Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity - Unaudited - 9 months ended Sep. 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		527,000
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock compensation plan	0	$ 5	(5)			0
Common stock issued to Board members and advisors, shares		72,000
Common stock issued to Board members and advisors	0	$ 1	(1)			0
Stock-based compensation expense related to equity-based awards including amounts capitalized	14,669		14,669			14,669
Stock options exercised, shares		448,000
Stock options exercised, net of options forfeited in net share settlements	94	$ 5	89			94
Restricted stock forfeited, shares					120,000
Restricted stock forfeited	(1,589)				$ (1,589)	(1,589)
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	29,400						29,400
Distributions to non-controlling interest owners of less-than-wholly-owned subsidiaries	(5,635)						(5,635)
Current period net income	$ 95,566			87,532		87,532	8,034
Ending Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2017	100,439,595	100,566,000			126,000
Balance at September 30, 2017 at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 992,797	$ 1,006	$ 1,455,605	$ (548,819)	$ (1,589)	$ 906,203	$ 86,594