Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information - Other Expense (Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Other expense (income)
Losses (gains) on sales, disposals and involuntary conversions of long-lived assets	$ 28,683	$ (749)	$ 33,981	$ 2,725
Impairment of our CJES holdings			216,242
Merger transaction				(52,574)
Litigation expenses	(313)	2,133	324	(1,944)
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)	2,804	1,797	7,018	(548)
Gain on debt buybacks			(6,027)
Other losses (gains)	558	(1,843)	1,598	(2,163)
Reserve with our retained interest on North Slope of Alaska assets	19,700		22,400
Charges to reduce the carrying value of asset held for sale			3,800
Other expense (income)	74,607	$ 1,338	257,011	$ (54,504)
C&J Energy Services, Ltd.
Other expense (income)
Impairment of our CJES holdings	$ 42,875		$ 220,117