Entity Central Index Key Document and entity information. Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document Type Document Type Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Aggregate carrying value, as of the balance sheet date, of revenues payable due within one year. The carrying amount of equity interests attributable to and formerly held by our predecessor's previous owners. Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Segments Statement Business Segments [Axis] Segments Segment [Domain] Memorial resource development segment. MRD [Member] Memorial Resource Development Segment [Member] Memorial production partners. MEMP [Member] Memorial Production Partners [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Restricted cash Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Accounts receivable: Receivables Net Current [Abstract] Oil and natural gas sales Accounts Receivable Net Current Joint interest owners and other Oil And Gas Joint Interest Billing Receivables Current Affiliates Due From Affiliate Current Short-term derivative instruments Derivative Assets Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense And Other Assets Current Total current assets Assets Current Property and equipment, at cost: Property Plant And Equipment Net [Abstract] Oil and natural gas properties, successful efforts method Oil And Gas Property Successful Effort Method Gross Other Property Plant And Equipment Other Accumulated depreciation, depletion and impairment Oil And Gas Property Successful Effort Method Accumulated Depreciation Depletion Amortization And Impairment Oil and natural gas properties, net Oil And Gas Property Successful Effort Method Net Long-term derivative instruments Derivative Assets Noncurrent Restricted investments Restricted Investments Noncurrent Restricted cash Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents Noncurrent Other long-term assets Other Assets Noncurrent Total assets Assets LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities And Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities Current [Abstract] Accounts payable Accounts Payable Current Accounts payable - affiliates Due To Affiliate Current Revenues payable Revenues Payable Accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities Current Short-term derivative instruments Derivative Liabilities Current Total current liabilities Liabilities Current Noncurrent liabilities: Liabilities Noncurrent [Abstract] Long-term debt Long Term Debt Noncurrent Asset retirement obligations Asset Retirement Obligations Noncurrent Long-term derivative instruments Derivative Liabilities Noncurrent Deferred tax liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent Other long-term liabilities Other Liabilities Noncurrent Total liabilities Liabilities Commitments and contingencies (Note 15) Commitments And Contingencies Equity: Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Stockholders' equity (deficit): Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Preferred stock, $.01 par value: 50,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding Preferred Stock Value Common stock, $.01 par value: 600,000,000 shares authorized; 193,559,211 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014; no shares authorized, issued or outstanding at December 31, 2013 Common Stock Value Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid In Capital Accumulated earnings (deficit) Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Total stockholders' equity Stockholders Equity Members' equity: Members Equity [Abstract] Members Members Capital Previous owners (Note 1) Previous Owners Capital Total members' equity Members Equity Noncontrolling interests Minority Interest Total equity Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Total liabilities and equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock Shares Issued Preferred stock, shares outstanding Preferred Stock Shares Outstanding Common stock, par value Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock Shares Issued Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock Shares Outstanding Amount of pipeline operating expenses related to oil and gas production. Compensation cost associated with incentive units previously awarded and recognized as a result of the probable satisfaction of the performance condition at the reporting date. Amount of net income (loss) attributable to our predecessor's previous owners. Income Statement [Abstract] Revenues: Revenues [Abstract] Oil & natural gas sales Oil And Gas Sales Revenue Pipeline tariff income and other Regulated Operating Revenue Pipelines Total revenues Sales Revenue Net Costs and expenses: Costs And Expenses [Abstract] Lease operating Lease Operating Expense Pipeline operating Pipeline Operating Expense Exploration Exploration Expense Production and ad valorem taxes Production Tax Expense Depreciation, depletion, and amortization Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Impairment of proved oil and natural gas properties Impairment Of Oil And Gas Properties Incentive unit compensation expense (Note 12) Incentive Unit Compensation Expense General and administrative General And Administrative Expense Accretion of asset retirement obligations Asset Retirement Obligation Accretion Expense (Gain) loss on commodity derivative instruments Gain Loss On Oil And Gas Hedging Activity (Gain) loss on sale of properties Gain Loss On Sale Of Property Other, net Other Cost And Expense Operating Total costs and expenses Operating Costs And Expenses Operating income (loss) Operating Income Loss Other income (expense): Other Nonoperating Income Expense [Abstract] Interest expense, net Interest Income Expense Net Loss on extinguishment of debt Gains Losses On Extinguishment Of Debt Other, net Other Nonoperating Income Expense Total other income (expense) Nonoperating Income Expense Income (loss) before income taxes Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments Income tax benefit (expense) Income Tax Expense Benefit Net income (loss) Net Income Loss Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest Net Income Loss Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Net income (loss) attributable to Memorial Resource Development Corp. Income Loss Attributable To Parent Net (income) loss allocated to members Net Income Loss Allocated To Limited Partners Net (income) loss allocated to previous owners Net Income Loss Attributable To Previous Owners Net income (loss) available to common stockholders Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic Earnings per common share: (Note 10) Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Basic Earnings Per Share Basic Diluted Earnings Per Share Diluted Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding: Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding [Abstract] Basic Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic Diluted Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding Cash settlement on derivative instruments. Non-cash compensation costs primarily associated with incentive units. Deposits for acquisition of property and equipment. Payments made to redeem and terminate outstanding credit facility amounts. Payments made to fund the redemption of the senior notes on the redemption date and to satisfy and discharge our obligations under the senior notes and the related indenture. Proceeds from contributions from previous owners. Equity contribution related to sale of asset affiliate. Distribution to a holding company controlled by the funds and that, together with a group, owns a majority of our common stock. Distribution made to affiliate common control acquisition. Distribution to affiliates in connection with common control disposition. Distribution made by previous owner. Change in capital expenditures in payables and accrued liabilities. Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Related Party Related Party Transactions By Related Party [Axis] Related Party Related Party [Domain] Natural gas partners. Natural Gas Partners [Member] Natural Gas Partners [Member] Memorial Resource Development Holdco. MRD Holdco LLC [Member] Memorial Resource Development Holdco [Member] Sale of Stock Subsidiary Sale Of Stock [Axis] Sale of Stock Sale Of Stock Name Of Transaction [Domain] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Net income (loss) Profit Loss Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] (Gain) loss on derivatives Derivative Instruments Not Designated As Hedging Instruments Gain Loss Net Cash settlements (paid) received on derivative instruments Cash Settlement On Derivative Instruments Loss on extinguishment of debt Payments Of Debt Extinguishment Costs Amortization of deferred financing costs Amortization Of Financing Costs Accretion of senior notes net discount Accretion Expense Amortization of equity awards Share Based Compensation Non-cash compensation expense Non Cash Compensation Expense Exploration costs Costs Incurred Exploration Costs Deferred income tax expense (benefit) Increase Decrease In Deferred Income Taxes Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase Decrease In Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable Prepaid expenses and other assets Increase Decrease In Prepaid Deferred Expense And Other Assets Payables and accrued liabilities Increase Decrease In Accrued Liabilities Other Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Continuing Operations Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities [Abstract] Acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties Payments To Acquire Oil And Gas Property And Equipment Additions to oil and gas properties Payments To Explore And Develop Oil And Gas Properties Additions to other property and equipment Payments To Acquire Other Property Plant And Equipment Additions to restricted investments Payments To Acquire Restricted Investments Deposits for property acquisitions Deposits For Acquisition Of Property And Equipment Decrease (increase) in restricted cash Increase Decrease In Restricted Cash Proceeds from the sale of oil and natural gas properties Proceeds From Sale Of Oil And Gas Property And Equipment Other Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Continuing Operations Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities [Abstract] Advances on revolving credit facilities Proceeds From Lines Of Credit Payments on revolving credit facilities Repayments Of Lines Of Credit Borrowings under second lien credit facility Proceeds From Repayments Of Lines Of Credit Redemption of second lien credit facility Redemption Of Credit Facility Proceeds from the issuances of senior notes Proceeds From Issuance Of Senior Long Term Debt Redemption of senior notes Redemption Of Senior Notes Deferred financing costs Payments Of Loan Costs Purchase of additional interests in consolidated subsidiaries Payments To Acquire Additional Interest In Subsidiaries Contributions from previous owners Proceeds From Contributions From Previous Owners Proceeds from public offering Proceeds From Issuance Initial Public Offering Costs incurred in conjunction with public offering Payments Of Stock Issuance Costs Proceeds from public offering Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Limited Partners Units Contributions from NGP affiliates related to sale of properties Equity Contribution Related To Sale Of Asset Affiliate Distributions to the Funds Payments Of Capital Distribution Distributions to MRD Holdco Equity Distribution To Affiliate Distributions to noncontrolling interests Payments To Minority Shareholders Distribution to NGP affiliates related to purchase of assets Distribution Made To Affiliate Common Control Acquisition Distribution to NGP affiliates related to sale of assets, net of cash received Distribution Made To Affiliate Common Control Disposition Distributions made by previous owners Distribution Made By Previous Owner Other Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Continuing Operations Net change in cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Supplemental cash flows: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Cash paid for interest Interest Paid Noncash investing and financing activities: Noncash Investing And Financing Items [Abstract] Change in capital expenditures in payables and accrued liabilities Change In Capital Expenditures In Payables And Accrued Liabilities Assumptions of asset retirement obligations related to properties acquired or drilled Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Other Liabilities Assumed1 Accounts receivable related to acquisitions and divestitures Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Accounts Receivable Acquired1 Stock issued during period value connection with restructuring transaction. Adjustment to additional paid in capital income tax effect from connection with restructuring and initial public offering. Contribution related to sale of assets to affiliate. Net book value of assets sold. Net book value of net assets acquired by affiliate. Distribution paid to affiliates in connection with acquisition of assets. Distribution of net assets. Distribution of shares received in connection with restructuring transactions. Capital distributions. Equity deemed contribution distribution related to net assets transferred to noncontrolling interest net. Impact of equity transactions. Member capital contributions. Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Shareholders' Equity Class Shareholders Equity Class [Axis] Fair Value by Shareholders' Equity Class Fair Value By Shareholders Equity Class [Domain]