Acquisitions - Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Revenues, Net Income (Loss), and Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Diberil (Detail) (Diberil Sociedad Anonima [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012
Diberil Sociedad Anonima [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 281,281	$ 871,222
Net income (loss) attributable to Layne Christensen Company	$ 8,476	$ (8,303)
Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Layne Christensen Company	$ 0.43	$ (0.43)
Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Layne Christensen Company	$ 0.43	$ (0.42)