Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature of Business	Nature of Business. SandRidge Energy, Inc. is an oil and natural gas exploration and production company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with a principal focus on the acquisition, exploration and development of hydrocarbon resources in the United States.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned or majority owned subsidiaries, including its proportionate share of the Royalty Trusts. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Interim Financial Statements	Interim Financial Statements. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes contained in the Company’s 2018 Form 10-K. Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted, although the Company believes that the disclosures contained herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. In the opinion of management, the financial statements include all adjustments, which consist of normal recurring adjustments unless otherwise disclosed, necessary to fairly state the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Significant Accounting Policies	Significant Accounting Policies. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with the accounting policies stated in the 2018 Form 10-K as well as the items noted below.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial statements to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on the Company’s previously reported results of operations.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates. The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The more significant areas requiring the use of assumptions, judgments and estimates include: oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (“NGL”) reserves; impairment tests of long-lived assets; asset retirement obligations; depreciation, depletion and amortization; income taxes; valuation of derivative instruments; contingencies; and accrued revenue and related receivables. In the second quarter of 2019, the Company revised estimated retirement dates for certain Mid-Continent properties. These revisions resulted in the reclassification of $9.7 million in asset retirement obligations from current liabilities to long-term obligations on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2019. Although management believes the estimates used in the areas noted above are reasonable, actual results could differ significantly.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” and subsequently issued other associated ASU's related to Topic 842 which supersede Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 840 and require lessees to recognize right of use ("ROU") lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for long-term leases formerly classified as operating leases under ASC 840, and to disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective approach for all ROU leases that existed at the period of adoption and did not restate its comparative periods. See Note 5 for additional discussion of the new leasing standard. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted. The FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments —Credit Losses (Topic 326) Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The standard will replace the currently required incurred loss approach with an expected loss model for instruments measured at amortized cost. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for the interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2018, and will be applied using a modified retrospective approach resulting in a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption. The Company does not plan to early adopt and is currently evaluating the effect the guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements; however, the impact is not expected to be material.
Leases	In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” and subsequently issued other associated ASU's related to Topic 842 which supersede ASC 840 and require lessees to recognize ROU lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for long-term leases formerly classified as operating leases under ASC 840, and to disclose key information about leasing arrangements. Leases to explore for or produce oil and natural gas were not impacted by this guidance. This ASU became effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective approach for all ROU leases that existed at the period of adoption and did not restate its comparative periods. Topic 842 provides practical expedients to assist with the transition to the new standard. The Company elected the 'package of practical expedients,' and therefore did not have to reassess prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial indirect costs. The Company also elected the land easement practical expedient and short-term lease recognition exemption, under which leases with initial terms less than 12 months are not required to be presented on the balance sheet. The Company further elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components for asset classes including drilling rigs, compressors and various office equipment. The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception. A lease is defined as a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Lease liabilities were recognized based on the present value of the lease payments not yet paid over the lease term at January 1, 2019 for existing leases and at the commencement date for any new leases entered into subsequent to January 1, 2019. As most of the Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company's incremental borrowing rate was used as the discount rate when determining the present value of future payments. Lease assets are recognized based on the lease liability plus any prepaid lease payments and excluding lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred for the same periods. The Company's lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that option will be exercised. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Short-term Leases	The Company also elected the land easement practical expedient and short-term lease recognition exemption, under which leases with initial terms less than 12 months are not required to be presented on the balance sheet.
Separation of Lease and Nonlease Components	The Company further elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components for asset classes including drilling rigs, compressors and various office equipment.
Oil, natural gas and NGL revenues	Oil, natural gas and NGL revenues. A majority of the Company’s revenues come from sales of oil, natural gas and NGLs and are recorded at a point in time when control of the oil, natural gas and NGL production passes to the customer at the inlet of the processing plant or pipeline, or the delivery point for onloading to a delivery truck. As the Company’s customers obtain control of the production prior to selling it to other end customers, the Company presents its revenues on a net basis, rather than on a gross basis. Pricing for the Company’s oil, natural gas and NGL contracts is variable and is based on volumes sold multiplied by either an index price, net of deductions, or a percentage of the sales price obtained by the customer, which is also based on index prices. The transaction price is allocated on a pro-rata basis to each unit of oil, natural gas or NGL sold based on the terms of the contract. Oil, natural gas and NGL revenues are also recorded net of royalties, discounts and allowances, and transportation costs, as applicable. Taxes assessed by governmental authorities on oil, natural gas and NGL sales are presented separately from revenues and are included in production, ad valorem, and other tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Payment terms are typically within 30 days of control being transferred. The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less, and (ii) contracts for which revenue is recognized at the amount to which the Company has the right to invoice for services performed.

Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Business. SandRidge Energy, Inc. is an oil and natural gas exploration and production company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with a principal focus on the acquisition, exploration and development of hydrocarbon resources in the United States.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned or majority owned subsidiaries, including its proportionate share of the Royalty Trusts. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Interim Financial Statements

Interim Financial Statements. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes contained in the Company’s 2018 Form 10-K. Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted, although the Company believes that the disclosures contained herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. In the opinion of management, the financial statements include all adjustments, which consist of normal recurring adjustments unless otherwise disclosed, necessary to fairly state the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with the accounting policies stated in the 2018 Form 10-K as well as the items noted below.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial statements to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on the Company’s previously reported results of operations.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates. The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

The more significant areas requiring the use of assumptions, judgments and estimates include: oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (“NGL”) reserves; impairment tests of long-lived assets; asset retirement obligations; depreciation, depletion and amortization; income taxes; valuation of derivative instruments; contingencies; and accrued revenue and related receivables. In the second quarter of 2019, the Company revised estimated retirement dates for certain Mid-Continent properties. These revisions resulted in the reclassification of $9.7 million in asset retirement obligations from current liabilities to long-term obligations on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2019. Although management believes the estimates used in the areas noted above are reasonable, actual results could differ significantly.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” and subsequently issued other associated ASU's related to Topic 842 which supersede Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 840 and require lessees to recognize right of use ("ROU") lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for long-term leases formerly classified as operating leases under ASC 840, and to disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective approach for all ROU leases that existed at the period of adoption and did not restate its comparative periods. See Note 5 for additional discussion of the new leasing standard.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted. The FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments —Credit Losses (Topic 326) Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The standard will replace the currently required incurred loss approach with an expected loss model for instruments measured at amortized cost. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for the interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2018, and will be applied using a modified retrospective approach resulting in a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption. The Company does not plan to early adopt and is currently evaluating the effect the guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements; however, the impact is not expected to be material.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” and subsequently issued other associated ASU's related to Topic 842 which supersede ASC 840 and require lessees to recognize ROU lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for long-term leases formerly classified as operating leases under ASC 840, and to disclose key information about leasing arrangements. Leases to explore for or produce oil and natural gas were not impacted by this guidance. This ASU became effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective approach for all ROU leases that existed at the period of adoption and did not restate its comparative periods.

Topic 842 provides practical expedients to assist with the transition to the new standard. The Company elected the 'package of practical expedients,' and therefore did not have to reassess prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial indirect costs. The Company also elected the land easement practical expedient and short-term lease recognition exemption, under which leases with initial terms less than 12 months are not required to be presented on the balance sheet. The Company further elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components for asset classes including drilling rigs, compressors and various office equipment.

The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception. A lease is defined as a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Lease liabilities were recognized based on the present value of the lease payments not yet paid over the lease term at January 1, 2019 for existing leases and at the commencement date for any new leases entered into subsequent to January 1, 2019. As most of the Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company's incremental borrowing rate was used as the discount rate when determining the present value of future payments. Lease assets are recognized based on the lease liability plus any prepaid lease payments and excluding lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred for the same periods. The Company's lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that option will be exercised. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Short-term Leases

The Company also elected the land easement practical expedient and short-term lease recognition exemption, under which leases with initial terms less than 12 months are not required to be presented on the balance sheet.

Separation of Lease and Nonlease Components

The Company further elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components for asset classes including drilling rigs, compressors and various office equipment.

Oil, natural gas and NGL revenues

Oil, natural gas and NGL revenues. A majority of the Company’s revenues come from sales of oil, natural gas and NGLs and are recorded at a point in time when control of the oil, natural gas and NGL production passes to the customer at the inlet of the processing plant or pipeline, or the delivery point for onloading to a delivery truck. As the Company’s customers obtain control of the production prior to selling it to other end customers, the Company presents its revenues on a net basis, rather than on a gross basis.

Pricing for the Company’s oil, natural gas and NGL contracts is variable and is based on volumes sold multiplied by either an index price, net of deductions, or a percentage of the sales price obtained by the customer, which is also based on index prices. The transaction price is allocated on a pro-rata basis to each unit of oil, natural gas or NGL sold based on the terms of the contract. Oil, natural gas and NGL revenues are also recorded net of royalties, discounts and allowances, and transportation costs, as applicable. Taxes assessed by governmental authorities on oil, natural gas and NGL sales are presented separately from revenues and are included in production, ad valorem, and other tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Payment terms are typically within 30 days of control being transferred. The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less, and (ii) contracts for which revenue is recognized at the amount to which the Company has the right to invoice for services performed.