Kodiak Oil & Gas (KOG) 10-Q 6 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 05, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001322866	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	267,864,101

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$29,546	$90
Accounts receivable	'	'
Trade	93,514	108,883
Accrued sales revenues	137,434	121,843
Commodity price risk management asset	23,676	0
Inventory and prepaid expenses	16,467	11,367
Deferred tax asset, net	0	14,300
Total Current Assets	300,637	256,483
Oil and gas properties (full cost method), at cost:	'	'
Proved oil and gas properties	4,268,960	3,556,667
Unproved oil and gas properties	528,248	641,644
Equipment and facilities	27,805	27,712
Less-accumulated depletion, depreciation, amortization, and accretion	-895,101	-605,700
Net oil and gas properties	3,929,912	3,620,323
Commodity price risk management asset	2,907	1,290
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,999 at September 30, 2014 and $1,980 at December 31, 2013	3,947	3,928
Deferred financing costs, net of amortization of $27,701 at September 30, 2014 and $22,963 at December 31, 2013	37,008	41,746
Total Assets	4,274,411	3,923,770
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	237,555	272,858
Accrued interest payable	30,070	24,425
Commodity price risk management liability	0	20,334
Deferred tax liability, net	327	0
Total Current Liabilities	267,952	317,617
Noncurrent Liabilities:	'	'
Credit facility	870,000	708,000
Senior notes, net of accumulated amortization of bond premium of $1,541 at September 30, 2014 and $1,024 at December 31, 2013	1,554,459	1,554,976
Deferred tax liability, net	205,373	133,700
Asset retirement obligations	20,557	16,405
Total Noncurrent Liabilities	2,650,389	2,413,081
Total Liabilities	2,918,341	2,730,698
Stockholders’ Equity:	'	'
Common stock—no par value; unlimited authorized Issued and outstanding: 267,864,101 shares as of September 30, 2014 and 266,249,765 shares as of December 31, 2013	1,044,982	1,024,462
Retained earnings	311,088	168,610
Total Stockholders’ Equity	1,356,070	1,193,072
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$4,274,411	$3,923,770

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_PA

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (PARENTHETICAL) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$2,999	$1,980
Deferred financing costs, accumulated amortization	27,701	22,963
Accumulated amortization of bond premium	$1,541	$1,024
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0	$0
Common stock, Issued shares	267,864,101	266,249,765
Common stock, outstanding shares	267,864,101	266,249,765

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Oil sales	$272,361	$286,832	$787,507	$606,044
Gas sales	19,789	12,760	61,701	32,076
Total revenues	292,150	299,592	849,208	638,120
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Oil and gas production	79,197	59,132	208,391	132,654
Depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion	102,864	97,094	291,558	216,888
General and administrative	18,840	12,560	45,562	33,188
Total operating expenses	200,901	168,786	545,511	382,730
Operating income	91,249	130,806	303,697	255,390
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) on commodity price risk management activities, net	83,104	-60,108	2,009	-53,185
Interest income (expense), net	-26,857	-21,049	-76,981	-50,644
Other income (expense), net	-2	1,001	53	1,683
Total other income (expense)	56,245	-80,156	-74,919	-102,146
Income before income taxes	147,494	50,650	228,778	153,244
Income tax expense	55,300	19,500	86,300	58,400
Net income	$92,194	$31,150	$142,478	$94,844
Earnings per common share:	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0.34	$0.12	$0.53	$0.36
Diluted	$0.34	$0.12	$0.53	$0.35
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic	267,480,116	265,733,881	266,837,348	265,500,414
Diluted	270,743,269	268,566,065	269,637,995	267,992,098

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$142,478	$94,844
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities	'	'
Depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion	291,558	216,888
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt premium	4,221	2,985
(Gain) loss on commodity price risk management activities, net	-2,009	53,185
Settlements on commodity derivative instruments	-43,618	-15,479
Stock-based compensation	15,041	11,105
Deferred income taxes	86,300	58,400
Changes in current assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable-trade	13,322	-59,226
Accounts receivable-accrued sales revenues	-15,591	-58,365
Prepaid expenses and other	-1,872	-1,159
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-5,215	57,974
Accrued interest payable	5,645	24,383
Net cash provided by operating activities	490,260	385,535
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Acquired oil and gas properties and facilities	-6,000	-759,025
Oil and gas properties	-692,000	-767,814
Sale of oil and gas properties	70,848	87,370
Equipment, facilities and other	-1,131	-25,517
Net cash used in investing activities	-628,283	-1,464,986
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Borrowings under credit facility	315,000	1,194,875
Repayments under credit facility	-153,000	-851,875
Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes	0	750,000
Proceeds from the issuance of common shares	8,239	2,283
Purchase of common shares	-2,760	-1,214
Debt and share issuance costs	0	-20,360
Net cash provided by financing activities	167,479	1,073,709
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	29,456	-5,742
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	90	24,060
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	29,546	18,318
Supplemental cash flow information:	'	'
Oil & gas property accrual included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	134,436	201,438
Cash paid for interest	$90,363	$48,912

Organization

Organization	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Organization	'
	Organization
	Description of Operations
	Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp. is a public company listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: “KOG”. The Company's corporate headquarters are located in Denver, Colorado, USA. The Company is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, exploitation, development, acquisition and production of crude oil and natural gas entirely in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp. was incorporated (continued) in the Yukon Territory on September 28, 2001. The Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Kodiak Oil & Gas (USA) Inc., KOG Finance, LLC, KOG Oil & Gas ULC and Kodiak Williston, LLC, are collectively referred to herein as “Kodiak” or the “Company”.
	On July 13, 2014, the Company entered into an Arrangement Agreement (the "Arrangement Agreement") with Whiting Petroleum Corporation (“Whiting”) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Whiting (“Whiting Canadian Sub”) whereby Whiting Canadian Sub would acquire all of the outstanding common shares as part of a plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”). For further information on the Arrangement Agreement, please refer to Note 12 - Whiting Petroleum Corporation Arrangement Agreement.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company's business is transacted in US dollars and, accordingly, the financial statements are expressed in US dollars. The financial statements included herein were prepared from the records of the Company in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulations S-X and S-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals that are considered necessary for a fair presentation of the interim financial information, have been included. However, operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year. Kodiak's 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K includes certain definitions and a summary of significant accounting policies and should be read in conjunction with this Form 10-Q. There have been no material changes to the information disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Kodiak's 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
	The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of oil and gas reserves, assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant areas requiring the use of assumptions, judgments and estimates include (1) oil and gas reserves; (2) cash flow estimates used in ceiling test of oil and natural gas properties; (3) depreciation, depletion and amortization; (4) asset retirement obligations; (5) assigning fair value and allocating purchase price in connection with business combinations; (6) accrued revenue and related receivables; (7) valuation of commodity derivative instruments; (8) accrued liabilities; (9) valuation of share‑based payments and (10) income taxes. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates. The Company evaluates its estimates on an on-going basis and bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Although actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, the Company believes its estimates are reasonable.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, which establishes a comprehensive new revenue recognition model designed to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU allows for the use of either the full or modified retrospective transition method, and the standard will be effective for us in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2018; early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements, as well as which transition method we intend to use.
	In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2014-15, which sets forth authoritative guidance that requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the entity’s financial statements are issued, or within one year after the date that the entity’s financial statements are available to be issued, and to provide disclosures when certain criteria are met.  This guidance is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, early adoption is permitted.  We are currently evaluating the impact of this new standard, however, we do not expect adoption to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	Accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements upon adoption.

Acquisitions_and_Divestitures

Acquisitions and Divestitures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Acquisitions and Divestitures [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions and Divestitures	'
	Acquisitions and Divestitures
	July 2013 Acquisition
	On July 12, 2013, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Kodiak Williston, LLC, acquired an unaffiliated oil and gas company’s interests in approximately 42,000 net acres of Williston Basin leaseholds, and related producing properties located primarily in McKenzie and southern Williams Counties, North Dakota, along with various other related rights, permits, contracts, equipment and other assets, including the assignment and assumption of a drilling rig contract (the "July 2013 Acquisition"). The seller received aggregate consideration of approximately $731.8 million in cash. The effective date for the acquisition was March 1, 2013, with purchase price adjustments calculated as of the closing date on July 12, 2013. The acquisition provided strategic additions adjacent to the Company's core project area and the acquired producing properties contributed revenue of $29.3 million and $92.3 million to the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Total transaction costs related to the acquisition incurred were approximately $235,000. Transaction costs are recorded in the statement of operations within the general and administrative expense line item.
	The acquisition is accounted for using the acquisition method under ASC 805, Business Combinations, which requires the acquired assets and liabilities to be recorded at fair values as of the acquisition date of July 12, 2013. In December 2013, the Company completed the transaction’s post-closing settlement. The following table summarizes the purchase price and final allocation of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):
	Purchase Price	July 12, 2013
	Consideration Given
	Cash from credit facility	$	731,785
	Total consideration given	$	731,785
	Allocation of Purchase Price
	Proved oil and gas properties	$	416,052
	Unproved oil and gas properties	292,518
	Total fair value of oil and gas properties acquired	$	708,570
	Working capital	$	25,442
	Asset retirement obligation	(2,227		)
	Fair value of net assets acquired	$	731,785
	Working capital acquired was estimated as follows:
	Accounts receivable	$	61,271
	Accrued liabilities	(35,829		)
	Total working capital	$	25,442
	Pro Forma Financial Information
	The following unaudited pro forma financial information represents the combined results for the Company and the properties acquired in July 2013 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2012 (in thousands, except per share data). For purposes of the pro forma, it was assumed that the credit facility was utilized on January 1, 2012. The pro forma information includes the effects of adjustments for depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion expense of $1.0 million and $24.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The pro forma information includes the effects of adjustments for amortization of financing costs of $26,000 and $434,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The pro forma information includes the effects of the incremental interest expense on acquisition financing of $600,000 and $5.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The pro forma financial information includes total capitalization of interest expense of $9.7 million and $29.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The pro forma information includes the effects of adjustments for income tax expense of $480,000 and $13.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.
	The following pro forma results (in thousands, except share data) do not include any cost savings or other synergies that may result from the acquisition or any estimated costs that have been or will be incurred by the Company to integrate the properties acquired. The pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of what actually would have occurred if the acquisition had been completed as of the beginning of the period, nor are they necessarily indicative of future results.
		For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013			For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Operating revenues	$	302,692		$	724,060
	Net income	$	31,935		$	115,225
	Earnings per common share
	Basic	$	0.12		$	0.43
	Diluted	$	0.12		$	0.43
	Divestitures
	In the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company divested approximately 20,900 net acres in the Williston Basin for cash proceeds of $70.8 million.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	Long-Term Debt
	As of the dates indicated, the Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
	Credit Facility due April 2018	$	870,000		$	708,000
	2019 Notes due December 2019	800,000			800,000
	Unamortized Premium on 2019 Notes	4,459			4,976
	2021 Notes due January 2021	350,000			350,000
	2022 Notes due February 2022	400,000			400,000
	Total Long-Term Debt	$	2,424,459		$	2,262,976
	Less: Current Portion of Long Term Debt	—			—
	Total Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Portion	$	2,424,459		$	2,262,976
	Credit Facility
	Kodiak Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. (the “Borrower”) has in place a $1.5 billion credit facility with a syndicate of banks, which is subject to a borrowing base. The credit facility matures on April 2, 2018. As of September 30, 2014, the credit facility was subject to a borrowing base of $1.35 billion. Redetermination of the borrowing base occurs semi-annually, on April 1 and October 1. Additionally, the Company may elect a redetermination of the borrowing base one time during any six month period. In April 2014, the redetermination was completed and the existing borrowing base was affirmed. The Company has postponed the scheduled October 2014 redetermination until December 2014.
	Interest on the credit facility is payable at one of the following two variable rates: the alternate base rate for ABR loans or the adjusted rate for Eurodollar loans, as selected by the Company, plus an additional percentage that can vary on a daily basis and is based on the daily unused portion of the credit facility. This additional percentage is referred to as the “Applicable Margin” and varies depending on the type of loan. The Applicable Margin for the ABR loans is a sliding scale of 0.50% to 1.50%, depending on borrowing base usage. The Applicable Margin on the adjusted London interbank offered ("LIBO") rate is a sliding scale of 1.50% to 2.50%, depending on borrowing base usage. Additionally, the credit facility provides for a commitment fee of 0.375% to 0.50%, depending on borrowing base usage. The grid below shows the Applicable Margin options depending on the applicable Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage (as defined in the credit facility) as of the date of this filing:
	Borrowing Base Utilization Grid
	Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage	<25.0%		>25.0% <50.0%			>50.0% <75.0%		>75.0% <90.0%		>90.0%
	Eurodollar Loans	1.5	%	1.75	%		2	%	2.25	%	2.5	%
	ABR Loans	0.5	%	0.75	%		1	%	1.25	%	1.5	%
	Commitment Fee Rate	0.375	%	0.375	%		0.5	%	0.5	%	0.5	%
	The credit facility contains representations, warranties, covenants, conditions and defaults customary for transactions of this type, including but not limited to: (i) limitations on liens and incurrence of debt covenants; (ii) limitations on dividends, distributions, redemptions and restricted payments covenants; (iii) limitations on investments, loans and advances covenants; and (iv) limitations on the sale of property, mergers, consolidations and other similar transactions covenants. Additionally, the credit facility requires the Borrower to enter hedging agreements necessary to support the borrowing base.
	The credit facility also contains financial covenants requiring the Borrower to comply with a current ratio of consolidated current assets (including unused borrowing capacity) to consolidated current liabilities of not less than 1.0 to 1.0 and to maintain, on the last day of each quarter, a ratio of total debt to EBITDAX of not greater than 4.0 to 1.0. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the credit facility as of September 30, 2014, and through the filing of this report.
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company had $870.0 million in outstanding borrowings under the credit facility and as such, the available credit under the credit facility at that date was $480.0 million. Subsequent to September 30, 2014, the Company made borrowings of $25.0 million to the credit facility, bringing the outstanding balance as of the date of this filing under the credit facility to $895.0 million. Any borrowings under the credit facility are collateralized by the Borrower’s oil and gas producing properties, the Borrower’s personal property and the equity interests of the Borrower held by the Company. The Company has entered into crude oil commodity derivative instruments with several counterparties that are also lenders under the credit facility. The Company’s obligations under these derivative instruments are secured by the credit facility.
	Senior Notes
	In November 2011, the Company issued at par $650.0 million principal amount of 8.125% Senior Notes due December 1, 2019 and in May 2012, the Company issued at a price of 104.0% of par an additional $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.125% Senior Notes due December 1, 2019 (the "2019 Notes"). The 2019 Notes bear an annual interest rate of 8.125%. The interest on the 2019 Notes is payable on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The issuance of the 2019 Notes resulted in aggregate net proceeds of approximately $784.2 million after deducting discounts and fees. The Company used the proceeds from the 2019 Notes to fund its acquisition program, repay outstanding borrowings under its credit facility and second lien credit agreement and for general corporate purposes.
	In January 2013, the Company issued at par $350.0 million principal amount of 5.50% Senior Notes due January 15, 2021 (the "2021 Notes"). The 2021 Notes bear an annual interest rate of 5.50%. The interest on the 2021 Notes is payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $343.1 million after deducting discounts and fees. All of the net proceeds from the 2021 Notes were used to repay borrowings on the Company's credit facility.
	In July 2013, the Company issued at par $400.0 million principal amount of 5.50% Senior Notes due February 1, 2022 (the "2022 Notes" and, together with the 2019 Notes and 2021 Notes, the "Senior Notes"). The 2022 Notes bear an annual interest rate of 5.50%. The interest on the 2022 Notes is payable on February 1 and August 1 of each year commencing on February 1, 2014. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $391.8 million after deducting discounts and fees. All of the net proceeds from the 2022 Notes were used to repay borrowings on the Company's credit facility.
	The 2019 Notes and 2021 Notes were issued under separate indentures among the Company, Kodiak Oil & Gas (USA) Inc., as guarantor, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as Canadian trustee (the “2019 Indenture” and the “2021 Indenture”, respectively). The 2022 Notes were issued under an indenture among the Company, Kodiak Oil & Gas (USA) Inc., Kodiak Williston, LLC and KOG Finance, LLC (collectively, the “Guarantors”), U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as Canadian trustee (the “2022 Indenture”, and together with the 2019 Indenture and the 2021 Indenture, the “Indentures”). In July 2013, Kodiak Williston, LLC and KOG Finance, LLC entered into Supplemental Indentures to the 2019 Indenture and 2021 Indenture to guarantee the 2019 Notes and 2021 Notes. On October 3, 2014, KOG Oil & Gas ULC entered into Supplemental Indentures to guarantee the 2019 Notes, the 2021 Notes and the 2022 Notes. The Indentures contain affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, limit the Company's and the Guarantors' ability to make investments; incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock; create liens; sell assets; enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; engage in transactions with the Company's affiliates; pay dividends or make other distributions on capital stock or prepay subordinated indebtedness; and create unrestricted subsidiaries. The Indentures also contain customary events of default. Upon the occurrence of events of default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, the Senior Notes shall become due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act of the trustee or the holders of the Senior Notes. Upon the occurrence of certain other events of default, the trustee or the holders of the Senior Notes may declare all outstanding Senior Notes to be due and payable immediately. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Indentures as of September 30, 2014, and through the filing of this report.
	The 2019 Notes are redeemable by the Company at any time on or after December 1, 2015, the 2021 Notes are redeemable by the Company at any time on or after January 15, 2017, and the 2022 Notes are redeemable by the Company at any time on or after August 1, 2017, in each case, at the redemption prices set forth in the indentures. Further, the 2019 Notes are redeemable by the Company prior to December 1, 2015, the 2021 Notes are redeemable by the Company prior to January 15, 2017, and the 2022 Notes are redeemable by the Company prior to August 1, 2017, in each case, at the redemption prices plus a “make-whole” premium set forth in the Indentures. The Company is also entitled to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2019 Notes before December 1, 2014, up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2021 Notes before January 15, 2016, and up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2022 Notes before August 1, 2016, with net proceeds that the Company raises in equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 108.125% of the principal amount of the 2019 Notes being redeemed and 105.5% of the principal amount of the 2021 Notes being redeemed and 105.5% of the principal amount of the 2022 Notes being redeemed, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest. If the Company undergoes a change of control, it must offer to purchase the Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes purchased plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company may redeem the Senior Notes if, as a result of changes in applicable law, it is required to pay additional amounts related to tax-withholdings, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amounts of the Senior Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company must offer to purchase the Senior Notes if it sells assets under certain circumstances.
	On July 13, 2014, the Company entered into the Arrangement Agreement with Whiting and Whiting Canadian Sub whereby Whiting Canadian Sub would acquire all of the outstanding common shares as part of a plan of arrangement. In connection with the Arrangement, Whiting solicited and received the required consents of the holders of the Company’s outstanding Senior Notes, to adopt certain amendments to the Indentures (the “Consent Solicitations”). In connection with the Consent Solicitations, Whiting offered to (i) issue an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee (the “Whiting Guarantee”) of the prompt payment, when due, of any amount owed to the holders of the Senior Notes under the Senior Notes and the Indentures and any other amounts due pursuant to the Indentures and (ii) make a cash payment in respect of consents delivered in the Consent Solicitations (the “Consent Solicitations and Offers to Guarantee”). The Consent Solicitations and Offers to Guarantee expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 17, 2014 and all required consents were received.
	On October 17, 2014, the Company, Whiting, the Company’s subsidiary guarantors, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as Canadian trustee, entered into a supplemental indenture to each Indenture that includes the amendments to the Indenture and the Whiting Guarantee. These supplemental indentures became effective on October 17, 2014, but the amendments will not become operative and the Whiting Guarantee will not be issued until the completion of the Arrangement.
	Deferred Financing Costs
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company had deferred financing costs of $37.0 million related to its credit facility and Senior Notes. Deferred financing costs include origination, legal, engineering, and other fees incurred in connection with the Company’s credit facility and Senior Notes. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded amortization expense of $1.6 million and $4.7 million, respectively, as compared to $1.4 million and $3.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.
	Interest Incurred On Long-Term Debt
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company incurred interest expense on long-term debt of $32.7 million and $96.1 million, respectively, as compared to $29.5 million and $73.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. Of the total interest incurred, the Company capitalized interest costs of $7.2 million and $23.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to $9.7 million and $25.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. Additionally, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 interest expense was reduced for the amortization of the bond premium in the amounts of $176,000 and $517,000, respectively, as compared to $163,000 and $480,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company computes its quarterly taxes under the effective tax rate method based on applying an anticipated annual effective rate to its year-to-date income or loss plus any significant unusual or infrequently occurring items recorded in the interim period. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was 37.7% and 38.1%, respectively. The Company's effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state income taxes, estimated permanent differences and changes in the valuation allowance.
	The Company continues to provide a full valuation allowance on the Canadian net deferred tax assets as ultimate realization of these deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. At each reporting period, management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, available taxes in carryback periods, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. As the Company does not have revenue generating assets in Canada, the Company does not expect to utilize the Canadian net deferred tax assets. The Company will continue to evaluate whether a valuation allowance on a separate country basis is needed in future reporting periods. Additionally, the Company has the ability and intends to indefinitely reinvest the undistributed earnings of Kodiak Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. with the exception of a de minimis amount of Canadian general and administrative expenses paid by Kodiak Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. on behalf of Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp.
	The Company recognized income tax expense of $55.3 million and $86.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to $19.5 million and $58.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.
	Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company believes that it has no liability for uncertain tax positions. If the Company were to determine there were any uncertain tax positions, the Company would recognize the liability and related interest and penalties within income tax expense. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had no provision for interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The Company files income tax returns in Canada and U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states. There are currently no Canadian or U.S. federal or state income tax examinations underway for these jurisdictions. Furthermore, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations by the Internal Revenue Service, state or local tax authorities for tax years ended on or before December 31, 2009 or Canadian tax examinations by the Canadian Revenue Agency for tax years ended on or before December 31, 2002. Although certain tax years are closed under the statute of limitations, tax authorities can still adjust tax losses being carried forward to open tax years.

Commodity_Derivative_Instrumen

Commodity Derivative Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commodity Derivative Instruments	'
	Commodity Derivative Instruments
	Through its wholly‑owned subsidiary Kodiak Oil & Gas (USA) Inc., the Company has entered into commodity derivative instruments, as described below. The Company has utilized swaps and “no premium” collars to reduce the effect of price changes on a portion of the Company's future oil production. A collar requires the Company to pay the counterparty if the settlement price is above the ceiling price and requires the counterparty to pay the Company if the settlement price is below the floor price. A swap requires the Company to pay the counterparty if the settlement price exceeds the strike price and the counterparty is required to pay the Company if the settlement price is less than the strike price. The objective of the Company’s use of derivative financial instruments is to achieve more predictable cash flows in an environment of volatile oil and gas prices and to manage its exposure to commodity price risk. While the use of these derivative instruments limits the downside risk of adverse price movements, such use may also limit the Company’s ability to benefit from favorable price movements. The Company may, from time to time, add incremental derivatives to hedge additional production, restructure existing derivative contracts or enter into new transactions to modify the terms of current contracts in order to realize the current value of the Company’s existing positions. The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes.
	The use of derivatives involves the risk that the counterparties to such instruments will be unable to meet the financial terms of such contracts. The Company’s derivative contracts are currently with eleven counterparties. The Company has netting arrangements with the counterparties that provide for the offset of payables against receivables from separate derivative arrangements with the counterparties in the event of contract termination. The derivative contracts may be terminated by a non-defaulting party in the event of default by one of the parties to the agreement.
	The Company’s commodity derivative instruments are measured at fair value and are included in the accompanying balance sheets as commodity price risk management assets and liabilities. The Company has not designated any of its derivative contracts as fair value or cash flow hedges. Therefore, the Company does not apply hedge accounting to its commodity derivative instruments. Net gains and losses on commodity price risk management activities are recorded based on the changes in the fair values of the derivative instruments. Net gains and losses on commodity price risk management activities are recorded in the commodity price risk management activities line on the consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s cash flow is only impacted when the actual settlements under the commodity derivative contracts result in making or receiving a payment to or from the counterparty. These settlements under the commodity derivative contracts are reflected as operating activities in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
	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.
	The Company’s commodity derivative contracts as of September 30, 2014 are summarized below:
	Collars		Basis (1)	Quantity (Bbl/d)		Strike Price
						($/Bbl)
	Oct 1, 2014 - Dec 31, 2015		NYMEX	300 - 350		$85.00 - $102.75
	Swaps		Basis (1)	Average Quantity (Bbl/d)		Average Swap Price
						($/Bbl)
	Oct 1, 2014 - Dec 31, 2014 Total		NYMEX	25,800		$93.41
	Jan 1, 2015 - Jun 30, 2015 Total		NYMEX	7,796		$93.08
	Jul 1, 2015 - Dec 31, 2015 Total		NYMEX	3,291		$91.17
	-1	NYMEX refers to quoted prices on the New York Mercantile Exchange
	The following tables detail the fair value of the Company's derivative instruments, including the gross amounts and adjustments made to net the derivative instruments for presentation in the consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
				As of September 30, 2014
	Underlying Commodity		Location on	Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets and Liabilities			Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet			Net Amounts of Assets and Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
			Balance Sheet
	Crude oil derivative contract		Current assets	$	25,281		$	(1,605	)	$	23,676
	Crude oil derivative contract		Noncurrent assets	$	3,120		$	(213	)	$	2,907
	Crude oil derivative contract		Current liabilities	$	1,605		$	(1,605	)	$	—
	Crude oil derivative contract		Noncurrent liabilities	$	213		$	(213	)	$	—
				As of December 31, 2013
	Underlying Commodity		Location on	Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets and Liabilities			Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet			Net Amounts of Assets and Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
			Balance Sheet
	Crude oil derivative contract		Current assets	$	7,278		$	(7,278	)	$	—
	Crude oil derivative contract		Noncurrent assets	$	2,731		$	(1,441	)	$	1,290
	Crude oil derivative contract		Current liabilities	$	27,612		$	(7,278	)	$	20,334
	Crude oil derivative contract		Noncurrent liabilities	$	1,441		$	(1,441	)	$	—
	The Company recognized a net gain on commodity price risk management activities of $83.1 million and $2.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to a net loss on commodity price risk management activities of $60.1 million and $53.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.

Asset_Retirement_Obligations

Asset Retirement Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Asset Retirement Obligations	'
	Asset Retirement Obligations
	The Company follows accounting for asset retirement obligations in accordance with ASC 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations, which requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it was incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value could be made. The Company’s asset retirement obligations primarily represent the estimated present value of the amounts expected to be incurred to plug, abandon and remediate producing and shut-in wells at the end of their productive lives in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. The Company determines the estimated fair value of its asset retirement obligations by calculating the present value of estimated cash flows related to plugging and abandonment liabilities. The significant inputs used to calculate such liabilities include estimates of costs to be incurred, the Company’s credit adjusted discount rates, inflation rates and estimated dates of abandonment. The asset retirement liability is accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized asset retirement costs are depleted as a component of the full cost pool using the unit of production method.
		For the Nine Months Ended			For the Year Ended
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
	Balance beginning of period	$	16,405		$	9,064
	Liabilities incurred or acquired	3,691			7,181
	Liabilities settled or divested	(677		)	(890		)
	Revisions in estimated cash flows	—			—
	Accretion expense	1,138			1,050
	Balance end of period	$	20,557		$	16,405

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure, establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of the inputs as follows:
	•	Level 1: Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
	•	Level 2: Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities that are observable for the asset or liability;
	•	Level 3: Unobservable pricing inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources, such as discounted cash flow models or valuations.
	The financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the fair value of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. There were no significant assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in periods after initial recognition.
	The Company’s non-recurring fair value measurements include asset retirement obligations, please refer to Note 7 - Asset Retirement Obligations, and the purchase price allocations for the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired through business combinations, please refer to Note 3 - Acquisitions and Divestitures.
	The Company determines the estimated fair value of its asset retirement obligations by calculating the present value of estimated cash flows related to plugging and abandonment liabilities using Level 3 inputs. The significant inputs used to calculate such liabilities include estimates of costs to be incurred, the Company’s credit adjusted discount rates, inflation rates and estimated dates of abandonment. The asset retirement liability is accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized asset retirement cost is depleted as a component of the full cost pool using the units-of-production method.
	The fair value of assets and liabilities acquired through business combinations is calculated using a discounted-cash flow approach using Level 3 inputs. Cash flow estimates require forecasts and assumptions for many years into the future for a variety of factors, including risk-adjusted oil and gas reserves, commodity prices and operating costs.
	The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014 by level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
			Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2014
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Financial Assets:
	Commodity price risk management asset		$	—	$	26,583	$	—	$	26,583
	Financial Liabilities:
	Commodity price risk management liability		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	Commodity Derivative Instruments
	The Company determines its estimate of the fair value of derivative instruments using a market approach based on several factors, including quoted market prices in active markets, quotes from third parties, the credit rating of each counterparty, and the Company’s own credit rating. In consideration of counterparty credit risk, the Company assessed the possibility of whether each counterparty to the derivative would default by failing to make any contractually required payments. Additionally, the Company considers that it is of substantial credit quality and has the financial resources and willingness to meet its potential repayment obligations associated with the derivative transactions. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, derivative instruments utilized by the Company consist of both “no premium” collars and swaps. The crude oil derivative markets are highly active. Although the Company’s derivative instruments are valued using public indices, the instruments themselves are traded with third-party counterparties and are not openly traded on an exchange. As such, the Company has classified these instruments as Level 2.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, commodity derivative instruments (discussed above) and long-term debt. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are representative of their fair values due to their short-term maturities. The carrying amount of the Company’s credit facility approximates fair value as it bears interest at variable rates over the term of the loan. The fair value of the 2019 Notes, 2021 Notes and the 2022 Notes was derived from available market data. As such, the Company has classified these Senior Notes as Level 2. This disclosure (in thousands) does not impact the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
			At September 30, 2014				At December 31, 2013
			Carrying		Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
			Amount				Amount
	Credit facility		$	870,000	$	870,000	$	708,000	$	708,000
	2019 Notes		$	804,459	$	864,000	$	804,976	$	888,000
	2021 Notes		$	350,000	$	355,250	$	350,000	$	350,438
	2022 Notes		$	400,000	$	406,000	$	400,000	$	398,000

ShareBased_Payments

Share-Based Payments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Share-Based Payments	'
	Share‑Based Payments
	The Company has granted various equity-based awards to directors, officers, and employees of the Company under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, amended on June 3, 2010 and further amended on June 15, 2011 (as so amended, the “Plan”). The Plan authorizes the Company to issue stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units, performance awards, other stock grants and other stock‑based awards to any employee, consultant, independent contractor, director or officer providing services to the Company or to an affiliate of the Company. The maximum number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the Plan is equal to 14% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock, as calculated on January 1 of each respective year, subject to adjustment as provided in the Plan. As of January 1, 2014, the maximum number of shares issuable under the Plan, including those previously issued thereunder, was approximately 37.3 million shares. Additionally, as a result of the Arrangement Agreement (please refer to Note 12 - Whiting Petroleum Corporation Arrangement Agreement for further details) the Company plans to vest stock options scheduled to vest on or before January 15, 2015 prior to the closing of the Arrangement. All unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units will vest upon the closing of the Arrangement.
	Stock Options
	Total compensation expense related to the stock options of $1.9 million and $6.6 million was recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to $2.0 million and $5.7 million recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, there was $7.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options, which is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years.
	Compensation expense related to stock options is calculated using the Black Scholes‑Merton valuation model. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of Kodiak’s common stock over a period consistent with that of the expected terms of the options. The expected terms of the options are estimated based on factors such as vesting periods, contractual expiration dates, historical trends in the Company’s common stock price and historical exercise behavior. The risk-free rates for periods within the contractual life of the options are based on the yields of U.S. Treasury instruments with terms comparable to the estimated option terms. The following assumptions were used for the Black‑Scholes‑Merton model to calculate the share‑based compensation expense for the period presented:
		For the Nine Months Ended				For the Year Ended
		30-Sep-14				31-Dec-13
	Risk free rates	1.65 - 2.03%				0.88-2.14%
	Dividend yield	—		%		—		%
	Expected volatility	77.22 - 79.99%				80.04 - 85.08%
	Weighted average expected stock option life	5.58 years				5.81 years
	The weighted average fair value at the date of grant for stock options granted is as follows:
	Weighted average fair value per share	$	7.39			$	6.8
	Total options granted	1,270,100				1,850,900
	Total weighted average fair value of options granted	$	9,386,039			$	12,586,120
	A summary of the stock options outstanding is as follows:
		Number of			Weighted
		Options			Average
					Exercise
					Price
	Balance outstanding at January 1, 2014	6,100,155			$	6.12
	Granted	1,270,100			$	11
	Canceled	(753,472	)		$	6.96
	Exercised	(1,608,336	)		$	5.49
	Balance outstanding at September 30, 2014	5,008,447			$	7.43
	Options exercisable at September 30, 2014	3,013,814			$	5.5
	The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at September 30, 2014:
		Options Outstanding							Options Exercisable
	Range of	Number of		Weighted		Weighted			Number of	Weighted	Weighted
	Exercise	Options		Average		Average			Options	Average	Average
	Prices	Outstanding		Remaining		Exercise Price			Exercisable	Remaining	Exercise Price
				Contractual						Contractual
				Life (Years)						Life (Years)
	$ 0.36-$3.00	624,330		4.7		$	1.92		624,330	4.7	$	1.92
	$3.01-$6.00	1,042,377		2.7		$	3.72		1,025,377	2.6	$	3.7
	$6.01-$9.00	1,041,740		7		$	7.65		643,740	6.3	$	7.23
	$9.01-$12.00	2,033,000		8.6		$	10.21		720,367	7.8	$	9.6
	$12.01-$15.86	267,000		9.3		$	12.84		0	0	$	0
		5,008,447		6.6		$	7.43		3,013,814	5.1	$	5.5
	The aggregate intrinsic value of vested and exercisable options as of September 30, 2014 was $24.3 million. The aggregate intrinsic value of options vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2014 was $30.3 million. The intrinsic value is based on the Company’s September 30, 2014 closing common stock price of $13.57. This amount would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options as of that date. The total grant date fair value of the shares vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $7.4 million.
	Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
	Total compensation expense related to restricted stock and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) of $2.8 million and $8.4 million was recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to $1.9 million and $5.4 million was recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, there was $11.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the restricted stock and the RSUs, which is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.
	As of September 30, 2014, there were 1.3 million awarded and unvested performance based RSUs, 1.2 million RSU's that may be awarded subject to performance based metrics and 73,500 unvested restricted stock with a combined weighted average grant date fair value of $10.20 per share. The total fair value vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $212,000. A summary of the restricted stock and RSUs outstanding is as follows:
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
					Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Non-vested restricted stock and RSU's at January 1, 2014	2,613,175			$	10.18
	Granted	—			—
	Forfeited	(29,000	)		9.49
	Vested	(22,500	)		9.42
	Non-vested restricted stock and RSUs at September 30, 2014	2,561,675			$	10.2

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to the common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted net income per common share includes shares of restricted stock units, and the potential dilution that could occur upon exercise of options to acquire common stock computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes that the increase in the number of shares is reduced by the number of shares which could have been repurchased by the Company with the proceeds from the exercise of the options (which were assumed to have been made at the average market price of the common shares during the reporting period).
	In accordance with ASC 260-10-45, Share‑Based Payment Arrangements and Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method, the Company’s unvested restricted stock shares are deemed participating securities, since these shares would be entitled to participate in dividends declared on common shares. During periods of net income, the calculation of earnings per share for common stock exclude income attributable to the restricted stock shares from the numerator and exclude the dilutive impact of those shares from the denominator. During periods of net loss, no effect is given to the participating securities because they do not share in the losses of the Company.
	The performance-based restricted stock units and unexercised stock options are not participating securities, since these shares are not entitled to participate in dividends declared on common shares. The number of potentially dilutive shares attributable to the performance based restricted stock units is based on the number of shares, if any, which would be issuable at the end of the respective reporting period, assuming that date was the end of the performance measurement period. Please refer to Note 9 - Share Based Payments under the heading "Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units" for additional discussion.
	The table below sets forth the computations of basic and diluted net income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share data):
		For the Three Months Ended September 30,							For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014				2013			2014			2013
	Basic net income	$	92,194			$	31,150		$	142,478		$	94,844
	Income allocable to participating securities	(25		)		(4		)	(39		)	(13		)
	Diluted net income	$	92,169			$	31,146		$	142,439		$	94,831
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	267,480,116				265,733,881			266,837,348			265,500,414
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Options to purchase common shares	5,006,447				5,616,655			4,948,447			4,546,155
	Assumed treasury shares purchased	(3,151,158		)		(3,745,681		)	(3,319,413		)	(2,828,113		)
	Unvested restricted stock units	1,407,864				961,210			1,171,613			773,642
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	270,743,269				268,566,065			269,637,995			267,992,098
	Basic net income per share	$	0.34			$	0.12		$	0.53		$	0.36
	Diluted net income per share	$	0.34			$	0.12		$	0.53		$	0.35
	The following options and unvested restricted shares, which could be potentially dilutive in future periods, were not included in the computation of diluted net income per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive for the periods indicated:
		For the Three Months Ended September 30,					For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Anti-dilutive shares	2,000			256,500		60,000		1,327,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Lease Obligations
	The Company leases office space in Denver, Colorado and Williston and Dickinson, North Dakota under separate operating lease agreements. The Denver, Colorado lease expires on October 31, 2016. The Williston and Dickinson, North Dakota leases expire on January 31, 2017 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Total rental commitments under non-cancelable leases for office space were $2.8 million at September 30, 2014. The future minimum lease payments under these non-cancelable leases are as follows: $300,000 in 2014, $1.3 million in 2015, $1.2 million in 2016, and $0 thereafter.
	Drilling Rigs
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company was subject to commitments on its drilling rigs. In the event of early termination under all of the contracts, the Company would be obligated to pay an aggregate amount of approximately $42.8 million as of September 30, 2014 as required under the varying terms of the contracts.
	Guarantees of the Senior Notes
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company had issued $800.0 million of 2019 Notes, $350.0 million of 2021 Notes, and $400.0 million of 2022 Notes, all of which are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company's wholly-owned subsidiaries, Kodiak Oil & Gas (USA) Inc., Kodiak Williston, LLC and KOG Finance, LLC. Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp, as the parent company, has no independent assets or operations. The guarantees are full, unconditional, and joint and several. KOG Oil & Gas ULC, the Company's non-guarantor subsidiary, as of September 30, 2014, has de minimis operations. On October 3, 2014, KOG Oil & Gas ULC guaranteed the 2019 Notes, the 2021 Notes and the 2022 Notes on a senior unsecured basis.
	Under the Company’s credit facility and the Indentures, the Company and subsidiary guarantors are subject to certain limitations on the ability of the subsidiary guarantors to transfer funds to the Company, including certain limitations on dividends, distributions, redemptions, payments, investments, loans and advances. There are no other restrictions on the ability of the Company to obtain funds from its subsidiaries by dividend or loan (other than as described in Note 4 - Long-Term Debt). Finally, as of the most recent fiscal year end, other than as described above, the parent Company’s wholly‑owned subsidiary does not have restricted assets that exceed 25% of consolidated net assets that may not be transferred to the Company in the form of loans, advances, or cash dividends by the subsidiaries without the consent of a third party.
	The Company may issue additional debt securities in the future that the Company's wholly‑owned subsidiaries, Kodiak Oil & Gas (USA) Inc., Kodiak Williston, LLC, KOG Finance, LLC and KOG Oil & Gas ULC may guarantee. Any such guarantees are expected to be full, unconditional, and joint and several. As stated above, the Company has no independent assets or operations, and, other than as described herein, there are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Company to receive funds from the Company's subsidiaries through dividends, loans, and advances or otherwise.
	Other
	The Company is subject to litigation and claims in pending or threatened legal proceedings arising in the normal course of its business, including, but not limited to, royalty claims and contract claims. The Company believes all such matters are without merit or involve amounts which, if resolved unfavorably, either individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	As is customary in the oil and gas industry, the Company may at times have commitments in place to reserve or earn certain acreage positions or wells. If the Company does not meet such commitments, the acreage positions or wells may be lost.

Whiting_Petroleum_Corporation_

Whiting Petroleum Corporation Arrangement Agreement	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Whiting Petroleum Corporation Arrangement Agreement [Abstract]	'
Whiting Petroleum Corporation Arrangement Agreement	'
	Whiting Petroleum Corporation Arrangement Agreement
	On July 13, 2014, the Company entered into the Arrangement Agreement, among the Company, Whiting and Whiting Canadian Sub, pursuant to which Whiting Canadian Sub will acquire all of the outstanding common shares, without par value per share, of the Company (the “Kodiak Common Shares”) and Whiting Canadian Sub and the Company will amalgamate to form one corporate entity with the Company surviving the amalgamation as part of a plan of arrangement.
	Subject to the terms and conditions of the Arrangement Agreement, at the effective time of the Arrangement, each outstanding Kodiak Common Share, other than Kodiak Common Shares with respect to which dissent rights have been properly exercised and not withdrawn (the “Dissenting Shares”), will be exchanged for 0.177 of a share (the “Share Exchange Ratio”) of Whiting common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Whiting Common Stock”). Each outstanding stock option to purchase Kodiak Common Shares, restricted stock unit measured in relation to, or settleable in, Kodiak Common Shares and each award of restricted stock relating to Kodiak Common Shares, whether vested or unvested, will be assumed by Whiting and converted automatically at the effective time of the Arrangement into an option, restricted stock unit or restricted stock award, as the case may be, denominated in shares of Whiting Common Stock based on the Share Exchange Ratio and subject to terms and conditions substantially identical to those in effect at the effective time of the Arrangement.
	The closing of the Arrangement is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including, among others: (i) approval of the Company’s and Whiting’s shareholders; (ii) approval by the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the “Applicable Court”); (iii) the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”); (iv) the accuracy of representations and warranties of, and compliance with covenants by, the other party; and (v) no more than 5% of the shares of Kodiak Common Shares being Dissenting Shares.
	Early termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act was granted on August 5, 2014. On October 22, 2014, the Company obtained an interim order from the British Columbia Supreme Court authorizing, among other procedural matters, the calling and holding of a special meeting of the Company’s securityholders to be held on December 3, 2014 at 8:00 am Mountain Time to vote on matters related to the proposed Arrangement.
	The Company and Whiting have made customary representations, warranties and covenants in the Arrangement Agreement, including, among other things, covenants (i) with respect to the conduct of their respective businesses during the interim period between the execution of the Arrangement Agreement and consummation of the Arrangement and (ii) prohibiting each of the Company and Whiting from soliciting alternative acquisition proposals and providing information to or engaging in discussions with third-parties, except in the limited circumstances as provided in the Arrangement Agreement.
	The Arrangement Agreement contains certain termination rights for both the Company and Whiting including, but not limited to, in the event that (i) the Arrangement has not been consummated on or prior to the date that is 180 days after the date of the Arrangement Agreement (subject to an automatic extension of up to 60 additional days to satisfy the conditions related to the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act); (ii) the other party materially breaches its representations or covenants and such breach is not, or is not capable of being, cured within 30 days of notice; (iii) the Applicable Court fails to approve the Arrangement, (iv) the Company’s or Whiting’s shareholders fail to approve the Arrangement; or (v) the other party’s board of directors makes an Adverse Recommendation Change (as defined in the Arrangement Agreement), or fails to reaffirm its recommendation following receipt of an acquisition proposal. In addition, prior to obtaining shareholder approval of the Arrangement and subject to the payment of a termination fee, the Company and Whiting each may terminate the Arrangement Agreement in order to enter into an agreement for a Superior Proposal (as defined in the Arrangement Agreement). Upon termination of the Arrangement Agreement, under specified circumstances (including in connection with an Adverse Recommendation Change or a Superior Proposal), either the Company or Whiting will be obligated to pay to the other party a termination fee of $130.0 million and reimburse up to $10.0 million of the other party’s expenses. If the Arrangement Agreement is terminated because a party’s shareholders do not approve the transaction, such party will be obligated to reimburse up to $10.0 million of the other party’s expenses. As of September 30, 2014, the Company has incurred transaction costs of $6.8 million to complete the Arrangement Agreement.
	Whiting will take all necessary corporate action to appoint Lynn A. Peterson, the President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, and James E. Catlin, the Executive Vice President of Business Development and a director of the Company, to the Board of Directors of Whiting as of the effective time of the Arrangement.
	Subsequent to the announcement of the Arrangement, seven purported class action lawsuits have been filed on behalf of the Company's shareholders in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado: Quigley and Koelling v.Whiting Petroleum Corporation, et al., Case No. 1:14-cv-02023, filed July 22, 2014 (the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed this lawsuit on September 24, 2014); Fioravanti v. Krysiak, et al., Case No. 1:14-cv-02037, filed July 23, 2014 (the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed this lawsuit October 24, 2014); Wilkinson v.Whiting Petroleum Corporation, et al., Case No. 1:14-cv-2074, filed July 25, 2014 (the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed this lawsuit on October 23, 2014); Goldsmith v. Krysiak, et al., Case No. 1:14-cv-2098, filed July 29, 2014 (the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed this lawsuit on October 31, 2014); Rogowski v.Whiting Petroleum Corporation, et al., Case No. 1:14-cv-2136, filed July 31, 2014 (the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed this lawsuit on October 20, 2014); Reiter v. Peterson, et al., Case No. 1:14-cv-02176, filed August 6, 2014; Sohler v. Whiting Petroleum Corporation, et al., Case No. 1:14-cv-02863, filed October 20, 2014 (the “Sohler Case”); and one purported class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of the Company's shareholders in Denver District Court, State of Colorado: The Booth Family Trust v. Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp., et al., Case No. 14-cv-32947, filed July 25, 2014. This last case was removed to the United States District Court for the District of Colorado on September 4, 2014 and is pending in that court now as Case No. 1:14-cv-2457. It is possible that other related or amended suits could subsequently be filed. The defendants have filed motions to dismiss with prejudice in the all remaining cases other than the Sohler Case. The allegations in the three remaining lawsuits are similar. They purport to be brought as class actions on behalf of all shareholders of the Company. The complaints name as defendants the individual members of the Company's board of directors, Whiting and Whiting Canadian Sub and list the Company as a nominal party or a defendant. The complaints allege that the Company's board of directors breached its fiduciary duties to the Company's shareholders by, among other things, failing to engage in a fair sale process before approving the Arrangement and to maximize shareholder value in connection with the Arrangement. Additionally, the Sohler Case alleges violations under Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and SEC Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder. Specifically, the complaints allege that the Company's board of directors undervalued the Company in connection with the Arrangement and that the Company's board of directors agreed to certain deal protection mechanisms that precluded the Company from obtaining competing offers. The complaints also allege that Whiting and Whiting Canadian Sub aided and abetted the Company's board of directors’ alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. The Sohler Case alleges additionally that in issuing the preliminary joint proxy statement/circular the Company's board of directors violated the cited sections of and rule promulgated under the Exchange Act. The complaints seek, among other things, injunctive relief preventing the closing of the Arrangement, rescission of the Arrangement or an award of rescissory damages to the purported class in the event that the Arrangement is consummated, and damages, including counsel fees and expenses. Whiting and the Company believe each lawsuit is without merit.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign1

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company's business is transacted in US dollars and, accordingly, the financial statements are expressed in US dollars. The financial statements included herein were prepared from the records of the Company in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulations S-X and S-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals that are considered necessary for a fair presentation of the interim financial information, have been included. However, operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year. Kodiak's 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K includes certain definitions and a summary of significant accounting policies and should be read in conjunction with this Form 10-Q. There have been no material changes to the information disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Kodiak's 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements	'
	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
	The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of oil and gas reserves, assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant areas requiring the use of assumptions, judgments and estimates include (1) oil and gas reserves; (2) cash flow estimates used in ceiling test of oil and natural gas properties; (3) depreciation, depletion and amortization; (4) asset retirement obligations; (5) assigning fair value and allocating purchase price in connection with business combinations; (6) accrued revenue and related receivables; (7) valuation of commodity derivative instruments; (8) accrued liabilities; (9) valuation of share‑based payments and (10) income taxes. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates. The Company evaluates its estimates on an on-going basis and bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Although actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, the Company believes its estimates are reasonable.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, which establishes a comprehensive new revenue recognition model designed to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU allows for the use of either the full or modified retrospective transition method, and the standard will be effective for us in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2018; early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements, as well as which transition method we intend to use.
	In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2014-15, which sets forth authoritative guidance that requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the entity’s financial statements are issued, or within one year after the date that the entity’s financial statements are available to be issued, and to provide disclosures when certain criteria are met.  This guidance is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, early adoption is permitted.  We are currently evaluating the impact of this new standard, however, we do not expect adoption to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	Accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements upon adoption.

Acquisitions_and_Divestitures_

Acquisitions and Divestitures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Acquisitions and Divestitures Abstract [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	'
	The following table summarizes the purchase price and final allocation of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):
	Purchase Price	July 12, 2013
	Consideration Given
	Cash from credit facility	$	731,785
	Total consideration given	$	731,785
	Allocation of Purchase Price
	Proved oil and gas properties	$	416,052
	Unproved oil and gas properties	292,518
	Total fair value of oil and gas properties acquired	$	708,570
	Working capital	$	25,442
	Asset retirement obligation	(2,227		)
	Fair value of net assets acquired	$	731,785
	Working capital acquired was estimated as follows:
	Accounts receivable	$	61,271
	Accrued liabilities	(35,829		)
	Total working capital	$	25,442
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	'
	The following pro forma results (in thousands, except share data) do not include any cost savings or other synergies that may result from the acquisition or any estimated costs that have been or will be incurred by the Company to integrate the properties acquired. The pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of what actually would have occurred if the acquisition had been completed as of the beginning of the period, nor are they necessarily indicative of future results.
		For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013			For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Operating revenues	$	302,692		$	724,060
	Net income	$	31,935		$	115,225
	Earnings per common share
	Basic	$	0.12		$	0.43
	Diluted	$	0.12		$	0.43

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of long-term debt	'
	As of the dates indicated, the Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
	Credit Facility due April 2018	$	870,000		$	708,000
	2019 Notes due December 2019	800,000			800,000
	Unamortized Premium on 2019 Notes	4,459			4,976
	2021 Notes due January 2021	350,000			350,000
	2022 Notes due February 2022	400,000			400,000
	Total Long-Term Debt	$	2,424,459		$	2,262,976
	Less: Current Portion of Long Term Debt	—			—
	Total Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Portion	$	2,424,459		$	2,262,976
Schedule of Applicable Margin options depending on the applicable Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage	'
	The grid below shows the Applicable Margin options depending on the applicable Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage (as defined in the credit facility) as of the date of this filing:
	Borrowing Base Utilization Grid
	Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage	<25.0%		>25.0% <50.0%			>50.0% <75.0%		>75.0% <90.0%		>90.0%
	Eurodollar Loans	1.5	%	1.75	%		2	%	2.25	%	2.5	%
	ABR Loans	0.5	%	0.75	%		1	%	1.25	%	1.5	%
	Commitment Fee Rate	0.375	%	0.375	%		0.5	%	0.5	%	0.5	%

Commodity_Derivative_Instrumen1

Commodity Derivative Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commodity Derivative Instrument	'
Schedule of the Company's commodity derivative contracts	'
	The Company’s commodity derivative contracts as of September 30, 2014 are summarized below:
	Collars		Basis (1)	Quantity (Bbl/d)		Strike Price
						($/Bbl)
	Oct 1, 2014 - Dec 31, 2015		NYMEX	300 - 350		$85.00 - $102.75
	Swaps		Basis (1)	Average Quantity (Bbl/d)		Average Swap Price
						($/Bbl)
	Oct 1, 2014 - Dec 31, 2014 Total		NYMEX	25,800		$93.41
	Jan 1, 2015 - Jun 30, 2015 Total		NYMEX	7,796		$93.08
	Jul 1, 2015 - Dec 31, 2015 Total		NYMEX	3,291		$91.17
	-1	NYMEX refers to quoted prices on the New York Mercantile Exchange
Schedule of fair values of the derivatives recorded in the applicable condensed consolidated balance sheet, by category	'
	The following tables detail the fair value of the Company's derivative instruments, including the gross amounts and adjustments made to net the derivative instruments for presentation in the consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
				As of September 30, 2014
	Underlying Commodity		Location on	Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets and Liabilities			Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet			Net Amounts of Assets and Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
			Balance Sheet
	Crude oil derivative contract		Current assets	$	25,281		$	(1,605	)	$	23,676
	Crude oil derivative contract		Noncurrent assets	$	3,120		$	(213	)	$	2,907
	Crude oil derivative contract		Current liabilities	$	1,605		$	(1,605	)	$	—
	Crude oil derivative contract		Noncurrent liabilities	$	213		$	(213	)	$	—
				As of December 31, 2013
	Underlying Commodity		Location on	Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets and Liabilities			Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet			Net Amounts of Assets and Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
			Balance Sheet
	Crude oil derivative contract		Current assets	$	7,278		$	(7,278	)	$	—
	Crude oil derivative contract		Noncurrent assets	$	2,731		$	(1,441	)	$	1,290
	Crude oil derivative contract		Current liabilities	$	27,612		$	(7,278	)	$	20,334
	Crude oil derivative contract		Noncurrent liabilities	$	1,441		$	(1,441	)	$	—

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_T

Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of activities of the Company's asset retirement obligation	'
		For the Nine Months Ended			For the Year Ended
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
	Balance beginning of period	$	16,405		$	9,064
	Liabilities incurred or acquired	3,691			7,181
	Liabilities settled or divested	(677		)	(890		)
	Revisions in estimated cash flows	—			—
	Accretion expense	1,138			1,050
	Balance end of period	$	20,557		$	16,405

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of the Company's financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis	'
	The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014 by level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
		Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Financial Assets:
	Commodity price risk management asset	$	—	$	26,583	$	—	$	26,583
	Financial Liabilities:
	Commodity price risk management liability	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Schedule of fair value of financial instruments	'
	This disclosure (in thousands) does not impact the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
		At September 30, 2014				At December 31, 2013
		Carrying		Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
		Amount				Amount
	Credit facility	$	870,000	$	870,000	$	708,000	$	708,000
	2019 Notes	$	804,459	$	864,000	$	804,976	$	888,000
	2021 Notes	$	350,000	$	355,250	$	350,000	$	350,438
	2022 Notes	$	400,000	$	406,000	$	400,000	$	398,000

ShareBased_Payments_Tables

Share-Based Payments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of assumptions used for the Black-Scholes-Merton model to calculate the share-based compensation expense for the periods	'
	The following assumptions were used for the Black‑Scholes‑Merton model to calculate the share‑based compensation expense for the period presented:
		For the Nine Months Ended				For the Year Ended
		30-Sep-14				31-Dec-13
	Risk free rates	1.65 - 2.03%				0.88-2.14%
	Dividend yield	—		%		—		%
	Expected volatility	77.22 - 79.99%				80.04 - 85.08%
	Weighted average expected stock option life	5.58 years				5.81 years
	The weighted average fair value at the date of grant for stock options granted is as follows:
	Weighted average fair value per share	$	7.39			$	6.8
	Total options granted	1,270,100				1,850,900
	Total weighted average fair value of options granted	$	9,386,039			$	12,586,120
Summary of the stock options outstanding	'
	A summary of the stock options outstanding is as follows:
		Number of			Weighted
		Options			Average
					Exercise
					Price
	Balance outstanding at January 1, 2014	6,100,155			$	6.12
	Granted	1,270,100			$	11
	Canceled	(753,472	)		$	6.96
	Exercised	(1,608,336	)		$	5.49
	Balance outstanding at September 30, 2014	5,008,447			$	7.43
	Options exercisable at September 30, 2014	3,013,814			$	5.5
Schedule of stock options outstanding, by exercise price range	'
	The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at September 30, 2014:
		Options Outstanding							Options Exercisable
	Range of	Number of		Weighted		Weighted			Number of	Weighted	Weighted
	Exercise	Options		Average		Average			Options	Average	Average
	Prices	Outstanding		Remaining		Exercise Price			Exercisable	Remaining	Exercise Price
				Contractual						Contractual
				Life (Years)						Life (Years)
	$ 0.36-$3.00	624,330		4.7		$	1.92		624,330	4.7	$	1.92
	$3.01-$6.00	1,042,377		2.7		$	3.72		1,025,377	2.6	$	3.7
	$6.01-$9.00	1,041,740		7		$	7.65		643,740	6.3	$	7.23
	$9.01-$12.00	2,033,000		8.6		$	10.21		720,367	7.8	$	9.6
	$12.01-$15.86	267,000		9.3		$	12.84		0	0	$	0
		5,008,447		6.6		$	7.43		3,013,814	5.1	$	5.5
Summary of the RSUs and restricted stock shares outstanding	'
	A summary of the restricted stock and RSUs outstanding is as follows:
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
					Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Non-vested restricted stock and RSU's at January 1, 2014	2,613,175			$	10.18
	Granted	—			—
	Forfeited	(29,000	)		9.49
	Vested	(22,500	)		9.42
	Non-vested restricted stock and RSUs at September 30, 2014	2,561,675			$	10.2

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of computations of basic and diluted net income per share	'
	The table below sets forth the computations of basic and diluted net income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share data):
		For the Three Months Ended September 30,							For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014				2013			2014			2013
	Basic net income	$	92,194			$	31,150		$	142,478		$	94,844
	Income allocable to participating securities	(25		)		(4		)	(39		)	(13		)
	Diluted net income	$	92,169			$	31,146		$	142,439		$	94,831
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	267,480,116				265,733,881			266,837,348			265,500,414
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Options to purchase common shares	5,006,447				5,616,655			4,948,447			4,546,155
	Assumed treasury shares purchased	(3,151,158		)		(3,745,681		)	(3,319,413		)	(2,828,113		)
	Unvested restricted stock units	1,407,864				961,210			1,171,613			773,642
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	270,743,269				268,566,065			269,637,995			267,992,098
	Basic net income per share	$	0.34			$	0.12		$	0.53		$	0.36
	Diluted net income per share	$	0.34			$	0.12		$	0.53		$	0.35
Schedule of options and unvested restricted shares, which could be potentially dilutive in future periods, not included in the computation of diluted net income per share	'
	The following options and unvested restricted shares, which could be potentially dilutive in future periods, were not included in the computation of diluted net income per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive for the periods indicated:
		For the Three Months Ended September 30,					For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Anti-dilutive shares	2,000			256,500		60,000		1,327,000

Acquisitions_and_Divestitures_1

Acquisitions and Divestitures (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended				0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jul. 12, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
				Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions	Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions	Properties Acquired in July 2013	Properties Acquired in July 2013	Properties Acquired in July 2013	General and Administrative Expenses
					acre	acre			Properties Acquired in July 2013
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gas and Oil Acreage Acquired, Net	'	'	'	'	'	42,000	'	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	'	'	'	'	'	$731,785,000	'	'	'
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual	'	'	'	'	'	'	29,300,000	92,300,000	'
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	235,000
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	'	'	'	'	'	731,785,000	'	'	'
Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Proved Oil And Gas Properties	'	'	'	'	'	416,052,000	'	'	'
Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Unproved Oil And Gas Properties	'	'	'	'	'	292,518,000	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Assets	'	'	'	'	'	708,570,000	'	'	'
Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Current Assets and Current Liabilities Net	'	'	'	'	'	25,442,000	'	'	'
Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Asset Retirement Obligation	'	'	'	'	'	-2,227,000	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets	'	'	'	'	'	731,785,000	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables	'	'	'	'	'	61,271,000	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities	'	'	'	'	'	-35,829,000	'	'	'
Business Acquisitions, Pro Forma Effect of Adjustment for Depletion Depreciation Amortization and Accretion Expense	1,000,000	'	24,200,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisitions, Pro Forma Effect of Adjustment for Amortization of Financing Costs	26,000	'	434,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisitions, Pro Forma Effect of Incremental Interest Expense on Acquisition Financing	600,000	'	5,900,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisitions, Pro Forma Capitalized Interest	9,700,000	'	29,500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisitions, Pro Forma Effect of Adjustment for Income Tax Expense	480,000	'	13,600,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue	302,692,000	'	724,060,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income	31,935,000	'	115,225,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic	$0.12	'	$0.43	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$0.12	'	$0.43	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gas and Oil Acreage Divested, Net	'	'	'	'	20,900	'	'	'	'
Sale of Oil and Gas Property and Facilities	'	$70,848,000	$87,370,000	$70,800,000	'	'	'	'	'

LongTerm_Debt_Details

Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Nov. 30, 2011

31-May-12

17-May-12

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Jan. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Jul. 26, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Nov. 05, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

8.125% Senior Notes due December 2019

8.125% Senior Notes due December 2019

8.125% Senior Notes due December 2019

8.125% Senior Notes due December 2019

8.125% Senior Notes due December 2019 Additional

8.125% Senior Notes due December 2019 Additional

5.50% Senior Notes due January 2021

5.50% Senior Notes due January 2021

5.50% Senior Notes due January 2021

Senior Notes

5.50% Senior Notes due February 2022

5.50% Senior Notes due February 2022

5.50% Senior Notes due February 2022

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsequent Event

Debt Instrument Borrowing Base Utilization Less than 25 Percent

Debt Instrument Borrowing Base Utilization Less than 25 Percent

Debt Instrument Borrowing Base Utilization Less than 25 Percent

Debt Instrument Borrowing Base Utilization Less than 25 Percent

Debt Instrument, Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than Equal to 25 Percent and Less than 50 Percent

Debt Instrument, Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than Equal to 25 Percent and Less than 50 Percent

Debt Instrument, Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than Equal to 25 Percent and Less than 50 Percent

Debt Instrument, Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than Equal to 25 Percent and Less than 50 Percent

Debt Instrument, Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than Equal to 25 Percent and Less than 50 Percent

Debt Instrument Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than Equal to 50 Percent and Less than 75 Percent

Debt Instrument Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than Equal to 50 Percent and Less than 75 Percent

Debt Instrument Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than Equal to 50 Percent and Less than 75 Percent

Debt Instrument Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than Equal to 50 Percent and Less than 75 Percent

Debt Instrument Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than Equal to 50 Percent and Less than 75 Percent

Debt Instrument Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than Equal to 75 Percent and Less than 90 Percent

Debt Instrument Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than Equal to 75 Percent and Less than 90 Percent

Debt Instrument Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than Equal to 75 Percent and Less than 90 Percent

Debt Instrument Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than Equal to 75 Percent and Less than 90 Percent

Debt Instrument Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than Equal to 75 Percent and Less than 90 Percent

Debt Instrument, Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than 90 Percent

Debt Instrument, Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than 90 Percent

Debt Instrument, Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than 90 Percent

Debt Instrument, Borrowing Base Utilization Greater than 90 Percent

Before December 1, 2014

Before January 15, 2016

Before August 1, 2016

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

8.125% Senior Notes due December 2019

5.50% Senior Notes due January 2021

5.50% Senior Notes due February 2022

Minimum

Maximum

LIBO rate

LIBO rate

Alternate base rate

Alternate base rate

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

LIBO rate

Alternate base rate

Minimum

Maximum

LIBO rate

Alternate base rate

Minimum

Maximum

LIBO rate

Alternate base rate

Minimum

Maximum

LIBO rate

Alternate base rate

Minimum

LIBO rate

Alternate base rate

Long-Term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

$2,424,459,000

'

$2,424,459,000

'

$2,262,976,000

'

$800,000,000

$800,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Current Maturities

0

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortized Premium on 8.125% Senior Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,459,000

4,976,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Portion

2,424,459,000

'

2,424,459,000

'

2,262,976,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum credit amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,500,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current borrowing base

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,350,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of times the Company may elect a redetermination of the borrowing base during any six month period

1

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Spread on variable rate, additional margin or Applicable Margin (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.50%

2.50%

0.50%

1.50%

'

'

'

1.50%

0.50%

'

'

'

1.75%

0.75%

'

'

'

2.00%

1.00%

'

'

'

2.25%

1.25%

'

'

2.50%

1.50%

'

'

'

Commitment fee rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.38%

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

0.38%

'

'

'

0.38%

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowing base utilization percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25.00%

'

'

'

25.00%

50.00%

'

'

'

50.00%

75.00%

'

'

'

75.00%

90.00%

'

'

'

90.00%

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum current ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum ratio of total debt to EBITDAX

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

870,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

895,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

480,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal amount of senior notes issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000,000

'

650,000,000

'

150,000,000

'

350,000,000

350,000,000

'

'

400,000,000

400,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate, stated percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.13%

'

'

'

'

'

5.50%

'

'

'

5.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

784,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

343,100,000

'

'

'

391,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of principal amount at which the entity issued notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

104.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum percentage of the aggregate principal amount entitled to be redeemed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

35.00%

35.00%

35.00%

Redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount of notes, if redeemed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

108.13%

105.50%

105.50%

Deferred Finance Costs, Noncurrent, Gross

37,000,000

'

37,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Redemption Price due to Change of Control as Percentage of Principal Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

101.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Redemption Price due to Additional Amounts Owed Related to Tax Witholdings as Percentage of Principal Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred Financing Costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of deferred financing costs

1,600,000

1,400,000

4,700,000

3,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Incurred On Long-Term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest expense

32,700,000

29,500,000

96,100,000

73,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capitalized interest costs

7,200,000

9,700,000

23,200,000

25,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of bond premium

$176,000

$163,000

$517,000

$480,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income tax expense	$55,300	$19,500	$86,300	$58,400
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations, Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net (as a percent)	'	'	37.70%	38.10%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	'	'	35.00%	35.00%

Commodity_Derivative_Instrumen2

Commodity Derivative Instruments (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Contracts

Commodity derivative contract

Commodity derivative contract

Commodity derivative contract

Commodity derivative contract

Commodity derivative contract

Commodity derivative contract

Commodity derivative contract

Commodity derivative contract

Commodity derivative contract

Commodity derivative contract

Commodity derivative contract

Commodity derivative contract

Commodity derivative contract

Current Assets

Current Assets

Noncurrent Assets

Noncurrent Assets

Current Liabilities

Current Liabilities

Noncurrent Liabilities

Noncurrent Liabilities

Jun - Dec 2014

Jan - Jun 2015

Jul - Dec 2015

Collar One

Collar Two

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of counterparties

'

'

11

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of defaulting parties to the agreement needed to allow a non-defaulting party to terminate a derivative contract

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commodity Derivative Instrument

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Strike Price ($/Bbl), Floor

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

85

'

Strike Price ($/Bbl), Cap

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

102.75

Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,800

7,796

3,291

300

350

Average Swap Price ($/Bbl)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

93.41

93.08

91.17

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset

'

'

'

'

$25,281

$7,278

$3,120

$2,731

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability

'

'

'

'

-1,605

-7,278

-213

-1,441

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Net

'

'

'

'

23,676

0

2,907

1,290

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,605

27,612

213

1,441

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,605

-7,278

-213

-1,441

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

20,334

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of loss recognized in income related to derivative financial instruments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain (loss) on commodity price risk management activities, net

$83,104

($60,108)

$2,009

($53,185)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_D

Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of activities of the Company's asset retirement obligation	'	'
Balance beginning of period	$16,405	$9,064
Liabilities incurred or acquired	3,691	7,181
Liabilities settled or divested	-677	-890
Revisions in estimated cash flows	0	0
Accretion expense	1,138	1,050
Balance end of period	$20,557	$16,405

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Recurring basis, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Level 1	'
Financial Assets:	'
Commodity price risk management asset	$0
Financial Liabilities:	'
Commodity price risk management liability	0
Level 2	'
Financial Assets:	'
Commodity price risk management asset	26,583
Financial Liabilities:	'
Commodity price risk management liability	0
Level 3	'
Financial Assets:	'
Commodity price risk management asset	0
Financial Liabilities:	'
Commodity price risk management liability	0
Total	'
Financial Assets:	'
Commodity price risk management asset	26,583
Financial Liabilities:	'
Commodity price risk management liability	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail1

Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions	'	'
Long-term Debt	$2,424,459	$2,262,976
Credit facility	870,000	708,000
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	1,554,459	1,554,976
Line of Credit | Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions	'	'
Credit facility	870,000	708,000
Line of Credit | Carrying Amount	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions	'	'
Long-term Debt	870,000	708,000
8.125% Senior Notes due December 2019	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions	'	'
Long-term Debt	800,000	800,000
8.125% Senior Notes due December 2019 | Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions	'	'
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	864,000	888,000
8.125% Senior Notes due December 2019 | Carrying Amount	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions	'	'
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	804,459	804,976
5.50% Senior Notes due January 2021 | Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions	'	'
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	355,250	350,438
5.50% Senior Notes due January 2021 | Carrying Amount	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions	'	'
Long-term Debt	350,000	350,000
5.50% Senior Notes due February 2022 | Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions	'	'
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	406,000	398,000
5.50% Senior Notes due February 2022 | Carrying Amount	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions	'	'
Long-term Debt	$400,000	$400,000

ShareBased_Payments_Details

Share-Based Payments (Details) (Stock Incentive 2007 Plan, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation Plan	'	'	'	'	'
Number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the plan as a percentage of the company's issued and outstanding shares of common stock	14.00%	'	14.00%	'	'
Maximum number of shares issuable under the Plan, including those previously issued there under	'	'	'	'	37,300,000
Employee Stock Option	'	'	'	'	'
Compensation Plan	'	'	'	'	'
Total compensation expense recognized (in dollars)	$1,900,000	$2,000,000	$6,600,000	$5,700,000	'
Total unrecognized compensation cost (in dollars)	7,600,000	'	7,600,000	'	'
Expected amortization period for total unrecognized compensation cost	'	'	'1 year 5 months 17 days	'	'
Assumptions used for the Black-Scholes-Merton model to calculate the share-based compensation expense for the period	'	'	'	'	'
Risk free rates, minimum (as a percent)	'	'	1.65%	'	0.88%
Risk free rates, maximum (as a percent)	'	'	2.03%	'	2.14%
Dividend yield (as a percent)	'	'	0.00%	'	0.00%
Expected volatility, minimum (as a percent)	'	'	77.22%	'	80.04%
Expected volatility, maximum (as a percent)	'	'	79.99%	'	85.08%
Weighted average expected stock option life	'	'	'5 years 6 months 28 days	'	'5 years 9 months 23 days
Additional general disclosures	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average fair value per share (in dollars per share)	'	'	$7.39	'	$6.80
Total options granted (in shares)	'	'	1,270,100	'	1,850,900
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Aggregate Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	$9,386,039	'	$12,586,120
Number of Options	'	'	'	'	'
Balance outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	'	'	6,100,155	'	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	1,270,100	'	1,850,900
Cancelled (in shares)	'	'	-753,472	'	'
Exercised (in shares)	'	'	-1,608,336	'	'
Balance outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	5,008,447	'	5,008,447	'	6,100,155
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	3,013,814	'	3,013,814	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'	'	'	'
Balance outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$6.12	'	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	'	'	$11	'	'
Cancelled (in dollars per share)	'	'	$6.96	'	'
Exercised (in dollars per share)	'	'	$5.49	'	'
Balance outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$7.43	'	$7.43	'	$6.12
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$5.50	'	$5.50	'	'

ShareBased_Payments_Details_2

Share-Based Payments (Details 2) (Employee Stock Option, Stock Incentive 2007 Plan, USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation Plan	'
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares)	5,008,447
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	'6 years 6 months 30 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$7.43
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares)	3,013,814
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	'5 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$5.50
Exercise prices from $0.36 to $3.00	'
Compensation Plan	'
Exercise price range, minimum (in dollars per share)	$0.36
Exercise price range, maximum (in dollars per share)	$3
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares)	624,330
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	'4 years 8 months 16 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$1.92
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares)	624,330
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	'4 years 8 months 16 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$1.92
Exercise prices from $3.01 to $6.00	'
Compensation Plan	'
Exercise price range, minimum (in dollars per share)	$3.01
Exercise price range, maximum (in dollars per share)	$6
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares)	1,042,377
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	'2 years 7 months 29 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$3.72
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares)	1,025,377
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	'2 years 6 months 30 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$3.70
Exercise prices from $6.01 to $9.00	'
Compensation Plan	'
Exercise price range, minimum (in dollars per share)	$6.01
Exercise price range, maximum (in dollars per share)	$9
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares)	1,041,740
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	'6 years 11 months 20 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$7.65
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares)	643,740
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	'6 years 3 months 25 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$7.23
Exercise prices from $9.01 to $12.00	'
Compensation Plan	'
Exercise price range, minimum (in dollars per share)	$9.01
Exercise price range, maximum (in dollars per share)	$12
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares)	2,033,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	'8 years 7 months 14 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$10.21
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares)	720,367
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	'7 years 9 months 19 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$9.60
Exercise prices from $12.01 to $15.86	'
Compensation Plan	'
Exercise price range, minimum (in dollars per share)	$12.01
Exercise price range, maximum (in dollars per share)	$15.86
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares)	267,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	'9 years 3 months 25 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$12.84
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares)	0
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	'0 years
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$0

ShareBased_Payments_Details_3

Share-Based Payments (Details 3) (Stock Incentive 2007 Plan, Employee Stock Option, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Stock Incentive 2007 Plan | Employee Stock Option	'
Compensation Plan	'
Aggregate intrinsic value of both outstanding and vested options	$24.30
Aggregate intrinsic value of options vested and expect to vest	30.3
Common Stock Market Price Per Share	$13.57
Total grant date fair value of the shares vested	$7.40

ShareBased_Payments_Details_4

Share-Based Payments (Details 4) (Stock Incentive 2007 Plan, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Restricted Stock Units, Awarded, Unvested	'	'	'	'
Number of Shares	'	'	'	'
Non-vested awards at the end of the period (in shares)	1,266,209	'	1,266,209	'
Restricted Stock Units, Subject to Performance, Unvested	'	'	'	'
Number of Shares	'	'	'	'
Non-vested awards at the end of the period (in shares)	1,221,966	'	1,221,966	'
Restricted Stock	'	'	'	'
Number of Shares	'	'	'	'
Non-vested awards at the end of the period (in shares)	73,500	'	73,500	'
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units	'	'	'	'
Compensation Plan	'	'	'	'
Total compensation expense recognized (in dollars)	$2,800,000	$1,900,000	$8,400,000	$5,400,000
Total unrecognized compensation cost (in dollars)	11,300,000	'	11,300,000	'
Expected amortization period for total unrecognized compensation cost	'1 year 10 months 9 days	'	'	'
Total fair value vested (in dollars)	'	'	$212,000	'
Number of Shares	'	'	'	'
Non-vested awards at beginning of the period (in shares)	'	'	2,613,175	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	0	'
Forfeited (in shares)	'	'	-29,000	'
Vested (in shares)	'	'	-22,500	'
Non-vested awards at the end of the period (in shares)	2,561,675	'	2,561,675	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	'	'
Non-vested awards at beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$10.18	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	'	'	$0	'
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	'	'	$9.49	'
Vested (in dollars per share)	'	'	$9.42	'
Non-vested awards at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$10.20	'	$10.20	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method	'	'	'	'
Basic net income	$92,194	$31,150	$142,478	$94,844
Income allocable to participating securities	-25	-4	-39	-13
Computations of basic and diluted net income per share	'	'	'	'
Diluted net income	$92,169	$31,146	$142,439	$94,831
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	267,480,116	265,733,881	266,837,348	265,500,414
Options to purchase common shares	5,006,447	5,616,655	4,948,447	4,546,155
Assumed treasury shares purchased	-3,151,158	-3,745,681	-3,319,413	-2,828,113
Unvested restricted stock units	1,407,864	961,210	1,171,613	773,642
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	270,743,269	268,566,065	269,637,995	267,992,098
Basic net income per share	$0.34	$0.12	$0.53	$0.36
Diluted net income per share	$0.34	$0.12	$0.53	$0.35
Potentially dilutive securities not included in computation of diluted income per share	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive shares	2,000	256,500	60,000	1,327,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Jul. 26, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
		Termination of Drilling Rig Contract	8.125% Senior Notes due December 2019	8.125% Senior Notes due December 2019	5.50% Senior Notes due January 2021	5.50% Senior Notes due January 2021	5.50% Senior Notes due February 2022	5.50% Senior Notes due February 2022	Subsidiaries
									Maximum
Commitments and Contingencies	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	'	$42,800,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Principal amount of senior notes issued	'	'	800,000,000	650,000,000	350,000,000	350,000,000	400,000,000	400,000,000	'
Percentage of Restricted Assets to Net, Assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	25.00%
Leases	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total rental commitments under non-cancelable leases for office space	2,800,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable leases	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2014	300,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2015	1,300,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2016	1,200,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2017	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2018	$0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Whiting_Petroleum_Corporation_1

Whiting Petroleum Corporation Arrangement Agreement(Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Whiting Petroleum Corporation Arrangement Agreement [Abstract]	'
Per Share Consideration	$0.18
Whiting Common Stock Par Value Per Share	$0.00
Maximum Allowable Dissenting Shares	5.00%
Termination Rights Maximum Days After Agreement For Consummation	'180 days
Termination Rights Number of Days After Notice If Breach Can Not be Cured	'30 days
Automatic Extension Related to HSR Act	'60 days
Termination Fee	$130
Maximum Expense Reimbursement Due to Shareholder Disapproval	10
Maximum Expense Reimbursement Due to Adverse Recommendation Change and Superior Proposal	10
Payments for Merger Related Costs	$6.80