Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Revenues:
Contract drilling	$ 726,261	$ 869,646	$ 1,481,416	$ 1,658,519
Revenues related to reimbursable expenses	11,927	19,850	25,414	37,366
Total revenues	738,188	889,496	1,506,830	1,695,885
Operating expenses:
Contract drilling, excluding depreciation	405,252	388,006	802,354	750,370
Reimbursable expenses	11,637	19,287	24,788	36,237
Depreciation	99,469	101,175	200,862	202,348
General and administrative	18,741	16,372	36,327	34,097
Bad debt recovery	(400)	(1,700)	(1,018)	(10,147)
Gain on disposition of assets	(53,695)	(1,240)	(79,077)	(3,881)
Total operating expenses	481,004	521,900	984,236	1,009,024
Operating income	257,184	367,596	522,594	686,861
Other income (expense):
Interest income	1,496	1,091	3,279	1,541
Interest expense	(12,731)	(22,226)	(28,060)	(44,270)
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)	1,083	(1,555)	979	(3,161)
Other, net	(274)	(880)	(599)	(96)
Income before income tax expense	246,758	344,026	498,193	640,875
Income tax expense	(45,297)	(77,440)	(111,563)	(123,677)
Net income	$ 201,461	$ 266,586	$ 386,630	$ 517,198
Income per share:
Basic	$ 1.45	$ 1.92	$ 2.78	$ 3.72
Diluted	$ 1.45	$ 1.92	$ 2.78	$ 3.72
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Shares of common stock	139,029	139,027	139,028	139,027
Dilutive potential shares of common stock	11	25	11	25
Total weighted-average shares outstanding	139,040	139,052	139,039	139,052
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock	$ 0.875	$ 0.875	$ 1.75	$ 1.75