CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 151,355	$ 227,712	$ 390,450
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	12,812	34,900	(180,898)
Income from continuing operations	164,167	262,612	209,552
Non-cash items included in net income:
Depreciation and amortization	82,391	76,452	79,867
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates	4,985	7,594	3,557
Gains on asset disposals	(8,478)	(2,440)	(1,699)
Loss on asset disposals and impairments	5,488	24,660	785
Provision (benefit) for deferred taxes	1,650	1,830	5,252
Pension costs	19,492	21,814	27,352
Stock-based compensation charges	17,825	16,458	12,987
Other non-cash items	(1,396)	(8,507)	32,151
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(152,840)	(6,457)	25,871
Net contracts in progress and advance billings on contracts	(151,157)	182,472	(295,110)
Accounts payable	71,291	(38,536)	(8,054)
Accrued and other current liabilities	56,049	40,110	(57,311)
Income taxes	17,138	84,269	5,882
Pension liability and accrued postretirement and employee benefits	(83,263)	(106,338)	41,101
Other	54,104	(171,666)	103,450
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES-CONTINUING OPERATIONS	97,446	384,327	185,633
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(282,621)	(186,862)	(186,518)
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash and cash equivalents	175,899	(142,853)	(10,718)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(546,822)	(1,491,329)	(154,337)
Sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities	693,424	1,363,803	331,474
Proceeds from asset dispositions	9,943	4,824	2,761
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	(1,058)	(32,550)	(13,484)
Other investing activities		(1,954)	(28,427)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES-CONTINUING OPERATIONS	48,765	(486,921)	(59,249)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Increase in debt	46,987	3,423
Payment of debt	(8,606)	(8,540)	(4,106)
Debt issuance costs	(4,944)	(17,881)	(105)
Purchase of treasury shares	(10,092)	(15,715)	(6,531)
Cash contribution from The Babcock & Wilcox Company		100,000
Other financing activities	(2,056)	14,805	6,534
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES-CONTINUING OPERATIONS	21,289	76,092	(4,208)
EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	(109)	498	1,096
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	167,391	(26,004)	123,272
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	403,463	429,467	306,195
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD-CONTINUING OPERATIONS	570,854	403,463	429,467
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Income taxes (net of refunds)	67,970	52,946	(7,928)
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES	(1,426)	(44,153)	232,441
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES		(65,084)	(51,598)
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES	1,426	(109,600)	(1,728)
EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH		(578)	10,234
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		(219,415)	189,349
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD		469,803	280,454
TRANSFER OF CASH ATTRIBUTABLE TO B&W		250,388
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD			$ 469,803