Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Restricted Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Restricted Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member] Restricted Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]	Pension [Member]	Oceaneering Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Oceaneering Shareholders' Equity [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 1,664,518			$ 27,709	$ 225,125			$ (718,946)			$ 2,417,412	$ (292,351)	$ 215	$ 1,659,164		$ 5,354
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	(49,133)										(49,133)			(49,133)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	22,176											22,176		22,176
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity		$ 1,179	$ 0			$ (9,186)	$ (3,951)		$ 10,365	$ 3,951					$ 1,179
Non controlling interest	0
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2018	1,638,203			27,709	211,988			(704,630)			2,367,742	(270,175)	215	1,632,849		5,354
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	1,415,298			27,709	220,421			(704,066)			2,204,548	(339,377)	0	1,409,235		6,063
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	(24,827)										(24,827)			(24,827)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	6,246											6,246		6,246
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity		$ 643	$ 0			$ (16,494)	$ (5,143)		$ 17,137	$ 5,143					$ 643
Non controlling interest	0
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 1,391,500			$ 27,709	$ 198,784			$ (681,786)			$ 2,173,861	$ (333,131)	$ 0	$ 1,385,437		$ 6,063