Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 31, 2019
Cover page.
Entity Registrant Name	BASIC ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	BAS
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Central Index Key	0001109189
Entity Tax Identification Number	54-2091194
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Bankruptcy Proceedings, Reporting Current	true
Entity File Number	001-32693
Entity Address, Address Line One	801 Cherry Street
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 2100
Entity Address, City or Town	Fort Worth
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	76102
City Area Code	817
Local Phone Number	334-4100
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		24,946,685