Suspended Well Costs (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs, Roll Forward [Table Text Block]



	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(in thousands)
Beginning balance on January 1,	$	35,862		$	34,384		$	9,437
Additions to capitalized exploratory well costs pending the determination of proved reserves	15,618			35,862			34,384
Reclassifications to wells, facilities, and equipment based on the determination of proved reserves	(32,880		)	(34,384		)	(7,569		)
Capitalized exploratory well costs charged to expense	—			—			(1,868		)
Ending balance at December 31,	$	18,600		$	35,862		$	34,384

Schedule of Aging of Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs [Table Text Block]



	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(in thousands)
Exploratory well costs capitalized for one year or less	$	15,618	$	35,862	$	34,384
Exploratory well costs capitalized for more than one year	2,982		—		—
Ending balance at December 31,	$	18,600	$	35,862	$	34,384
Number of projects with exploratory well costs that have been capitalized more than a year	2		—		—

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the amount of exploratory well costs that have been capitalized after the completion of drilling and the number of projects for which those costs relate. Additionally, for exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for periods greater than one year at the most recent balance sheet date, this block of text may be used to disclose an aging of those amounts by year, or by using a range of years, and the number of projects to which those costs relate.

+ References+ Details