Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity - Unaudited - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2017 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional paid-in capital	Accumulated deficit	Treasury Stock	Total shareholders’ equity attributable to Matador Resources Company	Non-controlling interest in subsidiaries
Beginning Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2016	99,511,931	99,519,000			6,000
Balance at January 1, 2017 at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 691,445	$ 995	$ 1,325,481	$ (636,351)	$ 0	$ 690,125	$ 1,320
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock, shares		406,000
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock compensation plan	0	$ 4	(4)			0
Common stock issued to Board members and advisors, shares		19,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Issued for Services	0		0			0
Stock-based compensation expense related to equity-based awards	4,318		4,318			4,318
Stock options exercised, net of options forfeited in net share settlements		$ 3
Stock options exercised, shares		260,000
Stock options exercised, net of options forfeited in net share settlements			716			719
Stock options exercised, net of options forfeited in net share settlements	719
Restricted stock forfeited, shares					62,000
Restricted stock forfeited	(633)				$ (633)	(633)
Purchase of non-controlling interest of less-than-wholly-owned subsidiary	(2,653)		(1,250)			(1,250)	(1,403)
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Formation of Joint Venture	171,500		115,002			115,002	56,498
Contributions from non-controlling interest owners of less-than-wholly-owned subsidiaries	4,900						4,900
Current period net income	$ 45,900			43,984		43,984	1,916
Ending Balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2017	100,135,608	100,204,000			68,000
Balance at March 31, 2017 at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 915,496	$ 1,002	$ 1,444,263	$ (592,367)	$ (633)	$ 852,265	$ 63,231