Concho Resources (CXO) 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. 04, 2014
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'CXO	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CONCHO RESOURCES INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001358071	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	113,010,076

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$98,864	$21
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts:	'	'
Oil and natural gas	256,214	223,790
Joint operations and other	338,362	247,945
Derivative instruments	41,859	590
Deferred income taxes	0	30,069
Prepaid costs and other	35,742	18,460
Total current assets	771,041	520,875
Property and equipment:	'	'
Oil and natural gas properties, successful efforts method	13,048,470	11,215,373
Accumulated depletion and depreciation	-3,100,046	-2,384,108
Total oil and natural gas properties, net	9,948,424	8,831,265
Other property and equipment, net	117,244	114,783
Total property and equipment, net	10,065,668	8,946,048
Deferred loan costs, net	70,886	73,048
Intangible asset - operating rights, net	27,519	28,615
Inventory	15,829	19,682
Noncurrent derivative instruments	45,016	966
Other assets	42,136	1,930
Total assets	11,038,095	9,591,164
Accounts payable:	'	'
Trade	33,499	13,936
Bank overdrafts	0	36,718
Revenue payable	190,793	177,617
Accrued and prepaid drilling costs	493,280	318,296
Derivative instruments	1,027	53,701
Deferred income taxes	2,504	0
Other current liabilities	170,239	156,600
Total current liabilities	891,342	756,868
Long-term debt	3,378,483	3,630,421
Deferred income taxes	1,521,582	1,334,653
Noncurrent derivative instruments	0	14,088
Asset retirement obligations and other long-term liabilities	102,910	97,185
Commitments and contingencies (Note I)	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 300,000,000 authorized; 113,271,013 and 105,222,765 shares issued at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	113	105
Additional paid-in capital	3,010,524	2,027,162
Retained earnings	2,149,845	1,741,566
Treasury stock, at cost; 175,378 and 127,305 shares at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	-16,704	-10,884
Total stockholders' equity	5,143,778	3,757,949
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$11,038,095	$9,591,164

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000,000	300,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	113,271,013	105,222,765
Treasury shares	175,378	127,305

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating revenues:	'	'	'	'
Oil sales	$575,611	$553,068	$1,696,240	$1,412,887
Natural gas sales	124,652	99,852	369,684	274,946
Total operating revenues	700,263	652,920	2,065,924	1,687,833
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Oil and natural gas production	140,725	120,231	402,593	328,295
Exploration and abandonments	16,982	10,992	70,645	37,797
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	256,765	200,625	715,602	557,775
Accretion of discount on asset retirement obligations	1,769	1,574	5,162	4,410
Impairments of long-lived assets	15,476	0	15,476	65,375
General and administrative (including non-cash stock-based compensation of $13,465 and $9,923 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 respectively, and $34,672 and $25,278 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively)	52,763	40,836	150,048	125,120
(Gain) loss on derivatives not designated as hedges	-326,229	168,610	-125,907	157,303
Total operating costs and expenses	158,251	542,868	1,233,619	1,276,075
Income (loss) from continuing operations	542,012	110,052	832,305	411,758
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-52,601	-55,995	-164,124	-162,180
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	-4,316	-28,616
Other, net	2,155	-1,941	-6,833	-1,806
Total other expense	-50,446	-57,936	-175,273	-192,602
Income before income taxes	491,566	52,116	657,032	219,156
Income tax expense	-186,363	-21,695	-248,753	-86,023
Income from continuing operations	305,203	30,421	408,279	133,133
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	0	12,081
Net income	$305,203	$30,421	$408,279	$145,214
Basic earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$2.70	$0.29	$3.74	$1.27
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$0	$0	$0	$0.12
EarningsPerShareBasic	$2.70	$0.29	$3.74	$1.39
Diluted earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$2.69	$0.29	$3.73	$1.27
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$0	$0	$0	$0.11
EarningsPerShareDiluted	$2.69	$0.29	$3.73	$1.38

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope1

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical) (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 Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Non-cash stock-based compensation	$13,465	$9,923	$34,672	$25,278

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders Equity (USD $)	Total		Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2013	$3,757,949		$105	$2,027,162	$1,741,566	($10,884)
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013	'		105,223,000	'	'	127,000
Net income	408,279		0	0	408,279	0
Issuance of common stock (Shares)	7,475,000		7,475,000	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock	931,989		8	931,981	'	'
Stock options exercised	4,660		0	4,660	0	0
Stock options exercised, shares	207,824		208,000	'	'	0
Grants of restricted stock, shares	438,380	[1]	438,000	'	'	0
Cancellation of restricted stock, shares	'		-73,000	'	'	0
Stock-based compensation	34,672		0	34,672	0	0
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation	12,049		0	12,049	0	0
Purchase of treasury stock	-5,820		0	0	0	-5,820
Purchase of treasury stock, shares	'		0	'	'	48,000
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2014	$5,143,778		$113	$3,010,524	$2,149,845	($16,704)
BALANCE, Shares at Sep. 30, 2014	'		113,271,000	'	'	175,000
[1]	Weighted average grant date fair value per share is $129.69

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	$408,279	$145,214
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	715,602	557,775
Accretion of discount on asset retirement obligations	5,162	4,410
Impairment of long-lived assets	15,476	65,375
Exploration and abandonments, including dry holes	56,626	13,159
Non-cash compensation expense	34,672	25,278
Deferred income taxes	219,502	75,808
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets, net	8,697	1,717
(Gain) loss on derivatives not designated as hedges	-125,907	157,303
Discontinued operations	0	-12,250
Other non-cash items	11,207	17,020
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-75,963	-113,226
Prepaid costs and other	-19,317	-1,866
Inventory	3,058	434
Accounts payable	18,500	4,407
Revenue payable	13,176	44,983
Other current liabilities	-234	-40,897
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,288,536	944,644
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Capital expenditures on oil and natural gas properties	-1,754,835	-1,426,349
Additions to property, equipment and other assets	-25,267	-21,311
Proceeds from the disposition of assets	1,122	15,212
Contribution to equity method investment	-30,050	0
Funds held in escrow	0	-1,964
Settlements received from (paid on) derivatives not designated as hedges	-26,174	-37,684
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,835,204	-1,472,096
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt	1,578,000	3,283,875
Payments of debt	-1,828,000	-2,798,400
Exercise of stock options	4,660	2,304
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	12,049	9,244
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	931,989	0
Payments for loan costs	-10,649	-14,075
Purchase of treasury stock	-5,820	-3,523
Bank overdrafts	-36,718	45,169
Net cash provided by financing activities	645,511	524,594
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	98,843	-2,858
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	21	2,880
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$98,864	$22

Organization_and_nature_of_ope

Organization and nature of operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Organization and nature of operations	'
	Note A. Organization and nature of operations
	Concho Resources Inc. (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation formed on February 22, 2006. The Company’s principal business is the acquisition, development and exploration of oil and natural gas properties primarily located in the Permian Basin region of Southeast New Mexico and West Texas.

Summary_of_significant_account

Summary of significant accounting policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of significant accounting policies	'
	Note B. Summary of significant accounting policies
	Principles of consolidation. The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of the Company and its 100 percent owned subsidiaries. The Company consolidates the financial statements of these entities. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
	Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements.  Preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Depletion of oil and natural gas properties is determined using estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in the estimation of quantities of proved reserves and in the projection of future rates of production and the timing of development expenditures. Similarly, evaluations for impairment of proved and unproved oil and natural gas properties are subject to numerous uncertainties including, among others, estimates of future recoverable reserves and commodity price outlooks. Other significant estimates include, but are not limited to, the asset retirement obligations, fair value of derivative financial instruments, the fair value of business combinations, fair value of stock-based compensation and income taxes.
	Interim financial statements. The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have not been audited by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, except that the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013 is derived from audited consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company’s consolidated financial statements. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. In preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements, management has made certain estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and disclosures of contingencies. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of annual results.
	Certain disclosures have been condensed in or omitted from these consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, these condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	Deferred loan costs. Deferred loan costs are stated at cost, net of amortization, which is computed using the effective interest and straight-line methods. The Company had deferred loan costs of $70.9 million and $73.0 million, net of accumulated amortization of $57.2 million and $48.7 million, at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	The following table reflects the future amortization expense of deferred loan costs at September 30, 2014:
	(in thousands)
	Remaining 2014		$	2,443
	2015			9,973
	2016			10,311
	2017			10,670
	2018			11,052
	2019			8,342
	Thereafter			18,095
		Total	$	70,886
	Intangible assets. The Company has capitalized certain operating rights acquired in an acquisition. The gross operating rights, which have no residual value, are amortized over the estimated economic life of 25 years. Impairment will be assessed if indicators of potential impairment exist or when there is a material change in the remaining useful economic life. The following table reflects the gross and net intangible assets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
				September 30,		December 31,
	(in thousands)			2014		2013
	Gross intangible - operating rights		$	36,557	$	36,557
	Accumulated amortization			-9,038		-7,942
		Net intangible - operating rights	$	27,519	$	28,615
	The following table reflects amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
	(in thousands)		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Amortization expense		$	365	$	365	$	1,096	$	1,096
	Equity method investment. The Company owns a 50 percent member interest in a midstream joint venture, Alpha Crude Connector, LLC (“ACC”), to construct a crude oil gathering and transportation system in the northern Delaware Basin. The Company accounts for its investment in ACC under the equity method of accounting for investments in unconsolidated affiliates. The Company’s net investment in ACC is $29.2 million at September 30, 2014 and is included in other assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The equity loss for the period since inception is approximately $0.9 million and is included in other expense in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.
	Revenue recognition. Oil and natural gas revenues are recorded at the time of physical transfer of such products to the purchaser, which for the Company is primarily at the wellhead. The Company follows the sales method of accounting for oil and natural gas sales, recognizing revenues based on the Company’s actual proceeds from the oil and natural gas sold to purchasers.
	General and administrative expense. The Company receives fees for the operation of jointly-owned oil and natural gas properties and records such reimbursements as reductions of general and administrative expense. Such fees totaled approximately $6.1 million and $4.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $17.1 million and $13.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Recent accounting pronouncements. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” that outlines a new, single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. This new revenue recognition model provides a five-step analysis in determining when and how revenue is recognized. The new model will require revenue recognition to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration a company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services.
	An entity is required to apply ASU 2014-09 for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. An entity can apply ASU 2014-09 using either a full retrospective method, meaning the standard is applied to all of the periods presented, or a modified retrospective method, meaning the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard is recognized in the most current period presented in the financial statements. The Company is evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (Topics 205 and 360),” that raises the threshold for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. Under the revised standard, a discontinued operation is (i) a component of an entity or group of components that has been disposed of by sale, disposed of other than by sale or is classified as held for sale that represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results or (ii) an acquired business or nonprofit activity that is classified as held for sale on the date of the acquisition. This update is aimed at reducing the frequency of disposals reported as discontinued operations by focusing on strategic shifts that have or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results.
	An entity is required to apply ASU 2014-08 for annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those annual periods, though earlier adoption is permitted. An entity should provide the disclosures required by this amendment prospectively. The Company is evaluating the impact of this new guidance and does not expect it to have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Exploratory_well_costs

Exploratory well costs	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Exploratory Well Costs Capitalized Exploratory Well Activity [Abstract]	'
Exploratory well costs	'
	Note C. Exploratory well costs
	The Company capitalizes exploratory well costs until a determination is made that the well has either found proved reserves or that it is impaired. After an exploratory well has been completed and found oil and natural gas reserves, a determination may be pending as to whether the oil and natural reserves can be classified as proved. In those circumstances, the Company continues to capitalize the well or project costs pending the determination of proved status if (i) the well has found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify its completion as a producing well and (ii) the Company is making sufficient progress assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project. The capitalized exploratory well costs are carried in unproved oil and natural gas properties. See Note Q for the proved and unproved components of oil and natural gas properties. If the exploratory well is determined to be impaired, the well costs are charged to exploration and abandonments expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
	The following table reflects the Company’s net capitalized exploratory well activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2014:
					Nine Months Ended
	(in thousands)				30-Sep-14
	Beginning capitalized exploratory well costs				$	144,504
		Additions to exploratory well costs pending the determination of proved reserves				279,618
		Reclassifications due to determination of proved reserves				-99,533
		Exploratory well costs charged to expense				-30,227
	Ending capitalized exploratory well costs				$	294,362
	The following table provides an aging at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 of capitalized exploratory well costs based on the date drilling was completed:
				September 30,		December 31,
	(dollars in thousands)			2014		2013
	Capitalized exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period of one year or less		$	277,919	$	122,753
	Capitalized exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period greater than one year			16,443		21,751
		Total capitalized exploratory well costs	$	294,362	$	144,504
	Number of projects with exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period greater
		than one year		10		10
	Southern Delaware Basin projects. At September 30, 2014, the Company had approximately $6.4 million of suspended well costs greater than one year recorded for one vertical well being evaluated in the Company’s Southern Delaware Basin project. The Company is assessing options to drill a horizontal lateral to continue evaluation of the target.
	Projects operated by others. At September 30, 2014, the Company had approximately $6.3 million of suspended well costs greater than one year recorded for six wells that are operated by others and waiting on completion.
	Other projects. At September 30, 2014, the Company had approximately $3.7 million of suspended well costs greater than one year recorded for three wells that have encountered technical difficulties that the Company plans to either recomplete or redrill.

Asset_retirement_obligations

Asset retirement obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Asset retirement obligations	'
	Note D. Asset retirement obligations
	The Company's asset retirement obligations primarily relate to the future plugging and abandonment of wells and facilities. The following table summarizes the Company's asset retirement obligation activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2014:
			Nine Months Ended
	(in thousands)		30-Sep-14
	Asset retirement obligations, beginning of period		$	101,593
		Liabilities incurred from new wells		3,122
		Liabilities assumed in acquisitions		1,337
		Accretion expense		5,162
		Liabilities settled upon plugging and abandoning wells		-4,049
		Revision of estimates		4,753
	Asset retirement obligations, end of period		$	111,918

Incentive_plans

Incentive plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Incentive plans	'
	Note E. Stock incentive plan
	The Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, provides for granting stock options, restricted stock awards and performance awards to directors, officers and employees of the Company.
	A summary of the Company’s activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is presented below:
					Restricted		Stock		Performance
					Stock		Options		Units
		Outstanding at December 31, 2013				1,216,449		255,537		110,889
			Awards granted (a)			438,380		-		139,425
			Options exercised			-		-207,824		-
			Awards cancelled / forfeited			-72,956		-		-
			Lapse of restrictions			-273,745		-		-
		Outstanding at September 30, 2014			1,308,128		47,713		250,314
		(a) Weighted average grant date fair value per share			$	129.69	$	-	$	139.54
	The following table reflects the future stock-based compensation expense to be recorded for all the stock-based compensation awards that were outstanding at September 30, 2014:
	(in thousands)
	Remaining 2014			$	12,653
	2015				40,470
	2016				25,115
	2017				6,934
	2018				794
	Thereafter				3
		Total		$	85,969

Disclosures_about_fair_value_o

Disclosures about fair value of financial instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Disclosures about fair value of financial instruments	'
	Note F. Disclosures about fair value of financial instruments
	The Company uses a valuation framework based upon inputs that market participants use in pricing an asset or liability, which are classified into two categories: observable inputs and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs represent market data obtained from independent sources, whereas unobservable inputs reflect a company’s own market assumptions, which are used if observable inputs are not reasonably available without undue cost and effort. These two types of inputs are further prioritized into the following fair value input hierarchy:
	Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. The Company considers active markets to be those in which transactions for the assets or liabilities occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
	Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. This category includes those derivative instruments that the Company values using observable market data. Substantially all of these inputs are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the derivative instrument, can be derived from observable data, or supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Level 2 instruments primarily include non-exchange traded derivatives such as over-the-counter commodity price swaps, basis swaps, collars and floors, investments and interest rate swaps. The Company’s valuation models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various inputs including: (i) quoted forward prices for commodities, (ii) time value, (iii) current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments and (iv) volatility factors, as well as other relevant economic measures.
	Level 3: Measured based on prices or valuation models that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and less observable from objective sources (i.e., supported by little or no market activity). The Company’s valuation models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various inputs including: (i) quoted forward prices for commodities, (ii) time value, (iii) volatility factors and (iv) current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures.
	Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
	The following table presents the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013
					30-Sep-14						31-Dec-13
					Carrying			Fair			Carrying			Fair
	(in thousands)				Value			Value			Value			Value
		Assets:
			Derivative instruments		$	86,875		$	86,875		$	1,556		$	1,556
		Liabilities:
			Derivative instruments		$	1,027		$	1,027		$	67,789		$	67,789
			Credit facility		$	-		$	-		$	250,000		$	250,770
			7.0% senior notes due 2021		$	600,000		$	640,500		$	600,000		$	660,000
			6.5% senior notes due 2022		$	600,000		$	637,500		$	600,000		$	649,500
			5.5% senior notes due 2022		$	600,000		$	618,000		$	600,000		$	619,500
			5.5% senior notes due 2023		$	1,578,483		$	1,641,622		$	1,580,421		$	1,627,834
	Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable, interest payable and other current liabilities. The carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.
	Credit facility. The fair value of the Company’s credit facility is estimated by discounting the principal and interest payments at the Company’s credit-adjusted discount rate at the reporting date, which utilizes inputs that are Level 2 measurements in the fair value hierarchy.
	Senior notes. The fair values of the Company’s senior notes are based on quoted market prices. The debt securities are not actively traded and, therefore, are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
	Derivative instruments. The fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments is estimated by management considering various factors, including closing exchange and over-the-counter quotations and the time value of the underlying commitments. 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. The following table summarizes (i) the valuation of each of the Company’s financial instruments by required fair value hierarchy levels and (ii) the gross fair value by the appropriate balance sheet classification, even when the derivative instruments are subject to netting arrangements and qualify for net presentation in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The Company nets the fair value of derivative instruments by counterparty in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
	30-Sep-14
						Fair Value Measurements Using															Net
						Quoted Prices													Gross		Fair Value
						in Active					Significant								Amounts		Presented
						Markets for					Other			Significant					Offset in the		in the
						Identical					Observable			Unobservable					Consolidated		Consolidated
						Assets					Inputs			Inputs			Total		Balance		Balance
	(in thousands)					(Level 1)					(Level 2)			(Level 3)			Fair Value		Sheet		Sheet
		Assets
			Current:
				Commodity derivatives			$	-		$	56,037		$	-		$	56,037	$	-14,178	$	41,859
			Noncurrent:
				Commodity derivatives				-			47,200			-			47,200		-2,184		45,016
		Liabilities
			Current:
				Commodity derivatives				-			-15,205			-			-15,205		14,178		-1,027
			Noncurrent:
				Commodity derivatives				-			-2,184			-			-2,184		2,184		-
		Net derivative instruments					$	-		$	85,848		$	-		$	85,848	$	-	$	85,848
	31-Dec-13
						Fair Value Measurements Using															Net
						Quoted Prices													Gross		Fair Value
						in Active					Significant								Amounts		Presented
						Markets for					Other			Significant					Offset in the		in the
						Identical					Observable			Unobservable					Consolidated		Consolidated
						Assets					Inputs			Inputs			Total		Balance		Balance
	(in thousands)					(Level 1)					(Level 2)			(Level 3)			Fair Value		Sheet		Sheet
		Assets
			Current:
				Commodity derivatives			$	-		$	12,819		$	-		$	12,819	$	-12,229	$	590
			Noncurrent:
				Commodity derivatives				-			5,300			-			5,300		-4,334		966
		Liabilities
			Current:
				Commodity derivatives				-			-65,930			-			-65,930		12,229		-53,701
			Noncurrent:
				Commodity derivatives				-			-18,422			-			-18,422		4,334		-14,088
		Net derivative instruments					$	-		$	-66,233		$	-		$	-66,233	$	-	$	-66,233
	Concentrations of credit risk. As of September 30, 2014, the Company’s primary concentration of credit risks are the risk of collecting accounts receivable – trade and the risk of counterparties’ failure to perform under derivative obligations.
	The Company has entered into International Swap Dealers Association Master Agreements (“ISDA Agreements”) with each of its derivative counterparties. The terms of the ISDA Agreements provide the Company and the counterparties with rights of set off upon the occurrence of defined acts of default by either the Company or a counterparty to a derivative, whereby the party not in default may set off all derivative liabilities owed to the defaulting party against all derivative asset receivables from the defaulting party. See Note G for additional information regarding the Company's derivative activities.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
Certain assets and liabilities are reported at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values:
Impairments of long-lived assets – The Company reviews its long-lived assets to be held and used, including proved oil and natural gas properties, whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of those assets may not be recoverable, for instance when there are declines in commodity prices or well performance. An impairment loss is indicated if the sum of the expected undiscounted future net cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets. In this circumstance, the Company recognizes an impairment loss for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset. The Company reviews its oil and natural gas properties by depletion base or by individual well for those wells not constituting part of a depletion base. For each property determined to be impaired, an impairment loss equal to the difference between the carrying value of the properties and the estimated fair value of the properties would be recognized at that time.
The Company calculates the estimated fair values using a discounted future cash flow model. Assumptions associated with the calculation of discounted future cash flows include commodity prices based on New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) futures price strips (Level 1), as well as Level 3 assumptions including (i) pricing adjustments for differentials, (ii) production costs, (iii) capital expenditures, (iv) production volumes and (v) estimated proved reserves.
As a result of management’s assessments, the Company recognized impairment charges to reduce the carrying values to their fair values. The following table reports the carrying amount, estimated fair value and impairment expense of long-lived assets for the indicated periods:
						Estimated
			Carrying			Fair Value			Impairment
(in thousands)			Amount			(Level 3)			Expense
Sep-14		$	26,790		$	11,314		$	15,476
Jun-13		$	84,140		$	18,765		$	65,375
It is reasonably possible that the estimate of undiscounted future net cash flows may change in the future resulting in the need to further impair carrying values. The primary factors that may affect estimates of future cash flows are (i) future reserve adjustments, both positive and negative, to proved reserves and appropriate risk-adjusted probable and possible reserves, (ii) results of future drilling activities, (iii) commodity futures prices and (iv) increases or decreases in production and capital costs.

Derivative_financial_instrumen

Derivative financial instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative financial instruments	'
	Note G. Derivative financial instruments
	The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to commodity price fluctuations. Commodity derivative instruments are used to (i) reduce the effect of the volatility of price changes on the oil and natural gas the Company produces and sells, (ii) support the Company’s capital budget and expenditure plans and (iii) support the economics associated with acquisitions. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. The Company may also enter into physical delivery contracts to effectively provide commodity price hedges. Because these contracts are not expected to be net cash settled, they are considered to be normal sales contracts and not derivatives. Therefore, these contracts are not recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	The Company does not designate its derivative instruments to qualify for hedge accounting. Accordingly, the Company reflects changes in the fair value of its derivative instruments in its statements of operations as they occur.
	The following table summarizes the gains (losses) reported in earnings related to the commodity derivative instruments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
				Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
				September 30,						September 30,
	(in thousands)				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Gain (loss) on derivatives not designated as hedges:
		Oil derivatives		$	316,559		$	-169,049		$	128,684		$	-172,698
		Natural gas derivatives			9,670			439			-2,777			15,395
			Total	$	326,229		$	-168,610		$	125,907		$	-157,303
	The following table represents the Company's cash receipts from (payments on) derivatives for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
				Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
				September 30,						September 30,
	(in thousands)				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Cash receipts from (payments on) derivatives not designated as hedges:
		Oil derivatives		$	14,271		$	-49,864		$	-20,067		$	-42,528
		Natural gas derivatives			446			4,589			-6,107			4,844
			Total	$	14,717		$	-45,275		$	-26,174		$	-37,684
	Commodity derivative contracts at September 30, 2014. The following table sets forth the Company’s outstanding derivative contracts at September 30, 2014. When aggregating multiple contracts, the weighted average contract price is disclosed. All of the Company’s derivative contracts at September 30, 2014 are expected to settle by June 30, 2017.
					First		Second		Third		Fourth
					Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Total
	Oil Swaps: (a)
		2014:00:00
			Volume (Bbl)								4,633,000		4,633,000
			Price per Bbl							$	92.49	$	92.49
		2015:00:00
			Volume (Bbl)		4,240,000		3,919,000		3,654,000		3,449,000		15,262,000
			Price per Bbl	$	88.32	$	87.5	$	87.57	$	87.42	$	87.73
		2016:00:00
			Volume (Bbl)		3,218,000		3,068,000		2,958,000		105,000		9,349,000
			Price per Bbl	$	90.43	$	90.9	$	90.46	$	88.28	$	90.57
		2017:00:00
			Volume (Bbl)		84,000		84,000		-		-		168,000
			Price per Bbl	$	87	$	87	$	-	$	-	$	87
	Oil Basis Swaps: (b)
		2014:00:00
			Volume (Bbl)								3,956,000		3,956,000
			Price per Bbl							$	-1.07	$	-1.07
		2015:00:00
			Volume (Bbl)		1,620,000		1,638,000		1,932,000		1,932,000		7,122,000
			Price per Bbl	$	-3.3	$	-3.3	$	-3.5	$	-3.5	$	-3.41
	Natural Gas Swaps: (c)
		2014:00:00
			Volume (MMBtu)								2,053,000		2,053,000
			Price per MMBtu							$	4.24	$	4.24
		2015:00:00
			Volume (MMBtu)		5,850,000		5,915,000		5,980,000		5,980,000		23,725,000
			Price per MMBtu	$	4.16	$	4.16	$	4.16	$	4.16	$	4.16
	Natural Gas Collars: (d)
		2014:00:00
			Volume (MMBtu)								5,520,000		5,520,000
			Ceiling price per MMBtu							$	4.4	$	4.4
			Floor price per MMBtu							$	3.85	$	3.85
	Natural Gas Basis Swaps: (e)
		2014:00:00
			Volume (MMBtu)								2,053,000		2,053,000
			Price per MMBtu							$	-0.11	$	-0.11
		2015:00:00
			Volume (MMBtu)		1,350,000		1,365,000		1,380,000		1,380,000		5,475,000
			Price per MMBtu	$	-0.13	$	-0.13	$	-0.13	$	-0.13	$	-0.13
	(a) The index prices for the oil price swaps are based on the NYMEX – West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") monthly average futures price.
	(b) The basis differential price is between Midland – WTI and Cushing – WTI.
(c) The index prices for the natural gas price swaps are based on the NYMEX – Henry Hub last trading day futures price.
(d) The index prices for the natural gas collars are based on the El Paso Permian delivery point.
(e) The basis differential price is between the El Paso Permian delivery point and NYMEX – Henry Hub delivery point.
Derivative counterparties.  The Company uses credit and other financial criteria to evaluate the credit standing of, and to select, counterparties to its derivative instruments. Although the Company does not obtain collateral or otherwise secure the fair value of its derivative instruments, associated credit risk is mitigated by the Company’s credit risk policies and procedures.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Note H. Debt
	The Company’s debt consisted of the following at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
						September 30,			December 31,
	(in thousands)					2014			2013
	Credit facility				$	-		$	250,000
	7.0% unsecured senior notes due 2021					600,000			600,000
	6.5% unsecured senior notes due 2022					600,000			600,000
	5.5% unsecured senior notes due 2022					600,000			600,000
	5.5% unsecured senior notes due 2023					1,550,000			1,550,000
	Unamortized original issue premium, net					28,483			30,421
		Less: current portion				-			-
			Total long-term debt		$	3,378,483		$	3,630,421
	Credit facility. The Company’s credit facility, as amended and restated, has a maturity date of May 9, 2019. As of September 30, 2014, the Company’s borrowing base is $3.25 billion until the next scheduled borrowing base redetermination in May 2015, and commitments from the Company’s bank group total $2.5 billion.
	Senior notes. Interest on the Company’s senior notes is paid in arrears semi-annually. The senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all subsidiaries of the Company, subject to customary release provisions as described in Note O.
	At September 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with the covenants under all of its debt instruments.
	Principal maturities of long-term debt. Principal maturities of long-term debt outstanding at September 30, 2014 were as follows:
	(in thousands)
	Remaining 2014			$		-
	2015					-
	2016					-
	2017					-
	2018					-
	2019					-
	Thereafter					3,350,000
		Total		$		3,350,000
	Interest expense. The following amounts have been incurred and charged to interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
							Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
							September 30,					September 30,
	(in thousands)							2014			2013		2014		2013
	Cash payments for interest						$	42,417		$	43,868	$	152,217	$	145,980
	Amortization of original issue discount (premium)							-654			-620		-1,936		-619
	Amortization of deferred loan origination costs							2,423			3,311		8,495		9,844
	Net changes in accruals							9,312			9,436		6,245		6,975
		Interest costs incurred						53,498			55,995		165,021		162,180
	Less: capitalized interest							-897			-		-897		-
		Total interest expense					$	52,601		$	55,995	$	164,124	$	162,180

Commitments_and_contingencies

Commitments and contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and contingencies	'
	Note I. Commitments and contingencies
	Severance agreements. The Company has entered into severance and change in control agreements with all of its officers. The current annual salaries for the Company’s officers covered under such agreements total approximately $7.0 million.
	Indemnifications. The Company has agreed to indemnify its directors and officers with respect to claims and damages arising from certain acts or omissions taken in such capacity.
	Legal actions. The Company is a party to proceedings and claims incidental to its business. While many of these matters involve inherent uncertainty, the Company believes that the amount of the liability, if any, ultimately incurred with respect to any such proceedings or claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position as a whole or on its liquidity, capital resources or future results of operations. The Company will continue to evaluate proceedings and claims involving the Company on a regular basis and will establish and adjust any reserves as appropriate to reflect its assessment of the then current status of the matters.
	Severance tax, royalty and joint interest audits.  The Company is subject to routine severance, royalty and joint interest audits from regulatory bodies and non-operators and makes accruals as necessary for estimated exposure when deemed probable and estimable. Additionally, the Company is subject to various possible contingencies that arise primarily from interpretations affecting the oil and natural gas industry. Such contingencies include differing interpretations as to the prices at which oil and natural gas sales may be made, the prices at which royalty owners may be paid for production from their leases, allowable costs under joint interest arrangements and other matters. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had $12.9 million and $12.2 million accrued for estimated exposure, respectively. Although the Company believes that it has estimated its exposure with respect to the various laws and regulations, administrative rulings and interpretations thereof, adjustments could be required as new interpretations and regulations are issued.
	Contractual drilling commitments.  The Company periodically enters into contractual arrangements under which the Company is committed to expend funds to drill wells in the future, including agreements to secure drilling rig services, which require the Company to make future minimum payments to the rig operators. The Company records drilling commitments in the periods in which well capital is incurred or rig services are provided. The following table summarizes the Company’s future drilling commitments at September 30, 2014:
			Payments Due By Period
							Less than		3-Jan		5-Mar		More than
	(in thousands)			Total			1 year		years		years		5 years
	Contractual drilling commitments		$	32,126		$	29,478	$	2,648	$	-	$	-
	Operating leases. The Company leases vehicles, equipment and office facilities under non-cancellable operating leases. Lease payments associated with these operating leases for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were approximately $1.9 million and $1.5 million, respectively, and approximately $5.3 million and $4.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Future minimum lease commitments under non-cancellable operating leases at September 30, 2014 were as follows:
	(in thousands)
	Remaining 2014			$	1,828
	2015				6,387
	2016				4,969
	2017				4,984
	2018				4,279
	2019				3,980
	Thereafter				8,660
		Total		$	35,087

Income_taxes

Income taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income taxes	'
	Note J. Income taxes
	The effective income tax rates were 37.9 percent and 41.6 percent for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 37.9 percent and 39.3 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	During the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded expense of $0.7 million and $1.3 million, respectively, associated with revisions of estimates based on filing its 2013 and 2012 tax returns, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the revisions did not result in a significant change to the Company’s effective rates. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the revision increased the Company’s effective rate by 2.4 percent from 39.2 percent.
	During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company revised its estimated blended effective state tax rate to consider (a) New Mexico legislation passed that phases in a tax rate reduction from 7.6 percent to 5.9 percent in 2018 and (b) the apportionment factor for states in which the Company operates. Total income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 differed from amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory tax rates to pre-tax income due primarily to state taxes and the impact of permanent differences between book and taxable income.

Related_party_transactions

Related party transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related party transactions	'
	Note K. Related party transactions
	The following table summarizes charges incurred with and payments made to related parties and reported in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
	(in thousands)		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Royalties paid to a partnership in which a director has an ownership interest (a)	$	4,955	$	2,010	$	11,010	$	4,694
	Royalties paid to a director and certain officers of the Company (b)	$	48	$	12	$	205	$	33
	Amounts paid under consulting agreement with Steven L. Beal (c)	$	-	$	745	$	-	$	865
	(a) Royalties paid on certain properties to a partnership of which a director of the Company is the general partner and owns a 3.5 percent partnership interest.
	(b) Payments made to a director and certain officers who directly own overriding royalty interests in properties owned by the Company.
	(c) On June 30, 2009, Steven L. Beal, the Company’s then-president and chief operating officer, retired from such positions. On June 9, 2009, the Company entered into a consulting agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) with Mr. Beal, under which Mr. Beal began serving as a consultant to the Company on July 1, 2009. During the term of the consulting relationship, Mr. Beal received a consulting fee of $20,000 per month and a monthly reimbursement for his medical and dental coverage costs. In August 2013, the Company and Mr. Beal mutually terminated the Consulting Agreement in exchange for the payment to Mr. Beal of $720,000, which termination and payment were approved by the disinterested members of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Discontinued_operations

Discontinued operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Discontinued operations	'
	Note L. Discontinued operations
	In December 2012, the Company closed the sale of certain of its non-core assets for cash consideration of approximately $503.1 million. As a result of post-closing adjustments during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company made a positive adjustment to gain (loss) on disposition of assets of approximately $19.6 million, before income tax expense of approximately $7.5 million. The Company

Net_income_per_share

Net income per share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Other Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Net income per share	'
	Note M. Net income per share
	The Company uses the two-class method of calculating net income per share because certain of the Company’s unvested share-based awards qualify as participating securities.
	The following tables reconcile the Company’s income from continuing operations, income from discontinued operations and income attributable to common stockholders to the basic and diluted earnings used to determine the Company’s income per share amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, under the two-class method:
						Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
						30-Sep-14								30-Sep-14
					Continuing			Discontinued					Continuing		Discontinued
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)				Operations			Operations			Total		Operations		Operations		Total
	Income as reported				$	305,203		$	-		$	305,203	$	408,279	$	-	$	408,279
	Participating basic earnings					-3,557			-			-3,557		-4,687		-		-4,687
		Basic income attributable to common
			stockholders			301,646			-			301,646		403,592		-		403,592
	Reallocation of participating earnings					10			-			10		15		-		15
		Diluted income attributable to common
			stockholders		$	301,656		$	-		$	301,656	$	403,607	$	-	$	403,607
	Income per common share:
		Basic			$	2.7		$	-		$	2.7	$	3.74	$	-	$	3.74
		Diluted			$	2.69		$	-		$	2.69	$	3.73	$	-	$	3.73
						Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
						30-Sep-13								30-Sep-13
					Continuing			Discontinued					Continuing		Discontinued
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)				Operations			Operations			Total		Operations		Operations		Total
	Income as reported				$	30,421		$	-		$	30,421	$	133,133	$	12,081	$	145,214
	Participating basic earnings					-357			-			-357		-1,421		-129		-1,550
		Basic income attributable to common
			stockholders			30,064			-			30,064		131,712		11,952		143,664
	Reallocation of participating earnings					-			-			-		2		-		2
		Diluted income attributable to common
			stockholders		$	30,064		$	-		$	30,064	$	131,714	$	11,952	$	143,666
	Income per common share:
		Basic			$	0.29		$	-		$	0.29	$	1.27	$	0.12	$	1.39
		Diluted			$	0.29		$	-		$	0.29	$	1.27	$	0.11	$	1.38
	The following table is a reconciliation of the basic weighted average common shares outstanding to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
					Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
					September 30,				September 30,
	(in thousands)				2014		2013		2014		2013
	Weighted average common shares outstanding:
		Basic			111,680		103,801		107,816		103,709
			Dilutive common stock options		75		157		102		173
			Dilutive performance units		244		-		230		-
		Diluted			111,999		103,958		108,148		103,882
	Performance unit awards. The number of shares of common stock that will ultimately be issued for performance units will be determined by a combination of (i) comparing the Company's total shareholder return relative to the total shareholder return of a predetermined group of peer companies at the end of the performance period and (ii) the Company’s absolute total shareholder return at the end of the performance period. The performance period is 36 months. The actual payout of shares will be between zero and 300 percent of the performance units granted depending on the Company's performance at the end of the performance period.
	The following table is a summary of the restricted stock and performance units, which were not included in the computation of diluted income per share, as inclusion of these items would be antidilutive:
				Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
				September 30,				September 30,
	(in thousands)			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Number of antidilutive common shares:
		Antidilutive restricted stock		18		2		119		7
		Antidilutive performance units		-		111		-		111

Stockholders_equity

Stockholders' equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' equity	'
	Note N. Stockholders’ equity
	Public common stock offering. In May 2014, the Company issued, including the over-allotment option, in a secondary public offering 7.475 million shares of its common stock at $129.00 per share and received net proceeds of approximately $932.0 million. The Company used a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay all outstanding borrowings under its credit facility.

Subsidiary_guarantors

Subsidiary guarantors	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Subsidiary guarantors	'
	Note O. Subsidiary guarantors
	All of the Company’s 100 percent owned subsidiaries have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Company’s senior notes. The indentures governing the Company’s senior notes provide that the guarantees of its subsidiary guarantors will be released in certain customary circumstances, including (i) in connection with any sale, exchange or other disposition, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the capital stock of that guarantor to a person that is not the Company or a restricted subsidiary of the Company, such that, after giving effect to such transaction, such guarantor would no longer constitute a subsidiary of the Company, (ii) in connection with any sale, exchange or other disposition (other than a lease) of all or substantially all of the assets of that guarantor to a person that is not the Company or a restricted subsidiary of the Company, (iii) upon the merger of a guarantor into the Company or any other guarantor or the liquidation or dissolution of a guarantor, (iv) if the Company designates any restricted subsidiary that is a guarantor to be an unrestricted subsidiary in accordance with the indenture, (v) upon legal defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of the indenture and (vi) upon written notice of such release or discharge by the Company to the trustee following the release or discharge of all guarantees by such guarantor of any indebtedness that resulted in the creation of such guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee.
	See Note H for a summary of the Company’s senior notes. In accordance with practices accepted by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company has prepared condensed consolidating financial statements in order to quantify the assets, results of operations and cash flows of such subsidiaries as subsidiary guarantors.
	The following condensed consolidating balance sheets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, condensed consolidating statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, present financial information for Concho Resources Inc. as the parent on a stand-alone basis (carrying any investments in subsidiaries under the equity method), financial information for the subsidiary guarantors on a stand-alone basis and the consolidation and elimination entries necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis. All current and deferred income taxes are recorded on Concho Resources Inc., as the subsidiaries are flow-through entities for income tax purposes. The subsidiary guarantors are not restricted from making distributions to the Company.
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	30-Sep-14
				Parent			Subsidiary			Consolidating
	(in thousands)			Issuer			Guarantors			Entries			Total
	ASSETS
	Accounts receivable - related parties		$	6,557,085		$	1,208,417		$	-7,765,502		$	-
	Other current assets			50,885			720,156			-			771,041
	Oil and natural gas properties, net			-			9,948,424			-			9,948,424
	Property and equipment, net			-			117,244			-			117,244
	Investment in subsidiaries			4,598,055			-			-4,598,055			-
	Other long-term assets			115,901			85,485			-			201,386
		Total assets	$	11,321,926		$	12,079,726		$	-12,363,557		$	11,038,095
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	Accounts payable - related parties		$	1,208,417		$	6,557,085		$	-7,765,502		$	-
	Other current liabilities			69,666			821,676			-			891,342
	Long-term debt			3,378,483			-			-			3,378,483
	Other long-term liabilities			1,521,582			102,910			-			1,624,492
	Equity			5,143,778			4,598,055			-4,598,055			5,143,778
		Total liabilities and equity	$	11,321,926		$	12,079,726		$	-12,363,557		$	11,038,095
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	31-Dec-13
				Parent			Subsidiary			Consolidating
	(in thousands)			Issuer			Guarantors			Entries			Total
	ASSETS
	Accounts receivable - related parties		$	6,115,554		$	1,261,844		$	-7,377,398		$	-
	Other current assets			39,108			481,767			-			520,875
	Oil and natural gas properties, net			-			8,831,265			-			8,831,265
	Property and equipment, net			-			114,783			-			114,783
	Investment in subsidiaries			3,896,741			-			-3,896,741			-
	Other long-term assets			74,013			50,228			-			124,241
		Total assets	$	10,125,416		$	10,739,887		$	-11,274,139		$	9,591,164
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	Accounts payable - related parties		$	1,261,844		$	6,115,554		$	-7,377,398		$	-
	Other current liabilities			126,461			630,407			-			756,868
	Long-term debt			3,630,421			-			-			3,630,421
	Other long-term liabilities			1,348,741			97,185			-			1,445,926
	Equity			3,757,949			3,896,741			-3,896,741			3,757,949
		Total liabilities and equity	$	10,125,416		$	10,739,887		$	-11,274,139		$	9,591,164
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
				Parent			Subsidiary			Consolidating
	(in thousands)			Issuer			Guarantors			Entries			Total
	Total operating revenues		$	-		$	700,263		$	-		$	700,263
	Total operating costs and expenses			325,637			-483,888			-			-158,251
		Income from operations		325,637			216,375			-			542,012
	Interest expense			-52,601			-			-			-52,601
	Other, net			218,530			2,155			-218,530			2,155
		Income before income taxes		491,566			218,530			-218,530			491,566
	Income tax expense			-186,363			-			-			-186,363
		Net income	$	305,203		$	218,530		$	-218,530		$	305,203
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
				Parent			Subsidiary			Consolidating
	(in thousands)			Issuer			Guarantors			Entries			Total
	Total operating revenues		$	-		$	652,920		$	-		$	652,920
	Total operating costs and expenses			-169,935			-372,933			-			-542,868
		Income (loss) from operations		-169,935			279,987			-			110,052
	Interest expense			-55,995			-			-			-55,995
	Other, net			278,046			-1,996			-277,991			-1,941
	Income before income taxes		52,116			277,991			-277,991			52,116
Income tax expense			-21,695			-			-			-21,695
	Net income	$	30,421		$	277,991		$	-277,991		$	30,421
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
			Parent			Subsidiary			Consolidating
(in thousands)			Issuer			Guarantors			Entries			Total
Total operating revenues		$	-		$	2,065,924		$	-		$	2,065,924
Total operating costs and expenses			124,158			-1,357,777			-			-1,233,619
	Income from operations		124,158			708,147			-			832,305
Interest expense			-164,124			-			-			-164,124
Loss on extinguishment of debt			-4,316			-			-			-4,316
Other, net			701,314			-6,833			-701,314			-6,833
	Income before income taxes		657,032			701,314			-701,314			657,032
Income tax expense			-248,753			-			-			-248,753
	Net income	$	408,279		$	701,314		$	-701,314		$	408,279
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
			Parent			Subsidiary			Consolidating
(in thousands)			Issuer			Guarantors			Entries			Total
Total operating revenues		$	-		$	1,687,833		$	-		$	1,687,833
Total operating costs and expenses			-159,017			-1,117,058			-			-1,276,075
	Income (loss) from continuing operations		-159,017			570,775			-			411,758
Interest expense			-162,180			-			-			-162,180
Loss on extinguishment of debt			-28,616			-			-			-28,616
Other, net			588,568			-1,863			-588,511			-1,806
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes		238,755			568,912			-588,511			219,156
Income tax expense			-86,023			-			-			-86,023
	Income from continuing operations		152,732			568,912			-588,511			133,133
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			-7,518			19,599			-			12,081
	Net income	$	145,214		$	588,511		$	-588,511		$	145,214
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
				Parent			Subsidiary			Consolidating
(in thousands)				Issuer			Guarantors			Entries			Total
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities			$	-656,055		$	1,944,591		$	-		$	1,288,536
Net cash flows used in investing activities				-26,174			-1,809,030			-			-1,835,204
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities				682,229			-36,718			-			645,511
	Net increase in cash and cash equivalents			-			98,843			-			98,843
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			-			21			-			21
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	-		$	98,864		$	-		$	98,864
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
				Parent			Subsidiary			Consolidating
(in thousands)				Issuer			Guarantors			Entries			Total
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities			$	-441,741		$	1,386,385		$	-		$	944,644
Net cash flows used in investing activities				-37,684			-1,434,412			-			-1,472,096
Net cash flows provided by financing activities				479,425			45,169			-			524,594
	Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			-			-2,858			-			-2,858
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			-			2,880			-			2,880
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	-		$	22		$	-		$	22

Subsequent_events

Subsequent events

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

'

Subsequent events

'

Note P. Subsequent events

New commodity derivative contracts. After September 30, 2014, the Company entered into the following oil basis swaps to hedge additional amounts of the Company’s estimated future production:

First

Second

Third

Fourth

Quarter

Quarter

Quarter

Quarter

Total

Oil Basis Swaps: (a)

2015:00:00

Volume (Bbl)

1,395,000

1,288,500

782,000

552,000

4,017,500

Price per Bbl

$

-4.25

$

-4.29

$

-4.34

$

-4.35

$

-4.29

(a)

The basis differential price is between Midland – WTI and Cushing – WTI.

Supplementary_information

Supplementary information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Industries Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Supplementary information	'
	Note Q. Supplementary information
	Capitalized costs
				September 30,		December 31,
	(in thousands)			2014		2013
	Oil and natural gas properties:
		Proved		$	11,863,067	$	10,182,953
		Unproved			1,185,403		1,032,420
		Less: accumulated depletion			-3,100,046		-2,384,108
			Net capitalized costs for oil and natural gas properties	$	9,948,424	$	8,831,265
	Costs incurred for oil and natural gas producing activities (a)
				Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
				September 30,				September 30,
	(in thousands)			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Property acquisition costs:
		Proved		$	37,732	$	-	$	60,359	$	2,376
		Unproved			71,915		13,991		107,985		58,832
	Exploration				469,290		229,082		1,136,211		779,026
	Development				204,938		197,696		609,780		593,006
		Total costs incurred for oil and natural gas properties		$	783,875	$	440,769	$	1,914,335	$	1,433,240
	(a)	The costs incurred for oil and natural gas producing activities includes the following amounts of asset retirement obligations:
				Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
				September 30,				September 30,
		(in thousands)		2014		2013		2014		2013
		Exploration costs		$	730	$	535	$	1,850	$	2,089
		Development costs			4,721		1,801		6,025		9,163
			Total asset retirement obligations	$	5,451	$	2,336	$	7,875	$	11,252

Summary_of_significant_account1

Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Principles of consolidation	'
	Principles of consolidation. The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of the Company and its 100 percent owned subsidiaries. The Company consolidates the financial statements of these entities. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements	'
	Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements.  Preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Depletion of oil and natural gas properties is determined using estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in the estimation of quantities of proved reserves and in the projection of future rates of production and the timing of development expenditures. Similarly, evaluations for impairment of proved and unproved oil and natural gas properties are subject to numerous uncertainties including, among others, estimates of future recoverable reserves and commodity price outlooks. Other significant estimates include, but are not limited to, the asset retirement obligations, fair value of derivative financial instruments, the fair value of business combinations, fair value of stock-based compensation and income taxes.
Interim Financial Statements [Policy Text Block]	'
	Interim financial statements. The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have not been audited by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, except that the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013 is derived from audited consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company’s consolidated financial statements. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. In preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements, management has made certain estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and disclosures of contingencies. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of annual results.
	Certain disclosures have been condensed in or omitted from these consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, these condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Deferred loan costs.	'
	Deferred loan costs. Deferred loan costs are stated at cost, net of amortization, which is computed using the effective interest and straight-line methods. The Company had deferred loan costs of $70.9 million and $73.0 million, net of accumulated amortization of $57.2 million and $48.7 million, at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	The following table reflects the future amortization expense of deferred loan costs at September 30, 2014:
	(in thousands)
	Remaining 2014		$	2,443
	2015			9,973
	2016			10,311
	2017			10,670
	2018			11,052
	2019			8,342
	Thereafter			18,095
		Total	$	70,886
Intangible assets.	'
	Intangible assets. The Company has capitalized certain operating rights acquired in an acquisition. The gross operating rights, which have no residual value, are amortized over the estimated economic life of 25 years. Impairment will be assessed if indicators of potential impairment exist or when there is a material change in the remaining useful economic life. The following table reflects the gross and net intangible assets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
				September 30,		December 31,
	(in thousands)			2014		2013
	Gross intangible - operating rights		$	36,557	$	36,557
	Accumulated amortization			-9,038		-7,942
		Net intangible - operating rights	$	27,519	$	28,615
	The following table reflects amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
	(in thousands)		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Amortization expense		$	365	$	365	$	1,096	$	1,096
Equity method investment	'
	Equity method investment. The Company owns a 50 percent member interest in a midstream joint venture, Alpha Crude Connector, LLC (“ACC”), to construct a crude oil gathering and transportation system in the northern Delaware Basin. The Company accounts for its investment in ACC under the equity method of accounting for investments in unconsolidated affiliates. The Company’s net investment in ACC is $29.2 million at September 30, 2014 and is included in other assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The equity loss for the period since inception is approximately $0.9 million and is included in other expense in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.
Revenue recognition	'
	Revenue recognition. Oil and natural gas revenues are recorded at the time of physical transfer of such products to the purchaser, which for the Company is primarily at the wellhead. The Company follows the sales method of accounting for oil and natural gas sales, recognizing revenues based on the Company’s actual proceeds from the oil and natural gas sold to purchasers.
General and administrative expense.	'
	General and administrative expense. The Company receives fees for the operation of jointly-owned oil and natural gas properties and records such reimbursements as reductions of general and administrative expense. Such fees totaled approximately $6.1 million and $4.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $17.1 million and $13.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Recent accounting pronouncements	'
	Recent accounting pronouncements. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” that outlines a new, single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. This new revenue recognition model provides a five-step analysis in determining when and how revenue is recognized. The new model will require revenue recognition to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration a company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services.
	An entity is required to apply ASU 2014-09 for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. An entity can apply ASU 2014-09 using either a full retrospective method, meaning the standard is applied to all of the periods presented, or a modified retrospective method, meaning the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard is recognized in the most current period presented in the financial statements. The Company is evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (Topics 205 and 360),” that raises the threshold for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. Under the revised standard, a discontinued operation is (i) a component of an entity or group of components that has been disposed of by sale, disposed of other than by sale or is classified as held for sale that represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results or (ii) an acquired business or nonprofit activity that is classified as held for sale on the date of the acquisition. This update is aimed at reducing the frequency of disposals reported as discontinued operations by focusing on strategic shifts that have or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results.
	An entity is required to apply ASU 2014-08 for annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those annual periods, though earlier adoption is permitted. An entity should provide the disclosures required by this amendment prospectively. The Company is evaluating the impact of this new guidance and does not expect it to have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Summary_of_significant_account2

Summary of significant accounting policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table reflects the gross and net intangible assets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
				September 30,		December 31,
	(in thousands)			2014		2013
	Gross intangible - operating rights		$	36,557	$	36,557
	Accumulated amortization			-9,038		-7,942
		Net intangible - operating rights	$	27,519	$	28,615
Schedule Of Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table reflects amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
	(in thousands)		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Amortization expense		$	365	$	365	$	1,096	$	1,096
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table reflects the future amortization expense of deferred loan costs at September 30, 2014:
	(in thousands)
	Remaining 2014		$	2,443
	2015			9,973
	2016			10,311
	2017			10,670
	2018			11,052
	2019			8,342
	Thereafter			18,095
		Total	$	70,886

Exploratory_well_costs_Tables

Exploratory well costs (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Exploratory Well Costs Capitalized Exploratory Well Activity [Abstract]	'
Company's capitalized exploratory well activity	'
	The following table reflects the Company’s net capitalized exploratory well activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2014:
					Nine Months Ended
	(in thousands)				30-Sep-14
	Beginning capitalized exploratory well costs				$	144,504
		Additions to exploratory well costs pending the determination of proved reserves				279,618
		Reclassifications due to determination of proved reserves				-99,533
		Exploratory well costs charged to expense				-30,227
	Ending capitalized exploratory well costs				$	294,362
Aging of capitalized exploratory well costs based on the date drilling was completed	'
	The following table provides an aging at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 of capitalized exploratory well costs based on the date drilling was completed:
				September 30,		December 31,
	(dollars in thousands)			2014		2013
	Capitalized exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period of one year or less		$	277,919	$	122,753
	Capitalized exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period greater than one year			16,443		21,751
		Total capitalized exploratory well costs	$	294,362	$	144,504
	Number of projects with exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period greater
		than one year		10		10

Asset_retirement_obligations_T

Asset retirement obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Asset retirement obligations	'
	The Company's asset retirement obligations primarily relate to the future plugging and abandonment of wells and facilities. The following table summarizes the Company's asset retirement obligation activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2014:
			Nine Months Ended
	(in thousands)		30-Sep-14
	Asset retirement obligations, beginning of period		$	101,593
		Liabilities incurred from new wells		3,122
		Liabilities assumed in acquisitions		1,337
		Accretion expense		5,162
		Liabilities settled upon plugging and abandoning wells		-4,049
		Revision of estimates		4,753
	Asset retirement obligations, end of period		$	111,918

Incentive_plans_Tables

Incentive plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of the Company's stock awards activity	'
	A summary of the Company’s activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is presented below:
					Restricted		Stock		Performance
					Stock		Options		Units
		Outstanding at December 31, 2013				1,216,449		255,537		110,889
			Awards granted (a)			438,380		-		139,425
			Options exercised			-		-207,824		-
			Awards cancelled / forfeited			-72,956		-		-
			Lapse of restrictions			-273,745		-		-
		Outstanding at September 30, 2014			1,308,128		47,713		250,314
		(a) Weighted average grant date fair value per share			$	129.69	$	-	$	139.54
Future stock-based compensation expense to be recorded for all the stock-based compensation awards that were outstanding	'
	The following table reflects the future stock-based compensation expense to be recorded for all the stock-based compensation awards that were outstanding at September 30, 2014:
	(in thousands)
	Remaining 2014			$	12,653
	2015				40,470
	2016				25,115
	2017				6,934
	2018				794
	Thereafter				3
		Total		$	85,969

Disclosures_about_fair_value_o1

Disclosures about fair value of financial instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's financial instruments	'
	The following table presents the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
					30-Sep-14						31-Dec-13
					Carrying			Fair			Carrying			Fair
	(in thousands)				Value			Value			Value			Value
		Assets:
			Derivative instruments		$	86,875		$	86,875		$	1,556		$	1,556
		Liabilities:
			Derivative instruments		$	1,027		$	1,027		$	67,789		$	67,789
			Credit facility		$	-		$	-		$	250,000		$	250,770
			7.0% senior notes due 2021		$	600,000		$	640,500		$	600,000		$	660,000
			6.5% senior notes due 2022		$	600,000		$	637,500		$	600,000		$	649,500
			5.5% senior notes due 2022		$	600,000		$	618,000		$	600,000		$	619,500
			5.5% senior notes due 2023		$	1,578,483		$	1,641,622		$	1,580,421		$	1,627,834
Net basis derivative fair values as reported in the consolidated balance sheets	'
	The following table summarizes (i) the valuation of each of the Company’s financial instruments by required fair value hierarchy levels and (ii) the gross fair value by the appropriate balance sheet classification, even when the derivative instruments are subject to netting arrangements and qualify for net presentation in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The Company nets the fair value of derivative instruments by counterparty in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
	30-Sep-14
						Fair Value Measurements Using															Net
						Quoted Prices													Gross		Fair Value
						in Active					Significant								Amounts		Presented
						Markets for					Other			Significant					Offset in the		in the
						Identical					Observable			Unobservable					Consolidated		Consolidated
						Assets					Inputs			Inputs			Total		Balance		Balance
	(in thousands)					(Level 1)					(Level 2)			(Level 3)			Fair Value		Sheet		Sheet
		Assets
			Current:
				Commodity derivatives			$	-		$	56,037		$	-		$	56,037	$	-14,178	$	41,859
			Noncurrent:
				Commodity derivatives				-			47,200			-			47,200		-2,184		45,016
		Liabilities
			Current:
				Commodity derivatives				-			-15,205			-			-15,205		14,178		-1,027
			Noncurrent:
				Commodity derivatives				-			-2,184			-			-2,184		2,184		-
		Net derivative instruments					$	-		$	85,848		$	-		$	85,848	$	-	$	85,848
	31-Dec-13
						Fair Value Measurements Using															Net
						Quoted Prices													Gross		Fair Value
						in Active					Significant								Amounts		Presented
						Markets for					Other			Significant					Offset in the		in the
						Identical					Observable			Unobservable					Consolidated		Consolidated
						Assets					Inputs			Inputs			Total		Balance		Balance
	(in thousands)					(Level 1)					(Level 2)			(Level 3)			Fair Value		Sheet		Sheet
		Assets
			Current:
				Commodity derivatives			$	-		$	12,819		$	-		$	12,819	$	-12,229	$	590
			Noncurrent:
				Commodity derivatives				-			5,300			-			5,300		-4,334		966
		Liabilities
			Current:
				Commodity derivatives				-			-65,930			-			-65,930		12,229		-53,701
			Noncurrent:
				Commodity derivatives				-			-18,422			-			-18,422		4,334		-14,088
		Net derivative instruments					$	-		$	-66,233		$	-		$	-66,233	$	-	$	-66,233
Carrying amounts, estimated fair values and impairment expense of long-lived assets	'
	The following table reports the carrying amount, estimated fair value and impairment expense of long-lived assets for the indicated periods:
							Estimated
				Carrying			Fair Value			Impairment
	(in thousands)			Amount			(Level 3)			Expense
	Sep-14		$	26,790		$	11,314		$	15,476
	Jun-13		$	84,140		$	18,765		$	65,375

Derivative_financial_instrumen1

Derivative financial instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summarizes the gains and losses reported in earnings related to the commodity and interest rate derivative instruments	'
	The following table summarizes the gains (losses) reported in earnings related to the commodity derivative instruments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
				Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
				September 30,						September 30,
	(in thousands)				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Gain (loss) on derivatives not designated as hedges:
		Oil derivatives		$	316,559		$	-169,049		$	128,684		$	-172,698
		Natural gas derivatives			9,670			439			-2,777			15,395
			Total	$	326,229		$	-168,610		$	125,907		$	-157,303
	The following table represents the Company's cash receipts from (payments on) derivatives for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
				Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
				September 30,						September 30,
	(in thousands)				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Cash receipts from (payments on) derivatives not designated as hedges:
		Oil derivatives		$	14,271		$	-49,864		$	-20,067		$	-42,528
		Natural gas derivatives			446			4,589			-6,107			4,844
			Total	$	14,717		$	-45,275		$	-26,174		$	-37,684
Company's outstanding derivative contracts	'
	The following table sets forth the Company’s outstanding derivative contracts at September 30, 2014. When aggregating multiple contracts, the weighted average contract price is disclosed. All of the Company’s derivative contracts at September 30, 2014 are expected to settle by June 30, 2017.
					First		Second		Third		Fourth
					Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Total
	Oil Swaps: (a)
		2014:00:00
			Volume (Bbl)								4,633,000		4,633,000
			Price per Bbl							$	92.49	$	92.49
		2015:00:00
			Volume (Bbl)		4,240,000		3,919,000		3,654,000		3,449,000		15,262,000
			Price per Bbl	$	88.32	$	87.5	$	87.57	$	87.42	$	87.73
		2016:00:00
			Volume (Bbl)		3,218,000		3,068,000		2,958,000		105,000		9,349,000
			Price per Bbl	$	90.43	$	90.9	$	90.46	$	88.28	$	90.57
		2017:00:00
			Volume (Bbl)		84,000		84,000		-		-		168,000
			Price per Bbl	$	87	$	87	$	-	$	-	$	87
	Oil Basis Swaps: (b)
		2014:00:00
			Volume (Bbl)								3,956,000		3,956,000
			Price per Bbl							$	-1.07	$	-1.07
		2015:00:00
			Volume (Bbl)		1,620,000		1,638,000		1,932,000		1,932,000		7,122,000
			Price per Bbl	$	-3.3	$	-3.3	$	-3.5	$	-3.5	$	-3.41
	Natural Gas Swaps: (c)
		2014:00:00
			Volume (MMBtu)								2,053,000		2,053,000
			Price per MMBtu							$	4.24	$	4.24
		2015:00:00
			Volume (MMBtu)		5,850,000		5,915,000		5,980,000		5,980,000		23,725,000
			Price per MMBtu	$	4.16	$	4.16	$	4.16	$	4.16	$	4.16
	Natural Gas Collars: (d)
		2014:00:00
			Volume (MMBtu)								5,520,000		5,520,000
			Ceiling price per MMBtu							$	4.4	$	4.4
			Floor price per MMBtu							$	3.85	$	3.85
	Natural Gas Basis Swaps: (e)
		2014:00:00
			Volume (MMBtu)								2,053,000		2,053,000
			Price per MMBtu							$	-0.11	$	-0.11
		2015:00:00
			Volume (MMBtu)		1,350,000		1,365,000		1,380,000		1,380,000		5,475,000
			Price per MMBtu	$	-0.13	$	-0.13	$	-0.13	$	-0.13	$	-0.13
	(a) The index prices for the oil price swaps are based on the NYMEX – West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") monthly average futures price.
	(b) The basis differential price is between Midland – WTI and Cushing – WTI.
	(c) The index prices for the natural gas price swaps are based on the NYMEX – Henry Hub last trading day futures price.
	(d) The index prices for the natural gas collars are based on the El Paso Permian delivery point.
	(e) The basis differential price is between the El Paso Permian delivery point and NYMEX – Henry Hub delivery point.

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Company's debt	'
	The Company’s debt consisted of the following at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
						September 30,			December 31,
	(in thousands)					2014			2013
	Credit facility				$	-		$	250,000
	7.0% unsecured senior notes due 2021					600,000			600,000
	6.5% unsecured senior notes due 2022					600,000			600,000
	5.5% unsecured senior notes due 2022					600,000			600,000
	5.5% unsecured senior notes due 2023					1,550,000			1,550,000
	Unamortized original issue premium, net					28,483			30,421
		Less: current portion				-			-
			Total long-term debt		$	3,378,483		$	3,630,421
Principal maturities of debt	'
	Principal maturities of long-term debt. Principal maturities of long-term debt outstanding at September 30, 2014 were as follows:
	(in thousands)
	Remaining 2014			$		-
	2015					-
	2016					-
	2017					-
	2018					-
	2019					-
	Thereafter					3,350,000
		Total		$		3,350,000
Interest expense	'
	Interest expense. The following amounts have been incurred and charged to interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
							Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
							September 30,					September 30,
	(in thousands)							2014			2013		2014		2013
	Cash payments for interest						$	42,417		$	43,868	$	152,217	$	145,980
	Amortization of original issue discount (premium)							-654			-620		-1,936		-619
	Amortization of deferred loan origination costs							2,423			3,311		8,495		9,844
	Net changes in accruals							9,312			9,436		6,245		6,975
		Interest costs incurred						53,498			55,995		165,021		162,180
	Less: capitalized interest							-897			-		-897		-
		Total interest expense					$	52,601		$	55,995	$	164,124	$	162,180

Commitments_and_contingencies_

Commitments and contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of the Company's future drilling commitments	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s future drilling commitments at September 30, 2014:
			Payments Due By Period
							Less than		3-Jan		5-Mar		More than
	(in thousands)			Total			1 year		years		years		5 years
	Contractual drilling commitments		$	32,126		$	29,478	$	2,648	$	-	$	-
Future minimum lease commitments under non-cancellable operating leases	'
	Future minimum lease commitments under non-cancellable operating leases at September 30, 2014 were as follows:
	(in thousands)
	Remaining 2014			$	1,828
	2015				6,387
	2016				4,969
	2017				4,984
	2018				4,279
	2019				3,980
	Thereafter				8,660
		Total		$	35,087

Related_party_transactions_Tab

Related party transactions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Summary of charges incurred with and payments made to the Company's related parties and reported in the consolidated statements of operations	'
	The following table summarizes charges incurred with and payments made to related parties and reported in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
	(in thousands)		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Royalties paid to a partnership in which a director has an ownership interest (a)	$	4,955	$	2,010	$	11,010	$	4,694
	Royalties paid to a director and certain officers of the Company (b)	$	48	$	12	$	205	$	33
	Amounts paid under consulting agreement with Steven L. Beal (c)	$	-	$	745	$	-	$	865
	(a) Royalties paid on certain properties to a partnership of which a director of the Company is the general partner and owns a 3.5 percent partnership interest.
	(b) Payments made to a director and certain officers who directly own overriding royalty interests in properties owned by the Company.
	(c) On June 30, 2009, Steven L. Beal, the Company’s then-president and chief operating officer, retired from such positions. On June 9, 2009, the Company entered into a consulting agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) with Mr. Beal, under which Mr. Beal began serving as a consultant to the Company on July 1, 2009. During the term of the consulting relationship, Mr. Beal received a consulting fee of $20,000 per month and a monthly reimbursement for his medical and dental coverage costs. In August 2013, the Company and Mr. Beal mutually terminated the Consulting Agreement in exchange for the payment to Mr. Beal of $720,000, which termination and payment were approved by the disinterested members of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Net_income_per_share_Tables

Net income per share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Other Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of earnings attributable to common shares, basic and diluted	'
	The following tables reconcile the Company’s income from continuing operations, income from discontinued operations and income attributable to common stockholders to the basic and diluted earnings used to determine the Company’s income per share amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, under the two-class method:
						Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
						30-Sep-14								30-Sep-14
					Continuing			Discontinued					Continuing		Discontinued
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)				Operations			Operations			Total		Operations		Operations		Total
	Income as reported				$	305,203		$	-		$	305,203	$	408,279	$	-	$	408,279
	Participating basic earnings					-3,557			-			-3,557		-4,687		-		-4,687
		Basic income attributable to common
			stockholders			301,646			-			301,646		403,592		-		403,592
	Reallocation of participating earnings					10			-			10		15		-		15
		Diluted income attributable to common
			stockholders		$	301,656		$	-		$	301,656	$	403,607	$	-	$	403,607
	Income per common share:
		Basic			$	2.7		$	-		$	2.7	$	3.74	$	-	$	3.74
		Diluted			$	2.69		$	-		$	2.69	$	3.73	$	-	$	3.73
						Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
						30-Sep-13								30-Sep-13
					Continuing			Discontinued					Continuing		Discontinued
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)				Operations			Operations			Total		Operations		Operations		Total
	Income as reported				$	30,421		$	-		$	30,421	$	133,133	$	12,081	$	145,214
	Participating basic earnings					-357			-			-357		-1,421		-129		-1,550
		Basic income attributable to common
			stockholders			30,064			-			30,064		131,712		11,952		143,664
	Reallocation of participating earnings					-			-			-		2		-		2
		Diluted income attributable to common
			stockholders		$	30,064		$	-		$	30,064	$	131,714	$	11,952	$	143,666
	Income per common share:
		Basic			$	0.29		$	-		$	0.29	$	1.27	$	0.12	$	1.39
		Diluted			$	0.29		$	-		$	0.29	$	1.27	$	0.11	$	1.38
reconciliation of the basic weighted average common shares outstanding to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	'
	The following table is a reconciliation of the basic weighted average common shares outstanding to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
					Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
					September 30,				September 30,
	(in thousands)				2014		2013		2014		2013
	Weighted average common shares outstanding:
		Basic			111,680		103,801		107,816		103,709
			Dilutive common stock options		75		157		102		173
			Dilutive performance units		244		-		230		-
		Diluted			111,999		103,958		108,148		103,882
summary of the common stock options and restricted stock which were not included in the computation of diluted net income per share	'
	The following table is a summary of the restricted stock and performance units, which were not included in the computation of diluted income per share, as inclusion of these items would be antidilutive:
				Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
				September 30,				September 30,
	(in thousands)			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Number of antidilutive common shares:
		Antidilutive restricted stock		18		2		119		7
		Antidilutive performance units		-		111		-		111

Subsidiary_guarantors_Tables

Subsidiary guarantors (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	'
	The following condensed consolidating balance sheets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, condensed consolidating statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, present financial information for Concho Resources Inc. as the parent on a stand-alone basis (carrying any investments in subsidiaries under the equity method), financial information for the subsidiary guarantors on a stand-alone basis and the consolidation and elimination entries necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis. All current and deferred income taxes are recorded on Concho Resources Inc., as the subsidiaries are flow-through entities for income tax purposes. The subsidiary guarantors are not restricted from making distributions to the Company.
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	30-Sep-14
				Parent			Subsidiary			Consolidating
	(in thousands)			Issuer			Guarantors			Entries			Total
	ASSETS
	Accounts receivable - related parties		$	6,557,085		$	1,208,417		$	-7,765,502		$	-
	Other current assets			50,885			720,156			-			771,041
	Oil and natural gas properties, net			-			9,948,424			-			9,948,424
	Property and equipment, net			-			117,244			-			117,244
	Investment in subsidiaries			4,598,055			-			-4,598,055			-
	Other long-term assets			115,901			85,485			-			201,386
		Total assets	$	11,321,926		$	12,079,726		$	-12,363,557		$	11,038,095
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	Accounts payable - related parties		$	1,208,417		$	6,557,085		$	-7,765,502		$	-
	Other current liabilities			69,666			821,676			-			891,342
	Long-term debt			3,378,483			-			-			3,378,483
	Other long-term liabilities			1,521,582			102,910			-			1,624,492
	Equity			5,143,778			4,598,055			-4,598,055			5,143,778
		Total liabilities and equity	$	11,321,926		$	12,079,726		$	-12,363,557		$	11,038,095
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	31-Dec-13
				Parent			Subsidiary			Consolidating
	(in thousands)			Issuer			Guarantors			Entries			Total
	ASSETS
	Accounts receivable - related parties		$	6,115,554		$	1,261,844		$	-7,377,398		$	-
	Other current assets			39,108			481,767			-			520,875
	Oil and natural gas properties, net			-			8,831,265			-			8,831,265
	Property and equipment, net			-			114,783			-			114,783
	Investment in subsidiaries			3,896,741			-			-3,896,741			-
	Other long-term assets			74,013			50,228			-			124,241
		Total assets	$	10,125,416		$	10,739,887		$	-11,274,139		$	9,591,164
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	Accounts payable - related parties		$	1,261,844		$	6,115,554		$	-7,377,398		$	-
	Other current liabilities			126,461			630,407			-			756,868
	Long-term debt			3,630,421			-			-			3,630,421
	Other long-term liabilities			1,348,741			97,185			-			1,445,926
	Equity			3,757,949			3,896,741			-3,896,741			3,757,949
		Total liabilities and equity	$	10,125,416		$	10,739,887		$	-11,274,139		$	9,591,164
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	'
	The following condensed consolidating balance sheets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, condensed consolidating statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, present financial information for Concho Resources Inc. as the parent on a stand-alone basis (carrying any investments in subsidiaries under the equity method), financial information for the subsidiary guarantors on a stand-alone basis and the consolidation and elimination entries necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis. All current and deferred income taxes are recorded on Concho Resources Inc., as the subsidiaries are flow-through entities for income tax purposes. The subsidiary guarantors are not restricted from making distributions to the Company.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
				Parent			Subsidiary			Consolidating
	(in thousands)			Issuer			Guarantors			Entries			Total
	Total operating revenues		$	-		$	700,263		$	-		$	700,263
	Total operating costs and expenses			325,637			-483,888			-			-158,251
		Income from operations		325,637			216,375			-			542,012
	Interest expense			-52,601			-			-			-52,601
	Other, net			218,530			2,155			-218,530			2,155
		Income before income taxes		491,566			218,530			-218,530			491,566
	Income tax expense			-186,363			-			-			-186,363
		Net income	$	305,203		$	218,530		$	-218,530		$	305,203
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
				Parent			Subsidiary			Consolidating
	(in thousands)			Issuer			Guarantors			Entries			Total
	Total operating revenues		$	-		$	652,920		$	-		$	652,920
	Total operating costs and expenses			-169,935			-372,933			-			-542,868
		Income (loss) from operations		-169,935			279,987			-			110,052
	Interest expense			-55,995			-			-			-55,995
	Other, net			278,046			-1,996			-277,991			-1,941
		Income before income taxes		52,116			277,991			-277,991			52,116
	Income tax expense			-21,695			-			-			-21,695
		Net income	$	30,421		$	277,991		$	-277,991		$	30,421
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
				Parent			Subsidiary			Consolidating
	(in thousands)			Issuer			Guarantors			Entries			Total
	Total operating revenues		$	-		$	2,065,924		$	-		$	2,065,924
	Total operating costs and expenses			124,158			-1,357,777			-			-1,233,619
		Income from operations		124,158			708,147			-			832,305
	Interest expense			-164,124			-			-			-164,124
	Loss on extinguishment of debt			-4,316			-			-			-4,316
	Other, net			701,314			-6,833			-701,314			-6,833
		Income before income taxes		657,032			701,314			-701,314			657,032
	Income tax expense			-248,753			-			-			-248,753
		Net income	$	408,279		$	701,314		$	-701,314		$	408,279
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
				Parent			Subsidiary			Consolidating
	(in thousands)			Issuer			Guarantors			Entries			Total
	Total operating revenues		$	-		$	1,687,833		$	-		$	1,687,833
	Total operating costs and expenses			-159,017			-1,117,058			-			-1,276,075
		Income (loss) from continuing operations		-159,017			570,775			-			411,758
	Interest expense			-162,180			-			-			-162,180
	Loss on extinguishment of debt			-28,616			-			-			-28,616
	Other, net			588,568			-1,863			-588,511			-1,806
		Income from continuing operations before income taxes		238,755			568,912			-588,511			219,156
	Income tax expense			-86,023			-			-			-86,023
		Income from continuing operations		152,732			568,912			-588,511			133,133
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			-7,518			19,599			-			12,081
		Net income	$	145,214		$	588,511		$	-588,511		$	145,214
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	'
	The following condensed consolidating balance sheets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, condensed consolidating statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, present financial information for Concho Resources Inc. as the parent on a stand-alone basis (carrying any investments in subsidiaries under the equity method), financial information for the subsidiary guarantors on a stand-alone basis and the consolidation and elimination entries necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis. All current and deferred income taxes are recorded on Concho Resources Inc., as the subsidiaries are flow-through entities for income tax purposes. The subsidiary guarantors are not restricted from making distributions to the Company.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
					Parent			Subsidiary			Consolidating
	(in thousands)				Issuer			Guarantors			Entries			Total
	Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities			$	-656,055		$	1,944,591		$	-		$	1,288,536
	Net cash flows used in investing activities				-26,174			-1,809,030			-			-1,835,204
	Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities				682,229			-36,718			-			645,511
		Net increase in cash and cash equivalents			-			98,843			-			98,843
		Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			-			21			-			21
		Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	-		$	98,864		$	-		$	98,864
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
					Parent			Subsidiary			Consolidating
	(in thousands)				Issuer			Guarantors			Entries			Total
	Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities			$	-441,741		$	1,386,385		$	-		$	944,644
	Net cash flows used in investing activities				-37,684			-1,434,412			-			-1,472,096
	Net cash flows provided by financing activities				479,425			45,169			-			524,594
		Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			-			-2,858			-			-2,858
		Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			-			2,880			-			2,880
		Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	-		$	22		$	-		$	22

Subsequent_events_Tables

Subsequent events (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

'

New commodity derivative contracts

'

New commodity derivative contracts. After September 30, 2014, the Company entered into the following oil basis swaps to hedge additional amounts of the Company’s estimated future production:

First

Second

Third

Fourth

Quarter

Quarter

Quarter

Quarter

Total

Oil Basis Swaps: (a)

2015:00:00

Volume (Bbl)

1,395,000

1,288,500

782,000

552,000

4,017,500

Price per Bbl

$

-4.25

$

-4.29

$

-4.34

$

-4.35

$

-4.29

(a)

The basis differential price is between Midland – WTI and Cushing – WTI.

Supplementary_information_Tabl

Supplementary information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Industries Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Capitalized costs	'
	Capitalized costs
				September 30,		December 31,
	(in thousands)			2014		2013
	Oil and natural gas properties:
		Proved		$	11,863,067	$	10,182,953
		Unproved			1,185,403		1,032,420
		Less: accumulated depletion			-3,100,046		-2,384,108
			Net capitalized costs for oil and natural gas properties	$	9,948,424	$	8,831,265
costs incurred for oil and natural gas producing activities	'
	Costs incurred for oil and natural gas producing activities (a)
				Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
				September 30,				September 30,
	(in thousands)			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Property acquisition costs:
		Proved		$	37,732	$	-	$	60,359	$	2,376
		Unproved			71,915		13,991		107,985		58,832
	Exploration				469,290		229,082		1,136,211		779,026
	Development				204,938		197,696		609,780		593,006
		Total costs incurred for oil and natural gas properties		$	783,875	$	440,769	$	1,914,335	$	1,433,240
	(a)	The costs incurred for oil and natural gas producing activities includes the following amounts of asset retirement obligations:
				Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
				September 30,				September 30,
		(in thousands)		2014		2013		2014		2013
		Exploration costs		$	730	$	535	$	1,850	$	2,089
		Development costs			4,721		1,801		6,025		9,163
			Total asset retirement obligations	$	5,451	$	2,336	$	7,875	$	11,252

Recovered_Sheet1

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Detail) (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
Disclosure Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Narrative [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred loan costs	$70,886,000	'	$70,886,000	'	$73,048,000
Accumulated amortization	'	'	57,200,000	'	48,700,000
Estimated economic life of gross operating rights in years	'	'	'25 years	'	'
Impairment Of Oil And Gas Properties	'	'	15,476,000	65,375,000	'
Fees related to operation of jointly owned oil and natural gas properties	6,100,000	4,200,000	17,100,000	13,500,000	'
Equity method investment ownership percentage	50.00%	'	50.00%	'	'
Total equity method investment	29,200,000	'	29,200,000	'	'
Income (loss) from equity method investments	'	'	($900,000)	'	'

Recovered_Sheet2

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Future Amortization Expense Of Deferred Loan Costs) (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Future Amortization Expense Of Deferred Loan Costs [Abstract]	'
Remaining 2014	$2,443
2015	9,973
2016	10,311
2017	10,670
2018	11,052
2019	8,342
Thereafter	18,095
Total	$70,886

Recovered_Sheet3

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Gross And Net Intangible Assets) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Disclosure Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Gross And Net Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Gross intangible - operating rights	$36,557	$36,557
Accumulated amortization	-9,038	-7,942
Net intangible - operating rights	$27,519	$28,615

Summary_Of_Significant_Account3

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Amortization Expense) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Amortization Expense [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Amortization expense	$365	$365	$1,096	$1,096

Exploratory_Well_Costs_Capital

Exploratory Well Costs (Capitalized Exploratory Well Activity) (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Exploratory Well Costs Capitalized Exploratory Well Activity [Abstract]	'
Beginning capitalized exploratory well costs	$144,504
Additions to exploratory well costs pending the determination of proved reserves	279,618
Reclassifications due to determination of proved reserves	-99,533
Exploratory well costs charged to expense	-30,227
Ending capitalized exploratory well costs	$294,362

Exploratory_Well_Costs_Aging_O

Exploratory Well Costs (Aging Of Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs Based On The Date Of Drilling) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Number	Number
Disclosure Exploratory Well Costs Aging Of Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs Based On The Date Of Drilling [Abstract]	'	'
Capitalized exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period of one year or less	$277,919	$122,753
Capitalized exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period greater than one year	16,443	21,751
Total capitalized exploratory well costs	$294,362	$144,504
Projects that have Exploratory Well Costs that have been Capitalized for Period Greater than One Year, Number of Projects	10	10

Exploratory_Well_Costs_Narrati

Exploratory Well Costs (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Oil And Gas In Process Activities [Line Items]	'	'
Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs That Have Been Capitalized For Period Greater Than One Year	$16,443	$21,751
Southern Delaware Basin Projects [Member]	'	'
Oil And Gas In Process Activities [Line Items]	'	'
Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs That Have Been Capitalized For Period Greater Than One Year	6,400	'
Other Projects [Member]	'	'
Oil And Gas In Process Activities [Line Items]	'	'
Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs That Have Been Capitalized For Period Greater Than One Year	3,700	'
OBO Projects [Member]	'	'
Oil And Gas In Process Activities [Line Items]	'	'
Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs That Have Been Capitalized For Period Greater Than One Year	$6,300	'

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_S

Asset Retirement Obligations (Schedule Of Asset Retirement Obligation Transactions) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Asset Retirement Obligations Schedule Of Asset Retirement Obligation Transactions [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Asset retirement obligations, beginning of period	'	'	$101,593,000	'
Liabilities incurred from new wells	'	'	3,122,000	'
Liabilities assumed in acquisitions	'	'	1,337,000	'
Accretion expense	1,769,000	1,574,000	5,162,000	4,410,000
Liabilities settled upon plugging and abandoning wells	'	'	-4,049,000	'
Revision of estimates	'	'	4,753,000	'
Asset retirement obligations, end of period	$111,918,000	'	$111,918,000	'

Incentive_Plans_Schedule_Of_Re

Incentive Plans (Schedule Of Restricted Stock Awards Activity) (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Incentive Plans Schedule Of Restricted Stock Awards Activity [Abstract]	'
Outstanding at beginning of period	1,216,449
Shares granted	438,380	[1]
Shares cancelled / forfeited	-72,956
Lapse of restrictions	-273,745
Outstanding at end of period	1,308,128
Shares Granted - Grant Date Value Per Share	$129.69
[1]	Weighted average grant date fair value per share is $129.69

Incentive_Plans_Schedule_Of_St

Incentive Plans (Schedule Of Stock Option Awards Activity) (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Incentive Plans Schedule Of Stock Option Awards Activity [Abstract]	'
Outstanding at beginning of period (Shares)	255,537
Options exercised (Shares)	-207,824
Outstanding at end of period (Shares)	47,713

Incentive_Plans_Schedule_Of_Pe

Incentive Plans (Schedule Of Performance Unit Awards Activity) (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Incentive Plans Schedule Of Performance Unit Awards Activity [Abstract]	'		'
Performance units outstanding at beginning of period (Shares)	250,314		110,889
Units granted	139,425	[1]	'
Performance units outstanding at end of period (Shares)	250,314		110,889
Shares Granted - Grant Date Fair Value - Performance Units	$139.54		'
[1]	Weighted average grant date fair value per share is $139.54

Incentive_Plans_Summary_For_Fu

Incentive Plans (Summary For Future Stock-Based Compensation Expense) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Remaining 2014	$12,653
2015	40,470
2016	25,115
2017	6,934
2018	794
Thereafter	3
Total	$85,969

Recovered_Sheet4

Disclosures About Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Carrying Amounts And Fair Values Of The Company's Financial Instruments) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility	$0	$250,000
Seven Point Zero Percent Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured senior notes	600,000	600,000
Six Point Five Percent Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured senior notes	600,000	600,000
Five Point Five Percent Unsecured Senior Notes Due Twenty Twenty Three [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured senior notes	1,550,000	1,550,000
Carrying Reported Amount Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative instruments, Assets	86,875	1,556
Derivative instruments, Liabilities	1,027	67,789
Credit facility	0	250,000
Carrying Reported Amount Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Seven Point Zero Percent Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured senior notes	600,000	600,000
Carrying Reported Amount Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Six Point Five Percent Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured senior notes	600,000	600,000
Carrying Reported Amount Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Five Piont Five Percent Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured senior notes	600,000	600,000
Carrying Reported Amount Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Five Point Five Percent Unsecured Senior Notes Due Twenty Twenty Three [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured senior notes	1,578,483	1,580,421
Portion At Fair Value Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative instruments, Assets	86,875	1,556
Derivative instruments, Liabilities	1,027	67,789
Credit facility	0	250,770
Portion At Fair Value Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Seven Point Zero Percent Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured senior notes	640,500	660,000
Portion At Fair Value Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Six Point Five Percent Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured senior notes	637,500	649,500
Portion At Fair Value Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Five Piont Five Percent Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured senior notes	618,000	619,500
Portion At Fair Value Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Five Point Five Percent Unsecured Senior Notes Due Twenty Twenty Three [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured senior notes	$1,641,622	$1,627,834

Recovered_Sheet5

Disclosures About Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Company's Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Off Balance Sheet Risks Disclosure Information [Line Items]	'	'
Current derivative contracts, assets	$41,859	$590
Noncurrent derivative contracts, assets	45,016	966
Current derivative contracts, liabilities	-1,027	-53,701
Noncurrent derivative contracts, liabilities	0	-14,088
Net financial assets (liabilities)	85,848	-66,233
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Off Balance Sheet Risks Disclosure Information [Line Items]	'	'
Current derivative contracts, assets	0	0
Noncurrent derivative contracts, assets	0	0
Current derivative contracts, liabilities	0	0
Noncurrent derivative contracts, liabilities	0	0
Net financial assets (liabilities)	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Off Balance Sheet Risks Disclosure Information [Line Items]	'	'
Current derivative contracts, assets	56,037	12,819
Noncurrent derivative contracts, assets	47,200	5,300
Current derivative contracts, liabilities	-15,205	-65,930
Noncurrent derivative contracts, liabilities	-2,184	-18,422
Net financial assets (liabilities)	85,848	-66,233
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Off Balance Sheet Risks Disclosure Information [Line Items]	'	'
Current derivative contracts, assets	0	0
Noncurrent derivative contracts, assets	0	0
Current derivative contracts, liabilities	0	0
Noncurrent derivative contracts, liabilities	0	0
Net financial assets (liabilities)	0	0
Estimate Of Fair Value Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Off Balance Sheet Risks Disclosure Information [Line Items]	'	'
Current derivative contracts, assets	56,037	12,819
Noncurrent derivative contracts, assets	47,200	5,300
Current derivative contracts, liabilities	-15,205	-65,930
Noncurrent derivative contracts, liabilities	-2,184	-18,422
Net financial assets (liabilities)	85,848	-66,233
Gross Amounts Offset in Consolidated Balance Sheet [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Off Balance Sheet Risks Disclosure Information [Line Items]	'	'
Current derivative contracts, assets	-14,178	-12,229
Noncurrent derivative contracts, assets	-2,184	-4,334
Current derivative contracts, liabilities	14,178	12,229
Noncurrent derivative contracts, liabilities	2,184	4,334
Net financial assets (liabilities)	$0	$0

Disclosures_About_Fair_Value_O2

Disclosures About Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Fair Value Derivative Instruments) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current:(b)	'	'
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments assets, current	$41,859	$590
Noncurrent:(c)	'	'
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments assets, noncurrent	45,016	966
Current:(b)	'	'
Fair value liabilities measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments liabilities, current	-1,027	-53,701
Noncurrent:(c)	'	'
Fair value liabilities measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments liabilities, noncurrent	0	-14,088
Net financial assets (liabilities)	85,848	-66,233
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Current:(b)	'	'
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments assets, current	0	0
Noncurrent:(c)	'	'
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments assets, noncurrent	0	0
Current:(b)	'	'
Fair value liabilities measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments liabilities, current	0	0
Noncurrent:(c)	'	'
Fair value liabilities measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments liabilities, noncurrent	0	0
Net financial assets (liabilities)	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Current:(b)	'	'
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments assets, current	56,037	12,819
Noncurrent:(c)	'	'
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments assets, noncurrent	47,200	5,300
Current:(b)	'	'
Fair value liabilities measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments liabilities, current	-15,205	-65,930
Noncurrent:(c)	'	'
Fair value liabilities measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments liabilities, noncurrent	-2,184	-18,422
Net financial assets (liabilities)	85,848	-66,233
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Current:(b)	'	'
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments assets, current	0	0
Noncurrent:(c)	'	'
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments assets, noncurrent	0	0
Current:(b)	'	'
Fair value liabilities measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments liabilities, current	0	0
Noncurrent:(c)	'	'
Fair value liabilities measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments liabilities, noncurrent	0	0
Net financial assets (liabilities)	0	0
Estimate Of Fair Value Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Current:(b)	'	'
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments assets, current	56,037	12,819
Noncurrent:(c)	'	'
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments assets, noncurrent	47,200	5,300
Current:(b)	'	'
Fair value liabilities measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments liabilities, current	-15,205	-65,930
Noncurrent:(c)	'	'
Fair value liabilities measured on recurring basis, derivative financial instruments liabilities, noncurrent	-2,184	-18,422
Net financial assets (liabilities)	$85,848	($66,233)

Disclosures_About_Fair_Value_O3

Disclosures About Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Carrying Amounts, Estimated Fair Values And Impairment Expense Of Long-Lived Assets For Continuing And Discontinued Operations) (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Disclosures About Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Carrying Amounts Estimated Fair Values And Impairment Expense Of Long Lived Assets For Continuing And Discontinued Operations [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Amount	$26,790	$84,140
Estimated Fair Value	11,314	18,765
Impairment Expense	$15,476	$65,375

Recovered_Sheet6

Derivative Financial Instruments (Gains And Losses Reported In Earnings Related To The Commodity And Interest Rate Derivative Instruments) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Financial Instruments Gains And Losses Reported In Earnings Related To Commodity And Interest Rate Derivative Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash (payments on) receipts from derivatives not designated as hedges	($14,717)	$45,275	$26,174	$37,684
Mark-to-market gain (loss)	326,229	-168,610	125,907	-157,303
Oil Commodity Derivative [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments Gains And Losses Reported In Earnings Related To Commodity And Interest Rate Derivative Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash (payments on) receipts from derivatives not designated as hedges	14,271	-49,864	-20,067	-42,528
Mark-to-market gain (loss)	316,559	-169,049	128,684	-172,698
Natural Gas Commodity Derivative [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments Gains And Losses Reported In Earnings Related To Commodity And Interest Rate Derivative Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash (payments on) receipts from derivatives not designated as hedges	446	4,589	-6,107	4,844
Mark-to-market gain (loss)	$9,670	$439	($2,777)	$15,395

Recovered_Sheet7

Derivative Financial Instruments (Outstanding Commodity Derivative Contracts) (Detail)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014
	bbl		bbl		bbl		bbl		bbl
Oil Swaps [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Volume (Bbl/MMBtu) - Current Year	4,633,000	[1]	'		'		'		4,633,000	[1]
Price per Bbl/MMBtu - Current Year	92.49	[1]	'		'		'		92.49	[1]
Volume (Bbl/MMBtu) - Year One	3,449,000	[1]	3,654,000	[1]	3,919,000	[1]	4,240,000	[1]	15,262,000	[1]
Price per Bbl/MMBtu - Year One	87.42	[1]	87.57	[1]	87.5	[1]	88.32	[1]	87.73	[1]
Volume (Bbl/MMBtu) - Year Two	105,000	[1]	2,958,000	[1]	3,068,000	[1]	3,218,000	[1]	9,349,000	[1]
Price per Bbl/MMBtu - Year Two	88.28	[1]	90.46	[1]	90.9	[1]	90.43	[1]	90.57	[1]
Volume (Bbl/MMBtu) - Year Three	0	[1]	0	[1]	84,000	[1]	84,000	[1]	168,000	[1]
Price per Bbl/MMBtu - Year Three	0	[1]	0	[1]	87	[1]	87	[1]	87	[1]
Oil Basis Swaps [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Volume (Bbl/MMBtu) - Current Year	3,956,000	[2]	'		'		'		3,956,000	[2]
Price per Bbl/MMBtu - Current Year	-1.07	[2]	'		'		'		-1.07	[2]
Volume (Bbl/MMBtu) - Year One	1,932,000	[2]	1,932,000	[2]	1,638,000	[2]	1,620,000	[2]	7,122,000	[2]
Price per Bbl/MMBtu - Year One	-3.5	[2]	-3.5	[2]	-3.3	[2]	-3.3	[2]	-3.41	[2]
Natural Gas Swap [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Volume (Bbl/MMBtu) - Current Year	2,053,000	[3]	'		'		'		2,053,000	[3]
Price per Bbl/MMBtu - Current Year	4.24	[3]	'		'		'		4.24	[3]
Volume (Bbl/MMBtu) - Year One	5,980,000	[3]	5,980,000	[3]	5,915,000	[3]	5,850,000	[3]	23,725,000	[3]
Price per Bbl/MMBtu - Year One	4.16	[3]	4.16	[3]	4.16	[3]	4.16	[3]	4.16	[3]
Natural Gas Collars [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Volume (Bbl/MMBtu) - Current Year	5,520,000	[4]	'		'		'		5,520,000	[4]
Natural Gas Collars [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Volume (Bbl/MMBtu) - Current Year	3.85	[4]	'		'		'		3.85	[4]
Natural Gas Collars [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Volume (Bbl/MMBtu) - Current Year	4.4	[4]	'		'		'		4.4	[4]
Natural Gas Basis Swap [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Volume (Bbl/MMBtu) - Current Year	2,053,000	[5]	'		'		'		2,053,000	[5]
Price per Bbl/MMBtu - Current Year	-0.11	[5]	'		'		'		-0.11	[5]
Volume (Bbl/MMBtu) - Year One	1,380,000	[5]	1,380,000	[5]	1,365,000	[5]	1,350,000	[5]	5,475,000	[5]
Price per Bbl/MMBtu - Year One	-0.13	[5]	-0.13	[5]	-0.13	[5]	-0.13	[5]	-0.13	[5]
[1]	The index prices for the oil price swaps are based on the NYMEX b West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") monthly average futures price.
[2]	The basis differential price is between Midland b WTI and Cushing b WTI.
[3]	The index prices for the natural gas price swaps are based on the NYMEX b Henry Hub last trading day futures price.
[4]	The index prices for the natural gas collars are based on the El Paso Permian delivery point.
[5]	The basis differential price is between the El Paso Permian delivery point and NYMEX b Henry Hub delivery point.

Debt_Summary_Of_LongTerm_Debt_

Debt (Summary Of Long-Term Debt) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility	$0	$250,000
Unamortized original issue premium, net	28,483	30,421
Less: current portion	0	0
Total long-term debt	3,378,483	3,630,421
7.0% senior notes due 2021	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured senior notes	600,000	600,000
6.5% senior notes due 2022	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured senior notes	600,000	600,000
5.5% unsecured senior notes due 2022	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured senior notes	600,000	600,000
5.5% unsecured senior notes due 2023	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured senior notes	$1,550,000	$1,550,000

Debt_Narrative_Detail

Debt (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Billions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Line of credit maturity date	9-May-19
Aggregate maximum borrowing base	$3.25
Aggregate lender commitments	$2.50

Debt_Principal_Maturities_Of_D

Debt (Principal Maturities Of Debt) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Disclosure Debt Principal Maturities Of Debt [Abstract]	'
Remaining 2014	$0
2015	0
2016	0
2017	0
2018	0
2019	0
Thereafter	3,350,000
Total	$3,350,000

Debt_Summary_Of_Interest_Expen

Debt (Summary Of Interest Expense) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Debt Summary Of Interest Expense [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cash payments for interest	$42,417	$43,868	$152,217	$145,980
Amortization of original issue discount (premium)	-654	-620	-1,936	-619
Amortization of deferred loan origination costs	2,423	3,311	8,495	9,844
Net changes in accruals	9,312	9,436	6,245	6,975
Interest costs incurred	53,498	55,995	165,021	162,180
Less: capitalized interest	-897	0	-897	0
Total interest expense	$52,601	$55,995	$164,124	$162,180

Recovered_Sheet8

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Annual officers' salaries	$7	'	$7	'	'
Operating leases, lease payments	1.9	1.5	5.3	4.2	'
Accrued Exposure	$12.90	'	$12.90	'	$12.20

Commitments_And_Contingencies_1

Commitments And Contingencies (Future Drilling Commitments) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Disclosure Commitments And Contingencies Future Drilling Commitments [Abstract]	'
Total	$32,126
Paymets Less than 1 year	29,478
Payments Due By Period 1 - 3 years	2,648
Payments Due By Period 3 - 5 years	0
More than 5 years	$0

Commitments_And_Contingencies_2

Commitments And Contingencies (Future Minimum Lease Commitments Under Non-Cancellable Operating Leases) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Disclosure Commitments And Contingencies Future Minimum Lease Commitments Under Non Cancellable Operating Leases [Abstract]	'
Remaining 2014	$1,828
2015	6,387
2016	4,969
2017	4,984
2018	4,279
2019	3,980
Thereafter	8,660
Total	$35,087

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Detail

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 13, 2018	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Income Taxes Narrative [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rate	37.90%	41.60%	37.90%	39.30%	'	'
New Mexico State Tax Rate	'	'	'	'	5.90%	7.60%
Revision of previous estimates	$700,000	$1,300,000	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rate, portion attributable to revision of previous estimates	'	2.40%	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rate, excluding revisions of previous estimates	'	39.20%	'	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_Be

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Between The Income Tax Expense (Benefit) And The Reported Amounts Of Income Tax Expense) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Income Taxes Reconciliation Between The Income Tax Expense Benefit And The Reported Amounts Of Income Tax Expense [Abstract]	'	'
Revision of previous estimates	$700,000	$1,300,000

Related_Party_Transactions_Sch

Related Party Transactions (Schedule Of Related Party Transactions) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Ownership interest in system	'		'		3.50%		'
Consulting fee per month	$20,000		'		$20,000		'
Payment To Mutually Terminate Consulting Agreement	720,000		'		720,000		'
Partnership (Director Ownership Interest) [Member]	'		'		'		'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Royalty interest paid	4,955,000	[1]	2,010,000	[1]	11,010,000	[1]	4,694,000	[1]
Director and Certain Officers [Member]	'		'		'		'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Royalty interest paid	48,000	[2]	12,000	[2]	205,000	[2]	33,000	[2]
Former President And Chief Operating Officer [Member]	'		'		'		'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Amounts paid under consulting agreement with Steven L. Beal	$0	[3]	$745,000	[3]	$0	[3]	$865,000	[3]
[1]	Royalties paid on certain properties to a partnership of which a director of the Company is the general partner and owns a 3.5 percent partnership interest.
[2]	Payments made to a director and certain officers who directly own overriding royalty interests in properties owned by the Company.
[3]	On JuneB 30, 2009, Steven L. Beal, the Companybs then-president and chief operating officer, retired from such positions.B On JuneB 9, 2009, the Company entered into a consulting agreement (the bConsulting Agreementb) with Mr.B Beal, under which Mr.B Beal began serving as a consultant to the Company on JulyB 1, 2009. During the term of the consulting relationship, Mr. Beal received a consulting fee of $20,000 per month and a monthly reimbursement for his medical and dental coverage costs. In August 2013, the Company and Mr. Beal mutually terminated the Consulting Agreement in exchange for the payment to Mr. Beal of $720,000, which termination and payment were approved by the disinterested members of the Companybs Board of Directors.

Discontinued_Operations_Narrat

Discontinued Operations (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Approximate discontinued operation disposal sale price	'	'	'	'	$503,100,000
Adjustment to gain (loss) related to discontinued operations	'	'	'	19,600,000	'
Discontinued Operation Tax Effect Of Discontinued Operation	'	'	'	7,500,000	'
Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax	$0	$0	$0	$12,081,000	'

Net_Income_Per_Share_Narrative

Net Income Per Share (Narrative) (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Net Income Per Share Narrative [Abstract]	'
Performance unit awards vesting period	'36 months
Maximum Payout Value on Performance Units	300.00%
Minimum Payout Value on Performance Units	0.00%

Net_Income_Per_Share_Reconcili

Net Income Per Share (Reconciliation Of Earnings Attributable To Common Shares Basic And Diluted) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) as reported	$305,203	$30,421	$408,279	$145,214
Participating basic earnings	-3,557	-357	-4,687	-1,550
Basic net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	301,646	30,064	403,592	143,664
Reallocation of participating earnings	10	0	15	2
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	301,656	30,064	403,607	143,666
Basic	$2.70	$0.29	$3.74	$1.39
Diluted	$2.69	$0.29	$3.73	$1.38
Segment, Continuing Operations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) as reported	305,203	30,421	408,279	133,133
Participating basic earnings	-3,557	-357	-4,687	-1,421
Basic net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	301,646	30,064	403,592	131,712
Reallocation of participating earnings	10	0	15	2
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	301,656	30,064	403,607	131,714
Basic	$2.70	$0.29	$3.74	$1.27
Diluted	$2.69	$0.29	$3.73	$1.27
Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) as reported	0	0	0	12,081
Participating basic earnings	0	0	0	-129
Basic net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	0	0	0	11,952
Reallocation of participating earnings	0	0	0	0
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$0	$0	$0	$11,952
Basic	$0	$0	$0	$0.12
Diluted	$0	$0	$0	$0.11

Net_Income_Per_Share_Reconcili1

Net Income Per Share (Reconciliation Of The Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding) (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Reconciliation Of Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding To Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Basic	111,680	103,801	107,816	103,709
Diluted	111,999	103,958	108,148	103,882
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reconciliation Of Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding To Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Dilutive shares	75	157	102	173
Performance Shares [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reconciliation Of Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding To Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Dilutive shares	244	0	230	0

Net_Income_Per_Share_Summary_O

Net Income Per Share (Summary Of The Common Stock Options And Restricted Stock) (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive common shares	18	2	119	7
Performance Shares [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive common shares	0	111	0	111

Stockholders_Equity_Narrative_

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Stockholders' Equity Narrative [Abstract]	'	'
Issuance of common stock (Shares)	7,475	'
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	$931,989	$0
Shares issued price per share	$129	'

Subsidiary_Guarantors_Condense

Subsidiary Guarantors (Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Accounts receivable - related parties	$0	$0
Other current assets	771,041	520,875
Oil and natural gas properties, net	9,948,424	8,831,265
Property and equipment, net	117,244	114,783
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other long-term assets	201,386	124,241
Total assets	11,038,095	9,591,164
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'
Other current liabilities	891,342	756,868
Long-term debt	3,378,483	3,630,421
Other long-term liabilities	1,624,492	1,445,926
Equity	5,143,778	3,757,949
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	11,038,095	9,591,164
Parent Company [Member]	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Accounts receivable - related parties	6,557,085	6,115,554
Other current assets	50,885	39,108
Oil and natural gas properties, net	0	0
Property and equipment, net	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	4,598,055	3,896,741
Other long-term assets	115,901	74,013
Total assets	11,321,926	10,125,416
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'
Accounts payable - related parties	1,208,417	1,261,844
Other current liabilities	69,666	126,461
Long-term debt	3,378,483	3,630,421
Other long-term liabilities	1,521,582	1,348,741
Equity	5,143,778	3,757,949
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	11,321,926	10,125,416
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Accounts receivable - related parties	1,208,417	1,261,844
Other current assets	720,156	481,767
Oil and natural gas properties, net	9,948,424	8,831,265
Property and equipment, net	117,244	114,783
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other long-term assets	85,485	50,228
Total assets	12,079,726	10,739,887
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'
Accounts payable - related parties	6,557,085	6,115,554
Other current liabilities	821,676	630,407
Long-term debt	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	102,910	97,185
Equity	4,598,055	3,896,741
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	12,079,726	10,739,887
Consolidation Eliminations [Member]	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Accounts receivable - related parties	-7,765,502	-7,377,398
Other current assets	0	0
Oil and natural gas properties, net	0	0
Property and equipment, net	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	-4,598,055	-3,896,741
Other long-term assets	0	0
Total assets	-12,363,557	-11,274,139
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'
Accounts payable - related parties	-7,765,502	-7,377,398
Other current liabilities	0	0
Long-term debt	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	0	0
Equity	-4,598,055	-3,896,741
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	($12,363,557)	($11,274,139)

Subsidiary_Guarantors_Condense1

Subsidiary Guarantors (Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Operations) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total operating revenues	$700,263	$652,920	$2,065,924	$1,687,833
Total operating costs and expenses	-158,251	-542,868	-1,233,619	-1,276,075
Income (loss) from continuing operations	542,012	110,052	832,305	411,758
Interest expense	-52,601	-55,995	-164,124	-162,180
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	-4,316	-28,616
Other, net	2,155	-1,941	-6,833	-1,806
Income before income taxes	491,566	52,116	657,032	219,156
Income tax expense	-186,363	-21,695	-248,753	-86,023
Income from continuing operations	305,203	30,421	408,279	133,133
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	'	'	12,081
Net income	305,203	30,421	408,279	145,214
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total operating revenues	0	0	0	0
Total operating costs and expenses	-325,637	169,935	-124,158	159,017
Income (loss) from continuing operations	325,637	-169,935	124,158	-159,017
Interest expense	-52,601	-55,995	-164,124	-162,180
Loss on extinguishment of debt	'	'	-4,316	-28,616
Other, net	218,530	278,046	701,314	588,568
Income before income taxes	491,566	52,116	657,032	238,755
Income tax expense	-186,363	-21,695	-248,753	-86,023
Income from continuing operations	'	'	'	152,732
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	'	'	-7,518
Net income	305,203	30,421	408,279	145,214
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total operating revenues	700,263	652,920	2,065,924	1,687,833
Total operating costs and expenses	483,888	372,933	1,357,777	1,117,058
Income (loss) from continuing operations	216,375	279,987	708,147	570,775
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Loss on extinguishment of debt	'	'	0	0
Other, net	2,155	-1,996	-6,833	-1,863
Income before income taxes	218,530	277,991	701,314	568,912
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Income from continuing operations	'	'	'	568,912
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	'	'	19,599
Net income	218,530	277,991	701,314	588,511
Consolidation Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total operating revenues	0	0	0	0
Total operating costs and expenses	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations	0	0	0	0
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Loss on extinguishment of debt	'	'	0	0
Other, net	-218,530	-277,991	-701,314	-588,511
Income before income taxes	-218,530	-277,991	-701,314	-588,511
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Income from continuing operations	'	'	'	-588,511
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	'	'	0
Net income	($218,530)	($277,991)	($701,314)	($588,511)

Subsidiary_Guarantors_Condense2

Subsidiary Guarantors (Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows) (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	$1,288,536	$944,644
Net cash flows used in investing activities	-1,835,204	-1,472,096
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	645,511	524,594
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	98,843	-2,858
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	21	2,880
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	98,864	22
Parent Company [Member]	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	-656,055	-441,741
Net cash flows used in investing activities	-26,174	-37,684
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	682,229	479,425
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	0	0
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	1,944,591	1,386,385
Net cash flows used in investing activities	-1,809,030	-1,434,412
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	-36,718	45,169
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	98,843	-2,858
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	21	2,880
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	98,864	22
Consolidation Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	0	0
Net cash flows used in investing activities	0	0
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$0	$0

Subsequent_Events_New_Commodit

Subsequent Events (New Commodity Derivative Contracts) (Detail) (Oil Basis Swaps [Member], Subsequent Event [Member])	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014
	bbl		bbl		bbl		bbl		bbl
Oil Basis Swaps [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Volume (Bbl/MMBtu) - Year One	552,000	[1]	782,000	[1]	1,288,500	[1]	1,395,000	[1]	4,017,500	[1]
Price per Bbl/MMBtu - Year One	-4.35	[1]	-4.34	[1]	-4.29	[1]	-4.25	[1]	-4.29	[1]
[1]	The basis differential price is between Midland b WTI and Cushing b WTI.

Supplementary_Information_Capi

Supplementary Information (Capitalized Costs) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Disclosure Supplementary Information Capitalized Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Proved	$11,863,067	$10,182,953
Unproved	1,185,403	1,032,420
Accumulated depletion and depreciation	-3,100,046	-2,384,108
Net capitalized costs for oil and natural gas properties	$9,948,424	$8,831,265

Supplementary_Information_Cost

Supplementary Information (Costs Incurred For Oil And Natural Gas Producing Activities) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Supplementary Information Costs Incurred For Oil And Natural Gas Producing Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Proved	$37,732	$0	$60,359	$2,376
Unproved	71,915	13,991	107,985	58,832
Exploration	469,290	229,082	1,136,211	779,026
Development	204,938	197,696	609,780	593,006
Total costs incurred for oil and natural gas properties	$783,875	$440,769	$1,914,335	$1,433,240

Supplementary_Information_Asse

Supplementary Information (Asset Retirement Obligations For Oil and Natural Gas Producing Activities) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Supplementary Information Asset Retirement Obligations For Oil And Natural Gas Producing Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Exploration costs	$730	$535	$1,850	$2,089
Development costs	4,721	1,801	6,025	9,163
Total	$5,451	$2,336	$7,875	$11,252