| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 072 - Disclosure - Note 8 - Taxes on Income (Tax Benefits) (Detail) - Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reconciliation (http://www.aegion.com/role/UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReconciliationTable) |
| Table | Statement [Table] |
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0000353020 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK) |
| Statement [Line Items] | Period [Axis] | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012-01-01 - 2012-12-31 | 2011-01-01 - 2011-12-31 | 2010-01-01 - 2010-12-31 | |||||
| Disclosure [Axis] | Disclosure [Axis] | Disclosure [Axis] | |||||
| Related To Acquisitions [Member] | Not Related To Acquisitions [Member] | Disclosure [Domain] | Not Related To Acquisitions [Member] | Disclosure [Domain] | Not Related To Acquisitions [Member] | Disclosure [Domain] | |
Balance at January 1, | 1,050,000 | 1,672,000 | 2,624,000 | ||||
Additions for tax positions of prior years | 3,145,000 | 111,000 | 41,000 | 77,000 | |||
Reductions for tax positions of prior years | (238,000) | ||||||
Lapse in statute of limitations | (1,162,000) | (406,000) | (1,076,000) | ||||
Foreign currency translation | 26,000 | (19,000) | 47,000 | ||||
Balance at December 31, total tax provision | 3,170,000 | 1,050,000 | 1,672,000 | ||||