XML 36 R87.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2012 Purchaser [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Helix [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Annual Aggregate [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Q4000 Helix Producer I And Well Enhancer [Member] | Aug. 31, 2012 Helix 534 [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Helix 534 [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Q5000 [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Seawell, Express And H534 [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Caesar Vessel [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 General Liability [Member] Per Occurance [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Maritime Employers Liability [Member] Per Occurance [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Maritime Employers Liability [Member] Annual Aggregate [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] Helix [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] Helix [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] Helix [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member] Helix [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member] Helix [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010 Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member] Helix [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 386,500,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 85,000,000 | 113,500,000 | 115,900,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and equipment |  |  | 2,051,796,000 | 1,815,012,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 139,600,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Self-insured retention for employees |  |  | 250,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Insurance liability limits |  |  | 500,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Insurance Deductibles |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,000,000 | 1,000,000 |  |  |  | 500,000 | 750,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 | 1,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Remaining trade receivable write off |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Trade receivables collected |  |  | 303,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Value added tax assessment |  |  | 28,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net |  |  | 85,000,000 | 62,200,000 | 66,200,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period | 200,000 | 12,000,000 |  |  | 30,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,000,000 | 1,257,000 | [1] | 61,000 | [2] | 4,108,000 | [3] | 2,081,000 | [1] | 5,813,000 | [2] | 8,497,000 | [3]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted |  |  |  |  |  | $ 100,000,000 | $ 50,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
[1] | The increase in valuation allowance includes $2.0 million related to our WOSEA operations and $0.1 million to our oil and gas operations in the United Kingdom. WOSEA has a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax asset balance.
[2] | The increase in valuation allowance includes $4.9 million related to our WOSEA and $0.9 million to our oil and gas operations in the United Kingdom.
[3] | Amounts include a $4.0 million bad debt allowance related to a large international construction contract and a $7.3 million increase in valuation allowance related to our WOSEA operations with the remaining allowance being related to our acquisition of the remaining 50% of the Camelot field in the United Kingdom.

X
- Definition The amount the entity must incur before the insurance arrangement begins to provide coverage. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | hlx_InsuranceDeductibles
Namespace Prefix: | hlx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Insurance liability limits. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | hlx_InsuranceLiabilityLimits
Namespace Prefix: | hlx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Self-insured retention for employees. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | hlx_SelfInsuredRetentionForEmployees
Namespace Prefix: | hlx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Value added tax assessment + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | hlx_ValueAddedTaxAssessment
Namespace Prefix: | hlx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees before reduction for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 45 -Paragraph 13 -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. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (b)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12069-110248 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The minimum amount the entity agreed to spend under the long-term purchase commitment. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of loss pertaining to the specified contingency that was charged against earnings in the period, including the effects of revisions in previously reported estimates. + 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=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 5 -Paragraph 9 -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_LossContingencyLossInPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Rental expense for the reporting period incurred under operating leases, including minimum and any contingent rent expense, net of related sublease income. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41499-112717 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 15 -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. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3213-108585 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph c -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_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash inflow associated with the proceeds from sale and collection of receivables during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 16 -Subparagraph a -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. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 15 -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_ProceedsFromSaleAndCollectionOfReceivables
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Gross amount of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 -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. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of the current period expense charged against operations, the offset which is generally to the allowance for doubtful accounts for the purpose of reducing receivables, including notes receivable, to an amount that approximates their net realizable value (the amount expected to be collected). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 5 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 -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. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.5) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total of the deductions in a given period to allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs, representing receivables written off as uncollectible and portions of the reserves utilized, respectively. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 09 -Article 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e24092-122690 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration