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Commitments And Contingencies
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]  
Commitments And Contingencies

(13) Commitments and Contingencies

     The Company as designated operator of the Hoactzin properties was administratively issued an "Incidence of Non-Compliance" by BOEM during the quarter ended September 30, 2012 concerning one of Hoactzin's operated wells. This action calls for payment of a civil penalty of $386,000 for the late filing of certain reports in 2011 by a contractor on the facility. The Company has filed an appeal of this action in order to attempt to significantly reduce the civil penalty. This appeal required a fully collateralized appeal bond to postpone the payment obligation until the appeal is determined. The Company has posted and collateralized this bond with RLI Insurance Company. If the bond was not posted, the appeal would have been administratively denied and the $386,000 penalty would have become final and no longer subject to appeal. While the Company believes it will ultimately prevail in the appeal process, it is reasonably possible to expect that the civil penalty may not be substantially reduced. The Company estimates the range of this possible payment to be between zero and $386,000. During the quarter ended September 30, 2013 there have been no new developments in this appeal process.