Condensed Consolidated Guarantor And Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended		10 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 31, 2013
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	$ 30,392	$ 111,946
Other adjustments	(28,382)	6,871
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	2,010	118,817
Net cash provided (used in) by discontinued operations	(30,503)	102,203
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(28,493)	221,020
Capital expenditures	(102,383)	(115,779)
Distributions from equity investments, net	4,567	2,045
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	108,250		238,300
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	10,434	(113,734)
Net cash used in discontinued operations	582,965	(31,668)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	593,399	(145,402)
Borrowings of debt	47,617	400,000
Repayments of debt	(520,814)	(358,604)
Deferred financing costs	(10,932)	(6,485)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(2,033)
Repurchases of common stock	(5,562)	(7,510)
Excess tax from stock-based compensation	383	(657)
Exercise of stock options, net and other	(186)	372
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(491,527)	27,116
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	3,048	304
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	76,427	103,038
Balance, beginning of year	437,100	546,465
Balance, end of period	513,527	649,503
Helix [Member]
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	28,241	110,310
Equity in earnings of affiliates	(69,371)	(157,696)
Other adjustments	(35,513)	(23,616)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(76,643)	(71,002)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(76,643)	(71,002)
Capital expenditures	(3,545)	(1,635)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(3,545)	(1,635)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(3,545)	(1,635)
Borrowings of debt	47,617	400,000
Repayments of debt	(518,285)	(356,195)
Deferred financing costs	(10,932)	(6,485)
Repurchases of common stock	(5,562)	(7,510)
Excess tax from stock-based compensation	383	(657)
Exercise of stock options, net and other	(186)	372
Intercompany financing	632,190	131,741
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	145,225	161,266
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	65,037	88,629
Balance, beginning of year	381,599	495,484
Balance, end of period	446,636	584,113
Guarantors [Member]
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	35,675	117,746
Equity in earnings of affiliates	5,207	(6,295)
Other adjustments	1,729	44,420
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	42,611	155,871
Net cash provided (used in) by discontinued operations	(30,503)	102,203
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	12,108	258,074
Capital expenditures	(19,000)	(97,551)
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	108,250
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	89,250	(97,551)
Net cash used in discontinued operations	582,965	(31,668)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	672,215	(129,219)
Intercompany financing	(685,677)	(128,514)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(685,677)	(128,514)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1,354)	341
Balance, beginning of year	4,436	2,434
Balance, end of period	3,082	2,775
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	30,055	47,823
Other adjustments	26,863	(11,702)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	56,918	36,121
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	56,918	36,121
Capital expenditures	(79,838)	(16,593)
Distributions from equity investments, net	4,567	2,045
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(75,271)	(14,548)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(75,271)	(14,548)
Repayments of debt	(2,529)	(2,409)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(2,033)
Intercompany financing	32,611	(5,400)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	28,049	(7,809)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	3,048	304
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	12,744	14,068
Balance, beginning of year	51,065	48,547
Balance, end of period	63,809	62,615
Consolidating Entries [Member]
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	(63,579)	(163,933)
Equity in earnings of affiliates	64,164	163,991
Other adjustments	(21,461)	(2,231)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(20,876)	(2,173)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(20,876)	(2,173)
Intercompany financing	20,876	2,173
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	$ 20,876	$ 2,173