1]			(74,587)		(102,133)	(62,144)
Gain on early extinguishment of debt	[1]			26,498
Gain (loss) on asset sales and disposal	[1]			(479)		(1,181)	(1,869)
Reorganization items, net	[1]			(16,614)
Other income (loss)	[1]			(9,189)
Net loss				(177,430)		(808,816)	(607,088)
Provision for losses on Drilling Partnership receivables				10,906
Gas And Oil Production
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment income (loss)		(19,592)
Gas And Oil Production | Predecessor
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment income (loss)				(40,035)		(657,227)	(512,612)
Well Construction And Completion
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment income (loss)		303
Well Construction And Completion | Predecessor
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment income (loss)				2,499		9,979	22,639
Other Partnership Management
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment income (loss)	[2]	$ 1,075
Other Partnership Management | Predecessor
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment income (loss)	[2]			$ (18,425)		$ 7,714	$ 19,247

[1] Gain (loss) on asset sales and disposal, reorganization items, net, gain on early extinguishment of debt, interest expense and income tax (expense) benefit have not been allocated to reportable segments as it would be impracticable to reasonably do so for the periods presented.

[2] Includes revenues and expenses from well services, gathering and processing, administration and oversight, and other, net that do not meet the quantitative threshold for reporting segment information.