DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS (Sun Well Debt) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended					9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013 Sun Well Revolving credit facility	Dec. 31, 2013 Sun Well Loans payable	Sep. 30, 2013 Steel Excel Senior debt obligations Term loan	Dec. 31, 2013 Steel Excel Senior debt obligations Term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan					$ 20,000,000
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity				5,000,000
Interest expense	5,786,000	13,429,000	12,424,000				300,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt	$ 1,782,000	$ 0	$ (189,000)			$ 500,000