| **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, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|---------------|
| **Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]**                                                                                                                           |          |          |
| Deferred compensation                                                                                                                                                      | $ 13,104      | $ 10,459      |
| Asset retirement obligations                                                                                                                                               | 34,101        | 28,051        |
| State NOL and tax credit carryforwards, net                                                                                                                                | 3,376         | 3,761         |
| Alternative minimum tax - credit carryforward                                                                                                                              | 2,812         | 2,906         |
| Settlement of class action litigation                                                                                                                                      | 0             | 12,259        |
| Other                                                                                                                                                                      | 3,412         | 3,144         |
| Deferred tax assets                                                                                                                                                        | 56,805        | 60,580        |
| **Components of Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract]**                                                                                                                      |          |          |
| properties and equipment                                                                                                                                                   | 99,191        | 130,155       |
| Net change in fair value of unsettled derivatives                                                                                                                          | 100,369       | 113,007       |
| Convertible debt                                                                                                                                                           | 697           | 2,285         |
| Total gross deferred tax liabilities                                                                                                                                       | 200,257       | 245,447       |
| Net deferred tax liability                                                                                                                                                 | $ 143,452     | $ 184,867     |

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|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences.
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Amount after allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards.
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Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences not separately disclosed.
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Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from state taxes.
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Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards.
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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, after deferred tax asset, of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable differences, before jurisdictional netting.
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Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences from derivatives.
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Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences not separately disclosed.
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| - Definition
Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences from property, plant, and equipment.
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