Consolidated Statements of Operations (Audited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues:
Natural gas, NGL and crude oil sales	$ 276,605	$ 205,029	$ 171,242
Sales from natural gas marketing	66,419	69,071	59,595
Commodity price risk management gain (loss), net	46,090	59,891	(10,053)
Well operations, pipeline income and other	6,846	9,030	10,092
Total revenues	395,960	343,021	230,876
Costs, expenses and other:
Production costs	69,085	64,872	62,103
Cost of natural gas marketing	65,465	68,015	57,618
Exploration expense	6,253	13,675	14,069
Impairment of natural gas and crude oil properties	25,159	6,481	5,034
General and administrative expense	61,454	42,188	53,985
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	128,907	108,095	126,755
Gain on sale of Leaseholds	(196)	(174)	(470)
Total cost, expenses and other	356,127	303,152	319,094
Income (loss) from operations	39,833	39,869	(88,218)
Interest income	47	71	254
Interest expense	(36,985)	(33,250)	(37,208)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	2,895	6,690	(125,172)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(183)	652	(45,054)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	3,078	6,038	(80,118)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	10,359	(104)	(975)
Net income (loss)	13,437	5,934	(81,093)
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	(280)	(1,816)
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders	13,437	6,214	(79,277)
Amounts attributable to Petroleum Development Corporation shareholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	3,078	6,318	(78,302)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	10,359	(104)	(975)
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders	$ 13,437	$ 6,214	$ (79,277)
Basic
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 0.13	$ 0.33	$ (4.76)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0.44	$ (0.01)	$ (0.06)
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders	$ 0.57	$ 0.32	$ (4.82)
Diluted
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 0.13	$ 0.32	$ (4.76)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0.43	$ (0.01)	$ (0.06)
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders	$ 0.56	$ 0.31	$ (4.82)
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic	23,521	19,674	16,448
Diluted	23,871	19,821	16,448