Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 29, 2018
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ARETE INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000820901
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	ARET
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,674,580