Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization and Nature of Operations Approach Resources Inc. (“Approach,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development, production and acquisition of oil and gas properties. We focus on finding and developing oil and natural gas reserves in oil shale and tight sands. Our properties are primarily located in the Permian Basin in West Texas. We also own interests in the East Texas Basin and the Chama Basin in Northern New Mexico. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we sold our working interest in Northeast British Columbia for net proceeds of $363,000. The gain on the sale of this interest was $491,000, and is included under “Other” on the consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Our carrying value and associated plugging obligations related to Northeast British Columbia previously were written off as an impairment of unproved properties during the year ended December 31, 2009. Consolidation, Basis of Presentation and Significant Estimates The interim consolidated financial statements of the Company are unaudited and contain all adjustments (consisting primarily of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year due in part to the volatility in prices for crude oil and natural gas, future commodity prices for commodity derivative contracts, global economic and financial market conditions, interest rates, access to sources of liquidity, estimates of reserves, drilling risks, geological risks, transportation restrictions, the timing of acquisitions, product supply and demand, market competition and interruptions of production. You should read these consolidated interim financial statements in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2011. The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. In preparing the accompanying financial statements, we have made certain estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts in the financial statements and disclosures of contingencies. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Significant assumptions are required in the valuation of proved oil and natural gas reserves, which affect the amount at which oil and natural gas properties are recorded. Significant assumptions are also required in estimating our accrual of capital expenditures, asset retirement obligations and share-based compensation. It is at least reasonably possible these estimates could be revised in the near term, and these revisions could be material. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. These classifications have no impact on the net income reported.

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Organization and Nature of Operations

Approach Resources Inc. (“Approach,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development, production and acquisition of oil and gas properties. We focus on finding and developing oil and natural gas reserves in oil shale and tight sands. Our properties are primarily located in the Permian Basin in West Texas. We also own interests in the East Texas Basin and the Chama Basin in Northern New Mexico.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we sold our working interest in Northeast British Columbia for net proceeds of $363,000. The gain on the sale of this interest was $491,000, and is included under “Other” on the consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Our carrying value and associated plugging obligations related to Northeast British Columbia previously were written off as an impairment of unproved properties during the year ended December 31, 2009.

Consolidation, Basis of Presentation and Significant Estimates

The interim consolidated financial statements of the Company are unaudited and contain all adjustments (consisting primarily of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year due in part to the volatility in prices for crude oil and natural gas, future commodity prices for commodity derivative contracts, global economic and financial market conditions, interest rates, access to sources of liquidity, estimates of reserves, drilling risks, geological risks, transportation restrictions, the timing of acquisitions, product supply and demand, market competition and interruptions of production. You should read these consolidated interim financial statements in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2011.

The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. In preparing the accompanying financial statements, we have made certain estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts in the financial statements and disclosures of contingencies. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Significant assumptions are required in the valuation of proved oil and natural gas reserves, which affect the amount at which oil and natural gas properties are recorded. Significant assumptions are also required in estimating our accrual of capital expenditures, asset retirement obligations and share-based compensation. It is at least reasonably possible these estimates could be revised in the near term, and these revisions could be material. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. These classifications have no impact on the net income reported.