Carrizo Oil & Gas (CRZO) 10-Q 7 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Registrant Name	CARRIZO OIL & GAS INC
Entity Central Index Key	1040593
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		51,451,262

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$2,538	$10,838
Accounts receivable, net	82,585	92,946
Derivative Asset, Current	160,801	171,101
Other current assets	3,505	3,736
Total current assets	249,429	278,621
Oil and gas properties, full cost method
Proved properties, net	2,192,286	2,086,727
Unproved properties, not being amortized	540,595	535,197
Other property and equipment, net	7,971	7,329
Total property and equipment, net	2,740,852	2,629,253
Derivative Asset, Noncurrent	31,327	43,684
Debt issuance costs	24,377	25,403
Other assets	5,246	4,515
Total Assets	3,051,231	2,981,476
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	94,241	106,819
Revenues and royalties payable	57,220	66,954
Accrued capital expenditures	84,654	106,149
Accrued interest	25,847	21,149
Liabilities of discontinued operations	4,590	4,405
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Current	56,399	61,258
Other current liabilities	61,533	57,570
Total current liabilities	384,484	424,304
Long-term debt	1,251,587	1,351,346
Liabilities of discontinued operations	7,497	8,394
Deferred income taxes	70,820	77,349
Asset retirement obligations	12,896	12,187
Other liabilities	4,391	4,455
Liabilities	1,731,675	1,878,035
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 90,000,000 shares authorized; 51,450,731 issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and 46,127,924 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2014	515	461
Additional paid-in capital	1,152,707	915,436
Retained earnings	166,334	187,544
Total shareholders’ equity	1,319,556	1,103,441
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$3,051,231	$2,981,476

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	90,000,000	90,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	51,450,731	46,127,924
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	51,450,731	46,127,294

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Crude oil revenues	$83,058	$130,362
Natural gas liquids revenues	4,473	5,888
Natural gas revenues	12,519	20,962
Total revenues	100,050	157,212
Costs and Expenses
Lease operating	21,716	12,605
Production taxes	4,018	6,091
Ad valorem taxes	3,033	1,428
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	73,871	64,594
General and administrative	31,577	28,261
(Gain) loss on derivative instruments, net	-26,439	20,680
Interest expense, net	18,196	12,425
Other (income) expense, net	6,992	574
Total Costs and Expenses	132,964	146,658
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	-32,914	10,554
Income tax (expense) benefit	11,438	-3,933
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations	-21,476	6,621
Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes	266	-645
Net Income (loss)	($21,210)	$5,976
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share - Basic
Income (loss) from continuing operations - basic (in dollars per share)	($0.46)	$0.15
Income (loss) from discontinued operations - basic (in dollars per share)	$0	($0.02)
Income (loss) per share, basic (in dollars per share)	($0.46)	$0.13
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share - Diluted
Income (loss) from continuing operations - diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.46)	$0.14
Income (loss) from discontinued operations - diluted (in dollars per share)	$0	($0.01)
Income (loss) per share, diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.46)	$0.13
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
Basic (in shares)	46,403	45,003
Diluted (in shares)	46,403	45,834

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	($21,210)	$5,976
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	-266	645
Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	73,871	64,594
Non-cash portion of gain/loss on derivatives, net	22,625	14,005
Stock-based compensation, net	9,853	12,161
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	-11,531	3,933
Non-cash interest expense, net	1,971	675
Other, net	8,248	1,101
Changes in operating assets and liabilities-
Accounts receivable	6,517	-12,471
Accounts payable	-13,670	9,891
Accrued liabilities	-1,991	3,627
Other, net	-950	-1,290
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	73,467	102,847
Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations	-201	-456
Net cash provided by operating activities	73,266	102,391
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Capital expenditures - oil and gas properties	-209,547	-197,879
Capital expenditures - other property and equipment	-1,029	-187
Proceeds from sales of oil and gas properties, net	285	2,865
Other, net	-1,570	129
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations	-211,861	-195,072
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations	-103	-2,229
Net cash used in investing activities	-211,964	-197,301
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Borrowings under credit agreement	444,000	0
Repayments of borrowings under credit agreement	-395,000
Payment of deferred purchase payment	-150,000	0
Payments of debt issuance costs	-229	-109
Proceeds from common stock offerings, net of offering costs	231,581	0
Proceeds from stock options exercised	46	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations	130,398	-109
Net cash provided by financing activities from discontinued operations	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	130,398	-109
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-8,300	-95,019
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	10,838	157,439
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	2,538	62,420
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	$146,678	$124,595

Nature_Of_Operations

Nature Of Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature Of Operations	1. Basis of Presentation
	Nature of Operations
	Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. is a Houston-based energy company which, together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), is actively engaged in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas primarily from resource plays located in the United States. The Company’s current operations are principally focused in proven, producing oil and gas plays primarily in the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas, the Utica Shale in Ohio, the Niobrara Formation in Colorado and the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania.
	Consolidated Financial Statements
	The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company after elimination of intercompany transactions and balances and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and therefore do not include all disclosures required for financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, these financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals and adjustments) necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the Company’s interim financial position, results of operations and cash flows. However, the results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the full year. These financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (“2014 Annual Report”). Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation. Such reclassifications had no material impact on prior period amounts.

Summary_Of_Significant_Account

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	The Company has provided a discussion of significant accounting policies, estimates, and judgments in “Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in its 2014 Annual Report. There have been no changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies since December 31, 2014.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This ASU requires entities to report debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the face amount of the related note, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by this ASU. Entities should apply this ASU on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning in 2016. The adoption of this ASU will not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, other than balance sheet reclassifications.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	3. Discontinued Operations
	On February 22, 2013, the Company closed on the sale of Carrizo UK Huntington Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Carrizo UK”), and all of its interest in the Huntington Field discovery, including a 15% non-operated working interest and certain overriding royalty interests, to a subsidiary of Iona Energy Inc. (“Iona Energy”) for an agreed-upon price of $184.0 million, including the assumption and repayment by Iona Energy of the $55.0 million of borrowings outstanding under Carrizo UK’s senior secured multicurrency credit facility as of the closing date. The liabilities, results of operations and cash flows associated with Carrizo UK have been classified as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements. The liabilities of discontinued operations of $12.1 million and $12.8 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, relate to an accrual for estimated future obligations related to the sale. The following table summarizes the amounts included in income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes presented in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Revenues		$—			$—
	Costs and expenses
	General and administrative	201			437
	Increase (decrease) in estimated future obligations	(609		)	535
	Loss on derivatives, net	—			20
	Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations Before Income Taxes	408			(992		)
	Income tax (expense) benefit	(142		)	347
	Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes		$266			($645	)
	Carrizo UK is a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the income tax (expense) benefit reflected above includes the Company’s U.S. deferred income tax (expense) benefit associated with the income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes. The related U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities have been classified as deferred income taxes of continuing operations in the consolidated balance sheets.

Property_And_Equipment_Net

Property And Equipment, Net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property And Equipment, Net	4. Property and Equipment, Net
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, total property and equipment, net consisted of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Proved properties		$3,352,799			$3,174,268
	Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(1,160,513		)	(1,087,541		)
	Proved properties, net	2,192,286			2,086,727
	Unproved properties, not being amortized
	Unevaluated leasehold and seismic costs	404,553			401,954
	Exploratory wells in progress	66,738			71,402
	Capitalized interest	69,304			61,841
	Total unproved properties, not being amortized	540,595			535,197
	Other property and equipment	17,045			16,017
	Accumulated depreciation	(9,074		)	(8,688		)
	Other property and equipment, net	7,971			7,329
	Total property and equipment, net		$2,740,852			$2,629,253
	Capitalized oil and gas property costs within a cost center are amortized on an equivalent unit-of-production method, converting natural gas to barrels of oil equivalent at the ratio of six thousand cubic feet of gas to one barrel of oil, which represents their approximate relative energy content. Average DD&A per Boe of proved properties was $23.43 and $26.68 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	The Company capitalized internal costs of employee compensation and benefits, including stock-based compensation, directly associated with acquisition, exploration and development activities totaling $5.8 million and $5.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	Unproved properties, not being amortized, include unevaluated leasehold and seismic costs associated with specific unevaluated properties, the cost of exploratory wells in progress and related capitalized interest. The Company capitalized interest costs associated with its unproved properties totaling $9.7 million and $7.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	5. Income Taxes
	The Company’s estimated annual effective income tax rates are used to allocate expected annual income tax expense or benefit to interim periods. The rates are the ratio of estimated annual income tax expense or benefit to estimated annual income or loss before income taxes by taxing jurisdiction, except for discrete items, which are significant, unusual or infrequent items for which income taxes are computed and recorded in the interim period in which the discrete item occurs. The estimated annual effective income tax rates are applied to the year-to-date income or loss before income taxes by taxing jurisdiction to determine the income tax expense or benefit allocated to the interim period. The Company updates its estimated annual effective income tax rates at the end of each quarterly period considering the geographic mix of income based on the tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Actual results that are different from the assumptions used in estimating the annual effective income tax rates will impact future income tax expense or benefit. Income tax (expense) benefit differs from income tax (expense) benefit computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory corporate income tax rate of 35% to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		($32,914	)		$10,554
	Income tax (expense) benefit at the statutory rate	11,520			(3,694		)
	State income taxes, net of U.S. federal income tax effect	(76		)	(192		)
	Other	(6		)	(47		)
	Total income tax (expense) benefit from continuing operations		$11,438			($3,933	)

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	6. Long-Term Debt
	Long-term debt consisted of the following as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Long-term debt
	Deferred purchase payment due 2015		$—			$150,000
	Unamortized discount for deferred purchase payment	—			(1,100		)
	Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility due 2018	49,000			—
	8.625% Senior Notes due 2018	600,000			600,000
	Unamortized discount for 8.625% Senior Notes	(3,251		)	(3,444		)
	7.50% Senior Notes due 2020	600,000			600,000
	Unamortized premium for 7.50% Senior Notes	1,413			1,465
	Other long-term debt due 2028	4,425			4,425
	Total long-term debt		$1,251,587			$1,351,346
	Deferred Purchase Payment
	On October 24, 2014, the Company closed the acquisition of interests in oil and gas properties in the Eagle Ford Shale for an agreed upon purchase price of $250.0 million, subject to post-closing and working capital adjustments. The Company paid approximately $93.0 million at closing, which represented $100.0 million of the agreed upon purchase price less estimated working capital adjustments, and $148.8 million on February 13, 2015, which represented the remaining $150.0 million of the agreed upon purchase price less final working capital adjustments. The Company had the intent and ability to refinance this deferred purchase payment on a long-term basis with available capacity under its revolving credit facility, and accordingly, the deferred purchase payment was classified as long-term debt as of December 31, 2014.
	Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility
	The Company has a senior secured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks that, as of March 31, 2015, had a borrowing base of $800.0 million, of which $685.0 million has been committed by the lenders with $49.0 million of borrowings outstanding with a weighted average interest rate of 2.48%. As of March 31, 2015, the Company also had $0.6 million in letters of credit outstanding which reduced the amounts available under the revolving credit facility. The credit agreement governing the senior secured revolving credit facility provides for interest only payments until July 2, 2018, when the credit agreement matures and any outstanding borrowings are due. The borrowing base under the credit agreement is subject to regular redeterminations in the Spring and Fall of each year, as well as special redeterminations described in the credit agreement, in each case which may reduce the amount of the borrowing base. The amount we are able to borrow with respect to the borrowing base is subject to compliance with the financial covenants and other provisions of the credit agreement governing the revolving credit facility. See “Note 13. Subsequent Events - Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility” for discussion of the May 5, 2015 amendment to the credit agreement governing the revolving credit facility.
	The obligations of the Company under the credit agreement are guaranteed by the Company’s material domestic subsidiaries and are secured by liens on substantially all of the Company’s assets, including a mortgage lien on oil and gas properties having at least 80% of the proved reserve value of the oil and gas properties included in the determination of the borrowing base.
	Amounts outstanding under the credit agreement bear interest at the Company’s option at either (i) a base rate for a base rate loan plus the margin set forth in the table below, where the base rate is defined as the greatest of the prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and the adjusted LIBO rate plus 1.00%, or (ii) an adjusted LIBO rate for a Eurodollar loan plus the margin set forth in the table below. The Company also incurs commitment fees as set forth in the table below on the unused portion of lender commitments, and which are included as a component of interest expense.
	Ratio of Outstanding Borrowings and Letters of Credit to Lender Commitments	Applicable		Applicable	Commitment Fee
		Margin for		Margin for Eurodollar
		Base Rate		Loans
		Loans
	Less than 25%	0.50%		1.50%	0.38%
	Greater than or equal to 25% but less than 50%	0.75%		1.75%	0.38%
	Greater than or equal to 50% but less than 75%	1.00%		2.00%	0.50%
	Greater than or equal to 75% but less than 90%	1.25%		2.25%	0.50%
	Greater than or equal to 90%	1.50%		2.50%	0.50%
	The Company is subject to certain covenants under the terms of the credit agreement, which include the maintenance of the following financial covenants determined as of the last day of each quarter: (1) a ratio of Total Debt to EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement) of not more than 4.00 to 1.00; and (2) a Current Ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of not less than 1.00 to 1.00. As defined in the credit agreement, Total Debt excludes debt discounts and premiums and is net of cash and cash equivalents, EBITDA is for the last four quarters after giving pro forma effect to certain material acquisitions and dispositions of oil and gas properties, and the Current Ratio includes an add back of the unused portion of lender commitments. As of March 31, 2015, the ratio of Total Debt to EBITDA was 2.25 to 1.00 and the Current Ratio was 2.84 to 1.00. Because the financial covenants are determined as of the last day of each quarter, the ratios can fluctuate significantly period to period as the amounts outstanding under the credit agreement are dependent on the timing of cash flows from operations, capital expenditures, acquisitions and dispositions of oil and gas properties and securities offerings.
	The credit agreement also places restrictions on the Company and certain of its subsidiaries with respect to additional indebtedness, liens, dividends and other payments to shareholders, repurchases or redemptions of the Company’s common stock, redemptions of senior notes, investments, acquisitions, mergers, asset dispositions, transactions with affiliates, hedging transactions and other matters.
	The credit agreement is subject to customary events of default, including in connection with a change in control. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the lenders may elect to accelerate amounts due under the credit agreement (except in the case of a bankruptcy event of default, in which case such amounts will automatically become due and payable).
	8.625% Senior Notes due 2018
	Since October 15, 2014, the Company had the right to redeem all or a portion of the 8.625% Senior Notes at redemption prices decreasing from 104.313% to 100% of the principal amount on October 15, 2017, plus accrued and unpaid interest. See “Note 13. Subsequent Events - Tender Offer and Conditional Call for Redemption of the 8.625% Senior Notes” for further discussion of the tender offer and conditional call for redemption of the 8.625% Senior Notes.

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	7. Commitments and Contingencies
	From time to time, the Company is party to certain legal actions and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these events cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not currently expect these matters to have a materially adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.
	The results of operations and financial position of the Company continue to be affected from time to time in varying degrees by domestic and foreign political developments as well as legislation and regulations pertaining to restrictions on crude oil and natural gas production, imports and exports, natural gas regulation, tax increases, environmental regulations and cancellation of contract rights. Both the likelihood and overall effect of such occurrences on the Company vary greatly and are not predictable.

Shareholders_Equity_Shareholde

Shareholders' Equity Shareholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity and Share-based Payments	8. Shareholders’ Equity
	Common Stock Offering
	On March 20, 2015, the Company completed its public offering of 5.2 million shares of its common stock at a price of $44.75 per share, which generated net proceeds of $231.6 million, net of underwriting discounts. The net proceeds from the common stock offering were used to repay a portion of the borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company recognized the following stock-based compensation expense associated with stock appreciation rights to be settled in cash (“SARs”), restricted stock awards and units and performance share awards for the periods indicated which is reflected as general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Stock appreciation rights		$5,940			$8,456
	Restricted stock awards and units	5,215			5,701
	Performance share awards	269			14
		11,424			14,171
	Less: amounts capitalized to proved and unproved properties	(1,571		)	(2,010		)
	Total stock-based compensation expense, net		$9,853			$12,161
	Income tax benefit		$3,449			$4,256

Earnings_Per_Share_Earnings_Pe

Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	9. Earnings Per Share
	Supplemental income (loss) from continuing operations per common share information is provided below:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations		($21,476	)		$6,621
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	46,403			45,003
	Effect of dilutive instruments	—			831
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	46,403			45,834
	Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Per Common Share
	Basic		($0.46	)		$0.15
	Diluted		($0.46	)		$0.14
	Basic income (loss) from continuing operations per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted income (loss) from continuing operations per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares and all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period which include restricted stock awards and units, performance share awards, stock options and warrants. The Company excludes the number of awards, units, options and warrants from the calculation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding when the grant date or exercise prices are greater than the average market prices of the Company’s common stock for the corresponding period as the effect would be anti-dilutive to the computation. The Company includes the number of performance share awards in the calculation of diluted weighted average common shares outstanding based on the number of shares, if any, that would be issuable as if the end of the period was the end of the performance period. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the calculation of diluted weighted average common shares outstanding excluded the anti-dilutive effect of 824,824 shares of restricted stock awards and units, performance share awards and warrants due to the loss from continuing operations for the period. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the number of restricted stock awards and units, performance share awards, options and warrants excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average common shares outstanding was not significant.

Derivative_Instruments

Derivative Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments	10. Derivative Instruments
	The Company uses commodity derivative instruments, primarily fixed price swaps and costless collars, to reduce its exposure to commodity price volatility for a substantial, but varying, portion of its forecasted crude oil and natural gas production up to 36 months and thereby achieve a more predictable level of cash flows to support the Company’s drilling and completion capital expenditure program. Costless collars are designed to establish floor and ceiling prices on anticipated future production. While the use of these derivative instruments limits the downside risk of adverse price movements below the floor price, these instruments also limit the benefit of favorable price movements above the ceiling price. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
	The Company typically has numerous hedge positions that span several time periods and often result in both fair value asset and liability positions held with that counterparty, which positions are all offset to a single fair value asset or liability at the end of each reporting period. The Company nets its derivative instrument fair value amounts executed with the same counterparty pursuant to ISDA master agreements, which provide for net settlement over the term of the contract and in the event of default or termination of the contract. The fair value of derivative instruments where the Company is in a net asset position with its counterparties as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 totaled $192.1 million and $214.8 million, respectively, and is summarized by counterparty in the table below:
	Counterparty	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Wells Fargo	56	%		37	%
	Societe Generale	27	%		26	%
	Regions	9	%		8	%
	Union Bank	5	%		4	%
	Credit Suisse	2	%		24	%
	Royal Bank of Canada	1	%		1	%
	Total	100	%		100	%
	The counterparties to the Company’s derivative instruments are lenders under the Company’s credit agreement. Because each of the lenders have investment grade credit ratings, the Company believes it does not have significant credit risk and accordingly does not currently require its counterparties to post collateral to support the net asset positions of its derivative instruments. As such, the Company is exposed to credit risk to the extent of nonperformance by the counterparties to its derivative instruments. Although the Company does not currently anticipate such nonperformance, it continues to monitor the credit ratings of its counterparties.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded in the consolidated statements of operations a gain on derivatives, net of $26.4 million and a loss on derivatives, net of $20.7 million, respectively.
	On February 11, 2015, the Company entered into derivative transactions offsetting its then existing crude oil derivative positions covering the periods from March 2015 through December 2016. As a result of the offsetting derivative transactions, the Company locked in $166.4 million of cash flows, of which $137.2 million is classified as a current derivative asset in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015. Included in the $26.4 million gain on derivatives, net for the first quarter of 2015, is an $8.4 million gain representing the increase in fair value of the crude oil derivative positions from December 31, 2014 to February 11, 2015. The locked in $166.4 million of cash flows is not subject to price risk and will be received as the applicable contracts settle.
	Additionally, on February 13, 2015, the Company entered into costless collars, as shown in the table below, for the periods from March 2015 through December 2016 which will continue to provide the Company with downside protection at crude oil prices below the weighted average floor prices yet allow the Company to benefit from an increase in crude oil prices up to the weighted average ceiling prices.
	The following sets forth a summary of the Company’s crude oil derivative positions at average NYMEX prices as of March 31, 2015:
	Period	Type of Contract		Volumes			Weighted		Weighted
				(in Bbls/d)			Average		Average
							Floor  Price		Ceiling  Price
							($/Bbl)		($/Bbl)
	April - December 2015	Costless Collars		12,200				$50.00	$66.46
	January - December 2016	Costless Collars		4,000				$50.00	$76.50
	The following sets forth a summary of the Company’s natural gas derivative positions at average NYMEX prices as of March 31, 2015:
	Period	Type of Contract		Volumes			Weighted
				(in MMBtu/d)			Average
							Floor Price
							($/MMBtu)
	April - December 2015	Fixed Price Swaps		30,000				$4.29

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	11. Fair Value Measurements
	Accounting guidelines for measuring fair value establish a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy categorizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value into one of three different levels depending on the observability of the inputs employed in the measurement. The three levels are defined as follows:
	Level 1 – Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
	Level 2 – Other inputs that are observable directly or indirectly such as quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
	Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data and which the Company makes its own assumptions about how market participants would price the assets and liabilities.
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
	The following tables summarize the location and amounts of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as presented in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. All items included in the tables below are Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy:
		March 31, 2015
		Gross Amounts Recognized			Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Net Amounts Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
		(In thousands)
	Derivative assets
	Derivative assets-current		$187,847			($27,046	)		$160,801
	Derivative assets-noncurrent	34,960			(3,633		)	31,327
	Derivative liabilities
	Other current liabilities	(27,214		)	27,046			(168		)
	Other liabilities	(3,633		)	3,633			—
	Total		$191,960			$—			$191,960
		December 31, 2014
		Gross Amounts Recognized			Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Net Amounts Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
		(In thousands)
	Derivative assets
	Derivative assets-current		$183,625			($12,524	)		$171,101
	Derivative assets-noncurrent	44,725			(1,041		)	43,684
	Derivative liabilities
	Other current liabilities	(12,707		)	12,524			(183		)
	Other liabilities	(1,058		)	1,041			(17		)
	Total		$214,585			$—			$214,585
	The fair values of the Company’s derivative assets and liabilities are based on a third-party industry-standard pricing model that uses market data obtained from third-party sources, including quoted forward prices for crude oil and natural gas, discount rates and volatility factors. The fair values are also compared to the values provided by the counterparties for reasonableness and are adjusted for the counterparties’ credit quality for derivative assets and the Company’s credit quality for derivative liabilities. To date, adjustments for credit quality have not had a material impact on the fair values.
	The derivative asset and liability fair values reported in the consolidated balance sheets that pertain to the Company’s natural gas derivative instruments, as well as the Company’s crude oil derivative instruments that were entered into subsequent to the offsetting derivative transactions, are as of a particular point in time and subsequently change as these estimates are revised to reflect actual results, changes in market conditions and other factors. However, the fair value of the net derivative asset attributable to the offsetting crude oil derivative transactions are not subject to price risk as changes in the fair value of the original positions are offset by changes in the fair value of the offsetting positions. The Company typically has numerous hedge positions that span several time periods and often result in both derivative assets and liabilities with the same counterparty, which positions are all offset to a single derivative asset or liability in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company nets the fair values of its derivative assets and liabilities associated with derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty pursuant to ISDA master agreements, which provide for net settlement over the term of the contract and in the event of default or termination of the contract. The Company had no transfers into Level 1 nor transfers in or out of Level 2 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments
	The Company’s other financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables and long-term debt, which are classified as Level 1 under the fair value hierarchy with the exception of the deferred purchase payment, which is classified as Level 2 under the fair value hierarchy. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and payables approximate fair value due to the highly liquid or short-term nature of these instruments. The carrying amount of long-term debt under the Company’s revolving credit facility approximates fair value as borrowings bear interest at variable rates. The following table presents the carrying amounts of long-term debt with the fair values of the Company’s senior notes and other long-term debt based on quoted market prices and the fair value of the deferred purchase payment based on indirect observable market rates.
		March 31, 2015						December 31, 2014
		Carrying Amount			Fair Value			Carrying Amount			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	8.625% Senior Notes due 2018		$596,749			$624,750			$596,555			$597,000
	7.50% Senior Notes due 2020	601,413			616,500			601,465			573,000
	Other long-term debt due 2028	4,425			4,115			4,425			4,071
	Deferred purchase payment due 2015	—			—			148,900			148,558

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
	The rules of the SEC require that condensed consolidating financial information be provided for a subsidiary that has guaranteed the debt of a registrant issued in a public offering, where the guarantee is full, unconditional and joint and several and where the voting interest of the subsidiary is 100% owned by the registrant. The Company is, therefore, presenting condensed consolidating financial information as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 on a parent company, combined guarantor subsidiaries, combined non-guarantor subsidiaries and consolidated basis and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements. The financial information may not necessarily be indicative of results of operations, cash flows, or financial position had such guarantor subsidiaries operated as independent entities.
	Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for by the respective parent company using the equity method for purposes of this presentation. Results of operations of subsidiaries are therefore reflected in the parent company’s investment accounts and earnings. The principal elimination entries set forth below eliminate investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions. Typically in a condensed consolidating financial statement, the net income and equity of the parent company equals the net income and equity of the consolidated entity. The Company’s oil and gas properties are accounted for using the full cost method of accounting whereby impairments and DD&A are calculated and recorded on a country by country basis. However, when calculated separately on a legal entity basis, the combined totals of parent company and subsidiary impairments and DD&A can be more or less than the consolidated total as a result of differences in the properties each entity owns including amounts of costs incurred, production rates, reserve mix, future development costs, etc. Accordingly, elimination entries are required to eliminate any differences between consolidated and parent company and subsidiary company combined impairments and DD&A.
	CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
	(In thousands)
	(Unaudited)
		March 31, 2015
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Company			Guarantor			Non-
					Subsidiaries			Guarantor
								Subsidiaries
	Assets
	Total current assets		$2,398,242			$79,273			$51			($2,228,137	)		$249,429
	Total property and equipment, net	17,410			2,639,926			58,171			25,345			2,740,852
	Investment in subsidiaries	229,488			—			—			(229,488		)	—
	Other assets	128,415			—			55			(67,520		)	60,950
	Total Assets		$2,773,555			$2,719,199			$58,277			($2,499,800	)		$3,051,231
	Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
	Current liabilities		$206,383			$2,351,032			$58,225			($2,231,156	)		$384,484
	Long-term liabilities	1,256,689			138,670			61			(48,229		)	1,347,191
	Total shareholders’ equity	1,310,483			229,497			(9		)	(220,415		)	1,319,556
	Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity		$2,773,555			$2,719,199			$58,277			($2,499,800	)		$3,051,231
		December 31, 2014
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Company			Guarantor			Non-
					Subsidiaries			Guarantor
								Subsidiaries
	Assets
	Total current assets		$2,380,445			$245,051			$111			($2,346,986	)		$278,621
	Total property and equipment, net	613			2,562,029			39,939			26,672			2,629,253
	Investment in subsidiaries	233,173			—			—			(233,173		)	—
	Other assets	140,774			—			—			(67,172		)	73,602
	Total Assets		$2,755,005			$2,807,080			$40,050			($2,620,659	)		$2,981,476
	Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
	Current liabilities		$296,686			$2,434,649			$39,955			($2,346,986	)		$424,304
	Long-term liabilities	1,364,793			139,353			—			(50,415		)	1,453,731
	Total shareholders’ equity	1,093,526			233,078			95			(223,258		)	1,103,441
	Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity		$2,755,005			$2,807,080			$40,050			($2,620,659	)		$2,981,476
	CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
	(In thousands)
	(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Company			Guarantor			Non-
					Subsidiaries			Guarantor
								Subsidiaries
	Total revenues		$590			$99,403			$57			$—			$100,050
	Total costs and expenses	26,668			104,912			216			1,168			132,964
	Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(26,078		)	(5,509		)	(159		)	(1,168		)	(32,914		)
	Income tax benefit	9,128			1,928			55			327			11,438
	Deficit in income of subsidiaries	(3,685		)	—			—			3,685			—
	Loss from continuing operations	(20,635		)	(3,581		)	(104		)	2,844			(21,476		)
	Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	266			—			—			—			266
	Net loss		($20,369	)		($3,581	)		($104	)		$2,844			($21,210	)
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Company			Guarantor			Non-
					Subsidiaries			Guarantor
								Subsidiaries
	Total revenues		$1,566			$155,646			$—			$—			$157,212
	Total costs and expenses	55,551			89,909			—			1,198			146,658
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(53,985		)	65,737			—			(1,198		)	10,554
Income tax (expense) benefit	18,895			(22,740		)	—			(88		)	(3,933		)
Equity in income of subsidiaries	42,997			—			—			(42,997		)	—
Income from continuing operations	7,907			42,997			—			(44,283		)	6,621
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(645		)	—			—			—			(645		)
Net income		$7,262			$42,997			$—			($44,283	)		$5,976
CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Company			Guarantor			Non-
				Subsidiaries			Guarantor
							Subsidiaries
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations		($17,989	)		$91,452			$4			$—			$73,467
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations	(270,404		)	(191,193		)	(18,345		)	268,081			(211,861		)
Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations	280,397			99,741			18,341			(268,081		)	130,398
Net cash used in discontinued operations	(304		)	—			—			—			(304		)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(8,300		)	—			—			—			(8,300		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	10,838			—			—			—			10,838
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$2,538			$—			$—			$—			$2,538
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Company			Guarantor			Non-
				Subsidiaries			Guarantor
							Subsidiaries
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations		($47,345	)		$150,192			$—			$—			$102,847
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations	(44,880		)	(200,230		)	(303		)	50,341			(195,072		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations	(109		)	50,038			303			(50,341		)	(109		)
Net cash used in discontinued operations	(2,685		)	—			—			—			(2,685		)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(95,019		)	—			—			—			(95,019		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	157,439			—			—			—			157,439
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$62,420			$—			$—			$—			$62,420

Subsequent_Events_Subsequent_E

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	13. Subsequent Events
	Tender Offer and Conditional Call for Redemption of the 8.625% Senior Notes
	On April 14, 2015, the Company commenced a cash tender offer for any or all of the outstanding $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 8.625% Senior Notes. The tender offer expired on April 23, 2015. On April 28, 2015, the Company made an aggregate cash payment of $276.4 million for the $264.2 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes validly tendered in the tender offer. This represented a total consideration of $1,046.13 for each $1,000 principal amount of 8.625% Senior Notes validly tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the tender offer. In addition, all 8.625% Senior Notes accepted for payment received accrued and unpaid interest of $0.8 million from the last interest payment date up to, but not including, the settlement date.
	In connection with the cash tender offer, the Company also sent a notice of redemption to the trustee for its 8.625% Senior Notes to conditionally call for redemption on May 14, 2015 all of the 8.625% Senior Notes then outstanding, conditioned upon and subject to the Company receiving specified net proceeds from one or more securities offerings, which conditions have now been satisfied. Upon redemption on May 14, 2015, the holders of the then outstanding $335.8 million aggregate principal amount of 8.625% Senior Notes being redeemed will receive a redemption premium totaling $14.5 million, equal to 104.313% of the outstanding principal amount being redeemed (or $1,043.13 for each $1,000 principal amount of the 8.625% Senior Notes) plus accrued and unpaid interest of $2.4 million from the last interest payment date up to, but not including, the redemption date. As a result of the cash tender offer and the redemption of the 8.625% Senior Notes, the Company will recognize a loss on extinguishment of debt in the second quarter of 2015 of approximately $38.1 million.
	6.25% Senior Notes due 2023
	On April 28, 2015, the Company closed a public offering of $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.25% Senior Notes due 2023. The 6.25% Senior Notes bear interest at 6.25% per annum which is payable semi-annually on each April 15 and October 15 and mature on April 15, 2023. Before April 15, 2018, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or a portion of the 6.25% Senior Notes at 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium. The 6.25% Senior Notes were guaranteed by the same subsidiaries that also guarantee the 8.625% Senior Notes, 7.50% Senior Notes and the revolving credit facility. The net proceeds were $640.3 million, net of underwriting discounts and commissions, a portion of which was used to fund the repurchase of the 8.625% Senior Notes described above. The Company intends to use the remaining net proceeds from the 6.25% Senior Notes offering to temporarily repay borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facility and invest in short-term investments and then to redeem the remaining outstanding 8.625% Senior Notes. Any proceeds not used as described are expected to be used for general corporate purposes.
	Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility
	On May 5, 2015, the Company entered into the sixth amendment to the senior secured revolving credit agreement to, among other things, (i) establish an approved borrowing base of $685.0 million until the next redetermination thereof and (ii) establish a swing line commitment under the revolving credit facility not to exceed $15.0 million. Amounts outstanding under the swing line commitment will bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the credit agreement governing the revolving credit facility) plus a margin between 0.50% and 1.50% (depending on the then-current level of borrowing base usage). In addition to the letters of credit outstanding, the borrowings under the swing line commitment also reduce the amounts available under the revolving credit facility. Additionally, the Company has elected to add seven additional banks to its banking syndicate, bringing the total number of banks to 19.

Summary_Of_Significant_Account1

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This ASU requires entities to report debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the face amount of the related note, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by this ASU. Entities should apply this ASU on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning in 2016. The adoption of this ASU will not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, other than balance sheet reclassifications.

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures	The following table summarizes the amounts included in income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes presented in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Revenues		$—			$—
	Costs and expenses
	General and administrative	201			437
	Increase (decrease) in estimated future obligations	(609		)	535
	Loss on derivatives, net	—			20
	Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations Before Income Taxes	408			(992		)
	Income tax (expense) benefit	(142		)	347
	Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes		$266			($645	)

Property_And_Equipment_Net_Tab

Property And Equipment, Net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule Of Property And Equipment	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, total property and equipment, net consisted of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Proved properties		$3,352,799			$3,174,268
	Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(1,160,513		)	(1,087,541		)
	Proved properties, net	2,192,286			2,086,727
	Unproved properties, not being amortized
	Unevaluated leasehold and seismic costs	404,553			401,954
	Exploratory wells in progress	66,738			71,402
	Capitalized interest	69,304			61,841
	Total unproved properties, not being amortized	540,595			535,197
	Other property and equipment	17,045			16,017
	Accumulated depreciation	(9,074		)	(8,688		)
	Other property and equipment, net	7,971			7,329
	Total property and equipment, net		$2,740,852			$2,629,253

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule Of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	Income tax (expense) benefit differs from income tax (expense) benefit computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory corporate income tax rate of 35% to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		($32,914	)		$10,554
	Income tax (expense) benefit at the statutory rate	11,520			(3,694		)
	State income taxes, net of U.S. federal income tax effect	(76		)	(192		)
	Other	(6		)	(47		)
	Total income tax (expense) benefit from continuing operations		$11,438			($3,933	)

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest and Commitment Fee Rates	The Company also incurs commitment fees as set forth in the table below on the unused portion of lender commitments, and which are included as a component of interest expense.
	Ratio of Outstanding Borrowings and Letters of Credit to Lender Commitments	Applicable		Applicable	Commitment Fee
		Margin for		Margin for Eurodollar
		Base Rate		Loans
		Loans
	Less than 25%	0.50%		1.50%	0.38%
	Greater than or equal to 25% but less than 50%	0.75%		1.75%	0.38%
	Greater than or equal to 50% but less than 75%	1.00%		2.00%	0.50%
	Greater than or equal to 75% but less than 90%	1.25%		2.25%	0.50%
	Greater than or equal to 90%	1.50%		2.50%	0.50%
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	Long-term debt consisted of the following as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Long-term debt
	Deferred purchase payment due 2015		$—			$150,000
	Unamortized discount for deferred purchase payment	—			(1,100		)
	Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility due 2018	49,000			—
	8.625% Senior Notes due 2018	600,000			600,000
	Unamortized discount for 8.625% Senior Notes	(3,251		)	(3,444		)
	7.50% Senior Notes due 2020	600,000			600,000
	Unamortized premium for 7.50% Senior Notes	1,413			1,465
	Other long-term debt due 2028	4,425			4,425
	Total long-term debt		$1,251,587			$1,351,346

Shareholders_Equity_Shareholde1

Shareholders' Equity Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Expense [Abstract]
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]	The Company recognized the following stock-based compensation expense associated with stock appreciation rights to be settled in cash (“SARs”), restricted stock awards and units and performance share awards for the periods indicated which is reflected as general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Stock appreciation rights		$5,940			$8,456
	Restricted stock awards and units	5,215			5,701
	Performance share awards	269			14
		11,424			14,171
	Less: amounts capitalized to proved and unproved properties	(1,571		)	(2,010		)
	Total stock-based compensation expense, net		$9,853			$12,161
	Income tax benefit		$3,449			$4,256

Earnings_Per_Share_Earnings_Pe1

Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Schedule of Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule Of Supplemental Net Income Per Common Share	Supplemental income (loss) from continuing operations per common share information is provided below:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations		($21,476	)		$6,621
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	46,403			45,003
	Effect of dilutive instruments	—			831
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	46,403			45,834
	Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Per Common Share
	Basic		($0.46	)		$0.15
	Diluted		($0.46	)		$0.14

Derivative_Instruments_Tables

Derivative Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Concentration of Risk	The fair value of derivative instruments where the Company is in a net asset position with its counterparties as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 totaled $192.1 million and $214.8 million, respectively, and is summarized by counterparty in the table below:
	Counterparty	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Wells Fargo	56	%		37	%
	Societe Generale	27	%		26	%
	Regions	9	%		8	%
	Union Bank	5	%		4	%
	Credit Suisse	2	%		24	%
	Royal Bank of Canada	1	%		1	%
	Total	100	%		100	%
Schedule of Derivative Instruments	The following sets forth a summary of the Company’s crude oil derivative positions at average NYMEX prices as of March 31, 2015:
	Period	Type of Contract		Volumes			Weighted		Weighted
				(in Bbls/d)			Average		Average
							Floor  Price		Ceiling  Price
							($/Bbl)		($/Bbl)
	April - December 2015	Costless Collars		12,200				$50.00	$66.46
	January - December 2016	Costless Collars		4,000				$50.00	$76.50
	The following sets forth a summary of the Company’s natural gas derivative positions at average NYMEX prices as of March 31, 2015:
	Period	Type of Contract		Volumes			Weighted
				(in MMBtu/d)			Average
							Floor Price
							($/MMBtu)
	April - December 2015	Fixed Price Swaps		30,000				$4.29

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Offsetting Assets	The following tables summarize the location and amounts of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as presented in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. All items included in the tables below are Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy:
		March 31, 2015
		Gross Amounts Recognized			Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Net Amounts Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
		(In thousands)
	Derivative assets
	Derivative assets-current		$187,847			($27,046	)		$160,801
	Derivative assets-noncurrent	34,960			(3,633		)	31,327
	Derivative liabilities
	Other current liabilities	(27,214		)	27,046			(168		)
	Other liabilities	(3,633		)	3,633			—
	Total		$191,960			$—			$191,960
		December 31, 2014
		Gross Amounts Recognized			Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Net Amounts Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
		(In thousands)
	Derivative assets
	Derivative assets-current		$183,625			($12,524	)		$171,101
	Derivative assets-noncurrent	44,725			(1,041		)	43,684
	Derivative liabilities
	Other current liabilities	(12,707		)	12,524			(183		)
	Other liabilities	(1,058		)	1,041			(17		)
	Total		$214,585			$—			$214,585
Schedule of Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value of Debt Instruments	The following table presents the carrying amounts of long-term debt with the fair values of the Company’s senior notes and other long-term debt based on quoted market prices and the fair value of the deferred purchase payment based on indirect observable market rates.
		March 31, 2015						December 31, 2014
		Carrying Amount			Fair Value			Carrying Amount			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	8.625% Senior Notes due 2018		$596,749			$624,750			$596,555			$597,000
	7.50% Senior Notes due 2020	601,413			616,500			601,465			573,000
	Other long-term debt due 2028	4,425			4,115			4,425			4,071
	Deferred purchase payment due 2015	—			—			148,900			148,558

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information [Abstract]
Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
	(In thousands)
	(Unaudited)
		March 31, 2015
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Company			Guarantor			Non-
					Subsidiaries			Guarantor
								Subsidiaries
	Assets
	Total current assets		$2,398,242			$79,273			$51			($2,228,137	)		$249,429
	Total property and equipment, net	17,410			2,639,926			58,171			25,345			2,740,852
	Investment in subsidiaries	229,488			—			—			(229,488		)	—
	Other assets	128,415			—			55			(67,520		)	60,950
	Total Assets		$2,773,555			$2,719,199			$58,277			($2,499,800	)		$3,051,231
	Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
	Current liabilities		$206,383			$2,351,032			$58,225			($2,231,156	)		$384,484
	Long-term liabilities	1,256,689			138,670			61			(48,229		)	1,347,191
	Total shareholders’ equity	1,310,483			229,497			(9		)	(220,415		)	1,319,556
	Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity		$2,773,555			$2,719,199			$58,277			($2,499,800	)		$3,051,231
		December 31, 2014
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Company			Guarantor			Non-
					Subsidiaries			Guarantor
								Subsidiaries
	Assets
	Total current assets		$2,380,445			$245,051			$111			($2,346,986	)		$278,621
	Total property and equipment, net	613			2,562,029			39,939			26,672			2,629,253
	Investment in subsidiaries	233,173			—			—			(233,173		)	—
	Other assets	140,774			—			—			(67,172		)	73,602
	Total Assets		$2,755,005			$2,807,080			$40,050			($2,620,659	)		$2,981,476
	Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
	Current liabilities		$296,686			$2,434,649			$39,955			($2,346,986	)		$424,304
	Long-term liabilities	1,364,793			139,353			—			(50,415		)	1,453,731
	Total shareholders’ equity	1,093,526			233,078			95			(223,258		)	1,103,441
	Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity		$2,755,005			$2,807,080			$40,050			($2,620,659	)		$2,981,476
Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Operations	CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
	(In thousands)
	(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Company			Guarantor			Non-
					Subsidiaries			Guarantor
								Subsidiaries
	Total revenues		$590			$99,403			$57			$—			$100,050
	Total costs and expenses	26,668			104,912			216			1,168			132,964
	Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(26,078		)	(5,509		)	(159		)	(1,168		)	(32,914		)
	Income tax benefit	9,128			1,928			55			327			11,438
	Deficit in income of subsidiaries	(3,685		)	—			—			3,685			—
	Loss from continuing operations	(20,635		)	(3,581		)	(104		)	2,844			(21,476		)
	Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	266			—			—			—			266
	Net loss		($20,369	)		($3,581	)		($104	)		$2,844			($21,210	)
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Company			Guarantor			Non-
					Subsidiaries			Guarantor
								Subsidiaries
	Total revenues		$1,566			$155,646			$—			$—			$157,212
	Total costs and expenses	55,551			89,909			—			1,198			146,658
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(53,985		)	65,737			—			(1,198		)	10,554
	Income tax (expense) benefit	18,895			(22,740		)	—			(88		)	(3,933		)
	Equity in income of subsidiaries	42,997			—			—			(42,997		)	—
	Income from continuing operations	7,907			42,997			—			(44,283		)	6,621
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(645		)	—			—			—			(645		)
	Net income		$7,262			$42,997			$—			($44,283	)		$5,976
Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows	CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	(In thousands)
	(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Company			Guarantor			Non-
					Subsidiaries			Guarantor
								Subsidiaries
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations		($17,989	)		$91,452			$4			$—			$73,467
	Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations	(270,404		)	(191,193		)	(18,345		)	268,081			(211,861		)
	Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations	280,397			99,741			18,341			(268,081		)	130,398
	Net cash used in discontinued operations	(304		)	—			—			—			(304		)
	Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(8,300		)	—			—			—			(8,300		)
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	10,838			—			—			—			10,838
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$2,538			$—			$—			$—			$2,538
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Company			Guarantor			Non-
					Subsidiaries			Guarantor
								Subsidiaries
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations		($47,345	)		$150,192			$—			$—			$102,847
	Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations	(44,880		)	(200,230		)	(303		)	50,341			(195,072		)
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations	(109		)	50,038			303			(50,341		)	(109		)
	Net cash used in discontinued operations	(2,685		)	—			—			—			(2,685		)
	Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(95,019		)	—			—			—			(95,019		)
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	157,439			—			—			—			157,439
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$62,420			$—			$—			$—			$62,420

Discontinued_Operations_Narrat

Discontinued Operations (Narrative) (Details) (Carrizo United Kingdom [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 22, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of non-operating working interest and overriding royalty interests			15.00%
Discontinued Operations, Sale Price			$184,000,000
Liabilities of disposal group, including discontinued operation	12,100,000	12,800,000
Huntington Field Development Project Credit Facility [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding			$55,000,000

Discontinued_Operations_Discon

Discontinued Operations Discontinued Operations (Statements of Operations) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes	$266	($645)
Carrizo United Kingdom [Member]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Revenues	0	0
General and administrative	201	437
Increase (decrease) in estimated future obligations	-609	535
Loss on derivative instruments, net	0	20
Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations Before Income Taxes	408	-992
Income tax (expense) benefit	-142	347
Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes	$266	($645)

Property_And_Equipment_Net_Pro

Property And Equipment, Net Property and Equipment, Net (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Average Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Per Boe	23.43	26.68
Internal costs capitalized, Oil and Gas Producing Activities	$5.80	$5.40
Capitalized interest	$9.70	$7.70

Property_And_Equipment_Net_Sch

Property And Equipment, Net (Schedule Of Property And Equipment) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Proved properties	$3,352,799	$3,174,268
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	-1,160,513	-1,087,541
Proved properties, net	2,192,286	2,086,727
Unproved properties, not being amortized
Unevaluated leasehold and seismic costs	404,553	401,954
Exploratory wells in progress	66,738	71,402
Capitalized interest	69,304	61,841
Total unproved properties, not being amortized	540,595	535,197
Other property and equipment	17,045	16,017
Accumulated depreciation	-9,074	-8,688
Other property and equipment, net	7,971	7,329
Total property and equipment, net	$2,740,852	$2,629,253

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Line Items]
U.S. federal statutory corporate pretax rate	35.00%

Income_Taxes_Schedule_Of_Effec

Income Taxes (Schedule Of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	($32,914)	$10,554
Income tax (expense) benefit at the statutory rate	11,520	-3,694
State income taxes, net of U.S. federal income tax effect	-76	-192
Other	-6	-47
Total income tax (expense) benefit from continuing operations	$11,438	($3,933)

Debt_Narrative_Details

Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		4 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Feb. 13, 2015	Oct. 24, 2014	Feb. 16, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 02, 2010	14-May-15	Apr. 28, 2015	5-May-15
	Rate
8.625% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						8.63%
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	$3,251,000				$3,444,000
8.625% Senior Notes [Member] | On and after October 15, 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage of principal amount							104.31%
8.625% Senior Notes [Member] | Minimum [Member] | On and after October 15, 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage of principal amount	100.00%
6.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage								6.25%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								650,000,000
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity	800,000,000								685,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Elected Borrowing Capacity	685,000,000
Ratio of total debt to EBITDA	2.25
Current ratio	2.84
Line of credit facility amount outstanding	49,000,000				0
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	2.48%
Letters of credit outstanding amount	560,000
Pre-Tax SEC PV10 Reserve Value Percentage	80.00%
Federal funds rate plus percentage	0.50%
Adjusted LIBO rate plus percentage	1.00%
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of total debt to EBITDA	4
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current ratio	1
Deferred Purchase Payment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred purchase payment	0				150,000,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	0				1,100,000
Eagle Ford Shale Transaction [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Agreed Upon Purchase Price of Oil and Gas Property and Equipment		150,000,000	100,000,000
Total Agreed Upon Purchase Price of Oil and Gas Property and Equipment				250,000,000
Payments to Acquire Oil and Gas Property		$148,800,000	$93,000,000

Debt_Schedule_Of_Debt_Details

Debt (Schedule Of Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$1,251,587	$1,351,346
Deferred Purchase Payment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred purchase payment	0	150,000
Unamortized discount	0	-1,100
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility amount outstanding	49,000	0
8.625% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	600,000	600,000
Unamortized discount	-3,251	-3,444
Seven Point Five Percent Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	600,000	600,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium	1,413	1,465
Other Long Term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	$4,425	$4,425

Debt_Debt_Interest_and_Commitm

Debt Debt (Interest and Commitment Fee Rates) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Less than 25 percent [Member]
Interest and Commitment Fee Rates [Line Items]
Margin for base rate loans	0.50%
Margin for eurodollar loans	1.50%
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.38%
Greater than or equal to 25 percent but less than 50 percent [Member]
Interest and Commitment Fee Rates [Line Items]
Margin for base rate loans	0.75%
Margin for eurodollar loans	1.75%
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.38%
Greater than or equal to 50 percent but less than 75 percent [Member]
Interest and Commitment Fee Rates [Line Items]
Margin for base rate loans	1.00%
Margin for eurodollar loans	2.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.50%
Greater than or equal to 75 percent but less than 90 percent [Member]
Interest and Commitment Fee Rates [Line Items]
Margin for base rate loans	1.25%
Margin for eurodollar loans	2.25%
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.50%
Greater than or equal to 90 percent [Member]
Interest and Commitment Fee Rates [Line Items]
Margin for base rate loans	1.50%
Margin for eurodollar loans	2.50%
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.50%

Shareholders_Equity_Shareholde2

Shareholders' Equity Shareholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	5.2
Shares Issued, Price Per Share	$44.75
Proceeds from common stock offerings, net of offering costs	$231,581	$0

Shareholders_Equity_Shareholde3

Shareholders' Equity Shareholders' Equity (Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$9,853	$12,161
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost	11,424	14,171
Less: amounts capitalized	-1,571	-2,010
Income tax benefit	3,449	4,256
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	5,940	8,456
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	5,215	5,701
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$269	$14

Earnings_Per_Share_Earnings_Pe2

Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	824,824

Earnings_Per_Share_Earnings_Pe3

Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Supplemental Earnings Per Common Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	($21,476)	$6,621
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	46,403	45,003
Effect of dilutive instruments	0	831
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	46,403	45,834
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Per Common Share
Income (loss) from continuing operations - basic (in dollars per share)	($0.46)	$0.15
Income (loss) from continuing operations - diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.46)	$0.14

Derivative_Instruments_Narrati

Derivative Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 11, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Value of Offsetting Derivative Transactions			$166,400,000
Value of Offsetting Derivative Transactions Current Asset	137,200,000
Maximum Length of Time Hedged in Cash Flow Hedge	36 months
Derivative Asset, Fair Value	192,100,000			214,800,000
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	26,439,000	-20,680,000
Derivative, Gain Recognized on Offsetting Derivative Transactions	$8,400,000

Derivative_Instruments_Schedul

Derivative Instruments (Schedule of Concentration Risk Percentage) (Details) (Derivative Credit Risk [Member])	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	100.00%	100.00%
Wells Fargo [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	56.00%	37.00%
Societe Generale [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	27.00%	26.00%
Regions [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	9.00%	8.00%
Union Bank [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	5.00%	4.00%
Credit Suisse [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	2.00%	24.00%
Royal Bank of Canada [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	1.00%	1.00%

Derivative_Instruments_Schedul1

Derivative Instruments (Schedule Of Crude Oil Derivative Positions) (Details) (Swaps [Member], Crude Oil [Member])	Mar. 31, 2015
2015 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes (in Bbls/d)	12,200
Weighted Average Floor Price ($/Bbls)	50
Weighted Average Ceiling Price ($/Bbls)	66.46
2016 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes (in Bbls/d)	4,000
Weighted Average Floor Price ($/Bbls)	50
Weighted Average Ceiling Price ($/Bbls)	76.5

Derivative_Instruments_Schedul2

Derivative Instruments (Schedule Of Natural Gas Derivative Positions) (Details) (Swaps [Member], Natural Gas Derivative Positions [Member], 2015 [Member])	Mar. 31, 2015
Swaps [Member] | Natural Gas Derivative Positions [Member] | 2015 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volume (in MMBtu/d)	30,000
Weighted Average Floor Price ($/MMBtu)	4.29

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Net [Abstract]
Derivative Current Asset, Fair Value	$192,100,000	$214,800,000
Derivative, Fair Value, Net [Abstract]
Fair Value, Assets, Level 1 to Level 2 Transfers, Amount	0		0
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Derivative, Fair Value, Net [Abstract]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset (Liability)	191,960,000	214,585,000
Derivative Asset (Liability), Fair Value, Gross Liability (Asset)	0	0
Derivative, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset Against Collateral, Net	191,960,000	214,585,000
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Net [Abstract]
Derivative Current Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	187,847,000	183,625,000
Derivative Current Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability	-27,046,000	-12,524,000
Derivative Current Asset, Fair Value	160,801,000	171,101,000
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Net [Abstract]
Derivative Current Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	34,960,000	44,725,000
Derivative Current Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability	-3,633,000	-1,041,000
Derivative Current Asset, Fair Value	31,327,000	43,684,000
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Derivative Liabilities Current [Member]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Net [Abstract]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	-27,214,000	-12,707,000
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	27,046,000	12,524,000
Derivative Liability	-168,000	-183,000
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Net [Abstract]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	-3,633,000	-1,058,000
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	3,633,000	1,041,000
Derivative Liability	$0	($17,000)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu

Fair Value Measurements (Schedule of Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value of Debt Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
8.625% Senior Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	$600,000	$600,000
Seven Point Five Percent Senior Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	600,000	600,000
Other Long Term Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	4,425	4,425
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | 8.625% Senior Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	596,749	596,555
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Seven Point Five Percent Senior Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	601,413	601,465
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Other Long Term Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	4,425	4,425
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Deferred Purchase Payment [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	0	148,900
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | 8.625% Senior Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	624,750	597,000
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Seven Point Five Percent Senior Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	616,500	573,000
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Other Long Term Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	4,115	4,071
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Deferred Purchase Payment [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	$0	$148,558

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Narrative) (Details)	Mar. 31, 2015
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information [Abstract]
Voting interest of the subsidiary owned by the registrant	100.00%

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total current assets	$249,429	$278,621
Total property and equipment, net	2,740,852	2,629,253
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other assets	60,950	73,602
Total Assets	3,051,231	2,981,476
Current liabilities	384,484	424,304
Long-term liabilities	1,347,191	1,453,731
Total shareholders’ equity	1,319,556	1,103,441
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	3,051,231	2,981,476
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total current assets	-2,228,137	-2,346,986
Total property and equipment, net	25,345	26,672
Investment in subsidiaries	-229,488	-233,173
Other assets	-67,520	-67,172
Total Assets	-2,499,800	-2,620,659
Current liabilities	-2,231,156	-2,346,986
Long-term liabilities	-48,229	-50,415
Total shareholders’ equity	-220,415	-223,258
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	-2,499,800	-2,620,659
Parent Company [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total current assets	2,398,242	2,380,445
Total property and equipment, net	17,410	613
Investment in subsidiaries	229,488	233,173
Other assets	128,415	140,774
Total Assets	2,773,555	2,755,005
Current liabilities	206,383	296,686
Long-term liabilities	1,256,689	1,364,793
Total shareholders’ equity	1,310,483	1,093,526
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	2,773,555	2,755,005
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total current assets	79,273	245,051
Total property and equipment, net	2,639,926	2,562,029
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other assets	0	0
Total Assets	2,719,199	2,807,080
Current liabilities	2,351,032	2,434,649
Long-term liabilities	138,670	139,353
Total shareholders’ equity	229,497	233,078
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	2,719,199	2,807,080
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total current assets	51	111
Total property and equipment, net	58,171	39,939
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other assets	55	0
Total Assets	58,277	40,050
Current liabilities	58,225	39,955
Long-term liabilities	61	0
Total shareholders’ equity	-9	95
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$58,277	$40,050

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Operations) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total revenues	$100,050	$157,212
Total costs and expenses	132,964	146,658
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-32,914	10,554
Income tax (expense) benefit	11,438	-3,933
Equity (deficit) in income of subsidiaries	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-21,476	6,621
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	266	-645
Net Income (loss)	-21,210	5,976
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Total costs and expenses	1,168	1,198
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-1,168	-1,198
Income tax (expense) benefit	327	-88
Equity (deficit) in income of subsidiaries	3,685	-42,997
Income (loss) from continuing operations	2,844	-44,283
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	0
Net Income (loss)	2,844	-44,283
Parent Company [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total revenues	590	1,566
Total costs and expenses	26,668	55,551
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-26,078	-53,985
Income tax (expense) benefit	9,128	18,895
Equity (deficit) in income of subsidiaries	-3,685	42,997
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-20,635	7,907
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	266	-645
Net Income (loss)	-20,369	7,262
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total revenues	99,403	155,646
Total costs and expenses	104,912	89,909
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-5,509	65,737
Income tax (expense) benefit	1,928	-22,740
Equity (deficit) in income of subsidiaries	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-3,581	42,997
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	0
Net Income (loss)	-3,581	42,997
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total revenues	57	0
Total costs and expenses	216	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-159	0
Income tax (expense) benefit	55	0
Equity (deficit) in income of subsidiaries	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-104	0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	0
Net Income (loss)	($104)	$0

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ5

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - continuing operations	$73,467	$102,847
Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations	-211,861	-195,072
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - continuing operations	130,398	-109
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	-304	-2,685
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-8,300	-95,019
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	10,838	157,439
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	2,538	62,420
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - continuing operations	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations	268,081	50,341
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - continuing operations	-268,081	-50,341
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	0	0
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	0	0
Parent Company [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - continuing operations	-17,989	-47,345
Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations	-270,404	-44,880
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - continuing operations	280,397	-109
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	-304	-2,685
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-8,300	-95,019
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	10,838	157,439
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	2,538	62,420
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - continuing operations	91,452	150,192
Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations	-191,193	-200,230
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - continuing operations	99,741	50,038
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	0	0
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	0	0
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - continuing operations	4	0
Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations	-18,345	-303
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - continuing operations	18,341	303
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	0	0
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	$0	$0

Subsequent_Events_Subsequent_E1

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Narrative)(Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	5-May-15	Apr. 28, 2015	14-May-15	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 02, 2010	Sep. 10, 2012
Minimum [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Margin for base rate loans	0.50%
Maximum [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Margin for base rate loans	1.50%
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity	685,000,000				$800,000,000
8.625% Senior Notes [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Long Term Debt					600,000,000	600,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage							8.63%
Accrued interest paid associated with redemption of debt			2,400,000
Accrued interest paid associated with tender offer		822,879
Redemption Premium			14,500,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt				38,100,000
Debt Instrument, Cash Consideration for Tender Offer		276,400,000
Tender Offer Consideration Rate		1,046.13
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount		264,200,000	335,800,000
Principal amount per note							1,000
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price per Note			1,043.13
8.625% Senior Notes [Member] | On and after October 15, 2014 [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage of principal amount			104.31%
8.625% Senior Notes [Member] | On and after October 15, 2014 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage of principal amount					100.00%
Seven Point Five Percent Senior Notes [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Long Term Debt					600,000,000	600,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage								7.50%
Swing Line Subfacility [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	15,000,000
6.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		6.25%
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt		640,300,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$650,000,000
6.25% Senior Notes [Member] | Prior to April 15, 2018 [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage		100.00%