Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Swift Energy Company (Parent and Issuer) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Swift Energy Company (Parent and Issuer) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Swift Energy Company (Parent and Issuer) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2008 Swift Energy Company (Parent and Issuer) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Swift Energy Operating, LLC (Guarantor) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Swift Energy Operating, LLC (Guarantor) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Swift Energy Operating, LLC (Guarantor) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Subsidiaries [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other Subsidiaries [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Other Subsidiaries [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Eliminations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Eliminations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flow
Cash flow from operations	$ 373,056	$ 258,955	$ 225,780					$ 373,058	$ 258,996	$ 226,176	$ 2	$ (41)	$ (396)	$ (4)
Cash flow from investing activities	(450,048)	(348,515)	(179,287)					(450,048)	(348,515)	(184,549)	5,000	5,000	5,000	(5,000)	(5,000)	262
Cash flow from financing activities	242,321	137,458	(8,307)					242,321	137,458	(8,307)	(5,000)	(5,000)	262	5,000	5,000	(262)
Net increase in cash	165,329	47,898	38,186					165,331	47,939	33,320	2	(41)	4,866	(4)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	86,367	38,469	283	0	0	0	0	86,346	33,406	86	21	5,063	197	0	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	$ 251,696	$ 86,367	$ 38,469	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 251,677	$ 86,346	$ 33,406	$ 23	$ 21	$ 5,063	$ (4)	$ 0	$ 0

Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits are not generally reported as cash and cash equivalents. Includes cash and cash equivalents associated with the entity's continuing operations. Excludes cash and cash equivalents associated with the disposal group (and discontinued operation).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 7

-Footnote 1

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3044-108585

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 8, 9

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361293&loc=d3e6676-107765

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Cash

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506951

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 7, 26

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Cash Equivalents

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016

+ Details

- Definition

The net cash from (used in) all of the entity's operating activities, including those of discontinued operations, of the reporting entity. Operating activities generally involve producing and delivering goods and providing services. Operating activity cash flows include transactions, adjustments, and changes in value that are not defined as investing or financing activities. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a debit balance consistent with its label.

+ References+ Details