Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Commitments - Narrative (Details)

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Commitments - Narrative (Details)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 01, 2017
Nov. 02, 2016
shares
Mar. 13, 2015
Apr. 22, 2014
Mar. 11, 1997
USD ($)
well
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
MMBtu_per_day
well
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Commitments [Line Items]                
Plugging and abandonment escrow account on the WCBB properties (Note 15)           $ 3,100,000    
Maximum annual contributions per employee (401K Plan)           100.00%    
Cost recognized on defined contribution plan           $ 3,000,000 $ 1,700,000 $ 1,400,000
Purchase commitment daily volume | MMBtu_per_day           2,629,800    
Chief Executive Officer                
Commitments [Line Items]                
Employment agreement term       3 years        
Chief Operating Officer                
Commitments [Line Items]                
Employment agreement term     2 years          
Post employment benefits, eligibility term   18 months            
Chief Financial Officer                
Commitments [Line Items]                
Employment agreement term     3 years          
Management                
Commitments [Line Items]                
Employment agreement term 1 year              
Employment agreement, subsequent extension 1 year              
Employment agreement, notice period allowed for termination 30 days              
Minimum                
Commitments [Line Items]                
Minimum matching employer contribution for 401K           3.00%    
Operating lease term (exceeding one year)           1 year    
Restricted stock | Chief Operating Officer                
Commitments [Line Items]                
Annual employee compensation commitment, shares awarded (shares) | shares   3,000            
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Chief Operating Officer                
Commitments [Line Items]                
Annual employee compensation commitment, shares awarded (shares) | shares   14,820            
Supply agreement non-utilization fees | Muskie Proppant LLC                
Commitments [Line Items]                
Non-utilization fees incurred           $ 0 $ 1,900,000  
WCBB                
Commitments [Line Items]                
Remaining percent interest in properties         50.00%      
Monthly payments to abandonment trust obligation         $ 18,000      
Plugging commitment, minimum number of wells to be plugged | well         20      
Period of well plugging commitment         20 years      
Number of wells plugged to date | well           551