Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Revenues	$ 135,878		$ 144,078
Expenses	129,996		111,585
Income before the following:	5,882		32,493
Income from continuing operations, before income taxes	5,882		32,493
Income tax provision	2,312		12,244
Income from continuing operations	3,570		20,249
Loss from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes			(68)
Net Income	3,570	[1]	20,181	98,821
Total comprehensive income	3,831		20,087
Swift Energy Company (Issuer) [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	3,570		20,181
Income from continuing operations, before income taxes	3,570		20,181
Income from continuing operations			20,181
Net Income	3,570		20,181
Total comprehensive income	3,831		20,087
Swift Energy Operating, LLC (Guarantor) [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Revenues	135,878		144,078
Expenses	129,996		111,585
Income before the following:	5,882		32,493
Income from continuing operations, before income taxes	5,882		32,493
Income tax provision	2,312		12,244
Income from continuing operations			20,249
Net Income	3,570		20,249
Total comprehensive income	3,831		20,087
Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	3,570		20,249
Income from continuing operations, before income taxes	3,570		20,249
Income from continuing operations			20,249
Loss from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes			(68)
Net Income	3,570		20,181
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	(7,140)		(40,430)
Income from continuing operations, before income taxes	(7,140)		(40,430)
Income from continuing operations			(40,430)
Net Income	(7,140)		(40,430)
Total comprehensive income	$ (3,831)		$ (20,087)

[1] (2) Unaudited