Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Net Income Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted [Abstract] Basic earnings per share Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Stock options Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Options Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Options Restricted stock Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Restricted Stock Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Restricted Stock Diluted earnings per share Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted Shares Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding Reconciliation [Abstract] Basic earnings per share (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Stock options (in shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements, Stock Options Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements, Stock Options Restricted stock (in shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements, Restricted Stock Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements, Restricted Stock Diluted earnings per share (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Per Share Amount Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract] Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Stock options (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Effect of Dilutive Securities on Basic Earnings Per Share, Stock Options Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options Units Per Share Restricted stock (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Effect of Dilutive Securities on Basic Earnings Per Share, Restricted Stock Amount of Dilutive Securities Restricted Stock Units Per Share Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Stock Options Equity Option [Member] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Outstanding stock options, excluded in the calculation of earnings per share Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares outstanding Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Senior Notes Senior Notes [Member] Revolving Credit Facility Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] 6.5% Senior Notes Six Point Five Percent Senior Notes [Member] Six Point Five Percent Senior Notes [Member] 2011 Revolving Credit Facility Two Thousand Eleven Credit Facility [Member] Two Thousand Eleven Credit Facility [Member] Debt Instrument Debt Instrument [Line Items] Long-term debt Long-term Debt Stated interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Market adjustable interest rate (per annum) Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Derivative [Table] Derivative [Table] Scenario [Axis] Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Forecast Scenario, Forecast [Member] Restatement Agreement Restatement Agreement [Member] Restatement Agreement [Member] Hedging Relationship [Axis] Hedging Relationship [Axis] Hedging Relationship [Domain] Hedging Relationship [Domain] Cash Flow Hedging Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Contract [Domain] Derivative Contract [Domain] Interest rate swap one Interest Rate Swap One [Member] Interest Rate Swap One [Member] Interest rate swap two Interest Rate Swap Two [Member] Interest Rate Swap Two [Member] Foreign exchange forward currency contracts Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] Derivative Derivative [Line Items] Amount of hedged item Derivative, Amount of Hedged Item Interest rate fixed as result of interest rate swap hedges Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate Exchange rate Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate Notional amount Derivative, Notional Amount Gain (loss) on cash flow hedge ineffectiveness Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net Gain (loss) recognized in income as a result of excluding amounts from the assessment of hedge effectiveness or as a result of reclassifications to earnings following the discontinuance of any cash flow hedges Gain (Loss) from Components Excluded from Assessment of Cash Flow Hedge Effectiveness or Reclassifications from Discontinued Hedges Gain (Loss) from Components Excluded from Assessment of Cash Flow Hedge Effectiveness or Reclassifications from Discontinued Hedges Interest rate derivative contracts that will be reclassified to earnings during the next twelve months Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months, Net Foreign exchange forward currency contracts that will be reclassified to earnings during the next twelve months Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months Equity [Abstract] Shares authorized Shares Authorized Shares Authorized Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Equity Award [Domain] Equity Award [Domain] Stock Options Employee Stock Option [Member] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Number of Options: Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Outstanding at October 1, 2013 (shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Granted (shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross Exercised (shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Forfeited (shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period Outstanding at March 31, 2014 (shares) Exercisable at March 31, 2014 (shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share): Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract] Outstanding at October 1, 2013 (dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Granted (dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercised (dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Forfeited (dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at March 31, 2014 (dollars per share) Exercisable at March 31, 2014 (dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract] Wtd. Avg. Remaining Contractual Life (Years) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Wtd. Avg. Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Exercisable at March 31, 2014 Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercised Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable at March 31, 2014 Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Property and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Earnings Per Common Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Income Tax Contingency [Table] Income Tax Contingency [Table] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Other long-term liabilities Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] Income Tax Contingency [Line Items] Income Tax Contingency [Line Items] Effective income tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Statutory income tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent Unrecognized tax benefits Unrecognized Tax Benefits Estimated accrued interest and penalties Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Capital Stock Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Summary of Property and Equipment by Classification Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Net income Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation Depreciation Amortization of debt issuance costs and bond premium, net Amortization of Financing Costs and Discounts Amortization of deferred items Amortization of Deferred Charges Provision for doubtful accounts Provision for Doubtful Accounts Provision for inventory obsolescence Inventory Write-down Deferred income tax benefit Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Share-based compensation expense Share-based Compensation Gain on sale of assets Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment Other, net Other Noncash Income (Expense) Changes in assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Income tax receivable Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Receivable Inventory Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Prepaid expenses Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense Deferred costs and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Charges and Other Operating Assets Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Charges and Other Operating Assets Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities Income tax payable Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable Deferred credits and other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Credits and Other Operating Liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Credits and Other Operating Liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from sale of assets Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Proceeds from bank credit facilities Proceeds from Long-term Lines of Credit Principal payments on bank credit facilities Repayments of Long-term Lines of Credit Principal payments on notes payable Repayments of Notes Payable Proceeds from exercise of stock options Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Debt issuance costs paid Payments of Debt Issuance Costs Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period Non-cash activities: Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to capital expenditures Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $679 and $0 at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Income tax receivable Income Taxes Receivable, Current Inventories of materials and supplies Inventory, Net Prepaid expenses and deferred costs Prepaid Expenses and Deferred Costs, Current Prepaid Expenses and Deferred Costs, Current Total current assets Assets, Current Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Other receivables Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Noncurrent Deferred costs and other assets Deferred Costs and Other Assets, Noncurrent Deferred Costs and Other Assets, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Noncurrent Total assets Assets LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current Notes payable Notes Payable, Current Interest payable Interest Payable, Current Income tax payable Accrued Income Taxes, Current Deferred credits Deferred Revenue and Credits, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current LONG TERM LIABILITIES: Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Long-term debt Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Deferred credits Deferred Revenue and Credits, Noncurrent Other Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Total long-term liabilities Liabilities, Noncurrent Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) Commitments and Contingencies Shareholders’ equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000 shares authorized, none outstanding Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $1.00 par value, 180,000 shares authorized with 64,253 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2014 and 90,000 shares authorized with 64,057 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 Common Stock, Value, Issued Paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Liabilities and Equity Share-Based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Income Statement [Abstract] REVENUES: Revenues [Abstract] Contract drilling Revenue, Oil and Gas Services Revenues related to reimbursable expenses Reimbursement Revenue Total revenues Revenue, Net COSTS AND EXPENSES: Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Contract drilling Cost of Services, Oil and Gas Reimbursable expenses Cost of Reimbursable Expense General and administrative General and Administrative Expense Gain on sale of equipment Other, net Other Operating Income (Expense), Net Total costs and expenses Costs and Expenses OPERATING INCOME Operating Income (Loss) OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Interest expense, net of capitalized interest Interest Expense Interest income Investment Income, Interest Other income (expense) total Nonoperating Income (Expense) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES Income Tax Expense (Benefit) NET INCOME EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (NOTE 2): Basic (in dollars per share) Diluted (in dollars per share) WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (NOTE 2): Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Basic (in shares) Diluted (in shares) Summary of Long-Term Debt Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block] Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Table] Income Tax Authority [Axis] Income Tax Authority [Axis] Income Tax Authority [Domain] Income Tax Authority [Domain] Indian Tax Authority Indian Government Tax Authority [Member] Indian Government Tax Authority [Member] Loss Contingencies Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Service taxes paid Service Taxes Paid Service Taxes Paid Accrued additional service tax Accrued Service Taxes Accrued Service Taxes Total service taxes Service Taxes Accumulated to Date Service Taxes Accumulated to Date Long-term other receivable related to service taxes Accounts Receivable, Net, Noncurrent, Service Taxes Accounts Receivable, Net, Noncurrent, Service Taxes Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Table] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Table] Hedging Designation [Axis] Hedging Designation [Axis] Hedging Designation [Domain] Hedging Designation [Domain] Designated as Hedging Instrument Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items] Fair Value of Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Contracts Included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block] Schedule of Cash Flow Hedges Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Schedule of Cash Flow Hedges Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Offsetting Assets and Liabilities Offsetting Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block] Offsetting Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Document Type Document Type Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] Unaudited Interim Information Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Share-based Compensation Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block] Property and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Derivative Financial Instruments Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block] Fair Value Measurement Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block] Income Taxes Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block] Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Derivative Financial Instruments Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Interest rate swaps Interest Rate Swap [Member] Prepaid expenses and deferred costs Prepaid Expenses and Deferred Costs [Member] Prepaid Expenses and Deferred Costs [Member] Deferred costs and other assets Deferred Costs and Other Assets [Member] Deferred Costs and Other Assets [Member] Accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities [Member] Derivatives, Fair Value Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Asset Derivatives Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Liability Derivatives Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Other comprehensive gains (losses), net of tax: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Derivative financial instruments: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax [Abstract] Unrealized holding gain (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax Loss reclassified to net income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax Total other comprehensive gain (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Subsequent Event [Member] Category of Item Purchased [Axis] Category of Item Purchased [Axis] Long-term Purchase Commitment, Category of Item Purchased [Domain] Long-term Purchase Commitment, Category of Item Purchased [Domain] Capital Addition Purchase Commitments Capital Addition Purchase Commitments [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Construction in Progress, Newbuild Drilling Units Construction in Progress, Newbuild Drilling Units [Member] Construction in Progress, Newbuild Drilling Units [Member] Standard Jackup Drilling Unit Standard Jackup Drilling Unit [Member] Standard Jackup Drilling Unit [Member] Semisubmersible Tender Assist Drilling Rig Semisubmersible Tender Assist Drilling Rig [Member] Semisubmersible Tender Assist Drilling Rig [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Interest capitalized Capitalized Interest Costs, Including Allowance for Funds Used During Construction Expenditure towards construction of drilling units currently under construction Construction in Progress, Gross Number of drilling units Number Of Drilling Units Number Of Drilling Units Commitments on drilling units under construction Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount Sales price Significant Acquisitions and Disposals, Acquisition Costs or Sale Proceeds Carrying value of equipment and related inventory Inventory and Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Inventory and Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Drilling vessels and equipment Drilling Vessels And Related Equipment [Member] Drilling Vessels And Related Equipment [Member] Construction work in progress Construction in Progress [Member] Drill pipe Drill Pipe [Member] Drill Pipe [Member] Office equipment and other Furniture And Other Assets [Member] Furniture And Other Assets [Member] Cost Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Less: Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Drilling and other property and equipment, net Summary of Stock Option Activity Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block] Schedule of Restricted Stock Activity Nonvested Restricted Stock Shares Activity [Table Text Block] Estimated Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Restricted Stock Restricted Stock [Member] Range [Axis] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Range [Domain] Minimum Minimum [Member] Maximum Maximum [Member] Unrecognized compensation cost, stock options Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options Unrecognized compensation cost, restricted stock awards Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options Weighted average recognition period Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Outstanding options, maximum term Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period Employee, vesting period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Employee, restriction period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Restriction Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Restriction Period Non-employee directors, award vesting period Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction, Award Vesting Period Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction, Award Vesting Period Non-employee directors, award recognition period Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction, Award Restriction Period Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction, Award Restriction Period Number of Shares: Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward] Unvested at October 1, 2013 (shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number Granted (shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Vested (shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Forfeited (shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Unvested at March 31, 2014 (shares) Wtd. Avg. Fair Value (in dollars per share): Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract] Unvested at October 1, 2013 (dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Granted (dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Vested (dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Forfeited (dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Unvested at March 31, 2014 (dollars per share) Long-Term Debt Long-term Debt [Text Block] Offsetting Derivative Assets Offsetting Derivative Assets [Abstract] Derivative assets, Gross Amount Presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets Derivative assets, Netting Adjustments Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability Derivative assets, Net Amount Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral Offsetting Derivative Liabilities Offsetting Derivative Liabilities [Abstract] Derivative liabilities, Gross Amount Presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets Fair Value, Gross Liability Derivative liabilities, Netting Adjustments Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset Derivative liabilities, Net Amount Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Paid-in Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Statement Statement [Line Items] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Beginning Balance (in shares) Shares, Issued Beginning Balance Other comprehensive loss Restricted stock awards (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross Restricted stock awards Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Gross Exercise of employee stock options (in shares) Exercise of employee stock options Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Stock option and restricted stock award compensation expense Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Ending Balance (in shares) Ending Balance Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Table] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Credit valuation adjustment to total fair value percentage (less than 1%) Fair Value Input, Credit Valuation Adjustment to Total Fair Value Percentage Fair Value Input, Credit Valuation Adjustment to Total Fair Value Percentage Long-term debt, carrying value Principal amount Debt Instrument, Face Amount Long-term debt, fair value Long-term Debt, Fair Value Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table] Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Domain] Income Statement Location [Domain] Interest expense, net of capitalized interest Interest Expense [Member] Contract drilling revenues & costs Contract Drilling Revenue [Member] Contract Drilling Revenue [Member] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivative (Effective Portion) Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion) Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net Line of Credit Facility [Table] Line of Credit Facility [Table] Variable Rate [Axis] Variable Rate [Axis] Variable Rate [Domain] Variable Rate [Domain] Eurodollar Eurodollar [Member] Line of Credit Facility Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Outstanding credit facility Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding Maximum borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Credit facility variable rate Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis Credit facility basis spread on variable rate Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Commitment fee percentage Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage Proceeds from credit facility Measurement Frequency [Axis] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Measurement Basis [Axis] Measurement Basis [Axis] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Carrying Amount Reported Value Measurement [Member] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Level 3 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Estimated Fair Value Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]