Condensed Consolidated Guarantor And Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	$ 66,526	$ 26,635
Other adjustments	67,279	58,430
Net cash provided by operating activities	133,805	85,065
Capital expenditures	(101,744)	(34,488)
Distributions from equity investments, net	5,943	480
Proceeds from sale of Cal Dive common stock		3,588
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	922	613
Net cash used in investing activities	(94,879)	(29,807)
Borrowings of debt	400,000
Repayments of debt	(356,604)	(3,376)
Deferred financing costs	(6,337)
Repurchases of common stock	(991)	(927)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(340)	(969)
Exercise of stock options, net and other	381	(70)
Net cash used in financing activities	36,109	(5,342)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(1,051)	(470)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	73,984	49,446
Balance, beginning of year	546,465	391,085
Balance, end of period	620,449	440,531
Helix [Member]
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	65,706	25,815
Equity in earnings of affiliates	(93,250)	(48,107)
Other adjustments	15,685	(16,484)
Net cash provided by operating activities	(11,859)	(38,776)
Capital expenditures	(896)	(7,143)
Proceeds from sale of Cal Dive common stock		3,588
Net cash used in investing activities	(896)	(3,555)
Borrowings of debt	400,000
Repayments of debt	(354,195)	(1,082)
Deferred financing costs	(6,337)
Repurchases of common stock	(991)	(927)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(340)	(969)
Exercise of stock options, net and other	381	590
Intercompany financing	45,040	93,799
Net cash used in financing activities	83,558	91,411
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	70,803	49,080
Balance, beginning of year	495,484	376,434
Balance, end of period	566,287	425,514
Guarantors [Member]
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	67,935	34,663
Equity in earnings of affiliates	(2,625)	5,662
Other adjustments	68,889	74,174
Net cash provided by operating activities	134,199	114,499
Capital expenditures	(94,640)	(18,200)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	922	613
Net cash used in investing activities	(93,718)	(17,587)
Intercompany financing	(40,417)	(97,733)
Net cash used in financing activities	(40,417)	(97,733)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	64	(821)
Balance, beginning of year	2,434	3,294
Balance, end of period	2,498	2,473
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	28,729	8,552
Other adjustments	(14,792)	4,644
Net cash provided by operating activities	13,937	13,196
Capital expenditures	(6,208)	(9,145)
Distributions from equity investments, net	5,943	480
Net cash used in investing activities	(265)	(8,665)
Repayments of debt	(2,409)	(2,294)
Exercise of stock options, net and other		(660)
Intercompany financing	(7,095)	80
Net cash used in financing activities	(9,504)	(2,874)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(1,051)	(470)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	3,117	1,187
Balance, beginning of year	48,547	11,357
Balance, end of period	51,664	12,544
Consolidating Entries [Member]
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	(95,844)	(42,395)
Equity in earnings of affiliates	95,875	42,445
Other adjustments	(2,503)	(3,904)
Net cash provided by operating activities	(2,472)	(3,854)
Intercompany financing	2,472	3,854
Net cash used in financing activities	$ 2,472	$ 3,854