Condensed Consolidated Guarantor And Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	$ 127,641	$ 115,570
Other adjustments	180,511	235,561
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	308,152	351,131
Capital expenditures	(305,344)	(167,849)
Distributions from equity investments, net	6,174	738
Proceeds from sale of Cal Dive common stock		3,588
Proceeds from sales of property	14,500
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	2,698	703
Net cash used in investing activities	(281,972)	(162,820)
Borrowings of debt	400,000
Repayments of debt	(368,907)	(193,980)
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)
Balance, beginning of year	546,465	391,085
Balance, end of period	583,794	375,355
Helix [Member]
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	119,704	113,138
Equity in earnings of affiliates	(177,985)	(167,867)
Other adjustments	50,771	19,125
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(7,510)	(35,604)
Capital expenditures	(1,368)	(18,240)
Proceeds from sale of Cal Dive common stock		3,588
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,368)	(14,652)
Borrowings of debt	400,000
Repayments of debt	(364,030)	(189,335)
Deferred financing costs	(7,766)	(9,224)
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	1,988
Intercompany financing	6,525	207,333
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	27,332	8,885
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	18,454	(41,371)
Balance, beginning of year	495,484	376,434
Balance, end of period	513,938	335,063
Guarantors [Member]
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	140,464	126,170
Equity in earnings of affiliates	(19,024)	(5,809)
Other adjustments	141,899	218,602
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	263,339	338,963
Capital expenditures	(196,481)	(129,535)
Proceeds from sales of property	14,500
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	2,698	703
Net cash used in investing activities	(179,283)	(128,832)
Intercompany financing	(78,123)	(212,365)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(78,123)	(212,365)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5,933	(2,234)
Balance, beginning of year	2,434	3,294
Balance, end of period	8,367	1,060
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	64,424	49,877
Other adjustments	(2,365)	2,578
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	62,059	52,455
Capital expenditures	(107,495)	(20,074)
Distributions from equity investments, net	6,174	738
Net cash used in investing activities	(101,321)	(19,336)
Repayments of debt	(4,877)	(4,645)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(4,249)
Exercise of stock options, net and other		(1,215)
Intercompany financing	61,862	349
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	52,736	(5,511)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(532)	267
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	12,942	27,875
Balance, beginning of year	48,547	11,357
Balance, end of period	61,489	39,232
Consolidating Entries [Member]
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	(196,951)	(173,615)
Equity in earnings of affiliates	197,009	173,676
Other adjustments	(9,794)	(4,744)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(9,736)	(4,683)
Intercompany financing	9,736	4,683
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	$ 9,736	$ 4,683