Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	May 18, 2020
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
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 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 Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,826,507
Entity Central Index Key	0000886835
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31