Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Stock-Based Compensation (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)
0 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Aug. 15, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Oct. 31, 2014
Oct. 31, 2013
Oct. 17, 2014
Oct. 10, 2014
Jul. 01, 2014
Jan. 12, 2015
Jan. 16, 2013
Jan. 15, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Number of stock options exercised   494,791us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised 0us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised                
Issuance of common stock (in shares)   272,898us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriod                  
Number of stock options forfeited/canceled   2,882,085us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod                
Value of stock repurchased   $ 1,445,000us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue                  
Repurchase of common stock   566,000us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock 0us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock                
Shares repurchased during period   1,512,500us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares                  
Stock issued, in shares   1,650,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross                  
Expired (in shares)   (12,500)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriod 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriod                
Unvested options forfeited 1,369,585us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedOptionsForfeitedNumberOfShares                    
Exercise price of options (in dollars per share)   $ 1.80us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice                  
Restricted Stock                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Share-based compensation expense (reversal of expense)   (44,000)us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
                 
PBOs                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Stock issued, in shares   1,250,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_PerformanceBasedOptionsMember
1,500,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_PerformanceBasedOptionsMember
               
PBOs | CO2-EOR Development Project at Poplar                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Performance metrics weighted average       20.00%mpet_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardPerformanceMetricsWeightedAveragePercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_PerformanceBasedOptionsMember
/ mpet_PerformanceMetricsWeightedAverageAxis
= mpet_CO2EORDevelopmentProjectatPoplarMember
40.00%mpet_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardPerformanceMetricsWeightedAveragePercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_PerformanceBasedOptionsMember
/ mpet_PerformanceMetricsWeightedAverageAxis
= mpet_CO2EORDevelopmentProjectatPoplarMember
           
PBOs | Preparing Poplar of commercially viable CO2-EOR Development                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Performance metrics weighted average       40.00%mpet_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardPerformanceMetricsWeightedAveragePercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_PerformanceBasedOptionsMember
/ mpet_PerformanceMetricsWeightedAverageAxis
= mpet_PreparingPoplarofCommerciallyViableCO2EORDevelopmentMember
             
PBOs | Progressing UK operations in the Weald Basin                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Performance metrics weighted average       20.00%mpet_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardPerformanceMetricsWeightedAveragePercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_PerformanceBasedOptionsMember
/ mpet_PerformanceMetricsWeightedAverageAxis
= mpet_ProgressingUKOperationsintheWealdBasinMember
             
PBOs | Moving forward with Farnham Dome Project                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Performance metrics weighted average       20.00%mpet_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardPerformanceMetricsWeightedAveragePercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_PerformanceBasedOptionsMember
/ mpet_PerformanceMetricsWeightedAverageAxis
= mpet_MovingForwardwithFarnhamDomeProjectMember
             
PBOs | CO2-EOR Pilot Program at Poplar                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Performance metrics weighted average         10.00%mpet_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardPerformanceMetricsWeightedAveragePercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_PerformanceBasedOptionsMember
/ mpet_PerformanceMetricsWeightedAverageAxis
= mpet_CO2EORPilotProgramatPoplarMember
           
PBOs | Sale of Substantially All of the Amadeus Basin Assets                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Performance metrics weighted average         20.00%mpet_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardPerformanceMetricsWeightedAveragePercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_PerformanceBasedOptionsMember
/ mpet_PerformanceMetricsWeightedAverageAxis
= mpet_SaleofSubstantiallyAlloftheAmadeusBasinAssetsMember
           
PBOs | Approval of a Farmout Agreement or Participation in Drilling a Well in the Weald Basin                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Performance metrics weighted average         20.00%mpet_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardPerformanceMetricsWeightedAveragePercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_PerformanceBasedOptionsMember
/ mpet_PerformanceMetricsWeightedAverageAxis
= mpet_ApprovalofaFarmoutAgreementorParticipationinDrillingaWellintheWealdBasinMember
           
PBOs | Approval of a Farmout Agreement in the Bonaparte Basin                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Performance metrics weighted average         10.00%mpet_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardPerformanceMetricsWeightedAveragePercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_PerformanceBasedOptionsMember
/ mpet_PerformanceMetricsWeightedAverageAxis
= mpet_ApprovalofaFarmoutAgreementintheBonaparteBasinMember
           
Employee Stock Option                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Share-based compensation expense (reversal of expense)   (430,000)us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
                 
Unrecorded expected future compensation expense related to stock option awards   1,800,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedStockOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
1,900,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedStockOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
               
RSUs                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Unvested RSUs forfeited 100,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
                   
Market Based Options                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Per share closing price (in dollars per share)   $ 2.35mpet_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardsMinimumPerShareClosingPriceforVesting
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_StockOptionsMarketBasedMember
                 
Number of consecutive trading days       10mpet_MarketBasedStockOptionsNumberofConsecutiveTradingDays
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_StockOptionsMarketBasedMember
             
Stock issued, in shares   400,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_StockOptionsMarketBasedMember
1,500,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_StockOptionsMarketBasedMember
               
Employee Stock Option                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Maximum number of shares allowed to be issued each year                   1,000,000mpet_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardEquityOtherthanOptionsMaximumNumberofSharesAllowedtobeIssuedPerPersonPerYear
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
 
RSUs                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Maximum number of shares allowed to be issued each year                   500,000mpet_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardEquityOtherthanOptionsMaximumNumberofSharesAllowedtobeIssuedPerPersonPerYear
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
 
2012 Stock Incentive Plan                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Number of shares authorized                   5,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A2012StockIncentivePlanMember
 
Expiration term   10 years                  
2012 Stock Incentive Plan | PBOs                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Stock issued, in shares   1,250,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_PerformanceBasedOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A2012StockIncentivePlanMember
1,500,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_PerformanceBasedOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A2012StockIncentivePlanMember
               
2012 Stock Incentive Plan | Market Based Options                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Per share closing price (in dollars per share)       5.00mpet_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardsMinimumPerShareClosingPriceforVesting
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_StockOptionsMarketBasedMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A2012StockIncentivePlanMember
             
Number of consecutive trading days   10mpet_MarketBasedStockOptionsNumberofConsecutiveTradingDays
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_StockOptionsMarketBasedMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A2012StockIncentivePlanMember
  90mpet_MarketBasedStockOptionsNumberofConsecutiveTradingDays
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_StockOptionsMarketBasedMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A2012StockIncentivePlanMember
             
Median stock price (in dollars per share)   $ 2.35mpet_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardsMedianStockPriceforVesting
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_StockOptionsMarketBasedMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A2012StockIncentivePlanMember
  5.00mpet_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardsMedianStockPriceforVesting
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_StockOptionsMarketBasedMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A2012StockIncentivePlanMember
             
Median stock price, maintenance period   90 days                  
Stock issued, in shares   400,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_StockOptionsMarketBasedMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A2012StockIncentivePlanMember
1,500,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_StockOptionsMarketBasedMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A2012StockIncentivePlanMember
               
Vesting period       3 years              
1998 Stock Incentive Plan                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Number of shares authorized                     288,435us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A1998StockIncentivePlanMember
Amount of withholding taxes   14,000us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A1998StockIncentivePlanMember
                 
Nonvested options outstanding (in shares)   3,131,250us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfShares
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A1998StockIncentivePlanMember
                 
1998 Stock Incentive Plan | Employee Stock Option                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Market based and performance based shares available for future issuance   781,198us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A1998StockIncentivePlanMember
                 
2015 Incentive Compensation Program | Restricted Stock                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Share-based compensation expense (reversal of expense)   22,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A2015IncentiveCompensationProgramMember
                 
Former executive | 1998 Stock Incentive Plan                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Number of stock options forfeited/canceled   1,512,500us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A1998StockIncentivePlanMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_ExecutiveOfficerMember
                 
Value of stock repurchased           1,400,000us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A1998StockIncentivePlanMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_ExecutiveOfficerMember
         
Repurchase of common stock   983,000us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A1998StockIncentivePlanMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_ExecutiveOfficerMember
      462,000us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A1998StockIncentivePlanMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_ExecutiveOfficerMember
         
Former executive officer ownership, percent, more than             5.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A1998StockIncentivePlanMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_ExecutiveOfficerMember
       
Amount of withholding taxes   318,000us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A1998StockIncentivePlanMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_ExecutiveOfficerMember
                 
Shares repurchased during period       1,512,500us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A1998StockIncentivePlanMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_ExecutiveOfficerMember
    250,000us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A1998StockIncentivePlanMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_ExecutiveOfficerMember
       
Former executive | 1998 Stock Incentive Plan | Employee Stock Option                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Shares repurchased during period             1,512,500us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A1998StockIncentivePlanMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_ExecutiveOfficerMember
       
Non-employee Directors                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Number of stock options exercised               21,875us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= mpet_NonemployeeDirectorsMember
     
Share-based compensation expense (reversal of expense)   249,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= mpet_NonemployeeDirectorsMember
                 
Non-employee Directors | Common Stock                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Grants in period               96,330us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= mpet_NonemployeeDirectorsMember
     
Executives | 2015 Incentive Compensation Program | Restricted Stock                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Grants in period   100,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A2015IncentiveCompensationProgramMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= mpet_ExecutiveOfficersMember
                 
Chairman of the Board | 2015 Incentive Compensation Program | Restricted Stock                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Grants in period   50,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= mpet_A2015IncentiveCompensationProgramMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_BoardOfDirectorsChairmanMember
                 
Selling, General and Administrative Expense                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Share-based compensation expense (reversal of expense)   427,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
1,100,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
               
Selling, General and Administrative Expense | Prior Period Awards                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Share-based compensation expense (reversal of expense)   356,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= mpet_PriorPeriodAwardsMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
                 
Selling, General and Administrative Expense | Employee Stock Option                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Share-based compensation expense (reversal of expense)   $ 274,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
                 
Subsequent Event                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                      
Stock issued, in shares                 135,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
   
Number of employees issued stock options                 2mpet_NumberOfEmployeesIssuedStockOptions
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
   
Exercise price of options (in dollars per share)                 $ 0.86us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember