Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	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]	Retained Earnings [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]	Oceaneering Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Oceaneering Shareholders' Equity [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	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)											(24,827)			(24,827)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	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
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' Equity, Other		$ (5,860)											$ (5,860)			$ (5,860)
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)	(85,532)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(26,710)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019	1,303,079				27,709	203,955			(681,717)			2,113,156		(366,087)	1,297,016				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), Net of Tax														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
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)												(25,523)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(33,159)													(33,159)
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity			2,728				2,728										2,728
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019	1,303,079				27,709	203,955			(681,717)			2,113,156		(366,087)	1,297,016				6,063
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Right-of-use operating lease assets	163,238
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), Net of Tax	(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
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' Equity, Other		$ (2,273)											$ (2,273)			$ (2,273)
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)	(471,751)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(46,492)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2020	559,419				27,709	190,250			(660,234)			1,376,220		(380,589)	553,356				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)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax														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
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(79,365)											(79,365)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	13,204													13,204
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity			$ 171				$ (862)			$ 1,033							$ 171
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2020	559,419				$ 27,709	$ 190,250			$ (660,234)			$ 1,376,220		$ (380,589)	$ 553,356				$ 6,063
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Right-of-use operating lease assets	139,715
Interest Receivable	$ 1,600