| **PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT Impairment of Natural Gas and Crude Oil Properties (Details) - USD ($)** | 12 Months Ended |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|
||
| **Impairment of natural gas and crude oil properties [Line Items]**                                 |            |   |   |
| Delaware Basin Unproved Property Impairment                                                         | $ 251,600,000   |   |   |
| Impairment of other properties                                                                      | 13,400          |   |   |
| **Continuing Operations:**                                                                          |            |   |   |
| Impairment of proved and unproved properties                                                        | 285,465,000     | $ 5,562,000 | $ 154,608,000 |
| Amortization of Individually Insignificant Unproved Properties                                      | 422,000         | 1,379,000 | 7,012,000 |
| Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of                                                   | 0               | 3,032,000 | 0 |
| Results of Operations, Impairment of Oil and Gas Properties                                         | $ 285,887,000   | $ 9,973,000 | 161,620,000 |
| Capitalized Well Costs                                                                              |            |   |   |
| **Continuing Operations:**                                                                          |            |   |   |
| Impairment of proved and unproved properties                                                        |            |   | 24,700,000 |
| Lease Acquisition Costs                                                                             |            |   |   |
| **Continuing Operations:**                                                                          |            |   |   |
| Impairment of proved and unproved properties                                                        |            |   | 150,300,000 |
| Unproved Properties                                                                                 |            |   |   |
| **Continuing Operations:**                                                                          |            |   |   |
| Impairment of proved and unproved properties                                                        |            |   | $ 125,600,000 |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amortization of Individually Insignificant Unproved Properties
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Continuing Operations [Abstract]
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No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Delaware Basin Unproved Property Impairment
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
[Line Items] for Impairment of natural gas and crude oil properties [Table]
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Impairment of other properties
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The adjustment to reduce the value of existing agreements that specify the lessee's rights to use the leased property. This expense is charged when the estimates of future profits generated by the leased property are reduced.
+ References
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The aggregate amount of write-downs for impairments recognized during the period for long-lived assets held for abandonment, exchange or sale.
+ References
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Costs related to the impairment of oil and gas properties.
+ References
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| X                                                                                                                                                      |
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| X                                                                                                                                                    |
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