Condensed Consolidated Guarantor And Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	$ 115,570	$ (75,128)
Other adjustments	(235,561)	316,894
Net cash provided by operating activities	351,131	241,766
Capital expenditures	(167,849)	(179,018)
Investments in equity investments	(2,699)	(7,768)
Distributions from equity investments, net	3,437	9,876
Proceeds from sale of Cal Dive common stock	3,588
Insurance recovery		16,106
Proceeds from sales of property		852
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	703	(133)
Net cash used in investing activities	(162,820)	(160,085)
Repayments of debt	117,801	(9,953)
Early extinguishment of Senior Unsecured Notes	(77,394)
Deferred financing costs	(9,224)	(2,864)
Repurchases of common stock and preferred dividends paid	(1,102)	(11,763)
Repurchases of common stock		(11,763)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(805)	(2,376)
Exercise of stock options, net	2,018	335
Net cash used in financing activities	(204,308)	(26,621)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	267	(253)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(15,730)	54,807
Balance, beginning of year	391,085	270,673
Balance, end of period	375,355	325,480
Helix [Member]
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	113,138	(68,898)
Equity in earnings of affiliates	(167,867)	36,866
Other adjustments	(19,125)	70,963
Net cash provided by operating activities	(35,604)	38,931
Capital expenditures	(18,240)	(54,880)
Proceeds from sale of Cal Dive common stock	3,588
Insurance recovery		7,020
Net cash used in investing activities	(14,652)	(47,860)
Repayments of debt	111,941	(3,245)
Early extinguishment of Senior Unsecured Notes	(77,394)
Deferred financing costs	(9,224)	(2,864)
Repurchases of common stock and preferred dividends paid	(1,102)
Repurchases of common stock		(11,763)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(805)	(2,376)
Exercise of stock options, net	2,018	335
Intercompany financing	207,333	73,887
Net cash used in financing activities	8,885	53,974
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(41,371)	45,045
Balance, beginning of year	376,434	258,742
Balance, end of period	335,063	303,787
Guarantors [Member]
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	126,170	(61,134)
Equity in earnings of affiliates	(5,809)	(10,673)
Other adjustments	(218,602)	229,567
Net cash provided by operating activities	338,963	157,760
Capital expenditures	(129,535)	(104,423)
Insurance recovery		9,086
Proceeds from sales of property		852
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	703	(133)
Net cash used in investing activities	(128,832)	(94,618)
Intercompany financing	(212,365)	(61,811)
Net cash used in financing activities	(212,365)	(61,811)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(2,234)	1,331
Balance, beginning of year	3,294	2,522
Balance, end of period	1,060	3,853
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	49,877	36,989
Other adjustments	(2,578)	33,675
Net cash provided by operating activities	52,455	70,664
Capital expenditures	(20,074)	(19,715)
Investments in equity investments	(2,699)	(7,768)
Distributions from equity investments, net	3,437	9,876
Net cash used in investing activities	(19,336)	(17,607)
Repayments of debt	5,860	(6,708)
Intercompany financing	349	(37,665)
Net cash used in financing activities	(5,511)	(44,373)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	267	(253)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	27,875	8,431
Balance, beginning of year	11,357	9,409
Balance, end of period	39,232	17,840
Consolidating Entries [Member]
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	(173,615)	17,915
Equity in earnings of affiliates	173,676	(26,193)
Other adjustments	4,744	(17,311)
Net cash provided by operating activities	(4,683)	(25,589)
Intercompany financing	4,683	25,589
Net cash used in financing activities	$ 4,683	$ 25,589