Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Operating activities:      
Net income (loss) $ (113,806) $ 17,976 $ 30,485
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Depletion, depreciation, amortization and asset retirement obligation accretion 116,344 78,414 57,664
Impairment of proved oil and gas properties 188,000    
Amortization of deferred financing costs and senior notes premium 2,481 1,691 1,044
Share-based compensation 14,924 9,399 7,927
Commodity derivative instruments (gain) loss 15,336 (5,176) 5,321
Commodity derivative settlements (35,812) (22,920) (20,799)
Deferred income taxes (64,663) 11,865 17,870
Change in operating assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable (15,961) (15,317) (16,535)
Other current assets 539 138 (233)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 25,905 (4,859) 18,634
Accrued interest payable 41 5,560 (291)
Net cash provided by operating activities 133,328 76,771 101,087
Investing activities:      
Oil and gas exploration and development expenditures (261,758) (212,241) (169,216)
Purchase of oil and gas properties (257,948) (286,636) (49,604)
Proceeds from sale of oil and gas properties and other 121,361 49,692 4,744
Purchase of other property and equipment (2,467) (1,532) (1,201)
Restricted cash 203 (1,821) (1,820)
Other (4,909) 5,091 91
Net cash used in investing activities (405,518) (447,447) (217,006)
Financing activities:      
Proceeds from bank borrowings 638,000 649,600 353,200
Repayments of bank borrowings (465,000) (657,600) (311,100)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes   401,875  
Payment of financing costs (1,934) (12,275) (195)
Redemption of restricted stock for employee income taxes (1,551) (1,126) (1,112)
Retirement of public warrants   (9,999)  
Proceeds from exercise of warrants     74,417
Proceeds from issuances of common stock, net of underwriters discounts and commissions 101,760    
Net cash provided by financing activities 271,275 370,475 115,210
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (915) (201) (709)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 934 1,135 1,844
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 19 934 1,135
Cash paid during the period for:      
Interest, net of amounts capitalized 29,280 10,051 3,091
Income taxes   8  
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:      
Capital expenditures financed through current liabilities 30,069 39,008 26,608
Increase to asset retirement obligations 11,421 315 1,862
Asset retirement obligations assumed 1,659 2,557  
Asset retirement obligations sold $ 723   $ 1,307