Earnings Per Share (Information Necessary To Calculate Earnings (Loss) Per Share Of Common Stock ) (Details) (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
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to Global Industries, Ltd.	$ 4,472	$ (27,858)	$ (56,646)	$ (47,810)
Less earnings attributable to shareholders of non-vested restricted stock	62
Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders	4,410	(27,858)	(56,646)	(47,810)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding-basic	114,334	113,959	114,267	113,721
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$ 0.04	$ (0.24)	$ (0.50)	$ (0.42)
Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders-basic	4,410	(27,858)	(56,646)	(47,810)
Adjustment to earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders for redistribution to shareholders of non-vested restricted stock
Adjusted earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders-diluted	$ 4,410	$ (27,858)	$ (56,646)	$ (47,810)
Stock options	14
Performance awards	15
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding-diluted	114,363	113,959	114,267	113,721
Diluted net income (loss) per common share	$ 0.04	$ (0.24)	$ (0.50)	$ (0.42)

Adjustment to portion of undistributed earnings (loss) allocated to shareholders of non-vested restricted stock under the two-class method of calculating diluted earnings per share.

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Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Performance Units

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).

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Net Income or Loss Available to Common Stockholders plus adjustments resulting from the assumption that dilutive convertible securities were converted, options or warrants were exercised, or that other shares were issued upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.

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