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

Schedule of Restricted Stock Unit Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), Restricted Stock Units subject to service and other requirements)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Minimum \| 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units adjustments, percentage	0.00%
Minimum \| 2015
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units adjustments, percentage	0.00%
Minimum \| 2016
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units adjustments, percentage	0.00%
Maximum \| 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units adjustments, percentage	150.00%
Maximum \| 2015
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units adjustments, percentage	200.00%
Maximum \| 2016
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units adjustments, percentage	100.00%