Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses [Abstract]

Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]

	As of December 31,
	2011		2010
	(in thousands)
Accrued oil, gas, and NGL sales	$	149,384	$	108,393
Due from joint interest owners	30,784		50,018
State severance tax refunds	14,979		2,114
Other	15,221		2,665
Total accounts receivable	$	210,368	$	163,190

Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	As of December 31,
	2011		2010
	(in thousands)
Accrued drilling costs	$	189,749	$	241,298
Revenue and severance tax payable	61,613		37,066
Accrued lease operating expense	25,197		17,643
Joint owner advances	79,138		24,698
Accrued compensation	43,056		45,235
ARO liability	7,462		11,679
Accrued interest payable	14,646		2,582
Other	36,138		37,453
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	456,999	$	417,654