Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2016 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional paid-in capital	Retained deficit	Treasury Stock	Total shareholders’ equity attributable to Matador Resources Company	Non-controlling interest in subsidiary
Beginning Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2015	85,564,435	85,567,000			2,000
Balance at January 1, 2015 at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 488,959	$ 856	$ 1,026,077	$ (538,930)	$ 0	$ 488,003	$ 956
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock	142,350	$ 75	142,275			142,350
Issuance of common stock, shares		7,500,000
Cost to issue equity	(830)		(830)			(830)
Stock-based compensation expense related to equity-based awards	2,340		2,340			2,340
Stock options exercised, shares		(2,000)
Stock options exercised			0			0
Stock options exercised	0
Restricted stock issued, shares		249,000
Restricted stock issued		$ 2	(2)
Restricted stock forfeited, shares					54,000
Current period net loss	$ (107,667)			(107,654)		(107,654)	(13)
Ending Balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2016	93,271,423	93,327,000			56,000
Balance at March 31, 2015 at Mar. 31, 2016	$ 525,152	$ 933	1,169,860	$ (646,584)	$ 0	524,209	$ 943
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Restricted Stock or Unit Expense	$ 0	$ 9	$ 0			$ 0