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		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Employee Service Share Based And Cash Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation charged to operating income	$ 2,412	$ 2,585	$ 4,340	$ 5,121
Total charged to operating income	3,810	2,585	5,738	5,252
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	2,412	$ 2,585	4,340	5,121
Cash-based incentive compensation charged to operating income	1,004		1,004	(233)
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	$ 394		$ 394	$ 364