LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Stockholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Net income attributable to Company per share: Net Income Attributable to Company Per Share [Abstract] Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Income taxes Income Taxes Paid, Net, Total Income Taxes Paid, Net Interest Interest Paid, Net, Total Interest Paid, Net Cash payments during the period for: Cash Payments During The Period For Abstract Cash payments during the period for. Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Increase in cash equivalents Effect of exchange rates on cash Effect of exchange rates on cash Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Total Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Repayments of Long-term Debt Repayments on debt Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total Payments against lines of credit and other debt Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired Acquisitions, net of cash acquired Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired Purchases of property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchases of property, plant and equipment Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Other assets/liabilities, net Other assets/liabilities, net Billings in excess of costs Billings in excess of costs Billings In Excess Of Costs Billings in excess of costs. Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Total Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Prepaid and other current assets Prepaid and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets, Total Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets Costs in excess of billings Costs In Excess Of Billings Costs in excess of billings. Inventories Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories, Total Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Receivables Receivables Other, net Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Other Equity income in unconsolidated affiliate Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Total Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction, Total Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Net income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Diluted outstanding shares Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic Basic-weighted average common shares outstanding Diluted Earnings Per Share, Diluted Basic Earnings Per Share, Basic Net income attributable to Company Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income Provision for income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income before income taxes Income Before Income Taxes Income before income taxes. Other income (expense), net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Interest income Investment Income, Interest Operating Income (Loss) Total Operating Profit Operating profit Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative Selling, general and administrative Selling, general and administrative Gross profit Gross Profit, Total Gross Profit Sales Revenue, Net Total Revenue Total Revenue Revenue Cost of revenue Cost of Goods and Services Sold Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interests Noncontrolling interests Total Company stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Common stock - par value $.01; 419,054,572 and 418,451,731 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued Total liabilities Liabilities Other liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Long-term debt Long-term debt Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current, Total Liabilities, Current Accrued income taxes Accrued Income Taxes, Current Debt, Current Less current portion Current portion of long-term debt and short-term borrowings Billings in Excess of Cost Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts Billings in excess of costs Accrued Liabilities, Current Total Accrued liabilities Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accounts Payable, Current Weighted average no of share outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Common stock, shares outstanding Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share common stock, value per share Common stock, par value Accrued Liabilities [Abstract] Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts [Abstract] Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts. Business Segments [Abstract] Business Segments. Debt [Abstract] Debt [Abstract] Debt. Basis of Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories, net Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts Text Block Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts. Prepaid and other current assets Prepaid And Other Current Assets Prepaid and other current assets. Cash and cash equivalents Receivables, net Receivables, Net, Current, Total Receivables, Net, Current Inventory, Net Total Inventories, net Costs in Excess of Billings on Uncompleted Contracts or Programs Expected to be Collected within One Year Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts Costs in excess of billings Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Total Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Prepaid and other current assets Total current assets Assets, Current, Total Assets, Current Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent, Total Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Goodwill Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill Intangibles, net Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill), Total Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) Investment in unconsolidated affiliate Equity Method Investments Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Total assets Assets Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Commitments and Contingencies Accrued Liabilities [Abstract] Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Outstanding Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Derivative Financial Instruments Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Interest and financial costs Interest Expense, Total Interest Expense Interest and financial costs Equity income in unconsolidated affiliate Purchases of property, plant and equipment Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill) Intangible asset impairment Impairment charge related to Petroleum Services & Supplies Intangible asset impairment Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions Other Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Accrued Liabilities Comprehensive Income Business Segments Debt Tax Stock-Based Compensation Net Income Attributable to Company Per Share Recently Issued Accounting Standards Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Other, net Dividend from unconsolidated affiliate Other, net Transaction costs Other Cost and Expense, Operating Transaction and restructuring costs Transaction and restructuring costs Transaction and restructuring costs Commitments and contingencies Accrued Liabilities [Abstract] Dividend from unconsolidated affiliate Dividend from Unconsolidated Affiliates Classified As Investing Activities This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element represents distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities. Inventories net [Abstract] Inventories Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Stock Based Compensation [Abstract] Net Income Attributable to Company Per Share [Abstract] Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Abstract] Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Abstract] Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Balance Sheets [Abstract] Tax [Abstract] Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Derivative Financial Instruments [Abstract] Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Denominator: Weighted average shares outstanding: Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Inventories net Tables Abstract. Inventories, net (Tables) [Abstract] Inventories, net (Details) [Abstract] Inventories net Details Abstract. Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts Tables Abstract. Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts (Tables) [Abstract] Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts Details Abstract.. Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts (Details) [Abstract.] Total net estimate billing on uncompleted contracts Total net estimate billing on uncompleted contracts Total net estimate billing on uncompleted contracts Total net estimate billing on uncompleted contracts. Billings to date Less: Billings to date Billings to date. Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts Gross. Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts Gross Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts, Gross Costs in Excess of Billings on Uncompleted Contracts or Programs Costs in Excess of Billings on Uncompleted Contracts or Programs, Total Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts Net Income Attributable to Company Per Share Tables Abstract. Net Income Attributable to Company Per Share (Tables) [Abstract] Computation Of Weighted Average Basic And Diluted Shares Outstanding Text Block Computation of weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding computation of weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding Text Block. Net Income Attributable to Company Per Share Details Abstract. Net Income Attributable to Company Per Share (Details) [Abstract] computation of weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding Abstract Computation of weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding computation of weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding Abstract. Net Income Attributable to Company Per Share Textuals Abstract. Net Income Attributable to Company Per Share Textuals Abstract Net Income Attributable to Company Per Share (Textuals) [Abstract] Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements Dilutive effect of employee stock options and other unvested stock awards Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Abstract] Stock Based Compensation Details Abstract. Stock Based Compensation Textuals Abstract. Stock Based Compensation Textuals Abstract Stock Based Compensation (Textuals) [Abstract] Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Numerator: Remaining shares available for future grants under the Plan. Remaining shares available for future grants under the Plan Remaining shares available for future grants under the Plan Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense Total income tax benefit stock-based compensation arrangements under the Plan Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period Stock option granted Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Stock options granted, exercise price The performance based restricted stock awards granted, in percent The performance based restricted stock awards granted in percent The performance based restricted stock awards granted in percent The performance based restricted stock awards vested number of months The performance based restricted stock awards vested, months The performance based restricted stock awards vested, number of months. Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Stock options outstanding anti-dilutive totaling Document and Entity Information Abstract. Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Inventory, Raw Materials and Supplies, Net of Reserves Raw materials and supplies Inventory, Work in Process, Net of Reserves Work in process Inventory, Finished Goods, Net of Reserves Finished goods and purchased products Estimated earnings Estimated earnings. Estimated earnings Earlier Authorized Shares Under Stock Based Compensation Earlier authorized shares under stock based compensation Earlier Authorized Shares Under Stock Based Compensation. Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense Total share-based compensation arrangements under the Plan Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Restricted stock awards Performance Base Restricted Stock. Performance-base restricted stock [Member] Restricted stock [Member] Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Granted Stock options granted Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Granted. Non Employee. Non-employee [Member] Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Granted Restricted stock awards, granted Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Granted. Inventories. Inventories Text Block Inventories Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts Consist Text Block Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts consist Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts Consist. Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights Period of option vested over grant date Accrued Liabilities. Accrued Liabilities (Details) [Abstract] Customer Advances, Current Customer prepayments and billings Accrued Insurance, Current Insurance Accrued purchase orders. Accrued Purchase Orders Accrued purchase orders Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Other Other Comprehensive Income (Details) [Abstract] Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Comprehensive Income Other Comprehensive Income, Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax Other Comprehensive Income, Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax, Total Changes in derivative financial instruments, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net of Tax Changes in defined benefit plans, net of tax Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income attributable to Company Comprehensive Income Textuals Abstract Comprehensive Income (Textuals) [Abstract] Comprehensive Income. Business Segments. Business Segments (Details) [Abstract] Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract] Business Segments Rig Technology. Rig Technology [Member] Petroleum Services & Supplies. Petroleum Services And Supplies [Member] Percentage As Of Operating Profit To Revenue Percentage as of operating profit to revenue Percentage As of Operating Profit to Revenue. Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Axis] Reporting Segment [Domain] Business Segments. Business Segments Textuals Abstract Business Segments (Textuals) [Abstract] Revenue from shipyard customer. Revenue from customer Revenue from shipyard customer Accrued Liabilities. Accrued Liabilities (Tables) [Abstract] Accrued Liabilities Text Block Accrued Liabilities Accrued Liabilities. Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive Income (Tables) [Abstract] Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive Income Text Block Comprehensive Income Business Segments. Business Segments (Tables) [Abstract] Accrued Liabilities. Accrued Liabilities (Policies) [Abstract] Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive Income (Policies) [Abstract] Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accrued Liabilities Employee-related Liabilities, Current Employee-related Liabilities, Current, Total Compensation Balance at June 30, 2010 Balance at December 31, 2009 Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Current Warranty Interest Payable, Current Interest Accrual for Taxes Other than Income Taxes, Current Taxes (non income) Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Liabilities Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Liabilities, Total Fair value of derivatives Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward] Changes in the carrying amount of service and product warranties Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block] Changes in the carrying amount of service and product warranties Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Warranties Issued Net provisions for warranties issued during the year Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Payments Amounts incurred Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Currency Translation, Increase (Decrease) Foreign currency translation and other Foreign currency translation and other Other Comprehensive Income, Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax Effect Other Comprehensive Income, Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax Effect, Total Changes in derivative financial instruments, tax Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax Net increase to Other Comprehensive Income upon the translation Currency translation adjustments, net of tax Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Text Block] Business Segments Distribution Services. Distribution Services [Member] Business Intersegment, Eliminations [Member] Debt. Debt (Details) [Abstract] Debt. Debt Textuals Abstract Debt (Textuals) [Abstract] 7.25% interest payable semiannually on Senior Notes due on May 1, 2011 [Member] Senior Notes Two [Member] Senior Notes One Member. 5.65% interest payable semiannually on Senior Notes due on November 15, 2012 [Member] Senior Notes Three [Member] Senior Notes Two Member. 5.5% interest payable semiannually on Senior Notes due on November 19, 2012 [Member] Senior Notes Four [Member] Senior Notes Three Member. 6.125% interest payable semiannually on Senior Notes due on August 15, 2015 [Member] Senior Notes Five [Member] Senior Notes Four Member. 6.5% interest payable semiannually on Senior Notes due on March 15, 2011 [Member] Senior Notes One [Member] Senior Notes One Member. Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Senior Notes Amount of Grant Prideco Senior Notes exchanged for National Oilwell Varco Senior Notes Senior Notes, Total Senior Notes Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding Outstanding letters of credit Tax. Tax (Details) [Abstract] Difference Between The Effective Tax Rate [Abstract] Difference between the effective tax rate Difference between the effective tax rate. Reconciliation Of The Beginning And Ending Amount Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Abstract Reconciliation of beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits Reconciliation Of The Beginning And Ending Amount Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits. Tax Textuals Abstract Tax (Textuals) [Abstract] Tax. Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Total Foreign income tax rate differential Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate U.S. federal statutory rate Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions Additions for tax positions of prior years Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes of limitations Likelihood Of An Uncertain Income Tax Position Being Sustained Lower Limit Likelihood of an uncertain income tax position being sustained (lower limit) Likelihood Of An Uncertain Income Tax Position Being Sustained (Lower Limit ). Tax policies. Tax (Policies) [Abstract] Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Policies) [Abstract] Recently Issued Accounting Standards Policies Abstract Recently Issued Accounting Standards. Tax. Tax (Tables) [Abstract] Difference Between The Effective Tax Rate Text Block Difference between the effective tax rate Difference between the effective tax rate. Reconciliation Of The Beginning And Ending Amount Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Text Block Reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits Reconciliation Of The Beginning And Ending Amount Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits. Debt (Tables) [Abstract] Debt. Unrecognized Tax Benefits Balance at June 30, 2010 Balance at December 31, 2009 Unrecognized tax benefit Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract] Debt [Abstract] Other Long-term Debt Other Promissory notes included in other debt Long-term Debt Total debt Total debt Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Total Federal income tax at U.S. federal statutory rate State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Total State income tax, net of federal benefit Foreign dividends, net of foreign tax credits Income Tax Reconciliation, Deductions, Dividends Foreign dividends, net of foreign tax credits Benefit of U.S. Manufacturing Deduction Income Tax Reconciliation, Deductions, Qualified Production Activities Benefit of U.S. Manufacturing Deduction Income Tax Reconciliation, Prior Year Income Taxes Prior year tax on revaluation gains in Norway Other Other Tax Expense (Benefit) Other taxes Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations, Total Effective tax rate Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity As new unsecured credit facilities to finance the cash portion of business acquisition Unsecured revolving credit facility Existing Unsecured revolving credit facility Member. Existing Unsecured revolving credit facility [Member] Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity Funds borrowed to finance the cash portion of the Grant Prideco acquisition New Unsecured revolving credit facility. New Unsecured revolving credit facility [Member] Five-year revolving credit facility. Five year revolving credit facility [Member] 364-day revolving credit facility. 364-day revolving credit facility [Member] Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity Funds available under revolving credit facility Outstanding letters of credit under various bilateral committed letter of credit facilities Outstanding letters of credit under various bilateral committed letter of credit facilities. Outstanding letters of credit under various bilateral committed letter of credit facilities Interest rate under multicurrency facility. Interest rate under multicurrency facility Interest rate under multicurrency facility Long-term Debt [Text Block] Debt Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member] Derivative Financial Instruments. Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables) [Abstract] Outstanding Foreign Currency Forward Contracts. Outstanding Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Text Block Outstanding Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Derivative Financial Instruments. Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) [Abstract] Outstanding Foreign Currency Forward Contracts. Outstanding Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Abstract Outstanding Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Derivative Designated as Hedging Instrument, Asset Derivative Not Designated as Hedging Instrument, Asset Derivative Designated as Hedging Instrument, Liability Derivative Not Designated as Hedging Instrument, Liability Total derivatives Derivative Asset, Fair Value Derivative Assets Total derivatives Derivative Liability, Fair Value Derivative Liabilities Prepaid and other current assets [Member] Prepaid and other current assets. Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Income. Effect Of Derivative Instruments On The Consolidated Statement Of Income Abstract Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Income Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion) (a) Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income, Effective Portion, Net Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income, Effective Portion, Net, Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), reclassified Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net, Total Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion) Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing, Net Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Amount Excluded from hedge Effectiveness) Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing, Net, Total Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing) (b) Revenue. Revenue [Member] Cost of Revenue. Cost of revenue [Member] Other income(expense), net. Other income (expense), net [Member] Derivative Financial Instruments (Textuals) [Abstract] Derivative Financial Instruments. Derivative Financial Instruments Textuals Abstract Derivative Financial Instruments (Policies) [Abstract] Derivative Financial Instruments. Minimum Derivative Financial Instrument's Term (Months) Minimum Derivative Financial Instrument's Term Minimum Derivative Financial Instrument's Term. Maximum Derivative financial Instrument's Term (Months) Maximum Derivative financial Instrument's Term Maximum Derivative financial Instrument's Term. Foreign Currency Derivatives at Fair Value, Net Fair Value of Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Fair Value of Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Norway Operation's Derivatives, Fair Value Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Nonrecurring Basis, Disclosure Items [Axis] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Nonrecurring Basis, Disclosure Items [Domain] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement and Other Comprehensive Income Location [Domain] Derivatives, Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Accrued liabilities [Member] Other Assets [Member] Other Liabilities [Member] Derivatives, Fair Value, by Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Foreign exchange contracts [Member] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship [Axis] Hedging Relationship [Domain] Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net, Total Foreign currency, Cash flow hedging Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net, Total Foreign currency, Fair value hedging Other Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments at Fair Value, Net Other Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments at Fair Value, Net, Total Foreign currency, Non-designated hedging Schedule of Derivative Instruments Included in Trading Activities [Text Block] Effect of Derivative-Instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Income Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (a) Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net, Total Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Net of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassified Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net, Total Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) Derivative, by Nature [Axis] Derivative, Name [Domain] Forward Contracts [Member] Firm commitments. Firm commitments [Member] Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings Recognized in Income on Related Hedged Items Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings, Total Derivative Instruments and Their Balance Sheet Classifications Derivative Instruments and Their Balance Sheet Classifications Fair Value By Balance Sheets Grouping Abstract. Fair Value By Balance Sheets Grouping Abstract Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC Topic 815 Derivative Instruments Designated As Hedging Instruments Abstract. Derivative Instruments Designated As Hedging Instruments Abstract Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC Topic 815 Payments of Dividends, Common Stock Cash dividends paid Cash dividends paid Other, net Other, net Other, net Cash Dividends Text Block Cash Dividends Cash Dividends Text Block Cash Dividends [Abstract] Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Aggregated Cash Dividends paid Cash Dividends per share Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share Income Tax Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense Income Tax Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Total Nondeductible expenses Unrecognized tax benefit associated with Foreign tax. Unrecognized tax benefit associated with Foreign tax Unrecognized tax benefit associated with Foreign tax Deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets Deferred tax assets Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid Cash dividends per share Cash dividends per share Adoption of policy related to Fair Value Measurements Disclosures. Adoption of policy related to Fair Value Measurements Disclosures Text Block Adoption of policy related to Fair Value Measurements Disclosures Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Text Block] Adoption of ASC Topic 450 and its impact Stockholders' Equity, Policy [Text Block] Adoption of ASC Topic 830 and its impact Income Tax, Policy [Text Block] Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes Derivatives, Policy [Text Block] Adoption of ASC Topic 815 Policy and its impact Devalued Charges on monetary assets. Devalued Charges on monetary assets Devalued Charges on monetary assets Additional Devalued Charges on accounts receivable. Additional Devalued Charges on accounts receivable Additional Devalued Charges on accounts receivable Cash Dividends. Cash Dividends (Details) [Abstract] Cash Dividends (Details) [Abstract] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Axis] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Domain] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship, by Income Statement Location, by Derivative Instrument Risk [Table] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Derivative [Table] Derivative [Line Items] Investment in subsidiary. Investment in subsidiary Investment in subsidiary