Vital Energy (VTLE) 10-Q 6 Nov 18 2018 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Nov. 01, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1,528,129
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		233,882,020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false

Consolidated balance sheets

Consolidated balance sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 50,407	$ 112,159
Accounts receivable, net	117,581	100,645
Derivatives	3,074	6,892
Other current assets	18,465	15,686
Total current assets	189,527	235,382
Oil and natural gas properties, full cost method:
Evaluated properties	6,589,327	6,070,940
Unevaluated properties not being depleted	147,690	175,865
Less accumulated depletion and impairment	(4,798,527)	(4,657,466)
Oil and natural gas properties, net	1,938,490	1,589,339
Midstream service assets, net	132,415	138,325
Other fixed assets, net	42,264	40,721
Property and equipment, net	2,113,169	1,768,385
Derivatives	0	3,413
Other noncurrent assets, net	17,078	16,109
Total assets	2,319,774	2,023,289
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	86,637	58,341
Accrued capital expenditures	38,188	82,721
Undistributed revenue and royalties	53,239	37,852
Derivatives	44,060	22,950
Other current liabilities	37,145	75,555
Total current liabilities	259,269	277,419
Long-term debt, net	963,191	791,855
Derivatives	20,945	384
Asset retirement obligations	55,684	53,962
Other noncurrent liabilities	5,573	134,090
Total liabilities	1,304,662	1,257,710
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized and zero issued as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 450,000,000 shares authorized and 233,957,811 and 242,521,143 issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively	2,340	2,425
Additional paid-in capital	2,365,740	2,432,262
Accumulated deficit	(1,352,968)	(1,669,108)
Total stockholders' equity	1,015,112	765,579
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 2,319,774	$ 2,023,289

Consolidated balance sheets (Pa

Consolidated balance sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock authorized (in shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock authorized (in shares)	450,000,000	450,000,000
Common stock issued (in shares)	233,957,811	242,521,143
Common stock outstanding (in shares)	233,957,811	242,521,143

Consolidated statements of oper

Consolidated statements of operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 279,746	$ 205,818	$ 890,488	$ 581,825
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses	23,873	19,594	68,466	56,690
Production and ad valorem taxes	14,015	9,558	38,232	26,811
General and administrative	23,397	25,000	74,956	72,605
Depletion, depreciation and amortization	55,963	41,212	152,278	113,327
Other operating expenses	1,114	1,443	3,341	3,906
Total costs and expenses	175,336	145,366	598,119	417,986
Operating income	104,410	60,452	292,369	163,839
Non-operating income (expense):
Gain (loss) on derivatives, net	(32,245)	(27,441)	(69,211)	38,127
Income from equity method investee (see Note 3.c)	0	2,371	0	7,910
Interest expense	(14,845)	(23,697)	(42,787)	(69,590)
Other (expense) income	(267)	333	629	527
Loss on disposal of assets, net	(616)	(991)	(4,591)	(400)
Non-operating expense, net	(47,973)	(49,425)	(115,960)	(23,426)
Income before income taxes	56,437	11,027	176,409	140,413
Income tax benefit (expense):
Current	381	0	381	0
Deferred	(1,768)	0	(1,768)	0
Total income tax expense:	(1,387)	0	(1,387)	0
Net income	$ 55,050	$ 11,027	$ 175,022	$ 140,413
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ 0.05	$ 0.75	$ 0.59
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ 0.05	$ 0.75	$ 0.57
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	230,605	239,306	233,228	239,017
Diluted (in shares)	231,639	244,887	234,207	244,693
Oil sales
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 160,007	$ 110,194	$ 469,972	$ 313,875
NGL sales
Revenues:
Total revenues	50,814	27,700	115,979	68,329
Natural gas sales
Revenues:
Total revenues	15,043	19,664	45,908	55,927
Transportation and marketing expenses
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods and services sold	5,036	0	6,570	0
Midstream service revenues
Revenues:
Total revenues	2,255	2,446	6,590	8,148
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods and services sold	728	1,174	1,824	2,986
Sales of purchased oil
Revenues:
Total revenues	51,627	45,814	252,039	135,546
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods and services sold	$ 51,210	$ 47,385	$ 252,452	$ 141,661

Consolidated statement of stock

Consolidated statement of stockholders' equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional paid-in capital	Treasury Stock (at cost)	Accumulated deficit
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Adjustment to the beginning balance of accumulated deficit upon adoption of ASC 606 (see Note 4.a) | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09	$ 141,118				$ 141,118
Balance, beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		242,521		0
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2017	765,579	$ 2,425	$ 2,432,262	$ 0	(1,669,108)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Restricted stock awards (in shares)		3,248
Restricted stock awards	0	$ 33	(33)
Restricted stock forfeitures (in shares)		(266)
Restricted stock forfeitures	0	$ (3)	3
Share repurchases (in shares)				11,049
Share repurchases	(97,055)			$ (97,055)
Vested stock exchanged for tax withholding (in shares)				517
Vested stock exchanged for tax withholding	(4,411)			$ (4,411)
Retirement of treasury stock (in shares)		(11,566)		(11,566)
Retirement of treasury stock	0	$ (115)	(101,351)	$ 101,466
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		21
Exercise of stock options	86		86
Stock-based compensation	34,773		34,773
Net income	175,022				175,022
Balance, end of period (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018		233,958		0
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 1,015,112	$ 2,340	$ 2,365,740	$ 0	$ (1,352,968)

Consolidated statements of cash

Consolidated statements of cash flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 175,022	$ 140,413
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income tax expense	1,768	0
Depletion, depreciation and amortization	152,278	113,327
Non-cash stock-based compensation, net	28,748	26,877
Mark-to-market on derivatives:
(Gain) loss on derivatives, net	69,211	(38,127)
Settlements (paid) received for matured derivatives, net	(5,943)	34,791
Settlements received for early terminations of derivatives, net	0	4,234
Change in net present value of derivative deferred premiums	564	199
Premiums paid for derivatives	(14,930)	(13,542)
Amortization of debt issuance costs	2,484	3,132
Income from equity method investee (see Note 3.c)	0	(7,910)
Other, net	9,290	3,445
Increase in accounts receivable	(18,591)	(2,973)
Increase in other current assets	(6,479)	(3,143)
Decrease (increase) in other noncurrent assets	346	(77)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	28,296	11,575
Increase in undistributed revenues and royalties	15,387	6,384
Decrease in other current liabilities	(28,298)	(6,264)
Decrease in other noncurrent liabilities	(625)	(290)
Net cash provided by operating activities	408,528	272,051
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties	(16,340)	0
Capital expenditures:
Oil and natural gas properties	(522,470)	(381,165)
Midstream service assets	(5,764)	(11,680)
Other fixed assets	(5,945)	(3,604)
Investment in equity method investee (see Note 3.c)	0	(24,572)
Proceeds from disposition of equity method investee, net of selling costs (see Note 3.c)	1,655	0
Proceeds from dispositions of capital assets, net of selling costs	12,433	64,128
Net cash used in investing activities	(536,431)	(356,893)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on Senior Secured Credit Facility	190,000	155,000
Payments on Senior Secured Credit Facility	(20,000)	(70,000)
Share repurchases	(97,055)	0
Vested stock exchanged for tax withholding	(4,411)	(7,638)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	86	358
Payments for debt issuance costs	(2,469)	(4,732)
Net cash provided by financing activities	66,151	72,988
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(61,752)	(11,854)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	112,159	32,672
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 50,407	$ 20,818

Organization and basis of prese

Organization and basis of presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization and basis of presentation	Organization and basis of presentation a. Organization Laredo Petroleum, Inc. ("Laredo"), together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Laredo Midstream Services, LLC ("LMS") and Garden City Minerals, LLC ("GCM"), is an independent energy company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties, and midstream and marketing services, primarily in the Permian Basin of West Texas . LMS and GCM (together, the "Guarantors") guarantee all of Laredo's debt instruments. In these notes, the "Company" refers to Laredo, LMS and GCM collectively, unless the context indicates otherwise. All amounts, dollars and percentages presented in these unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes are rounded and, therefore, approximate. b. Basis of presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements were derived from the historical accounting records of the Company and reflect the historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods described herein. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). All material intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in the consolidation of accounts. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have not been audited by the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, except that the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 is derived from audited consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all necessary adjustments to present fairly the Company's financial position as of September 30, 2018 , results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . Certain disclosures have been condensed or omitted from these unaudited consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, these unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2017 Annual Report. Significant accounting policies See Note 2 "Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies" in the 2017 Annual Report for discussion of significant accounting policies. Use of estimates in the preparation of interim unaudited consolidated financial statements The preparation of the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ. For further information regarding the estimates and assumptions, see Note 2.b "Use of estimates in the preparation of consolidated financial statements" in the 2017 Annual Report. Furthermore, see Note 7.c for a discussion of estimates pertaining to the Company's 2018 performance share awards. Reclassifications Certain amounts in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2018 presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on previously reported total assets, total liabilities, net income, stockholders' equity or total operating, investing or financing cash flows.

Recently issued or adopted acco

Recently issued or adopted accounting pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Recently issued or adopted accounting pronouncements	Recently issued or adopted accounting pronouncements The Company considers the applicability and impact of all accounting standard updates ("ASU") issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"). The discussion of the ASUs and a final rule issued by the SEC listed below were determined to be meaningful to the Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements and/or footnotes during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 . a. Revenue recognition On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"), using the modified retrospective approach of adoption. ASC 606 supersedes previous revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition ("ASC 605"), and includes a five-step revenue recognition model to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the new standard requires significantly expanded disclosures related to the nature, timing, amount and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. See Note 4 for further discussion of the ASC 606 adoption impact on the Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements and the Company's revenue recognition policies. b. Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance in ASC 842, Leases ("ASC 842"), which will supersede the current guidance in ASC 840, Leases ("ASC 840"). The core principle of the new guidance is that a lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term for leases currently classified as operating leases. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election, by class of underlying asset, not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. In January 2018, the FASB issued new guidance in ASC 842 to provide an optional transition practical expedient to not evaluate existing or expired land easements that were not previously accounted for as leases under ASC 840. In July 2018, the FASB issued new guidance in ASC 842 to provide entities with an additional (and optional) transition method to adopt the new leases standard. Under this new transition method, an entity initially applies the new leases standard at the adoption date and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Consequently, an entity's reporting for the comparative periods presented in the financial statements in which it adopts the new leases standard will continue to be in accordance with ASC 840. An entity that elects this transition method must provide the required ASC 840 disclosures for all periods that continue to be reported in accordance with ASC 840. The amendments in these ASUs are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The primary effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements will be to record assets and obligations for contracts currently recognized as operating leases with a term greater than 12 months and to evaluate operating leases with a term less than or equal to 12 months for accounting policy election. The Company has a team, including third-party consultants, to implement the standard and is implementing the software that will be used to track and account for lease activity. The Company anticipates that the adoption and implementation of ASC 842 will result in a material increase in assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet but will not result in a material impact to the consolidated statement of operations. The estimate of the dollar value impact of the adoption is on-going. The Company has made certain accounting policy decisions including that it plans to adopt the short-term lease recognition exemption, accounting for certain asset classes at a portfolio level, and establishing a balance sheet recognition capitalization threshold. The transition will utilize the modified retrospective approach to adopting the new standard that will be applied at the beginning of the period adopted (January 1, 2019). The Company will utilize the transition package of expedients to leases that commenced before the effective date. The Company expects for certain lessee asset classes to elect the practical expedient and not separate lease and non-lease components. For these asset classes, the agreements will be accounted for as a single lease component. c. Business combinations In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance in ASC 805, Business Combinations , to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The amendments in this ASU provide a screen to determine when a set of assets and activities is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. If the screen is not met, the amendments in this ASU require that to be considered a business, a set must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that, together, significantly contribute to the ability to create an output. The primary effect of adoption of this ASU is that, depending on the facts and circumstances of each transaction, more transactions could be accounted for as acquisitions of assets. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2018 on a prospective basis, and the adoption did not have an effect on its unaudited consolidated financial statements. See Note 3.a for discussion of the Company's 2018 acquisitions of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties, which were accounted for as asset acquisitions under this ASU. d. Fair value measurements In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement , to modify disclosure requirements. Of the amendments in the ASU, the below items affected the Company's fair value measurement disclosures in Note 9 . Removed disclosure requirements that should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented are: (i) the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, (ii) the policy for timing of transfers between levels and (iii) the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. A modified disclosure requirement that should be applied prospectively is to clarify that the measurement uncertainty disclosure communicates information about the uncertainty in measurement as of the reporting date. A new disclosure requirement that should be applied prospectively is to disclose the range and weighted-average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The Company has elected to early adopt this guidance upon the issuance of the ASU and has modified its disclosures accordingly in this Quarterly Report. e. SEC disclosure update and simplification In August 2018, the SEC issued Final Rule Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification , which amends various SEC disclosure requirements that they have determined to be redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded. The amendments also extend the annual disclosure requirement of presenting the changes in stockholders' equity to interim periods. An analysis of changes in stockholders’ equity will now be required for the current and comparative year-to-date interim periods. The Company has incorporated certain aspects of the final rule in this Quarterly Report and will complete the implementation of the final rule in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Acquisitions and divestitures

Acquisitions and divestitures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Business Combinations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Acquisitions and divestitures	Acquisitions and divestitures a. 2018 Acquisitions of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, through multiple transactions, the Company acquired 895 net acres of additional leasehold interests and working interests in 47 producing horizontal and vertical wells in Glasscock County, Texas for an aggregate purchase price of $16.3 million , net of post-closing adjustments. These acquisitions were accounted for as asset acquisitions. b. 2018 Divestitures of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties and midstream service assets During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, through multiple transactions, the Company completed the sale of 3,070 net acres and working interests in 24 producing vertical and horizontal wells and associated midstream service assets in Glasscock County and Howard County in Texas to third-party buyers for an aggregate sales price of $12.0 million , net of post-closing adjustments. Of this amount, $ 11.5 million, net of post-closing adjustments, was recorded as adjustments to oil and natural gas properties pursuant to the rules governing full cost accounting. A loss of $ 1.0 million from the sale of the associated midstream service assets was included in the line item "Loss on disposal of assets, net" in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations. Effective at the closings, the operations and cash flows of these oil and natural gas properties and midstream service assets were eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company, and the Company has no continuing involvement in the properties. These divestitures did not represent a strategic shift and will not have a major effect on the Company's future operations or financial results. c. 2017 Medallion sale Medallion Gathering & Processing, LLC, a Texas limited liability company formed on October 12, 2012, which, together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, "Medallion"), was established for the purpose of developing midstream solutions and providing midstream infrastructure to bring oil to market from the Midland Basin. Prior to the Medallion Sale (defined below), LMS held 49% of Medallion's ownership units. LMS and the third-party 51% interest-holder agreed that the voting rights of Medallion, the profit and loss sharing and the additional capital contribution requirements would be equal to the ownership unit percentage held. Additionally, Medallion required a super-majority vote of 75% for many key operating and business decisions. The Company determined that Medallion was a variable interest entity ("VIE"). However, LMS was not considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE because LMS did not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly affected Medallion's economic performance. As such, prior to the Medallion Sale, Medallion was accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company's proportionate share of Medallion's net income is reflected in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations on the "Income from equity method investee" line item. On October 30, 2017, LMS, together with Medallion Midstream Holdings, LLC, which is owned and controlled by an affiliate of the third-party interest-holder, The Energy & Minerals Group, completed the sale of 100% of the ownership interests in Medallion to an affiliate of Global Infrastructure Partners ("GIP") for cash consideration of $ 1.825 billion (the "Medallion Sale"). LMS' net cash proceeds for its 49% ownership interest in Medallion in 2017 were $ 829.6 million, before post-closing adjustments and taxes, but after deduction of its proportionate share of fees and other expenses associated with the Medallion Sale. On February 1, 2018, closing adjustments were finalized and LMS received additional net cash of $ 1.7 million for total net cash proceeds before taxes of $ 831.3 million. The proceeds were used to pay borrowings on the Senior Secured Credit Facility in full, to redeem the May 2022 Notes (as defined below) and for working capital purposes. The Medallion Sale closed pursuant to the membership interest purchase and sale agreement, which provides for potential post-closing additional cash consideration that is structured based on GIP's realized profit at exit. There can be no assurance as to when and whether the additional consideration will be paid. The Medallion Sale did not represent a strategic shift and will not have a major effect on the Company's future operations or financial results. LMS has a Transportation Services Agreement (the "TA") with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Medallion under which LMS receives firm transportation of the Company's crude oil production from Reagan County and Glasscock County in Texas to Colorado City, Texas that continues to be in effect after the Medallion Sale. Historically, the Company's crude oil purchasers have fulfilled the commitment by transporting crude oil, purchased from the Company, under the TA, as agent. As a result of the Company's continuing involvement with Medallion by guaranteeing cash flows under the TA, the Company recorded a deferred gain in the amount of its maximum exposure to loss related to such guarantees that would have been amortized over the TA's firm commitment transportation term through 2024 had the Company not adopted new revenue recognition guidance on January 1, 2018. The deferred gain is included in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets in each of the "Other current liabilities" and "Other noncurrent liabilities" line items as of December 31, 2017. See Note 4.a for discussion of the impact to the deferred gain upon the adoption of ASC 606. d. 2017 Divestiture of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties In January 2017, the Company completed the sale of 2,900 net acres and working interests in 16 producing vertical wells in the Midland Basin to a third-party buyer for a purchase price of $59.7 million . After transaction costs reflecting an economic effective date of October 1, 2016, the proceeds were $59.5 million , net of working capital and post-closing adjustments. A significant portion of these proceeds was used to pay down borrowings on the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The purchase price was recorded as an adjustment to oil and natural gas properties pursuant to the rules governing full cost accounting. Effective at closing, the operations and cash flows of these oil and natural gas properties were eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company, and the Company has no continuing involvement in the properties. This divestiture did not represent a strategic shift and will not have a major effect on the Company's future operations or financial results. e. Exchange of unevaluated oil and natural gas properties From time to time, the Company exchanges undeveloped acreage with third parties. The exchanges are recorded at fair value and the difference is accounted for as an adjustment of capitalized costs with no gain or loss recognized pursuant to the rules governing full cost accounting, unless such adjustment would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil, NGL and natural gas.

Revenue recognition

Revenue recognition	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue recognition	Revenue recognition a. Impact of ASC 606 adoption Upon adoption of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company reclassified certain firm transportation payments on excess pipeline capacity and other contractual penalties due to customers, historically included in the "Other operating expenses" line item in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations, and netted them with the revenue stream from which they derive as these payments to customers do not relate to the provision of a distinct good or service to the customer. In addition, there was an impact upon adoption related to the treatment of the gain on the Medallion Sale. The impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on the results of operations for the periods presented is as follows: Three months ended September 30, 2018 Nine months ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) As computed under ASC 605 As reported under ASC 606 Increase/(decrease) As computed under ASC 605 As reported under ASC 606 Increase/(decrease) Revenues: Oil sales $ 160,246 $ 160,007 $ (239 ) $ 472,496 $ 469,972 $ (2,524 ) NGL sales $ 50,814 $ 50,814 $ — $ 115,979 $ 115,979 $ — Natural gas sales $ 15,043 $ 15,043 $ — $ 45,908 $ 45,908 $ — Costs and expenses: Other operating expenses $ 1,353 $ 1,114 $ (239 ) $ 5,865 $ 3,341 $ (2,524 ) Net income $ 55,050 $ 55,050 $ — $ 175,022 $ 175,022 $ — At December 31, 2017, the Medallion Sale was accounted for under the real estate guidance in ASC 360-20, Property, Plant, and Equipment ("ASC 360-20"), and the Company's maximum exposure to loss associated with future commitments under the TA was $141.1 million that was not recorded in the Company's unaudited consolidated balance sheets. Under ASC 360-20, as a result of the Company's continuing involvement with Medallion by guaranteeing cash flows under the TA, the Company recorded a deferred gain in the amount of its maximum exposure to loss related to such guarantees. This deferred gain would have been amortized over the TA's firm commitment transportation term through 2024 had the Company not adopted ASC 606 on January 1, 2018. See Note 3.c for further discussion of the Medallion Sale and the TA. Upon the adoption of ASC 606, the guidance in ASC 360-20 was superseded by ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing ("ASC 860"). The Medallion Sale is within the scope of ASC 860 and qualifies for sale accounting and recognition of the previously deferred gain because as of the date of the Medallion Sale (i) the Company transferred and legally isolated its full interests in Medallion to GIP, (ii) GIP received the right to pledge or exchange Medallion ownership interests at its full discretion and (iii) the Company did not have effective control over Medallion. Therefore, the deferred gain of $141.1 million was recognized as an adjustment to the beginning balance of accumulated deficit, presented in the unaudited consolidated statements of stockholders' equity, in accordance with the modified retrospective approach of adoption. b. Revenue recognition Oil, NGL and natural gas revenues are generally recognized at the point in time that control of the product is transferred to the customer. Midstream service revenues are generated through fees for products and services that need to be delivered by midstream infrastructure, including oil and liquids-rich natural gas gathering services as well as rig fuel, gas lift and water delivery, recycling and takeaway (collectively, "Midstream Services") and are recognized over time as the customer benefits from these services when provided. A more detailed summary of the underlying contracts that give rise to the Company's revenue and method of recognition is included below. Oil sales and sales of purchased oil Under its oil sales contracts, the Company sells produced or purchased oil at the delivery point specified in the contract and collects an agreed-upon index price, net of pricing differentials. The delivery point may be at the wellhead, the inlet of the purchaser's pipeline or nominated pipeline or the Company's truck unloading facility. At the delivery point, the purchaser typically takes custody, title and risk of loss of the product and, therefore, control as defined under ASC 606 typically passes at the delivery point. The Company recognizes revenue at the net price received when control transfers to the purchaser. From time to time, the Company engages in transactions in which it sells oil at the lease and subsequently repurchases the same volume of oil from that customer at a downstream delivery point under a separate agreement ("Repurchase Agreement") for use in the sale to the final customer. The commercial reasoning for such transactions may vary. Where a Repurchase Agreement exists, the Company must evaluate whether the customer obtains control of the oil at the lease and therefore whether it is appropriate to recognize revenue for the lease sale. Where the Company has an obligation or a right to repurchase the oil, the customer does not obtain control of the oil because it is limited in its ability to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from the oil even though it may have physical possession of the oil. If the Company repurchases the oil for less than the original selling price, such a transaction will be classified as a lease. If the Company repurchases the oil for equal to or more than the original selling price, then the transaction represents a financing arrangement unless there is only a short passage of time between the sale and repurchase, in which case any excess amount paid represents an expense associated with the sale of oil to the final customer. The Company recognizes such repurchase expense and any transportation expenses incurred for the delivery of the oil to the final customer in the "Transportation and marketing expenses" line item in the accompanying unaudited consolidated statements of operations. Under certain of its customer contracts, the Company is subject to firm transportation payments on excess pipeline capacity and other contractual penalties if it fails to deliver contractual minimum volumes to its customers. Such amounts are recorded as a reduction to the transaction price as these amounts do not represent payments to the customer for distinct goods or services and instead relate specifically to the failure to perform under the specific customer contract. Such amounts are recorded as a reduction to the transaction price when payment is determined as probable, typically when such a deficiency occurs. NGL and natural gas sales Under its natural gas processing contracts, the Company delivers produced natural gas to a midstream processing entity at the wellhead or the inlet of the processing entity's system. The processing entity processes the natural gas, sells the resulting NGL and residue gas to third parties and pays the Company for the NGL and residue gas with deductions that may include gathering, compression, processing and transportation fees. In these scenarios, the Company evaluates whether it is the principal or the agent in the transaction. For existing contracts, the Company has concluded that it is the agent in the ultimate sale to the third party and the midstream processing entity is the principal and that we have transferred control of unprocessed natural gas to the midstream processing entity; therefore, the Company recognizes revenue based on the net amount of the proceeds received from the midstream processing entity who represents the Company's customer. If for future contracts the Company was to conclude that it was the principal with the ultimate third party being the customer, the Company would recognize revenue for those contracts on a gross basis, with gathering, compression, processing, and transportation fees presented as an expense. Midstream Services Revenue from oil throughput agreements is recognized based on a rate per barrel for volumes transported. Under the Company's oil throughput agreements, a volumetric deduction is taken from customer oil as a pipeline loss allowance. While these amounts represent non-cash consideration under ASC 606, such deductions are immaterial. Revenue from natural gas throughput agreements is recognized based on a rate per MMbtu for volumes transported. Revenue from water delivery, recycling and takeaway is recognized based on the volumes of water for which the services are provided at the applicable contractual rate. Imbalances The Company recognizes revenue for all oil, NGL and natural gas sold to purchasers regardless of whether the sales are proportionate to the Company's ownership interest in the property. Production imbalances are recognized as a liability to the extent an imbalance on a specific property exceeds the Company's share of remaining proved oil, NGL and natural gas reserves. The Company is also subject to natural gas pipeline imbalances, which are recorded as accounts receivable or payable at values consistent with contractual arrangements with the owner of the pipeline. The Company did not have any producer or pipeline imbalance positions as of September 30, 2018 or December 31, 2017. Significant judgments The Company engages in various types of transactions in which unaffiliated midstream entities process the Company's liquids-rich natural gas and, in some scenarios, subsequently market resulting NGL and residue gas to third-party customers on the Company's behalf. These types of transactions require judgment to determine whether the Company is the principal or the agent in the contract and, as a result, whether revenues are recorded gross or net. For existing contracts, the Company has determined that it serves as the agent in the sale of products under certain natural gas processing and marketing agreements with unaffiliated midstream entities in accordance with the control model in ASC 606. As a result, the Company presents revenue on a net basis for amounts expected to be received from third-party customers through the marketing process, with expenses and deductions incurred subsequent to control of the product(s) transferring to the unaffiliated midstream entity being netted against revenue. Transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations A significant number of the Company's product sales are short-term in nature with a contract term of one year or less. For those contracts, the Company has utilized the practical expedient in ASC 606-10-50-14 that exempts the Company from disclosure of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations if the performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less . For the Company's product sales that have a contract term greater than one year and for its Midstream Services, the Company has utilized the practical expedient in ASC 606-10-50-14A that states that it is not required to disclose the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations if the variable consideration is allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation. Under the Company's product sales contracts, each unit of product generally represents a separate performance obligation; therefore, future volumes are wholly unsatisfied. Under the Midstream Services contracts each unit of service represents a separate performance obligation and therefore performance obligations in respect of future services are wholly unsatisfied. Contract balances Under the Company's customer contracts, invoicing occurs once the Company's performance obligations have been satisfied, at which point payment is unconditional. Accordingly, the Company's contracts do not give rise to contract assets or liabilities under ASC 606. Prior-period performance obligations For sales of oil, NGL, natural gas and purchased oil, the Company records revenue in the month production is delivered to the purchaser. However, settlement statements and payment may not be received for 30 to 90 days after the date production is delivered and, as a result, the Company is required to estimate the amount of production that was delivered to the purchaser and the price that will be received for the sale of the product. The Company records the differences between estimates and the actual amounts received for product sales once payment is received from the purchaser. Such differences have historically not been significant. The Company uses knowledge of its properties, its properties' historical performance, spot market prices and other factors as the basis for these estimates. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , revenue recognized related to performance obligations satisfied in prior reporting periods was not material.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and equipment	Property and equipment The following table presents the Company's property and equipment as of the dates presented: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Evaluated oil and natural gas properties $ 6,589,327 $ 6,070,940 Less accumulated depletion and impairment (4,798,527 ) (4,657,466 ) Evaluated oil and natural gas properties, net 1,790,800 1,413,474 Unevaluated oil and natural gas properties not being depleted 147,690 175,865 Midstream service assets 171,740 171,427 Less accumulated depreciation and impairment (39,325 ) (33,102 ) Midstream service assets, net 132,415 138,325 Depreciable other fixed assets 50,420 48,957 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (26,415 ) (23,150 ) Depreciable other fixed assets, net 24,005 25,807 Land 18,259 14,914 Total property and equipment, net $ 2,113,169 $ 1,768,385 For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , depletion expense for the Company's evaluated oil and natural gas properties was $7.94 per barrel of oil equivalent ("BOE") sold and $6.80 per BOE sold, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , depletion expense for the Company's evaluated oil and natural gas properties was $7.67 per BOE sold and $6.57 per BOE sold, respectively. The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for its oil and natural gas properties. Under this method, all acquisition, exploration and development costs, including certain employee-related costs incurred for the purpose of exploring for or developing oil and natural gas properties, are capitalized and depleted on a composite unit-of-production method based on proved oil, NGL and natural gas reserves. Such amounts include the cost of drilling and equipping productive wells, dry hole costs, lease acquisition costs, delay rentals and other costs related to such activities. Costs, including employee-related costs, associated with production and general corporate activities, are expensed in the period incurred. Sales of oil and natural gas properties, whether or not being depleted currently, are accounted for as adjustments of capitalized costs, with no gain or loss recognized, unless such adjustments would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil, NGL and natural gas. The following table presents capitalized employee-related costs for the periods presented: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Capitalized employee-related costs $ 5,837 $ 6,938 $ 19,101 $ 17,911 The Company excludes the costs directly associated with the acquisition and evaluation of unevaluated properties from the depletion calculation until it is determined whether or not proved reserves can be assigned to the properties. The Company capitalizes a portion of its interest costs to its unevaluated properties. Capitalized interest becomes a part of the cost of the unevaluated properties and is subject to depletion when proved reserves can be assigned to the associated properties. All items classified as unevaluated properties are assessed on a quarterly basis for possible impairment. The assessment includes consideration of the following factors, among others: intent to drill, remaining lease term, geological and geophysical evaluations, drilling results and activity, the assignment of evaluated reserves and the economic viability of development if proved reserves are assigned. During any period in which these factors indicate an impairment, the cumulative drilling costs incurred to date for such property and all or a portion of the associated leasehold costs are transferred to the full cost pool and are then subject to depletion. The following table presents costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties, with asset retirement obligations included in evaluated property acquisition costs and development costs, for the periods presented: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Property acquisition costs (see Note 3.a): — Evaluated $ — $ — $ 13,847 $ — Unevaluated — — 2,790 — Exploration costs 7,502 7,136 18,747 28,337 Development costs 139,748 160,359 467,582 397,255 Total costs incurred $ 147,250 $ 167,495 $ 502,966 $ 425,592

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt a. March 2023 Notes On March 18, 2015, the Company completed an offering of $350.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6 1/4% senior unsecured notes due 2023 (the "March 2023 Notes"). The March 2023 Notes will mature on March 15, 2023 and bear an interest rate of 6 1/4% per annum, payable semi-annually, in cash in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing September 15, 2015. The March 2023 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by LMS, GCM and certain of the Company's future restricted subsidiaries, subject to certain automatic customary releases, including the sale, disposition or transfer of all of the capital stock or of all or substantially all of the assets of a subsidiary guarantor to one or more persons that are not the Company or a restricted subsidiary, exercise of legal defeasance or covenant defeasance options or satisfaction and discharge of the applicable indenture, designation of a subsidiary guarantor as a non-guarantor restricted subsidiary or as an unrestricted subsidiary in accordance with the applicable indenture, release from guarantee under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, or liquidation or dissolution (collectively, the "Releases"). The Company may redeem, at its option, all or part of the March 2023 Notes at any time after March 15, 2018, at a price of 104.688% of face value with call premiums declining annually to 100% of face value on March 15, 2021 and thereafter plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of redemption. b. January 2022 Notes On January 23, 2014, the Company completed an offering of $450.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5 5/8% senior unsecured notes due 2022 (the "January 2022 Notes"). The January 2022 Notes will mature on January 15, 2022 and bear an interest rate of 5 5/8% per annum, payable semi-annually, in cash in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing July 15, 2014. The January 2022 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by LMS, GCM and certain of the Company's future restricted subsidiaries, subject to certain Releases. The Company may redeem, at its option, all or part of the January 2022 Notes at any time after January 15, 2018, at a price of 102.813% of face value with call premiums declining annually to 100% of face value on January 15, 2020 and thereafter plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of redemption. c. May 2022 Notes On April 27, 2012, the Company completed an offering of $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7 3/8% senior unsecured notes due 2022 (the "May 2022 Notes"). The May 2022 Notes were due to mature on May 1, 2022 and bore an interest rate of 7 3/8% per annum, payable semi-annually, in cash in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 2012. The May 2022 Notes were fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by LMS, GCM and certain of the Company's future restricted subsidiaries, subject to certain Releases. On November 29, 2017 (the "May 2022 Notes Redemption Date"), utilizing a portion of the proceeds from the Medallion Sale, the entire $500.0 million outstanding principal amount of the May 2022 Notes was redeemed at a redemption price of 103.688% of the principal amount of the May 2022 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the May 2022 Notes Redemption Date. The Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of $23.8 million related to the difference between the redemption price and the net carrying amount of the extinguished May 2022 Notes. d. Senior Secured Credit Facility The Senior Secured Credit Facility matures on April 19, 2023, provided that if either the January 2022 Notes or March 2023 Notes have not been refinanced on or prior to the date (as applicable, the "Early Maturity Date") that is 90 days before their respective stated maturity dates, the Senior Secured Credit Facility will mature on such Early Maturity Date. As of September 30, 2018 , the Senior Secured Credit Facility had a maximum credit amount of $2.0 billion , a borrowing base of $1.3 billion and an aggregate elected commitment of $1.2 billion , with $170.0 million outstanding and was subject to an interest rate of 3.44% . The Senior Secured Credit Facility contains both financial and non-financial covenants, all of which the Company was in compliance with as of September 30, 2018 . Laredo is required to pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the financial institutions' commitment of 0.375% to 0.5% , based on the ratio of outstanding revolving credit to the aggregate elected commitment under the Senior Secured Credit Facility. Additionally, the Senior Secured Credit Facility provides for the issuance of letters of credit, limited to the lesser of total capacity or $80.0 million . No letters of credit were outstanding as of September 30, 2018 or December 31, 2017 . See Note 16 for discussion of items affecting the Senior Secured Credit Facility subsequent to September 30, 2018 . e. Long-term debt, net The following table summarizes the net presentation of the Company's long-term debt and debt issuance costs on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets as of the dates presented: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Long-term debt Debt issuance costs, net Long-term debt, net Long-term debt Debt issuance costs, net Long-term debt, net January 2022 Notes $ 450,000 $ (3,254 ) $ 446,746 $ 450,000 $ (3,987 ) $ 446,013 March 2023 Notes 350,000 (3,555 ) 346,445 350,000 (4,158 ) 345,842 Senior Secured Credit Facility (1) 170,000 — 170,000 — — — Total $ 970,000 $ (6,809 ) $ 963,191 $ 800,000 $ (8,145 ) $ 791,855 ______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Debt issuance costs, net related to our Senior Secured Credit Facility of $7.4 million and $6.0 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, are reported in "Other assets, net" on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets.

Stockholders' equity and stock-

Stockholders' equity and stock-based compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' equity and stock-based compensation	Stockholders' equity and stock-based compensation a. Share repurchase program In February 2018, the Company's board of directors authorized a $ 200 million share repurchase program commencing in February 2018. The repurchase program expires in February 2020. Share repurchases under the share repurchase program may be made through a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions and block trades. The timing and actual number of share repurchases will depend upon several factors, including market conditions, business conditions, the trading price of the Company's common stock and the nature of other investment opportunities available to the Company. During the three months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company repurchased 1,170,190 shares of common stock at a weighted-average price of $8.41 per common share for a total of $9.9 million under this program. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company repurchased 11,048,742 shares of common stock at a weighted-average price of $ 8.78 per common share for a total of $97.1 million under this program. All shares were retired upon repurchase. b. Treasury stock Treasury stock is recorded at cost, which includes incremental direct transaction costs, and is retired upon acquisition as a result from share repurchases under the share repurchase program or from the withholding of shares of stock to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations that arise upon the lapse of restrictions on their stock-based awards at the employees' election. c. Stock-based compensation The Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP") provides for the granting of incentive awards in the form of restricted stock awards, stock option awards, performance share awards, performance unit awards and other awards. The LTIP provides for the issuance of up to 24,350,000 shares of Laredo's common stock. The Company recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation awards expected to vest over the requisite service period as a charge against earnings, net of amounts capitalized. The Company's stock-based compensation awards are accounted for as equity instruments and are included in the "General and administrative" line item in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations. The Company capitalizes a portion of stock-based compensation for employees who are directly involved in the acquisition, exploration or development of oil and natural gas properties into the full cost pool. Capitalized stock-based compensation is included in the "Evaluated properties" line item on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets. Restricted stock awards All service vesting restricted stock awards are treated as issued and outstanding in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements. Per the award agreement terms, if an employee terminates employment prior to the restriction lapse date for reasons other than death or disability, the awarded shares are forfeited and canceled and are no longer considered issued and outstanding. If the employee's termination of employment is by reason of death or disability, all of the holder's restricted stock will automatically vest. Restricted stock awards granted to officers and employees vest in a variety of vesting schedules that mainly include (i) 33% , 33% and 34% per year beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date and (ii) fully on the first anniversary of the grant date. Beginning August 2017, stock awards granted to non-employee directors vest immediately on the grant date. Restricted stock awards granted to non-employee directors prior to August 2017 vested on the first anniversary of the grant date. The following table reflects the restricted stock award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 : (in thousands, except for weighted-average grant-date fair value) Restricted stock awards Weighted-average (per award) Outstanding as of December 31, 2017 3,169 $ 12.81 Granted 3,248 $ 8.42 Forfeited (266 ) $ 10.35 Vested (1) (1,851 ) $ 12.21 Outstanding as of September 30, 2018 4,300 $ 9.90 _____________________________________________________________________________ (1) The total intrinsic value of vested restricted stock awards for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $16.1 million . The Company utilizes the closing stock price on the grant date to determine the fair value of service vesting restricted stock awards. As of September 30, 2018 , unrecognized stock-based compensation related to the restricted stock awards expected to vest was $26.5 million . Such cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.87 years . Stock option awards Stock option awards granted under the LTIP vest and become exercisable in four equal installments on each of the four anniversaries of the grant date. As of September 30, 2018 , the 2,577,205 outstanding stock option awards have a weighted-average exercise price of $ 12.66 and a weighted-average remaining contractual term of 6.37 years . There were de minimis exercises, forfeitures and cancellations of stock option awards during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 . There were no grants of stock option awards during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 . The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock option awards and recognizes the associated expense on a straight-line basis over the four -year requisite service period of the awards. Determining the fair value of equity-based awards requires judgment, including estimating the expected term that stock option awards will be outstanding prior to exercise and the associated expected volatility. As of September 30, 2018 , unrecognized stock-based compensation related to stock option awards expected to vest was $5.0 million . Such cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.67 years . Performance share awards Performance share awards, which the Company has determined are equity awards, are subject to a combination of market, performance and service vesting criteria. For awards with market criteria or portions of awards with market criteria, which include the RTSR Performance Percentage (as defined below), the ATSR Appreciation (as defined below) and the Company's total shareholder return ("TSR"), a Monte Carlo simulation prepared by an independent third party is utilized to determine the grant-date fair value and the associated expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the three -year requisite service period of the awards. For portions of awards with performance criteria, which is the ROACE Percentage (as defined below), the grant-date fair value is equal to the Company's stock price on the grant date, and for each reporting period, the associated expense fluctuates and is trued-up based on an estimated probability of how many shares will be earned at the end of the three -year performance period. Any shares earned under performance share awards are expected to be issued in the first quarter following the completion of the requisite service period based on the achievement of certain market and performance criteria. The following table reflects the performance share award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 : (in thousands, except for weighted-average grant-date fair value) Performance share awards Weighted-average (per award) Outstanding as of December 31, 2017 2,745 $ 17.77 Granted (1) 1,389 $ 9.22 Forfeited (149 ) $ 14.83 Vested (2) (454 ) $ 16.23 Outstanding as of September 30, 2018 3,531 $ 14.55 ______________________________________________________________________________ (1) The amount of stock potentially payable at the end of the performance period for the performance share awards granted on February 16, 2018 will be determined based on three criteria: (i) relative three-year total shareholder return comparing the Company's shareholder return to the shareholder return of the peer group specified in the award agreement ("RTSR Performance Percentage"), (ii) absolute three-year total shareholder return ("ATSR Appreciation") and (iii) three-year return on average capital employed ("ROACE Percentage"). The RTSR Performance Percentage, ATSR Appreciation and ROACE Percentage will be used to identify the "RTSR Factor," the "ATSR Factor" and the "ROACE Factor," respectively, which are used to compute the "Performance Multiple" and ultimately to determine the final number of shares associated with each performance share unit granted at the maturity date (with all partial shares rounded, as appropriate). In computing the Performance Multiple, the RTSR Factor is given a 25% weight, the ATSR Factor a 25% weight and the ROACE Factor a 50% weight. The $ 9.22 per unit grant-date fair value consists of a (i) $ 10.08 per unit grant-date fair value, determined utilizing a Monte Carlo simulation, for the combined (.25) RTSR Factor and (.25) ATSR Factor and (ii) $ 8.36 per unit grant-date fair value for the (.50) ROACE Factor determined based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on February 16, 2018. These awards have a performance period of January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. (2) The performance share awards granted on February 27, 2015 had a performance period of January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017 and, as their performance criteria were not satisfied, resulted in a TSR modifier of 0 % based on the Company finishing in the 36th percentile of its peer group for relative TSR. As such, the units were not converted into the Company's common stock during the first quarter of 2018. As of September 30, 2018 , unrecognized stock-based compensation related to the performance share awards expected to vest was $18.6 million . Such cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.72 years . The assumptions used to estimate the combined fair value for the (.25) RTSR Factor and the (.25) ATSR Factor for the market criteria portion of the performance share awards granted on the date presented are as follows: February 16, 2018 Risk-free interest rate (1) 2.34 % Dividend yield — % Expected volatility (2) 65.49 % Laredo stock closing price on grant date $ 8.36 Combined fair value per performance share award for the (.25) RTSR Factor and the (.25) ATSR Factor (3) $ 10.08 ______________________________________________________________________________ (1) The risk-free interest rate was derived using a term-matched zero-coupon yield derived from the U.S. Treasury constant maturities yield curve on the grant date. (2) The Company utilized its own historical volatility in order to develop the expected volatility. (3) The market criteria portion of the performance share award represents 50% of each of the amount of stock potentially payable, if any, and the grant-date fair value of the award. Stock-based compensation expense The following has been recorded to stock-based compensation expense for the periods presented: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Restricted stock award compensation $ 6,001 $ 5,422 $ 19,332 $ 16,856 Stock option award compensation 970 1,159 3,010 3,600 Performance share award compensation 3,689 4,255 12,431 12,063 Total stock-based compensation, gross 10,660 10,836 34,773 32,519 Less amounts capitalized in oil and natural gas properties (1,927 ) (1,870 ) (6,025 ) (5,642 ) Total stock-based compensation, net $ 8,733 $ 8,966 $ 28,748 $ 26,877

Derivatives

Derivatives	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives	Derivatives Due to the inherent volatility in oil, NGL and natural gas prices, commodity transportation costs and differences in the prices of oil, NGL and natural gas between where the Company produces and where the Company sells such commodities, the Company engages in derivative transactions, such as puts, swaps, collars, basis swaps and, in the past, call spreads to hedge price risk associated with a portion of the Company's anticipated production. By removing a portion of the price volatility associated with future production, the Company expects to mitigate, but not eliminate, the potential effects of variability in cash flows from operations due to fluctuations in commodity prices, commodity transportation costs and differences in commodity prices between where the Company produces and where the Company sells its products . Each put transaction has an established floor price. The Company pays its counterparty a premium, which can be paid at inception or deferred until settlement, to enter into the put transaction. When the settlement price is below the floor price, the counterparty pays the Company an amount equal to the difference between the settlement price and the floor price multiplied by the hedged contract volume. When the settlement price is at or above the floor price in an individual month in the contract period, the put option expires with no settlement for that particular month, except with regard to the deferred premium, if any. Each swap transaction has an established fixed price. When the settlement price is below the fixed price, the counterparty pays the Company an amount equal to the difference between the settlement price and the fixed price multiplied by the hedged contract volume. When the settlement price is above the fixed price, the Company pays its counterparty an amount equal to the difference between the settlement price and the fixed price multiplied by the hedged contract volume. Each collar transaction has an established price floor and ceiling. Depending on the terms, the Company may pay its counterparty a premium, which can be paid at inception or deferred until settlement. When the settlement price is below the price floor established by these collars, the counterparty pays the Company an amount equal to the difference between the settlement price and the price floor multiplied by the hedged contract volume. When the settlement price is above the price ceiling established by these collars, the Company pays its counterparty an amount equal to the difference between the settlement price and the price ceiling multiplied by the hedged contract volume. When the settlement price is between the price floor and price ceiling established by these collars in an individual month in the contract period, the collar expires with no settlement paid by either the Company or the counterparty for that particular month, except with regard to the deferred premium, if any. Each basis swap transaction has an established fixed basis differential corresponding to two floating index prices. Depending on the difference of the two floating index prices in relationship to the fixed basis differential, the Company either receives an amount from its counterparty, or pays an amount to its counterparty, equal to the difference multiplied by the hedged contract volume. Each call spread transaction has an established short call price and long call price. Depending on the terms, the counterparty may pay a premium to the Company to enter into the transaction. When the settlement price is above the short call price and less than or equal to the long call price, the Company pays its counterparty an amount equal to the difference between the settlement price and the short call price multiplied by the hedged contract volume. When the settlement price is above the long call price, the Company pays the counterparty an amount equal to the difference between the long call price and the short call price multiplied by the hedged contract volume. When the settlement price is at or below the short call price in an individual month in the contract period, the call option expires with no settlement paid by either the Company or the counterparty for that particular month, except with regard to the deferred premium, if any. Other than the oil basis swaps, the Company's oil derivatives are settled based on the month's average daily NYMEX index price for the first nearby month of the West Texas Intermediate Light Sweet Crude Oil Futures Contract. The oil basis swaps are settled based on either (i) the differential between the Argus Americas Crude West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") index prices for WTI Midland-weighted average for the trade month and WTI Cushing-WTI formula basis for the trade month as compared to the basis swaps' fixed differential price or (ii) the differential between the Argus Americas Crude WTI Houston-weighted average price for the trade month and the WTI Midland-weighted average price for the trade month as compared to the basis swaps' fixed differential price. The Company's NGL derivatives are settled based on the month's average daily OPIS index price for Mont Belvieu Purity Ethane, TET and Non-TET Propane, Non-TET Normal Butane, Non-TET Isobutane and Non-TET Natural Gasoline. Other than the natural gas basis swaps, the Company's natural gas derivatives are settled based on the Inside FERC index price for West Texas WAHA for the calculation period. The natural gas basis swaps are settled based on the differential between the Inside FERC index price for West Texas WAHA for the calculation period and the NYMEX Henry Hub index price for the calculation period as compared to the basis swaps' fixed differential price. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company completed a hedge restructuring by early terminating a swap that resulted in a termination amount to the Company of $4.2 million that was settled in full by applying the proceeds to pay the premium on one new collar entered into during the restructuring. The following details the derivative that was terminated: Aggregate volumes (Bbl) Floor price ($/Bbl) Ceiling price ($/Bbl) Contract period Oil swap 1,095,000 $ 52.12 $ 52.12 January 2018 - December 2018 The following table summarizes open positions as of September 30, 2018 , and represents, as of such date, derivatives in place through December 2021 on annual production volumes: Remaining year 2018 Year Year Year Oil: Puts: Hedged volume (Bbl) 1,367,775 8,030,000 366,000 — Weighted-average floor price ($/Bbl) $ 51.93 $ 47.45 $ 45.00 $ — Swaps: Hedged volume (Bbl) — 657,000 695,400 — Weighted-average price ($/Bbl) $ — $ 53.45 $ 52.18 $ — Collars: Hedged volume (Bbl) 1,030,400 — 1,134,600 912,500 Weighted-average floor price ($/Bbl) $ 41.43 $ — $ 45.00 $ 45.00 Weighted-average ceiling price ($/Bbl) $ 60.00 $ — $ 76.13 $ 71.00 Totals: Total volume hedged with floor price (Bbl) 2,398,175 8,687,000 2,196,000 912,500 Weighted-average floor price ($/Bbl) $ 47.42 $ 47.91 $ 47.27 $ 45.00 Total volume hedged with ceiling price (Bbl) 1,030,400 657,000 1,830,000 912,500 Weighted-average ceiling price ($/Bbl) $ 60.00 $ 53.45 $ 67.03 $ 71.00 Basis Swaps: WTI Midland to WTI Cushing: Hedged volume (Bbl) 920,000 552,000 — — Weighted-average price ($/Bbl) $ (0.56 ) $ (4.37 ) $ — $ — WTI Houston to WTI Midland: Hedged volume (Bbl) 920,000 1,810,000 — — Weighted-average price ($/Bbl) $ 7.30 $ 7.30 $ — $ — NGL: Swaps - Purity Ethane: Hedged volume (Bbl) 156,400 — — — Weighted-average price ($/Bbl) $ 11.66 $ — $ — $ — Swaps - Non-TET Propane: Hedged volume (Bbl) 128,800 — — — Weighted-average price ($/Bbl) $ 33.92 $ — $ — $ — Swaps - Non-TET Normal Butane: Hedged volume (Bbl) 46,000 — — — Weighted-average price ($/Bbl) $ 38.22 $ — $ — $ — Swaps - Non-TET Isobutane: Hedged volume (Bbl) 18,400 — — — Weighted-average price ($/Bbl) $ 38.33 $ — $ — $ — Swaps - Non-TET Natural Gasoline: Hedged volume (Bbl) 46,000 — — — Weighted-average price ($/Bbl) $ 57.02 $ — $ — $ — Total NGL volume hedged (Bbl) 395,600 — — — TABLE CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE Remaining year 2018 Year Year Year Natural gas: Puts: Hedged volume (MMBtu) 2,055,000 — — — Weighted-average floor price ($/MMBtu) $ 2.50 $ — $ — $ — Collars: Hedged volume (MMBtu) 3,928,400 — — — Weighted-average floor price ($/MMBtu) $ 2.50 $ — $ — $ — Weighted-average ceiling price ($/MMBtu) $ 3.35 $ — $ — $ — Totals: Total volume hedged with floor price (MMBtu) 5,983,400 — — — Weighted-average floor price ($/MMBtu) $ 2.50 $ — $ — $ — Total volume hedged with ceiling price (MMBtu) 3,928,400 — — — Weighted-average ceiling price ($/MMBtu) $ 3.35 $ — $ — $ — Basis Swaps: Hedged volume (MMBtu) 2,300,000 20,075,000 25,254,000 — Weighted-average price ($/MMBtu) $ (0.62 ) $ (1.05 ) $ (0.76 ) $ — At each period end, the Company nets the fair value of derivatives by counterparty where the right of offset exists and reports this net basis on the "Derivatives" line items on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets as assets and/or liabilities. See Note 9.a for a summary of the fair value of derivatives on a gross basis. The Company's derivatives were not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. Accordingly, the changes in fair value are recognized in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations in the "Gain (loss) on derivatives, net" line item. Gains and losses on derivatives are included in cash flows from operating activities.

Fair value measurements

Fair value measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value measurements	Fair value measurements See Note 10 "Fair value measurements" in the 2017 Annual Report for discussion on the Company's accounting policies for fair value measurements. a. Fair value measurement on a recurring basis The following tables summarize the Company's derivatives' fair value hierarchy by commodity and current and noncurrent assets and liabilities on a gross basis and the net presentation included in the "Derivatives" line items on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets as of the dates presented: (in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total gross fair value Amounts offset Net fair value presented on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets As of September 30, 2018: Assets: Current: Oil derivatives $ — $ 10,390 $ — $ 10,390 $ (10,390 ) $ — NGL derivatives — — — — — — Natural gas derivatives — 13,002 — 13,002 (9,309 ) 3,693 Oil derivative deferred premiums — — — — — — Natural gas derivative deferred premiums — — — — (619 ) (619 ) Noncurrent: Oil derivatives $ — $ 2,056 $ — $ 2,056 $ (2,056 ) $ — NGL derivatives — — — — — — Natural gas derivatives — 474 — 474 (474 ) — Oil derivative deferred premiums — — — — — — Natural gas derivative deferred premiums — — — — — — Liabilities: Current: Oil derivatives $ — $ (41,692 ) $ — $ (41,692 ) $ 10,390 $ (31,302 ) NGL derivatives — (4,807 ) — (4,807 ) — (4,807 ) Natural gas derivatives — 233 — 233 9,309 9,542 Oil derivative deferred premiums — — (17,265 ) (17,265 ) — (17,265 ) Natural gas derivative deferred premiums — — (847 ) (847 ) 619 (228 ) Noncurrent: Oil derivatives $ — $ (17,279 ) $ — $ (17,279 ) $ 2,056 $ (15,223 ) NGL derivatives — — — — — — Natural gas derivatives — (2,468 ) — (2,468 ) 474 (1,994 ) Oil derivative deferred premiums — — (3,728 ) (3,728 ) — (3,728 ) Natural gas derivative deferred premiums — — — — — — Net derivative liability positions $ — $ (40,091 ) $ (21,840 ) $ (61,931 ) $ — $ (61,931 ) (in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total gross fair value Amounts offset Net fair value presented on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets As of December 31, 2017: Assets: Current: Oil derivatives $ — $ 7,427 $ — $ 7,427 $ (3,721 ) $ 3,706 NGL derivatives — — — — — — Natural gas derivatives — 10,546 — 10,546 (4,817 ) 5,729 Oil derivative deferred premiums — — — — (87 ) (87 ) Natural gas derivative deferred premiums — — — — (2,456 ) (2,456 ) Noncurrent: Oil derivatives $ — $ 11,613 $ — $ 11,613 $ (6,087 ) $ 5,526 NGL derivatives — — — — — — Natural gas derivatives — 934 — 934 (934 ) — Oil derivative deferred premiums — — — — (2,113 ) (2,113 ) Natural gas derivative deferred premiums — — — — — — Liabilities: Current: Oil derivatives $ — $ (12,477 ) $ — $ (12,477 ) $ 3,721 $ (8,756 ) NGL derivatives — — — — — — Natural gas derivatives — — — — 4,817 4,817 Oil derivative deferred premiums — — (18,202 ) (18,202 ) 87 (18,115 ) Natural gas derivative deferred premiums — — (3,352 ) (3,352 ) 2,456 (896 ) Noncurrent: Oil derivatives $ — $ (2,389 ) $ — $ (2,389 ) $ 6,087 $ 3,698 NGL derivatives — — — — — — Natural gas derivatives — — — — 934 934 Oil derivative deferred premiums — — (7,129 ) (7,129 ) 2,113 (5,016 ) Natural gas derivative deferred premiums — — — — — — Net derivative asset (liability) positions $ — $ 15,654 $ (28,683 ) $ (13,029 ) $ — $ (13,029 ) Significant Level 2 inputs associated with the calculation of discounted cash flows used in the fair value mark-to-market analysis of derivatives include each derivative contract's corresponding commodity index price(s), appropriate risk-adjusted discount rates and forward price curve models for substantially similar instruments generated from a compilation of data gathered from third parties. The Company's deferred premiums associated with its derivative contracts are categorized as Level 3, as the Company utilizes a net present value calculation to determine the valuation. They are considered to be measured on a recurring basis as the derivative contracts they derive from are measured on a recurring basis. As derivative contracts containing deferred premiums are entered into, the Company discounts the associated deferred premium to its net present value at the contract trade date, using the Senior Secured Credit Facility rate at the trade date and then records the change in net present value to interest expense over the period from the trade date until the final settlement date at the end of the contract. After this initial valuation, the net present value of each deferred premium is not adjusted; therefore, significant increases (decreases) in the Senior Secured Credit Facility rate would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement for each new contract entered into that contained a deferred premium; however, the valuation for the deferred premiums already recorded would remain unaffected. While the Company believes the sources utilized to arrive at the fair value estimates are reliable, different sources or methods could have yielded different fair value estimates. The deferred premiums are included in the "Derivatives" line items on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets, and as of September 30, 2018 , their input rates range from 1.91% to 3.32% with a net fair value weighted-average rate of 2.78% . The following table presents payments required for derivative deferred premiums as of September 30, 2018 for the periods presented: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 Remaining 2018 $ 5,405 2019 15,502 2020 1,295 Total $ 22,202 A summary of the changes in net assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 measurements for the periods presented are as follows: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Balance of Level 3 at beginning of period $ (25,026 ) $ (12,554 ) $ (28,683 ) $ (8,998 ) Change in net present value of derivative deferred premiums (1) (168 ) (88 ) (564 ) (199 ) Total purchases and settlements of derivative deferred premiums: Purchases (2,101 ) (15,996 ) (7,523 ) (22,994 ) Settlements 5,455 1,448 14,930 5,001 Balance of Level 3 at end of period $ (21,840 ) $ (27,190 ) $ (21,840 ) $ (27,190 ) ____________________________________________________________________________ (1) These amounts are included in the "Interest expense" line item in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations. b. Fair value measurement on a nonrecurring basis See Note 10.b "Fair value measurement on a nonrecurring basis" and Note 4.c "2016 acquisitions of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties" in the 2017 Annual Report for the Company's accounting policies and assumptions in estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for acquisitions of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties. See Note 3.a for additional discussion of the Company's acquisitions of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 . Items not accounted for at fair value The carrying amounts reported in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued capital expenditures, undistributed revenue and royalties and other accrued assets and liabilities approximate their fair values. The Company has not elected to account for its debt instruments at fair value. The following table presents the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's debt as of the dates presented: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Long-term Fair value (1) Long-term Fair value (1) January 2022 Notes $ 450,000 $ 448,875 $ 450,000 $ 454,500 March 2023 Notes 350,000 352,730 350,000 364,105 Senior Secured Credit Facility 170,000 170,084 — — Total $ 970,000 $ 971,689 $ 800,000 $ 818,605 ______________________________________________________________________________ (1) The fair values of the debt outstanding on the January 2022 Notes and the March 2023 Notes were determined using the September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 quoted market price (Level 1) for each respective instrument. The fair value of the outstanding debt on the Senior Secured Credit Facility as of September 30, 2018 was estimated utilizing a pricing model for similar instruments (Level 2).

Net income per common share

Net income per common share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income per common share	Net income per common share Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per common share reflects the potential dilution of non-vested restricted stock awards, outstanding stock option awards and non-vested performance share awards. The dilutive effects of these awards were calculated utilizing the treasury stock method. See Note 7.c for additional discussion on these awards. The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding and net income per common share for the periods presented: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands, except for per share data) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Net income (numerator): Net income—basic and diluted $ 55,050 $ 11,027 $ 175,022 $ 140,413 Weighted-average common shares outstanding (denominator): Basic (1) 230,605 239,306 233,228 239,017 Non-vested restricted stock awards (2) 935 650 911 845 Outstanding stock option awards (3) 99 130 68 129 Non-vested performance share awards (4) — 4,801 — 4,702 Diluted 231,639 244,887 234,207 244,693 Net income per common share: Basic $ 0.24 $ 0.05 $ 0.75 $ 0.59 Diluted $ 0.24 $ 0.05 $ 0.75 $ 0.57 _____________________________________________________________________________ (1) Weighted-average common shares outstanding used in the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share was computed taking into account share repurchases that occurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 . See Note 7.a for additional discussion of the Company's share repurchase program. (2) The effect of a significant portion of the non-vested restricted stock awards was excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 . The inclusion of these non-vested restricted stock awards would be anti-dilutive due to the sum of the assumed proceeds exceeding the average stock price during the period. (3) The effect of the outstanding stock option awards, with the exception of those granted in 2016, was excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 . The inclusion of these stock option awards would be anti-dilutive as their exercise prices were greater than the average stock price during the period. (4) The effect of the non-vested performance share awards was excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as the awards were below the respective agreements' payout thresholds. The effect of the non-vested performance share awards granted in 2018 was calculated utilizing the following criteria defined in Note 7.c : (i) the RTSR Performance Percentage, (ii) the ATSR Appreciation and (iii) the ROACE Percentage from the beginning of the performance period to September 30, 2018 for each of the criteria to identify the RTSR Factor, the ATSR Factor and the ROACE Factor, respectively, which were used to compute the Performance Multiple to determine the number of shares for the dilutive effect. The effects of the non-vested performance share awards granted in 2016 and 2017 were calculated utilizing the Company's TSR from the beginning of each performance share awards' respective performance period to September 30, 2018 in comparison to the TSR of the peers specified in each respective performance share awards' agreement.

Commitments and contingencies

Commitments and contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and contingencies	Commitments and contingencies a. Litigation From time to time, the Company is subject to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings for which the Company may not have insurance coverage. While many of these matters involve inherent uncertainty, except with regard to the specific litigation noted below, as of the date hereof, the Company does not currently believe that any such legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity. On May 3, 2017, Shell Trading (US) Company ("Shell") filed an Original Petition and Request for Disclosure in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, alleging that the crude oil purchase agreement entered into between Shell and Laredo effective October 1, 2016 through June 30, 2020 does not accurately reflect the compensation to be paid to Shell under certain circumstances due to a drafting mistake. Shell seeks reformation of one clause of the crude oil purchase agreement on the grounds of alleged mutual mistake or, in the alternative, unilateral mistake, an award of the amounts Shell alleges it should have been or should be paid under the crude oil purchase agreement, court costs and attorneys' fees. The Company does not believe there was a drafting mistake made in the crude oil purchase agreement, which covered the sale to Shell of 19,000 barrels of crude oil per day of the Company's gross production as well as the purchase by the Company of like-quantity crude oil from Shell. On December 11, 2017, Shell filed its First Amended Petition, in which it asserted nine causes of action, including multiple new claims for breach of contract and fraud. Effective May 1, 2018, Shell terminated the crude oil purchase agreement and ceased purchasing the Company's crude oil and selling crude oil to the Company under the terms of such agreement. As a result, the Company filed its Second Amended Answer and Original Counterclaim against Shell on June 15, 2018, in which the Company denies all allegations by Shell and seeks damages in excess of $150.0 million resulting from Shell's breach and wrongful termination of the crude oil purchase agreement. Shell filed a Second Amended Petition on June 1, 2018, in which it asserted a new cause of action against the Company for alleged repudiation of Shell's proposed reformed version of the crude oil purchase agreement, a version never signed or agreed to by the Company. Through April 30, 2018, the date on which Shell wrongfully terminated the crude oil purchase agreement, the Company had accounted for the costs and crude oil price realization as reflected in the terms of the crude oil purchase agreement. The accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets do not include any amounts for damage claims or attorneys' fees sought by Shell. As of September 30, 2018 , the Company had estimated an aggregate amount of $37.4 million that is the subject of Shell's claims, which is generally based on the contractual amount in dispute under the pricing election that is the subject of Shell's claims applied to the barrels of crude oil purchased and sold through the date on which Shell wrongfully terminated the crude oil purchase agreement. As a result of such termination, the Company's estimate of this unrecorded amount is not anticipated to materially increase in the future. This estimate does not include damages sought by Shell pursuant to its latest repudiation claim asserted in its Second Amended Petition or amounts sought by Shell for recovery of attorneys' fees incurred for the prosecution of its claims. The Company is unable to determine a probability of the outcome of this litigation at this time. The Company believes Shell's claims are meritless and the termination by Shell is improper and a breach of the crude oil purchase agreement. The Company therefore intends to vigorously defend itself against Shell's claims and pursue its rights under the terminated crude oil purchase agreement to seek all appropriate damages from Shell. b. Drilling contracts The Company has committed to several drilling contracts with third parties to facilitate the Company's drilling plans. Certain of these contracts are for a term of multiple months and contain early termination clauses that require the Company to potentially pay penalties to the third party should the Company cease drilling efforts. These penalties would negatively impact the Company's financial statements upon early contract termination. There were no penalties incurred for early contract termination for either of the nine months ended September 30, 2018 or 2017 . The future commitment of $22.9 million as of September 30, 2018 is not recorded in the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets. Management does not currently anticipate the early termination of these contracts in 2018. c. Firm sale and transportation commitments The Company has committed to deliver, for sale or transportation, fixed volumes of product under certain contractual arrangements that specify the delivery of a fixed and determinable quantity. If not fulfilled, the Company is subject to firm transportation payments on excess pipeline capacity and other contractual penalties. These commitments are normal and customary for the Company's business. In certain instances, the Company has used spot market purchases to meet its commitments in certain locations or due to favorable pricing. Management anticipates continuing this practice in the future. The Company incurred firm transportation payments on excess pipeline capacity and other contractual penalties of $0.2 million and $0.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, and $2.5 million and $1.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , these firm transportation payments on excess pipeline capacity and other contractual penalties are netted with the respective revenue stream in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , these firm transportation payments on excess pipeline capacity and other penalties are included in the "Other operating expenses" line item in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations. See Note 4.a for additional information regarding the presentation of firm transportation payments on excess pipeline capacity and other contractual penalties. Future commitments of $367.7 million as of September 30, 2018 are not recorded in the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets. For information regarding the TA related to Medallion, see Note 3.c . d. Sand purchase and supply agreement During the second quarter of 2018, the Company entered into a sand purchase and supply agreement, for a term of one year, whereby it has committed to buy a certain volume of in-basin sand, utilized in the Company's completion activities, for a fixed price. As of September 30, 2018 , under the terms of this agreement, the Company is required to purchase a certain percentage of the volume commitment or it would incur a shortfall payment of $5.7 million at the end of the contract period. e. Federal and state regulations Oil and natural gas exploration, production and related operations are subject to extensive federal and state laws, rules and regulations. Failure to comply with these laws, rules and regulations can result in substantial penalties. The regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry increases the cost of doing business and affects profitability. The Company believes that it is in compliance with currently applicable federal and state regulations related to oil and natural gas exploration and production, and that compliance with the current regulations will not have a material adverse impact on the financial position or results of operations of the Company. These rules and regulations are frequently amended or reinterpreted; therefore, the Company is unable to predict the future cost or impact of complying with these regulations. f. Environmental The Company is subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. These laws, among other things, regulate the discharge of materials into the environment and may require the Company to remove or mitigate the environmental effects of the disposal or release of petroleum or chemical substances at various sites. Environmental expenditures are expensed in the period incurred. Liabilities for expenditures of a non-capital nature are recorded when environmental assessment or remediation is probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Such liabilities are generally undiscounted unless the timing of cash payments is fixed and readily determinable. Management believes no materially significant liabilities of this nature existed as of September 30, 2018 or December 31, 2017 .

Supplemental cash flow informat

Supplemental cash flow information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental cash flow information	Supplemental cash flow information The following table presents supplemental cash flow information: Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Non-cash investing activities: (Decrease) increase in accrued capital expenditures $ (44,533 ) $ 39,156 Capitalized stock-based compensation $ 6,025 $ 5,642 Capitalized asset retirement costs $ 719 $ 670 Other supplemental cash flow information: Capitalized interest $ 710 $ 756

Asset retirement obligations

Asset retirement obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]
Asset retirement obligations	Asset retirement obligations See Note 2.m "Asset retirement obligations" in the 2017 Annual Report for discussion on asset retirement obligations. The following table reconciles the Company's asset retirement obligation liability associated with tangible long-lived assets: Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Liability at beginning of period $ 55,506 $ 52,207 Liabilities added due to acquisitions, drilling, midstream service asset construction and other 719 492 Accretion expense 3,341 2,822 Liabilities settled due to plugging and abandonment or sale (2,246 ) (1,228 ) Revision of estimates — 178 Liability at end of period $ 57,320 $ 54,471

Income taxes

Income taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income taxes	Income taxes The Company is subject to federal and state income taxes and the Texas franchise tax. The Company had federal net operating loss carry-forwards totaling $1.8 billion and state of Oklahoma net operating loss carry-forwards totaling $36.3 million as of September 30, 2018 , which begin expiring in 2026 and 2032, respectively. Due to the passing of Public Law No. 115-97, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"), $86.4 million of the federal net operating loss carry-forward will not expire but may be limited in future periods. As of September 30, 2018 , the Company believes it is more likely than not that a portion of the net operating loss carry-forwards are not fully realizable. The Company continues to consider new evidence, both positive and negative, in determining whether, based on the weight of that evidence, a valuation allowance is needed. Such consideration includes projected future cash flows from its oil, NGL and natural gas reserves (including the timing of those cash flows), the reversal of deferred tax liabilities recorded as of September 30, 2018 , the Company's ability to capitalize intangible drilling costs, rather than expensing these costs in order to prevent an operating loss carry-forward from expiring unused and future projections of Oklahoma sourced income. As of September 30, 2018 , a full valuation allowance of $298.8 million has been recorded against the Company's federal and state of Oklahoma net deferred tax assets. As of September 30, 2018 , a Texas deferred tax liability of $1.8 million has been recorded along with the corresponding deferred income tax expense. Additionally, a current tax refund of $0.4 million of Texas franchise tax is expected as a result of differences in estimated versus actual taxable income from the gain on the Medallion Sale and is recorded as a current income tax benefit.

Subsidiary guarantors

Subsidiary guarantors	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Subsidiary guarantors	Subsidiary guarantors The Guarantors have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the January 2022 Notes, the March 2023 Notes and the Senior Secured Credit Facility (and had guaranteed the May 2022 Notes until the May 2022 Notes Redemption Date), subject to the Releases. In accordance with practices accepted by the SEC, Laredo has prepared condensed consolidating financial statements to quantify the balance sheets, results of operations and cash flows of such subsidiaries as subsidiary guarantors. The following unaudited condensed consolidating (i) balance sheets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , (ii) statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 and (iii) statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 present financial information for Laredo on a stand-alone basis (carrying any investment in subsidiaries under the equity method), financial information for the subsidiary guarantors on a stand-alone basis (carrying any investment in subsidiaries under the equity method), and the consolidation and elimination entries necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a condensed consolidated basis. Income taxes for LMS and for GCM are recorded on Laredo's balance sheets, statements of operations and statements of cash flows as they are disregarded entities for income tax purposes. Laredo and the Guarantors are not restricted from making intercompany distributions to each other. Condensed consolidating balance sheet September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Laredo Subsidiary Intercompany Consolidated Accounts receivable, net $ 103,109 $ 14,472 $ — $ 117,581 Other current assets 70,413 1,533 — 71,946 Oil and natural gas properties, net 1,951,518 9,146 (22,174 ) 1,938,490 Midstream service assets, net — 132,415 — 132,415 Other fixed assets, net 42,071 193 — 42,264 Investment in subsidiaries 130,439 — (130,439 ) — Other noncurrent assets, net 13,113 3,965 — 17,078 Total assets $ 2,310,663 $ 161,724 $ (152,613 ) $ 2,319,774 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 68,037 $ 18,600 $ — $ 86,637 Other current liabilities 162,893 9,739 — 172,632 Long-term debt, net 963,191 — — 963,191 Other noncurrent liabilities 79,256 2,946 — 82,202 Stockholders' equity 1,037,286 130,439 (152,613 ) 1,015,112 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 2,310,663 $ 161,724 $ (152,613 ) $ 2,319,774 Condensed consolidating balance sheet December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Laredo Subsidiary Intercompany Consolidated Accounts receivable, net $ 79,413 $ 21,232 $ — $ 100,645 Other current assets 132,219 2,518 — 134,737 Oil and natural gas properties, net 1,596,834 9,220 (16,715 ) 1,589,339 Midstream service assets, net — 138,325 — 138,325 Other fixed assets, net 40,344 377 — 40,721 Investment in subsidiaries (7,566 ) — 7,566 — Other noncurrent assets, net 15,526 3,996 — 19,522 Total assets $ 1,856,770 $ 175,668 $ (9,149 ) $ 2,023,289 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 34,550 $ 23,791 $ — $ 58,341 Other current liabilities 193,104 25,974 — 219,078 Long-term debt, net 791,855 — — 791,855 Other noncurrent liabilities 54,967 133,469 — 188,436 Stockholders' equity 782,294 (7,566 ) (9,149 ) 765,579 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,856,770 $ 175,668 $ (9,149 ) $ 2,023,289 Condensed consolidating statement of operations For the three months ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Laredo Subsidiary Intercompany Consolidated Total revenues $ 225,970 $ 73,463 $ (19,687 ) $ 279,746 Total costs and expenses 123,942 69,146 (17,752 ) 175,336 Operating income 102,028 4,317 (1,935 ) 104,410 Interest expense (14,845 ) — — (14,845 ) Other non-operating expense (28,811 ) (26 ) (4,291 ) (33,128 ) Income before income taxes 58,372 4,291 (6,226 ) 56,437 Income tax expense (1,387 ) — — (1,387 ) Net income $ 56,985 $ 4,291 $ (6,226 ) $ 55,050 Condensed consolidating statement of operations For the three months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Laredo Subsidiary Intercompany Consolidated Total revenues $ 157,902 $ 63,686 $ (15,770 ) $ 205,818 Total costs and expenses 97,686 62,245 (14,565 ) 145,366 Operating income 60,216 1,441 (1,205 ) 60,452 Interest expense (23,697 ) — — (23,697 ) Other non-operating income (expense) (24,287 ) 2,290 (3,731 ) (25,728 ) Income before income taxes 12,232 3,731 (4,936 ) 11,027 Income tax — — — — Net income $ 12,232 $ 3,731 $ (4,936 ) $ 11,027 Condensed consolidating statement of operations For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Laredo Subsidiary Intercompany Consolidated Total revenues $ 632,419 $ 312,784 $ (54,715 ) $ 890,488 Total costs and expenses 345,232 302,143 (49,256 ) 598,119 Operating income 287,187 10,641 (5,459 ) 292,369 Interest expense (42,787 ) — — (42,787 ) Other non-operating expense (62,532 ) (1,307 ) (9,334 ) (73,173 ) Income before income taxes 181,868 9,334 (14,793 ) 176,409 Income tax expense (1,387 ) — — (1,387 ) Net income $ 180,481 $ 9,334 $ (14,793 ) $ 175,022 Condensed consolidating statement of operations For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Laredo Subsidiary Intercompany Consolidated Total revenues $ 439,269 $ 190,926 $ (48,370 ) $ 581,825 Total costs and expenses 276,855 183,310 (42,179 ) 417,986 Operating income 162,414 7,616 (6,191 ) 163,839 Interest expense (69,590 ) — — (69,590 ) Other non-operating income 53,780 7,622 (15,238 ) 46,164 Income before income taxes 146,604 15,238 (21,429 ) 140,413 Income tax — — — — Net income $ 146,604 $ 15,238 $ (21,429 ) $ 140,413 Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Laredo Subsidiary Intercompany Consolidated Net cash provided by operating activities $ 402,065 $ 15,797 $ (9,334 ) $ 408,528 Change in investment between affiliates 3,115 (12,449 ) 9,334 — Capital expenditures and other (533,083 ) (3,348 ) — (536,431 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 66,151 — — 66,151 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (61,752 ) — — (61,752 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 112,158 1 — 112,159 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 50,406 $ 1 $ — $ 50,407 Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Laredo Subsidiary Intercompany Consolidated Net cash provided by operating activities $ 273,309 $ 13,980 $ (15,238 ) $ 272,051 Change in investment between affiliates (36,890 ) 21,652 15,238 — Capital expenditures and other (321,261 ) (35,632 ) — (356,893 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 72,988 — — 72,988 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (11,854 ) — — (11,854 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 32,671 1 — 32,672 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 20,817 $ 1 $ — $ 20,818

Subsequent events

Subsequent events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent events	Subsequent events On October 15, 2018, the Company borrowed $20.0 million on the Senior Secured Credit Facility. As a result, the outstanding balance under the Senior Secured Credit Facility was $190.0 million as of November 5, 2018. On October 23, 2018, pursuant to the regular semi-annual redetermination, the lenders reaffirmed the borrowing base of $1.3 billion under the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The Company's aggregate elected commitment of $1.2 billion remains unchanged. As of November 5, 2018, the Company had one letter of credit outstanding of $14.7 million under the Senior Secured Credit Facility.

Organization and basis of pre_2

Organization and basis of presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of presentation	Basis of presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements were derived from the historical accounting records of the Company and reflect the historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods described herein. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). All material intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in the consolidation of accounts. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have not been audited by the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, except that the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 is derived from audited consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all necessary adjustments to present fairly the Company's financial position as of September 30, 2018 , results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . Certain disclosures have been condensed or omitted from these unaudited consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, these unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2017 Annual Report. Significant accounting policies See Note 2 "Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies" in the 2017 Annual Report for discussion of significant accounting policies.
Use of estimates in the preparation of interim unaudited consolidated financial statements	Use of estimates in the preparation of interim unaudited consolidated financial statements The preparation of the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ. For further information regarding the estimates and assumptions, see Note 2.b "Use of estimates in the preparation of consolidated financial statements" in the 2017 Annual Report. Furthermore, see Note 7.c for a discussion of estimates pertaining to the Company's 2018 performance share awards.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain amounts in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2018 presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on previously reported total assets, total liabilities, net income, stockholders' equity or total operating, investing or financing cash flows.
Recently issued or adopted accounting pronouncements	Recently issued or adopted accounting pronouncements The Company considers the applicability and impact of all accounting standard updates ("ASU") issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"). The discussion of the ASUs and a final rule issued by the SEC listed below were determined to be meaningful to the Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements and/or footnotes during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 . a. Revenue recognition On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"), using the modified retrospective approach of adoption. ASC 606 supersedes previous revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition ("ASC 605"), and includes a five-step revenue recognition model to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the new standard requires significantly expanded disclosures related to the nature, timing, amount and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. See Note 4 for further discussion of the ASC 606 adoption impact on the Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements and the Company's revenue recognition policies. b. Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance in ASC 842, Leases ("ASC 842"), which will supersede the current guidance in ASC 840, Leases ("ASC 840"). The core principle of the new guidance is that a lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term for leases currently classified as operating leases. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election, by class of underlying asset, not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. In January 2018, the FASB issued new guidance in ASC 842 to provide an optional transition practical expedient to not evaluate existing or expired land easements that were not previously accounted for as leases under ASC 840. In July 2018, the FASB issued new guidance in ASC 842 to provide entities with an additional (and optional) transition method to adopt the new leases standard. Under this new transition method, an entity initially applies the new leases standard at the adoption date and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Consequently, an entity's reporting for the comparative periods presented in the financial statements in which it adopts the new leases standard will continue to be in accordance with ASC 840. An entity that elects this transition method must provide the required ASC 840 disclosures for all periods that continue to be reported in accordance with ASC 840. The amendments in these ASUs are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The primary effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements will be to record assets and obligations for contracts currently recognized as operating leases with a term greater than 12 months and to evaluate operating leases with a term less than or equal to 12 months for accounting policy election. The Company has a team, including third-party consultants, to implement the standard and is implementing the software that will be used to track and account for lease activity. The Company anticipates that the adoption and implementation of ASC 842 will result in a material increase in assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet but will not result in a material impact to the consolidated statement of operations. The estimate of the dollar value impact of the adoption is on-going. The Company has made certain accounting policy decisions including that it plans to adopt the short-term lease recognition exemption, accounting for certain asset classes at a portfolio level, and establishing a balance sheet recognition capitalization threshold. The transition will utilize the modified retrospective approach to adopting the new standard that will be applied at the beginning of the period adopted (January 1, 2019). The Company will utilize the transition package of expedients to leases that commenced before the effective date. The Company expects for certain lessee asset classes to elect the practical expedient and not separate lease and non-lease components. For these asset classes, the agreements will be accounted for as a single lease component. c. Business combinations In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance in ASC 805, Business Combinations , to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The amendments in this ASU provide a screen to determine when a set of assets and activities is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. If the screen is not met, the amendments in this ASU require that to be considered a business, a set must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that, together, significantly contribute to the ability to create an output. The primary effect of adoption of this ASU is that, depending on the facts and circumstances of each transaction, more transactions could be accounted for as acquisitions of assets. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2018 on a prospective basis, and the adoption did not have an effect on its unaudited consolidated financial statements. See Note 3.a for discussion of the Company's 2018 acquisitions of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties, which were accounted for as asset acquisitions under this ASU. d. Fair value measurements In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement , to modify disclosure requirements. Of the amendments in the ASU, the below items affected the Company's fair value measurement disclosures in Note 9 . Removed disclosure requirements that should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented are: (i) the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, (ii) the policy for timing of transfers between levels and (iii) the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. A modified disclosure requirement that should be applied prospectively is to clarify that the measurement uncertainty disclosure communicates information about the uncertainty in measurement as of the reporting date. A new disclosure requirement that should be applied prospectively is to disclose the range and weighted-average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The Company has elected to early adopt this guidance upon the issuance of the ASU and has modified its disclosures accordingly in this Quarterly Report. e. SEC disclosure update and simplification In August 2018, the SEC issued Final Rule Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification , which amends various SEC disclosure requirements that they have determined to be redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded. The amendments also extend the annual disclosure requirement of presenting the changes in stockholders' equity to interim periods. An analysis of changes in stockholders’ equity will now be required for the current and comparative year-to-date interim periods. The Company has incorporated certain aspects of the final rule in this Quarterly Report and will complete the implementation of the final rule in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Revenue recognition	Revenue recognition Oil, NGL and natural gas revenues are generally recognized at the point in time that control of the product is transferred to the customer. Midstream service revenues are generated through fees for products and services that need to be delivered by midstream infrastructure, including oil and liquids-rich natural gas gathering services as well as rig fuel, gas lift and water delivery, recycling and takeaway (collectively, "Midstream Services") and are recognized over time as the customer benefits from these services when provided. A more detailed summary of the underlying contracts that give rise to the Company's revenue and method of recognition is included below. Oil sales and sales of purchased oil Under its oil sales contracts, the Company sells produced or purchased oil at the delivery point specified in the contract and collects an agreed-upon index price, net of pricing differentials. The delivery point may be at the wellhead, the inlet of the purchaser's pipeline or nominated pipeline or the Company's truck unloading facility. At the delivery point, the purchaser typically takes custody, title and risk of loss of the product and, therefore, control as defined under ASC 606 typically passes at the delivery point. The Company recognizes revenue at the net price received when control transfers to the purchaser. From time to time, the Company engages in transactions in which it sells oil at the lease and subsequently repurchases the same volume of oil from that customer at a downstream delivery point under a separate agreement ("Repurchase Agreement") for use in the sale to the final customer. The commercial reasoning for such transactions may vary. Where a Repurchase Agreement exists, the Company must evaluate whether the customer obtains control of the oil at the lease and therefore whether it is appropriate to recognize revenue for the lease sale. Where the Company has an obligation or a right to repurchase the oil, the customer does not obtain control of the oil because it is limited in its ability to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from the oil even though it may have physical possession of the oil. If the Company repurchases the oil for less than the original selling price, such a transaction will be classified as a lease. If the Company repurchases the oil for equal to or more than the original selling price, then the transaction represents a financing arrangement unless there is only a short passage of time between the sale and repurchase, in which case any excess amount paid represents an expense associated with the sale of oil to the final customer. The Company recognizes such repurchase expense and any transportation expenses incurred for the delivery of the oil to the final customer in the "Transportation and marketing expenses" line item in the accompanying unaudited consolidated statements of operations. Under certain of its customer contracts, the Company is subject to firm transportation payments on excess pipeline capacity and other contractual penalties if it fails to deliver contractual minimum volumes to its customers. Such amounts are recorded as a reduction to the transaction price as these amounts do not represent payments to the customer for distinct goods or services and instead relate specifically to the failure to perform under the specific customer contract. Such amounts are recorded as a reduction to the transaction price when payment is determined as probable, typically when such a deficiency occurs. NGL and natural gas sales Under its natural gas processing contracts, the Company delivers produced natural gas to a midstream processing entity at the wellhead or the inlet of the processing entity's system. The processing entity processes the natural gas, sells the resulting NGL and residue gas to third parties and pays the Company for the NGL and residue gas with deductions that may include gathering, compression, processing and transportation fees. In these scenarios, the Company evaluates whether it is the principal or the agent in the transaction. For existing contracts, the Company has concluded that it is the agent in the ultimate sale to the third party and the midstream processing entity is the principal and that we have transferred control of unprocessed natural gas to the midstream processing entity; therefore, the Company recognizes revenue based on the net amount of the proceeds received from the midstream processing entity who represents the Company's customer. If for future contracts the Company was to conclude that it was the principal with the ultimate third party being the customer, the Company would recognize revenue for those contracts on a gross basis, with gathering, compression, processing, and transportation fees presented as an expense. Midstream Services Revenue from oil throughput agreements is recognized based on a rate per barrel for volumes transported. Under the Company's oil throughput agreements, a volumetric deduction is taken from customer oil as a pipeline loss allowance. While these amounts represent non-cash consideration under ASC 606, such deductions are immaterial. Revenue from natural gas throughput agreements is recognized based on a rate per MMbtu for volumes transported. Revenue from water delivery, recycling and takeaway is recognized based on the volumes of water for which the services are provided at the applicable contractual rate. Imbalances The Company recognizes revenue for all oil, NGL and natural gas sold to purchasers regardless of whether the sales are proportionate to the Company's ownership interest in the property. Production imbalances are recognized as a liability to the extent an imbalance on a specific property exceeds the Company's share of remaining proved oil, NGL and natural gas reserves. The Company is also subject to natural gas pipeline imbalances, which are recorded as accounts receivable or payable at values consistent with contractual arrangements with the owner of the pipeline. The Company did not have any producer or pipeline imbalance positions as of September 30, 2018 or December 31, 2017. Significant judgments The Company engages in various types of transactions in which unaffiliated midstream entities process the Company's liquids-rich natural gas and, in some scenarios, subsequently market resulting NGL and residue gas to third-party customers on the Company's behalf. These types of transactions require judgment to determine whether the Company is the principal or the agent in the contract and, as a result, whether revenues are recorded gross or net. For existing contracts, the Company has determined that it serves as the agent in the sale of products under certain natural gas processing and marketing agreements with unaffiliated midstream entities in accordance with the control model in ASC 606. As a result, the Company presents revenue on a net basis for amounts expected to be received from third-party customers through the marketing process, with expenses and deductions incurred subsequent to control of the product(s) transferring to the unaffiliated midstream entity being netted against revenue. Transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations A significant number of the Company's product sales are short-term in nature with a contract term of one year or less. For those contracts, the Company has utilized the practical expedient in ASC 606-10-50-14 that exempts the Company from disclosure of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations if the performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less . For the Company's product sales that have a contract term greater than one year and for its Midstream Services, the Company has utilized the practical expedient in ASC 606-10-50-14A that states that it is not required to disclose the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations if the variable consideration is allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation. Under the Company's product sales contracts, each unit of product generally represents a separate performance obligation; therefore, future volumes are wholly unsatisfied. Under the Midstream Services contracts each unit of service represents a separate performance obligation and therefore performance obligations in respect of future services are wholly unsatisfied. Contract balances Under the Company's customer contracts, invoicing occurs once the Company's performance obligations have been satisfied, at which point payment is unconditional. Accordingly, the Company's contracts do not give rise to contract assets or liabilities under ASC 606. Prior-period performance obligations For sales of oil, NGL, natural gas and purchased oil, the Company records revenue in the month production is delivered to the purchaser. However, settlement statements and payment may not be received for 30 to 90 days after the date production is delivered and, as a result, the Company is required to estimate the amount of production that was delivered to the purchaser and the price that will be received for the sale of the product. The Company records the differences between estimates and the actual amounts received for product sales once payment is received from the purchaser. Such differences have historically not been significant. The Company uses knowledge of its properties, its properties' historical performance, spot market prices and other factors as the basis for these estimates. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , revenue recognized related to performance obligations satisfied in prior reporting periods was not material.
Full cost	The Company excludes the costs directly associated with the acquisition and evaluation of unevaluated properties from the depletion calculation until it is determined whether or not proved reserves can be assigned to the properties. The Company capitalizes a portion of its interest costs to its unevaluated properties. Capitalized interest becomes a part of the cost of the unevaluated properties and is subject to depletion when proved reserves can be assigned to the associated properties. All items classified as unevaluated properties are assessed on a quarterly basis for possible impairment. The assessment includes consideration of the following factors, among others: intent to drill, remaining lease term, geological and geophysical evaluations, drilling results and activity, the assignment of evaluated reserves and the economic viability of development if proved reserves are assigned. During any period in which these factors indicate an impairment, the cumulative drilling costs incurred to date for such property and all or a portion of the associated leasehold costs are transferred to the full cost pool and are then subject to depletion. The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for its oil and natural gas properties. Under this method, all acquisition, exploration and development costs, including certain employee-related costs incurred for the purpose of exploring for or developing oil and natural gas properties, are capitalized and depleted on a composite unit-of-production method based on proved oil, NGL and natural gas reserves. Such amounts include the cost of drilling and equipping productive wells, dry hole costs, lease acquisition costs, delay rentals and other costs related to such activities. Costs, including employee-related costs, associated with production and general corporate activities, are expensed in the period incurred. Sales of oil and natural gas properties, whether or not being depleted currently, are accounted for as adjustments of capitalized costs, with no gain or loss recognized, unless such adjustments would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil, NGL and natural gas.
Treasury stock	Treasury stock Treasury stock is recorded at cost, which includes incremental direct transaction costs, and is retired upon acquisition as a result from share repurchases under the share repurchase program or from the withholding of shares of stock to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations that arise upon the lapse of restrictions on their stock-based awards at the employees' election.
Stock-based compensation	Stock-based compensation The Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP") provides for the granting of incentive awards in the form of restricted stock awards, stock option awards, performance share awards, performance unit awards and other awards. The LTIP provides for the issuance of up to 24,350,000 shares of Laredo's common stock. The Company recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation awards expected to vest over the requisite service period as a charge against earnings, net of amounts capitalized. The Company's stock-based compensation awards are accounted for as equity instruments and are included in the "General and administrative" line item in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations. The Company capitalizes a portion of stock-based compensation for employees who are directly involved in the acquisition, exploration or development of oil and natural gas properties into the full cost pool. Capitalized stock-based compensation is included in the "Evaluated properties" line item on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets
Net income per common share	Net income per common share Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per common share reflects the potential dilution of non-vested restricted stock awards, outstanding stock option awards and non-vested performance share awards. The dilutive effects of these awards were calculated utilizing the treasury stock method.

Revenue recognition (Tables)

Revenue recognition (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Impact of adoption of ASC 606	The impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on the results of operations for the periods presented is as follows: Three months ended September 30, 2018 Nine months ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) As computed under ASC 605 As reported under ASC 606 Increase/(decrease) As computed under ASC 605 As reported under ASC 606 Increase/(decrease) Revenues: Oil sales $ 160,246 $ 160,007 $ (239 ) $ 472,496 $ 469,972 $ (2,524 ) NGL sales $ 50,814 $ 50,814 $ — $ 115,979 $ 115,979 $ — Natural gas sales $ 15,043 $ 15,043 $ — $ 45,908 $ 45,908 $ — Costs and expenses: Other operating expenses $ 1,353 $ 1,114 $ (239 ) $ 5,865 $ 3,341 $ (2,524 ) Net income $ 55,050 $ 55,050 $ — $ 175,022 $ 175,022 $ —

Property and equipment (Tables)

Property and equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of property and equipment	The following table presents the Company's property and equipment as of the dates presented: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Evaluated oil and natural gas properties $ 6,589,327 $ 6,070,940 Less accumulated depletion and impairment (4,798,527 ) (4,657,466 ) Evaluated oil and natural gas properties, net 1,790,800 1,413,474 Unevaluated oil and natural gas properties not being depleted 147,690 175,865 Midstream service assets 171,740 171,427 Less accumulated depreciation and impairment (39,325 ) (33,102 ) Midstream service assets, net 132,415 138,325 Depreciable other fixed assets 50,420 48,957 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (26,415 ) (23,150 ) Depreciable other fixed assets, net 24,005 25,807 Land 18,259 14,914 Total property and equipment, net $ 2,113,169 $ 1,768,385
Schedule of employee-related costs capitalized to oil and natural gas properties	The following table presents capitalized employee-related costs for the periods presented: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Capitalized employee-related costs $ 5,837 $ 6,938 $ 19,101 $ 17,911
Costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties	The following table presents costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties, with asset retirement obligations included in evaluated property acquisition costs and development costs, for the periods presented: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Property acquisition costs (see Note 3.a): — Evaluated $ — $ — $ 13,847 $ — Unevaluated — — 2,790 — Exploration costs 7,502 7,136 18,747 28,337 Development costs 139,748 160,359 467,582 397,255 Total costs incurred $ 147,250 $ 167,495 $ 502,966 $ 425,592

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of debt	The following table summarizes the net presentation of the Company's long-term debt and debt issuance costs on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets as of the dates presented: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Long-term debt Debt issuance costs, net Long-term debt, net Long-term debt Debt issuance costs, net Long-term debt, net January 2022 Notes $ 450,000 $ (3,254 ) $ 446,746 $ 450,000 $ (3,987 ) $ 446,013 March 2023 Notes 350,000 (3,555 ) 346,445 350,000 (4,158 ) 345,842 Senior Secured Credit Facility (1) 170,000 — 170,000 — — — Total $ 970,000 $ (6,809 ) $ 963,191 $ 800,000 $ (8,145 ) $ 791,855 ______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Debt issuance costs, net related to our Senior Secured Credit Facility of $7.4 million and $6.0 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, are reported in "Other assets, net" on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets.

Stockholders' equity and stoc_2

Stockholders' equity and stock-based compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of restricted stock award activity	The following table reflects the restricted stock award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 : (in thousands, except for weighted-average grant-date fair value) Restricted stock awards Weighted-average (per award) Outstanding as of December 31, 2017 3,169 $ 12.81 Granted 3,248 $ 8.42 Forfeited (266 ) $ 10.35 Vested (1) (1,851 ) $ 12.21 Outstanding as of September 30, 2018 4,300 $ 9.90 _____________________________________________________________________________ (1) The total intrinsic value of vested restricted stock awards for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $16.1 million .
Schedule of performance share award activity	The following table reflects the performance share award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 : (in thousands, except for weighted-average grant-date fair value) Performance share awards Weighted-average (per award) Outstanding as of December 31, 2017 2,745 $ 17.77 Granted (1) 1,389 $ 9.22 Forfeited (149 ) $ 14.83 Vested (2) (454 ) $ 16.23 Outstanding as of September 30, 2018 3,531 $ 14.55 ______________________________________________________________________________ (1) The amount of stock potentially payable at the end of the performance period for the performance share awards granted on February 16, 2018 will be determined based on three criteria: (i) relative three-year total shareholder return comparing the Company's shareholder return to the shareholder return of the peer group specified in the award agreement ("RTSR Performance Percentage"), (ii) absolute three-year total shareholder return ("ATSR Appreciation") and (iii) three-year return on average capital employed ("ROACE Percentage"). The RTSR Performance Percentage, ATSR Appreciation and ROACE Percentage will be used to identify the "RTSR Factor," the "ATSR Factor" and the "ROACE Factor," respectively, which are used to compute the "Performance Multiple" and ultimately to determine the final number of shares associated with each performance share unit granted at the maturity date (with all partial shares rounded, as appropriate). In computing the Performance Multiple, the RTSR Factor is given a 25% weight, the ATSR Factor a 25% weight and the ROACE Factor a 50% weight. The $ 9.22 per unit grant-date fair value consists of a (i) $ 10.08 per unit grant-date fair value, determined utilizing a Monte Carlo simulation, for the combined (.25) RTSR Factor and (.25) ATSR Factor and (ii) $ 8.36 per unit grant-date fair value for the (.50) ROACE Factor determined based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on February 16, 2018. These awards have a performance period of January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. (2) The performance share awards granted on February 27, 2015 had a performance period of January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017 and, as their performance criteria were not satisfied, resulted in a TSR modifier of 0 % based on the Company finishing in the 36th percentile of its peer group for relative TSR. As such, the units were not converted into the Company's common stock during the first quarter of 2018.
Schedule of share-based payment award, equity instruments other than options, valuation assumptions	The assumptions used to estimate the combined fair value for the (.25) RTSR Factor and the (.25) ATSR Factor for the market criteria portion of the performance share awards granted on the date presented are as follows: February 16, 2018 Risk-free interest rate (1) 2.34 % Dividend yield — % Expected volatility (2) 65.49 % Laredo stock closing price on grant date $ 8.36 Combined fair value per performance share award for the (.25) RTSR Factor and the (.25) ATSR Factor (3) $ 10.08 ______________________________________________________________________________ (1) The risk-free interest rate was derived using a term-matched zero-coupon yield derived from the U.S. Treasury constant maturities yield curve on the grant date. (2) The Company utilized its own historical volatility in order to develop the expected volatility. (3) The market criteria portion of the performance share award represents 50% of each of the amount of stock potentially payable, if any, and the grant-date fair value of the award.
Schedule of allocated share-based compensation costs	The following has been recorded to stock-based compensation expense for the periods presented: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Restricted stock award compensation $ 6,001 $ 5,422 $ 19,332 $ 16,856 Stock option award compensation 970 1,159 3,010 3,600 Performance share award compensation 3,689 4,255 12,431 12,063 Total stock-based compensation, gross 10,660 10,836 34,773 32,519 Less amounts capitalized in oil and natural gas properties (1,927 ) (1,870 ) (6,025 ) (5,642 ) Total stock-based compensation, net $ 8,733 $ 8,966 $ 28,748 $ 26,877

Derivatives (Tables)

Derivatives (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative instrument terminated	The following details the derivative that was terminated: Aggregate volumes (Bbl) Floor price ($/Bbl) Ceiling price ($/Bbl) Contract period Oil swap 1,095,000 $ 52.12 $ 52.12 January 2018 - December 2018
Summary of open positions and derivatives in place	The following table summarizes open positions as of September 30, 2018 , and represents, as of such date, derivatives in place through December 2021 on annual production volumes: Remaining year 2018 Year Year Year Oil: Puts: Hedged volume (Bbl) 1,367,775 8,030,000 366,000 — Weighted-average floor price ($/Bbl) $ 51.93 $ 47.45 $ 45.00 $ — Swaps: Hedged volume (Bbl) — 657,000 695,400 — Weighted-average price ($/Bbl) $ — $ 53.45 $ 52.18 $ — Collars: Hedged volume (Bbl) 1,030,400 — 1,134,600 912,500 Weighted-average floor price ($/Bbl) $ 41.43 $ — $ 45.00 $ 45.00 Weighted-average ceiling price ($/Bbl) $ 60.00 $ — $ 76.13 $ 71.00 Totals: Total volume hedged with floor price (Bbl) 2,398,175 8,687,000 2,196,000 912,500 Weighted-average floor price ($/Bbl) $ 47.42 $ 47.91 $ 47.27 $ 45.00 Total volume hedged with ceiling price (Bbl) 1,030,400 657,000 1,830,000 912,500 Weighted-average ceiling price ($/Bbl) $ 60.00 $ 53.45 $ 67.03 $ 71.00 Basis Swaps: WTI Midland to WTI Cushing: Hedged volume (Bbl) 920,000 552,000 — — Weighted-average price ($/Bbl) $ (0.56 ) $ (4.37 ) $ — $ — WTI Houston to WTI Midland: Hedged volume (Bbl) 920,000 1,810,000 — — Weighted-average price ($/Bbl) $ 7.30 $ 7.30 $ — $ — NGL: Swaps - Purity Ethane: Hedged volume (Bbl) 156,400 — — — Weighted-average price ($/Bbl) $ 11.66 $ — $ — $ — Swaps - Non-TET Propane: Hedged volume (Bbl) 128,800 — — — Weighted-average price ($/Bbl) $ 33.92 $ — $ — $ — Swaps - Non-TET Normal Butane: Hedged volume (Bbl) 46,000 — — — Weighted-average price ($/Bbl) $ 38.22 $ — $ — $ — Swaps - Non-TET Isobutane: Hedged volume (Bbl) 18,400 — — — Weighted-average price ($/Bbl) $ 38.33 $ — $ — $ — Swaps - Non-TET Natural Gasoline: Hedged volume (Bbl) 46,000 — — — Weighted-average price ($/Bbl) $ 57.02 $ — $ — $ — Total NGL volume hedged (Bbl) 395,600 — — — TABLE CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE Remaining year 2018 Year Year Year Natural gas: Puts: Hedged volume (MMBtu) 2,055,000 — — — Weighted-average floor price ($/MMBtu) $ 2.50 $ — $ — $ — Collars: Hedged volume (MMBtu) 3,928,400 — — — Weighted-average floor price ($/MMBtu) $ 2.50 $ — $ — $ — Weighted-average ceiling price ($/MMBtu) $ 3.35 $ — $ — $ — Totals: Total volume hedged with floor price (MMBtu) 5,983,400 — — — Weighted-average floor price ($/MMBtu) $ 2.50 $ — $ — $ — Total volume hedged with ceiling price (MMBtu) 3,928,400 — — — Weighted-average ceiling price ($/MMBtu) $ 3.35 $ — $ — $ — Basis Swaps: Hedged volume (MMBtu) 2,300,000 20,075,000 25,254,000 — Weighted-average price ($/MMBtu) $ (0.62 ) $ (1.05 ) $ (0.76 ) $ —

Fair value measurements (Tables

Fair value measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of fair value hierarchy for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	The following tables summarize the Company's derivatives' fair value hierarchy by commodity and current and noncurrent assets and liabilities on a gross basis and the net presentation included in the "Derivatives" line items on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets as of the dates presented: (in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total gross fair value Amounts offset Net fair value presented on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets As of September 30, 2018: Assets: Current: Oil derivatives $ — $ 10,390 $ — $ 10,390 $ (10,390 ) $ — NGL derivatives — — — — — — Natural gas derivatives — 13,002 — 13,002 (9,309 ) 3,693 Oil derivative deferred premiums — — — — — — Natural gas derivative deferred premiums — — — — (619 ) (619 ) Noncurrent: Oil derivatives $ — $ 2,056 $ — $ 2,056 $ (2,056 ) $ — NGL derivatives — — — — — — Natural gas derivatives — 474 — 474 (474 ) — Oil derivative deferred premiums — — — — — — Natural gas derivative deferred premiums — — — — — — Liabilities: Current: Oil derivatives $ — $ (41,692 ) $ — $ (41,692 ) $ 10,390 $ (31,302 ) NGL derivatives — (4,807 ) — (4,807 ) — (4,807 ) Natural gas derivatives — 233 — 233 9,309 9,542 Oil derivative deferred premiums — — (17,265 ) (17,265 ) — (17,265 ) Natural gas derivative deferred premiums — — (847 ) (847 ) 619 (228 ) Noncurrent: Oil derivatives $ — $ (17,279 ) $ — $ (17,279 ) $ 2,056 $ (15,223 ) NGL derivatives — — — — — — Natural gas derivatives — (2,468 ) — (2,468 ) 474 (1,994 ) Oil derivative deferred premiums — — (3,728 ) (3,728 ) — (3,728 ) Natural gas derivative deferred premiums — — — — — — Net derivative liability positions $ — $ (40,091 ) $ (21,840 ) $ (61,931 ) $ — $ (61,931 ) (in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total gross fair value Amounts offset Net fair value presented on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets As of December 31, 2017: Assets: Current: Oil derivatives $ — $ 7,427 $ — $ 7,427 $ (3,721 ) $ 3,706 NGL derivatives — — — — — — Natural gas derivatives — 10,546 — 10,546 (4,817 ) 5,729 Oil derivative deferred premiums — — — — (87 ) (87 ) Natural gas derivative deferred premiums — — — — (2,456 ) (2,456 ) Noncurrent: Oil derivatives $ — $ 11,613 $ — $ 11,613 $ (6,087 ) $ 5,526 NGL derivatives — — — — — — Natural gas derivatives — 934 — 934 (934 ) — Oil derivative deferred premiums — — — — (2,113 ) (2,113 ) Natural gas derivative deferred premiums — — — — — — Liabilities: Current: Oil derivatives $ — $ (12,477 ) $ — $ (12,477 ) $ 3,721 $ (8,756 ) NGL derivatives — — — — — — Natural gas derivatives — — — — 4,817 4,817 Oil derivative deferred premiums — — (18,202 ) (18,202 ) 87 (18,115 ) Natural gas derivative deferred premiums — — (3,352 ) (3,352 ) 2,456 (896 ) Noncurrent: Oil derivatives $ — $ (2,389 ) $ — $ (2,389 ) $ 6,087 $ 3,698 NGL derivatives — — — — — — Natural gas derivatives — — — — 934 934 Oil derivative deferred premiums — — (7,129 ) (7,129 ) 2,113 (5,016 ) Natural gas derivative deferred premiums — — — — — — Net derivative asset (liability) positions $ — $ 15,654 $ (28,683 ) $ (13,029 ) $ — $ (13,029 )
Actual cash payments required for deferred premium contracts	The following table presents payments required for derivative deferred premiums as of September 30, 2018 for the periods presented: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 Remaining 2018 $ 5,405 2019 15,502 2020 1,295 Total $ 22,202
Summary of changes in net assets classified as Level 3 measurements	A summary of the changes in net assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 measurements for the periods presented are as follows: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Balance of Level 3 at beginning of period $ (25,026 ) $ (12,554 ) $ (28,683 ) $ (8,998 ) Change in net present value of derivative deferred premiums (1) (168 ) (88 ) (564 ) (199 ) Total purchases and settlements of derivative deferred premiums: Purchases (2,101 ) (15,996 ) (7,523 ) (22,994 ) Settlements 5,455 1,448 14,930 5,001 Balance of Level 3 at end of period $ (21,840 ) $ (27,190 ) $ (21,840 ) $ (27,190 ) ____________________________________________________________________________ (1) These amounts are included in the "Interest expense" line item in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations.
Schedule of carrying amount and fair value of debt instruments	The Company has not elected to account for its debt instruments at fair value. The following table presents the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's debt as of the dates presented: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Long-term Fair value (1) Long-term Fair value (1) January 2022 Notes $ 450,000 $ 448,875 $ 450,000 $ 454,500 March 2023 Notes 350,000 352,730 350,000 364,105 Senior Secured Credit Facility 170,000 170,084 — — Total $ 970,000 $ 971,689 $ 800,000 $ 818,605 ______________________________________________________________________________ (1) The fair values of the debt outstanding on the January 2022 Notes and the March 2023 Notes were determined using the September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 quoted market price (Level 1) for each respective instrument. The fair value of the outstanding debt on the Senior Secured Credit Facility as of September 30, 2018 was estimated utilizing a pricing model for similar instruments (Level 2).

Net income per common share (T

Net income per common share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of calculation of basic and diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding and net income per common share	The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding and net income per common share for the periods presented: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands, except for per share data) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Net income (numerator): Net income—basic and diluted $ 55,050 $ 11,027 $ 175,022 $ 140,413 Weighted-average common shares outstanding (denominator): Basic (1) 230,605 239,306 233,228 239,017 Non-vested restricted stock awards (2) 935 650 911 845 Outstanding stock option awards (3) 99 130 68 129 Non-vested performance share awards (4) — 4,801 — 4,702 Diluted 231,639 244,887 234,207 244,693 Net income per common share: Basic $ 0.24 $ 0.05 $ 0.75 $ 0.59 Diluted $ 0.24 $ 0.05 $ 0.75 $ 0.57 _____________________________________________________________________________ (1) Weighted-average common shares outstanding used in the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share was computed taking into account share repurchases that occurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 . See Note 7.a for additional discussion of the Company's share repurchase program. (2) The effect of a significant portion of the non-vested restricted stock awards was excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 . The inclusion of these non-vested restricted stock awards would be anti-dilutive due to the sum of the assumed proceeds exceeding the average stock price during the period. (3) The effect of the outstanding stock option awards, with the exception of those granted in 2016, was excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 . The inclusion of these stock option awards would be anti-dilutive as their exercise prices were greater than the average stock price during the period. (4) The effect of the non-vested performance share awards was excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as the awards were below the respective agreements' payout thresholds. The effect of the non-vested performance share awards granted in 2018 was calculated utilizing the following criteria defined in Note 7.c : (i) the RTSR Performance Percentage, (ii) the ATSR Appreciation and (iii) the ROACE Percentage from the beginning of the performance period to September 30, 2018 for each of the criteria to identify the RTSR Factor, the ATSR Factor and the ROACE Factor, respectively, which were used to compute the Performance Multiple to determine the number of shares for the dilutive effect. The effects of the non-vested performance share awards granted in 2016 and 2017 were calculated utilizing the Company's TSR from the beginning of each performance share awards' respective performance period to September 30, 2018 in comparison to the TSR of the peers specified in each respective performance share awards' agreement.

Supplemental cash flow inform_2

Supplemental cash flow information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Schedule of non-cash investing & financing and supplemental cash flow information	The following table presents supplemental cash flow information: Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Non-cash investing activities: (Decrease) increase in accrued capital expenditures $ (44,533 ) $ 39,156 Capitalized stock-based compensation $ 6,025 $ 5,642 Capitalized asset retirement costs $ 719 $ 670 Other supplemental cash flow information: Capitalized interest $ 710 $ 756

Asset retirement obligations (T

Asset retirement obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of asset retirement obligation liability	The following table reconciles the Company's asset retirement obligation liability associated with tangible long-lived assets: Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Liability at beginning of period $ 55,506 $ 52,207 Liabilities added due to acquisitions, drilling, midstream service asset construction and other 719 492 Accretion expense 3,341 2,822 Liabilities settled due to plugging and abandonment or sale (2,246 ) (1,228 ) Revision of estimates — 178 Liability at end of period $ 57,320 $ 54,471

Subsidiary guarantors (Tables)

Subsidiary guarantors (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of condensed consolidating balance sheet	Condensed consolidating balance sheet September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Laredo Subsidiary Intercompany Consolidated Accounts receivable, net $ 103,109 $ 14,472 $ — $ 117,581 Other current assets 70,413 1,533 — 71,946 Oil and natural gas properties, net 1,951,518 9,146 (22,174 ) 1,938,490 Midstream service assets, net — 132,415 — 132,415 Other fixed assets, net 42,071 193 — 42,264 Investment in subsidiaries 130,439 — (130,439 ) — Other noncurrent assets, net 13,113 3,965 — 17,078 Total assets $ 2,310,663 $ 161,724 $ (152,613 ) $ 2,319,774 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 68,037 $ 18,600 $ — $ 86,637 Other current liabilities 162,893 9,739 — 172,632 Long-term debt, net 963,191 — — 963,191 Other noncurrent liabilities 79,256 2,946 — 82,202 Stockholders' equity 1,037,286 130,439 (152,613 ) 1,015,112 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 2,310,663 $ 161,724 $ (152,613 ) $ 2,319,774 Condensed consolidating balance sheet December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Laredo Subsidiary Intercompany Consolidated Accounts receivable, net $ 79,413 $ 21,232 $ — $ 100,645 Other current assets 132,219 2,518 — 134,737 Oil and natural gas properties, net 1,596,834 9,220 (16,715 ) 1,589,339 Midstream service assets, net — 138,325 — 138,325 Other fixed assets, net 40,344 377 — 40,721 Investment in subsidiaries (7,566 ) — 7,566 — Other noncurrent assets, net 15,526 3,996 — 19,522 Total assets $ 1,856,770 $ 175,668 $ (9,149 ) $ 2,023,289 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 34,550 $ 23,791 $ — $ 58,341 Other current liabilities 193,104 25,974 — 219,078 Long-term debt, net 791,855 — — 791,855 Other noncurrent liabilities 54,967 133,469 — 188,436 Stockholders' equity 782,294 (7,566 ) (9,149 ) 765,579 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,856,770 $ 175,668 $ (9,149 ) $ 2,023,289
Schedule of condensed consolidating statement of operations	Condensed consolidating statement of operations For the three months ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Laredo Subsidiary Intercompany Consolidated Total revenues $ 225,970 $ 73,463 $ (19,687 ) $ 279,746 Total costs and expenses 123,942 69,146 (17,752 ) 175,336 Operating income 102,028 4,317 (1,935 ) 104,410 Interest expense (14,845 ) — — (14,845 ) Other non-operating expense (28,811 ) (26 ) (4,291 ) (33,128 ) Income before income taxes 58,372 4,291 (6,226 ) 56,437 Income tax expense (1,387 ) — — (1,387 ) Net income $ 56,985 $ 4,291 $ (6,226 ) $ 55,050 Condensed consolidating statement of operations For the three months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Laredo Subsidiary Intercompany Consolidated Total revenues $ 157,902 $ 63,686 $ (15,770 ) $ 205,818 Total costs and expenses 97,686 62,245 (14,565 ) 145,366 Operating income 60,216 1,441 (1,205 ) 60,452 Interest expense (23,697 ) — — (23,697 ) Other non-operating income (expense) (24,287 ) 2,290 (3,731 ) (25,728 ) Income before income taxes 12,232 3,731 (4,936 ) 11,027 Income tax — — — — Net income $ 12,232 $ 3,731 $ (4,936 ) $ 11,027 Condensed consolidating statement of operations For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Laredo Subsidiary Intercompany Consolidated Total revenues $ 632,419 $ 312,784 $ (54,715 ) $ 890,488 Total costs and expenses 345,232 302,143 (49,256 ) 598,119 Operating income 287,187 10,641 (5,459 ) 292,369 Interest expense (42,787 ) — — (42,787 ) Other non-operating expense (62,532 ) (1,307 ) (9,334 ) (73,173 ) Income before income taxes 181,868 9,334 (14,793 ) 176,409 Income tax expense (1,387 ) — — (1,387 ) Net income $ 180,481 $ 9,334 $ (14,793 ) $ 175,022 Condensed consolidating statement of operations For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Laredo Subsidiary Intercompany Consolidated Total revenues $ 439,269 $ 190,926 $ (48,370 ) $ 581,825 Total costs and expenses 276,855 183,310 (42,179 ) 417,986 Operating income 162,414 7,616 (6,191 ) 163,839 Interest expense (69,590 ) — — (69,590 ) Other non-operating income 53,780 7,622 (15,238 ) 46,164 Income before income taxes 146,604 15,238 (21,429 ) 140,413 Income tax — — — — Net income $ 146,604 $ 15,238 $ (21,429 ) $ 140,413
Schedule of condensed consolidating statement of cash flows	Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Laredo Subsidiary Intercompany Consolidated Net cash provided by operating activities $ 402,065 $ 15,797 $ (9,334 ) $ 408,528 Change in investment between affiliates 3,115 (12,449 ) 9,334 — Capital expenditures and other (533,083 ) (3,348 ) — (536,431 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 66,151 — — 66,151 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (61,752 ) — — (61,752 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 112,158 1 — 112,159 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 50,406 $ 1 $ — $ 50,407 Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Laredo Subsidiary Intercompany Consolidated Net cash provided by operating activities $ 273,309 $ 13,980 $ (15,238 ) $ 272,051 Change in investment between affiliates (36,890 ) 21,652 15,238 — Capital expenditures and other (321,261 ) (35,632 ) — (356,893 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 72,988 — — 72,988 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (11,854 ) — — (11,854 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 32,671 1 — 32,672 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 20,817 $ 1 $ — $ 20,818

Acquisitions and divestitures -

Acquisitions and divestitures - 2018 acquisitions of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)aproperty	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties	$ 16,340	$ 0
Leasehold interests and working interests acquired in glasscock county
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net acres | a	895
Number of producing wells | property	47
Acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties	$ 16,300

Acquisitions and divestitures_2

Acquisitions and divestitures - 2018 divestitures of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties and midstream assets (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)aproperty	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)aproperty	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss on disposal of assets, net	$ (616)	$ (991)	$ (4,591)	$ (400)
Glasscock and Howard | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net acres | a	3,070		3,070
Number of producing wells | property	24		24
Proceeds, net of working capital and post-closing adjustments	$ 12,000		$ 12,000
Adjustments to oil and natural gas properties	$ 11,500		11,500
Loss on disposal of assets, net			$ (1,000)

Acquisitions and divestitures_3

Acquisitions and divestitures - 2017 Medallion sale (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 01, 2018	Oct. 30, 2017	Feb. 01, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 29, 2017
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from disposition of equity method investee, net of selling costs (see Note 3.c)				$ 1,655	$ 0
Variable interest entity, not primary beneficiary | Medallion Gathering And Processing LLC
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners						49.00%
Ownership percentage held by investment partner						51.00%
Variable interest entity super majority voting percentage required for key decisions						75.00%
Percent of ownership interests sold		100.00%
Ownership interest		49.00%
Proceeds from disposition of equity method investee, net of selling costs (see Note 3.c)	$ 1,700	$ 829,600	$ 831,300
Global infrastructure partners | Variable interest entity, not primary beneficiary | Medallion Gathering And Processing LLC
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash consideration for sale		$ 1,825,000

Acquisitions and divestitures_4

Acquisitions and divestitures - 2017 divestiture of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties (Details) - Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations - Midland Basin $ in Millions	Jan. 31, 2017USD ($)aproperty
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net acres | a	2,900
Number of producing wells | property	16
Sale price	$ 59.7
Proceeds, net of working capital and post-closing adjustments	$ 59.5

Revenue recognition - Impact of

Revenue recognition - Impact of ASC 606 adoption (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 279,746	$ 205,818	$ 890,488	$ 581,825
Other operating expenses	1,114	1,443	3,341	3,906
Net income	55,050	11,027	175,022	140,413
Retained earnings	(1,352,968)		(1,352,968)		$ (1,669,108)
As computed under ASC 605
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Other operating expenses	1,353		5,865
Net income	55,050		175,022
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Other operating expenses	(239)		(2,524)
Net income	0		0
Retained earnings					141,100
Oil sales
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues	160,007	110,194	469,972	313,875
Oil sales | As computed under ASC 605
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues	160,246		472,496
Oil sales | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues	(239)		(2,524)
NGL sales
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues	50,814	27,700	115,979	68,329
NGL sales | As computed under ASC 605
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues	50,814		115,979
NGL sales | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues	0		0
Natural gas sales
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues	15,043	$ 19,664	45,908	$ 55,927
Natural gas sales | As computed under ASC 605
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues	15,043		45,908
Natural gas sales | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 0		$ 0
Variable interest entity, not primary beneficiary | Medallion Gathering And Processing LLC
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Maximum loss exposure					$ 141,100

Revenue recognition - Revenue r

Revenue recognition - Revenue recognition (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Practical expedient in ASC 606-10-50-14	the Company has utilized the practical expedient in ASC 606-10-50-14 that exempts the Company from disclosure of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations if the performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less
Minimum
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Settlement statements and payments period	30 days
Maximum
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Settlement statements and payments period	90 days

Property and equipment - Compan

Property and equipment - Company property and equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Evaluated oil and natural gas properties	$ 6,589,327	$ 6,070,940
Less accumulated depletion and impairment	(4,798,527)	(4,657,466)
Evaluated oil and natural gas properties, net	1,790,800	1,413,474
Unevaluated properties not being depleted	147,690	175,865
Property and equipment, net	2,113,169	1,768,385
Midstream service assets
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Midstream service assets	171,740	171,427
Less accumulated depreciation and impairment	(39,325)	(33,102)
Property and equipment, net	132,415	138,325
Depreciable other fixed assets
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable other fixed assets	50,420	48,957
Less accumulated depreciation and impairment	(26,415)	(23,150)
Property and equipment, net	24,005	25,807
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable other fixed assets	$ 18,259	$ 14,914

Property and equipment - Other

Property and equipment - Other property and equipment information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)$ / Boe	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)$ / Boe	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)$ / Boe	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)$ / Boe
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depletion expense (in dollars per BOE) | $ / Boe	7.94	6.80	7.67	6.57
Capitalized employee-related costs | $	$ 5,837	$ 6,938	$ 19,101	$ 17,911

Property and equipment - Costs

Property and equipment - Costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Property acquisition costs (see Note 3.a):
Evaluated	$ 0	$ 0	$ 13,847	$ 0
Unevaluated	0	0	2,790	0
Exploration costs	7,502	7,136	18,747	28,337
Development costs	139,748	160,359	467,582	397,255
Total costs incurred	$ 147,250	$ 167,495	$ 502,966	$ 425,592

Debt - March 2023 Notes (Detail

Debt - March 2023 Notes (Details) - Senior Notes - March 2023 Notes	Mar. 18, 2015USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of debt	$ 350,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.25%
From March 15, 2018 until March 15, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt call price percentage	104.688%
On or After March 15, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt call price percentage	100.00%

Debt - January 2022 Notes (Deta

Debt - January 2022 Notes (Details) - Senior Notes - January 2022 Notes	Jan. 23, 2014USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of debt	$ 450,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.625%
From January 15, 2017 until January 15, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt call price percentage	102.813%
On or After January 15, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt call price percentage	100.00%

Debt - May 2022 Notes (Details)

Debt - May 2022 Notes (Details) - Senior Notes - May 2022 Notes - USD ($)	Nov. 29, 2017	Apr. 27, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of debt		$ 500,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)		7.375%
Repurchased face amount of debt	$ 500,000,000
Debt call price percentage	103.688%
Loss on extinguishment of debt	$ 23,800,000

Debt - Senior Secured Credit Fa

Debt - Senior Secured Credit Facility (Details) - Secured debt - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Senior Secured Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Early maturity date description	90 years
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 2,000,000,000	$ 2,000,000,000
Current borrowing capacity	1,300,000,000	1,300,000,000
Aggregate elected commitment	1,200,000,000	1,200,000,000
Amount outstanding	$ 170,000,000	$ 170,000,000
Credit facility, interest rate at period end (as a percent)	3.44%	3.44%
Senior Secured Credit Facility | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage		0.375%
Senior Secured Credit Facility | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage		0.50%
Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 80,000,000	$ 80,000,000
Letters of credit outstanding	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Debt - Long-term debt, net (Det

Debt - Long-term debt, net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 970,000	$ 800,000
Debt issuance costs, net	(6,809)	(8,145)
Long-term debt, net	963,191	791,855
Senior Notes | January 2022 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	450,000	450,000
Debt issuance costs, net	(3,254)	(3,987)
Long-term debt, net	446,746	446,013
Senior Notes | March 2023 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	350,000	350,000
Debt issuance costs, net	(3,555)	(4,158)
Long-term debt, net	346,445	345,842
Secured debt | Senior Secured Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	170,000	0
Debt issuance costs, net	0	0
Long-term debt, net	170,000	0
Secured debt | Senior Secured Credit Facility | Other Assets
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs related to line of credit arrangements	$ 7,400	$ 6,000

Stockholders' equity and stoc_3

Stockholders' equity and stock-based compensation - Share repurchase program - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Share repurchase program, authorized amount			$ 200,000,000
Shares repurchased (in shares)	1,170,190	11,048,742
Weighted-average price per repurchased share (in dollars per share)	$ 8.41	$ 8.78
Shares repurchased and retired, value	$ 9,900,000	$ 97,100,000

Stockholders' equity and stoc_4

Stockholders' equity and stock-based compensation - Restricted Stock Awards - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)shares
Restricted stock awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation not yet recognized | $	$ 26.5
Stock-based compensation not yet recognized, period for recognition (in years)	1 year 10 months 13 days
Restricted stock awards | Vesting Alternative One, One Year From Grant Date
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	33.00%
Restricted stock awards | Vesting Alternative One, Two Years From Grant Date
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	33.00%
Restricted stock awards | Vesting Alternative One, Three Years From Grant Date
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	34.00%
Restricted stock awards | Vesting Alternative Two, Fully One Year From Grant Date
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	100.00%
Restricted stock awards | Non-employee Director | Vesting Alternative Two, Fully One Year From Grant Date
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	100.00%
Restricted stock awards | Non-employee Director | Vesting Alternative Three, Immediately on Grant Date
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	100.00%
Long-Term Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized for issuance | shares	24,350,000

Stockholders' equity and stoc_5

Stockholders' equity and stock-based compensation - Restricted Stock Awards - Outstanding restricted stock awards (Details) - Restricted stock awards $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Restricted stock awards
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares) | shares	3,169
Granted (in shares) | shares	3,248
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	(266)
Vested (in shares) | shares	(1,851)
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares) | shares	4,300
Weighted-average grant-date fair value (per award)
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 12.81
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	8.42
Forfeited (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	10.35
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	12.21
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 9.90
Equity instruments other than options, aggregate intrinsic value, vested | $	$ 16.1

Stockholders' equity and stoc_6

Stockholders' equity and stock-based compensation - Stock Option Awards - Narrative (Details) - Stock option awards $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)anniversaryinstallment$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of installments over which awards vest and are exercisable | installment	4
Number of anniversaries over which awards vest and are exercisable | anniversary	4
Number of options outstanding (in shares)	2,577,205
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 12.66
Options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual term	6 years 4 months 15 days
Granted (in shares)	0
Exercises (in shares)	0
Forfeitures (in shares)	0
Expired or cancellations (in shares)	0
Requisite service period of the awards	4 years
Share-based compensation, not yet recognized, stock options | $	$ 5
Stock-based compensation not yet recognized, period for recognition (in years)	1 year 8 months 2 days

Stockholders' equity and stoc_7

Stockholders' equity and stock-based compensation - Performance Share Awards - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Feb. 16, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
RTSR Factor weight	25.00%
ATSR Factor weight	25.00%
Performance share awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Requisite service period of the awards		3 years
Grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)		$ 9.22
Stock-based compensation not yet recognized		$ 18.6
Stock-based compensation not yet recognized, period for recognition		1 year 8 months 19 days
Performance share awards with market criteria
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 10.08
February 16, 2018 | Performance share awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)		$ 9.22
February 16, 2018 | Performance share awards with market criteria
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
RTSR Factor weight		25.00%
ATSR Factor weight		25.00%
Grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)		$ 10.08
February 16, 2018 | Performance share awards with performance criteria
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
ROACE Factor weight		50.00%
Grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)		$ 8.36
February 27, 2015 | Performance share awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
TSR Modifier		0

Stockholders' equity and stoc_8

Stockholders' equity and stock-based compensation - Performance Share Awards - award activity (Details) - Performance share awards shares in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018$ / sharesshares
Performance share awards
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares) | shares	2,745
Granted (in shares) | shares	1,389
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	(149)
Vested (in shares) | shares	(454)
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares) | shares	3,531
Weighted-average grant-date fair value (per award)
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 17.77
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	9.22
Forfeited (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	14.83
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	16.23
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 14.55

Stockholders' equity and stoc_9

Stockholders' equity and stock-based compensation - Performance Share Awards - assumptions used to estimate the fair value (Details)	Feb. 16, 2018$ / shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
RTSR Factor weight	25.00%
ATSR Factor weight	25.00%
Percentage of stock potentially payable	50.00%
Performance share awards with market criteria
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	2.34%
Dividend yield	0.00%
Expected volatility	65.49%
Laredo stock closing price on grant date (in dollars per share)	$ 8.36
Grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 10.08

Stockholders' equity and sto_10

Stockholders' equity and stock-based compensation - Stock-based compensation expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation, gross	$ 10,660	$ 10,836	$ 34,773	$ 32,519
Less amounts capitalized in oil and natural gas properties	(1,927)	(1,870)	(6,025)	(5,642)
Total stock-based compensation, net	8,733	8,966	28,748	26,877
Restricted stock award compensation
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation, gross	6,001	5,422	19,332	16,856
Stock option award compensation
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation, gross	970	1,159	3,010	3,600
Performance share award compensation
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation, gross	$ 3,689	$ 4,255	$ 12,431	$ 12,063

Derivatives - Commodity derivat

Derivatives - Commodity derivatives (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)derivative
Derivative [Line Items]
Settlements received for early terminations of derivatives, net	$ 0	$ 4,234
Early contract termination | Commodity derivatives | Derivatives not designated as hedges
Derivative [Line Items]
Settlements received for early terminations of derivatives, net		$ 4,200
Number of restructuring derivatives | derivative		1

Derivatives - Commodity deriv_2

Derivatives - Commodity derivative contracts terminated (Details) - Oil derivatives - Early contract termination - Swap January 2018 to December 2018	Sep. 30, 2017bbl$ / bbl
Derivative [Line Items]
Aggregate volumes (Bbl) | bbl	1,095,000
Floor price ($/Bbl)	52.12
Ceiling price ($/Bbl)	52.12

Derivatives - Derivative positi

Derivatives - Derivative positions (Details) - Not designated as hedges	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018MMBTU$ / bbl$ / MMBTUbbl
Puts remainder of year | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	1,367,775
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	51.93
Puts remainder of year | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	2,055,000
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	2.50
Puts next year | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	8,030,000
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	47.45
Puts next year | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	0
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	0
Puts year three | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	366,000
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	45
Puts year three | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	0
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	0
Puts year four | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	0
Puts year four | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	0
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	0
Swaps remainder of year | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	0
Swaps remainder of year | Ethane | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	156,400
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	11.66
Swaps remainder of year | Propane | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	128,800
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	33.92
Swaps remainder of year | Normal Butane | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	46,000
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	38.22
Swaps remainder of year | Isobutane | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	18,400
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	38.33
Swaps remainder of year | Natural Gasoline | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	46,000
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	57.02
Swaps next year | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	657,000
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	53.45
Swaps next year | Ethane | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Swaps next year | Propane | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Swaps next year | Normal Butane | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Swaps next year | Isobutane | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Swaps next year | Natural Gasoline | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Swaps year three | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	695,400
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	52.18
Swaps year three | Ethane | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Swaps year three | Propane | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Swaps year three | Normal Butane | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Swaps year three | Isobutane | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Swaps year three | Natural Gasoline | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Swaps year four | Ethane | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Swaps year four | Propane | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Swaps year four | Normal Butane | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Swaps year four | Isobutane | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Swaps year four | Natural Gasoline | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Collars remainder of year | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	1,030,400
Collars remainder of year | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	3,928,400
Collars remainder of year | Floor | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	41.43
Collars remainder of year | Floor | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	2.50
Collars remainder of year | Ceiling | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	60
Collars remainder of year | Ceiling | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	3.35
Collars next year | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Collars next year | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	0
Collars next year | Floor | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	0
Collars next year | Floor | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	0
Collars next year | Ceiling | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	0
Collars next year | Ceiling | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	0
Collars year three | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	1,134,600
Collars year three | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	0
Collars year three | Floor | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	45
Collars year three | Floor | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	0
Collars year three | Ceiling | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	76.13
Collars year three | Ceiling | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	0
Collars year four | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	912,500
Collars year four | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	0
Collars year four | Floor | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	45
Collars year four | Floor | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	0
Collars year four | Ceiling | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	71
Collars year four | Ceiling | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	0
Total Commodity Derivatives remainder of year | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	395,600
Total Commodity Derivatives remainder of year | Floor | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	2,398,175
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	47.42
Total Commodity Derivatives remainder of year | Floor | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	5,983,400
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	2.50
Total Commodity Derivatives remainder of year | Ceiling | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	1,030,400
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	60
Total Commodity Derivatives remainder of year | Ceiling | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	3,928,400
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	3.35
Total Commodity Derivatives next year | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Total Commodity Derivatives next year | Floor | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	8,687,000
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	47.91
Total Commodity Derivatives next year | Floor | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	0
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	0
Total Commodity Derivatives next year | Ceiling | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	657,000
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	53.45
Total Commodity Derivatives next year | Ceiling | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	0
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	0
Total Commodity Derivatives year three | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Total Commodity Derivatives year three | Floor | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	2,196,000
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	47.27
Total Commodity Derivatives year three | Floor | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	0
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	0
Total Commodity Derivatives year three | Ceiling | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	1,830,000
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	67.03
Total Commodity Derivatives year three | Ceiling | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	0
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	0
Total commodity derivatives year four | NGL derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Total commodity derivatives year four | Floor | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	912,500
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	45
Total commodity derivatives year four | Floor | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	0
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	0
Total commodity derivatives year four | Ceiling | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	912,500
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	71
Total commodity derivatives year four | Ceiling | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	0
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	0
Basis swap one, remainder of year | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	920,000
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	(0.56)
Basis swap one, remainder of year | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	2,300,000
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	(0.62)
Basis swap one, next year | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	552,000
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	(4.37)
Basis swap one, next year | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	20,075,000
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	(1.05)
Basis swap one, year three | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	0
Basis swap one, year three | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	25,254,000
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	(0.76)
Basis swap one, year four | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	0
Basis swap one, year four | Natural gas derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (MMbtu) | MMBTU	0
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / MMBTU	0
Basis swap two, remainder of year | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	920,000
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	7.30
Basis swap two, next year | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	1,810,000
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	7.30
Basis swap two, year three | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	0
Basis swap two, year four | Oil derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged Volume (Bbl)	0
Weighted-average price (in dollars per Bbl/MMbtu) | $ / bbl	0

Fair value measurements - Fair

Fair value measurements - Fair value hierarchy (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets:
Derivative asset, current	$ 3,074	$ 6,892
Derivative asset, noncurrent	0	3,413
Liabilities:
Derivative liability, current	(44,060)	(22,950)
Derivative liability, noncurrent	(20,945)	(384)
Recurring
Liabilities:
Net derivative liability positions	(61,931)	(13,029)
Recurring | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative asset, current	0	3,706
Derivative asset, noncurrent	0	5,526
Liabilities:
Derivative liability, current	(31,302)	(8,756)
Derivative liability, noncurrent	(15,223)	3,698
Recurring | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Derivative asset, current	0	(87)
Derivative asset, noncurrent	0	(2,113)
Liabilities:
Derivative liability, current	(17,265)	(18,115)
Derivative liability, noncurrent	(3,728)	(5,016)
Recurring | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative asset, current	0	0
Derivative asset, noncurrent	0	0
Liabilities:
Derivative liability, current	(4,807)	0
Derivative liability, noncurrent	0	0
Recurring | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative asset, current	3,693	5,729
Derivative asset, noncurrent	0	0
Liabilities:
Derivative liability, current	9,542	4,817
Derivative liability, noncurrent	(1,994)	934
Recurring | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Derivative asset, current	(619)	(2,456)
Derivative asset, noncurrent	0	0
Liabilities:
Derivative liability, current	(228)	(896)
Derivative liability, noncurrent	0	0
Recurring | Current Assets | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Amounts offset	(10,390)	(3,721)
Recurring | Current Assets | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Amounts offset	0	(87)
Recurring | Current Assets | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Amounts offset	0	0
Recurring | Current Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Amounts offset	(9,309)	(4,817)
Recurring | Current Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Amounts offset	(619)	(2,456)
Recurring | Noncurrent Assets | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Amounts offset	(2,056)	(6,087)
Recurring | Noncurrent Assets | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Amounts offset	0	(2,113)
Recurring | Noncurrent Assets | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Amounts offset	0	0
Recurring | Noncurrent Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Amounts offset	(474)	(934)
Recurring | Noncurrent Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Amounts offset	0	0
Recurring | Other current liabilities | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Amounts offset	10,390	3,721
Recurring | Other current liabilities | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Amounts offset	0	87
Recurring | Other current liabilities | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Amounts offset	0	0
Recurring | Other current liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Amounts offset	9,309	4,817
Recurring | Other current liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Amounts offset	619	2,456
Recurring | Noncurrent Liabilities | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Amounts offset	2,056	6,087
Recurring | Noncurrent Liabilities | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Amounts offset	0	2,113
Recurring | Noncurrent Liabilities | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Amounts offset	0	0
Recurring | Noncurrent Liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Amounts offset	474	934
Recurring | Noncurrent Liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Amounts offset	0	0
Recurring | Fair value
Liabilities:
Net derivative liability positions	(61,931)	(13,029)
Recurring | Fair value | Current Assets | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	10,390	7,427
Recurring | Fair value | Current Assets | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Fair value | Current Assets | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Fair value | Current Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	13,002	10,546
Recurring | Fair value | Current Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Fair value | Noncurrent Assets | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	2,056	11,613
Recurring | Fair value | Noncurrent Assets | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Fair value | Noncurrent Assets | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Fair value | Noncurrent Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	474	934
Recurring | Fair value | Noncurrent Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Fair value | Other current liabilities | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	(41,692)	(12,477)
Recurring | Fair value | Other current liabilities | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	(17,265)	(18,202)
Recurring | Fair value | Other current liabilities | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	(4,807)	0
Recurring | Fair value | Other current liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	233	0
Recurring | Fair value | Other current liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	(847)	(3,352)
Recurring | Fair value | Noncurrent Liabilities | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	(17,279)	(2,389)
Recurring | Fair value | Noncurrent Liabilities | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	(3,728)	(7,129)
Recurring | Fair value | Noncurrent Liabilities | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Fair value | Noncurrent Liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	(2,468)	0
Recurring | Fair value | Noncurrent Liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1
Liabilities:
Net derivative liability positions	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Current Assets | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Current Assets | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Current Assets | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Current Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Current Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Noncurrent Assets | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Noncurrent Assets | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Noncurrent Assets | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Noncurrent Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Noncurrent Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Other current liabilities | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Other current liabilities | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Other current liabilities | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Other current liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Other current liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Noncurrent Liabilities | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Noncurrent Liabilities | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Noncurrent Liabilities | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Noncurrent Liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Noncurrent Liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 2
Liabilities:
Net derivative liability positions	(40,091)	15,654
Recurring | Level 2 | Current Assets | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	10,390	7,427
Recurring | Level 2 | Current Assets | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Current Assets | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Current Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	13,002	10,546
Recurring | Level 2 | Current Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Noncurrent Assets | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	2,056	11,613
Recurring | Level 2 | Noncurrent Assets | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Noncurrent Assets | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Noncurrent Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	474	934
Recurring | Level 2 | Noncurrent Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Other current liabilities | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	(41,692)	(12,477)
Recurring | Level 2 | Other current liabilities | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Other current liabilities | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	(4,807)	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Other current liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	233	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Other current liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Noncurrent Liabilities | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	(17,279)	(2,389)
Recurring | Level 2 | Noncurrent Liabilities | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Noncurrent Liabilities | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Noncurrent Liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	(2,468)	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Noncurrent Liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 3
Liabilities:
Net derivative liability positions	(21,840)	(28,683)
Recurring | Level 3 | Current Assets | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Current Assets | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Current Assets | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Current Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Current Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Noncurrent Assets | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Noncurrent Assets | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Noncurrent Assets | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Noncurrent Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Noncurrent Assets | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Assets:
Derivative assets before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Other current liabilities | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Other current liabilities | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	(17,265)	(18,202)
Recurring | Level 3 | Other current liabilities | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Other current liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Other current liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	(847)	(3,352)
Recurring | Level 3 | Noncurrent Liabilities | Oil derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Noncurrent Liabilities | Oil derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	(3,728)	(7,129)
Recurring | Level 3 | Noncurrent Liabilities | NGL derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Noncurrent Liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Commodity derivatives
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Noncurrent Liabilities | Natural gas derivatives | Deferred premiums
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities before netting	$ 0	$ 0

Fair value measurements - Narra

Fair value measurements - Narrative (Details) - Measurement input, discount rate - Recurring - Level 3 - Deferred premiums	Sep. 30, 2018
Minimum
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt instrument, measurement input	0.0191
Maximum
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt instrument, measurement input	0.0332
Weighted Average
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt instrument, measurement input	0.0278

Fair value measurements - Cash

Fair value measurements - Cash payments required for deferred premium contracts (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Remaining 2,018	$ 5,405
2,019	15,502
2,020	1,295
Total	$ 22,202

Fair value measurements - Summa

Fair value measurements - Summary of changes in net assets classified as Level 3 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Changes in assets classified as Level 3 measurements
Change in net present value of derivative deferred premiums			$ 564	$ 199
Deferred premiums
Changes in assets classified as Level 3 measurements
Balance of Level 3 at beginning of period	$ (25,026)	$ (12,554)	(28,683)	(8,998)
Change in net present value of derivative deferred premiums	(168)	(88)	(564)	(199)
Total purchases and settlements of derivative deferred premiums:
Purchases	(2,101)	(15,996)	(7,523)	(22,994)
Settlements	5,455	1,448	14,930	5,001
Balance of Level 3 at end of period	$ (21,840)	$ (27,190)	$ (21,840)	$ (27,190)

Fair value measurements - Carry

Fair value measurements - Carrying amount of debt instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Long-term debt
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt	$ 970,000	$ 800,000
Long-term debt | January 2022 Notes | Senior Notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt	450,000	450,000
Long-term debt | March 2023 Notes | Senior Notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt	350,000	350,000
Long-term debt | Senior Secured Credit Facility | Secured debt
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt	170,000	0
Fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt	971,689	818,605
Fair value | January 2022 Notes | Senior Notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt	448,875	454,500
Fair value | March 2023 Notes | Senior Notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt	352,730	364,105
Fair value | Senior Secured Credit Facility | Secured debt
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt	$ 170,084	$ 0

Net income per common share (D

Net income per common share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Net income (numerator):
Net income—basic and diluted	$ 55,050	$ 11,027	$ 175,022	$ 140,413
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (denominator):
Basic (in shares)	230,605	239,306	233,228	239,017
Diluted (in shares)	231,639	244,887	234,207	244,693
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ 0.05	$ 0.75	$ 0.59
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ 0.05	$ 0.75	$ 0.57
Non-vested restricted stock awards
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (denominator):
Incremental common shares (in shares)	935	650	911	845
Outstanding stock option awards
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (denominator):
Incremental common shares (in shares)	99	130	68	129
Non-vested performance share awards
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (denominator):
Incremental common shares (in shares)	0	4,801	0	4,702

Commitments and contingencies -

Commitments and contingencies - Litigation (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)bbl	Jun. 15, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 11, 2017Claim
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Barrels of crude oil produced | bbl	19,000
Number of causes of action | Claim			9
Gain contingency, unrecorded amount		$ 150
Estimated litigation liability	$ 37.4

Commitments and contingencies_2

Commitments and contingencies - Drilling contracts (Details) - Drilling contracts - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Cost of Goods and Services Sold [Abstract]
Penalties incurred for early contract termination	$ 0	$ 0
Future drilling contracts commitments	$ 22,900,000

Commitments and contingencies_3

Commitments and contingencies - Firm sale and transportation commitments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Supply Commitment [Line Items]
Minimum volume commitments deficiency payments	$ 0.2	$ 0.5	$ 2.5	$ 1.1
Firm sale and transportation commitments
Cost of Goods and Services Sold [Abstract]
Future drilling contracts commitments	$ 367.7		$ 367.7

Commitments and contingencies_4

Commitments and contingencies - Purchase commitment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Purchase agreement term	1 year
Aggregate purchase commitment		$ 5.7

Commitments and contingencies_5

Commitments and contingencies - Environmental (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrual for environmental loss contingencies	$ 0	$ 0

Supplemental cash flow inform_3

Supplemental cash flow information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Non-cash investing activities:
(Decrease) increase in accrued capital expenditures			$ (44,533)	$ 39,156
Capitalized stock-based compensation	$ 1,927	$ 1,870	6,025	5,642
Capitalized asset retirement costs			719	670
Other supplemental cash flow information:
Capitalized interest			$ 710	$ 756

Asset retirement obligations (D

Asset retirement obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Liability at beginning of period	$ 55,506	$ 52,207
Liabilities added due to acquisitions, drilling, midstream service asset construction and other	719	492
Accretion expense	3,341	2,822
Liabilities settled due to plugging and abandonment or sale	(2,246)	(1,228)
Revision of estimates	0	178
Liability at end of period	$ 57,320	$ 54,471

Income taxes - Additional Infor

Income taxes - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Operating loss carry-forward
Net operating loss carry-forward that will not expire due to TCJA	$ 86,400		$ 86,400
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance	298,800		298,800
Current income tax benefit	381	$ 0	381	$ 0
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) | Federal
Operating loss carry-forward
Operating loss carryforwards	1,800,000		1,800,000
State of Oklahoma | State
Operating loss carry-forward
Operating loss carryforwards	36,300		36,300
Texas | State
Operating loss carry-forward
Deferred tax liability	1,800		1,800
Current income tax benefit	(400)
Expected tax refund	$ 400		$ 400

Subsidiary guarantors - Condens

Subsidiary guarantors - Condensed consolidating balance sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Subsidiary guarantees
Accounts receivable, net	$ 117,581	$ 100,645
Other current assets	71,946	134,737
Oil and natural gas properties, net	1,938,490	1,589,339
Midstream service assets, net	132,415	138,325
Other fixed assets, net	42,264	40,721
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other noncurrent assets, net	17,078	19,522
Total assets	2,319,774	2,023,289
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	86,637	58,341
Other current liabilities	172,632	219,078
Long-term debt, net	963,191	791,855
Other noncurrent liabilities	82,202	188,436
Stockholders' equity	1,015,112	765,579
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	2,319,774	2,023,289
Intercompany eliminations
Subsidiary guarantees
Accounts receivable, net	0	0
Other current assets	0	0
Oil and natural gas properties, net	(22,174)	(16,715)
Midstream service assets, net	0	0
Other fixed assets, net	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	(130,439)	7,566
Other noncurrent assets, net	0	0
Total assets	(152,613)	(9,149)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	0	0
Other current liabilities	0	0
Long-term debt, net	0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	0
Stockholders' equity	(152,613)	(9,149)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	(152,613)	(9,149)
Laredo | Reportable Legal Entities
Subsidiary guarantees
Accounts receivable, net	103,109	79,413
Other current assets	70,413	132,219
Oil and natural gas properties, net	1,951,518	1,596,834
Midstream service assets, net	0	0
Other fixed assets, net	42,071	40,344
Investment in subsidiaries	130,439	(7,566)
Other noncurrent assets, net	13,113	15,526
Total assets	2,310,663	1,856,770
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	68,037	34,550
Other current liabilities	162,893	193,104
Long-term debt, net	963,191	791,855
Other noncurrent liabilities	79,256	54,967
Stockholders' equity	1,037,286	782,294
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	2,310,663	1,856,770
Subsidiary Guarantors | Reportable Legal Entities
Subsidiary guarantees
Accounts receivable, net	14,472	21,232
Other current assets	1,533	2,518
Oil and natural gas properties, net	9,146	9,220
Midstream service assets, net	132,415	138,325
Other fixed assets, net	193	377
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other noncurrent assets, net	3,965	3,996
Total assets	161,724	175,668
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	18,600	23,791
Other current liabilities	9,739	25,974
Long-term debt, net	0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	2,946	133,469
Stockholders' equity	130,439	(7,566)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 161,724	$ 175,668

Subsidiary guarantors - Conde_2

Subsidiary guarantors - Condensed consolidating statement of operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Subsidiary guarantees
Total revenues	$ 279,746	$ 205,818	$ 890,488	$ 581,825
Total costs and expenses	175,336	145,366	598,119	417,986
Operating income	104,410	60,452	292,369	163,839
Interest expense	(14,845)	(23,697)	(42,787)	(69,590)
Other (expense) income	(33,128)	(25,728)	(73,173)	46,164
Income before income taxes	56,437	11,027	176,409	140,413
Income tax expense	(1,387)	0	(1,387)	0
Net income	55,050	11,027	175,022	140,413
Intercompany eliminations
Subsidiary guarantees
Total revenues	(19,687)	(15,770)	(54,715)	(48,370)
Total costs and expenses	(17,752)	(14,565)	(49,256)	(42,179)
Operating income	(1,935)	(1,205)	(5,459)	(6,191)
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Other (expense) income	(4,291)	(3,731)	(9,334)	(15,238)
Income before income taxes	(6,226)	(4,936)	(14,793)	(21,429)
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Net income	(6,226)	(4,936)	(14,793)	(21,429)
Laredo | Reportable Legal Entities
Subsidiary guarantees
Total revenues	225,970	157,902	632,419	439,269
Total costs and expenses	123,942	97,686	345,232	276,855
Operating income	102,028	60,216	287,187	162,414
Interest expense	(14,845)	(23,697)	(42,787)	(69,590)
Other (expense) income	(28,811)	(24,287)	(62,532)	53,780
Income before income taxes	58,372	12,232	181,868	146,604
Income tax expense	(1,387)	0	(1,387)	0
Net income	56,985	12,232	180,481	146,604
Subsidiary Guarantors | Reportable Legal Entities
Subsidiary guarantees
Total revenues	73,463	63,686	312,784	190,926
Total costs and expenses	69,146	62,245	302,143	183,310
Operating income	4,317	1,441	10,641	7,616
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Other (expense) income	(26)	2,290	(1,307)	7,622
Income before income taxes	4,291	3,731	9,334	15,238
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Net income	$ 4,291	$ 3,731	$ 9,334	$ 15,238

Subsidiary guarantors - Conde_3

Subsidiary guarantors - Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Subsidiary guarantees
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 408,528	$ 272,051
Change in investment between affiliates	0	0
Capital expenditures and other	(536,431)	(356,893)
Net cash provided by financing activities	66,151	72,988
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(61,752)	(11,854)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	112,159	32,672
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	50,407	20,818
Intercompany eliminations
Subsidiary guarantees
Net cash provided by operating activities	(9,334)	(15,238)
Change in investment between affiliates	9,334	15,238
Capital expenditures and other	0	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	0	0
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	0	0
Laredo | Reportable Legal Entities
Subsidiary guarantees
Net cash provided by operating activities	402,065	273,309
Change in investment between affiliates	3,115	(36,890)
Capital expenditures and other	(533,083)	(321,261)
Net cash provided by financing activities	66,151	72,988
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(61,752)	(11,854)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	112,158	32,671
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	50,406	20,817
Subsidiary Guarantors | Reportable Legal Entities
Subsidiary guarantees
Net cash provided by operating activities	15,797	13,980
Change in investment between affiliates	(12,449)	21,652
Capital expenditures and other	(3,348)	(35,632)
Net cash provided by financing activities	0	0
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1	1
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 1	$ 1

Subsequent events - Additional

Subsequent events - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	Oct. 15, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Nov. 05, 2018	Oct. 23, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Borrowings on Senior Secured Credit Facility		$ 190,000,000	$ 155,000,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility | Secured debt
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Amount outstanding		170,000,000
Current borrowing capacity		1,300,000,000
Aggregate elected commitment		1,200,000,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility | Secured debt | Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Borrowings on Senior Secured Credit Facility	$ 20,000,000
Amount outstanding				$ 190,000,000
Current borrowing capacity					$ 1,300,000,000
Aggregate elected commitment					$ 1,200,000,000
Letter of Credit | Secured debt
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding		$ 0				$ 0
Letter of Credit | Secured debt | Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding				$ 14,700,000