Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 0	$ 0
Operating costs and expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,190	995
Depreciation and amortization	60	67
Total operating costs and expenses	1,250	1,062
Loss from operations	(1,250)	(1,062)
Other income and (expenses):
Interest and other income - related party	362	129
Interest and other income	12	14
Deferred income tax benefit	5
Total other income and (expenses)	379	143
Loss from continuing operations	(871)	(919)
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations	(82)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(177)	239
Net loss	(1,130)	(680)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		117
Net loss attributable to HKN, Inc. stockholders	(1,130)	(563)
Accrual of dividends related to preferred stock	(4)	(4)
Net loss attributed to common stock	$ (1,134)	$ (567)
Loss per common share from continuing operations (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.08)
Income (loss) per common share from discontinued operations (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.02
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.06)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted (in Shares)	18,467,866	10,026,098