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           Interest Costs (Details) (USD $) 
        In Thousands, unless otherwise specified  | 
        12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 
           Dec. 31, 2011 
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           Dec. 31, 2010 
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           Dec. 31, 2009 
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| Interest Cost | |||
| Interest costs charged to expense | $ 304,938 | $ 295,643 | $ 315,668 | 
| Interest costs capitalized | 33,522 | 63,880 | 61,201 | 
| Total interest costs incurred | 338,460 | 359,523 | 376,869 | 
| Interest Costs (Textual) [Abstract] | |||
| Non cash interest expense included in interest costs | $ 39,515 | $ 42,841 | $ 43,066 | 
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- Definition 
          The amount of interest that was capitalized during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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- Definition 
          Total interest costs incurred during the period and either capitalized or charged against earnings. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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- Definition 
          The cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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- Definition 
          Interest paid other than in cash for example by issuing additional debt securities. As a noncash item, it is added to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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