SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Detail (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended							12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 Restricted Cash [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Restricted Cash [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Other Assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 12% Senior Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 12% Senior Notes [Member] Rate	Oct. 03, 2012 12% Senior Notes [Member] Rate	Dec. 31, 2012 7.75% Senior Notes [Member] Rate	Dec. 31, 2012 Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 3.25% Convertible Note [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 3.25% Convertible Note [Member]
Significant Accounting Plicies [Line Items]
Litigation Settlement, Gross		$ 8,700,000
Escrow Deposit Related to Acquisition	1,700,000
Certificates of Deposit and Cash	5,300,000	3,800,000		3,900,000	2,300,000	1,400,000	1,500,000
Inventory, Net	1,200,000	1,100,000
Impairment of other property and equipment	0	0
Non-Oil and gas Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	7,500,000	6,700,000	7,500,000
Capitalized Interest	1,200,000	1,700,000	300,000
Production Tax Liability	18,700,000	19,400,000
Debt Issuance Cost	$ 17,400,000	$ 12,300,000						$ 3,400,000			$ 10,900,000	$ 4,600,000	$ 6,500,000	$ 1,900,000	$ 2,400,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage									7.75%	12.00%	7.75%