Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Net revenues:
Net revenues	$ 197,429	$ 229,842
Cost of sales:
Cost of sales	144,862	157,359
Gross profit	52,567	72,483
Loss on commodity derivative contracts	(14,113)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(23,216)	(22,415)
Income from operations	15,238	50,068
Equity in earnings of investments	610	407
Net interest expense	(10,323)	(14,477)
Loss on early extinguishment of long term debt	(2,882)	(17,127)
Other income (expense), net	(3,684)	70
Other income - oil and gas	2,818
Income (loss) before income taxes	1,777	18,941
Income tax provision (benefit)	443	1,278
Income (loss) from continuing operations	1,334	17,663
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	1,058	48,853
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	2,392	66,516
Less net income applicable to noncontrolling interests	(777)	(789)
Net income (loss) applicable to Helix	$ 1,615	$ 65,727
Basic earnings per share of common stock:
Continuing operations	$ 0.01	$ 0.16
Discontinued operations	$ 0.01	$ 0.46
Net income per common share	$ 0.02	$ 0.62
Diluted earnings per share of common stock:
Continuing operations	$ 0.01	$ 0.16
Discontinued operations	$ 0.01	$ 0.46
Net income per common share	$ 0.02	$ 0.62
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	105,032	104,530
Diluted	105,165	104,989