CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating Revenues
Oil and gas sales	$ 103,371	$ 88,275	$ 63,402
Operating Expenses
Lease operating expenses	30,637	28,845	27,097
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	30,517	21,993	20,617
General and administrative	14,819	15,358	12,641
Total operating expenses	75,973	66,196	60,355
Income (loss) from operations	27,398	22,079	3,047
Other income (expense)
Interest and other income	77	247	177
Interest expense	(3,188)	(3,500)	(5,910)
Gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments	(2,726)	1,528	(10,973)
Net gain on investments			3
Net other expense	(5,837)	(1,725)	(16,703)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	21,561	20,354	(13,656)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(78)	(29)	63
Net income (loss)	21,639	20,383	(13,719)
Less dividends and accretion on preferred shares	10	18	96
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders	$ 21,629	$ 20,365	$ (13,815)
Basic and diluted income (loss) per common share-Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.29	$ (0.23)
Basic and diluted income (loss) per common share-Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.29	$ (0.23)
Weighted average common shares outstanding-Basic (in shares)	70,830,855	70,382,517	60,492,900
Weighted average common shares outstanding-Diluted (in shares)	72,047,488	71,429,110	60,492,900