Condensed Consolidated Guarantor And Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Net revenues	$ 372,496	$ 392,669	$ 1,002,422	$ 893,501
Cost of sales	250,201	306,117	702,853	875,911
Gross profit (loss)	122,295	86,552	299,569	17,590
Gain on oil & gas derivative contracts		161		2,643
Gain (loss) on sale or acquisition of assets		13	(6)	6,246
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(22,082)	(26,628)	(70,821)	(91,675)
Income (loss) from operations	100,213	60,098	228,742	(65,196)
Equity in earnings of investments	4,906	6,221	16,443	12,932
Net interest expense and other	(34,828)	(21,407)	(80,429)	(64,826)
Income (loss) before income taxes	70,291	44,912	164,756	(117,090)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	23,465	17,965	49,186	(41,962)
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	46,826	26,947	115,570	(75,128)
Less net income applicable to noncontrolling interests	(800)	(776)	(2,354)	(2,049)
Preferred stock dividends	(10)	(10)	(30)	(104)
Net income (loss) applicable to Helix common shareholders	46,016	26,161	113,186	(77,281)
Helix [Member]
Net revenues	19,986	82,764	56,113	137,456
Cost of sales	15,698	42,397	47,414	73,889
Gross profit (loss)	4,288	40,367	8,699	63,567
Gain on oil & gas derivative contracts
Gain (loss) on sale or acquisition of assets			(6)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(6,752)	(15,465)	(27,512)	(52,923)
Income (loss) from operations	(2,464)	24,902	(18,819)	10,644
Equity in earnings of investments	60,831	27,871	167,867	(36,865)
Net interest expense and other	(17,612)	(19,452)	(53,139)	(42,160)
Income (loss) before income taxes	40,755	33,321	95,909	(68,381)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(5,266)	7,185	(17,229)	517
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	46,021	26,136	113,138	(68,898)
Preferred stock dividends	(10)	(10)	(30)	(104)
Net income (loss) applicable to Helix common shareholders	46,011	26,126	113,108	(69,002)
Guarantors [Member]
Net revenues	266,447	212,105	756,344	568,075
Cost of sales	182,259	184,369	521,387	641,568
Gross profit (loss)	84,188	27,736	234,957	(73,493)
Gain on oil & gas derivative contracts		161		2,643
Gain (loss) on sale or acquisition of assets				287
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(9,551)	(7,370)	(29,502)	(25,285)
Income (loss) from operations	74,637	20,527	205,455	(95,848)
Equity in earnings of investments	7,277	7,567	5,809	10,672
Net interest expense and other	(8,016)	(3,996)	(18,615)	(16,564)
Income (loss) before income taxes	73,898	24,098	192,649	(101,740)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	24,419	4,530	66,479	(40,606)
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	49,479	19,568	126,170	(61,134)
Net income (loss) applicable to Helix common shareholders	49,479	19,568	126,170	(61,134)
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Net revenues	109,780	111,581	260,582	256,639
Cost of sales	75,643	92,765	203,651	215,067
Gross profit (loss)	34,137	18,816	56,931	41,572
Gain on oil & gas derivative contracts
Gain (loss) on sale or acquisition of assets		13		5,959
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(6,105)	(4,212)	(14,917)	(14,788)
Income (loss) from operations	28,032	14,617	42,014	32,743
Equity in earnings of investments	4,906	6,221	16,443	12,932
Net interest expense and other	(9,200)	2,041	(8,675)	(6,102)
Income (loss) before income taxes	23,738	22,879	49,782	39,573
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	4,309	6,234	(95)	2,584
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	19,429	16,645	49,877	36,989
Net income (loss) applicable to Helix common shareholders	19,429	16,645	49,877	36,989
Consolidating Entries [Member]
Net revenues	(23,717)	(13,781)	(70,617)	(68,669)
Cost of sales	(23,399)	(13,414)	(69,599)	(54,613)
Gross profit (loss)	(318)	(367)	(1,018)	(14,056)
Gain on oil & gas derivative contracts
Selling, general and administrative expenses	326	419	1,110	1,321
Income (loss) from operations	8	52	92	(12,735)
Equity in earnings of investments	(68,108)	(35,438)	(173,676)	26,193
Income (loss) before income taxes	(68,100)	(35,386)	(173,584)	13,458
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	3	16	31	(4,457)
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	(68,103)	(35,402)	(173,615)	17,915
Less net income applicable to noncontrolling interests	(800)	(776)	(2,354)	(2,049)
Net income (loss) applicable to Helix common shareholders	$ (68,903)	$ (36,178)	$ (175,969)	$ 15,866