Tax effects of temporary differences representing the net DTA (DTL) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Predecessor [Member]
Deferred tax assets:
DTA, Federal net operating losses (NOLs)		$ 287,720
Net Operating Loss for excess stock-based compensation		(9,571)
DTA, Oil and gas exploration and development costs		214,413
DTA, State NOL carryovers		18,384
DTA, Alternative minimum tax credits		2,092
DTA, Other loss carryforwards		1,215
DTA, Asset retirement obligations		22,884
Deferred Tax Assets, Hedging Transactions		0
DTA, Unrealized share-based compensation		9,953
DTA, Valuation Allowance		(553,283)
DTA, Other		6,193
Total deferred tax assets		0
Deferred tax liabilities:
DTL, Oil and gas exploration and development costs		0
DTL, Other		0
Total deferred tax liabilites		0
Net deferred tax liabilities		0
Net current deferred tax assets		0
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities		$ 0
Successor [Member]
Deferred tax assets:
DTA, Federal net operating losses (NOLs)	$ 40,104
Net Operating Loss for excess stock-based compensation	0
DTA, Oil and gas exploration and development costs	71,292
DTA, State NOL carryovers	0
DTA, Alternative minimum tax credits	2,092
DTA, Other loss carryforwards	1,107
DTA, Asset retirement obligations	11,447
Deferred Tax Assets, Hedging Transactions	5,802
DTA, Unrealized share-based compensation	648
DTA, Valuation Allowance	(136,656)
DTA, Other	4,164
Total deferred tax assets	0
Deferred tax liabilities:
DTL, Oil and gas exploration and development costs	0
DTL, Other	0
Total deferred tax liabilites	0
Net deferred tax liabilities	0
Net current deferred tax assets	0
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities	$ 0