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

Aggregate insured value of drilling rig fleet.

No definition available.

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

Amount of asset value covered by wreck removal insurance.

No definition available.

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

Represents the number of bases for imposing negligence liability.

No definition available.

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

Commercial market excess liability coverage, exclusive of deductibles and self-insured retention, which generally covers offshore risks such as personal injury, third-party property claims, and third-party non-crew claims, including wreck removal and pollution.

No definition available.

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

Represents the number of complaints that involve fatalities.

No definition available.

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

The payments made in the period which reduced contractual obligation.

No definition available.

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

Estimated number of plaintiffs in lawsuits alleging personal injury from asbestos exposure for subsidiary involved in design, construction and refurbishment of major industrial complexes.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_EstimatedNumberOfPlaintiffsInLawsuitsAllegingPersonalInjuryFromAsbestosExposureForSubsidiaryInvolvedInDesignConstructionAndRefurbishmentOfMajorIndustrialComplexes
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the aggregate insurance coverage provided under the entity's excess liability insurance program at the time of the Macondo well incident.

No definition available.

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

Represents the deductible amount under the entity's excess liability insurance program at the time of Macondo well incident.

No definition available.

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

Represents the amount of insurance coverage provided under the fifth layer of the entity's excess liability insurance program at the time of Macondo well incident.

No definition available.

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

Represents the amount of insurance coverage provided under the first layer of the entity's excess liability insurance program at the time of Macondo well incident.

No definition available.

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

Represents the amount of insurance coverage provided under the second layer of the entity's excess liability insurance program at the time of Macondo well incident.

No definition available.

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

Represents the amount of insurance coverage provided under the third layer of the entity's excess liability insurance program at the time of Macondo well incident.

No definition available.

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

Represents the amount of insurance coverage provided under the fourth layer of the entity's excess liability insurance program at the time of Macondo well incident.

No definition available.

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

Represents the self insured retention layer under the entity's excess liability insurance program at the time of Macondo well incident.

No definition available.

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

Insurance limits potentially available for damages in lawsuits regarding personal injury from asbestos exposure for subsidiary involved in design, construction and refurbishment of major industrial complexes.

No definition available.

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

Represents the number of state, local and foreign governments who have filed lawsuits.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_LawsuitsFiledByNumberOfStateLocalAndForeignGovernments
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Total amount of letters of credit issued under committed and uncommitted credit lines provided by several banks related to the financial support of the disposal group.

No definition available.

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

Insurance liability loss retained risk excess amount for commercial market excess liability coverage.

No definition available.

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

Amount agreed to indemnify and defend operator of Deepwater Horizon.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_LimitOfIndemnityForRigOperator
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Period to file opening briefs in a case litigation.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_LitigationPeriodOfFilingBriefs
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the number of complaints that seek recovery for bodily injuries.

No definition available.

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

Represents the number of plaintiffs whose litigation remains pending against subsidiaries.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_LossContingencyNumberOfPlaintiffsWhoseLitigationIsPendingAgainstSubsidiaries
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the percentage of fault assigned in the legal matter.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_LossContingencyPercentageOfFaultAssigned
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Maximum aggregate insurance deductible on hull and machinery per year.

No definition available.

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

The maximum percentage of a rig's insured value covered for costs incurred to mitigate damage.

No definition available.

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

The minimum number of subsidiaries likely to be named a potentially responsible party by the US Environmental Protection Agency for a superfund site.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_MinimumNumberOfSubsidiariesLikelyToBeNamedPotentiallyResponsiblePartyByUSEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyForSuperfundSite
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Number of acquired companies by the entity that are named as defendants in class action suits.

No definition available.

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

Represents the number of claims pending against the entity and subsidiaries, along with other unaffiliated defendants, in state and federal courts.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_NumberOfActionsOrClaimsPendingInStateAndFederalCourts
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Number of Atlantic Coast states Attorneys General wanting assurances of financial responsibility for potential damages related to the Macondo well incident.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_NumberOfAtlanticCoastStatesSeekingAssurancesForRecoveryOfDamagesMacondoWellIncident
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the number of entities that released from liability under general maritime law.

No definition available.

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

Represents the number of exceptions in dismissal of claims.

No definition available.

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

Represents the number of failures held by the MDL Court to be within the entity's privity and knowledge.

No definition available.

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

Number of lawsuits alleging personal injury from asbestos exposure for subsidiary involved in design, construction and refurbishment of major industrial complexes.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_NumberOfLawsuitsAllegingPersonalInjuryFromAsbestosExposureForSubsidiaryInvolvedInDesignConstructionAndRefurbishmentOfMajorIndustrialComplexes
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the number of lawsuits in which case is pending against subsidiaries.

No definition available.

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

The number of miles off the coast of Louisiana the Deepwater Horizon was at time of explosion and fire on the rig operating in the Gulf of Mexico.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_NumberOfMilesOffCoast
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	num:lengthItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the number of pending lawsuits.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_NumberOfPendingLawsuits
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The number of persons declared dead from the Macondo well incident.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_NumberOfPersonsDeclaredDead
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Number of phases completed in a trial.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_NumberOfPhasesCompleted
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Number of putative class action complaints filed alleging, among other things, economic losses as a result of environmental pollution.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_NumberOfPutativeClassActionComplaintsFiledAllegingEconomicLosses
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the number of requests for natural resources damages assessments.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_NumberOfRequestsForNaturalResourcesDamagesAssessments
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the number of subsidiaries against which cases are pending.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_NumberOfSubsidiariesAgainstWhichCasesArePending
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Number of subsidiaries involved in lawsuits arising from design, construction and refurbishment of major industrial complexes.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_NumberOfSubsidiariesInvolvedInLawsuitsArisingFromDesignConstructionAndRefurbishmentOfMajorIndustrialComplexes
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Number of subsidiaries involved in Rio de Janeiro tax assessment.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_NumberOfSubsidiariesInvolvedInTaxAssessment
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Number of subsidiaries ordered by California Regional Water Quality Control Board to develop a testing plan for Alhambra, California site.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_NumberOfSubsidiariesOrderedByCaliforniaRegionalWaterQualityControlBoardToDevelopTestingPlanForAlhambraCaliforniaSite
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the number of subsidiaries that were served a Notice and Demand from the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

No definition available.

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

Represents the number of wholly owned subsidiary that could not limit their liability under the Limitation of Liability Act.

No definition available.

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

Numbers year years of litigation

No definition available.

Name:	rig_NumberOfYearsOfLitigation
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Outstanding amount of surety bonds that secure customs obligations relating to the importation of our rigs and certain performance and other obligations.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_OutstandingSuretyBonds
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Represents cash inflow associated with sale and disposition of assets.

No definition available.

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

Percentage of liability under participation agreement for remediation and related costs from hazardous waste disposal site.

No definition available.

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

Represents the non-operating interest of Anadarko in the Macondo well.

No definition available.

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

Represents the non-operating interest of MOEX in the Macondo well.

No definition available.

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

Represents the percentage of surcharge imposed on subsidiaries.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_PercentageOfSurchargeOnValueOfContractsImposedOnSubsidiaries
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Per occurrence deductible on collision liability claims.

No definition available.

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

Per occurrence deductible on crew personal injury liability and other third party non-crew claims.

No definition available.

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

Per occurrence deductible on excess liability for which risk is retained by wholly-owned insurance company.

No definition available.

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

Per occurrence insurance deductible on hull and machinery.

No definition available.

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

Tax assessment from federal tax authorities of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil relating to failure to timely apply for and improper information on import license application.

No definition available.

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

Total amount of tax assessment from federal tax authorities of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil relating to failure to timely apply for and improper information on import license application.

No definition available.

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

Volume of oil discharged during a spill, net of recovery, on which penalty can be imposed on.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_VolumeOfOildDischargeInSpillNetOfRecoveryPenaltyBasis
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	num:volumeItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Volume of oil discharged during a spill.

No definition available.

Name:	rig_VolumeOfOilDischargeInSpill
Namespace Prefix:	rig_
Data Type:	num:volumeItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of amounts expected to be recovered under the terms of insurance contracts.

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 210.5-02.17)

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

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 17

-Article 5

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

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

No definition available.

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

- Details

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

Reflects the estimated amount of loss from the specified contingency as of the balance sheet date.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (b)

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

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (b)

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

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

Number of plaintiffs that have filed claims pertaining to a loss contingency.

No definition available.