Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 67,148	$ 189,501	$ 270,069	$ 418,080
Cost of operations	89,926	179,707	320,962	405,352
Gross profit (loss)	(22,778)	9,794	(50,893)	12,728
Goodwill impairment		37,388		37,388
Loss (gain) on asset disposals and impairments	(28)	(23,271)	(7,053)	(12,483)
Relocation costs		838		838
Selling, general and administrative expenses	18,544	16,633	52,377	51,572
Equity in (earnings) of unconsolidated affiliate	(3,158)		(3,158)
Operating income (loss)	(38,136)	(21,794)	(93,059)	(64,587)
Interest income	44	516	1,253	1,249
Interest expense	(1,989)	(2,649)	(6,972)	(7,308)
Gain on sale of investment in subsidiaries	47,848		47,848
Other income (expense), net	(1,804)	1,275	(775)	269
Income (loss) before taxes	5,963	(22,652)	(51,705)	(70,377)
Income tax expense (benefit)	1,491	5,067	4,227	(22,706)
Net income (loss)	4,472	(27,719)	(55,932)	(47,671)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		139	714	139
Net income (loss) attributable to Global Industries, Ltd.	$ 4,472	$ (27,858)	$ (56,646)	$ (47,810)
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
Basic	$ 0.04	$ (0.24)	$ (0.50)	$ (0.42)
Diluted	$ 0.04	$ (0.24)	$ (0.50)	$ (0.42)
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
Basic	114,334	113,959	114,267	113,721
Diluted	114,363	113,959	114,267	113,721