Equity - Allocation of Net Income to Common Stockholders and EPS Computations (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Numerator:
Basic net (loss) income attributable to Parsley Energy, Inc. Stockholders	$ (2,706)	$ 909	$ (43,437)	$ (35,244)
Denominator:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	173,241	109,218	156,018	106,212
Basic EPS attributable to Parsley Energy, Inc. Stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.01	$ (0.28)	$ (0.33)
Numerator:
Net (loss) income attributable to Parsley Energy, Inc. Stockholders	$ (2,706)	$ 909	$ (43,437)	$ (35,244)
Diluted net loss attributable to Parsley Energy, Inc. Stockholders	$ (2,706)	$ 909	$ (43,437)	$ (35,244)
Denominator:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	173,241	109,218	156,018	106,212
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units	0	374	0	0
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	173,241	109,592	156,018	106,212
Diluted EPS attributable to Parsley Energy, Inc. Stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.01	$ (0.28)	$ (0.33)