BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS	BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of Vertex Energy, Inc. (the “Company,” or “Vertex Energy”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements as filed with the SEC on Form 10-K on March 25, 2014 (the “Form 10-K”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. Notes to the consolidated financial statements which would substantially duplicate the disclosure contained in the audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal year 2013 as reported in Form 10-K, have been omitted. Leases The company recognizes lease expense on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease terms which expire at various dates through 2032. These leases are for office and storage tank facilities and are classified as operating leases. For the leases that contain predetermined, fixed escalations of the minimum rentals, the Company recognizes the rent expense on a straight-line basis and records the difference between the rent expense and the rental amount payable in liabilities. Leasehold improvements made at the inception of the lease are amortized over the shorter of the asset life or the initial lease terms as described above. Leasehold improvements made during the lease term are also amortized over the shorter of the assets life or the remaining lease term. For capital leases assumed as a result of an acquisition, the leased assets owned by the acquiree and financed through a capital lease are measured separately, at fair value, from the underlying lease to which they are subject. The present value of the lease is then calculated using the lease terms and implicit interest rate. For operating leases assumed as a result of an acquisition, the lease terms are measured, at acquisition date, to determine if the terms are favorable or unfavorable when compared to a comparable market lease with similar terms. Business Combinations The company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. The results of operations for the acquired entities are included in the company’s consolidated financial results from their associated acquisition dates. The company allocates the purchase price of acquisitions to the tangible assets, liabilities, and identifiable intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values. A portion of purchase price for our acquisitions is contingent upon the realization of certain operating results. The fair values assigned to identifiable intangible assets acquired and contingent consideration were determined by third party specialists engaged by the company on a case by case basis. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identified assets and liabilities has been recorded as goodwill. If the purchase price is under the fair value of the identified assets and liabilities, a bargain purchase is recognized and included in income from continuing operations.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS

The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of Vertex Energy, Inc. (the “Company,” or “Vertex Energy”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements as filed with the SEC on Form 10-K on March 25, 2014 (the “Form 10-K”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. Notes to the consolidated financial statements which would substantially duplicate the disclosure contained in the audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal year 2013 as reported in Form 10-K, have been omitted.

Leases

The company recognizes lease expense on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease terms which expire at various dates through 2032. These leases are for office and storage tank facilities and are classified as operating leases. For the leases that contain predetermined, fixed escalations of the minimum rentals, the Company recognizes the rent expense on a straight-line basis and records the difference between the rent expense and the rental amount payable in liabilities. Leasehold improvements made at the inception of the lease are amortized over the shorter of the asset life or the initial lease terms as described above. Leasehold improvements made during the lease term are also amortized over the shorter of the assets life or the remaining lease term.

For capital leases assumed as a result of an acquisition, the leased assets owned by the acquiree and financed through a capital lease are measured separately, at fair value, from the underlying lease to which they are subject. The present value of the lease is then calculated using the lease terms and implicit interest rate. For operating leases assumed as a result of an acquisition, the lease terms are measured, at acquisition date, to determine if the terms are favorable or unfavorable when compared to a comparable market lease with similar terms.

Business Combinations

The company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. The results of operations for the acquired entities are included in the company’s consolidated financial results from their associated acquisition dates. The company allocates the purchase price of acquisitions to the tangible assets, liabilities, and identifiable intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values. A portion of purchase price for our acquisitions is contingent upon the realization of certain operating results. The fair values assigned to identifiable intangible assets acquired and contingent consideration were determined by third party specialists engaged by the company on a case by case basis. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identified assets and liabilities has been recorded as goodwill. If the purchase price is under the fair value of the identified assets and liabilities, a bargain purchase is recognized and included in income from continuing operations.