Subsidiary guarantees - Condensed consolidating balance sheet (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsidiary guarantees
Accounts receivable, net	$ 110,003	$ 126,929
Other current assets	791,601	238,324
Total oil and natural gas properties, net	3,345,891	3,203,275
Total midstream service assets, net	129,010	108,462
Total other fixed assets, net	45,558	42,345
Investment in subsidiaries and equity method investee	72,350	58,288
Total other long-term assets	160,610	154,926
Total assets	4,655,023	3,932,549
Accounts payable	30,410	39,008
Other current liabilities	862,422	386,017
Long-term debt	1,300,000	1,801,295
Other long-term liabilities	143,079	143,028
Stockholders' equity	2,319,112	1,563,201
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,655,023	3,932,549
Intercompany eliminations
Subsidiary guarantees
Accounts receivable, net	0	0
Other current assets	0	0
Total oil and natural gas properties, net	(321)	(233)
Total midstream service assets, net	0	0
Total other fixed assets, net	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries and equity method investee	(222,981)	(163,349)
Total other long-term assets	0	0
Total assets	(223,302)	(163,582)
Accounts payable	0	0
Other current liabilities	0	0
Long-term debt	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	0	0
Stockholders' equity	(223,302)	(163,582)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	(223,302)	(163,582)
Laredo | Reportable Legal Entities
Subsidiary guarantees
Accounts receivable, net	91,902	107,860
Other current assets	781,157	238,300
Total oil and natural gas properties, net	3,338,965	3,196,231
Total midstream service assets, net	0	0
Total other fixed assets, net	45,243	42,046
Investment in subsidiaries and equity method investee	222,981	163,349
Total other long-term assets	156,275	150,430
Total assets	4,636,523	3,898,216
Accounts payable	29,126	38,453
Other current liabilities	847,151	354,217
Long-term debt	1,300,000	1,801,295
Other long-term liabilities	140,813	140,817
Stockholders' equity	2,319,433	1,563,434
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,636,523	3,898,216
Subsidiary Guarantors | Reportable Legal Entities
Subsidiary guarantees
Accounts receivable, net	18,101	19,069
Other current assets	10,444	24
Total oil and natural gas properties, net	7,247	7,277
Total midstream service assets, net	129,010	108,462
Total other fixed assets, net	315	299
Investment in subsidiaries and equity method investee	72,350	58,288
Total other long-term assets	4,335	4,496
Total assets	241,802	197,915
Accounts payable	1,284	555
Other current liabilities	15,271	31,800
Long-term debt	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	2,266	2,211
Stockholders' equity	222,981	163,349
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 241,802	$ 197,915