Operations by Business Segment and Geographic Area Operations by Business Segment and Geographic Area - Other Significant Reconciling Items (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	$ 393,590	$ 309,858	$ 526,645
Oil And Gas [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	377,698	300,825	514,348
ROVs [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	225,885	198,323	135,770
Subsea Products [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	102,653	68,052	100,824
Subsea Projects [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	40,833	15,890	64,803
Asset Integrity [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	8,327	18,560	212,951
Advanced Technologies [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	13,175	2,953	5,757
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	$ 2,717	$ 6,080	$ 6,540