| **ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) (USD $)In Thousands, unless otherwise specified** | 12 Months Ended |
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| **Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]**                                                   |            |  |   |  |   |
| Balance beginning of year, January 1                                                                                    | $ 46,566        | [1] | $ 28,047 |  |   |
| Obligations incurred with development activities and assumed with acquisitions                                          | 14,169          |  | 9,625 |  |   |
| Accretion of asset retirement obligation                                                                                | 4,060           |  | 1,897 |  | 1,423 |
| Obligations discharged with disposal of properties and asset retirements                                                | (2,232)         |  | (990) |  |   |
| Revisions in estimated cash flows                                                                                       | 0               |  | 8,903 |  |   |
| Balance end of year, December 31                                                                                        | 62,563          |  | 46,566 | [1] | 28,047 |
| Less current portion                                                                                                    | (1,000)         |  | (250) |  |   |
| Long-term portion                                                                                                       | 61,563          |  | 46,316 |  |   |
| Assets Held for Sale - Asset Retirement Obligations                                                                     |            |  | $ 2,022 |  |   |
|                                                                                                                         |
| [1]Includes $2 million as of December 31, 2011 related to assets held for sale.                                         |

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| - Definition
Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of asset retirement obligation arising from the sale, disposal or planned sale in the near future (generally within one year) of a disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation).
+ References
No definition available.
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| - Definition
The carrying amount of a liability for an asset retirement obligation. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the disposal or retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction or development, or the normal operations of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees.
+ References
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| - Definition
Amount of accretion expense recognized during the period that is associated with an asset retirement obligation. Accretion expense measures and incorporates changes due to the passage of time into the carrying amount of the liability.
+ References
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| - Definition
Current portion of the carrying amount of a liability for an asset retirement obligation. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the disposal or retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction or development, or the normal operations of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees.
+ References
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| - Definition
Amount of asset retirement obligations incurred during the period.
+ References
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| - Definition
Amount of asset retirement obligations settled, or otherwise disposed of, during the period. This may include asset retirement obligations transferred to third parties associated with the sale of a long-lived asset.
+ References
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| - Definition
Amount of the Increase or Decrease in the amount of the asset retirement obligation during the current period for changes in the amount or timing of the estimated cash flows associated with the settlement of the obligation.
+ References
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| - Definition
Noncurrent portion of the carrying amount of a liability for an asset retirement obligation. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the disposal or retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction or development, or the normal operations of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees.
+ References
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