Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Revenues	$ 142,532	$ 105,646	$ 444,038		$ 322,392
Expenses	115,137	90,591	342,278		265,448
Income before the following:	27,395	15,055	101,760		56,944
Income from continuing operations, before income taxes	27,395	15,055	101,760		56,944
Income tax provision	10,388	5,652	37,822		20,788
Income from continuing operations	17,007	9,403	63,938		36,156
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes	(31)	(73)	14,247		(162)
Net Income	16,976	9,330	78,185	[1]	35,994	46,294
Swift Energy Company (Issuer) [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	16,976	9,330	78,185		35,994
Income from continuing operations, before income taxes	16,976	9,330	78,185		35,994
Income from continuing operations	16,976	9,330	78,185		35,994
Net Income	16,976	9,330	78,185		35,994
Swift Energy Operating, LLC (Guarantor) [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Revenues	142,532	105,646	444,038		322,392
Expenses	115,137	90,591	342,278		265,448
Income before the following:	27,395	15,055	101,760		56,944
Income from continuing operations, before income taxes	27,395	15,055	101,760		56,944
Income tax provision	10,388	5,652	37,822		20,788
Income from continuing operations	17,007	9,403	63,938		36,156
Net Income	17,007	9,403	63,938		36,156
Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	17,007	9,403	63,938		36,156
Income from continuing operations, before income taxes	17,007	9,403	63,938		36,156
Income from continuing operations	17,007	9,403	63,938		36,156
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes	(31)	(73)	14,247		(162)
Net Income	16,976	9,330	78,185		35,994
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	(33,983)	(18,733)	(142,123)		(72,150)
Income from continuing operations, before income taxes	(33,983)	(18,733)	(142,123)		(72,150)
Income from continuing operations	(33,983)	(18,733)	(142,123)		(72,150)
Net Income	$ (33,983)	$ (18,733)	$ (142,123)		$ (72,150)

[1] [2] Unaudited