Long-Term Debt (Maturities Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Helix Term Loan [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Helix Revolving Loans [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Convertible Senior Notes 2025 [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 MARAD Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Convertible Senior Notes 2032 [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Convertible Senior Notes 2032 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Helix [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Helix [Member]
Less than one year	$ 13,120			$ 8,000	[1]							$ 5,120
One to two years	13,376			8,000	[1]							5,376
Two to three years	458,809			353,165	[1]	100,000						5,644
Three to four years	280,886						274,960					5,926
Four to five years	6,222											6,222
Over five years	434,830									157,830	[2]	77,000	200,000	[3]
Total debt	1,207,243			369,165	[1]	100,000	274,960			157,830	[2]	105,288	200,000	[3]
Current maturities	(13,120)		(7,877)	(8,000)	[1]							(5,120)				(8,000)	(3,000)
Long-term debt, less current maturities	1,194,123			361,165	[1]	100,000	274,960			157,830	[2]	100,168	200,000	[3]
Unamortized debt discount	(34,165)	[4]								(1,241)	[2],[4]		(32,924)	[3],[4]	(35,400)
Long-term debt	$ 1,159,958		$ 1,147,444	$ 361,165	[1]	$ 100,000	$ 274,960	$ 475,000	$ 550,000	$ 156,589	[2]	$ 100,168	$ 167,076	[3]		$ 1,059,790	$ 1,042,155

[1] Amounts reflect both our Term Loan and Term Loan A.

[2] 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.

[3] Beginning in March 2018, 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 2032.

[4] 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 through March 2018 for the Convertible Senior Notes due 2032.