Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Restricted Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Restricted Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member] Restricted Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]	Oceaneering Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Oceaneering Shareholders' Equity [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Oceaneering Shareholders' Equity [Member] Restricted Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 1,415,298			$ 27,709	$ 220,421			$ (704,066)			$ 2,204,548	$ (339,377)	$ 1,409,235			$ 6,063
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(24,827)										(24,827)		(24,827)
Other comprehensive income (loss) currency translation adjustments	6,246											6,246	6,246
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity		$ 643	$ 0			$ (16,494)	$ (5,143)		$ 17,137	$ 5,143				$ 643	$ 0
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2019	1,391,500			27,709	198,784			(681,786)			2,173,861	(333,131)	1,385,437			6,063
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	1,075,409			27,709	207,130			(681,640)			1,850,244	(334,097)	1,069,346			6,063
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(367,598)										(367,598)		(367,598)
Other comprehensive income (loss) currency translation adjustments	(70,325)											(70,325)	(70,325)
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity		$ 1,446	$ 0			$ (11,816)	$ (5,992)		$ 13,262	$ 5,992				$ 1,446	$ 0
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020	$ 636,659			$ 27,709	$ 189,322			$ (662,386)			$ 1,480,373	$ (404,422)	$ 630,596			$ 6,063