Condensed Consolidated Guarantor And Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 625,650		$ 437,100	$ 620,449	$ 546,465
Accounts receivable, net	142,793		152,233
Unbilled revenue	34,830		33,840
Income taxes receivable			14,201
Other current assets	61,189		82,733
Current assets of discontinued operations			84,000
Total current assets	864,462		804,107
Property and equipment, net	1,532,727		1,485,875
Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates	165,452		167,599
Goodwill, net	61,732		62,935
Other assets, net	41,958		49,837
Non-current assets of discontinued operations			816,227
Total assets	2,666,331		3,386,580
Accounts payable	100,553		92,398
Accrued liabilities	122,024		161,514
Income tax payable	35,797
Current maturities of long-term debt	10,247	[1]	16,607
Current liabilities of discontinued operations			182,527
Total current liabilities	268,621		453,046
Long-term debt	687,461	[1]	1,002,621
Deferred tax liabilities	290,102		359,237
Other long-term liabilities	14,976		5,025
Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations			147,237
Total liabilities	1,261,160		1,967,166
Total equity	1,405,171		1,419,414
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,666,331		3,386,580
Helix [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	551,596		381,599	566,287	495,484
Accounts receivable, net	75,490		39,203
Unbilled revenue	8,179		13,959
Income taxes receivable			24,611
Other current assets	40,566		54,588
Total current assets	675,831		513,960
Intercompany	(116,440)		(154,756)
Property and equipment, net	224,594		208,190
Equity investments in affiliates	1,240,653		1,762,359
Other assets, net	39,678		47,355
Due from subsidiaries/parent	319,941		294,461
Total assets	2,384,257		2,671,569
Accounts payable	55,165		45,784
Accrued liabilities	94,783		117,902
Income tax payable	35,149
Current maturities of long-term debt	5,000		11,487
Total current liabilities	190,097		175,173
Long-term debt	589,948		902,453
Deferred tax liabilities	171,543		168,688
Other long-term liabilities	4,559		1,453
Total liabilities	956,147		1,247,767
Total equity	1,428,110		1,423,802
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,384,257		2,671,569
Guarantors [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	7,274		4,436	2,498	2,434
Accounts receivable, net	30,366		37,378
Unbilled revenue	386		875
Other current assets	4,946		16,418
Current assets of discontinued operations			84,000
Total current assets	42,972		143,107
Intercompany	334,709		352,210
Property and equipment, net	353,969		351,746
Equity investments in affiliates	47,066		53,461
Goodwill, net	45,107		45,107
Other assets, net	136		130
Due from subsidiaries/parent			485,096
Non-current assets of discontinued operations			816,227
Total assets	823,959		2,247,084
Accounts payable	16,824		17,229
Accrued liabilities	13,532		26,019
Income tax payable	19,953		26,618
Current liabilities of discontinued operations			182,527
Total current liabilities	50,309		252,393
Deferred tax liabilities	11,454		86,925
Other long-term liabilities	9,950		3,086
Due to parent	52,582
Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations			147,237
Total liabilities	124,295		489,641
Total equity	699,664		1,757,443
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	823,959		2,247,084
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	66,780		51,065	51,664	48,547
Accounts receivable, net	36,937		75,652
Unbilled revenue	26,265		19,006
Income taxes receivable	3,402		306
Other current assets	15,742		11,696
Total current assets	149,126		157,725
Intercompany	(130,205)		(125,889)
Property and equipment, net	960,461		930,556
Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates	165,452		167,599
Goodwill, net	16,625		17,828
Other assets, net	31,507		34,848
Total assets	1,192,966		1,182,667
Accounts payable	28,564		29,385
Accrued liabilities	13,709		17,593
Current maturities of long-term debt	5,247		5,120
Total current liabilities	47,520		52,098
Long-term debt	97,513		100,168
Deferred tax liabilities	112,606		109,171
Other long-term liabilities	467		486
Due to parent	345,426		323,049
Total liabilities	603,532		584,972
Total equity	589,434		597,695
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,192,966		1,182,667
Consolidating Entries [Member]
Income taxes receivable	(3,402)		(10,716)
Other current assets	(65)		31
Total current assets	(3,467)		(10,685)
Intercompany	(88,064)		(71,565)
Property and equipment, net	(6,297)		(4,617)
Equity investments in affiliates	(1,287,719)		(1,815,820)
Other assets, net	(29,363)		(32,496)
Due from subsidiaries/parent	(319,941)		(779,557)
Total assets	(1,734,851)		(2,714,740)
Income tax payable	(19,305)		(26,618)
Total current liabilities	(19,305)		(26,618)
Deferred tax liabilities	(5,501)		(5,547)
Due to parent	(398,008)		(323,049)
Total liabilities	(422,814)		(355,214)
Total equity	(1,312,037)		(2,359,526)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ (1,734,851)		$ (2,714,740)

[1] 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.