| **Impact of Derivative Instruments on Statement of Operations (Details) (USD $)In Thousands, unless otherwise specified**                 | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|----------------|
||
| Commodity Price Risk Management, net [Member]                                                                                             |           |           |   |   |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                               |           |           |   |   |
| Realized Gains (Losses)                                                                                                                   | $ 13,095       | $ 4,947        | $ 39,200 | $ 10,538 |
| Unrealized Gains (Losses)                                                                                                                 | (45,038)       | 41,759         | (20,913) | 32,823 |
| Total Derivative Gain (Loss)                                                                                                              | (31,943)       | 46,706         | 18,287 | 43,361 |
| Sales From Natural Gas Marketing [Member]                                                                                                 |           |           |   |   |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                               |           |           |   |   |
| Realized Gains (Losses)                                                                                                                   | 401            | 506            | 1,946 | 2,140 |
| Unrealized Gains (Losses)                                                                                                                 | (790)          | 540            | (1,786) | (494) |
| Total Derivative Gain (Loss)                                                                                                              | (389)          | 1,046          | 160 | 1,646 |
| Cost of Natural Gas Marketing [Member]                                                                                                    |           |           |   |   |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                               |           |           |   |   |
| Realized Gains (Losses)                                                                                                                   | (384)          | (451)          | (1,847) | (1,812) |
| Unrealized Gains (Losses)                                                                                                                 | 831            | (597)          | 1,782 | 279 |
| Total Derivative Gain (Loss)                                                                                                              | 447            | (1,048)        | (65) | (1,533) |
| Reclassification of Realized Gains (Losses) Included in Prior Periods Unrealized [Member] | Commodity Price Risk Management, net [Member] |           |           |   |   |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                               |           |           |   |   |
| Realized Gains (Losses)                                                                                                                   | 15,010         | 2,815          | 22,813 | 9,033 |
| Unrealized Gains (Losses)                                                                                                                 | (15,010)       | (2,815)        | (22,813) | (9,033) |
| Total Derivative Gain (Loss)                                                                                                              | 0              | 0              | 0 | 0 |
| Reclassification of Realized Gains (Losses) Included in Prior Periods Unrealized [Member] | Sales From Natural Gas Marketing [Member]     |           |           |   |   |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                               |           |           |   |   |
| Realized Gains (Losses)                                                                                                                   | 386            | 418            | 1,358 | 1,624 |
| Unrealized Gains (Losses)                                                                                                                 | (386)          | (418)          | (1,358) | (1,624) |
| Total Derivative Gain (Loss)                                                                                                              | 0              | 0              | 0 | 0 |
| Reclassification of Realized Gains (Losses) Included in Prior Periods Unrealized [Member] | Cost of Natural Gas Marketing [Member]        |           |           |   |   |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                               |           |           |   |   |
| Realized Gains (Losses)                                                                                                                   | (364)          | (347)          | (1,195) | (1,287) |
| Unrealized Gains (Losses)                                                                                                                 | 364            | 347            | 1,195 | 1,287 |
| Total Derivative Gain (Loss)                                                                                                              | 0              | 0              | 0 | 0 |
| Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Current Period [Member] | Commodity Price Risk Management, net [Member]                    |           |           |   |   |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                               |           |           |   |   |
| Realized Gains (Losses)                                                                                                                   | (1,915)        | 2,132          | 16,387 | 1,505 |
| Unrealized Gains (Losses)                                                                                                                 | (30,028)       | 44,574         | 1,900 | 41,856 |
| Total Derivative Gain (Loss)                                                                                                              | (31,943)       | 46,706         | 18,287 | 43,361 |
| Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Current Period [Member] | Sales From Natural Gas Marketing [Member]                        |           |           |   |   |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                               |           |           |   |   |
| Realized Gains (Losses)                                                                                                                   | 15             | 88             | 588 | 516 |
| Unrealized Gains (Losses)                                                                                                                 | (404)          | 958            | (428) | 1,130 |
| Total Derivative Gain (Loss)                                                                                                              | (389)          | 1,046          | 160 | 1,646 |
| Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Current Period [Member] | Cost of Natural Gas Marketing [Member]                           |           |           |   |   |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                               |           |           |   |   |
| Realized Gains (Losses)                                                                                                                   | (20)           | (104)          | (652) | (525) |
| Unrealized Gains (Losses)                                                                                                                 | 467            | (944)          | 587 | (1,008) |
| Total Derivative Gain (Loss)                                                                                                              | $ 447          | $ (1,048)      | $ (65) | $ (1,533) |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Realized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedging Instruments
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Net gain (loss) from the increase (decrease) in fair value of derivative instrument not designated as hedging instrument.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph b(1)(b) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.
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| X                                                                                                                                                       |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The net change in the difference between the fair value and the carrying value, or in the comparative fair values, of derivative instruments, including options, swaps, futures, and forward contracts, held at each balance sheet date, that was included in earnings for the period.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585
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