Condensed Consolidated Guarantor And Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	$ (43,119)	$ 133,077	$ (124,153)
Other adjustments	219,187	49,581	195,525
Net cash provided by operating activities	176,068	182,658	71,372
Net cash provided by discontinued operations	276,430	384,498	260,082
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	452,498	567,156	331,454
Capital expenditures	(323,039)	(100,154)	(122,218)
Proceeds From Equity Method Investment Net Of Earnings	7,797	1,266	2,286
Proceeds from insurance reimbursement			7,020
Proceeds from sale of Cal Dive common stock		3,588		418,200
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	19,530		6,042
Net cash used in investing activities	(295,712)	(95,300)	(106,870)
Net cash used in discontinued operations	(120,057)	(87,017)	(74,686)
Net cash used in investing activities	(415,769)	(182,317)	(181,556)
Borrowings of debt	400,000	109,400
Repayments of debt	(525,234)	(322,130)	(8,750)
Deferred financing costs	(7,580)	(9,311)	(2,947)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(5,287)
Repurchases of common stock	(7,197)	(7,604)	(11,680)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(1,186)	(1,013)	(3,945)
Exercise of stock options, net and other	1,252	763	(1,957)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(145,232)	(229,895)	(29,279)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(860)	436	(207)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(109,363)	155,380	120,412
Balance, beginning of year	546,465	391,085	270,673
Balance, end of year	437,102	546,465	391,085	270,673
Less cash from discontinued operations, end of year	(2)	(2)	(1)
Cash from continuing operations, end of year	437,100	546,463	391,084
Helix [Member]
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	(51,834)	106,321	(118,611)
Equity in earnings of affiliates	12,264	(262,990)	60,443
Other adjustments	106,022	39,860	94,376
Net cash provided by operating activities	66,452	(116,809)	36,208
Net cash provided by discontinued operations	1,621
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	68,073	(116,809)	36,208
Capital expenditures	(2,422)	(32,417)	(56,650)
Proceeds from sale of Cal Dive common stock		3,588
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment			6,042
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,422)	(28,829)	(43,588)
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,422)	(28,829)	(43,588)
Borrowings of debt	400,000	109,400
Repayments of debt	(520,357)	(317,485)	(4,326)
Deferred financing costs	(7,580)	(9,311)	(2,947)
Repurchases of common stock	(7,197)	(7,604)	(11,680)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(1,186)	(1,013)	(3,945)
Exercise of stock options, net and other	1,252	1,978	560
Intercompany financing	(44,468)	488,723	147,410
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(179,536)	264,688	125,072
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(113,885)	119,050	117,692
Balance, beginning of year	495,484	376,434	258,742
Balance, end of year	381,599	495,484	376,434
Cash from continuing operations, end of year	381,599	495,484	376,434
Guarantors [Member]
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	(69,359)	133,011	(53,483)
Equity in earnings of affiliates	(16,222)	(7,340)	(8,473)
Other adjustments	126,672	(30,770)	45,567
Net cash provided by operating activities	41,091	94,901	(16,389)
Net cash provided by discontinued operations	274,809	384,498	260,082
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	315,900	479,399	243,693
Capital expenditures	(38,197)	(55,124)	(37,155)
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	19,530
Net cash used in investing activities	(18,667)	(55,124)	(37,155)
Net cash used in discontinued operations	(120,057)	(87,017)	(74,686)
Net cash used in investing activities	(138,724)	(142,141)	(111,841)
Intercompany financing	(175,172)	(338,118)	(131,080)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(175,172)	(338,118)	(131,080)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2,004	(860)	772
Balance, beginning of year	2,434	3,294	2,522
Balance, end of year	4,438	2,434	3,294
Less cash from discontinued operations, end of year	(2)	(2)	(1)
Cash from continuing operations, end of year	4,436	2,432	3,293
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	81,995	140,433	4,348
Other adjustments	6,349	40,293	76,865
Net cash provided by operating activities	88,344	180,726	81,213
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	88,344	180,726	81,213
Capital expenditures	(282,420)	(12,613)	(28,413)
Proceeds From Equity Method Investment Net Of Earnings	7,797	1,266	2,286
Net cash used in investing activities	(274,623)	(11,347)	(26,127)
Net cash used in investing activities	(274,623)	(11,347)	(26,127)
Repayments of debt	(4,877)	(4,645)	(4,424)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(5,287)
Exercise of stock options, net and other		(1,215)	(2,517)
Intercompany financing	199,821	(126,765)	(45,990)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	189,657	(132,625)	(52,931)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(860)	436	(207)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2,518	37,190	1,948
Balance, beginning of year	48,547	11,357	9,409
Balance, end of year	51,065	48,547	11,357
Cash from continuing operations, end of year	51,065	48,547	11,357
Consolidating Entries [Member]
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	(3,921)	(246,688)	43,593
Equity in earnings of affiliates	3,958	270,330	(51,970)
Other adjustments	(19,856)	198	(21,283)
Net cash provided by operating activities	(19,819)	23,840	(29,660)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(19,819)	23,840	(29,660)
Intercompany financing	19,819	(23,840)	29,660
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	$ 19,819	$ (23,840)	$ 29,660