CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
REVENUES	$ 611,861	$ 508,736	$ 1,112,041	$ 1,055,775
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Direct operating costs (excluding items below)	207,485	253,944	412,317	509,678
Depreciation and amortization	100,141	95,390	198,993	185,080
Selling, general and administrative	26,111	31,158	53,041	58,744
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment	1,938	338	4,115	(175)
Material charges and other operating expenses	0	5,000	0	5,000
Total costs and expenses	335,675	385,830	668,466	758,327
Income (loss) from operations	276,186	122,906	443,575	297,448
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized	(38,249)	(30,840)	(77,173)	(63,586)
Gain on extinguishment of debt	1,787	0	2,364	0
Interest income	449	435	893	590
Other - net	(644)	(80)	(3,221)	(1,121)
Total other income (expense) - net	(36,657)	(30,485)	(77,137)	(64,117)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	239,529	92,421	366,438	233,331
Provision for income taxes	22,800	7,686	26,910	24,927
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 216,729	$ 84,735	$ 339,528	$ 208,404
NET INCOME PER SHARE - BASIC (in dollars per share)	$ 1.73	$ 0.68	$ 2.71	$ 1.67
NET INCOME PER SHARE - DILUTED (in dollars per share)	1.72	0.68	2.70	1.67
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0.1	$ 0	$ 0.2