Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Jan. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events
Jan. 31, 2014
Senior Loan
Subsequent Events
Jan. 31, 2014
Subordinate Tranche
Subsequent Events
Dec. 31, 2012
Vaalco International
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]              
Company acquired the noncontrolling interest amount             $ 26,200,000
Noncontrolling interest owned issued and outstanding common stock             9.99%
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]              
Maturity period of cash and cash equivalents three months or less            
Company's bank guarantees for customs clearance 2,400,000 2,400,000          
Company's charter payment escrow 800,000 800,000          
Funds restricted to secure the Company's drilling obligation 10,000,000 10,000,000          
Date of maturity of certificates of deposit and commercial paper not exceeding 90 days            
Gains or Loss on foreign currency transactions (100,000) 400,000 1,000,000        
Bad debt expenses 1,562,000 1,621,000 4,448,000        
Loan agreement       $ 65,000,000 $ 50,000,000 $ 15,000,000  
Expiration date of availability period       Dec. 31, 2019      
Interest rate, Description       RBL will bear interest at LIBOR plus 3.75% for the senior loan and LIBOR plus 5.75% for the subordinate tranche and is to be paid quarterly.      
Interest rate at LIBOR plus         3.75% 5.75%  
Commitment fee in respect of unutilized commitments         1.50% 2.30%  
Closing fees       2.50%