CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 12,874	$ 11,094
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation	2,841,360	2,721,972
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 240,576	$ 232,618
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued
Preferred stock, shares outstanding
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	251,577,000	249,763,699
Treasury stock, shares	68,474,060	62,765,227