Drilling and Other Property and Equipment - Summary of Construction Work-in-Progress, Including Capitalized Interest (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Rig(s) Under Construction	$ 1,553,430	$ 990,964
Ultra-deepwater drillships [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Rig(s) Under Construction	834,476	741,059
Ocean Great White [Member] | Ultra-deepwater semisubmersible [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Rig(s) Under Construction	192,311
Ocean Onyx [Member] | Deepwater semisubmersibles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Rig(s) Under Construction	299,886	167,403
Ocean Apex [Member] | Deepwater semisubmersibles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Rig(s) Under Construction	$ 226,757	$ 82,502