Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Net revenues:
Contracting services	$ 229,842	$ 122,748
Oil and gas	178,085	168,859
Total net revenues	407,927	291,607
Cost of sales:
Contracting services	156,968	106,907
Oil and gas	89,249	107,624
Total cost of sales	246,217	214,531
Gross profit	161,710	77,076
Gain (loss) on sale or acquisition of assets, net	(1,478)	16
Loss on oil and gas derivative contracts	(2,339)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(25,696)	(24,981)
Income from operations	132,197	52,111
Equity in earnings of investments	407	5,650
Net interest expense	(21,760)	(24,236)
Loss on early extinguishment of long term debt	(17,127)
Other income (expense)	86	2,660
Income before income taxes	93,803	36,185
Provision for income taxes	27,277	9,550
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	66,526	26,635
Less net income applicable to noncontrolling interests	(789)	(768)
Net income applicable to Helix	65,737	25,867
Preferred stock dividends	(10)	(10)
Net income applicable to Helix common shareholders	65,727	25,857
Earnings (loss) per share of common stock:
Basic	$ 0.62	$ 0.24
Diluted	$ 0.62	$ 0.24
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	104,530	104,471
Diluted	104,989	104,903
Comprehensive income (Note 9)	$ 56,876	$ 18,183