Long-Term Debt (Schedule Of Redemption Price By Maturity) (Details)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Redemption Price, 2012	104.75%
Redemption Price, 2013	102.375%
Redemption Price, 2014 and thereafter	100.00%

Senior Secured Notes Redemption Price In Year Three And Thereafter

No definition available.

Name:	hlx_SeniorSecuredNotesRedemptionPriceInYearThreeAndThereafter
Namespace Prefix:	hlx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration