Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues:
Oil and natural gas	$ 188,471	$ 157,320	$ 575,176	$ 475,728
Contract drilling	120,652	100,647	341,530	313,180
Gas gathering and processing	91,851	75,809	277,687	203,821
Total revenues	400,974	333,776	1,194,393	992,729
Oil and natural gas:
Operating costs	48,841	50,139	133,979	138,171
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization	70,033	56,294	200,958	163,612
Contract drilling:
Operating costs	66,727	58,988	197,025	188,580
Depreciation	22,560	17,402	61,194	52,570
Gas gathering and processing:
Operating costs	78,558	63,098	238,166	172,065
Depreciation and amortization	10,272	8,773	29,972	24,143
General and administrative	10,172	9,936	30,409	28,288
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	529	(4,345)	(9,092)	(7,744)
Total operating expenses	307,692	260,285	882,611	759,685
Income from operations	93,282	73,491	311,782	233,044
Other income (expense):
Interest, net	(4,280)	(3,625)	(12,201)	(11,777)
Gain (loss) on derivatives not designated as hedges and hedge ineffectiveness, net	19,841	(13,760)	(9,234)	(3,340)
Other	(68)	(14)	3	(171)
Total other income (expense)	15,493	(17,399)	(21,432)	(15,288)
Income before income taxes	108,775	56,092	290,350	217,756
Income tax expense:
Current	5,451	2,111	23,721	6,745
Deferred	35,802	19,749	87,802	77,566
Total income taxes	41,253	21,860	111,523	84,311
Net income	$ 67,522	$ 34,232	$ 178,827	$ 133,445
Net income per common share:
Basic	$ 1.39	$ 0.71	$ 3.68	$ 2.77
Diluted	$ 1.37	$ 0.70	$ 3.65	$ 2.75