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]	Oceaneering Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Oceaneering Shareholders' Equity [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Oceaneering Shareholders' Equity [Member] Restricted Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 1,415,298			$ 27,709	$ 220,421			$ (704,066)			$ 2,204,548	$ (339,377)	$ 1,409,235			$ 6,063
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(24,827)										(35,182)		(24,827)
Other comprehensive income (loss) currency translation adjustments	6,246											6,246	6,246
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity		$ 643	$ 0			$ (16,494)	$ (5,143)		$ 17,137	$ 5,143				$ 643	$ 0
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2019	1,391,500			27,709	198,784			(681,786)			2,173,861	(333,131)	1,385,437			6,063
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	1,415,298			27,709	220,421			(704,066)			2,204,548	(339,377)	1,409,235			6,063
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(60,009)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	1,359,033			27,709	201,227			(681,717)			2,138,679	(332,928)	1,352,970			6,063
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2019	1,391,500			27,709	198,784			(681,786)			2,173,861	(333,131)	1,385,437			6,063
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)											(35,182)
Other comprehensive income (loss) currency translation adjustments												203
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity		2,512				2,443			69					2,512
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	1,359,033			27,709	201,227			(681,717)			2,138,679	(332,928)	1,352,970			6,063
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	1,075,409			27,709	207,130			(681,640)			1,850,244	(334,097)	1,069,346			6,063
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(367,598)										(367,598)		(367,598)
Other comprehensive income (loss) currency translation adjustments	(70,325)											(70,325)	(70,325)
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity		$ 1,446	$ 0			(11,816)	$ (5,992)		13,262	$ 5,992				1,446	$ 0
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020	636,659			27,709	189,322			(662,386)			1,480,373	(404,422)	630,596			6,063
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	1,075,409			27,709	207,130			(681,640)			1,850,244	(334,097)	1,069,346			6,063
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(392,386)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020	625,409			27,709	191,112			(661,267)			1,455,585	(393,793)	619,346			6,063
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2020	636,659			27,709	189,322			(662,386)			1,480,373	(404,422)	630,596			6,063
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(24,788)										(24,788)
Other comprehensive income (loss) currency translation adjustments												10,629
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity						$ 1,790			$ 1,119					$ 2,909
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020	$ 625,409			$ 27,709	$ 191,112			$ (661,267)			$ 1,455,585	$ (393,793)	$ 619,346			$ 6,063