Aggregate contractual capital commitments due in one year.

No definition available.

Name:	esv_AggregateContractualCapitalCommitmentsDueInOneYear
Namespace Prefix:	esv_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Civil litigation damages pipeline rupture

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	esv_CivilLitigationDamagesPipelineRupture
Namespace Prefix:	esv_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Distance from original drilling location

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	esv_DistanceFromOriginalDrillingLocation
Namespace Prefix:	esv_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Liability coverage limit wreckage and debris removal costs

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	esv_LiabilityCoverageLimitWreckageAndDebrisRemovalCosts
Namespace Prefix:	esv_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Liability Insurance Self Insured Retention For Each Occurrence Thereafter

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	esv_LiabilityInsuranceSelfInsuredRetentionForEachOccurrenceThereafter
Namespace Prefix:	esv_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Liability insurance self insured retention per multiple occurrence

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	esv_LiabilityInsuranceSelfInsuredRetentionPerMultipleOccurrence
Namespace Prefix:	esv_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Liability insurance self insured retention per occurrence

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	esv_LiabilityInsuranceSelfInsuredRetentionPerOccurrence
Namespace Prefix:	esv_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Litigation Settlement, Amount to be Paid by Underwriters

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	esv_LitigationSettlementAmounttobePaidbyUnderwriters
Namespace Prefix:	esv_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of Occurrences

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	esv_NumberOfOccurrences
Namespace Prefix:	esv_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of plaintiffs

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	esv_NumberOfPlaintiffs
Namespace Prefix:	esv_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of rent expense incurred for leased assets, including but not limited to, furniture and equipment, that is not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of expense provided in the period for legal costs incurred on or before the balance sheet date pertaining to resolved, pending or threatened litigation, including arbitration and mediation proceedings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LegalFees
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate carrying amount of the estimated litigation liability for known or estimated probable loss from litigation, which may include attorneys' fees and other litigation costs.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationReserve
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of judgment or settlement awarded to (against) the entity in respect of litigation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of claims settled.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyClaimsSettledNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_OilAndGasDeliveryCommitmentsAndContractsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41502-112717

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 40

-Subparagraph (Note 3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584154&loc=d3e38371-112697

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=esv_Ensco29Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=esv_RigEnhancementProjectsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 occurrence plaintiffs	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2009 mi
Oil and Gas Delivery Commitments and Contracts [Line Items]
Aggregate Contractual Capital Commitments Due In One Year	$ 1,353.5
Rental expenses	54.4us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense	49.1us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense	46.9us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
2014	77.3
2015	31.8
2016	16.2
2017	10.6
2018	10.2
Thereafter	55.0
Distance from original drilling location in miles				95
Liability insurance self-insured retention per occurrence	10.0
Annual liability coverage limit for wreckage and debris removal costs	490.0
Damages sought	5.0
Civil litigation claim damages for cost of repairs and business interruption due to pipeline rupture	26.0
Litigation Settlement, Amount	9.6us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount
Legal Fees	3.6us-gaap_LegalFees
Estimated Litigation Liability	6.4us-gaap_LitigationReserve
Litigation Settlement, Amount to be Paid by Underwriters	3.2
Liability insurance self-insured retention	15.0
Number of occurrences	2esv_NumberOfOccurrences
Liability insurance self-insured retention for each occurrence thereafter	1.0
Number of plaintiffs	125esv_NumberOfPlaintiffs
Loss Contingency, Claims Settled, Number	58
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	263.9
Rig Enhancement Projects [Member]
Oil and Gas Delivery Commitments and Contracts [Line Items]
Aggregate Contractual Capital Commitments Due In One Year	42.8
Ensco 29 [Member]
Oil and Gas Delivery Commitments and Contracts [Line Items]
Annual liability coverage limit for wreckage and debris removal costs	$ 4.0