CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid in capital	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total Stockholders' Equity – PrimeEnergy [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 102,439	$ 383	$ 8,729	$ 138,320	$ (52,123)	$ 95,309	$ 7,130
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2017		3,836,397
Repurchase shares of common stock	(7,956)				(7,956)	(7,956)
Retirement of 1,026,397 shares of common stock		$ (102)	(1,468)	(27,205)	28,775
Retirement of 1,026,397 shares of common stock, shares		(1,026,397)
Net income (loss)	14,665			14,529		14,529	136
Purchase of Non- controlling Interest	(65)		127			127	(192)
Distributions to non-controlling interest	(3,080)						(3,080)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 106,003	$ 281	7,388	125,644	(31,304)	102,009	3,994
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2018	2,810,000	2,810,000
Repurchase shares of common stock	$ (5,488)				(5,488)	(5,488)
Net income (loss)	3,659			3,476		3,476	183
Purchase of Non- controlling Interest	(499)		117			117	(616)
Distributions to non-controlling interest	(312)						(312)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 103,363	$ 281	$ 7,505	$ 129,120	$ (36,792)	$ 100,114	$ 3,249
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2019	2,810,000	2,810,000