Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment by Asset Category (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Property, Plant, and Equipment Disclosure [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	$ 1,958,877		$ 1,720,040
Accumulated Depreciation	(857,012)		(804,471)
Net Book Value	1,101,865	[1]	915,569	[1]
Marine Vessels
Property, Plant, and Equipment Disclosure [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	812,322		823,894
Construction Equipment
Property, Plant, and Equipment Disclosure [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	545,765		498,065
Contracts in progress
Property, Plant, and Equipment Disclosure [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	343,555		157,081
Buildings
Property, Plant, and Equipment Disclosure [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	136,587		135,673
All other
Property, Plant, and Equipment Disclosure [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	$ 120,648		$ 105,327

[1] Our marine vessels are included in the country in which they were located as of year-end.