Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $) Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 474,000	$ 477,000
Entity's asset retirement obligation transactions [Roll Forward]
Beginning asset retirement obligation	11,381,000	8,412,000	8,412,000
New wells placed on production and other	81,000		330,000
Deletions related to property disposals and plugging costs	(431,000)		(423,000)
Accretion expense	172,000	116,000	474,000
Revisions	(2,000)		2,588,000
Ending asset retirement obligation	11,201,000		11,381,000
Working Capital (Deficit) [Abstract]
Current liabilities	66,163,000		54,490,000
Current assets	32,768,000		23,021,000
Working capital deficit	33,400,000		31,500,000
Accounts receivable	29,221,000		20,431,000
Assets held for sale.	2,746,000		0
Trade payables, current	45,109,000		42,387,000
Revenues due third parties	14,257,000		6,947,000
Derivative liabilities, current	4,216,000		3,462,000
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,155,000		657,000
Accrued liabilities	1,330,000		962,000
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	362,000	346,000
Number of Shares [Abstract]
Outstanding, beginning (in shares)	4,761
Granted (in shares)	0
Exercised (in shares)	(1)
Outstanding, ending (in shares)	4,760
Weighted Average Option Exercise Price Per Share [Abstract]
Outstanding, beginning (in dollars per share)	$ 2.77
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$ 0.68
Outstanding, ending (in dollars per share)	$ 2.77
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share [Abstract]
Outstanding, beginning (in dollars per share)	$ 1.98
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$ 0.32
Outstanding, ending (in dollars per share)	$ 1.86
Options exercisable (in shares)	3,544		2,992
Unamortized compensation expense	2,200,000
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	112,000	131,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share [Abstract]
Unamortized compensation expense	$ 1,000,000
Number of Shares [Abstract]
Unvested, beginning (in shares)	482
Granted (in shares)	0
Vested/Released (in shares)	(38)
Forfeited (in shares)	0
Unvested, ending (in shares)	444
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair value Per Share [Abstract]
Unvested, beginning (in dollars per share)	$ 3.09
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Vested/Released (in dollars per share)	$ 1.77
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Unvested, ending (in dollars per share)	$ 3.20