Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	$ (43,119)	$ 133,077	$ (124,153)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operating activities
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(23,684)	(95,221)	106,657
Depreciation and amortization	97,201	91,188	81,878
Asset impairment charge and dry hole expense	177,135	6,564	4,077
Goodwill impairment			16,743
Amortization of deferred financing costs	9,086	8,910	7,703
Stock-based compensation expense	7,627	6,973	7,475
Amortization of debt discount	9,729	8,973	8,409
Deferred income taxes	(69,584)	(4,188)	(46,836)
Excess tax from stock-based compensation	1,186	1,013	3,945
Gain on investment in Cal Dive common stock		(753)
Loss on sale of assets, net	13,476	6	(9,118)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	17,127	2,354
Other than temporary loss on equity investments		10,563	2,240
Unrealized gain and ineffectiveness on derivative contracts, net	(250)	382	1,568
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	(3,652)	(30,491)	(29,727)
Other current assets	(10,434)	18,783	(2,088)
Income tax payable	16,812	(6,472)	(214)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	73,448	23,191	47,992
Oil and gas asset retirement costs	(37,970)	(4,907)
Other noncurrent, net	(24,442)	(231)	(5,607)
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
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(323,039)	(100,154)	(122,218)
Distributions from equity investments, net	7,797	1,266	2,286
Proceeds from sale of assets	19,530		6,042
Proceeds from insurance reimbursement			7,020
Proceeds from sale of Cal Dive common stock		3,588
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)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Early extinguishment of Senior Unsecured Notes	(209,500)	(77,394)
Borrowing under revolving credit facility	100,000	109,400
Repayment of revolving credit facility		(109,400)
Issuance of Convertible Senior Notes due 2032	200,000
Repurchase of Convertible Senior Notes due 2025	(298,288)
Proceeds from Term Loan A	100,000
Repayment of Term Loan	(12,569)	(130,691)	(4,326)
Repayment of MARAD borrowings	(4,877)	(4,645)	(4,424)
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
Cash and cash equivalents:
Balance, beginning of year	546,465	391,085	270,673
Balance, end of year	437,102	546,465	391,085
Less cash from discontinued operations, end of year	(2)	(2)	(1)
Cash from continuing operations, end of year	$ 437,100	$ 546,463	$ 391,084