<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.10.0.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>662</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>530</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>166</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>21</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Consolidated balance sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated balance sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - Consolidated balance sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated balance sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Consolidated statements of operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated statements of operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1018000 - Statement - Consolidated statements of cash flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated statements of cash flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Organization</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/Organization</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Recently issued or adopted accounting pronouncements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/RecentlyIssuedOrAdoptedAccountingPronouncements</Role>
      <ShortName>Recently issued or adopted accounting pronouncements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and divestitures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/AcquisitionsAndDivestitures</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and divestitures</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Revenue recognition</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/RevenueRecognition</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue recognition</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Property and equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/PropertyAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and equipment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/Debt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockBasedCompensationAndDefinedContributionPlan</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Net income (loss) per common share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/NetIncomeLossPerCommonShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Net income (loss) per common share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Derivatives</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/Derivatives</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Income taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - Credit risk</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/CreditRisk</Role>
      <ShortName>Credit risk</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - Related parties</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/RelatedParties</Role>
      <ShortName>Related parties</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - Subsidiary guarantors</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantors</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsidiary guarantors</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2120100 - Disclosure - Subsequent events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2121100 - Disclosure - Supplemental oil, NGL and natural gas disclosures (unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalOilNglAndNaturalGasDisclosuresUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental oil, NGL and natural gas disclosures (unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122100 - Disclosure - Supplemental quarterly financial data (unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalQuarterlyFinancialDataUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental quarterly financial data (unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2202201 - Disclosure - Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302302 - Disclosure - Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and divestitures (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/AcquisitionsAndDivestituresTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and divestitures (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/AcquisitionsAndDivestitures</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Revenue recognition (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/RevenueRecognitionTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue recognition (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/RevenueRecognition</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Property and equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/PropertyAndEquipment</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/DebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/Debt</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockBasedCompensationAndDefinedContributionPlanTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockBasedCompensationAndDefinedContributionPlan</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Net income (loss) per common share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/NetIncomeLossPerCommonShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Net income (loss) per common share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/NetIncomeLossPerCommonShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - Derivatives (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/DerivativesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/Derivatives</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2314301 - Disclosure - Income taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2317301 - Disclosure - Related parties (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/RelatedPartiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Related parties (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/RelatedParties</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2319301 - Disclosure - Subsidiary guarantors (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantorsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsidiary guarantors (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantors</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2320301 - Disclosure - Subsequent events (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SubsequentEventsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent events (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SubsequentEvents</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2321301 - Disclosure - Supplemental oil, NGL and natural gas disclosures (unaudited) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalOilNglAndNaturalGasDisclosuresUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental oil, NGL and natural gas disclosures (unaudited) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalOilNglAndNaturalGasDisclosuresUnaudited</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2322301 - Disclosure - Supplemental quarterly financial data (unaudited) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental quarterly financial data (unaudited) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalQuarterlyFinancialDataUnaudited</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401401 - Disclosure - Organization (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/OrganizationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/Organization</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402403 - Disclosure - Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies - Accounts receivable (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesAccountsReceivableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies - Accounts receivable (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402404 - Disclosure - Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies - Other current assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesOtherCurrentAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies - Other current assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402405 - Disclosure - Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies - Other current liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesOtherCurrentLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies - Other current liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402406 - Disclosure - Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies - Other noncurrent liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesOtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies - Other noncurrent liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402407 - Disclosure - Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies - Inventory (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesInventoryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies - Inventory (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402408 - Disclosure - Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies - Asset retirement obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesAssetRetirementObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies - Asset retirement obligations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402409 - Disclosure - Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies - Fees received for the operation of jointly-owned oil and natural gas properties (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesFeesReceivedForOperationOfJointlyOwnedOilAndNaturalGasPropertiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies - Fees received for the operation of jointly-owned oil and natural gas properties (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402410 - Disclosure - Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies - Income taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies - Income taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402411 - Disclosure - Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies - Non-cash investing and financing information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesNonCashInvestingAndFinancingInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies - Non-cash investing and financing information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403401 - Disclosure - Recently issued or adopted accounting pronouncements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/RecentlyIssuedOrAdoptedAccountingPronouncementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Recently issued or adopted accounting pronouncements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/RecentlyIssuedOrAdoptedAccountingPronouncements</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and divestitures - 2018 Acquisitions of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/AcquisitionsAndDivestitures2018AcquisitionsOfEvaluatedAndUnevaluatedOilAndNaturalGasPropertiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and divestitures - 2018 Acquisitions of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404403 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and divestitures - 2018 Divestitures of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties and midstream service assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/AcquisitionsAndDivestitures2018DivestituresOfEvaluatedAndUnevaluatedOilAndNaturalGasPropertiesAndMidstreamServiceAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and divestitures - 2018 Divestitures of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties and midstream service assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404404 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and divestitures - 2017 Medallion sale (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/AcquisitionsAndDivestitures2017MedallionSaleDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and divestitures - 2017 Medallion sale (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404405 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and divestitures - 2017 divestiture of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/AcquisitionsAndDivestitures2017DivestitureOfEvaluatedAndUnevaluatedOilAndNaturalGasPropertiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and divestitures - 2017 divestiture of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404406 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and divestitures - 2016 acquisitions of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/AcquisitionsAndDivestitures2016AcquisitionsOfEvaluatedAndUnevaluatedOilAndNaturalGasPropertiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and divestitures - 2016 acquisitions of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Revenue recognition - Impact of ASC 606 adoption (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/RevenueRecognitionImpactOfAsc606AdoptionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue recognition - Impact of ASC 606 adoption (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405403 - Disclosure - Revenue recognition - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/RevenueRecognitionAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue recognition - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Property and equipment - Oil and natural gas properties (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentOilAndNaturalGasPropertiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and equipment - Oil and natural gas properties (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406403 - Disclosure - Property and equipment - Midstream service assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentMidstreamServiceAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and equipment - Midstream service assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406404 - Disclosure - Property and equipment - Other fixed assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentOtherFixedAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and equipment - Other fixed assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Debt - March 2023 Notes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/DebtMarch2023NotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - March 2023 Notes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - Debt - January 2022 Notes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/DebtJanuary2022NotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - January 2022 Notes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407404 - Disclosure - Debt - May 2022 Notes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/DebtMay2022NotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - May 2022 Notes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407405 - Disclosure - Debt - Senior Secured Credit Facility (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/DebtSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Senior Secured Credit Facility (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407406 - Disclosure - Debt - Debt issuance costs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/DebtDebtIssuanceCostsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Debt issuance costs (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407407 - Disclosure - Debt - Interest expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/DebtInterestExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Interest expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407408 - Disclosure - Debt - Long-term debt, net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/DebtLongTermDebtNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Long-term debt, net (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Share repurchase program (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockBasedCompensationAndDefinedContributionPlanShareRepurchaseProgramDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Share repurchase program (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Equity offerings (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockBasedCompensationAndDefinedContributionPlanEquityOfferingsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Equity offerings (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockBasedCompensationAndDefinedContributionPlanTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409404 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockBasedCompensationAndDefinedContributionPlanAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409405 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Restricted stock awards activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockBasedCompensationAndDefinedContributionPlanRestrictedStockAwardsActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Restricted stock awards activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409406 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Restricted stock option awards activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockBasedCompensationAndDefinedContributionPlanRestrictedStockOptionAwardsActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Restricted stock option awards activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409407 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Restricted stock option awards assumptions used to estimate the fair value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockBasedCompensationAndDefinedContributionPlanRestrictedStockOptionAwardsAssumptionsUsedToEstimateFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Restricted stock option awards assumptions used to estimate the fair value (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409408 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Restricted stock option awards full years of continuous employment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockBasedCompensationAndDefinedContributionPlanRestrictedStockOptionAwardsFullYearsOfContinuousEmploymentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Restricted stock option awards full years of continuous employment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409409 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Performance shares award activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockBasedCompensationAndDefinedContributionPlanPerformanceSharesAwardActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Performance shares award activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409410 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Performance share awards assumptions used to estimate the fair value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockBasedCompensationAndDefinedContributionPlanPerformanceShareAwardsAssumptionsUsedToEstimateFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Performance share awards assumptions used to estimate the fair value (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409411 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Stock-based compensation award expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockBasedCompensationAndDefinedContributionPlanStockBasedCompensationAwardExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Stock-based compensation award expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409412 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Cost recognized for the Company's defined contribution plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockBasedCompensationAndDefinedContributionPlanCostRecognizedForCompanysDefinedContributionPlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity, stock-based compensation and defined contribution plan - Cost recognized for the Company's defined contribution plan (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Net income (loss) per common share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/NetIncomeLossPerCommonShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Net income (loss) per common share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/NetIncomeLossPerCommonShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Derivatives - Derivatives narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/DerivativesDerivativesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives - Derivatives narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411403 - Disclosure - Derivatives - Commodity derivative contracts terminated (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/DerivativesCommodityDerivativeContractsTerminatedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives - Commodity derivative contracts terminated (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>84</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411404 - Disclosure - Derivatives - Derivative positions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/DerivativesDerivativePositionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives - Derivative positions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>85</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements - Fair value hierarchy (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurements - Fair value hierarchy (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>86</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412403 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurements - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>87</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412404 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements - Actual cash payments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsActualCashPaymentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurements - Actual cash payments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>88</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412405 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements - Roll forward (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsRollForwardDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurements - Roll forward (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>89</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412406 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements - Fair value of debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFairValueOfDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurements - Fair value of debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>90</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414402 - Disclosure - Income taxes - Income tax expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeTaxExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes - Income tax expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>91</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414403 - Disclosure - Income taxes - Additional information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/IncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes - Additional information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>92</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414404 - Disclosure - Income taxes - Schedule of refund of AMT carryforward (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/IncomeTaxesScheduleOfRefundOfAmtCarryforwardDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes - Schedule of refund of AMT carryforward (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>93</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414405 - Disclosure - Income taxes - Income tax reconciliation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeTaxReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes - Income tax reconciliation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>94</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R95.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414406 - Disclosure - Income taxes - Net deferred tax liability (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/IncomeTaxesNetDeferredTaxLiabilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes - Net deferred tax liability (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>95</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R96.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414407 - Disclosure - Income taxes - Operating losses (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/IncomeTaxesOperatingLossesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes - Operating losses (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>96</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R97.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415401 - Disclosure - Credit risk (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/CreditRiskDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Credit risk (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/CreditRisk</ParentRole>
      <Position>97</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R98.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies - Lease commitments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesLeaseCommitmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies - Lease commitments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>98</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R99.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416403 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies - Litigation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesLitigationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies - Litigation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>99</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R100.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416404 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies - Drilling contracts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDrillingContractsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies - Drilling contracts (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>100</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R101.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416405 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies - Firm sale and transportation commitments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesFirmSaleAndTransportationCommitmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies - Firm sale and transportation commitments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>101</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R102.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416406 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies - Sand purchase and supply agreement (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesSandPurchaseAndSupplyAgreementDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies - Sand purchase and supply agreement (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>102</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R103.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416407 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies - Environmental (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesEnvironmentalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies - Environmental (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>103</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R104.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417402 - Disclosure - Related parties (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/RelatedPartiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related parties (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/RelatedPartiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>104</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R105.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419402 - Disclosure - Subsidiary guarantors - Balance sheet (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantorsBalanceSheetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsidiary guarantors - Balance sheet (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>105</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R106.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419403 - Disclosure - Subsidiary guarantors - Statement of operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantorsStatementOfOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsidiary guarantors - Statement of operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>106</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R107.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419404 - Disclosure - Subsidiary guarantors - Cash flows (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantorsCashFlowsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsidiary guarantors - Cash flows (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>107</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R108.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420402 - Disclosure - Subsequent events - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SubsequentEventsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent events - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>108</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R109.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420403 - Disclosure - Subsequent events - Derivatives (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SubsequentEventsDerivativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent events - Derivatives (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>109</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R110.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421402 - Disclosure - Supplemental oil, NGL and natural gas disclosures (unaudited) - Costs incurred in oil and natural gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalOilNglAndNaturalGasDisclosuresUnauditedCostsIncurredInOilAndNaturalGasPropertyAcquisitionExplorationAndDevelopmentActivitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental oil, NGL and natural gas disclosures (unaudited) - Costs incurred in oil and natural gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalOilNglAndNaturalGasDisclosuresUnauditedTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>110</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R111.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421403 - Disclosure - Supplemental oil, NGL and natural gas disclosures (unaudited) - Aggregate capitalized oil, NGL and natural gas costs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalOilNglAndNaturalGasDisclosuresUnauditedAggregateCapitalizedOilNglAndNaturalGasCostsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental oil, NGL and natural gas disclosures (unaudited) - Aggregate capitalized oil, NGL and natural gas costs (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalOilNglAndNaturalGasDisclosuresUnauditedTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>111</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R112.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421404 - Disclosure - Supplemental oil, NGL and natural gas disclosures (unaudited) - Results of operations of oil, NGL and natural gas producing activities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalOilNglAndNaturalGasDisclosuresUnauditedResultsOfOperationsOfOilNglAndNaturalGasProducingActivitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental oil, NGL and natural gas disclosures (unaudited) - Results of operations of oil, NGL and natural gas producing activities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalOilNglAndNaturalGasDisclosuresUnauditedTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>112</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R113.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421405 - Disclosure - Supplemental oil, NGL and natural gas disclosures (unaudited) - Net proved oil, NGL and natural gas reserves - (unaudited) - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalOilNglAndNaturalGasDisclosuresUnauditedNetProvedOilNglAndNaturalGasReservesUnauditedNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental oil, NGL and natural gas disclosures (unaudited) - Net proved oil, NGL and natural gas reserves - (unaudited) - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalOilNglAndNaturalGasDisclosuresUnauditedTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>113</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R114.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421406 - Disclosure - Supplemental oil, NGL and natural gas disclosures (unaudited) - Net proved oil, NGL and natural gas reserves - (unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalOilNglAndNaturalGasDisclosuresUnauditedNetProvedOilNglAndNaturalGasReservesUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental oil, NGL and natural gas disclosures (unaudited) - Net proved oil, NGL and natural gas reserves - (unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalOilNglAndNaturalGasDisclosuresUnauditedTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>114</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R115.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421407 - Disclosure - Supplemental oil, NGL and natural gas disclosures (unaudited) - Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalOilNglAndNaturalGasDisclosuresUnauditedStandardizedMeasureOfDiscountedFutureNetCashFlowsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental oil, NGL and natural gas disclosures (unaudited) - Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalOilNglAndNaturalGasDisclosuresUnauditedTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>115</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R116.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421408 - Disclosure - Supplemental oil, NGL and natural gas disclosures (unaudited) - Changes in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalOilNglAndNaturalGasDisclosuresUnauditedChangesInStandardizedMeasureOfDiscountedFutureNetCashFlowsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental oil, NGL and natural gas disclosures (unaudited) - Changes in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalOilNglAndNaturalGasDisclosuresUnauditedTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>116</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2018form10-k.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R117.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422402 - Disclosure - Supplemental quarterly financial data (unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental quarterly financial data (unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.laredopetro.com/role/SupplementalQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>117</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-K" original="a2018form10-k.htm">a2018form10-k.htm</File>
    <File>a201810-kex211.htm</File>
    <File>a201810-kex231.htm</File>
    <File>a201810-kex232.htm</File>
    <File>a201810-kex311.htm</File>
    <File>a201810-kex312.htm</File>
    <File>a201810-kex321.htm</File>
    <File>a201810-kex991.htm</File>
    <File>lpi-20181231.xsd</File>
    <File>lpi-20181231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>lpi-20181231_def.xml</File>
    <File>lpi-20181231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>lpi-20181231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
