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, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 517,338	[1]	$ 686,856	[2]	$ 647,250	[3]	$ 807,488	$ 995,953	[4]	$ 1,028,745	[5]	$ 889,248	[6]	$ 727,678	$ 2,658,932	$ 3,641,624	$ 3,445,110
Offshore Operations
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															1,155,516	1,885,143	1,907,512
Fabrication Operations
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															370,854	487,215	446,426
Project Services and Engineering Operations
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															341,084	337,774	343,357
Procurement Activities
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															791,478	931,492	747,815
Saudi Arabia
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															720,879	1,057,930	955,929
Australia
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															481,123	1,485,503	1,398,868
Azerbaijan
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															345,742	268,419	5,022
Malaysia
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															329,689	67,553	2,876
Brazil
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															176,475	87,597	53,263
Indonesia
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															144,538
United States
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															126,986	119,785	57,472
Mexico
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															117,813	55,974	52,350
India
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															73,867	98,305	94,503
Trinidad
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															65,917	63,367	24,863
Equatorial Guinea
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															22,561	146,912	80,196
United Arab Emirates
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															19,528	156,395	139,400
Qatar
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															6,798	9,910	83,028
Thailand
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															248	7,580	261,040
Vietnam
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues																11,771	127,954
Other Countries
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues															$ 26,768	$ 4,623	$ 108,346

[1] Operating income for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 was influenced by increased cost estimates, impairment losses and restructuring charges.

[2] Operating income for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 was influenced by increased project losses.

[3] Operating income for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 was influenced by increased cost estimates on projects in our Middle East and Asia Pacific segments, as well as restructuring charges.

[4] 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.

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

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