CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	[1]	$ 3,070,275	$ 2,300,889	$ 2,658,932
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of operations		2,691,284	2,113,013	2,801,426
Selling, general and administrative expenses		217,239	208,564	193,126
Impairment loss (recovery)		6,808	(9,002)	84,482
Loss (gains) on asset disposals		1,443	(46,201)	(15,200)
Restructuring expenses		40,819	18,113	35,727
Total costs and expenses		2,957,593	2,284,487	3,099,561
Loss from Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates		(21,486)	(7,848)	(16,116)
Operating Income (Loss)		91,196	8,554	(456,745)
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income (expense), net		(50,058)	(60,877)	1,353
Gain (loss) on foreign currency, net		(464)	7,234	16,872
Other income (expense), net		2,450	(232)	(2,339)
Total other income (expense)		(48,072)	(53,875)	15,886
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes and noncontrolling interests		43,124	(45,321)	(440,859)
Provision for income taxes		51,963	20,073	49,051
Net Loss		(8,839)	(65,394)	(489,910)
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		9,144	10,600	18,958
Net loss attributable to McDermott International, Inc.		$ (17,983)	$ (75,994)	$ (508,868)
Net loss attributable to McDermott International, Inc.
Basic:		$ (0.08)	$ (0.32)	$ (2.15)
Diluted:		$ (0.08)	$ (0.32)	$ (2.15)
Shares used in the computation of loss per share:
Basic:		238,240,763	237,229,086	236,514,584
Diluted:		238,240,763	237,229,086	236,514,584

[1] Intercompany transactions were not significant during 2015, 2014 and 2013.