Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Common Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total Controlling Interest Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 806,905	$ 417,940	$ (33,696)	$ 1,191,149	$ 322,627	$ 1,513,776
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2008	91,972
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net income		156,054		156,054	19,697	175,751
Effect of deconsolidation of Cal Dive (Note 3)					(320,119)	(320,119)
Foreign currency translations adjustments			30,617	30,617		30,617
Unrealized loss (gain) on hedges, net			(18,275)	(18,275)		(18,275)
Unrealized loss (gain) on investment held for sale (Note 2)			(887)	(887)		(887)
Comprehensive income (loss)				167,509	(300,422)	(132,913)
Convertible preferred stock dividends and preferred stock beneficial charges		(54,187)		(54,187)		(54,187)
Convertible preferred stock conversion (Note 11)	102,502			102,502		102,502
Convertible preferred stock conversion (Note 11) (in shares)	12,805
Other	(319)			(319)		(319)
Stock compensation expense	9,530			9,530		9,530
Stock repurchase	(13,995)			(13,995)		(13,995)
Stock repurchase (in shares)	(1,116)
Activity in company stock plans, net and other	2,173			2,173		2,173
Activity in company stock plans, net and other (in shares)	620
Excess tax from stock- based compensation	895			895		895
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	907,691	519,807	(22,241)	1,405,257	22,205	1,427,462
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009	104,281
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net income		(126,988)		(126,988)	2,835	(124,153)
Foreign currency translations adjustments			(10,005)	(10,005)		(10,005)
Unrealized loss (gain) on hedges, net			(7,699)	(7,699)		(7,699)
Unrealized loss (gain) on investment held for sale (Note 2)			887	887		887
Comprehensive income (loss)				(143,805)	2,835	(140,970)
Convertible preferred stock dividends and preferred stock beneficial charges		(114)		(114)		(114)
Convertible preferred stock conversion (Note 11)	5,000			5,000		5,000
Convertible preferred stock conversion (Note 11) (in shares)	1,807
Stock compensation expense	9,217			9,217		9,217
Stock repurchase	(11,680)			(11,680)		(11,680)
Stock repurchase (in shares)	(1,016)
Activity in company stock plans, net and other	674			674		674
Activity in company stock plans, net and other (in shares)	520
Excess tax from stock- based compensation	(3,945)			(3,945)		(3,945)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	906,957	392,705	(39,058)	1,260,604	25,040	1,285,644
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	105,592
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net income		129,979		129,979	3,098	133,077
Foreign currency translations adjustments			(1,002)	(1,002)		(1,002)
Unrealized loss (gain) on hedges, net			30,043	30,043		30,043
Comprehensive income (loss)				159,020	3,098	162,118
Convertible preferred stock dividends and preferred stock beneficial charges		(40)		(40)		(40)
Stock compensation expense	8,418			8,418		8,418
Stock repurchase	(6,502)			(6,502)		(6,502)
Stock repurchase (in shares)	(497)
Activity in company stock plans, net and other	916			916		916
Activity in company stock plans, net and other (in shares)	435
Excess tax from stock- based compensation	(1,013)			(1,013)		(1,013)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 908,776	$ 522,644	$ (10,017)	$ 1,421,403	$ 28,138	$ 1,449,541
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	105,530