W&T Offshore, Inc. Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) $ / bbl $ / MMBTU	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Jul. 25, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Additional security aggregate amount							$ 260,800
Percentage of discount from proved reserves			10.00%
Ceiling test write-down of oil and natural gas properties	$ 104,592	$ 252,772	$ 221,151	$ 513,162	$ 987,200
SEC Methodology \| Natural Gas
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Weighted price \| $ / MMBTU			2.24
SEC Methodology \| Crude Oil Per Barrel
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Weighted price \| $ / bbl			39.63
Subsequent Event \| 1.5 Lien Term Loan
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Borrowings under secured term loan facility						$ 75,000