Share-Based Compensation Share-Based Compensation (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation Plans We have multiple share-based compensation plans with outstanding awards including the 2005 Stock Compensation Plan, most recently amended by our Board of Directors in May 2013, which was approved by shareholders at the 2005 annual meeting of shareholders; the 2001 Omnibus Stock Compensation Plan, which was adopted by our Board of Directors in February 2001 and was approved by shareholders at the 2001 annual meeting of shareholders; the 1990 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan solely for our independent directors. No further grants will be made under the 2001 Omnibus Stock Compensation Plan or the 1990 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, both of which were replaced by the 2005 Stock Compensation Plan, and no awards remain outstanding under these plans as of December 31, 2015. In addition, we have an employee stock purchase plan and also had an employee stock ownership plan prior to its termination during 2015. We follow guidance contained in FASB ASC 718 to account for share-based compensation. Under the 2005 plan, stock option awards and other equity based awards may be granted to employees, directors, and consultants, with directors only eligible to receive restricted awards. Under the 2001 plan, stock option awards and other equity based awards were granted to employees. Under the 1990 non-qualified plan, non-employee members of our Board of Directors were automatically granted stock option awards to purchase shares of common stock on a formula basis. All three plans provide that the exercise prices for stock option awards equal 100% of the fair value of the common stock on the date of grant. Restricted stock grants become vested over a three year period, and stock option awards become exercisable in various terms ranging from one year to five years. Stock option awards granted typically expire ten years after the date of grant or earlier in the event of the optionee's separation from employment. At the time the stock option awards are exercised, the cash received is credited to common stock and additional paid-in capital. The 2005 plan allows for the use of a “stock swap” in lieu of a cash exercise for stock option awards, under certain circumstances. The delivery of Swift Energy common stock, held by the optionee for a minimum of six months, which are considered mature shares, with a fair market value equal to the required purchase price of the shares to which the exercise relates, constitutes a valid “stock swap.” Stock option awards issued under a “stock swap” also previously included a reload feature that was discontinued during 2012. There were no mature shares that were delivered in “stock swap” transactions during 2015 or 2014 while there were 10,752 such shared delivered for the year ended December 31, 2013. The employee stock purchase plan, which began in 1993, provides eligible employees the opportunity to acquire shares of Swift Energy common stock at a discount through payroll deductions. To date, employees have been allowed to authorize payroll deductions of up to 10% of their base salary, within IRS limitations and plan rules, during the plan year by making an election to participate prior to the start of a plan year. The purchase price for stock acquired under the plan is 85% of the lower of the closing price of our common stock at the beginning or end of the plan year. Under this plan for the last three years, we have issued 87,629 shares at a price of $3.44 in 2015, 71,825 shares at a price of $11.47 in 2014 and 72,273 shares at a price of $13.08 in 2013. There were no contributions for the year ended December 31, 2015 while contributions for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were all made in common stock. As of December 31, 2015, 318,027 shares remained available for issuance under this plan. We receive a tax deduction for certain stock option exercises during the period the stock option awards are exercised, generally for the excess of the market value on the exercise date over the exercise price of the stock option awards. We receive an additional tax deduction when restricted stock awards vest at a higher value than the value used to recognize compensation expense at the date of grant. We are required to report excess tax benefits from the award of equity instruments as financing cash flows. We recognized an excess tax shortfall for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, as referenced in Note 3 of these consolidated financial statements. We did not recognize any material excess tax benefit or shortfall in earnings for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Share-Based Compensation Plans

We have multiple share-based compensation plans with outstanding awards including the 2005 Stock Compensation Plan, most recently amended by our Board of Directors in May 2013, which was approved by shareholders at the 2005 annual meeting of shareholders; the 2001 Omnibus Stock Compensation Plan, which was adopted by our Board of Directors in February 2001 and was approved by shareholders at the 2001 annual meeting of shareholders; the 1990 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan solely for our independent directors. No further grants will be made under the 2001 Omnibus Stock Compensation Plan or the 1990 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, both of which were replaced by the 2005 Stock Compensation Plan, and no awards remain outstanding under these plans as of December 31, 2015. In addition, we have an employee stock purchase plan and also had an employee stock ownership plan prior to its termination during 2015. We follow guidance contained in FASB ASC 718 to account for share-based compensation.

Under the 2005 plan, stock option awards and other equity based awards may be granted to employees, directors, and consultants, with directors only eligible to receive restricted awards. Under the 2001 plan, stock option awards and other equity based awards were granted to employees. Under the 1990 non-qualified plan, non-employee members of our Board of Directors were automatically granted stock option awards to purchase shares of common stock on a formula basis. All three plans provide that the exercise prices for stock option awards equal 100% of the fair value of the common stock on the date of grant. Restricted stock grants become vested over a three year period, and stock option awards become exercisable in various terms ranging from one year to five years. Stock option awards granted typically expire ten years after the date of grant or earlier in the event of the optionee's separation from employment. At the time the stock option awards are exercised, the cash received is credited to common stock and additional paid-in capital. The 2005 plan allows for the use of a “stock swap” in lieu of a cash exercise for stock option awards, under certain circumstances. The delivery of Swift Energy common stock, held by the optionee for a minimum of six months, which are considered mature shares, with a fair market value equal to the required purchase price of the shares to which the exercise relates, constitutes a valid “stock swap.” Stock option awards issued under a “stock swap” also previously included a reload feature that was discontinued during 2012. There were no mature shares that were delivered in “stock swap” transactions during 2015 or 2014 while there were 10,752 such shared delivered for the year ended December 31, 2013.

The employee stock purchase plan, which began in 1993, provides eligible employees the opportunity to acquire shares of Swift Energy common stock at a discount through payroll deductions. To date, employees have been allowed to authorize payroll deductions of up to 10% of their base salary, within IRS limitations and plan rules, during the plan year by making an election to participate prior to the start of a plan year. The purchase price for stock acquired under the plan is 85% of the lower of the closing price of our common stock at the beginning or end of the plan year. Under this plan for the last three years, we have issued 87,629 shares at a price of $3.44 in 2015, 71,825 shares at a price of $11.47 in 2014 and 72,273 shares at a price of $13.08 in 2013. There were no contributions for the year ended December 31, 2015 while contributions for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were all made in common stock. As of December 31, 2015, 318,027 shares remained available for issuance under this plan.

We receive a tax deduction for certain stock option exercises during the period the stock option awards are exercised, generally for the excess of the market value on the exercise date over the exercise price of the stock option awards. We receive an additional tax deduction when restricted stock awards vest at a higher value than the value used to recognize compensation expense at the date of grant. We are required to report excess tax benefits from the award of equity instruments as financing cash flows. We recognized an excess tax shortfall for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, as referenced in Note 3 of these consolidated financial statements. We did not recognize any material excess tax benefit or shortfall in earnings for the year ended December 31, 2013.