Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 876,561	$ 846,109	$ 702,000
Cost of sales:
Cost of sales	615,876	619,059	545,753
Asset impairment charges		177,135	6,564
Total cost of sales	615,876	796,194	552,317
Gross profit	260,685	49,915	149,683
Loss on commodity derivative contracts	(14,113)	(10,507)
Gain (loss) on sale of assets, net	14,727	(13,476)	(6)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(82,265)	(94,415)	(86,637)
Income (loss) from operations	179,034	(68,483)	63,040
Equity in earnings of investments	2,965	8,434	22,215
Other than temporary loss on equity investments			(10,563)
Net interest expense	(32,898)	(48,160)	(70,181)
Loss on early extinguishment of long-term debt	(12,100)	(17,127)	(2,354)
Other income (expense), net	6	(662)	(1,147)
Other income - oil and gas	6,581
Income (loss) before income taxes	143,588	(125,998)	1,010
Income tax provision (benefit)	31,612	(59,158)	(36,806)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	111,976	(66,840)	37,816
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	1,073	23,684	95,221
Net income (loss), including noncontrolling interests	113,049	(43,156)	133,037
Less net income applicable to noncontrolling interests	(3,127)	(3,178)	(3,098)
Net income (loss) applicable to Helix	$ 109,922	$ (46,334)	$ 129,939
Basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock:
Continuing operations	$ 1.03	$ (0.67)	$ 0.33
Discontinued operations	$ 0.01	$ 0.23	$ 0.90
Net income (loss) per common share	$ 1.04	$ (0.44)	$ 1.23
Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock:
Continuing operations	$ 1.03	$ (0.67)	$ 0.33
Discontinued operations	$ 0.01	$ 0.23	$ 0.90
Net income (loss) per common share	$ 1.04	$ (0.44)	$ 1.23
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	105,032	104,449	104,528
Diluted	105,184	104,449	104,953