Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012 Oil [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Natural Gas [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Nytis USA [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Nytis Pennsylvania [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Nytis LLC [Member]	Feb. 28, 2011 SLSC [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual)
Percentage of ownership interest in the subsidiary							100.00%	85.00%	98.00%
Number of common shares of SLSC for each common share of Nytis USA as exchange ratio established in the merger agreement										1,631
Number of consolidated partnerships			42
Gas to oil conversion ratio, (thousand cubic feet of natural gas per barrel of oil)			6
Discount factor applied to estimated future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves (as a percent)			10.00%
Non cash impairment expense recorded	$ 9,909	$ 1,063	$ 15,407	$ 8,379
Cost method investments, additional information			The cost method of accounting is used for investments in affiliates in which the Company has less than 20% of the voting interests of the affiliate and does not have significant influence.
Equity method investment, additional information			If the Company holds between 20% and 50% of the voting interest in non-consolidated affiliates and exercises significant influence or control, the equity method of accounting is used to account for the investment.
Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents which are excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share			4,856,912	2,326,664
Average Sales Price and Production Costs Per Unit of Production [Line Items]
Product price (in dollars per barrel/Mcf)					88.58	3.11