CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenues
Realized (loss) on derivative instruments, net	$ (1,371)	$ (4,095)
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments	(2,777)	5,330
Other income	84	198
Total Revenues	104,824	118,100
Costs and Expenses
Lease operating expense	33,461	34,996
Field service expense	15,446	14,475
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion on discounted liabilities	36,156	37,729
General and administrative expense	15,639	13,550
Total Costs and Expenses	100,702	100,750
Gain on Sale and Exchange of Assets	4,574	3,662
Income from Operations	8,696	21,012
Other Income and Expenses
Less: Interest expense	3,635	3,413
Add: Interest income	19	44
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes	5,080	17,643
Provision for Income Taxes	1,421	2,978
Net Income	3,659	14,665
Less: Net Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interest	183	136
Net Income Attributable to PrimeEnergy	$ 3,476	$ 14,529
Basic Income Per Common Share	$ 1.72	$ 6.96
Diluted Income Per Common Share	$ 1.25	$ 5.11
Oil sales [Member]
Revenues
Oil, gas and service income	$ 68,366	$ 71,766
Natural gas sales [Member]
Revenues
Oil, gas and service income	6,539	8,590
Natural gas liquids sales [Member]
Revenues
Oil, gas and service income	9,110	12,859
Oil and gas service [Member]
Costs and Expenses
Field service expense	19,214	17,732
Administrative Service [Member]
Revenues
Oil, gas and service income	$ 5,659	$ 5,720