CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ (525,211)	$ 479,236
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	604,887	516,891
Impairment of natural gas and oil properties	1,377,364
Deferred income taxes	(320,731)	309,042
Unrealized gain on derivatives	(2,890)	905
Stock-based compensation	8,226	6,619
Other	312	(353)
Change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	44,148	4,664
Inventories	16,608	(5,993)
Accounts payable	(11,050)	1,539
Taxes payable	(3,789)	(21,165)
Interest payable	(2,306)	(9,365)
Advances from partners	26,155	14,568
Other assets and liabilities	(19,246)	3,623
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,192,477	1,300,211
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Capital investments	(1,623,751)	(1,543,549)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	201,161	121,546
Transfers to restricted cash	(167,774)	(85,040)
Transfers from restricted cash	40,700	15,779
Other	5,239	4,940
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,544,425)	(1,486,324)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Payments on current portion of long-term debt	(600)	(600)
Payments on revolving long-term debt	(1,774,000)	(2,575,000)
Borrowings under revolving long-term debt	1,129,000	2,753,600
Change in bank drafts outstanding	1,627	10,621
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	998,780
Debt issuance costs	(8,338)
Revolving credit facility costs		(10,211)
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options	8,422	4,844
Net cash provided by financing activities	354,891	183,254
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(10)	97
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2,933	(2,762)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	15,627	16,055
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 18,560	$ 13,293