Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net revenues:
Net revenues	$ 846,109	$ 702,000	$ 774,469
Cost of sales:
Cost of sales	619,059	545,753	605,575
Impairments	177,135	6,564	4,077
Total cost of sales	796,194	552,317	609,652
Gross profit	49,915	149,683	164,817
Goodwill impairment			(16,743)
Non-hedge loss on commodity derivative contracts	(10,507)
Gain (loss) on sale of assets, net	(13,476)	(6)	9,118
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(94,415)	(86,637)	(106,113)
Income (loss) from operations	(68,483)	63,040	51,079
Equity in earnings of investments	8,434	22,215	19,469
Other than temporary loss on equity investments		(10,563)	(2,240)
Net interest expense	(48,160)	(70,181)	(65,589)
Loss on early extinguishment of long term debt	(17,127)	(2,354)
Other expense, net	(625)	(1,107)	(1,049)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(125,961)	1,050	1,670
Income tax provision (benefit)	(59,158)	(36,806)	19,166
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(66,803)	37,856	(17,496)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	23,684	95,221	(106,657)
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	(43,119)	133,077	(124,153)
Less net income applicable to noncontrolling interests	(3,178)	(3,098)	(2,835)
Net income (loss) applicable to Helix	(46,297)	129,979	(126,988)
Preferred stock dividends	(37)	(40)	(114)
Net income (loss) applicable to Helix common shareholders	$ (46,334)	$ 129,939	$ (127,102)
Basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock:
Continuing operations	$ (0.67)	$ 0.33	$ (0.19)
Discontinued operations	$ 0.23	$ 0.90	$ (1.03)
Net income (loss) per common share	$ (0.44)	$ 1.23	$ (1.22)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock:
Continuing operations	$ (0.67)	$ 0.33	$ (0.19)
Discontinued operations	$ 0.23	$ 0.90	$ (1.03)
Net income (loss) per common share	$ (0.44)	$ 1.23	$ (1.22)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	104,449	104,528	103,857
Diluted	104,449	104,953	103,857