Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity - Unaudited - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2018 - 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, 2017	108,510,160	108,514,000			3,000
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 1,257,546	$ 1,085	$ 1,666,024	$ (510,484)	$ (69)	$ 1,156,556	$ 100,990
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock compensation plan, shares		697,000
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock compensation plan	0	$ 7	(7)			0
Common stock issued to Board members and advisors, shares		6,000
Issuance of common stock pursuant to directors’ and advisors’ compensation plan	0	$ 1	(1)			0
Stock-based compensation expense related to equity-based awards including amounts capitalized	5,390		5,390			5,390
Stock options exercised, shares		130,000
Stock options exercised, net of options forfeited in net share settlements	(1,917)	$ 1	(1,918)			(1,917)
Restricted stock forfeited, shares					82,000
Restricted stock forfeited	(2,377)				$ (2,377)	(2,377)
Contributions related to formation of Joint Venture (see Note 6)	14,700		14,700			14,700	0
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	(4,900)						(4,900)
Current period net income	$ 64,924			59,894		59,894	5,030
Ending Balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2018	109,261,912	109,347,000			85,000
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 1,362,766	$ 1,094	$ 1,684,188	$ (450,590)	$ (2,446)	$ 1,232,246	$ 130,520