Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document And Entity Information

v3.20.2
Document And Entity Information - shares
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Nov. 02, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Central Index Key 0001288403  
Entity Registrant Name W&T OFFSHORE INC  
Amendment Flag false  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2020  
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Quarterly Report true  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2020  
Document Transition Report false  
Entity File Number 1-32414  
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code TX  
Entity Tax Identification Number 72-1121985  
Entity Address, Address Line One Nine Greenway Plaza, Suite 300  
Entity Address, City or Town Houston  
Entity Address, State or Province TX  
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 77046-0908  
City Area Code 713  
Local Phone Number 626-8525  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Shell Company false  
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, par value $0.00001  
Trading Symbol WTI  
Security Exchange Name NYSE  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   141,778,318