Chord Energy (WLLBW) 10-Q 1 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 15, 2014
Document and Entity Information	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'WHITING PETROLEUM CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001255474	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	118,959,061
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$406,437	$699,460
Accounts receivable trade, net	378,111	341,177
Prepaid expenses and other	38,059	28,981
Total current assets	822,607	1,069,618
Property and equipment:	'	'
Oil and gas properties, successful efforts method	10,642,189	10,065,150
Other property and equipment	225,106	206,385
Total property and equipment	10,867,295	10,271,535
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	-2,889,910	-2,676,490
Total property and equipment, net	7,977,385	7,595,045
Debt issuance costs	45,535	48,530
Other long-term assets	136,197	120,277
TOTAL ASSETS	8,981,724	8,833,470
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable trade	116,673	107,692
Accrued capital expenditures	210,133	158,739
Accrued liabilities and other	109,607	214,109
Revenues and royalties payable	197,416	198,558
Taxes payable	55,268	50,052
Accrued interest	17,676	44,405
Derivative liabilities	11,799	3,482
Deferred income taxes	8,786	648
Total current liabilities	727,358	777,685
Long-term debt	2,653,674	2,653,834
Deferred income taxes	1,345,253	1,278,030
Production Participation Plan liability	91,139	87,503
Asset retirement obligations	146,188	116,442
Deferred gain on sale	72,250	79,065
Other long-term liabilities	4,365	4,212
Total liabilities	5,040,227	4,996,771
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized; 120,614,246 issued and 118,959,061 outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and 120,101,555 issued and 118,657,245 outstanding as of December 31, 2013	121	120
Additional paid-in capital	1,579,288	1,583,542
Retained earnings	2,353,974	2,244,905
Total Whiting shareholders' equity	3,933,383	3,828,567
Noncontrolling interest	8,114	8,132
Total equity	3,941,497	3,836,699
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$8,981,724	$8,833,470

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000,000	300,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	120,614,246	120,101,555
Common stock, shares outstanding	118,959,061	118,657,245

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
REVENUES AND OTHER INCOME:	'	'
Oil, NGL and natural gas sales	$721,250	$605,114
Loss on hedging activities	'	-211
Amortization of deferred gain on sale	7,744	7,976
Gain on sale of properties	10,559	'
Interest income and other	696	492
Total revenues and other income	740,249	613,371
COSTS AND EXPENSES:	'	'
Lease operating	114,786	99,878
Production taxes	60,030	51,271
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	235,265	201,159
Exploration and impairment	42,107	37,280
General and administrative	32,334	28,885
Interest expense	42,144	21,470
Change in Production Participation Plan liability	3,636	4,407
Commodity derivative loss, net	24,535	31,257
Total costs and expenses	554,837	475,607
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	185,412	137,764
INCOME TAX EXPENSE:	'	'
Current	1,000	422
Deferred	75,361	51,098
Total income tax expense	76,361	51,520
NET INCOME	109,051	86,244
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	18	19
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS	109,069	86,263
Preferred stock dividends	'	-269
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	$109,069	$85,994
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.92	$0.73
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.91	$0.72
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:	'	'
Basic (in shares)	118,923	117,788
Diluted (in shares)	119,931	119,263

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	'	'
NET INCOME	$109,051	$86,244
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX:	'	'
OCI amortization on de-designated hedges	'	133
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	'	133
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	109,051	86,377
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	18	19
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WHITING	$109,069	$86,396

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	'
OCI amortization on de-designated hedges, income tax expense	$78

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net income	$109,051	$86,244
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	235,265	201,159
Deferred income tax expense	75,361	51,098
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt premium	5,360	2,435
Stock-based compensation	6,732	6,728
Amortization of deferred gain on sale	-7,744	-7,976
Gain on sale of properties	-10,559	'
Undeveloped leasehold and oil and gas property impairments	17,985	18,414
Exploratory dry hole costs	3,552	'
Change in Production Participation Plan liability	3,636	4,407
Non-cash portion of derivative losses	23,793	26,164
Other, net	-1,041	-6,200
Changes in current assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable trade	-36,936	-13,531
Prepaid expenses and other	-15,161	-8,379
Accounts payable trade and accrued liabilities	-89,471	-59,385
Revenues and royalties payable	-1,142	-9,463
Taxes payable	5,216	5,899
Net cash provided by operating activities	323,897	297,614
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Drilling and development capital expenditures	-596,407	-536,690
Acquisition of oil and gas properties	-33,696	-14,887
Other property and equipment	-24,474	-29,698
Proceeds from sale of oil and gas properties	75,023	'
Issuance of note receivable	'	-2,316
Cash paid for investing derivatives	'	-44,900
Net cash used in investing activities	-579,554	-628,491
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Long-term borrowings under credit agreement	'	650,000
Repayments of long-term borrowings under credit agreement	'	-350,000
Debt issuance costs	-8	-72
Proceeds from stock options exercised	88	'
Restricted stock used for tax withholdings	-11,073	-5,400
Repayment of tax sharing liability	-26,373	'
Preferred stock dividends paid	'	-269
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-37,366	294,259
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-293,023	-36,618
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:	'	'
Beginning of period	699,460	44,800
End of period	406,437	8,182
NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Accrued capital expenditures	$210,133	$109,312

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_EQU

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Total Whiting Shareholders' Equity	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Noncontrolling Interest
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	USD ($)	USD ($)		USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
BALANCES at Dec. 31, 2012	$3,453,172	$3,444,988	'	$119	$1,566,717	($1,236)	$1,879,388	$8,184
BALANCES (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	'	172,000	118,582,000	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	86,244	86,263	'	'	'	'	86,263	-19
Other comprehensive income	133	133	'	'	'	133	'	'
Conversion of preferred stock to common (in shares)	'	'	'	1,000	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock issued (in shares)	'	'	'	920,000	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock forfeited (in shares)	'	'	'	-2,000	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock used for tax withholdings	-5,400	-5,400	'	'	-5,400	'	'	'
Restricted stock used for tax withholdings (in shares)	'	'	'	-111,000	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	6,728	6,728	'	'	6,728	'	'	'
Preferred dividends paid	-269	-269	'	'	'	'	-269	'
BALANCES at Mar. 31, 2013	3,540,608	3,532,443	'	119	1,568,045	-1,103	1,965,382	8,165
BALANCES (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2013	'	'	172,000	119,390,000	'	'	'	'
BALANCES at Mar. 29, 2013	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion of preferred stock to common (in shares)	'	'	'	792,919	'	'	'	'
BALANCES at Mar. 31, 2013	'	'	'	119	'	'	'	'
BALANCES (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2013	'	'	172,000	119,390,000	'	'	'	'
BALANCES at Dec. 31, 2013	3,836,699	3,828,567	'	120	1,583,542	'	2,244,905	8,132
BALANCES (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	'	'	120,102,000	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	109,051	109,069	'	'	'	'	109,069	-18
Exercise of stock options	88	88	'	'	88	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	'	'	'	3,000	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock issued	'	'	'	1	-1	'	'	'
Restricted stock issued (in shares)	'	'	'	894,000	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock forfeited (in shares)	'	'	'	-197,000	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock used for tax withholdings	-11,073	-11,073	'	'	-11,073	'	'	'
Restricted stock used for tax withholdings (in shares)	'	'	'	-188,000	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	6,732	6,732	'	'	6,732	'	'	'
BALANCES at Mar. 31, 2014	$3,941,497	$3,933,383	'	$121	$1,579,288	'	$2,353,974	$8,114
BALANCES (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2014	'	'	'	120,614,000	'	'	'	'

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	'
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	'
	1.                                      BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	Description of Operations—Whiting Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation, is an independent oil and gas company that explores for, develops, acquires and produces crude oil, NGLs and natural gas primarily in the Rocky Mountains and Permian Basin regions of the United States.  Unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, all references in these notes to “Whiting” or the “Company” are to Whiting Petroleum Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.
	Consolidated Financial Statements—The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Whiting Petroleum Corporation, its consolidated subsidiaries and Whiting’s pro rata share of the accounts of Whiting USA Trust I (“Trust I”) pursuant to Whiting’s 15.8% ownership interest in Trust I.  Investments in entities which give Whiting significant influence, but not control, over the investee are accounted for using the equity method.  Under the equity method, investments are stated at cost plus the Company’s equity in undistributed earnings and losses.  All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.  These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial reporting.  In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals and adjustments) necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the Company’s interim results.  However, operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.  Whiting’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K includes certain definitions and a summary of significant accounting policies and should be read in conjunction with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  Except as disclosed herein, there have been no material changes to the information disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Whiting’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	Earnings Per Share—Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period.  Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing adjusted net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding, which includes the effect of potentially dilutive securities.  Potentially dilutive securities for the diluted earnings per share calculations consist of unvested restricted stock awards and outstanding stock options using the treasury method, as well as convertible perpetual preferred stock using the if-converted method.  In the computation of diluted earnings per share, excess tax benefits that would be created upon the assumed vesting of unvested restricted shares or the assumed exercise of stock options (i.e. hypothetical excess tax benefits) are included in the assumed proceeds component of the treasury share method to the extent that such excess tax benefits are more likely than not to be realized.  When a loss from continuing operations exists, all potentially dilutive securities are anti-dilutive and are therefore excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.

OIL_AND_GAS_PROPERTIES

OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES	'
OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES	'
	2.                                      OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES
	Net capitalized costs related to the Company’s oil and gas producing activities at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Proved leasehold costs	$1,678,821		$1,633,495
	Unproved leasehold costs	351,211		372,298
	Costs of completed wells and facilities	8,087,496		7,563,350
	Wells and facilities in progress	524,661		496,007
	Total oil and gas properties, successful efforts method	10,642,189		10,065,150
	Accumulated depletion	(2,857,602	)	(2,645,841	)
	Oil and gas properties, net	$7,784,587		$7,419,309

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DIVESTITURES

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES	'
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES	'
	3.                                      ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES
	2014 Acquisitions
	There were no significant acquisitions during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	2014 Divestitures
	On March 27, 2014, the Company completed the sale of approximately 49,900 gross (41,000 net) acres, which consisted mainly of undeveloped acreage as well as its interests in certain producing oil and gas wells, in its Big Tex prospect located in the Delaware Basin in Texas for a cash purchase price of $76.2 million (subject to post-closing adjustments), resulting in a pre-tax gain on sale of $11.9 million.
	2013 Acquisitions
	On September 20, 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of approximately 39,300 gross (17,300 net) acres, including interests in 121 producing oil and gas wells and undeveloped acreage, in the Williston Basin located in Williams and McKenzie counties of North Dakota and Roosevelt and Richland counties of Montana for an aggregate unadjusted purchase price of $260.0 million.  Revenue and earnings from these properties since the September 20, 2013 acquisition date, which are included in the consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2014, are not material.  Disclosures of pro forma revenues and net income for the acquisition of these wells are therefore not material and have not been presented accordingly.
	The acquisition was recorded using the purchase method of accounting.  The following table summarizes the allocation of the $254.7 million adjusted purchase price to the tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in this acquisition oil and gas properties (in thousands):
	Purchase price	$	254,681
	Allocation of purchase price:
	Proved properties	$	228,146
	Unproved properties	27,335
	Oil in tank inventory	522
	Accounts receivable	578
	Asset retirement obligations	(1,900		)
	Total	$	254,681
	2013 Divestitures
	On October 31, 2013, the Company completed the sale of approximately 45,000 gross (32,200 net) acres, which consisted mainly of undeveloped acreage as well as its interests in certain producing oil and gas wells, in its Big Tex prospect located in the Delaware Basin in Texas for a cash purchase price of $150.8 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain on sale of $11.6 million.  Of the total net acres sold, approximately 30,800 net acres are located in Pecos County, Texas, and approximately 1,400 net acres are located in Reeves County, Texas.
	On July 15, 2013, the Company completed the sale of its interests in certain oil and gas producing properties located in its EOR projects in the Postle and Northeast Hardesty fields in Texas County, Oklahoma, including the related Dry Trail plant gathering and processing facility, oil delivery pipeline, its entire 60% interest in the Transpetco CO2 pipeline, crude oil swap contracts and certain other related assets and liabilities (collectively the “Postle Properties”) for a cash purchase price of $809.7 million after selling costs and post-closing adjustments.  This divestiture resulted in a pre-tax gain on sale of $109.7 million.  The Company used the net proceeds from this sale to repay a portion of the debt outstanding under its credit agreement.

LONGTERM_DEBT

LONG-TERM DEBT	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
LONG-TERM DEBT	'
LONG-TERM DEBT	'
	4.                                      LONG-TERM DEBT
	Long-term debt consisted of the following at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018	$	350,000		$	350,000
	5% Senior Notes due 2019	1,100,000			1,100,000
	5.75% Senior Notes due 2021, including unamortized debt premium of $3,674 and $3,834, respectively	1,203,674			1,203,834
	Total debt	$	2,653,674		$	2,653,834
	Credit Agreement—Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation (“Whiting Oil and Gas”), the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, has a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks that as of March 31, 2014 had a borrowing base of $2.8 billion, of which $1.2 billion has been committed by lenders and is available for borrowing.  The Company may increase the maximum aggregate amount of commitments under the credit agreement up to the $2.8 billion borrowing base if certain conditions are satisfied, including the consent of lenders participating in the increase.  As of March 31, 2014, the Company had $1,197.0 million of available borrowing capacity, which was net of $3.0 million in letters of credit with no borrowings outstanding.
	The credit agreement provides for interest only payments until the expiration date of the agreement, when all outstanding borrowings are due.  In April 2014, Whiting Oil and Gas entered into an amendment to its credit agreement that extended the principal repayment date from April 2016 to the earlier of (i) April 2, 2019 or (ii) with certain exceptions, the date that is 91 days prior to the scheduled maturity of any permitted additional unsecured senior or senior subordinated notes, which includes the Company’s 5% Senior Notes due March 2019, unless redeemed earlier in accordance with the credit agreement.
	The borrowing base under the credit agreement is determined at the discretion of the lenders, based on the collateral value of the Company’s proved reserves that have been mortgaged to such lenders, and is subject to regular redeterminations on May 1 and November 1 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.  A portion of the revolving credit facility in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50.0 million may be used to issue letters of credit for the account of Whiting Oil and Gas or other designated subsidiaries of the Company.  As of March 31, 2014, $47.0 million was available for additional letters of credit under the agreement.
	Interest accrues at the Company’s option at either (i) a base rate for a base rate loan plus the margin in the table below, where the base rate is defined as the greatest of the prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or an adjusted LIBOR rate plus 1.00%, or (ii) an adjusted LIBOR rate for a Eurodollar loan plus the margin in the table below.  Additionally, the Company also incurs commitment fees as set forth in the table below on the unused portion of the lesser of the aggregate commitments of the lenders or the borrowing base, and which are included as a component of interest expense.
	Ratio of Outstanding Borrowings to Borrowing Base	Applicable		Applicable		Commitment
		Margin for Base		Margin for		Fee
		Rate Loans		Eurodollar Loans
	Less than 0.25 to 1.0	0.5	%	1.5	%	0.375	%
	Greater than or equal to 0.25 to 1.0 but less than 0.50 to 1.0	0.75	%	1.75	%	0.375	%
	Greater than or equal to 0.50 to 1.0 but less than 0.75 to 1.0	1	%	2	%	0.5	%
	Greater than or equal to 0.75 to 1.0 but less than 0.90 to 1.0	1.25	%	2.25	%	0.5	%
	Greater than or equal to 0.90 to 1.0	1.5	%	2.5	%	0.5	%
	The credit agreement contains restrictive covenants that may limit the Company’s ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, sell assets, make loans to others, make investments, enter into mergers, enter into hedging contracts, incur liens and engage in certain other transactions without the prior consent of its lenders.  Except for limited exceptions, the credit agreement also restricts the Company’s ability to make any dividend payments or distributions on its common stock.  These restrictions apply to all of the net assets of Whiting Oil and Gas.  As of March 31, 2014, total restricted net assets were $4,258.0 million, and the amount of retained earnings free from restrictions was $23.5 million.  The credit agreement requires the Company, as of the last day of any quarter, (i) to not exceed a total debt to the last four quarters’ EBITDAX ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of 4.0 to 1.0 and (ii) to have a consolidated current assets to consolidated current liabilities ratio (as defined in the credit agreement and which includes an add back of the available borrowing capacity under the credit agreement) of not less than 1.0 to 1.0.  The Company was in compliance with its covenants under the credit agreement as of March 31, 2014.
	The obligations of Whiting Oil and Gas under the credit agreement are secured by a first lien on substantially all of Whiting Oil and Gas’ properties included in the borrowing base for the credit agreement.  The Company has guaranteed the obligations of Whiting Oil and Gas under the credit agreement and has pledged the stock of Whiting Oil and Gas as security for its guarantee.
	Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes—In September 2010, the Company issued at par $350.0 million of 6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due October 2018 (the “2018 Notes”).  The estimated fair value of these notes was $367.5 million as of March 31, 2014, based on quoted market prices for these debt securities, and such fair value is therefore designated as Level 1 within the valuation hierarchy.
	Issuance of Senior Notes.  In September 2013, the Company issued at par $1,100.0 million of 5% Senior Notes due March 2019 and $800.0 million of 5.75% Senior Notes due March 2021, and issued at 101% of par an additional $400.0 million of 5.75% Senior Notes due March 2021 (collectively, the “Senior Notes”).  The estimated fair values of the 2019 notes and the 2021 notes were $1,161.9 million and $1,281.0 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2014, based on quoted market prices for these debt securities, and such fair values are therefore designated as Level 1 within the valuation hierarchy.
	The Senior Notes are unsecured obligations of Whiting Petroleum Corporation and are subordinated to all of the Company’s secured indebtedness, which consists of Whiting Oil and Gas’ credit agreement.  The 2018 Notes are also unsecured obligations of Whiting Petroleum Corporation and are subordinated to all of the Company’s senior debt, which currently consists of the Senior Notes and Whiting Oil and Gas’ credit agreement.  The Company’s obligations under the 2018 Notes and the Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company’s 100%-owned subsidiary, Whiting Oil and Gas (the “Guarantor”).  Any subsidiaries other than the Guarantor are minor subsidiaries as defined by Rule 3-10(h)(6) of Regulation S-X of the SEC.  Whiting Petroleum Corporation has no assets or operations independent of this debt and its investments in its consolidated subsidiaries.

ASSET_RETIREMENT_OBLIGATIONS

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS	'
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS	'
	5.                                      ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
	The Company’s asset retirement obligations represent the present value of estimated future costs associated with the plugging and abandonment of oil and gas wells, removal of equipment and facilities from leased acreage, and land restoration (including removal of certain onshore and offshore facilities in California) in accordance with applicable local, state and federal laws.  The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations, to determine its asset retirement obligation amounts by calculating the present value of the estimated future cash outflows associated with its plug and abandonment obligations.  The current portions at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were $7.2 million and $9.7 million, respectively, and are included in accrued liabilities and other.  Revisions to the liability typically occur due to changes in estimated abandonment costs or well economic lives, or if federal or state regulators enact new requirements regarding the abandonment of wells.  The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company’s asset retirement obligations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	Asset retirement obligation at January 1, 2014	$	126,148
	Additional liability incurred	5,082
	Revisions in estimated cash flows (1)	20,594
	Accretion expense	3,096
	Obligations on sold properties	(382		)
	Liabilities settled	(1,193		)
	Asset retirement obligation at March 31, 2014	$	153,345
	(1)               Revisions in estimated cash flows during the three months ended March 31, 2014 are primarily attributable to increased estimates of future costs for oilfield services and related materials required to plug and abandon wells in certain fields in the Rocky Mountains region.

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	'
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	'
	6.                                      DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations, and Whiting uses derivative instruments to manage its commodity price risk.  Whiting follows FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, to account for its derivative financial instruments.
	Commodity Derivative Contracts—Historically, prices received for crude oil and natural gas production have been volatile because of seasonal weather patterns, supply and demand factors, worldwide political factors and general economic conditions.  Whiting enters into derivative contracts, primarily costless collars and swaps, to achieve a more predictable cash flow by reducing its exposure to commodity price volatility.  Commodity derivative contracts are thereby used to ensure adequate cash flow to fund the Company’s capital programs and to manage returns on acquisitions and drilling programs.  Costless collars are designed to establish floor and ceiling prices on anticipated future oil or gas production, while swaps are designed to establish a fixed price for anticipated future oil or gas production.  While the use of these derivative instruments limits the downside risk of adverse price movements, they may also limit future revenues from favorable price movements.  The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for speculative or trading purposes.
	Whiting Derivatives.  The table below details the Company’s costless collar derivatives, including its proportionate share of Whiting USA Trust II (“Trust II”) derivatives, entered into to hedge forecasted crude oil production revenues, as of April 1, 2014.
			Whiting Petroleum Corporation
	Derivative	Period	Contracted Crude Oil		Weighted Average NYMEX Price
	Instrument		Volumes (Bbl)		Collar Ranges for Crude Oil
					(per Bbl)
	Collars	Apr – Dec 2014	36,540		$80.00 - $122.50
	Three-way collars (1)	Apr – Dec 2014	12,420,000		$71.23 - $85.36 - $103.54
		Total	12,456,540
	(1)               A three-way collar is a combination of options: a sold call, a purchased put and a sold put.  The sold call establishes a maximum price (ceiling) Whiting will receive for the volumes under contract.  The purchased put establishes a minimum price (floor), unless the market price falls below the sold put (sub-floor), at which point the minimum price would be NYMEX plus the difference between the purchased put and the sold put strike price.
	In March 2013, Whiting entered into certain crude oil swap contracts in order to achieve more predictable cash flows and manage returns on certain oil and gas properties that the Company was considering for monetization.  Accordingly, the acquisition of these swap contracts and cash receipts from settlements of these swap positions have been reflected as an investing activity in the statement of cash flows.  On July 15, 2013, upon closing of the sale of the Postle Properties discussed in the Acquisitions and Divestitures footnote, these crude oil swaps were novated to the buyer.  Cash settlements that do not relate to investing derivatives or that do not have a significant financing element are reflected as operating activities in the statement of cash flows.
	Derivatives Conveyed to Whiting USA Trust II.  In connection with the Company’s conveyance in March 2012 of a term net profits interest to Trust II and related sale of 18,400,000 Trust II units to the public, the right to any future hedge payments made or received by Whiting on certain of its derivative contracts have been conveyed to Trust II, and therefore such payments will be included in Trust II’s calculation of net proceeds.  Under the terms of the aforementioned conveyance, Whiting retains 10% of the net proceeds from the underlying properties, which results in third-party public holders of Trust II units receiving 90%, and Whiting retaining 10%, of the future economic results of commodity derivative contracts conveyed to Trust II.  The relative ownership of the future economic results of such commodity derivatives is reflected in the tables below.  No additional hedges are allowed to be placed on Trust II assets.
	The 10% portion of Trust II derivatives that Whiting has retained the economic rights to (and which are also included in the first derivative table above) are as follows:
			Whiting Petroleum Corporation
	Derivative	Period	Contracted Crude Oil		NYMEX Price Collar Ranges for
	Instrument		Volumes (Bbl)		Crude Oil (per Bbl)
	Collars	Apr – Dec 2014	36,540		$80.00 - $122.50
	The 90% portion of Trust II derivative contracts of which Whiting has transferred the economic rights to third-party public holders of Trust II units (and which have not been reflected in the above tables) are as follows:
			Third-party Public Holders of Trust II Units
	Derivative	Period	Contracted Crude Oil		NYMEX Price Collar Ranges for
	Instrument		Volumes (Bbl)		Crude Oil (per Bbl)
	Collars	Apr – Dec 2014	328,860		$80.00 - $122.50
	Embedded Commodity Derivative Contract—In May 2011, Whiting entered into a long-term contract to purchase CO2 from 2015 through 2029 for use in its EOR project that is being carried out at its North Ward Estes field in Texas.  This contract contains a price adjustment clause that is linked to changes in NYMEX crude oil prices.  The Company has determined that the portion of this contract linked to NYMEX oil prices is not clearly and closely related to the host contract, and the Company has therefore bifurcated this embedded pricing feature from its host contract and reflected it at fair value in the consolidated financial statements.  As of March 31, 2014, the estimated fair value of the embedded derivative in this CO2 purchase contract was an asset of $22.1 million.
	Although CO2 is not a commodity that is actively traded on a public exchange, the market price for CO2 generally fluctuates in tandem with increases or decreases in crude oil prices.  When Whiting enters into a long-term CO2 purchase contract where the price of CO2 is fixed and does not adjust with changes in oil prices, the Company is exposed to the risk of paying higher than the market rate for CO2 in a climate of declining oil and CO2 prices.  This in turn could have a negative impact on the project economics of the Company’s CO2 flood at North Ward Estes.  As a result, the Company reduces its exposure to this risk by entering into certain CO2 purchase contracts which have prices that fluctuate along with changes in crude oil prices.
	Derivative Instrument Reporting—All derivative instruments are recorded in the consolidated financial statements at fair value, other than derivative instruments that meet the “normal purchase normal sale” exclusion.  The following tables summarize the effects of commodity derivative instruments on the consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
			Loss Reclassified from AOCI into
			Income (Effective Portion) (1)
	ASC 815 Cash Flow		Three Months Ended March 31,
	Hedging Relationships (1)	Income Statement Classification	2014			2013
	Commodity contracts	Loss on hedging activities	$	—		$	(211	)
	(1)               Effective April 1, 2009, the Company elected to de-designate all of its commodity derivative contracts that had been previously designated as cash flow hedges and elected to discontinue hedge accounting prospectively.  As a result, such mark-to-market values at March 31, 2009 were frozen in AOCI as of the de-designation date and were being reclassified into earnings as the original hedged transactions affected income.  As of December 31, 2013, all amounts previously in AOCI had been reclassified into earnings.
			(Gain) Loss Recognized in Income
	Not Designated as		Three Months Ended March 31,
	ASC 815 Hedges	Income Statement Classification	2014			2013
	Commodity contracts	Commodity derivative loss, net	$	10,187		$	34,260
	Embedded commodity contracts	Commodity derivative loss, net	14,348			(3,003		)
	Total		$	24,535		$	31,257
	Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Liabilities.  With each individual derivative counterparty, the Company typically has numerous hedge positions that span a several-month time period and that typically 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 amount 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 following tables summarize the location and fair value amounts of all derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets, as well as the gross recognized derivative assets, liabilities and amounts offset in the consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
			March 31, 2014 (1)
	Not Designated as	Balance Sheet Classification	Gross			Gross			Net
	ASC 815 Hedges		Recognized			Amounts			Recognized
			Assets/			Offset			Fair Value
			Liabilities						Assets/
									Liabilities
	Derivative assets:
	Commodity contracts	Prepaid expenses and other	$	12,058		$	(11,912	)	$	146
	Embedded commodity contracts	Prepaid expenses and other	433			—			433
	Embedded commodity contracts	Other long-term assets	21,635			—			21,635
	Total derivative assets		$	34,126		$	(11,912	)	$	22,214
	Derivative liabilities:
	Commodity contracts	Current derivative liabilities	$	23,711		$	(11,912	)	$	11,799
	Total derivative liabilities		$	23,711		$	(11,912	)	$	11,799
			December 31, 2013 (1)
	Not Designated as	Balance Sheet Classification	Gross			Gross			Net
	ASC 815 Hedges		Recognized			Amounts			Recognized
			Assets/			Offset			Fair Value
			Liabilities						Assets/
									Liabilities
	Derivative assets:
	Commodity contracts	Prepaid expenses and other	$	23,752		$	(22,478	)	$	1,274
	Embedded commodity contracts	Other long-term assets	36,416			—			36,416
Total derivative assets		$	60,168		$	(22,478	)	$	37,690
Derivative liabilities:
Commodity contracts	Current derivative liabilities	$	25,960		$	(22,478	)	$	3,482
Total derivative liabilities		$	25,960		$	(22,478	)	$	3,482
(1)               Because counterparties to the Company’s derivative contracts are lenders under Whiting Oil and Gas’ credit agreement, which eliminates its need to post or receive collateral associated with its derivative positions, columns for cash collateral pledged or received have not been presented in the tables above.
Contingent Features in Derivative Instruments.  None of the Company’s derivative instruments contain credit-risk-related contingent features.  Counterparties to the Company’s derivative contracts are high credit-quality financial institutions that are lenders under Whiting’s credit agreement.  The Company uses only credit agreement participants to hedge with, since these institutions are secured equally with the holders of Whiting’s bank debt, which eliminates the potential need to post collateral when Whiting is in a derivative liability position.  As a result, the Company is not required to post letters of credit or corporate guarantees for its derivative counterparties in order to secure contract performance obligations.

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	'
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	'
	7.                                     FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are carried at cost, which approximates their fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.  The Company’s credit agreement has a recorded value that approximates its fair value since its variable interest rate is tied to current market rates.  The Company’s Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes are recorded at cost, and the fair values of these instruments are included in the Long-Term Debt footnote.  The Company’s derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value and include a measure of the Company’s own nonperformance risk or that of its counterparties as appropriate.
	The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure, which establishes 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:  Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
	·                  Level 2:  Significant Other Observable Inputs – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
	·                  Level 3:  Significant Unobservable Inputs – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
	A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.  The Company reflects transfers between the three levels at the beginning of the reporting period in which the availability of observable inputs no longer justifies classification in the original level.
	The following tables present information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair values (in thousands):
		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total Fair Value
									March 31, 2014
	Financial Assets
	Commodity derivatives – current	$	—		$	146	$	—	$	146
	Embedded commodity derivatives – current	—			—		433		433
	Embedded commodity derivatives – non-current	—			—		21,635		21,635
	Total financial assets	$	—		$	146	$	22,068	$	22,214
	Financial Liabilities
	Commodity derivatives – current	$	—		$	11,799	$	—	$	11,799
	Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	11,799	$	—	$	11,799
		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total Fair Value
									December 31, 2013
	Financial Assets
	Commodity derivatives – current	$	—		$	1,274	$	—	$	1,274
	Embedded commodity derivatives – non-current	—			—		36,416		36,416
	Total financial assets	$	—		$	1,274	$	36,416	$	37,690
	Financial Liabilities
	Commodity derivatives – current	$	—		$	3,482	$	—	$	3,482
	Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	3,482	$	—	$	3,482
	The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values of the assets and liabilities in the tables above:
	Commodity Derivatives.  Commodity derivative instruments consist of costless collars and swap contracts for crude oil.  The Company’s costless collars and swaps are valued based on an income approach.  Both the option and swap models consider various assumptions, such as quoted forward prices for commodities, time value and volatility factors.  These assumptions are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the contract, can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace, and are therefore designated as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy.  The discount rates used in the fair values of these instruments include a measure of either the Company’s or the counterparty’s nonperformance risk, as appropriate.  The Company utilizes its counterparties’ valuations to assess the reasonableness of its own valuations.
	Embedded Commodity Derivatives.  The embedded commodity derivative relates to a long-term CO2 purchase contract, which has a price adjustment clause that is linked to changes in NYMEX crude oil prices.  Whiting has determined that the portion of this contract linked to NYMEX oil prices is not clearly and closely related to its corresponding host contract, and the Company has therefore bifurcated this embedded pricing feature from the host contract and reflected it at fair value in its consolidated financial statements.  This embedded commodity derivative is valued based on an income approach.  The option model used in the valuation considers various assumptions, including quoted forward prices for commodities, LIBOR discount rates and either the Company’s or the counterparty’s nonperformance risk, as appropriate.
	The assumptions used in the CO2 contract valuation include inputs that are both observable in the marketplace as well as unobservable during the term of the contract.  With respect to forward prices for NYMEX crude oil where there is a lack of price transparency in certain future periods, such unobservable oil price inputs are significant to the CO2 contract valuation methodology, and the contract’s fair value is therefore designated as Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy.
	Level 3 Fair Value Measurements.  A third-party valuation specialist is utilized on a quarterly basis to determine the fair value of the embedded commodity derivative instrument designated as Level 3.  The Company reviews this valuation (including the related model inputs and assumptions) and analyzes changes in fair value measurements between periods.  The Company corroborates such inputs, calculations and fair value changes using various methodologies, and reviews unobservable inputs for reasonableness utilizing relevant information from other published sources.
	The following table presents a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of financial assets (liabilities) designated as Level 3 in the valuation hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Fair value asset, beginning of period	$	36,416		$	23,715
	Unrealized gains (losses) on embedded commodity derivative contracts included in earnings (1)	(14,348		)	3,003
	Transfers into (out of) Level 3	—			—
	Fair value asset, end of period	$	22,068		$	26,718
	(1)               Included in commodity derivative loss, net in the consolidated statements of income.
	Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements.  The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s embedded commodity derivative contract designated as Level 3 are as follows:
		Fair Value at		Valuation		Unobservable	Range
		March 31, 2014		Technique		Input	(per Bbl)
		(in thousands)
	Embedded commodity derivative	$22,068		Option model		Future prices of	$82.02 - $97.88
						NYMEX crude oil after
						December 31, 2021
	Sensitivity to Changes In Significant Unobservable Inputs.  As presented in the table above, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of Whiting’s embedded commodity derivative within its CO2 purchase contract are the future prices of NYMEX crude oil from January 2022 to December 2029.  Significant increases (decreases) in these unobservable inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value asset measurement.
	Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements.  The Company applies the provisions of the fair value measurement standard to its nonrecurring, non-financial measurements, including proved oil and gas property impairments.  The Company did not recognize any impairment write-downs with respect to its proved oil and gas properties during the 2014 or 2013 reporting periods presented.

DEFERRED_COMPENSATION

DEFERRED COMPENSATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
DEFERRED COMPENSATION	'
DEFERRED COMPENSATION	'
	8.                                      DEFERRED COMPENSATION
	Production Participation Plan—The Company has a Production Participation Plan (the “Plan”) in which all employees participate.  On an annual basis, interests in oil and gas properties acquired, developed or sold during the year are allocated to the Plan as determined annually by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.  Once allocated, the interests (not legally conveyed) are fixed.  Interest allocations prior to 1995 consisted of 2%-3% overriding royalty interests.  Interest allocations since 1995 have been 1.75%-5% of oil and gas sales less lease operating expenses and production taxes.
	Payments of 100% of the year’s Plan interests to employees and the vested percentages of former employees in the year’s Plan interests are made annually in cash after year-end.  Accrued compensation expense under the Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 amounted to $10.9 million and $10.3 million, respectively, charged to general and administrative expense and $1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, charged to exploration expense.
	Employees vest in the Plan ratably at 20% per year over a five-year period.  Pursuant to the terms of the Plan, (i) employees who terminate their employment with the Company are entitled to receive their vested allocation of future Plan year payments on an annual basis; (ii) employees will become fully vested at age 62, regardless of when their interests would otherwise vest; and (iii) any forfeitures inure to the benefit of the Company.
	The Company uses average historical prices to estimate the vested long-term Production Participation Plan liability.  At March 31, 2014, the Company used three-year average historical NYMEX prices of $95.89 per Bbl for crude oil and $3.51 per Mcf for natural gas to estimate this liability.  The Company records the expense associated with changes in the present value of estimated future payments under the Plan as a separate line item in the consolidated statements of income.  If the Company were to terminate the Plan or upon a change in control of the Company (as defined in the Plan), all employees fully vest and the Company would distribute to each Plan participant an amount, based upon the valuation method set forth in the Plan, in a lump sum payment twelve months after the date of termination or within one month after a change in control event.  Based on current strip prices at March 31, 2014, if the Company elected to terminate the Plan or if a change of control event occurred, it is estimated that the fully vested lump sum cash payment to employees would approximate $134.0 million.  This amount includes $18.6 million attributable to proved undeveloped oil and gas properties and $12.0 million relating to the short-term portion of the Plan liability, which has been reflected as a current payable in accrued liabilities and other, to be paid in January and February of 2015.  The ultimate sharing contribution for proved undeveloped oil and gas properties will be awarded in the year of Plan termination or change of control.
	The following table presents changes in the Plan’s estimated long-term liability (in thousands):
	Long-term Production Participation Plan liability at January 1, 2014	$	87,503
	Change in liability for accretion, vesting, changes in estimates and new Plan year activity	15,658
	Accrued compensation expense reflected as a current liability	(12,022		)
	Long-term Production Participation Plan liability at March 31, 2014	$	91,139

SHAREHOLDERS_EQUITY_AND_NONCON

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	'
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	'
	9.                                      SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
	6.25% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock—In June 2009, the Company completed a public offering of 6.25% convertible perpetual preferred stock (“preferred stock”), selling 3,450,000 shares at a price of $100.00 per share.  As a result of voluntary conversions and the Company exercising its right to mandatorily convert shares of preferred stock effective June 27, 2013, all 172,129 shares of preferred stock outstanding on March 31, 2013 were converted into 792,919 shares of common stock.  As of March 31, 2014, no shares of preferred stock remained issued or outstanding.
	Each holder of the preferred stock was entitled to an annual dividend of $6.25 per share to be paid quarterly in cash, common stock or a combination thereof on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, once such dividend had been declared by Whiting’s board of directors.
	Equity Incentive Plan—At the Company’s 2013 Annual Meeting held on May 7, 2013, shareholders approved the Whiting Petroleum Corporation 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2013 Equity Plan”), which replaced the Whiting Petroleum Corporation 2003 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2003 Equity Plan”) and includes the authority to issue 5,300,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.  Upon shareholder approval of the 2013 Equity Plan, the 2003 Equity Plan was terminated.  The 2003 Equity Plan continues to govern awards that were outstanding as of the date of its termination, which remain in effect pursuant to their terms. Any shares netted or forfeited after May 7, 2013 under the 2003 Equity Plan will be available for future issuance under the 2013 Equity Plan. Under the 2013 Equity Plan, no employee or officer participant may be granted options for more than 600,000 shares of common stock, stock appreciation rights relating to more than 600,000 shares of common stock, or more than 300,000 shares of restricted stock during any calendar year.  As of March 31, 2014, 4,870,475 shares of common stock remained available for grant under the 2013 Equity Plan.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, total stock compensation expense recognized for restricted share awards and stock options was $6.7 million in each period.
	Restricted Shares.  Restricted stock awards for executive officers and employees generally vest ratably over a three-year service period, while awards to directors generally vest ratably over a one or three-year service period.  The Company uses historical data and projections to estimate expected employee behaviors related to restricted stock forfeitures.  The expected forfeitures are then included as part of the grant date estimate of compensation cost.  For service-based restricted stock awards, the grant date fair value is determined based on the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.
	In January 2014 and 2013, 750,681 shares and 751,872 shares, respectively, of restricted stock, subject to certain market-based vesting criteria in addition to the standard three-year service condition, were granted to executive officers under the Equity Plan.  Vesting each year is subject to the condition that Whiting’s stock price increases by a greater percentage (or decreases by a lesser percentage) than the average percentage increase (or decrease, respectively) of the stock prices of a peer group of companies.  The market-based conditions must be met in order for the stock awards to vest, and it is therefore possible that no shares could vest in one or more of the three-year vesting periods.  However, the Company recognizes compensation expense for awards subject to market conditions regardless of whether it becomes probable that these conditions will be achieved or not, and compensation expense is not reversed if vesting does not actually occur.
	For these awards subject to market conditions, the grant date fair value was estimated using a Monte Carlo valuation model.  The Monte Carlo model is based on random projections of stock price paths and must be repeated numerous times to achieve a probabilistic assessment.  Expected volatility was calculated based on the historical volatility of Whiting’s common stock, and the risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yield curve rates with maturities consistent with the three-year vesting period.  The key assumptions used in valuing the market-based restricted shares were as follows:
		2014		2013
	Number of simulations	65,000		65,000
	Expected volatility	42.30%		43.10%
	Risk-free rate	0.86%		0.41%
	Dividend yield	—		—
	The grant date fair value of the market-based restricted stock as determined by the Monte Carlo valuation model was $26.59 per share and $23.01 per share in January 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The following table shows a summary of the Company’s nonvested restricted stock as of March 31, 2014, as well as activity during the three months then ended:
		Number		Weighted Average
		of Shares		Grant Date
				Fair Value
	Restricted stock awards nonvested, January 1, 2014	1,444,310		$	31.71
	Granted	893,934		31.8
	Vested	(485,626	)	31.32
	Forfeited	(197,433	)	42.73
	Restricted stock awards nonvested, March 31, 2014	1,655,185		$	30.55
	As of March 31, 2014, there was $32.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock granted under the stock incentive plans.  That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.4 years.
	Stock Options.  Stock options may be granted to certain executive officers of the Company with exercise prices equal to the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.  There were no stock options granted under either the 2003 Equity Plan or the 2013 Equity Plan during 2013 or the first quarter of 2014.  The Company’s stock options vest ratably over a three-year service period from the grant date and are exercisable immediately upon vesting through the tenth anniversary of the grant date.
	The following table shows a summary of the Company’s stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2014 as well as activity during the three months then ended:
		Number of		Weighted		Aggregate		Weighted
		Options		Average		Intrinsic Value		Average
				Exercise		(in thousands)		Remaining
				Price per				Contractual
				Share				Term
								(in years)
	Options outstanding at January 1, 2014	420,840		$28.65
	Granted	—		—
	Exercised	(2,572	)	34.31		$83.50
	Forfeited or expired	—		—
	Options outstanding at March 31, 2014	418,268		$28.62		$17,054.10		5.7
	Options vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2014	418,268		$28.62		$17,054.10		5.7
	Options exercisable at March 31, 2014	403,147		$27.77		$16,779.30		5.6
	Unrecognized compensation cost as of March 31, 2014 related to unvested stock option awards was $0.1 million, which is expected to be recognized over a period of 0.8 years.
	Noncontrolling Interest—The noncontrolling interest represents an unrelated third party’s 25% ownership interest in Sustainable Water Resources, LLC.  The table below summarizes the activity for the equity attributable to the noncontrolling interest (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Balance at January 1	$	8,132		$	8,184
	Net income (loss)	(18		)	(19		)
	Balance at March 31	$	8,114		$	8,165

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
INCOME TAXES	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	10.                               INCOME TAXES
	Income tax expense during interim periods is based on applying an estimated annual effective income tax rate to year-to-date income, plus any significant unusual or infrequently occurring items which are recorded in the interim period.  The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 differs from the amount that would be provided by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% to pre-tax income primarily because of state income taxes and estimated permanent differences.
	The computation of the annual estimated effective tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and significant judgment including, but not limited to, the expected operating income for the year, projections of the proportion of income earned and taxed in various jurisdictions, permanent and temporary differences, and the likelihood of recovering deferred tax assets generated in the current year.  The accounting estimates used to compute the provision for income taxes may change as new events occur, more experience is obtained, additional information becomes known or as the tax environment changes.

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
	11.                               EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The reconciliations between basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014		2013
	Basic Earnings Per Share
	Numerator:
	Net income available to shareholders	$	109,069	$	86,263
	Preferred stock dividends	—		(269		)
	Net income available to common shareholders, basic	$	109,069	$	85,994
	Denominator:
	Weighted average shares outstanding, basic	118,923		117,788
	Diluted Earnings Per Share
	Numerator:
	Net income available to common shareholders, basic	$	109,069	$	85,994
	Preferred stock dividends	—		269
	Adjusted net income available to common shareholders, diluted	$	109,069	$	86,263
	Denominator:
	Weighted average shares outstanding, basic	118,923		117,788
	Restricted stock and stock options	1,008		682
	Convertible perpetual preferred stock	—		793
	Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted	119,931		119,263
	Earnings per common share, basic	$	0.92	$	0.73
	Earnings per common share, diluted	$	0.91	$	0.72
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the diluted earnings per share calculation excludes the dilutive effect of 32,356 incremental shares of restricted stock that did not meet its market-based vesting criteria.  For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the diluted earnings per share calculation excludes (i) the dilutive effect of 171,682 incremental shares of restricted stock that did not meet its market-based vesting criteria as of March 31, 2013, and (ii) the dilutive effect of 312 common shares for stock options that were out-of-the-money.

ADOPTED_AND_RECENTLY_ISSUED_AC

ADOPTED AND RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
ADOPTED AND RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	'
ADOPTED AND RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	'
	12.                               ADOPTED AND RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
	In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-04, Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date (“ASU 2013-04”).  The objective of ASU 2013-04 is to provide guidance for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date.  ASU 2013-04 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013.  The Company adopted ASU 2013-04 effective January 1, 2014, which did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”).  The objective of ASU 2013-11 is to provide guidance on financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists.  ASU 2013-11 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013.  The Company adopted ASU 2013-11 effective January 1, 2014, which did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, other than insignificant balance sheet reclassifications.

SUBSEQUENT_EVENT

SUBSEQUENT EVENT	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
SUBSEQUENT EVENT	'
SUBSEQUENT EVENT	'
	13.                               SUBSEQUENT EVENT
	In April 2014, Whiting Oil and Gas entered into an amendment to its existing credit agreement to extend the principal repayment date from April 2016 to the earlier of (i) April 2, 2019 or (ii) with certain exceptions, the date that is 91 days prior to the scheduled maturity of any permitted additional unsecured senior or senior subordinated notes, which includes the Company’s 5% Senior Notes due March 2019, unless redeemed earlier in accordance with the credit agreement.

OIL_AND_GAS_PROPERTIES_Tables

OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES	'
Net capitalized costs related to oil and gas producing activities	'
	Net capitalized costs related to the Company’s oil and gas producing activities at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Proved leasehold costs	$1,678,821		$1,633,495
	Unproved leasehold costs	351,211		372,298
	Costs of completed wells and facilities	8,087,496		7,563,350
	Wells and facilities in progress	524,661		496,007
	Total oil and gas properties, successful efforts method	10,642,189		10,065,150
	Accumulated depletion	(2,857,602	)	(2,645,841	)
	Oil and gas properties, net	$7,784,587		$7,419,309

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DIVESTITURES_

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES	'
Purchase price allocation	'
	The following table summarizes the allocation of the $254.7 million adjusted purchase price to the tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in this acquisition oil and gas properties (in thousands):
	Purchase price	$	254,681
	Allocation of purchase price:
	Proved properties	$	228,146
	Unproved properties	27,335
	Oil in tank inventory	522
	Accounts receivable	578
	Asset retirement obligations	(1,900		)
	Total	$	254,681

LONGTERM_DEBT_Tables

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
LONG-TERM DEBT	'
Schedule of long-term debt	'
	Long-term debt consisted of the following at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018	$	350,000		$	350,000
	5% Senior Notes due 2019	1,100,000			1,100,000
	5.75% Senior Notes due 2021, including unamortized debt premium of $3,674 and $3,834, respectively	1,203,674			1,203,834
	Total debt	$	2,653,674		$	2,653,834
Summary of margin rates and commitment fees	'
	Ratio of Outstanding Borrowings to Borrowing Base	Applicable		Applicable		Commitment
		Margin for Base		Margin for		Fee
		Rate Loans		Eurodollar Loans
	Less than 0.25 to 1.0	0.5	%	1.5	%	0.375	%
	Greater than or equal to 0.25 to 1.0 but less than 0.50 to 1.0	0.75	%	1.75	%	0.375	%
	Greater than or equal to 0.50 to 1.0 but less than 0.75 to 1.0	1	%	2	%	0.5	%
	Greater than or equal to 0.75 to 1.0 but less than 0.90 to 1.0	1.25	%	2.25	%	0.5	%
	Greater than or equal to 0.90 to 1.0	1.5	%	2.5	%	0.5	%

ASSET_RETIREMENT_OBLIGATIONS_T

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS	'
Schedule of reconciliation of the Company's asset retirement obligations	'
	The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company’s asset retirement obligations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	Asset retirement obligation at January 1, 2014	$	126,148
	Additional liability incurred	5,082
	Revisions in estimated cash flows (1)	20,594
	Accretion expense	3,096
	Obligations on sold properties	(382		)
	Liabilities settled	(1,193		)
	Asset retirement obligation at March 31, 2014	$	153,345
	(1)               Revisions in estimated cash flows during the three months ended March 31, 2014 are primarily attributable to increased estimates of future costs for oilfield services and related materials required to plug and abandon wells in certain fields in the Rocky Mountains region.

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN1

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
Schedule of effects of commodity derivative instruments	'
	The following tables summarize the effects of commodity derivative instruments on the consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
			Loss Reclassified from AOCI into
			Income (Effective Portion) (1)
	ASC 815 Cash Flow		Three Months Ended March 31,
	Hedging Relationships (1)	Income Statement Classification	2014			2013
	Commodity contracts	Loss on hedging activities	$	—		$	(211	)
	(1)               Effective April 1, 2009, the Company elected to de-designate all of its commodity derivative contracts that had been previously designated as cash flow hedges and elected to discontinue hedge accounting prospectively.  As a result, such mark-to-market values at March 31, 2009 were frozen in AOCI as of the de-designation date and were being reclassified into earnings as the original hedged transactions affected income.  As of December 31, 2013, all amounts previously in AOCI had been reclassified into earnings.
			(Gain) Loss Recognized in Income
	Not Designated as		Three Months Ended March 31,
	ASC 815 Hedges	Income Statement Classification	2014			2013
	Commodity contracts	Commodity derivative loss, net	$	10,187		$	34,260
	Embedded commodity contracts	Commodity derivative loss, net	14,348			(3,003		)
	Total		$	24,535		$	31,257
Location and fair value of derivative instruments	'
	The following tables summarize the location and fair value amounts of all derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets, as well as the gross recognized derivative assets, liabilities and amounts offset in the consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
			March 31, 2014 (1)
	Not Designated as	Balance Sheet Classification	Gross			Gross			Net
	ASC 815 Hedges		Recognized			Amounts			Recognized
			Assets/			Offset			Fair Value
			Liabilities						Assets/
									Liabilities
	Derivative assets:
	Commodity contracts	Prepaid expenses and other	$	12,058		$	(11,912	)	$	146
	Embedded commodity contracts	Prepaid expenses and other	433			—			433
	Embedded commodity contracts	Other long-term assets	21,635			—			21,635
	Total derivative assets		$	34,126		$	(11,912	)	$	22,214
	Derivative liabilities:
	Commodity contracts	Current derivative liabilities	$	23,711		$	(11,912	)	$	11,799
	Total derivative liabilities		$	23,711		$	(11,912	)	$	11,799
			December 31, 2013 (1)
	Not Designated as	Balance Sheet Classification	Gross			Gross			Net
	ASC 815 Hedges		Recognized			Amounts			Recognized
			Assets/			Offset			Fair Value
			Liabilities						Assets/
									Liabilities
	Derivative assets:
	Commodity contracts	Prepaid expenses and other	$	23,752		$	(22,478	)	$	1,274
	Embedded commodity contracts	Other long-term assets	36,416			—			36,416
	Total derivative assets		$	60,168		$	(22,478	)	$	37,690
	Derivative liabilities:
	Commodity contracts	Current derivative liabilities	$	25,960		$	(22,478	)	$	3,482
	Total derivative liabilities		$	25,960		$	(22,478	)	$	3,482
	(1)               Because counterparties to the Company’s derivative contracts are lenders under Whiting Oil and Gas’ credit agreement, which eliminates its need to post or receive collateral associated with its derivative positions, columns for cash collateral pledged or received have not been presented in the tables above.
Whiting Petroleum Corporation	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
Derivative instruments	'
	The table below details the Company’s costless collar derivatives, including its proportionate share of Whiting USA Trust II (“Trust II”) derivatives, entered into to hedge forecasted crude oil production revenues, as of April 1, 2014.
			Whiting Petroleum Corporation
	Derivative	Period	Contracted Crude Oil		Weighted Average NYMEX Price
	Instrument		Volumes (Bbl)		Collar Ranges for Crude Oil
					(per Bbl)
	Collars	Apr – Dec 2014	36,540		$80.00 - $122.50
	Three-way collars (1)	Apr – Dec 2014	12,420,000		$71.23 - $85.36 - $103.54
		Total	12,456,540
	(1)               A three-way collar is a combination of options: a sold call, a purchased put and a sold put.  The sold call establishes a maximum price (ceiling) Whiting will receive for the volumes under contract.  The purchased put establishes a minimum price (floor), unless the market price falls below the sold put (sub-floor), at which point the minimum price would be NYMEX plus the difference between the purchased put and the sold put strike price.
Whiting USA Trust II Units	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
Derivative instruments	'
			Whiting Petroleum Corporation
	Derivative	Period	Contracted Crude Oil		NYMEX Price Collar Ranges for
	Instrument		Volumes (Bbl)		Crude Oil (per Bbl)
	Collars	Apr – Dec 2014	36,540		$80.00 - $122.50
Third party public holders of Whiting USA Trust II	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
Derivative instruments	'
			Third-party Public Holders of Trust II Units
	Derivative	Period	Contracted Crude Oil		NYMEX Price Collar Ranges for
	Instrument		Volumes (Bbl)		Crude Oil (per Bbl)
	Collars	Apr – Dec 2014	328,860		$80.00 - $122.50

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	'
Fair value assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis	'
	The following tables present information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair values (in thousands):
		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total Fair Value
									March 31, 2014
	Financial Assets
	Commodity derivatives – current	$	—		$	146	$	—	$	146
	Embedded commodity derivatives – current	—			—		433		433
	Embedded commodity derivatives – non-current	—			—		21,635		21,635
	Total financial assets	$	—		$	146	$	22,068	$	22,214
	Financial Liabilities
	Commodity derivatives – current	$	—		$	11,799	$	—	$	11,799
	Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	11,799	$	—	$	11,799
		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total Fair Value
									December 31, 2013
	Financial Assets
	Commodity derivatives – current	$	—		$	1,274	$	—	$	1,274
	Embedded commodity derivatives – non-current	—			—		36,416		36,416
	Total financial assets	$	—		$	1,274	$	36,416	$	37,690
	Financial Liabilities
	Commodity derivatives – current	$	—		$	3,482	$	—	$	3,482
	Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	3,482	$	—	$	3,482
Reconciliation of changes in the fair value of financial assets (liabilities) designated as Level 3 in the valuation hierarchy	'
	The following table presents a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of financial assets (liabilities) designated as Level 3 in the valuation hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Fair value asset, beginning of period	$	36,416		$	23,715
	Unrealized gains (losses) on embedded commodity derivative contracts included in earnings (1)	(14,348		)	3,003
	Transfers into (out of) Level 3	—			—
	Fair value asset, end of period	$	22,068		$	26,718
	(1)               Included in commodity derivative loss, net in the consolidated statements of income.
Significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement	'
		Fair Value at		Valuation		Unobservable	Range
		March 31, 2014		Technique		Input	(per Bbl)
		(in thousands)
	Embedded commodity derivative	$22,068		Option model		Future prices of	$82.02 - $97.88
						NYMEX crude oil after
						December 31, 2021

DEFERRED_COMPENSATION_Tables

DEFERRED COMPENSATION (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
DEFERRED COMPENSATION	'
Schedule of changes in the plan's estimated long-term liability	'
	The following table presents changes in the Plan’s estimated long-term liability (in thousands):
	Long-term Production Participation Plan liability at January 1, 2014	$	87,503
	Change in liability for accretion, vesting, changes in estimates and new Plan year activity	15,658
	Accrued compensation expense reflected as a current liability	(12,022		)
	Long-term Production Participation Plan liability at March 31, 2014	$	91,139

SHAREHOLDERS_EQUITY_AND_NONCON1

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	'
Assumption for valuing market based restricted shares	'
		2014		2013
	Number of simulations	65,000		65,000
	Expected volatility	42.30%		43.10%
	Risk-free rate	0.86%		0.41%
	Dividend yield	—		—
Summary of nonvested restricted stock	'
		Number		Weighted Average
		of Shares		Grant Date
				Fair Value
	Restricted stock awards nonvested, January 1, 2014	1,444,310		$	31.71
	Granted	893,934		31.8
	Vested	(485,626	)	31.32
	Forfeited	(197,433	)	42.73
	Restricted stock awards nonvested, March 31, 2014	1,655,185		$	30.55
Summary of stock options outstanding	'
		Number of		Weighted		Aggregate		Weighted
		Options		Average		Intrinsic Value		Average
				Exercise		(in thousands)		Remaining
				Price per				Contractual
				Share				Term
								(in years)
	Options outstanding at January 1, 2014	420,840		$28.65
	Granted	—		—
	Exercised	(2,572	)	34.31		$83.50
	Forfeited or expired	—		—
	Options outstanding at March 31, 2014	418,268		$28.62		$17,054.10		5.7
	Options vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2014	418,268		$28.62		$17,054.10		5.7
	Options exercisable at March 31, 2014	403,147		$27.77		$16,779.30		5.6
Schedule of noncontrolling interest	'
	The table below summarizes the activity for the equity attributable to the noncontrolling interest (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Balance at January 1	$	8,132		$	8,184
	Net income (loss)	(18		)	(19		)
	Balance at March 31	$	8,114		$	8,165

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Tables

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
Reconciliations between basic and diluted earnings per share	'
	The reconciliations between basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014		2013
	Basic Earnings Per Share
	Numerator:
	Net income available to shareholders	$	109,069	$	86,263
	Preferred stock dividends	—		(269		)
	Net income available to common shareholders, basic	$	109,069	$	85,994
	Denominator:
	Weighted average shares outstanding, basic	118,923		117,788
	Diluted Earnings Per Share
	Numerator:
	Net income available to common shareholders, basic	$	109,069	$	85,994
	Preferred stock dividends	—		269
	Adjusted net income available to common shareholders, diluted	$	109,069	$	86,263
	Denominator:
	Weighted average shares outstanding, basic	118,923		117,788
	Restricted stock and stock options	1,008		682
	Convertible perpetual preferred stock	—		793
	Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted	119,931		119,263
	Earnings per common share, basic	$	0.92	$	0.73
	Earnings per common share, diluted	$	0.91	$	0.72

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION_Details

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details) (Whiting USA Trust I)	Mar. 31, 2014
Whiting USA Trust I	'
Consolidation disclosures	'
Company retained ownership (as a percent)	15.80%

OIL_AND_GAS_PROPERTIES_Details

OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES	'	'
Proved leasehold costs	$1,678,821	$1,633,495
Unproved leasehold costs	351,211	372,298
Costs of completed wells and facilities	8,087,496	7,563,350
Wells and facilities in progress	524,661	496,007
Total oil and gas properties, successful efforts method	10,642,189	10,065,150
Accumulated depletion	-2,857,602	-2,645,841
Oil and gas properties, net	$7,784,587	$7,419,309

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DIVESTITURES_1

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended					0 Months Ended
	Sep. 20, 2013	Mar. 27, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 15, 2013
	Williston Basin	Big Tex prospect properties	Big Tex prospect properties	Big Tex prospect properties	Big Tex prospect properties	Postle Properties
	item	acre	acre	Pecos County, TX	Reeves County, TX
	acre			acre	acre
Acquisitions and divestitures	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross acquisition area (in acres)	39,300	49,900	45,000	'	'	'
Net acquisition area (in acres)	17,300	41,000	32,200	30,800	1,400	'
Number of wells acquired	121	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase price for acquisition	$260,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Allocation of purchase price:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proved properties	228,146,000	'	'	'	'	'
Unproved properties	27,335,000	'	'	'	'	'
Oil in tank inventory	522,000	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	578,000	'	'	'	'	'
Asset retirement obligations	-1,900,000	'	'	'	'	'
Total	254,681,000	'	'	'	'	'
Divestitures	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ownership interest sold (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	'	60.00%
Proceeds from sale	'	76,200,000	150,800,000	'	'	809,700,000
Pre tax gain on Divestiture	'	$11,900,000	$11,600,000	'	'	$109,700,000

LONGTERM_DEBT_Details

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) (USD $)

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2010

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 26, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Apr. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018

6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018

6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018

5% Senior Notes due 2019

5% Senior Notes due 2019

5% Senior Notes due 2019

5% Senior Notes due 2019

5.75% Senior Notes due 2021

5.75% Senior Notes due 2021

5.75% Senior Notes due 2021

5.75% Senior Notes due 2021

Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation

Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation

Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation

Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation

Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation

Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation

Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation

Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation

Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation

Subsequent Event

Amendment credit agreement

Amendment credit agreement

Amendment credit agreement

Amendment credit agreement

Amendment credit agreement

Amendment credit agreement

Amendment credit agreement

Amendment credit agreement

Amendment credit agreement

Subsequent Event

Less than 0.25 to 1.0

Greater than or equal to 0.25 to 1.0 but less than 0.50 to 1.0

Greater than or equal to 0.50 to 1.0 but less than 0.75 to 1.0

Greater than or equal to 0.75 to 1.0 but less than 0.90 to 1.0

Greater than or equal to 0.90 to 1.0

Federal Funds Rate

LIBOR

Debt disclosures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Rate (as a percent)

'

'

6.50%

'

6.50%

5.00%

'

5.00%

5.00%

5.75%

'

5.75%

5.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt

$2,653,674,000

$2,653,834,000

$350,000,000

$350,000,000

'

$1,100,000,000

$1,100,000,000

'

'

$1,203,674,000

$1,203,834,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortized debt premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,674,000

3,834,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current borrowing capacity of credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowing capacity of credit facility, net of letter of credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,197,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding borrowings under credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Letters of credit borrowings outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of days prior to the scheduled maturity of any permitted notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'91 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing capacity of credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,800,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Portion of line of credit available for issuance of letters of credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of revolving credit agreement available for additional letters of credit under the agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

47,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Variable interest rate basis

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'LIBOR

'LIBOR

'LIBOR

'LIBOR

'LIBOR

'federal funds

'LIBOR

Alternate variable interest rate basis

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'base loan rate

'base loan rate

'base loan rate

'base loan rate

'base loan rate

'

'

Basis points added to reference rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

1.00%

Range, less than

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.25

0.5

0.75

0.9

1

'

'

Range, greater than or equal to

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

0.25

0.5

0.75

0.9

'

'

Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

0.75%

1.00%

1.25%

1.50%

'

'

Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.50%

1.75%

2.00%

2.25%

2.50%

'

'

Commitment Fee (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.38%

0.38%

0.50%

0.50%

0.50%

'

'

Restricted net assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,258,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Retained earnings free from restrictions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$23,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

EBITDAX ratio (percentage)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum consolidated current assets to consolidated current liabilities ratio (percentage)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

LONGTERM_DEBT_Details_2

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details 2) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 26, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Whiting Oil and Gas and Whiting Programs, Inc	6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018	6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018	5% Senior Notes due 2019	5% Senior Notes due 2019	5.75% Senior Notes due 2021	5.75% Senior Notes due 2021	5.75% Senior Notes due 2021
Debt disclosures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest rate on debt instrument (as a percent)	'	6.50%	6.50%	5.00%	5.00%	5.75%	5.75%	5.75%
Notes Issued	'	'	$350	'	$1,100	'	$800	$400
Estimated fair value of Notes	'	$367.50	'	$1,161.90	'	$1,281	'	'
Premium as a percentage of par	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	101.00%
Percentage of ownership in subsidiary	100.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

ASSET_RETIREMENT_OBLIGATIONS_D

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Asset Retirement Obligations	'	'
Asset retirement obligations, current portion	$7,200,000	$9,700,000
Reconciliation of the Company's asset retirement obligations	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	126,148,000	'
Additional liability incurred	5,082,000	'
Revisions in estimated cash flows	20,594,000	'
Accretion expense	3,096,000	'
Obligations on sold properties	-382,000	'
Liabilities settled	-1,193,000	'
Balance at the end of the period	$153,345,000	'

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN2

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) (Whiting Petroleum Corporation, Crude oil)	Apr. 01, 2014
	bbl
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
Aggregate notional amount of price risk derivatives (in Bbl)	12,456,540
Collars | April - Dec 2014	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
Aggregate notional amount of price risk derivatives (in Bbl)	36,540
Derivative, Floor Price (in dollars per Bbl)	80
Derivative, Cap Price (in dollars per Bbl)	122.5
Three-way collars | April - Dec 2014	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
Aggregate notional amount of price risk derivatives (in Bbl)	12,420,000
Derivative, Floor Price (in dollars per Bbl)	85.36
Derivative, Strike Price (in dollars per Bbl)	71.23
Derivative, Cap Price (in dollars per Bbl)	103.54

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN3

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 2)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
	Whiting USA Trust II Units	Whiting USA Trust II held by Whiting Petroleum	Whiting USA Trust II held by Whiting Petroleum	Third party public holders of Whiting USA Trust II	Third party public holders of Whiting USA Trust II
			Collars		Collars
			Crude oil		Crude oil
			April - Dec 2014		April - Dec 2014
			bbl		bbl
Derivative Financial Instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Trust units sold to the public (in shares)	18,400,000	'	'	'	'
Retention of net proceeds from underlying properties (as a percent)	'	10.00%	'	90.00%	'
Aggregate notional amount of price risk derivatives (in Bbl)	'	'	36,540	'	328,860
Derivative, Floor Price (in dollars per Bbl)	'	'	80	'	80
Derivative, Cap Price (in dollars per Bbl)	'	'	122.5	'	122.5

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN4

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 3) (CO 2 Contract, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
CO 2 Contract	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
The estimated fair value of the embedded derivative in this purchase contract asset	$22.10

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN5

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative Financial Instruments	'	'
(Gain) Loss Recognized in Income	$24,535	$31,257
Not Designated as ASC 815 Hedges	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'	'
(Gain) Loss Recognized in Income	24,535	31,257
Commodity contracts | Loss on hedging activities | ASC 815 Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'	'
Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)	'	-211
Commodity contracts | Commodity derivative loss, net | Not Designated as ASC 815 Hedges	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'	'
(Gain) Loss Recognized in Income	10,187	34,260
Embedded commodity contracts | Commodity derivative loss, net | Not Designated as ASC 815 Hedges	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'	'
(Gain) Loss Recognized in Income	$14,348	($3,003)

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN6

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 5) (Not Designated as ASC 815 Hedges, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Gross amounts of derivative assets and gross amounts offset	'	'
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	$34,126	$60,168
Gross Amounts Offset	-11,912	-22,478
Total financial assets	22,214	37,690
Commodity contracts | Prepaid Expenses and Other	'	'
Gross amounts of derivative assets and gross amounts offset	'	'
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	12,058	23,752
Gross Amounts Offset	-11,912	-22,478
Total financial assets	146	1,274
Embedded commodity contracts | Prepaid Expenses and Other	'	'
Gross amounts of derivative assets and gross amounts offset	'	'
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	433	'
Total financial assets	433	'
Embedded commodity contracts | Other Long Term Assets	'	'
Gross amounts of derivative assets and gross amounts offset	'	'
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	21,635	36,416
Total financial assets	$21,635	$36,416

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN7

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 6) (Not Designated as ASC 815 Hedges, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Gross amounts of derivative liabilities and gross amounts offset	'	'
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	$23,711	$25,960
Gross Amounts Offset	-11,912	-22,478
Total financial liabilities	11,799	3,482
Commodity contracts | Current Derivative Liabilities	'	'
Gross amounts of derivative liabilities and gross amounts offset	'	'
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	23,711	25,960
Gross Amounts Offset	-11,912	-22,478
Total financial liabilities	$11,799	$3,482

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) (Recurring Basis, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial Assets	'	'
Total financial assets	$22,214	$37,690
Financial Liabilities	'	'
Total financial liabilities	11,799	3,482
Commodity contracts	'	'
Financial Assets	'	'
Financial assets - current	146	1,274
Financial Liabilities	'	'
Financial liabilities - current	11,799	3,482
Embedded commodity contracts	'	'
Financial Assets	'	'
Financial assets - current	433	'
Financial assets - non-current	21,635	36,416
Level 2	'	'
Financial Assets	'	'
Total financial assets	146	1,274
Financial Liabilities	'	'
Total financial liabilities	11,799	3,482
Level 2 | Commodity contracts	'	'
Financial Assets	'	'
Financial assets - current	146	1,274
Financial Liabilities	'	'
Financial liabilities - current	11,799	3,482
Level 3	'	'
Financial Assets	'	'
Total financial assets	22,068	36,416
Level 3 | Embedded commodity contracts	'	'
Financial Assets	'	'
Financial assets - current	433	'
Financial assets - non-current	$21,635	$36,416

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail1

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Reconciliation of changes in the fair value of financial assets (liabilities) designated as Level 3 in the valuation hierarchy	'	'
Fair value asset, beginning of period	$36,416	$23,715
Unrealized gains (losses) on embedded commodity derivative contracts included in earnings	-14,348	3,003
Fair value asset, end of period	$22,068	$26,718

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail2

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details 3) (Embedded commodity contracts, Level 3)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Minimum	'
FAIR VALUE MEASURMENTS	'
Range of future price of NYMEX crude oil (in dollars per barrel)	82.02
Maximum	'
FAIR VALUE MEASURMENTS	'
Range of future price of NYMEX crude oil (in dollars per barrel)	97.88

DEFERRED_COMPENSATION_Details

DEFERRED COMPENSATION (Details) (Production Participation Plan, USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 1995	Dec. 31, 1994	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 1995	Dec. 31, 1994	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	item	Minimum	Minimum	Minimum	Maximum	Maximum	Maximum	General and administrative expense	General and administrative expense	Exploration expense	Exploration expense
Deferred Compensation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of overriding royalty interest allocated	'	'	'	2.00%	'	'	3.00%	'	'	'	'
Percentage of oil and gas sales less lease operating expenses and production taxes allocated	'	1.75%	1.75%	'	5.00%	5.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued compensation expense allocation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$10.90	$10.30	$1.10	$1
Additional Deferred Compensation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of plan interests paid to employees at year end	100.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of employees vesting ratably per year	20.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Plan Period	'5 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fully vested age of employees	62	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of years average historical NYMEX prices used in calculation of liability	'3 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Three-year average historical prices of crude oil	95.89	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Three-year average historical prices of natural gas	3.51	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Distribution period after date of termination	'12 months	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Distribution period after change in control	'1 month	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fully Vested Lump sum Cash Payment to Employees in Case of Termination of Plan or Change of Control	134	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amount attributable to proved undeveloped oil and gas properties	$18.60	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

DEFERRED_COMPENSATION_Details_

DEFERRED COMPENSATION (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Deferred Compensation	'
Long-term Production Participation Plan liability at beginning of the period	$87,503
Change in liability for accretion, vesting, changes in estimates and new Plan year activity	15,658
Accrued compensation expense reflected as a current liability	-12,022
Long-term Production Participation Plan liability at end of the period	$91,139

SHAREHOLDERS_EQUITY_AND_NONCON2

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2009	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	Common Stock	Common Stock	Convertible perpetual preferred stock	Convertible perpetual preferred stock	Convertible perpetual preferred stock
Interest rate on convertible perpetual preferred stock (as a percent)	'	'	6.25%	'	'
6.25% convertible perpetual preferred stock, shares issued	'	'	3,450,000	0	'
6.25% convertible perpetual preferred stock, shares issue Price per share (in dollars per share)	'	'	$100	'	'
6.25% convertible perpetual preferred stock, shares outstanding	'	'	'	0	172,129
Dividend on preferred stock per share Per annum (in dollars per share)	'	'	$6.25	'	'
Common stock issued on conversion of preferred stock (in shares)	792,919	1,000	'	'	'

SHAREHOLDERS_EQUITY_AND_NONCON3

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST (Details 2)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock options	'
Share-based compensation disclosures	'
Maximum number of Shares per employee	600,000
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)	'
Share-based compensation disclosures	'
Maximum number of Shares per employee	600,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	'
Share-based compensation disclosures	'
Maximum number of Shares per employee	300,000
2013 Equity Plan	'
Share-based compensation disclosures	'
Number of shares authorized upon shareholder's approval	5,300,000
Number of options available for grant	4,870,475

SHAREHOLDERS_EQUITY_AND_NONCON4

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
			Restricted stock	Restricted stock	Restricted stock	Restricted stock	Restricted stock	Restricted stock	Restricted stock	Restricted stock
				Executive officers and employees	Directors	Directors	Market-based vesting criteria	Market-based vesting criteria	Market-based vesting criteria	Market-based vesting criteria
					Minimum	Maximum	Executive officers	Executive officers	Executive officers	Executive officers
									item	item
Share-based compensation disclosures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock compensation expense	$6.70	$6.70	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting (service) period	'	'	'	'3 years	'1 year	'3 years	'	'	'3 years	'
Assumptions used in valuing awards	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of simulations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	65,000	65,000
Expected volatility (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	42.30%	43.10%
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.86%	0.41%
Dividend yield (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.00%	0.00%
Summary of nonvested restricted stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)	'	'	1,444,310	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	893,934	'	'	'	750,681	751,872	'	'
Vested (in shares)	'	'	-485,626	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Forfeited (in shares)	'	'	-197,433	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)	'	'	1,655,185	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$31.71	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	'	'	$31.80	'	'	'	$26.59	$23.01	'	'
Vested (in dollars per share)	'	'	$31.32	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	'	'	$42.73	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$30.55	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	'	'	$32.60	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average period over which cost will be recognized	'	'	'2 years 4 months 24 days	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

SHAREHOLDERS_EQUITY_AND_NONCON5

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST (Details 4) (Stock options, USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock options	'	'
Share-based compensation disclosures	'	'
Vesting (service) period	'3 years	'
Summary of stock options outstanding	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)	420,840	'
Granted (in shares)	0	0
Exercised (in shares)	-2,572	'
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)	418,268	420,840
Options vested and expected to vest (in shares)	418,268	'
Options exercisable (in shares)	403,147	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$28.65	'
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$34.31	'
Balance at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$28.62	$28.65
Options vested and expected to vest (in dollars per share)	$28.62	'
Options exercisable (in dollars per share)	$27.77	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, options Exercised	$83,500	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, options outstanding, end of period	17,054,100	'
Options vested and expected to vest, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	17,054,100	'
Options exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	16,779,300	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, options outstanding	'5 years 8 months 12 days	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, options vested and expected to vest	'5 years 8 months 12 days	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, options exercisable	'5 years 7 months 6 days	'
Unrecognized compensation	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	$100,000	'
Weighted average period over which cost will be recognized	'9 months 18 days	'

SHAREHOLDERS_EQUITY_AND_NONCON6

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST (Details 5) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest disclosures	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	$8,132	$8,184
Net income (loss)	-18	-19
Balance at the end of the period	$8,114	$8,165
Sustainable Water Resources, LLC	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest disclosures	'	'
Third party ownership interest (as a percent)	25.00%	'

INCOME_TAXES_Details

INCOME TAXES (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
INCOME TAXES	'	'
U.S. statutory income tax rate (as a percent)	35.00%	35.00%

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Details

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Numerator:	'	'
Net income available to shareholders	$109,069	$86,263
Preferred stock dividends	'	-269
Net income available to common shareholders, basic	109,069	85,994
Denominator:	'	'
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic	118,923	117,788
Numerator:	'	'
Net income available to common shareholders, basic	109,069	85,994
Preferred stock dividends	'	269
Adjusted net income available to common shareholders, diluted	$109,069	$86,263
Denominator:	'	'
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic	118,923	117,788
Restricted stock and stock options (in shares)	1,008	682
Convertible perpetual preferred stock (in shares)	'	793
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted	119,931	119,263
Earnings per common share, basic (in dollars per share)	$0.92	$0.73
Earnings per common share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.91	$0.72

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Details_2

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details 2)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Restricted stock	'	'
Shares excluded from Earnings Per Share calculation	'	'
Restricted stock excluded from earnings per share calculation (in shares)	32,356	171,682
Stock options	'	'
Shares excluded from Earnings Per Share calculation	'	'
Stock options excluded from earnings per share calculation (in shares)	'	312

SUBSEQUENT_EVENT_Details

SUBSEQUENT EVENT (Details)	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
	5% Senior Notes due 2019	5% Senior Notes due 2019	Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event
			Amendment credit agreement	5% Senior Notes due 2019
			Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation
SUBSEQUENT EVENT	'	'	'	'
Number of days prior to the scheduled maturity of any permitted notes	'	'	'91 days	'
Interest rate on debt instrument (as a percent)	5.00%	5.00%	'	5.00%