Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Shareholders' Equity-Global Industries, Ltd. [Member]	Non-controlling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance (in value) at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 1,200	$ 513,353	$ (105,038)	$ (8,446)	$ 468,430	$ 869,499	$ 0	$ 869,499
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009	119,988,742
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	0	0	0	0	(19,952)	(19,952)	0	(19,952)
Unrealized loss on derivatives	0	0	0	(919)	0	(919)	0	(919)
Reclassification of unrealized loss on auction rate securities	0	0	0	83	0	83	0	83
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0	0	(836)	(19,952)	(20,788)	0	(20,788)
Amortization of unearned stock compensation	0	1,856	0	0	0	1,856	0	1,856
Restricted stock issues, net (in shares)	1,252,211
Restricted stock issues, net (in value)	12	3,032	0	0	0	3,044	0	3,044
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	2,400
Exercise of stock options (in value)	0	10	0	0	0	10	0	10
Tax effect of exercise of stock options	0	(296)	0	0	0	(296)	0	(296)
Retirement of treasury stock (in shares)	(6,130,195)
Retirement of treasury stock (in value)	(61)	(104,977)	105,038	0	0	0	0	0
Balance (in value) at Jun. 30, 2010	1,151	412,978	0	(9,282)	448,478	853,325	0	853,325
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2010	115,113,158
Balance (in value) at Dec. 31, 2010	1,155	414,895	0	(8,770)	372,768	780,048	641	780,689
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	115,503,971
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	0	0	0	0	(61,118)	(61,118)	714	(60,404)
Unrealized loss on derivatives	0	0	0	(61)	0	(61)	0	(61)
Unrealized gain on marketable securities	0	0	0	9	0	9	0	9
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0	0	(52)	(61,118)	(61,170)	714	(60,456)
Amortization of unearned stock compensation	0	1,457	0	0	0	1,457	0	1,457
Restricted stock issues, net (in shares)	437,353
Restricted stock issues, net (in value)	5	140	0	0	0	145	0	145
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	8,500
Exercise of stock options (in value)	0	39	0	0	0	39	0	39
Tax effect of exercise of stock options	0	(548)	0	0	0	(548)	0	(548)
Balance (in value) at Jun. 30, 2011	$ 1,160	$ 415,983	$ 0	$ (8,822)	$ 311,650	$ 719,971	$ 1,355	$ 721,326
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2011	115,949,824