CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
REVENUES	$ 1,579,284	$ 1,392,607	$ 939,229
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Direct operating costs (excluding items below)	860,893	752,173	508,066
Depreciation and amortization	271,008	247,900	183,903
Selling, general and administrative	131,373	99,712	88,278
Gain on disposals of property and equipment	(20,119)	(2,502)	(1,577)
Material charges and other operating expenses	4,453	40,272	10,976
Total costs and expenses	1,247,608	1,137,555	789,646
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	331,676	255,052	149,583
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized	(69,794)	(50,717)	(20,071)
Interest income	1,578	745	730
Loss on debt extinguishment	0	(22,223)	0
Other - net	(2,221)	613	(162)
Total other income (expense) - net	(70,437)	(71,582)	(19,503)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
BEFORE INCOME TAXES	261,239	183,470	130,080
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	8,663	(19,829)	(5,659)
NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	252,576	203,299	135,739
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(22,697)	3,107
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	597,995
Discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(22,697)	601,102
NET INCOME	$ 252,576	$ 180,602	$ 736,841
INCOME PER SHARE - BASIC:
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 2.04	$ 1.65	$ 1.09
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.18)	$ 4.80
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 2.04	$ 1.47	$ 5.89
INCOME PER SHARE - DILUTED:
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 2.03	$ 1.64	$ 1.07
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.18)	$ 4.76
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 2.03	$ 1.46	$ 5.83