Information about Service Lines and Operations in Different Geographic Areas (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, Revenue Reconciling Item [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]
Offshore Operations
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues														1,885,143		1,907,512		883,559
Fabrication Operations
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues														487,215		446,426		412,048
Project Services and Engineering Operations
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues														337,774		343,357		255,298
Procurement Activities
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues														931,492		747,815		852,838
Australia
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues														1,485,503		1,398,868		373,864
Saudi Arabia
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues														1,057,930		955,929		966,504
Azerbaijan
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues														268,419		5,022		4,899
United Arab Emirates
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues														156,395		139,400		13,613
Equatorial Guinea
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues														146,912		80,196
United States
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues														119,785		57,472		108,377
India
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues														98,305		94,503		3,868
Brazil
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues														87,597		53,263		57,128
Malaysia
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues														67,553		2,876		52,705
Trinidad
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues														63,367		24,863		18,382
Vietnam
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues														11,771		127,954		43,528
Qatar
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues														9,910		83,028		352,508
Thailand
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues														7,580		261,040		351,275
Other Countries
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues														$ 60,597		$ 160,696		$ 57,092

[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.