Organization and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and Basis of Presentation	Organization and Basis of Presentation Organization Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. (“AE”), a Delaware corporation organized in 1973, and its subsidiaries are primarily engaged in the business of crude oil marketing, transportation and storage, tank truck transportation of liquid chemicals and dry bulk and ISO tank container storage and transportation. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” or “AE” are intended to mean the business and operations of Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. On April 21, 2017, one of our wholly owned subsidiaries, Adams Resources Exploration Corporation (“AREC”), filed a voluntary petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”) seeking relief under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”), Case No. 17-10866 (KG). AREC operated its business and managed its properties as “debtors-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and order of the Bankruptcy Court. AE was the primary creditor in the Chapter 11 process. On May 3, 2017, AREC filed a motion with the Bankruptcy Court for approval of an auction process to sell its assets pursuant to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code and for approval to engage Oil & Gas Asset Clearinghouse to conduct the auction. The auction commenced on July 19, 2017 to determine the highest or otherwise best bid to acquire all or substantially all of AREC’s assets. During the third quarter of 2017, Bankruptcy Court approval was obtained on three asset purchase and sales agreements with three unaffiliated parties, and AREC closed on the sales of substantially all of its assets (see Note 3 for further information). As a result of AREC’s voluntary bankruptcy filing in April 2017, we no longer controlled the operations of AREC; therefore, we deconsolidated AREC effective with the bankruptcy filing and recorded our investment in AREC under the cost method (see Note 3 for further information). We anticipate completing the bankruptcy process with a confirmed plan during the fourth quarter of 2017. Over the past few years, we have de-emphasized our upstream operations and do not expect this Chapter 11 filing by AREC to have a material adverse impact on any of our core businesses. Historically, we have operated and reported in three business segments: (i) crude oil marketing, transportation and storage, (ii) tank truck transportation of liquid chemicals and dry bulk and ISO tank container storage and transportation, and (iii) oil and natural gas exploration and production. We exited the oil and natural gas exploration and production business during the third quarter of 2017 with the sale of our oil and natural gas exploration and production assets. Basis of Presentation Our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of results expected for the full year of 2017. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals necessary for fair presentation. The condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete annual financial statements have been omitted and, therefore, these interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the “2016 Form 10-K”) filed with the SEC on March 31, 2017. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made in the prior year’s financial statements to conform to classifications used in the current year. Losses from equity investment has been classified as a component of other income (expense), net, with its tax effect included in the income tax benefit (provision) line item on our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Use of Estimates The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions and information we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be perceived with certainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as the operating environment changes. While we believe the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Organization and Basis of Presentation

Organization

Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. (“AE”), a Delaware corporation organized in 1973, and its subsidiaries are primarily engaged in the business of crude oil marketing, transportation and storage, tank truck transportation of liquid chemicals and dry bulk and ISO tank container storage and transportation. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” or “AE” are intended to mean the business and operations of Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

On April 21, 2017, one of our wholly owned subsidiaries, Adams Resources Exploration Corporation (“AREC”), filed a voluntary petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”) seeking relief under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”), Case No. 17-10866 (KG). AREC operated its business and managed its properties as “debtors-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and order of the Bankruptcy Court. AE was the primary creditor in the Chapter 11 process.

On May 3, 2017, AREC filed a motion with the Bankruptcy Court for approval of an auction process to sell its assets pursuant to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code and for approval to engage Oil & Gas Asset Clearinghouse to conduct the auction. The auction commenced on July 19, 2017 to determine the highest or otherwise best bid to acquire all or substantially all of AREC’s assets. During the third quarter of 2017, Bankruptcy Court approval was obtained on three asset purchase and sales agreements with three unaffiliated parties, and AREC closed on the sales of substantially all of its assets (see Note 3 for further information).

As a result of AREC’s voluntary bankruptcy filing in April 2017, we no longer controlled the operations of AREC; therefore, we deconsolidated AREC effective with the bankruptcy filing and recorded our investment in AREC under the cost method (see Note 3 for further information). We anticipate completing the bankruptcy process with a confirmed plan during the fourth quarter of 2017. Over the past few years, we have de-emphasized our upstream operations and do not expect this Chapter 11 filing by AREC to have a material adverse impact on any of our core businesses.

Historically, we have operated and reported in three business segments: (i) crude oil marketing, transportation and storage, (ii) tank truck transportation of liquid chemicals and dry bulk and ISO tank container storage and transportation, and (iii) oil and natural gas exploration and production. We exited the oil and natural gas exploration and production business during the third quarter of 2017 with the sale of our oil and natural gas exploration and production assets.

Basis of Presentation

Our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of results expected for the full year of 2017. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals necessary for fair presentation. The condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete annual financial statements have been omitted and, therefore, these interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the “2016 Form 10-K”) filed with the SEC on March 31, 2017. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made in the prior year’s financial statements to conform to classifications used in the current year. Losses from equity investment has been classified as a component of other income (expense), net, with its tax effect included in the income tax benefit (provision) line item on our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions and information we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be perceived with certainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as the operating environment changes. While we believe the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.