VAALCO Energy, Inc. Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Revenue (Narrative) (Details)

Revenue (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
Revenue (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 20, 2026	Feb. 25, 2021	Feb. 24, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Interval period, between lifting	30 days
Foreign income taxes receivable	$ 2,056
Foreign taxes payable attributable to sharing obligation						$ 900
Income taxes paid in-kind with crude oil	$ 20,103	$ 8,738
Minimum [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Lifting period, time to complete	1 day
Maximum [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Lifting period, time to complete	2 days
Prior Production Sharing Contract, Through September 17, 2018 [Member] \| Government Of Gabon [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Monthly royalty rate, based on production at the published price	13.00%
Production Sharing Contract, September 17, 2018 Through September 16, 2028 [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Purchase agreement payment period	30 days
Production Sharing Contract, September 17, 2018 Through September 16, 2028 [Member] \| Government Of Gabon [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Monthly royalty rate, based on production at the published price	13.00%
Etame Marine Block [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Working interest ownership, percentage				58.80%	31.10%
Etame Marine Block [Member] \| Prior Production Sharing Contract, Through September 17, 2018 [Member] \| Consortium [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Working interest ownership, percentage	7.50%
Etame Marine Block [Member] \| Production Sharing Contract, September 17, 2018 Through September 16, 2028 [Member] \| Government Of Gabon [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Working interest ownership, percentage	7.50%
Etame Marine Block [Member] \| Scenario, Forecast [Member] \| Production Sharing Contract, September 17, 2018 Through September 16, 2028 [Member] \| Government Of Gabon [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Working interest ownership, percentage			10.00%