Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Revenues	$ 157,428	$ 106,900	$ 301,506		$ 216,746
Expenses	115,556	87,832	227,141		174,857
Income before the following:	41,872	19,068	74,365		41,889
Income from continuing operations, before income taxes	41,872	19,068	74,365		41,889
Income tax provision	15,190	6,555	27,434		15,136
Income from continuing operations	26,682	12,513	46,931		26,753
Income (loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes	14,346	(54)	14,278		(89)
Net Income	41,028	12,459	61,209	[1]	26,664	46,294
Swift Energy Company (Issuer) [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	41,028	12,459	61,209		26,664
Income from continuing operations, before income taxes	41,028	12,459	61,209		26,664
Income from continuing operations	41,028	12,459	61,209		26,664
Net Income	41,028	12,459	61,209		26,664
Swift Energy Operating, LLC (Guarantor) [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Revenues	157,428	106,900	301,506		216,746
Expenses	115,556	87,832	227,141		174,857
Income before the following:	41,872	19,068	74,365		41,889
Income from continuing operations, before income taxes	41,872	19,068	74,365		41,889
Income tax provision	15,190	6,555	27,434		15,136
Income from continuing operations	26,682	12,513	46,931		26,753
Net Income	26,682	12,513	46,931		26,753
Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	26,682	12,513	46,931		26,753
Income from continuing operations, before income taxes	26,682	12,513	46,931		26,753
Income from continuing operations	26,682	12,513	46,931		26,753
Income (loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes	14,346	(54)	14,278		(89)
Net Income	41,028	12,459	61,209		26,664
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	(67,710)	(24,972)	(108,140)		(53,417)
Income from continuing operations, before income taxes	(67,710)	(24,972)	(108,140)		(53,417)
Income from continuing operations	(67,710)	(24,972)	(108,140)		(53,417)
Net Income	$ (67,710)	$ (24,972)	$ (108,140)		$ (53,417)

[1] [2] Unaudited