Abr Based Loans [Member] Abr Based Loans [Member] ABR Loans [Member] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounts and Other Receivables, Net, Current Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts Total Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current Trade receivables Accrued expenditures related to capital projects and or rig upgrades and construction. Accrued Capital Project Or Upgrade Costs Accrued capital project/upgrade costs Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities [Member] Accrued Liabilities [Member] Accrued Restructuring Charges Accrued Restructuring Charges Accrued costs associated with Corporate Reduction Plan Accruals at period end for rig operating expenses, including catering, agency fees and rig maintenance and repairs. Accrued Rig Operating Expenses Rig operating expenses Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Less: accumulated depreciation Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] Cash Flow Hedges [Member] Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member] Marketable Securities [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Ending balance Beginning balance Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Gains (Losses) [Member] Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Derivative Financial Instrument [Member] Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Text Block] Supplemental Financial Information Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Cash paid to stock plan participants to compensate for a "loss" in value of unexercised equity awards as a result of a payment of a special cash dividend in addition to the regular quarterly dividend. Adjustment Paid To Stock Plan Participants Per Share Adjustment paid to stock plan participants per share Adjustments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation Common stock withheld for payroll tax obligations Value of shares acquired in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations Adjustments to additional paid in capital share based compensation expense net of shares withheld for taxes. Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Share Based Compensation Expense Net Of Shares Withheld For Taxes Stock-based compensation expense, net of shares withheld for taxes Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Stock-based compensation, net of tax This element relates to the number of shares issued in the current period pursuant to vesting of restricted stock units pursuant to the entity's share based compensation plan less the number of shares repurchased from the award holder in satisfaction of the employee's payroll tax obligations. Repurchased shares are classified as treasury shares. Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Share Based Compensation Vested Shares Issued (Withheld) Shares Stock-based compensation, vested shares issued (withheld), shares This element relates to the value of shares issued (repurchased) in the current period pursuant to vesting of restricted stock units pursuant to the entity's share based compensation plan less the number of shares repurchased from the award holder in satisfaction of the employee's payroll tax obligations. Repurchased shares are classified as treasury shares. Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Share Based Compensation Vested Shares Issued (Withheld) Value Stock-based compensation, vested shares issued (withheld), value Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities: Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense Compensation cost recognized for time-vested awards Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block] Changes in Provision for Bad Debts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Allowance for bad debts, end of year Allowance for bad debts, beginning of year Allowance for bad debts Other adjustments to the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, including the revaluation of foreign denominated receivables. Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Other Adjustments Other Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Recoveries Recovery of bad debts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Write-offs Receivables written off Write off of uncollectible accounts against reserve Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Aggregate cost of asset replacement and betterment projects, which have been capitalized as Drilling and Other Property and Equipment, during the periods presented. Amount Capitalized For Asset Replacements And Betterments Amount capitalized for asset replacements and betterments The amount received and recognized as revenue during the current period as a result of the settlement and termination of a contract. Amount Recognized In Current Period Due To Contract Settlement Cash received pursuant to Settlement Agreement Anadarko [Member] Anadarko [Member] Anadarko [Member] Anti-dilution payments payable to stock plan participants pursuant to awarded, but not exercised, stock options and stock appreciation rights. Anti Dilution Adjustment Paid To Stock Plan Participants Anti-dilution adjustment paid to stock plan participants ($3.00 per share) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Securities excluded from computation of diluted earning per share Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] ANGOLA Angola [Member] Arrangements and Non-arrangement Transactions [Domain] Arrangements and Non-arrangement Transactions [Domain] Asia Pacific [Member] Australia/Asia [Member] Asset Impairment Charges [Text Block] Asset Impairments Assets Total assets Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Total assets Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Assets: Assets Held-for-sale, Not Part of Disposal Group, Current Assets held for sale Assets Held For Sale Policy [Text Block] Assets Held For Sale Policy [Text Block] Assets Held For Sale Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets, Current Carrying value of jack-up rigs AUSTRALIA Australia [Member] Australia, Asia And Middle East [Member] Australia, Asia And Middle East [Member] Australia/Asia/Middle East [Member] Available-for-sale Securities Short-term investments Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss), before Tax Unrealized Gain (Loss) Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis Amortized Cost Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities, Current Market Value Marketable securities Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block] Investments in Marketable Securities as Available for Sale Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Bank Time Deposits [Member] Time Deposits [Member] Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] General Information BRAZIL Brazil Tax Jurisdiction [Member] Bridge Loan [Member] Swingline Loans [Member] Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Accrued but unpaid capital expenditures at period end Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, end of year Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net change in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Derivative Designated as Accounting Hedges [Member] Combined Mexico Hungary And United States Tax Jurisdictions [Member] Combined Mexico Hungary And United States Tax Jurisdictions [Member] Combined Mexico Hungary and United States Tax Jurisdictions [Member] Commercial Paper Notes outstanding Commercial Paper [Member] Commercial Paper [Member] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and contingencies (Note 12) Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid Stockholders dividends per share Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Cash dividends declared per share of common stock Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock (par value $0.01, 500,000,000 shares authorized; 143,978,877 shares issued and 137,158,706 shares outstanding at December 31, 2015; 143,960,260 shares issued and 137,147,899 shares outstanding at December 31, 2014) Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans, Other than Share-based Compensation [Text Block] Employee Benefit Plans Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract] Deferred tax assets: Components of Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract] Deferred tax liabilities: Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive (loss) income Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block] Comprehensive Income (Loss) Concentration Risk, Benchmark Description Concentration risk benchmark Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk, Percentage Percentage of revenues from major customers Percentage of total drilling revenues from unaffiliated customers Concentration risk percentage Percentage of material concentration of long-lived tangible assets Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block] Principles of Consolidation Construction in Progress, Gross Construction work-in-progress Rig(s) Under Construction Construction in Progress [Member] Construction Work-in-Progress [Member] Tabular disclosure of construction projects reports as construction work-in-progress within Property, plant and equipment. Includes construction - related expenditures, including capitalized interest. Construction In Progress Table [Text Block] Summary of Construction Work-in-Progress, Including Capitalized Interest Aggregate amount of installments paid to vendor pursuant to construction agreement. Construction Installments Paid Construction installments paid Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items] Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items] Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items] Contingencies And Commitments [Table] Contingencies And Commitments [Table] Contingencies And Commitments [Table] Contingent Liabilities Under Letters of Credit and Bonds [Member] Contingent Liabilities Under Letters of Credit and Bonds [Member] Total Contingent Liabilities Under Letters of Credit and Bonds [Member] Aggregate face value of letters of credit and performance, bid, supersedes, tax appeal and customs bonds outstanding at period end, for which the entity has a contingent liability. Contingent Liability Under Letters Of Credit And Other Bonds Contingent liability under letters of credit and other bonds Contract Revenue Cost Contract drilling, excluding depreciation Contract drilling, excluding depreciation Contract Revenue Cost [Member] Contract Revenue Cost [Member] Contract Drilling Expense [Member] Contractual Obligation Cost of construction per shipyard agreement Contractual Obligation, Due in Second Year Final installment for Ultra-Deep water Floater Construction Fair value of debt securities issued by a domestic corporate entity with a promise of repayment. Domestic corporate debt securities are issuances from within the reporting entity's country of domicile, classified as available-for-sale. Corporate Bonds Fair Value Disclosure Corporate bonds Cost of Reimbursable Expense Reimbursable expenses Cost of Services, Depreciation Depreciation Costs and Expenses Total operating expenses Counterparty Name [Axis] Counterparty Name [Axis] Credit Agreement Commitments One [Member] Credit Agreement Commitments One [Member] Credit Agreement Commitments Mature on March 17, 2019 [Member] Credit Agreement Commitments Two [Member] Credit Agreement Commitments Two [Member] Credit Agreement Commitments Mature on October 22, 2019 [Member] Number of allowable extensions under Credit Agreement and term of extension. Credit Agreement Term Extension Extension of the maturity date under credit agreement Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit) Federal - current Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Foreign Tax Expense (Benefit) Foreign - current Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Total current Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit) State - current Customer Concentration Risk [Member] Customer Concentration Risk [Member] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Credit Agreement and Senior Notes Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Interest margin Debt Instrument, Face Amount Aggregate Principal Amount Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure Fair Value Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Interest rate Effective, senior notes Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Increase (Decrease) Basis point increase Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Interest rate Coupon, senior notes Interest rate of senior notes Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Maturity Date Senior notes maturity date Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt instruments semiannual Interest payment date. Debt Instruments Semiannual Interest Payment Date Semiannual Interest Payment Dates Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Instrument, Term Weighted average remaining term Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount Less: unamortized discounts Debt, Policy [Policy Text Block] Debt Issuance Costs Debt To Equity Ratio Debt To Equity Ratio Ratio of consolidated indebtedness to total capitalization Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate Weighted average interest rate Amount of risk retained by the entity for marine liability claims, including personal injury claims before the entity's insurance arrangement begins to provide coverage (per first occurrence). Deductible For Marine Liability Coverage Including Personal Injury Claims Per First Occurrence Deductible for marine liability coverage including personal injury claims, per first occurrence Deepwater Drilling Rigs [Member] Deepwater Drilling Rigs [Member] Deepwater Rigs [Member] Deepwater. Deepwater [Member] Deepwater [Member] Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Compensation Expense Provision for contributions to the Supplemental Plan Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Table Text Block] Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Deferred Costs, Current Deferred mobilization costs Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Federal - deferred Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Foreign - deferred Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred tax provision Total deferred Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross Total deferred tax liabilities Deferred Revenue, Current Deferred revenue Deferred tax asset net operating loss carryforwards, indefinite life. Deferred Tax Asset Net Operating Loss Carryforwards Indefinite Life Deferred tax asset relates to NOL carryforwards Deferred tax asset arising in differences in allowable depreciation for book and U.K. income tax reporting. Deferred Tax Assets Depreciation Deduction UK depreciation deduction Deferred Tax Assets, Gross Total deferred tax assets Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from accrued interest on uncertain tax positions. Deferred Tax Assets Interest On Uncertain Tax Positions Interest - Uncertain Tax Positions Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance Net deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current Deferred tax asset on worker's compensation and other current accruals included in prepaid expenses and other current assets Deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards Net operating loss carryforwards, or NOLs Deferred Tax Assets, Other Other Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards [Abstract] Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards [Abstract] Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Foreign Foreign Tax Credits, Total Deferred tax assets for foreign tax credits Foreign tax credits Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense Deferred deductions Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Compensation Deferred compensation Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Share-based Compensation Cost Stock compensation awards Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Accrued Liabilities Worker's compensation and other current accruals Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Contingencies Bareboat charter deductions Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Loss Reserves Disputed receivables reserved Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance Valuation allowance as of December 31 Deferred tax assets valuation allowance foreign tax credits. Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance Foreign Tax Credits Valuation allowance for foreign tax credits Deferred tax assets valuation allowance other. Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance Other Total Valuation allowance for other deferred tax assets Valuation allowance attributable to deferred tax assets arising from foreign contribution taxes in the Brazil tax jurisdiction. Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance Other Foreign Contribution Taxes Foreign contribution taxes in Brazil Valuation allowance attributable to deferred tax assets arising from disallowed bareboat charter deductions related to the intra-company charter of rigs in the UK tax jurisdiction. Deferred Tax Assets Valuations Allowance Other Bareboat Charter Deductions Bareboat charter deductions in the UK Valuation allowance attributable to deferred tax assets arising from disallowed depreciation deductions related to capitalized interest charges in the UK tax jurisdiction. Deferred Tax Assets Valuations Allowance Other Depreciation Deductions Depreciation deduction in the UK Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net Net deferred tax liability The amount as of the balance sheet date of the estimated future tax effects arising from rig mobilization revenue not otherwise listed in the existing taxonomy that is included in accounting income in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles but excluded from tax-basis income, which will increase future taxable income when such income is recognized for tax purposes. Deferred Tax Liabilities Mobilization Mobilization Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Deferred tax liability Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other Other Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment Depreciation Deferred Tax Liabilities, Tax Deferred Income Unbilled revenue Deferred Tax Liabilities, Undistributed Foreign Earnings Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries Deferred tax liability member Deferred Tax Liability [Member] Deferred Tax Liability [Member] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Axis] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Axis] Defined Benefit Plan and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Domain] Defined Benefit Plan and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Domain] Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized Defined contribution plan, cost recognized