Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Preferred Stock	Preferred Stock	Additional paid-in capital	Additional paid-in capital Preferred Stock	Retained earnings	Treasury Stock	Total shareholders' equity attributable to Matador Resources Company	Total shareholders' equity attributable to Matador Resources Company Preferred Stock	Non-controlling interest in subsidiary
Balance at January 1, 2015 at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 866,541		$ 734	$ 0		$ 724,819		$ 140,855	$ 0	$ 866,408		$ 133
Balance at January 1, 2015 at Dec. 31, 2014				0
Beginning Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014	73,342,777		73,374,000						31,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock	71,478	32,490	33		1	71,445	32,489			71,478	32,490
Issuance of common stock, shares			3,300,000		150,000
Common stock issued to Board members and advisors, shares			6,000
Common stock issued to Board members and advisors	4					4				4
Stock options expense related to equity-based awards	1,019					1,019				1,019
Stock options exercised, shares			(3,000)
Stock options exercised	0
Restricted stock issued, shares			163,000
Restricted stock issued	0		2			(2)
Restricted stock forfeited	0
Restricted stock forfeited, shares									33,000
Restricted stock and restricted stock units expense	1,050					1,050				1,050
Capital contribution to less than wholly owned subsidiary	450											450
Current period net (loss) income	(50,198)							(50,234)		(50,234)		36
Balance at March 31, 2015 at Mar. 31, 2015	$ 922,834		$ 769	$ 1		$ 830,824		$ 90,621	$ 0	$ 922,215		$ 619
Balance at March 31, 2015 at Mar. 31, 2015				150,000
Ending Balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2015	76,780,402		76,846,000						64,000