Chicago Bridge & Iron 10-Q 24 Apr 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

DOCUMENT_AND_ENTITY_INFORMATIO

DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 15, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CHICAGO BRIDGE & IRON CO N V	'
Trading Symbol	'CBI	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001027884	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	108,110,418

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'
Revenue	$2,928,132	$2,251,429
Cost of revenue	2,626,730	2,005,285
Gross profit	301,402	246,144
Selling and administrative expense	119,167	93,968
Intangibles amortization	16,234	9,188
Equity earnings	-4,165	-4,485
Other operating income, net	-384	-297
Acquisition and integration related costs	8,067	61,256
Income from operations	162,483	86,514
Interest expense	-18,887	-22,746
Interest income	2,060	1,871
Income before taxes	145,656	65,639
Income tax expense	-42,910	-22,767
Net income	102,746	42,872
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-13,795	-9,264
Net income attributable to CB&I	88,951	33,608
Net income attributable to CB&I per share:	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.83	$0.33
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.82	$0.32
Weighted average shares outstanding:	'	'
Basic (in shares)	107,677	101,802
Diluted (in shares)	109,113	103,507
Cash dividends on shares:	'	'
Amount	$7,559	$5,345
Per share (in dollars per share)	$0.07	$0.05

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Net income	$102,746	$42,872
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'
Change in cumulative translation adjustment	5,531	-13,043
Change in unrealized fair value of cash flow hedges	-990	-1,731
Change in unrecognized prior service pension credits/costs	-43	-192
Change in unrecognized actuarial pension gains/losses	1,795	4,897
Comprehensive income	109,039	32,803
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-13,795	-9,264
Less: Change in cumulative translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interests	-1,651	-883
Comprehensive income attributable to CB&I	$93,593	$22,656

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents ($170,472 and $153,485 related to variable interest entities (VIEs))	$420,163	$420,502
Accounts receivable, net ($179,414 and $151,241 related to VIEs)	1,273,563	1,385,448
Inventory	292,019	302,987
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings ($86,920 and $59,092 related to VIEs)	647,878	566,718
Deferred income taxes	574,966	555,589
Other current assets ($55,059 and $31,487 related to VIEs)	179,358	158,321
Total current assets	3,387,947	3,389,565
Equity investments	90,867	101,754
Property and equipment, net ($23,954 and $24,655 related to VIEs)	780,122	788,797
Deferred income taxes	92,570	110,142
Goodwill	4,225,687	4,226,468
Other intangibles, net	611,570	627,723
Other non-current assets	145,313	145,144
Total assets	9,334,076	9,389,593
Liabilities	'	'
Revolving facility debt	334,754	115,000
Current maturities of long-term debt	100,000	100,000
Accounts payable ($205,014 and $200,721 related to VIEs)	1,156,640	1,157,478
Accrued liabilities	702,759	699,506
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings ($49,627 and $29,670 related to VIEs)	2,378,901	2,720,251
Deferred income taxes	6,411	5,389
Total current liabilities	4,679,465	4,797,624
Long-term debt	1,600,000	1,625,000
Other non-current liabilities	375,055	387,555
Deferred income taxes	64,438	71,976
Total liabilities	6,718,958	6,882,155
Shareholders’ Equity	'	'
Common stock, Euro .01 par value; shares authorized: 250,000; shares issued: 108,132 and 107,857; shares outstanding: 108,040 and 107,478	1,279	1,275
Additional paid-in capital	748,167	753,742
Retained earnings	1,814,801	1,733,409
Treasury stock, at cost: 92 and 379 shares	-7,628	-23,914
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-115,291	-119,933
Total CB&I shareholders’ equity	2,441,328	2,344,579
Noncontrolling interests	173,790	162,859
Total shareholders’ equity	2,615,118	2,507,438
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$9,334,076	$9,389,593

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)	EUR (€)	Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary	Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
					USD ($)	USD ($)
Cash and cash equivalents related to variable interest entities (VIEs)	$420,163	'	$420,502	'	$170,472	$153,485
Accounts receivable, net related to VIE	1,273,563	'	1,385,448	'	179,414	151,241
Costs And Estimated Earnings In Excess Of Billings	'	'	'	'	86,920	59,092
Other current assets ($55,059 and $31,487 related to VIEs)	179,358	'	158,321	'	55,059	31,487
Property and equipment, net ($23,954 and $24,655 related to VIEs)	780,122	'	788,797	'	23,954	24,655
Accounts payable related to VIEs	1,156,640	'	1,157,478	'	205,014	200,721
Billings In Excess Of Cost And Estimated Earnings	'	'	'	'	$49,627	$29,670
Common stock, par value	'	€ 0.01	'	€ 0.01	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000	250,000	250,000	250,000	'	'
Common stock, shares issued	108,132	108,132	107,857	107,857	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	108,040	108,040	107,478	107,478	'	'
Treasury stock, shares	92	92	379	379	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
			Senior Notes	Senior Notes	Westinghouse Bonds	Westinghouse Bonds	Term Loan	Term Loan
Cash Flows from Operating Activities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	$102,746	$42,872	'	'	'	'	'	'
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	45,625	28,637	'	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred taxes	6,616	65,309	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	41,142	38,072	'	'	'	'	'	'
Equity earnings	-4,165	-4,485	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on property and equipment transactions	-384	-297	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized loss on foreign currency hedge ineffectiveness	2,865	1,756	'	'	'	'	'	'
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-12,930	-10,756	'	'	'	'	'	'
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Decrease (increase) in receivables, net	111,885	-153,647	'	'	'	'	'	'
Change in contracts in progress, net	-422,510	-180,030	'	'	'	'	'	'
Decrease (increase) in inventory	10,968	-4,302	'	'	'	'	'	'
Decrease in accounts payable	-838	-28,720	'	'	'	'	'	'
(Increase) decrease in other current and non-current assets	-20,401	22,515	'	'	'	'	'	'
Decrease in accrued and other non-current liabilities	-11,923	-137,964	'	'	'	'	'	'
Decrease in equity investments	15,237	351	'	'	'	'	'	'
Change in other, net	-9,685	8,474	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net cash used in operating activities	-145,752	-312,215	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-1,713,333	'	'	'	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	-26,485	-14,932	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	4,459	613	'	'	'	'	'	'
Change in other, net	0	-24,699	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net cash used in investing activities	-22,026	-1,752,351	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash Flows from Financing Activities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revolving facility borrowings, net	219,754	116,177	'	'	'	'	'	'
Term loan borrowings	0	1,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash withdrawn from restricted cash and cash equivalents	'	'	0	800,000	0	1,309,022	'	'
Repayments on term loan	'	'	'	'	0	-1,353,694	-25,000	-18,750
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	12,930	10,756	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock	-54,946	-23,764	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of stock	11,586	14,889	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends paid	-7,559	-5,345	'	'	'	'	'	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-4,515	-1,065	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revolving facility and deferred financing costs	0	-26,987	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net cash provided by financing activities	152,250	1,821,239	'	'	'	'	'	'
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	15,189	-7,242	'	'	'	'	'	'
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-339	-250,569	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year	420,502	643,395	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$420,163	$392,826	'	'	'	'	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Stock Held In Trust	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Noncontrolling Interest
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$1,396,310	$1,190	$363,417	$1,300,742	($3,031)	($193,533)	($101,032)	$28,557
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	96,835	'	'	316	4,688	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to CB&I	33,608	'	'	33,608	'	'	'	'
Net income	42,872	'	'	'	'	'	'	9,264
Change in cumulative translation adjustment, net	-13,043	'	'	'	'	'	-13,926	883
Change in unrealized fair value of cash flow hedges, net	-1,731	'	'	'	'	'	-1,731	'
Change in unrecognized prior service pension credits/costs, net	-192	'	'	'	'	'	-192	'
Change in unrecognized actuarial pension gains/losses, net	4,897	'	'	'	'	'	4,897	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-1,065	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,065
Dividends paid	-5,345	'	'	-5,345	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	38,072	'	38,072	'	'	'	'	'
Business acquisitions (in shares)	'	8,893	'	'	'	-2,559	'	'
Business acquisitions	535,241	85	398,366	'	'	100,125	'	36,665
Issuance of treasury stock to trust (in shares)	'	98	'	'	98	-98	'	'
Issuance of treasury stock to trust	'	'	896	'	-5,245	4,349	'	'
Release Of Trust Shares	'	0	'	'	-301	0	'	'
Release Of Trust Shares Value	4,074	'	1,537	'	2,537	0	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	'	-446	'	'	'	446	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock	-23,764	'	'	'	'	-23,764	'	'
Issuance of stock (in shares)	'	1,612	'	'	'	-1,612	'	'
Issuance of stock	21,230	'	-49,808	'	'	71,038	'	'
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	1,997,556	1,275	752,480	1,329,005	-5,739	-41,785	-111,984	74,304
Ending Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2013	'	106,992	'	'	113	865	'	'
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	2,507,438	1,275	753,742	1,733,409	'	-23,914	-119,933	162,859
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	107,478	'	'	'	379	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to CB&I	88,951	'	'	88,951	'	'	'	'
Net income	102,746	'	'	'	'	'	'	13,795
Change in cumulative translation adjustment, net	5,531	'	'	'	'	'	3,880	1,651
Change in unrealized fair value of cash flow hedges, net	-990	'	'	'	'	'	-990	'
Change in unrecognized prior service pension credits/costs, net	-43	'	'	'	'	'	-43	'
Change in unrecognized actuarial pension gains/losses, net	1,795	'	'	'	'	'	1,795	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-4,515	'	'	'	'	'	'	-4,515
Dividends paid	-7,559	'	'	-7,559	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	41,142	'	41,142	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Treasury Stock Reissued	0	4	22,091	'	'	-22,095	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Treasury Stock Reissued	'	'	'	'	'	275	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	'	-716	'	'	'	716	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock	-54,946	'	'	'	'	-54,946	'	'
Issuance of stock (in shares)	'	1,278	'	'	'	-1,278	'	'
Issuance of stock	24,519	'	-68,808	'	'	93,327	'	'
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$2,615,118	$1,279	$748,167	$1,814,801	'	($7,628)	($115,291)	$173,790
Ending Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2014	'	108,040	'	'	'	92	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'	'
Dividends paid, per share	$0.07	$0.05

ORGANIZATION_AND_NATURE_OF_OPE

ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS	'
	ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
	Organization and Nature of Operations—Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V. (“CB&I” or the “Company”) provides a wide range of services, including conceptual design, technology, engineering, procurement, fabrication, modularization, construction, commissioning, maintenance, program management and environmental services to customers in the energy infrastructure market throughout the world, and is a provider of diversified government services. Our business is aligned into four principal operating groups: (1) Engineering, Construction and Maintenance, (2) Fabrication Services, (3) Technology, and (4) Environmental Solutions (formerly Government Solutions). See Note 16 for a discussion of our operating groups.

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
	SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Basis of Presentation—The accompanying unaudited interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (“Financial Statements”) are prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States (“U.S.”) Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). These Financial Statements include all wholly-owned subsidiaries and those entities which we are required to consolidate. See the “Partnering Arrangements” section of this footnote for further discussion of our consolidation policy for those entities that are not wholly-owned. We believe these Financial Statements include all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, our financial position as of March 31, 2014 and our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. The December 31, 2013 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet was derived from our December 31, 2013 audited Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	We believe the disclosures accompanying these Financial Statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim reporting periods. The results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accompanying Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2013 Annual Report”).
	Use of Estimates—The preparation of our Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We believe the most significant estimates and judgments are associated with revenue recognition for our contracts, including the recognition of incentive fees and unapproved change orders and claims; recoverability assessments that must be periodically performed with respect to long-lived tangible assets, goodwill and other intangible assets; valuation of deferred tax assets and financial instruments; the determination of liabilities related to self-insurance programs and income taxes; and consolidation determinations with respect to our partnering arrangements. If the underlying estimates and assumptions upon which our Financial Statements are based change in the future, actual amounts may differ from those included in the accompanying Financial Statements.
	Revenue Recognition—Our revenue is primarily derived from long-term contracts and is generally recognized using the percentage of completion (“POC”) method, primarily based on the percentage that actual costs-to-date bear to total estimated costs to complete each contract. We follow the guidance of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Revenue Recognition Topic 605-35 for accounting policies relating to our use of the POC method, estimating costs, and revenue recognition, including the recognition of incentive fees, unapproved change orders and claims, and combining and segmenting contracts. We primarily utilize the cost-to-cost approach to estimate POC as we believe this method is less subjective than relying on assessments of physical progress. Under the cost-to-cost approach, the use of estimated costs to complete each contract is a significant variable in the process of determining recognized revenue and is a significant factor in the accounting for contracts. Significant estimates that impact the cost to complete each contract are costs of engineering, materials, components, equipment, labor and subcontracts; labor productivity; schedule durations, including subcontract and supplier progress; liquidated damages; contract disputes, including claims; achievement of contractual performance requirements; and contingency, among others. The cumulative impact of revisions in total cost estimates during the progress of work is reflected in the period in which these changes become known, including, to the extent required, the reversal of profit recognized in prior periods and the recognition of losses expected to be incurred on contracts in progress. Due to the various estimates inherent in our contract accounting, actual results could differ from those estimates. Backlog for each of our operating groups generally consists of several hundred contracts, and although our results are impacted by changes in estimated project margins, in the current period and for the past several years, such aggregate variations have not resulted in a material net impact to our income from operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, we had no individual projects with significant changes in estimated margins and for the three months ended March 31, 2013, individual projects with significant changes in estimated margins did not have a material net impact on our income from operations.
	Our long-term contracts are awarded on a competitive bid and negotiated basis and the timing of revenue recognition may be impacted by the terms of such contracts. We use a range of contracting options, including cost-reimbursable, fixed-price and hybrid, which has both cost-reimbursable and fixed-price characteristics. Fixed-price contracts, and hybrid contracts with a more significant fixed-price component, tend to provide us with greater control over project schedule and the timing of when work is performed and costs are incurred, and accordingly, when revenue is recognized. Cost-reimbursable contracts, and hybrid contracts with a more significant cost-reimbursable component, generally provide our customers with greater influence over the timing of when we perform our work, and accordingly, such contracts often result in less predictability with respect to the timing of revenue recognition. Contract revenue for our long-term contracts recognized under the POC method reflects the original contract price adjusted for approved change orders and estimated recoveries for incentive fees, unapproved change orders and claims. We recognize revenue associated with incentive fees when the value can be reliably estimated and recovery is probable. We recognize revenue associated with unapproved change orders and claims to the extent the related costs have been incurred, the value can be reliably estimated and recovery is probable. Our recorded incentive fees, unapproved change orders and claims reflect our best estimate of recovery amounts; however, the ultimate resolution and amounts received could differ from these estimates. See Note 15 for additional discussion of our recorded unapproved change orders, claims, incentives and other contract recoveries.
	With respect to our engineering, procurement, and construction (“EPC”) services, our contracts are not segmented between types of services, such as engineering and construction, if each of the EPC components is negotiated concurrently or if the pricing of any such services is subject to the ultimate negotiation and agreement of the entire EPC contract. However, we segment an EPC contract if it includes technology or fabrication services and the technology or fabrication scope is independently negotiated and priced. In addition, an EPC contract including technology or fabrication services may be segmented if we satisfy the segmenting criteria in ASC 605-35. Revenue recorded in these situations is based on our prices and terms for similar services to third party customers. Segmenting a contract may result in different interim rates of profitability for each scope of service than if we had recognized revenue without segmenting. In some instances, we may combine contracts that are entered into in multiple phases, but are interdependent and include pricing considerations by us and the customer that are impacted by all phases of the project. Otherwise, if each phase is independent of the other and pricing considerations do not give effect to another phase, the contracts will not be combined.
	Cost of revenue for our long-term contracts includes direct contract costs, such as materials and labor, and indirect costs that are attributable to contract activity. The timing of when we bill our customers is generally dependent upon advance billing terms, completion of certain phases of the work, or when services are provided. Cumulative costs and estimated earnings recognized to-date in excess of cumulative billings is reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (“Balance Sheet”) as costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings. Cumulative billings in excess of cumulative costs and estimated earnings recognized to-date is reported on the Balance Sheet as billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had billings to customers on our long-term contracts of $18,982,146 and $16,113,591, respectively, netted within costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings, and billings to customers of $23,115,520 and $25,436,810, respectively, netted within billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings. Any uncollected billed revenue, including contract retentions, is reported as accounts receivable. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, accounts receivable included contract retentions of approximately $72,400 and $68,600, respectively. Contract retentions due beyond one year were not material at March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
	Revenue for our service contracts that do not satisfy the criteria for revenue recognition under the POC method is recorded at the time services are performed. Revenue associated with incentive fees for these contracts is recognized when earned. Unbilled receivables for our service contracts are recorded within accounts receivable and were $85,980 and $79,979 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Revenue for our pipe and steel fabrication and catalyst manufacturing contracts that are independent of an EPC contract, or for which we satisfy the segmentation criteria discussed above, is recognized upon shipment of the fabricated or manufactured units. During the fabrication or manufacturing process, all related direct and allocable indirect costs are capitalized as work in process inventory and such costs are recorded as cost of revenue at the time of shipment.
	Our billed and unbilled revenue may be exposed to potential credit risk if our customers should encounter financial difficulties, and we maintain reserves for specifically-identified potential uncollectible receivables. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our allowances for doubtful accounts were not material.
	Other Operating Expense (Income), Net—Other operating expense (income), net, generally represents losses (gains) associated with the sale or disposition of property and equipment.
	Acquisition and Integration Related Costs—For the three months ended March 31, 2014, integration-related costs of $8,067 primarily related to facility consolidations, including the associated accrued future lease costs for vacated facilities and unutilized capacity, personnel relocation and severance-related costs, and systems integration and other integration-related costs. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, acquisition and integration related costs of $61,256 primarily included transaction costs, professional fees, and change-in-control and severance-related costs.
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—Goodwill is not amortized to earnings, but instead is reviewed for impairment at least annually at our reporting unit level, absent any indicators of impairment. Our Engineering, Construction and Maintenance operating group includes three reporting units, our Fabrication Services operating group includes two reporting units, and our Technology and Environmental Solutions operating groups each represent a reporting unit. We perform our annual impairment assessment during the fourth quarter of each year based upon balances as of the beginning of that year’s fourth quarter. As part of our annual impairment assessment, in the fourth quarter of 2013, we performed a quantitative assessment of goodwill for each of our reporting units. We utilized an income approach (discounted cash flow method) to value our reporting units and test for impairment as we believe this is the most direct approach to incorporate the specific economic attributes and risk profiles of our reporting units into our valuation model. This is consistent with the methodology used for our annual impairment assessment in previous years. We generally do not utilize a market approach given the difficulty in identifying relevant market transactions and the volatility of markets from which transactions are derived. Based upon this quantitative assessment, no impairment charge was necessary during 2013, as the fair value of each of the reporting units acquired in 2013 exceeded their respective net book value and the fair value of all other reporting units significantly exceeded their respective net book values. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, no indicators of goodwill impairment were identified. If, based on future assessments, our goodwill is deemed to be impaired, the impairment would result in a charge to earnings in the year of impairment.
	We amortize our finite-lived intangible assets on a straight-line basis with lives ranging from 2 to 20 years, absent any indicators of impairment. We review tangible assets and finite-lived intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If a recoverability assessment is required, the estimated future cash flow associated with the asset or asset group will be compared to the asset’s carrying amount to determine if impairment exists. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we noted no indicators of impairment. See Note 6 for further discussion regarding goodwill and other intangible assets.
	Earnings Per Share (“EPS”)—Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income attributable to CB&I by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the assumed conversion of dilutive securities, consisting of restricted shares, performance shares (where performance criteria have been met), stock options and directors’ deferred-fee shares. See Note 3 for calculations associated with basic and diluted EPS.
	Cash Equivalents—Cash equivalents are considered to be all highly liquid securities with original maturities of three months or less.
	Inventory—Inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or market and cost is determined using the first-in-first-out (“FIFO”) or weighted-average cost method. The cost of inventory includes acquisition costs, production or conversion costs, and other costs incurred to bring the inventory to a current location and condition. An allowance for excess or inactive inventory is recorded based upon an analysis that considers current inventory levels, historical usage patterns, estimates of future sales expectations and salvage value. See Note 5 for additional disclosures associated with our inventory.
	Foreign Currency—The nature of our business activities involves the management of various financial and market risks, including those related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The effects of translating financial statements of foreign operations into our reporting currency are recognized as a cumulative translation adjustment in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) (“AOCI”) which is net of tax, where applicable. Foreign currency exchange gains (losses) are included within cost of revenue and were not material for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
	Financial Instruments—We utilize derivative instruments in certain circumstances to mitigate the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, as described below:
	•	Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Derivatives—We do not engage in currency speculation; however, we do utilize foreign currency exchange rate derivatives on an on-going basis to hedge against certain foreign currency-related operating exposures. We generally seek hedge accounting treatment for contracts used to hedge operating exposures and designate them as cash flow hedges. Therefore, gains and losses, exclusive of credit risk and forward points (which represent the time-value component of the fair value of our derivative positions), are included in AOCI until the associated underlying operating exposure impacts our earnings. Changes in the fair value of (1) credit risk and forward points, (2) instruments deemed ineffective during the period, and (3) instruments that we do not designate as cash flow hedges are recognized within cost of revenue.
	•	Interest Rate Derivatives—During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we continued to utilize a swap arrangement to hedge against interest rate variability associated with $454,500 of our remaining $900,000 unsecured term loan (the “Term Loan”). The swap arrangement has been designated as a cash flow hedge as its critical terms matched those of the Term Loan at inception and through March 31, 2014. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of the swap arrangement are included in AOCI until the associated underlying exposure impacts our earnings.
	For those contracts designated as cash flow hedges, we document all relationships between the derivative instruments and associated hedged items, as well as our risk-management objectives and strategy for undertaking hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives to specific firm commitments or highly-probable forecasted transactions. We continually assess, at inception and on an on-going basis, the effectiveness of derivative instruments in offsetting changes in the cash flow of the designated hedged items. Hedge accounting designation is discontinued when (1) it is determined that the derivative is no longer highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flow of the hedged item, including firm commitments or forecasted transactions, (2) the derivative is sold, terminated, exercised, or expires, (3) it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur, or (4) we determine that designating the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate. See Note 10 for additional discussion of our financial instruments.
	Income Taxes—Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis using currently enacted income tax rates for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided to offset any net deferred tax assets (“DTA(s)”) if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the DTAs will not be realized. The final realization of DTAs depends upon our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income of the appropriate character and in the appropriate jurisdictions.
	We provide income tax and associated interest reserves, where applicable, in situations where we have and have not received tax assessments. Tax and associated interest reserves are provided in those instances where we consider it more likely than not that additional tax will be due in excess of amounts reflected in income tax returns filed worldwide. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our reserves totaled approximately $14,300. If these income tax reserves are ultimately unnecessary, approximately $11,100 would impact the effective tax rate as we are contractually indemnified for the remaining balances. We continually review our exposure to additional income tax obligations and, as further information is known or events occur, changes in our tax and interest reserves may be recorded within income tax expense and interest expense, respectively.
	Partnering Arrangements—In the ordinary course of business, we execute specific projects and conduct certain operations through joint venture, consortium and other collaborative arrangements (collectively referred to as “venture(s)”). We have various ownership interests in these ventures, with such ownership typically being proportionate to our decision-making and distribution rights. The ventures generally contract directly with the third party customer; however, services may be performed directly by the ventures, or may be performed by us or our partners, or a combination thereof.
	Venture net assets consist primarily of cash, working capital and property and equipment, and assets may be restricted from being used to fund obligations outside of the venture. These ventures typically have limited third-party debt or have debt that is non-recourse in nature; however, they may provide for capital calls to fund operations or require participants in the venture to provide additional financial support, including advance payment or retention letters of credit.
	Each venture is assessed at inception and on an ongoing basis as to whether it qualifies as a VIE under the consolidations guidance in ASC 810. A venture generally qualifies as a VIE when it (1) meets the definition of a legal entity, (2) absorbs the operational risk of the projects being executed, creating a variable interest, and (3) lacks sufficient capital investment from the partners, potentially resulting in the venture requiring additional subordinated financial support, if necessary, to finance its future activities.
	If at any time a venture qualifies as a VIE, we perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE and, therefore, need to consolidate the VIE. We are the primary beneficiary if we have (1) the power to direct the economically significant activities of the VIE and (2) the right to receive benefits from, and obligation to absorb losses of, the VIE. If the venture is a VIE and we are the primary beneficiary, or we otherwise have the ability to control the venture, we consolidate the venture. If we are not determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE, or only have the ability to significantly influence, rather than control the venture, we do not consolidate the venture. We account for unconsolidated ventures using proportionate consolidation when we meet the applicable accounting criteria to do so and utilize the equity method otherwise. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the results of our proportionately consolidated ventures were not material. See Note 7 for additional discussion of our material partnering arrangements.
	New Accounting Standards—There are no recently issued accounting standards that we believe will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flow.

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	A reconciliation of weighted average basic shares outstanding to weighted average diluted shares outstanding and the computation of basic and diluted EPS are as follows:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014		2013
	Net income attributable to CB&I	$	88,951	$	33,608
	Weighted average shares outstanding—basic	107,677		101,802
	Effect of restricted shares/performance shares/stock options (1)	1,367		1,633
	Effect of directors’ deferred-fee shares	69		72
	Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted	109,113		103,507
	Net income attributable to CB&I per share:
	Basic	$	0.83	$	0.33
	Diluted	$	0.82	$	0.32
	(1) Antidilutive stock options excluded from diluted EPS were not material for the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.

RECENT_ACQUISITION

RECENT ACQUISITION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
SHAW ACQUISITION	'
	RECENT ACQUISITION
	General—As more fully described in our 2013 Annual Report, on February 13, 2013 (the “Acquisition Closing Date”), we acquired The Shaw Group Inc. (“Shaw”) (the “Shaw Acquisition”, the “2013 Shaw Acquisition”, or the "Acquisition") for a gross purchase price of $3,340,070, comprised of $2,851,260 in cash consideration and $488,810 in equity consideration. The cash consideration was funded using $1,051,260 from existing cash balances of CB&I and Shaw on the Acquisition Closing Date, and the remainder was funded using debt financing. Shaw’s unrestricted cash balance on the Acquisition Closing Date totaled $1,137,927, and accordingly, the cash portion of our purchase price, net of cash acquired, was $1,713,333 and our total purchase price, net of cash acquired, was $2,202,143. The results from the Shaw Acquisition were incorporated within our expanded operating groups beginning on the Acquisition Closing Date. See Note 16 for a discussion of our operating groups.
	Supplemental Pro Forma Information (Unaudited)—The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information (“the pro forma financial information”) presented for the three months ended March 31, 2013 gives effect to the acquisition of Shaw by CB&I, accounted for as a business combination using the purchase method of accounting. The pro forma financial information reflects the Acquisition and related events as if they occurred on January 1, 2013, and gives effect to pro forma events that are directly attributable to the Acquisition, factually supportable, and expected to have a continuing impact on the combined results of CB&I and Shaw following the Acquisition. The pro forma financial information includes adjustments to: (1) exclude transaction costs, professional fees, and change-in-control and severance-related costs that were included in CB&I and Shaw’s historical results and are not expected to be recurring; (2) exclude the results of portions of the Shaw business that were not acquired by CB&I or are not expected to have a continuing impact; (3) include additional intangibles amortization and net interest expense associated with the Shaw Acquisition; and (4) include the pro forma results of Shaw from January 1, 2013 through the Acquisition Closing Date for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Adjustments, net of tax, included in the pro forma net income below that were of a non-recurring nature totaled approximately $51,200 for the three months ended March 31, 2013, reflecting the elimination of financing and acquisition and integration related costs. This pro forma financial information has been presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have been achieved had the pro forma events taken place on the dates indicated. Further, the pro forma financial information does not purport to project the future operating results of the combined company following the Acquisition.
		Three months ended March 31, 2013
	Pro forma revenue	$	2,744,799
	Pro forma net income attributable to CB&I	$	87,367
	Pro forma net income attributable to CB&I per share:
	Basic	$	0.82
	Diluted	$	0.81

INVENTORY

INVENTORY	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INVENTORY	'
	INVENTORY
	The components of inventory at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	177,035	$	184,586
	Work in process	35,041		31,764
	Finished goods	79,943		86,637
	Total	$	292,019	$	302,987

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLES

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES	'
	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES
	Goodwill—At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our goodwill balances were $4,225,687 and $4,226,468, respectively, attributable to the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in connection with our acquisitions:
			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	4,226,468
	Amortization of tax goodwill in excess of book goodwill		(1,387		)
	Foreign currency translation		606
	Balance at March 31, 2014		$	4,225,687
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, no indicators of goodwill impairment were identified and therefore no goodwill impairment charge was recorded. There can be no assurance that future goodwill impairment tests will not result in charges to earnings.
	Other Intangible Assets—The following table provides a summary of our acquired finite-lived intangible assets at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, including weighted-average useful lives for each major intangible asset class and in total:
			31-Mar-14						31-Dec-13
			Gross			Accumulated			Gross		Accumulated
			Carrying			Amortization			Carrying		Amortization
			Amount						Amount
	Finite-lived intangible assets (weighted average life)
	Backlog and customer relationships (16 years)		$	380,586		$	(42,718	)	$	380,586	$	(33,735	)
	Process technologies (15 years)		295,885			(95,178		)	295,726		(90,282		)
	Tradenames (10 years)		86,049			(13,367		)	86,042		(11,126		)
	Lease agreements (6 years) (1)		—			—			7,718		(7,627		)
	Non-compete agreements (7 years)		3,016			(2,703		)	3,012		(2,591		)
	Total (15 years) (2)		$	765,536		$	(153,966	)	$	773,084	$	(145,361	)
	(1)	Lease agreement intangibles totaling $7,718 became fully amortized during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and were therefore removed from the gross carrying and accumulated amortization balances above.
	(2)	The decrease in intangibles during three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily related to amortization expense of $16,234.

PARTNERING_ARRANGEMENTS

PARTNERING ARRANGEMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
PARTNERING ARRANGEMENTS	'
	PARTNERING ARRANGEMENTS
	As discussed in Note 2, we account for our unconsolidated ventures using either proportionate consolidation or the equity method. Further, we consolidate any venture that is determined to be a VIE for which we are the primary beneficiary, or which we otherwise effectively control.
	Unconsolidated Ventures (Proportionate Consolidation)—The following is a summary description of our significant unconsolidated ventures which have been accounted for using proportionate consolidation:
	•	CBI/Zachry—We have a venture with Zachry (CB&I—50% / Zachry—50%) to perform EPC work for two liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) liquefaction trains in Freeport, Texas. Our proportionate share of the CB&I/Zachry project value is approximately $2,600,000.
	•	CBI/Chiyoda—We have a venture with Chiyoda (CB&I—50% / Chiyoda—50%) to perform EPC work for three LNG liquefaction trains in Hackberry, Louisiana. Our proportionate share of the CB&I/Chiyoda project value is approximately $3,100,000.
	The above noted proportionately consolidated projects did not have a material impact on our results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013, but will become more material as project activities progress.
	Unconsolidated Ventures (Equity Method)—The following is a summary description of our significant unconsolidated ventures which have been accounted for using the equity method:
	•	Chevron-Lummus Global (“CLG”)—We have a venture with Chevron (CB&I—50% / Chevron—50%), which provides licenses, basic engineering services and catalyst supply for deep conversion (e.g. hydrocracking), residual hydroprocessing and lubes processing. The venture is focused on converting/upgrading heavy/sour crude that is produced in the refinery process to more marketable products. As sufficient capital investments in CLG have been made by the venture partners, it does not qualify as a VIE. Additionally, we do not effectively control CLG and therefore do not consolidate the venture.
	•	NET Power LLC (“NET Power”)—We have a commitment to invest cash and in-kind services in NET Power, a venture between CB&I and various other parties, formed for the purpose of developing a new fossil fuel-based power generation technology and building a demonstration unit that is intended to produce cost-effective power with little-to-no carbon dioxide emissions. Our commitment totals $50,400 and is contingent upon demonstration of various levels of feasibility of the NET Power technology and could result in up to a 50% interest in NET Power and provide for the exclusive right to engineer, procure and construct NET Power plants. At March 31, 2014, we had cumulatively invested cash and in-kind services of approximately $7,300 and had an approximate 10% interest in NET Power. Cash and in-kind contributions have been expensed within our equity earnings and were not material during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	Consolidated Joint Ventures—The following is a summary description of the significant joint ventures we consolidate due to their designation as VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary:
	•	CBI/Kentz—We have a venture with Kentz (CB&I—65% / Kentz—35%) to perform the structural, mechanical, piping, electrical and instrumentation work on, and to provide commissioning support for, three LNG trains, including associated utilities and a gas processing and compression plant, for the Gorgon LNG project, located on Barrow Island, Australia. Our CB&I/Kentz project value is approximately $4,500,000.
	•	CBI/Clough—We have a venture with Clough (CB&I—65% / Clough—35%) to perform the EPC work for a gas conditioning plant, nearby wellheads, and associated piping and infrastructure for the Papua New Guinea LNG project, located in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Our CB&I/Clough project value is approximately $2,000,000.
	•	CB&I/AREVA—We have a venture with AREVA (CB&I—52% / AREVA—48%) to design, license and construct a mixed oxide fuel fabrication facility in Aiken, South Carolina, which will be used to convert weapons-grade plutonium into fuel for nuclear power plants for the U.S. Department of Energy. Our CB&I/AREVA project value is approximately $5,000,000.
	The following table presents summarized balance sheet information for our consolidated VIEs:
			March 31,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	CBI/Kentz
	Current assets		$	211,444	$	156,974
	Current liabilities		$	104,940	$	72,741
	CBI/Clough
	Current assets		$	132,243	$	122,179
	Current liabilities		$	47,401	$	48,933
	CBI/AREVA
	Current assets		$	69,053	$	34,547
	Current liabilities		$	108,717	$	98,478
	All Other (1)
	Current assets		$	80,700	$	83,370
	Non-current assets		$	24,200	$	24,802
	Total assets		$	104,900	$	108,172
	Current liabilities		$	22,311	$	26,879
	(1)	Other ventures that we consolidate due to their designation as VIEs are not individually material to our financial results and are therefore aggregated as “All Other”.
	The use of these ventures exposes us to a number of risks, including the risk that our partners may be unable or unwilling to provide their share of capital investment to fund the operations of the venture or to complete their obligations to us, the venture, or ultimately, our customer. This could result in unanticipated costs to complete the projects, liquidated damages or contract disputes, including claims against our partners.

FACILITY_REALIGNMENT_LIABILITY

FACILITY REALIGNMENT LIABILITY	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
FACILITY REALIGNMENT LIABILITY	'
	FACILITY REALIGNMENT LIABILITY
	At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had a facility realignment liability related to the recognition of future operating lease expense for vacated facility capacity where we remain contractually obligated to a lessor. The liability was recognized within accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities, as applicable, based upon the anticipated timing of payment. The following table summarizes the movements in the facility realignment liability during the three months ended March 31, 2014:
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	12,111
	Charges (1)		2,275
	Cash payments		(3,242		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014		$	11,144
	(1)	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, charges of $2,275 were recognized within acquisition and integration related costs related to facility consolidations and the associated accelerated lease costs for vacated facilities, primarily in our Environmental Solutions operating group. During the remainder of 2014, we are continuing to assess our facility requirements in light of the 2013 Shaw Acquisition.

DEBT

DEBT	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
DEBT	'
	DEBT
	Our outstanding debt at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was as follows:
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Current
	Revolving facility debt		$	334,754		$	115,000
	Current maturities of term loan		100,000			100,000
	Current debt		$	434,754		$	215,000
	Long-Term
	Term Loan: $1,000,000 term loan (interest at LIBOR plus an applicable floating margin)		$	900,000		$	925,000
	Senior Notes: $800,000 senior notes, series A-D (fixed interest ranging from 4.15% to 5.30%)		800,000			800,000
	Less: current maturities of term loan		(100,000		)	(100,000		)
	Long-term debt		$	1,600,000		$	1,625,000
	Revolving Facilities—We have a five-year, $1,350,000, committed and unsecured revolving facility (the “Revolving Facility”) with BofA, as administrative agent, and BNP Paribas Securities Corp., BBVA Compass, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (“Credit Agricole”) and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, each as syndication agents, which expires in October 2018. The Revolving Facility has a borrowing sublimit of $675,000 (with financial letters of credit not to exceed $270,000) and certain financial covenants, including a maximum leverage ratio of 3.00, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.75, and a minimum net worth level calculated as $1,762,124 at March 31, 2014. The Revolving Facility also includes customary restrictions regarding subsidiary indebtedness, sales of assets, liens, investments, type of business conducted, and mergers and acquisitions, and includes a trailing twelve-month limitation of $250,000 for dividend payments and share repurchases if our leverage ratio exceeds 1.50 (unlimited if our leverage ratio is equal to or below 1.50), among other restrictions. In addition to interest on debt borrowings, we are assessed quarterly commitment fees on the unutilized portion of the facility as well as letter of credit fees on outstanding instruments. The interest, letter of credit fee, and commitment fee percentages are based upon our quarterly leverage ratio. In the event that we borrow funds under the facility, interest is assessed at either prime plus an applicable floating margin (0.5% at March 31, 2014), or LIBOR plus an applicable floating margin (1.5% at March 31, 2014). At March 31, 2014, we had no outstanding borrowings under the facility, but had $237,550 of outstanding letters of credit, providing $1,112,450 of available capacity. Such letters of credit are generally issued to customers in the ordinary course of business to support advance payments and performance guarantees, in lieu of retention on our contracts, or in certain cases, are issued in support of our insurance program.
	We also have a five-year, $650,000, committed and unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Second Revolving Facility”) with BofA, as administrative agent, and Credit Agricole, as syndication agent, which expires in February 2018. The Second Revolving Facility supplements our Revolving Facility, has a $487,500 borrowing sublimit and includes financial and restrictive covenants similar to those noted above for the Revolving Facility. In addition to interest on debt borrowings, we are assessed quarterly commitment fees on the unutilized portion of the facility as well as letter of credit fees on outstanding instruments. The interest, letter of credit fee, and commitment fee percentages are based upon our quarterly leverage ratio. In the event we borrow funds under the facility, interest is assessed at either prime plus an applicable floating margin (0.5% at March 31, 2014), or LIBOR plus an applicable floating margin (1.5% at March 31, 2014). At March 31, 2014, we had $331,000 of outstanding borrowings and $74,665 of outstanding letters of credit under the facility, providing $244,335 of available capacity.
	During 2014, our maximum outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facilities were $458,000.
	Term Loan—At March 31, 2014, we had $900,000 remaining on our four-year, $1,000,000 unsecured Term Loan with BofA as administrative agent, which was used to fund a portion of the 2013 Shaw Acquisition. Interest and principal under the Term Loan is payable quarterly in arrears and bears interest at LIBOR plus an applicable floating margin (1.5% at March 31, 2014). However, we continue to utilize an interest rate swap to hedge against $454,500 of the remaining $900,000 Term Loan, which resulted in a weighted average interest rate of approximately 1.97% during the three months ended March 31, 2014, inclusive of the applicable floating margin. Future annual maturities for the Term Loan are $75,000, $100,000, $150,000 and $575,000 for the remainder of 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, respectively. The Term Loan includes financial and restrictive covenants similar to those noted above for the Revolving Facility.
	Senior Notes—We have a series of senior notes totaling $800,000 in the aggregate (“Senior Notes”), with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and Credit Agricole, as administrative agents, which were used to fund a portion of the 2013 Shaw Acquisition. The Senior Notes have financial and restrictive covenants similar to those noted above for the Revolving Facility. The Senior Notes include Series A through D, which contain the following terms:
	•	Series A—Interest due semi-annually at a fixed rate of 4.15%, with principal of $150,000 due in December 2017
	•	Series B—Interest due semi-annually at a fixed rate of 4.57%, with principal of $225,000 due in December 2019
	•	Series C—Interest due semi-annually at a fixed rate of 5.15%, with principal of $275,000 due in December 2022
	•	Series D—Interest due semi-annually at a fixed rate of 5.30%, with principal of $150,000 due in December 2024
	Uncommitted Facilities—We also have various short-term, uncommitted revolving credit facilities across several geographic regions of approximately $2,030,936. These facilities are generally used to provide letters of credit or bank guarantees to customers in the ordinary course of business to support advance payments and performance guarantees, in lieu of retention on our contracts. At March 31, 2014, we had $3,754 of outstanding borrowings and $733,484 of outstanding letters of credit under these facilities, providing $1,293,698 of available capacity.
	In addition to providing letters of credit or bank guarantees, we also issue surety bonds in the ordinary course of business to support our contract performance. At March 31, 2014, we had $667,006 of outstanding surety bonds.
	Westinghouse Bonds—As more fully described in our 2013 Annual Report, in conjunction with the 2013 Shaw Acquisition, in the first quarter of 2013, we paid approximately 128,980,000 Japanese Yen (approximately $1,353,700) to settle bond obligations associated with Shaw's former 20% investment in Westinghouse Electric Company (“WEC”). The bond holders were repaid from proceeds of a trust account (approximately $1,309,000) established by Shaw prior to the Acquisition Closing Date and a payment by CB&I (approximately $44,700). The bond obligations, and the associated trust account cash, were included in the Acquisition Closing Date balance sheet.
	Compliance and Other—At March 31, 2014, we were in compliance with all of our restrictive and financial covenants associated with our debt and revolving credit facilities. Capitalized interest was insignificant at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

FINANCIAL_INSTRUMENTS

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	'
	FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Derivatives
	Operating Exposures—At March 31, 2014, the notional value of our outstanding forward contracts to hedge certain foreign exchange-related operating exposures was approximately $107,000. These contracts vary in duration, maturing up to two years from period-end. We designate certain of these hedges as cash flow hedges and accordingly, changes in their fair value are recognized in AOCI until the associated underlying operating exposure impacts our earnings. We exclude forward points, which are recognized as ineffectiveness within cost of revenue and are not material to our earnings, from our hedge assessment analysis.
	Interest Rate Derivatives
	Interest Rate Exposures—We continue to utilize a swap arrangement to hedge against interest rate variability associated with $454,500 of our remaining $900,000 Term Loan. The swap arrangement has been designated as a cash flow hedge as its critical terms matched those of the Term Loan at inception and through March 31, 2014. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of the hedge are recognized in AOCI until the associated underlying exposure impacts our earnings.
	Financial Instruments Disclosures
	Fair Value—Financial instruments are required to be categorized within a valuation hierarchy based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of the valuation hierarchy are as follows:
	•	Level 1—Fair value is based upon quoted prices in active markets. Our cash and cash equivalents are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy as they are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.
	•	Level 2—Fair value is based upon internally-developed models that use, as their basis, readily observable market parameters. Our derivative positions are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy as they are valued using quoted market prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets. These level 2 derivatives are valued utilizing an income approach, which discounts future cash flow based upon current market expectations and adjusts for credit risk.
	•	Level 3—Fair value is based upon internally-developed models that use, as their basis, significant unobservable market parameters. We did not have any Level 3 classifications at March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
	The following table presents the fair value of our cash and cash equivalents, foreign currency exchange rate derivatives and interest rate derivatives at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, by valuation hierarchy and balance sheet classification:
		31-Mar-14														31-Dec-13
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3			Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	420,163			$	—			$	—		$	420,163		$	420,502		$	—		$	—	$	420,502
	Derivatives (1)
	Other current assets	—				2,353				—			2,353			—			2,155			—		2,155
	Other non-current assets	—				3,917				—			3,917			—			4,705			—		4,705
	Total assets at fair value	$	420,163			$	6,270			$	—		$	426,433		$	420,502		$	6,860		$	—	$	427,362
	Liabilities
	Derivatives
	Accrued liabilities	$	—			$	(6,198	)		$	—		$	(6,198	)	$	—		$	(3,818	)	$	—	$	(3,818	)
	Other non-current liabilities	—				(337		)		—			(337		)	—			(450		)	—		(450		)
	Total liabilities at fair value	$	—			$	(6,535	)		$	—		$	(6,535	)	$	—		$	(4,268	)	$	—	$	(4,268	)
	(1)	We are exposed to credit risk on our hedging instruments associated with potential counterparty non-performance, and the fair value of our derivatives reflects this credit risk. The total level 2 assets at fair value above represent the maximum loss that we would incur on our outstanding hedges if the applicable counterparties failed to perform according to the hedge contracts. To help mitigate counterparty credit risk, we transact only with counterparties that are rated as investment grade or higher and monitor all counterparties on a continuous basis.
	The carrying values of our accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. At March 31, 2014, the fair value of our Term Loan, based upon the current market rates for debt with similar credit risk and maturity, approximated its carrying value as interest is based upon LIBOR plus an applicable floating margin. Our Senior Notes are categorized within level 2 of the valuation hierarchy and had a total fair value of approximately $779,200 at March 31, 2014, based upon the current market rates for debt with similar credit risk and maturities.
	Derivatives Disclosures
	Fair Value—The following table presents the total fair value by underlying risk and balance sheet classification for derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		Asset Derivatives										Liability Derivatives
				Fair Value									Fair Value
		Balance Sheet		March 31,				December 31,				Balance Sheet	March 31,			December 31,
		Classification		2014				2013				Classification	2014			2013
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
	Interest rate	Other current		$	3,809			$	3,772			Accrued and other	$	(2,229	)	$	(2,233	)
		and non-current										non-current
		assets										liabilities
	Foreign currency	Other current		44				861				Accrued and other	(357		)	(853		)
		and non-current										non-current
		assets										liabilities
				$	3,853			$	4,633				$	(2,586	)	$	(3,086	)
	Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges
	Interest rate	Other current		$	—			$	—			Accrued and other	$	—		$	—
		and non-current										non-current
		assets										liabilities
	Foreign currency	Other current		2,417				2,227				Accrued and other	(3,949		)	(1,182		)
		and non-current										non-current
		assets										liabilities
				$	2,417			$	2,227				$	(3,949	)	$	(1,182	)
	Total fair value			$	6,270			$	6,860				$	(6,535	)	$	(4,268	)
	Master Netting Arrangements (“MNAs”)—Our derivatives are executed under International Swaps and Derivatives Association MNAs, which generally allow us and our counterparties to net settle, in a single net payable or receivable, obligations due on the same day, in the same currency and for the same type of derivative instrument. We have elected the option to record all derivatives on a gross basis in our Balance Sheet. The following table presents our derivative assets and liabilities at March 31, 2014 on a gross basis and a net settlement basis:
		Gross				Gross Amounts				Net Amounts			Gross Amounts Not Offset on						Net Amount
		Amounts				Offset on the				Presented on the			the Balance Sheet (iv)						(v) =160;(iii) - (iv)
		Recognized				Balance Sheet				Balance Sheet
		(i)				(ii)				(iii) =i) - (ii)			Financial			Cash
													Instruments			Collateral
																Received
	Derivatives
	Assets:
	Interest rate	$	3,809			$	—			$	3,809		$	—		$	—		$	3,809
	Foreign currency	2,461				—				2,461			(588		)	—			1,873
	Total assets	$	6,270			$	—			$	6,270		$	(588	)	$	—		$	5,682
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate	$	(2,229	)		—				$	(2,229	)	—			—			(2,229		)
Foreign currency	(4,306		)		—				(4,306		)	588			—			(3,718		)
Total liabilities	$	(6,535	)		$	—			$	(6,535	)	$	588		$	—		$	(5,947	)
AOCI/Other—The following table presents the total value, by underlying risk, recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and reclassified from AOCI to interest expense (interest rate derivatives) and cost of revenue (foreign currency derivatives) during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 for derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
	Amount of Gain (Loss) on Effective
	Derivative Portion
	Recognized in								Reclassified from
	OCI								AOCI into Earnings (1)
	Three months ended March 31,
	2014				2013				2014			2013
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
Interest rate	$	(502	)		$	(1,319	)		$	(543	)	$	(166	)
Foreign currency	(66		)		(64		)		467			(411		)
Total	$	(568	)		$	(1,383	)		$	(76	)	$	(577	)
(1)	Net unrealized losses totaling $1,441 are anticipated to be reclassified from AOCI into earnings during the next 12 months due to settlement of the associated underlying obligations.
The following table presents the total value, by underlying risk, recognized in cost of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 for foreign currency derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges:
	Amount of Gain (Loss)
	Recognized in Earnings
	Three months ended March 31,
	2014				2013
Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges
Foreign currency	$	1,506			$	(1,854	)
Total	$	1,506			$	(1,854	)

RETIREMENT_BENEFITS

RETIREMENT BENEFITS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
RETIREMENT BENEFITS	'
	RETIREMENT BENEFITS
	Our 2013 Annual Report disclosed anticipated 2014 defined benefit pension and other postretirement plan contributions of approximately $20,235 and $3,138, respectively. The following table provides updated contribution information for our plans at March 31, 2014:
		Pension Plans			Other Postretirement
					Plans
	Contributions made through March 31, 2014	$	9,442		$	340
	Contributions expected for the remainder of 2014	10,641			2,354
	Total contributions expected for 2014	$	20,083		$	2,694
	The following table provides a breakout of the components of net periodic benefit cost associated with our defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Pension Plans
	Service cost	$	2,351		$	1,645
	Interest cost	8,564			7,030
	Expected return on plan assets	(9,314		)	(6,565		)
	Amortization of prior service credits	(120		)	(115		)
	Recognized net actuarial losses	1,181			1,135
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,662		$	3,130
	Other Postretirement Plans
	Service cost	$	259		$	311
	Interest cost	570			516
	Amortization of prior service credits	—			(67		)
	Recognized net actuarial gains	(216		)	(129		)
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	613		$	631

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Legal Proceedings—We have been and may from time to time be named as a defendant in legal actions claiming damages in connection with engineering and construction projects, technology licenses, other services we provide, and other matters. These are typically claims that arise in the normal course of business, including employment-related claims and contractual disputes or claims for personal injury or property damage which occur in connection with services performed relating to project or construction sites. Contractual disputes normally involve claims relating to the timely completion of projects, performance of equipment or technologies, design or other engineering services or project construction services provided by us. We do not believe that any of our pending contractual, employment-related, personal injury or property damage claims and disputes will have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations, financial position or cash flow. See Note 15 for additional discussion of claims associated with our projects.
	Asbestos Litigation—We are a defendant in lawsuits wherein plaintiffs allege exposure to asbestos due to work we may have performed at various locations. We have never been a manufacturer, distributor or supplier of asbestos products. Over the past several decades and through March 31, 2014, we have been named a defendant in lawsuits alleging exposure to asbestos involving approximately 5,400 plaintiffs and, of those claims, approximately 1,500 claims were pending and 3,900 have been closed through dismissals or settlements. Over the past several decades and through March 31, 2014, the claims alleging exposure to asbestos that have been resolved have been dismissed or settled for an average settlement amount of approximately two thousand dollars per claim. We review each case on its own merits and make accruals based upon the probability of loss and our estimates of the amount of liability and related expenses, if any. We do not believe that any unresolved asserted claims will have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations, financial position or cash flow, and at March 31, 2014, we had approximately $4,200 accrued for liability and related expenses. With respect to unasserted asbestos claims, we cannot identify a population of potential claimants with sufficient certainty to determine the probability of a loss and to make a reasonable estimate of liability, if any. While we continue to pursue recovery for recognized and unrecognized contingent losses through insurance, indemnification arrangements or other sources, we are unable to quantify the amount, if any, that we may expect to recover because of the variability in coverage amounts, limitations and deductibles, or the viability of carriers, with respect to our insurance policies for the years in question.
	Environmental Matters—Our operations are subject to extensive and changing U.S. federal, state and local laws and regulations, as well as the laws of other countries, that establish health and environmental quality standards. These standards, among others, relate to air and water pollutants and the management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes. We are exposed to potential liability for personal injury or property damage caused by any release, spill, exposure or other accident involving such pollutants, substances or wastes.
	In connection with the historical operation of our facilities, including those associated with acquired operations, substances which currently are or might be considered hazardous were used or disposed of at some sites that will or may require us to make expenditures for remediation. In addition, we have agreed to indemnify parties from whom we have purchased or to whom we have sold facilities for certain environmental liabilities arising from acts occurring before the dates those facilities were transferred.
	We believe we are in compliance, in all material respects, with environmental laws and regulations and maintain insurance coverage to mitigate our exposure to environmental liabilities. We do not believe any environmental matters will have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations, financial position or cash flow. We do not anticipate we will incur material capital expenditures for environmental controls or for the investigation or remediation of environmental conditions during the remainder of 2014 or 2015.

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	The following table presents changes in AOCI by component and reclassification of AOCI into earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2014:
			Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
			Currency			Unrealized			Defined Benefit			Total
			Translation			Fair Value Of			Pension and Other
			Adjustment (1)			Cash Flow Hedges			Postretirement Plans
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	(46,580	)	$	1,771		$	(75,124	)	$	(119,933	)
	OCI before reclassifications		3,880			(1,027		)	1,070			3,923
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI		—			37			682			719
	Net OCI		3,880			(990		)	1,752			4,642
	Balance at March 31, 2014		$	(42,700	)	$	781		$	(73,372	)	$	(115,291	)
	(1)	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the currency translation adjustment component of AOCI was impacted primarily by movements in the Australian Dollar and Canadian Dollar exchange rates against the U.S. Dollar.
			Amount Reclassified From AOCI
	AOCI Components
	Unrealized Fair Value Of Cash Flow Hedges (1)
	Interest rate derivatives (interest expense)		$	543
	Foreign currency derivatives (cost of revenue)		(467		)
	Total, before taxes		$	76
	Taxes		(39		)
	Total, net of taxes		$	37
	Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (2)
	Amortization of prior service credits		$	(120	)
	Recognized net actuarial losses		965
	Total, before taxes		$	845
	Taxes		(163		)
	Total, net of taxes		$	682
	(1)	See Note 10 for further discussion of our cash flow hedges, including the total value reclassified from AOCI to earnings.
	(2)	See Note 11 for further discussion of our defined benefit and other postretirement plans, including the components of net periodic benefit cost.

STOCKSETTLED_AND_CASHSETTLED_E

STOCK-SETTLED AND CASH-SETTLED EQUITY BASED PLANS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
STOCK-SETTLED AND CASH-SETTLED EQUITY BASED PLANS	'
	STOCK-SETTLED AND CASH-SETTLED EQUITY BASED PLANS
	General—Under our Long-Term Incentive Plan, we can issue shares to employees and directors in the form of stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) or performance shares. Additionally, in conjunction with the 2013 Shaw Acquisition, at the Acquisition Closing Date we converted certain Shaw stock-settled equity-based awards (including stock options and RSUs) and cash-settled equity-based awards (including RSUs and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”)) to equivalent CB&I awards. Changes in common stock, additional paid-in capital and treasury stock during the three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily related to activity associated with our stock-based compensation plans and share repurchases, including purchases of our outstanding common stock and purchases for taxes withheld on taxable share distributions.
	Stock-Settled and Cash-Settled Equity-Based Plans—During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we granted the following awards associated with our equity-based incentive plans:
		Shares (1)		Weighted Average
				Grant-Date Fair
				Value Per Share
	RSUs	509		$	80.86
	Performance shares	312		$	79.86
	Total	821
	-1	No stock options or cash-settled equity-based awards were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we had the following activity associated with our equity-based incentive plans and employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”):
	Equity-Based Awards (stock-settled)
	Performance shares (issued upon vesting)	629
	RSUs (issued upon vesting)	374
	Stock options (issued upon exercise)	213
	ESPP shares (issued upon sale)	62
	Total Shares Issued	1,278
	Equity-Based Awards (cash-settled)
	Cash-settled SARs (paid upon exercise)	$	2,030
	Cash-settled RSUs (paid upon vesting)	621
	Total Cash Payments	$	2,651
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we recognized $43,065 and $32,510, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense, primarily within selling and administrative expense.
	Share Repurchases—During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we repurchased 716 shares for $54,946 (an average price of $76.74), including $30,677 to purchase 412 shares of our outstanding common stock and $24,269 to purchase 304 shares for taxes withheld on taxable share distributions.

UNAPPROVED_CHANGE_ORDERS_CLAIM

UNAPPROVED CHANGE ORDERS, CLAIMS, INCENTIVES AND OTHER CONTRACT RECOVERIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Contractors [Abstract]	'
UNAPPROVED CHANGE ORDERS, CLAIMS, INCENTIVES AND OTHER CONTRACT RECOVERIES	'
	UNAPPROVED CHANGE ORDERS, CLAIMS, INCENTIVES AND OTHER CONTRACT RECOVERIES
	We recognize revenue associated with unapproved change orders and claims to the extent the related costs have been incurred, the value can be reliably estimated and recovery is probable, and we recognize revenue associated with incentive fees when the value can be reliably estimated and recovery is probable. In addition, we include in contract price amounts contractually recoverable from our customers and consortium partners.
	Nuclear Projects—We have consortium agreements (the “Consortium Agreements”) with WEC under which we have contracted with two separate customers (the “Customer Contracts”) for the construction of two nuclear power plants in Georgia (the “Georgia Nuclear Project”) and South Carolina (collectively with the Georgia Nuclear Project, the “Nuclear Projects”). The Nuclear Projects are reflected within our Engineering, Construction and Maintenance and Fabrication Services operating groups. Under the scope of work provided in each of the Consortium Agreements, WEC is primarily responsible for engineering and procurement activities associated with the nuclear island component of the Nuclear Projects, while we are responsible for engineering, procurement and fabrication for the balance of plant and substantially all of the construction activities for the Nuclear Projects. The Customer Contracts provide WEC and us contractual entitlement (“Customer Obligations”) for recovery of certain estimated costs in excess of contractually stipulated amounts. In addition to the aforementioned protections for us under the Customer Contracts, the Consortium Agreements also provide contractual entitlement for us to recover from WEC (“WEC Obligations”) certain estimated costs in excess of contractually stipulated amounts, to the extent not recoverable from our customers. Project price for the Nuclear Projects includes estimated amounts recoverable under the aforementioned Customer Obligations and WEC Obligations.
	We have unapproved change orders and claims with our customer for the Georgia Nuclear Project resulting from increased engineering, equipment supply, material and fabrication and construction costs resulting from regulatory-required design changes and delays in our customer’s obtaining the combined operating license (“COL”) for the project. Specifically, we have entered into a formal dispute resolution process on certain claims associated with the shield building, large structural modules and COL issuance delays. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had approximately $838,600 included in project price related to the unapproved change orders and claims. To the extent we are unsuccessful recovering these amounts from our customer, the amounts are contractually recoverable under the aforementioned WEC Obligations. Through March 31, 2014, approximately $119,300 had been recognized as revenue on a cumulative POC basis related to the amounts included in project price. Although we have not reached resolution with our customer for the aforementioned matters, at March 31, 2014, we had received contractually required partial payments from our customer totaling approximately $96,500 related to the unapproved change order and claim amounts.
	We believe the amounts included in project price related to the unapproved change orders and claims, and the Customer Obligations and WEC Obligations, are recoverable under the aforementioned provisions of our contractual arrangements and reflect our best estimate of recovery amounts. The Nuclear Projects have long construction durations and the cost estimates cover costs that will be incurred over several years. It is anticipated that these commercial matters may not be resolved in the near term. If we do not resolve these matters for the amounts recorded, or to the extent we are not successful in recovering amounts contractually due under the Customer Obligations or WEC Obligations, or to the extent there are future cost increases on the Nuclear Projects that we cannot recover under either the Customer Obligations or WEC Obligations, it could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
	Other—We had additional unapproved change orders and claims included in project price totaling approximately $107,000 and $97,000 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, related to other projects within our Engineering, Construction and Maintenance and Fabrication Services operating groups, and incentives of approximately $40,200 and $49,200 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 for projects in our Engineering, Construction and Maintenance and Environmental Solutions operating groups. Of these amounts, approximately $104,000 had been recognized as revenue on a cumulative POC basis through March 31, 2014. At March 31, 2014, we also had receivables outstanding for one of our large cost reimbursable projects totaling approximately $70,000 that were past due. Although the amounts may not be received in the near term, they are contractually due under the provisions of our contracts. The aforementioned amounts recorded in project price and receivables reflect our best estimate of recovery amounts; however, the ultimate resolution and amounts received could differ from these estimates and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

SEGMENT_INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'
	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	Our management structure and internal and public segment reporting are aligned based upon the services offered by our four operating groups, which represent our reportable segments: Engineering, Construction and Maintenance; Fabrication Services; Technology; and Environmental Solutions (formerly Government Solutions). Revenue and income from operations of $69,641 and $3,321, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2013 for a large EPC project in the U.S. that was previously reported within our Environmental Solutions operating group has been reclassified to our Engineering, Construction and Maintenance operating group to conform to its classification in 2014, reflecting the present management oversight for the project.
	Our Chief Executive Officer evaluates the performance of these operating groups based upon revenue and income from operations. Each operating group's income from operations reflects corporate costs, allocated based primarily upon revenue. Intersegment revenue is netted against the revenue of the segment receiving the intersegment services. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, intersegment revenue totaled approximately $113,900 and $18,300, respectively, and primarily related to services provided by our Fabrication Services operating group to our Engineering, Construction and Maintenance operating group.
	The following table presents revenue and income from operations by reporting segment for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. The three months ended March 31, 2013 includes the results of the 2013 Shaw Acquisition from the Acquisition Closing Date:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Revenue
	Engineering, Construction and Maintenance	$	1,968,711		$	1,499,776
	Fabrication Services	630,408			495,048
	Technology	144,076			151,482
	Environmental Solutions	184,937			105,123
	Total revenue	$	2,928,132		$	2,251,429
	Income From Operations
	Engineering, Construction and Maintenance	$	88,778		$	66,533
	Fabrication Services	40,413			45,024
	Technology	41,171			35,542
	Environmental Solutions	188			671
	Total operating groups	170,550			147,770
	Acquisition and integration related costs	(8,067		)	(61,256		)
	Total income from operations	$	162,483		$	86,514

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE1

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis Of Accounting And Principles Of Consolidation	'
	Basis of Presentation—The accompanying unaudited interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (“Financial Statements”) are prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States (“U.S.”) Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). These Financial Statements include all wholly-owned subsidiaries and those entities which we are required to consolidate. See the “Partnering Arrangements” section of this footnote for further discussion of our consolidation policy for those entities that are not wholly-owned. We believe these Financial Statements include all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, our financial position as of March 31, 2014 and our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. The December 31, 2013 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet was derived from our December 31, 2013 audited Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	We believe the disclosures accompanying these Financial Statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim reporting periods. The results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accompanying Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2013 Annual Report”).
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates—The preparation of our Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We believe the most significant estimates and judgments are associated with revenue recognition for our contracts, including the recognition of incentive fees and unapproved change orders and claims; recoverability assessments that must be periodically performed with respect to long-lived tangible assets, goodwill and other intangible assets; valuation of deferred tax assets and financial instruments; the determination of liabilities related to self-insurance programs and income taxes; and consolidation determinations with respect to our partnering arrangements. If the underlying estimates and assumptions upon which our Financial Statements are based change in the future, actual amounts may differ from those included in the accompanying Financial Statements.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition—Our revenue is primarily derived from long-term contracts and is generally recognized using the percentage of completion (“POC”) method, primarily based on the percentage that actual costs-to-date bear to total estimated costs to complete each contract. We follow the guidance of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Revenue Recognition Topic 605-35 for accounting policies relating to our use of the POC method, estimating costs, and revenue recognition, including the recognition of incentive fees, unapproved change orders and claims, and combining and segmenting contracts. We primarily utilize the cost-to-cost approach to estimate POC as we believe this method is less subjective than relying on assessments of physical progress. Under the cost-to-cost approach, the use of estimated costs to complete each contract is a significant variable in the process of determining recognized revenue and is a significant factor in the accounting for contracts. Significant estimates that impact the cost to complete each contract are costs of engineering, materials, components, equipment, labor and subcontracts; labor productivity; schedule durations, including subcontract and supplier progress; liquidated damages; contract disputes, including claims; achievement of contractual performance requirements; and contingency, among others. The cumulative impact of revisions in total cost estimates during the progress of work is reflected in the period in which these changes become known, including, to the extent required, the reversal of profit recognized in prior periods and the recognition of losses expected to be incurred on contracts in progress. Due to the various estimates inherent in our contract accounting, actual results could differ from those estimates. Backlog for each of our operating groups generally consists of several hundred contracts, and although our results are impacted by changes in estimated project margins, in the current period and for the past several years, such aggregate variations have not resulted in a material net impact to our income from operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, we had no individual projects with significant changes in estimated margins and for the three months ended March 31, 2013, individual projects with significant changes in estimated margins did not have a material net impact on our income from operations.
	Our long-term contracts are awarded on a competitive bid and negotiated basis and the timing of revenue recognition may be impacted by the terms of such contracts. We use a range of contracting options, including cost-reimbursable, fixed-price and hybrid, which has both cost-reimbursable and fixed-price characteristics. Fixed-price contracts, and hybrid contracts with a more significant fixed-price component, tend to provide us with greater control over project schedule and the timing of when work is performed and costs are incurred, and accordingly, when revenue is recognized. Cost-reimbursable contracts, and hybrid contracts with a more significant cost-reimbursable component, generally provide our customers with greater influence over the timing of when we perform our work, and accordingly, such contracts often result in less predictability with respect to the timing of revenue recognition. Contract revenue for our long-term contracts recognized under the POC method reflects the original contract price adjusted for approved change orders and estimated recoveries for incentive fees, unapproved change orders and claims. We recognize revenue associated with incentive fees when the value can be reliably estimated and recovery is probable. We recognize revenue associated with unapproved change orders and claims to the extent the related costs have been incurred, the value can be reliably estimated and recovery is probable. Our recorded incentive fees, unapproved change orders and claims reflect our best estimate of recovery amounts; however, the ultimate resolution and amounts received could differ from these estimates. See Note 15 for additional discussion of our recorded unapproved change orders, claims, incentives and other contract recoveries.
	With respect to our engineering, procurement, and construction (“EPC”) services, our contracts are not segmented between types of services, such as engineering and construction, if each of the EPC components is negotiated concurrently or if the pricing of any such services is subject to the ultimate negotiation and agreement of the entire EPC contract. However, we segment an EPC contract if it includes technology or fabrication services and the technology or fabrication scope is independently negotiated and priced. In addition, an EPC contract including technology or fabrication services may be segmented if we satisfy the segmenting criteria in ASC 605-35. Revenue recorded in these situations is based on our prices and terms for similar services to third party customers. Segmenting a contract may result in different interim rates of profitability for each scope of service than if we had recognized revenue without segmenting. In some instances, we may combine contracts that are entered into in multiple phases, but are interdependent and include pricing considerations by us and the customer that are impacted by all phases of the project. Otherwise, if each phase is independent of the other and pricing considerations do not give effect to another phase, the contracts will not be combined.
	Cost of revenue for our long-term contracts includes direct contract costs, such as materials and labor, and indirect costs that are attributable to contract activity. The timing of when we bill our customers is generally dependent upon advance billing terms, completion of certain phases of the work, or when services are provided. Cumulative costs and estimated earnings recognized to-date in excess of cumulative billings is reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (“Balance Sheet”) as costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings. Cumulative billings in excess of cumulative costs and estimated earnings recognized to-date is reported on the Balance Sheet as billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had billings to customers on our long-term contracts of $18,982,146 and $16,113,591, respectively, netted within costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings, and billings to customers of $23,115,520 and $25,436,810, respectively, netted within billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings. Any uncollected billed revenue, including contract retentions, is reported as accounts receivable. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, accounts receivable included contract retentions of approximately $72,400 and $68,600, respectively. Contract retentions due beyond one year were not material at March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
	Revenue for our service contracts that do not satisfy the criteria for revenue recognition under the POC method is recorded at the time services are performed. Revenue associated with incentive fees for these contracts is recognized when earned. Unbilled receivables for our service contracts are recorded within accounts receivable and were $85,980 and $79,979 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Revenue for our pipe and steel fabrication and catalyst manufacturing contracts that are independent of an EPC contract, or for which we satisfy the segmentation criteria discussed above, is recognized upon shipment of the fabricated or manufactured units. During the fabrication or manufacturing process, all related direct and allocable indirect costs are capitalized as work in process inventory and such costs are recorded as cost of revenue at the time of shipment.
	Our billed and unbilled revenue may be exposed to potential credit risk if our customers should encounter financial difficulties, and we maintain reserves for specifically-identified potential uncollectible receivables. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our allowances for doubtful accounts were not material.
Other Operating Expense (Income), Net	'
	Other Operating Expense (Income), Net—Other operating expense (income), net, generally represents losses (gains) associated with the sale or disposition of property and equipment.
Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs	'
	Acquisition and Integration Related Costs—For the three months ended March 31, 2014, integration-related costs of $8,067 primarily related to facility consolidations, including the associated accrued future lease costs for vacated facilities and unutilized capacity, personnel relocation and severance-related costs, and systems integration and other integration-related costs. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, acquisition and integration related costs of $61,256 primarily included transaction costs, professional fees, and change-in-control and severance-related costs.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	'
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—Goodwill is not amortized to earnings, but instead is reviewed for impairment at least annually at our reporting unit level, absent any indicators of impairment. Our Engineering, Construction and Maintenance operating group includes three reporting units, our Fabrication Services operating group includes two reporting units, and our Technology and Environmental Solutions operating groups each represent a reporting unit. We perform our annual impairment assessment during the fourth quarter of each year based upon balances as of the beginning of that year’s fourth quarter. As part of our annual impairment assessment, in the fourth quarter of 2013, we performed a quantitative assessment of goodwill for each of our reporting units. We utilized an income approach (discounted cash flow method) to value our reporting units and test for impairment as we believe this is the most direct approach to incorporate the specific economic attributes and risk profiles of our reporting units into our valuation model. This is consistent with the methodology used for our annual impairment assessment in previous years. We generally do not utilize a market approach given the difficulty in identifying relevant market transactions and the volatility of markets from which transactions are derived. Based upon this quantitative assessment, no impairment charge was necessary during 2013, as the fair value of each of the reporting units acquired in 2013 exceeded their respective net book value and the fair value of all other reporting units significantly exceeded their respective net book values. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, no indicators of goodwill impairment were identified. If, based on future assessments, our goodwill is deemed to be impaired, the impairment would result in a charge to earnings in the year of impairment.
	We amortize our finite-lived intangible assets on a straight-line basis with lives ranging from 2 to 20 years, absent any indicators of impairment. We review tangible assets and finite-lived intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If a recoverability assessment is required, the estimated future cash flow associated with the asset or asset group will be compared to the asset’s carrying amount to determine if impairment exists. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we noted no indicators of impairment. See Note 6 for further discussion regarding goodwill and other intangible assets.
Earnings Per Share ("EPS")	'
	Earnings Per Share (“EPS”)—Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income attributable to CB&I by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the assumed conversion of dilutive securities, consisting of restricted shares, performance shares (where performance criteria have been met), stock options and directors’ deferred-fee shares. See Note 3 for calculations associated with basic and diluted EPS.
Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash Equivalents—Cash equivalents are considered to be all highly liquid securities with original maturities of three months or less.
Inventory	'
	Inventory—Inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or market and cost is determined using the first-in-first-out (“FIFO”) or weighted-average cost method. The cost of inventory includes acquisition costs, production or conversion costs, and other costs incurred to bring the inventory to a current location and condition. An allowance for excess or inactive inventory is recorded based upon an analysis that considers current inventory levels, historical usage patterns, estimates of future sales expectations and salvage value. See Note 5 for additional disclosures associated with our inventory.
Foreign Currency	'
	Foreign Currency—The nature of our business activities involves the management of various financial and market risks, including those related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The effects of translating financial statements of foreign operations into our reporting currency are recognized as a cumulative translation adjustment in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) (“AOCI”) which is net of tax, where applicable. Foreign currency exchange gains (losses) are included within cost of revenue and were not material for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
Financial Instruments	'
	Financial Instruments—We utilize derivative instruments in certain circumstances to mitigate the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, as described below:
	•	Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Derivatives—We do not engage in currency speculation; however, we do utilize foreign currency exchange rate derivatives on an on-going basis to hedge against certain foreign currency-related operating exposures. We generally seek hedge accounting treatment for contracts used to hedge operating exposures and designate them as cash flow hedges. Therefore, gains and losses, exclusive of credit risk and forward points (which represent the time-value component of the fair value of our derivative positions), are included in AOCI until the associated underlying operating exposure impacts our earnings. Changes in the fair value of (1) credit risk and forward points, (2) instruments deemed ineffective during the period, and (3) instruments that we do not designate as cash flow hedges are recognized within cost of revenue.
	•	Interest Rate Derivatives—During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we continued to utilize a swap arrangement to hedge against interest rate variability associated with $454,500 of our remaining $900,000 unsecured term loan (the “Term Loan”). The swap arrangement has been designated as a cash flow hedge as its critical terms matched those of the Term Loan at inception and through March 31, 2014. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of the swap arrangement are included in AOCI until the associated underlying exposure impacts our earnings.
	For those contracts designated as cash flow hedges, we document all relationships between the derivative instruments and associated hedged items, as well as our risk-management objectives and strategy for undertaking hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives to specific firm commitments or highly-probable forecasted transactions. We continually assess, at inception and on an on-going basis, the effectiveness of derivative instruments in offsetting changes in the cash flow of the designated hedged items. Hedge accounting designation is discontinued when (1) it is determined that the derivative is no longer highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flow of the hedged item, including firm commitments or forecasted transactions, (2) the derivative is sold, terminated, exercised, or expires, (3) it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur, or (4) we determine that designating the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate. See Note 10 for additional discussion of our financial instruments.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes—Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis using currently enacted income tax rates for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided to offset any net deferred tax assets (“DTA(s)”) if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the DTAs will not be realized. The final realization of DTAs depends upon our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income of the appropriate character and in the appropriate jurisdictions.
	We provide income tax and associated interest reserves, where applicable, in situations where we have and have not received tax assessments. Tax and associated interest reserves are provided in those instances where we consider it more likely than not that additional tax will be due in excess of amounts reflected in income tax returns filed worldwide. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our reserves totaled approximately $14,300. If these income tax reserves are ultimately unnecessary, approximately $11,100 would impact the effective tax rate as we are contractually indemnified for the remaining balances. We continually review our exposure to additional income tax obligations and, as further information is known or events occur, changes in our tax and interest reserves may be recorded within income tax expense and interest expense, respectively.
Partnering Arrangements	'
	Partnering Arrangements—In the ordinary course of business, we execute specific projects and conduct certain operations through joint venture, consortium and other collaborative arrangements (collectively referred to as “venture(s)”). We have various ownership interests in these ventures, with such ownership typically being proportionate to our decision-making and distribution rights. The ventures generally contract directly with the third party customer; however, services may be performed directly by the ventures, or may be performed by us or our partners, or a combination thereof.
	Venture net assets consist primarily of cash, working capital and property and equipment, and assets may be restricted from being used to fund obligations outside of the venture. These ventures typically have limited third-party debt or have debt that is non-recourse in nature; however, they may provide for capital calls to fund operations or require participants in the venture to provide additional financial support, including advance payment or retention letters of credit.
	Each venture is assessed at inception and on an ongoing basis as to whether it qualifies as a VIE under the consolidations guidance in ASC 810. A venture generally qualifies as a VIE when it (1) meets the definition of a legal entity, (2) absorbs the operational risk of the projects being executed, creating a variable interest, and (3) lacks sufficient capital investment from the partners, potentially resulting in the venture requiring additional subordinated financial support, if necessary, to finance its future activities.
	If at any time a venture qualifies as a VIE, we perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE and, therefore, need to consolidate the VIE. We are the primary beneficiary if we have (1) the power to direct the economically significant activities of the VIE and (2) the right to receive benefits from, and obligation to absorb losses of, the VIE. If the venture is a VIE and we are the primary beneficiary, or we otherwise have the ability to control the venture, we consolidate the venture. If we are not determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE, or only have the ability to significantly influence, rather than control the venture, we do not consolidate the venture. We account for unconsolidated ventures using proportionate consolidation when we meet the applicable accounting criteria to do so and utilize the equity method otherwise. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the results of our proportionately consolidated ventures were not material. See Note 7 for additional discussion of our material partnering arrangements.
New Accounting Standards	'
	New Accounting Standards—There are no recently issued accounting standards that we believe will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flow.

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Tables

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Weighted Average Basic Shares Outstanding to Diluted Shares Outstanding and Computation of Basic and Diluted EPS	'
	A reconciliation of weighted average basic shares outstanding to weighted average diluted shares outstanding and the computation of basic and diluted EPS are as follows:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014		2013
	Net income attributable to CB&I	$	88,951	$	33,608
	Weighted average shares outstanding—basic	107,677		101,802
	Effect of restricted shares/performance shares/stock options (1)	1,367		1,633
	Effect of directors’ deferred-fee shares	69		72
	Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted	109,113		103,507
	Net income attributable to CB&I per share:
	Basic	$	0.83	$	0.33
	Diluted	$	0.82	$	0.32
	(1) Antidilutive stock options excluded from diluted EPS were not material for the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.

RECENT_ACQUISITION_Tables

RECENT ACQUISITION (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information	'
		Three months ended March 31, 2013
	Pro forma revenue	$	2,744,799
	Pro forma net income attributable to CB&I	$	87,367
	Pro forma net income attributable to CB&I per share:
	Basic	$	0.82
	Diluted	$	0.81

INVENTORY_Tables

INVENTORY (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Inventory	'
	The components of inventory at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	177,035	$	184,586
	Work in process	35,041		31,764
	Finished goods	79,943		86,637
	Total	$	292,019	$	302,987

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLES1

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Change in Goodwill by Business Sector	'
	Goodwill—At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our goodwill balances were $4,225,687 and $4,226,468, respectively, attributable to the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in connection with our acquisitions:
			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	4,226,468
	Amortization of tax goodwill in excess of book goodwill		(1,387		)
	Foreign currency translation		606
	Balance at March 31, 2014		$	4,225,687
Finite- Lived Intangible Assets Balances Including Weighted- Average Useful Lives	'
	The following table provides a summary of our acquired finite-lived intangible assets at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, including weighted-average useful lives for each major intangible asset class and in total:
			31-Mar-14						31-Dec-13
			Gross			Accumulated			Gross		Accumulated
			Carrying			Amortization			Carrying		Amortization
			Amount						Amount
	Finite-lived intangible assets (weighted average life)
	Backlog and customer relationships (16 years)		$	380,586		$	(42,718	)	$	380,586	$	(33,735	)
	Process technologies (15 years)		295,885			(95,178		)	295,726		(90,282		)
	Tradenames (10 years)		86,049			(13,367		)	86,042		(11,126		)
	Lease agreements (6 years) (1)		—			—			7,718		(7,627		)
	Non-compete agreements (7 years)		3,016			(2,703		)	3,012		(2,591		)
	Total (15 years) (2)		$	765,536		$	(153,966	)	$	773,084	$	(145,361	)
	(1)	Lease agreement intangibles totaling $7,718 became fully amortized during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and were therefore removed from the gross carrying and accumulated amortization balances above.
	(2)	The decrease in intangibles during three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily related to amortization expense of $16,234.

PARTNERING_ARRANGEMENTS_Tables

PARTNERING ARRANGEMENTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Summarized Balance Sheet Information of Variable Interest Entities	'
	The following table presents summarized balance sheet information for our consolidated VIEs:
			March 31,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	CBI/Kentz
	Current assets		$	211,444	$	156,974
	Current liabilities		$	104,940	$	72,741
	CBI/Clough
	Current assets		$	132,243	$	122,179
	Current liabilities		$	47,401	$	48,933
	CBI/AREVA
	Current assets		$	69,053	$	34,547
	Current liabilities		$	108,717	$	98,478
	All Other (1)
	Current assets		$	80,700	$	83,370
	Non-current assets		$	24,200	$	24,802
	Total assets		$	104,900	$	108,172
	Current liabilities		$	22,311	$	26,879
	(1)	Other ventures that we consolidate due to their designation as VIEs are not individually material to our financial results and are therefore aggregated as “All Other”.

FACILITY_REALIGNMENT_LIABILITY1

FACILITY REALIGNMENT LIABILITY (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Restructuring Related Costs	'
	The following table summarizes the movements in the facility realignment liability during the three months ended March 31, 2014:
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	12,111
	Charges (1)		2,275
	Cash payments		(3,242		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014		$	11,144
	(1)	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, charges of $2,275 were recognized within acquisition and integration related costs related to facility consolidations and the associated accelerated lease costs for vacated facilities, primarily in our Environmental Solutions operating group. During the remainder of 2014, we are continuing to assess our facility requirements in light of the 2013 Shaw Acquisition.

DEBT_Tables

DEBT (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Outstanding Debt	'
	Our outstanding debt at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was as follows:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Current
	Revolving facility debt	$	334,754		$	115,000
	Current maturities of term loan	100,000			100,000
	Current debt	$	434,754		$	215,000
	Long-Term
	Term Loan: $1,000,000 term loan (interest at LIBOR plus an applicable floating margin)	$	900,000		$	925,000
	Senior Notes: $800,000 senior notes, series A-D (fixed interest ranging from 4.15% to 5.30%)	800,000			800,000
	Less: current maturities of term loan	(100,000		)	(100,000		)
	Long-term debt	$	1,600,000		$	1,625,000

FINANCIAL_INSTRUMENTS_Tables

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Financial Instruments Carried at Fair Value	'
	The following table presents the fair value of our cash and cash equivalents, foreign currency exchange rate derivatives and interest rate derivatives at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, by valuation hierarchy and balance sheet classification:
		31-Mar-14														31-Dec-13
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3			Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	420,163			$	—			$	—		$	420,163		$	420,502		$	—		$	—	$	420,502
	Derivatives (1)
	Other current assets	—				2,353				—			2,353			—			2,155			—		2,155
	Other non-current assets	—				3,917				—			3,917			—			4,705			—		4,705
	Total assets at fair value	$	420,163			$	6,270			$	—		$	426,433		$	420,502		$	6,860		$	—	$	427,362
	Liabilities
	Derivatives
	Accrued liabilities	$	—			$	(6,198	)		$	—		$	(6,198	)	$	—		$	(3,818	)	$	—	$	(3,818	)
	Other non-current liabilities	—				(337		)		—			(337		)	—			(450		)	—		(450		)
	Total liabilities at fair value	$	—			$	(6,535	)		$	—		$	(6,535	)	$	—		$	(4,268	)	$	—	$	(4,268	)
	(1)	We are exposed to credit risk on our hedging instruments associated with potential counterparty non-performance, and the fair value of our derivatives reflects this credit risk. The total level 2 assets at fair value above represent the maximum loss that we would incur on our outstanding hedges if the applicable counterparties failed to perform according to the hedge contracts. To help mitigate counterparty credit risk, we transact only with counterparties that are rated as investment grade or higher and monitor all counterparties on a continuous basis.
Total Fair Value by Underlying Risk and Balance Sheet Classification	'
	The following table presents the total fair value by underlying risk and balance sheet classification for derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		Asset Derivatives										Liability Derivatives
				Fair Value									Fair Value
		Balance Sheet		March 31,				December 31,				Balance Sheet	March 31,			December 31,
		Classification		2014				2013				Classification	2014			2013
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
	Interest rate	Other current		$	3,809			$	3,772			Accrued and other	$	(2,229	)	$	(2,233	)
		and non-current										non-current
		assets										liabilities
	Foreign currency	Other current		44				861				Accrued and other	(357		)	(853		)
		and non-current										non-current
		assets										liabilities
				$	3,853			$	4,633				$	(2,586	)	$	(3,086	)
	Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges
	Interest rate	Other current		$	—			$	—			Accrued and other	$	—		$	—
		and non-current										non-current
		assets										liabilities
	Foreign currency	Other current		2,417				2,227				Accrued and other	(3,949		)	(1,182		)
		and non-current										non-current
		assets										liabilities
				$	2,417			$	2,227				$	(3,949	)	$	(1,182	)
	Total fair value			$	6,270			$	6,860				$	(6,535	)	$	(4,268	)
Schedule Of Derivative Assets And Liabilities On Gross And Net Settlement Basis Table	'
	The following table presents our derivative assets and liabilities at March 31, 2014 on a gross basis and a net settlement basis:
		Gross				Gross Amounts				Net Amounts			Gross Amounts Not Offset on						Net Amount
		Amounts				Offset on the				Presented on the			the Balance Sheet (iv)						(v) =160;(iii) - (iv)
		Recognized				Balance Sheet				Balance Sheet
		(i)				(ii)				(iii) =i) - (ii)			Financial			Cash
													Instruments			Collateral
																Received
	Derivatives
	Assets:
	Interest rate	$	3,809			$	—			$	3,809		$	—		$	—		$	3,809
	Foreign currency	2,461				—				2,461			(588		)	—			1,873
	Total assets	$	6,270			$	—			$	6,270		$	(588	)	$	—		$	5,682
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate	$	(2,229	)		—				$	(2,229	)	—			—			(2,229		)
	Foreign currency	(4,306		)		—				(4,306		)	588			—			(3,718		)
	Total liabilities	$	(6,535	)		$	—			$	(6,535	)	$	588		$	—		$	(5,947	)
Total Value, by Underlying Risk, Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income and Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Interest Expense and Cost of Revenue	'
	The following table presents the total value, by underlying risk, recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and reclassified from AOCI to interest expense (interest rate derivatives) and cost of revenue (foreign currency derivatives) during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 for derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
		Amount of Gain (Loss) on Effective
		Derivative Portion
		Recognized in								Reclassified from
		OCI								AOCI into Earnings (1)
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013				2014			2013
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
	Interest rate	$	(502	)		$	(1,319	)		$	(543	)	$	(166	)
	Foreign currency	(66		)		(64		)		467			(411		)
	Total	$	(568	)		$	(1,383	)		$	(76	)	$	(577	)
	(1)	Net unrealized losses totaling $1,441 are anticipated to be reclassified from AOCI into earnings during the next 12 months due to settlement of the associated underlying obligations.
Total Value Recognized in Cost of Revenue for Derivatives which Do Not Seek Hedge Accounting Treatment, by Underlying Risk	'
	The following table presents the total value, by underlying risk, recognized in cost of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 for foreign currency derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges:
		Amount of Gain (Loss)
		Recognized in Earnings
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges
	Foreign currency	$	1,506			$	(1,854	)
	Total	$	1,506			$	(1,854	)

RETIREMENT_BENEFITS_Tables

RETIREMENT BENEFITS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contribution Information for Defined Benefit and Other Postretirement Plans	'
	The following table provides updated contribution information for our plans at March 31, 2014:
		Pension Plans			Other Postretirement
					Plans
	Contributions made through March 31, 2014	$	9,442		$	340
	Contributions expected for the remainder of 2014	10,641			2,354
	Total contributions expected for 2014	$	20,083		$	2,694
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	The following table provides a breakout of the components of net periodic benefit cost associated with our defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Pension Plans
	Service cost	$	2,351		$	1,645
	Interest cost	8,564			7,030
	Expected return on plan assets	(9,314		)	(6,565		)
	Amortization of prior service credits	(120		)	(115		)
	Recognized net actuarial losses	1,181			1,135
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,662		$	3,130
	Other Postretirement Plans
	Service cost	$	259		$	311
	Interest cost	570			516
	Amortization of prior service credits	—			(67		)
	Recognized net actuarial gains	(216		)	(129		)
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	613		$	631

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV1

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Changes in AOCI Balances by Component	'
	The following table presents changes in AOCI by component and reclassification of AOCI into earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2014:
			Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
			Currency			Unrealized			Defined Benefit			Total
			Translation			Fair Value Of			Pension and Other
			Adjustment (1)			Cash Flow Hedges			Postretirement Plans
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	(46,580	)	$	1,771		$	(75,124	)	$	(119,933	)
	OCI before reclassifications		3,880			(1,027		)	1,070			3,923
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI		—			37			682			719
	Net OCI		3,880			(990		)	1,752			4,642
	Balance at March 31, 2014		$	(42,700	)	$	781		$	(73,372	)	$	(115,291	)
	(1)	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the currency translation adjustment component of AOCI was impacted primarily by movements in the Australian Dollar and Canadian Dollar exchange rates against the U.S. Dollar.
Significant Items Reclassified From AOCI Into Earnings	'
			Amount Reclassified From AOCI
	AOCI Components
	Unrealized Fair Value Of Cash Flow Hedges (1)
	Interest rate derivatives (interest expense)		$	543
	Foreign currency derivatives (cost of revenue)		(467		)
	Total, before taxes		$	76
	Taxes		(39		)
	Total, net of taxes		$	37
	Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (2)
	Amortization of prior service credits		$	(120	)
	Recognized net actuarial losses		965
	Total, before taxes		$	845
	Taxes		(163		)
	Total, net of taxes		$	682
	(1)	See Note 10 for further discussion of our cash flow hedges, including the total value reclassified from AOCI to earnings.
	(2)	See Note 11 for further discussion of our defined benefit and other postretirement plans, including the components of net periodic benefit cost.

STOCKSETTLED_AND_CASHSETTLED_E1

STOCK-SETTLED AND CASH-SETTLED EQUITY BASED PLANS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Granted Shares Associated with Incentive Plans	'
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we granted the following awards associated with our equity-based incentive plans:
		Shares (1)		Weighted Average
				Grant-Date Fair
				Value Per Share
	RSUs	509		$	80.86
	Performance shares	312		$	79.86
	Total	821
	-1	No stock options or cash-settled equity-based awards were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Stock-Based Incentive Plans and Employee Stock Purchase Plan	'
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we had the following activity associated with our equity-based incentive plans and employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”):
	Equity-Based Awards (stock-settled)
	Performance shares (issued upon vesting)	629
	RSUs (issued upon vesting)	374
	Stock options (issued upon exercise)	213
	ESPP shares (issued upon sale)	62
	Total Shares Issued	1,278
	Equity-Based Awards (cash-settled)
	Cash-settled SARs (paid upon exercise)	$	2,030
	Cash-settled RSUs (paid upon vesting)	621
	Total Cash Payments	$	2,651

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Tables

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Total Revenue, Depreciation and Amortization, Equity Earnings, Income from Operations, Capital Expenditures and Tangible Assets by Reporting Segment	'
	The following table presents revenue and income from operations by reporting segment for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. The three months ended March 31, 2013 includes the results of the 2013 Shaw Acquisition from the Acquisition Closing Date:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Revenue
	Engineering, Construction and Maintenance	$	1,968,711		$	1,499,776
	Fabrication Services	630,408			495,048
	Technology	144,076			151,482
	Environmental Solutions	184,937			105,123
	Total revenue	$	2,928,132		$	2,251,429
	Income From Operations
	Engineering, Construction and Maintenance	$	88,778		$	66,533
	Fabrication Services	40,413			45,024
	Technology	41,171			35,542
	Environmental Solutions	188			671
	Total operating groups	170,550			147,770
	Acquisition and integration related costs	(8,067		)	(61,256		)
	Total income from operations	$	162,483		$	86,514

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE2

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Minimum

Maximum

Term Loan

Term Loan

Term Loan

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings

Interest Rate Swap

Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Billings To Customers

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$18,982,146,000

$16,113,591,000

$23,115,520,000

$25,436,810,000

Contract retentions

72,400,000

'

68,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost And Estimated Earnings In Excess Of Billings On Service Contracts

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

85,980,000

79,979,000

'

'

Acquisition and integration related costs

8,067,000

61,256,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite-lived identifiable intangible assets, estimated useful lives, (in years)

'

'

'

'2 years

'20 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Hedge against interest rate variability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

454,500,000

'

'

'

'

Term Loan: $1,000,000 term loan (interest at LIBOR plus an applicable floating margin)

'

'

'

'

'

900,000,000

925,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Unsecured term loan

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000,000

1,000,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Income tax and associated interest reserves

'

'

14,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized income tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate if recognized

$11,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Details

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'		'
Net income attributable to CB&I	$88,951		$33,608
Weighted average shares outstanding- basic	107,677		101,802
Effect of restricted shares/performance shares/stock options	1,367	[1]	1,633	[1]
Effect of directors' deferred-fee shares	69		72
Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted	109,113		103,507
Net income attributable to CB&I per share:	'		'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.83		$0.33
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.82		$0.32
[1]	Antidilutive stock options excluded from diluted EPS were not material for the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.

RECENT_ACQUISITION_Detail

RECENT ACQUISITION (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Feb. 13, 2013
			Shaw Group Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total purchase price	'	'	$3,340,070
Business acquisition, purchase price cash	'	'	2,851,260
Business acquisition, cost of acquired entity, equity consideration	'	'	488,810
Cash consideration funded using existing cash balance	'	'	1,051,260
Cash acquired	'	'	1,137,927
Cash purchase price, net of cash acquired	0	1,713,333	1,713,333
Total purchase price, net of unrestricted cash acquired	'	'	2,202,143
Pro Forma Non Recurring Acquisition Related Costs	'	$51,200	'

RECENT_ACQUISITIONS_Unaudited_

RECENT ACQUISITIONS - Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
UnauditedProFormaCondensedCombinedFinancialInformation [Abstract]	'
Pro Forma Non Recurring Acquisition Related Costs	$51,200
Pro forma revenue	2,744,799
Pro forma net income attributable to CB&I	$87,367
Pro forma net income attributable to CB&I per share:	'
Basic	$0.82
Diluted	$0.81

INVENTORY_Components_of_Invent

INVENTORY - Components of Inventory (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$177,035	$184,586
Work in process	35,041	31,764
Finished goods	79,943	86,637
Total	$292,019	$302,987

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLES2

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Goodwill	$4,225,687	$4,226,468

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLES3

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES - Change in Goodwill by Business Sector (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Beginning Balance	$4,226,468
Amortization of tax goodwill in excess of book goodwill	-1,387
Foreign currency translation	606
Ending Balance	$4,225,687

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLES4

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES - Finite-Lived Intangible Asset Balances Including Weighted-Average Useful Lives (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	$765,536	[1]	'	$773,084	[1]
Accumulated Amortization	-153,966	[1]	'	-145,361	[1]
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful life	'15 years		'	'15 years
Amortization expense	16,234		9,188	'
Backlog and customer relationships	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	380,586		'	380,586
Accumulated Amortization	-42,718		'	-33,735
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful life	'16 years		'	'16 years
Process technologies	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	295,885		'	295,726
Accumulated Amortization	-95,178		'	-90,282
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful life	'15 years		'	'15 years
Tradenames	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	86,049		'	86,042
Accumulated Amortization	-13,367		'	-11,126
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful life	'10 years		'	'10 years
Lease agreements	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	0	[2]	'	7,718	[2]
Accumulated Amortization	0	[2]	'	-7,627	[2]
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful life	'0 years		'	'6 years
Non-compete agreements	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	3,016		'	3,012
Accumulated Amortization	($2,703)		'	($2,591)
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful life	'7 years		'	'7 years
[1]	The decrease in intangibles during three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily related to amortization expense of $16,234.
[2]	Lease agreement intangibles totaling $7,718 became fully amortized during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and were therefore removed from the gross carrying and accumulated amortization balances above.

PARTNERING_ARRANGEMENTS_Additi

PARTNERING ARRANGEMENTS - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
CB&I/Kentz Joint Venture	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Joint venture contract value	4,500,000
CB&I/Clough Joint Venture	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Joint venture contract value	2,000,000
CB&I/Areva Joint Venture	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Joint venture contract value	5,000,000
Areva [Member] | CB&I/Areva Joint Venture	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Percentage of ownership in joint venture	48.00%
Clough [Member] | CB&I/Clough Joint Venture	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Percentage of ownership in joint venture	35.00%
Kentz [Member] | CB&I/Kentz Joint Venture	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Percentage of ownership in joint venture	35.00%
Net Power	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	10.00%
Commitment to invest	50,400
Equity method invested	7,300
Net Power | Maximum	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Expected Percentage of ownership interest	50.00%
CB&I | CB&I/Kentz Joint Venture	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Percentage of ownership in joint venture	65.00%
CB&I | CB&I/Clough Joint Venture	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Percentage of ownership in joint venture	65.00%
CB&I | CB&I/Areva Joint Venture	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Percentage of ownership in joint venture	52.00%
CB&I | CLG	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Corporate Joint Venture | CLG	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Chicago Bridge And Iron Zachary Unconsolidated Venture [Member]	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Joint venture contract value	2,600,000
Chicago Bridge And Iron Zachary Unconsolidated Venture [Member] | CB&I	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Proportionate Consolidation Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Chicago Bridge And Iron Chiyoda Unconsolidated Venture [Member] [Member]	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Joint venture contract value	3,100,000
Chicago Bridge And Iron Chiyoda Unconsolidated Venture [Member] [Member] | CB&I	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Proportionate Consolidation Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Zachary [Member] | Chicago Bridge And Iron Zachary Unconsolidated Venture [Member]	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Proportionate Consolidation Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Chiyoda [Member] | Chicago Bridge And Iron Chiyoda Unconsolidated Venture [Member] [Member]	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Proportionate Consolidation Ownership Percentage	50.00%

PARTNERING_ARRANGEMENTS_Summar

PARTNERING ARRANGEMENTS - Summarized Balance Sheet Information of Variable Interest Entities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
CB&I/Kentz Joint Venture	'		'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'
Current assets	$211,444		$156,974
Current liabilities	104,940		72,741
CB&I/Clough Joint Venture	'		'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'
Current assets	132,243		122,179
Current liabilities	47,401		48,933
CB&I/AREVA Joint Venture	'		'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'
Current assets	69,053		34,547
Current liabilities	108,717		98,478
All Other Joint Ventures	'		'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'
Current assets	80,700	[1]	83,370	[1]
Current liabilities	22,311		26,879
Non-current assets	24,200	[1]	24,802	[1]
Total assets	$104,900		$108,172
[1]	Other ventures that we consolidate due to their designation as VIEs are not individually material to our financial results and are therefore aggregated as “All Other”.

FACILITY_REALIGNMENT_LIABILITY2

FACILITY REALIGNMENT LIABILITY (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring Reserve	'
Beginning Balance	$12,111
Cash payments	-3,242
Ending Balance	11,144
Acquisition and integration-related costs	'
Restructuring Reserve	'
Charges	$2,275	[1]
[1]	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, charges of $2,275 were recognized within acquisition and integration related costs related to facility consolidations and the associated accelerated lease costs for vacated facilities, primarily in our Environmental Solutions operating group. During the remainder of 2014, we are continuing to assess our facility requirements in light of the 2013 Shaw Acquisition.

DEBT_Outstanding_Debt_Detail

DEBT - Outstanding Debt (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current	'	'
Revolving facility debt	334,754,000	115,000,000
Current maturities of term loan	100,000,000	100,000,000
Current debt	434,754,000	215,000,000
Long-Term	'	'
Senior Notes: $800,000 senior notes, series A-D (fixed interest ranging from 4.15% to 5.30%)	800,000,000	800,000,000
Current maturities of term loan	100,000,000	100,000,000
Long-term debt	1,600,000,000	1,625,000,000
Minimum	'	'
Long-Term	'	'
Debt instrument fixed interest rate	4.15%	4.15%
Maximum	'	'
Long-Term	'	'
Debt instrument fixed interest rate	5.30%	5.30%
Term Loan	'	'
Long-Term	'	'
Term Loan: $1,000,000 term loan (interest at LIBOR plus an applicable floating margin)	900,000,000	925,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate terms	'Interest at LIBOR plus an applicable floating margin	'Interest at LIBOR plus an applicable floating margin

DEBT_Additional_Information_De

DEBT - Additional Information (Detail)

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2012

Mar. 15, 2013

Dec. 31, 2006

USD ($)

USD ($)

Series A Senior Notes

Series B Senior Notes

Series C Senior Notes

Series D Senior Notes

Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility

Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility

Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility

Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility

Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility

Term Loan

Term Loan

Term Loan

Uncommitted Credit Facility

Surety Bond [Member]

Prime Rate [Member]

Prime Rate [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Maximum

Minimum

Shaw Group Inc

Shaw Group Inc

Toshiba Corporation [Member]

CB&I

Westinghouse Electric Company [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Revolving Credit Facility One Amended

Total Revolving Credit Facilities Member

Revolving Credit Facility Two

Revolving Credit Facility Two

Revolving Credit Facility Three

USD ($)

USD ($)

Interest rate

USD ($)

USD ($)

Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility

Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility

Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility

Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility

Term Loan

Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility

Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility

Westinghouse Bonds

Westinghouse Bonds

Westinghouse Bonds

Westinghouse Bonds

Shaw Group Inc

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Revolving Credit Facility One Amended

Revolving Credit Facility Two

Revolving Credit Facility One Amended

Revolving Credit Facility Two

Revolving Credit Facility One Amended

Revolving Credit Facility One Amended

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Debt Disclosure [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, original term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'5 years

'

'

'4 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,350,000,000

'

$650,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line Of Credit Facility Expiration Dates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2018-02

'2018-10

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

675,000,000

'

487,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

331,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

3,754,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Financial Letters Line Of Credit Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

270,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Covenant Leverage Ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Covenant Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.75

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum net worth requirement

1,762,124,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum Amount Available For Dividends And Stock Repurchase

'

'

'

'

'

'

250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Covenant Leverage Ratio For Dividend Payments and Share Repurchases

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

0.50%

1.50%

1.50%

1.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facilities utilized

'

'

'

'

'

'

237,550,000

'

74,665,000

'

'

'

'

'

733,484,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available borrowing capacity under credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,112,450,000

'

244,335,000

'

'

'

'

'

1,293,698,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

667,006,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum Credit Facility Borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

458,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unsecured term loan remaining

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

900,000,000

925,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unsecured term loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000,000

1,000,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,353,700,000

128,980,000,000

'

'

'

Hedge against interest rate variability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

454,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate swap, interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.97%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayment of unsecured term loan in year one

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayment of unsecured term loan in year two

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayment of unsecured term loan in year three

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

150,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayment of unsecured term loan in year four

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

575,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior notes

800,000,000

800,000,000

150,000,000

225,000,000

275,000,000

150,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Semi annually fixed rate payable

'

'

4.15%

4.57%

5.15%

5.30%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Maturity Month And Year

'

'

'2017-12

'2019-12

'2022-12

'2024-12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit Facility Total Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,030,936,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

Cash Deposited Into Trust Account For Repayment Of Bonds

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,309,000,000

$44,700,000

'

FINANCIAL_INSTRUMENTS_Addition

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
			Foreign Exchange Contract Operating Exposure	Foreign Exchange Contract Operating Exposure	Term Loan	Term Loan	Term Loan	Level 2
				Maximum			Interest Rate Swap
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Notional value of outstanding forward contracts	'	'	$107,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Maturity of foreign currency derivatives from period-end	'	'	'	'2 years	'	'	'	'
Hedge against interest rate variability	'	'	'	'	'	'	454,500,000	'
Unsecured term loan	'	'	'	'	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000	'	'
Senior notes	800,000,000	800,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	779,200,000
Unsecured term loan remaining	'	'	'	'	$900,000,000	$925,000,000	'	'

FINANCIAL_INSTRUMENTS_Carried_

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Carried at Fair Value (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'		'
Cash and cash equivalents	$420,163		$420,502
Derivatives:	'		'
Other current assets	2,353	[1]	2,155	[1]
Other non-current assets	3,917	[1]	4,705	[1]
Total assets at fair value	426,433		427,362
Derivatives:	'		'
Accrued liabilities	-6,198		-3,818
Other non-current liabilities	-337		-450
Total liabilities at fair value	-6,535		-4,268
Level 1	'		'
Assets	'		'
Cash and cash equivalents	420,163		420,502
Derivatives:	'		'
Other current assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Other non-current assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total assets at fair value	420,163		420,502
Derivatives:	'		'
Accrued liabilities	0		0
Other non-current liabilities	0		0
Total liabilities at fair value	0		0
Level 2	'		'
Assets	'		'
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Derivatives:	'		'
Other current assets	2,353	[1]	2,155	[1]
Other non-current assets	3,917	[1]	4,705	[1]
Total assets at fair value	6,270		6,860
Derivatives:	'		'
Accrued liabilities	-6,198		-3,818
Other non-current liabilities	-337		-450
Total liabilities at fair value	-6,535		-4,268
Level 3	'		'
Assets	'		'
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Derivatives:	'		'
Other current assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Other non-current assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total assets at fair value	0		0
Derivatives:	'		'
Accrued liabilities	0		0
Other non-current liabilities	0		0
Total liabilities at fair value	$0		$0
[1]	We are exposed to credit risk on our hedging instruments associated with potential counterparty non-performance, and the fair value of our derivatives reflects this credit risk. The total level 2 assets at fair value above represent the maximum loss that we would incur on our outstanding hedges if the applicable counterparties failed to perform according to the hedge contracts. To help mitigate counterparty credit risk, we transact only with counterparties that are rated as investment grade or higher and monitor all counterparties on a continuous basis.

FINANCIAL_INSTRUMENTS_Total_Fa

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Total Fair Value by Underlying Risk and Balance Sheet Classification (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	$6,270	$6,860
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	-6,535	-4,268
Interest rate	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	3,809	'
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	-2,229	'
Foreign currency	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	2,461	'
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	-4,306	'
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	3,853	4,633
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	-2,586	-3,086
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | Interest rate | Other current and non-current assets	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	3,809	3,772
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | Interest rate | Accrued and other non-current liabilities	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	-2,229	-2,233
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | Foreign currency | Other current and non-current assets	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	44	861
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | Foreign currency | Accrued and other non-current liabilities	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	-357	-853
Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	2,417	2,227
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	-3,949	-1,182
Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges | Interest rate | Other current and non-current assets	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	0	0
Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges | Interest rate | Accrued and other non-current liabilities	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	0	0
Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges | Foreign currency | Other current and non-current assets	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	2,417	2,227
Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges | Foreign currency | Accrued and other non-current liabilities	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	($3,949)	($1,182)

FINANCIAL_INSTRUMENTS_Derivati

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Derivative Assets and Liabilities on Gross Basis and Net Settlement Basis (Detail) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Gross Amounts Recognized	$6,270	$6,860
Gross Amounts Offset on the Balance Sheet	0	'
Net Amounts Presented on the Balance Sheet	6,270	'
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Balance Sheet - Financial Instruments	-588	'
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Balance Sheet - Cash Collateral Received	0	'
Net Amount	5,682	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Gross Amounts Recognized	-6,535	-4,268
Gross Amounts Offset on the Balance Sheet	0	'
Net Amounts Presented on the Balance Sheet	-6,535	'
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Balance Sheet - Financial Instruments	588	'
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Balance Sheet - Cash Collateral Received	0	'
Net Amount	-5,947	'
Interest Rate Swap	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Gross Amounts Recognized	3,809	'
Gross Amounts Offset on the Balance Sheet	0	'
Net Amounts Presented on the Balance Sheet	3,809	'
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Balance Sheet - Financial Instruments	0	'
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Balance Sheet - Cash Collateral Received	0	'
Net Amount	3,809	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Gross Amounts Recognized	-2,229	'
Gross Amounts Offset on the Balance Sheet	0	'
Net Amounts Presented on the Balance Sheet	-2,229	'
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Balance Sheet - Financial Instruments	0	'
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Balance Sheet - Cash Collateral Received	0	'
Net Amount	-2,229	'
Foreign currency	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Gross Amounts Recognized	2,461	'
Gross Amounts Offset on the Balance Sheet	0	'
Net Amounts Presented on the Balance Sheet	2,461	'
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Balance Sheet - Financial Instruments	-588	'
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Balance Sheet - Cash Collateral Received	0	'
Net Amount	1,873	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Gross Amounts Recognized	-4,306	'
Gross Amounts Offset on the Balance Sheet	0	'
Net Amounts Presented on the Balance Sheet	-4,306	'
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Balance Sheet - Financial Instruments	588	'
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Balance Sheet - Cash Collateral Received	0	'
Net Amount	($3,718)	'

FINANCIAL_INSTRUMENTS_Total_Va

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Total Value, by Underlying Risk, Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income and Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Interest Expense and Cost of Revenue (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Effective Derivative Portion Reclassified from AOCI into Earnings	$102,746		$42,872
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges	'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Effective Derivative Portion Recognized in OCI	-568		-1,383
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Effective Derivative Portion Reclassified from AOCI into Earnings	-76	[1]	-577	[1]
Net unrealized gains(losses) anticipated to be reclassified into earnings during the next 12 months	-1,441		'
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | Interest rate	'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Effective Derivative Portion Recognized in OCI	-502		-1,319
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Effective Derivative Portion Reclassified from AOCI into Earnings	-543	[1]	-166	[1]
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | Foreign currency	'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Effective Derivative Portion Recognized in OCI	-66		-64
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Effective Derivative Portion Reclassified from AOCI into Earnings	$467	[1]	($411)	[1]
[1]	Net unrealized losses totaling $1,441 are anticipated to be reclassified from AOCI into earnings during the next 12 months due to settlement of the associated underlying obligations.

FINANCIAL_INSTRUMENTS_Total_Va1

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Total Value Recognized in Cost of Revenue for Derivatives which Do Not Seek Hedge Accounting Treatment, by Underlying Risk (Detail) (Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Cost of Revenue on Derivatives	$1,506	($1,854)
Foreign currency	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Cost of Revenue on Derivatives	$1,506	($1,854)

RETIREMENT_BENEFITS_Retirement

RETIREMENT BENEFITS - Retirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension Plans	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Contributions expected for 2014 fiscal year	$20,235
Other Postretirement Plans	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Contributions expected for 2014 fiscal year	$3,138

RETIREMENT_BENEFITS_Contributi

RETIREMENT BENEFITS - Contribution Information for Defined Benefit and Other Postretirement Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension Plans	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Contributions made through March 31, 2014	$9,442
Contributions expected for the remainder of 2014	10,641
Total contributions expected for 2014	20,083
Other Postretirement Plans	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Contributions made through March 31, 2014	340
Contributions expected for the remainder of 2014	2,354
Total contributions expected for 2014	$2,694

RETIREMENT_BENEFITS_Components

RETIREMENT BENEFITS - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Pension Plans	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Service cost	$2,351	$1,645
Interest cost	8,564	7,030
Expected return on plan assets	-9,314	-6,565
Amortization of prior service credits	-120	-115
Recognized net actuarial losses (gains)	1,181	1,135
Net periodic benefit cost	2,662	3,130
Other Postretirement Plans	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Service cost	259	311
Interest cost	570	516
Amortization of prior service credits	0	-67
Recognized net actuarial losses (gains)	-216	-129
Net periodic benefit cost	$613	$631

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Additional Information (Detail) (Asbestos Litigation, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
	Plaintiff
	LegalMatter
Asbestos Litigation	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Number of plaintiffs	5,400
Number of plaintiffs whose claims pending	1,500
Number of plaintiffs whose claims closed through dismissals or settlements	3,900
Settlement amount per claim	2,000
Accrued litigation liability and related expenses	$4,200

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at December 31, 2013	($119,933)
OCI before reclassifications	3,923
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	719
Net OCI	4,642
Balance at March 31, 2014	-115,291
Currency Translation Adjustment	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at December 31, 2013	-46,580	[1]
OCI before reclassifications	3,880	[1]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0	[1]
Net OCI	3,880	[1]
Balance at March 31, 2014	-42,700	[1]
Unrealized Fair Value of Cash Flow Hedges	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at December 31, 2013	1,771
OCI before reclassifications	-1,027
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	37
Net OCI	-990
Balance at March 31, 2014	781
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at December 31, 2013	-75,124
OCI before reclassifications	1,070
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	682
Net OCI	1,752
Balance at March 31, 2014	($73,372)
[1]	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the currency translation adjustment component of AOCI was impacted primarily by movements in the Australian Dollar and Canadian Dollar exchange rates against the U.S. Dollar.

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV3

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Significant Items Reclassified Into Earnings (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Interest rate derivatives (interest expense)	($18,887)		($22,746)
Foreign currency derivatives (cost of revenue)	-2,626,730		-2,005,285
Income before taxes	145,656		65,639
Taxes	-42,910		-22,767
Net income	102,746		42,872
Amounts Reclassified From AOCI | Unrealized Fair Value of Cash Flow Hedges	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Income before taxes	76	[1]	'
Taxes	-39	[1]	'
Net income	37	[1]	'
Amounts Reclassified From AOCI | Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Amortization of prior service credits	-120	[2]	'
Recognized net actuarial losses	965	[2]	'
Income before taxes	845	[2]	'
Taxes	-163	[2]	'
Net income	682	[2]	'
Interest rate derivatives | Amounts Reclassified From AOCI | Unrealized Fair Value of Cash Flow Hedges	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Interest rate derivatives (interest expense)	543	[1]	'
Foreign currency derivatives | Amounts Reclassified From AOCI | Unrealized Fair Value of Cash Flow Hedges	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Foreign currency derivatives (cost of revenue)	($467)	[1]	'
[1]	See Note 10 for further discussion of our cash flow hedges, including the total value reclassified from AOCI to earnings.
[2]	See Note 11 for further discussion of our defined benefit and other postretirement plans, including the components of net periodic benefit cost.

STOCKSETTLED_AND_CASHSETTLED_E2

STOCK-SETTLED AND CASH-SETTLED EQUITY BASED PLANS - Stock Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock	$54,946	$23,764
Selling and administrative expense	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	43,065	32,510
Treasury Stock	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	716	446
Purchase of treasury stock	54,946	23,764
Share repurchase, average price per share	$76.74	'
Outstanding Common Stock [Member] | Treasury Stock	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	412	'
Purchase of treasury stock	30,677	'
Withholdings For Taxes On Distributions [Member] | Treasury Stock	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	304	'
Purchase of treasury stock	$24,269	'

STOCKSETTLED_AND_CASHSETTLED_E3

STOCK-SETTLED AND CASH-SETTLED EQUITY BASED PLANS - Granted Shares Associated with Incentive Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Shares	821	[1]
RSUs	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Shares	509	[1]
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share	80.86
Performance shares	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Shares	312	[1]
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share	79.86
[1]	No stock options or cash-settled equity-based awards were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2014.

STOCKSETTLED_AND_CASHSETTLED_E4

STOCK-SETTLED AND CASH-SETTLED EQUITY BASED PLANS - Stock-Based Incentive Plans and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Equity-Based Awards (stock-settled)	1,278
Equity-Based Awards (cash-settled)	2,651
Performance shares	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Equity-Based Awards (stock-settled)	629
RSUs	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Equity-Based Awards (stock-settled)	374
Equity-Based Awards (cash-settled)	621
Stock options	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Equity-Based Awards (stock-settled)	213
ESPP shares	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Equity-Based Awards (stock-settled)	62
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Equity-Based Awards (cash-settled)	2,030

UNAPPROVED_CHANGE_ORDERS_CLAIM1

UNAPPROVED CHANGE ORDERS, CLAIMS, INCENTIVES AND OTHER CONTRACT RECOVERIES (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Unapproved Claims And Change Orders [Line Items]	'	'
Number of customers	2	'
Number of nuclear power plants	2	'
Receivables significantly past due	$70,000	'
Engineering, Construction And Maintenance [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Unapproved Claims And Change Orders [Line Items]	'	'
Claims against customer	'	838,600
Cumulative partial payments	96,500	'
Amounts Recorded In Revenues On Percentage Of Completion Basis Associated With Unapproved Change Orders And Claims Cumulative To Date	119,300	'
All Other	'	'
Schedule Of Unapproved Claims And Change Orders [Line Items]	'	'
Claims against customer	107,000	97,000
Incentive Amounts Included in Contract Price	40,200	49,200
Amounts Recorded In Revenues On Percentage Of Completion Basis Associated With Unapproved Change Orders And Claims Cumulative To Date	$104,000	'

Segment_Information_Detail

Segment Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Number of business sectors	4	'
Revenue	$2,928,132	$2,251,429
Income From Operations	162,483	86,514
Engineering, Construction And Maintenance [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Revenue	1,968,711	1,499,776
Income From Operations	88,778	66,533
Intersegment Eliminations	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Revenue	113,900	18,300
Gorgon MEI [Member] | Engineering, Construction And Maintenance [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Revenue	'	69,641
Income From Operations	'	$3,321

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Total_Reve

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Total Revenue and Income from Operations by Reporting Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Revenue	$2,928,132	$2,251,429
Income From Operations	162,483	86,514
Engineering, Construction And Maintenance [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Revenue	1,968,711	1,499,776
Income From Operations	88,778	66,533
Fabrication Services	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Revenue	630,408	495,048
Income From Operations	40,413	45,024
Technology	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Revenue	144,076	151,482
Income From Operations	41,171	35,542
Environmental Solutions	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Revenue	184,937	105,123
Income From Operations	188	671
Total operating groups	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Income From Operations	170,550	147,770
Acquisition-related costs	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Income From Operations	($8,067)	($61,256)