Name:	hlx_RealizedGainLossOnCashFlowHedgeIneffectivenessNet
Namespace Prefix:	hlx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 12
-Section 13
-Sentence Column B

Name:	invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
Namespace Prefix:	invest_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The estimated value of gains (losses), net anticipated to be transferred in the future from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassificationFromAccumulatedOCIToIncomeEstimatedNetAmountToBeTransferred
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of unrealized gain (loss) related to derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments, recorded in results of operations to the extent that the cash flow hedge is determined to be ineffective.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-Subparagraph (d)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5624171-113959

Name:	us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnCashFlowHedgingInstruments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=hlx_TermLoanMaturingJune2018Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=hlx_NordeaQ5000LoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=hlx_GrandCanyonMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=hlx_GrandCanyonIIMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: