Subsidiary guarantors - Statement of operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Subsidiary guarantees
Total revenues	$ 208,947	$ 259,696
Total costs and expenses	154,550	166,504
Operating income	54,397	93,192
Interest expense	(15,547)	(13,518)
Other (expense) income	(48,437)	6,846
Income (loss) before income taxes	(9,587)	86,520
Total income tax benefit	96	0
Net income (loss)	(9,491)	86,520
Intercompany eliminations
Subsidiary guarantees
Total revenues	(18,906)	(14,429)
Total costs and expenses	(17,408)	(13,748)
Operating income	(1,498)	(681)
Interest expense	0	0
Other (expense) income	(2,202)	(1,480)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(3,700)	(2,161)
Total income tax benefit	0	0
Net income (loss)	(3,700)	(2,161)
Laredo | Reportable Legal Entities
Subsidiary guarantees
Total revenues	173,521	197,825
Total costs and expenses	119,735	105,688
Operating income	53,786	92,137
Interest expense	(15,547)	(13,518)
Other (expense) income	(46,328)	8,582
Income (loss) before income taxes	(8,089)	87,201
Total income tax benefit	96	0
Net income (loss)	(7,993)	87,201
Subsidiary Guarantors | Reportable Legal Entities
Subsidiary guarantees
Total revenues	54,332	76,300
Total costs and expenses	52,223	74,564
Operating income	2,109	1,736
Interest expense	0	0
Other (expense) income	93	(256)
Income (loss) before income taxes	2,202	1,480
Total income tax benefit	0	0
Net income (loss)	$ 2,202	$ 1,480