Erin Energy (ERINQ) 10-Q 8 Aug 16 2016 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Aug. 01, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Erin Energy Corp.
Entity Central Index Key	1,402,281
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		212,543,801

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Un

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 8,759	$ 8,363
Restricted cash	0	8,661
Accounts receivable - trade	3	1,029
Accounts receivable - partners	667	287
Accounts receivable - related party	1,732	1,186
Accounts receivable - other	71	28
Crude oil inventory	5,895	4,789
Prepaids and other current assets	1,363	684
Total current assets	18,490	25,027
Property, plant and equipment:
Oil and gas properties (successful efforts method of accounting), net	329,371	348,331
Other property, plant and equipment, net	1,023	1,174
Total property, plant and equipment, net	330,394	349,505
Other non-current assets	76	67
Total assets	348,960	374,599
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	242,033	213,120
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - related party	29,465	30,133
Short-term note payable	357	0
Current portion of long-term debt, net	3,802	96,558
Total current liabilities	275,657	339,811
Long-term notes payable - related party, net	127,517	120,006
Term loan facility, net	83,441	0
Asset retirement obligations	21,522	20,609
Total liabilities	508,137	480,426
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
Capital deficiency:
Preferred stock $0.001 par value - 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively	0	0
Common stock $0.001 par value - 416,666,667 shares authorized; 212,517,199 and 211,615,773 shares issued as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively	213	212
Additional paid-in capital	791,453	789,615
Accumulated deficit	(951,434)	(896,451)
Treasury stock at cost, 84,185 and -0- shares as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively	(192)	0
Total deficit - Erin Energy Corporation	(159,960)	(106,624)
Non-controlling interests	783	797
Total capital deficiency	(159,177)	(105,827)
Total liabilities and capital deficiency	$ 348,960	$ 374,599

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (U3

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, authorized shares	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, issued shares	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding shares	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, authorized shares	416,666,667	416,666,667
Common stock, issued shares	212,517,199	211,615,773
Treasury stock, shares	84,185	0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Revenues:
Crude oil sales, net of royalties	$ 23,151	$ 0	$ 28,080	$ 0
Operating costs and expenses:
Production costs	22,123	4,258	44,687	25,573
Crude oil inventory (increase) decrease	729	(9,874)	(102)	(9,861)
Workover expenses	7,585	618	7,585	618
Exploratory expenses	1,200	1,502	3,262	8,017
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	14,856	123	19,668	243
Accretion of asset retirement obligations	461	299	913	876
Loss on settlement of asset retirement obligations	0	3,454	205	3,454
General and administrative expenses	3,396	5,441	7,354	8,932
Total operating costs and expenses	50,350	5,821	83,572	37,852
Operating loss	(27,199)	(5,821)	(55,492)	(37,852)
Other income (expense):
Currency transaction gain	10,465	555	11,328	1,991
Interest expense	(5,954)	(4,224)	(11,379)	(6,835)
Total other income (expense), net	4,511	(3,669)	(51)	(4,844)
Loss before income taxes	(22,688)	(9,490)	(55,543)	(42,696)
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Net loss before non-controlling interest	(22,688)	(9,490)	(55,543)	(42,696)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	116	328	560	475
Net loss attributable to Erin Energy Corporation	$ (22,572)	$ (9,162)	$ (54,983)	$ (42,221)
Net loss attributable to Erin Energy Corporation per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.20)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.20)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	212,290	211,108	212,067	210,791
Diluted (in shares)	212,290	211,108	212,067	210,791

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUI

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Unaudited) - 6 months ended Jun. 30, 2016 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Treasury Stock	Non-controlling Interest
Balance at December 31, 2015 at Dec. 31, 2015	$ (105,827)	$ 212	$ 789,615	$ (896,451)	$ 0	$ 797
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued	167	1	166
Stock-based compensation	1,619		1,619
Warrants issued with debt	53		53
Transfer to treasury upon vesting of restricted stock	(192)				(192)
Non-controlling interest	546					546
Net loss	(55,543)			(54,983)		(560)
Balance at June 30, 2016 at Jun. 30, 2016	$ (159,177)	$ 213	$ 791,453	$ (951,434)	$ (192)	$ 783

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$ (55,543)	$ (42,696)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	19,668	243
Accretion of asset retirement obligations	913	876
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs	1,789	1,119
Loss on settlement of asset retirement obligations	0	3,454
Foreign currency transaction gain	(11,328)	(1,991)
Share-based compensation	1,619	3,434
Payments to settle asset retirement obligations	0	(16,441)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease in accounts receivable	603	470
Increase in crude oil inventory	(102)	(9,861)
Increase in prepaids and other current assets	(688)	(1,234)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	41,895	34,653
Net cash used in operating activities	(1,174)	(27,974)
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(9,667)	(56,741)
Net cash used in investing activities	(9,667)	(56,741)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants	167	1,855
Payments for treasury stock arising from withholding taxes upon restricted stock vesting	(192)	0
Repayments of term loan facility	(5,981)	0
Proceeds from short-term notes payable	504	0
Proceeds from notes payable - related party, net	6,129	57,815
Debt issuance costs	(693)	0
Funds released from restricted cash	8,661	0
Funding from non-controlling interest	0	375
Net cash provided by financing activities	8,595	60,045
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2,642	568
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	396	(24,102)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	8,363	25,143
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	8,759	1,041
Cash paid for:
Interest, net	5,680	4,927
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Issuance of common shares for settlement of liabilities	0	125
Discount on notes payable pursuant to issuance of warrants	53	4,484
Reduction in accounts payable from settlement of Northern Offshore contingency	$ 0	$ 24,307

Company Description

Company Description	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Company Description	Company Description Erin Energy Corporation (NYSE MKT: ERN; JSE: ERN) is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company engaged in the acquisition and development of energy resources in Africa. The Company’s asset portfolio consists of nine licenses across four countries covering an area of approximately 10 million acres (approximately 40,000 square kilometers ). The Company owns producing properties and conducts exploration activities offshore Nigeria, conducts exploration activities offshore Ghana and The Gambia, and both onshore and offshore Kenya. The Company is headquartered in Houston, Texas and has offices in Lagos, Nigeria, Nairobi, Kenya, Banjul, The Gambia, Accra, Ghana and Johannesburg, South Africa. The Company’s operating subsidiaries include Erin Petroleum Nigeria Limited (“EPNL”), Erin Energy Kenya Limited, Erin Energy Gambia Ltd., and Erin Energy Ghana Limited. The terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company,” and “our Company” refer to Erin Energy Corporation and its subsidiaries. The Company also conducts certain business transactions with its majority shareholder, CAMAC Energy Holdings Limited (“CEHL”), and its affiliates, which include Allied Energy Plc. (“Allied”). See Note 9 - Related Party Transactions for further information. In May 2016, Dr. Kase L. Lawal retired from service as a member and Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer. John Hofmeister, a then current member of our Board of Directors, succeeded Dr. Lawal as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Segun Omidele, the Company's then Chief Operating Officer, succeeded Dr. Lawal as the Chief Executive Officer.

Basis of Presentation and Recen

Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned direct and indirect subsidiaries, and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position and results of operations for the indicated periods. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. This Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 , filed with the SEC on March 24, 2016. Use of Estimates The preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates based on certain assumptions. Estimates affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses attributable to the reporting periods. Accordingly, accounting estimates in conformity with U.S. GAAP require the exercise of judgment. These estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements are based on information available as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, and while management believes that the estimates and assumptions are appropriate, actual results could differ from management's estimates. Estimates that may have a significant effect on the Company’s financial position and results from operations include share-based compensation assumptions, oil and natural gas reserve quantities, impairments, depletion and amortization relating to oil and natural gas properties, asset retirement obligation assumptions, and income taxes. The accounting estimates used in the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements may change as new events occur, more experience is acquired, additional information is obtained and our operating environment changes. Capitalized Interest The Company capitalizes interest costs for qualifying oil and gas properties. The capitalization period begins when expenditures are incurred on qualified properties, activities begin which are necessary to prepare the property for production, and interest costs have been incurred. The capitalization period continues as long as these events occur. Capitalized interest is added to the cost of the underlying assets and is depleted using the unit-of-production method in the same manner as the underlying assets. During the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 , the Company capitalized nil and $2.2 million , respectively, in interest cost as additions to property, plant and equipment related to the Oyo field redevelopment campaign. Treasury Stock Treasury stock is reported at cost and is included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Pursuant to the Company’s withholding tax policy with respect to vested restricted stock awards, the Company may withhold, on a cashless basis, a number of shares needed to settle statutory withholding tax requirements. During the six months ended June 30, 2016 , 84,185 shares were withheld for taxes at a total cost of $0.2 million . The Company had no treasury stock withheld for taxes during the six months ended June 30, 2015 . The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the withholding and related repurchases of our common stock during the quarter ended June 30, 2016 . Total Number of Average Price January 1 - January 31, 2016 3,643 $ 4.02 February 1 - February 29, 2016 62,152 2.16 March 1 - March 31, 2016 17,318 2.31 May 1 - May 31, 2016 1,072 $ 2.48 Total 84,185 $ 2.28 (1) All shares repurchased were surrendered by employees to settle tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock awards. Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share Basic net earnings or loss per common share is computed by dividing net earnings or loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding at the end of the reporting period. Diluted net earnings or loss per share is computed by dividing net earnings or loss by the fully dilutive common stock equivalent, which consists of shares outstanding, augmented by potentially dilutive shares issuable upon the exercise of the Company's stock options, stock warrants, non-vested restricted stock awards, and conversion of the Convertible Subordinated Note, calculated using the treasury stock method. The table below sets forth the number of stock options, stock warrants, non-vested restricted stock, and shares issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Subordinated Note that were excluded from dilutive shares outstanding during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 , as these securities are anti-dilutive because the Company was in a loss position during each period. Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, ( In thousands ) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Stock options 183 1,476 250 1,119 Stock warrants 1 1,046 — 426 Unvested restricted stock awards 1,993 1,348 1,769 1,324 Convertible note — 11,632 — — 2,177 15,502 2,019 2,869 Upon the occurrence of certain events, the Company is also contingently liable to make additional payments to Allied, under a Transfer Agreement entered into in November 2013 by the Company, its affiliates and Allied (the “Transfer Agreement”), up to an additional amount totaling $50.0 million in cash, or the equivalent in shares of the Company’s common stock, at Allied’s option. See Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies for further information. Fair Value Measurements Fair value is defined as the amount at which an asset (or liability) could be bought (or incurred) or sold (or settled) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The established framework for measuring fair value establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value, and includes certain disclosure requirements. Fair value estimates are based on either (i) actual market data or (ii) assumptions that other market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, including estimates of risk. There are three levels of valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy categorizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value into one of three different levels depending on the observability of the inputs employed in the measurement. The three levels are defined as follows: Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. The Company considers active markets as those in which transactions for the assets or liabilities occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an on-going 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. Substantially all of these inputs are observable in the marketplace throughout the term, can be derived from observable data, or supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Level 3 - Inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement (including the Company’s own assumptions in determining fair value). The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, inventory, deposits, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and debt at floating interest rates, approximate their fair values at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively, principally due to the short-term nature, maturities or nature of interest rates of the above listed items. Reclassification Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2015 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2016 presentation. These reclassifications were not material to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Recently Issued Accounting Standards In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-2, Leases (Topic 842) . ASU 2016-2 is aimed at making leasing activities more transparent and comparable, and requires substantially all leases be recognized by lessees on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability, including leases currently accounted for as operating leases. ASU 2016-2 is effective for the Company in the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted. The Company is still evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-07, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting. ASU No. 2016-07 eliminates the requirement to retroactively adopt the equity method of accounting. ASU No. 2016-07 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and the Company will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of this standards update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Consideration (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net). ASU No. 2015-08 requires that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU No. 2016-08 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and the Company will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this standards update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The areas of simplification in ASU No. 2016-09 involve several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-09 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and the Company will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of this standards update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing. ASU No. 2016-10 clarifies two aspects of Topic 606: identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance, while retaining the related principles for those areas. ASU No. 2016-10 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and the Company will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this standards update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-11, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2014-16 Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 EITF Meeting . ASU No. 2016-11 rescinds SEC Staff Observer comments that are codified in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and Topic 932, Extractive Activities - Oil and Gas, effective upon adoption of Topic 606. ASU No. 2016-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and the Company will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this standards update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients . The core principle of ASU No. 2016-12 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU No. 2016-12 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and the Company will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this standards update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Adoption of Previously Issued ASUs In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs , which requires that debt issuance costs be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, consistent with the presentation of debt discounts. Prior to the issuance of ASU 2015-03, the Company recorded and presented debt issuance costs as part of prepaids and other current assets, separate from the related debt liability. ASU 2015-03 does not change the recognition and measurement requirement for debt issuance costs. The adoption of ASU 2015-03 resulted in the reclassification of approximately $1.6 million unamortized debt issuance costs related to the Company's Term Loan Facility (see Note 8 - Debt) from prepaids and other current assets to current portion of long-term debt within its consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2015. Other than this reclassification, the adoption of ASU 2015-03 did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Liquidity Matters and Going Con

Liquidity Matters and Going Concern	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Liquidity Matters [Abstract]
Liquidity Matters	Liquidity Matters and Going Concern The Company incurred losses from operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016. As of June 30, 2016 , the Company's total current liabilities of $275.7 million exceeded its total current assets of $18.5 million , resulting in a working capital deficit of $257.2 million . As a result of the current low commodity prices and the Company’s low oil production volumes due to the recent mechanical problem which was resolved earlier in the year associated with well Oyo-8, the Company has not been able to generate sufficient cash from operations to satisfy certain obligations as they became due. Well Oyo-7 is currently shut-in as a result of an emergency shut-in of the Oyo field production that occurred in early July of this year. This has resulted in a loss of approximately 1,400 BOPD. The Company is currently evaluating various technical options to optimize economic results from the Oyo field, including but not limited to, attempting a nitrogen lifting exercise to bring back production on well Oyo-7. The Company is currently pursuing a number of actions, including (i) obtaining additional funds through public or private financing sources, (ii) restructuring existing debts from lenders, (iii) obtaining forbearance of debt from trade creditors, (iv) reducing ongoing operating costs, (v) minimizing projected capital costs for the 2016 exploration and development campaign and (vi) farming-out a portion of our rights to certain of our oil and gas properties. There can be no assurances that sufficient liquidity can be raised from one or more of these actions or that these actions can be consummated within the period needed to meet certain obligations.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment were comprised of the following: ( In thousands ) June 30, December 31, 2015 Wells and production facilities $ 328,787 $ 329,133 Proved properties 386,196 386,196 Work in progress and exploration inventory 66,822 65,043 Oilfield assets 781,805 780,372 Accumulated depletion (462,874 ) (442,481 ) Oilfield assets, net 318,931 337,891 Unevaluated leaseholds 10,440 10,440 Oil and gas properties, net 329,371 348,331 Other property and equipment 3,092 2,963 Accumulated depreciation (2,069 ) (1,789 ) Other property and equipment, net 1,023 1,174 Total property, plant and equipment, net $ 330,394 $ 349,505 All of the Company’s oilfield assets are located offshore Nigeria in the Oil Mining Leases 120 and 121 (the "OMLs"). “Work-in-progress and exploration inventory” includes suspended costs for wells that are not yet completed, as well as warehouse inventory items purchased as part of the redevelopment plan of the Oyo field. The Company’s unevaluated leasehold costs include costs to acquire the rights to the exploration acreage in its various oil and gas properties.

Suspended Exploratory Well Cost

Suspended Exploratory Well Costs	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Extractive Industries [Abstract]
Suspended Exploratory Well Costs - Work in Progress	Suspended Exploratory Well Costs - Work in Progress In November 2013, the Company achieved both its primary and secondary drilling objectives for the well Oyo-7. The primary drilling objective was to establish production from the existing Pliocene reservoir. The secondary drilling objective was to confirm the presence of hydrocarbons in the deeper Miocene formation. Hydrocarbons were encountered in three Miocene intervals totaling approximately 65 feet, as interpreted by the logging-while-drilling (“LWD”) data. Plans are underway to secure a rig to drill at least one exploration well in the nearby G-Prospect. The primary objective of the G-Prospect is to target the same Miocene-age sediments as the ones found in the Oyo-7 exploratory drilling objective. Suspended exploratory well costs were $26.5 million at both June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 for the costs related to the Miocene exploratory drilling activities. In August 2014, the Company drilled well Oyo-8 to a total vertical depth of approximately 6,059 feet (approximately 1,847 meters) and successfully encountered four new oil and gas reservoirs in the eastern fault block, with total gross hydrocarbon thickness of 112 feet, based on results from the LWD data, reservoir pressure measurement, and reservoir fluid sampling. Management has completed a detailed evaluation of the results and has future development plans in the area. Suspended exploratory well costs were $6.5 million at both June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 for the costs related to the Pliocene exploration drilling activities in the eastern fault block.

Accounts Payable and Accrued Li

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities The table below sets forth a summary of the Company’s accounts payable and accrued liabilities at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : (In thousands) June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Accounts payable - vendors $ 175,417 $ 153,085 Amounts due to government entities 62,059 53,119 Accrued interest 2,497 2,510 Accrued payroll and benefits 1,078 629 Other liabilities 982 3,777 $ 242,033 $ 213,120

Asset Retirement Obligations

Asset Retirement Obligations	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]
Asset Retirement Obligations	Asset Retirement Obligations The Company’s asset retirement obligations primarily represent the estimated fair value of the amounts that will be incurred to plug, abandon and remediate its producing properties at the end of their productive lives. Significant inputs used in determining such obligations include, but are not limited to, estimates of plugging and abandonment costs, estimated future inflation rates and changes in property lives. The inputs used in the fair value determination were based on Level 3 inputs, which were essentially management's assumptions. On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews the assumptions used to estimate the expected cash flows required to settle the asset retirement obligations, including changes in estimated probabilities, amounts and timing of the settlement of the asset retirement obligations, as well as changes in the legal obligation for each of its properties. Changes in any one or more of these assumptions may cause revisions in the estimated liabilities for the corresponding assets. The following summarizes changes in the Company’s asset retirement obligations during the six months ended June 30, 2016 ( in thousands ): Balance at January 1, 2016 $ 20,609 Accretion expense 913 Balance at June 30, 2016 $ 21,522

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt Short-Term Debt: Short-Term Borrowing - TOTSA Advance In May 2016, the Company received $4.7 million as an advance under a prepayment agreement with TOTSA Total Oil Trading SA ("TOTSA")(the “May Advance”). Interest accrued on the May Advance at the rate of the 60 -day LIBOR plus 5% per annum. Repayment of the May Advance was made from proceeds received from the June crude oil lifting. Short-Term Note Payable In June 2016, the Company borrowed approximately $0.5 million under a 30 -day Promissory Note agreement entered into with a Nigerian bank (the “2016 Short-Term Note”), and had a facility flat fee of 2.5% . As of June 30, 2016 , the Company recognized an unrealized foreign currency gain of $0.1 million , reducing the balance under the 2016 Short-Term Note to $0.4 million . The 2016 Short-Term Note was renewed for another 30 days in July 2016 at a flat fee facility rate of 2.5% , and was fully repaid in July 2016. Long-Term Debt- Term Loan Facility : In September 2014, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary EPNL, entered into the Term Loan Facility with Zenith Bank PLC ("Zenith"). 90.0% of the Term Loan Facility was available in U.S. dollars, while the remaining 10% was available in Nigerian Naira. U.S. dollar borrowings under the Term Loan Facility currently bear interest at the rate of 11.1% . The obligations under the Term Loan Facility include a legal charge over the OMLs and an assignment of proceeds from oil sales. The obligations of EPNL have been guaranteed by the Company and rank in priority with all its other obligations. Proceeds from the Term Loan Facility were used for the further expansion and development of the Oyo field offshore Nigeria. In June 2016, the Term Loan Facility was modified contingent upon the signing of a loan agreement, which was signed in August 2016. The modification put in place a twelve month moratorium on principal payments and extended the term of the Term Loan Facility until February 2021. Additionally, it reduced the funding requirement of the debt service reserve account (“DSRA”) to an amount equal to one quarter of interest until the price of oil exceeds $55 per barrel, at which time an amount equal to two quarters of interest will then be required. Upon executing the Term Loan Facility, the Company paid fees totaling $2.6 million . Upon modification of the Term Loan Facility, additional fees of $1.4 million were incurred. These fees were recorded as debt issuance cost and are being amortized over the life of the Term Loan Facility using the effective interest method. As of June 30, 2016 , $2.6 million of the debt issuance costs remained unamortized. Under the Term Loan Facility, the following events, among others, constitute events of default: EPNL failing to pay any amounts due within thirty days of the due date; bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or dissolution of EPNL; a material breach of the Loan Agreement by EPNL that remains unremedied within thirty days of written notice by EPNL; or a representation or warranty of EPNL proves to have been incorrect or materially inaccurate when made. Upon any event of default, all outstanding principal and interest under any loans will become immediately due and payable. As of June 30, 2016 , the Company was out of compliance with the DSRA funding requirement. This was brought into compliance in July 2016 with the Company making the required deposit. Further, Zenith has the right to review the terms and conditions of the Term Loan Facility. During the six months ended June 30, 2016 , the Company made payments of $0.4 million and $5.6 million for the principal repayment of the Naira portion of the loan due on March 31, 2016 and for the U.S. dollar principal that was due as of December 31, 2015, respectively. As of June 30, 2016 , the Company recognized an unrealized foreign currency gain of $3.9 million on the Naira portion of the loan, reducing the balance under the Term Loan Facility to $87.2 million , net of debt discount. Of this amount, $83.4 million was classified as long-term and $3.8 million as short-term. Accrued interest for the Term Loan Facility was $2.5 million as of June 30, 2016 . Scheduled principal repayments on the outstanding balance on the Term Loan Facility are as follows ( in thousands ): Scheduled payments by year Principal 2016 $ — 2017 13,475 2018 19,764 2019 21,561 2020 and thereafter 35,036 Total principal payments 89,836 Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs 2,593 Total Term Loan Facility, net $ 87,243 Long-Term Debt – Related Party: As of June 30, 2016 , the Company’s long-term related party debt was $127.5 million , consisting of $24.9 million owed under a 2011 Promissory Note, $50.0 million owed under a 2014 Convertible Subordinated Note, $46.9 million , net of discount, owed under a 2015 Convertible Note, and $5.7 million owed under a 2016 Promissory Note. Allied, a related party, is the holder of each of the 2011 Promissory Note, the 2014 Convertible Subordinated Note, and the 2015 Convertible Note (collectively the "Allied Notes"). Each of the Allied Notes contains certain default and cross-default provisions, including failure to pay interest and principal amounts when due and default under other indebtedness. As of June 30, 2016 , the Company was not in compliance with certain default provisions of the Allied Notes with respect to the payment of quarterly interest. Further, the risk of cross-default exists for each of the Allied Notes if the holder of the Term Loan Facility exercises its right to terminate the Term Loan Facility and accelerate its maturity. Allied has agreed to waive its rights under all default provisions of each of the Allied Notes through July 2017. 2011 Promissory Note The Company has a $25.0 million borrowing facility under a Promissory Note (the “2011 Promissory Note”) with Allied. Interest accrues on the outstanding principal under the 2011 Promissory Note at a rate of the 30 -day LIBOR plus 2% per annum, payable quarterly. In October 2015, the 2011 Promissory Note was amended to extend the maturity date by one year to July 30, 2017. The stock of the Company’s subsidiary that holds the exploration licenses in The Gambia and Kenya were pledged as collateral to secure the 2011 Promissory Note, pursuant to an Equitable Share Mortgage arrangement. The entire $25.0 million facility amount can be utilized for general corporate purposes. As of June 30, 2016 , the outstanding principal and accrued interest under the 2011 Promissory Note were $24.9 million and $1.2 million , respectively. 2014 Convertible Subordinated Note As partial consideration in connection with the February 2014 acquisition of the Allied Assets, the Company issued a $50.0 million Convertible Subordinated Note in favor of Allied (the “2014 Convertible Subordinated Note”). Interest on the 2014 Convertible Subordinated Note accrues at a rate per annum of one-month LIBOR plus 5% , payable quarterly in cash until the maturity of the 2014 Convertible Subordinated Note five years from the closing of the Allied Transaction. At the election of the holder, the 2014 Convertible Subordinated Note is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion price of $4.2984 per share, subject to anti-dilution adjustments. The 2014 Convertible Subordinated Note is subordinated to the Company’s existing and future senior indebtedness and is subject to acceleration upon an Event of Default (as defined in the 2014 Convertible Subordinated Note). The following events, among others, constitute an Event of Default under the 2014 Convertible Subordinated Note: the Company failing to pay interest within thirty days of the due date; the Company failing to pay principal when due; bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or dissolution of the Company; a material breach of the 2014 Convertible Subordinated Note by the Company that remains unremedied within ten days of such material breach; or a representation or warranty of the Company proves to have been incorrect or materially inaccurate when made. Upon any event of default, all outstanding principal and interest under any loans will become immediately due and payable. As of June 30, 2016 , the Company owed $6.7 million in interest under the 2014 Convertible Subordinated Note. The Company may, at its option, prepay the 2014 Convertible Subordinated Note in whole or in part, at any time, without premium or penalty. Further, the 2014 Convertible Subordinated Note is subject to mandatory prepayment upon (i) the Company’s issuance of capital stock or incurrence of indebtedness, the proceeds of which the Company does not apply to repayment of senior indebtedness or (ii) any capital markets debt issuance to the extent the net proceeds of such issuance exceed $250.0 million . Allied may assign all or any part of its rights and obligations under the 2014 Convertible Subordinated Note to any person upon written notice to the Company. As of June 30, 2016 , the outstanding principal under the 2014 Convertible Subordinated Note was $50.0 million . 2015 Convertible Note In March 2015, the Company entered into a new borrowing facility with Allied in the form of a Convertible Note (the “2015 Convertible Note”), allowing the Company to borrow up to $50.0 million for general corporate purposes. In March 2016, the maturity date of the 2015 Convertible Note was extended to December 2017. Interest accrues at the rate of LIBOR plus 5% , and is payable quarterly. The 2015 Convertible Note is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock upon the occurrence and continuation of an event of default, at the sole option of the holder. The number of shares issuable upon conversion is equal to the sum of the principal amount and the accrued and unpaid interest divided by the conversion price, defined as the volume weighted average of the closing sales prices on the NYSE MKT for a share of common stock for the five complete trading days immediately preceding the conversion date. During the three months ended June 30, 2016 , the Company borrowed an additional $0.5 million under the 2015 Convertible Note and issued to Allied warrants to purchase approximately 48,291 shares of the Company's common stock with an exercise price of ranging from $2.00 to $2.13 per share with a total fair value of approximately $0.1 million . As of June 30, 2016 , the Company had borrowed $48.5 million under the note and issued to Allied warrants to purchase approximately 2.7 million shares of the Company’s common stock at prices ranging from $2.00 to $7.85 per share. The total fair market value of the warrants amounting to $5.0 million based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model was recorded as a debt discount, and is being amortized using the effective interest method over the life of the note. As of June 30, 2016 , the unamortized balance of the discount was $1.6 million . Additional warrants are issuable in connection with future borrowings, with the per share price for those warrants determined based on the market price of the Company’s common stock at the time of such future borrowings. As of June 30, 2016 , the outstanding balance of the 2015 Convertible Note, net of discount, was $46.9 million . Accrued interest on the 2015 Convertible Note was $3.4 million as of June 30, 2016 . 2016 Promissory Note In March 2016, the Company borrowed $3.0 million under a short-term Promissory Note agreement entered into with an entity related to the Company's majority shareholder, which accrued interest at a rate of the 30 -day LIBOR plus 7% per annum. In April 2016, the Company borrowed an additional sum of $1.0 million from the same lender, under another short-term Promissory Note, which also accrued interest at a rate of the 30 -day LIBOR plus 7% per annum. In May 2016, the Lender of the two Promissory Notes agreed to combine both notes into a $10.0 million borrowing facility (the "2016 Promissory Note") with a maturity date of September 2017. Interest accrues at a rate of the 30 -day LIBOR plus 7% per annum. During May and June 2016, the Company had additional drawings under the 2016 Promissory Note totaling $1.7 million . As of June 30, 2016 , the outstanding balance under the 2016 Promissory Note was $5.7 million . Accrued interest on the 2016 Promissory Note was $0.1 million as of June 30, 2016 . In August 2016, the Company had an additional drawing under the 2016 Promissory Note amounting to $0.5 million .

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions Assets and Liabilities The Company has transactions in the normal course of business with its shareholders, CEHL and their affiliates. The following table sets forth the related party assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : ( In thousands ) June 30, December 31, 2015 Accounts receivable, CEHL $ 1,732 $ 1,186 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, CEHL $ 29,465 $ 30,133 Long-term notes payable - related party, CEHL $ 127,517 $ 120,006 As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the related party receivable balances of $1.7 million and $1.2 million , respectively, were for advance payments made for certain transactions on behalf of affiliates. As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the Company owed $29.5 million and $30.1 million , respectively, to affiliates primarily for logistical and support services in relation to the Company's oilfield operations in Nigeria, as well as accrued interest on the various related party notes payable. As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , accrued and unpaid interest on the various related party notes payable were $11.7 million and $8.3 million , respectively. As of June 30, 2016 , the Company had a combined note payable balance of $127.5 million owed to affiliates, consisting of a $50.0 million 2014 Convertible Subordinated Note, $24.9 million in borrowings under the 2011 Promissory Note, a $46.9 million borrowing under the 2015 Convertible Note, net of discount, and $5.7 million under the 2016 Promissory Note. As of December 31, 2015 , the Company had a combined note payable balance of $120.0 million owed to an affiliate, consisting of the $50.0 million 2014 Convertible Subordinated Note, $25.0 million in borrowings under the 2011 Promissory Note, and $45.0 million borrowing under the 2015 Convertible Note, net of discount. See Note 8 – Debt for further information relating to the notes payable transactions. Results from Operations The table below sets forth a summary of transactions included in the Company's results of operations that were incurred with affiliates during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 : Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (In thousands) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Total operating expenses, CEHL $ 2,336 $ 2,967 $ 4,019 $ 4,923 Interest expense, CEHL $ 1,786 $ 1,389 $ 3,462 $ 2,421 Certain affiliates of the Company provide procurement and logistical support services to the Company’s operations. In connection therewith, during the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 , the Company incurred operating costs amounting to approximately $2.3 million and $3.0 million , respectively, and during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 , the Company incurred operating costs amounting to approximately $4.0 million and $4.9 million , respectively During the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 , the Company incurred interest expense, excluding debt discount amortization, totaling approximately $1.8 million and $1.4 million , respectively, in relation to related party notes payable. During the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 , the Company incurred interest expense totaling approximately $3.5 million and $2.4 million , respectively.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Commitments In February 2014, a long-term contract was signed for the floating, production, storage, and offloading vessel (“FPSO”) Armada Perdana, which is the vessel currently connected to the Company’s productive wells, Oyo-7 and Oyo-8, offshore Nigeria. The contract provides for an initial term of seven years beginning January 1, 2014, with an automatic extension for an additional term of two years unless terminated by the Company with prior notice. The FPSO can process up to 40,000 barrels of liquid per day, with a storage capacity of approximately one million barrels. The annual minimum contractual commitment per the terms of the agreement is approximately $48.4 million per year through 2020. The Company also has commitments related to four production sharing contracts with the Government of the Republic of Kenya (the “Kenya PSCs”), two Petroleum Exploration, Development & Production Licenses with the Republic of The Gambia (the “Gambia Licenses”), and one Petroleum Agreement with the Republic of Ghana. In all cases, the Company entered into these commitments through a subsidiary. To maintain compliance and ownership, the Company is required to fulfill certain minimum work obligations and to make certain payments as stated in each of the Kenya PSCs, the Gambia Licenses, and the Ghana Petroleum Agreement. Contingencies Legal Contingencies and Proceedings From time to time, the Company may be involved in various legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. As of June 30, 2016 , and through the filing date of this report, the Company does not believe the ultimate resolution of such actions or potential actions of which the Company is currently aware will have a material effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations. On January 22, 2016, a request for arbitration was filed with the London Court of International Arbitration by Transocean Offshore Gulf of Guinea VII Limited and Indigo Drilling Limited, as Claimants, against the Company and its Nigerian subsidiary, Erin Petroleum Nigeria Limited (fka CAMAC Petroleum Limited), as Respondents (the “Arbitration”). The Arbitration is in relation to a drilling contract entered into by the Claimants and CAMAC Petroleum Limited, and a parent company guarantee provided by the Company in relation thereto. The Claimants are seeking an order that the Respondents pay the sum of approximately $20.2 million together with interest and costs. The parties are in the process of trying to settle this matter and have agreed to extend deadlines in the Arbitration pending resolution of a settlement. On February 5, 2016, a class action and derivative complaint was filed in the Delaware Chancery Court purportedly on behalf of the Company and on behalf of a putative class of persons who were stockholders as of the date the Company (1) acquired the Allied Assets pursuant to the Transfer Agreement and (2) issued shares to the PIC in a private placement (collectively the “February 2014 Transactions”). The complaint alleges the February 2014 Transactions were unfair to the Company and purports to assert derivative claims against (1) the seven individuals who served on our Board at the time of the February 2014 Transactions and (2) our majority shareholder, CEHL. The complaint also purports to assert a direct breach of fiduciary duty claim on behalf of the putative class against the seven individuals who served on our Board at the time of the February 2014 Transactions on the grounds that they purportedly caused the Company to disseminate a false and misleading proxy statement in connection with the February 2014 Transactions, and a direct claim for aiding and abetting against Dr. Lawal. The plaintiff is seeking, on behalf of the Company and the putative class, an undisclosed amount of compensatory damages. The Company is named solely as a nominal defendant against whom the plaintiff seeks no recovery. On March 3, 2016, all of the defendants, including the Company, filed motions to dismiss the complaint. A hearing on this motion has been set for September 21, 2016. On May 13, 2016, CEONA Contracting (UK) Limited initiated arbitration proceedings against the Company for $2.9 million , together with costs, expenses and interest, for work done in relation to the Company's ordinary course of business. The parties are in the process of finalizing a settlement agreement. On July 29, 2016, a judgment was entered against the Company in the amount of $2.7 million , including $0.3 million interest claimed under contractual terms, in relation to amounts due to a contractor (Polarcus MC Ltd.) in the ordinary course of business. Unrecognized Loss Contingency As of June 30, 2016 , the Company has not accrued penalty and interest related to certain outstanding transactional tax obligations in Nigeria, including withholding taxes, value-added taxes, Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (NCD) tax, Cabotage taxes, and Niger Delta Development Corporation taxes (NDDC). As of the date of this report, the Company believes that, based on its experience with local practices in Nigeria, the likelihood of being assessed penalty and interest is reasonably possible, with an estimated liability up to $11.1 million . Contingency under the Allied Transfer Agreement As provided for under the Transfer Agreement with Allied, the Company is required to make the following additional payments upon the occurrence of certain future events: (i) $25.0 million cash or the equivalent in shares of the Company’s common stock within fifteen days following the approval of a development plan by the Nigerian Department of Petroleum Resources ("DPR") with respect to a first new discovery of hydrocarbons in a non-Oyo field area; and (ii) $25.0 million cash or the equivalent in shares of the Company’s common stock within fifteen days starting from the commencement of the first hydrocarbon production in commercial quantities in a non-Oyo field area. The number of shares to be issued shall be determined by calculating the average closing price of the Company’s common stock over a period of thirty days, counted back from the first business day immediately prior to the approval of a development plan by DPR or the date of the first hydrocarbon production in commercial quantities, as applicable. Contingency under the 2015 Convertible Note As part of the condition to the extension of the maturity date of the 2015 Convertible Note, which extension was entered into in March 2016, the Company is required to (i) pay to Allied an amount equal to ten percent ( 10% ) of any successful debt fundraising event completed during the remaining term of the 2015 Convertible Note; and (ii) pay to Allied an amount equal to twenty percent ( 20% ) of any successful equity fundraising event completed during the remaining term of the 2015 Convertible Note.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation Stock Options The table below sets forth a summary of stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2016 . Shares Weighted-Average Weighted-Average Outstanding at December 31, 2015 2,532 $2.10 1.6 Granted — $— — Exercised (885 ) $1.77 — Forfeited (27 ) $3.42 — Expired (131 ) $3.76 — Outstanding at June 30, 2016 1,489 $2.45 2.0 Expected to vest 1,047 $2.09 1.3 Exercisable at June 30, 2016 442 $3.30 3.5 During the six months ended June 30, 2016 , the Company issued 288,841 shares of common stock as a result of the exercise of stock options, of which 194,643 shares of common stock were issued as a result of the cashless exercise of 791,165 options. Also, during the six months ended June 30, 2016 , options to purchase 130,714 shares of common stock expired, and options to purchase 27,052 shares were forfeited. Stock Warrants The table below sets forth a summary of stock warrant activity for the six months ended June 30, 2016 . Shares Weighted-Average Weighted-Average Outstanding at December 31, 2015 2,935 $3.61 4.2 Granted 48 $2.07 4.8 Exercised — $— — Forfeited — $— — Expired — $— — Outstanding at June 30, 2016 2,983 $3.59 3.7 Expected to vest — $— Exercisable at June 30, 2016 2,983 $3.59 3.7 During the six months ended June 30, 2016 and in connection with the execution of the 2015 Convertible Note, the Company issued warrants to purchase 48,291 shares of the Company's common stock at exercise prices ranging from $2.00 and $2.13 per share. The warrants are exercisable at any time starting from the date of issuance and have a five -year term. Restricted Stock Awards The table below sets forth a summary of restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) activity for the six months ended June 30, 2016 . Shares Weighted-Average Restricted Stock Non-vested at December 31, 2015 1,114 $ 3.21 Granted 1,717 $ 2.16 Vested (613 ) $ 3.54 Forfeited (75 ) $ 2.65 Non-vested as of June 30, 2016 2,143 $ 2.29 During the six months ended June 30, 2016 , the Company granted officers, directors, and employees a total of approximately 1.7 million shares of restricted common stock, including 0.5 million performance-based restricted stock awards ("PBRSA"), with vesting periods varying from immediate vesting to 36 months . During the same period, 74,949 shares of restricted common stock were forfeited. With regards to the PBRSA, each grant will vest if the individuals remain employed three years from the date of grant and the Company achieves specific performance objectives at the end of the designated performance period. Up to 50% additional shares may be awarded if performance objectives are exceeded. None of the PBRSAs will vest if certain minimum performance goals are not met. The performance conditions are based on the Company’s total shareholder return over the performance period compared to an industry peer group of companies. Total estimated compensation expense is $0.4 million over three years.

Segment Information

Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information The Company’s current operations are based in Nigeria, Kenya, The Gambia, and Ghana. Management reviews and evaluates the operations of each geographic segment separately. Operations include exploration for and production of hydrocarbons where commercial reserves have been found and developed. Revenues and expenditures are recognized at the relevant geographical location. The Company evaluates each segment based on operating income (loss). Segment activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 are as follows: ( In thousands ) Nigeria Kenya The Gambia Ghana Corporate and Other Total Three months ended June 30, 2016 Revenues $ 23,151 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 23,151 Operating loss $ (23,294 ) $ (509 ) $ (249 ) $ (232 ) $ (2,915 ) $ (27,199 ) 2015 Revenues $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Operating income (loss) $ 1,211 $ (555 ) $ (291 ) $ (655 ) $ (5,531 ) $ (5,821 ) Six months ended June 30, 2016 Revenues $ 28,080 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 28,080 Operating loss $ (46,454 ) $ (1,051 ) $ (523 ) $ (1,118 ) $ (6,346 ) $ (55,492 ) 2015 Revenues $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Operating loss $ (21,025 ) $ (6,106 ) $ (662 ) $ (949 ) $ (9,110 ) $ (37,852 ) Total assets by segment as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , are as follows: ( In thousands ) Nigeria Kenya The Gambia Ghana Corporate and Other Total Total Assets As of June 30, 2016 $ 339,821 $ 1,352 $ 3,014 $ 3,191 $ 1,582 $ 348,960 As of December 31, 2015 $ 366,766 $ 1,399 $ 3,016 $ 2,447 $ 971 $ 374,599

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events Subsequent to June 30, 2016 , the Company issued 26,602 shares of common stock as a result of the exercise of stock options.

Basis of Presentation and Rec20

Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned direct and indirect subsidiaries, and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position and results of operations for the indicated periods. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. This Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 , filed with the SEC on March 24, 2016.
Use of Estimates	The preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates based on certain assumptions. Estimates affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses attributable to the reporting periods. Accordingly, accounting estimates in conformity with U.S. GAAP require the exercise of judgment. These estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements are based on information available as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, and while management believes that the estimates and assumptions are appropriate, actual results could differ from management's estimates. Estimates that may have a significant effect on the Company’s financial position and results from operations include share-based compensation assumptions, oil and natural gas reserve quantities, impairments, depletion and amortization relating to oil and natural gas properties, asset retirement obligation assumptions, and income taxes. The accounting estimates used in the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements may change as new events occur, more experience is acquired, additional information is obtained and our operating environment changes.
Capitalized Interest	The Company capitalizes interest costs for qualifying oil and gas properties. The capitalization period begins when expenditures are incurred on qualified properties, activities begin which are necessary to prepare the property for production, and interest costs have been incurred. The capitalization period continues as long as these events occur. Capitalized interest is added to the cost of the underlying assets and is depleted using the unit-of-production method in the same manner as the underlying assets.
Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	Basic net earnings or loss per common share is computed by dividing net earnings or loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding at the end of the reporting period. Diluted net earnings or loss per share is computed by dividing net earnings or loss by the fully dilutive common stock equivalent, which consists of shares outstanding, augmented by potentially dilutive shares issuable upon the exercise of the Company's stock options, stock warrants, non-vested restricted stock awards, and conversion of the Convertible Subordinated Note, calculated using the treasury stock method.
Fair Value Measurements	Fair value is defined as the amount at which an asset (or liability) could be bought (or incurred) or sold (or settled) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The established framework for measuring fair value establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value, and includes certain disclosure requirements. Fair value estimates are based on either (i) actual market data or (ii) assumptions that other market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, including estimates of risk. There are three levels of valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy categorizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value into one of three different levels depending on the observability of the inputs employed in the measurement. The three levels are defined as follows: Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. The Company considers active markets as those in which transactions for the assets or liabilities occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an on-going 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. Substantially all of these inputs are observable in the marketplace throughout the term, can be derived from observable data, or supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Level 3 - Inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement (including the Company’s own assumptions in determining fair value). The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, inventory, deposits, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and debt at floating interest rates, approximate their fair values at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively, principally due to the short-term nature, maturities or nature of interest rates of the above listed items.
Reclassifications	Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2015 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2016 presentation. These reclassifications were not material to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards and Adoption of Previously Issued ASUs	In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-2, Leases (Topic 842) . ASU 2016-2 is aimed at making leasing activities more transparent and comparable, and requires substantially all leases be recognized by lessees on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability, including leases currently accounted for as operating leases. ASU 2016-2 is effective for the Company in the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted. The Company is still evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-07, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting. ASU No. 2016-07 eliminates the requirement to retroactively adopt the equity method of accounting. ASU No. 2016-07 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and the Company will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of this standards update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Consideration (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net). ASU No. 2015-08 requires that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU No. 2016-08 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and the Company will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this standards update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The areas of simplification in ASU No. 2016-09 involve several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-09 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and the Company will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of this standards update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing. ASU No. 2016-10 clarifies two aspects of Topic 606: identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance, while retaining the related principles for those areas. ASU No. 2016-10 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and the Company will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this standards update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-11, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2014-16 Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 EITF Meeting . ASU No. 2016-11 rescinds SEC Staff Observer comments that are codified in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and Topic 932, Extractive Activities - Oil and Gas, effective upon adoption of Topic 606. ASU No. 2016-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and the Company will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this standards update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients . The core principle of ASU No. 2016-12 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU No. 2016-12 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and the Company will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this standards update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Adoption of Previously Issued ASUs In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs , which requires that debt issuance costs be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, consistent with the presentation of debt discounts. Prior to the issuance of ASU 2015-03, the Company recorded and presented debt issuance costs as part of prepaids and other current assets, separate from the related debt liability. ASU 2015-03 does not change the recognition and measurement requirement for debt issuance costs. The adoption of ASU 2015-03 resulted in the reclassification of approximately $1.6 million unamortized debt issuance costs related to the Company's Term Loan Facility (see Note 8 - Debt) from prepaids and other current assets to current portion of long-term debt within its consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2015. Other than this reclassification, the adoption of ASU 2015-03 did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Basis of Presentation and Rec21

Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Shares Withholding and Repurchases of Common Stock	The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the withholding and related repurchases of our common stock during the quarter ended June 30, 2016 . Total Number of Average Price January 1 - January 31, 2016 3,643 $ 4.02 February 1 - February 29, 2016 62,152 2.16 March 1 - March 31, 2016 17,318 2.31 May 1 - May 31, 2016 1,072 $ 2.48 Total 84,185 $ 2.28 (1) All shares repurchased were surrendered by employees to settle tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock awards.
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	The table below sets forth the number of stock options, stock warrants, non-vested restricted stock, and shares issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Subordinated Note that were excluded from dilutive shares outstanding during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 , as these securities are anti-dilutive because the Company was in a loss position during each period. Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, ( In thousands ) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Stock options 183 1,476 250 1,119 Stock warrants 1 1,046 — 426 Unvested restricted stock awards 1,993 1,348 1,769 1,324 Convertible note — 11,632 — — 2,177 15,502 2,019 2,869

Property, Plant and Equipment (

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, plant and equipment were comprised of the following: ( In thousands ) June 30, December 31, 2015 Wells and production facilities $ 328,787 $ 329,133 Proved properties 386,196 386,196 Work in progress and exploration inventory 66,822 65,043 Oilfield assets 781,805 780,372 Accumulated depletion (462,874 ) (442,481 ) Oilfield assets, net 318,931 337,891 Unevaluated leaseholds 10,440 10,440 Oil and gas properties, net 329,371 348,331 Other property and equipment 3,092 2,963 Accumulated depreciation (2,069 ) (1,789 ) Other property and equipment, net 1,023 1,174 Total property, plant and equipment, net $ 330,394 $ 349,505

Accounts Payable and Accrued 23

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	The table below sets forth a summary of the Company’s accounts payable and accrued liabilities at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : (In thousands) June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Accounts payable - vendors $ 175,417 $ 153,085 Amounts due to government entities 62,059 53,119 Accrued interest 2,497 2,510 Accrued payroll and benefits 1,078 629 Other liabilities 982 3,777 $ 242,033 $ 213,120

Asset Retirement Obligations (T

Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Asset Retirement Obligations	The following summarizes changes in the Company’s asset retirement obligations during the six months ended June 30, 2016 ( in thousands ): Balance at January 1, 2016 $ 20,609 Accretion expense 913 Balance at June 30, 2016 $ 21,522

Debt Debt (Tables)

Debt Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	Scheduled principal repayments on the outstanding balance on the Term Loan Facility are as follows ( in thousands ): Scheduled payments by year Principal 2016 $ — 2017 13,475 2018 19,764 2019 21,561 2020 and thereafter 35,036 Total principal payments 89,836 Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs 2,593 Total Term Loan Facility, net $ 87,243

Related Party Transactions (Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Summary of Related Party Transactions and Balances	The following table sets forth the related party assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : ( In thousands ) June 30, December 31, 2015 Accounts receivable, CEHL $ 1,732 $ 1,186 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, CEHL $ 29,465 $ 30,133 Long-term notes payable - related party, CEHL $ 127,517 $ 120,006 The table below sets forth a summary of transactions included in the Company's results of operations that were incurred with affiliates during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 : Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (In thousands) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Total operating expenses, CEHL $ 2,336 $ 2,967 $ 4,019 $ 4,923 Interest expense, CEHL $ 1,786 $ 1,389 $ 3,462 $ 2,421

Stock-Based Compensation Stock-

Stock-Based Compensation Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity	The table below sets forth a summary of restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) activity for the six months ended June 30, 2016 . Shares Weighted-Average Restricted Stock Non-vested at December 31, 2015 1,114 $ 3.21 Granted 1,717 $ 2.16 Vested (613 ) $ 3.54 Forfeited (75 ) $ 2.65 Non-vested as of June 30, 2016 2,143 $ 2.29
Stock warrants
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation	The table below sets forth a summary of stock warrant activity for the six months ended June 30, 2016 . Shares Weighted-Average Weighted-Average Outstanding at December 31, 2015 2,935 $3.61 4.2 Granted 48 $2.07 4.8 Exercised — $— — Forfeited — $— — Expired — $— — Outstanding at June 30, 2016 2,983 $3.59 3.7 Expected to vest — $— Exercisable at June 30, 2016 2,983 $3.59 3.7
Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation	The table below sets forth a summary of stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2016 . Shares Weighted-Average Weighted-Average Outstanding at December 31, 2015 2,532 $2.10 1.6 Granted — $— — Exercised (885 ) $1.77 — Forfeited (27 ) $3.42 — Expired (131 ) $3.76 — Outstanding at June 30, 2016 1,489 $2.45 2.0 Expected to vest 1,047 $2.09 1.3 Exercisable at June 30, 2016 442 $3.30 3.5

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Activity	Segment activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 are as follows: ( In thousands ) Nigeria Kenya The Gambia Ghana Corporate and Other Total Three months ended June 30, 2016 Revenues $ 23,151 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 23,151 Operating loss $ (23,294 ) $ (509 ) $ (249 ) $ (232 ) $ (2,915 ) $ (27,199 ) 2015 Revenues $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Operating income (loss) $ 1,211 $ (555 ) $ (291 ) $ (655 ) $ (5,531 ) $ (5,821 ) Six months ended June 30, 2016 Revenues $ 28,080 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 28,080 Operating loss $ (46,454 ) $ (1,051 ) $ (523 ) $ (1,118 ) $ (6,346 ) $ (55,492 ) 2015 Revenues $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Operating loss $ (21,025 ) $ (6,106 ) $ (662 ) $ (949 ) $ (9,110 ) $ (37,852 ) Total assets by segment as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , are as follows: ( In thousands ) Nigeria Kenya The Gambia Ghana Corporate and Other Total Total Assets As of June 30, 2016 $ 339,821 $ 1,352 $ 3,014 $ 3,191 $ 1,582 $ 348,960 As of December 31, 2015 $ 366,766 $ 1,399 $ 3,016 $ 2,447 $ 971 $ 374,599

Company Description (Details)

Company Description (Details) - Jun. 30, 2016 km² in Thousands, a in Millions	a	license	country	km²
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of exploration and production licenses | license		9
Number of countries company operates in Africa | country			4
Area of land held for exploration activities (in acres and square kilometers)	10			40

Basis of Presentation and Rec30

Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Interest costs capitalized	$ 0	$ 2,200,000
Shares withheld for taxes (in shares)	84,185
Payments for treasury stock arising from withholding taxes	$ 192,000	$ 0
Treasury stock withheld for taxes (in shares)		0
Deferred finance costs, net	(2,593,000)
Allied
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Contingent additional payment under transfer agreement (up to)	$ 50,000,000
Current assets | Accounting Standards Update 2015-03
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Deferred finance costs, net			$ 1,600,000
Current portion of long-term debt | Accounting Standards Update 2015-03
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Deferred finance costs, net			$ (1,600,000)

Basis of Presentation and Rec31

Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Shares Withholding and Repurchases of Common Stock (Details) - $ / shares	1 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	Jan. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total number of shares purchased (in shares)					84,185
Average price paid per share (in dollars per share)					$ 2.28
January 1 - January 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total number of shares purchased (in shares)				3,643
Average price paid per share (in dollars per share)				$ 4.02
February 1 - February 29, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total number of shares purchased (in shares)			62,152
Average price paid per share (in dollars per share)			$ 2.16
March 1 - March 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total number of shares purchased (in shares)		17,318
Average price paid per share (in dollars per share)		$ 2.31
May 1 - May 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total number of shares purchased (in shares)	1,072
Average price paid per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.48

Basis of Presentation and Rec32

Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Antidilutive Shares (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities	2,177	15,502	2,019	2,869
Stock options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities	183	1,476	250	1,119
Stock warrants
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities	1	1,046	0	426
Unvested restricted stock awards
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities	1,993	1,348	1,769	1,324
Convertible note
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities	0	11,632	0	0

Liquidity Matters and Going C33

Liquidity Matters and Going Concern - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)bbl	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Liquidity Matters [Abstract]
Current liabilities	$ 275,657	$ 339,811
Current assets	18,490	$ 25,027
Working capital deficit	$ (257,200)
Emergency shut-in, barrels of oil lost per day | bbl	1,400

Property, Plant and Equipment -

Property, Plant and Equipment - Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Wells and production facilities	$ 328,787	$ 329,133
Proved properties	386,196	386,196
Work in progress and exploration inventory	66,822	65,043
Oilfield assets	781,805	780,372
Accumulated depletion	(462,874)	(442,481)
Oilfield assets, net	318,931	337,891
Unevaluated leaseholds	10,440	10,440
Oil and gas properties, net	329,371	348,331
Other property and equipment	3,092	2,963
Accumulated depreciation	(2,069)	(1,789)
Other property and equipment, net	1,023	1,174
Total property, plant and equipment, net	$ 330,394	$ 349,505

Suspended Exploratory Well Co35

Suspended Exploratory Well Costs - Work in Progress - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014m	Aug. 31, 2014ft	Aug. 31, 2014reservoir	Nov. 30, 2013intervalft	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Costs Incurred Oil And Gas Property Acquisition Exploration And Development Activities [Line Items]
Number of hydrocarbons miocene formation intervals | interval				3
Number of feet encountered by hydrocarbons in three intervals, as interpreted by “LWD” data (in feet) | ft				65
Pliocene formation eastern fault block vertical depth (in feet and meters)	1,847	6,059
Number of pliocene formation eastern fault block new oil and gas reservoirs | reservoir			4
Hydrocarbons pliocene formation eastern fault block gross thickness | ft		112
Miocene Exploratory Drilling Activities
Costs Incurred Oil And Gas Property Acquisition Exploration And Development Activities [Line Items]
Suspended exploratory well cost | $					$ 26.5	$ 26.5
Pliocene Exploratory Drilling Activity
Costs Incurred Oil And Gas Property Acquisition Exploration And Development Activities [Line Items]
Suspended exploratory well cost | $					$ 6.5	$ 6.5

Accounts Payable and Accrued 36

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accounts payable - vendors	$ 175,417	$ 153,085
Amounts due to government entities	62,059	53,119
Accrued interest	2,497	2,510
Accrued payroll and benefits	1,078	629
Other liabilities	982	3,777
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$ 242,033	$ 213,120

Asset Retirement Obligations -

Asset Retirement Obligations - Summary of Change in Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Asset retirement obligations beginning balance			$ 20,609
Accretion expense	$ 461	$ 299	913	$ 876
Asset retirement obligations ending balance	$ 21,522		$ 21,522

Debt - Short-Term Debt (Details

Debt - Short-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	May 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Foreign currency transaction gain				$ 11,328	$ 1,991
Notes Payable, Other Payables | TOTSA May Advance
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Proceeds from short-term debt			$ 4,700
Notes Payable to Banks | 2016 Short-Term Note
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Proceeds from short-term debt		$ 500
Debt term		30 days
Commitment fee percentage		2.50%
Foreign currency transaction gain		$ 100
Short-term debt		$ 400		$ 400
Subsequent Event | Notes Payable to Banks | 2016 Short-Term Note
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Debt term	30 days
Commitment fee percentage	2.50%
60-Day London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Notes Payable, Other Payables | TOTSA May Advance
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			5.00%

Debt - Term Loan Facility (Deta

Debt - Term Loan Facility (Details) $ in Thousands	Aug. 08, 2016$ / bbl	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs		$ 2,593		$ 2,593
Foreign currency transaction gain				11,328	$ 1,991
Long-term debt		87,243		87,243
Term loan facility, net		83,441		83,441		$ 0
Current portion of long-term debt, net		3,802		3,802		$ 96,558
Term Loan Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Percent of maximum borrowing capacity available in USD			90.00%
Percent of maximum borrowing capacity available in Naira			10.00%
Line of credit facility, commitment fee amount		1,400	$ 2,600
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs		2,600		$ 2,600
Debt instrument, unremedied material breach, maximum time period				30 days
Foreign currency transaction gain				$ 3,900
Long-term debt		87,200		87,200
Term loan facility, net		83,400		83,400
Interest payable		$ 2,500		2,500
Term Loan Facility | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			11.10%
Term Loan Facility, Naira Portion
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, annual principal payment				400
Term Loan Facility, U.S. Dollar Portion
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, annual principal payment				$ 5,600
Subsequent Event | Term Loan Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Price of oil per barrel, initial threshold (USD per barrel) | $ / bbl	55

Debt - Schedule of Maturities o

Debt - Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)
Principal
2,016	$ 0
2,017	13,475
2,018	19,764
2,019	21,561
2020 and thereafter	35,036
Total principal payments	89,836
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs	2,593
Total Term Loan Facility, net	$ 87,243

Debt - Related Party (Details)

Debt - Related Party (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term notes payable - related party, net	$ 127,517			$ 120,006
Convertible subordinate note issued	50,000
Term loan facility, net	83,441			$ 0
Convertible Debt | 2015 Convertible Note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term notes payable - related party, net	46,900
Line of Credit | Majority Shareholder | Promissory Note to Majority Shareholder Related Party
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term notes payable - related party, net	5,700
Notes payable, related parties	$ 1,700	$ 1,000	$ 3,000

Debt - Promissory Note (Details

Debt - Promissory Note (Details) - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term notes payable - related party, net	$ 127,517,000	$ 120,006,000
Promissory Note To Allied
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt term	30 days
Convertible Debt | 2015 Convertible Note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 50,000,000
Long-term notes payable - related party, net	$ 46,900,000
Interest payable	3,400,000
Line of Credit | Promissory Note To Allied
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	25,000,000
Long-term notes payable - related party, net	24,900,000	$ 25,000,000
Interest payable	$ 1,200,000
Line of Credit | Promissory Note To Allied | 30-Day London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%

Debt - Convertible Subordinated

Debt - Convertible Subordinated Note (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible subordinate note issued		$ 50,000,000
Long-term notes payable - related party, net		127,517,000	$ 120,006,000
Convertible Subordinated Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible subordinate note issued	$ 50,000,000
Debt term	5 years
Convertible debt conversion price	$ 4.2984
Interest payable		6,700,000
Minimum proceeds from capital market debt issuance for mandatory prepayment option	$ 250,000,000
Long-term notes payable - related party, net		$ 50,000,000	$ 50,000,000
Convertible Subordinated Debt | 30-Day London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	5.00%

Debt - Convertible Note (Detail

Debt - Convertible Note (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Number of shares called by warrants issued (in shares)		2,700,000	2,700,000
Long term debt, gross		$ 89,836,000	$ 89,836,000
Warrants issued with debt			53,000
Long-term notes payable - related party, net		$ 127,517,000	$ 127,517,000	$ 120,006,000
2015 Convertible Note
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Number of shares called by warrants issued (in shares)		48,291	48,291
Convertible Debt | 2015 Convertible Note
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 50,000,000
Proceeds from convertible debt		$ 500,000
Number of shares called by warrants issued (in shares)		48,291	48,291
Convertible Debt, Fair Value Disclosures		$ 100,000	$ 100,000
Long term debt, gross		48,500,000	48,500,000
Warrants issued with debt			5,000,000
Debt issuance, unamortized discount		1,600,000	1,600,000
Long-term notes payable - related party, net		46,900,000	46,900,000
Interest payable		$ 3,400,000	$ 3,400,000
Convertible Debt | 2015 Convertible Note | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	5.00%
Minimum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Warrants exercise price (in dollars per share)		$ 2	$ 2
Minimum | 2015 Convertible Note
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Warrants exercise price (in dollars per share)		2	2
Minimum | Convertible Debt | 2015 Convertible Note
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Warrants exercise price (in dollars per share)		2	2
Maximum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Warrants exercise price (in dollars per share)		7.85	7.85
Maximum | 2015 Convertible Note
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Warrants exercise price (in dollars per share)		2.13	2.13
Maximum | Convertible Debt | 2015 Convertible Note
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Warrants exercise price (in dollars per share)		$ 2.13	$ 2.13

Debt - 2016 Promissory Note (De

Debt - 2016 Promissory Note (Details)	1 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016USD ($)note_payable	Apr. 30, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Aug. 08, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Current portion of long-term debt, net					$ 3,802,000	$ 96,558,000
Promissory Note to Majority Shareholder Related Party | Majority Shareholder | Line of Credit
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Notes payable, related parties		$ 1,000,000	$ 3,000,000		1,700,000
Debt term		30 days	30 days
Number of outstanding notes payable | note_payable	2
Interest payable					100,000
Promissory Note to Majority Shareholder Related Party | Majority Shareholder | Line of Credit | 30-Day London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		7.00%	7.00%
Promissory Note to Majority Shareholder Related Party | Majority Shareholder | Line of Credit
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Debt term	30 days
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 10,000,000
Promissory Note to Majority Shareholder Related Party | Majority Shareholder | Line of Credit | 30-Day London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	7.00%
Subsequent Event | Promissory Note to Majority Shareholder Related Party | Majority Shareholder | Line of Credit
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Notes payable, related parties				$ 500,000
Term Loan Facility
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Interest payable					$ 2,500,000

Related Party Transactions - Su

Related Party Transactions - Summary of Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, CEHL	$ 1,732	$ 1,186
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, CEHL	29,465	30,133
Long-term notes payable - related party, CEHL	$ 127,517	$ 120,006

Related Party Transactions - Na

Related Party Transactions - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, CEHL	$ 1,732		$ 1,732		$ 1,186
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	29,465		29,465		30,133
Accrued and unpaid interest on notes payable	11,700		11,700		8,300
Long-term notes payable - related party, net	127,517		127,517		120,006
Total operating expenses, CEHL	2,336	$ 2,967	4,019	$ 4,923
Interest expense, CEHL	1,786	$ 1,389	3,462	$ 2,421
Convertible Subordinated Debt
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Long-term notes payable - related party, net	50,000		50,000		50,000
Convertible Subordinated Debt | 2015 Convertible Note
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Long-term notes payable - related party, net					45,000
Line of Credit | Promissory Note To Allied
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Long-term notes payable - related party, net	24,900		24,900		$ 25,000
Convertible Debt | 2015 Convertible Note
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Long-term notes payable - related party, net	46,900		46,900
Line of Credit | Majority Shareholder | Promissory Note to Majority Shareholder Related Party
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Long-term notes payable - related party, net	$ 5,700		$ 5,700

Related Party Transactions - 48

Related Party Transactions - Summary of Results of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Total operating expenses, CEHL	$ 2,336	$ 2,967	$ 4,019	$ 4,923
Interest expense, CEHL	$ 1,786	$ 1,389	$ 3,462	$ 2,421

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Jul. 29, 2016USD ($)	Feb. 05, 2016people	Mar. 31, 2016	Feb. 28, 2014bbl	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)licensecontract	May 13, 2016USD ($)	Jan. 22, 2016USD ($)
Kenya PSCs
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Production sharing contracts | contract					4
The Gambia
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Development and production licenses | license					2
NIGERIA
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Loss contingency, estimate of possible loss					$ 11.1
Approval by Nigerian Department of Petroleum Resources
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Payment of cash or the equivalent in shares					$ 25
Payment of cash or the equivalent of shares in period					15 days
Number of shares to be issued in period					30 days
Long-term Floating Production Storage and Offloading System Contract
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Initial contract term				7 years
Additional contract term				2 years
Barrels processing capacity (up to) | bbl				40,000
Maximum storage capacity for the FPSO | bbl				1,000,000
Contractual annual minimum commitment					$ 48.4
TransOcean Offshore Gulf of Guinea VII Limited and Indigo Drilling Limited
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Loss contingency, estimate of possible loss							$ 20.2
February 2014 Transactions
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Loss contingency, number of plaintiffs | people		7
Settlement with CEONA Contracting (UK) Limited
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Loss contingency, estimate of possible loss						$ 2.9
Subsequent Event | Settlement with Contractor Polarcus MC Ltd.
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Litigation settlement, amount	$ 2.7
Litigation settlement interest	$ 0.3
Convertible Debt | 2015 Convertible Note
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Debt instrument, convertible, percent owed on debt fundraising event			10.00%
Debt instrument, convertible, percent owed on equity fundraising event			20.00%

Stock-Based Compensation - Narr

Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock expired in period (in shares)	130,714
Options forfeited (in shares)	27,052
Number of shares called by warrants issued (in shares)	2,700,000
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Warrants exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Warrants exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 7.85
Cashless Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock issued during period (in shares)	194,643
Common stock exercised in period (in shares)	791,165
Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock issued during period (in shares)	288,841
Common stock exercised in period (in shares)	885,000
Common stock expired in period (in shares)	131,000
Options forfeited (in shares)	27,000
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of grants in period	1,716,550
Number forfeited in period	74,949
Restricted Stock | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	36 months
Stock warrants
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of grants in period	48,000
Number forfeited in period	0
Senior Officer | Performance-Based Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of grants in period	500,000
Award vesting period	3 years
Maximum percentage of additional shares awarded (up to)	50.00%
Estimated compensation expense | $	$ 0.4
Estimated compensation cost not yet recognized, period of recognition	3 years
Officers, Directors, and Employees | Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of grants in period	1,700,000
2015 Convertible Note
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares called by warrants issued (in shares)	48,291
Warrants exercisable from date of issuance, term period (years)	5 years
2015 Convertible Note | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Warrants exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2
2015 Convertible Note | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Warrants exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.13

Stock Based Compensation - Summ

Stock Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Details) - $ / shares	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Forfeited (in shares)	(27,052)
Expired (in shares)	(130,714)
Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at December 31, 2015 (in shares)	2,532,000
Granted (in shares)	0
Exercised (in shares)	(885,000)
Forfeited (in shares)	(27,000)
Expired (in shares)	(131,000)
Outstanding at June 30, 2016 (in shares)	1,489,000	2,532,000
Expected to vest (in shares)	1,047,000
Exercisable at June 30, 2016 (in shares)	442,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Outstanding at December 31, 2015 (dollars per share)	$ 2.10
Granted (dollars per share)	0
Exercised (dollars per share)	1.77
Forfeited (dollars per share)	3.42
Expired (dollars per share)	3.76
Outstanding at June 30, 2016 (dollars per share)	2.45	$ 2.10
Expected to vest (dollars per share)	2.09
Exercisable at June 30, 2016 (dollars per share)	$ 3.30
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	2 years	1 year 7 months 6 days
Expected to vest	1 year 3 months 24 days
Exercisable at June 30, 2016, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	3 years 6 months

Stock-Based Compensation - Summ

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Warrants Activity (Details) - $ / shares	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other than Options Granted Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms	4 years 10 months 2 days
Stock warrants
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at December 31, 2015 (in shares)	2,935,000
Granted (in shares)	48,000
Exercised (in shares)	0
Forfeited (in shares)	0
Expired (in shares)	0
Outstanding at June 30, 2016 (in shares)	2,983,000	2,935,000
Expected to vest (in shares)	0
Outstanding at June 30, 2016 (in shares)	2,983,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Outstanding at December 31, 2015 (in dollars per share)	$ 3.61
Granted (in dollars per share)	2.07
Exercised (in dollars per share)	0
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	0
Expired (in dollars per share)	0
Outstanding at June 30, 2016 (in dollars per share)	3.59	$ 3.61
Expected to vest (in dollars per share)	0
Exercisable at June 30, 2016 (in dollars per share)	$ 3.59
Shares outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual terms	3 years 8 months 12 days	4 years 2 months 12 days
Exercisable at June 30, 2016, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	3 years 8 months 12 days
Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Expected to vest	1 year 3 months 24 days
2015 Convertible Note
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Warrants exercisable from date of issuance, term period (years)	5 years

Stock-Based Compensation - Su53

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Restricted Stock Activity (Details) - Restricted Stock	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at December 31, 2015 (in shares) | shares	1,113,771
Granted (in shares) | shares	1,716,550
Vested (in shares) | shares	(612,585)
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	(74,949)
Outstanding at June 30, 2016 (in shares) | shares	2,142,787
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Outstanding at December 31, 2015 (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 3.21
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	2.16
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	3.54
Forfeited (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	2.65
Outstanding at June 30, 2016 (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.29

Segment Information - Segment A

Segment Information - Segment Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 23,151	$ 0	$ 28,080	$ 0
Operating loss	(27,199)	(5,821)	(55,492)	(37,852)
Operating Segments | Nigeria
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	23,151	0	28,080	0
Operating loss	(23,294)	1,211	(46,454)	(21,025)
Operating Segments | Kenya
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating loss	(509)	(555)	(1,051)	(6,106)
Operating Segments | The Gambia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating loss	(249)	(291)	(523)	(662)
Operating Segments | Ghana
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating loss	(232)	(655)	(1,118)	(949)
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating loss	$ (2,915)	$ (5,531)	$ (6,346)	$ (9,110)

Segment Information - Segment55

Segment Information - Segment Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 348,960	$ 374,599
Operating Segments | Nigeria
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	339,821	366,766
Operating Segments | Kenya
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	1,352	1,399
Operating Segments | The Gambia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	3,014	3,016
Operating Segments | Ghana
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	3,191	2,447
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 1,582	$ 971

Subsequent Events - Narrative (

Subsequent Events - Narrative (Details) - Employee Stock Option - shares	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Aug. 08, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common stock issued (in shares)		288,841
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common stock issued (in shares)	26,602