VAALCO Energy, Inc. Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Cover
- Document and Entity Information
Financial Statements
Notes to Financial Statements
Accounting Policies
- Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
Notes Tables
Notes Details

Dispositions (Narrative) (Details)

v3.20.1

Dispositions (Narrative) (Details)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Dispositions (Narrative) (Details)	Jul. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2006	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 item
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of crude oil and natural gas properties														$ 250,000
Liability for the potential payment	$ 4,400,000
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax				$ (37,000)	$ (61,000)	$ (162,000)	$ 5,671,000	$ (80,000)	$ (21,000)	$ (343,000)	$ (52,000)	$ 5,411,000	$ (496,000)	(621,000)
Joint Operating With Republic Of Angola [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Joint operation agreement related to third party in working interest percentage			40.00%
Additional joint operation agreement related to third party in working interest percentage			10.00%
Number of wells drilled \| item															1
Number of drilled wells required by agreement \| item												3
Stipulated payment for each exploration well, under PSA terms												$ 10,000,000.0
Drilling commitment, net				$ 5,000,000.0								5,000,000.0
Liability for the potential payment								$ 15,000,000.0					15,000,000.0
East Poplar Dome Field [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of crude oil and natural gas properties		$ 300,000
Gain from sale of property														300,000
Discontinued Operations [Member] \| Joint Operating With Republic Of Angola [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Liability for the potential payment							4,500,000
Write off of receivable							3,300,000
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax							$ 5,700,000					$ 5,411,000	$ (496,000)	$ (621,000)
Payment for settlement	$ 4,500,000

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