Transactions With Related Parties (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 years	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Minimum salary for employees to participate in the oil and gas partnership	$ 36,000	$ 36,000	$ 36,000
Contract drilling	352,000	529,000	368,000
Well supervision and other fees	396,000	386,000	352,000
General and administrative expense reimbursement	$ 610,000	$ 536,000	$ 376,000
Number of oil and gas limited partnerships	16
Number of oil and gas limited partnerships for third party investment	3
Number of oil and gas limited partnerships for employee investment	13
Number of natural gas wells selling	23
Term of agreement period	5
Superior Pipeline Company, L.L.C. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales of volumes gathered and processed under the agreement percentage	10.00%
Minimum [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest rate of employee partnerships in oil and gas properties	1.00%
Maximum [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest rate of employee partnerships in oil and gas properties	15.00%
Sullivan And Company, L.L.C. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales of volumes gathered and processed under the agreement percentage	90.00%