Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Detail)

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Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Detail)
$ in Thousands, a in Millions
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2006
a
item
Mar. 31, 2016
USD ($)
item
Jun. 30, 2015
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Apr. 30, 2014
USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]              
Cash funding arrangement for abandonment of the offshore wells, platforms and facilities         $ 18,300    
Cash funding arrangement for abandonment of the offshore wells, platforms and facilities net         5,100    
Abandonment cost related to annual funding         61,100    
Abandonment cost related to annual funding, net         17,300    
DGH audit settlement     $ 300        
Abandonment funding   $ 5,137     5,137 $ 2,600  
Number of exploration wells | item 2 3          
Allowance for accounts with partners         7,600    
Accounts with partners, net of allowance   $ 23,139     27,856    
Reversal of allowance   7,600          
Recorded restricted cash   15,830     15,830    
Exploration expense   1   $ 27,459      
Dry hole costs and impairment loss on unproved leasehold       $ 27,222      
Asset retirement obligations   16,418     $ 16,166    
Sonangol P&P [Member]              
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]              
Reversal of allowance   7,600          
Interst income   3,200          
Offshore Gabon [Member]              
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]              
Contractual Obligation accrued amount   8,900          
Angola [Member]              
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]              
Area under acquire property exploration rights agreement term (acres) | a 1.4            
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%            
Production license agreement term 4 years            
Production license agreement term extended by government 3 years            
Total assessment of the exploration   10,000          
Assessment net to VAALCO   $ 5,000          
Angola [Member] | Sonangol P&P [Member]              
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]              
Accounts with partners, net of allowance             $ 7,600