Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Operating income:
Royalty income	$ 32,444	$ 70,442	$ 109,273	$ 130,870
Lease bonus income	23	1,749	1,645	2,909
Other operating income	202	3	443	5
Total operating income	32,669	72,194	111,361	133,784
Costs and expenses:
Production and ad valorem taxes	3,110	4,389	9,257	8,081
Depletion	22,782	16,512	47,424	32,711
General and administrative expenses	1,683	1,723	4,349	3,418
Total costs and expenses	27,575	22,624	61,030	44,210
Income from operations	5,094	49,570	50,331	89,574
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(7,669)	(2,713)	(16,632)	(7,262)
Loss on derivative instruments, net	(34,443)	0	(42,385)	0
Gain (loss) on revaluation of investment	3,443	50	(6,677)	3,642
Other income, net	519	547	923	1,203
Total other expense, net	(38,150)	(2,116)	(64,771)	(2,417)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(33,056)	47,454	(14,440)	87,157
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	0	180	142,466	(34,428)
Net (loss) income	(33,056)	47,274	(156,906)	121,585
Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest	(11,304)	45,009	7,015	85,541
Net (loss) income attributable to Viper Energy Partners LP	$ (21,752)	$ 2,265	$ (163,921)	$ 36,044
Net (loss) income attributable to common limited partner units:
Basic (dollars per unit)	$ (0.32)	$ 0.04	$ (2.42)	$ 0.61
Diluted (dollars per unit)	$ (0.32)	$ 0.04	$ (2.42)	$ 0.61
Weighted average number of common limited partner units outstanding:
Basic (in units)	67,831	62,628	67,827	59,058
Diluted (in units)	67,831	62,664	67,827	59,094
Revenue, Product and Service [Extensible List]			us-gaap:RoyaltyMember