Erin Energy (ERINQ) 10-Q 10 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CAMAC ENERGY INC.	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	1,261,763,853
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001402281	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$54,264	$163
Accounts receivable	1,122	1,112
Crude oil inventory	1,952	16,254
Prepaid and other current assets	8,492	856
Total current assets	65,830	18,385
Property, plant and equipment:	'	'
Oil and gas properties (successful efforts method of accounting), net	521,306	435,035
Other property, plant and equipment, net	1,059	752
Total property, plant and equipment, net	522,365	435,787
Other non-current assets	1,988	52
Total assets	590,183	454,224
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	48,182	31,668
Accrued liabilities	34,076	7,446
Asset retirement obligations	23,086	12,479
Promissory note - related party	11,185	6,496
Total current liabilities	116,529	58,089
Convertible subordinated note - related party	50,000	'
Term loan facility	50,000	'
Asset retirement obligations	13,914	8,122
Other long-term liabilities	81	67
Total liabilities	230,524	66,278
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Equity:	'	'
Preferred stock $0.001 par value - 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	'	'
Common stock $0.001 par value - 2,500,000,000 shares authorized; 1,261,763,853 and 382,362,236 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	1,262	382
Paid-in capital	776,300	736,456
Accumulated deficit	-417,903	-348,892
Total equity	359,659	387,946
Total liabilities and equity	$590,183	$454,224

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Preferred stock par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
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)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, authorized shares	2,500,000,000	2,500,000,000
Common stock, outstanding shares	1,261,763,853	382,362,236

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Oil and gas revenue	$19,010	$21,723	$53,844	$63,736
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Production costs	34,261	22,155	72,617	65,757
Exploratory expenses	1,148	967	3,851	4,064
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	21,720	5,607	32,676	16,216
General and administrative expenses	3,427	3,395	12,200	10,508
Total operating costs and expenses	60,556	32,124	121,344	96,545
Operating loss	-41,546	-10,401	-67,500	-32,809
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-771	-16	-1,637	-26
Other, net	94	'	126	'
Total other income (expense)	-677	-16	-1,511	-26
Loss before income taxes	-42,223	-10,417	-69,011	-32,835
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Net loss	($42,223)	($10,417)	($69,011)	($32,835)
Net loss per common share:	'	'	'	'
Basic	($0.03)	($0.03)	($0.07)	($0.09)
Diluted	($0.03)	($0.03)	($0.07)	($0.09)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic	1,261,646	380,321	1,045,483	380,883
Diluted	1,261,646	380,321	1,045,483	380,883

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_EQU

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit
In Thousands
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$387,946	$382	$736,456	($348,892)
Common stock issued	270,415	880	269,535	'
Stock based compensation	2,749	'	2,749	'
Net loss	-69,011	'	'	-69,011
Allied acquisition	-220,000	'	-220,000	'
Allied transaction adjustment	-12,440	'	-12,440	'
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$359,659	$1,262	$776,300	($417,903)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'
Net loss	($69,011)	($32,835)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	31,327	14,558
Asset retirement obligation accretion	1,349	1,658
Share based compensation	2,216	1,468
Related party liability offset	-32,880	'
Other	21	3
Change in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable	-10	-2,612
Decrease (increase) in inventories	13,715	1,483
(Increase) decrease in other current assets	-7,103	114
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	27,277	3,205
Net cash used in operating activities	-33,099	-12,958
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'
Capital expenditures	-59,481	-590
Allied transaction	-170,000	'
Net cash used in investing activities	-229,481	-590
Cash Flows from Financing Activities	'	'
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	270,000	'
Proceeds from exercise of stock option	415	'
Proceeds from term loan facility	50,000	'
Proceeds from promissory note - related party, net	10,649	1,500
Debt costs	-1,943	'
Allied transaction adjustments	-12,440	8,677
Net cash provided by financing activities	316,681	10,177
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	54,101	-3,371
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	163	3,806
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	54,264	435
Cash paid for:	'	'
Interest, net	8	26
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Related party liability offset	32,880	'
Related party accounts payable settled with note payable - related party	'	$9,311

Company_Description

Company Description	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Company Description	'
	1. Company Description
	CAMAC Energy, Inc. (NYSE MKT: CAK, JSE: CME) is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company focused on energy resources in Africa. The Company’s asset portfolio consists of nine licenses across four countries covering an area of approximately 43,000 square kilometers (approximately 10 million acres) including current production and other prospects offshore Nigeria, as well as exploration licenses offshore Ghana and The Gambia, and both offshore and onshore Kenya.
	CAMAC Energy Inc. is headquartered in Houston, Texas, and has additional offices in Lagos, Nigeria; Nairobi, Kenya; and Banjul, The Gambia.
	The Company’s operating subsidiaries include CAMAC Energy Ltd., CAMAC Petroleum Limited (“CPL”), CAMAC Energy International Ltd., CAMAC Energy Ghana Limited, CAMAC Energy Kenya Limited, CAMAC Energy Gambia A2 Ltd. and CAMAC Energy Gambia A5 Ltd. The terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company,” and “our Company” refer to CAMAC Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
	The Company conducts certain business transactions with its majority shareholder,  CAMAC Energy Holdings Limited (“CEHL”), and its affiliates, which include Allied Energy Plc (“Allied”).  See “Note 12 – Related Party Transactions” for details of these transactions.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Rece

Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	'
	2. 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”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which 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, 2013.
	In February 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of the remaining economic interests that it did not already own in the Production Sharing Contract (“PSC”) covering Oil Mining Leases 120 and 121 (“OMLs 120 and 121”) offshore Nigeria, which include the currently producing Oyo Field (the “Allied Assets”), from Allied (the “Allied Transaction”). Allied is a subsidiary of CEHL, the Company’s majority shareholder, and deemed to be under common control (transactions between subsidiaries of the same parent). Accordingly, the net assets acquired from Allied were recorded at their respective carrying values as of the acquisition date. The financial statements presented for all periods included herein are presented as though the transfer of the Allied assets had occurred at the beginning of the first period presented.
	In June 2014, the Company’s management concluded that the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements included in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2014 contained errors. These errors were identified in the course of preparing recast historical financial information of the Company to account for the February 2014 acquisition of economic interests in OMLs 120 and 121 from Allied as a combination of businesses under common control. In July 2014, the Company restated its previously filed interim financial statements for the first quarter of 2014. The revised financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 included adjustments to reflect (i) an increase in crude oil inventory as of December 31, 2013 and a corresponding increase in production costs for the first quarter of 2014, (ii) an increase in operating costs due to the receipt of additional third-party vendor cost information from Allied and (iii) a reclassification of the adjustments to the net assets of Allied on the unaudited consolidated statement of cash flows. For further information about the restatement, see our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the period ended March 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on July 18, 2014.
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued updated guidance that changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations including enhanced disclosure requirements. Under the updated guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. Those strategic shifts should have a major effect on the organization´s operations and financial results. The standards update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014. We will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2015. The adoption of this standards update affects presentation only and, as such, is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The objective of this guidance is to establish principles for reporting information about the nature, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers, including qualitative and quantitative disclosures around contracts with customers, significant judgments and change in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. The standards update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2017. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact, if any, of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance around share-based compensation. The guidance was issued to clarify the accounting treatment for performance-based stock awards. The update states that companies should not record compensation expense related to an award for which transfer to the employee is contingent on the company’s satisfaction of a performance target until it becomes probable that the performance target will be met. The update does not contain any new disclosure requirements and is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. We will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2016. The adoption of this standards update is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance on determining when and how reporting entities must disclose going concern uncertainties in its financial statements. The objective of the update is to define management’s responsibility to evaluate, each annual and interim reporting period, whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued and to provide related footnote disclosures. The standards update is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim period thereafter. We will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2017. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its footnote disclosures.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	3. Acquisitions
	In February 2014, the Company completed the Allied Transaction, thereby acquiring the Allied Assets. Pursuant to the terms of the Transfer Agreement among the Company, Allied and the other parties thereto, (the “Transfer Agreement”), the Company, as partial consideration for the Allied Assets, paid $85.0 million in cash, issued 497,454,857 shares of the Company’s common stock and delivered a $50.0 million Convertible Subordinated Note (the “Convertible Subordinated Note”) of which $25.0 million was deemed advanced, with interest accruing per the terms of the Convertible Subordinated Note.
	To fund the cash portion of the Allied Transaction and a portion of the anticipated capital expenditures for development of the Oyo Field, the Company also entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (the “Share Purchase Agreement”) with the Public Investment Corporation (SOC) Limited, a state-owned company incorporated in the Republic of South Africa (“PIC”), for an aggregate cash investment of $270.0 million through a private placement of 376,884,422 shares of common stock (the “Private Placement”). The Share Purchase Agreement provided that the Private Placement would be completed in two installments. The first installment of $135.0 million (the “First Closing”) in exchange for 188,442,211 shares of the Company’s common stock was completed at the closing of the Allied Transaction. The second installment (the “Second Closing”) of $135.0 million in exchange for 188,442,211 shares of the Company’s common stock was completed in May 2014.
	Following the Second Closing with the PIC, the Company paid to Allied the additional $85.0 million in cash due under the Transfer Agreement, and the remaining $25.0 million Convertible Subordinated Note was deemed advanced with interest accruing per the terms of the Convertible Subordinated Note.
	The contractual purchase consideration paid and the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are as follows (In thousands):
	Cash consideration paid upon First Closing	$	85,000
	Cash consideration paid upon Second Closing		85,000
	CAMAC Energy Inc. common stock		-
	Long-term convertible subordinated note payable - related party		50,000
	Total purchase price	$	220,000
	Assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	248,736
	Accounts payable		(25,429	)
	Asset retirement obligations		(20,890	)
	Net assets acquired		202,417
	Consideration in excess of carrying value acquired	$	17,583
	The Allied Transaction is being accounted for as a transfer of entities under common control, whereby the net assets acquired are combined with the Company’s assets at their historical amounts. Since the cash and debt consideration exceeds the carrying cost of the assets acquired, no value was assigned to the shares issued.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	4. Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment is comprised of the following (In thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Wells and production facilities	$	43,924		$	28,874
	Proved properties		386,196			386,196
	Work in progress and other		188,288			86,634
	Oilfield assets		618,408			501,704
	Accumulated depletion		(105,342	)		(74,909	)
	Oilfield assets, net		513,066			426,795
	Unevaluated leaseholds		8,240			8,240
	Oil and gas properties, net		521,306			435,035
	Other property and equipment		2,204			1,590
	Accumulated depreciation		(1,145	)		(838	)
	Other property and equipment, net		1,059			752
	Total property, plant and equipment, net	$	522,365		$	435,787

Suspended_Exploratory_Well_Cos

Suspended Exploratory Well Costs	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Extractive Industries [Abstract]	'
Suspended Exploratory Well Costs	'
	5. Suspended Exploratory Well Costs
	In November 2013, the Company achieved both its primary and secondary drilling objectives for the Oyo-7 well. 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 intervals totaling approximately 65 feet, as interpreted by logging-while-drilling (“LWD”) data. Management is making plans to further explore the Miocene formation in future wells. Suspended exploratory well costs were $26.5 million at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, for the costs related to the Miocene exploratory drilling activities.
	In August 2014, the Oyo-8 well was drilled 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 commenced a detailed evaluation of the results and plans to further explore the Pliocene formation in the eastern fault block and establish the size of the incremental additions. Suspended exploratory well costs were $6.5 million at September 30, 2014 for the costs related to the Pliocene exploration drilling activities in the eastern fault block.
	The Company is currently working on its 2015 exploration program for the OMLs 120 and 121, which may include further analysis of the commercial potential for both the Miocene formation and the Pliocene formation in the eastern fault block.

Asset_Retirement_Obligations

Asset Retirement Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Asset Retirement Obligations	'
	6. 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 our 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 are calculated based on historical data as well as current estimated costs.
	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.
	In September 2014, the Company determined that, based on the current operating plan and the equipment to be utilized, its estimated costs to plug and abandon certain wells should be revised upwards by a net amount of $15.1 million.
	The following summarizes changes in the Company’s asset retirement obligations during the period (In thousands):
		2014
	Asset retirement obligations at January 1	$	20,601
	Accretion expense		1,349
	Revisions in estimated liabilities		15,050
	Asset retirement obligations at September 30	$	37,000
	The table below shows the current and long-term portions of the Company's asset retirement obligations during the period (In thousands):
		2014
	Asset retirement obligations, current portion	$	23,086
	Asset retirement obligations, long-term portion		13,914
		$	37,000
	Accretion expense is recognized as a component of depreciation, depletion and amortization expense in the accompanying statements of operations.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	7. Debt
	Promissory Note – Short-Term
	The Company has a $25.0 million borrowing facility under a Promissory Note (the “Promissory Note”) with Allied. Interest accrues on the outstanding principal under the Promissory Note at a rate of the 30-day London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2% per annum, payable quarterly. The obligations under the Promissory Note have been guaranteed by the Company. In August 2014, the Promissory Note was amended to extend the maturity date by one year to July 2015, and to allow for the entire $25.0 million facility amount to be utilized for general corporate purposes. As of September 30, 2014, the Company owed $11.2 million under the Promissory Note.
	Convertible Subordinated Note – Long-Term
	As partial consideration in connection with the February 2014 closing of the Allied Transaction, the Company issued a $50.0 million Convertible Subordinated Note in favor of Allied. The principal of the Convertible Subordinated Note was deemed advanced in two equal $25.0 million tranches at each of the First Closing and the Second Closing of the Private Placement. Interest on the Convertible Subordinated Note accrues at a rate per annum of one-month LIBOR plus 5%, payable quarterly in cash until the maturity of the Convertible Subordinated Note five years from the closing of the Allied Transaction. At the election of the holder, the Convertible Subordinated Note is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion price of $0.7164 per share, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. The 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 Convertible Subordinated Note). The Company may, at its option, prepay the note in whole or in part, at any time, without premium or penalty. The 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 Convertible Subordinated Note to any person upon written notice to the Company. As of September 30, 2014, the Company owed $50.0 million under the Convertible Subordinated Note.
	Term Loan Facility
	In September 2014, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary CPL, entered into a credit facility with a Nigerian bank for a five-year senior secured term loan providing initial borrowing capacity of up to $100.0 million (the “Term Loan Facility”). U.S. dollar borrowings under the Term Loan Facility bear interest at the rate of LIBOR plus 7.5%, subject to a floor of 9.5%. The obligations under the Term Loan Facility include a legal charge over OMLs 120 and 121 and an assignment of proceeds from oil sales. The obligations of CPL have been guaranteed by the Company and rank in priority with all its other obligations.  Proceeds from the Term Loan Facility will be used for the further expansion and development of OMLs 120 and 121 offshore Nigeria, including the Oyo field.
	Under the Term Loan Facility, the following events, among others, constitute events of default: CPL failing to pay any amounts due within thirty days of the due date; bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or dissolution of CPL; a material breach of the Loan Agreement by CPL that remains unremedied within thirty days of written notice by CPL; or a representation or warranty of CPL 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.
	The Term Loan Facility contains normal and customary covenants including the delivery of the Company’s annual audited financial information each year, and a provision of priority of interest, in which the Company is to procure that its obligations under the Term Loan Facility do and will rank in priority with all its other current and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations.  The Company is also to provide a production and lifting schedule each month displaying the daily production totals and quantities lifted respectively from OMLs 120 and 121.  The Company was in compliance with all loan covenants as of September 30, 2014.
	Upon executing the Term Loan Facility, the Company paid a commitment fee of $1.9 million, which was capitalized and will be amortized over the life of the Term Loan Facility. As of September 30, 2014, the Company owed $50.0 million under the Term Loan Facility.

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Share-Based Compensation	'
	8. Share-Based Compensation
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company issued 1,707,908 shares of common stock as a result of the exercise of options.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company granted employees a total of 3,914,215 shares of restricted stock, and options to purchase a total of 2,267,394 shares of common stock, with vesting periods from 24 months to 36 months.
	The Company also grants shares of restricted stock to non-employee Directors and, on occasion, will issue warrants to third parties for services. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company granted 1,000,002 shares of restricted stock to non-employee Directors, which vest after a one year period, and issued 1,800,000 fully vested warrants for services, which expire after five years.

Earnings_Loss_Per_Common_Share

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	'
	9. Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
	Basic earnings (loss) per common share are computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding for computing basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (In thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Basic		1,261,646		380,321		1,045,483		380,883
	Diluted		1,261,646		380,321		1,045,483		380,883
	The weighted average number of stock options, restricted stock awards and warrants that were excluded from dilutive shares outstanding as these potentially dilutive securities are anti-dilutive because the Company was in a loss position for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (In thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Stock options		6,410		-		7,010		-
	Nonvested restricted stock awards		6,140		1,972		5,960		1,359
	Warrants		12		-		6		-
			12,562		1,972		12,976		1,359

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	'
	10. Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements
	The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, inventory, accounts payable, accrued expenses, other long-term liabilities and debt at floating interest rates approximate their fair values at September 30, 2014, principally due to the short-term nature, maturities or nature of interest rates of the above listed items.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	11. Commitments and Contingencies
	Commitments
	In January 2014, a long-term drilling contract was signed for the drillship Energy Searcher. The rig arrived at the Oyo Field offshore Nigeria in June 2014 and has commenced the Oyo Field development campaign. The agreement covers an initial term of one year, with an option to extend the contract for an additional one year. As of September 30, 2014, the remaining minimum commitment pursuant to the initial term of the agreement is approximately $64.0 million.
	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 producing wells Oyo-5 and Oyo-6 in OML 120. 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 commitment per the terms of the agreement is approximately $35.0 million in the first year and approximately $48.0 million thereafter.
	The Company also has commitments related to four production sharing contracts with the Government of the Republic of Kenya (the “Kenya PSCs”) and two Petroleum Exploration, Development & Production Licenses with the Republic of The Gambia (the “Gambia Licenses”), in each case entered into by the Company through a wholly owned subsidiary. To maintain compliance and ownership, the Company is required to fulfill minimum work obligations and to make certain payments as stated in each of the Kenya PSCs and The Gambia Licenses.
	Legal Proceedings
	From time to time we may be involved in various legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of our business. As of September 30, 2014, and through the filing date of this report, we believe the ultimate resolution of such actions or potential actions of which we are currently aware will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or our results of operations.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	12. Related Party Transactions
	The Company has transactions in the normal course of business with its shareholders, CEHL and their affiliates. The following table summarizes related party transactions for the respective periods (In thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Accounts receivable	$	-	$	1,026
	Other current assets	$	624	$	624
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	8,897	$	25,721
	Promissory Note	$	11,185	$	6,496
	Convertible Subordinated Note	$	50,000	$	-
	The Company was owed $1.0 million as of December 31, 2013, for billings under the Technical Services Agreement (“TSA”) signed with Allied in January 2013. Under the TSA, the Company agreed to provide certain services related to the Oyo Field within OML 120, in exchange for payments from Allied of $150,000 per month with effect from September 2012. The TSA was terminated as of the closing of the Allied Acquisition in February 2014 pursuant to the Transfer Agreement and subsequently settled as part of an offset of certain liabilities owed to Allied.
	The Company was owed $0.6 million as of both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, as a result of an estimated overpayment made for royalty and petroleum profit taxes in Nigeria under the PSC.
	As of September 30, 2014 the Company owed $8.9 million to affiliates of CEHL for expenses incurred during the period to support the operations in the normal course of business.  As of December 31, 2013, the Company owed $25.7 million to Allied primarily as reimbursement for costs incurred related to the drilling of development wells in the Oyo Field.
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had total outstanding notes payable balances of $61.2 million and $6.5 million, respectively, owed to Allied. See “Note 7 – Debt”, for details relating to the notes payable transactions.
	An affiliate of CEHL, the Company’s majority shareholder, provides procurement and logistical support services to the Company’s Nigerian operations. In connection therewith, the Company incurred $9.9 million and $15.4 million with the affiliate, which includes $1.5 million and $2.9 million over and above the actual cost of goods and/or services acquired as compensation to the affiliate during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	13. Segment Information
	The Company’s current operations are based in Nigeria, Kenya and The Gambia. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (In thousands):
		Nigeria			Kenya			The Gambia			Corporate and Other			Total
	Three months ended September 30,
	2014
	Revenues	$	19,010		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	19,010
	Operating loss	$	(37,039	)	$	(614	)	$	(341	)	$	(3,552	)	$	(41,546	)
	2013
	Revenues	$	21,723		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	21,723
	Operating loss	$	(6,182	)	$	(426	)	$	(217	)	$	(3,576	)	$	(10,401	)
	Nine months ended September 30,
	2014
	Revenues	$	53,844		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	53,844
	Operating loss	$	(51,349	)	$	(2,689	)	$	(983	)	$	(12,479	)	$	(67,500	)
	2013
	Revenues	$	63,736		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	63,736
	Operating loss	$	(18,406	)	$	(2,091	)	$	(653	)	$	(11,659	)	$	(32,809	)
	Total assets by segment are as follows (In thousands):
		Nigeria			Kenya			The Gambia			Corporate and Other			Total
	Total Assets
	As of September 30, 2014	$	582,104		$	1,467		$	2,223		$	4,389		$	590,183
	As of December 31, 2013	$	449,856		$	1,484		$	2,025		$	859		$	454,224

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Rece1

Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
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”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which 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, 2013.
	In February 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of the remaining economic interests that it did not already own in the Production Sharing Contract (“PSC”) covering Oil Mining Leases 120 and 121 (“OMLs 120 and 121”) offshore Nigeria, which include the currently producing Oyo Field (the “Allied Assets”), from Allied (the “Allied Transaction”). Allied is a subsidiary of CEHL, the Company’s majority shareholder, and deemed to be under common control (transactions between subsidiaries of the same parent). Accordingly, the net assets acquired from Allied were recorded at their respective carrying values as of the acquisition date. The financial statements presented for all periods included herein are presented as though the transfer of the Allied assets had occurred at the beginning of the first period presented.
	In June 2014, the Company’s management concluded that the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements included in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2014 contained errors. These errors were identified in the course of preparing recast historical financial information of the Company to account for the February 2014 acquisition of economic interests in OMLs 120 and 121 from Allied as a combination of businesses under common control. In July 2014, the Company restated its previously filed interim financial statements for the first quarter of 2014. The revised financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 included adjustments to reflect (i) an increase in crude oil inventory as of December 31, 2013 and a corresponding increase in production costs for the first quarter of 2014, (ii) an increase in operating costs due to the receipt of additional third-party vendor cost information from Allied and (iii) a reclassification of the adjustments to the net assets of Allied on the unaudited consolidated statement of cash flows. For further information about the restatement, see our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the period ended March 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on July 18, 2014.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued updated guidance that changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations including enhanced disclosure requirements. Under the updated guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. Those strategic shifts should have a major effect on the organization´s operations and financial results. The standards update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014. We will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2015. The adoption of this standards update affects presentation only and, as such, is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The objective of this guidance is to establish principles for reporting information about the nature, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers, including qualitative and quantitative disclosures around contracts with customers, significant judgments and change in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. The standards update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2017. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact, if any, of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance around share-based compensation. The guidance was issued to clarify the accounting treatment for performance-based stock awards. The update states that companies should not record compensation expense related to an award for which transfer to the employee is contingent on the company’s satisfaction of a performance target until it becomes probable that the performance target will be met. The update does not contain any new disclosure requirements and is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. We will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2016. The adoption of this standards update is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance on determining when and how reporting entities must disclose going concern uncertainties in its financial statements. The objective of the update is to define management’s responsibility to evaluate, each annual and interim reporting period, whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued and to provide related footnote disclosures. The standards update is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim period thereafter. We will adopt this standards update, as required, beginning with the first quarter of 2017. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its footnote disclosures.

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Purchase Consideration Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	'
	The contractual purchase consideration paid and the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are as follows (In thousands):
	Cash consideration paid upon First Closing	$	85,000
	Cash consideration paid upon Second Closing		85,000
	CAMAC Energy Inc. common stock		-
	Long-term convertible subordinated note payable - related party		50,000
	Total purchase price	$	220,000
	Assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	248,736
	Accounts payable		(25,429	)
	Asset retirement obligations		(20,890	)
	Net assets acquired		202,417
	Consideration in excess of carrying value acquired	$	17,583

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, plant and equipment is comprised of the following (In thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Wells and production facilities	$	43,924		$	28,874
	Proved properties		386,196			386,196
	Work in progress and other		188,288			86,634
	Oilfield assets		618,408			501,704
	Accumulated depletion		(105,342	)		(74,909	)
	Oilfield assets, net		513,066			426,795
	Unevaluated leaseholds		8,240			8,240
	Oil and gas properties, net		521,306			435,035
	Other property and equipment		2,204			1,590
	Accumulated depreciation		(1,145	)		(838	)
	Other property and equipment, net		1,059			752
	Total property, plant and equipment, net	$	522,365		$	435,787

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_T

Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
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 period (In thousands):
		2014
	Asset retirement obligations at January 1	$	20,601
	Accretion expense		1,349
	Revisions in estimated liabilities		15,050
	Asset retirement obligations at September 30	$	37,000
	The table below shows the current and long-term portions of the Company's asset retirement obligations during the period (In thousands):
		2014
	Asset retirement obligations, current portion	$	23,086
	Asset retirement obligations, long-term portion		13,914
		$	37,000

Earnings_Loss_Per_Common_Share1

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding for Computing Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	'
	Basic earnings (loss) per common share are computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding for computing basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (In thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Basic		1,261,646		380,321		1,045,483		380,883
	Diluted		1,261,646		380,321		1,045,483		380,883
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	'
	The weighted average number of stock options, restricted stock awards and warrants that were excluded from dilutive shares outstanding as these potentially dilutive securities are anti-dilutive because the Company was in a loss position for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (In thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Stock options		6,410		-		7,010		-
	Nonvested restricted stock awards		6,140		1,972		5,960		1,359
	Warrants		12		-		6		-
			12,562		1,972		12,976		1,359

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Summary of Related Party Transactions and Balances	'
	The Company has transactions in the normal course of business with its shareholders, CEHL and their affiliates. The following table summarizes related party transactions for the respective periods (In thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Accounts receivable	$	-	$	1,026
	Other current assets	$	624	$	624
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	8,897	$	25,721
	Promissory Note	$	11,185	$	6,496
	Convertible Subordinated Note	$	50,000	$	-

Segment_Information_Restated_T

Segment Information - Restated (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Activity	'
	Segment activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (In thousands):
		Nigeria			Kenya			The Gambia			Corporate and Other			Total
	Three months ended September 30,
	2014
	Revenues	$	19,010		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	19,010
	Operating loss	$	(37,039	)	$	(614	)	$	(341	)	$	(3,552	)	$	(41,546	)
	2013
	Revenues	$	21,723		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	21,723
	Operating loss	$	(6,182	)	$	(426	)	$	(217	)	$	(3,576	)	$	(10,401	)
	Nine months ended September 30,
	2014
	Revenues	$	53,844		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	53,844
	Operating loss	$	(51,349	)	$	(2,689	)	$	(983	)	$	(12,479	)	$	(67,500	)
	2013
	Revenues	$	63,736		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	63,736
	Operating loss	$	(18,406	)	$	(2,091	)	$	(653	)	$	(11,659	)	$	(32,809	)
	Total assets by segment are as follows (In thousands):
		Nigeria			Kenya			The Gambia			Corporate and Other			Total
	Total Assets
	As of September 30, 2014	$	582,104		$	1,467		$	2,223		$	4,389		$	590,183
	As of December 31, 2013	$	449,856		$	1,484		$	2,025		$	859		$	454,224

Company_Description_Additional

Company Description - Additional Information (Details)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
	Country	sqkm
	License
	acre
Company description [Abstract]	'	'
Area of land held for exploration activities	10	43,000
Number of countries company operates in Africa	4	4
Number of exploration and production licenses	9	9

Acquisitions_Additional_inform

Acquisitions - Additional information (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	31-May-14	31-May-14	Feb. 28, 2014
			Share Purchase Agreement	Share Purchase Agreement	Share Purchase Agreement	Allied Transaction	Allied Transaction
			Private Placement	Installment One	Installment Two	Convertible Subordinated Note	Convertible Subordinated Note
			Installment	Private Placement	Private Placement
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Convertible subordinate note issued	$50,000,000	$50,000,000	'	'	'	'	$50,000,000
Convertible subordinated note deemed advanced	'	25,000,000	'	'	'	25,000,000	25,000,000
Business acquisition, number of shares issued	'	'	376,884,422	188,442,211	188,442,211	'	497,454,857
Cash consideration	'	'	'	'	'	85,000,000	85,000,000
Business acquisition, value of shares issued	'	'	$270,000,000	$135,000,000	$135,000,000	'	'
Number of installments	'	'	2	'	'	'	'

Purchase_Consideration_Paid_an

Purchase Consideration Paid and Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
CAMAC Energy Inc. common stock	$0
Long-term convertible subordinated note payable - related party	50,000
Total purchase price	220,000
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed:	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	248,736
Accounts payable	-25,429
Asset retirement obligations	-20,890
Net assets acquired	202,417
Consideration in excess of carrying value acquired	17,583
Cash consideration paid upon First Closing	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Cash consideration	85,000
Cash consideration paid upon Second Closing	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Cash consideration	$85,000

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'	'
Wells and production facilities	$43,924	$28,874
Proved properties	386,196	386,196
Work in progress and other	188,288	86,634
Oilfield assets	618,408	501,704
Accumulated depletion	-105,342	-74,909
Oilfield assets, net	513,066	426,795
Unevaluated leaseholds	8,240	8,240
Oil and gas properties, net	521,306	435,035
Other property and equipment	2,204	1,590
Accumulated depreciation	-1,145	-838
Other property and equipment, net	1,059	752
Total property, plant and equipment, net	$522,365	$435,787

Suspended_Exploratory_Well_Cos1

Suspended Exploratory Well Costs - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
	ft	m	Interval	Miocene Exploratory Drilling Activities	Miocene Exploratory Drilling Activities	Pliocene Exploratory Drilling Activity
		Reservoirs	ft
Costs Incurred Oil And Gas Property Acquisition Exploration And Development Activities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Suspended exploratory well cost	'	'	'	$26.50	$26.50	$6.50
Number of feet encountered by Hydrocarbons in three intervals, as interpreted by bLWDb data	'	'	65	'	'	'
Number of hydrocarbons Miocene formation intervals	'	'	3	'	'	'
Pliocene formation Eastern fault block vertical depth	6,059	1,847	'	'	'	'
Number of Pliocene formation Eastern fault block new oil and gas reservoirs	4	4	'	'	'	'
Hydrocarbons Pliocene formation Eastern fault block gross thickness	112	112	'	'	'	'

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_A

Asset Retirement Obligations - Additional information (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
		Wells
Long Lived Assets To Be Abandoned [Line Items]	'	'
Revisions in estimated liabilities	$15,050	$15,100

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_S

Asset Retirement Obligations - Summary of Change in Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Asset Retirement Obligation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Asset retirement obligations	$20,601	'	'
Accretion expense	1,349	1,658	'
Revisions in estimated liabilities	15,050	'	'
Asset retirement obligations	37,000	'	'
Asset retirement obligations, current portion	23,086	'	12,479
Asset retirement obligations, long-term portion	$13,914	'	$8,122

Promissory_Note_ShortTerm_Addi

Promissory Note - Short-Term -Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	Tranches	NotesPayable
Disclosure Debt Additional Information Details [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of outstanding notes payable	'	2	'
Promissory Note	'	$11,185,000	$6,496,000
Convertible subordinate note issued	50,000,000	50,000,000	'
Number of tranches	2	'	'
Convertible subordinated note maturity term	'	'5 years	'
Convertible subordinated note deemed advanced	25,000,000	'	'
Debt instrument, convertible, conversion price	$0.72	'	'
Long-term debt, description	'	'The note is subject to mandatory prepayment upon (i) the Companybs 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.	'
Minimum threshold proceeds from capital market debt issuance for mandatory prepayment option	250,000,000	'	'
Promissory Note To Allied	'	'	'
Disclosure Debt Additional Information Details [Line Items]	'	'	'
Notes payable maximum borrowing capacity during extended period	'	25,000,000	'
Promissory note extended maturity date, description	'	'Promissory Note was amended to extend the maturity date by one year to July 2015	'
Promissory note extended maturity date	'	31-Jul-15	'
Promissory note extended maturity period	'	'1 year	'
Promissory Note	'	$11,200,000	'
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)	'	'	'
Disclosure Debt Additional Information Details [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	5.00%	'	'
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Promissory Note To Allied	'	'	'
Disclosure Debt Additional Information Details [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	'	2.00%	'

Term_Loan_Facility_Additional_

Term Loan Facility - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
		Term Loan Facility	London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)	Zenith Bank Plc	Zenith Bank Plc	Zenith Bank Plc
				Term Loan Facility	London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)	Interest Rate Floor
					Term Loan Facility	Term Loan Facility
Disclosure Debt Additional Information Details [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	'	'	'	$100	'	'
Convertible subordinated note maturity term	'5 years	'	'	'5 years	'	'
LIBOR rate, description	'	'LIBOR plus 7.5%	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	'	'	5.00%	'	7.50%	'
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective percentage	'	'	'	'	'	9.50%
Line of credit facility, commitment fee amount	'	'	'	1.9	'	'
Term loan facility, outstanding	'	'	'	$50	'	'

ShareBased_Compensation_Additi

Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross	1,707,908
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross	3,914,215
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	2,267,394
Non-employee Directors	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'1 year
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	1,000,002
Non-employee Directors | Warrants	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercisable Number	1,800,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Expiration Period	'5 years
Minimum	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'24 months
Maximum	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'36 months

Weighted_Average_Number_of_Com

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding for Computing Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic	1,261,646	380,321	1,045,483	380,883
Diluted	1,261,646	380,321	1,045,483	380,883

Antidilutive_Securities_Exclud

Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities	12,562	1,972	12,976	1,359
Stock options	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities	6,410	'	7,010	'
Nonvested restricted stock awards	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities	6,140	1,972	5,960	1,359
Warrants	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities	12	'	6	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
	Contract
Kenya PSCs	'
Other Commitments [Line Items]	'
Production sharing contracts with the Government of the Republic of Kenya	4
Long-term Drilling Contract	'
Other Commitments [Line Items]	'
Other minimum commitment	64
Long-term Floating Production Storage and Offloading System Contract	'
Other Commitments [Line Items]	'
Barrels processing capacity	40,000
Maximum storage capacity for the FPSO	1,000,000
Other minimum commitment, due in first year	35
Minimum commitment, due thereafter	48
Gambia Licenses	'
Other Commitments [Line Items]	'
Petroleum Exploration, Development & Production Licenses with the Republic of the Gambia	2

Summary_of_Related_Party_Trans

Summary of Related Party Transactions and Balances (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	'	'	$1,026
Other current assets	624	'	624
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	8,897	'	25,721
Promissory Note	11,185	'	6,496
Convertible subordinate note issued	$50,000	$50,000	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Crude oil lifting receivables and billings	'	'	$1,026,000
Other current assets	600,000	600,000	600,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	8,900,000	8,900,000	25,700,000
Long-term notes payable - related party	61,200,000	61,200,000	'
Notes payable - related party	11,185,000	11,185,000	6,496,000
Compensation incurred with affiliate	9,900,000	15,400,000	'
Compensation incurred with affiliate over and above the actual cost of goods and/or services	1,500,000	2,900,000	'
Monthly Revenue From Allied	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenue from Related Parties	'	$150,000	'

Segment_Activity_Details

Segment Activity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$19,010	$21,723	$53,844	$63,736	'
Operating loss	-41,546	-10,401	-67,500	-32,809	'
Total Assets	590,183	'	590,183	'	454,224
Corporate and Other	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating loss	-3,552	-3,576	-12,479	-11,659	'
Total Assets	4,389	'	4,389	'	859
Nigeria	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	19,010	21,723	53,844	63,736	'
Operating loss	-37,039	-6,182	-51,349	-18,406	'
Total Assets	582,104	'	582,104	'	449,856
Kenya	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating loss	-614	-426	-2,689	-2,091	'
Total Assets	1,467	'	1,467	'	1,484
Gambia	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating loss	-341	-217	-983	-653	'
Total Assets	$2,223	'	$2,223	'	$2,025