Segment Information (Profit Or Loss Of Two New Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated revenues	$ 67,148		$ 189,501	$ 270,069		$ 418,080
Consolidated income (loss) before taxes	5,963		(22,652)	(51,705)		(70,377)
Gain on sale of investment in subsidiaries	47,848			47,848
Construction And Installation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated revenues	37,301		144,390	198,442		297,455
Consolidated income (loss) before taxes	13,808	[1]	(38,185)	(18,198)	[1]	(61,343)
Other Offshore Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated revenues	29,847		45,111	71,627		120,625
Consolidated income (loss) before taxes	1,734		21,848	(10,922)		13,581
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated income (loss) before taxes	$ (9,579)		$ (6,315)	$ (22,585)		$ (22,615)

[1] Includes $47.8 million gain related to the sale of our two Malaysian operating subsidiaries.