Cover Page - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Mar. 12, 2020
Jun. 30, 2019
Cover page.      
Entity Registrant Name Basic Energy Services, Inc.    
Document Type 10-K    
Document Annual Report true    
Document Transition Report false    
Entity File Number 001-32693    
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE    
Entity Tax Identification Number 54-2091194    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2019    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Central Index Key 0001109189    
Amendment Flag false    
Title of 12(g) Security common stock    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Filer Category Non-accelerated Filer    
Entity Small Business true    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
Entity Shell Company false    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   24,983,699  
Entity Public Float     $ 48,848,836
Entity Address, Address Line One 801 Cherry Street    
Entity Address, Address Line Two Suite 2100    
Entity Address, City or Town Fort Worth    
Entity Address, State or Province TX    
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 76102    
City Area Code 817    
Local Phone Number 334-4100    
Documents Incorporated by Reference Portions of the proxy statement for the registrant’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (to be filed within 120 days of the close of the registrant’s fiscal year) are incorporated by reference into Part III.