Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Share-Based Compensation (Share-Based Compensation Expense) (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Share-Based Compensation (Share-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Share-based compensation expense - Equity-based $ 4,493cpe_ShareBasedCompensationEquityBased $ 4,194cpe_ShareBasedCompensationEquityBased $ 4,428cpe_ShareBasedCompensationEquityBased
Share-based compensation expense - Liability-based 6,918cpe_ShareBasedCompensationLiabilityBased 5,347cpe_ShareBasedCompensationLiabilityBased 2,916cpe_ShareBasedCompensationLiabilityBased
Share-based compensation - capitalized 4,176us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount 3,791us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount 3,263us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount
RSUs [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Share-based compensation expense - Equity-based 4,223cpe_ShareBasedCompensationEquityBased
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
3,975cpe_ShareBasedCompensationEquityBased
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
4,210cpe_ShareBasedCompensationEquityBased
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Cash-settleable RSU awards [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Share-based compensation expense - Liability-based 6,918cpe_ShareBasedCompensationLiabilityBased
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= cpe_CashSettleableRsuAwardsMember
5,347cpe_ShareBasedCompensationLiabilityBased
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= cpe_CashSettleableRsuAwardsMember
2,916cpe_ShareBasedCompensationLiabilityBased
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= cpe_CashSettleableRsuAwardsMember
Contribution 401K in Shares Plan [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Share-based compensation expense - Equity-based 270cpe_ShareBasedCompensationEquityBased
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= cpe_Contribution401KInSharesPlanMember
219cpe_ShareBasedCompensationEquityBased
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= cpe_Contribution401KInSharesPlanMember
218cpe_ShareBasedCompensationEquityBased
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= cpe_Contribution401KInSharesPlanMember
General and Administrative Expense [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
share-based compensation $ 7,235us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember
$ 5,751us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember
$ 4,081us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember