Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense for restricted stock awards	$ 2.3	$ 2.3
Capitalized stock compensation cost for oil and natural gas properties	0.6	0.6
Tax benefit on stock based compensation	0.9	0.9
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards	20.7
Unrecognized compensation cost, expected to be capitalized	3.9
Weighted average years over which this cost will be recognized	1.0
Increase in stock compensation expense due to the restricted stock awards granted	$ 0.8
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance percentage criteria	50.00%
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance percentage criteria	150.00%
Percentage of performance based shares received based on first year results	100.00%
Performance Shares [Member] \| First Half Of 2014 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted to the designated executive officers		20,062
Performance Shares [Member] \| First Half Of 2015 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted to the designated executive officers	46,441
Restricted stock awards to be granted, percent	30.00%	30.00%

Employee service share based compensation allocation of unrecognized period costs capitalized amount.

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- Definition

Increase in stock compensation expense due to the restricted stock awards granted.

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Percentage Of Performance Based Shares Received Based On First Year Results

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Performance percentage criteria.

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- Definition

Restricted Stock Awards Granted To Vested In Period if performance criteria are met.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the compensation cost capitalized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, units, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

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- Definition

As of the balance sheet date, the aggregate unrecognized cost of equity-based awards made to employees under equity-based compensation awards that have yet to vest.

+ References

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- Definition

The weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, using a decimal to express in number of years.

+ References

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- Definition

The total recognized tax benefit related to compensation cost for equity-based payment arrangements recognized in income during the period.

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- Definition

Equity-based compensation cost during the period with respect to the award, which will be recognized in income (as well as the total recognized tax benefit) or capitalized as part of the cost of an asset.

+ References

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- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

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