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Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2018	Nov. 02, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	Diamondback Energy, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001539838
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		101,257,911

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 508,446	$ 112,446
Accounts receivable:
Joint interest and other	81,955	73,038
Oil and natural gas sales	182,362	158,575
Inventories	14,815	9,108
Derivative instruments	0	531
Prepaid expenses and other	8,111	4,903
Total current assets	795,689	358,601
Property and equipment:
Oil and natural gas properties, full cost method of accounting ($4,283,629 and $4,105,865 excluded from amortization at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)	10,818,378	9,232,694
Midstream assets	355,758	191,519
Other property, equipment and land	85,882	80,776
Accumulated depletion, depreciation, amortization and impairment	(2,545,412)	(2,161,372)
Net property and equipment	8,714,606	7,343,617
Funds held in escrow	62,034	6,304
Deferred tax asset	95,551	0
Investment in real estate, net	106,834	0
Other assets	31,859	62,463
Total assets	9,806,573	7,770,985
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable-trade	85,869	94,590
Accrued capital expenditures	292,700	221,256
Other accrued liabilities	143,792	92,512
Revenues and royalties payable	75,600	68,703
Derivative instruments	123,826	100,367
Total current liabilities	721,787	577,428
Long-term debt	2,332,359	1,477,347
Derivative instruments	5,931	6,303
Asset retirement obligations	23,897	20,122
Deferred income taxes	292,795	108,048
Other long-term liabilities	7	0
Total liabilities	3,376,776	2,189,248
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 98,673,563 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2018; 98,167,289 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017	987	982
Additional paid-in capital	5,464,542	5,291,011
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	467,830	(37,133)
Total Diamondback Energy, Inc. stockholders’ equity	5,933,359	5,254,860
Non-controlling interest	496,438	326,877
Total equity	6,429,797	5,581,737
Total liabilities and equity	$ 9,806,573	$ 7,770,985

Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Oil and natural gas properties, amortization excluded	$ 4,283,629	$ 4,105,865
Common Stock, Par Value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Shares Issued	98,673,563	98,167,289
Shares Outstanding	98,673,563	98,167,289

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:
Revenue	$ 538,029	$ 301,253	$ 1,544,497	$ 805,917
Lease bonus	1,322	322	2,250	2,507
Other operating income	2,359	0	6,825	0
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses	49,111	32,498	129,103	88,113
Production and ad valorem taxes	33,536	18,371	93,042	49,975
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	146,318	87,579	391,401	221,681
General and administrative expenses (including non-cash equity-based compensation, net of capitalized amounts, of $5,350 and $6,187 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $18,451 and $19,418 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively)	14,185	11,888	45,039	37,524
Asset retirement obligation accretion	387	357	1,107	1,030
Other operating expense	940	0	2,416	0
Total costs and expenses	271,178	158,614	728,697	414,560
Income from operations	266,851	142,639	815,800	391,357
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(18,548)	(9,192)	(49,345)	(29,662)
Other income, net	1,962	3	89,170	9,472
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net	(48,373)	(50,645)	(139,305)	20,376
Gain (loss) on revaluation of investment	(199)	0	5,165	0
Total other income (expense), net	(65,158)	(59,834)	(94,315)	186
Income before income taxes	201,693	82,805	721,485	391,543
Provision for income taxes	42,276	857	82,750	4,393
Net income	159,417	81,948	638,735	387,150
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	2,363	8,924	99,723	19,448
Net income attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc.	$ 157,054	$ 73,024	$ 539,012	$ 367,702
Earnings per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.59	$ 0.74	$ 5.47	$ 3.81
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.59	$ 0.74	$ 5.45	$ 3.80
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	98,638	98,144	98,603	96,491
Diluted (in shares)	98,818	98,369	98,820	96,752
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.125	$ 0.000	$ 0.375	$ 0.000
Oil sales
Revenues:
Revenue	$ 454,644	$ 259,049	$ 1,334,349	$ 704,007
Natural gas sales
Revenues:
Revenue	14,814	14,922	40,557	37,537
Natural gas liquid sales
Revenues:
Revenue	57,610	25,266	133,858	57,625
Midstream services
Revenues:
Revenue	7,280	1,694	26,658	4,241
Costs and expenses:
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	19,725	4,445	48,515	7,127
Gathering and transportation
Costs and expenses:
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	$ 6,976	$ 3,476	$ 18,074	$ 9,110

Consolidated Statements of Operations Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Non-cash stock based compensation, net of capitalized amount	$ 5,350	$ 6,187	$ 18,451	$ 19,418

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 4,018,292	$ 901	$ 4,215,955	$ (519,394)	$ 320,830
Balance at beginning of period, shares at Dec. 31, 2016		90,144,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net proceeds from issuance of common units - Viper Energy Partners LP	369,896	$ 0	0	0	369,896
Unit-based compensation	2,039	0	0	0	2,039
Common units issued for acquisition	3,050	0	0	0	3,050
Stock-based compensation	23,790	0	23,790	0	0
Distribution to non-controlling interest	(27,640)	0	0	0	(27,640)
Common shares issued in public offering, net of offering costs	14	0	14	0	0
Common shares issued for acquisition	809,173	$ 77	809,096	0	0
Common shares issued for acquisition, shares		7,686,000
Exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units	359	$ 4	355	0	0
Exercise of stock options and awards of restricted stock, shares		337,000
Net income	387,150	$ 0	0	367,702	19,448
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2017	5,586,123	$ 982	5,049,210	(151,692)	687,623
Balance at end of period, shares at Sep. 30, 2017		98,167,000
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 5,581,737	$ 982	5,291,011	(37,133)	326,877
Balance at beginning of period, shares at Dec. 31, 2017	98,167,289	98,167,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net proceeds from issuance of common units - Viper Energy Partners LP	$ 303,137	$ 0	0	0	303,137
Unit-based compensation	2,166	0	0	0	2,166
Stock-based compensation	23,613	0	23,613	0	0
Distribution to non-controlling interest	(68,801)	0	0	0	(68,801)
Dividend paid	(24,656)	0	0	(24,656)	0
Exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units	140	5	(5)	0	140
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Changes, Net	(10,210)	$ 0	149,923	0	(160,133)
Exercise of stock options and awards of restricted stock, shares		506,000
Net income	638,735	$ 0	0	539,012	99,723
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 6,429,797	$ 987	5,464,542	467,830	496,438
Balance at end of period, shares at Sep. 30, 2018	98,673,563	98,674,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Impact of adoption of ASU 2016-01, net of tax	$ (16,064)	$ 0	$ 0	$ (9,393)	$ (6,671)

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 638,735	$ 387,150
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for deferred income taxes	81,573	3,313
Asset retirement obligation accretion	1,107	1,030
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	391,401	221,681
Amortization of debt issuance costs	2,291	2,828
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	23,618	(9,365)
Income from equity investment	0	(309)
Gain on revaluation of investment	(5,165)	0
Equity-based compensation expense	18,451	19,418
Loss (gain) on sale of assets, net	3,071	(386)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(21,611)	(23,422)
Accounts receivable-related party	0	283
Restricted cash	0	500
Inventories	(14,196)	(2,700)
Prepaid expenses and other	(5,813)	(9,242)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	18,383	18,305
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities-related party	0	(2)
Accrued interest	12,663	(1,738)
Income tax payable	311	1,017
Revenues and royalties payable	6,897	29,657
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,151,716	638,018
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to oil and natural gas properties	(1,010,325)	(531,489)
Additions to midstream assets	(129,820)	(22,491)
Purchase of other property, equipment and land	(2,049)	(21,534)
Acquisition of leasehold interests	(185,658)	(1,892,864)
Acquisition of mineral interests	(335,574)	(370,855)
Acquisition of midstream assets	0	(50,279)
Proceeds from sale of assets	6,771	3,584
Investment in real estate	(110,654)	0
Funds held in escrow	(51,045)	121,391
Equity investments	(604)	(188)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,818,958)	(2,764,725)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings under credit facility	1,027,500	533,000
Repayment under credit facility	(1,221,500)	(383,500)
Proceeds from senior notes	1,062,000	0
Debt issuance costs	(14,578)	(1,714)
Public offering costs	(2,636)	(510)
Proceeds from public offerings	305,773	370,344
Proceeds from unit options exercised	140	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	358
Dividends to stockholders	(24,656)	0
Distributions to non-controlling interest	(68,801)	(27,640)
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,063,242	490,338
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	396,000	(1,636,369)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	112,446	1,666,574
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	508,446	30,205
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	51,658	28,702
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions:
Change in accrued capital expenditures	71,444	129,105
Capitalized stock-based compensation	$ 7,328	$ 6,411
Common stock issued for oil and natural gas properties	0	809,173
Asset retirement obligations acquired	$ 270	$ 2,411

Description of the Business and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Description of the Business and Basis of Presentation	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of the Business and Basis of Presentation	DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Organization and Description of the Business Diamondback Energy, Inc. (“Diamondback” or the “Company”), together with its subsidiaries, is an independent oil and gas company currently focused on the acquisition, development, exploration and exploitation of unconventional, onshore oil and natural gas reserves in the Permian Basin in West Texas. Diamondback was incorporated in Delaware on December 30, 2011. The wholly-owned subsidiaries of Diamondback, as of September 30, 2018, include Diamondback E&P LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Diamondback O&G LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Viper Energy Partners GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Rattler Midstream LLC (formerly known as White Fang Energy LLC), a Delaware limited liability company, and Tall City Towers LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The consolidated subsidiaries include these wholly-owned subsidiaries as well as Viper Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), and the Partnership’s wholly-owned subsidiary Viper Energy Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Operating Company”). Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries after all significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. The Partnership is consolidated in the financial statements of the Company. As of September 30, 2018, the Company owned approximately 59% of the Partnership’s total units outstanding. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Viper Energy Partners GP LLC, is the General Partner of the Partnership. These financial statements have been prepared by the Company without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. They reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for interim periods, on a basis consistent with the annual audited financial statements. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Certain information, accounting policies and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. This Quarterly Report on Form 10–Q should be read in conjunction with the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10–K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, which contains a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies and other disclosures.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Use of Estimates Certain amounts included in or affecting the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures must be estimated by management, requiring certain assumptions to be made with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty at the time the consolidated financial statements are prepared. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts the Company reports for assets and liabilities and the Company’s disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company evaluates these estimates on an ongoing basis, using historical experience, consultation with experts and other methods the Company considers reasonable in the particular circumstances. Nevertheless, actual results may differ significantly from the Company’s estimates. Any effects on the Company’s business, financial position or results of operations resulting from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves and related present value estimates of future net cash flows therefrom, the carrying value of oil and natural gas properties, asset retirement obligations, the fair value determination of acquired assets and liabilities assumed, equity-based compensation, fair value estimates of commodity derivatives and estimates of income taxes. Investments The Partnership has an equity interest in a limited partnership that is so minor that the Partnership has no influence over the limited partnership’s operating and financial policies. This interest was acquired during the year ended December 31, 2014 and is accounted for under the cost method. Effective January 1, 2018, the Partnership adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 which requires the Partnership to measure this investment at fair value which resulted in a downward adjustment of $18.7 million to record the impact of this adoption. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Partnership recorded a gain (loss) of $(0.2) million and $5.2 million, respectively. The Partnership’s investment balance as of September 30, 2018 was $20.2 million, which is included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Funds Held in Escrow The funds held in escrow represent amounts in deposit to fund acquisitions. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, there was $62.0 million in deposit to be applied to the purchase price for the acquisition of leasehold interests and related assets from Ajax Resources, LLC that closed on October 31, 2018. See Note 4— Acquisitions for information relating to this acquisition. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, there was $6.3 million in deposit to fund other acquisitions which closed in the first quarter of 2018. New Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. This standard included 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. Among other things, the standard also eliminated industry-specific revenue guidance, required enhanced disclosures about revenue, provided guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively and improved guidance for multiple-element arrangements. The Company adopted this Accounting Standards Update effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. The Company utilized a bottom-up approach to analyze the impact of the new standard by reviewing its current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that would result from applying the requirements of the new standard to its revenue contracts and the impact of adopting this standards update on its total revenues, operating income and its consolidated balance sheet. The adoption of this standard did not result in a cumulative-effect adjustment. In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-01, “Financial Instruments–Overall”. This update applies to any entity that holds financial assets or owes financial liabilities. This update requires equity investments (except for those accounted for under the equity method or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The Partnership adopted this standard effective January 1, 2018 by means of a negative cumulative-effect adjustment totaling $18.7 million. In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”. This update apples to all entities that are required to present a statement of cash flows. This update provides guidance on eight specific cash flow issues: debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing; contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies; including bank-owned life insurance policies; distributions received from equity method investees; beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The Company adopted this update effective January 1, 2018 using the retrospective transition method. Adoption of this standard did not have an effect on the presentation on the Statement of Cash Flows. In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash”. This update affects entities that have restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The Company adopted this update effective January 1, 2018. The adoption of this update did not have an effect on the presentation on the Statement of Cash Flows. In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-01, “Business Combinations - Clarifying the Definition of a Business”. This update apples to all entities that must determine whether they acquired or sold a business. This update provides a screen to determine when a set 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. The Company adopted this update prospectively effective January 1, 2018. The adoption of this update did not have an impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity. Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, “Leases”. This update applies to any entity that enters into a lease, with some specified scope exemptions. Under this update, a lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. While there were no major changes to the lessor accounting, changes were made to align key aspects with the revenue recognition guidance. This update will be effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Entities will be required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The Company believes the primary impact of adopting this standard will be the recognition of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for current operating leases. The Company is still evaluating the impact of this standard. In January 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-01, “Leases - Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842”. This update applies to any entity that holds land easements. The update allows entities to adopt a practical expedient to not evaluate existing or expired land easements under Topic 842 that were not previously accounted for as leases under the current leases guidance. An entity that elects this practical expedient should evaluate new or modified land easements under Topic 842 beginning at the date that the entity adopts Topic 842. The Company believes the adoption of this update will not have an impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity. In July 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases”. This update provides clarification and corrects unintended application of certain sections in the new lease guidance. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company believes the primary impact of adopting this standard will be the recognition of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for current operating leases. The Company is still evaluating the impact of this standard. In July 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-11, “Lease (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements”. This update provides another transition method of allowing entities to initially apply the new lease standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company believes the primary impact of adopting this standard will be the recognition of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for current operating leases. The Company is still evaluating the impact of this standard. In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses”. This update affects entities holding financial assets and net investment in leases that are not accounted for at fair value through net income. The amendments affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This update will be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The Company does not believe the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the Company does not have a history of credit losses. In June 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-07, “Stock Compensation - Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. This update applies the existing employee guidance to nonemployee share-based transactions, with the exception of specific guidance related to the attribution of compensation cost. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this update, but does not believe it will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity. In July 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-09, “Codification Improvements”. This update provides clarification and corrects unintended application of the guidance in various sections. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this update, but does not believe it will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity. In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”. This update modifies the fair value measurement disclosure requirements specifically related to Level 3 fair value measurements and transfers between levels. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This update will be applied prospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this update, but does not believe it will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity. In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-15, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal - Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract”. This update requires the capitalization of implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract for internal-use software. Training and certain data conversion costs cannot be capitalized. The entity is required to expense the capitalized implementation costs over the term of the hosting agreement. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This update should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company believes the adoption of this update will not have an impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers	9 Months Ended
Revenue from Contracts with Customers	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block]	REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS Revenue from Contracts with Customers Sales of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids are recognized at the point control of the product is transferred to the customer. Virtually all of the pricing provisions in the Company’s contracts are tied to a market index, with certain adjustments based on, among other factors, whether a well delivers to a gathering or transmission line, the quality of the oil or natural gas and the prevailing supply and demand conditions. As a result, the price of the oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids fluctuates to remain competitive with other available oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids supplies. Oil sales The Company’s oil sales contracts are generally structured where it delivers oil to the purchaser at a contractually agreed-upon delivery point at which the purchaser takes custody, title and risk of loss of the product. Under this arrangement, the Company or a third party transports the product to the delivery point and receives a specified index price from the purchaser with no deduction. In this scenario, the Company recognizes revenue when control transfers to the purchaser at the delivery point based on the price received from the purchaser. Oil revenues are recorded net of any third-party transportation fees and other applicable differentials in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Natural gas and natural gas liquids sales Under the Company’s natural gas processing contracts, it delivers natural gas to a midstream processing entity at the wellhead, battery facilities or the inlet of the midstream processing entity’s system. The midstream processing entity gathers and processes the natural gas and remits proceeds to the Company for the resulting sales of natural gas liquids and residue gas. In these scenarios, the Company evaluates whether it is the principal or the agent in the transaction. For those contracts where the Company has concluded it is the principal and the ultimate third party is its customer, the Company recognizes revenue on a gross basis, with transportation, gathering, processing, treating and compression fees presented as an expense in its consolidated statements of operations. In certain natural gas processing agreements, the Company may elect to take its residue gas and/or natural gas liquids in-kind at the tailgate of the midstream entity’s processing plant and subsequently market the product. Through the marketing process, the Company delivers product to the ultimate third-party purchaser at a contractually agreed-upon delivery point and receives a specified index price from the purchaser. In this scenario, the Company recognizes revenue when control transfers to the purchaser at the delivery point based on the index price received from the purchaser. The gathering, processing, treating and compression fees attributable to the gas processing contract, as well as any transportation fees incurred to deliver the product to the purchaser, are presented as transportation, gathering, processing, treating and compression expense in its consolidated statements of operations. Midstream Revenue Substantially all revenues from gathering, compression, water handling, disposal and treatment operations are derived from intersegment transactions for services Rattler Midstream LLC (“Rattler”) provides to exploration and production operations. The portion of such fees shown in the Company’s consolidated financial statements represent amounts charged to interest owners in the Company’s operated wells, as well as fees charged to other third parties for water handling and treatment services provided by Rattler or usage of Rattler’s gathering and compression systems. For gathering and compression revenue, Rattler satisfies its performance obligations and recognizes revenue when low pressure volumes are delivered to a specified delivery point. Revenue is recognized based on the per MMbtu gathering fee or a per barrel gathering fee charged by Rattler in accordance with the gathering and compression agreement. For water handling and treatment revenue, Rattler satisfies its performance obligations and recognizes revenue when the fresh water volumes have been delivered to the fracwater meter for a specified well pad and the wastewater volumes have been metered downstream of the Company’s facilities. For services contracted through third party providers, Rattler’s performance obligation is satisfied when the service performed by the third party provider has been completed. Revenue is recognized based on the per barrel fresh water delivery or a wastewater gathering and disposal fee charged by Rattler in accordance with the water services agreement. Transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations The Company’s upstream product sales contracts do not originate until production occurs and, therefore, are not considered to exist beyond each days’ production. Therefore, there are no remaining performance obligation under any of our product sales contracts. The majority of the Company’s midstream revenue agreements have a term greater than one year, and as such Rattler LLC has utilized the practical expedient in ASC 606, which states that the Company 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 its revenue agreements, each delivery generally represents a separate performance obligation; therefore, future volumes delivered are wholly unsatisfied and disclosure of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations is not required. The remainder of the Company’s midstream revenue agreements, which relate to agreements with third parties, are short-term in nature with a term of one year or less. Rattler LLC has utilized an additional practical expedient in ASC 606 which exempts it from disclosure of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations if the performance obligation is part of an agreement that has an original expected duration of one year or less. Contract balances Under the Company’s product sales contracts, it has the right to invoice its customers once the performance obligations have been satisfied, at which point payment is unconditional. Accordingly, the Company’s product sales contracts do not give rise to contract assets or liabilities under Accounting Standards Codification 606. Prior-period performance obligations The Company records revenue in the month production is delivered to the purchaser. However, settlement statements for certain natural gas and natural gas liquids sales 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 delivered to the purchaser and the price that will be received for the sale of the product. The Company records the differences between its estimates and the actual amounts received for product sales in the month that payment is received from the purchaser. The Company has existing internal controls for its revenue estimation process and related accruals, and any identified differences between its revenue estimates and actual revenue received historically have not been significant. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, revenue recognized in the reporting period related to performance obligations satisfied in prior reporting periods was not material. The Company believes that the pricing provisions of its oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids contracts are customary in the industry. To the extent actual volumes and prices of oil and natural gas sales are unavailable for a given reporting period because of timing or information not received from third parties, the revenue related to expected sales volumes and prices for those properties are estimated and recorded.

Acquisitions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block]

ACQUISITIONS

Tall City Towers LLC

On January 31, 2018, Tall City Towers LLC, a subsidiary of the Company, completed its acquisition of the Fasken Center office buildings in Midland, TX where the Company’s corporate offices are located for a net purchase price of $109.7 million.

Pending Merger with Energen Corporation

On August 14, 2018, the Company entered into a definitive merger agreement providing for the Company’s acquisition of Energen Corporation (“Energen”) in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $9.2 billion including Energen’s net debt of $831.0 million as of June 30, 2018 (the “Pending Merger”). The addition of Energen’s assets will increase the Company’s assets to: (i) over 273,000 net Tier One acres in the Permian Basin, an increase of 57% from its current Tier One acreage of approximately 174,000 net acres, (ii) approximately 7,200 estimated total net horizontal Permian locations, an increase of over 120% from its current estimated net locations and (iii) approximately 394,000 net acres across the Midland and Delaware Basins, an increase of 82% from our approximately 216,000 net acres as September 30, 2018, in each case after giving effect to the Company’s recently completed Ajax Resources, LLC, ExL Management, LLC and EnergyQuest II LLC acquisitions described below.

The completion of the Pending Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain customary mutual closing conditions. The Company’s registration statement on Form S-4 relating to the Pending Merger was declared effective by the SEC on October 24, 2018, and the Pending Merger is expected to be completed at the end of November of 2018.

Under the terms of the merger agreement relating to the Pending Merger, the Company has agreed to assume Energen’s outstanding debt, which as of June 30, 2018 was approximately $831.0 million. This amount consists of $301.0 million of borrowings under Energen’s existing credit facility, $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.625% Notes, due September 1, 2021, $20.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.32% Medium-term Notes, Series A, due July 28, 2022, $10.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.35% Medium-term Notes, Series A, due July 28, 2027, and $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.125% Medium-term Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2028 (collectively, the “Energen Notes”). The Company may choose to refinance the Energen credit facility and the Company’s credit facility into a combined credit facility in connection with the consummation of the Pending Merger or the Company may choose to repay the outstanding borrowings under the Energen credit facility using cash on hand or borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility. With respect to the outstanding Energen Notes, the Company may take no action, or the Company may seek to amend the terms of the indenture governing the Energen Notes or engage in liability management transactions with respect to, repay or refinance any or all of the Energen Notes, with any repayment coming from cash on hand or borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility.

Ajax Resources, LLC

On July 22, 2018, the Company entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire all leasehold interests and related assets of Ajax Resources, LLC, which include approximately 25,493 net leasehold acres in the Northern Midland Basin, for $900.0 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments, and approximately 2.6 million shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Ajax acquisition”). This transaction closed on October 31, 2018 and was effective as of July 1, 2018. The cash portion of this transaction was funded through a combination of cash on hand, proceeds from the sale of mineral interests to the Partnership (described below), borrowing under the Company’s revolving credit facility and a portion of the proceeds from the Company’s September 2018 senior note offering. See Note 9—Debt for information relating to this offering.

In connection with the closing of the Ajax acquisition on October 31, 2018, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement with Ajax Resources, LLC and certain other holders of the Company’s common stock. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company agreed to (i) file with the SEC a shelf registration statement to facilitate the resale of common stock issued in the Ajax acquisition and any shares of common stock that may be issued or distributed in respect of such shares upon certain events and (ii) use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective by November 30, 2018. Pursuant to this registration rights agreement, the Company also agreed to provide certain demand and piggyback registration rights to such holders.

ExL Petroleum Management, LLC and EnergyQuest II LLC

On September 21, 2018, the Company entered into two definitive purchase agreements to acquire leasehold interests and related assets, one with ExL Petroleum Management, LLC and ExL Petroleum Operating, Inc. and one with EnergyQuest II LLC, for an aggregate of approximately 3,646 net leasehold acres in the Northern Midland Basin for a total of $312.5 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments. These transactions closed on October 31, 2018 and were effective as of August 1, 2018. These transactions were funded through a combination of cash on hand, proceeds from the sale of assets to the Partnership (described below) and borrowing under the Company’s revolving credit facility.

Drop-down Transaction

On August 15, 2018, the Company completed a transaction to sell to the Partnership mineral interests underlying 32,424 gross (1,696 net royalty) acres primarily in Pecos County, Texas, in the Permian Basin, approximately 80% of which are operated by the Company, for $175.0 million (the “Drop-down Transaction”).

Oil and Natural Gas Properties

On February 28, 2017, the Company completed its acquisition of certain oil and natural gas properties, midstream assets and other related assets in the Delaware Basin for an aggregate purchase price consisting of $1.74 billion in cash and 7.69 million shares of the Company’s common stock, of which approximately 1.15 million shares were placed in an indemnity escrow. This transaction included the acquisition of (i) approximately 100,306 gross (80,339 net) acres primarily in Pecos and Reeves counties for approximately $2.5 billion and (ii) midstream assets for approximately $47.6 million. The Company used the net proceeds from its December 2016 equity offering, net proceeds from its December 2016 debt offering, cash on hand and other financing sources to fund the cash portion of the purchase price for this acquisition.

The following represents the fair value of the assets and liabilities assumed on the acquisition date. The aggregate consideration transferred was $2.5 billion, resulting in no goodwill or bargain purchase gain.



	(in thousands)
Proved oil and natural gas properties	$	386,308
Unevaluated oil and natural gas properties	2,122,597
Midstream assets	47,432
Prepaid capital costs	3,460
Oil inventory	839
Equipment	163
Revenues and royalties payable	(9,650		)
Asset retirement obligations	(1,550		)
Total fair value of net assets	$	2,549,599

The Company included in its consolidated statements of operations revenues of $84.3 million and direct operating expenses of $16.0 million for the period from February 28, 2017 to September 30, 2017 due to the acquisition.

Pro Forma Financial Information

The following unaudited summary pro forma consolidated statement of operations data of Diamondback for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 have been prepared to give effect to the February 28, 2017 acquisition as if it had occurred on January 1, 2016. The pro forma data are not necessarily indicative of financial results that would have been attained had the acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2016. The pro forma data also necessarily exclude various operation expenses related to the properties and the financial statements should not be viewed as indicative of operations in future periods.



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2017		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues	$	301,253	$	828,846
Income from operations	142,639		405,699
Net income	81,948		382,044
Basic earnings per common share	0.74		3.96
Diluted earnings per common share	0.74		3.95

Viper Energy Partners LP	9 Months Ended
Viper Energy Partners LP	Sep. 30, 2018
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Viper Energy Partners LP	VIPER ENERGY PARTNERS LP The Partnership is a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership, the common units of which are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “VNOM”. The Partnership was formed by Diamondback on February 27, 2014, to, among other things, own, acquire and exploit oil and natural gas properties in North America. The Partnership is currently focused on oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin and the Eagle Ford Shale. Viper Energy Partners GP LLC, a fully-consolidated subsidiary of Diamondback, serves as the general partner of the Partnership. As of September 30, 2018, the Company owned approximately 59% of the Partnership’s total units outstanding. Recapitalization, Tax Status Election and Related Transactions by Viper In March 2018, the Partnership announced that the Board of Directors of the General Partner had unanimously approved a change of the Partnership’s federal income tax status from that of a pass-through partnership to that of a taxable entity via a “check the box” election. In connection with making this election, on May 9, 2018 the Partnership (i) amended and restated its First Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement, (ii) amended and restated the First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Operating Company, (iii) amended and restated its existing registration rights agreement with the Company and (iv) entered into an exchange agreement with the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Company. Simultaneously with the effectiveness of these agreements, the Company delivered and assigned to the Partnership the 73,150,000 common units the Company owned in exchange for (i) 73,150,000 of the Partnership’s newly-issued Class B units and (ii) 73,150,000 newly-issued units of the Operating Company pursuant to the terms of a Recapitalization Agreement dated March 28, 2018, as amended as of May 9, 2018 (the “Recapitalization Agreement”). Immediately following that exchange, the Partnership continued to be the managing member of the Operating Company, with sole control of its operations, and owned approximately 36% of the outstanding units issued by the Operating Company, and the Company owned the remaining approximately 64% of the outstanding units issued by the Operating Company. Upon completion of the Partnership’s July 2018 offering of units, it owned approximately 41% of the outstanding units issued by the Operating Company and the Company owned the remaining approximately 59%. The Operating Company units and the Partnership’s Class B units owned by the Company are exchangeable from time to time for the Partnership’s common units (that is, one Operating Company unit and one Partnership Class B unit, together, will be exchangeable for one Partnership common unit). On May 10, 2018, the change in the Partnership’s income tax status became effective. On that date, pursuant to the terms of the Recapitalization Agreement, (i) the General Partner made a cash capital contribution of $1.0 million to the Partnership in respect of its general partner interest and (ii) the Company made a cash capital contribution of $1.0 million to the Partnership in respect of the Class B units. The Company, as the holder of the Class B units, and the General Partner, as the holder of the general partner interest, are entitled to receive an 8% annual distribution on the outstanding amount of these capital contributions, payable quarterly, as a return on this invested capital. On May 10, 2018, the Company also exchanged 731,500 Class B units and 731,500 units in the Operating Company for 731,500 common units of the Partnership and a cash amount of $10,000 representing a proportionate return of the $1.0 million invested capital in respect of the Class B units. The General Partner continues to serve as the Partnership’s general partner and the Company continues to control the Partnership. After the effectiveness of the tax status election and the completion of related transactions, the Partnership’s minerals business continues to be conducted through the Operating Company, which continues to be taxed as a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes. This structure is anticipated to provide significant benefits to the Partnership’s business, including operational effectiveness, acquisition and disposition transactional planning flexibility and income tax efficiency. For additional information regarding the tax status election and related transactions, please refer to the Partnership’s Definitive Information Statement on Schedule 14C filed with the SEC on April 17, 2018 and the Partnership’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 15, 2018. Partnership Agreement The second amended and restated agreement of limited partnership, dated as of May 9, 2018, as amended as of May 10, 2018 (the “Partnership Agreement”), requires the Partnership to reimburse the General Partner for all direct and indirect expenses incurred or paid on the Partnership’s behalf and all other expenses allocable to the Partnership or otherwise incurred by the General Partner in connection with operating the Partnership’s business. The Partnership Agreement does not set a limit on the amount of expenses for which the General Partner and its affiliates may be reimbursed. These expenses include salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to persons who perform services for the Partnership or on its behalf and expenses allocated to the General Partner by its affiliates. The General Partner is entitled to determine the expenses that are allocable to the Partnership. For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the General Partner allocated $0.6 million to the Partnership. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the General Partner allocated $1.8 million to the Partnership. Tax Sharing In connection with the closing of the Viper Offering, the Partnership entered into a tax sharing agreement with Diamondback, dated June 23, 2014, pursuant to which the Partnership agreed to reimburse Diamondback for its share of state and local income and other taxes for which the Partnership’s results are included in a combined or consolidated tax return filed by Diamondback with respect to taxable periods including or beginning on June 23, 2014. The amount of any such reimbursement is limited to the tax the Partnership would have paid had it not been included in a combined group with Diamondback. Diamondback may use its tax attributes to cause its combined or consolidated group, of which the Partnership may be a member for this purpose, to owe less or no tax. In such a situation, the Partnership agreed to reimburse Diamondback for the tax the Partnership would have owed had the tax attributes not been available or used for the Partnership’s benefit, even though Diamondback had no cash tax expense for that period. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Partnership accrued state income tax expense (benefit) of $(0.1) million and $0.1 million, respectively, for its share of Texas margin tax for which the Partnership’s results are included in a combined tax return filed by Diamondback. Other Agreements See Note 12—Related Party Transactions for information regarding the advisory services agreement the Partnership and the General Partner entered into with Wexford Capital LP (“Wexford”). The Partnership has entered into a secured revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo, as administrative agent sole book runner and lead arranger. See Note 9—Debt for a description of this credit facility.

Property and Equipment

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment includes the following:



	September 30,			December 31,
	2018			2017

	(in thousands)
Oil and natural gas properties:
Subject to depletion	$	6,534,749		$	5,126,829
Not subject to depletion	4,283,629			4,105,865
Gross oil and natural gas properties	10,818,378			9,232,694
Accumulated depletion	(1,375,163		)	(1,009,893		)
Accumulated impairment	(1,143,498		)	(1,143,498		)
Oil and natural gas properties, net	8,299,717			7,079,303
Midstream assets	355,758			191,519
Other property, equipment and land	85,882			80,776
Accumulated depreciation	(26,751		)	(7,981		)
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment	$	8,714,606		$	7,343,617

Balance of costs not subject to depletion:
Incurred in 2018	$	589,352
Incurred in 2017	2,563,902
Incurred in 2016	714,467
Incurred in 2015	234,948
Incurred in 2014	180,960
Total not subject to depletion	$	4,283,629

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 internal costs, are capitalized and amortized on a composite unit of production method based on proved oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves. Internal costs capitalized to the full cost pool represent management’s estimate of costs incurred directly related to exploration and development activities such as geological and other administrative costs associated with overseeing the exploration and development activities. Costs, including related employee costs, associated with production and operation of the properties are charged to expense as incurred. All other internal costs not directly associated with exploration and development activities are charged to expense as they are incurred. Capitalized internal costs were approximately $6.7 million and $5.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $20.4 million and $15.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Costs associated with unevaluated properties are excluded from the full cost pool until the Company has made a determination as to the existence of proved reserves. The inclusion of the Company’s unevaluated costs into the amortization base is expected to be completed within three to five years. Acquisition costs not currently being amortized are primarily related to unproved acreage that the Company plans to prove up through drilling. The Company has no plans to let any acreage expire. Sales of oil and natural gas properties, whether or not being amortized 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, natural gas liquids and natural gas.

Under this method of accounting, the Company is required to perform a ceiling test each quarter. The test determines a limit, or ceiling, on the book value of the proved oil and natural gas properties. Net capitalized costs are limited to the lower of unamortized cost net of deferred income taxes, or the cost center ceiling. The cost center ceiling is defined as the sum of (a) estimated future net revenues, discounted at 10% per annum, from proved reserves, based on the trailing 12-month unweighted average of the first-day-of-the-month price, adjusted for any contract provisions or financial derivatives, if any, that hedge the Company’s oil and natural gas revenue, and excluding the estimated abandonment costs for properties with asset retirement obligations recorded on the balance sheet, (b) the cost of properties not being amortized, if any, and (c) the lower of cost or market value of unproved properties included in the cost being amortized, including related deferred taxes for differences between the book and tax basis of the oil and natural gas properties. If the net book value, including related deferred taxes, exceeds the ceiling, an impairment or non-cash writedown is required.

At September 30, 2018, there was $50.1 million in exploration costs and development costs and $42.0 million in capitalized interest that was not subject to depletion. At December 31, 2017, there were $26.0 million in exploration costs and development costs and $22.1 million in capitalized interest that was not subject to depletion.

Asset Retirement Obligations

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Asset Retirement Obligation [Abstract]

Asset Retirement Obligations

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

The following table describes the changes to the Company’s asset retirement obligation liability for the following periods:



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017

	(in thousands)
Asset retirement obligations, beginning of period	$	21,285		$	17,422
Additional liabilities incurred	2,229			1,196
Liabilities acquired	270			2,411
Liabilities settled	(1,474		)	(689		)
Accretion expense	1,107			1,030
Revisions in estimated liabilities	568			4
Asset retirement obligations, end of period	23,985			21,374
Less current portion	88			1,392
Asset retirement obligations - long-term	$	23,897		$	19,982

The Company’s asset retirement obligations primarily relate to the future plugging and abandonment of wells and related facilities. The Company estimates the future plugging and abandonment costs of wells, the ultimate productive life of the properties, a risk-adjusted discount rate and an inflation factor in order to determine the current present value of this obligation. To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the present value of the existing asset retirement obligation liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the oil and natural gas property balance. The current portion of the asset retirement obligation liability is included in other accrued liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Equity Method Investments	9 Months Ended
Equity Method Investments	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments	EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS In October 2014, the Company obtained a 25% interest in HMW Fluid Management LLC (“HMW LLC”), which was formed to develop, own and operate an integrated water management system to gather, store, process, treat, distribute and dispose of water to exploration and production companies operating in Midland, Martin and Andrews Counties, Texas. On June 30, 2018, HMW LLC’s operating agreement was amended effective January 1, 2018. As a result of the amendment, the Company will no longer recognize an equity investment in HMW LLC but will instead consolidate its interests in the net assets of HMW LLC. In exchange for the Company’s 25% investment, the Company received a 50% undivided ownership interest in two of the four salt water disposal wells and associated assets previously owned by HMW LLC. The Company’s basis in the assets is equivalent to its basis in the equity investment in HMW LLC. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company invested $0.2 million in this entity and recorded $0.3 million, which is the Company’s share of HMW LLC’s net income, bringing its total investment to $6.8 million at September 30, 2017.

Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt

DEBT

Long-term debt consisted of the following as of the dates indicated:



	September 30,			December 31,
	2018			2017

	(in thousands)
4.750 % Senior Notes due 2024	$	1,250,000		$	500,000
5.375 % Senior Notes due 2025	800,000			500,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(25,038		)	(13,153		)
Unamortized premium costs	10,897			—
Revolving credit facility	—			397,000
Partnership revolving credit facility	296,500			93,500
Total long-term debt	$	2,332,359		$	1,477,347

2024 Senior Notes

On October 28, 2016, the Company issued $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.750% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “2024 Senior Notes”). The 2024 Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.750% per annum, payable semi-annually, in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing on May 1, 2017 and will mature on November 1, 2024. All of the Company’s existing and future restricted subsidiaries that guarantee its revolving credit facility or certain other debt guarantee the 2024 Senior Notes; provided, however, that the 2024 Senior Notes are not guaranteed by the Partnership, the General Partner, Viper Energy Partners LLC or Rattler Midstream LLC, and will not be guaranteed by any of the Company’s future unrestricted subsidiaries.

On September 25, 2018, the Company issued $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of new 4.750% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “New 2024 Notes”) as additional notes under, and subject to the terms of, the 2024 Indenture. The New 2024 Notes were issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act. The Company received approximately $740.7 million in net proceeds, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and its estimated offering expenses, but disregarding accrued interest, from the issuance of the New 2024 Notes. The Company used a portion of the net proceeds from the issuance of the New 2024 Notes to repay the outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility and intends to use the balance for general corporate purposes, including funding a portion of the cash consideration for the acquisition of assets from Ajax Resources, LLC.

The 2024 Senior Notes were issued under, and are governed by, an indenture among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo, as the trustee, as supplemented (the “2024 Indenture”). The 2024 Indenture contains certain covenants that, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, among other things, limit the Company’s ability and the ability of the restricted subsidiaries to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness, make certain investments, declare or pay dividends or make other distributions on capital stock, prepay subordinated indebtedness, sell assets including capital stock of restricted subsidiaries, agree to payment restrictions affecting the Company’s restricted subsidiaries, consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, enter into transactions with affiliates, incur liens, engage in business other than the oil and natural gas business and designate certain of the Company’s subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries.

The Company may on any one or more occasions redeem some or all of the 2024 Senior Notes at any time on or after November 1, 2019 at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) of 103.563% for the 12-month period beginning on November 1, 2019, 102.375% for the 12-month period beginning on November 1, 2020, 101.188% for the 12-month period beginning on November 1, 2021 and 100.000% beginning on November 1, 2022 and at any time thereafter with any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of redemption. Prior to November 1, 2019, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a portion of the 2024 Senior Notes (including the New 2024 Notes) at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2024 Senior Notes (including the New 2024 Notes) plus a “make-whole” premium and accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. In addition, any time prior to November 1, 2019, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem the 2024 Senior Notes (including the New 2024 Notes) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Senior Notes (including the New 2024 Notes) issued prior to such date at a redemption price of 104.750%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with an amount equal to the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings.

2025 Senior Notes

On December 20, 2016, the Company issued $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Senior Notes”). The 2025 Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.375% per annum, payable semi-annually, in arrears on May 31 and November 30 of each year, commencing on May 31, 2017 and will mature on May 31, 2025. All of the Company’s existing and future restricted subsidiaries that guarantee its revolving credit facility or certain other debt guarantee the 2025 Senior Notes, provided, however, that the 2025 Senior Notes are not guaranteed by the Partnership, the General Partner, Viper Energy Partners LLC or Rattler Midstream LLC, and will not be guaranteed by any of the Company’s future unrestricted subsidiaries.

On January 29, 2018, the Company issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of new 5.375% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “New 2025 Notes”) as additional notes under, and subject to the terms of, the 2025 Indenture. The New 2025 Notes were issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act. The Company received approximately $308.4 million in net proceeds, after deducting the initial purchaser’s discount and its estimated offering expenses, but disregarding accrued interest, from the issuance of the New 2025 Notes. The Company used the net proceeds from the issuance of the New 2025 Notes to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility.

The 2025 Indenture contains certain covenants that, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, among other things, limit the Company’s ability and the ability of the restricted subsidiaries to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness, make certain investments, declare or pay dividends or make other distributions on capital stock, prepay subordinated indebtedness, sell assets including capital stock of restricted subsidiaries, agree to payment restrictions affecting the Company’s restricted subsidiaries, consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, enter into transactions with affiliates, incur liens, engage in business other than the oil and natural gas business and designate certain of the Company’s subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries.

The Company may on any one or more occasions redeem some or all of the 2025 Senior Notes (including the New 2025 Notes) at any time on or after May 31, 2020 at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) of 104.031% for the 12-month period beginning on May 31, 2020, 102.688% for the 12-month period beginning on May 31, 2021, 101.344% for the 12-month period beginning on May 31, 2022 and 100.000% beginning on May 31, 2023 and at any time thereafter with any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of redemption. Prior to May 31, 2020, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a portion of the 2025 Senior Notes (including the New 2025 Notes) at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2025 Senior Notes (including the New 2025 Notes) plus a “make-whole” premium and accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. In addition, any time prior to May 31, 2020, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem the 2025 Senior Notes (including the New 2025 Notes) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Senior Notes (including the New 2025 Notes) issued prior to such date at a redemption price of 105.375%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with an amount equal to the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings.

The Company’s Credit Facility

The Company and Diamondback O&G LLC, as borrower, entered into the second amended and restated credit agreement, dated November 1, 2013, as amended, with a syndicate of banks, including Wells Fargo, as administrative agent, and its affiliate Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as sole book runner and lead arranger. The credit agreement provides for a revolving credit facility in the maximum credit amount of $5.0 billion, subject to a borrowing base based on the Company’s oil and natural gas reserves and other factors (the “borrowing base”). The borrowing base is scheduled to be redetermined, under certain circumstances, annually with an effective date of May 1st, and, under certain circumstances, semi-annually with effective dates of May 1st and November 1st. In addition, the Company and Wells Fargo may each request up to two interim redeterminations of the borrowing base during any 12-month period. As of September 30, 2018, the borrowing base was set at $2.0 billion, the Company had elected a commitment amount of $1.0 billion and the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility and $1.0 billion available for future borrowings under its revolving credit facility. On October 26, 2018, the credit agreement was amended to increase the borrowing base to $2.5 billion, which was increased further to $2.65 billion on November 6, 2018 following the closing of the Company’s acquisition of assets from Ajax Resources, LLC and satisfaction of certain other conditions. The Company also elected to increase the commitment amount from $1.0 billion to $2.0 billion effective October 26, 2018. In addition, this amendment increased the Company’s flexibility to make restricted payments and redeem senior unsecured notes.

Diamondback O&G LLC is the borrower under the credit agreement. As of December 31, 2017, the credit agreement is guaranteed by the Company, Diamondback E&P LLC and Rattler Midstream LLC (formerly known as White Fang Energy LLC) and will also be guaranteed by any of the Company’s future subsidiaries that are classified as restricted subsidiaries under the credit agreement. The credit agreement is also secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company, Diamondback O&G LLC and the guarantors.

The outstanding borrowings under the credit agreement bear interest at a per annum rate elected by the Company that is equal to an alternate base rate (which is equal to the greatest of the prime rate, the Federal Funds effective rate plus 0.5%, and 3-month LIBOR plus 1.0%) or LIBOR, in each case plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin ranges from 0.25% to 1.25% in the case of the alternate base rate and from 1.25% to 2.25% in the case of LIBOR, in each case depending on the amount of loans and letters of credit outstanding in relation to the commitment, which is defined as the least of the maximum credit amount, the borrowing base and the elected commitment amount. The Company is obligated to pay a quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.375% to 0.500% per year on the unused portion of the commitment, which fee is also dependent on the amount of loans and letters of credit outstanding in relation to the commitment. Loan principal may be optionally repaid from time to time without premium or penalty (other than customary LIBOR breakage), and is required to be repaid (a) to the extent the loan amount exceeds the commitment or the borrowing base, whether due to a borrowing base redetermination or otherwise (in some cases subject to a cure period), (b) in an amount equal to the net cash proceeds from the sale of property when a borrowing base deficiency or event of default exists under the credit agreement and (c) at the maturity date of November 1, 2022.

The credit agreement contains various affirmative, negative and financial maintenance covenants. These covenants, among other things, limit additional indebtedness, additional liens, sales of assets, mergers and consolidations, dividends and distributions, transactions with affiliates and entering into certain swap agreements and require the maintenance of the financial ratios described below.



Financial Covenant		Required Ratio
Ratio of total net debt to EBITDAX, as defined in the credit agreement		Not greater than 4.0 to 1.0
Ratio of current assets to liabilities, as defined in the credit agreement		Not less than 1.0 to 1.0

The covenant prohibiting additional indebtedness, as amended in November 2017, allows for the issuance of unsecured debt in the form of senior or senior subordinated notes if no default would result from the incurrence of such debt after giving effect thereto and if, in connection with any such issuance, the borrowing base is reduced by 25% of the stated principal amount of each such issuance.

As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under its revolving credit facility, as then in effect. The lenders may accelerate all of the indebtedness under the Company’s revolving credit facility upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any event of default. The credit agreement contains customary events of default, including non-payment, breach of covenants, materially incorrect representations, cross-default, bankruptcy and change of control. There are no cure periods for events of default due to non-payment of principal and breaches of negative and financial covenants, but non-payment of interest and breaches of certain affirmative covenants are subject to customary cure periods.

The Partnership’s Credit Agreement

On July 8, 2014, the Partnership entered into a secured revolving credit agreement with Wells Fargo, as administrative agent, certain other lenders and the Operating Company, the Partnership’s consolidated subsidiary, as guarantor. On May 8, 2018, the Operating Company assumed all liabilities as borrower under the credit agreement and the Partnership became a guarantor of the credit agreement. On July 20, 2018, the Operating Company, the Partnership, Wells Fargo and the other lenders amended and restated the credit agreement to reflect the assumption by the Operating Company.

The credit agreement, as amended and restated, provides for a revolving credit facility in the maximum credit amount of $2.0 billion and a borrowing base based on the Partnership’s oil and natural gas reserves and other factors (the “borrowing base”) of $475.0 million, subject to scheduled semi-annual and other borrowing base redeterminations. The borrowing base is scheduled to be re-determined semi-annually with effective dates of May 1st and October 26th. In addition, the Operating Company and Wells Fargo each may request up to three interim redeterminations of the borrowing base during any 12-month period. As of September 30, 2018, the borrowing base was set at $475.0 million, and there was $296.5 million of outstanding borrowings and $178.5 million available for future borrowings under the revolving credit facility. In connection with the Partnership’s fall 2018 redetermination, the Partnership’s borrowing base was increased to $555.0 million effective October 26, 2018.

The outstanding borrowings under the credit agreement bear interest at a per annum rate elected by the Operating Company that is equal to an alternate base rate (which is equal to the greatest of the prime rate, the Federal Funds effective rate plus 0.5% and 3-month LIBOR plus 1.0%) or LIBOR, in each case plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin ranges from 0.75% to 1.75% per annum in the case of the alternate base rate and from 1.75% to 2.75% per annum in the case of LIBOR, in each case depending on the amount of loans and letters of credit outstanding in relation to the commitment, which is defined as the lesser of the maximum credit amount and the borrowing base. The Operating Company is obligated to pay a quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.375% to 0.500% per year on the unused portion of the commitment, which fee is also dependent on the amount of loans and letters of credit outstanding in relation to the commitment. Loan principal may be optionally repaid from time to time without premium or penalty (other than customary LIBOR breakage), and is required to be repaid (i) to the extent the loan amount exceeds the commitment or the borrowing base, whether due to a borrowing base redetermination or otherwise (in some cases subject to a cure period), (ii) in an amount equal to the net cash proceeds from the sale of property when a borrowing base deficiency or event of default exists under the credit agreement and (iii) at the maturity date of November 1, 2022. The loan is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Partnership and the Operating Company.

The credit agreement contains various affirmative, negative and financial maintenance covenants. These covenants, among other things, limit additional indebtedness, purchases of margin stock, additional liens, sales of assets, mergers and consolidations, dividends and distributions, transactions with affiliates and entering into certain swap agreements, and require the maintenance of the financial ratios described below:



Financial Covenant		Required Ratio
Ratio of total net debt to EBITDAX, as defined in the credit agreement		Not greater than 4.0 to 1.0
Ratio of current assets to liabilities, as defined in the credit agreement		Not less than 1.0 to 1.0

The covenant prohibiting additional indebtedness allows for the issuance of unsecured debt of up to $400.0 million in the form of senior unsecured notes and, in connection with any such issuance, the reduction of the borrowing base by 25% of the stated principal amount of each such issuance. A borrowing base reduction in connection with such issuance may require a portion of the outstanding principal of the loan to be repaid.

The lenders may accelerate all of the indebtedness under the credit agreement upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any event of default. The credit agreement contains customary events of default, including non-payment, breach of covenants, materially incorrect representations, cross-default, bankruptcy and change of control. There are no cure periods for events of default due to non-payment of principal and breaches of negative and financial covenants, but non-payment of interest and breaches of certain affirmative covenants are subject to customary cure periods.

Alliance with Obsidian Resources, L.L.C.

The Company entered into a participation and development agreement (the “DrillCo Agreement”), dated September 10, 2018, with Obsidian Resources, L.L.C. (“CEMOF”) to fund oil and natural gas development. Funds managed by CEMOF and its affiliates have agreed to commit to funding certain costs out of CEMOF’s net production revenue and, for a period of time, to the extent not funded by such revenue, up to an additional $300.0 million, to fund drilling programs on locations provided by the Company. Subject to adjustments depending on asset characteristics and return expectations of the selected drilling plan, CEMOF will fund up to 85% of the costs associated with new wells drilled under the DrillCo Agreement and is expected to receive an 80% working interest in these wells until it reaches certain payout thresholds equal to a cumulative 9% and then 13% internal rate of return. Upon reaching the final internal rate of return target, CEMOF’s interest will be reduced to 15%, while the Company’s interest will increase to 85%.

Capital Stock and Earnings Per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Capital Stock and Earnings Per Share

CAPITAL STOCK AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

Diamondback did not complete any equity offerings during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017.

Partnership Equity Offerings

In January 2017, the Partnership completed an underwritten public offering of 9,775,000 common units, which included 1,275,000 common units issued pursuant to an option to purchase additional common units granted to the underwriters. The Partnership received net proceeds from this offering of approximately $147.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, of which the Partnership used $120.5 million to repay the outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit agreement and the balance was used for general partnership purposes, which included additional acquisitions.

In July 2017, the Partnership completed an underwritten public offering of 16,100,000 common units, which included 2,100,000 common units issued pursuant to an option to purchase additional common units granted to the underwriters. In this offering, the Company purchased 700,000 common units, an affiliate of the General Partner purchased 3,000,000 common units and certain officers and directors of the Company and the General Partner purchased an aggregate of 114,000 common units, in each case directly from the underwriters. The Partnership received net proceeds from this offering of approximately $232.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, of which the Partnership used $152.8 million to repay all of the then-outstanding borrowings under the Partnership’s revolving credit facility and the balance was used to fund a portion of the purchase price for acquisitions and for general partnership purposes.

In July 2018, the Partnership completed an underwritten public offering of 10,080,000 common units, which included 1,080,000 common units issued pursuant to an option to purchase additional common units granted to the underwriters. Following this offering, Diamondback owned approximate 59% of the total Partnership units then outstanding. The Partnership received net proceeds from this offering of approximately $303.1 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. The Partnership used the net proceeds to purchase units of the Operating Company. The Operating Company in turn used the net proceeds to repay a portion of the $361.5 million then outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility.

Earnings Per Share

The Company’s basic earnings per share amounts have been computed based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share include the effect of potentially dilutive shares outstanding for the period. Additionally, for the diluted earnings per share computation, the per share earnings of the Partnership are included in the consolidated earnings per share computation based on the consolidated group’s holdings of the subsidiary.

A reconciliation of the components of basic and diluted earnings per common share is presented in the table below:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to common stock	$	157,054	$	73,024	$	539,012	$	367,702
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic weighted average common units outstanding	98,638		98,144		98,603		96,491
Effect of dilutive securities:
Potential common shares issuable	180		225		217		261
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	98,818		98,369		98,820		96,752
Basic net income attributable to common stock	$	1.59	$	0.74	$	5.47	$	3.81
Diluted net income attributable to common stock	$	1.59	$	0.74	$	5.45	$	3.80

For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, there were 12,699 shares and 52,857 shares, respectively, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, there were 2,300 and 1,248 shares, respectively, that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented. These shares could dilute basic earnings per share in future periods.

Equity-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Equity Based Compensation

EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION

The following table presents the effects of the equity compensation plans and related costs:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in thousands)
General and administrative expenses	$	5,350	$	6,187	$	18,451	$	19,418
Equity-based compensation capitalized pursuant to full cost method of accounting for oil and natural gas properties	2,338		2,167		7,328		6,411

Restricted Stock Units

The following table presents the Company’s restricted stock units activity under the Equity Plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2018:



	Restricted Stock Awards & Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2017	243,577		$	90.88
Granted	90,115		$	115.03
Vested	(170,014	)	$	89.08
Forfeited	(7,597	)	$	95.80
Unvested at September 30, 2018	156,081		$	106.54

The aggregate fair value of restricted stock units that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $15.1 million and $14.8 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2018, the Company’s unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards and units was $13.0 million. Such cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.

Performance Based Restricted Stock Units

To provide long-term incentives for the executive officers to deliver competitive returns to the Company’s stockholders, the Company has granted performance-based restricted stock units to eligible employees. The ultimate number of shares awarded from these conditional restricted stock units is based upon measurement of total stockholder return of the Company’s common stock (“TSR”) as compared to a designated peer group during a two-year or three-year performance period.

In February 2018, eligible employees received performance restricted stock unit awards totaling 117,423 units from which a minimum of 0% and a maximum of 200% units could be awarded. The awards have a performance period of January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020 and cliff vest at December 31, 2020.

The fair value of each performance restricted stock unit is estimated at the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation, which results in an expected percentage of units to be earned during the performance period.

The following table presents a summary of the grant-date fair values of performance restricted stock units granted and the related assumptions for the February 2018 awards.



	2018
	Three-Year Performance Period
Grant-date fair value	$	170.45
Risk-free rate	1.99		%
Company volatility	35.90		%

The following table presents the Company’s performance restricted stock units activity under the Equity Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2018:



	Performance Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2017	202,326		$	139.83
Granted	285,737		$	130.96
Vested	(168,314	)	$	103.41
Unvested at September 30, 2018⁽¹⁾	319,749		$	151.08


(1)	A maximum of 639,498 units could be awarded based upon the Company’s final TSR ranking.

As of September 30, 2018, the Company’s unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested performance based restricted stock awards and units was $23.0 million. Such cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years.

Partnership Unit Options

The following table presents the unit option activity under the Viper LTIP for the nine months ended September 30, 2018:



			Weighted Average
	Unit Options		Exercise Price		Remaining Term	Intrinsic Value
					(in years)	(in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2017	7,600		$	18.49
Exercised	(7,600	)	$	18.49
Outstanding at September 30, 2018	—		$	—	0.00	$	—

The aggregate intrinsic value of unit options that were exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $0.2 million.

Phantom Units

Under the Viper LTIP, the Board of Directors of the General Partner is authorized to issue phantom units to eligible employees. The Partnership estimates the fair value of phantom units as the closing price of the Partnership’s common units on the grant date of the award, which is expensed over the applicable vesting period. Upon vesting the phantom units entitle the recipient one common unit of the Partnership for each phantom unit.

The following table presents the phantom unit activity under the Viper LTIP for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.



	Phantom Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2017	105,439		$	17.10
Granted	119,818		$	24.46
Vested	(102,811	)	$	19.23
Unvested at September 30, 2018	122,446		$	22.52

The aggregate fair value of phantom units that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $2.0 million. As of September 30, 2018, the unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested phantom units was $2.0 million. Such cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.3 years.

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Sep. 30, 2018
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Advisory Services Agreement - The Partnership In connection with the closing of the Viper Offering, the Partnership and the General Partner entered into an advisory services agreement (the “Viper Advisory Services Agreement”) with Wexford, dated as of June 23, 2014, under which Wexford provides the Partnership and the General Partner with general financial and strategic advisory services related to the business in return for an annual fee of $0.5 million, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. The Viper Advisory Services Agreement had an initial term of two years commencing on June 23, 2014, and will continue for additional one-year periods unless terminated in writing by either party at least ten days prior to the expiration of the then current term. The Partnership did not pay any amounts during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018 or September 30, 2017 under the Viper Advisory Services Agreement. Lease Bonus - The Partnership During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company paid the Partnership $2.9 million in lease bonus payments to extend the term of 12 leases, reflecting an average bonus of $6,412 per acre. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company did not pay the Partnership any lease bonus payments. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company paid the Partnership $0.1 million in lease bonus payments to extend the term of two leases, reflecting an average bonus of $7,459 per acre.

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	INCOME TAXES The Company’s effective income tax rates were 11.5% and 1.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Total income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 differed from amounts computed by applying the United States federal statutory tax rate to pre-tax income primarily due to (i) the impact of deferred taxes recognized by the Partnership as a result of its change in tax status, (ii) current and deferred state income taxes, (iii) net income attributable to the non-controlling interest, and (iv) the impact of permanent differences between book and taxable income. The Company recorded a discrete income tax benefit of approximately $0.8 million related to equity-based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and a discrete benefit of approximately $72.7 million related to deferred taxes on the Partnership’s investment in the Operating Company arising from the change in the Partnership’s tax status. Total income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017differed from amounts computed by applying the federal statutory rate to pre-tax income primarily due to state income taxes and the change in the valuation allowance which offset the Company’s federal net deferred tax position in that period. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a historic reform of the U.S. federal income tax statutes, was enacted on December 22, 2017. As of the completion of the Company’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company had substantially completed its accounting for the effects of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and, with respect to those items for which the Company’s accounting was not complete, the Company made reasonable estimates of the effects on its deferred tax balances. At September 30, 2018, the Company had not made an adjustment to the provisional estimates recorded for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company has considered in its estimated annual effective tax rate for 2018 the impact of the statutory changes enacted by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including reasonable estimates of those provisions effective for the 2018 tax year. As discussed further in Note 5, on March 29, 2018, the Partnership announced that the Board of Directors of its General Partner had unanimously approved a change of the Partnership’s federal income tax status from that of a pass-through partnership to that of a taxable entity, which change became effective on May 10, 2018. The transactions undertaken in connection with the change in the Partnership’s tax status were not taxable to the Company. Subsequent to the Partnership’s change in tax status, the Partnership’s provision for income taxes for the period ended September 30, 2018 is based on its estimated annual effective tax rate plus discrete items. As such, the Partnership’s provision for income taxes is included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and to the extent applicable, in net income attributable to the non-controlling interest.

Derivatives

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivatives

DERIVATIVES

All derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value. The Company has not designated its derivative instruments as hedges for accounting purposes and, as a result, marks its derivative instruments to fair value and recognizes the cash and non-cash changes in fair value in the combined consolidated statements of operations under the caption “Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net.”

The Company has used fixed price swap contracts, fixed price basis swap contracts and three-way costless collars with corresponding put, short put and call options to reduce price volatility associated with certain of its oil and natural gas sales. With respect to the Company’s fixed price swap contracts and fixed price basis swap contracts, the counterparty is required to make a payment to the Company if the settlement price for any settlement period is less than the swap or basis price, and the Company is required to make a payment to the counterparty if the settlement price for any settlement period is greater than the swap or basis price. The Company has fixed price basis swaps for the spread between the WTI Midland price and the WTI Cushing price.

Under the Company’s costless collar contracts, a three-way collar is a combination of three options: a ceiling call, a floor put, and a short put. The counterparty is required to make a payment to the Company if the settlement price for any settlement period is less than the ceiling price to a maximum of the difference between the floor price and the short put price. The Company is required to make a payment to the counterparty if the settlement price for any settlement period is greater than the ceiling price. If the settlement price is between the floor and the ceiling price, there is no payment required.

The Company’s derivative contracts are based upon reported settlement prices on commodity exchanges, with crude oil derivative settlements based on New York Mercantile Exchange West Texas Intermediate pricing (Cushing and Magellan East Houston) and Crude Oil Brent, and with natural gas derivative settlements based on the New York Mercantile Exchange Henry Hub pricing.

By using derivative instruments to hedge exposure to changes in commodity prices, the Company exposes itself to credit risk and market risk. Credit risk is the failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, the counterparty owes the Company, which creates credit risk. The Company’s counterparties are participants in the secured second amended and restated credit agreement, which is secured by substantially all of the assets of the guarantor subsidiaries; therefore, the Company is not required to post any collateral. The Company does not require collateral from its counterparties. The Company has entered into derivative instruments only with counterparties that are also lenders in our credit facility and have been deemed an acceptable credit risk.

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had the following outstanding derivative contracts. When aggregating multiple contracts, the weighted average contract price is disclosed.



	2018				2019
	Volume (Bbls/MMBtu)	Fixed Price Swap (per Bbl/MMBtu)			Volume (Bbls/MMBtu)	Fixed Price Swap (per Bbl/MMBtu)
Oil Swaps - WTI Cushing	2,392,000	$	51.27		1,638,000	$	52.78
Oil Swaps - WTI Magellan East Houston	644,000	$	71.06		1,087,000	$	40.37
Oil Swaps - BRENT	920,000	$	62.51		725,000	$	72.63
Oil Basis Swaps	1,380,000	$	(0.88	)	270,000	$	(9.42	)
Natural Gas Swaps	1,840,000	$	3.07		—	$	—



	October 2018 - December 2018		January 2019 - December 2019
Oil Three-Way Collars	WTI Magellan East Houston		WTI Cushing		Brent		WTI Magellan East Houston
Volume (Bbls)	644,000		1,810,000		2,000,000		994,000
Short put price (per Bbl)	$	56.43	$	45.00	$	55.00	$	56.82
Floor price (per Bbl)	$	66.43	$	55.00	$	65.00	$	66.82
Ceiling price (per Bbl)	$	78.82	$	70.23	$	82.47	$	77.60

Balance sheet offsetting of derivative assets and liabilities

The fair value of swaps is generally determined using established index prices and other sources which are based upon, among other things, futures prices and time to maturity. These fair values are recorded by netting asset and liability positions that are with the same counterparty and are subject to contractual terms which provide for net settlement.

The following tables present the gross amounts of recognized derivative assets and liabilities, the amounts offset under master netting arrangements with counterparties and the resulting net amounts presented in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.



	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
	(in thousands)
Gross amounts of assets presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet	$	—	$	531
Net amounts of assets presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet	—		531

Gross amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet	129,757		106,670
Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet	$	129,757	$	106,670

The net amounts are classified as current or noncurrent based on their anticipated settlement dates. The net fair value of the Company’s derivative assets and liabilities and their locations on the consolidated balance sheet are as follows:



	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
	(in thousands)
Current assets: derivative instruments	$	—	$	531
Noncurrent assets: derivative instruments	—		—
Total assets	$	—	$	531
Current liabilities: derivative instruments	$	123,826	$	100,367
Noncurrent liabilities: derivative instruments	5,931		6,303
Total liabilities	$	129,757	$	106,670

None of the Company’s derivatives have been designated as hedges. As such, all changes in fair value are immediately recognized in earnings. The following table summarizes the gains and losses on derivative instruments included in the consolidated statements of operations:



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	(in thousands)
Change in fair value of open non-hedge derivative instruments	$	(9,913	)	$	(58,645	)	$	(23,618	)	$	9,365
Gain (loss) on settlement of non-hedge derivative instruments	(38,460		)	8,000			(115,687		)	11,011
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments	$	(48,373	)	$	(50,645	)	$	(139,305	)	$	20,376

Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

The fair value hierarchy is based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy. The Company uses appropriate valuation techniques based on available inputs to measure the fair values of its assets and liabilities.

Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets as of the reporting date.

Level 2 - Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. These are inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data and may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.

Financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The Company estimates the fair values of proved oil and natural gas properties assumed in business combinations using discounted cash flow techniques and based on market assumptions as to the future commodity prices, internal estimates of future quantities of oil and natural gas reserves, future estimated rates of production, expected recovery rates and risk-adjustment discounts. The estimated fair values of unevaluated oil and natural gas properties were based on the location, engineering and geological studies, historical well performance, and applicable mineral lease terms. Given the unobservable nature of the inputs, the estimated fair values of oil and natural gas properties assumed is deemed to use Level 3 inputs. The asset retirement obligations assumed as part of business combinations are estimated using the same assumptions and methodology as described below.

The Company estimates asset retirement obligations pursuant to the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Codification Topic 410, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations”. The initial measurement of asset retirement obligations at fair value is calculated using discounted cash flow techniques and based on internal estimates of future retirement costs associated with the future plugging and abandonment of wells and related facilities. Given the unobservable nature of the inputs, including plugging costs and useful lives, the initial measurement of the asset retirement obligation liability is deemed to use Level 3 inputs. See Note 7—Asset Retirement Obligations for further discussion of the Company’s asset retirement obligations.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Certain assets and liabilities are reported at fair value on a recurring basis, including the Company’s derivative instruments and cost method investment. The fair values of the Company’s fixed price swaps, fixed price basis swaps and costless collars are measured internally using established commodity futures price strips for the underlying commodity provided by a reputable third party, the contracted notional volumes, and time to maturity. These valuations are Level 2 inputs.

The following table provides fair value measurement information for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.



	September 30, 2018
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	(in thousands)
Assets:
Investment	$	20,240	$	—		$	—
Liabilities:
Fixed price swaps	$	—	$	(129,757	)	$	—



	December 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	(in thousands)
Assets:
Investment	$	—	$	—		$	—
Liabilities:
Fixed price swaps	$	—	$	(106,139	)	$	—

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The following table provides the fair value of financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets:



	September 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Carrying				Carrying
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Debt:
Revolving credit facility	$	—	$	—	$	397,000	$	397,000
4.750% Senior Notes due 2024	$	1,250,000	$	1,252,613	$	500,000	$	501,855
5.375% Senior Notes due 2025	$	800,000	$	819,000	$	500,000	$	515,000
Partnership revolving credit facility	$	296,500	$	296,500	$	93,500	$	93,500

The fair value of the revolving credit facility and the Partnership’s revolving credit facility approximates their carrying value based on borrowing rates available to the Company for bank loans with similar terms and maturities and is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the Senior Notes was determined using the September 30, 2018 quoted market price, a Level 1 classification in the fair value hierarchy.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES The Company could be subject to various possible loss contingencies which arise primarily from interpretation of federal and state laws and regulations affecting the natural gas and crude oil industry. Such contingencies include differing interpretations as to the prices at which natural gas and crude oil sales may be made, the prices at which royalty owners may be paid for production from their leases, environmental issues and other matters. Management believes it has complied with the various laws and regulations, administrative rulings and interpretations.

Subsequent Events

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events [Text Block]

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Recent Acquisitions and Divestitures

Ajax Resources, LLC

On July 22, 2018, the Company entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire all leasehold interests and related assets of Ajax Resources, LLC which includes approximately 25,493 net leasehold acres in the Northern Midland Basin for $900.0 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments, and approximately 2.6 million shares of the Company’s common stock. This transaction closed October 31, 2018, and was effective as of July 1, 2018. See Note 4—Acquisitions for additional information regarding the Ajax acquisition.

The cash portion of the purchase price for the Ajax acquisition was funded through a combination of cash on hand, proceeds from the sale of mineral interests to the Partnership, borrowing under the Company’s revolving credit facility and a portion of the proceeds from the Company’s September 2018 senior note offering. See Note 9—Debt for information relating to this offering.

ExL Petroleum Management, LLC and Energy Quest II LLC

On October 31, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of approximately 3,646 net leasehold acres and related assets in the Northern Midland Basin from ExL Petroleum Management, LLC, ExL Petroleum Operating, Inc. and EnergyQuest II LLC for $312.5 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments. See Note 4—Acquisitions for additional information regarding this acquisition.

Divestiture of Oil and Natural Gas Properties

On November 1, 2018, the Company completed its divestiture of certain oil and natural gas properties in the Delaware Basin for an aggregate sale price of $62.1 million. This transaction included the divestiture of approximately 2,485 gross (2,072 net) acres primarily in Pecos county, Texas.

Third Quarter Dividend Declaration

On November 5, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend for the third quarter of 2018 of $0.125 per share of common stock, payable on November 26, 2018 to its stockholders of record at the close of business on November 19, 2018.

Commodity Contracts

Subsequent to September 30, 2018, the Company entered into new fixed price basis swaps. The Company’s derivative contracts are based upon reported settlement prices on commodity exchanges, with crude oil derivative settlements based on New York Mercantile Exchange West Texas Intermediate pricing (Cushing and Magellan East Houston) and Crude Oil Brent.

The following tables present the derivative contracts entered into by the Company subsequent to September 30, 2018. When aggregating multiple contracts, the weighted average contract price is disclosed.



	Volume (Bbls/MMBtu)	Fixed Price Swap (per Bbl/MMBtu)
April 2019 - December 2019
Oil Swaps - WTI Magellan East Houston	458,000	$	76.18
Oil Swaps - BRENT	275,000	$	77.58

The Company’s Credit Facility

On October 26, 2018, the Company’s borrowing base under its credit agreement was increased to $2.5 billion and was increased further to $2.65 billion on November 6, 2018 following the closing of the Company’s acquisition of assets from Ajax Resources, LLC and satisfaction of certain other conditions. The Company also elected to increase the commitment amount from $1.0 billion to $2.0 billion effective October 26, 2018.

The Partnership’s Credit Facility

In connection with the Partnership’s fall 2018 redetermination, the Partnership’s borrowing base was increased to $555.0 million effective October 26, 2018.

Guarantor Financial Statements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Guarantor Financial Statements

GUARANTOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As of September 30, 2018, Diamondback E&P LLC and Diamondback O&G LLC (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”) are guarantors under the indentures relating to the 2024 Senior Notes and the 2025 Senior Notes, as supplemented. In connection with the issuance of the 2024 Senior Notes and the 2025 Senior Notes (including the New 2025 Senior Notes), the Partnership, the General Partner, Viper Energy Partners LLC and Rattler Midstream LLC were designated as Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries. The following presents condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (which for purposes of this Note 18 is referred to as the “Parent”), the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the Non–Guarantor Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Elimination entries presented are necessary to combine the entities. The information is presented in accordance with the requirements of Rule 3-10 under the SEC’s Regulation S-X. The financial information may not necessarily be indicative of results of operations, cash flows or financial position had the Guarantor Subsidiaries operated as independent entities. The Company has not presented separate financial and narrative information for each of the Guarantor Subsidiaries because it believes such financial and narrative information would not provide any additional information that would be material in evaluating the sufficiency of the Guarantor Subsidiaries.



Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
September 30, 2018
(In thousands)
						Non–
			Guarantor			Guarantor
	Parent		Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	471,148	$	20,469		$	16,829		$	—		$	508,446
Accounts receivable	—		226,299			38,018			—			264,317
Accounts receivable - related party	—		—			7,758			(7,758		)	—
Intercompany receivable	3,199,881		262,503			—			(3,462,384		)	—
Inventories	—		14,815			—			—			14,815
Other current assets	257		7,708			146			—			8,111
Total current assets	3,671,286		531,794			62,751			(3,470,142		)	795,689
Property and equipment:
Oil and natural gas properties, at cost, full cost method of accounting	—		9,209,250			1,612,425			(3,297		)	10,818,378
Midstream assets	—		355,758			—			—			355,758
Other property, equipment and land	—		80,194			5,688			—			85,882
Accumulated depletion, depreciation, amortization and impairment	—		(2,306,710		)	(230,784		)	(7,918		)	(2,545,412		)
Net property and equipment	—		7,338,492			1,387,329			(11,215		)	8,714,606
Funds held in escrow	—		62,034			—			—			62,034
Investment in subsidiaries	4,631,753		989			—			(4,632,742		)	—
Deferred tax asset	—		—			95,551			—			95,551
Investment in real estate, net	—		106,834			—			—			106,834
Other assets	—		8,513			23,346			—			31,859
Total assets	$	8,303,039	$	8,048,656		$	1,568,977		$	(8,114,099	)	$	9,806,573
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable-trade	$	—	$	85,865		$	4		$	—		$	85,869
Intercompany payable	—		3,470,142			—			(3,470,142		)	—
Other current liabilities	41,026		590,186			4,706			—			635,918
Total current liabilities	41,026		4,146,193			4,710			(3,470,142		)	721,787
Long-term debt	2,035,859		—			296,500			—			2,332,359
Derivative instruments	—		5,931			—			—			5,931
Asset retirement obligations	—		23,897			—			—			23,897
Deferred income taxes	292,795		—			—			—			292,795
Other long-term liabilities	—		7			—			—			7
Total liabilities	2,369,680		4,176,028			301,210			(3,470,142		)	3,376,776
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity	5,933,359		3,872,628			572,217			(4,444,845		)	5,933,359
Non-controlling interest	—		—			695,550			(199,112		)	496,438
Total equity	5,933,359		3,872,628			1,267,767			(4,643,957		)	6,429,797
Total liabilities and equity	$	8,303,039	$	8,048,656		$	1,568,977		$	(8,114,099	)	$	9,806,573



Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
December 31, 2017
(In thousands)
						Non–
			Guarantor			Guarantor
	Parent		Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	54,074	$	34,175		$	24,197		$	—		$	112,446
Accounts receivable	—		205,859			25,754			—			231,613
Accounts receivable - related party	—		—			5,142			(5,142		)	—
Intercompany receivable	2,624,810		2,267,308			—			(4,892,118		)	—
Inventories	—		9,108			—			—			9,108
Other current assets	618		4,461			355			—			5,434
Total current assets	2,679,502		2,520,911			55,448			(4,897,260		)	358,601
Property and equipment:
Oil and natural gas properties, at cost, full cost method of accounting	—		8,129,211			1,103,897			(414		)	9,232,694
Midstream assets	—		191,519			—			—			191,519
Other property, equipment and land	—		80,776			—			—			80,776
Accumulated depletion, depreciation, amortization and impairment	—		(1,976,248		)	(189,466		)	4,342			(2,161,372		)
Net property and equipment	—		6,425,258			914,431			3,928			7,343,617
Funds held in escrow	—		—			6,304			—			6,304
Investment in subsidiaries	3,809,557		—			—			(3,809,557		)	—
Other assets	—		25,609			36,854			—			62,463
Total assets	$	6,489,059	$	8,971,778		$	1,013,037		$	(8,702,889	)	$	7,770,985
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable-trade	$	1	$	91,629		$	2,960		$	—		$	94,590
Intercompany payable	132,067		4,765,193			—			(4,897,260		)	—
Other current liabilities	7,236		472,933			2,669			—			482,838
Total current liabilities	139,304		5,329,755			5,629			(4,897,260		)	577,428
Long-term debt	986,847		397,000			93,500			—			1,477,347
Derivative instruments	—		6,303			—			—			6,303
Asset retirement obligations	—		20,122			—			—			20,122
Deferred income taxes	108,048		—			—			—			108,048
Total liabilities	1,234,199		5,753,180			99,129			(4,897,260		)	2,189,248
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity	5,254,860		3,218,598			913,908			(4,132,506		)	5,254,860
Non-controlling interest	—		—			—			326,877			326,877
Total equity	5,254,860		3,218,598			913,908			(3,805,629		)	5,581,737
Total liabilities and equity	$	6,489,059	$	8,971,778		$	1,013,037		$	(8,702,889	)	$	7,770,985



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
(In thousands)
							Non–
				Guarantor			Guarantor
	Parent			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues:
Oil sales	$	—		$	391,051		$	—		$	63,593		$	454,644
Natural gas sales	—			10,891			—			3,923			14,814
Natural gas liquid sales	—			50,740			—			6,870			57,610
Royalty income	—			—			74,386			(74,386		)	—
Lease bonus	—			—			4,205			(2,883		)	1,322
Midstream services	—			7,280			—			—			7,280
Other operating income	—			2,347			12			—			2,359
Total revenues	—			462,309			78,603			(2,883		)	538,029
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses	—			49,111			—			—			49,111
Production and ad valorem taxes	—			28,509			5,027			—			33,536
Gathering and transportation	—			6,087			889			—			6,976
Midstream services	—			19,725			—			—			19,725
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	—			125,627			16,532			4,159			146,318
General and administrative expenses	6,862			6,629			1,309			(615		)	14,185
Asset retirement obligation accretion	—			387			—			—			387
Other operating expense	—			940			—			—			940
Total costs and expenses	6,862			237,015			23,757			3,544			271,178
Income (loss) from operations	(6,862		)	225,294			54,846			(6,427		)	266,851
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	(10,868		)	(3,969		)	(3,711		)	—			(18,548		)
Other income (expense), net	416			1,521			640			(615		)	1,962
Loss on derivative instruments, net	—			(48,373		)	—			—			(48,373		)
Loss on revaluation of investment	—			—			(199		)	—			(199		)
Total other income (expense), net	(10,452		)	(50,821		)	(3,270		)	(615		)	(65,158		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(17,314		)	174,473			51,576			(7,042		)	201,693
Provision for income taxes	41,512			—			764			—			42,276
Net income (loss)	(58,826		)	174,473			50,812			(7,042		)	159,417
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	—			—			48,466			(46,103		)	2,363
Net income (loss) attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc.	$	(58,826	)	$	174,473		$	2,346		$	39,061		$	157,054



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
(In thousands)
							Non–
				Guarantor			Guarantor
	Parent			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues:
Oil sales	$	—		$	223,038		$	—		$	36,011		$	259,049
Natural gas sales	—			11,774			—			3,148			14,922
Natural gas liquid sales	—			22,214			—			3,052			25,266
Royalty income	—			—			42,211			(42,211		)	—
Lease bonus	—			—			322			—			322
Midstream services	—			1,694			—			—			1,694
Total revenues	—			258,720			42,533			—			301,253
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses	—			32,498			—			—			32,498
Production and ad valorem taxes	—			15,546			2,825			—			18,371
Gathering and transportation	—			3,271			205			—			3,476
Midstream services	—			4,445			—			—			4,445
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	—			74,766			11,068			1,745			87,579
General and administrative expenses	6,506			4,629			1,368			(615		)	11,888
Asset retirement obligation accretion	—			357			—			—			357
Total costs and expenses	6,506			135,512			15,466			1,130			158,614
Income (loss) from operations	(6,506		)	123,208			27,067			(1,130		)	142,639
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	(6,393		)	(1,940		)	(859		)	—			(9,192		)
Other income (expense), net	9			210			399			(615		)	3
Loss on derivative instruments, net	—			(50,645		)	—			—			(50,645		)
Total other income (expense), net	(6,384		)	(52,375		)	(460		)	(615		)	(59,834		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(12,890		)	70,833			26,607			(1,745		)	82,805
Provision for income taxes	857			—			—			—			857
Net income (loss)	(13,747		)	70,833			26,607			(1,745		)	81,948
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	—			—			—			8,924			8,924
Net income (loss) attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc.	$	(13,747	)	$	70,833		$	26,607		$	(10,669	)	$	73,024



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
(In thousands)
					Non–
			Guarantor		Guarantor
	Parent		Subsidiaries		Subsidiaries		Eliminations		Consolidated
Revenues:
Oil sales	—		1,149,184		—		185,165		1,334,349
Natural gas sales	—		31,405		—		9,152		40,557
Natural gas liquid sales	—		116,976		—		16,882		133,858
Royalty income	—		—		211,199		(211,199	)	—
Lease bonus	—		—		5,133		(2,883	)	2,250
Midstream services	—		26,658		—		—		26,658
Other operating income	—		6,705		120		—		6,825
Total revenues	—		1,330,928		216,452		(2,883	)	1,544,497
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses	—		129,103		—		—		129,103
Production and ad valorem taxes	—		78,909		14,133		—		93,042
Gathering and transportation	—		16,777		1,297		—		18,074
Midstream services	—		48,515		—		—		48,515
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	—		337,823		41,317		12,261		391,401
General and administrative expenses	20,891		19,763		6,230		(1,845	)	45,039
Asset retirement obligation accretion	—		1,107		—		—		1,107
Other operating expense	—		2,416		—		—		2,416
Total costs and expenses	20,891		634,413		62,977		10,416		728,697
Income (loss) from operations	(20,891	)	696,515		153,475		(13,299	)	815,800
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	(29,945	)	(10,339	)	(9,061	)	—		(49,345	)
Other income (expense), net	750		88,786		1,479		(1,845	)	89,170
Loss on derivative instruments, net	—		(139,305	)	—		—		(139,305	)
Gain on revaluation of investment	—		—		5,165		—		5,165
Total other income (expense), net	(29,195	)	(60,858	)	(2,417	)	(1,845	)	(94,315	)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(50,086	)	635,657		151,058		(15,144	)	721,485
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	153,864		—		(71,114	)	—		82,750
Net income (loss)	(203,950	)	635,657		222,172		(15,144	)	638,735
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	—		—		77,526		22,197		99,723
Net income (loss) attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc.	(203,950	)	635,657		144,646		(37,341	)	539,012



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
(In thousands)
							Non–
				Guarantor			Guarantor
	Parent			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues:
Oil sales	$	—		$	607,381		$	—		$	96,626		$	704,007
Natural gas sales	—			31,088			—			6,449			37,537
Natural gas liquid sales	—			50,506			—			7,119			57,625
Royalty income	—			—			110,194			(110,194		)	—
Lease bonus	—			—			2,613			(106		)	2,507
Midstream services	—			4,241			—			—			4,241
Total revenues	—			693,216			112,807			(106		)	805,917
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses	—			88,113			—			—			88,113
Production and ad valorem taxes	—			42,307			7,668			—			49,975
Gathering and transportation	—			8,618			492			—			9,110
Midstream services	—			7,127			—			—			7,127
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	—			190,748			28,587			2,346			221,681
General and administrative expenses	20,046			14,259			5,064			(1,845		)	37,524
Asset retirement obligation accretion	—			1,030			—			—			1,030
Total costs and expenses	20,046			352,202			41,811			501			414,560
Income (loss) from operations	(20,046		)	341,014			70,996			(607		)	391,357
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	(23,526		)	(4,022		)	(2,114		)	—			(29,662		)
Other income (expense), net	1,101			9,690			526			(1,845		)	9,472
Gain on derivative instruments, net	—			20,376			—			—			20,376
Total other income (expense), net	(22,425		)	26,044			(1,588		)	(1,845		)	186
Income (loss) before income taxes	(42,471		)	367,058			69,408			(2,452		)	391,543
Provision for income taxes	4,393			—			—			—			4,393
Net income (loss)	(46,864		)	367,058			69,408			(2,452		)	387,150
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	—			—			—			19,448			19,448
Net income (loss) attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc.	$	(46,864	)	$	367,058		$	69,408		$	(21,900	)	$	367,702



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
(In thousands)
							Non–
				Guarantor			Guarantor
	Parent			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	220		$	975,082		$	176,414		$	—		$	1,151,716
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to oil and natural gas properties	—			(1,010,325		)	—			—			(1,010,325		)
Additions to midstream assets	—			(129,820		)	—			—			(129,820		)
Purchase of other property, equipment and land	—			2,638			(4,687		)	—			(2,049		)
Acquisition of leasehold interests	—			(185,658		)	—			—			(185,658		)
Acquisition of mineral interests	—			170,268			(505,842		)	—			(335,574		)
Proceeds from sale of assets	—			6,206			565			—			6,771
Funds held in escrow	—			(51,045		)	—			—			(51,045		)
Equity investments	—			(604		)	—			—			(604		)
Intercompany transfers	(22,310		)	22,310			—			—			—
Investment in real estate	—			(110,654		)	—			—			(110,654		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(22,310		)	(1,286,684		)	(509,964		)	—			(1,818,958		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowing under credit facility	—			470,500			557,000			—			1,027,500
Repayment under credit facility	—			(867,500		)	(354,000		)	—			(1,221,500		)
Proceeds from senior notes	1,062,000			—			—			—			1,062,000
Debt issuance costs	(13,723		)	(232		)	(623		)	—			(14,578		)
Public offering costs	—			—			(2,636		)	—			(2,636		)
Proceeds from public offerings	—			—			305,773			—			305,773
Contributions to subsidiaries	(1,000		)	—			(1,000		)	2,000			—
Contributions by members	—			—			2,000			(2,000		)	—
Distributions from subsidiary	112,671			—			—			(112,671		)	—
Unit options exercised	—			—			140			—			140
Dividends to stockholders	(24,656		)	—			—			—			(24,656		)
Distributions to non-controlling interest	—			—			(181,472		)	112,671			(68,801		)
Intercompany transfers	(696,128		)	695,128			1,000			—			—
Net cash provided by financing activities	439,164			297,896			326,182			—			1,063,242
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	417,074			(13,706		)	(7,368		)	—			396,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	54,074			34,175			24,197			—			112,446
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	471,148		$	20,469		$	16,829		$	—		$	508,446



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
(In thousands)
							Non–
				Guarantor			Guarantor
	Parent			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(25,369	)	$	569,330		$	94,057		$	—		$	638,018
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to oil and natural gas properties	—			(531,489		)	—			—			(531,489		)
Additions to midstream assets	—			(22,491		)	—			—			(22,491		)
Purchase of other property, equipment and land	—			(21,534		)	—			—			(21,534		)
Acquisition of leasehold interests	—			(1,892,864		)	—			—			(1,892,864		)
Acquisition of mineral interests	—			(69,722		)	(301,133		)	—			(370,855		)
Acquisition of midstream assets	—			(50,279		)	—			—			(50,279		)
Proceeds from sale of assets	—			3,584			—			—			3,584
Funds held in escrow	—			121,391			—			—			121,391
Equity investments	—			(188		)	—			—			(188		)
Intercompany transfers	(1,651,328		)	1,651,328			—			—			—
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,651,328		)	(812,264		)	(301,133		)	—			(2,764,725		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowing under credit facility	—			312,500			220,500			—			533,000
Repayment under credit facility	—			(78,000		)	(305,500		)	—			(383,500		)
Purchase of subsidiary units by parent	(10,068		)	—			—			10,068			—
Debt issuance costs	(744		)	(790		)	(180		)	—			(1,714		)
Public offering costs	(77		)	—			(433		)	—			(510		)
Proceeds from public offerings	—			—			380,412			(10,068		)	370,344
Distributions from subsidiary	64,858			—			—			(64,858		)	—
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	358			—			—			—			358
Distributions to non-controlling interest	—			—			(92,498		)	64,858			(27,640		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	54,327			233,710			202,301			—			490,338
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(1,622,370		)	(9,224		)	(4,775		)	—			(1,636,369		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,643,226			14,135			9,213			—			1,666,574
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	20,856		$	4,911		$	4,438		$	—		$	30,205

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries after all significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates Certain amounts included in or affecting the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures must be estimated by management, requiring certain assumptions to be made with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty at the time the consolidated financial statements are prepared. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts the Company reports for assets and liabilities and the Company’s disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company evaluates these estimates on an ongoing basis, using historical experience, consultation with experts and other methods the Company considers reasonable in the particular circumstances. Nevertheless, actual results may differ significantly from the Company’s estimates. Any effects on the Company’s business, financial position or results of operations resulting from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves and related present value estimates of future net cash flows therefrom, the carrying value of oil and natural gas properties, asset retirement obligations, the fair value determination of acquired assets and liabilities assumed, equity-based compensation, fair value estimates of commodity derivatives and estimates of income taxes.
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. This standard included 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. Among other things, the standard also eliminated industry-specific revenue guidance, required enhanced disclosures about revenue, provided guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively and improved guidance for multiple-element arrangements. The Company adopted this Accounting Standards Update effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. The Company utilized a bottom-up approach to analyze the impact of the new standard by reviewing its current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that would result from applying the requirements of the new standard to its revenue contracts and the impact of adopting this standards update on its total revenues, operating income and its consolidated balance sheet. The adoption of this standard did not result in a cumulative-effect adjustment. In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-01, “Financial Instruments–Overall”. This update applies to any entity that holds financial assets or owes financial liabilities. This update requires equity investments (except for those accounted for under the equity method or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The Partnership adopted this standard effective January 1, 2018 by means of a negative cumulative-effect adjustment totaling $18.7 million. In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”. This update apples to all entities that are required to present a statement of cash flows. This update provides guidance on eight specific cash flow issues: debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing; contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies; including bank-owned life insurance policies; distributions received from equity method investees; beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The Company adopted this update effective January 1, 2018 using the retrospective transition method. Adoption of this standard did not have an effect on the presentation on the Statement of Cash Flows. In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash”. This update affects entities that have restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The Company adopted this update effective January 1, 2018. The adoption of this update did not have an effect on the presentation on the Statement of Cash Flows. In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-01, “Business Combinations - Clarifying the Definition of a Business”. This update apples to all entities that must determine whether they acquired or sold a business. This update provides a screen to determine when a set 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. The Company adopted this update prospectively effective January 1, 2018. The adoption of this update did not have an impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity. Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, “Leases”. This update applies to any entity that enters into a lease, with some specified scope exemptions. Under this update, a lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. While there were no major changes to the lessor accounting, changes were made to align key aspects with the revenue recognition guidance. This update will be effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Entities will be required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The Company believes the primary impact of adopting this standard will be the recognition of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for current operating leases. The Company is still evaluating the impact of this standard. In January 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-01, “Leases - Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842”. This update applies to any entity that holds land easements. The update allows entities to adopt a practical expedient to not evaluate existing or expired land easements under Topic 842 that were not previously accounted for as leases under the current leases guidance. An entity that elects this practical expedient should evaluate new or modified land easements under Topic 842 beginning at the date that the entity adopts Topic 842. The Company believes the adoption of this update will not have an impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity. In July 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases”. This update provides clarification and corrects unintended application of certain sections in the new lease guidance. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company believes the primary impact of adopting this standard will be the recognition of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for current operating leases. The Company is still evaluating the impact of this standard. In July 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-11, “Lease (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements”. This update provides another transition method of allowing entities to initially apply the new lease standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company believes the primary impact of adopting this standard will be the recognition of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for current operating leases. The Company is still evaluating the impact of this standard. In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses”. This update affects entities holding financial assets and net investment in leases that are not accounted for at fair value through net income. The amendments affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This update will be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The Company does not believe the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the Company does not have a history of credit losses. In June 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-07, “Stock Compensation - Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. This update applies the existing employee guidance to nonemployee share-based transactions, with the exception of specific guidance related to the attribution of compensation cost. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this update, but does not believe it will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity. In July 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-09, “Codification Improvements”. This update provides clarification and corrects unintended application of the guidance in various sections. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this update, but does not believe it will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity. In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”. This update modifies the fair value measurement disclosure requirements specifically related to Level 3 fair value measurements and transfers between levels. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This update will be applied prospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this update, but does not believe it will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity. In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-15, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal - Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract”. This update requires the capitalization of implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract for internal-use software. Training and certain data conversion costs cannot be capitalized. The entity is required to expense the capitalized implementation costs over the term of the hosting agreement. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This update should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company believes the adoption of this update will not have an impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue from Contracts with Customers Sales of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids are recognized at the point control of the product is transferred to the customer. Virtually all of the pricing provisions in the Company’s contracts are tied to a market index, with certain adjustments based on, among other factors, whether a well delivers to a gathering or transmission line, the quality of the oil or natural gas and the prevailing supply and demand conditions. As a result, the price of the oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids fluctuates to remain competitive with other available oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids supplies. Oil sales The Company’s oil sales contracts are generally structured where it delivers oil to the purchaser at a contractually agreed-upon delivery point at which the purchaser takes custody, title and risk of loss of the product. Under this arrangement, the Company or a third party transports the product to the delivery point and receives a specified index price from the purchaser with no deduction. In this scenario, the Company recognizes revenue when control transfers to the purchaser at the delivery point based on the price received from the purchaser. Oil revenues are recorded net of any third-party transportation fees and other applicable differentials in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Natural gas and natural gas liquids sales Under the Company’s natural gas processing contracts, it delivers natural gas to a midstream processing entity at the wellhead, battery facilities or the inlet of the midstream processing entity’s system. The midstream processing entity gathers and processes the natural gas and remits proceeds to the Company for the resulting sales of natural gas liquids and residue gas. In these scenarios, the Company evaluates whether it is the principal or the agent in the transaction. For those contracts where the Company has concluded it is the principal and the ultimate third party is its customer, the Company recognizes revenue on a gross basis, with transportation, gathering, processing, treating and compression fees presented as an expense in its consolidated statements of operations. In certain natural gas processing agreements, the Company may elect to take its residue gas and/or natural gas liquids in-kind at the tailgate of the midstream entity’s processing plant and subsequently market the product. Through the marketing process, the Company delivers product to the ultimate third-party purchaser at a contractually agreed-upon delivery point and receives a specified index price from the purchaser. In this scenario, the Company recognizes revenue when control transfers to the purchaser at the delivery point based on the index price received from the purchaser. The gathering, processing, treating and compression fees attributable to the gas processing contract, as well as any transportation fees incurred to deliver the product to the purchaser, are presented as transportation, gathering, processing, treating and compression expense in its consolidated statements of operations. Midstream Revenue Substantially all revenues from gathering, compression, water handling, disposal and treatment operations are derived from intersegment transactions for services Rattler Midstream LLC (“Rattler”) provides to exploration and production operations. The portion of such fees shown in the Company’s consolidated financial statements represent amounts charged to interest owners in the Company’s operated wells, as well as fees charged to other third parties for water handling and treatment services provided by Rattler or usage of Rattler’s gathering and compression systems. For gathering and compression revenue, Rattler satisfies its performance obligations and recognizes revenue when low pressure volumes are delivered to a specified delivery point. Revenue is recognized based on the per MMbtu gathering fee or a per barrel gathering fee charged by Rattler in accordance with the gathering and compression agreement. For water handling and treatment revenue, Rattler satisfies its performance obligations and recognizes revenue when the fresh water volumes have been delivered to the fracwater meter for a specified well pad and the wastewater volumes have been metered downstream of the Company’s facilities. For services contracted through third party providers, Rattler’s performance obligation is satisfied when the service performed by the third party provider has been completed. Revenue is recognized based on the per barrel fresh water delivery or a wastewater gathering and disposal fee charged by Rattler in accordance with the water services agreement. Transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations The Company’s upstream product sales contracts do not originate until production occurs and, therefore, are not considered to exist beyond each days’ production. Therefore, there are no remaining performance obligation under any of our product sales contracts. The majority of the Company’s midstream revenue agreements have a term greater than one year, and as such Rattler LLC has utilized the practical expedient in ASC 606, which states that the Company 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 its revenue agreements, each delivery generally represents a separate performance obligation; therefore, future volumes delivered are wholly unsatisfied and disclosure of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations is not required. The remainder of the Company’s midstream revenue agreements, which relate to agreements with third parties, are short-term in nature with a term of one year or less. Rattler LLC has utilized an additional practical expedient in ASC 606 which exempts it from disclosure of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations if the performance obligation is part of an agreement that has an original expected duration of one year or less. Contract balances Under the Company’s product sales contracts, it has the right to invoice its customers once the performance obligations have been satisfied, at which point payment is unconditional. Accordingly, the Company’s product sales contracts do not give rise to contract assets or liabilities under Accounting Standards Codification 606. Prior-period performance obligations The Company records revenue in the month production is delivered to the purchaser. However, settlement statements for certain natural gas and natural gas liquids sales 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 delivered to the purchaser and the price that will be received for the sale of the product. The Company records the differences between its estimates and the actual amounts received for product sales in the month that payment is received from the purchaser. The Company has existing internal controls for its revenue estimation process and related accruals, and any identified differences between its revenue estimates and actual revenue received historically have not been significant. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, revenue recognized in the reporting period related to performance obligations satisfied in prior reporting periods was not material. The Company believes that the pricing provisions of its oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids contracts are customary in the industry. To the extent actual volumes and prices of oil and natural gas sales are unavailable for a given reporting period because of timing or information not received from third parties, the revenue related to expected sales volumes and prices for those properties are estimated and recorded.
Fair Value Measurement	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy. The Company uses appropriate valuation techniques based on available inputs to measure the fair values of its assets and liabilities. Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets as of the reporting date. Level 2 - Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. These are inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data and may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value. Financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Acquisitions (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]



	(in thousands)
Proved oil and natural gas properties	$	386,308
Unevaluated oil and natural gas properties	2,122,597
Midstream assets	47,432
Prepaid capital costs	3,460
Oil inventory	839
Equipment	163
Revenues and royalties payable	(9,650		)
Asset retirement obligations	(1,550		)
Total fair value of net assets	$	2,549,599

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2017		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues	$	301,253	$	828,846
Income from operations	142,639		405,699
Net income	81,948		382,044
Basic earnings per common share	0.74		3.96
Diluted earnings per common share	0.74		3.95

Property and Equipment (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment includes the following:



	September 30,			December 31,
	2018			2017

	(in thousands)
Oil and natural gas properties:
Subject to depletion	$	6,534,749		$	5,126,829
Not subject to depletion	4,283,629			4,105,865
Gross oil and natural gas properties	10,818,378			9,232,694
Accumulated depletion	(1,375,163		)	(1,009,893		)
Accumulated impairment	(1,143,498		)	(1,143,498		)
Oil and natural gas properties, net	8,299,717			7,079,303
Midstream assets	355,758			191,519
Other property, equipment and land	85,882			80,776
Accumulated depreciation	(26,751		)	(7,981		)
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment	$	8,714,606		$	7,343,617

Balance of costs not subject to depletion:
Incurred in 2018	$	589,352
Incurred in 2017	2,563,902
Incurred in 2016	714,467
Incurred in 2015	234,948
Incurred in 2014	180,960
Total not subject to depletion	$	4,283,629

Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Asset Retirement Obligation [Abstract]

Asset Retirement Obligations

The following table describes the changes to the Company’s asset retirement obligation liability for the following periods:



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017

	(in thousands)
Asset retirement obligations, beginning of period	$	21,285		$	17,422
Additional liabilities incurred	2,229			1,196
Liabilities acquired	270			2,411
Liabilities settled	(1,474		)	(689		)
Accretion expense	1,107			1,030
Revisions in estimated liabilities	568			4
Asset retirement obligations, end of period	23,985			21,374
Less current portion	88			1,392
Asset retirement obligations - long-term	$	23,897		$	19,982

Debt (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Schedule of long-term debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following as of the dates indicated:



	September 30,			December 31,
	2018			2017

	(in thousands)
4.750 % Senior Notes due 2024	$	1,250,000		$	500,000
5.375 % Senior Notes due 2025	800,000			500,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(25,038		)	(13,153		)
Unamortized premium costs	10,897			—
Revolving credit facility	—			397,000
Partnership revolving credit facility	296,500			93,500
Total long-term debt	$	2,332,359		$	1,477,347

Financial Covenants



Financial Covenant		Required Ratio
Ratio of total net debt to EBITDAX, as defined in the credit agreement		Not greater than 4.0 to 1.0
Ratio of current assets to liabilities, as defined in the credit agreement		Not less than 1.0 to 1.0

Partnership Credit Facility [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Financial Covenants



Financial Covenant		Required Ratio
Ratio of total net debt to EBITDAX, as defined in the credit agreement		Not greater than 4.0 to 1.0
Ratio of current assets to liabilities, as defined in the credit agreement		Not less than 1.0 to 1.0

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
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Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Section 45
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
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-Paragraph 3
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+ Details

Capital Stock and Earnings Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share

A reconciliation of the components of basic and diluted earnings per common share is presented in the table below:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to common stock	$	157,054	$	73,024	$	539,012	$	367,702
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic weighted average common units outstanding	98,638		98,144		98,603		96,491
Effect of dilutive securities:
Potential common shares issuable	180		225		217		261
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	98,818		98,369		98,820		96,752
Basic net income attributable to common stock	$	1.59	$	0.74	$	5.47	$	3.81
Diluted net income attributable to common stock	$	1.59	$	0.74	$	5.45	$	3.80

Equity-Based Compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

The effects of stock-based compensation plans and related costs

The following table presents the effects of the equity compensation plans and related costs:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in thousands)
General and administrative expenses	$	5,350	$	6,187	$	18,451	$	19,418
Equity-based compensation capitalized pursuant to full cost method of accounting for oil and natural gas properties	2,338		2,167		7,328		6,411

Summary of restricted stock units

The following table presents the Company’s restricted stock units activity under the Equity Plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2018:



	Restricted Stock Awards & Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2017	243,577		$	90.88
Granted	90,115		$	115.03
Vested	(170,014	)	$	89.08
Forfeited	(7,597	)	$	95.80
Unvested at September 30, 2018	156,081		$	106.54

Summary of grant-date fair values of performance restricted stock units granted and related assumptions

The following table presents a summary of the grant-date fair values of performance restricted stock units granted and the related assumptions for the February 2018 awards.



	2018
	Three-Year Performance Period
Grant-date fair value	$	170.45
Risk-free rate	1.99		%
Company volatility	35.90		%

Schedule of performance restricted stock units activity

The following table presents the Company’s performance restricted stock units activity under the Equity Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2018:



	Performance Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2017	202,326		$	139.83
Granted	285,737		$	130.96
Vested	(168,314	)	$	103.41
Unvested at September 30, 2018⁽¹⁾	319,749		$	151.08


(1)	A maximum of 639,498 units could be awarded based upon the Company’s final TSR ranking.

Viper Energy Partners LP Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] | Employee Stock Option [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Partnership unit options activity

The following table presents the unit option activity under the Viper LTIP for the nine months ended September 30, 2018:



			Weighted Average
	Unit Options		Exercise Price		Remaining Term	Intrinsic Value
					(in years)	(in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2017	7,600		$	18.49
Exercised	(7,600	)	$	18.49
Outstanding at September 30, 2018	—		$	—	0.00	$	—

Viper Energy Partners LP Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] | Phantom Share Units (PSUs) [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Phantom units activity

The following table presents the phantom unit activity under the Viper LTIP for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.



	Phantom Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2017	105,439		$	17.10
Granted	119,818		$	24.46
Vested	(102,811	)	$	19.23
Unvested at September 30, 2018	122,446		$	22.52

Derivatives (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of derivative instruments

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had the following outstanding derivative contracts. When aggregating multiple contracts, the weighted average contract price is disclosed.



	2018				2019
	Volume (Bbls/MMBtu)	Fixed Price Swap (per Bbl/MMBtu)			Volume (Bbls/MMBtu)	Fixed Price Swap (per Bbl/MMBtu)
Oil Swaps - WTI Cushing	2,392,000	$	51.27		1,638,000	$	52.78
Oil Swaps - WTI Magellan East Houston	644,000	$	71.06		1,087,000	$	40.37
Oil Swaps - BRENT	920,000	$	62.51		725,000	$	72.63
Oil Basis Swaps	1,380,000	$	(0.88	)	270,000	$	(9.42	)
Natural Gas Swaps	1,840,000	$	3.07		—	$	—



	October 2018 - December 2018		January 2019 - December 2019
Oil Three-Way Collars	WTI Magellan East Houston		WTI Cushing		Brent		WTI Magellan East Houston
Volume (Bbls)	644,000		1,810,000		2,000,000		994,000
Short put price (per Bbl)	$	56.43	$	45.00	$	55.00	$	56.82
Floor price (per Bbl)	$	66.43	$	55.00	$	65.00	$	66.82
Ceiling price (per Bbl)	$	78.82	$	70.23	$	82.47	$	77.60



	Volume (Bbls/MMBtu)	Fixed Price Swap (per Bbl/MMBtu)
April 2019 - December 2019
Oil Swaps - WTI Magellan East Houston	458,000	$	76.18
Oil Swaps - BRENT	275,000	$	77.58

Schedule of netting offsets of derivative assets and liabilities



	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
	(in thousands)
Gross amounts of assets presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet	$	—	$	531
Net amounts of assets presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet	—		531

Gross amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet	129,757		106,670
Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet	$	129,757	$	106,670

Schedule of derivative instruments included in the consolidated balance sheet

The net fair value of the Company’s derivative assets and liabilities and their locations on the consolidated balance sheet are as follows:



	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
	(in thousands)
Current assets: derivative instruments	$	—	$	531
Noncurrent assets: derivative instruments	—		—
Total assets	$	—	$	531
Current liabilities: derivative instruments	$	123,826	$	100,367
Noncurrent liabilities: derivative instruments	5,931		6,303
Total liabilities	$	129,757	$	106,670

Summary of derivative contract gains and losses included in the consolidated statements of operations

The following table summarizes the gains and losses on derivative instruments included in the consolidated statements of operations:



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	(in thousands)
Change in fair value of open non-hedge derivative instruments	$	(9,913	)	$	(58,645	)	$	(23,618	)	$	9,365
Gain (loss) on settlement of non-hedge derivative instruments	(38,460		)	8,000			(115,687		)	11,011
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments	$	(48,373	)	$	(50,645	)	$	(139,305	)	$	20,376

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of pertinent information about a derivative or group of derivatives on a disaggregated basis, such as for individual instruments, or small groups of similar instruments. May include a combination of the type of instrument, risks being hedged, notional amount, hedge designation, related hedged item, inception date, maturity date, or other relevant item.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
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+ Details

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair value measurement information for financial instruments measured on a recurring basis

The following table provides fair value measurement information for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.



	September 30, 2018
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	(in thousands)
Assets:
Investment	$	20,240	$	—		$	—
Liabilities:
Fixed price swaps	$	—	$	(129,757	)	$	—



	December 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	(in thousands)
Assets:
Investment	$	—	$	—		$	—
Liabilities:
Fixed price swaps	$	—	$	(106,139	)	$	—

Fair value measurement information for financial instruments measured on a nonrecurring basis

The following table provides the fair value of financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets:



	September 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Carrying				Carrying
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Debt:
Revolving credit facility	$	—	$	—	$	397,000	$	397,000
4.750% Senior Notes due 2024	$	1,250,000	$	1,252,613	$	500,000	$	501,855
5.375% Senior Notes due 2025	$	800,000	$	819,000	$	500,000	$	515,000
Partnership revolving credit facility	$	296,500	$	296,500	$	93,500	$	93,500

Subsequent Events (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Schedule of derivative instruments

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had the following outstanding derivative contracts. When aggregating multiple contracts, the weighted average contract price is disclosed.



	2018				2019
	Volume (Bbls/MMBtu)	Fixed Price Swap (per Bbl/MMBtu)			Volume (Bbls/MMBtu)	Fixed Price Swap (per Bbl/MMBtu)
Oil Swaps - WTI Cushing	2,392,000	$	51.27		1,638,000	$	52.78
Oil Swaps - WTI Magellan East Houston	644,000	$	71.06		1,087,000	$	40.37
Oil Swaps - BRENT	920,000	$	62.51		725,000	$	72.63
Oil Basis Swaps	1,380,000	$	(0.88	)	270,000	$	(9.42	)
Natural Gas Swaps	1,840,000	$	3.07		—	$	—



	October 2018 - December 2018		January 2019 - December 2019
Oil Three-Way Collars	WTI Magellan East Houston		WTI Cushing		Brent		WTI Magellan East Houston
Volume (Bbls)	644,000		1,810,000		2,000,000		994,000
Short put price (per Bbl)	$	56.43	$	45.00	$	55.00	$	56.82
Floor price (per Bbl)	$	66.43	$	55.00	$	65.00	$	66.82
Ceiling price (per Bbl)	$	78.82	$	70.23	$	82.47	$	77.60



	Volume (Bbls/MMBtu)	Fixed Price Swap (per Bbl/MMBtu)
April 2019 - December 2019
Oil Swaps - WTI Magellan East Houston	458,000	$	76.18
Oil Swaps - BRENT	275,000	$	77.58

- Definition

+ References

+ Details

Guarantor Financial Statements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet



Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
September 30, 2018
(In thousands)
						Non–
			Guarantor			Guarantor
	Parent		Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	471,148	$	20,469		$	16,829		$	—		$	508,446
Accounts receivable	—		226,299			38,018			—			264,317
Accounts receivable - related party	—		—			7,758			(7,758		)	—
Intercompany receivable	3,199,881		262,503			—			(3,462,384		)	—
Inventories	—		14,815			—			—			14,815
Other current assets	257		7,708			146			—			8,111
Total current assets	3,671,286		531,794			62,751			(3,470,142		)	795,689
Property and equipment:
Oil and natural gas properties, at cost, full cost method of accounting	—		9,209,250			1,612,425			(3,297		)	10,818,378
Midstream assets	—		355,758			—			—			355,758
Other property, equipment and land	—		80,194			5,688			—			85,882
Accumulated depletion, depreciation, amortization and impairment	—		(2,306,710		)	(230,784		)	(7,918		)	(2,545,412		)
Net property and equipment	—		7,338,492			1,387,329			(11,215		)	8,714,606
Funds held in escrow	—		62,034			—			—			62,034
Investment in subsidiaries	4,631,753		989			—			(4,632,742		)	—
Deferred tax asset	—		—			95,551			—			95,551
Investment in real estate, net	—		106,834			—			—			106,834
Other assets	—		8,513			23,346			—			31,859
Total assets	$	8,303,039	$	8,048,656		$	1,568,977		$	(8,114,099	)	$	9,806,573
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable-trade	$	—	$	85,865		$	4		$	—		$	85,869
Intercompany payable	—		3,470,142			—			(3,470,142		)	—
Other current liabilities	41,026		590,186			4,706			—			635,918
Total current liabilities	41,026		4,146,193			4,710			(3,470,142		)	721,787
Long-term debt	2,035,859		—			296,500			—			2,332,359
Derivative instruments	—		5,931			—			—			5,931
Asset retirement obligations	—		23,897			—			—			23,897
Deferred income taxes	292,795		—			—			—			292,795
Other long-term liabilities	—		7			—			—			7
Total liabilities	2,369,680		4,176,028			301,210			(3,470,142		)	3,376,776
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity	5,933,359		3,872,628			572,217			(4,444,845		)	5,933,359
Non-controlling interest	—		—			695,550			(199,112		)	496,438
Total equity	5,933,359		3,872,628			1,267,767			(4,643,957		)	6,429,797
Total liabilities and equity	$	8,303,039	$	8,048,656		$	1,568,977		$	(8,114,099	)	$	9,806,573



Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
December 31, 2017
(In thousands)
						Non–
			Guarantor			Guarantor
	Parent		Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	54,074	$	34,175		$	24,197		$	—		$	112,446
Accounts receivable	—		205,859			25,754			—			231,613
Accounts receivable - related party	—		—			5,142			(5,142		)	—
Intercompany receivable	2,624,810		2,267,308			—			(4,892,118		)	—
Inventories	—		9,108			—			—			9,108
Other current assets	618		4,461			355			—			5,434
Total current assets	2,679,502		2,520,911			55,448			(4,897,260		)	358,601
Property and equipment:
Oil and natural gas properties, at cost, full cost method of accounting	—		8,129,211			1,103,897			(414		)	9,232,694
Midstream assets	—		191,519			—			—			191,519
Other property, equipment and land	—		80,776			—			—			80,776
Accumulated depletion, depreciation, amortization and impairment	—		(1,976,248		)	(189,466		)	4,342			(2,161,372		)
Net property and equipment	—		6,425,258			914,431			3,928			7,343,617
Funds held in escrow	—		—			6,304			—			6,304
Investment in subsidiaries	3,809,557		—			—			(3,809,557		)	—
Other assets	—		25,609			36,854			—			62,463
Total assets	$	6,489,059	$	8,971,778		$	1,013,037		$	(8,702,889	)	$	7,770,985
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable-trade	$	1	$	91,629		$	2,960		$	—		$	94,590
Intercompany payable	132,067		4,765,193			—			(4,897,260		)	—
Other current liabilities	7,236		472,933			2,669			—			482,838
Total current liabilities	139,304		5,329,755			5,629			(4,897,260		)	577,428
Long-term debt	986,847		397,000			93,500			—			1,477,347
Derivative instruments	—		6,303			—			—			6,303
Asset retirement obligations	—		20,122			—			—			20,122
Deferred income taxes	108,048		—			—			—			108,048
Total liabilities	1,234,199		5,753,180			99,129			(4,897,260		)	2,189,248
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity	5,254,860		3,218,598			913,908			(4,132,506		)	5,254,860
Non-controlling interest	—		—			—			326,877			326,877
Total equity	5,254,860		3,218,598			913,908			(3,805,629		)	5,581,737
Total liabilities and equity	$	6,489,059	$	8,971,778		$	1,013,037		$	(8,702,889	)	$	7,770,985

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
(In thousands)
							Non–
				Guarantor			Guarantor
	Parent			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues:
Oil sales	$	—		$	391,051		$	—		$	63,593		$	454,644
Natural gas sales	—			10,891			—			3,923			14,814
Natural gas liquid sales	—			50,740			—			6,870			57,610
Royalty income	—			—			74,386			(74,386		)	—
Lease bonus	—			—			4,205			(2,883		)	1,322
Midstream services	—			7,280			—			—			7,280
Other operating income	—			2,347			12			—			2,359
Total revenues	—			462,309			78,603			(2,883		)	538,029
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses	—			49,111			—			—			49,111
Production and ad valorem taxes	—			28,509			5,027			—			33,536
Gathering and transportation	—			6,087			889			—			6,976
Midstream services	—			19,725			—			—			19,725
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	—			125,627			16,532			4,159			146,318
General and administrative expenses	6,862			6,629			1,309			(615		)	14,185
Asset retirement obligation accretion	—			387			—			—			387
Other operating expense	—			940			—			—			940
Total costs and expenses	6,862			237,015			23,757			3,544			271,178
Income (loss) from operations	(6,862		)	225,294			54,846			(6,427		)	266,851
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	(10,868		)	(3,969		)	(3,711		)	—			(18,548		)
Other income (expense), net	416			1,521			640			(615		)	1,962
Loss on derivative instruments, net	—			(48,373		)	—			—			(48,373		)
Loss on revaluation of investment	—			—			(199		)	—			(199		)
Total other income (expense), net	(10,452		)	(50,821		)	(3,270		)	(615		)	(65,158		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(17,314		)	174,473			51,576			(7,042		)	201,693
Provision for income taxes	41,512			—			764			—			42,276
Net income (loss)	(58,826		)	174,473			50,812			(7,042		)	159,417
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	—			—			48,466			(46,103		)	2,363
Net income (loss) attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc.	$	(58,826	)	$	174,473		$	2,346		$	39,061		$	157,054



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
(In thousands)
							Non–
				Guarantor			Guarantor
	Parent			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues:
Oil sales	$	—		$	223,038		$	—		$	36,011		$	259,049
Natural gas sales	—			11,774			—			3,148			14,922
Natural gas liquid sales	—			22,214			—			3,052			25,266
Royalty income	—			—			42,211			(42,211		)	—
Lease bonus	—			—			322			—			322
Midstream services	—			1,694			—			—			1,694
Total revenues	—			258,720			42,533			—			301,253
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses	—			32,498			—			—			32,498
Production and ad valorem taxes	—			15,546			2,825			—			18,371
Gathering and transportation	—			3,271			205			—			3,476
Midstream services	—			4,445			—			—			4,445
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	—			74,766			11,068			1,745			87,579
General and administrative expenses	6,506			4,629			1,368			(615		)	11,888
Asset retirement obligation accretion	—			357			—			—			357
Total costs and expenses	6,506			135,512			15,466			1,130			158,614
Income (loss) from operations	(6,506		)	123,208			27,067			(1,130		)	142,639
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	(6,393		)	(1,940		)	(859		)	—			(9,192		)
Other income (expense), net	9			210			399			(615		)	3
Loss on derivative instruments, net	—			(50,645		)	—			—			(50,645		)
Total other income (expense), net	(6,384		)	(52,375		)	(460		)	(615		)	(59,834		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(12,890		)	70,833			26,607			(1,745		)	82,805
Provision for income taxes	857			—			—			—			857
Net income (loss)	(13,747		)	70,833			26,607			(1,745		)	81,948
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	—			—			—			8,924			8,924
Net income (loss) attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc.	$	(13,747	)	$	70,833		$	26,607		$	(10,669	)	$	73,024



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
(In thousands)
					Non–
			Guarantor		Guarantor
	Parent		Subsidiaries		Subsidiaries		Eliminations		Consolidated
Revenues:
Oil sales	—		1,149,184		—		185,165		1,334,349
Natural gas sales	—		31,405		—		9,152		40,557
Natural gas liquid sales	—		116,976		—		16,882		133,858
Royalty income	—		—		211,199		(211,199	)	—
Lease bonus	—		—		5,133		(2,883	)	2,250
Midstream services	—		26,658		—		—		26,658
Other operating income	—		6,705		120		—		6,825
Total revenues	—		1,330,928		216,452		(2,883	)	1,544,497
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses	—		129,103		—		—		129,103
Production and ad valorem taxes	—		78,909		14,133		—		93,042
Gathering and transportation	—		16,777		1,297		—		18,074
Midstream services	—		48,515		—		—		48,515
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	—		337,823		41,317		12,261		391,401
General and administrative expenses	20,891		19,763		6,230		(1,845	)	45,039
Asset retirement obligation accretion	—		1,107		—		—		1,107
Other operating expense	—		2,416		—		—		2,416
Total costs and expenses	20,891		634,413		62,977		10,416		728,697
Income (loss) from operations	(20,891	)	696,515		153,475		(13,299	)	815,800
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	(29,945	)	(10,339	)	(9,061	)	—		(49,345	)
Other income (expense), net	750		88,786		1,479		(1,845	)	89,170
Loss on derivative instruments, net	—		(139,305	)	—		—		(139,305	)
Gain on revaluation of investment	—		—		5,165		—		5,165
Total other income (expense), net	(29,195	)	(60,858	)	(2,417	)	(1,845	)	(94,315	)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(50,086	)	635,657		151,058		(15,144	)	721,485
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	153,864		—		(71,114	)	—		82,750
Net income (loss)	(203,950	)	635,657		222,172		(15,144	)	638,735
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	—		—		77,526		22,197		99,723
Net income (loss) attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc.	(203,950	)	635,657		144,646		(37,341	)	539,012



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
(In thousands)
							Non–
				Guarantor			Guarantor
	Parent			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues:
Oil sales	$	—		$	607,381		$	—		$	96,626		$	704,007
Natural gas sales	—			31,088			—			6,449			37,537
Natural gas liquid sales	—			50,506			—			7,119			57,625
Royalty income	—			—			110,194			(110,194		)	—
Lease bonus	—			—			2,613			(106		)	2,507
Midstream services	—			4,241			—			—			4,241
Total revenues	—			693,216			112,807			(106		)	805,917
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses	—			88,113			—			—			88,113
Production and ad valorem taxes	—			42,307			7,668			—			49,975
Gathering and transportation	—			8,618			492			—			9,110
Midstream services	—			7,127			—			—			7,127
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	—			190,748			28,587			2,346			221,681
General and administrative expenses	20,046			14,259			5,064			(1,845		)	37,524
Asset retirement obligation accretion	—			1,030			—			—			1,030
Total costs and expenses	20,046			352,202			41,811			501			414,560
Income (loss) from operations	(20,046		)	341,014			70,996			(607		)	391,357
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	(23,526		)	(4,022		)	(2,114		)	—			(29,662		)
Other income (expense), net	1,101			9,690			526			(1,845		)	9,472
Gain on derivative instruments, net	—			20,376			—			—			20,376
Total other income (expense), net	(22,425		)	26,044			(1,588		)	(1,845		)	186
Income (loss) before income taxes	(42,471		)	367,058			69,408			(2,452		)	391,543
Provision for income taxes	4,393			—			—			—			4,393
Net income (loss)	(46,864		)	367,058			69,408			(2,452		)	387,150
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	—			—			—			19,448			19,448
Net income (loss) attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc.	$	(46,864	)	$	367,058		$	69,408		$	(21,900	)	$	367,702

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
(In thousands)
							Non–
				Guarantor			Guarantor
	Parent			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	220		$	975,082		$	176,414		$	—		$	1,151,716
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to oil and natural gas properties	—			(1,010,325		)	—			—			(1,010,325		)
Additions to midstream assets	—			(129,820		)	—			—			(129,820		)
Purchase of other property, equipment and land	—			2,638			(4,687		)	—			(2,049		)
Acquisition of leasehold interests	—			(185,658		)	—			—			(185,658		)
Acquisition of mineral interests	—			170,268			(505,842		)	—			(335,574		)
Proceeds from sale of assets	—			6,206			565			—			6,771
Funds held in escrow	—			(51,045		)	—			—			(51,045		)
Equity investments	—			(604		)	—			—			(604		)
Intercompany transfers	(22,310		)	22,310			—			—			—
Investment in real estate	—			(110,654		)	—			—			(110,654		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(22,310		)	(1,286,684		)	(509,964		)	—			(1,818,958		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowing under credit facility	—			470,500			557,000			—			1,027,500
Repayment under credit facility	—			(867,500		)	(354,000		)	—			(1,221,500		)
Proceeds from senior notes	1,062,000			—			—			—			1,062,000
Debt issuance costs	(13,723		)	(232		)	(623		)	—			(14,578		)
Public offering costs	—			—			(2,636		)	—			(2,636		)
Proceeds from public offerings	—			—			305,773			—			305,773
Contributions to subsidiaries	(1,000		)	—			(1,000		)	2,000			—
Contributions by members	—			—			2,000			(2,000		)	—
Distributions from subsidiary	112,671			—			—			(112,671		)	—
Unit options exercised	—			—			140			—			140
Dividends to stockholders	(24,656		)	—			—			—			(24,656		)
Distributions to non-controlling interest	—			—			(181,472		)	112,671			(68,801		)
Intercompany transfers	(696,128		)	695,128			1,000			—			—
Net cash provided by financing activities	439,164			297,896			326,182			—			1,063,242
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	417,074			(13,706		)	(7,368		)	—			396,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	54,074			34,175			24,197			—			112,446
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	471,148		$	20,469		$	16,829		$	—		$	508,446



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
(In thousands)
							Non–
				Guarantor			Guarantor
	Parent			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(25,369	)	$	569,330		$	94,057		$	—		$	638,018
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to oil and natural gas properties	—			(531,489		)	—			—			(531,489		)
Additions to midstream assets	—			(22,491		)	—			—			(22,491		)
Purchase of other property, equipment and land	—			(21,534		)	—			—			(21,534		)
Acquisition of leasehold interests	—			(1,892,864		)	—			—			(1,892,864		)
Acquisition of mineral interests	—			(69,722		)	(301,133		)	—			(370,855		)
Acquisition of midstream assets	—			(50,279		)	—			—			(50,279		)
Proceeds from sale of assets	—			3,584			—			—			3,584
Funds held in escrow	—			121,391			—			—			121,391
Equity investments	—			(188		)	—			—			(188		)
Intercompany transfers	(1,651,328		)	1,651,328			—			—			—
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,651,328		)	(812,264		)	(301,133		)	—			(2,764,725		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowing under credit facility	—			312,500			220,500			—			533,000
Repayment under credit facility	—			(78,000		)	(305,500		)	—			(383,500		)
Purchase of subsidiary units by parent	(10,068		)	—			—			10,068			—
Debt issuance costs	(744		)	(790		)	(180		)	—			(1,714		)
Public offering costs	(77		)	—			(433		)	—			(510		)
Proceeds from public offerings	—			—			380,412			(10,068		)	370,344
Distributions from subsidiary	64,858			—			—			(64,858		)	—
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	358			—			—			—			358
Distributions to non-controlling interest	—			—			(92,498		)	64,858			(27,640		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	54,327			233,710			202,301			—			490,338
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(1,622,370		)	(9,224		)	(4,775		)	—			(1,636,369		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,643,226			14,135			9,213			—			1,666,574
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	20,856		$	4,911		$	4,438		$	—		$	30,205

Description of the Business and Basis of Presentation (Details)	Sep. 30, 2018
Viper Energy Partners LP [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Interest in Viper Energy Partners LP (percentage)	59.00%

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (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
Investment [Line Items]
Cumulative effect due to the impact of adoption of ASU 2016.01	$ (16,064)		$ (16,064)
Gain (loss) on revaluation of investment	(199)	$ 0	5,165	$ 0
Funds Held in Escrow [Abstract]
Funds held in escrow	62,034		62,034		$ 6,304
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Cost Method Investments	20,240		20,240
Viper Energy Partners LP [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Cumulative effect due to the impact of adoption of ASU 2016.01	$ (18,651)		$ (18,651)

Acquisitions (Details) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands					3 Months Ended		7 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018 USD ($) a shares	Aug. 15, 2018 USD ($) a	Aug. 14, 2018 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2017 USD ($) a shares	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) a	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in real estate					$ 109,700			$ 110,654	$ 0
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt										$ 831,000
Tier One Acres to be Acquired \| a										273,000
Current Tier One Acreage \| a										174,000
Combined Net Acreage After Close of Pending Acquisition \| a										394,000
Current Net Acreage \| a										216,000
Acquisition of leasehold interests								185,658	1,892,864
Acquisition of midstream assets								$ 129,820	22,491
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue						$ 301,253			828,846
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Income from Operations						142,639			405,699
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income						$ 81,948			$ 382,044
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic \| $ / shares						$ 0.74			$ 3.96
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted \| $ / shares						$ 0.74			$ 3.95
Delaware Basin Interests [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to acquire leasehold interests and related assets				$ 1,740,000
Number of shares issued to acquire leasehold interests and related assets \| shares				7,690
Shares Held in Escrow \| shares				1,150
Gross acres acquired \| a				100,306
Net acres acquired \| a				80,339
Acquisition of leasehold interests				$ 2,500,000
Acquisition of midstream assets				$ 47,600
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Proved Oil and Gas Properties											$ 386,308
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Unevaluated Oil and Natural Gas Properties											2,122,597
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Midstream Assets											47,432
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Prepaid Costs											3,460
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Oil Inventory											839
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Equipment											163
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Revenues Payable											(9,650)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Asset Retirement Obligation											(1,550)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net											$ 2,549,599
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual							$ 84,300
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Direct Operating Expenses since Acquisition Date, Actual							$ 16,000
Energen Corporation Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable			$ 9,200,000
Company Credit Facility [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt										$ 301,000
Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt										$ 400,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage										4.625%
Medium-term Notes, Series A [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt										$ 20,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage										7.32%
Medium-term Notes, Series A, Due July 28, 2027 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt										$ 10,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage										7.35%
Medium-term Notes, Series B [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt										$ 100,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage										7.125%
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Ajax Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net acres acquired \| a	25,493
Payments to acquire leasehold interests and related assets	$ 900,000
Number of shares issued to acquire leasehold interests and related assets \| shares	2,600
Viper Energy Partners LP [Member] \| Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Mineral Properties Acquired, Gross Acres \| a		32,424
Mineral Properties Acquired, Net Royalty Acres \| a		1,696
Percentage of mineral acres operated by affiliate		80.00%
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred		$ 175,000

Viper Energy Partners LP (Details) - USD ($)	2 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Viper Energy Partners LP (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	May 10, 2018
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
General Partners' Contributed Capital									$ 1,000,000
Limited Partners' Contributed Capital									$ 1,000,000
Limited partners capital account, percentage of distribution									8.00%
Number of Class B Units Converted		731,500
Partners' Capital Account, Units, Converted		731,500
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Distribution Amount		$ 10,000
Viper Energy Partners LP [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Interest in Viper Energy Partners LP (percentage)	59.00%		59.00%				59.00%
Parent Company [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Units of Partnership Interest, Amount									73,150,000
Other Partners' Capital									73,150,000
Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership, Members or Limited Partners, Ownership Interest		64.00%					59.00%
Partnership Agreement [Member] \| General Partner [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties				$ 615,000	$ 615,000	$ 1,845,000		$ 1,845,000
Tax Sharing Agreement [Member] \| Viper Energy Partners LP [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit)			$ (101,000)				$ 69,000
General Partner [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Managing Member or General Partner, Ownership Interest	41.00%	36.00%

Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Oil and natural gas properties:
Not subject to depletion	$ 4,283,629		$ 4,283,629		$ 4,105,865
Gross oil and natural gas properties	10,818,378		10,818,378		9,232,694
Accumulated depletion and depreciation	(2,545,412)		(2,545,412)		(2,161,372)
Midstream assets	355,758		355,758		191,519
Other property, equipment and land	85,882		85,882		80,776
Net property and equipment	8,714,606		8,714,606		7,343,617
Capitalized internal costs	6,717	$ 5,710	20,370	$ 15,925
Exploration costs or development costs not subject to depletion	50,052		50,052		26,040
Capitalized interest not subject to depletion	41,953		$ 41,953		22,097
Minimum [Member]
Oil and natural gas properties:
Timing of inclusion of costs in amortization calculation			3 years
Maximum [Member]
Oil and natural gas properties:
Timing of inclusion of costs in amortization calculation			5 years
Oil and Gas Properties [Member]
Oil and natural gas properties:
Subject to depletion	6,534,749		$ 6,534,749		5,126,829
Not subject to depletion	4,283,629		4,283,629		4,105,865
Gross oil and natural gas properties	10,818,378		10,818,378		9,232,694
Accumulated depletion and depreciation	(1,375,163)		(1,375,163)		(1,009,893)
Accumulated impairment	(1,143,498)		(1,143,498)		(1,143,498)
Oil and natural gas properties, net	8,299,717		8,299,717		7,079,303
Balance of costs not subject to depletion:			589,352		2,563,902	$ 714,467	$ 234,948	$ 180,960
Other Property and Equipment, Net [Member]
Oil and natural gas properties:
Accumulated depletion and depreciation	(26,751)		(26,751)		(7,981)
Other property, equipment and land	$ 85,882		$ 85,882		$ 80,776

Asset Retirement Obligations (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
Changes in ARO liability
Asset retirement obligations, beginning of period			$ 21,285	$ 17,422
Additional liabilities incurred			2,229	1,196
Liabilities acquired			270	2,411
Liabilities settled			(1,474)	(689)
Accretion expense	$ 387	$ 357	1,107	1,030
Revisions in estimated liabilities			568	4
Asset retirement obligations, end of period	23,985	21,374	23,985	21,374
Less current portion	88	1,392	88	1,392
Asset retirement obligations - long-term	$ 23,897	$ 19,982	$ 23,897	$ 19,982	$ 20,122

Equity Method Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Amount invested in equity method investments	$ 604	$ 188
Income from equity method investments	$ 0	309
HMW Fluid Management LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage			25.00%
Amount invested in equity method investments		188
Income from equity method investments		309
Equity Method Investments		$ 6,847

- Definition

This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

+ References + Details

Debt - Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 20, 2016	Oct. 28, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 2,332,359	$ 1,477,347
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(25,038)	(13,153)
Unamortized premium cost	10,897	0
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 1,250,000	$ 500,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.75%	4.75%		4.75%
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 800,000	$ 500,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.375%	5.375%	5.375%
Company Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 0	$ 397,000
Partnership Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 296,500	$ 93,500

Debt - Senior Notes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			9 Months Ended
Debt - Senior Notes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 18, 2018	Jan. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 20, 2016	Oct. 28, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt			$ 1,062,000	$ 0
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount							$ 500,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			4.75%		4.75%		4.75%
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			100.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			103.563%
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Start Date			Nov. 01, 2019
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, End Date			Oct. 31, 2020
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			102.375%
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Start Date			Nov. 01, 2020
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, End Date			Oct. 31, 2021
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			101.188%
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Start Date			Nov. 01, 2021
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, End Date			Oct. 31, 2022
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Four [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			100.00%
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Start Date			Nov. 01, 2022
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Five [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			104.75%
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Start Date			Oct. 28, 2016
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, End Date			Oct. 31, 2019
Senior Unsecured Additional Notes due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount	$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.75%
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	$ 740,700
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount						$ 500,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			5.375%		5.375%	5.375%
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			100.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2025 [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			104.031%
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Start Date			May 31, 2020
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, End Date			May 30, 2021
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2025 [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			102.688%
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Start Date			May 31, 2021
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, End Date			May 30, 2022
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2025 [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			101.344%
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Start Date			May 31, 2022
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, End Date			May 30, 2023
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2025 [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Four [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			100.00%
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Start Date			May 31, 2023
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2025 [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Five [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			105.375%
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Start Date			Dec. 20, 2016
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, End Date			May 30, 2020
Senior Unsecured Additional Notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount		$ 300,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.375%
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt		$ 308,400
Maximum [Member] \| Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Five [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Percentage Eligible for Redemption			35.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Senior Unsecured Notes due 2025 [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Five [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Percentage Eligible for Redemption			35.00%

Debt - Credit Facility - Wells Fargo Bank (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) redetermindation	Nov. 06, 2018 USD ($)	Oct. 26, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Company Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 5,000,000
Number of interim redeterminations that may be requested \| redetermindation	2
Period of redeterminations (in months)	12 months
Current borrowing base	$ 2,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Elected Borrowing Base	1,000,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	0			$ 397,000
Remaining Borrowing Capacity	$ 1,000,000
Financial covenant, reduction of borrowing base (percentage)	25.00%
Company Credit Facility [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Quarterly commitment fee percentage based on unused portion of borrowing base	0.375%
Company Credit Facility [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Quarterly commitment fee percentage based on unused portion of borrowing base	0.50%
Company Credit Facility [Member] \| Federal Funds Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percentage)	0.50%
Company Credit Facility [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percentage)	1.00%
Company Credit Facility [Member] \| LIBOR [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percentage)	1.25%
Company Credit Facility [Member] \| LIBOR [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percentage)	2.25%
Company Credit Facility [Member] \| Base Rate [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percentage)	0.25%
Company Credit Facility [Member] \| Base Rate [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percentage)	1.25%
Subsequent Event [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Current borrowing base			$ 555,000
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Company Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Current borrowing base		$ 2,650,000	2,500,000
Line of Credit Facility, Elected Borrowing Base			$ 2,000,000

Debt - Partnership Credit Facility - Wells Fargo Bank (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) redetermindation	Oct. 26, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Partnership Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 2,000,000
Number of interim redeterminations that may be requested \| redetermindation	3
Period of redeterminations (in months)	12 months
Current borrowing base	$ 475,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	296,500		$ 93,500
Remaining Borrowing Capacity	178,500
Financial covenant, maximum issuance of unsecured debt	$ 400,000
Financial covenant, reduction of borrowing base (percentage)	25.00%
Partnership Credit Facility [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Quarterly commitment fee percentage based on unused portion of borrowing base	0.375%
Partnership Credit Facility [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Quarterly commitment fee percentage based on unused portion of borrowing base	0.50%
Partnership Credit Facility [Member] \| Federal Funds Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percentage)	0.50%
Partnership Credit Facility [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percentage)	1.00%
Partnership Credit Facility [Member] \| LIBOR [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percentage)	1.75%
Partnership Credit Facility [Member] \| LIBOR [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percentage)	2.75%
Partnership Credit Facility [Member] \| Base Rate [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percentage)	0.75%
Partnership Credit Facility [Member] \| Base Rate [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percentage)	1.75%
Subsequent Event [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Current borrowing base		$ 555,000

Debt - Financial Covenant Table (Details)	Sep. 30, 2018
Company Credit Facility [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Ratio of total net debt to EBITDAX	4.0
Company Credit Facility [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Ratio of current assets to liabilities, as defined in the credit agreement	1.0
Partnership Credit Facility [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Ratio of total net debt to EBITDAX	4.0
Partnership Credit Facility [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Ratio of current assets to liabilities, as defined in the credit agreement	1.0

Debt Alliance with Obsidian Resources, L.L.C. (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 26, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Alliance with Obsidian Resources, L.L.C. [Line Items]
Maximum Funding Amount Through Joint Venture		$ 300.0
Company Credit Facility [Member]
Alliance with Obsidian Resources, L.L.C. [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Elected Borrowing Base		$ 1,000.0
Company Credit Facility [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Alliance with Obsidian Resources, L.L.C. [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Elected Borrowing Base	$ 2,000.0

Capital Stock and Earnings Per Share - Capital Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended			2 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Repayments of Lines of Credit					$ 1,221,500	$ 383,500
Partnership Credit Facility [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross					$ 296,500		$ 93,500
Viper Energy Partners LP [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Interest in Viper Energy Partners LP (percentage)					59.00%
Parent Company [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership, Members or Limited Partners, Ownership Interest				64.00%	59.00%
Follow-on Public Offering [Member] \| Viper Energy Partners LP [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction	10,080,000	16,100,000	9,775,000
Sale of Stock, Consideration Received on Transaction	$ 303,100	$ 232,500	$ 147,500
Repayments of Lines of Credit		$ 152,800	$ 120,500
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 361,500
Over-Allotment Option [Member] \| Viper Energy Partners LP [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction	1,080,000	2,100,000	1,275,000
Over-Allotment Option [Member] \| Viper Energy Partners LP [Member] \| Diamondback Energy, Inc. [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction		700,000
Over-Allotment Option [Member] \| Viper Energy Partners LP [Member] \| Affiliated Entity [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction		3,000,000
Over-Allotment Option [Member] \| Viper Energy Partners LP [Member] \| Executive Officer [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction		114,000

Capital Stock and Earnings Per Share - Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Basic:
Net income attributable to common stock	$ 157,054	$ 73,024	$ 539,012	$ 367,702
Basic weighted average common units outstanding	98,638,000	98,144,000	98,603,000	96,491,000
Basic net income attributable to common stock	$ 1.59	$ 0.74	$ 5.47	$ 3.81
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Dilutive effect of potential common shares issuable (in shares)	180,000	225,000	217,000	261,000
Diluted:
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	98,818,000	98,369,000	98,820,000	96,752,000
Diluted net income attributable to common stock	$ 1.59	$ 0.74	$ 5.45	$ 3.80
Antidilutive securities excluded from earnings per share (in shares)	12,699	52,857	2,300	1,248

Equity-Based Compensation - Schedule of Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Related Costs (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, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Equity-based compensation capitalized pursuant to full cost method of accounting for oil and natural gas properties	$ 2,338	$ 2,167	$ 7,328	$ 6,411
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
General and administrative expenses	$ 5,350	$ 6,187	$ 18,451	$ 19,418

Equity-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Units (Details) - Equity Plan [Member] - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Awards & Units (in shares)
Unvested at December 31, 2017	243,577
Granted	90,115
Vested	(170,014)
Forfeited	(7,597)
Unvested at September 30, 2018	156,081
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)
Unvested at December 31, 2017	$ 90.88
Granted	115.03
Vested	89.08
Forfeited	95.80
Unvested at September 30, 2018	$ 106.54
Aggregate fair value of share-based awards that vested	$ 15.1	$ 14.8
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards	$ 13.0
Unrecognized compensation cost, period of recognition (in years)	1 year 4 months 24 days

Equity-Based Compensation - Performance Restricted Stock Activity (Details) - Equity Plan [Member] - Performance Shares [Member] - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2018

Sep. 30, 2018

Awards & Units (in shares)

Unvested at December 31, 2017

202,326

Granted

285,737

Vested

(168,314)

Unvested at September 30, 2018

^[1]

319,749

Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)

Unvested at December 31, 2017

$ 139.83

Granted

130.96

Vested

103.41

Unvested at September 30, 2018

$ 151.08

Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Maximum Award Potential

639,498

Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards

$ 23.0

Unrecognized compensation cost, period of recognition (in years)

1 year 2 months 12 days

Minimum [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Number of shares authorized to be awarded, percent of initial awards received

0.00%

Maximum [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Number of shares authorized to be awarded, percent of initial awards received

200.00%

Two-Year [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Performance shares, performance period

2 years

Three-Year [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Performance shares, performance period

3 years

Awards & Units (in shares)

Granted

117,423

Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)

Granted

$ 170.45

[1]	A maximum of 639,498 units could be awarded based upon the Company’s final TSR ranking.

Equity-Based Compensation - Valuation Assumptions (Details) - Equity Plan [Member] - Performance Shares [Member] - $ / shares	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted		$ 130.96
Three-Year [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted	$ 170.45
Risk-free rate (percentage)	1.99%
Company volatility (percentage)	35.90%

Equity-Based Compensation - Partnership Unit Options (Details) - Employee Stock Option [Member] $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Intrinsic value of options outstanding \| $	$ 0
Viper Energy Partners LP Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at December 31, 2017 \| shares	7,600
Exercised \| shares	(7,600)
Outstanding at September 30, 2018 \| shares	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Outstanding at December 31, 2017 \| $ / shares	$ 18.49
Exercised \| $ / shares	18.49
Outstanding at September 30, 2018 \| $ / shares	$ 0.00
Weighted average remaining contractual term	0 years
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised in period \| $	$ 200

Equity-Based Compensation - Phantom Units (Details) - Viper Energy Partners LP Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] - Phantom Share Units (PSUs) [Member] $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Awards & Units (in shares)
Unvested at December 31, 2017 \| shares	105,439
Granted \| shares	119,818
Vested \| shares	(102,811)
Unvested at September 30, 2018 \| shares	122,446
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)
Unvested at December 31, 2017 \| $ / shares	$ 17.10
Granted \| $ / shares	24.46
Vested \| $ / shares	19.23
Unvested at September 30, 2018 \| $ / shares	$ 22.52
Aggregate fair value of share-based awards that vested \| $	$ 2.0
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards \| $	$ 2.0
Unrecognized compensation cost, period of recognition (in years)	1 year 3 months 18 days

Related Party Transactions - Related Party Transactions (Details)		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 23, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Parent Company [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments for Operating Activities			$ 0		$ 106,000
Revenue from Related Parties		$ 2,884,000		$ 2,884,000
Number of leases extended		12	0	12	2
Average price per acre		$ 6,412	$ 0	$ 6,412	$ 7,459
Viper Energy Partners LP [Member] \| Wexford [Member] \| Advisory Services Agreement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Annual Fee for Advisory Services with Related Party	$ 500,000
Related Party Transaction, Original Term for Advisory Services with Related Party	2 years
Related Party Transaction, Renewal Term for Advisory Services with Related Party	1 year
Related Party Transaction, Minimum Period for Cancellation of Renewal Term	10 days
Payments for Operating Activities		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Investments, Owned, Federal Income Tax Note [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate	11.50%	1.20%
Discrete income tax benefit recorded during the period	$ 0.8
Discrete income tax benefit related to deferred taxes recorded during the period	$ 72.7

Derivatives - Open Derivative Positions (Details)	9 Months Ended
Derivatives - Open Derivative Positions (Details)	Sep. 30, 2018 MMBTU $ / bbl $ / MMBTU bbl
WTI Cushing Oil Swaps 2018 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volume (Bbls) \| bbl	2,392,000
Fixed Swap Price (in dollars per bbl)	51.27
WTI Cushing Oil Swaps 2019 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volume (Bbls) \| bbl	1,638,000
Fixed Swap Price (in dollars per bbl)	52.78
WTI Magellan East Houston Oil Swaps 2018 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volume (Bbls) \| bbl	644,000
Fixed Swap Price (in dollars per bbl)	71.06
WTI Magellan East Houston Oil Swaps 2019 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volume (Bbls) \| bbl	1,087,000
Fixed Swap Price (in dollars per bbl)	40.37
BRENT Oil Swaps 2018 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volume (Bbls) \| bbl	920,000
Fixed Swap Price (in dollars per bbl)	62.51
BRENT Oil Swaps 2019 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volume (Bbls) \| bbl	725,000
Fixed Swap Price (in dollars per bbl)	72.63
Oil Basis Swaps 2018 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volume (Bbls) \| bbl	1,380,000
Fixed Swap Price (in dollars per bbl)	(0.88)
Oil Basis Swaps 2019 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volume (Bbls) \| bbl	270,000
Fixed Swap Price (in dollars per bbl)	(9.42)
Natural Gas Swaps 2018 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volume (MMBtu) \| MMBTU	1,840,000
Fixed Swap Price (in dollars per bbl) \| $ / MMBTU	3.07
Natural Gas Swaps 2019 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volume (MMBtu) \| MMBTU	0
Fixed Swap Price (in dollars per bbl) \| $ / MMBTU	0.00
2018 Three-Way Collars - WTI Magellan East Houston [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volume (Bbls) \| bbl	644,000
Short put price (per Bbl)	56.43
Floor price (per Bbl)	66.43
Ceiling price (per Bbl)	78.82
2019 Three-Way Collars - WTI Cushing [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volume (Bbls) \| bbl	1,810,000
Short put price (per Bbl)	45.00
Floor price (per Bbl)	55.00
Ceiling price (per Bbl)	70.23
2019 Three-Way Collars - BRENT [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volume (Bbls) \| bbl	2,000,000
Short put price (per Bbl)	55.00
Floor price (per Bbl)	65.00
Ceiling price (per Bbl)	82.47
2019 Three-Way Collars - WTI Magellan East Houston [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volume (Bbls) \| bbl	994,000
Short put price (per Bbl)	56.82
Floor price (per Bbl)	66.82
Ceiling price (per Bbl)	77.60

Derivatives - Offsetting Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Gross amounts of assets presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet	$ 0	$ 531
Net amounts of assets presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet	0	531
Gross amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet	129,757	106,670
Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet	$ 129,757	$ 106,670

Derivatives - Balance Sheet Location (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Current assets: derivative instruments	$ 0	$ 531
Noncurrent assets: derivative instruments	0	0
Total assets	0	531
Current liabilities: derivative instruments	123,826	100,367
Noncurrent liabilities: derivative instruments	5,931	6,303
Total liabilities	$ 129,757	$ 106,670

Derivatives - Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments Included in 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
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Change in fair value of open non-hedge derivative instruments	$ (9,913)	$ (58,645)	$ (23,618)	$ 9,365
Gain (loss) on settlement of non-hedge derivative instruments	(38,460)	8,000	(115,687)	11,011
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments	$ (48,373)	$ (50,645)	$ (139,305)	$ 20,376

Fair Value Measurements - Recurring Measurements (Details) - Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring and nonrecurring basis
Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 20,240	$ 0
Assets:
Fixed price swaps	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring and nonrecurring basis
Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Assets:
Fixed price swaps	(129,757)	(106,139)
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring and nonrecurring basis
Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Assets:
Fixed price swaps	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value Measurements - Nonrecurring Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 20, 2016	Oct. 28, 2016
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 [Member]
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring and nonrecurring basis
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.75%	4.75%		4.75%
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2025 [Member]
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring and nonrecurring basis
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.375%	5.375%	5.375%
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Company Credit Facility [Member] \| Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring and nonrecurring basis
Revolving credit facility	$ 0	$ 397,000
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 [Member] \| Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring and nonrecurring basis
Senior Notes	1,250,000	500,000
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Senior Unsecured Notes due 2025 [Member] \| Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring and nonrecurring basis
Senior Notes	800,000	500,000
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Partnership Credit Facility [Member] \| Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring and nonrecurring basis
Revolving credit facility	296,500	93,500
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 [Member] \| Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring and nonrecurring basis
Senior Notes	1,252,613	501,855
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Senior Unsecured Notes due 2025 [Member] \| Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring and nonrecurring basis
Senior Notes	819,000	515,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Company Credit Facility [Member] \| Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring and nonrecurring basis
Revolving credit facility	0	397,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Partnership Credit Facility [Member] \| Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring and nonrecurring basis
Revolving credit facility	$ 296,500	$ 93,500

Subsequent Events (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018 USD ($) a	Nov. 06, 2018 USD ($) a $ / bbl bbl	Dec. 31, 2018 $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares $ / bbl	Sep. 30, 2017 $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares $ / bbl bbl	Sep. 30, 2017 $ / shares	Nov. 01, 2018 USD ($)	Oct. 26, 2018 USD ($)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends declared per share \| $ / shares				$ 0.125	$ 0.000	$ 0.375	$ 0.000
2018 Three-Way Collars - WTI Magellan East Houston [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Volume (Bbls) \| bbl						644,000
Short put price (per Bbl)				56.43		56.43
Floor price (per Bbl)				66.43		66.43
Ceiling price (per Bbl)				78.82		78.82
2019 Three-Way Collars - WTI Magellan East Houston [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Volume (Bbls) \| bbl						994,000
Short put price (per Bbl)				56.82		56.82
Floor price (per Bbl)				66.82		66.82
Ceiling price (per Bbl)				77.60		77.60
BRENT Oil Swaps 2018 [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Volume (Bbls) \| bbl						920,000
Fixed Swap Price (in dollars per bbl)				62.51		62.51
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Divestiture of oil and natural gas properties, amount \| $								$ 62.1
Divestiture of oil and natural gas properties, gross acreage \| a		2,485
Divestiture of oil and natural gas properties, net acreage \| a		2,072
Dividends Payable, Date Declared			Nov. 05, 2018
Dividends declared per share \| $ / shares			$ 0.125
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid			Nov. 26, 2018
Dividends Payable, Date of Record			Nov. 19, 2018
Current borrowing base \| $									$ 555.0
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Oil Swaps 2018 [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Volume (Bbls) \| bbl		458,000
Fixed Swap Price (in dollars per bbl)		76.18
Subsequent Event [Member] \| BRENT Oil Swaps 2018 [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Volume (Bbls) \| bbl		275,000
Fixed Swap Price (in dollars per bbl)		77.58
Company Credit Facility [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Elected Borrowing Base \| $				$ 1,000.0		$ 1,000.0
Current borrowing base \| $				$ 2,000.0		$ 2,000.0
Company Credit Facility [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Elected Borrowing Base \| $									2,000.0
Current borrowing base \| $		$ 2,650.0							$ 2,500.0
Ajax Acquisition [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Net acres acquired \| a	25,493
Payments to acquire leasehold interests and related assets \| $	$ 900.0
ExL Acquisition [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Net acres acquired \| a	3,646
Payments to acquire leasehold interests and related assets \| $	$ 312.5

Guarantor Financial Statements - Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 508,446	$ 112,446	$ 30,205	$ 1,666,574
Accounts receivable	264,317	231,613
Accounts receivable - related party	0	0
Intercompany receivable	0	0
Inventories	14,815	9,108
Other current assets	8,111	5,434
Total current assets	795,689	358,601
Property and equipment:
Oil and natural gas properties, at cost, based on the full cost method of accounting	10,818,378	9,232,694
Midstream assets	355,758	191,519
Other property, equipment and land	85,882	80,776
Accumulated depletion, depreciation, amortization and impairment	(2,545,412)	(2,161,372)
Net property and equipment	8,714,606	7,343,617
Funds held in escrow	62,034	6,304
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Deferred tax asset	95,551	0
Investment in real estate, net	106,834	0
Other assets	31,859	62,463
Total assets	9,806,573	7,770,985
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable-trade	85,869	94,590
Intercompany payable	0	0
Other current liabilities	635,918	482,838
Total current liabilities	721,787	577,428
Long-term debt	2,332,359	1,477,347
Derivative instruments	5,931	6,303
Asset retirement obligations	23,897	20,122	19,982
Deferred income taxes	292,795	108,048
Other long-term liabilities	7	0
Total liabilities	3,376,776	2,189,248
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity	5,933,359	5,254,860
Non-controlling interest	496,438	326,877
Total equity	6,429,797	5,581,737	5,586,123	4,018,292
Total liabilities and equity	9,806,573	7,770,985
Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable	0	0
Accounts receivable - related party	(7,758)	(5,142)
Intercompany receivable	(3,462,384)	(4,892,118)
Inventories	0	0
Other current assets	0	0
Total current assets	(3,470,142)	(4,897,260)
Property and equipment:
Oil and natural gas properties, at cost, based on the full cost method of accounting	(3,297)	(414)
Midstream assets	0	0
Other property, equipment and land	0	0
Accumulated depletion, depreciation, amortization and impairment	(7,918)	4,342
Net property and equipment	(11,215)	3,928
Funds held in escrow	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	(4,632,742)	(3,809,557)
Deferred tax asset	0
Investment in real estate, net	0
Other assets	0	0
Total assets	(8,114,099)	(8,702,889)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable-trade	0	0
Intercompany payable	(3,470,142)	(4,897,260)
Other current liabilities	0	0
Total current liabilities	(3,470,142)	(4,897,260)
Long-term debt	0	0
Derivative instruments	0	0
Asset retirement obligations	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	0
Total liabilities	(3,470,142)	(4,897,260)
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity	(4,444,845)	(4,132,506)
Non-controlling interest	(199,112)	326,877
Total equity	(4,643,957)	(3,805,629)
Total liabilities and equity	(8,114,099)	(8,702,889)
Parent Company [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	471,148	54,074	20,856	1,643,226
Accounts receivable	0	0
Accounts receivable - related party	0	0
Intercompany receivable	3,199,881	2,624,810
Inventories	0	0
Other current assets	257	618
Total current assets	3,671,286	2,679,502
Property and equipment:
Oil and natural gas properties, at cost, based on the full cost method of accounting	0	0
Midstream assets	0	0
Other property, equipment and land	0	0
Accumulated depletion, depreciation, amortization and impairment	0	0
Net property and equipment	0	0
Funds held in escrow	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	4,631,753	3,809,557
Deferred tax asset	0
Investment in real estate, net	0
Other assets	0	0
Total assets	8,303,039	6,489,059
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable-trade	0	1
Intercompany payable	0	132,067
Other current liabilities	41,026	7,236
Total current liabilities	41,026	139,304
Long-term debt	2,035,859	986,847
Derivative instruments	0	0
Asset retirement obligations	0	0
Deferred income taxes	292,795	108,048
Other long-term liabilities	0
Total liabilities	2,369,680	1,234,199
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity	5,933,359	5,254,860
Non-controlling interest	0	0
Total equity	5,933,359	5,254,860
Total liabilities and equity	8,303,039	6,489,059
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	20,469	34,175	4,911	14,135
Accounts receivable	226,299	205,859
Accounts receivable - related party	0	0
Intercompany receivable	262,503	2,267,308
Inventories	14,815	9,108
Other current assets	7,708	4,461
Total current assets	531,794	2,520,911
Property and equipment:
Oil and natural gas properties, at cost, based on the full cost method of accounting	9,209,250	8,129,211
Midstream assets	355,758	191,519
Other property, equipment and land	80,194	80,776
Accumulated depletion, depreciation, amortization and impairment	(2,306,710)	(1,976,248)
Net property and equipment	7,338,492	6,425,258
Funds held in escrow	62,034	0
Investment in subsidiaries	989	0
Deferred tax asset	0
Investment in real estate, net	106,834
Other assets	8,513	25,609
Total assets	8,048,656	8,971,778
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable-trade	85,865	91,629
Intercompany payable	3,470,142	4,765,193
Other current liabilities	590,186	472,933
Total current liabilities	4,146,193	5,329,755
Long-term debt	0	397,000
Derivative instruments	5,931	6,303
Asset retirement obligations	23,897	20,122
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	7
Total liabilities	4,176,028	5,753,180
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity	3,872,628	3,218,598
Non-controlling interest	0	0
Total equity	3,872,628	3,218,598
Total liabilities and equity	8,048,656	8,971,778
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	16,829	24,197	$ 4,438	$ 9,213
Accounts receivable	38,018	25,754
Accounts receivable - related party	7,758	5,142
Intercompany receivable	0	0
Inventories	0	0
Other current assets	146	355
Total current assets	62,751	55,448
Property and equipment:
Oil and natural gas properties, at cost, based on the full cost method of accounting	1,612,425	1,103,897
Midstream assets	0	0
Other property, equipment and land	5,688	0
Accumulated depletion, depreciation, amortization and impairment	(230,784)	(189,466)
Net property and equipment	1,387,329	914,431
Funds held in escrow	0	6,304
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Deferred tax asset	95,551
Investment in real estate, net	0
Other assets	23,346	36,854
Total assets	1,568,977	1,013,037
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable-trade	4	2,960
Intercompany payable	0	0
Other current liabilities	4,706	2,669
Total current liabilities	4,710	5,629
Long-term debt	296,500	93,500
Derivative instruments	0	0
Asset retirement obligations	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	0
Total liabilities	301,210	99,129
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity	572,217	913,908
Non-controlling interest	695,550	0
Total equity	1,267,767	913,908
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,568,977	$ 1,013,037

Guarantor Financial Statements - Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Revenues:
Lease bonus	$ 1,322	$ 322	$ 2,250	$ 2,507
Other operating income	2,359	0	6,825	0
Revenue	538,029	301,253	1,544,497	805,917
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses	49,111	32,498	129,103	88,113
Production and ad valorem taxes	33,536	18,371	93,042	49,975
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	146,318	87,579	391,401	221,681
General and administrative expenses	14,185	11,888	45,039	37,524
Asset retirement obligation accretion	387	357	1,107	1,030
Other operating expense	940	0	2,416	0
Total costs and expenses	271,178	158,614	728,697	414,560
Income (loss) from operations	266,851	142,639	815,800	391,357
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(18,548)	(9,192)	(49,345)	(29,662)
Other income (expense), net	1,962	3	89,170	9,472
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net	(48,373)	(50,645)	(139,305)	20,376
Gain (loss) on revaluation of investment	(199)	0	5,165	0
Total other income (expense), net	(65,158)	(59,834)	(94,315)	186
Income (loss) before income taxes	201,693	82,805	721,485	391,543
Provision for income taxes	42,276	857	82,750	4,393
Net income	159,417	81,948	638,735	387,150
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	2,363	8,924	99,723	19,448
Net income (loss) attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc.	157,054	73,024	539,012	367,702
Eliminations [Member]
Revenues:
Lease bonus	(2,883)	0	(2,883)	(106)
Other operating income	0		0
Revenue	(2,883)	0	(2,883)	(106)
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses	0	0	0	0
Production and ad valorem taxes	0	0	0	0
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	4,159	1,745	12,261	2,346
General and administrative expenses	(615)	(615)	(1,845)	(1,845)
Asset retirement obligation accretion	0	0	0	0
Other operating expense	0		0
Total costs and expenses	3,544	1,130	10,416	501
Income (loss) from operations	(6,427)	(1,130)	(13,299)	(607)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	0	0	0	0
Other income (expense), net	(615)	(615)	(1,845)	(1,845)
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net	0	0	0	0
Gain (loss) on revaluation of investment	0		0
Total other income (expense), net	(615)	(615)	(1,845)	(1,845)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(7,042)	(1,745)	(15,144)	(2,452)
Provision for income taxes	0	0	0	0
Net income	(7,042)	(1,745)	(15,144)	(2,452)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	(46,103)	8,924	22,197	19,448
Net income (loss) attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc.	39,061	(10,669)	(37,341)	(21,900)
Parent Company [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Revenues:
Lease bonus	0	0	0	0
Other operating income	0		0
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses	0	0	0	0
Production and ad valorem taxes	0	0	0	0
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	0	0	0	0
General and administrative expenses	6,862	6,506	20,891	20,046
Asset retirement obligation accretion	0	0	0	0
Other operating expense	0		0
Total costs and expenses	6,862	6,506	20,891	20,046
Income (loss) from operations	(6,862)	(6,506)	(20,891)	(20,046)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(10,868)	(6,393)	(29,945)	(23,526)
Other income (expense), net	416	9	750	1,101
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net	0	0	0	0
Gain (loss) on revaluation of investment	0		0
Total other income (expense), net	(10,452)	(6,384)	(29,195)	(22,425)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(17,314)	(12,890)	(50,086)	(42,471)
Provision for income taxes	41,512	857	153,864	4,393
Net income	(58,826)	(13,747)	(203,950)	(46,864)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc.	(58,826)	(13,747)	(203,950)	(46,864)
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Revenues:
Lease bonus	0	0	0	0
Other operating income	2,347		6,705
Revenue	462,309	258,720	1,330,928	693,216
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses	49,111	32,498	129,103	88,113
Production and ad valorem taxes	28,509	15,546	78,909	42,307
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	125,627	74,766	337,823	190,748
General and administrative expenses	6,629	4,629	19,763	14,259
Asset retirement obligation accretion	387	357	1,107	1,030
Other operating expense	940		2,416
Total costs and expenses	237,015	135,512	634,413	352,202
Income (loss) from operations	225,294	123,208	696,515	341,014
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(3,969)	(1,940)	(10,339)	(4,022)
Other income (expense), net	1,521	210	88,786	9,690
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net	(48,373)	(50,645)	(139,305)	20,376
Gain (loss) on revaluation of investment	0		0
Total other income (expense), net	(50,821)	(52,375)	(60,858)	26,044
Income (loss) before income taxes	174,473	70,833	635,657	367,058
Provision for income taxes	0	0	0	0
Net income	174,473	70,833	635,657	367,058
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc.	174,473	70,833	635,657	367,058
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Revenues:
Lease bonus	4,205	322	5,133	2,613
Other operating income	12		120
Revenue	78,603	42,533	216,452	112,807
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses	0	0	0	0
Production and ad valorem taxes	5,027	2,825	14,133	7,668
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	16,532	11,068	41,317	28,587
General and administrative expenses	1,309	1,368	6,230	5,064
Asset retirement obligation accretion	0	0	0	0
Other operating expense	0		0
Total costs and expenses	23,757	15,466	62,977	41,811
Income (loss) from operations	54,846	27,067	153,475	70,996
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(3,711)	(859)	(9,061)	(2,114)
Other income (expense), net	640	399	1,479	526
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net	0	0	0	0
Gain (loss) on revaluation of investment	(199)		5,165
Total other income (expense), net	(3,270)	(460)	(2,417)	(1,588)
Income (loss) before income taxes	51,576	26,607	151,058	69,408
Provision for income taxes	764	0	(71,114)	0
Net income	50,812	26,607	222,172	69,408
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	48,466	0	77,526	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc.	2,346	26,607	144,646	69,408
Oil sales
Revenues:
Revenue	454,644	259,049	1,334,349	704,007
Oil sales \| Eliminations [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	63,593	36,011	185,165	96,626
Oil sales \| Parent Company [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Oil sales \| Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	391,051	223,038	1,149,184	607,381
Oil sales \| Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Natural gas sales
Revenues:
Revenue	14,814	14,922	40,557	37,537
Natural gas sales \| Eliminations [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	3,923	3,148	9,152	6,449
Natural gas sales \| Parent Company [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Natural gas sales \| Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	10,891	11,774	31,405	31,088
Natural gas sales \| Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Natural gas liquid sales
Revenues:
Revenue	57,610	25,266	133,858	57,625
Natural gas liquid sales \| Eliminations [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	6,870	3,052	16,882	7,119
Natural gas liquid sales \| Parent Company [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Natural gas liquid sales \| Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	50,740	22,214	116,976	50,506
Natural gas liquid sales \| Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Royalty [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Royalty [Member] \| Eliminations [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	(74,386)	(42,211)	(211,199)	(110,194)
Royalty [Member] \| Parent Company [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Royalty [Member] \| Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Royalty [Member] \| Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	74,386	42,211	211,199	110,194
Midstream services
Revenues:
Revenue	7,280	1,694	26,658	4,241
Costs and expenses:
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	19,725	4,445	48,515	7,127
Midstream services \| Eliminations [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Costs and expenses:
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	0	0	0	0
Midstream services \| Parent Company [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Costs and expenses:
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	0	0	0	0
Midstream services \| Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	7,280	1,694	26,658	4,241
Costs and expenses:
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	19,725	4,445	48,515	7,127
Midstream services \| Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Costs and expenses:
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	0	0	0	0
Gathering and Transportation [Member]
Costs and expenses:
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	6,976	3,476	18,074	9,110
Gathering and Transportation [Member] \| Eliminations [Member]
Costs and expenses:
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	0	0	0	0
Gathering and Transportation [Member] \| Parent Company [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Costs and expenses:
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	0	0	0	0
Gathering and Transportation [Member] \| Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Costs and expenses:
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	6,087	3,271	16,777	8,618
Gathering and Transportation [Member] \| Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Costs and expenses:
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	$ 889	$ 205	$ 1,297	$ 492

Guarantor Financial Statements - Cash Flow Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$ 1,151,716	$ 638,018
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to oil and natural gas properties		(1,010,325)	(531,489)
Additions to midstream assets		(129,820)	(22,491)
Purchase of other property, equipment and land		(2,049)	(21,534)
Acquisition of leasehold interests		(185,658)	(1,892,864)
Acquisition of mineral interests		(335,574)	(370,855)
Acquisition of midstream assets		0	(50,279)
Proceeds from sale of assets		6,771	3,584
Funds held in escrow		(51,045)	121,391
Equity investments		(604)	(188)
Intercompany transfers		0	0
Investment in real estate	$ (109,700)	(110,654)	0
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,818,958)	(2,764,725)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowing under credit facility		1,027,500	533,000
Repayment under credit facility		(1,221,500)	(383,500)
Proceeds from senior notes		1,062,000	0
Purchase of subsidiary units by parent			0
Debt issuance costs		(14,578)	(1,714)
Public offering costs		(2,636)	(510)
Proceeds from public offerings		305,773	370,344
Contributions to subsidiaries		0
Contributions by members		0
Distributions from subsidiary		0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		0	358
Proceeds from unit options exercised		140	0
Dividends to stockholders		(24,656)	0
Distributions to non-controlling interest		(68,801)	(27,640)
Intercompany transfers		0
Net cash provided by financing activities		1,063,242	490,338
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		396,000	(1,636,369)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	112,446	112,446	1,666,574
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		508,446	30,205
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to oil and natural gas properties		0	0
Additions to midstream assets		0	0
Purchase of other property, equipment and land		0	0
Acquisition of leasehold interests		0	0
Acquisition of mineral interests		0	0
Acquisition of midstream assets			0
Proceeds from sale of assets		0	0
Funds held in escrow		0	0
Equity investments		0	0
Intercompany transfers		0	0
Investment in real estate		0
Net cash used in investing activities		0	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowing under credit facility		0	0
Repayment under credit facility		0	0
Proceeds from senior notes		0
Purchase of subsidiary units by parent			10,068
Debt issuance costs		0	0
Public offering costs		0	0
Proceeds from public offerings		0	(10,068)
Contributions to subsidiaries		(2,000)
Contributions by members		(2,000)
Distributions from subsidiary		(112,671)	(64,858)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			0
Proceeds from unit options exercised		0
Dividends to stockholders		0
Distributions to non-controlling interest		112,671	64,858
Intercompany transfers		0
Net cash provided by financing activities		0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		0	0
Parent Company [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		220	(25,369)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to oil and natural gas properties		0	0
Additions to midstream assets		0	0
Purchase of other property, equipment and land		0	0
Acquisition of leasehold interests		0	0
Acquisition of mineral interests		0	0
Acquisition of midstream assets			0
Proceeds from sale of assets		0	0
Funds held in escrow		0	0
Equity investments		0	0
Intercompany transfers		(22,310)	(1,651,328)
Investment in real estate		0
Net cash used in investing activities		(22,310)	(1,651,328)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowing under credit facility		0	0
Repayment under credit facility		0	0
Proceeds from senior notes		1,062,000
Purchase of subsidiary units by parent			(10,068)
Debt issuance costs		(13,723)	(744)
Public offering costs		0	(77)
Proceeds from public offerings		0	0
Contributions to subsidiaries		1,000
Contributions by members		0
Distributions from subsidiary		112,671	64,858
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			358
Proceeds from unit options exercised		0
Dividends to stockholders		(24,656)
Distributions to non-controlling interest		0	0
Intercompany transfers		(696,128)
Net cash provided by financing activities		439,164	54,327
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		417,074	(1,622,370)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	54,074	54,074	1,643,226
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		471,148	20,856
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		975,082	569,330
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to oil and natural gas properties		(1,010,325)	(531,489)
Additions to midstream assets		(129,820)	(22,491)
Purchase of other property, equipment and land		2,638	(21,534)
Acquisition of leasehold interests		(185,658)	(1,892,864)
Acquisition of mineral interests		170,268	(69,722)
Acquisition of midstream assets			(50,279)
Proceeds from sale of assets		6,206	3,584
Funds held in escrow		(51,045)	121,391
Equity investments		(604)	(188)
Intercompany transfers		22,310	1,651,328
Investment in real estate		(110,654)
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,286,684)	(812,264)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowing under credit facility		470,500	312,500
Repayment under credit facility		(867,500)	(78,000)
Proceeds from senior notes		0
Purchase of subsidiary units by parent			0
Debt issuance costs		(232)	(790)
Public offering costs		0	0
Proceeds from public offerings		0	0
Contributions to subsidiaries		0
Contributions by members		0
Distributions from subsidiary		0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			0
Proceeds from unit options exercised		0
Dividends to stockholders		0
Distributions to non-controlling interest		0	0
Intercompany transfers		695,128
Net cash provided by financing activities		297,896	233,710
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(13,706)	(9,224)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	34,175	34,175	14,135
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		20,469	4,911
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		176,414	94,057
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to oil and natural gas properties		0	0
Additions to midstream assets		0	0
Purchase of other property, equipment and land		(4,687)	0
Acquisition of leasehold interests		0	0
Acquisition of mineral interests		(505,842)	(301,133)
Acquisition of midstream assets			0
Proceeds from sale of assets		565	0
Funds held in escrow		0	0
Equity investments		0	0
Intercompany transfers		0	0
Investment in real estate		0
Net cash used in investing activities		(509,964)	(301,133)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowing under credit facility		557,000	220,500
Repayment under credit facility		(354,000)	(305,500)
Proceeds from senior notes		0
Purchase of subsidiary units by parent			0
Debt issuance costs		(623)	(180)
Public offering costs		(2,636)	(433)
Proceeds from public offerings		305,773	380,412
Contributions to subsidiaries		1,000
Contributions by members		2,000
Distributions from subsidiary		0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			0
Proceeds from unit options exercised		140
Dividends to stockholders		0
Distributions to non-controlling interest		(181,472)	(92,498)
Intercompany transfers		1,000
Net cash provided by financing activities		326,182	202,301
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(7,368)	(4,775)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	$ 24,197	24,197	9,213
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$ 16,829	$ 4,438