Information about Operations in Different Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended													12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 995,953	[1]	$ 1,028,745	[2]	$ 889,248	[3]	$ 727,678	$ 816,175	$ 879,894	[4]	$ 849,801	[5]	$ 899,240	$ 3,641,624	[6]	$ 3,445,110	[6]	$ 2,403,743	[6]
Operating income	77,288	[1]	82,481	[2]	79,382	[3]	80,176	31,430	35,216	[4]	83,779	[5]	100,298	319,327		250,723		314,905
Capital expenditures														286,310		282,621		186,862
Depreciation and amortization														86,440		82,391		76,452
Asia Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues														1,575,682		1,898,033		870,410
Operating income														242,148		202,969		88,012
Capital expenditures														219,920		86,081		25,345
Depreciation and amortization														23,797		25,698		19,002
Atlantic
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues														474,061		267,019		183,001
Operating income														(66,883)		(174,152)		(89,692)
Capital expenditures														32,699		147,062		100,673
Depreciation and amortization														24,589		15,348		17,681
Middle East
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues														1,591,881		1,280,058		1,350,332
Operating income														144,062		221,906		316,585
Capital expenditures														29,736		35,762		47,851
Depreciation and amortization														31,119		28,740		24,357
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures														3,955		13,716		12,993
Depreciation and amortization														6,935		12,605		15,412
Drydock
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization														25,545		24,567		26,205
Drydock | Asia Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization														9,487		10,831		10,728
Drydock | Atlantic
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization														13,569		11,165		12,968
Drydock | Middle East
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization														$ 2,489		$ 2,571		$ 2,509

[1] Operating income for the quarter ended December 31, 2012 was influenced by significant cost savings on marine installation activities on an EPCI project, partially offset by project losses of approximately $52.0 million recognized across each segment. Income from continuing operations, less non-controlling interests was impacted by an increase in our provision for income taxes and sales, general & administrative expenses, partially offset by an increase in gain (loss) on foreign currency - net.

[2] Revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 were influenced by increased marine activity on certain of our Asia Pacific projects.

[3] Operating income for the quarter ended June 30 2012 was influenced by increased fabrication activities partially offset by lower project close-outs and settlements.

[4] Operating income for the September 30, 2011 quarter was influenced by the $75.4 million decline in the Middle East segment. The Middle East decline was primarily driven by reduced fabrication and marine activity levels, lower change orders, project close-outs and settlements on completed contracts. In addition, the September quarter was impacted by approximately $50.0 million of project charges recognized across segments.

[5] Operating income for the June 30, 2011 quarter was influenced by a $49.1 million decline in our Middle East segment as a result of reduced marine activity and the substantial completion of several higher margin projects in Saudi Arabia for which the marine activities were ongoing during the 2010 quarter but were complete prior to the 2011 quarter.

[6] Intercompany transactions were not significant for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. For the year ended December 31, 2010, intercompany transactions of $20,129 in our Atlantic segment were eliminated at the consolidated level.