v2.4.0.8

Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013 drillingunit note	Dec. 31, 2012
Carrying amounts associated with consolidated variable interest entities
Assets	$ 1,227	$ 1,231
Liabilities	290	311
Net carrying amount	937	920
Unconsolidated Variable interest entities
Number of notes receivable from sale of Midwater Floaters	2
Number of Midwater Floaters sold (in drilling units)	2
Stated interest rate on notes receivable received from sale of Midwater Floaters (as a percent)	9.00%
Aggregate carrying amounts of notes receivable in connection with sale of Midwater Floaters	96	105
Aggregate exposure to loss on receivable instruments in connection with sale of Midwater Floaters	$ 96

X

- Definition

The number of midwater floaters sold or disposed of in the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rig_MidwaterFloatersSold
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The aggregate carrying amount, net of imputed interest, of a note receivable.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rig_NotesReceivableFromRigSale
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Number of notes receivable received as non-cash proceeds in connection with the sale of two Midwater Floaters.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rig_NumberOfNotesReceivableFromSaleOfMidwaterFloaters
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Stated interest rate on notes receivable received from sale of Midwater Floaters.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rig_StatedInterestRateOnNotesReceivableReceivedFromSaleOfMidwaterFloaters
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's assets included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (bb)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7880789&loc=d3e5710-111685

+ Details

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

X

- Details

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

X

- Definition

The net carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's assets and liabilities included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's liabilities included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (bb)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7880789&loc=d3e5710-111685

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

The reporting entity's maximum amount of exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the Variable Interest Entity (VIE).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph b

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7880789&loc=d3e5728-111685



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7880789&loc=d3e5747-111685



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS140-4/FIN46(R)

-Paragraph C6

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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

X

- Details

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