CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited) - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2016
Apr. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]    
Revenues $ 159,739 $ 174,271
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below) (130,369) (143,231)
Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below) (27,250) (29,245)
Depreciation and amortization (6,428) (8,735)
Restructuring costs (455) (190)
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates 1,269 (108)
Gain on extinguishment of debt   4,236
Interest expense (4,246) (3,852)
Other income, net 150 1,041
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (7,590) (5,813)
Income tax expense (1,213) (761)
Net loss from continuing operations (8,803) (6,574)
Net income from discontinued operations   16
Net loss $ (8,803) $ (6,558)
Earnings per share information attributable to Layne Christensen Company shareholders:    
Loss per share from continuing operations - basic and diluted $ (0.45) $ (0.34)
Earnings per share from discontinued operations - basic and diluted   0.01
Loss per share attributable to Layne Christensen Company - basic and diluted $ (0.45) $ (0.33)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and dilutive 19,773 19,633