Supplemental Financial Information - Accrued Liabilities (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule Of Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Rig operating expenses	$ 70,078	$ 108,342
Payroll and benefits	88,612	77,055
Deferred revenue	71,699	67,894
Accrued capital project/upgrade costs	56,595	22,725
Interest payable	21,219	21,406
Construction milestone payments		14,600
Personal injury and other claims	10,312	10,536
FOREX contracts	29	8,454
Other	5,890	5,388
Total	$ 324,434	$ 336,400