Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues:
Oil and gas operations	$ 394
Total revenues	394	0
Operating costs and expenses:
Oil and gas operating	49
Selling, general and administrative	4,453	4,331
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	469	286
Total operating costs and expenses	4,971	4,617
Loss from operations	(4,577)	(4,617)
Other income:
Interest and other income - related party	1,917	528
Interest and other income	37	50
Total other income	1,954	578
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(2,623)	(4,039)
Income tax benefit	80	573
Loss from continuing operations	(2,543)	(3,466)
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations	(157)	(1,703)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(467)	1,878
Net loss	(3,167)	(3,291)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		327
Net loss attributable to HKN, Inc. stockholders	(3,167)	(2,964)
Accrual of dividends related to preferred stock	(16)	(16)
Gain on payments of dividends of preferred stock	16	16
Net loss attributed to common stock	$ (3,167)	$ (2,964)
Loss per common share from continuing operations (in Dollars per share)	$ (5.72)	$ (7.84)
Income (loss) per common share from discontinued operations (in Dollars per share)	$ (1.40)	$ 0.44
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted (in Dollars per share)	$ (7.12)	$ (7.40)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted (in Shares)	444,502	400,324