Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	$ 127,641	$ 115,570
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	198,626	239,540
Asset impairment charge and dry hole expense	19,101	21,588
Amortization of deferred financing costs	4,990	7,197
Stock-based compensation expense	5,561	6,835
Amortization of debt discount	7,253	6,693
Deferred income taxes	26,495	31,707
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	1,151	805
Gain on investment in Cal Dive common stock		(753)
Loss on sale of assets, net	14,647	6
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	17,127	2,354
Unrealized gain and ineffectiveness on derivative contracts, net	2,130	433
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	33,988	(24,205)
Other current assets	(6,774)	(11,100)
Income tax payable	(12,591)	9,129
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(16,828)	(28,668)
Oil and gas asset retirement costs	(94,623)	(34,836)
Other noncurrent, net	(19,742)	8,836
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	308,152	351,131
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(305,344)	(167,849)
Distributions from equity investments, net	6,174	738
Proceeds from sales of property	14,500
Proceeds from sale of Cal Dive common stock		3,588
Decrease in restricted cash	2,698	703
Net cash used in investing activities	(281,972)	(162,820)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Early extinguishment of Senior Unsecured Notes	(209,500)	(77,394)
Borrowing under revolving credit facility	100,000	109,400
Repayment of revolving credit facility		(109,400)
Issuance of Convertible Senior Notes due 2032	200,000
Repurchase of Convertible Senior Notes due 2025	(143,945)
Proceeds from Term Loan A	100,000
Repayment of Term Loan	(10,585)	(111,941)
Repayment of MARAD borrowings	(4,877)	(4,645)
Deferred financing costs	(7,766)	(9,224)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(4,249)
Repurchases of common stock	(7,510)	(1,072)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(1,151)	(805)
Exercise of stock options, net and other	1,264	773
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	11,681	(204,308)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(532)	267
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	37,329	(15,730)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Balance, beginning of year	546,465	391,085
Balance, end of period	$ 583,794	$ 375,355