| **INCOME TAXES Tax Effects of Temporary differences that Give Rise to Significant Portions of the Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands** | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|---------------|
| **Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]**                                                                                                                           |          |          |
| Deferred compensation                                                                                                                                                      | $ 6,059       | $ 9,338       |
| Asset retirement obligations                                                                                                                                               | 21,760        | 34,359        |
| deferred tax assets, federal tax                                                                                                                                           | 19,386        | 29,988        |
| State NOL and tax credit carryforwards, net                                                                                                                                | 7,815         | 5,189         |
| Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Alternative Minimum Tax                                                                                                     | 4,366         | 5,184         |
| Deferred tax assets, Allowance for note receivable                                                                                                                         | 0             | 17,292        |
| Deferred Tax Assets, Derivative Instruments                                                                                                                                | 20,929        | 26,262        |
| Other                                                                                                                                                                      | 2,453         | 4,716         |
| Deferred tax assets                                                                                                                                                        | 82,768        | 132,328       |
| **Components of Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract]**                                                                                                                      |          |          |
| properties and equipment                                                                                                                                                   | 267,498       | 518,964       |
| Convertible debt                                                                                                                                                           | 7,262         | 14,231        |
| Total gross deferred tax liabilities                                                                                                                                       | 274,760       | 533,195       |
| Net deferred tax liability                                                                                                                                                 | $ 191,992     | $ 400,867     |

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Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from derivative instruments.
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Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from share-based compensation.
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Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences from property, plant, and equipment.
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