<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.3.0.814</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>210</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>253</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>70</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>9</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100010 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100020 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100030 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100040 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes In Shareholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementOfChangesInShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes In Shareholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100050 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100060 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100070 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and Divestitures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsAndDivestitures</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and Divestitures</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100080 - Disclosure - Asset Retirement Obligations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAssetRetirementObligations</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset Retirement Obligations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100090 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100100 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongTermDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100110 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100120 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationAndCashBasedIncentiveCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100130 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100140 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100150 - Disclosure - Dividends</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDividends</Role>
      <ShortName>Dividends</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100160 - Disclosure - Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100170 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100180 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100190 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentation</ParentRole>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100200 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and Divestitures (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsAndDivestituresTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and Divestitures (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsAndDivestitures</ParentRole>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100210 - Disclosure - Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAssetRetirementObligationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAssetRetirementObligations</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100220 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100230 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongTermDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongTermDebt</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100240 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100250 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationAndCashBasedIncentiveCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationAndCashBasedIncentiveCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100260 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100270 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100280 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation - Schedule of Adjusted of the Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationScheduleOfAdjustedOfCondensedConsolidatingStatementsOfCashFlowsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation - Schedule of Adjusted of the Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100290 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100300 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and Divestitures - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsAndDivestituresAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and Divestitures - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100310 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and Divestitures - Purchase Price Allocation for Acquisition (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsAndDivestituresPurchasePriceAllocationForAcquisitionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and Divestitures - Purchase Price Allocation for Acquisition (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100320 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and Divestitures - Summary of Proforma Financial Information for Acquisition (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsAndDivestituresSummaryOfProformaFinancialInformationForAcquisitionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and Divestitures - Summary of Proforma Financial Information for Acquisition (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100330 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and Divestitures - Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information Incremental Items (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsAndDivestituresBusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationIncrementalItemsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and Divestitures - Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information Incremental Items (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100340 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and Divestitures - Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information Incremental Items (Parenthetical) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsAndDivestituresBusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationIncrementalItemsParentheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and Divestitures - Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information Incremental Items (Parenthetical) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100350 - Disclosure - Asset Retirement Obligations - Summary of Changes to Asset Retirement Obligation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAssetRetirementObligationsSummaryOfChangesToAssetRetirementObligationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset Retirement Obligations - Summary of Changes to Asset Retirement Obligation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100360 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100370 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments - Open Commodity Derivatives (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsOpenCommodityDerivativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments - Open Commodity Derivatives (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100380 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments - Estimated Fair Value of Derivative Contracts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsEstimatedFairValueOfDerivativeContractsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments - Estimated Fair Value of Derivative Contracts (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100390 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments - Changes in Fair Value of Commodity Derivative Contracts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsChangesInFairValueOfCommodityDerivativeContractsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments - Changes in Fair Value of Commodity Derivative Contracts (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100400 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments - Cash Payments on Derivative Settlements, Net Included within Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsCashPaymentsOnDerivativeSettlementsNetIncludedWithinNetCashProvidedByOperatingActivitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments - Cash Payments on Derivative Settlements, Net Included within Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100410 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongTermDebtLongTermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100430 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongTermDebtLongTermDebtParentheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100440 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongTermDebtAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100450 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100460 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Fair Value of Derivatives Financial Instruments and Long-Term Senior Notes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsScheduleOfFairValueOfDerivativesFinancialInstrumentsAndLongTermSeniorNotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Fair Value of Derivatives Financial Instruments and Long-Term Senior Notes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100470 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Fair Value of Derivatives Financial Instruments and Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsScheduleOfFairValueOfDerivativesFinancialInstrumentsAndLongTermDebtParentheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Fair Value of Derivatives Financial Instruments and Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100480 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationAndCashBasedIncentiveCompensationAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100490 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation - Schedule of Restricted Stock Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationAndCashBasedIncentiveCompensationScheduleOfRestrictedStockActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation - Schedule of Restricted Stock Activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100500 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation - Outstanding Restricted Shares Issued to Non-employee Directors (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationAndCashBasedIncentiveCompensationOutstandingRestrictedSharesIssuedToNonEmployeeDirectorsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation - Outstanding Restricted Shares Issued to Non-employee Directors (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100510 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation - Summary of Share Activity Related to Restricted Stock Units (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationAndCashBasedIncentiveCompensationSummaryOfShareActivityRelatedToRestrictedStockUnitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation - Summary of Share Activity Related to Restricted Stock Units (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100520 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation - Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Outstanding (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationAndCashBasedIncentiveCompensationScheduleOfRestrictedStockUnitsOutstandingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation - Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Outstanding (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100530 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation - Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationAndCashBasedIncentiveCompensationScheduleOfRestrictedStockUnitsOutstandingParentheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation - Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100540 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation - Summary of Incentive Compensation Expense under Share-Based Payment Arrangements and Related Tax Benefit (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationAndCashBasedIncentiveCompensationSummaryOfIncentiveCompensationExpenseUnderShareBasedPaymentArrangementsAndRelatedTaxBenefitDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation - Summary of Incentive Compensation Expense under Share-Based Payment Arrangements and Related Tax Benefit (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100550 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation - Summary of Incentive Compensation Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationAndCashBasedIncentiveCompensationSummaryOfIncentiveCompensationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation - Summary of Incentive Compensation Expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100560 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100570 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings (loss) Per Common Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareScheduleOfCalculationOfBasicAndDilutedEarningsLossPerCommonShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings (loss) Per Common Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100580 - Disclosure - Dividends - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDividendsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Dividends - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100590 - Disclosure - Contingencies - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100600 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Information - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Information - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100610 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Information - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationCondensedConsolidatingBalanceSheetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Information - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100620 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Information - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationCondensedConsolidatingStatementOfOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Information - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100630 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Information - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationCondensedConsolidatingStatementOfCashFlowsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Information - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="wti-20150630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100640 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Information - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.wtoffshore.com/20150630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationCondensedConsolidatingStatementOfCashFlowsParentheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Information - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">In ''Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets'', column(s) 3, 4 are contained in other reports, so were removed by flow through suppression.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">In ''Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations'', column(s) 9 are contained in other reports, so were removed by flow through suppression.</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>wti-20150630.xml</File>
    <File>wti-20150630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>wti-20150630_def.xml</File>
    <File>wti-20150630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>wti-20150630_pre.xml</File>
    <File>wti-20150630.xsd</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>

