Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity - Unaudited - 6 months ended Jun. 30, 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 pursuant to employee stock compensation plan, shares		499,000
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock compensation plan	0	$ 5	(5)			0
Common stock issued to Board members and advisors, shares		55,000
Common stock issued to Board members and advisors	0	$ 1	(1)			0
Stock-based compensation expense related to equity-based awards including amounts capitalized	12,521		12,521			12,521
Stock options exercised, shares		327,000
Stock options exercised, net of options forfeited in net share settlements	(24)	$ 3	(27)			(24)
Restricted stock forfeited, shares					69,000
Restricted stock forfeited	(745)				$ (745)	(745)
Purchase of non-controlling interest of less-than-wholly-owned subsidiary	(2,653)		(1,250)			(1,250)	(1,403)
Contributions related to formation of Joint Venture (see Note 3)	171,500		116,622			116,622	54,878
Contributions from non-controlling interest owners of less-than-wholly-owned subsidiaries	14,700						14,700
Distributions to non-controlling interest owners of less-than-wholly-owned subsidiaries	(1,960)						(1,960)
Current period net income	$ 77,587			72,493		72,493	5,094
Ending Balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2017	100,324,852	100,400,000			75,000
Balance at March 31, 2017 at Jun. 30, 2017	$ 962,371	$ 1,004	$ 1,453,341	$ (563,858)	$ (745)	$ 889,742	$ 72,629