Goodwill, Intangible Assets and In-Process Revenue Contracts - Carrying Amount of Goodwill for Company's Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	$ 203,191	$ 166,539
Impairment loss	(36,652)
Goodwill, Ending balance	166,539	166,539
Shuttle tanker and FSO segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	130,908	130,908
Impairment loss
Goodwill, Ending balance	130,908	130,908
Liquefied Gas Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	35,631	35,631
Impairment loss
Goodwill, Ending balance	35,631	35,631
Conventional tanker segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	36,652
Impairment loss	(36,652)
Goodwill, Ending balance

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

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- Definition

Loss recognized during the period that results from the write-down of goodwill after comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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