Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate, Effect of One Notch Change in Rating

No definition available.

Name:	esv_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadonVariableRateEffectofOneNotchChangeinRating
Namespace Prefix:	esv_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line of Credit Facility, Commitment fee Percentage, Effect of One Notch Change in Rating

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	esv_LineofCreditFacilityCommitmentfeePercentageEffectofOneNotchChangeinRating
Namespace Prefix:	esv_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum Percent of Debt to Total Capitalization Ratio

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	esv_MaximumPercentofDebttoTotalCapitalizationRatio
Namespace Prefix:	esv_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Senior Note Maturity Year

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	esv_SeniorNoteMaturityYear
Namespace Prefix:	esv_
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of noncash expense included in interest expense to amortize debt discount and premium associated with the related debt instruments. Excludes amortization of financing costs. Alternate captions include noncash interest expense.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1A

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)

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

+ Details

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

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

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

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Percentage price of original principal amount of debt at which debt can be redeemed by the issuer.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 470

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph e

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value amount of debt instrument that was repurchased.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchaseAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Face (par) amount of the original debt instrument that was repurchased.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of debt discount (net of debt premium) that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28567-108399

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1A

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28555-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 50

-Section 40

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12317-112629

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 50

-Section 40

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12355-112629

+ Details

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

- Definition

Reflects the difference between the fair value of payments made to legally extinguish a debt and its carrying value at that time. This item excludes the write-off of amounts previously capitalized as debt issuance costs.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for the line of credit facility regardless of whether the facility has been used.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of current borrowing capacity under the credit facility considering any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed (for example, borrowings may be limited by the amount of current assets), but without considering any amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

Fair value of the amount outstanding under the credit facility.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49121117&loc=d3e13433-108611

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 12

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49121117&loc=d3e13476-108611

+ Details

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

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

Write-off of amounts previously capitalized as debt issuance cost in an extinguishment of debt.

+ 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 210.5-03.8)

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

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=esv_SevenPointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=esv_FivePointTwoPercentSeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=esv_FourPointFivePercentSeniorNotesMemberMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=esv_FivePointSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=esv_ThreePointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=esv_FourPointThreeThreePercentMarineAdministrationBondsIncludingCurrentMaturitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=esv_FourPointSixFivePercentMarineAdministrationBondsIncludingCurrentMaturitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=esv_AcquiredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=esv_FivePointSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesMemberDomain
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_BondsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=esv_FourPointThreeThreePercentandFourPointSixFivePercentMaritimeAdministrationBondsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=esv_FiveyearcreditfacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_BaseRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis=esv_TenderOfferMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt (Details) - USD ($)	2 Months Ended	7 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Debt (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 08, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 17, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt			$ (33,500,000)	$ 0
Seven Point Eight Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		7.875%	7.875%					7.875%
Senior note, maturity year			2040
Five Point Two Percent Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		5.20%	5.20%					5.20%
Four Point Five Percent Senior Notes Member [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		4.50%	4.50%					4.50%
Five Point Seven Five Percent Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		5.75%	5.75%					5.75%
Three Point Two Five Percent Senior Notes Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		3.25%	3.25%					3.25%
Four Point Three Three Percent Marine Administration Bonds Including Current Maturities Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		4.33%	4.33%					4.33%
Four Point Six Five Percent Marine Administration Bonds Including Current Maturities Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		4.65%	4.65%					4.65%
Acquired Debt [Member] \| Four Point Three Three Percent Marine Administration Bonds Including Current Maturities Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage						4.00%
Senior note, maturity year			2016
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			100.00%
Senior Notes [Member] \| Five Point Two Percent Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 700,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage							5.20%
Senior note, maturity year			2025
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net							$ 2,600,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| Five Point Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Member [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$ 625,000,000			$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage				5.75%			5.75%
Senior note, maturity year			2044
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net							$ 18,700,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| Three Point Two Five Percent Senior Notes Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount									$ 1,000,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage									3.25%
Senior note, maturity year			2016
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount						$ 145,400,000	854,600,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt			$ 3,800,000
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount							$ 878,000,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt, before Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost			23,400,000
Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)			1,700,000
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost			$ 1,500,000
Bonds [Member] \| Four Point Six Five Percent Marine Administration Bonds Including Current Maturities Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage						5.00%
Senior note, maturity year			2020
Bonds [Member] \| Four Point Three Three Percent and Four Point Six Five Percent Maritime Administration Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount						$ 51,000,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt			$ 3,100,000
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount					$ 14,300,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Five Year Credit Facility Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$ 2,750,000,000	2,750,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		2,250,000,000	$ 2,250,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment fee Percentage, Effect of One Notch Change in Rating			0.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage			0.10%
Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding		$ 0	$ 0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Base Rate [Member] \| Five Year Credit Facility Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			0.10%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Five Year Credit Facility Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate, Effect of One Notch Change in Rating			0.10%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			1.10%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Five Year Credit Facility Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Percent of Debt to Total Capitalization Ratio	100.00%	100.00%
TenderOffer [Member] \| Senior Notes [Member] \| Three Point Two Five Percent Senior Notes Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt			$ (26,600,000)