Basis of Presentation and Nature of Operations	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Nature of Operations	Basis of Presentation and Nature of Operations Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Basic Energy Services, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Basic” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. Certain information relating to our organization and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q in accordance with GAAP and financial statement requirements promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The notes to the consolidated financial statements (unaudited) should be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. In the opinion of management, all adjustments which are of a normal recurring nature considered necessary for a fair presentation have been made in the accompanying unaudited financial statements. Liquidity and Capital Resources As of March 31, 2018, our primary capital resources were cash flows from operations, utilization of capital leases and borrowings under our accounts receivable securitization facility (the “New ABL Facility”) which had aggregate commitments of $120.0 million as of March 31, 2018 but was amended on April 11, 2018 to increase aggregate commitments to $150.0 million. As of March 31, 2018, we had $85.0 million in borrowings under the New ABL Facility. At March 31, 2018, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $33.8 million compared to $38.5 million as of December 31, 2017. An additional amount of $47.7 million of our cash is classified as restricted cash. Including the availability under the New ABL Facility, we currently have $34.3 million in total liquidity. For a detailed discussion see Note 5, "Long-Term Debt and Interest Expense". Nature of Operations Basic provides a wide range of well site services to oil and natural gas drilling and producing companies, including completion and remedial services, water logistics, well servicing and contract drilling. These services are primarily provided using Basic’s fleet of equipment. Basic’s operations are concentrated in the major United States onshore oil and gas producing regions in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Wyoming, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, California, the Rocky Mountains and Appalachia. Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Basic our wholly owned subsidiaries and our variable interest entity for which we hold a majority voting interest. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Estimates, Risks and Uncertainties Preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. Critical accounting estimates are those in which significant judgment is used, and the impact of any changes in estimates would have a significant effect on our consolidated financial statements. Actual results and outcomes may vary from management's estimates and assumptions. Areas where critical accounting estimates are made by management include litigation and self-insured risk reserves.

Basis of Presentation and Nature of Operations

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Basic Energy Services, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Basic” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. Certain information relating to our organization and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q in accordance with GAAP and financial statement requirements promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The notes to the consolidated financial statements (unaudited) should be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. In the opinion of management, all adjustments which are of a normal recurring nature considered necessary for a fair presentation have been made in the accompanying unaudited financial statements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2018, our primary capital resources were cash flows from operations, utilization of capital leases and borrowings under our accounts receivable securitization facility (the “New ABL Facility”) which had aggregate commitments of $120.0 million as of March 31, 2018 but was amended on April 11, 2018 to increase aggregate commitments to $150.0 million. As of March 31, 2018, we had $85.0 million in borrowings under the New ABL Facility. At March 31, 2018, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $33.8 million compared to $38.5 million as of December 31, 2017. An additional amount of $47.7 million of our cash is classified as restricted cash. Including the availability under the New ABL Facility, we currently have $34.3 million in total liquidity. For a detailed discussion see Note 5, "Long-Term Debt and Interest Expense".

Nature of Operations

Basic provides a wide range of well site services to oil and natural gas drilling and producing companies, including completion and remedial services, water logistics, well servicing and contract drilling. These services are primarily provided using Basic’s fleet of equipment. Basic’s operations are concentrated in the major United States onshore oil and gas producing regions in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Wyoming, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, California, the Rocky Mountains and Appalachia.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Basic our wholly owned subsidiaries and our variable interest entity for which we hold a majority voting interest. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Estimates, Risks and Uncertainties

Preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. Critical accounting estimates are those in which significant judgment is used, and the impact of any changes in estimates would have a significant effect on our consolidated financial statements. Actual results and outcomes may vary from management's estimates and assumptions. Areas where critical accounting estimates are made by management include litigation and self-insured risk reserves.