Long-Term Debt (Maturities Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 Helix Term Loan [Member]		Sep. 30, 2011 Helix Revolving Loans [Member]		Sep. 30, 2011 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]		Dec. 31, 2007 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Convertible Senior Notes [Member]		Sep. 30, 2011 MARAD Debt [Member]
Less than one year	$ 7,877			$ 3,000								[1]	$ 4,877
One to two years	8,120			3,000									5,120
Two to three years	8,376			3,000								[1]	5,376
Three to four years	295,144			289,500								[1]	5,644
Four to five years	480,885							474,960				[1]	5,925
Over five years	383,224										300,000	[1]	83,224
Total debt	1,183,626			298,500				474,960			300,000	[1]	110,166
Current maturities	(7,877)		(10,179)	(3,000)								[1]	(4,877)
Long-term debt, less current maturities	1,175,749			295,500				474,960			300,000	[1]	105,289
Unamortized debt discount	(11,835)	[2]			[2]		[2]		[2]		(11,835)	[1],[2]		[2]
Long-term debt	$ 1,163,914		$ 1,347,753	$ 295,500				$ 474,960		$ 550,000	$ 288,165	[1]	$ 105,289

[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.