<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.3.0.814</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>111</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>242</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>47</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>9</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00090 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00100 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00105 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00200 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00300 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00400 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10101 - Disclosure - ORGANIZATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureOrganization</Role>
      <ShortName>ORGANIZATION</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10201 - Disclosure - STOCK BASED COMPENSATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK BASED COMPENSATION</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10301 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10401 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10501 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM LIABILITIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureLongTermLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM LIABILITIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10601 - Disclosure - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureAssetRetirementObligation</Role>
      <ShortName>ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10701 - Disclosure - CONTINGENCIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>CONTINGENCIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10801 - 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>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10901 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11001 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11101 - Disclosure - RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureRecentlyIssuedAccountingStandards</Role>
      <ShortName>RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11201 - Disclosure - ACQUISITIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>ACQUISITIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11301 - Disclosure - CAPITALIZED INTEREST</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureCapitalizedInterest</Role>
      <ShortName>CAPITALIZED INTEREST</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11401 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30203 - Disclosure - STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30403 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30503 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureLongTermLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureLongTermLiabilities</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30603 - Disclosure - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureAssetRetirementObligationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureAssetRetirementObligation</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30803 - 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>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30903 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31203 - Disclosure - ACQUISITIONS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>ACQUISITIONS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitions</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40201 - Disclosure - STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40301 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40401 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40501 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureLongTermLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureLongTermLiabilitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40601 - Disclosure - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureAssetRetirementObligationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureAssetRetirementObligationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40801 - 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>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40802 - 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>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40901 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40902 - 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>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40903 - 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>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41201 - Disclosure - ACQUISITIONS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>ACQUISITIONS (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41301 - Disclosure - CAPTILIZED INTEREST (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureCaptilizedInterestDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CAPTILIZED INTEREST (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wres-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41401 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.warrenresources.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEvents</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </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">In ''CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS'', column(s) 3, 4 are contained in other reports, so were removed by flow through suppression.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Columns in cash flow ''CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS'' have maximum duration 9 months and at least 25 values. Shorter duration columns must have at least one fourth (6) as many values. Column '[2015-07-01 3m 2015-09-30]' is shorter (3 months) and has only 3 values, so it is being removed.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Columns in cash flow ''CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS'' have maximum duration 9 months and at least 25 values. Shorter duration columns must have at least one fourth (6) as many values. Column '[2014-07-01 3m 2014-09-30]' is shorter (3 months) and has only 3 values, so it is being removed.</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>wres-20150930.xml</File>
    <File>wres-20150930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>wres-20150930_def.xml</File>
    <File>wres-20150930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>wres-20150930_pre.xml</File>
    <File>wres-20150930.xsd</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>

