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Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ 462,209 | $ 661,832 | $ 587,062
Capital expenditures | (388,183) | (536,832) | (429,336)
Net proceeds from sale or disposition of property and other | 44,826 | 54,569 | 28,899
Investments | (1,396) | 1,515 | (1,041)
Net cash used in investing activities | (305,095) | (382,453) | (904,190)
Issuance of long-term debt | 309,064 | 345,920 | 606,168
Repayment of long-term debt | (315,647) | (566,498) | (365,247)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | 0 | 21,898 | 150,060
Dividends paid | (147,156) | (142,835) | (136,712)
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation | 0 | 0 | 4,729
Tax withholding on stock-based compensation | (323) | 0 | (5,564)
Net cash provided by financing activities | (194,914) | (255,730) | 325,196
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (37,796) | 23,424 | 7,913
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year | 83,903 | 60,479 | 52,566
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year | 46,107 | 83,903 | 60,479
MDU Resources Group, Inc. [Member] |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 238,125 | 255,273 | 208,208
Capital expenditures | (159,570) | (349,985) | (223,251)
Net proceeds from sale or disposition of property and other | 3,784 | 3,268 | 1,552
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries | (5,000) | (7,000) | (134,451)
Advances from subsidiaries | 15,000 | 100,000 | 64,500
Investments | (129) | 5 | (794)
Net cash used in investing activities | (145,915) | (253,712) | (292,444)
Issuance of long-term debt | 106,420 | 224,185 | 148,959
Repayment of long-term debt | (50,010) | (108,008) | (76,432)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | 0 | 21,898 | 150,060
Dividends paid | (147,156) | (142,835) | (136,712)
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation | 0 | 0 | 3,326
Tax withholding on stock-based compensation | (226) | 0 | (3,896)
Net cash provided by financing activities | (90,972) | (4,760) | 85,305
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 1,238 | (3,199) | 1,069
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year | 2,921 | 6,120 | 5,051
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year | $ 4,159 | $ 2,921 | $ 6,120

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