Operations by Business Segment and Geographic Area Operations by Business Segment and Geographic Area - Other Significant Reconciling Items (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	$ 309,858	$ 526,645	$ 207,180
Oil And Gas [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	300,825	514,348	204,236
ROVs [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	198,323	135,770	109,377
Subsea Products [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	68,052	100,824	41,802
Subsea Projects [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	15,890	64,803	43,506
Asset Integrity [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	18,560	212,951	9,551
Advanced Technologies [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	2,953	5,757	2,351
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	$ 6,080	$ 6,540	$ 593