This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment.

+ References+ Details

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382870&loc=d3e33749-111570

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

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-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-Paragraph 28

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Equity Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended							12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
Equity Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Deepwater Gateway [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Deepwater Gateway [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Independence Hub [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Independence Hub [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Clough Helix Pty Ltd. [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Clough Helix Pty Ltd. [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Sapura [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage					50.00%		20.00%				50.00%
Construction costs					$ 120,000,000
Equity investments	187,031,000	175,656,000	187,031,000		96,000,000	99,800,000	79,700,000	82,400,000			10,600,000
Capitalized interest					1,400,000	1,500,000	4,900,000	5,200,000
Equity in earnings (loss) of investments		22,215,000	19,469,000	32,329,000					2,100,000	(3,600,000)
Other than temporary impairment non-cash	$ 2,200,000	$ 10,563,000	$ 2,240,000								$ 10,600,000