CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 21,639	$ 20,383	$ (13,719)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Accretion of discount on available for sale debt securities	(54)	(51)	(49)
Amortization and write-off of deferred debt offering costs	478	199	213
Gain on sale of U.S. Treasury bonds-available for sale			(3)
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment	30,517	21,993	20,617
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	(78)	(29)	63
Loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments	(9,165)	(540)	10,377
Stock option expense	1,546	2,429	1,920
Change in assets and liabilities:
Increase in accounts receivable-trade	(879)	(1,121)	(1,160)
Decrease (increase) in other assets	71	(443)	130
Increase in accounts payable and accruals	3,646	3,221	2,844
Increase (decrease) in other long term liabilities	(965)	(720)	1,277
Net cash provided by operating activities	46,756	45,321	22,510
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase, exploration and development of oil and gas properties	(56,598)	(23,380)	(40,695)
Purchases of property and equipment	(7,578)	(5,702)	(43)
Proceeds from U.S. Treasury bonds-available for sale			16
Net cash used in investing activities	(64,176)	(29,082)	(40,722)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from line of credit	98,657		7,032
Payments on long-term debt	(81,838)	(21,462)	(29,991)
Issuance of common stock, net	123	128	28,721
Repurchase of preferred stock, net		(1,051)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	16,942	(22,385)	5,762
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(478)	(6,146)	(12,450)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	11,092	17,238	29,688
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	10,614	11,092	17,238
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid for interest	2,699	3,269	6,210
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Accrued preferred stock dividend	10	18	337
Change in accounts payable relating to oil and gas property	10,630	3,518	(35,405)
Note payable on purchase of property and equipment		3,500
Increase (decrease) in asset retirement liability	$ 5,260	$ 1,428	$ 158