Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, Book value	$ 811,024,000	$ 620,000,000
Convertible Notes Due 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Liability attributable to Fair value of 2017 convertible	247,900,000
8.625 % Senior Notes Due 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, Book value	375,000,000
Long term debt, Fair Value	403,100,000	386,300,000
Fair value of 2017 convertible notes		375,000,000
6.75 % Senior Notes Due 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, Book value	200,000,000	200,000,000
Long term debt, Fair Value	$ 200,800,000	$ 199,000,000

Liability component of convertible debt.

No definition available.

Name:	sgy_LiabilityComponentOfConvertibleDebt
Namespace Prefix:	sgy_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. Fair value of convertible debt at the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Convertible Security

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6509036

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtFairValueDisclosures
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant