Represents the claim to a portion of a distribution of escrow funds held for contingent payments.

No definition available.

Name:	kex_ClaimToEscrowDistribution
Namespace Prefix:	kex_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The escrow account was terminated on this date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	kex_EscrowAccountTerminationDate
Namespace Prefix:	kex_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Refers ton the amount paid related to oilfield service equipment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	kex_OilfieldServiceEquipment
Namespace Prefix:	kex_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares of equity interests issued or issuable to acquire entity.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)(4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7488404&loc=d3e6927-128479

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Facility expenses incurred related to gas and oil produced and sold during the reporting period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 932

-SubTopic 235

-Section 50

-Paragraph 23

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=8451039&loc=d3e62136-109447

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FacilityCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of expense provided in the period for legal costs incurred on or before the balance sheet date pertaining to resolved, pending or threatened litigation, including arbitration and mediation proceedings.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LegalFees
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of business during the period. The cash portion only of the acquisition price.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=kex_RichardJAlarioMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
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- Details

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Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $) Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Hollywood Camp [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (in hundredths)	50.00%
Facility expenses	$ 1,634,000	$ 1,112,000	$ 463,000
Amy D. Husted [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Legal services	1,184,000	851,000	384,000
William M. Waterman [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash portion of purchase price			24,000,000
Number of shares held in escrow (in shares)			83,825
Escrow Account Termination Date	March 31, 2014
Claim to escrow distribution	17,000
Richard J. Alario [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Oilfield service equipment	$ 1,232,000	$ 1,973,000	$ 13,152,000