Segment Reporting - Segment Results Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,993,920us-gaap_Revenues	$ 1,830,085us-gaap_Revenues	$ 1,980,771us-gaap_Revenues
Voyage expenses	(127,847)us-gaap_OtherCostOfServices	(112,218)us-gaap_OtherCostOfServices	(138,283)us-gaap_OtherCostOfServices
Vessel operating expenses	(809,319)us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating	(806,152)us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating	(813,326)us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating
Time-charter hire expense	(67,219)us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense	(103,646)us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense	(130,739)us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
Depreciation and amortization	(422,904)us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization	(431,086)us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization	(455,898)us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
General and administrative	(140,917)us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	(140,958)us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	(144,296)us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Asset impairments	(4,759)us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges	(167,605)us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges	(432,196)us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
Loan loss (provisions) recoveries	2,521us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses	(748)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses	(1,886)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses
Net gain (loss)on sale of vessels and equipment	13,509us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets	1,995us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets	(6,975)us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets
Restructuring recoveries (charges)	(9,826)us-gaap_RestructuringCharges	(6,921)us-gaap_RestructuringCharges	(7,565)us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Income (loss) from vessel operations	427,159us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	62,746us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	(150,393)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Shuttle Tanker, FSO and Offshore Support Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	608,068	583,201	616,295
Voyage expenses	(106,291)	(99,111)	(104,382)
Vessel operating expenses	(191,173)	(182,973)	(196,021)
Time-charter hire expense	(31,090)	(56,682)	(56,989)
Depreciation and amortization	(111,891)	(116,376)	(125,104)
General and administrative	(35,665)	(37,529)	(36,484)
Asset impairments	(4,759)	(76,782)	(28,830)
Net gain (loss)on sale of vessels and equipment	3,121		(1,112)
Restructuring recoveries (charges)	812	(2,123)	(652)
Income (loss) from vessel operations	131,132	11,625	66,721
FPSO Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	614,463	567,620	581,215
Voyage expenses	(756)		(232)
Vessel operating expenses	(370,397)	(364,986)	(354,020)
Depreciation and amortization	(157,829)	(151,365)	(135,413)
General and administrative	(57,915)	(51,891)	(45,139)
Loan loss (provisions) recoveries	2,521	(2,634)
Net gain (loss)on sale of vessels and equipment	935	1,338
Income (loss) from vessel operations	31,022	(1,918)	46,411
Liquefied Gas Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	325,707	298,228	291,712
Voyage expenses	(1,913)	(602)	(283)
Vessel operating expenses	(68,839)	(61,471)	(54,773)
Depreciation and amortization	(71,712)	(71,485)	(69,064)
General and administrative	(27,434)	(19,597)	(18,643)
Income (loss) from vessel operations	155,809	145,073	148,949
Conventional Tanker [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	445,682	381,036	491,549
Voyage expenses	(18,887)	(12,505)	(33,386)
Vessel operating expenses	(178,910)	(196,722)	(208,512)
Time-charter hire expense	(36,129)	(46,964)	(73,750)
Depreciation and amortization	(81,472)	(91,860)	(126,317)
General and administrative	(19,903)	(31,941)	(44,030)
Asset impairments		(90,823)	(403,366)
Loan loss (provisions) recoveries		1,886	(1,886)
Net gain (loss)on sale of vessels and equipment	9,453	657	(5,863)
Restructuring recoveries (charges)	(10,638)	(4,798)	(6,913)
Income (loss) from vessel operations	$ 109,196	$ (92,034)	$ (412,474)

Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill.

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The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production.

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Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment assets, excluding oil and gas property and timber property.

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Amount of rent expense incurred for leased assets, including but not limited to, furniture and equipment, that is not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line.

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Other costs incurred and are directly related to services rendered by an entity during the reporting period.

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Amount of expense related to estimated loss from loan and lease transactions.

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Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

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Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

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