Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Revenues:
Contract drilling	$ 755,155	$ 788,873
Revenues related to reimbursable expenses	13,487	17,516
Total revenues	768,642	806,389
Operating expenses:
Contract drilling, excluding depreciation	397,102	362,364
Reimbursable expenses	13,151	16,950
Depreciation	101,393	101,173
General and administrative	17,586	17,725
Bad debt recovery	(618)	(8,447)
Gain on disposition of assets	(25,382)	(2,641)
Total operating expenses	503,232	487,124
Operating income	265,410	319,265
Other income (expense):
Interest income	1,783	450
Interest expense	(15,329)	(22,044)
Foreign currency transaction loss	(104)	(1,606)
Other, net	(325)	784
Income before income tax expense	251,435	296,849
Income tax expense	(66,266)	(46,237)
Net income	$ 185,169	$ 250,612
Income per share:
Basic	$ 1.33	$ 1.80
Diluted	$ 1.33	$ 1.80
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Shares of common stock	139,028	139,027
Dilutive potential shares of common stock	12	26
Total weighted-average shares outstanding	139,040	139,053
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock	$ 0.875	$ 0.875