Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Detail)

v3.5.0.2
Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Detail)
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jul. 28, 2016
Apr. 20, 2016
USD ($)
Jan. 31, 2014
Jun. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2015
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2016
USD ($)
item
Jun. 30, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]                  
Number Monthly Payments | item           7      
Contractual Obligation Company Share           $ 5,100,000      
Cash funding arrangement for abandonment of the offshore wells, platforms and facilities               $ 18,300,000  
Cash funding arrangement for abandonment of the offshore wells, platforms and facilities net               5,100,000  
Abandonment cost related to annual funding               61,100,000  
Abandonment cost related to annual funding, net               17,300,000  
DGH audit settlement         $ 300,000        
Abandonment funding       $ 5,137,000   $ 5,137,000   5,137,000 $ 2,600,000
Number of exploration wells | item           3      
Accounts with partners, net of allowance       12,220,000   $ 12,220,000   27,856,000  
Recorded restricted cash       15,830,000   15,830,000   15,830,000  
Exploration expense       2,000 $ 1,113,000 3,000 $ 28,572,000    
Dry hole costs and impairment loss on unproved leasehold             $ 27,871,000    
Asset retirement obligations       16,632,000   16,632,000   $ 16,166,000  
Payments for Legal Settlements   $ 775,000              
Sonangol P&P [Member]                  
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]                  
Reversal of allowance           7,600,000      
Interest income           $ 3,200,000      
Working interest ownership, percentage     40.00%     10.00%      
Gabon [Member]                  
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]                  
Accrued Payroll Taxes       2,200,000   $ 2,200,000      
Angola [Member]                  
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]                  
Total assessment of the exploration       10,000,000   10,000,000      
Assessment net to VAALCO       5,000,000   5,000,000      
Recorded restricted cash       $ 15,000,000   $ 15,000,000      
Working interest ownership, percentage           40.00%      
Subsequent Event [Member]                  
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]                  
Working interest ownership, percentage 2.98%