<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.20.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>211</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>354</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>42</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>6</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Cover</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/Cover</Role>
      <ShortName>Cover</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/BasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/RecentlyIssuedAccountingPronouncements</Role>
      <ShortName>Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Revenues</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/Revenues</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/Leases</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/Equity</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Common Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Common Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/IntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Assets Held for Sale and Impairment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/AssetsHeldForSaleAndImpairment</Role>
      <ShortName>Assets Held for Sale and Impairment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - Accrued and Other Current Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/AccruedAndOtherCurrentLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued and Other Current Liabilities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/Debt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Derivative Warrants</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/DerivativeWarrants</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Warrants</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/StockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - Legal Matters</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/LegalMatters</Role>
      <ShortName>Legal Matters</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - Related Party and Affiliated Company Transactions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/RelatedPartyAndAffiliatedCompanyTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party and Affiliated Company Transactions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2120100 - Disclosure - Segments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/Segments</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122100 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/BasisOfPresentationPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://nuverra.com/role/RecentlyIssuedAccountingPronouncements</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Revenues (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/RevenuesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://nuverra.com/role/Revenues</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/LeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://nuverra.com/role/Leases</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://nuverra.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/IntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://nuverra.com/role/IntangibleAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - Accrued and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/AccruedAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://nuverra.com/role/AccruedAndOtherCurrentLiabilities</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/DebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://nuverra.com/role/Debt</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2314301 - Disclosure - Derivative Warrants (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/DerivativeWarrantsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Warrants (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://nuverra.com/role/DerivativeWarrants</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315301 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://nuverra.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://nuverra.com/role/StockBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2320301 - Disclosure - Segments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/SegmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://nuverra.com/role/Segments</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401402 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/BasisOfPresentationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Revenues - Schedule of Contract Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/RevenuesScheduleOfContractAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues - Schedule of Contract Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404403 - Disclosure - Revenues - Schedule of Revenues Disaggregated by Revenue Source (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/RevenuesScheduleOfRevenuesDisaggregatedByRevenueSourceDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues - Schedule of Revenues Disaggregated by Revenue Source (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Leases - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - Leases - Components of Lease Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/LeasesComponentsOfLeaseExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Components of Lease Expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407404 - Disclosure - Leases - Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and Other Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/LeasesScheduleOfSupplementalBalanceSheetCashFlowAndOtherInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and Other Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407405 - Disclosure - Leases - Schedule of Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term and Discount Rate (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/LeasesScheduleOfWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTermAndDiscountRateDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Schedule of Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term and Discount Rate (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407406 - Disclosure - Leases - Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information and Other Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/LeasesSupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformationAndOtherInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information and Other Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407407 - Disclosure - Leases - Schedule of Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/LeasesScheduleOfMaturitiesOfLeaseLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Schedule of Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408401 - Disclosure - Equity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/EquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://nuverra.com/role/Equity</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Common Share - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShareNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Common Share - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Common Share - Schedule of Earnings Per Common Share (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShareScheduleOfEarningsPerCommonShareDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Common Share - Schedule of Earnings Per Common Share (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/IntangibleAssetsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://nuverra.com/role/IntangibleAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411401 - Disclosure - Assets Held for Sale and Impairment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/AssetsHeldForSaleAndImpairmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Assets Held for Sale and Impairment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://nuverra.com/role/AssetsHeldForSaleAndImpairment</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - Accrued and Other Current Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/AccruedAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued and Other Current Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://nuverra.com/role/AccruedAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Debt - Schedule of Debt (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/DebtScheduleOfDebtDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Schedule of Debt (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - Debt - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/DebtNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414402 - Disclosure - Derivative Warrants - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/DerivativeWarrantsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Warrants - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414403 - Disclosure - Derivative Warrants - Warrants Outstanding Reconciliation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/DerivativeWarrantsWarrantsOutstandingReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Warrants - Warrants Outstanding Reconciliation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Components of Income Tax (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfIncomeTaxDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Components of Income Tax (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415403 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Narrative (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Narrative (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/StockBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416403 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Stock-Based Compensation Arrangements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/StockBasedCompensationStockBasedCompensationArrangementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation - Stock-Based Compensation Arrangements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417401 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://nuverra.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420402 - Disclosure - Segments  - Narrative (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/SegmentsNarrativeDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments  - Narrative (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420403 - Disclosure - Segments  - Financial Information for Reportable Segments (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/SegmentsFinancialInformationForReportableSegmentsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments  - Financial Information for Reportable Segments (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422401 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://nuverra.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://nuverra.com/role/SubsequentEvents</ParentRole>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nes-20200630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9999.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>Uncategorized Items - nes-20200630.xml</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://xbrl.sec.gov/role/uncategorizedFacts</Role>
      <ShortName>Uncategorized Items - nes-20200630.xml</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>nes-20200630.xml</File>
    <File>nes-20200630.xsd</File>
    <File>nes-20200630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>nes-20200630_def.xml</File>
    <File>nes-20200630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>nes-20200630_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2020-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2020-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
