Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Oct. 25, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Entity Information [Line Items]
Series A Preferred unitholders, units outstanding	35,125,202		35,125,202
Entity Registrant Name	Blueknight Energy Partners, L.P.
Entity Central Index Key	0001392091
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		40,393,743
Subsequent Event [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Series A Preferred unitholders, units outstanding		35,125,202