Emerald Oil (EOGSF) 10-Q 4 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	4-May-15
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Emerald Oil, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1283843
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		110,814,458
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filer	No

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$1,422,771	$12,389,230
Restricted Cash	2,000,000
Accounts Receivable - Oil and Natural Gas Sales	6,263,180	7,203,455
Accounts Receivable - Joint Interest Partners	14,314,379	31,842,464
Other Receivables	302,043	980,317
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	557,315	289,061
Fair Value of Commodity Derivatives		5,044,125
Total Current Assets	24,859,688	57,748,652
Oil and Natural Gas Properties, Full Cost Method, at Cost:
Proved Oil and Natural Gas Properties	612,426,922	593,472,170
Unproved Oil and Natural Gas Properties	167,249,727	166,708,263
Equipment and Facilities	10,296,682	6,086,896
Other Property and Equipment	2,824,118	2,583,372
Total Property and Equipment	792,797,449	768,850,701
Less - Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	-245,471,677	-149,703,417
Total Property and Equipment, Net	547,325,772	619,147,284
Restricted Cash		4,000,000
Debt Issuance Costs, Net of Amortization	5,405,452	5,779,125
Deposits on Acquisitions		140,173
Deferred Tax Asset, Net	1,813,561	1,813,796
Other Non-Current Assets	491,235	430,846
Total Assets	579,895,708	689,059,876
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable	48,017,693	120,136,903
Accrued Expenses	5,865,788	11,267,831
Advances from Joint Interest Partners	1,764,280	2,577,247
Deferred Tax Liability, Net	1,813,561	1,813,796
Total Current Liabilities	57,461,322	135,795,777
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Revolving Credit Facility	109,683,000	75,000,000
Convertible Senior Notes	151,500,000	151,500,000
Asset Retirement Obligations	2,994,560	2,671,975
Warrant Liability	1,497,000	2,199,000
Total Liabilities	323,135,882	367,166,752
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Preferred Stock - Par Value $.001; 20,000,000 Shares Authorized;
Series B Voting Preferred Stock - 5,114,633 Shares Issued and Outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Liquidation Preference Value of $5,115 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.	5,000	5,000
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Stock, Par Value $.001; 500,000,000 Shares Authorized, 107,929,271 and 77,828,613 Shares Issued and Outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.	107,929	77,828
Additional Paid-In Capital	487,533,032	455,008,596
Accumulated Deficit	-230,886,135	-133,198,300
Total Stockholders' Equity	256,754,826	321,888,124
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$579,895,708	$689,059,876

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock - Par Value (in Dollars per Share)	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred Stock - Shares Authorized (in Shares)	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred Stock - Shares Issued (in Shares)	5,114,633	5,114,633
Preferred stock - Shares Outstanding (in Shares)	5,114,633	5,114,633
Preferred Stock - Liquidation Preference Value	$5,115	$5,115
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Stock, Par Value (in Dollars per Share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common Stock, Shares Authorized (in Shares)	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common Stock, Shares Issued (in Shares)	107,929,271	77,828,613
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in Shares)	107,929,271	77,828,613

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
REVENUES
Oil Sales	$14,056,032	$18,434,808
Natural Gas Sales	465,172	634,064
Net Gains (Losses) on Commodity Derivatives	273,175	-798,853
Total Revenues	14,794,379	18,270,019
OPERATING EXPENSES
Production Expenses	7,722,154	2,617,244
Production Taxes	1,583,295	2,088,736
General and Administrative Expenses	4,795,525	8,492,004
Depletion of Oil and Natural Gas Properties	10,345,106	6,277,232
Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties	85,264,000
Depreciation and Amortization	159,155	65,760
Accretion of Discount on Asset Retirement Obligations	49,579	15,720
Standby Rig Expense	1,546,604
Total Operating Expenses	111,465,418	19,556,696
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS	-96,671,039	-1,286,677
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest Expense	-1,693,551	-172,086
Warrant Revaluation Gain (Expense)	702,000	-196,000
Other Income	256	3,676
Total Other Expense, Net	-991,295	-364,410
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	-97,662,334	-1,651,087
INCOME TAX PROVISION
NET LOSS	($97,662,334)	($1,651,087)
Net Loss Per Common Share - Basic and Diluted (in Dollars per Share)	($1.04)	($0.02)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic and Diluted	93,939,729	66,171,875

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Loss	($97,662,334)	($1,651,087)
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities:
Depletion of Oil and Natural Gas Properties	10,345,106	6,277,232
Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties	85,264,000
Depreciation and Amortization	159,155	65,760
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs	373,673	60,433
Accretion of Discount on Asset Retirement Obligations	49,579	15,720
Net (Gains) Losses on Commodity Derivatives	-273,175	798,853
Net Cash Settlements Received (Paid) on Commodity Derivatives	5,317,300	-553,383
Warrant Revaluation (Gain) Expense	-702,000	196,000
Share-Based Compensation Expense	1,633,580	3,695,303
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
(Increase) Decrease in Trade Receivables - Oil and Natural Gas Revenues	940,275	-95,691
Decrease in Accounts Receivable - Joint Interest Partners	17,528,085	676,699
Decrease in Other Receivables	678,274	331,655
Increase in Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	-268,254	-152,328
(Increase) Decrease in Other Non-Current Assets	-60,390	130,437
Increase in Accounts Payable	2,727,873	1,437,236
Decrease in Accrued Expenses	-4,143,097	-1,933,484
Decrease in Other Non-Current Liabilities		-5,204
Increase (Decrease) in Advances from Joint Interest Partners	-812,967	933,262
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities	21,094,683	10,227,413
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of Other Property and Equipment	-240,746	-389,076
Restricted Cash Released	2,000,000	11,000,512
Payments of Restricted Cash		-2,648,721
(Decrease) Increase in Deposits for Acquisitions	140,173	-237,402
Use of Prepaid Drilling Costs
Proceeds from Sale of Oil and Natural Gas Properties, Net of Transaction Costs		238,069
Investment in Oil and Natural Gas Properties	-97,974,548	-133,570,168
Net Cash Used For Investing Activities	-96,075,121	-125,606,786
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from Issuance of Convertible Senior Notes, Net of Transaction Costs		167,111,252
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock, Net of Transaction Costs	29,353,563
Advances on Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan	50,000,000	35,000,000
Payments on Revolving Credit Facility	-15,317,000	-35,000,000
Cash Paid for Finance Costs	-22,584	-24,605
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities	64,013,979	167,086,647
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-10,966,459	51,707,274
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD	12,389,230	144,255,438
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD	1,422,771	195,962,712
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
Cash Paid During the Period for Interest	506,259
Cash Paid During the Period for Income Taxes
Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities:
Oil and Natural Gas Properties Included in Account Payable	33,110,241	74,798,660
Stock-Based Compensation Capitalized to Oil and Natural Gas Properties	331,033	660,969
Asset Retirement Obligation Costs and Liabilities	$273,006	$375,740

ORGANIZATION_AND_NATURE_OF_BUS

ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization and Nature of Business [Abstract]
ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS	NOTE 1  ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS
	Description of Operations —  Emerald Oil, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Emerald,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), is a Denver-based independent exploration and production company focused on acquiring acreage and developing oil and natural gas wells in the Williston Basin of North Dakota and Montana. The Company designs, drills and operates oil and natural gas wells on acreage where it holds a controlling working interest. The Company also participates in the drilling of oil and natural gas wells operated by other companies.

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION_AND_SIGN

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	NOTE 2  BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting whereby revenues are recognized when earned and expenses are recognized when incurred. The condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2015 and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, such financial statements include the adjustments and accruals that are of a normal recurring nature and necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. The interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted in these condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2015 and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Interim financial results should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and footnotes for the year ended December 31, 2014, which were included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of interest-bearing bank accounts and money market funds. The Company’s cash positions represent assets held in checking and money market accounts. These assets are generally available to the Company on a daily or weekly basis and are highly liquid in nature. Due to the balances being greater than their $250,000 insurance coverage, the Company does not have FDIC coverage on the entire amount of its bank deposits. The Company believes this risk to be minimal. In addition, the Company is subject to Security Investor Protection Corporation protection on a vast majority of its financial assets in the event one of the brokerage firms that the Company utilizes for its investments fails.
	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash included in current and long-term assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets totaled $2 million and $4 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  As of each balance sheet date, the balance related to a drilling commitment agreement entered into pursuant to oil and natural gas leases.
	Accounts Receivable
	The Company records estimated oil and natural gas revenue receivable from third parties at its net revenue interest. The Company also reflects costs incurred on behalf of joint interest partners in accounts receivable. Management periodically reviews accounts receivable amounts for collectability and records its allowance for uncollectible receivables under the specific identification method. The Company did not record any allowance for uncollectible receivables during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Full Cost Method
	The Company follows the full cost method of accounting for oil and natural gas operations whereby all costs related to the exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties are initially capitalized into a single cost center (“full cost pool”). Such costs include land acquisition costs, a portion of employee salaries related to property development, geological and geophysical expenses, carrying charges on non-producing properties, costs of drilling directly related to acquisitions, and exploration activities. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company capitalized $1,122,920 and $1,384,982, respectively, of internal salaries, which included $331,033, and $660,969, respectively, of stock-based compensation. Internal salaries are capitalized based on employee time allocated to the acquisition of leaseholds and development of oil and natural gas properties. The Company capitalized no interest for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Proceeds from property sales will generally be credited to the full cost pool, with no gain or loss recognized, unless such a sale would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and the proved reserves attributable to these costs. No gain or loss was recognized on any sales during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The Company engages in acreage trades in the Williston Basin, but these trades are generally for acreage that is similar both in terms of geographic location and potential resource value.
	The Company assesses all items classified as unproved property on a quarterly basis for possible impairment or reduction in value. The assessment includes consideration of the following factors, among others: intent to drill, remaining lease term, geological and geophysical evaluations, drilling results and activity, the assignment of proved reserves, and the economic viability of development if proved reserves are assigned. During any period in which these factors indicate an impairment, the cumulative drilling costs incurred to date for such property and all or a portion of the associated leasehold costs are transferred to the full cost pool and are then subject to depletion and amortization. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company included $235,537 and $2,979,258, respectively, related to expiring leases within costs subject to the depletion calculation.
	Capitalized costs associated with impaired properties and properties having proved reserves, estimated future development costs, and asset retirement costs under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 410-20-25 are depleted and amortized on the unit-of-production method based on the estimated gross proved reserves. The costs of unproved properties are withheld from the depletion base until such time as they are developed, impaired, or abandoned.
	Under the full cost method of accounting, capitalized oil and natural gas property costs less accumulated depletion, net of deferred income taxes, may not exceed a ceiling amount equal to the present value, discounted at 10%, of estimated future net revenues from proved oil and natural gas reserves plus the cost of unproved properties not subject to amortization (without regard to estimates of fair value), or estimated fair value, if lower, of unproved properties that are subject to amortization. Should capitalized costs exceed this ceiling, which is tested on a quarterly basis, an impairment is recognized. The present value of estimated future net revenues is computed by applying prices based on a 12-month unweighted average of the oil and natural gas prices in effect on the first day of each month, less estimated future expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves (assuming the continuation of existing economic conditions), less any applicable future taxes. The Company performs this ceiling calculation each quarter. Any required write-downs are included in the consolidated statement of operations as an impairment charge. Based on calculated reserves at March 31, 2015, the unamortized costs of the Company’s oil and natural gas properties exceeded the ceiling test limit by $85,264,000. As a result, the Company was required to record impairment of the net capitalized costs of its oil and natural gas properties in the amount of $85,264,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2014, the unamortized costs of the Company’s oil and natural gas properties did not exceed the ceiling test limit and no impairment expense was recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	Other Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment that are not oil and natural gas properties are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of three to seven years. Expenditures for replacements, renewals, and betterments are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
	ASC 360-10-35-21 requires that long-lived assets, other than oil and natural gas properties, be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The determination of impairment is based upon expectations of undiscounted future cash flows, before interest, of the related asset. If the carrying value of the asset exceeds the undiscounted future cash flows, the impairment would be computed as the difference between the carrying value of the asset and the fair value. The Company has not recognized any impairment losses on non-oil and natural gas long-lived assets.
	Asset Retirement Obligations
	The Company records the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it can be reasonably estimated or the asset is acquired and a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depleted using the units of production method. If the liability is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or loss is recognized.
	Revenue Recognition and Natural Gas Balancing
	The Company recognizes oil and natural gas revenues from its interests in producing wells when production is delivered and title has transferred to the purchaser, to the extent the selling price is reasonably determinable. The Company uses the sales method of accounting for balancing of natural gas production and would recognize a liability if the existing proved reserves were not adequate to cover the current imbalance situation. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s natural gas production was in balance, i.e., its cumulative portion of natural gas production taken and sold from wells in which it has an interest equaled the Company’s entitled interest in natural gas production from those wells.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under the provisions of ASC 718-10-55. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense in the financial statements over the vesting period of equity-classified employee stock-based compensation awards based on the grant date fair value of the awards, net of estimated forfeitures. For options and warrants, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model to calculate the fair value of stock based compensation awards at the date of grant. Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected price volatility. For the stock options and warrants granted, the Company has used a variety of comparable and peer companies to determine the expected volatility input based on the expected term of the options. The Company believes the use of peer company data fairly represents the expected volatility it would experience if it were in the oil and natural gas industry over the expected term of the options. The Company used the simplified method to determine the expected term of the options due to the lack of historical data. Changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate.
	On May 27, 2011, the stockholders of the Company approved the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”), under which 714,286 shares of common stock were reserved. On October 22, 2012, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment to the 2011 Plan to increase the number of shares available for issuance under the 2011 Plan to 3,500,000 shares. On July 10, 2013, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment to the 2011 Plan to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2011 Plan to 9,800,000 shares. The purpose of the 2011 Plan is to promote the success of the Company and its affiliates by facilitating the employment and retention of competent personnel and by furnishing incentives to those officers, directors and employees upon whose efforts the success of the Company and its affiliates will depend to a large degree. It is the intention of the Company to carry out the 2011 Plan through the granting of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance awards and stock appreciation rights. As of March 31, 2015, 1,107,532 stock options and 7,611,783 shares of common stock and restricted stock units had been issued to officers, directors and employees under the 2011 Plan net of cancelations and forfeitures, including 1,438,603 nonvested restricted stock units. As of March 31, 2015, there were 1,080,685 shares available for issuance under the 2011 Plan.
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC 740-10-30. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Accounting standards require the consideration of a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it is “more likely than not” that some component or all of the benefits of deferred tax assets will not be realized.
	The tax effects from an uncertain tax position can be recognized in the financial statements only if the position is more likely than not of being sustained if the position were to be challenged by a taxing authority. The Company has examined the tax positions taken in its tax returns and determined that there are no uncertain tax positions. As a result, the Company has recorded no uncertain tax liabilities in its consolidated balance sheet.
	Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share
	Basic net income (loss) per common share is based on the net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus dilutive common share equivalents outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. In the computation of diluted earnings per share, excess tax benefits that would be created upon the assumed vesting of nonvested 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 stock 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. As the Company had losses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the potentially dilutive shares were anti-dilutive and were thus not included in the net loss per share calculation.
	As of March 31, 2015, (i) 1,438,603 nonvested restricted stock units were issued and outstanding and represent potentially dilutive shares; (ii) 626,174 stock options were issued and presently exercisable and represent potentially dilutive shares; (iii) 442,073 stock options were granted but are not presently exercisable and represent potentially dilutive shares; (iv) 5,114,633 warrants were issued and presently exercisable, which have an exercise price of $2.05 and represent potentially dilutive shares; (v) 223,293 warrants were issued and presently exercisable, which have an exercise price of $6.86 and represent potentially dilutive shares; (vi) 892,858 warrants were issued and presently exercisable, which have an exercise price of $49.70 and represent potentially dilutive shares; and (vii) $151.5 million of convertible senior notes convertible into approximately 17,264,958 shares of common stock as of March 31, 2015 and represent potentially dilutive shares.
	Derivative and Other Financial Instruments
	Commodity Derivative Instruments
	The Company has entered into commodity derivative instruments, utilizing oil derivative swap contracts to reduce the effect of price changes on a portion of future oil production. The Company’s commodity derivative instruments are measured at fair value and are included in the consolidated balance sheet as derivative assets and liabilities. Net gains and losses are recorded based on the changes in the fair values of the derivative instruments. The Company’s valuation estimate takes into consideration the counterparties’ credit worthiness, the Company’s credit worthiness, and the time value of money. The consideration of the factors results in an estimated exit price for each derivative asset or liability under a market place participant’s view. Management believes that this approach provides a reasonable, non-biased, verifiable, and consistent methodology for valuing commodity derivative instruments (see Note 12 – Derivative Instruments and Price Risk Management).
	Warrant Liability
	From time to time, the Company may have financial instruments such as warrants that may be classified as liabilities when either (a) the holders possess rights to net cash settlement, (b) physical or net equity settlement is not in the Company’s control, or (c) the instruments contain other provisions that causes the Company to conclude that they are not indexed to the Company’s equity. Such instruments are initially recorded at fair value and subsequently adjusted to fair value at the end of each reporting period through earnings.
	As a part of a securities purchase agreement entered into in February 2013 with affiliates of White Deer Energy L.P. (see Note 5 – Preferred and Common Stock), the Company issued warrants that contain a put and other liability type provisions. Accordingly, these warrants are accounted for as a liability. This warrant liability is accounted for at fair value with changes in fair value reported in the consolidated statement of operations.
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by FASB that are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date.  If not discussed, management believes that the impact of recently issued standards, which are not yet effective, will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements under GAAP in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates relate to proved oil and natural gas reserve volumes, future development costs, estimates relating to certain oil and natural gas revenues and expenses, fair value of derivative instruments, valuation of share-based compensation, valuation of asset retirement obligations and the valuation of deferred income taxes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
	Industry Segment and Geographic Information
	The Company operates in one industry segment, which is the exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas with all of the Company’s operational activities having been conducted in the U.S. The Company’s current operational activities and the Company’s consolidated revenues are generated from markets exclusively in the U.S., and the Company has no long-lived assets located outside the U.S.
	Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods’ reported amounts in order to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not impact the Company’s net loss, stockholders’ equity or cash flows.

OIL_AND_NATURAL_GAS_PROPERTIES

OIL AND NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Oil and Natural Gas Properties [Abstract]
OIL AND NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES	NOTE 3  OIL AND NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES
	The value of the Company’s oil and natural gas properties consists of all acreage acquisition costs (including cash expenditures and the value of stock consideration), drilling costs and other associated capitalized costs.  Acquisitions are accounted for as purchases and, accordingly, the results of operations are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations from the closing date of the acquisition.  Purchase prices are allocated to acquired assets based on their estimated fair value at the time of the acquisition.  The Company has historically funded acquisitions with internal cash flow, the issuance of equity and debt securities and short-term borrowings under its revolving credit facility.
	Acquisitions
	On September 2, 2014, the Company acquired approximately 30,500 net acres located in McKenzie, Billings and Dunn Counties of North Dakota from an unrelated third party for approximately $71.2 million in cash and the assignment of 4,300 net acres located in Williams County, North Dakota.
	The following table summarizes the purchase price and estimated values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the September 2014 acquisition (in thousands):
	Purchase Price
	Consideration Given:
	Cash	$	71,187
	Assignment of oil and natural gas properties		35,918
	Liabilities assumed, net		1,121
	Total	$	108,226
	Allocation of Purchase Price:
	Proved oil and natural gas properties	$	48,997
	Unproved oil and natural gas properties		59,083
	Liabilities released		146
	Total fair value of oil and natural gas properties	$	108,226
	Pro Forma Operating Results
	In accordance with ASC Topic 805, presented below are unaudited pro forma results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 to show the effect on our consolidated results of operations as if the September 2014 acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2014.
	The pro forma results reflect the results of combining our statement of operations with the results of operations from the oil and natural gas properties acquired in September 2014, adjusted for (i) the assumption of asset retirement obligations and accretion expense for the properties acquired and (ii) depletion expense applied to the adjusted basis of the properties acquired. The pro forma information is based upon these assumptions and is not necessarily indicative of future results of operations:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Revenues	$	27,542,915
	Net (Loss) Income	$	3,133,981
	Net (Loss) Income Per Share – Basic and Diluted	$	0.05
	Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Basic and Diluted		66,171,875

RELATED_PARTY_TRANSACTIONS

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	NOTE 4  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
	In February 2013, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with affiliates of White Deer Energy L.P. (“White Deer Energy”), pursuant to which the Company issued to White Deer Energy 500,000 shares of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”), 5,114,633 shares of Series B Voting Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) and warrants to purchase an initial aggregate amount of 5,114,633 shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial exercise price of $5.77 per share, for an aggregate $50 million. Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, White Deer Energy obtained the right to designate one member of the Company’s board of directors as long as White Deer Energy held any shares of Series A Preferred Stock. White Deer Energy designated Thomas J. Edelman as its initial director. Following the redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock during 2013, the Governance and Nominating Committee of the Company nominated Mr. Edelman to continue to serve as a director of the Company, and Mr. Edelman was elected to serve on the board of directors of the Company for another term at the annual stockholders meeting of the Company held in June 2014. On January 28, 2015, Mr. Edelman resigned from his position as a director of the Company and Ben Guill, a Managing Partner of White Deer Energy, was appointed to the Board of Directors. For additional information regarding the Securities Purchase Agreement with White Deer Energy, see Note 5 — Preferred and Common Stock.
	The transaction was subject to customary closing conditions, as well as the execution and delivery of certain other agreements, including a registration rights agreement. Under the terms of the registration rights agreement, as amended, the Company agreed to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), within 30 days upon receipt of notice from White Deer Energy, a shelf registration statement covering resales of the 5,114,633 shares of Company common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective within 120 days after the filing thereof. In June 2013 and October 2013, the Company amended the registration rights agreement to include 2,785,600 shares of Company common stock and 5,092,852 shares of Company common stock, respectively, issued to White Deer Energy in connection with subsequent private placements. On April 19, 2014, the Company received a request from White Deer Energy to register the shares of Company common stock and the shares of Company common stock underlying the warrants held by White Deer Energy.  On May 16, 2014, the Company filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 to register for resale the 7,878,452 shares of common stock and 5,114,633 shares of common stock underlying the warrants held by White Deer Energy, and the SEC declared the registration statement effective on May 30, 2014.

PREFERRED_AND_COMMON_STOCK

PREFERRED AND COMMON STOCK	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Preferred and Common Stock [Abstract]
PREFERRED AND COMMON STOCK	NOTE 5  PREFERRED AND COMMON STOCK
	Preferred Stock
	On February 19, 2013, the Company issued to White Deer Energy 500,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, 5,114,633 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase an initial aggregate 5,114,633 shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial exercise price of $5.77 per share, in exchange for an aggregate $50 million. The warrants are exercisable until December 31, 2019.
	On various dates throughout 2013, the Company redeemed all of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, including principal of $50,000,000 and redemption premiums of $6,250,000, and no shares of Series A Preferred Stock remained outstanding as of March 31, 2015. For each redemption, the redemption premium was treated as a dividend and recorded as a return of equity to White Deer Energy through a charge to the Company’s additional paid-in capital. The Company paid no dividends during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	The Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to vote, until January 1, 2020, in the election of directors and on all other matters submitted to a vote of the holders of common stock as a single class. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock has one vote. The Series B Preferred Stock has no dividend rights and a liquidation preference of $0.001 per share. On and from time to time after January 1, 2020 the Company may redeem, in whole or in part, the then-outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, at a redemption price per share equal to $0.001. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock was issued as part of a unit with a warrant to purchase one share of common stock and will be surrendered to the Company upon exercise of a warrant.
	The warrants entitle White Deer Energy to acquire 5,114,633 shares of common stock at an initial exercise price of $5.77 per share and surrendering an equal number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to the Company. In December 2014, the Company issued 10,721,824 common shares below the initial warrant exercise price of $5.77 to extinguish $21,000,000 of its 2.0% Convertible Senior Notes (the “Convertible Notes”). In February 2015, the Company completed a public offering of 27,159,107 shares of common stock at a price of $1.12 per share for total net proceeds of approximately $29.4 million. As a result of these issuances, the warrant exercise price was reduced to $2.05 per share pursuant to a formula provided in the original warrant agreement. See Note 8 – Convertible Notes for further discussion of the December 2014 conversion and Note 12 – Derivative Instruments and Price Risk Management – Warrant Liability for further discussion of the warrant liability valuation.
	Upon a change of control or Liquidation Event, as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement, White Deer Energy has the right, but not the obligation, to elect to receive from the Company, in exchange for all, but not less than all, shares of Series A and Series B Preferred Stock and the warrants issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement and shares of common stock issued upon exercise thereof that are then held by White Deer Energy, an additional cash payment necessary to achieve a minimum internal rate of return of 25% as calculated as defined. The calculation took into account all cash inflows from and cash outflows to White Deer Energy. Upon the final Series A Preferred Stock redemption on October 15, 2013, the minimum internal rate of return was achieved and no additional cash payment will be necessary upon a change of control or Liquidation Event.
	The Company recorded the transaction by recognizing the fair value of the Series A Preferred Stock at $38,552,994 (net of offering costs of $2,816,006), Series B Preferred Stock at $5,000 and a warrant liability of $8,626,000 at time of issuance. The Company accreted the Series A Preferred Stock to the liquidation or redemption value when it became probable that the event or events underlying the liquidation or redemption were probable. The Company recognized all issuance discount accretion related to the partial redemptions of preferred stock on June 20, 2013, August 30, 2013 and October 15, 2013. There was no issuance discount remaining as of March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.
	A summary of the preferred stock transaction components as of March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and the issuance date is provided below:
		31-Mar-15			31-Dec-14		February 19, 2013
							(issuance date)
	Series A Preferred Stock	$	—		$	—	$	41,369,000
	Series B Preferred Stock		5,000			5,000		5,000
	Warrant Liability		1,497,000			2,199,000		8,626,000
	Total	$	1,502,000		$	2,204,000	$	50,000,000
	Equity Issuances
	On February 11, 2015, the Company completed a public offering of 27,159,107 shares of common stock at a price of $1.12 per share for total net proceeds of approximately $29.4 million.
	Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Unit Awards
	The Company incurred compensation expense associated with restricted stock and restricted stock units granted of $1,579,881 and $3,459,930 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, there were 1,438,603 nonvested restricted stock units and $2,035,677 associated remaining unrecognized compensation expense, which is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of 1.20 years. The Company capitalized compensation expense associated with the restricted stock and restricted stock units of $298,454 and $439,715 to oil and natural gas properties for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	A summary of the restricted stock units and restricted stock shares activity during the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
		Number of Shares			Weighted
					Average Grant
					Date Fair Value
	Non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock units at January 1, 2015		584,620		$	7.27
	Granted		1,031,010			0.78
	Canceled		(69,128	)		0.82
	Vested and forfeited for taxes		(27,159	)		7.48
	Vested and issued		(80,740	)		7.48
	Non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock units at March 31, 2015		1,438,603		$	2.95

STOCK_OPTIONS_AND_WARRANTS

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stock Options and Warrants [Abstract]
STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS	NOTE 6  STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
	Stock Options
	The Company granted no stock options during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	The impact on the Company’s statement of operations of stock-based compensation expense related to options for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $53,698 and $235,373, respectively, net of $0 tax. The Company capitalized $32,579, and $221,254 in compensation to oil and natural gas properties related to outstanding options for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The remaining cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.84 years. These estimates are subject to change based on a variety of future events which include, but are not limited to, changes in estimated forfeiture rates, cancellations and the issuance of new options.
	A summary of the stock options activity during the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
		Number of			Weighted
		Options			Average
					Exercise Price
	Balance outstanding at January 1, 2015		1,194,679		$	8.56
	Granted		—			—
	Canceled		(126,432	)		7.29
	Exercised		—			—
	Balance outstanding at March 31, 2015		1,068,247		$	8.7
	Options exercisable at March 31, 2015		626,174		$	9.77
	At March 31, 2015, stock options outstanding were as follows:
		Options Outstanding							Options Exercisable
	Year of Grant	Number of			Weighted Average		Weighted		Number of		Weighted Average		Weighted
		Options			Remaining		Average		Options		Remaining		Average
		Outstanding			Contract Life		Exercise		Exercisable		Contract Life		Exercise
					(years)		Price				(years)		Price
	2015		—			—		—		—		—		—
	2014		396,942			3.86	$	7.14		143,532		4.28	$	7.48
	2013		237,102			4.79		7.02		122,101		4.15		6.74
	2012		312,499			2.21		8.15		238,837		2.18		8.25
	Prior		121,704			0.98		18.52		121,704		0.98		18.52
	Total		1,068,247			3.25	$	8.7		626,174		2.66	$	9.77
	Warrants
	The table below reflects the status of warrants outstanding at March 31, 2015:
		Warrants			Exercise Price		Expiration Date
	1-Dec-09		37,216		$	6.86	1-Dec-19
	31-Dec-09		186,077		$	6.86	31-Dec-19
	8-Feb-11		892,858		$	49.7	8-Feb-16
	19-Feb-13		5,114,633		$	2.05	31-Dec-19
	Total		6,230,784
	No warrants expired or were forfeited during the three months ended March 31, 2015. All of the compensation expense related to the applicable vested warrants issued to employees has been expensed by the Company prior to 2012. All warrants outstanding were exercisable at March 31, 2015. See Note 12 – Derivative Instruments and Price Risk Management for details on the warrants issued on February 19, 2013.

REVOLVING_CREDIT_FACILITY

REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY	NOTE 7 REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
	Wells Fargo Facility
	On November 20, 2012, the Company entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (“Wells Fargo”), and the lenders party thereto. The Credit Facility is a senior secured reserve-based revolving credit facility with a maximum commitment of $400 million. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had drawn $109.7 million toward its $250 million borrowing base under the Credit Facility. See Note 14- Subsequent Events for details on the April 2015 borrowing base redetermination subsequent to March 31, 2015.
	Amounts borrowed under the Credit Facility will mature on September 30, 2018, and upon such date, any amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility are due and payable in full. Redeterminations of the borrowing base are made on a semi-annual basis, with an option to elect an additional redetermination every six months between the semi-annual redeterminations.
	The annual interest cost under the Credit Facility, which is dependent upon the percentage of the borrowing base utilized, is, at the Company’s option, based on either the Alternate Base Rate (as defined under the terms of the Credit Facility) plus 0.75% to 1.75% or the London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.75% to 2.75%; provided, in no event may the interest rate exceed the maximum interest rate allowed by any current or future law.  Interest on ABR Loans is due and payable on a quarterly basis, and interest on Eurodollar Loans is due and payable, at the Company’s option, at one-, two-, three-, six- (or in some cases nine- or twelve-) month intervals. The Company also pays a commitment fee ranging from 0.375% to 0.5%, depending on the percentage of the borrowing base utilized. As of March 31, 2015, the annual interest rate on the Credit Facility was 2.82%.
	A portion of the Credit Facility not in excess of $5 million will be available for the issuance of letters of credit by Wells Fargo. The Company will pay a rate per annum ranging from 1.75% to 2.75% on the face amount of each letter of credit issued and will pay a fronting fee equal to the greater of $500 and 0.125% of the face amount of each letter of credit issued. As of March 31, 2015, the Company has not obtained any letters of credit under the Credit Facility.
	Each of the Company’s subsidiaries is a guarantor under the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility is secured by first priority, perfected liens and security interests on substantially all assets of the Company and the guarantors, including a pledge of their ownership in their respective subsidiaries.
	The Credit Facility contains customary covenants that include, among other things: limitations on the ability of the Company to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; create liens; pay dividends on or repurchase stock; make certain types of investments; enter into transactions with affiliates; and sell assets or merge with other companies. The Credit Facility also requires compliance with certain financial covenants, including, (a) a ratio of current assets to current liabilities of at least 1.00 to 1.00, (b) a maximum ratio of total debt to EBITDA for the preceding four fiscal quarters of no more than 4.00 to 1.00. The Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2015.
	The Credit Facility allows the Company to hedge up to 60% of proved reserves for the first 24 months and 80% of projected production from proved developed producing reserves from 24 months up to 60 months later provided that in no event shall the aggregate amount of hedges exceed 100% of actual production in the current period.

CONVERTIBLE_NOTES

CONVERTIBLE NOTES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Convertible Notes [Abstract]
CONVERTIBLE NOTES	NOTE 8 CONVERTIBLE NOTES
	On March 24, 2014, the Company completed a private placement of $172.5 million in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes, and entered into an indenture (the “Indenture”) governing the Convertible Notes, with U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The Convertible Notes accrue interest at a rate of 2.00% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on October 1, 2014. The Convertible Notes mature on April 1, 2019. The Convertible Notes are the Company’s unsecured senior obligations and are equal in right of payment to the Company’s existing and future senior indebtedness. The Convertible Notes were convertible into approximately 17,264,958 shares of common stock as of March 31, 2015. However, the Company does not believe further conversion will take place due to the term remaining on the Convertible Notes, and in the event of conversion, holders would forgo all future interest payments. As a result, the Convertible Notes have been classified as long-term debt as of March 31, 2015.
	The net proceeds from the Convertible Notes were $166.9 million, after deducting commissions and the offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company’s transaction costs in conjunction with the transaction will be amortized to interest expense over the five-year term of the Convertible Notes.
	The Convertible Notes and the common stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. The Convertible Notes were offered and sold to the initial purchasers in a private placement exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a)(2). The Convertible Notes were resold by the initial purchasers to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
	Holders may convert their Convertible Notes at their option at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date of the Convertible Notes. The conversion rate for the Convertible Notes is initially 113.9601 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes (which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $8.78 per share of the Company’s common stock), subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments as provided in the Indenture. A holder that surrenders its Convertible Notes for conversion in connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change (as defined in the Indenture) that occurs before the maturity date may in certain circumstances be entitled to an increased conversion rate. If the Company undergoes a Fundamental Change (as defined in the Indenture), subject to certain conditions, the holder of the Convertible Notes will have the option to require the Company to repurchase all or any portion of its Convertible Notes for cash. The fundamental change purchase price will be 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be purchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, including additional interest, if any, to, but excluding, the fundamental change purchase date. The Company may not redeem the Convertible Notes prior to their maturity, and no sinking fund is provided for the Convertible Notes.
	The Company does not intend to file a shelf registration statement for resale of the Convertible Notes or the shares of its common stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes. The Company will, however, be required to pay additional interest in respect of the Convertible Notes under specified circumstances. As a result, holders may only resell the Convertible Notes or shares of the Company’s common stock issued upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, if any, pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and other applicable securities laws.
	The Indenture contains customary terms and covenants and events of default. If an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Convertible Notes may declare by written notice all the Convertible Notes to be immediately due and payable in full. The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of March 31, 2015.
	In December 2014, the Company issued 10,721,824 shares of common stock to extinguish $21,000,000 of Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes had 2,393,162 underlying shares of common stock under the terms of the original indenture agreement. As a result, the Company recognized $10,438,080 of debt conversion expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 for the fair value of the shares of common stock issued in excess of the shares of common stock underlying the original convertible note indenture agreement.

ASSET_RETIREMENT_OBLIGATION

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Asset Retirement Obligation [Abstract]
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION	NOTE 9  ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION
	The Company has asset retirement obligations associated with the future plugging and abandonment of its proved oil and natural gas properties and related facilities. Under the provisions of ASC 410-20-25, the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation is recorded in the period in which it is incurred and can be reasonably estimated, and a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depleted using the units of production method. If the liability is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or loss is recognized. The fair value of additions to the asset retirement obligations is estimated using valuation techniques that convert future cash flows to a single discounted amount. Significant inputs to the valuation include estimates of: (i) plugging and abandonment costs per well based on existing regulatory requirements; (ii) remaining life per well; (iii) future inflation factors (average of 2.5% for each of the periods presented); and (iv) a credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate (average of 7.0% for each of the periods presented). These inputs require significant judgments and estimates by the Company’s management at the time of the valuation and are the most sensitive and subject to change. The Company has no assets that are legally restricted for purposes of settling asset retirement obligations.
	The following table summarizes the Company’s asset retirement obligation transactions recorded in accordance with the provisions of ASC 410-20-25 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014:
		31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
	Beginning Asset Retirement Obligation	$	2,671,975	$	692,137
	Revision of Previous Estimates		—		148,968
	Liabilities Incurred or Acquired		273,006		1,817,939
	Accretion of Discount on Asset Retirement Obligations		49,579		104,803
	Wells Settled through P&A		—		(72,555	)
	Liabilities Associated with Properties Sold		—		(19,317	)
	Ending Asset Retirement Obligation	$	2,994,560	$	2,671,975

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	NOTE 10  INCOME TAXES
	Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Accounting standards require the consideration of a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it is “more likely than not” that some component or all of the benefits of deferred tax assets will not be realized.  As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company maintained a full valuation allowance for all deferred tax assets.  Based on these requirements no provision or benefit for income taxes has been recorded for deferred taxes. There were no recorded unrecognized tax benefits at the end of the reporting period.

FAIR_VALUE

FAIR VALUE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE	NOTE 11 FAIR VALUE
	ASC 820-10-55 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined under ASC 820-10-55 as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.  The standard describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value which are the following:
	Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at measurement date for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
	Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities and less observable from objective sources.
	The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level 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 requires judgment and may affect the valuation of the fair value of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. The Company’s policy is to recognize transfer in and/or out of fair value hierarchy as of the end of the reporting period for which the event or change in circumstances caused the transfer. The Company has consistently applied the valuation techniques discussed below for the periods presented. These valuation policies are determined by the Company’s Vice President of Accounting and approved by the Chief Financial Officer. The valuation policies are discussed with the Company’s Audit Committee as deemed appropriate. Each quarter, the Vice President of Accounting and Chief Financial Officer update the inputs used in the fair value measurement and internally review the changes from period to period for reasonableness. The Company uses data from peers as well as external sources in the determination of the volatility and risk free rates used in the Company’s fair value calculations. A sensitivity analysis is performed as well to determine the impact of inputs on the ending fair value estimate.
	Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
	The following schedule summarizes the valuation of financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015:
		Fair Value Measurements at
		March 31, 2015 Using
		Quoted Prices In Active			Significant Other		Significant Unobservable
		Markets for Identical			Observable Inputs		Inputs
		Assets			(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(Level 1)
	Warrant Liability – Long Term Liability	$	—		$	—	$	(1,497,000	)
	Total	$	—		$	—	$	(1,497,000	)
	The following schedule summarizes the valuation of financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014:
		Fair Value Measurements at
		December 31, 2014 Using
		Quoted Prices In			Significant Other		Significant Unobservable
		Active Markets for			Observable Inputs		Inputs
		Identical Assets			(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(Level 1)
	Warrant Liability – Long Term Asset (Liability)	$	—		$	—	$	(2,199,000	)
	Commodity Derivatives – Current Asset (oil swaps)		—			5,044,125		—
	Total	$	—		$	5,044,125	$	(2,199,000	)
	Level 2 assets consist of commodity derivative assets and liabilities (see Note 12 – Derivative Instruments and Price Risk Management).  The fair value of the commodity derivative assets and liabilities are estimated by the Company using the income valuation techniques utilizing an option pricing or discounted cash flow model, as appropriate, which take into account notional quantities, market volatility, market prices, contract parameters and discount rates based on published LIBOR rates. The Company validates the data provided by third parties by understanding the pricing models used, obtaining market values from other pricing sources, analyzing pricing data in certain situations and confirming that those securities trade in active markets.  Assumed credit risk adjustments, based on published credit ratings, public bond yield spreads and credit default swap spreads, are applied to the Company’s commodity derivatives. Significant changes in the quoted forward prices for commodities and changes in market volatility generally leads to corresponding changes in the fair value measurement of the Company’s oil derivative contracts. The fair value of all derivative contracts is reflected on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	A rollforward of warrant liability measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs on a recurring basis is as follows:
	Balance, at January 1, 2014	$	(15,703,000	)
	Purchases, issuances, and settlements		—
	Change in Fair Value of Warrant Liability		13,504,000
	Transfers		—
	Balance, at December 31, 2014		(2,199,000	)
	Change in Fair Value of Warrant Liability		702,000
	Balance, at March 31, 2015	$	(1,497,000	)
	The fair value of the warrants upon issuance to White Deer Energy on February 19, 2013 was recorded at $8,626,000. The warrant revaluation gain (expense) was $702,000 and $(196,000) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and is included in Other Income/Expense on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. See discussion of assumptions used in valuing the warrants at Note 12 – Derivative Instruments and Price Risk Management.
	Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
	The Company follows the provisions of ASC 820-10 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. As it relates to the Company, ASC 820-10 applies to certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities as may be acquired in a business combination and thereby measured at fair value and the initial recognition of asset retirement obligations for which fair value is used.
	The asset retirement obligation estimates are derived from historical costs as well as management’s expectation of future cost environments. As there is no corroborating market activity to support the assumptions used, the Company has designated these liabilities as Level 3. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the Company’s asset retirement obligation is presented in Note 9 – Asset Retirement Obligation.
	The Company’s non-derivative financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, the Convertible Notes and the Credit Facility. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of their immediate or short-term maturities. The book value of the Credit Facility approximates fair value because of its floating rate structure. The Company estimated the fair value of the Convertible Notes to be approximately $81.4 million at March 31, 2015 based on observed prices for the same or similar types of debt instruments. The Company has classified the valuations of the Convertible Notes and Credit Facility under Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS_AND_PRI

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND PRICE RISK MANAGEMENT	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Price Risk Management [Abstract]
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND PRICE RISK MANAGEMENT	NOTE 12 DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND PRICE RISK MANAGEMENT
	Commodity
	The Company utilizes oil swap contracts to (i) reduce the effects of volatility in price changes on the oil commodities it produces and sells, (ii) reduce commodity price risk and (iii) provide a base level of cash flow in order to assure it can execute at least a portion of its capital spending.
	All derivative positions are carried at their fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and are marked-to-market at the end of each period. The Company has a master netting agreement on each of the individual oil contracts. Therefore, the current asset and liability are netted on the consolidated balance sheet, and the non-current asset and liability are netted on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
	On January 5, 2015, the company settled its outstanding NYMEX West Texas Intermediate oil derivative swap contracts on a total of 120,000 barrels of oil, resulting in a cash settlement received of $5,317,300. There were no remaining open commodity swap contracts as of March 31, 2015.
	The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the changes in fair value of the Company’s commodity derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
		2015			2014
	Beginning fair value of commodity derivatives	$	5,044,125		$	(853,005	)
	Total gains (losses) on commodity derivatives		273,175			(798,852	)
	Cash settlements (received) paid on commodity derivatives		(5,317,300	)		553,383
	Ending fair value of commodity derivatives	$	—		$	(1,098,474	)
	The use of derivative transactions involves the risk that the counterparties will be unable to meet the financial terms of such transactions. The Company has netting arrangements with Wells Fargo that provide for offsetting payables against receivables from separate derivative instruments.
	Warrant Liability
	The warrants issued to White Deer Energy pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement are classified as liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets because the warrants contain a contingent put and other liability type provisions (see Note 5 – Preferred and Common Stock). The shares underlying the warrants are contingently redeemable and are subject to remeasurement at each balance sheet date, and any changes in fair value will be recognized as a component of other (expense) income on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	The Company estimated the value of the warrants issued with the Securities Purchase Agreement on the date of issuance to be $8,626,000, or $1.69 per warrant, using the Monte Carlo model with the following assumptions: a term of 1,798 trading days, exercise price of $5.77, volatility rate of 40%, and a risk-free interest rate of 1.38%. The Company remeasured the warrants as of March 31, 2015, using the following assumptions: a term of 1,194 trading days, exercise price of $2.05, a 15-day volume weighted average stock price of $0.87, volatility rate of 65%, and a risk-free interest rate of 1.65%. As of March 31, 2015, the fair value of the warrants was $1,497,000, and was recorded as a liability on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. An increase in any of the variables would cause an increase in the fair value of the warrants. Likewise, a decrease in any variable would cause a decrease in the value of the warrants.

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	NOTE 13 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	The Company may be subject to litigation claims and governmental and regulatory proceedings from time to time arising in the ordinary course of business.  These claims and proceedings are subject to uncertainties inherent in any litigation or proceedings. However, the Company believes that all such litigation matters and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	NOTE 14 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	Wells Fargo Facility Amendment
	On April 30, 2015, in connection with the semi-annual borrowing base redetermination, the Company and its lending group entered into an amendment to the Company’s Credit Agreement (the “Credit Facility”). The amendment to the Credit Facility reduced the borrowing base from $250 million to $200 million. The maturity date of the Credit Facility is September 30, 2018, and upon such date, any amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility will be due and payable in full. Redeterminations of the borrowing base will occur on a semi-annual basis, with an option to elect one additional redetermination between each semi-annual redetermination.
	The annual interest cost, which is dependent upon the percentage of the borrowing base being utilized, is, at the Company’s option, based on either the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus 0.75% to 1.75% or the London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.75% to 2.75%; provided, in no event may the interest exceed the maximum interest rate allowed by any current or future law.  Interest on Alternate Base Rate Loans is due and payable on a quarterly basis, and interest on Eurodollar Loans (as defined in the Credit Facility) is due and payable, at the Company’s option, at one-, two-, three-, six- (or in some cases nine- or twelve-) month intervals. The Company also pays a commitment fee ranging from 0.375% to 0.5%, depending on the percentage of the borrowing base being utilized.
	A portion of the Credit Facility not in excess of $5 million will be available for the issuance of letters of credit by Wells Fargo. The Company will pay a rate per annum ranging from 1.75% to 2.75% on the face amount of each letter of credit issued and will pay a fronting fee equal to the greater of $500 and 0.125% of the face amount of each letter of credit issued. As of March 31, 2015, the Company has not obtained any letters of credit under the Credit Facility.
	Each of the Company’s subsidiaries is a guarantor under the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility is secured by first priority, perfected liens and security interests on substantially all assets of the Company and the guarantors, including a pledge of their ownership in their respective subsidiaries.
	The Credit Facility contains customary covenants that include, among other things: limitations on the ability of the Company to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; create liens; pay dividends on or repurchase stock; make certain types of investments; enter into transactions with affiliates; and sell assets or merge with other companies. The Credit Facility also requires compliance with certain financial covenants, including, (a) a ratio of current assets to current liabilities of at least 1.0 to 1.0, (b) a maximum ratio of total debt to EBITDA for the preceding four fiscal quarters of no more than 5.0 to 1.0 for periods ending on March 31, 2015 through June 30, 2016 and 5.5 to 1.0 for periods ending September 30, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and (c) a Senior Secured Debt to EBITDA ratio for periods ending March 31, 2015 through December 31, 2016 of no more than 2.5 to 1.0.
	The Credit Facility allows the Company to hedge up to 60% of proved reserves for the first 24 months and 80% of projected production from proved developed producing reserves from 24 months up to 60 months provided that in no event shall the aggregate amount of hedges exceed 100% of actual production in the current period.
	Continuous Offering Program
	On April 2, 2015, the Company entered into an equity distribution program with two separate financial institutions pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, through sales agents, common stock representing an aggregate offering price of up to $100 million.
	Derivative Instruments
	On April 7, 2015, the Company entered into put option contracts for oil volumes produced in May 2015 through December 2016, whereby premiums are paid monthly throughout the life of the contracts. Further details on the contracts are provided in the table below.
	Settlement Period	Daily		Put Option Fixed		Total Volume		Premium Paid		Total
		Volume		Price Per Bbl		(Bbls)		Per Bbl		Premiums Due
		Oil (Bbls)
	May 2015 – December 2015		4,000	$	55		980,000	$	4.88	$	4,782,400
	January 2016 – December 2016		3,000	$	60		1,098,000	$	7.54	$	8,278,920

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION_AND_SIGN1

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of interest-bearing bank accounts and money market funds. The Company’s cash positions represent assets held in checking and money market accounts. These assets are generally available to the Company on a daily or weekly basis and are highly liquid in nature. Due to the balances being greater than their $250,000 insurance coverage, the Company does not have FDIC coverage on the entire amount of its bank deposits. The Company believes this risk to be minimal. In addition, the Company is subject to Security Investor Protection Corporation protection on a vast majority of its financial assets in the event one of the brokerage firms that the Company utilizes for its investments fails.
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash included in current and long-term assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets totaled $2 million and $4 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  As of each balance sheet date, the balance related to a drilling commitment agreement entered into pursuant to oil and natural gas leases.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable
	The Company records estimated oil and natural gas revenue receivable from third parties at its net revenue interest. The Company also reflects costs incurred on behalf of joint interest partners in accounts receivable. Management periodically reviews accounts receivable amounts for collectability and records its allowance for uncollectible receivables under the specific identification method. The Company did not record any allowance for uncollectible receivables during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
Full Cost Method, Policy	Full Cost Method
	The Company follows the full cost method of accounting for oil and natural gas operations whereby all costs related to the exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties are initially capitalized into a single cost center (“full cost pool”). Such costs include land acquisition costs, a portion of employee salaries related to property development, geological and geophysical expenses, carrying charges on non-producing properties, costs of drilling directly related to acquisitions, and exploration activities. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company capitalized $1,122,920 and $1,384,982, respectively, of internal salaries, which included $331,033, and $660,969, respectively, of stock-based compensation. Internal salaries are capitalized based on employee time allocated to the acquisition of leaseholds and development of oil and natural gas properties. The Company capitalized no interest for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Proceeds from property sales will generally be credited to the full cost pool, with no gain or loss recognized, unless such a sale would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and the proved reserves attributable to these costs. No gain or loss was recognized on any sales during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The Company engages in acreage trades in the Williston Basin, but these trades are generally for acreage that is similar both in terms of geographic location and potential resource value.
	The Company assesses all items classified as unproved property on a quarterly basis for possible impairment or reduction in value. The assessment includes consideration of the following factors, among others: intent to drill, remaining lease term, geological and geophysical evaluations, drilling results and activity, the assignment of proved reserves, and the economic viability of development if proved reserves are assigned. During any period in which these factors indicate an impairment, the cumulative drilling costs incurred to date for such property and all or a portion of the associated leasehold costs are transferred to the full cost pool and are then subject to depletion and amortization. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company included $235,537 and $2,979,258, respectively, related to expiring leases within costs subject to the depletion calculation.
	Capitalized costs associated with impaired properties and properties having proved reserves, estimated future development costs, and asset retirement costs under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 410-20-25 are depleted and amortized on the unit-of-production method based on the estimated gross proved reserves. The costs of unproved properties are withheld from the depletion base until such time as they are developed, impaired, or abandoned.
	Under the full cost method of accounting, capitalized oil and natural gas property costs less accumulated depletion, net of deferred income taxes, may not exceed a ceiling amount equal to the present value, discounted at 10%, of estimated future net revenues from proved oil and natural gas reserves plus the cost of unproved properties not subject to amortization (without regard to estimates of fair value), or estimated fair value, if lower, of unproved properties that are subject to amortization. Should capitalized costs exceed this ceiling, which is tested on a quarterly basis, an impairment is recognized. The present value of estimated future net revenues is computed by applying prices based on a 12-month unweighted average of the oil and natural gas prices in effect on the first day of each month, less estimated future expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves (assuming the continuation of existing economic conditions), less any applicable future taxes. The Company performs this ceiling calculation each quarter. Any required write-downs are included in the consolidated statement of operations as an impairment charge. Based on calculated reserves at March 31, 2015, the unamortized costs of the Company’s oil and natural gas properties exceeded the ceiling test limit by $85,264,000. As a result, the Company was required to record impairment of the net capitalized costs of its oil and natural gas properties in the amount of $85,264,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2014, the unamortized costs of the Company’s oil and natural gas properties did not exceed the ceiling test limit and no impairment expense was recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Other Property and Equipment, Policy	Other Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment that are not oil and natural gas properties are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of three to seven years. Expenditures for replacements, renewals, and betterments are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
	ASC 360-10-35-21 requires that long-lived assets, other than oil and natural gas properties, be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The determination of impairment is based upon expectations of undiscounted future cash flows, before interest, of the related asset. If the carrying value of the asset exceeds the undiscounted future cash flows, the impairment would be computed as the difference between the carrying value of the asset and the fair value. The Company has not recognized any impairment losses on non-oil and natural gas long-lived assets.
Asset Retirement Obligations, Policy	Asset Retirement Obligations
	The Company records the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it can be reasonably estimated or the asset is acquired and a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depleted using the units of production method. If the liability is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or loss is recognized.
Revenue Recognition and Natural Gas Balancing, Policy	Revenue Recognition and Natural Gas Balancing
	The Company recognizes oil and natural gas revenues from its interests in producing wells when production is delivered and title has transferred to the purchaser, to the extent the selling price is reasonably determinable. The Company uses the sales method of accounting for balancing of natural gas production and would recognize a liability if the existing proved reserves were not adequate to cover the current imbalance situation. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s natural gas production was in balance, i.e., its cumulative portion of natural gas production taken and sold from wells in which it has an interest equaled the Company’s entitled interest in natural gas production from those wells.
Stock-Based Compensation, Policy	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under the provisions of ASC 718-10-55. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense in the financial statements over the vesting period of equity-classified employee stock-based compensation awards based on the grant date fair value of the awards, net of estimated forfeitures. For options and warrants, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model to calculate the fair value of stock based compensation awards at the date of grant. Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected price volatility. For the stock options and warrants granted, the Company has used a variety of comparable and peer companies to determine the expected volatility input based on the expected term of the options. The Company believes the use of peer company data fairly represents the expected volatility it would experience if it were in the oil and natural gas industry over the expected term of the options. The Company used the simplified method to determine the expected term of the options due to the lack of historical data. Changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate.
	On May 27, 2011, the stockholders of the Company approved the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”), under which 714,286 shares of common stock were reserved. On October 22, 2012, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment to the 2011 Plan to increase the number of shares available for issuance under the 2011 Plan to 3,500,000 shares. On July 10, 2013, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment to the 2011 Plan to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2011 Plan to 9,800,000 shares. The purpose of the 2011 Plan is to promote the success of the Company and its affiliates by facilitating the employment and retention of competent personnel and by furnishing incentives to those officers, directors and employees upon whose efforts the success of the Company and its affiliates will depend to a large degree. It is the intention of the Company to carry out the 2011 Plan through the granting of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance awards and stock appreciation rights. As of March 31, 2015, 1,107,532 stock options and 7,611,783 shares of common stock and restricted stock units had been issued to officers, directors and employees under the 2011 Plan net of cancelations and forfeitures, including 1,438,603 nonvested restricted stock units. As of March 31, 2015, there were 1,080,685 shares available for issuance under the 2011 Plan.
Income Taxes, Policy	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC 740-10-30. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Accounting standards require the consideration of a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it is “more likely than not” that some component or all of the benefits of deferred tax assets will not be realized.
	The tax effects from an uncertain tax position can be recognized in the financial statements only if the position is more likely than not of being sustained if the position were to be challenged by a taxing authority. The Company has examined the tax positions taken in its tax returns and determined that there are no uncertain tax positions. As a result, the Company has recorded no uncertain tax liabilities in its consolidated balance sheet.
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share, Policy	Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share
	Basic net income (loss) per common share is based on the net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus dilutive common share equivalents outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. In the computation of diluted earnings per share, excess tax benefits that would be created upon the assumed vesting of nonvested 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 stock 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. As the Company had losses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the potentially dilutive shares were anti-dilutive and were thus not included in the net loss per share calculation.
	As of March 31, 2015, (i) 1,438,603 nonvested restricted stock units were issued and outstanding and represent potentially dilutive shares; (ii) 626,174 stock options were issued and presently exercisable and represent potentially dilutive shares; (iii) 442,073 stock options were granted but are not presently exercisable and represent potentially dilutive shares; (iv) 5,114,633 warrants were issued and presently exercisable, which have an exercise price of $2.05 and represent potentially dilutive shares; (v) 223,293 warrants were issued and presently exercisable, which have an exercise price of $6.86 and represent potentially dilutive shares; (vi) 892,858 warrants were issued and presently exercisable, which have an exercise price of $49.70 and represent potentially dilutive shares; and (vii) $151.5 million of convertible senior notes convertible into approximately 17,264,958 shares of common stock as of March 31, 2015 and represent potentially dilutive shares.
Derivative and Other Financial Instruments, Policy	Derivative and Other Financial Instruments
	Commodity Derivative Instruments
	The Company has entered into commodity derivative instruments, utilizing oil derivative swap contracts to reduce the effect of price changes on a portion of future oil production. The Company’s commodity derivative instruments are measured at fair value and are included in the consolidated balance sheet as derivative assets and liabilities. Net gains and losses are recorded based on the changes in the fair values of the derivative instruments. The Company’s valuation estimate takes into consideration the counterparties’ credit worthiness, the Company’s credit worthiness, and the time value of money. The consideration of the factors results in an estimated exit price for each derivative asset or liability under a market place participant’s view. Management believes that this approach provides a reasonable, non-biased, verifiable, and consistent methodology for valuing commodity derivative instruments (see Note 12 – Derivative Instruments and Price Risk Management).
	Warrant Liability
	From time to time, the Company may have financial instruments such as warrants that may be classified as liabilities when either (a) the holders possess rights to net cash settlement, (b) physical or net equity settlement is not in the Company’s control, or (c) the instruments contain other provisions that causes the Company to conclude that they are not indexed to the Company’s equity. Such instruments are initially recorded at fair value and subsequently adjusted to fair value at the end of each reporting period through earnings.
	As a part of a securities purchase agreement entered into in February 2013 with affiliates of White Deer Energy L.P. (see Note 5 – Preferred and Common Stock), the Company issued warrants that contain a put and other liability type provisions. Accordingly, these warrants are accounted for as a liability. This warrant liability is accounted for at fair value with changes in fair value reported in the consolidated statement of operations.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy	New Accounting Pronouncements
	From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by FASB that are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date.  If not discussed, management believes that the impact of recently issued standards, which are not yet effective, will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
Use of Estimates, Policy	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements under GAAP in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates relate to proved oil and natural gas reserve volumes, future development costs, estimates relating to certain oil and natural gas revenues and expenses, fair value of derivative instruments, valuation of share-based compensation, valuation of asset retirement obligations and the valuation of deferred income taxes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Industry Segment and Geographic Information, Policy	Industry Segment and Geographic Information
	The Company operates in one industry segment, which is the exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas with all of the Company’s operational activities having been conducted in the U.S. The Company’s current operational activities and the Company’s consolidated revenues are generated from markets exclusively in the U.S., and the Company has no long-lived assets located outside the U.S.
Reclassifications, Policy	Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods’ reported amounts in order to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not impact the Company’s net loss, stockholders’ equity or cash flows.

OIL_AND_NATURAL_GAS_PROPERTIES1

OIL AND NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Oil and Natural Gas Properties [Abstract]
Schedule of Purchase Price of Acquisition, Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the purchase price and estimated values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the September 2014 acquisition (in thousands):
	Purchase Price
	Consideration Given:
	Cash	$	71,187
	Assignment of oil and natural gas properties		35,918
	Liabilities assumed, net		1,121
	Total	$	108,226
	Allocation of Purchase Price:
	Proved oil and natural gas properties	$	48,997
	Unproved oil and natural gas properties		59,083
	Liabilities released		146
	Total fair value of oil and natural gas properties	$	108,226
Schedule of Pro Forma Operating Results	The pro forma information is based upon these assumptions and is not necessarily indicative of future results of operations:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Revenues	$	27,542,915
	Net (Loss) Income	$	3,133,981
	Net (Loss) Income Per Share – Basic and Diluted	$	0.05
	Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Basic and Diluted		66,171,875

PREFERRED_AND_COMMON_STOCK_Tab

PREFERRED AND COMMON STOCK (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Preferred and Common Stock [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Preferred Stock Transaction	A summary of the preferred stock transaction components as of March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and the issuance date is provided below:
		31-Mar-15			31-Dec-14		February 19, 2013
							(issuance date)
	Series A Preferred Stock	$	—		$	—	$	41,369,000
	Series B Preferred Stock		5,000			5,000		5,000
	Warrant Liability		1,497,000			2,199,000		8,626,000
	Total	$	1,502,000		$	2,204,000	$	50,000,000
Schedule of Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock Shares Outstanding	A summary of the restricted stock units and restricted stock shares activity during the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
		Number of Shares			Weighted
					Average Grant
					Date Fair Value
	Non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock units at January 1, 2015		584,620		$	7.27
	Granted		1,031,010			0.78
	Canceled		(69,128	)		0.82
	Vested and forfeited for taxes		(27,159	)		7.48
	Vested and issued		(80,740	)		7.48
	Non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock units at March 31, 2015		1,438,603		$	2.95

STOCK_OPTIONS_AND_WARRANTS_Tab

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stock Options and Warrants [Abstract]
Schedule of Stock Options Outstanding Roll Forward	A summary of the stock options activity during the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
		Number of			Weighted
		Options			Average
					Exercise Price
	Balance outstanding at January 1, 2015		1,194,679		$	8.56
	Granted		—			—
	Canceled		(126,432	)		7.29
	Exercised		—			—
	Balance outstanding at March 31, 2015		1,068,247		$	8.7
	Options exercisable at March 31, 2015		626,174		$	9.77
Schedule of Stock Options Outstanding	At March 31, 2015, stock options outstanding were as follows:
		Options Outstanding							Options Exercisable
	Year of Grant	Number of			Weighted Average		Weighted		Number of		Weighted Average		Weighted
		Options			Remaining		Average		Options		Remaining		Average
		Outstanding			Contract Life		Exercise		Exercisable		Contract Life		Exercise
					(years)		Price				(years)		Price
	2015		—			—		—		—		—		—
	2014		396,942			3.86	$	7.14		143,532		4.28	$	7.48
	2013		237,102			4.79		7.02		122,101		4.15		6.74
	2012		312,499			2.21		8.15		238,837		2.18		8.25
	Prior		121,704			0.98		18.52		121,704		0.98		18.52
	Total		1,068,247			3.25	$	8.7		626,174		2.66	$	9.77
Schedule of Warrants Outstanding	The table below reflects the status of warrants outstanding at March 31, 2015:
		Warrants			Exercise Price		Expiration Date
	1-Dec-09		37,216		$	6.86	1-Dec-19
	31-Dec-09		186,077		$	6.86	31-Dec-19
	8-Feb-11		892,858		$	49.7	8-Feb-16
	19-Feb-13		5,114,633		$	2.05	31-Dec-19
	Total		6,230,784

ASSET_RETIREMENT_OBLIGATION_Ta

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Asset Retirement Obligation [Abstract]
Schedule of Change in Asset Retirement Obligation	The following table summarizes the Company’s asset retirement obligation transactions recorded in accordance with the provisions of ASC 410-20-25 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014:
		31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
	Beginning Asset Retirement Obligation	$	2,671,975	$	692,137
	Revision of Previous Estimates		—		148,968
	Liabilities Incurred or Acquired		273,006		1,817,939
	Accretion of Discount on Asset Retirement Obligations		49,579		104,803
	Wells Settled through P&A		—		(72,555	)
	Liabilities Associated with Properties Sold		—		(19,317	)
	Ending Asset Retirement Obligation	$	2,994,560	$	2,671,975

FAIR_VALUE_Tables

FAIR VALUE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value of Financial Instruments Measured on Recurring Basis	The following schedule summarizes the valuation of financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015:
		Fair Value Measurements at
		March 31, 2015 Using
		Quoted Prices In Active			Significant Other		Significant Unobservable
		Markets for Identical			Observable Inputs		Inputs
		Assets			(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(Level 1)
	Warrant Liability – Long Term Liability	$	—		$	—	$	(1,497,000	)
	Total	$	—		$	—	$	(1,497,000	)
	The following schedule summarizes the valuation of financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014:
		Fair Value Measurements at
		December 31, 2014 Using
		Quoted Prices In			Significant Other		Significant Unobservable
		Active Markets for			Observable Inputs		Inputs
		Identical Assets			(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(Level 1)
	Warrant Liability – Long Term Asset (Liability)	$	—		$	—	$	(2,199,000	)
	Commodity Derivatives – Current Asset (oil swaps)		—			5,044,125		—
	Total	$	—		$	5,044,125	$	(2,199,000	)
Schedule of Fair Value of Warrants Liability Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs	A rollforward of warrant liability measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs on a recurring basis is as follows:
	Balance, at January 1, 2014	$	(15,703,000	)
	Purchases, issuances, and settlements		—
	Change in Fair Value of Warrant Liability		13,504,000
	Transfers		—
	Balance, at December 31, 2014		(2,199,000	)
	Change in Fair Value of Warrant Liability		702,000
	Balance, at March 31, 2015	$	(1,497,000	)

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS_AND_PRI1

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND PRICE RISK MANAGEMENT (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Price Risk Management [Abstract]
Schedule of Reconciliation of Commodity Derivatives	The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the changes in fair value of the Company’s commodity derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
		2015			2014
	Beginning fair value of commodity derivatives	$	5,044,125		$	(853,005	)
	Total gains (losses) on commodity derivatives		273,175			(798,852	)
	Cash settlements (received) paid on commodity derivatives		(5,317,300	)		553,383
	Ending fair value of commodity derivatives	$	—		$	(1,098,474	)

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION_AND_SIGN2

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Jul. 10, 2013	Oct. 22, 2012	27-May-11
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Cash FDIC insured amount	$250,000
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current and non-current	2,000,000		4,000,000
Restricted Cash Released	2,000,000	11,000,512
Internal salaries capitalized	1,122,920	1,384,982
Stock-based compensation included in internal salaries capitalized	331,033	660,969
Gain on sale of oil and natural gas properties	0	0
Capitalized interest	0	0
Amount related to expiring leases included in the costs subject to depletion calculation	235,537		2,979,258
Unamortized costs of oil and gas properties exceeding the ceiling test limit	85,264,000
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties	85,264,000
Impairment losses recognized on non oil and gas long lived assets	0
Uncertain tax liabilities recorded in balance sheet	$0
Number of reportable segments	$1
Number of long lived assets located outside the United States (in Integer)	$0
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation, equity incentive plan, common stock reserved (in Shares)				9,800,000	3,500,000
Stock-based compensation, equity incentive plan, shares authorized for issuance (in Shares)						714,286
Stock-based compensation, equity incentive plan, unvested shares (in Shares)	1,438,603		584,620
Number of options outstanding (in Shares)	1,068,247		1,194,679
2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2011 Plan") [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation, equity incentive plan, shares available for issuance (in Shares)	1,080,685
2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2011 Plan") [Member] | Stock Option [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding (in Shares)	1,107,532
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in Shares)	1,438,603
Exercisable Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in Shares)	626,174
Non Exercisable Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in Shares)	442,073
Warrants Exercisable at $2.05 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in Shares)	5,114,633
Warrants Exercisable at $6.86 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in Shares)	223,293
Warrants Exercisable at $49.70 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in Shares)	892,858
Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in Shares)	151,500,000
Common shares issuable on conversion of convertible notes (in Shares)	17,264,958

OIL_AND_NATURAL_GAS_PROPERTIES2

OIL AND NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES (Narrative) (Details) (McKenzie Billings and Dunn Counties [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Sep. 02, 2014
McKenzie Billings and Dunn Counties [Member]
Oil and Gas in Process Activities [Line Items]
Number of acres acquired (in Acres)	$30,500
Purchase price of acquired oil and natural gas property leases	$71,200,000
Consideration Transferred, Net Acreage Assigned (in Acres)	$4,300

OIL_AND_NATURAL_GAS_PROPERTIES3

OIL AND NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES (Purchase Price of Acquisition Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Oil and Natural Gas Properties [Abstract]
Cash	$71,187
Assignment of oil and natural gas properties	35,918
Liabilities assumed, net	1,121
Total	108,226
Proved oil and natural gas properties	48,997
Unproved oil and natural gas properties	59,083
Liabilites released	145
Total fair value of oil and natural gas properties	$108,226

OIL_AND_NATURAL_GAS_PROPERTIES4

OIL AND NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES (Pro Forma Results Of Acquisition) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Oil and Natural Gas Properties [Abstract]
Revenues	$27,542,915
Net (Loss) Income	$3,133,981
Net (Loss) Income per Share - Basic and Diluted (in Dollars per Share)	$0.05
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic and Diluted (in Shares)	66,171,875

RELATED_PARTY_TRANSACTIONS_Nar

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	16-May-14	Jun. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party transaction, common stock purchasable with warrants issued (in Shares)				5,114,633
Related party transaction, initial exercise price of common stock purchasable with warrants issued (in Dollars per Share)				$5.77
Additional company shares included under amended registratration rights agreement (in Shares)		2,785,600	5,092,852
Related party transaction and company, shares registered for resale with the SEC under registration statement Form S-3 (in Shares)	7,878,452
White Deer Energy [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party transaction, Series A Preferred stock issued (in Shares)				500,000
Related party transaction, Series B Preferred stock issued (in Shares)				5,114,633
Related party transaction, proceeds from the issuance of equity				$50,000,000
Related party transaction, number of board members purchaser obtained the right to designate (in Integer)				$1
Related party transaction, period after notice receipt from related party within which company has agreed to file a shelf registration statement covering resale of common stock purchasable with warrant issue (in Duration)				30 days
Related party transaction, period over which Company has agreed to use commerically reasonable efforts to effect registration statement (in Duration)				120 days
Related party transaction and company, shares registered for resale with the SEC under registration statement Form S-3 (in Shares)				5,114,633

PREFERRED_AND_COMMON_STOCK_Nar

PREFERRED AND COMMON STOCK (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 11, 2015	Feb. 19, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 19, 2013	Feb. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	4-May-15
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Preferred stock - Shares Outstanding (in Shares)			5,114,633	5,114,633
Shares issued below initial warrant exercise price of $5.77 per share (in Shares)			10,721,824
2% Convertible Notes debt extinguished through common share issuance			$21,000,000
Common shares issued in public offering (in Shares)	27,159,107
Common stock, issuance price per share (in Dollars per Share)									$1.12
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of transaction costs				29,353,563
Reduced warrant exercise price (in Dollars per Share)									$2.05
Internal rate of return required to avoid additional cash payment on change of control (in Percent)				25.00%
Warrant liability recognized		8,626,000
Share-Based Compensation Expense				1,633,580	3,695,303
Stock-based compensation, equity incentive plan, unvested shares (in Shares)			584,620	1,438,603
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Unrecognized share-based compensation cost				2,035,677
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Share-Based Compensation Expense				1,579,881	3,459,930
Share-based compensation capitalized				298,454	439,715
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Shares of stock issued in private placement (in Shares)						500,000
Payment for redemption of stock								50,000,000
Preferred stock, redemption premium								6,250,000
Preferred stock - Shares Outstanding (in Shares)				0
Dividends paid				0	0
Fair value recognized from public offering, net of offering costs							38,552,994
Payments of stock issuance costs							2,816,006
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Shares of stock issued in private placement (in Shares)						5,114,633
Number of votes per share of preferred stock (in Integer)				$1
Dividend rights (in Dollars per Share)				$0
Liquidation preference (in Dollars per Share)				$0.00
Redemption price (in Dollars per Share)				$0.00
Share of common stock issuable under warrant issued as part of unit with each share of preferred stock (in Shares)				1
Fair value recognized from public offering, net of offering costs							5,000
Warrant [Member]
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Shares of stock issued in private placement (in Shares)						5,114,633
Exercise price of warrants issued in private placement (in Dollars per Unit)		$5.77				5.77
Warrant liability recognized							8,626,000
Series A Preferred Series B Preferred and Warrants to Purchase Common Stock [Member]
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of equity in private placement						50,000,000
Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Issuance discount outstanding			$0	$0

PREFERRED_AND_COMMON_STOCK_Sch

PREFERRED AND COMMON STOCK (Schedule of Components of Preferred Stock Transaction) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 19, 2013
Total	$1,502,000	$2,204,000	$50,000,000
Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
Total			41,369,000
Series B Voting Preferred Stock [Member]
Total	5,000	5,000	5,000
Warrant Liability [Member]
Total	$1,497,000	$2,199,000	$8,626,000

PREFERRED_AND_COMMON_STOCK_Sch1

PREFERRED AND COMMON STOCK (Schedule of Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock Shares Outstanding) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock units, at beginning of period (in Shares)	584,620
Restricted stock units and restricted stock shares, Granted (in Shares)	1,031,010
Restricted stock units and restricted stock shares, Canceled (in Shares)	-69,128
Restricted stock units and restricted stock shares, Vested and forfeited for taxes (in Shares)	-27,159
Restricted stock units and restricted stock shares, Vested and issued (in Shares)	-80,740
Non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock units, at end of period (in Shares)	1,438,603
Non-vested restricted stock units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, at beginning of period (in Dollars per Share)	$7.27
Non-vested restricted stock units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted (in Dollars per Share)	$0.78
Non-vested restricted stock units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Canceled (in Dollars per Share)	$0.82
Non-vested restricted stock units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested and forfeited for taxes (in Dollars per Share)	$7.48
Non-vested restricted stock units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested and issued (in Dollars per Share)	$7.48
Non-vested restricted stock units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, at end of period (in Dollars per Share)	$2.95

STOCK_OPTIONS_AND_WARRANTS_Nar

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options granted (in Shares)
Stock options granted weighted average exercise price (in Dollars per Share)
Warrants expired or forfeited (in Shares)	0
Stock Option [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation, net of tax	$53,698	$235,373
Share based compensation, tax	0	0
Share-based compensation capitalized	32,579	221,254
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation capitalized	$298,454	$439,715

STOCK_OPTIONS_AND_WARRANTS_Sch

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (Schedule of Stock Options Outstanding Roll Forward) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Deferred Compensation Arrangement With Individual Share Based Payments [Line Items]
Stock options outstanding at beginning of period (in Shares)	1,194,679
Stock options granted (in Shares)
Stock options canceled (in Shares)	-126,432
Stock options exercised (in Shares)
Stock options outstanding at end of period (in Shares)	1,068,247
Stock options exercisable at end of period (in Shares)	626,174
Stock options outstanding weighted average exercise price at beginning of period (in Dollars per Share)	$8.56
Stock options granted weighted average exercise price (in Dollars per Share)
Stock options canceled weighted average exercise price (in Dollars per Share)	$7.29
Stock options exercised weighted average exercise price (in Dollars per Share)
Stock options outstanding weighted average exercise price at end of period (in Dollars per Share)	$8.70
Stock options exercisable, weighted average exercise price at end of period (in Dollars per Share)	$9.77

STOCK_OPTIONS_AND_WARRANTS_Sch1

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (Schedule of Stock Options Outstanding) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding (in Shares)	1,068,247	1,194,679
Stock options outstanding, weighted average remaining contract life (years) (in Duration)	3 years 3 months 0 days
Stock options outstanding weighted average exercise price (in Dollars per Share)	$8.70	$8.56
Number of options exercisable (in Shares)	626,174
Stock options exercisable, weighted average remaining contract life (years) (in Duration)	2 years 7 months 28 days
Stock options exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in Dollars per Share)	$9.77
Year of Grant 2015 [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding (in Shares)
Stock options outstanding, weighted average remaining contract life (years) (in Duration)
Stock options outstanding weighted average exercise price (in Dollars per Share)
Number of options exercisable (in Shares)
Stock options exercisable, weighted average remaining contract life (years) (in Duration)
Stock options exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in Dollars per Share)
Year of Grant 2014 [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding (in Shares)	396,942
Stock options outstanding, weighted average remaining contract life (years) (in Duration)	3 years 10 months 10 days
Stock options outstanding weighted average exercise price (in Dollars per Share)	$7.14
Number of options exercisable (in Shares)	143,532
Stock options exercisable, weighted average remaining contract life (years) (in Duration)	4 years 3 months 11 days
Stock options exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in Dollars per Share)	$7.48
Year of Grant 2013 [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding (in Shares)	237,102
Stock options outstanding, weighted average remaining contract life (years) (in Duration)	4 years 9 months 15 days
Stock options outstanding weighted average exercise price (in Dollars per Share)	$7.02
Number of options exercisable (in Shares)	122,101
Stock options exercisable, weighted average remaining contract life (years) (in Duration)	4 years 1 month 24 days
Stock options exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in Dollars per Share)	$6.74
Year of Grant 2012 [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding (in Shares)	312,499
Stock options outstanding, weighted average remaining contract life (years) (in Duration)	2 years 2 months 16 days
Stock options outstanding weighted average exercise price (in Dollars per Share)	$8.15
Number of options exercisable (in Shares)	238,837
Stock options exercisable, weighted average remaining contract life (years) (in Duration)	2 years 2 months 5 days
Stock options exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in Dollars per Share)	$8.25
Year of Grant Prior to 2012 [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding (in Shares)	121,704
Stock options outstanding, weighted average remaining contract life (years) (in Duration)	0 years 11 months 23 days
Stock options outstanding weighted average exercise price (in Dollars per Share)	$18.52
Number of options exercisable (in Shares)	121,704
Stock options exercisable, weighted average remaining contract life (years) (in Duration)	0 years 11 months 23 days
Stock options exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in Dollars per Share)	$18.52

STOCK_OPTIONS_AND_WARRANTS_Sch2

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (Schedule of Warrants Outstanding) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants outstanding (in Shares)	6,230,784
Warrant [Member] | Issued December 1, 2009 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants outstanding (in Shares)	37,216
Weighted-average exercise price of warrants outstanding (in Dollars per Unit)	$6.86
Expiration date of warrants outstanding (in Date)	1-Dec-19
Warrant [Member] | Issued December 31, 2009 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants outstanding (in Shares)	186,077
Weighted-average exercise price of warrants outstanding (in Dollars per Unit)	$6.86
Expiration date of warrants outstanding (in Date)	31-Dec-19
Warrant [Member] | Issued February 8, 2011 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants outstanding (in Shares)	892,858
Weighted-average exercise price of warrants outstanding (in Dollars per Unit)	$49.70
Expiration date of warrants outstanding (in Date)	8-Feb-16
Warrant [Member] | Issued February 19, 2013 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants outstanding (in Shares)	5,114,633
Weighted-average exercise price of warrants outstanding (in Dollars per Unit)	$2.05

REVOLVING_CREDIT_FACILITY_Narr

REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility	$109,683,000	$75,000,000
Wells Fargo Credit Agreement [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Date credit facility was entered into (in Date)	20-Nov-12
Maximum amount available under credit facility	400,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility	109,700,000
Current borrowing base under credit facility	250,000,000
Maturity date of credit facility (in Date)	30-Sep-18
Interest rate per annum (in Percent)	2.82%
Facility covenant, minimum current ratio (in Ratio)	1
Facility covenant, maximum amount of proved reserves permitted to be hedged for up to 24 months from facility initiation (in Percent)	60.00%
Facility covenant, maximum amount of proved reserves permitted to be hedged for 24 to 60 months from facility initiation (in Percent)	80.00%
Facility covenant, maximum value of proved reserves hedging as a percent of actual current period production (in Percent)	100.00%
Wells Fargo Credit Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage (in Percent)	0.38%
Wells Fargo Credit Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Alternate Base rate Under Credit Facility [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate spread (in Percent)	0.75%
Wells Fargo Credit Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member] | LIBOR Rate [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate spread (in Percent)	1.75%
Wells Fargo Credit Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage (in Percent)	0.50%
Wells Fargo Credit Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Alternate Base rate Under Credit Facility [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate spread (in Percent)	1.75%
Wells Fargo Credit Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member] | LIBOR Rate [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate spread (in Percent)	2.75%
Wells Fargo Credit Agreement Letters of Credit [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum amount available under credit facility	5,000,000
Fronting fee to be paid if this value exceeds point one two five percent of the face amount of the letter of credit to be issued	$500
Fronting fee to be paid if this value times the Letter of credit face amount exceeds five hundred dollars (in Percent)	0.13%
Wells Fargo Credit Agreement Letters of Credit [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate spread (in Percent)	1.75%
Wells Fargo Credit Agreement Letters of Credit [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate spread (in Percent)	2.75%

CONVERTIBLE_NOTES_Narrative_De

CONVERTIBLE NOTES (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes issuance date (Date)	24-Mar-14
Notes, amount issued	$172,500,000
Notes stated percentage (in Percent)	2.00%
Notes maturity date (in Date)	1-Apr-19
Shares issuable on conversion of convertible notes (in Shares)	17,264,958
Private placement, proceeds	166,900,000
Convertible notes, conversion rate, shares per $1,000 principal amount (in Shares)	$133.96
Convertible notes, conversion rate, principal amount per 113.9601 shares	$1,000
Convertible notes, conversion rate, price per share (in Dollars per Share)	$8.78
Convertible notes, fundamental change purchase price percentage (in Percent)	100.00%
Convertible notes, event of default, minimum percent of outstanding principal required among noteholders to trigger prepayment demand under event of default (in Percent)	25.00%

ASSET_RETIREMENT_OBLIGATION_Na

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Asset Retirement Obligation [Abstract]
Significant input to assumption, asset retirement obligation valuation, future inflation factor (in Percent)	2.50%
Significant input to assumption, asset retirement obligation valuation, interest rate credit-adjusted risk-free (in Percent)	7.00%
Assets legally restricted for purposes of settling asset retirement obligtions	$0

ASSET_RETIREMENT_OBLIGATION_Sc

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION (Schedule of Change in Asset Retirement Obligation) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation [Abstract]
Beginning Asset Retirement Obligation	$2,671,975	$692,137	$692,137
Revision of previous estimate			148,968
Liabilities Incurred or Acquired	273,006		1,817,939
Accretion of Discount on Asset Retirement Obligations	49,579	15,720	104,803
Wells Settled through P&A			-72,555
Liabilities Associated with Properties Sold			-19,317
Ending Asset Retirement Obligation	$2,994,560		$2,671,975

INCOME_TAXES_Narrative_Details

INCOME TAXES (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Deferred income tax provision or benefit	$0
Unrecognized tax benefits	$0

FAIR_VALUE_Narrative_Details

FAIR VALUE (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 19, 2013	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value [Abstract]
Fair value upon issuance	$8,626,000
Warrant Revaluation Gain (Expense)		702,000	-196,000
Fair value of convertible notes		$81,400,000

FAIR_VALUE_Schedule_of_Fair_Va

FAIR VALUE (Schedule of Fair Value of Financial Instruments Measured on Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Warrant Liability - Long Term Asset (Liability)	($1,497,000)	($2,199,000)
Commodity Derivatives - Current Asset (oil swaps)		5,044,125
Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Warrant Liability - Long Term Asset (Liability)
Commodity Derivatives - Current Asset (oil swaps)
Fair value, net asset (liability), total
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Warrant Liability - Long Term Asset (Liability)
Commodity Derivatives - Current Asset (oil swaps)		5,044,125
Fair value, net asset (liability), total		5,044,125
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Warrant Liability - Long Term Asset (Liability)	-1,497,000	-2,199,000
Commodity Derivatives - Current Asset (oil swaps)
Fair value, net asset (liability), total	($1,497,000)	($2,199,000)

FAIR_VALUE_Schedule_of_Fair_Va1

FAIR VALUE (Schedule of Fair Value of Warrants Liability Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 19, 2013	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Rollforward of Level 3 warrants liability measured at fair value using level 3 on a recurring basis
Warrants liability, balance at beginning of period		($2,199,000)	($15,703,000)
Purchases, issuances, and settlements	-8,626,000
Change in Fair Value of Warrant Liability		702,000	13,504,000
Warrants liability, balance at end of period		($1,497,000)	($2,199,000)

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS_AND_PRI2

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND PRICE RISK MANAGEMENT (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Jan. 05, 2015	Feb. 19, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Price Risk Management [Abstract]
Barrels of outstanding NYMEX West Texas intermediate oil derivative swap contracts, oil settled (in Barrels)	$120,000
Proceeds from settlement of oil derivative swap contracts	$5,317,300
Warrant liability recognized		8,626,000
Warrants issued, price per warrant (in Dollars per Unit)		$1.69
Expected volatility rate (in Percent)		40.00%	65.00%
Risk-free interest rate (in Percent)		1.38%	1.65%
Expected term (in Duration)		1798 days	1194 days
Exercise price of warrants (in Dollars per Unit)		$5,077		$2.05
Fair value of warrants				$1,497,000	$2,199,000	$15,703,000
Average stock price valuation assumption (in Dollars per Share)			$0.87

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS_AND_PRI3

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND PRICE RISK MANAGEMENT (Schedule of Reconciliation of the Changes in Fair Value of Commodity Derivatives) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Price Risk Management [Abstract]
Beginning fair value of commodity derivatives	$5,044,125	($853,005)
Total gains (losses) on commodity derivatives	273,175	-798,852
Cash settlements paid on commodity derivatives	-5,317,300	553,383
Ending fair value of commodity derivatives		($1,098,474)

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS_Narrative_De

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Subsequent event, date (Date)	30-Apr-15
Subsequent event, credit facility reduction in borrowing base, original borrowing base amount		$250,000,000
Subsequent event, credit facility reduction in borrowing base, reduced borrowing base amount		200,000,000
Subsequent event, alternate base borrowing rate basis spread minimum		0.75%
Subsequent event, alternate base borrowing rate maximum		1.75%
Subsequent event, LIBOR borrowing rate basis spread minimum		1.75%
Subsequent event, LIBOR borrowing rate basis spread maximum		2.75%
Subsequent event, commitment fee minimum		0.38%
Subsequent event, commitment fee maximum		0.50%
Subsequent event, portion of credit facility available for letters of credit		5,000,000
Subsequent event, annual letter of credit rate minimum		1.75%
Subsequent event, annual letter of credit rate maximum		2.75%
Subsequent event, letter of credit fronting fee if more than .125%		$500
Subsequent event, letter of credit fronting fee if more than $500		0.13%