Document And Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Feb. 25, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-34037
Entity Registrant Name	SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	75-2379388
Entity Address, Address Line One	1001 Louisiana Street
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 2900
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77002
City Area Code	713
Local Phone Number	654-2200
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $.001 par value
Trading Symbol	SPN
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 205,400
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		15,798,428
Documents Incorporated by Reference [Text Block]	DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCECertain information called for by Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III is incorporated by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.
Entity Central Index Key	0000886835
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false