Condensed Consolidated Guarantor And Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	$ 111,966	$ 68,744
Other adjustments	109,054	181,829
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	221,020	250,573
Capital expenditures	(150,107)	(106,122)
Distributions from equity investments, net	2,045	(1,106)
Proceeds from sale of Cal Dive common stock		3,588
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	2,660	863
Net cash used in investing activities	(145,402)	(102,777)
Borrowings of debt	400,000
Repayments of debt	(358,604)	(113,485)
Deferred financing costs	(6,485)	(9,014)
Repurchases of common stock	(7,510)	(1,012)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(657)	(1,196)
Exercise of stock options, net and other	372	439
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	27,116	(124,268)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	304	(424)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	103,038	23,104
Balance, beginning of year	546,465	391,085
Balance, end of period	649,503	414,189
Helix [Member]
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	110,330	67,117
Equity in earnings of affiliates	(157,696)	(107,036)
Other adjustments	(23,636)	21,261
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(71,002)	(18,658)
Capital expenditures	(1,635)	(15,699)
Proceeds from sale of Cal Dive common stock		3,588
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,635)	(12,111)
Borrowings of debt	400,000
Repayments of debt	(356,195)	(111,191)
Deferred financing costs	(6,485)	(9,014)
Repurchases of common stock	(7,510)	(1,012)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(657)	(1,196)
Exercise of stock options, net and other	372	1,652
Intercompany financing	131,741	162,868
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	161,266	42,107
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	88,629	11,338
Balance, beginning of year	495,484	376,434
Balance, end of period	584,113	387,772
Guarantors [Member]
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	117,746	76,691
Equity in earnings of affiliates	(6,295)	1,468
Other adjustments	146,623	180,193
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	258,074	258,352
Capital expenditures	(131,879)	(76,331)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	2,660	863
Net cash used in investing activities	(129,219)	(75,468)
Intercompany financing	(128,514)	(183,765)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(128,514)	(183,765)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	341	(881)
Balance, beginning of year	2,434	3,294
Balance, end of period	2,775	2,413
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	47,823	30,448
Other adjustments	(11,702)	(14,149)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	36,121	16,299
Capital expenditures	(16,593)	(14,092)
Distributions from equity investments, net	2,045	(1,106)
Net cash used in investing activities	(14,548)	(15,198)
Repayments of debt	(2,409)	(2,294)
Exercise of stock options, net and other		(1,213)
Intercompany financing	(5,400)	15,477
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(7,809)	11,970
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	304	(424)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	14,068	12,647
Balance, beginning of year	48,547	11,357
Balance, end of period	62,615	24,004
Consolidating Entries [Member]
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	(163,933)	(105,512)
Equity in earnings of affiliates	163,991	105,568
Other adjustments	(2,231)	(5,476)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(2,173)	(5,420)
Intercompany financing	2,173	5,420
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	$ 2,173	$ 5,420