CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 217,423	$ 151,355	$ 227,712
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(3,497)	12,812	34,900
Income from continuing operations	213,926	164,167	262,612
Non-cash items included in net income:
Depreciation and amortization	86,440	82,391	76,452
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates	16,719	4,985	7,594
Gains on asset disposals	(405)	(8,478)	(2,440)
Loss on asset impairments		5,488	24,660
Provision for deferred taxes	3,847	1,650	1,830
Stock-based compensation charges	15,369	17,825	16,458
Other non-cash items	8,367	18,096	13,307
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(5,920)	(152,840)	(6,457)
Net contracts in progress and advance billings on contracts	(351,604)	(151,157)	182,472
Accounts payable	84,430	71,291	(38,536)
Accrued and other current liabilities	36,922	56,049	40,110
Income taxes	22,832	17,138	84,269
Pension liability and accrued postretirement and employee benefits	36,897	(83,263)	(106,338)
Other	16,419	29,537	(197,871)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES-CONTINUING OPERATIONS	209,784	97,446	384,327
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES-DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS		(1,426)	(44,153)
TOTAL CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	209,784	96,020	340,174
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(286,310)	(282,621)	(186,862)
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash and cash equivalents	3,846	175,899	(142,853)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(95,964)	(546,822)	(1,491,329)
Sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities	191,298	693,424	1,363,803
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	(5,084)	(1,058)	(32,550)
Proceeds from asset dispositions and other investing activities	3,291	9,943	2,870
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES-CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(188,923)	48,765	(486,921)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES-DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	60,671		(65,084)
TOTAL CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(128,252)	48,765	(552,005)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from debt	19,034	46,987	3,423
Payment of debt	(10,061)	(8,606)	(8,540)
Purchase of treasury shares	(2,898)	(10,092)	(15,715)
Cash contribution from The Babcock & Wilcox Company			100,000
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(20,135)	(2,524)
Debt issuance costs and other financing activities	267	(4,476)	(3,076)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES-CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(13,793)	21,289	76,092
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES-DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS		1,426	(109,600)
TOTAL CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	(13,793)	22,715	(33,508)
EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	1,554	(109)	(80)
TRANSFER OF CASH TO THE BABCOCK & WILCOX COMPANY			(250,388)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	69,293	167,391	(495,807)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	570,854	403,463	899,270
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	640,147	570,854	403,463
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Income taxes (net of refunds)	89,451	67,970	52,946
Drydock
Non-cash items included in net income:
Depreciation and amortization	$ 25,545	$ 24,567	$ 26,205