Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies (Revenue Recognition) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Gross commodity sales	$ 58,005	$ 70,112	$ 183,721	$ 193,751
Transportation and processing	(6,167)	(4,593)	(16,557)	(11,916)
Net commodity sales	51,838	65,519	167,164	181,835
Oil
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Gross commodity sales	40,459	46,576	124,251	132,378
Natural gas
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Gross commodity sales	8,745	9,458	30,427	26,584
Natural gas liquids
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Gross commodity sales	$ 8,801	$ 14,078	$ 29,043	$ 34,789

Revenue From Contract With Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax, Gross

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- Definition

The aggregate costs related to goods produced and sold and services rendered by an entity during the reporting period. This excludes costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered and other revenue generating activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2(a),(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227

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+ References

No definition available.

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Amount, excluding tax collected from customer, of revenue from satisfaction of performance obligation by transferring promised good or service to customer. Tax collected from customer is tax assessed by governmental authority that is both imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transaction, including, but not limited to, sales, use, value added and excise.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109196051&loc=SL49130543-203045

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109196051&loc=SL49130539-203045

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109196051&loc=SL49130545-203045

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