Revenue from Contracts with Customers - ASC Topic 606 (Details) - USD ($) $ 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
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
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
Minimum
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Oil and gas delivery commitments and contracts, term									30 days
Maximum
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Oil and gas delivery commitments and contracts, term									90 days
Oil sales
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues									$ 1,757,315	1,536,244	802,230
Natural gas sales
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues									36,774	51,231	56,571
NGLs (MBbls) | Plant Inlet
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues									8,700	13,600
Natural gas liquids sales
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues									155,888	227,272	$ 103,193
Natural gas liquids sales | Plant Inlet
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues									$ 30,300	$ 59,500