CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock	Capital In Excess of Par Value	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Total Layne Christensen Company Equity	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning balance at Jan. 31, 2012	$ 451,881	$ 197	$ 351,057	$ 103,634	$ (6,223)	$ 448,665	$ 3,216
Beginning balance (in shares) at Jan. 31, 2012		19,699,272
Net (loss) income	(11,210)			(11,799)		(11,799)	589
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,418)				(1,418)	(1,418)
Issuance of nonvested shares (in shares)		110,958
Issuance of nonvested shares		1	(1)
Issuance of stock upon exercise of options (in shares)		15,838
Issuance of stock upon exercise of options	269		269			269
Income tax benefit on exercise of options	(228)		(228)			(228)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	(2,743)		(2,656)			(2,656)	(87)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(1,247)						(1,247)
Share-based compensation	3,093		3,093			3,093
Ending balance at Oct. 31, 2012	438,397	198	351,534	91,835	(7,641)	435,926	2,471
Ending balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2012		19,826,068
Beginning balance at Jan. 31, 2013	415,071	198	352,048	66,983	(6,492)	412,737	2,334
Beginning balance (in shares) at Jan. 31, 2013		19,818,376
Net (loss) income	(113,794)			(114,371)		(114,371)	577
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,075				1,075	1,075
Issuance of nonvested shares (in shares)		107,646
Issuance of nonvested shares		1	(1)
Treasury stock purchased and subsequently cancelled (in shares)		(2,634)
Treasury stock purchased and subsequently cancelled	(52)		(52)			(52)
Issuance of stock upon exercise of options (in shares)	72,611	72,613
Issuance of stock upon exercise of options	1,105		1,105			1,105
Cancellation of stock options issued		(8,099)
Forfeiture of nonvested shares	(22,808)	(22,809)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(1,683)						(1,683)
Share-based compensation	2,535		2,535			2,535
Ending balance at Oct. 31, 2013	$ 304,257	$ 199	$ 355,635	$ (47,388)	$ (5,417)	$ 303,029	$ 1,228
Ending balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2013		19,965,093