Entity Central Index Key Document and entity information. Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document Type Document Type Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Entity Public Float Entity Public Float Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] Assets Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Accounts receivable Accounts Receivable Net Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets Net Current Derivative instruments Derivative Assets Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense And Other Assets Total current assets Assets Current Property and equipment, at cost: Property Plant And Equipment Net [Abstract] Oil and gas properties, full cost method of accounting, Unproved Capitalized Costs Unproved Properties Oil and gas properties, full cost method of accounting, Proved Capitalized Costs Proved Properties Other property and equipment Property Plant And Equipment Other Accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Net property and equipment Property Plant And Equipment Net Other assets: Other Assets Noncurrent [Abstract] Restricted cash Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets Net Noncurrent Derivative instruments Derivative Assets Noncurrent Deferred financing costs Deferred Finance Costs Noncurrent Net Other assets Other Assets Noncurrent Total assets Assets Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities Current [Abstract] Accounts payable Accounts Payable Current Accrued expenses Accrued Liabilities Current Accrued interest payable Interest Payable Current Asset retirement obligations Asset Retirement Obligation Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities Current Derivative instruments Derivative Liabilities Current Total current liabilities Liabilities Current Long term liabilities: Liabilities Noncurrent [Abstract] Revolving credit facility Long Term Line Of Credit Senior notes, net of accumulated premium amortization of $414 and $204 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively Senior Long Term Notes Secured term loan facility, net of original issue discount of $10,500 at December 31, 2014 Long Term Notes Payable Asset retirement obligations Asset Retirement Obligations Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent Other long term liabilities Other Liabilities Noncurrent Total liabilities Liabilities Commitments and contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Stockholders’ equity: Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding Preferred Stock Value Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 225,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 77,634,737 and 76,228,055 shares at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively Common Stock Value Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid In Capital Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Total stockholders’ equity Stockholders Equity Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity Amount of accumulated noncash expense included in interest expense to amortize debt discount and premium associated with the related debt instruments. Excludes amortization of financing costs. Alternate captions include noncash interest expense. Senior notes, accumulated premium amortization Accumulated Amortization Of Debt Discount Premium Term loan facility, original issue discount Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock Shares Authorized Preferred stock, issued Preferred Stock Shares Issued Preferred stock, outstanding Preferred Stock Shares Outstanding Common stock, par value Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock, issued Common Stock Shares Issued Common stock, outstanding Common Stock Shares Outstanding Revenue from the sale of oil during the period. Revenue from the sale of gas during the period. Revenue from the sales of natural gas liquids during the reporting period. Income Statement [Abstract] Revenue: Sales Revenue Net [Abstract] Oil Oil Revenue Gas Gas Revenue Natural gas liquids Natural Gas Liquids Sales Revenues Total revenue Oil And Gas Revenue Operating expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Lease operating Lease Operating Expense Production and ad valorem taxes Production Tax Expense Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and asset retirement obligation accretion Results Of Operations Depreciation Depletion Amortization And Accretion Impairment of proved oil and gas properties Impairment Of Oil And Gas Properties General and administrative General And Administrative Expense Total operating expenses Operating Expenses Income (loss) from operations Operating Income Loss Other income (expense): Nonoperating Income Expense [Abstract] Interest expense, net Interest Income Expense Net Commodity derivative instruments gain (loss) Gain Loss On Derivative Instruments Net Pretax Other income Other Nonoperating Income Total other income (expense) Nonoperating Income Expense Income (loss) before income taxes Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments Income tax benefit (expense) Income Tax Expense Benefit Net income (loss) Net Income Loss Net income (loss) per common share: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Basic and diluted Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted Weighted average common shares outstanding: Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding [Abstract] Basic Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic Diluted Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustments to additional paid in capital warrants retired. Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Equity Components Statement Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Retained Earnings/Accumulated (Deficit) Retained Earnings [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Beginning Balance Issuance of stock, restricted stock and share-based compensation Stock Issued During Period Value Share Based Compensation Issuance of stock, restricted stock and share-based compensation (in shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares Share Based Compensation Redemption of restricted stock for employee income tax, restricted stock forfeitures and expirations Stock Redeemed Or Called During Period Value Redemption of restricted stock for employee income tax, restricted stock forfeitures and expirations (in shares) Stock Redeemed Or Called During Period Shares Retirement of public warrants Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Warrants Retired Issuance of stock, net of underwriters discounts and commissions Stock Issued During Period Value New Issues Issuance of stock, net of underwriters discounts and commissions (in shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares New Issues Net (loss) income Ending Balance Ending Balance (in shares) Shares Issued Beginning Balance (in shares) Asset retirement obligation liabilities assumed. Asset retirement obligations sold. Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Operating activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Continuing Operations [Abstract] Net income (loss) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Amortization of deferred financing costs and senior notes premium Amortization Of Financing Costs And Discounts Share-based compensation Share Based Compensation Commodity derivative instruments (gain) loss Commodity derivative settlements Gain Loss On Sale Of Derivatives Deferred income taxes (benefit) Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Change in operating assets and liabilities: Increase Decrease In Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable Other current assets Increase Decrease In Other Current Assets And Liabilities Net Accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Accrued interest payable Increase Decrease In Interest Payable Net Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Continuing Operations Investing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Continuing Operations [Abstract] Oil and gas exploration and development expenditures Payments To Explore And Develop Oil And Gas Properties Purchase of oil and gas properties Payments To Acquire Oil And Gas Property Proceeds from sale of oil and gas properties and other Proceeds From Sale Of Oil And Gas Property And Equipment Purchase of other property and equipment Payments To Acquire Other Property Plant And Equipment Restricted cash Increase Decrease In Restricted Cash Other Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Continuing Operations Financing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Continuing Operations [Abstract] Proceeds from bank borrowings Proceeds From Bank Debt Repayments of bank borrowings Repayments Of Bank Debt Proceeds from issuance of term loans Proceeds From Issuance Of Secured Debt Redemption of restricted stock for employee income taxes Payments Related To Tax Withholding For Share Based Compensation Payment of financing costs Payments Of Financing Costs Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of underwriters discounts and commissions Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock Retirement of public warrants Payments For Repurchase Of Warrants Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Continuing Operations Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract] Cash paid during the period for: Interest Paid [Abstract] Interest, net of amounts capitalized Interest Paid Net Income taxes Income Taxes Paid Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities: Cash Flow Noncash Investing And Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Capital expenditures financed through current liabilities Capital Expenditures Incurred But Not Yet Paid Increase (decrease) to asset retirement obligations Increase Decrease In Asset Retirement Obligations Asset retirement obligations assumed Asset Retirement Obligation Liabilities Assumed Asset retirement obligations sold Asset Retirement Obligations Sold Accounting Policies [Abstract] Organization and Nature of Business Nature Of Operations Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Business Combinations [Abstract] Acquisitions and Divestitures Mergers Acquisitions And Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block] Earnings per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Long Term Debt Long Term Debt [Text Block] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity and Equity Based Awards Shareholders Equity And Share Based Payments [Text Block] Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract] Asset Retirement Obligation Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Text Block] Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Derivative Instruments Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Extractive Industries [Abstract] Supplemental Oil and Gas Information Oil And Gas Exploration And Production Industries Disclosures [Text Block] Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] Quarterly Financial Data Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Basis Of Accounting Policy Policy [Text Block] Assumptions, Judgments and Estimates Use Of Estimates Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Policy Industry Segment and Geographic Information Industry Specific Policies Oil And Gas [Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Policy [Text Block] Accounts Receivable Trade And Other Accounts Receivable Policy Deferred Financing Costs Deferred Charges Policy [Text Block] Capitalized Interest Interest Capitalization Policy Policy [Text Block] Concentration of Credit Risk Concentration Risk Credit Risk Oil and Gas Properties Oil And Gas Properties Policy Policy [Text Block] Business Combinations Business Combinations Policy Other Property and Equipment Property Plant And Equipment Policy [Text Block] Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Other than Oil and Gas Properties Impairment Or Disposal Of Long Lived Assets Policy [Text Block] Asset Retirement Obligations Asset Retirement Obligations Policy Derivative Instruments Derivatives Policy [Text Block]