<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.0.8</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>73</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>209</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>32</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>9</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0010 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/BalanceSheet</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0015 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/BalanceSheetParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0020 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/StatementOfIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0030 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/StatementOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0040 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/CashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1010 - Disclosure - ORGANIZATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureOrganization</Role>
      <ShortName>ORGANIZATION</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1020 - Disclosure - STOCK BASED COMPENSATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK BASED COMPENSATION</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1030 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1040 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1050 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM LIABILITIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureLongTermLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM LIABILITIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1060 - Disclosure - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureAssetRetirementObligation</Role>
      <ShortName>ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1070 - Disclosure - CONTINGENCIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>CONTINGENCIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1080 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1090 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1100 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1110 - Disclosure - INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureInterestAndOtherIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1120 - Disclosure - RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureRecentlyIssuedAccountingStandards</Role>
      <ShortName>RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3020 - Disclosure - STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3040 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3050 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureLongTermLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3060 - Disclosure - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureAssetRetirementObligationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3080 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3090 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4020 - Disclosure - STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4030 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4040 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4050 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureLongTermLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4060 - Disclosure - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureAssetRetirementObligationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4070 - Disclosure - CONTINGENCIES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CONTINGENCIES (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4080 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4081 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 2)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4090 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4091 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 2)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4092 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 3)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails3</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 3)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4110 - Disclosure - INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureInterestAndOtherIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element wres_DebtInstrumentConversionPercentageOfPrincipalAmount had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '4020 - Disclosure - STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '4050 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '4060 - Disclosure - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '4070 - Disclosure - CONTINGENCIES (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 0010 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Sep. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 0015 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 0020 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 0030 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 0040 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>wres-20130930.xml</File>
    <File>wres-20130930.xsd</File>
    <File>wres-20130930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>wres-20130930_def.xml</File>
    <File>wres-20130930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>wres-20130930_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
