Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	May 04, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Central Index Key	0001528129
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-35380
Entity Registrant Name	Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	45-3007926
Entity Address, Address Line One	15 W. Sixth Street
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 900
Entity Address, City or Town	Tulsa
Entity Address, State or Province	OK
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	74119
City Area Code	918
Local Phone Number	513-4570
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, $0.01 par value per share
Trading Symbol	LPI
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		239,398,217