Business segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information:
Revenues	$ 144,632us-gaap_Revenues	$ 122,657us-gaap_Revenues
Segment income (loss) before income taxes	27,785	(2,302)
Total Assets	2,455,100us-gaap_Assets		2,340,588us-gaap_Assets
Oil and gas exploration and production segment
Segment Reporting Information:
Revenues	141,399	95,720
Segment income (loss) before income taxes	58,162	33,141
Total Assets	2,372,565		2,254,751
Gas marketing segment
Segment Reporting Information:
Revenues	3,233	26,937
Segment income (loss) before income taxes	(25)	67
Total Assets	5,296		6,979
Corporate and other segment
Segment Reporting Information:
Segment income (loss) before income taxes	(30,352)	(35,510)
Total Assets	74,365		75,984
Assets Held-for-sale
Segment Reporting Information:
Total Assets	$ 2,874		$ 2,874

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

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-Section S99

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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