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

No definition available.

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

- 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

- 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

- 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

- Definition

Amount of assets of variable interest entities that are pledged as security for the outstanding debt of consolidated variable interest entities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rig_VariableInterestEntitiesAssetsPledgedAsCollateral
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The equity interest of noncontrolling shareholders, partners or other equity holders in consolidated entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- 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=28200181&loc=d3e5710-111685

+ Details

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

- Details

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

- 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

- Definition

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

+ References

+ Details

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

- 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=28200181&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=28200181&loc=d3e5747-111685

+ Details

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

- Details

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Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 note drillingunit	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012	Oct. 18, 2007	Dec. 31, 2013 TDSOI	Oct. 31, 2012 TDSOI
Carrying amounts associated with consolidated variable interest entities
Assets	$ 1,280	$ 1,231
Liabilities	261	311
Net carrying amount	1,019	920
Ownership interest held by minority interest (as a percent)			50.00%	50.00%		30.00%
Ownership interest in affiliate (as a percent)					70.00%
Aggregate carrying amount of consolidated VIEs assets, pledged as security against outstanding debt of consolidated VIEs	768	805
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	93	105
Aggregate exposure to loss on receivable instruments in connection with sale of Midwater Floaters	$ 93