Subsidiary guarantors - Condensed consolidating balance sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsidiary guarantees
Accounts receivable, net	$ 100,645	$ 86,867
Other current assets	134,737	67,910
Oil and natural gas properties, net	1,589,339	1,195,854
Midstream service assets, net	138,325	126,240
Other fixed assets, net	40,721	44,773
Investment in subsidiaries	0	243,953
Other noncurrent assets	19,522	16,749
Total assets	2,023,289	1,782,346
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	58,341	52,204
Other current liabilities	219,078	135,741
Long-term debt, net	791,855	1,353,909
Other noncurrent liabilities	188,436	59,919
Stockholders' equity	765,579	180,573	$ 131,447	$ 1,563,201
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	2,023,289	1,782,346
Reportable Legal Entities | Laredo
Subsidiary guarantees
Accounts receivable, net	79,413	70,570
Other current assets	132,219	65,884
Oil and natural gas properties, net	1,596,834	1,194,801
Midstream service assets, net	0	0
Other fixed assets, net	40,344	44,221
Investment in subsidiaries	(7,566)	376,028
Other noncurrent assets	15,526	13,065
Total assets	1,856,770	1,764,569
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	34,550	30,903
Other current liabilities	193,104	134,055
Long-term debt, net	791,855	1,353,909
Other noncurrent liabilities	54,967	56,889
Stockholders' equity	782,294	188,813
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,856,770	1,764,569
Reportable Legal Entities | Subsidiary Guarantors
Subsidiary guarantees
Accounts receivable, net	21,232	16,297
Other current assets	2,518	2,026
Oil and natural gas properties, net	9,220	9,293
Midstream service assets, net	138,325	126,240
Other fixed assets, net	377	552
Investment in subsidiaries	0	243,953
Other noncurrent assets	3,996	3,684
Total assets	175,668	402,045
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	23,791	21,301
Other current liabilities	25,974	1,686
Long-term debt, net	0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	133,469	3,030
Stockholders' equity	(7,566)	376,028
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	175,668	402,045
Intercompany eliminations
Subsidiary guarantees
Accounts receivable, net	0	0
Other current assets	0	0
Oil and natural gas properties, net	(16,715)	(8,240)
Midstream service assets, net	0	0
Other fixed assets, net	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	7,566	(376,028)
Other noncurrent assets	0	0
Total assets	(9,149)	(384,268)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	0	0
Other current liabilities	0	0
Long-term debt, net	0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	0
Stockholders' equity	(9,149)	(384,268)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ (9,149)	$ (384,268)