Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenues
Revenues	$ 2,417,238	$ 2,983,932	$ 3,289,475
Costs and expenses
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization expenses reflected below)	2,384,947	2,806,968	3,021,182
Operations and maintenance expenses	25,657	30,844	33,448
Selling, general and administrative expenses	77,077	108,259	107,515
Gain on sale of assets, net		(150,351)
Depreciation and amortization expenses	72,127	98,258	103,582
Total costs and expenses	2,559,808	2,893,978	3,265,727
Operating loss from continuing operations	(142,570)	89,954	23,748
Other income (expense)
Interest income	4,333	2,961	1,587
Interest expense	(40,200)	(87,449)	(83,700)
Other, net	5,495	178	3,211
Total other expense	(30,372)	(84,310)	(78,902)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and income (loss) from equity method investees	(172,942)	5,644	(55,154)
Income tax benefit	21,316	20,147	132,061
Income (loss) from equity method investees, net of income taxes	2,797	(596)	(274)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations including noncontrolling interest	(148,829)	25,195	76,633
Net income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	829	11,539	4,998
Net income (loss)	(148,000)	36,734	81,631
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	18,860	20,811	20,570
Net income (loss) attributable to Green Plains	$ (166,860)	$ 15,923	$ 61,061
Earnings (loss) per share - basic
Net income (loss) continuing operations - basic	$ (4.40)	$ 0.11	$ 1.43
Net income from discontiued operations - basic	0.02	0.28	0.13
Net income (loss) attributable to Green Plains - basic	(4.38)	0.39	1.56
Earnings (loss) per share - diluted
Net income (loss) from continuing operations - diluted	(4.40)	0.11	1.37
Net income from discontinued operations - diluted	0.02	0.28	0.10
Net income (loss) attributable to Green Plains - diluted	$ (4.38)	$ 0.39	$ 1.47
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	38,111	40,320	39,247
Diluted	38,111	41,254	50,240
Product [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	$ 2,410,382	$ 2,977,451	$ 3,283,290
Service [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	$ 6,856	$ 6,481	$ 6,185