Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	$ 562,550	$ 597,571
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	(64,328)	(18,609)
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	2	(167,151)
Investment income (loss)	721	343
Interest expense	(56,518)	(45,730)
Other, net	(13,510)	(182,404)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(173,237)	(448,708)
ASSETS
Total assets	8,095,312		$ 8,187,015
Operating segment | Drilling and Rig Services
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	599,406	621,078
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	(64,328)	(18,609)
ASSETS
Total assets	7,502,249		7,461,879
Operating segment | Drilling and Rig Services | Reportable subsegments | U.S.
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	161,934	148,676
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	(63,182)	(47,559)
ASSETS
Total assets	3,246,887		3,172,767
Operating segment | Drilling and Rig Services | Reportable subsegments | Canada
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	27,808	17,494
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	(4,011)	(7,278)
ASSETS
Total assets	332,121		329,620
Operating segment | Drilling and Rig Services | Reportable subsegments | International
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	338,223	401,055
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	11,974	46,872
ASSETS
Total assets	3,552,771		3,600,057
Operating segment | Drilling and Rig Services | Reportable subsegments | Rig Services
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	71,441	53,853
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	(9,109)	(10,644)
ASSETS
Total assets	370,470		359,435
Other reconciling items (3)
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	(36,856)	(23,507)
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	(39,604)	$ (35,157)
Other reconciling items (5)
ASSETS
Total assets	$ 593,063		$ 725,136