Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Operating loss carryforward	$ 17,600,000
Tax credit carryforward, amount	9,700,000
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	2030
Tax credit carryforward, expiration dates	2020
Valuation allowance related to certain non-U.S. deferred assets	14,310,000	8,497,000
Long term liability related to an uncertain tax position	2,800,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties and interest expense	200,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	6,200,000	3,400,000	3,400,000
Income tax benefit	14,903,000	(39,598,000)	95,822,000
Uncertain tax positions	7,100,000
Income tax, accrued interest and penalties	900,000
Helix [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax benefit	(63,242,000)	(9,175,000)	43,417,000
Australian Subsidiary [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax benefit	31,300,000
Non-U.S. Subsidiaries [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Accumulated earnings and profits	$ 113,400,000	$ 28,200,000