Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Other Non-Financial Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cross currency interest swap agreement	$ 354
Assets held for sale		176,247
Investment in term loans		211,579
Loans to equity accounted investees and joint venture partners - Current	21,634	37,019
Loans to equity accounted investees and joint venture partners - Long-term	133,526	132,229
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale		(168,007)
Long-term debt	(6,732,367)	(6,109,470)
Fair Value Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| Public [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	(1,873,925)	(1,376,829)
Fair Value Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale		(168,007)
Long-term receivable included in other assets	16,452
Fair Value Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Private [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	(4,830,135)	(4,582,274)
Fair Value Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investment in term loans		209,570
Loans to equity accounted investees and joint venture partners - Current	21,634	37,019
Fair Value Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Recurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable securities	1,254,309	1,119,966
Fair Value Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Interest rate swap agreements [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swap agreements - assets	122,506	91,415
Fair Value Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Interest rate swap agreements 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swap agreements - liabilities	(506,314)	(410,470)
Fair Value Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Cross currency swap agreements [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cross currency interest swap agreement	(63,741)	(52,219)
Fair Value Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Foreign currency contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign currency contracts	(354)	(1,480)
Fair Value Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Recurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| Warrant [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Stock purchase warrants	8,051
Fair Value Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Non-recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Vessels and equipment		17,250
Assets held for sale		176,247
Carrying Amount Asset (Liability) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Loans to equity accounted investees and joint venture partners - Long-term	133,526	132,229
Carrying Amount Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| Public [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	(1,766,576)	(1,313,358)
Carrying Amount Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale		(168,007)
Long-term receivable included in other assets	16,452
Carrying Amount Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Private [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	(4,965,791)	(4,796,112)
Carrying Amount Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investment in term loans		211,579
Loans to equity accounted investees and joint venture partners - Current	21,634	37,019
Carrying Amount Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Recurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable securities	1,254,309	1,119,966
Carrying Amount Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Interest rate swap agreements [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swap agreements - assets	122,506	91,415
Carrying Amount Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Interest rate swap agreements 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swap agreements - liabilities	(506,314)	(410,470)
Carrying Amount Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Cross currency swap agreements [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cross currency interest swap agreement	(63,741)	(52,219)
Carrying Amount Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Foreign currency contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign currency contracts	(354)	(1,480)
Carrying Amount Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Recurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| Warrant [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Stock purchase warrants	8,051
Carrying Amount Asset (Liability) [Member] \| Non-recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Vessels and equipment		17,250
Assets held for sale		$ 176,247

Long-term receivable included in other assets.

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Amount classified as assets attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of, expected to be disposed of within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Cash includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the customer may deposit additional funds at any time and effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid Investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Short-term investments, exclusive of cash equivalents, generally consist of marketable securities intended to be sold within one year (or the normal operating cycle if longer) and may include trading securities, available-for-sale securities, or held-to-maturity securities (if maturing within one year), as applicable.

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Amount classified as property, plant and equipment attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of, expected to be disposed of within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Amount of receivables due from an entity that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership, due within 1 year (or 1 business cycle).

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Amount of receivables due from an entity that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership, due after 1 year (or 1 business cycle).

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Fair value portion of liability contracts related to the exchange of different currencies, including, but not limited to, foreign currency options, forward (delivery or nondelivery) contracts, and swaps entered into.

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Fair value as of the balance sheet date of all foreign currency derivative assets not designated as hedging instruments.

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Fair value as of the balance sheet date of all foreign currency derivatives not designated as hedging instruments.

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Fair value as of the balance sheet date of all derivative assets not designated as hedging instruments.

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Fair value as of the balance sheet date of all derivative liabilities not designated as hedging instruments.

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Amount classified as liabilities attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of.

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Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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An amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the Company (holder) a definite sum of money within one year from the balance sheet date (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer), net of any write-downs taken for collection uncertainty on the part of the holder. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the debt. The debt also may contain provisions and related items including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among a myriad of other features and characteristics. This amount does not include amounts related to receivables held-for-sale.

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Fair value portion of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.

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Value of outstanding derivative securities that permit the holder the right to purchase securities (usually equity) from the issuer at a specified price.

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