(1) Reorganization Under Chapter 11 (Details) (USD $)					3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012 Reorganized Delta Petroleum	Jun. 04, 2012 Reorganized Delta Petroleum	Jun. 30, 2013 Piceance Energy	Jun. 30, 2013 Piceance Energy	Jun. 04, 2012 Piceance Energy	Jun. 30, 2013 Piceance Energy Laramie	Jun. 04, 2012 Piceance Energy Laramie	Jun. 30, 2013 Piceance Energy Reorganized Delta Petroleum	Jun. 30, 2013 Piceance Energy Reorganized Delta Petroleum	Jun. 04, 2012 Piceance Energy Reorganized Delta Petroleum
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage									66.66%	33.34%	33.34%	33.34%
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding				$ 13,000,000	$ 91,000,000	$ 91,000,000	$ 100,000,000
Debtor-in-Possession Financing, Amount Arranged									24,900,000			72,600,000
Significant shareholder ownership percentage			5.00%
Numberr of members in board of directors			5
Common Stock, shares issued	152,678,486	150,080,927	147,700,000
Management Fee Expense					$ 1,950,000	$ 3,900,000		$ 650,000		$ 650,000	$ 1,300,000