CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Abstract)
REVENUES	$ 1,392,607	$ 939,229	$ 1,017,705
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Direct operating costs (excluding items below)	752,173	508,066	416,832
Depreciation and amortization	247,900	183,903	138,301
Selling, general and administrative	99,712	88,278	78,658
(Gain)loss on disposals of property and equipment	(2,502)	(1,577)	402
Material charges and other operating expenses	40,272	10,976	5,250
Total costs and expenses	1,137,555	789,646	639,443
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	255,052	149,583	378,262
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized	(50,717)	(20,071)	(24,879)
Interest income	745	730	1,289
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(22,223)	0	5,324
Other - net	613	(162)	(461)
Total other income (expense) - net	(71,582)	(19,503)	(18,727)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	183,470	130,080	359,535
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(19,829)	(5,659)	91,934
NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	203,299	135,739	267,601
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(22,697)	3,107	12,394
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	0	597,995	0
Discontinued operations, net of tax	(22,697)	601,102	12,394
NET INCOME	$ 180,602	$ 736,841	$ 279,995
INCOME PER SHARE - BASIC:
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.65	$ 1.09	$ 2.29
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.18)	$ 4.80	$ 0.10
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 1.47	$ 5.89	$ 2.39
INCOME PER SHARE - DILUTED:
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.64	$ 1.07	$ 2.25
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.18)	$ 4.76	$ 0.11
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 1.46	$ 5.83	$ 2.36