Summary of Quarterly Financial Results (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 522,451	$ 510,151	$ 498,541	$ 427,671	$ 454,880	$ 511,022	$ 467,788	$ 392,741	$ 1,958,814	$ 1,826,431	$ 967,044
Operating income	86,845	153,041	180,837	116,547	22,171	220,992	215,505	169,207	537,270	627,875	252,469
Income tax expense	(1,649)	(34,953)	(32,625)	7,790	(16,453)	(32,454)	(33,243)	(23,325)	(61,437)	(105,475)	(5,708)
Net income	(36,173)	139,600	134,994	(28,003)	65,399	134,149	140,958	105,463	210,418	445,969	123,920
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	196	19,890	19,059	(3,939)	11,626	20,840	21,803	22,573	35,206	76,842	17,146
Net income attributable to Parsley Energy, Inc. stockholders	$ (36,369)	$ 119,710	$ 115,935	$ (24,064)	$ 53,773	$ 113,309	$ 119,155	$ 82,890	$ 175,212	$ 369,127	$ 106,774
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.13)	$ 0.43	$ 0.41	$ (0.09)	$ 0.19	$ 0.41	$ 0.44	$ 0.32	$ 0.63	$ 1.36	$ 0.44
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.13)	$ 0.43	$ 0.41	$ (0.09)	$ 0.19	$ 0.41	$ 0.44	$ 0.32	$ 0.63	$ 1.35	$ 0.42