Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	$ 133,077	$ (124,153)		$ 175,751
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operating activities -
Depreciation and amortization	311,103	317,116		262,617
Asset impairment charges	139,167	181,083		121,855
Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible impairments		16,743	[1]
Exploratory drilling and related expenditures	8,264	5,969		21,367
Equity in earnings of investments, net of distributions				(6,321)
Amortization of deferred financing costs	8,910	7,703		6,693
Income from discontinued operations				(9,581)
Stock compensation expense	8,365	8,996		11,992
Amortization of debt discount	8,973	8,409		7,880
Deferred income taxes	(4,188)	(46,836)		(64,926)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	1,013	3,945		(895)
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative contracts	382	1,568		(5,237)
Loss on early extinguishment of Senior Unsecured Notes	2,354
Other than temporary loss on equity investments	10,563	2,240
Gain on investment in Cal Dive common stock	(753)			(77,343)
Gain on sale of assets	(4,525)	(9,405)		(2,019)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	(47,998)	(46,191)		52,245
Other current assets	560	21,894		51,158
Income tax payable	6,472	214		48,831
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	28,230	48,411		(62,341)
Oil and gas asset retirement costs	(41,980)	(61,763)		(45,038)
Other noncurrent, net	(833)	(4,489)		(62,750)
Cash provided by operating activities	567,156	331,454		423,938
Cash used in discontinued operations				(6,261)
Net cash provided by operating activities	567,156	331,454		417,677
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(219,769)	(206,772)		(423,373)
Investments in equity investments	(2,699)	(8,253)		(1,657)
Distributions from equity investments, net	3,965	10,539		6,742
Proceeds from insurance reimbursement		16,106
Proceeds from sale of Cal Dive common stock	3,588			418,168
Reduction in cash from deconsolidation of Cal Dive				(112,995)
Proceeds from sales of property	31,000	6,894		23,717
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	1,598	(70)		(6)
Cash used in investing activities	(182,317)	(181,556)		(89,404)
Cash provided by discontinued operations				20,872
Net cash used in investing activities	(182,317)	(181,556)		(68,532)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of Helix term loan	(130,691)	(4,326)		(4,326)
Borrowings on Helix Revolver	109,400
Repayments on Helix Revolver	(109,400)			(349,500)
Early extinguishment of Senior Unsecured Notes	(77,394)
Repayment of MARAD borrowings	(4,645)	(4,424)		(4,214)
Borrowings on CDI Revolver				100,000
Repayments on CDI term loan				(20,000)
Loan notes repayment	(1,215)	(2,517)		(2,130)
Deferred financing costs	(9,311)	(2,947)		(6,970)
Preferred stock dividends paid	(40)	(114)		(645)
Repurchase of common stock	(7,604)	(11,680)		(13,995)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(1,013)	(3,945)		895
Exercise of stock options, net	2,018	674		176
Net cash used in financing activities	(229,895)	(29,279)		(300,709)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	436	(207)		(1,376)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	155,380	120,412		47,060
Cash and cash equivalents:
Balance, beginning of year	391,085	270,673		223,613
Balance, end of year	$ 546,465	$ 391,085		$ 270,673

[1] Amount reflects full write off of goodwill associated with our WOSEA operations.