| 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: |
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| • | 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. |
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| • | 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. |
