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

Share-Based Awards and Cash-Based Awards - Summary of Compensation Expense Related to Share-Based Awards and Cash-Based Awards (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Employee Service Share Based And Cash Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation charged to operating income	$ 1,984	$ 2,521	$ 6,324	$ 7,642
Total charged to operating income	5,201	2,521	10,939	7,642
General And Administrative Expense
Employee Service Share Based And Cash Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation charged to operating income	1,984	$ 2,521	6,324	$ 7,642
Cash-based incentive compensation charged to operating income	2,287		3,291
Lease Operating Expense
Employee Service Share Based And Cash Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Cash-based incentive compensation charged to operating income	$ 930		$ 1,324