Long-Term Debt (Maturities Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Less than one year	$ 12,997
One to two years	13,247
Two to three years	13,508
Three to four years	735,743
Four to five years	6,072
Over five years	437,979
Total debt	1,219,546
Current maturities	(12,997)		(7,877)
Long-term debt, less current maturities	1,206,549
Unamortized debt discount	(39,063)	[1]
Long-term debt	1,167,486		1,147,444
Helix Term Loan [Member]
Less than one year	8,000	[2]
One to two years	8,000	[2]
Two to three years	8,000	[2]
Three to four years	355,000	[2]
Total debt	379,000	[2]
Current maturities	(8,000)	[2]
Long-term debt, less current maturities	371,000	[2]
Long-term debt	371,000	[2]
Helix Revolving Loans [Member]
Three to four years	100,000
Total debt	100,000
Long-term debt, less current maturities	100,000
Long-term debt	100,000
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Three to four years	274,960
Total debt	274,960
Long-term debt, less current maturities	274,960
Long-term debt	274,960
Convertible Senior Notes 2025 [Member]
Over five years	157,830	[3]
Total debt	157,830	[3]
Long-term debt, less current maturities	157,830	[3]
Unamortized debt discount	(3,688)	[1],[3]
Long-term debt	154,142	[3]
MARAD Debt [Member]
Less than one year	4,997
One to two years	5,247
Two to three years	5,508
Three to four years	5,783
Four to five years	6,072
Over five years	80,149
Total debt	107,756
Current maturities	(4,997)
Long-term debt, less current maturities	102,759
Long-term debt	102,759
Convertible Senior Notes 2032 [Member]
Over five years	200,000	[4]
Total debt	200,000	[4]
Long-term debt, less current maturities	200,000	[4]
Unamortized debt discount	(35,375)	[1],[4]
Long-term debt	164,625	[4]
Helix [Member]
Current maturities	(8,000)		(3,000)
Long-term debt	$ 1,064,726		$ 1,042,155

[1] The notes will increase to their principal amount through accretion of non-cash interest charges through December 2012 for the Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 and March 2018 for the Convertible Senior Notes due 2032.

[2] Amounts reflect both our Term Loan and new Term Loan A.

[3] Beginning in December 2012, the holders of these Convertible Senior Notes may require us to repurchase these notes or we may at our own option elect to repurchase notes. These notes will mature in March 2025.

[4] Beginning in March 2018, the holders of these Convertible Senior Notes may require us to repurchase these notes or we may at our election elect to repurchase the notes. These notes will mature in March 2032.