Long-Term Debt (Maturities of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011 Helix [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Helix [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Helix Term Loan [Member]		Jun. 30, 2011 Helix Revolving Loans [Member]		Jun. 30, 2011 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]		Dec. 31, 2007 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Convertible Senior Notes [Member]		Jun. 30, 2011 MARAD Debt [Member]
Less than one year	$ 7,759					$ 3,000		$ 0		$ 0			$ 0	[1]	$ 4,759
One to two years	7,997					3,000		0		0			0	[1]	4,997
Two to three years	8,247					3,000		0		0			0	[1]	5,247
Three to four years	8,508					3,000		0		0			0	[1]	5,508
Four to five years	843,033					287,250		0		550,000			0	[1]	5,783
Over five years	386,222					0		0		0			300,000	[1]	86,222
Total debt	1,261,766					299,250		0		550,000			300,000	[1]	112,516
Current maturities	(7,759)		(10,179)	(3,000)	(4,326)	(3,000)		0		0			0	[1]	(4,759)
Long-term debt, less current maturities	1,254,007					296,250		0		550,000			300,000	[1]	107,757
Unamortized debt discount	(14,114)	[2]				0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]		(14,114)	[1],[2]	0	[2]
Long-term debt	$ 1,239,893		$ 1,347,753	$ 1,132,136	$ 1,237,587	$ 296,250		$ 0		$ 550,000		$ 550,000	$ 285,886	[1]	$ 107,757

[1] Beginning in December 2012, the holders may require us to repurchase the notes or we may at our own option elect to repurchase the notes. The notes will mature in March 2025.

[2] The notes will increase to the $300 million face amount through accretion of non-cash interest charges through 2012.