ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	72,085	86,516
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Individual Customer A [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of accounts receivables (in hundredths)	41.00%	35.00%	32.00%
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Individual Customer B [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of accounts receivables (in hundredths)	16.00%	14.00%	15.00%
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Individual Customer C [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of accounts receivables (in hundredths)	13.00%
Percentage of accounts receivables		Less than 10%	Less than 10%
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Individual Customer D [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of accounts receivables (in hundredths)			10.00%
Percentage of accounts receivables	Less than 10%	Less than 10%
Customers [Member]
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	44,459	42,138
Joint Interest Owners [Member]
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	23,354	32,429
Other Accounts Receivables [Member]
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	4,272	11,949