SCHEDULE I - PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENT- STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Oil and gas sales	$ 23,037	[1]	$ 24,486	[1]	$ 52,098	[1]	$ 28,071	[1]	$ 58,282	[1]	$ 37,740	[1]	$ 29,118	[1]	$ 44,137	[1]	$ 127,691	$ 169,277	$ 195,287
Operating costs and expenses:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization																	20,086	16,929	19,913
General and administrative expense																	14,194	11,254	11,779
Total operating costs and expenses	117,308		17,799		18,270		28,721		22,331		29,636		17,452		22,634		182,097	92,052	108,694
Operating income (loss)	(94,270)		6,687		33,828		(650)		35,951		8,104		11,666		21,503		(54,406)	77,225	86,593
Other income (expense):
Interest income																	75	73	145
Other, net																	(733)	(111)	414
Total other income (expense)																	(658)	(38)	559
Income (loss) before income taxes																	(55,064)	77,187	87,152
Income tax expense																	22,486	34,115	81,813
Net income (loss)	(98,332)		3,109		24,712		(7,038)		26,377		2,386		7,121		7,188		(77,550)	43,072	5,339
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interest																			(4,708)
Net income (loss) attributable to VAALCO Energy, Inc.																	(77,550)	43,072	631
VAALCO ENERGY, INC.
Operating costs and expenses:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization																	94	63	59
General and administrative expense																	6,740	5,750	8,065
Total operating costs and expenses																	6,834	5,813	8,124
Operating income (loss)																	(6,834)	(5,813)	(8,124)
Other income (expense):
Interest income																	33	33	86
Other, net																	450
Equity in subsidiary earnings																	(71,199)	48,852	13,377
Total other income (expense)																	(70,716)	48,885	13,463
Income (loss) before income taxes																	(77,550)	43,072	5,339
Net income (loss)																	(77,550)	43,072	5,339
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interest																			(4,708)
Net income (loss) attributable to VAALCO Energy, Inc.																	$ (77,550)	$ 43,072	$ 631

[1] Gabon crude oil sales are a function of the number and size of crude oil liftings in each quarter from the floating production, storage and offloading (“FPSO”) facility.