Summarized Financial Information of Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,028,745	[1]	$ 879,894	[1]	$ 2,645,671	[1]	$ 2,628,935	[1]
Operating income (loss)	82,481		35,216		242,039		219,293
Capital expenditures	47,623	[2]	90,190	[2]	179,284	[2]	231,872	[2]
Depreciation and amortization	20,082		19,801		65,956		59,900
Assets, continuing operations	3,364,043				3,364,043				2,934,046
Assets, discontinued operations									58,768
Total Assets	3,364,043				3,364,043				2,992,814
Asia Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	468,200		528,453		1,103,699		1,551,099
Operating income (loss)	52,192		44,960		156,231		142,350
Capital expenditures	14,908		20,924		53,139		59,341
Depreciation and amortization	5,375		6,621		15,467		18,973
Assets, continuing operations	1,303,595				1,303,595				934,134
Atlantic
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	125,317		74,683		335,225		167,129
Operating income (loss)	(10,714)		(37,020)		(36,749)		(71,264)
Capital expenditures	16,454		46,649		80,944		129,549
Depreciation and amortization	3,554		3,494		16,849		10,735
Assets, continuing operations	545,897				545,897				419,258
Middle East
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	435,228		276,758		1,206,747		910,707
Operating income (loss)	41,003		27,276		122,557		148,207
Capital expenditures	15,286		17,522		41,997		31,014
Depreciation and amortization	6,929		7,600		21,977		21,529
Assets, continuing operations	1,124,358				1,124,358				1,065,478
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	975		5,095		3,204		11,968
Depreciation and amortization	4,224		2,086		11,663		8,663
Assets, continuing operations	390,193				390,193				515,176
Drydock
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	7,999		6,037		21,606		18,336
Drydock | Asia Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	2,241		2,817		8,230		8,153
Drydock | Atlantic
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	4,971		2,595		11,284		8,291
Drydock | Middle East
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ 787		$ 625		$ 2,092		$ 1,892

[1] Intersegment transactions included in revenues were not significant for the periods presented.

[2] Total capital expenditures exclude accrued capital expenditures, of approximately $1.2 million and $9.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.