Note 6 - Noncontrolling Interest - Summary of Changes in Noncontrolling Interest (Details)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020 shares	Dec. 31, 2019
Common Class A [Member]
Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)	29,421,131
Outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	30,210,749
Earthstone Energy Holdings Limited Liability Company [Member]
Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)	64,681,811
Outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	65,220,120
Earthstone Energy Holdings Limited Liability Company [Member] \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
EEH Units issued in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units (in shares)	538,309
Earthstone Energy Holdings Limited Liability Company [Member] \| Bold Transaction [Member] \| Common Class A [Member]
EEH Units and Class B Common Stock converted to Class A Common Stock (in shares)	0
Earthstone Energy Incorporation and Lynden United States of America Incorporation [Member] \| Earthstone Energy Holdings Limited Liability Company [Member]
Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)	29,421,131
Percent of units held	46.30%	45.50%
Outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	30,210,749
Earthstone Energy Incorporation and Lynden United States of America Incorporation [Member] \| Earthstone Energy Holdings Limited Liability Company [Member] \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
EEH Units issued in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units (in shares)	538,309
Earthstone Energy Incorporation and Lynden United States of America Incorporation [Member] \| Earthstone Energy Holdings Limited Liability Company [Member] \| Bold Transaction [Member] \| Common Class A [Member]
EEH Units and Class B Common Stock converted to Class A Common Stock (in shares)	251,309
Other Entities [Member] \| Earthstone Energy Holdings Limited Liability Company [Member]
Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)	35,260,680
Percent of units held	53.70%	54.50%
Outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	35,009,371
Other Entities [Member] \| Earthstone Energy Holdings Limited Liability Company [Member] \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
EEH Units issued in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units (in shares)	0
Other Entities [Member] \| Earthstone Energy Holdings Limited Liability Company [Member] \| Bold Transaction [Member] \| Common Class A [Member]
EEH Units and Class B Common Stock converted to Class A Common Stock (in shares)	(251,309)

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