Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of financial information for the Company's segments
Revenues	$ 966,837	$ 384,997
Cost of services (exclusive of items shown separately below)	546,767	217,022
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion	102,596	55,824
General and administrative expenses	176,021	84,615
Income from operations	141,453	27,536
Interest income (expense), net	(29,806)	(12,152)
Earnings (Losses) from equity-method investments, net	(287)	27
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	111,360	15,411
Identifiable Assets	7,468,358		4,048,145
Marine [Member]
Summary of financial information for the Company's segments
Identifiable Assets			164,444
Subsea and Well Enhancement [Member]
Summary of financial information for the Company's segments
Revenues	777,480	256,727
Cost of services (exclusive of items shown separately below)	484,201	170,325
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion	66,436	25,261
General and administrative expenses	142,619	54,983
Income from operations	84,224	6,158
Interest income (expense), net	1,181	1,109
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	85,405	7,267
Identifiable Assets	6,399,545		2,863,550
Drilling Products and Services [Member]
Summary of financial information for the Company's segments
Revenues	189,357	128,270
Cost of services (exclusive of items shown separately below)	62,566	46,697
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion	36,160	30,563
General and administrative expenses	33,402	29,632
Income from operations	57,229	21,378
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	57,229	21,378
Identifiable Assets	999,262		947,679
Unallocated [Member]
Summary of financial information for the Company's segments
Interest income (expense), net	(30,987)	(13,261)
Earnings (Losses) from equity-method investments, net	(287)	27
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(31,274)	(13,234)
Identifiable Assets	$ 69,551		$ 72,472