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Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2015	Nov. 05, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	CRK
Entity Registrant Name	COMSTOCK RESOURCES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000023194
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		47,720,176

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$ 163,840	$ 2,071
Accounts Receivable:
Oil and gas sales	19,680	32,849
Joint interest operations	4,084	16,192
Derivative Financial Instruments	1,314
Other Current Assets	2,933	10,105
Total current assets	191,851	61,217
Property and Equipment:
Unevaluated oil and gas properties	80,449	201,459
Oil and gas properties, successful efforts method	4,299,265	4,282,088
Other	19,515	19,630
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(3,083,879)	(2,305,008)
Net property and equipment	1,315,350	2,198,169
Other Assets	22,473	14,951
Total Assets	1,529,674	2,274,337
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts Payable	51,213	117,329
Accrued Liabilities	39,764	44,842
Total current liabilities	90,977	162,171
Long-term Debt	1,297,312	1,070,445
Deferred Income Taxes	10,981	154,547
Reserve for Future Abandonment Costs	15,106	14,900
Other Non-Current Liabilities		2,002
Total liabilities	1,414,376	1,404,065
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders’ Equity:
Common stock – $0.50 par, 75,000,000 shares authorized, 47,725,176 and 46,858,415 shares outstanding at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	23,863	23,429
Additional paid-in capital	483,592	480,434
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(392,157)	366,409
Total stockholders’ equity	115,298	870,272
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,529,674	$ 2,274,337

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.50	$ 0.50
Common stock, shares authorized	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	47,725,176	46,858,415

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Revenues:
Oil sales	$ 27,706	$ 107,899	$ 124,783	$ 309,283
Natural gas sales	33,654	37,084	80,411	133,332
Total revenues	61,360	144,983	205,194	442,615
Operating expenses:
Production taxes	2,170	6,369	8,951	18,437
Gathering and transportation	3,729	3,125	9,842	10,039
Lease operating	16,687	15,858	49,650	44,899
Exploration	5,040	11,449	70,309	11,449
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	79,445	99,977	261,907	283,390
General and administrative	5,653	7,927	20,795	25,910
Impairment of oil and gas properties	544,714	15	547,101	271
(Gain) loss on sale of oil and gas properties	(52)		111,778
Total operating expenses	657,386	144,720	1,080,333	394,395
Operating income (loss)	(596,026)	263	(875,139)	48,220
Other income (expenses):
Interest income	138		308
Net gain on extinguishment of debt	51,054		55,586
Gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments	1,078	12,033	1,705	(2,763)
Other income	273	223	746	513
Interest expense	(32,159)	(14,912)	(86,720)	(43,359)
Total other income (expenses)	20,384	(2,656)	(28,375)	(45,609)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(575,642)	(2,393)	(903,514)	2,611
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes	30,646	490	144,948	(1,451)
Net income (loss)	$ (544,996)	$ (1,903)	$ (758,566)	$ 1,160
Net income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss), Basic	$ (11.81)	$ (0.04)	$ (16.45)	$ 0.02
Net income (loss), Diluted	$ (11.81)	(0.04)	$ (16.45)	0.02
Dividends per common share		$ 0.125		$ 0.375
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	46,150	46,651	46,100	46,628
Diluted	46,150	46,651	46,100	46,948

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2015 - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 870,272	$ 23,429	$ 480,434	$ 366,409
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014		46,858
Stock-based compensation	6,061	$ 473	5,588
Stock-based compensation, Shares		945
Restricted stock used for tax withholdings	(526)	$ (39)	(487)
Restricted stock used for tax withholdings, Shares		(78)
Excess income taxes from stock-based compensation	(1,943)		(1,943)
Net loss	(758,566)			(758,566)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 115,298	$ 23,863	$ 483,592	$ (392,157)
Ending Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2015		47,725

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ (758,566)	$ 1,160
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on sale of oil and gas properties	111,778
Deferred income taxes	(146,118)	1,487
Leasehold impairments, dry hole costs and other exploration costs	70,309	11,449
Impairment of oil and gas properties	547,101	271
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	261,907	283,390
(Gain) loss on derivative financial instruments	(1,705)	2,763
Settlements of derivative financial instruments	391	(5,702)
Net gain on extinguishment of debt	(55,586)
Amortization of debt discount, premium and issuance costs	3,952	3,140
Stock-based compensation	6,061	7,842
Excess income taxes from stock-based compensation	1,943	1,087
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable	25,277	(20,257)
(Increase) decrease in other current assets	7,292	(1,561)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(50,560)	43,914
Net cash provided by operating activities	23,476	328,983
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(232,896)	(502,362)
Proceeds from asset sales	102,674
Net cash used for investing activities	(130,222)	(502,362)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings	790,000	300,750
Principal payments on debt	(502,815)	(100,000)
Debt issuance costs	(16,201)	(2,524)
Tax withholdings related to restricted stock	(526)	(2,349)
Excess income taxes from stock-based compensation	(1,943)	(1,087)
Dividends paid		(17,945)
Net cash provided by financing activities	268,515	176,845
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	161,769	3,466
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,071	2,967
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 163,840	$ 6,433

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES –

Basis of Presentation

In management's opinion, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of Comstock Resources, Inc. and subsidiaries ("Comstock" or the "Company") as of September 30, 2015, the related results of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) are the same in all periods presented. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature unless otherwise disclosed.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although Comstock believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in Comstock's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The results of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily an indication of the results expected for the full year.

These unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Comstock and its wholly-owned and controlled subsidiaries.

Property and Equipment

The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for its oil and gas properties. Costs incurred to acquire oil and gas leasehold are capitalized.

Unproved oil and gas properties are periodically assessed and any impairment in value is charged to exploration expense. The costs of unproved properties which are determined to be productive are transferred to oil and gas properties and amortized on an equivalent unit-of-production basis. The Company recognized impairment charges in exploration expense of $5.1 million and $68.6 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, related to certain leases that the Company currently does not plan to develop. There were no impairments of unproved property in the first nine months of 2014.

The Company also assesses the need for an impairment of the capitalized costs for its oil and gas properties on a property basis. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, reductions to management's oil and natural gas price outlook resulted in indications of impairment of the Company's oil properties in South Texas and certain natural gas properties in Texas and Louisiana. Accordingly, the Company recognized an impairment of $544.7 million and $547.1 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, to reduce the carrying value of these properties to their estimated fair value.

The Company determines the fair values of its oil and gas properties using a discounted cash flow model and proved and risk adjusted probable reserves. Undrilled acreage can also be valued based on sales transactions in comparable areas. Significant Level 3 assumptions associated with the calculation of discounted future cash flows included in the cash flow model include management's outlook for oil and natural gas prices, production costs, capital expenditures, and future production as well as estimated proved reserves and risk-adjusted probable reserves. Management's oil and natural gas price outlook is developed based on third-party longer-term price forecasts as of each measurement date. The expected future net cash flows are discounted using an appropriate discount rate in determining a property's fair value.

The following table presents the fair value and impairments recorded by the Company during the three months ended September 30, 2015, as well as the average oil price per barrel and gas price per thousand cubic feet over the life of the properties and the applicable discount rates utilized in the Company's assessments:

	Fair Value		Impairment		Management's Price Outlook		Annual Discount Rate
	Fair Value		Impairment		Oil	Gas	Annual Discount Rate
	(In thousands)				(Per barrel)	(Per Mcf)
Oil properties	$	330,257	$	405,308	$73.70	$4.04	10%
Natural gas properties	$	61,625	$	139,406	$75.91	$3.91	10%

It is reasonably possible that the Company's estimates of undiscounted future net cash flows attributable to its oil and gas properties may change in the future. The primary factors that may affect estimates of future cash flows include future adjustments, both positive and negative, to proved and appropriate risk-adjusted probable and possible oil and gas reserves, results of future drilling activities, future prices for oil and natural gas, and increases or decreases in production and capital costs. As a result of these changes, or if in the future the Company does not have access to sufficient capital to develop all of its proved and risk-adjusted probable reserves used in its assessment, there may be further impairments in the carrying values of these or other properties.

During the three months ended September 30, 2015, the Company completed the sale of certain oil and gas properties located in and near Burleson County, Texas. The Company received net proceeds of $102.7 million and recognized a net loss on sale of $111.8 million. Results of operations for these properties were as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Total oil and gas sales	$	2,239		$	4,170		$	18,036		$	6,655
Total operating expenses⁽¹⁾		(337	)		(14,735	)		(66,251	)		(16,627	)
Operating income (loss)	$	1,902		$	(10,565	)	$	(48,215	)	$	(9,972	)

(1)

Includes direct operating expenses, depreciation, depletion and amortization and exploration expense. Excludes interest expense and general and administrative expenses.

In January 2015, the Company purchased a 20% interest in an airplane that previously had been owned 80% by the Company and 20% by two executive officers of the Company. The purchase price for the 20% interest of $1.7 million was based on the then fair market value of the airplane determined by a third party. This related party transaction was approved by the Company's audit committee and board of directors.

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consist of the following:

	As of September 30, 2015		As of December 31, 2014
	(In thousands)
Accrued drilling costs	$	4,492	$	26,269
Accrued interest		23,796		9,011
Accrued ad valorem taxes		4,500		—
Current deferred income taxes payable		460		—
Accrued rig termination fees		—		2,600
Other accrued liabilities		6,516		6,962
	$	39,764	$	44,842

Reserve for Future Abandonment Costs

Comstock's asset retirement obligations relate to future plugging and abandonment expenses on its oil and gas properties and related facilities disposal. The following table summarizes the changes in Comstock's total estimated liability during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Future abandonment costs — beginning of period	$	14,900		$	14,534
Accretion expense		600			615
New wells placed on production		309			1,045
Liabilities settled and assets disposed of		(703	)		(76	)
Future abandonment costs — end of period	$	15,106		$	16,118

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

Comstock periodically uses swaps, floors and collars to hedge oil and natural gas prices and interest rates. Swaps are settled monthly based on differences between the prices specified in the instruments and the settlement prices of futures contracts. Generally, when the applicable settlement price is less than the price specified in the contract, Comstock receives a settlement from the counterparty based on the difference multiplied by the volume or amounts hedged. Similarly, when the applicable settlement price exceeds the price specified in the contract, Comstock pays the counterparty based on the difference.

Comstock generally receives a settlement from the counterparty for floors when the applicable settlement price is less than the price specified in the contract, which is based on the difference multiplied by the volumes hedged. For collars, generally Comstock receives a settlement from the counterparty when the settlement price is below the floor and pays a settlement to the counterparty when the settlement price exceeds the cap. No settlement occurs when the settlement price falls between the floor and cap. All of the Company's derivative financial instruments are used for risk management purposes and, by policy, none are held for trading or speculative purposes. Comstock minimizes credit risk to counterparties of its derivative financial instruments through formal credit policies, monitoring procedures, and diversification. All of Comstock's derivative financial instruments are with parties that are lenders under its bank credit facility. The Company is not required to provide any credit support to its counterparties other than cross collateralization with the assets securing its bank credit facility. None of the Company's derivative financial instruments involve payment or receipt of premiums.

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had the following outstanding commodity derivatives:

Commodity and Derivative Type

Weighted-Average
Contract Price

Contract Volume
(Mmcf)

Contract Period

Price Swap Agreements

$3.20 per Mcf

2,700

October 2015 –

June 2016

None of the Company's derivative contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges. The Company recognizes cash settlements and changes in the fair value of its derivative financial instruments as a single component of other income (expenses). The Company recognized a gain of $1.1 million and $1.7 million related to the change in fair value of its natural gas swap agreements during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. Cash settlements on natural gas derivative financial instruments were receipts of $0.4 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The Company had gains of $12.0 million and losses of $2.8 million related to its oil swap agreements during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Cash settlements on oil derivative financial instruments were payments of $0.4 million and $5.7 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. The estimated fair value and carrying value of the Company's derivative financial instruments was an asset of $1.3 million as of September 30, 2015, and was classified as a current asset. There were no derivative financial instruments outstanding on December 31, 2014.

Stock-Based Compensation

Comstock accounts for employee stock-based compensation under the fair value method. Compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the award vesting period. During the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized $2.1 million and $2.8 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense within general and administrative expenses related to awards of restricted stock and performance stock units to its employees and directors. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized $6.1 million and $7.8 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense within general and administrative expenses.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company granted 1,010,371 shares of restricted stock with a grant date fair value of $5.4 million or $5.34 per share to its employees. The fair value of each restricted share on the date of grant was equal to its market price. As of September 30, 2015, Comstock had 1,575,302 shares of unvested restricted stock outstanding at a weighted average grant date fair value of $9.90 per share. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock grants of $6.6 million as of September 30, 2015 is expected to be recognized over a period of 1.5 years.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company granted 471,249 performance share units ("PSUs") with a grant date fair value of $2.1 million, or $4.38 per unit, to its employees. As of September 30, 2015, Comstock had 669,604 PSUs outstanding at a weighted average grant date fair value of $9.13 per unit. The number of shares of common stock to be issued related to the PSUs is based on the Company's stock price performance as compared to its peers which could result in the issuance of anywhere from zero to 1,400,173 shares of common stock. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to these grants of $2.6 million as of September 30, 2015 is expected to be recognized over a period of 1.9 years.

As of September 30, 2015, Comstock had outstanding options to purchase 102,650 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $32.94 per share. All of the stock options were exercisable and there were no unrecognized compensation costs related to the stock options as of September 30, 2015. No stock options were exercised during the three months or nine months ended September 30, 2015 or 2014.

Income Taxes

In recording deferred income tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of its deferred income tax assets will be realized in the future. The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those deferred income tax assets would be deductible. The Company believes that after considering all the available objective evidence, historical and prospective, with greater weight given to historical evidence, management is not able to determine that it is more likely than not that all of its deferred tax assets will be realized and, therefore, has established a valuation allowance of $178.6 million and $71.6 million against its net federal deferred tax assets and state deferred tax assets, respectively, at September 30, 2015. The Company will continue to assess the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets considering all available information obtained in future reporting periods.

The following is an analysis of consolidated income tax expense (benefit):

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Current provision	$	687		$	(73	)	$	1,170		$	(36	)
Deferred provision (benefit)		(31,333	)		(417	)		(146,118	)		1,487
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	(30,646	)	$	(490	)	$	(144,948	)	$	1,451

Deferred income taxes are provided to reflect the future tax consequences or benefits of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements using enacted tax rates. The difference between the Company's effective tax rate and the 35% federal statutory rate is caused by non-deductible stock compensation, state taxes and the establishing of a valuation allowance on deferred taxes. The impact of these items varies based upon the Company's projected full year loss and the jurisdictions that are expected to generate the projected losses.

The difference between the Company's customary rate of 35% and the effective tax rate on income (loss) before income taxes is due to the following:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Tax at statutory rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
Tax effect of:
State income taxes net of federal benefit		2.0			5.5			2.1			(5.5	)
Nondeductible stock-based compensation		—			(15.1	)		(0.1	)		20.1
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets – Federal		(31.0	)		—			(19.8	)		—
Valuation allowance on deferred tax asset – State		(0.7	)		—			(1.2	)		—
Other		—			(4.9	)		—			6.0
Effective tax rate		5.3	%		20.5	%		16.0	%		55.6	%

The Company's federal income tax returns for the years subsequent to December 31, 2011, remain subject to examination. The Company's income tax returns in major state income tax jurisdictions remain subject to examination for various periods subsequent to December 31, 2009. A state tax return in one state jurisdiction is currently under review. The Company has evaluated the preliminary findings in this jurisdiction and believes it is more likely than not that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material effect on the Company's financial statements. The Company currently believes that all other significant filing positions are highly certain and that all of its other significant income tax positions and deductions would be sustained under audit or the final resolution would not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. Therefore, the Company has not established any significant reserves for uncertain tax positions.

Future use of the Company's federal and state net operating loss carryforwards may be limited in the event that a cumulative change in the ownership of Comstock's common stock by more than 50% occurs within a three-year period. Such a change in ownership could result in a substantial portion of Comstock's net operating loss carryforwards being eliminated or becoming restricted, and the Company may need to recognize an additional valuation allowance reflecting the restricted use of these net operating loss carryforwards in the period when such an ownership change occurred. The Company established a rights plan on October 1, 2015 to deter ownership changes that would trigger this limitation (see Note 5).

Fair Value Measurements

The Company holds or has held certain items that are required to be measured at fair value. These include cash and cash equivalents held in bank accounts and derivative financial instruments in the form of oil and natural gas price swap agreements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A three-level hierarchy is followed for disclosure to show the extent and level of judgment used to estimate fair value measurements:

Level 1 – Inputs used to measure fair value are unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for the identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date.

Level 2 – Inputs used to measure fair value, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date through correlation with market data, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and quoted prices in markets that are not active. Level 2 also includes assets and liabilities that are valued using models or other pricing methodologies that do not require significant judgment since the input assumptions used in the models, such as interest rates and volatility factors, are corroborated by readily observable data from actively quoted markets for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3 – Inputs used to measure fair value are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management's estimates of market participant assumptions.

The Company's valuation of cash and cash equivalents is a Level 1 measurement. The Company's natural gas price swap agreements are not traded on a public exchange. Their value is determined utilizing a discounted cash flow model based on inputs that are readily available in public markets and, accordingly, the valuation of these swap agreements is categorized as a Level 2 measurement.

The following table summarizes financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value as of September 30, 2015:

	Carrying Value Measured at Fair Value at September 30, 2015		Level 1		Level 2
	(In thousands)
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Cash and cash equivalents held in bank accounts	$	163,840	$	163,840	$	—
Derivative financial instruments		1,314		—		1,314
Total assets	$	165,154	$	163,840	$	1,314

As of September 30, 2015, the Company's other financial instruments, comprised solely of its fixed rate debt, had a carrying value of $1.3 billion and a fair value of $645.6 million. The fair market value of the Company's fixed rate debt was based on quoted prices as of September 30, 2015, a Level 2 measurement.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is determined without the effect of any outstanding potentially dilutive stock options or PSUs and diluted earnings per share is determined with the effect of outstanding stock options and PSUs that are potentially dilutive. Unvested share-based payment awards containing nonforfeitable rights to dividends are considered to be participatory securities and are included in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. PSUs represent the right to receive a number of shares of the Company's common stock that may range from zero to up to three times the number of PSUs granted on the award date based on the achievement of certain performance measures during a performance period. The number of potentially dilutive shares related to PSUs is based on the number of shares, if any, which would be issuable at the end of the respective period, assuming that date was the end of the contingency period. The treasury stock method is used to measure the dilutive effect of PSUs. Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were determined as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2015								2014
	Loss			Shares		Per Share			Loss			Shares		Per Share
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net loss	$	(544,996	)						$	(1,903	)
Income allocable to unvested stock grants		—								(151	)
Basic net loss attributable to common stock	$	(544,996	)		46,150	$	(11.81	)	$	(2,054	)		46,651	$	(0.04	)
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		—			—					—			—
Performance share units		—			—					—			—
Diluted net loss attributable to common stock	$	(544,996	)		46,150	$	(11.81	)	$	(2,054	)		46,651	$	(0.04	)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015								2014
	Loss			Shares		Per Share			Income (Loss)			Shares		Per Share
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income (loss)	$	(758,566	)						$	1,160
Income allocable to unvested stock grants		—								(444	)
Basic net income (loss) attributable to common stock	$	(758,566	)		46,100	$	(16.45	)	$	716			46,628	$	0.02
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		—			—					—			—
Performance share units		—			—					—			320
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to common stock	$	(758,566	)		46,100	$	(16.45	)	$	716			46,948	$	0.02

At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 1,575,302 and 1,207,527 shares of restricted stock, respectively, are included in common stock outstanding as such shares have a nonforfeitable right to participate in any dividends that might be declared and have the right to vote on matters submitted to the Company's stockholders. Weighted average shares of unvested restricted stock outstanding during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Unvested restricted stock		1,576		1,210		1,430		1,184

Options to purchase common stock and PSUs that were outstanding and that were excluded as anti-dilutive from the determination of diluted earnings per share are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
	(In thousands except per share/unit data)
Weighted average stock options		103		115		106		115
Weighted average exercise price per share	$	32.94	$	32.90	$	32.98	$	32.90
Weighted average performance share units		670		257		631		—
Weighted average grant date fair value per unit	$	9.13	$	20.71	$	9.13	$	—

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the excluded options that were anti-dilutive were at exercise prices in excess of the average stock price. All stock options and unvested PSUs were anti-dilutive to earnings and excluded from weighted average shares used in the computation of earnings per share in the three months ended September 30, 2014 and the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 due to the net loss in the periods.

Supplementary Information With Respect to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the purpose of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company's cash investments consisted of cash held in bank accounts.

The following is a summary of cash payments made for interest and income taxes:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Interest payments	$	68,877	$	30,914
Income tax payments	$	77	$	1,467

The Company capitalizes interest on its unevaluated oil and gas property costs during periods when it is conducting exploration activity on this acreage. The Company capitalized interest of $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and $0.9 million and $7.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which reduced interest expense.

Recent accounting pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ("ASU 2014-09"), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under existing generally accepted accounting principles. This new standard is based upon the principal that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of 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 2014-09 also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted beginning with periods after December 15, 2016 and entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or modified approach to adopt ASU 2014-09. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance and has not determined the impact this standard may have on its financial statements or decided upon the method of adoption.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern ("ASU 2014-15"). ASU 2014-15 provides guidance about management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and sets rules for how this information should be disclosed in the financial statements. ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has elected to not adopt ASU 2014-15 early and does not expect adoption of ASU 2014-15 to have any impact on its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs ("ASU 2015-03"). ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. ASU 2015-03 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2015 and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has elected to not adopt ASU 2015-03 early and does not expect adoption of ASU 2015-03 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	(2) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY – The Company did not pay dividends during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, but paid dividends of $17.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. In 2013, the Board of Directors approved an open market share repurchase plan which permits the Company to repurchase up to $100.0 million of its common stock on the open market. The Company did not make any purchases under this plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 or 2014, and future repurchases under this plan are limited under the terms of the Company's outstanding debt.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, including other comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings, accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and amount of comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(d),(e))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21484-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.E)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27010918&loc=d3e74512-122707

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21488-112644

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29-31)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.C)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187143-122770

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6405834&loc=d3e23285-112656

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Preferred Stock
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6521494

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21564-112644

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section E

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section C

+ Details

Long-Term Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

(3) LONG-TERM DEBT –

At September 30, 2015, long-term debt was comprised of:

	(In thousands)
7³⁄₄% Senior Notes due 2019	$	391,496
10% Senior Secured Notes due 2020		700,000
9¹⁄₂% Senior Notes due 2020		205,816
	$	1,297,312

In March 2015, Comstock issued $700.0 million of 10% senior secured notes (the "Secured Notes") which are due on March 15, 2020. Interest on the Secured Notes is payable semi-annually on each March 15 and September 15. Net proceeds from the issuance of the Secured Notes of $684.0 million were used to retire the Company's bank credit facility and for general corporate purposes. Comstock also has outstanding (i) $387.5 million of 7¾% senior notes (the "2019 Notes") which are due on April 1, 2019 and bear interest which is payable semi-annually on each April 1 and October 1 and (ii) $211.6 million of 9½% senior notes (the "2020 Notes") which are due on June 15, 2020 and bear interest which is payable semi-annually on each June 15 and December 15. The Secured Notes are secured on a first-priority basis equally and ratably with the Company's revolving credit facility described below, subject to payment priorities in favor of the revolving credit facility by the collateral securing the revolving credit facility, which consists of, among other things, at least 80% of the Company's and its subsidiaries' oil and gas properties. The Secured Notes, the 2019 Notes and the 2020 Notes are general obligations of Comstock and are guaranteed by all of Comstock's subsidiaries. Such subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned and all of the guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several obligations. There are no restrictions on the ability of Comstock to obtain funds from its subsidiaries through dividends or loans. As of September 30, 2015, Comstock had no material assets or operations which are independent of its subsidiaries.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company purchased $12.5 million in principal amount of the 2019 Notes and $88.4 million in principal amount of the 2020 Notes for $37.8 million. The gain of $59.3 million recognized on the purchase of the 2019 Notes and 2020 Notes and the loss resulting from the write-off of deferred loan costs associated with the Company's bank credit facility of $3.7 million are included in the net gain on extinguishment of debt, which is reported as a component of other income (loss).

In connection with the issuance of the Secured Notes, Comstock entered into a $50.0 million revolving credit facility with Bank of Montreal and Bank of America, N.A. The revolving credit facility is a four year credit commitment that matures on March 4, 2019. Indebtedness under the revolving credit facility is guaranteed by all of the Company's subsidiaries and is secured by substantially all of Comstock's and its subsidiaries' assets. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest, at Comstock's option, at either (1) LIBOR plus 2.5% or (2) the base rate (which is the higher of the administrative agent's prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.5% or 30 day LIBOR plus 1.0%) plus 1.5%. A commitment fee of 0.5% per annum is payable quarterly on the unused credit line. The revolving credit facility contains covenants that, among other things, restrict the payment of cash dividends and repurchases of common stock, limit the amount of additional debt that Comstock may incur and limit the Company's ability to make certain loans, investments and divestitures. The only financial covenants are the maintenance of a current ratio of at least 1.0 to 1.0 and the maintenance of an asset coverage ratio of proved developed reserves to total debt outstanding under the revolving credit facility of at least 2.5 to 1.0. The Company was in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2015.

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	(4) Commitments and Contingencies – From time to time, Comstock is involved in certain litigation that arises in the normal course of its operations. The Company records a loss contingency for these matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company does not believe the resolution of these matters will have a material effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations. In connection with its exploration and development activities, the Company contracts for drilling rigs. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had commitments for contracted drilling services through November 2015 of $1.3 million. The Company has entered into natural gas transportation and treating agreements through July 2019. Maximum commitments under these transportation agreements as of September 30, 2015 totaled $7.1 million.

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Sep. 30, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	(5) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS – On October 1, 2015, the Company entered into a net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs") rights plan (the "Rights Plan") with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as rights agent. In connection therewith, the board of directors of the Company declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right ("Right") for each outstanding share of the Company's common stock. The dividend was payable on October 16, 2015 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on October 12, 2015. In addition, one Right automatically attached to each share of common stock issued between the record date and the date when the Rights become exercisable. The Rights Plan was adopted in an effort to prevent potential significant limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), on Comstock's ability to utilize its current NOLs to reduce its future tax liabilities. If Comstock experiences an "ownership change," as defined in Section 382 of the Code, the Company's ability to fully utilize its NOLs on an annual basis will be substantially limited, and the timing of the usage of the NOLs could be substantially delayed, which could accordingly significantly impair the value of those benefits. The Rights Plan works by imposing a significant penalty upon any person or group that acquires 4.9% or more of the Company's outstanding common stock without the approval of the board of directors (an "Acquiring Person"). The Rights Plan also gives discretion to the Board to determine that someone is an Acquiring Person even if they do not own 4.9% or more of the outstanding common stock but do own 4.9% or more in value of the Company's outstanding stock, as determined pursuant to Section 382 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Stockholders who currently own 4.9% or more of the Company's common stock will not trigger the Rights unless they acquire additional shares, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Rights Plan. In addition, the Board has established procedures to consider requests to exempt certain acquisitions of the Company's securities from the Rights Plan if the board of directors determines that doing so would not limit or impair the availability of the NOLs or is otherwise in the best interests of the Company.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

The results of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily an indication of the results expected for the full year.

These unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Comstock and its wholly-owned and controlled subsidiaries.

Property and Equipment

The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for its oil and gas properties. Costs incurred to acquire oil and gas leasehold are capitalized.

	Fair Value		Impairment		Management's Price Outlook		Annual Discount Rate
	Fair Value		Impairment		Oil	Gas	Annual Discount Rate
	(In thousands)				(Per barrel)	(Per Mcf)
Oil properties	$	330,257	$	405,308	$73.70	$4.04	10%
Natural gas properties	$	61,625	$	139,406	$75.91	$3.91	10%

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Total oil and gas sales	$	2,239		$	4,170		$	18,036		$	6,655
Total operating expenses⁽¹⁾		(337	)		(14,735	)		(66,251	)		(16,627	)
Operating income (loss)	$	1,902		$	(10,565	)	$	(48,215	)	$	(9,972	)

(1)

Includes direct operating expenses, depreciation, depletion and amortization and exploration expense. Excludes interest expense and general and administrative expenses.

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consist of the following:

	As of September 30, 2015		As of December 31, 2014
	(In thousands)
Accrued drilling costs	$	4,492	$	26,269
Accrued interest		23,796		9,011
Accrued ad valorem taxes		4,500		—
Current deferred income taxes payable		460		—
Accrued rig termination fees		—		2,600
Other accrued liabilities		6,516		6,962
	$	39,764	$	44,842

Reserve for Future Abandonment Costs

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Future abandonment costs — beginning of period	$	14,900		$	14,534
Accretion expense		600			615
New wells placed on production		309			1,045
Liabilities settled and assets disposed of		(703	)		(76	)
Future abandonment costs — end of period	$	15,106		$	16,118

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had the following outstanding commodity derivatives:

Commodity and Derivative Type

Weighted-Average
Contract Price

Contract Volume
(Mmcf)

Contract Period

Price Swap Agreements

$3.20 per Mcf

2,700

October 2015 –

June 2016

Stock-Based Compensation

Income Taxes

The following is an analysis of consolidated income tax expense (benefit):

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Current provision	$	687		$	(73	)	$	1,170		$	(36	)
Deferred provision (benefit)		(31,333	)		(417	)		(146,118	)		1,487
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	(30,646	)	$	(490	)	$	(144,948	)	$	1,451

The difference between the Company's customary rate of 35% and the effective tax rate on income (loss) before income taxes is due to the following:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Tax at statutory rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
Tax effect of:
State income taxes net of federal benefit		2.0			5.5			2.1			(5.5	)
Nondeductible stock-based compensation		—			(15.1	)		(0.1	)		20.1
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets – Federal		(31.0	)		—			(19.8	)		—
Valuation allowance on deferred tax asset – State		(0.7	)		—			(1.2	)		—
Other		—			(4.9	)		—			6.0
Effective tax rate		5.3	%		20.5	%		16.0	%		55.6	%

Fair Value Measurements

Level 1 – Inputs used to measure fair value are unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for the identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date.

The following table summarizes financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value as of September 30, 2015:

	Carrying Value Measured at Fair Value at September 30, 2015		Level 1		Level 2
	(In thousands)
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Cash and cash equivalents held in bank accounts	$	163,840	$	163,840	$	—
Derivative financial instruments		1,314		—		1,314
Total assets	$	165,154	$	163,840	$	1,314

Earnings Per Share

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2015								2014
	Loss			Shares		Per Share			Loss			Shares		Per Share
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net loss	$	(544,996	)						$	(1,903	)
Income allocable to unvested stock grants		—								(151	)
Basic net loss attributable to common stock	$	(544,996	)		46,150	$	(11.81	)	$	(2,054	)		46,651	$	(0.04	)
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		—			—					—			—
Performance share units		—			—					—			—
Diluted net loss attributable to common stock	$	(544,996	)		46,150	$	(11.81	)	$	(2,054	)		46,651	$	(0.04	)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015								2014
	Loss			Shares		Per Share			Income (Loss)			Shares		Per Share
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income (loss)	$	(758,566	)						$	1,160
Income allocable to unvested stock grants		—								(444	)
Basic net income (loss) attributable to common stock	$	(758,566	)		46,100	$	(16.45	)	$	716			46,628	$	0.02
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		—			—					—			—
Performance share units		—			—					—			320
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to common stock	$	(758,566	)		46,100	$	(16.45	)	$	716			46,948	$	0.02

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Unvested restricted stock		1,576		1,210		1,430		1,184

Options to purchase common stock and PSUs that were outstanding and that were excluded as anti-dilutive from the determination of diluted earnings per share are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
	(In thousands except per share/unit data)
Weighted average stock options		103		115		106		115
Weighted average exercise price per share	$	32.94	$	32.90	$	32.98	$	32.90
Weighted average performance share units		670		257		631		—
Weighted average grant date fair value per unit	$	9.13	$	20.71	$	9.13	$	—

Supplementary Information With Respect to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

The following is a summary of cash payments made for interest and income taxes:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Interest payments	$	68,877	$	30,914
Income tax payments	$	77	$	1,467

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent accounting pronouncements

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of Fair Value Impairments, Average Prices of Oil and Gas Properties And Applicable Discount Rates

	Fair Value		Impairment		Management's Price Outlook		Annual Discount Rate
	Fair Value		Impairment		Oil	Gas	Annual Discount Rate
	(In thousands)				(Per barrel)	(Per Mcf)
Oil properties	$	330,257	$	405,308	$73.70	$4.04	10%
Natural gas properties	$	61,625	$	139,406	$75.91	$3.91	10%

Operating Income (Loss) Results of Operations

Results of operations for these properties were as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Total oil and gas sales	$	2,239		$	4,170		$	18,036		$	6,655
Total operating expenses⁽¹⁾		(337	)		(14,735	)		(66,251	)		(16,627	)
Operating income (loss)	$	1,902		$	(10,565	)	$	(48,215	)	$	(9,972	)

(1)

Includes direct operating expenses, depreciation, depletion and amortization and exploration expense. Excludes interest expense and general and administrative expenses.

Summary of Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consist of the following:

	As of September 30, 2015		As of December 31, 2014
	(In thousands)
Accrued drilling costs	$	4,492	$	26,269
Accrued interest		23,796		9,011
Accrued ad valorem taxes		4,500		—
Current deferred income taxes payable		460		—
Accrued rig termination fees		—		2,600
Other accrued liabilities		6,516		6,962
	$	39,764	$	44,842

Summary of Changes in Reserve for Future Abandonment Costs

The following table summarizes the changes in Comstock's total estimated liability during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Future abandonment costs — beginning of period	$	14,900		$	14,534
Accretion expense		600			615
New wells placed on production		309			1,045
Liabilities settled and assets disposed of		(703	)		(76	)
Future abandonment costs — end of period	$	15,106		$	16,118

Summary of Outstanding Oil Price Derivatives

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had the following outstanding commodity derivatives:

Commodity and Derivative Type

Weighted-Average
Contract Price

Contract Volume
(Mmcf)

Contract Period

Price Swap Agreements

$3.20 per Mcf

2,700

October 2015 –

June 2016

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

The following is an analysis of consolidated income tax expense (benefit):

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Current provision	$	687		$	(73	)	$	1,170		$	(36	)
Deferred provision (benefit)		(31,333	)		(417	)		(146,118	)		1,487
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	(30,646	)	$	(490	)	$	(144,948	)	$	1,451

Difference Between Customary Rate and Effective Tax Rate on Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes Due

The difference between the Company's customary rate of 35% and the effective tax rate on income (loss) before income taxes is due to the following:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Tax at statutory rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
Tax effect of:
State income taxes net of federal benefit		2.0			5.5			2.1			(5.5	)
Nondeductible stock-based compensation		—			(15.1	)		(0.1	)		20.1
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets – Federal		(31.0	)		—			(19.8	)		—
Valuation allowance on deferred tax asset – State		(0.7	)		—			(1.2	)		—
Other		—			(4.9	)		—			6.0
Effective tax rate		5.3	%		20.5	%		16.0	%		55.6	%

Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value

The following table summarizes financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value as of September 30, 2015:

	Carrying Value Measured at Fair Value at September 30, 2015		Level 1		Level 2
	(In thousands)
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Cash and cash equivalents held in bank accounts	$	163,840	$	163,840	$	—
Derivative financial instruments		1,314		—		1,314
Total assets	$	165,154	$	163,840	$	1,314

Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were determined as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2015								2014
	Loss			Shares		Per Share			Loss			Shares		Per Share
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net loss	$	(544,996	)						$	(1,903	)
Income allocable to unvested stock grants		—								(151	)
Basic net loss attributable to common stock	$	(544,996	)		46,150	$	(11.81	)	$	(2,054	)		46,651	$	(0.04	)
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		—			—					—			—
Performance share units		—			—					—			—
Diluted net loss attributable to common stock	$	(544,996	)		46,150	$	(11.81	)	$	(2,054	)		46,651	$	(0.04	)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015								2014
	Loss			Shares		Per Share			Income (Loss)			Shares		Per Share
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income (loss)	$	(758,566	)						$	1,160
Income allocable to unvested stock grants		—								(444	)
Basic net income (loss) attributable to common stock	$	(758,566	)		46,100	$	(16.45	)	$	716			46,628	$	0.02
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		—			—					—			—
Performance share units		—			—					—			320
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to common stock	$	(758,566	)		46,100	$	(16.45	)	$	716			46,948	$	0.02

Weighted Average Shares of Unvested Restricted Stock

Weighted average shares of unvested restricted stock outstanding during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Unvested restricted stock		1,576		1,210		1,430		1,184

Common Stock Stock Options Excluded as Anti-Dilutive from Determination of Diluted Earnings Per Share

Options to purchase common stock and PSUs that were outstanding and that were excluded as anti-dilutive from the determination of diluted earnings per share are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
	(In thousands except per share/unit data)
Weighted average stock options		103		115		106		115
Weighted average exercise price per share	$	32.94	$	32.90	$	32.98	$	32.90
Weighted average performance share units		670		257		631		—
Weighted average grant date fair value per unit	$	9.13	$	20.71	$	9.13	$	—

Cash Payments Made for Interest and Income Taxes

The following is a summary of cash payments made for interest and income taxes:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Interest payments	$	68,877	$	30,914
Income tax payments	$	77	$	1,467

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

At September 30, 2015, long-term debt was comprised of:

	(In thousands)
7³⁄₄% Senior Notes due 2019	$	391,496
10% Senior Secured Notes due 2020		700,000
9¹⁄₂% Senior Notes due 2020		205,816
	$	1,297,312

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21538-112644

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21521-112644

+ Details

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information 1 (Detail)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015 ExecutiveOfficers	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Operations And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Impairment charges for unevaluated properties		$ 5,100,000		$ 68,600,000	$ 0
Impairment charges related to oil and gas properties		544,700,000		547,100,000
Net proceeds from sale of oil and gas property		102,700,000
Loss on sale of oil and gas properties		111,800,000		$ 111,778,000
Acquired interest in corporate airplane	20.00%			20.00%
Pre-Acquisition Company interest in corporate airplane	80.00%
Number of executive officers \| ExecutiveOfficers	2
Pre-Acquisition executive officers interest in corporate airplane	20.00%
Consideration paid for interest in corporate airplane				$ 1,700,000
Cash flow hedges derivative instruments		0		0
(Payments) receipts on derivative financial instruments				(391,000)	5,702,000
Derivative Financial Instruments - Current Asset		1,314,000		1,314,000
Derivative Financial Instruments						$ 0
Natural Gas
Operations And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Total gain (loss) on oil price swaps		1,100,000		1,700,000
(Payments) receipts on derivative financial instruments		$ 400,000		$ 400,000
Oil
Operations And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Total gain (loss) on oil price swaps			$ 12,000,000		(2,800,000)
(Payments) receipts on derivative financial instruments			$ (400,000)		$ (5,700,000)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Fair Value Impairments, Average Prices of Oil and Gas Properties And Applicable Discount Rates (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) $ / bbl $ / Mcf	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Fair Value And Impairments Oil And Gas Properties [Line Items]
Impairment of oil and gas properties	$ 544,714	$ 15	$ 547,101	$ 271
Oil Properties
Fair Value And Impairments Oil And Gas Properties [Line Items]
Fair Value	330,257		330,257
Impairment of oil and gas properties	$ 405,308
Management's Oil Price Outlook \| $ / bbl	73.70
Management's Gas Price Outlook \| $ / Mcf	4.04
Annual Discount Rate	10.00%
Natural Gas Properties
Fair Value And Impairments Oil And Gas Properties [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 61,625		$ 61,625
Impairment of oil and gas properties	$ 139,406
Management's Oil Price Outlook \| $ / bbl	75.91
Management's Gas Price Outlook \| $ / Mcf	3.91
Annual Discount Rate	10.00%

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Operating Income (Loss) Results of Operations (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Oil And Gas Properties Sold [Abstract]

Total oil and gas sales

$ 2,239

$ 4,170

$ 18,036

$ 6,655

Total operating expenses

^[1]

(337)

(14,735)

(66,251)

(16,627)

Operating income (loss)

$ 1,902

$ (10,565)

$ (48,215)

$ (9,972)

[1]	Includes direct operating expenses, depreciation, depletion and amortization and exploration expense. Excludes interest expense and general and administrative expenses.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Accrued Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accrued drilling costs	$ 4,492	$ 26,269
Accrued interest	23,796	9,011
Accrued ad valorem taxes	4,500
Current deferred income taxes payable	460
Accrued rig termination fees		2,600
Other accrued liabilities	6,516	6,962
Total accrued expenses	$ 39,764	$ 44,842

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Changes in Reserve for Future Abandonment Costs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligations Noncurrent [Abstract]
Future abandonment costs — beginning of period	$ 14,900	$ 14,534
Accretion expense	600	615
New wells placed on production	309	1,045
Liabilities settled and assets disposed of	(703)	(76)
Future abandonment costs — end of period	$ 15,106	$ 16,118

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Outstanding Commodity Derivatives (Detail) - Natural Gas Price Swap Agreements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 $ / Mcf MMcf
Derivative [Line Items]
Commodity Derivatives Weighted Average Contract Price \| $ / Mcf	3.20
Commodity Derivatives Contract Volume \| MMcf	2,700
Commodity Derivatives Beginning of Remaining Contract Period	Oct. 01, 2015
Commodity Derivatives End of Remaining Contract Period	Jun. 30, 2016

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information 2 (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Unit $ / shares $ / EquityUnit shares	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($) shares	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Unit $ / shares $ / EquityUnit shares	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2014 shares
Operations And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense recognized			$ 6,061,000	$ 7,842,000
Federal
Operations And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance	$ 178,600,000		178,600,000
State
Operations And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance	$ 71,600,000		$ 71,600,000
Restricted Stock
Operations And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of shares granted \| shares			1,010,371
Restricted stock grant date fair value			$ 5,400,000
Grant date fair value of share units, per unit \| $ / shares			$ 5.34
Shares of unvested restricted stock outstanding \| shares	1,575,302		1,575,302		1,207,527
Weighted average grant date fair value of stock grants per share \| $ / shares	$ 9.90		$ 9.90
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 6,600,000		$ 6,600,000
Period in which compensation cost expected to be recognized			1 year 6 months
Potential Performance Shares
Operations And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 2,600,000		$ 2,600,000
Period in which compensation cost expected to be recognized			1 year 10 months 24 days
Number of units granted \| Unit			471,249
Performance units grant date fair value			$ 2,100,000
Grant date fair value of share units, per unit \| $ / EquityUnit			4.38
Number of performance stock units ("PSUs") outstanding \| Unit	669,604		669,604
Weighted average grant date fair value of PSUs per unit \| $ / EquityUnit	9.13		9.13
Potential Performance Shares \| Minimum
Operations And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Common stock, shares, potentially issuable in exchange for Share Units \| shares	0		0
Potential Performance Shares \| Maximum
Operations And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Common stock, shares, potentially issuable in exchange for Share Units \| shares	1,400,173		1,400,173
Stock Options
Operations And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 0		$ 0
Number of Options Outstanding \| shares	102,650		102,650
Weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 32.94		$ 32.94
Number of option, Exercised \| shares	0	0	0	0
General and Administrative Expense
Operations And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense recognized	$ 2,100,000	$ 2,800,000	$ 6,100,000	$ 7,800,000

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Current provision	$ 687	$ (73)	$ 1,170	$ (36)
Deferred provision (benefit)	(31,333)	(417)	(146,118)	1,487
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$ (30,646)	$ (490)	$ (144,948)	$ 1,451

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information 3 (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) shares	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Jurisdictions shares	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 shares
Operations And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Customary rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State jurisdiction currently under review \| Jurisdictions			1
Cumulative common stock ownership change over three year period that could limit federal and state net operating loss carry forwards			50.00%
Rights Plan establishment date			Oct. 01, 2015
Long-term debt, including current portion, Carrying Value	$ 1,297,312		$ 1,297,312
Performance multiplier, minimum			0.00%
Performance multiplier, maximum			300.00%
Interest costs, capitalized during period		$ 2,700	$ 900	$ 7,500
Restricted Stock
Operations And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Shares of unvested restricted stock outstanding \| shares	1,575,302		1,575,302		1,207,527
Fixed Rate Debt
Operations And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Long-term debt, including current portion, Carrying Value	$ 1,300,000		$ 1,300,000
Level 2 \| Fixed Rate Debt
Operations And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Long-term debt, including current portion, Fair Value	$ 645,600		$ 645,600

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Difference Between Customary Rate and Effective Tax Rate on Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes Due (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]
Tax at statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes net of federal benefit	2.00%	5.50%	2.10%	(5.50%)
Nondeductible stock-based compensation		(15.10%)	(0.10%)	20.10%
Other		(4.90%)		6.00%
Effective tax rate	5.30%	20.50%	16.00%	55.60%
Federal
Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets	(31.00%)		(19.80%)
State
Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets	(0.70%)		(1.20%)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Derivative Financial Instruments - Current Asset	$ 1,314
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Cash and cash equivalents held in bank accounts	163,840
Derivative Financial Instruments - Current Asset	1,314
Total assets	165,154
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Level 1
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Cash and cash equivalents held in bank accounts	163,840
Total assets	163,840
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Level 2
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Derivative Financial Instruments - Current Asset	1,314
Total assets	$ 1,314

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (544,996)	$ (1,903)	$ (758,566)	$ 1,160
Income allocable to unvested stock grants		(151)		(444)
Basic net income (loss) attributable to common stock	(544,996)	(2,054)	(758,566)	716
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to common stock	$ (544,996)	$ (2,054)	$ (758,566)	$ 716
Basic net income (loss) attributable to common stock, Shares	46,150	46,651	46,100	46,628
Effect of dilutive securities: Performance share units, Shares				320
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to common stock, Shares	46,150	46,651	46,100	46,948
Basic net income (loss) attributable to common stock, Per Share	$ (11.81)	$ (0.04)	$ (16.45)	$ 0.02
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to common stock, Per Share	$ (11.81)	$ (0.04)	$ (16.45)	$ 0.02

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Weighted Average Shares of Unvested Restricted Stock (Detail) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Unvested restricted stock	1,576	1,210	1,430	1,184

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Common Stock Stock Options Excluded as Anti-Dilutive from Determination of Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) shares in Thousands, EquityUnit in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 EquityUnit $ / shares $ / EquityUnit shares	Sep. 30, 2014 EquityUnit $ / shares $ / EquityUnit shares	Sep. 30, 2015 EquityUnit $ / shares $ / EquityUnit shares	Sep. 30, 2014 $ / shares shares
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted average stock options \| shares	103	115	106	115
Weighted average exercise price per share \| $ / shares	$ 32.94	$ 32.90	$ 32.98	$ 32.90
Weighted average performance share units \| EquityUnit	670	257	631
Weighted average grant date fair value per unit \| $ / EquityUnit	9.13	20.71	9.13

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Cash Payments Made for Interest and Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash Payments [Abstract]
Interest payments	$ 68,877	$ 30,914
Income tax payments	$ 77	$ 1,467

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Dividend paid	$ 0	$ 17,900,000
Approved amount for open market repurchase of common stock			$ 100,000,000
Stock Purchased Under Open Market Amount	$ 0	$ 0

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 1,297,312
7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	391,496
10 % Senior Secured Notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	700,000
9 1/2% Senior Notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 205,816

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	7.75%
10 % Senior Secured Notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	10.00%	10.00%
9 1/2% Senior Notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	9.50%

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Minimum percentage of oil and gas properties used as collateral against Secured Notes and credit facility		80.00%
Write off of deferred issuance cost		$ 3.7
Bank credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of guarantor subsidiary		100.00%
10 % Senior Secured Notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument outstanding, value	$ 700.0
Interest rate on senior notes	10.00%	10.00%
Maturity of senior notes		Mar. 15, 2020
Net proceeds from issuance of debt	$ 684.0
Frequency of interest payments		semi-annually on each March 15 and September 15
7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument outstanding, value		$ 387.5
Interest rate on senior notes		7.75%
Maturity of senior notes		Apr. 01, 2019
Frequency of interest payments		semi-annually on each April 1 and October 1
Principal amount of notes repurchased		$ 12.5
9 1/2% Senior Notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument outstanding, value		$ 211.6
Interest rate on senior notes		9.50%
Maturity of senior notes		Jun. 15, 2020
Frequency of interest payments		semi-annually on each June 15 and December 15
Principal amount of notes repurchased		$ 88.4
7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2019 And 9 1/2% Senior Notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Payment for repurchase of notes		37.8
Gain on repurchased amount of notes		$ 59.3

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information 1 (Detail) - Revolving Credit Facility $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bank credit facility	$ 50.0
Line of credit facility commitment term (in years)	4 years
Maturity of credit facility	Mar. 04, 2019
Spread rate over LIBOR for interest rate on credit facility	2.50%
Stated percentage over federal funds rate to calculate base rate	0.50%
Stated percentage over 30 day LIBOR to calculate base rate	1.00%
Spread rate over base rate for interest rate on credit facility	1.50%
Commitment fee on unused borrowing base	0.50%
Current ratio	100.00%
Asset coverage ratio	250.00%

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments for contracted drilling services	$ 1.3
Contract term related to drilling services	through November 2015
Natural gas transportation and treating agreements	through July 2019
Maximum commitments under natural gas transportation and treating agreements	$ 7.1

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) - NOL Rights Plan - Subsequent Event	Oct. 01, 2015 Item shares
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of rights declared for each common stock \| shares	1
Number of rights automatically attached \| Item	1
Dividend payable date	Oct. 16, 2015
Dividend record date	Oct. 12, 2015
Threshold percentage of common stock to be qualified as an acquiring person	4.90%