Accounting Policies - VIE Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 34,061	$ 14,736
Gross profit	5,530	639
Net income (loss) attributable to Aegion Corporation	$ 1,272	$ (2,940)