Condensed Consolidated Guarantor And Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Net revenues	$ 197,429	$ 229,842
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 (loss) from operations	15,238	50,068
Equity in earnings of investments	610	407
Net interest expense and other	(14,071)	(31,534)
Income (loss) before income taxes	1,777	18,941
Income tax provision (benefit)	443	1,278
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total	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
Total comprehensive income (loss) applicable to Helix	(16,704)	56,077
Helix [Member]
Net revenues	20,394	20,022
Cost of sales	16,589	16,621
Gross profit	3,805	3,401
Loss on commodity derivative contracts	(2,337)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(15,790)	(11,272)
Income (loss) from operations	(14,322)	(7,871)
Equity in earnings of investments	33,146	93,250
Net interest expense and other	(8,780)	(30,557)
Income (loss) before income taxes	10,044	54,822
Income tax provision (benefit)	(6,268)	(10,874)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total	16,312	65,696
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(14,724)
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	1,588	65,696
Net income (loss) applicable to Helix	1,588	65,696
Total comprehensive income (loss) applicable to Helix	1,588	65,450
Guarantors [Member]
Net revenues	102,063	107,603
Cost of sales	74,370	75,735
Gross profit	27,693	31,868
Loss on commodity derivative contracts	(11,776)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(3,909)	(6,596)
Income (loss) from operations	12,008	25,272
Equity in earnings of investments	(6,395)	2,625
Net interest expense and other	(1,149)	67
Income (loss) before income taxes	4,464	27,964
Income tax provision (benefit)	3,805	8,882
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total	659	19,082
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	15,782	48,853
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	16,441	67,935
Net income (loss) applicable to Helix	16,441	67,935
Total comprehensive income (loss) applicable to Helix	9,203	54,380
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Net revenues	91,126	125,900
Cost of sales	70,100	88,445
Gross profit	21,026	37,455
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(3,517)	(4,834)
Income (loss) from operations	17,509	32,621
Equity in earnings of investments	610	407
Net interest expense and other	(4,142)	(1,044)
Income (loss) before income taxes	13,977	31,984
Income tax provision (benefit)	2,891	3,255
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total	11,086	28,729
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	11,086	28,729
Net income (loss) applicable to Helix	11,086	28,729
Total comprehensive income (loss) applicable to Helix	5	32,884
Consolidating Entries [Member]
Net revenues	(16,154)	(23,683)
Cost of sales	(16,197)	(23,442)
Gross profit	43	(241)
Selling, general and administrative expenses		287
Income (loss) from operations	43	46
Equity in earnings of investments	(26,751)	(95,875)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(26,708)	(95,829)
Income tax provision (benefit)	15	15
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total	(26,723)	(95,844)
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	(26,723)	(95,844)
Less net income applicable to noncontrolling interests	(777)	(789)
Net income (loss) applicable to Helix	(27,500)	(96,633)
Total comprehensive income (loss) applicable to Helix	$ (27,500)	$ (96,637)