Earnings Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to McDermott International, Inc.	$ 21,916	$ (2,172)
Weighted average common stock (basic)	241,829,988	239,137,912
Effect of dilutive securities:
Tangible equity units	38,000,936
Stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units	2,454,671	40,900,000
Potential dilutive common stock	282,285,595	239,137,912
Net income (loss) per share attributable to McDermott International, Inc.
Basic:	$ 0.09	$ (0.01)
Diluted:	$ 0.08	$ (0.01)

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of equity unit purchase agreements using the treasury stock method.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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The sum of dilutive potential common shares or units used in the calculation of the diluted per-share or per-unit computation.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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