Income Taxes - Difference Between Actual Income Tax Expense and Tax Provision Computed by Applying Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate to Income Before Taxes (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income before income tax expense:
U.S.									$ 537,635	$ 512,733	$ 486,393
Foreign									236,605	405,348	692,878
Income before income tax expense	180,195	131,565	256,301	206,179	185,041	234,847	246,758	251,435	774,240	918,081	1,179,271
Expected income tax expense at federal statutory rate									270,984	321,328	412,745
Foreign earnings of foreign subsidiaries (not taxed at the statutory federal income tax rate) net of related foreign taxes									(102,359)	(166,251)	(189,051)
Foreign earnings of foreign subsidiaries for which U.S. federal income taxes have been provided									805	28,252	(14,681)
Foreign taxes of domestic and foreign subsidiaries for which U.S. federal income taxes have also been provided									45,428	35,722	65,521
Foreign tax credits									(46,524)	(45,824)	(67,232)
Interest capitalized by foreign subsidiaries									(18,391)	(11,764)	(3,924)
Reduction of deferred tax liability related to a goodwill deduction resulting from a prior period stock acquisition											(2,950)
Impact of American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012									(27,509)
Uncertain tax positions									66,085	6,325	(7,733)
Amortization of deferred charges associated with intercompany rig sales to other tax jurisdictions									30,894	31,276	29,556
Net expense (benefit) in connection with resolutions of tax issues and adjustments relating to prior years									4,804	(2,152)	(6,085)
Other									1,337	692	563
Income tax expense									$ 225,554	$ 197,604	$ 216,729