Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information - Other Expense (Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Other expense (income)
Losses (gains) on sales, disposals and involuntary conversions of long-lived assets	$ 2,875	$ 5,298
Gain (Loss) on Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments		(177,242)
Litigation expenses	821	637
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)	876	4,214
(Gain) loss on debt buyback	8,596	(6,027)
Other losses (gains)	342	1,040
Other expense (income)	$ 13,510	182,404
C&J Energy Services, Ltd.
Other expense (income)
Gain (Loss) on Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments		$ (177,242)