Foster Wheeler (FWLT) 10-Q 7 Aug 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_Entity_Information

Document Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 25, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Foster Wheeler AG	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001130385	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	100,077,258

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENT_OF_OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	$851,767	$863,407	$1,585,466	$1,653,551
Cost of operating revenues	716,722	709,800	1,334,886	1,380,498
Contract profit	135,045	153,607	250,580	273,053
Selling, general and administrative expenses	83,147	89,801	165,194	180,133
Other income, net	-40,410	-18,014	-46,550	-22,765
Other deductions, net	1,526	10,490	12,229	15,802
Interest income	-1,510	-1,482	-2,913	-2,944
Interest expense	-1,846	3,916	1,816	6,588
Net asbestos-related provision/(gain)	1,209	-13,750	3,217	-11,750
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	92,929	82,646	117,587	107,989
Provision for income taxes	6,355	13,319	16,073	18,479
Income from continuing operations	86,574	69,327	101,514	89,510
Discontinued Operations:	'	'	'	'
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes	0	2,383	0	-1,495
Provision for income taxes from discontinued operations	0	0	0	0
Loss from discontinued operations	0	2,383	0	-1,495
Net income	86,574	71,710	101,514	88,015
Less: Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	980	1,011	-1,147	4,290
Net income attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	85,594	70,699	102,661	83,725
Amounts attributable to Foster Wheeler AG:	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	85,594	68,316	102,661	85,220
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations	0	2,383	0	-1,495
Net income attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	$85,594	$70,699	$102,661	$83,725
Basic earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations attributable to Foster Wheeler AG (see Note 1)	$0.86	$0.68	$1.03	$0.83
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	$0	$0.03	$0	($0.01)
Net income attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	$0.86	$0.71	$1.03	$0.82
Diluted earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations attributable to Foster Wheeler AG (see Note 1 )	$0.85	$0.68	$1.02	$0.83
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	$0	$0.03	$0	($0.01)
Net income attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	$0.85	$0.71	$1.02	$0.82
Return of capital distribution per share	$0.40	$0	$0.40	$0

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENT_OF_COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	'	'	'	'
Net income	$86,574	$71,710	$101,514	$88,015
Foreign currency translation adjustments:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	3,554	-5,301	266	-19,714
Tax impact	16	0	9	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	3,570	-5,301	275	-19,714
Cash flow hedges adjustments:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized loss	-340	2,126	-2,708	1,308
Tax impact	130	-704	950	-496
Unrealized loss, net of tax	-210	1,422	-1,758	812
Reclassification for losses included in net income (see Note 8 for further information)	1,044	1,149	2,064	2,284
Tax impact	-355	-381	-702	-669
Reclassification for losses included in net income, net of tax	689	768	1,362	1,615
Total cash flow hedges adjustments, net of tax	479	2,190	-396	2,427
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustment, net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Net actuarial loss	0	0	-3,980	0
Tax impact	0	0	498	0
Net actuarial gain/(loss), net of tax	0	0	-3,482	0
Amortization included in net periodic pension cost (see Note 6 for further information):	'	'	'	'
Amortization for net actuarial loss	4,337	4,933	8,452	9,597
Tax impact	-464	-556	-920	-1,005
Amortization for net actuarial loss, net of tax	3,873	4,377	7,532	8,592
Amortization for prior service credit	-1,456	-1,260	-2,901	-2,524
Tax impact	117	91	231	182
Amortization for prior service credit, net of tax	-1,339	-1,169	-2,670	-2,342
Amortization for transition obligation	4	14	9	28
Tax impact	-2	3	-2	6
Amortization for transition obligation, net of tax	2	17	7	34
Total pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments, net of tax	2,536	3,225	1,387	6,284
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	6,585	114	1,266	-11,003
Comprehensive income	93,159	71,824	102,780	77,012
Less: Comprehensive (loss)/income attibutable to noncontrolling interests	1,010	648	-1,683	3,140
Comprehensive income attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	$92,149	$71,176	$104,463	$73,872

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEET

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$518,537	$556,190
Accounts and notes receivable, net:	'	'
Trade	688,290	671,770
Other	75,278	57,262
Contracts in process	201,725	197,232
Prepaid, deferred and refundable income taxes	54,099	62,856
Other current assets	38,851	38,431
Total current assets	1,576,780	1,583,741
Land, buildings and equipment, net	270,913	279,981
Restricted cash	37,290	82,867
Notes and accounts receivable - long-term	14,452	15,060
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	166,738	181,315
Goodwill	172,141	169,801
Other intangible assets, net	107,166	113,463
Asbestos related insurance recovery receivable	116,791	120,489
Other assets	149,246	143,848
Deferred tax assets	48,050	49,707
TOTAL ASSETS	2,659,567	2,740,272
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Current installments on long-term debt	16,398	12,513
Accounts payable	278,066	282,403
Accrued expenses	258,239	304,312
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	539,729	569,652
Income taxes payable	45,484	39,078
Total current liabilities	1,137,916	1,207,958
Long-term debt	102,475	113,719
Deferred tax liabilities	41,706	39,714
Pension, postretirement and other employee benefits	105,974	111,221
Asbestos-related liability	241,923	257,180
Other long-term liabilities	146,194	210,651
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES	1,776,188	1,940,443
Temporary Equity:	'	'
Non-vested share-based compensation awards subject to redemption	14,675	15,664
TOTAL TEMPORARY EQUITY	14,675	15,664
Equity:	'	'
Registered shares: CHF 3.00 par value; authorized: 158,877,141 shares and 157,863,694 shares; conditionally authorized: 57,154,965 shares and 58,168,412 shares; issued: 106,656,347 shares and 105,642,900 shares; outstanding: 100,064,647 shares and 99,051,200 shares.	263,369	259,937
Paid-in capital	201,443	216,450
Retained earnings	1,035,821	933,160
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-507,515	-509,317
Treasury shares (outstanding: 6,591,700 shares and 6,591,700 shares)	-150,131	-150,131
TOTAL FOSTER WHEELER AG SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	842,987	750,099
Noncontrolling interests	25,717	34,066
TOTAL EQUITY	868,704	784,165
TOTAL LIABILITIES, TEMPORARY EQUITY AND EQUITY	$2,659,567	$2,740,272

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEET_Par

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET- (Parenthetical) (CHF)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) [Abstract]	'	'
Registered share par value in CHF	3	3
Registered shares authorized	158,877,141	157,863,694
Registered shares conditionally authorized	57,154,965	58,168,412
Registered shares issued	106,656,347	105,642,900
Registered shares outstanding	100,064,647	99,051,200
Treasury shares outstanding	6,591,700	6,591,700

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENT_OF_CHAN

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Registered Shares [Member]	Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Treasury Shares [Member]	Total Foster Wheeler AG Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
In Thousands
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$757,393	$269,633	$266,943	$835,993	($567,603)	($90,976)	$713,990	$43,403
Net income	88,015	'	'	83,725	'	'	83,725	4,290
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	-11,003	'	'	'	-9,853	'	-9,853	-1,150
Issuance of registered shares upon exercise of stock options	1,891	281	1,610	'	'	'	1,891	'
Issuance of registered shares upon vesting of restricted awards	'	615	-615	'	'	'	'	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-10,514	'	'	'	'	'	'	-10,514
Share-based compensation expense	7,412	'	7,412	'	'	'	7,412	'
Excess tax shortfall related to share-based compensation	-88	'	-88	'	'	'	-88	'
Repurchase of registered shares	-150,131	0	'	'	'	-150,131	-150,131	'
Balance at Jun. 30, 2013	682,975	270,529	275,262	919,718	-577,456	-241,107	646,946	36,029
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	784,165	259,937	216,450	933,160	-509,317	-150,131	750,099	34,066
Net income	101,514	'	'	102,661	'	'	102,661	-1,147
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	1,266	'	'	'	1,802	'	1,802	-536
Issuance of registered shares upon exercise of stock options	17,562	2,287	15,275	'	'	'	17,562	'
Issuance of registered shares upon vesting of restricted awards	'	1,145	-1,145	'	'	'	'	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-6,666	'	'	'	'	'	'	-6,666
Share-based compensation expense	10,553	'	10,553	'	'	'	10,553	'
Excess tax shortfall related to share-based compensation	203	'	203	'	'	'	203	'
Return of capital distribution	-39,893	'	-39,893	'	'	'	-39,893	'
Balance at Jun. 30, 2014	$868,704	$263,369	$201,443	$1,035,821	($507,515)	($150,131)	$842,987	$25,717

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENT_OF_CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Net income	$101,514	$88,015
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	29,138	28,796
Reversal of previously accrued unrecognized tax benefits	-22,339	0
Net non-cash asbestos-related provision	4,000	4,000
Share-based compensation expense	9,564	9,481
Excess tax (benefit)/shortfall related to share-based com pensation	-203	88
Deferred income tax provision	10,880	764
Dividends, net of equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	9,911	35,437
Other noncash items, net	-232	106
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from aquisitions:	'	'
Increase in receivables	-30,144	-18,265
Net change in contracts in process and billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	-36,175	-8,344
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses	-75,576	-13,405
Net change in other current assets and liabilities	5,764	-34,987
Net change in other long-term assets and liabilities	-37,189	-25,189
Net cash used in operating activities-continuing operations	-31,087	66,497
Net cash used in operating activities-discontinued operations	0	-441
Net cash used in operating activities	-31,087	66,056
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Payments related to acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	-2,000	-50,800
Change in restricted cash	45,640	12,407
Capital expenditures	-13,014	-17,534
Other investing activities	284	353
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities- continuing operations	30,910	-55,574
Net cash provided by investing activities- discontinued operations	0	441
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	30,910	-55,133
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Repurchase of shares	0	-150,131
Return of capital distribution	-39,893	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-6,666	-10,514
Proceeds from stock options exercised	17,562	1,891
Excess tax benefit/(shortfall) related to share-based compensation	203	-88
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	-6,785	-8,010
Net cash used in financing activities	-35,579	-166,852
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1,897	-11,655
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-37,653	-167,584
Less: Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents-discontinued operations	0	0
Decreasae in cash and equivalents-continuing operations	-37,653	-167,584
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	556,190	582,322
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$518,537	$414,738

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation — The fiscal year of Foster Wheeler AG ends on December 31 of each calendar year. Foster Wheeler AG's fiscal quarters end on the last day of March, June and September. The fiscal years of our non-U.S. operations are the same as the parent's. The fiscal year of our U.S. operations is the 52- or 53-week annual accounting period ending on the last Friday in December.
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements have been included. Such adjustments only consisted of normal recurring items. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
	The consolidated financial statements and notes are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and do not contain certain information included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (“2013 Form 10-K”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2014. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 was derived from the audited financial statements included in our 2013 Form 10-K, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for annual consolidated financial statements.
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Foster Wheeler AG and all U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries, as well as certain entities in which we have a controlling interest. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. See “—Variable Interest Entities” below for further information related to the consolidation of variable interest entities.
	Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Changes in estimates are reflected in the periods in which they become known. Significant estimates are used in accounting for long-term contracts including estimates of total costs, progress toward completion and customer and vendor claims, employee benefit plan obligations and share-based compensation plans. In addition, we also use estimates when accounting for uncertain tax positions and deferred taxes, asbestos liabilities and expected recoveries and when assessing goodwill for impairment, among others.
	Revenue Recognition on Long-Term Contracts — Revenues and profits on long-term contracts are recorded under the percentage-of-completion method.
	Progress towards completion on fixed-price contracts is measured based on physical completion of individual tasks for all contracts with a value of $5,000 or greater. For contracts with a value less than $5,000, progress toward completion is measured based on the ratio of costs incurred to total estimated contract costs (the cost-to-cost method).
	Progress towards completion on cost-reimbursable contracts is measured based on the ratio of quantities expended to total forecasted quantities, typically man-hours. Incentives are also recognized on a percentage-of-completion basis when the realization of an incentive is assessed as probable. We include flow-through costs consisting of materials, equipment or subcontractor services as both operating revenues and cost of operating revenues on cost-reimbursable contracts when we have overall responsibility as the contractor for the engineering specifications and procurement or procurement services for such costs. There is no contract profit impact of flow-through costs as they are included in both operating revenues and cost of operating revenues.
	Contracts in process are stated at cost, increased for profits recorded on the completed effort or decreased for estimated losses, less billings to the customer and progress payments on uncompleted contracts. A full provision for loss contracts is made at the time the loss becomes probable regardless of the stage of completion.
	At any time, we have numerous contracts in progress, all of which are at various stages of completion. Accounting for revenues and profits on long-term contracts requires estimates of total contract costs and estimates of progress toward completion to determine the extent of revenue and profit recognition. These estimates may be revised as additional information becomes available or as specific project circumstances change. We review all of our material contracts on a monthly basis and revise our estimates as appropriate for developments such as earning project incentive bonuses, incurring or expecting to incur contractual liquidated damages for performance or schedule issues, providing services and purchasing third-party materials and equipment at costs differing from those previously estimated and testing completed facilities, which, in turn, eliminates or confirms completion and warranty-related costs. Project incentives are recognized when it is probable they will be earned. Project incentives are frequently tied to cost, schedule and/or safety targets and, therefore, tend to be earned late in a project's life cycle.
	Changes in estimated final contract revenues and costs can either increase or decrease the final estimated contract profit. In the period in which a change in estimate is recognized, the cumulative impact of that change is recorded based on progress achieved through the period of change. The following table summarizes the number of separate projects that experienced final estimated contract profit revisions with an impact on contract profit in excess of $1,000 relating to the revaluation of work performed in prior periods:
			Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Number of separate projects			9			12			18			23
	Net increase in contract profit from the regular
		revaluation of final estimated contract profit revisions	$	10,300		$	16,500		$	26,000		$	41,500
	Please see Note 12 for further information related to changes in final estimated contract profit and the impact on business segment results.
	Claims are amounts in excess of the agreed contract price (or amounts not included in the original contract price) that we seek to collect from customers or others for delays, errors in specifications and designs, contract terminations, disputed or unapproved change orders as to both scope and price or other causes of unanticipated additional costs. We record claims as additional contract revenue if it is probable that the claims will result in additional contract revenue and if the amount can be reliably estimated. These two requirements are satisfied by the existence of all of the following conditions: the contract or other evidence provides a legal basis for the claim; additional costs are caused by circumstances that were unforeseen at the contract date and are not the result of deficiencies in our performance; costs associated with the claim are identifiable or otherwise determinable and are reasonable in view of the work performed; and the evidence supporting the claim is objective and verifiable. If such requirements are met, revenue from a claim may be recorded only to the extent that contract costs relating to the claim have been incurred, which can include amounts from unapproved change orders when the two requirements described above are met. Unapproved change orders or similar items subject to uncertainty that do not meet the two requirements described above are expensed without the recognition of additional contract revenue. Costs attributable to claims are treated as costs of contract performance as incurred and are recorded in contracts in process. Our consolidated financial statements included commercial claims of $16,000 and $4,500 as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, of which substantially all costs had been incurred as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	In certain circumstances, we may defer pre-contract costs when it is probable that these costs will be recovered under a future contract. Such deferred costs would then be included in contract costs upon execution of the anticipated contract. In the event that we defer pre-contract costs and we are not successful in obtaining the contract, we write off the deferred costs through our consolidated statement of operations in the period when we no longer assess recoverability of such costs as probable. Deferred pre-contract costs were inconsequential as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	Certain special-purpose subsidiaries in our Global Power Group business segment are reimbursed by customers for their costs of building and operating certain facilities over the lives of the corresponding service contracts. Depending on the specific legal rights and obligations under these arrangements, in some cases those reimbursements are treated as operating revenues at gross value and other cases as a reduction of cost.
	Trade Accounts Receivable — Trade accounts receivable represent amounts billed to customers. We assess the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts on a project-by-project basis, which includes the consideration of security instruments that provide us protection in the event of non-payment. When there is a risk of non-payment related to customer credit risk, we record an allowance for doubtful accounts. Because of the nature of our customer base and our rigorous customer credit risk assessment process prior to entering into contracts, the level of our allowance for doubtful accounts is typically a very small percentage of our gross accounts receivable balance. To the extent that there is a risk of non-payment related to commercial or performance issues, we record an allowance against the valuation of contract work in progress within the contract.
	In accordance with terms under our long-term contracts, our customers may withhold certain percentages of such billings until completion and acceptance of the work performed, which we refer to as retention receivables. Final payment of retention receivables might not be received within a one-year period. In conformity with industry practice, however, the full amount of accounts receivable, including such amounts withheld, are included in current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. We have not recorded a provision for the outstanding retention receivable balances as of June 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
	Trade accounts receivable are continually evaluated for collectability. Provisions are established on a project-specific basis when there is an issue associated with the client's ability to make payments or there are circumstances where the client is not making payment due to contractual issues.
	Variable Interest Entities — We sometimes form separate legal entities such as corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies in connection with the execution of a single contract or project. Upon formation of each separate legal entity, we perform an evaluation to determine whether the new entity is a variable interest entity, or VIE, and whether we are the primary beneficiary of the new entity, which would require us to consolidate the new entity in our financial results. We reassess our initial determination on whether the entity is a VIE upon the occurrence of certain events and whether we are the primary beneficiary as outlined in current accounting guidelines. If the entity is not a VIE, we determine the accounting for the entity under the voting interest accounting guidelines.
	An entity is determined to be a VIE if either (a) the total equity investment is not sufficient for the entity to finance its own activities without additional subordinated financial support, (b) characteristics of a controlling financial interest are missing (such as the ability to make decisions through voting or other rights or the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits), or (c) the voting rights of the equity holders are not proportional to their obligations to absorb losses of the entity and/or their rights to receive benefits of the entity, and substantially all of the entity's activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights.
	As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we participated in certain entities determined to be VIEs, including a gas-fired cogeneration facility in Martinez, California and a refinery/electric power generation project in Chile. We consolidate the operations of the Martinez project while we record our participation in the project in Chile on the equity method of accounting.
	Please see Note 3 for further information regarding our participation in these projects.
	Fair Value Measurements — Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification, or FASB ASC, 820-10 defines fair value, establishes a three level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value and provides guidance on required disclosures about fair value measurements. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.
	Our financial assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis consist primarily of the assets or liabilities arising from derivative financial instruments and defined benefit pension plan assets. See Note 8 for further information regarding our derivative financial instruments.
	The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate fair value:
	Financial instruments valued independent of the fair value hierarchy:
	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash — The carrying value of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash approximates fair value because of the demand nature of many of our deposits or short-term maturity of these instruments.
	Financial instruments valued within the fair value hierarchy:
	Long-term Debt — We estimate the fair value of our long-term debt (including current installments) based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered for debt of the same remaining maturities using level 2 inputs.
	Foreign Currency Forward Contracts — We estimate the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts by obtaining quotes from financial institutions or market transactions in either the listed or over-the-counter markets. Our estimate of the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts also includes an assessment of non-performance by our counterparties. We further corroborate the valuations with observable market data using level 2 inputs.
	Interest Rate Swaps — We estimate the fair value of our interest rate swaps based on quotes obtained from financial institutions, which we further corroborate with observable market data using level 2 inputs.
	Defined Benefit Pension Plan Assets — We estimate the fair value of investments in equity securities at each year-end based on quotes obtained from financial institutions. The fair value of investments in commingled funds, invested primarily in debt and equity securities, is based on the net asset values communicated by the respective asset manager. We further corroborate the above valuations with observable market data using level 1 and 2 inputs. Additionally, we hold investments in private investment funds that are valued at net asset value as communicated by the asset manager using level 2 or 3 unobservable market data inputs.
		30-Jun-14									31-Dec-13
			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
	Fair value measurements:
	Assets:
	Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
	Foreign currency forward contracts	$	-		$	3,364		$	-		$	-		$	7,361	$	-
	Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis:
	Investment in an unconsolidated affiliate	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-	$	35,096
	Liabilities:
	Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
	Foreign currency forward contracts	$	-		$	2,909		$	-		$	-		$	2,405	$	-
	Interest rate swap contracts		-			8,369			-			-			7,866		-
	Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	-		$	11,278		$	-		$	-		$	10,271	$	-
	Retirement of Shares under Share Repurchase Program — Under Swiss law, the cancellation of shares previously repurchased under our share repurchase program must be approved by our shareholders. Repurchased shares remain as treasury shares on our balance sheet until cancellation.
	Any repurchases will be made at our discretion in compliance with applicable securities laws and other legal requirements and will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, share price and other factors.   The program does not obligate us to acquire any particular number of shares. The program has no expiration date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.
	All treasury shares are carried at cost on the consolidated balance sheet until the cancellation of the shares has been approved by our shareholders and the cancellation is registered with the commercial register of the Canton of Zug in Switzerland. Upon the effectiveness of the cancellation of the shares, the cost of the shares cancelled will be removed from treasury shares on the consolidated balance sheet, the par value of the cancelled shares will be removed from registered shares on the consolidated balance sheet, and the excess of the cost of the treasury shares above par value will be removed from paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheet.
	Once repurchased, treasury shares are no longer considered outstanding, which results in a reduction to the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the reporting period when calculating earnings per share, as described below.
	Earnings per Share — Basic earnings per share amounts have been computed based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the reporting period.
	Diluted earnings per share amounts have been based on the combination of the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the reporting period and the impact of dilutive securities, if any, such as outstanding stock options and the non-vested portion of restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units (collectively, “restricted awards”) to the extent such securities are dilutive.
	In profitable periods, outstanding stock options have a dilutive effect under the treasury stock method when the average share price for the period exceeds the assumed proceeds from the exercise of the option. The assumed proceeds include the exercise price, compensation cost, if any, for future service that has not yet been recognized in the consolidated statement of operations, and any tax benefits that would be recorded in paid-in capital when the option is exercised. Under the treasury stock method, the assumed proceeds are assumed to be used to repurchase shares in the current period. The dilutive impact of the non-vested portion of restricted awards is determined using the treasury stock method, but the proceeds include only the unrecognized compensation cost and tax benefits as assumed proceeds.
	The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were as follows:
			Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Income from continuing operations attributable
		to Foster Wheeler AG	$	85,594		$	68,316		$	102,661		$	85,220
Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding			99,834,508			100,001,580			99,492,867			102,182,011
Effect of dilutive securities			1,367,425			253,172			1,511,219			384,636
Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding			101,201,933			100,254,752			101,004,086			102,566,647
Income from continuing operations per share:
	Basic	$	0.86		$	0.68		$	1.03		$	0.83
	Diluted	$	0.85		$	0.68		$	1.02		$	0.83
The following table summarizes share-based compensation awards not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share as the assumed proceeds from those awards, on a per share basis, were greater than the average share price for the period, which would result in an antidilutive effect on diluted earnings per share:
		Quarter Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
Stock options		226,333		1,548,745		342,639		1,548,745
Performance-based restricted share units		-		1,166,400		-		1,166,400
Pending Exchange Offer and Our Acquisition by AMEC plc – On February 13, 2014, we entered into an Implementation Agreement (the “Implementation Agreement”) with AMEC plc (“AMEC”) relating to the acquisition of all of the issued and to be issued registered shares, par value CHF 3.00 per share, of Foster Wheeler AG (the “FW shares”) by AMEC. On the terms and subject to the conditions of the Implementation Agreement, AMEC will commence an exchange offer (the “Offer”) to acquire all of the FW shares, pursuant to which each validly tendered FW share will be exchanged for a combination (subject to election by each Foster Wheeler shareholder as described in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2014) of (a) $16.00 in cash plus (b) 0.8998 ordinary shares, par value £0.50 per share, of AMEC ("AMEC shares") or, at the election of such holder, American Depositary Shares representing such number of AMEC shares.
The closing of the Offer is subject to, among other things, approval by our shareholders of certain amendments to our articles of association to revise certain transfer restrictions and certain voting limitations with respect to the FW shares. Our shareholders approved these amendments to our articles of association at our Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders on July 10, 2014.
For a full description of the Offer, see our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2014 and our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 28, 2014.
Dividend Distribution – On February 26, 2014, our Board of Directors approved a proposal to our shareholders for a one-time dividend distribution of $0.40 per share. Our shareholders approved the distribution at our Annual General Meeting on May 7, 2014 and the distribution was paid on May 21, 2014 to the shareholders listed on our share register as of May 7, 2014. The distribution was paid out of qualifying capital contribution reserves and was not subject to Swiss withholding tax. The distribution resulted in a reduction of paid-in capital and is presented on the consolidated statements of operations, changes in equity and cash flows as a return of capital.
This distribution was not linked to, and not conditional on, the closing of the Offer. The covenants of our senior unsecured credit agreement did not limit our ability to pay this dividend.
Recent Accounting Developments – In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or “FASB”, issued Accounting Standards Update, or “ASU”, No. 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity”. ASU 2014-08 provides guidance that limits the requirement to report discontinued operations to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have or will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. The amendments also require expanded disclosures concerning discontinued operations, disclosures of certain financial results attributable to a disposal of a significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting and expanded disclosures for long-lived assets classified as held for sale or disposed of. The new standard is effective for annual financial statements with fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals or assets classified as held for sale that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. We do not expect our adoption of this new standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and notes.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. ASU 2014-09 amends the guidance for revenue recognition to replace numerous, industry-specific requirements and converges areas under this topic with those of the International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2014-09 implements a five-step process for customer contract revenue recognition that focuses on transfer of control, as opposed to transfer of risk and rewards. The amendment also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows from contracts with customers. Other major provisions include the capitalization and amortization of certain contract costs, ensuring the time value of money is considered in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The amendments in this ASU are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is prohibited. Entities can transition to the standard either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are currently assessing the impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and notes.
In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12 “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period.” ASU 2014-12 clarifies that entities should treat performance targets that can be met after the requisite service period of a share-based payment award as performance conditions that affect vesting. Therefore, as of the grant date an entity would not record compensation expense related to an award for which transfer to the employee is contingent on the entity's satisfaction of a performance target until it becomes probable that the performance target will be met. No new disclosures are required under the ASU. The ASU's guidance is effective for all entities for reporting periods, including interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. In addition, all entities will have the option of applying the guidance either prospectively, only to awards granted or modified on or after the effective date, or retrospectively. Retrospective application would only apply to awards with performance targets outstanding at or after the beginning of the first annual period presented, the earliest presented comparative period. We do not expect our adoption of this new standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and notes.

Business_Combinations

Business Combinations	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combinations	'
	2. Business Combinations
	2014 Acquisition Activity
	In April 2014, we acquired certain assets of the Siemens Environmental Systems and Services (“SESS”) business from Siemens Energy, Inc. in a cash transaction for approximately $2,000. The SESS business supplies and services clean air technologies for use in power plants and industrial facilities with locations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Branchburg, New Jersey. The assets, liabilities and results of operations from this acquisition are included within our Global Power Group business segment.
	In March 2014, we entered into a merger implementation agreement with MDM Engineering Group Limited (“MDM Engineering”) to acquire all of the ordinary shares and options of MDM Engineering in a cash transaction valued at approximately $109,000 (the “MDM Transaction”). The MDM Engineering shareholders have approved the MDM Transaction, which is subject to other closing conditions. The MDM Transaction closing is expected to occur in the latter half of 2014. MDM Engineering Group is based in South Africa and is a minerals process and project management company focused on the mining industry. The company provides a wide range of services from preliminary and final feasibility studies, through to plant design, construction and commissioning. The assets, liabilities and results of operations of this business will be included within our Global Engineering and Construction Group (“Global E&C Group”) business segment.
	2013 Acquisition Activity
	In June 2013, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of a privately held upstream consultancy business located in the United Kingdom and additional related assets in the Middle East. This acquired business specializes in field development and project decision support, focused on the evaluation and implementation of oil and gas field developments covering greenfield and brownfield assets. We paid cash consideration net of cash acquired of £6,000 (approximately $9,300 based on the exchange rates in effect on the payment dates). The sale and purchase agreement also included an earnout provision for additional consideration with an estimated maximum of £3,000 (approximately $5,100 based on the exchange rate in effect on June 30, 2014), depending on the acquired business' performance, as defined in the sale and purchase agreement, over a period of approximately 3 and a half years subsequent to the acquisition date. Any amounts recognized under the earnout will be reported as compensation expense in periods subsequent to the acquisition date rather than as part of the purchase price for the business.  The purchase price allocation and pro forma impact assuming the acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of 2012 were not significant to our consolidated financial statements.  As a result of the purchase price allocation, we recognized goodwill of $4,465 and other intangible assets of $5,307 related to this acquisition. The assets, liabilities and results of operations of the acquired business are included within our Global E&C Group business segment.
	Also in June 2013, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of a privately held engineering and project management business located in Mexico with experience in both offshore and onshore upstream oil and gas, downstream oil and gas and power projects. We paid cash consideration net of cash acquired of approximately $15,700. The purchase price allocation and pro forma impact assuming the acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of 2012 were not significant to our consolidated financial statements.  As a result of the purchase price allocation, we recognized goodwill of $18,143 and other intangible assets of $7,100 related to this acquisition. The assets, liabilities and results of operations of the acquired business are included within our Global E&C Group business segment.
	During our U.S. operations' fiscal first quarter of 2013, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of a privately held U.S.-based business that specializes in the management of construction and commissioning of pharmaceutical and biotech facilities and which also has the capabilities to manage the full engineering, procurement and construction of such facilities. In addition, the acquired business has the ability to provide modular project delivery services on a worldwide basis through its participation in a business partnership. We paid cash consideration net of cash acquired of approximately $25,100, which includes a working capital adjustment paid subsequent to the six months ended June 30, 2013. The sale and purchase agreement also included an earnout provision for additional consideration with an estimated maximum of approximately $6,600, depending on the acquired business' performance, as defined in the sale and purchase agreement, over a period of approximately 5 years subsequent to the acquisition date.  During the second quarter of 2014, we renegotiated the terms of the earnout provision with the former owner and settled the earnout in full for a cash payment of approximately $3,500. The cash payment of approximately $3,500 consisted of approximately $1,300 which we had accrued as of December 31, 2013 and during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, we recognized compensation expense, within selling, general and administrative expenses, of approximately $1,900 and $2,200, respectively. The purchase price allocation and pro forma impact assuming the acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of 2012 were not significant to our consolidated financial statements.  As a result of the purchase price allocation, we recognized goodwill of $10,571 and other intangible assets of $13,980 related to this acquisition. The assets, liabilities and results of operations of the acquired business are included within our Global E&C Group business segment.

Investments

Investments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Investments	'
Investments	'
	3. Investments
	Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates
	We own a noncontrolling interest in two electric power generation projects, one waste-to-energy project and one wind farm project, which are all located in Italy, and in a refinery/electric power generation project, which is located in Chile. We also own a 50% noncontrolling interest in a project in Italy which generates earnings from royalty payments linked to the price of natural gas. Based on the outstanding equity interests of these entities, we own 41.65% of each of the two electric power generation projects in Italy, 39% of the waste-to-energy project and 50% of the wind farm project. We have a notional 85% equity interest in the project in Chile; however, we are not the primary beneficiary as a result of participation rights held by the minority shareholder. In determining that we are not the primary beneficiary, we considered the minority shareholder's right to approve activities of the project that most significantly impact the project's economic performance which include the right to approve or reject the annual financial (capital and operating) budget and the annual operating plan, the right to approve or reject the appointment of the general manager and senior management, and approval rights with respect to capital expenditures beyond those included in the annual budget.
	We account for these investments in Italy and Chile under the equity method. The following is summarized financial information for these entities (each as a whole) based on where the projects are located:
		30-Jun-14						31-Dec-13
			Italy			Chile			Italy			Chile
	Balance Sheet Data:
	Current assets	$	144,496		$	49,882		$	156,844		$	66,867
	Other assets (primarily buildings and equipment)		247,389			84,129			259,392			88,936
	Current liabilities		109,280			15,267			108,769			25,643
	Other liabilities (primarily long-term debt)		133,385			14,482			149,578			14,482
	Net assets	$	149,220		$	104,262		$	157,889		$	115,678
		Quarter Ended June 30,												Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014						2013						2014				2013
			Italy			Chile			Italy			Chile			Italy		Chile		Italy		Chile
	Income Statement Data:
	Total revenues	$	32,208		$	22,129		$	34,006		$	23,736		$	65,487	$	42,234	$	67,015	$	41,329
	Gross profit		14,143			11,087			13,806			14,343			29,593		19,805		14,002		23,558
	(Loss)/income before taxes		-2,933			11,040			12,006			13,253			4,708		16,606		10,353		22,138
	Net (loss)/earnings		-1,375			8,833			8,010			10,364			990		13,285		6,739		17,232
	Our investment in these unconsolidated affiliates is recorded within investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates on the consolidated balance sheet and our equity in the net earnings of these unconsolidated affiliates is recorded within other income, net on the consolidated statement of operations. The investments and equity earnings of our unconsolidated affiliates in Italy and Chile are included in our Global E&C Group and Global Power Group business segments, respectively.
	Our consolidated financial statements reflect the following amounts related to our unconsolidated affiliates in Italy and Chile:
			Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Equity in the net earnings of unconsolidated affiliates		$	5,879		$	16,334		$	9,800		$	20,438
	Distributions from equity affiliates		$	19,813		$	53,990		$	19,813		$	55,933
									30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	Investments in unconsolidated affiliates								$	139,296		$	150,558
	Our projects in Italy recognized a net equity loss of $350 and equity earnings of $3,507 in the second quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively, and recognized equity earnings of $810 and $3,384 in the first six months of 2014 and 2013, respectively. During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, our equity earnings from our projects in Italy were unfavorably impacted by a provision for a tariff related to the net power supplied to the electrical grid at our waste-to-energy project.  The impact of this provision decreased our equity earnings by $1,300, of which $1,100 related to the impact of the tariff for years prior to 2014. Our waste-to-energy project experienced equity earnings decreases in the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to the corresponding periods in 2013, of $2,000 and $100, respectively.  Additionally, our equity earnings were unfavorably impacted in the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to the corresponding periods in 2013, due to the expiration of a royalty agreement at our project that generates earnings from royalty payments linked to the price of natural gas. This project experienced decreased equity earnings in the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to the corresponding periods in 2013, of $800 and $1,300, respectively.
	Our equity earnings from our project in Chile were $6,228 and $12,827 in the second quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively, and were $8,988 and $17,054 in the first six months of 2014 and 2013, respectively. The decrease in equity earnings in the six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013, was primarily driven by the inclusion of two items recognized in the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2013: a $3,200 increase in our share of the project's 2012 earnings recognized as a result of a revised earnings allocation for 2012 that was approved in connection with the approval by the project's governing board of the 2012 earnings distribution in the second quarter of 2013, and a $3,000 increase from the reversal of an insurance-related contingency during the second quarter of 2013.
	We have guaranteed certain performance obligations of our project in Chile. We have a contingent obligation, which is measured annually based on the operating results of our project in Chile for the preceding year and is shared equally with our minority interest partner. We did not have a current payment obligation under this guarantee as of June 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
	We also have a wholly-owned subsidiary that provides operations and maintenance services to our project in Chile. We record the fees for operations and maintenance services in operating revenues on our consolidated statement of operations and the corresponding receivable in trade accounts and notes receivable on our consolidated balance sheet.
	Our consolidated financial statements include the following balances related to our project in Chile:
			Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Fees for operations and maintenance services
		(included in operating revenues)	$	2,734		$	2,795		$	5,462		$	5,599
									30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	Receivable from our unconsolidated affiliate
		in Chile (included in trade receivables)							$	11,040		$	7,866
	We also have guaranteed the performance obligations of our wholly-owned subsidiary under the operations and maintenance agreement governing our project in Chile. The guarantee is limited to $20,000 over the life of the operations and maintenance agreement, which extends through 2016. No amounts have ever been paid under the guarantee.
	Other Investments
	We are the majority equity partner and general partner of a gas-fired cogeneration project in Martinez, California, which we have determined to be a VIE as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. We are the primary beneficiary of the VIE, since we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's performance. These activities include the operations and maintenance of the facilities. Accordingly, as the primary beneficiary of the VIE, we have consolidated this entity. The aggregate net assets of this entity are presented below.
	Balance Sheet Data (excluding intercompany balances):	30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	Current assets	$	4,318		$	5,897
	Other assets (primarily buildings and equipment)		34,046			36,118
	Current liabilities		1,915			3,024
	Other liabilities		4,493			4,819
	Net assets	$	31,956		$	34,172

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	4. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	We have tracked accumulated goodwill impairments since the beginning of fiscal year 2002, our date of adoption of the accounting guidelines related to the assessment of goodwill for impairment. There were no accumulated goodwill impairment losses since that date. The following table provides our net carrying amount of goodwill by geographic region in which our reporting units are located:
		Global E&C Group						Global Power Group
	Geographic Regions:	30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13			30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	North America	$	84,538		$	84,447		$	6,792		$	4,266
	Asia		783			761			-			-
	Europe		6,998			6,787			72,431			72,959
	Middle East		599			581			-			-
	Total	$	92,918		$	92,576		$	79,223		$	77,225
	Our Global Power Group's goodwill in North America increased for the SESS business acquisition described in Note 2. All other changes in each of the regions during the three months ended June 30, 2014 were the result of the impact of foreign currency translation adjustments.
	The following table sets forth amounts relating to our identifiable intangible assets:
			30-Jun-14									31-Dec-13
			Gross						Net			Gross				Net
			Carrying			Accumulated			Carrying			Carrying		Accumulated		Carrying
			Amount			Amortization			Amount			Amount		Amortization		Amount
	Patents		$	42,768		$	-35,427		$	7,341		$	41,526	$	-34,477	$	7,049
	Trademarks			66,203			-35,136			31,067			66,320		-34,113		32,207
	Customer relationships,
		pipeline and backlog		95,963			-31,594			64,369			95,199		-25,911		69,288
	Technology			6,828			-2,439			4,389			6,887		-1,968		4,919
	Total		$	211,762		$	-104,596		$	107,166		$	209,932	$	-96,469	$	113,463
	As of June 30, 2014, the net carrying amounts of our identifiable intangible assets were $44,435 for our Global Power Group and $62,731 for our Global E&C Group. Amortization expense related to identifiable intangible assets is recorded within cost of operating revenues on the consolidated statement of operations. Amortization expense related to assets other than identifiable intangible assets was not material in the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	The following table details amortization expense related to identifiable intangible assets by period:
			Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Amortization expense		$	4,154		$	3,985		$	8,262		$	8,039
	Approximate full year amortization expense for years:
		2014										$	16,600
		2015											11,900
		2016											10,000
		2017											9,600
		2018											9,300

Borrowings

Borrowings	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Borrowings [Abstract]	'
Borrowings	'
	5. Borrowings
	The following table shows the components of our long-term debt:
				30-Jun-14						31-Dec-13
				Current		Long-term		Total		Current		Long-term		Total
	Capital Lease Obligations			$	3,370	$	49,638	$	53,008	$	3,040	$	51,359	$	54,399
	Special-Purpose Limited Recourse Project Debt:
		FW Power S.r.l.			7,673		51,554		59,227		7,433		55,722		63,155
		Energia Holdings, LLC at 11.443% interest,
			due April 15, 2015		5,355		-		5,355		2,040		5,355		7,395
	Subordinated Robbins Facility Exit Funding Obligations:
		1999C Bonds at 7.25% interest, due October 15, 2024			-		1,283		1,283		-		1,283		1,283
	Total			$	16,398	$	102,475	$	118,873	$	12,513	$	113,719	$	126,232
	Estimated fair value							$	133,800					$	139,912
	Senior Credit Agreement — On August 3, 2012, we entered into a new five-year senior unsecured credit agreement, which replaced our amended and restated senior unsecured credit agreement from July 2010. Our senior credit agreement provides for an unsecured revolving line of credit of $750,000 and contains an increase option permitting us, subject to certain requirements, to arrange with existing lenders and/or new lenders to provide up to an aggregate of $300,000 in additional commitments. During the term of this senior credit agreement, we may request, subject to certain requirements, up to two one-year extensions of the contractual termination date.
	We can issue up to $750,000 under the letter of credit portion of the facility. Letters of credit issued under our senior credit agreement have performance pricing that is decreased (or increased) as a result of improvements (or reductions) in our corporate credit ratings, as defined in the senior credit agreement. Based on our current credit ratings, letter of credit fees for performance and non-performance letters of credit issued under our senior credit agreement are 0.75% and 1.50% per annum of the outstanding amount, respectively, excluding a nominal fronting fee. We also have the option to use up to $250,000 of the $750,000 for revolving borrowings at a rate equal to adjusted LIBOR, as defined in the senior credit agreement, plus 1.50%, subject also to the performance pricing noted above.
	Fees and expenses incurred in conjunction with the execution of our senior credit agreement were approximately $4,000 and, along with a portion of the remaining unamortized fees from our July 2010 agreement, are being amortized to expense over the five-year term of the agreement, which commenced in the third quarter of 2012.
	Our senior credit agreement contains various customary restrictive covenants. In addition, our senior credit agreement contains financial covenants relating to leverage and interest coverage ratios. Our total leverage ratio compares total indebtedness to EBITDA, as defined in the credit agreement, and our total interest coverage ratio compares EBITDA, as defined in the credit agreement, to interest expense. Both the leverage and interest coverage ratios are measured quarterly. In addition, the leverage ratio is measured as of any date of determination for certain significant events. All such terms are defined in our senior credit agreement. We have been in compliance with all financial covenants and other provisions of our senior credit agreement during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	We had approximately $311,500 and $253,900 of letters of credit outstanding under our senior credit agreement as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The letter of credit fees under our senior credit agreement as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 ranged from 0.75% to 1.50% of the outstanding amount, excluding fronting fees. There were no funded borrowings outstanding under our senior credit agreement as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Pensions_and_Other_Postretirem

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]	'
Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits	'
	6. Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits
	We have defined benefit pension plans in the United States, or U.S., the United Kingdom, or U.K., Canada, Finland, France, India and South Africa, and we have other postretirement benefit plans, which we refer to as OPEB plans, for health care and life insurance benefits in the U.S. and Canada.
	Defined Benefit Pension Plans — Our defined benefit pension plans, or pension plans, cover certain full-time employees. Under the pension plans, retirement benefits are primarily a function of both years of service and level of compensation. The U.S. pension plans, which are closed to new entrants and additional benefit accruals, and the Canada, Finland, France and India pension plans are non-contributory. The U.K. pension plan, which is closed to new entrants and additional benefit accruals, and the South Africa pension plan are both contributory plans.
	Based on the minimum statutory funding requirements for 2014, we are not required to make any mandatory contributions to our U.S. pension plans. The following table provides details on 2014 mandatory contribution activity for our non-U.S. pension plans:
	Contributions in the six months ended June 30, 2014	$	9,000
	Remaining contributions expected for the year 2014		4,800
	Contributions expected for the year 2014	$	13,800
	We did not make any discretionary contributions during the first six months of 2014; however, we may elect to make discretionary contributions to our U.S. and/or non-U.S. pension plans during the remainder of 2014.
	Other Postretirement Benefit Plans — Certain employees in the U.S. and Canada may become eligible for other postretirement benefit plans such as health care and life insurance benefits if they qualify for and commence normal or early retirement pension benefits as defined in the U.S. and Canada pension plans while working for us. Additionally, one of our subsidiaries in the U.S. also has a benefit plan which provides coverage for an employee's beneficiary upon the death of the employee. This plan has been closed to new entrants since 1988.
	Components of net periodic benefit (credit)/cost include:
				Defined Benefit Pension Plans								Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
			Quarter Ended				Six Months Ended				Quarter Ended				Six Months Ended
			June 30,				June 30,				June 30,				June 30,
				2014		2013		2014		2013		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Net periodic benefit (credit)/cost:
	Service cost		$	203	$	292	$	501	$	592	$	1	$	10	$	13	$	28
	Interest cost			14,030		12,710		28,050		25,539		552		552		1,140		1,411
	Expected return on plan assets			-18,893		-16,097		-37,020		-32,388		-		-		-		-
	Amortization of net actuarial loss/(gain)			4,367		4,683		8,511		9,157		-30		250		-59		440
	Amortization of prior service credit			-582		-386		-1,153		-776		-874		-874		-1,748		-1,748
	Amortization of transition obligation			4		14		9		28		-		-		-		-
	Net periodic benefit (credit)/cost		$	-871	$	1,216	$	-1,102	$	2,152	$	-351	$	-62	$	-654	$	131
	The components of net periodic benefit (credit)/cost are recognized within cost of operating revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statement of operations. Please refer to Note 1 for further discussion on the timing of when items in cost of operating revenues are recognized on our consolidated statement of operations under our accounting policy for revenue recognition on long-term contracts, which utilizes the percentage-of-completion method. The offsetting effect of the amortization components of net periodic benefit cost listed above are included in other comprehensive income on our consolidated statement of comprehensive income along with their corresponding tax effects. Also refer to Note 10 for the related tax effect on pension and other postretirement benefit adjustments that are recognized in other comprehensive loss.

Guarantees_and_Warranties

Guarantees and Warranties	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Guarantees and Warranties [Abstract]	'
Guarantees and Warranties	'
	7. Guarantees and Warranties
	We have agreed to indemnify certain third parties relating to businesses and/or assets that we previously owned and sold to such third parties. Such indemnifications relate primarily to breach of covenants, breach of representations and warranties, as well as potential exposure for retained liabilities, environmental matters and third party claims for activities conducted by us prior to the sale of such businesses and/or assets. It is not possible to predict the maximum potential amount of future payments under these or similar indemnifications due to the conditional nature of the obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular indemnification; however many of our indemnification obligations, including for environmental matters, are capped. Historically, our payments under these indemnification obligations have not had a significant effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. We believe that if we were to incur a loss related to any of these matters, such loss would not have a significant effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	We maintain liabilities for environmental matters for properties owned and for properties covered under the indemnification obligations described above for businesses and/or assets that we previously owned and sold to third parties. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the carrying amounts of our environmental liabilities were $6,500 and $6,800, respectively.
	We also maintain contingencies for warranty expenses on certain of our long-term contracts. Generally, warranty contingencies are accrued over the life of the contract so that a sufficient balance is maintained to cover our aggregate exposure at the conclusion of the project.
		Six Months Ended June 30,
	Warranty Liability:		2014		2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	73,500	$	90,100
	Accruals		11,800		11,700
	Settlements		-2,100		-8,000
	Adjustments to provisions*		-10,500		-9,700
	Foreign currency translation		700		-1,500
	Balance at end of period	$	73,400	$	82,600
	_________________
	Adjustments to the provisions represent reversals of warranty provisions that are no longer required.
	We are contingently liable under standby letters of credit, bank guarantees and surety bonds, totaling $977,800 and $960,500 as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, primarily for guarantees of our performance on projects currently in execution or under warranty. These amounts include the standby letters of credit issued under our senior unsecured credit agreement discussed in Note 5 and under other facilities worldwide. No material claims have been made against these guarantees, and based on our experience and current expectations, we do not anticipate any material claims.
	We have also guaranteed certain performance obligations in a refinery/electric power generation project located in Chile in which we hold a noncontrolling interest. See Note 3 for further information.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	8. Derivative Financial Instruments
	We are exposed to certain risks relating to our ongoing business operations. The risks managed by using derivative financial instruments relate primarily to foreign currency exchange rate risk and, to a significantly lesser extent, interest rate risk. Derivative financial instruments held by our consolidated entities are recognized as assets or liabilities at fair value on our consolidated balance sheet. Our proportionate share of the fair value of derivative financial instruments held by our equity method investees is included in investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates on our consolidated balance sheet. The fair values of derivative financial instruments held by our consolidated entities were as follows:
	Fair Values of Derivative Financial Instruments
						Asset Derivatives									Liability Derivatives
				Balance Sheet		June 30,			December 31,			Balance Sheet			June 30,		December 31,
				Location		2014			2013			Location			2014		2013
	Derivatives designated as
			hedging instruments:
		Interest rate swap
			contracts	Other assets		$	-		$	-		Other long-term liabilities			$	8,369	$	7,866
	Derivatives not designated
			as hedging instruments:
		Foreign currency		Contracts in process or								Contracts in process or
			forward contracts		billings in excess of costs								billings in excess of costs
					and estimated earnings on								and estimated earnings on
					uncompleted contracts		3,347			7,157			uncompleted contracts			1,622		2,018
		Foreign currency
			forward contracts	Other accounts receivable			17			204		Accounts payable				1,287		387
	Total derivatives					$	3,364		$	7,361					$	11,278	$	10,271
	Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
	We operate on a worldwide basis with operations that subject us to foreign currency exchange rate risk mainly relative to the British pound, Chinese yuan, Euro and U.S. dollar as of June 30, 2014. Under our risk management policies, we do not hedge translation risk exposure. All activities of our affiliates are recorded in their functional currency, which is typically the local currency in the country of domicile of the affiliate. In the ordinary course of business, our affiliates enter into transactions in currencies other than their respective functional currencies. We seek to minimize the resulting foreign currency transaction risk by contracting for the procurement of goods and services in the same currency as the sales value of the related long-term contract. We further mitigate the risk through the use of foreign currency forward contracts to hedge the exposed item, such as anticipated purchases or revenues, back to their functional currency.
	The notional amount of our foreign currency forward contracts provides one measure of our transaction volume outstanding as of the balance sheet date. As of June 30, 2014, we had a total gross notional amount, measured in U.S. dollar equivalent, of approximately $556,600 related to foreign currency forward contracts. Amounts ultimately realized upon final settlement of these financial instruments, along with the gains and losses on the underlying exposures within our long-term contracts, will depend on actual market exchange rates during the remaining life of the instruments. The contract maturity dates range from the remainder of 2014 through 2016.
	We are exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the counterparties. These counterparties are commercial banks that are primarily rated “BBB+” or better by S&P (or the equivalent by other recognized credit rating agencies).
	Increases in the fair value of the currencies sold forward result in losses while increases in the fair value of the currencies bought forward result in gains. For foreign currency forward contracts used to mitigate currency risk on our projects, the gain or loss from the portion of the mark-to-market adjustment related to the completed portion of the underlying project is included in cost of operating revenues at the same time as the underlying foreign currency exposure occurs. The gain or loss from the remaining portion of the mark-to-market adjustment, specifically the portion relating to the uncompleted portion of the underlying project is reflected directly in cost of operating revenues in the period in which the mark-to-market adjustment occurs. We also utilize foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate non-project related currency risks, which are recorded in other deductions, net.
	The gain or loss from the remaining uncompleted portion of our projects and other non-project related transactions were as follows:
			Location of Gain/(Loss)		Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
	Derivatives Not Designated as		Recognized		Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	Hedging Instruments		in Income on Derivatives			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Foreign currency forward contracts		Cost of operating revenues		$	728		$	3,404		$	-100		$	-3,916
	Foreign currency forward contracts		Other deductions, net			-1,270			-247			-1,154			-1,523
	Total				$	-542		$	3,157		$	-1,254		$	-5,439
	The mark-to-market adjustments on foreign currency forward exchange contracts for these unrealized gains or losses are primarily recorded in either contracts in process or billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts on the consolidated balance sheet.
	During the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we included net cash inflows/(outflows) on the settlement of derivatives of $376 and $2,558, respectively, within the “net change in contracts in process and billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts,” a component of cash flows from operating activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows.
	Interest Rate Risk
	We use interest rate swap contracts to manage interest rate risk associated with a portion of our variable rate special-purpose limited recourse project debt. The aggregate notional amount of the receive-variable/pay-fixed interest rate swaps for our consolidated entities was $53,300 as of June 30, 2014.
	Upon entering into the swap contracts, we designate the interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges. We assess at inception, and on an ongoing basis, whether the interest rate swaps are highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the project debt. Consequently, we record the fair value of interest rate swap contracts on our consolidated balance sheet at each balance sheet date. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap contracts are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. Amounts that are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss are recognized within interest expense on the consolidated statement of operations.
	The impact from interest rate swap contracts in cash flow hedging relationships for our consolidated entities was as follows:
			Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Unrealized (loss)/gain recognized in other comprehensive income		$	-288		$	1,259		$	-1,744		$	811
	Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
		to interest expense		592			630			1,177			1,255
	The above balances for our consolidated entities and our proportionate share of the impact from interest rate swap contracts in cash flow hedging relationships held by our equity method investees are included on our consolidated statement of comprehensive income net of tax. See Note 10 for the related tax effect on cash flow hedges that are recognized in other comprehensive income.

ShareBased_Compensation_Plans

Share-Based Compensation Plans	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Share - Based Compensation Plans [Abstract]	'
Share-Based Compensation Plans	'
	9. Share-Based Compensation
	Our share-based compensation plan includes both stock options and restricted awards. The following table summarizes our share-based compensation expense and related income tax benefit:
		Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014			2013			2014		2013
	Share-based compensation	$	4,947		$	4,891		$	9,564	$	9,481
	Related income tax benefit		349			261			649		446
	As of June 30, 2014, we had total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted share units, or RSUs, performance-based restricted share units, or performance RSUs, and stock options of $18,508, $12,650 and $1,417, respectively. Those amounts are expected to be recognized as expense over a weighted-average period of approximately two years.
	We estimate the fair value of RSU awards using the market price of our shares on the date of grant. We then recognize the fair value of each RSU award as compensation expense ratably using the straight-line attribution method over the service period (generally the vesting period).
	Under our performance RSU awards, the number of restricted share units that ultimately vest depend on our share price performance against specified performance goals, which are defined in our performance RSU award agreements. We estimate the grant date fair value of each performance RSU award using a Monte Carlo valuation model. We then recognize the fair value of each performance RSU award as compensation expense ratably using the straight-line attribution method over the service period (generally the vesting period).
	We did not grant any stock options during the six months ended June 30, 2014 or 2013.
	Our share-based compensation plan includes a “change in control” provision, which provides for possible cash redemption of equity awards issued thereunder in certain limited circumstances. In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Accounting Series Release No. 268, “Presentation in Financial Statements of Redeemable Preferred Stocks,” we present the redemption amount of these equity awards as temporary equity on the consolidated balance sheet as the equity award is amortized during the vesting period. The redemption amount represents the intrinsic value of the equity award on the grant date. In accordance with current accounting guidance regarding the classification and measurement of redeemable securities, we do not adjust the redemption amount each reporting period unless and until it becomes probable that the equity awards will become redeemable (upon a change in control event). Upon vesting of the equity awards, we reclassify the intrinsic value of the equity awards, as determined on the grant date, to permanent equity.
	Reconciliations of temporary equity for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
			Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year		$	15,664		$	8,594
	Compensation cost during the period for those equity awards with
		intrinsic value on the grant date		8,220			7,342
	Intrinsic value of equity awards vested during the period for
		those equity awards with intrinsic value on the grant date		-9,209			-5,273
	Balance at end of period		$	14,675		$	10,663
	Our articles of association provide for conditional capital for the issuance of shares under our share-based compensation plan and other convertible or exercisable securities we may issue in the future. Conditional capital decreases upon issuance of shares in connection with the exercise of outstanding stock options or vesting of restricted awards, with an offsetting increase to our issued and authorized share capital. As of June 30, 2014, our remaining available conditional capital was 57,154,965 shares.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehenisi

Accumulated Other Comprehenisive Income	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	'
	10. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	Below are the adjustments included in other comprehensive loss related to foreign currency translation, cash flow hedges and pension and other postretirement benefits and their related tax provision/(benefit) and balances attributable to noncontrolling interests and Foster Wheeler AG:
			Quarter Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Foreign currency translation	$	3,554	$	-5,301	$	266	$	-19,714
	Tax impact		16		-		9		-
	Foreign currency translation, net of tax		3,570		-5,301		275		-19,714
	Less: Attributable to noncontrolling interests		26		-365		-544		-1,154
	Attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	$	3,544	$	-4,936	$	819	$	-18,560
	Cash flow hedges*	$	704	$	3,275	$	-644	$	3,592
	Tax impact		-225		-1,085		248		-1,165
	Attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	$	479	$	2,190	$	-396	$	2,427
	Pension and other postretirement benefits	$	2,885	$	3,687	$	1,580	$	7,101
	Tax impact		-349		-462		-193		-817
	Pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	$	2,536	$	3,225	$	1,387	$	6,284
	Less: Attributable to noncontrolling interests		4		2		8		4
	Attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	$	2,532	$	3,223	$	1,379	$	6,280
	Other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	$	6,555	$	477	$	1,802	$	-9,853
	* Cash flow hedges include the impact of our proportionate share from unconsolidated affiliates accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
	No tax is provided on foreign currency translation adjustments in comprehensive income to the extent the related earnings are indefinitely reinvested in each subsidiary's country of domicile.
	Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges included amounts related to our consolidated entities and our proportionate share of the impact from interest rate swap contracts in cash flow hedging relationships held by our equity method investees.  Amounts that are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges from our consolidated entities are recognized within interest expense on the consolidated statement of operations, whereas amounts related to our equity method investees are recognized within equity earnings in other income, net on the consolidated statement of operations. Please refer to Note 8 for further information.
	Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss related to pension and other postretirement benefits are included as a component of net periodic pension cost.  Please refer to Note 6 for further information.
	Below is a rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive loss adjusted for other comprehensive income/(loss) items attributable to Foster Wheeler AG (all amounts net of tax):
			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
			Accumulated Foreign Currency Translation		Cash Flow Hedges		Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits		Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	-86,729	$	-12,412	$	-468,462	$	-567,603
	Other comprehensive (loss)/income		-18,560		2,427		6,280		-9,853
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	-105,289	$	-9,985	$	-462,182	$	-577,456
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	-92,017	$	-8,845	$	-408,455	$	-509,317
	Other comprehensive income/(loss)		819		-396		1,379		1,802
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	-91,198	$	-9,241	$	-407,076	$	-507,515

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	11. Income Taxes
	Although we are a Swiss corporation, our shares are listed on a U.S. exchange; therefore, we reconcile our effective tax rate to the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% to facilitate meaningful comparison with peer companies in the U.S. capital markets. Our effective tax rate can fluctuate significantly from period to period and may differ considerably from the U.S. federal statutory rate as a result of (i) income taxed in various non-U.S. jurisdictions with rates different from the U.S. statutory rate, (ii) our inability to recognize a tax benefit for losses generated by certain unprofitable operations and (iii) the varying mix of income earned in the jurisdictions in which we operate. In addition, our deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, based upon available evidence, it is more likely than not that the tax benefit of loss carryforwards (or other deferred tax assets) will not be realized in the future. In periods when operating units subject to a valuation allowance generate pre-tax earnings, the corresponding reduction in the valuation allowance favorably impacts our effective tax rate. Conversely, in periods when operating units subject to a valuation allowance generate pre-tax losses, the corresponding increase in the valuation allowance has an unfavorable impact on our effective tax rate.
	Effective Tax Rate for 2014
	Our effective tax rate for the first six months of 2014 was lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily because of the net impact of the following:
	Income earned in non-U.S. jurisdictions contributed to an approximate ten-percentage point reduction in our effective tax rate, primarily because of tax rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate, as well as additional impacts from equity income of joint ventures, tax incentives and credits, and other items;
	Discrete items during the second quarter of 2014, primarily relating to the net reversal of previously accrued liabilities for uncertain tax positions, which were released as a result of tax examination settlements and reassessments of future liabilities in non-U.S. jurisdictions, provided a nine-percentage point reduction to the effective tax rate for the first six months of 2014; and
	A net reduction in our effective tax rate of approximately two-percentage points as a result of reduction in the valuation allowance, to the extent of pre-tax earnings generated by our U.S. operating units, which are subject to a valuation allowance, partially offset by the unfavorable impact on our effective tax rate for operating units subject to a valuation allowance generating pre-tax losses.
	Effective Tax Rate for 2013
	Our effective tax rate for the first six months of 2013 was lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily because of the net impact of the following:
	Income earned in non-U.S. jurisdictions which contributed to an approximate 16-percentage point reduction in our effective tax rate, primarily because of tax rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate, as well as additional impacts from equity income of joint ventures, tax incentives and credits, and other items;
	Discrete items during the second quarter of 2013, primarily relating to the reversal of a previously accrued liability for branch taxes no longer required to be paid as a result of an exemption received from a non-U.S. tax authority, which provided a six-percentage point reduction to the effective tax rate for the first six months of 2013; and
	A valuation allowance increase because we were unable to recognize a tax benefit for year-to-date losses subject to a valuation allowance in certain jurisdictions (primarily in the U.S.), which contributed to an approximate four-percentage point increase in our effective tax rate.
	We monitor the jurisdictions for which valuation allowances against deferred tax assets were established in previous years, and we evaluate, on a quarterly basis, the need for the valuation allowances against deferred tax assets in those jurisdictions. Such evaluation includes a review of all available evidence, both positive and negative, in determining whether a valuation allowance is necessary.
	The majority of the U.S. federal tax benefits, against which valuation allowances have been established, do not expire until 2025 and beyond, based on current tax laws.
	Our subsidiaries file income tax returns in many tax jurisdictions, including the U.S., several U.S. states and numerous non-U.S. jurisdictions around the world. Tax returns are also filed in jurisdictions where our subsidiaries execute project-related work. The statute of limitations varies by jurisdiction. Because of the number of jurisdictions in which we file tax returns, in any given year the statute of limitations in a number of jurisdictions may expire within 12 months from the balance sheet date. As a result, we expect recurring changes in unrecognized tax benefits due to the expiration of the statute of limitations, none of which are expected to be individually significant. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. (including federal, state and local) or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2009.
	A number of tax years are under audit by the relevant tax authorities in certain U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions. We anticipate that several of these audits may be concluded in the foreseeable future, including during the remainder of 2014. Based on the status of these audits, it is reasonably possible that the conclusion of the audits may result in a reduction of unrecognized tax benefits. During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, we settled audits with non-U.S. tax authorities which resulted in the release of previously recorded liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits. These releases resulted in reductions to our tax provision, interest expense and penalties on our consolidated statement of operations of $10,800, $3,400, and $8,100, respectively. Other than these releases for audit settlements, it is not possible to estimate the magnitude of any such reduction at this time. We recognize interest accrued on the unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties on the unrecognized tax benefits in other deductions, net on our consolidated statement of operations.

Business_Segments

Business Segments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Business Segments [Abstract]	'
Business Segments	'
	12. Business Segments
	We operate through two business segments, or groups: our Global E&C Group and our Global Power Group.
	Global E&C Group
	Our Global E&C Group, which operates worldwide, designs, engineers and constructs onshore and offshore upstream oil and gas processing facilities, natural gas liquefaction export facilities and receiving terminals, gas-to-liquids facilities, oil refining, chemical and petrochemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology facilities and related infrastructure, including power generation facilities, distribution facilities, gasification facilities and processing facilities associated with the minerals and metals sector. Our Global E&C Group is also involved in the design of facilities in developing market sectors, including carbon capture and storage, solid fuel-fired integrated gasification combined-cycle power plants, coal-to-liquids, coal-to-chemicals and biofuels. Additionally, our Global E&C Group owns and operates electric power generating wind farms in Italy and also owns a noncontrolling interest in two electric power generation projects, one waste-to-energy project and one wind farm project, all of which are located in Italy, and a noncontrolling interest in a joint venture company that is fully licensed to engineer, procure and construct processing facilities in China. Our Global E&C Group generates revenues from design, engineering, procurement, construction and project management activities pursuant to contracts which generally span up to approximately four years in duration and from returns on its equity investments in various power production facilities.
	Global Power Group
	Our Global Power Group designs, manufactures and installs steam generating and auxiliary equipment for electric power generating stations, district heating and industrial facilities worldwide. Additionally, our Global Power Group holds a controlling interest and operates a combined-cycle gas turbine facility; owns a noncontrolling interest in a petcoke-fired circulating fluidized-bed facility for refinery steam and power generation; and operates a university cogeneration power facility for steam/electric generation. Our Global Power Group generates revenues from engineering activities, equipment supply, construction contracts, operating and maintenance agreements, royalties from licensing its technology, and from returns on its investments in various power production facilities.
	Our Global Power Group's steam generating equipment includes a broad range of steam generation and environmental technologies, offering independent power producers, utilities, municipalities and industrial clients high-value technology solutions for converting a wide range of fuels, such as coal, lignite, petroleum coke, oil, gas, solar, biomass, municipal solid waste and waste flue gases into steam, which can be used for power generation, district heating or industrial processes.
	Corporate and Finance Group
	In addition to our Global E&C Group and Global Power Group, which represent two of our operating segments for financial reporting purposes, we report the financial results associated with the management of entities which are not managed by one of our two business groups, which include corporate center expenses, our captive insurance operation and expenses related to certain legacy liabilities, such as asbestos, in the Corporate and Finance Group, which also represents an operating segment for financial reporting purposes and which we refer to as the C&F Group.
	Operating Revenues from Continuing Operations
	We conduct our business on a global basis. Operating revenues for our continuing operations by industry, business segment and geographic region, based upon where our projects are being executed, were as follows:
		Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Operating Revenues (Third-Party) by Industry:
	Power generation	$	213,640		$	186,991		$	396,495		$	369,455
	Oil refining		255,568			359,894			458,602			683,632
	Pharmaceutical		22,190			40,552			42,689			78,398
	Oil and gas		118,675			86,223			222,449			171,481
	Chemical/petrochemical		166,902			134,368			319,246			236,547
	Power plant design, operation and maintenance		55,691			38,882			110,330			83,509
	Environmental		2,250			1,621			3,920			2,845
	Other, net of eliminations		16,851			14,876			31,735			27,684
	Total	$	851,767		$	863,407		$	1,585,466		$	1,653,551
	Operating Revenues (Third-Party) by Business Segment:
	Global E&C Group	$	645,473		$	662,719		$	1,198,734		$	1,250,693
	Global Power Group		206,294			200,688			386,732			402,858
	Total	$	851,767		$	863,407		$	1,585,466		$	1,653,551
	Operating Revenues (Third-Party) by Geographic Region:
	Africa	$	14,315		$	20,735		$	27,484		$	39,647
	Asia Pacific		224,730			211,262			446,557			404,275
	Europe		201,336			215,647			345,782			403,836
	Middle East		148,461			79,879			262,858			144,802
	North America		185,900			282,419			371,860			524,013
	South America		77,025			53,465			130,925			136,978
	Total	$	851,767		$	863,407		$	1,585,466		$	1,653,551
	EBITDA
	EBITDA is the primary measure of operating performance used by our chief operating decision maker. We define EBITDA as net income attributable to Foster Wheeler AG before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization.
	A reconciliation of EBITDA to net income attributable to Foster Wheeler AG is shown below:
				Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
					2014			2013			2014			2013
	EBITDA:
		Global E&C Group		$	56,409		$	62,133		$	96,463		$	97,321
		Global Power Group			64,094			45,584			92,820			70,271
		C&F Group (1)			-15,577			-8,712			-39,595			-28,509
		Discontinued operations			-			2,383			-			2,424
			Total EBITDA		104,926			101,388			149,688			141,507
		Less: Discontinued operations			-			2,383			-			2,424
			EBITDA from continuing operations		104,926			99,005			149,688			139,083
	Add: Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests				980			1,011			-1,147			4,290
	Less: Interest expense(2)				-1,846			3,916			1,816			6,588
	Less: Depreciation and amortization				14,823			13,454			29,138			28,796
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes				92,929			82,646			117,587			107,989
	Less: Provision for income taxes				6,355			13,319			16,073			18,479
	Income from continuing operations				86,574			69,327			101,514			89,510
	Income/(loss) from discontinued operations(3)				-			2,383			-			-1,495
	Net income				86,574			71,710			101,514			88,015
	Less: Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests				980			1,011			-1,147			4,290
	Net income attributable to Foster Wheeler AG			$	85,594		$	70,699		$	102,661		$	83,725
	______________
	(1) Includes general corporate income and expense, our captive insurance operation and the elimination of transactions and balances related to intercompany interest.
	(2) Interest expense during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014 included a credit of $3,400 related to the reversal of previously accrued interest expense
			on unrecognized tax benefits which were released as a result of settlements with non-U.S. tax authorities.
	(3) Loss from discontinued operations for the six months ended June 30, 2013 included an impairment charge of $3,919 recognized in connection with our Camden,
		New Jersey waste-to-energy facility. Please refer to Note 14 for further information.
EBITDA in the above table includes the following:			Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
				2014			2013			2014			2013
Net increase in contract profit from the regular
	revaluation of final estimated contract profit revisions:(1)
	Global E&C Group		$	6,100		$	5,400		$	7,900		$	22,000
	Global Power Group			4,200			11,100			18,100			19,500
		Total	$	10,300		$	16,500		$	26,000		$	41,500
License settlement in our Global Power Group(2)			$	32,500		$	-		$	32,500		$	-
Litigation settlement in our E&C Group(3)				3,000			-			3,000			-
Reversal of previously accrued penalties on unrecognized
	tax benefits in our C&F Group(4)			8,100			-			8,100			-
Net asbestos-related provision/(gain) in our C&F Group(5)			$	1,200		$	-13,800		$	3,200		$	-11,800
Charges for severance-related postemployment benefits:
	Global E&C Group		$	1,100		$	1,700		$	2,000		$	2,900
	Global Power Group			-			700			100			1,100
	C&F Group			-			-			-			400
		Total	$	1,100		$	2,400		$	2,100		$	4,400
______________
Please refer to “Revenue Recognition on Long-Term Contracts” in Note 1 for further information regarding changes in our final estimated contract profit.
During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, our Global Power Group received a cash payment as a result of a favorable settlement in connection with the terms related to the expiration of a steam generator technology license, which was recognized in other income, net.
During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, our Global E&C Group recognized a favorable impact to EBITDA of $3,000 related to a post judgment settlement of a lawsuit for less than the previously accrued amount, which was recognized in other deductions, net.
During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, other deductions, net included a credit of $8,100 related to the reversal of previously accrued penalties on unrecognized tax benefits which were released as a result of settlements with non-U.S. tax authorities.
Please refer to Note 13 for further information regarding the revaluation of our asbestos liability and related asset.
During 2013, we initiated restructuring actions relating to ongoing cost reduction efforts within our Global Power Group, including severance-related postemployment benefits and consolidation of manufacturing operations. We recorded net pre-tax restructuring costs totaling $19,100 for restructuring actions initiated in 2013.
We are expecting to complete the severance-related postemployment benefits activities in 2014 and the majority of facility-related cost reduction actions in 2015. No specific plans for significant other actions have been finalized at this time. The following table summarizes the liability balances and utilization by cost type related to the 2013 restructuring actions:
Net pre-tax restructuring costs	Severance			Facility exit, lease termination & other costs			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	11,400		$	2,100		$	13,500
2014 charge		335			-			335
Utilization and foreign exchange		-3,621			-161			-3,782
Adjustments to provisions*		-200			-			-200
Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	7,914		$	1,939		$	9,853
______________
* Adjustments to the provisions represent reversals of the restructuring provisions that are no longer required.
The accounting policies of our business segments are the same as those described in our summary of significant accounting policies as disclosed in our 2013 Form 10-K. The only significant intersegment transactions relate to interest on intercompany balances. We account for interest on those arrangements as if they were third-party transactions (i.e., at current market rates) and we include the elimination of that activity in the results of the C&F Group.
Loss from discontinued operations included the following:
	Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
EBITDA from discontinued operations	$	-		$	2,383		$	-		$	2,424
Less: Interest expense		-			-			-			-
Less: Depreciation and amortization*		-			-			-			3,919
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes*		-			2,383			-			-1,495
Less: Provision for income taxes		-			-			-			-
Loss from discontinued operations*	$	-		$	2,383		$	-		$	-1,495
During 2013, we recorded an impairment charge of $3,919 in connection with our Camden, New Jersey waste-to-energy facility which was recorded as depreciation expense within income/(loss) from discontinued operations. Please refer to Note 14 for further information.

Litigation_and_Uncertainties

Litigation and Uncertainties	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Litigation and Uncertainties	'
Litigation and Uncertainties	'
	13. Litigation and Uncertainties
	Asbestos
	Some of our U.S. and U.K. subsidiaries are defendants in numerous asbestos-related lawsuits and out-of-court informal claims pending in the U.S. and the U.K. Plaintiffs claim damages for personal injury alleged to have arisen from exposure to or use of asbestos in connection with work allegedly performed by our subsidiaries during the 1970s and earlier.
	United States
	A summary of our U.S. claim activity is as follows:
		Quarter Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	Number of Claims by period:	2014		2013		2014	2013
	Open claims at beginning of period	124,280		125,480		125,240	125,310
	New claims	880		1,250		1,870	2,460
	Claims resolved	-780		-1,920		-2,730	-2,960
	Open claims at end of period	124,380		124,810		124,380	124,810
	We had the following U.S. asbestos-related assets and liabilities recorded on our consolidated balance sheet as of the dates set forth below. Total U.S. asbestos-related liabilities are estimated through the second quarter of 2029. Although it is likely that claims will continue to be filed after that date, the uncertainties inherent in any long-term forecast prevent us from making reliable estimates of the indemnity and defense costs that might be incurred after that date.
	U.S. Asbestos	30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	Asbestos-related assets recorded within:
	Accounts and notes receivable-other	$	20,111		$	20,256
	Asbestos-related insurance recovery receivable		88,587			91,225
	Total asbestos-related assets	$	108,698		$	111,481
	Asbestos-related liabilities recorded within:
	Accrued expenses	$	41,800		$	52,600
	Asbestos-related liability		211,332			225,600
	Total asbestos-related liabilities	$	253,132		$	278,200
	Liability balance by claim category:
	Open claims	$	43,722		$	46,800
	Future unasserted claims		209,410			231,400
	Total asbestos-related liabilities	$	253,132		$	278,200
	We have worked with Analysis, Research & Planning Corporation, or ARPC, nationally recognized consultants in the U.S. with respect to projecting asbestos liabilities, to estimate the amount of asbestos-related indemnity and defense costs at each year-end based on a forecast for the next 15 years. Each year we have recorded our estimated asbestos liability at a level consistent with ARPC's reasonable best estimate. Our estimated asbestos liability decreased during the first six months of 2014 as a result of indemnity and defense cost payments totaling approximately $29,100, partially offset by the impact of an increase in the liability related to our rolling 15-year asbestos-related liability estimate of approximately $4,000. The total asbestos-related liabilities are comprised of our estimates for our liability relating to open (outstanding) claims being valued and our liability for future unasserted claims through the second quarter of 2029.
	Our liability estimate is based upon the following information and/or assumptions: number of open claims, forecasted number of future claims, estimated average cost per claim by disease type – mesothelioma, lung cancer and non-malignancies – and the breakdown of known and future claims into disease type – mesothelioma, lung cancer and non-malignancies, as well as other factors. The total estimated liability, which has not been discounted for the time value of money, includes both the estimate of forecasted indemnity amounts and forecasted defense costs. Total defense costs and indemnity liability payments are estimated to be incurred through the second quarter of 2029, during which period the incidence of new claims is forecasted to decrease each year. We believe that it is likely that there will be new claims filed after the second quarter of 2029, but in light of uncertainties inherent in long-term forecasts, we do not believe that we can reasonably estimate the indemnity and defense costs that might be incurred after the second quarter of 2029.
	Through June 30, 2014, total cumulative indemnity costs paid, prior to insurance recoveries, were approximately $845,100 and total cumulative defense costs paid were approximately $419,600, or approximately 33% of total defense and indemnity costs. The overall historic average combined indemnity and defense cost per resolved claim through June 30, 2014 has been approximately $3.3. The average cost per resolved claim is increasing and we believe it will continue to increase in the future.
	Over the last several years, certain of our subsidiaries have entered into settlement agreements calling for insurers to make lump-sum payments, as well as payments over time, for use by our subsidiaries to fund asbestos-related indemnity and defense costs and, in certain cases, for reimbursement for portions of out-of-pocket costs previously incurred. As our subsidiaries reach agreements with their insurers to settle their disputed asbestos-related insurance coverage, we increase our asbestos-related insurance asset and record settlement gains.
	Asbestos-related assets under executed settlement agreements with insurers due in the next 12 months are recorded within accounts and notes receivable-other and amounts due beyond 12 months are recorded within asbestos-related insurance recovery receivable. Asbestos-related insurance recovery receivable also includes our best estimate of actual and probable insurance recoveries relating to our liability for pending and estimated future asbestos claims through the second quarter of 2029. Our asbestos-related assets have not been discounted for the time value of money.
	Our insurance recoveries may be limited by future insolvencies among our insurers. We have not assumed recovery in the estimate of our asbestos-related insurance asset from any of our currently insolvent insurers. We have considered the financial viability and legal obligations of our subsidiaries' insurance carriers and believe that the insurers or their guarantors will continue to reimburse a significant portion of claims and defense costs relating to asbestos litigation. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we have not recorded an allowance for uncollectible balances against our asbestos-related insurance assets. We write off receivables from insurers that have become insolvent; there were no such write-offs during the six months ended June 30, 2014 or 2013. Insurers may become insolvent in the future and our insurers may fail to reimburse amounts owed to us on a timely basis. If we fail to realize the expected insurance recoveries, or experience delays in receiving material amounts from our insurers, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
	The following table summarizes our approximate U.S. asbestos-related net cash impact for indemnity and defense cost payments and collection of insurance proceeds:
		Quarter Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014			2013		2014		2013
	Provision for revaluation	$	1,992		$	2,000	$	4,000	$	4,000
	Gain on the settlement of coverage litigation		-783			-15,750		-783		-15,750
	Net asbestos-related provision/(gain)	$	1,209		$	-13,750	$	3,217	$	-11,750
	The provision for revaluation in each period was the result of the accrual of our rolling 15-year asbestos liability estimate.
		Quarter Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014			2013		2014		2013
	Asbestos litigation, defense and case resolution payments	$	14,300		$	11,800	$	29,100	$	26,400
	Insurance proceeds		-3,600			-19,400		-3,600		-28,300
	Net asbestos-related payments/(proceeds)	$	10,700		$	-7,600	$	25,500	$	-1,900
	We expect to have net cash outflows of $31,500 during the full year 2014 as a result of asbestos liability indemnity and defense payments in excess of insurance proceeds. This estimate assumes no settlements with insurance companies and no elections by us to fund additional payments. As we continue to collect cash from insurance settlements and assuming no increase in our asbestos-related insurance liability, the asbestos-related insurance receivable recorded on our consolidated balance sheet will continue to decrease.
	The estimate of the liabilities and assets related to asbestos claims and recoveries is subject to a number of uncertainties that may result in significant changes in the current estimates. Among these are uncertainties as to the ultimate number and type of claims filed, the amounts of claim costs, the impact of bankruptcies of other companies with asbestos claims, uncertainties surrounding the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from case to case, as well as potential legislative changes. Increases in the number of claims filed or costs to resolve those claims could cause us to increase further the estimates of the costs associated with asbestos claims and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
	Based on our December 31, 2013 liability estimate, an increase of 25% in the average per claim indemnity settlement amount would increase the liability by $40,300 and the impact on expense would be dependent upon available additional insurance recoveries. Assuming no change to the assumptions currently used to estimate our insurance asset, this increase would result in a charge on our consolidated statement of operations of approximately 85% of the increase in the liability. Long-term cash flows would ultimately change by the same amount. Should there be an increase in the estimated liability in excess of 25%, the percentage of that increase that would be expected to be funded by additional insurance recoveries will decline.
	United Kingdom
	Some of our subsidiaries in the U.K. have also received claims alleging personal injury arising from exposure to asbestos. To date, 1,067 claims have been brought against our U.K. subsidiaries, of which 279 remained open as of June 30, 2014. None of the settled claims have resulted in material costs to us.
	The following table summarizes our asbestos-related liabilities and assets for our U.K. subsidiaries based on open (outstanding) claims and our estimate for future unasserted claims through the second quarter of 2029:
	U.K. Asbestos	30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	Asbestos-related assets:
	Accounts and notes receivable-other	$	1,529		$	1,483
	Asbestos-related insurance recovery receivable		28,204			29,264
	Total asbestos-related assets	$	29,733		$	30,747
	Asbestos-related liabilities:
	Accrued expenses	$	1,529		$	1,483
	Asbestos-related liability		30,591			31,580
	Total asbestos-related liabilities	$	32,120		$	33,063
	Liability balance by claim category:
	Open claims	$	6,780		$	8,487
	Future unasserted claims		25,340			24,576
	Total asbestos-related liabilities	$	32,120		$	33,063
	The liability estimates are based on a U.K. House of Lords judgment that pleural plaque claims do not amount to a compensable injury. If this ruling is reversed by legislation, the total asbestos liability recorded in the U.K. would increase to approximately $52,100, with a corresponding increase in the asbestos-related asset.
Project Claims
In addition to the specific matters described below, in the ordinary course of business, we are parties to litigation involving clients and subcontractors arising out of project contracts. Such litigation includes claims and counterclaims by and against us for canceled contracts, for additional costs incurred in excess of current contract provisions, as well as for back charges for alleged breaches of warranty and other contract commitments. If we were found to be liable for any of the claims/counterclaims against us, we would incur a charge against earnings to the extent a reserve had not been established for the matter in our accounts or if the liability exceeds established reserves.
Due to the inherent commercial, legal and technical uncertainties underlying the estimation of our project claims, the amounts ultimately realized or paid by us could differ materially from the balances, if any, included in our financial statements, which could result in additional material charges against earnings, and which could also materially adversely impact our financial condition and cash flows.
Power Plant Arbitration – United States
In June 2011, a demand for arbitration was filed with the American Arbitration Association by our client's erection contractor against our client and us in connection with a power plant project in the U.S.  At that time, no details of the erection contractor's claims were included with the demand. The arbitration panel was formed on September 26, 2012 and a statement of claim from the erection contractor was delivered to the panel on October 24, 2012.  The erection contractor is seeking unpaid contract amounts from our client and additional compensation from our client and us for alleged delays, disruptions, inefficiencies, and extra work in connection with the erection of the plant.  We supplied the steam generation equipment for the project under contract with our client, the power plant owner.  The turbine contractor, who supplied the turbine, electricity generator and other plant equipment under a separate contract with the power plant owner, has also been included as a party in the arbitration. The erection contractor's statement of claim sought approximately $240,000 in damages, exclusive of interest, from our client.  Of this amount, the statement of claim asserted that approximately $150,000 was related to the steam generation equipment, and alleged failures on our part in connection with our performance under our steam generation equipment supply contract; those damages were claimed jointly against us and our client. The claims against us by the erection contractor alleged negligence and, in its purported capacity as a third party beneficiary and assignee of our steam generation equipment supply contract, breach of contract.
Responsive pleadings to the erection contractor's pleading were filed by the other parties, including us, on November 28, 2012.  Our pleading denied the erection contractor's claims against us and asserted cross claims against our client seeking over $14,800 in damages related to delays, out of scope work, and improperly assessed delay liquidated damages. In its pleading, the turbine contractor asserted claims against our client for unpaid contract amounts and additional compensation for extra work and delays. In its capacity as a purported co-assignee of the steam generation equipment supply contract, the turbine contractor joined in the erection contractor's claims against us for delay-related damages and asserted cross claims against us seeking over $5,000 in non-delay related damages.  In its pleading, our client asserted counter and cross claims for breach of contract and gross negligence against the erection contractor and the turbine contractor. Our client also asserted cross claims against us for any damages our client has incurred, and for indemnification of any damages our client may be required to pay to the erection and turbine contractors, arising out of alleged failures of performance on our part under our steam generation supply contract. We denied our client's and the turbine contractor's cross claims against us.
On August 30, 2013, our client filed a petition with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware seeking to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The filing automatically stayed all proceedings against our client, including the four-party arbitration discussed above. Our client's filing included a motion seeking authorization for the use of cash collateral to fund its activities during the bankruptcy proceedings. In its motion, our client indicated its intent to draw on performance and retention letters of credit we previously issued in connection with the contract totaling approximately $59,000, contending that the funds were needed to fund operations during the bankruptcy and make repairs to the power plant. We opposed the motion on various grounds, including that any such draw would be unsupported and wrongful, and applied for an order temporarily restraining our client from drawing on the letters of credit, lifting the automatic stay of the arbitration proceeding and transferring the question of our client's right to draw on our letters of credit back to the arbitration for resolution in the context of the overall dispute. The bankruptcy court granted our application for temporary restraint and scheduled a further hearing on the issue, which on successive applications by our client was adjourned to November 21, 2013.
On November 1, 2013, our client filed a motion seeking the bankruptcy court's approval of proposed debtor-in-possession financing. On November 13, 2013, our client filed its plan of reorganization. On November 15, 2013, our client signed a stipulation to modify and lift the automatic stay of the arbitration proceedings by the bankruptcy filing to permit the arbitration to proceed as to all issues other than issues related to our letters of credit, which stipulation was approved by the bankruptcy court. The court-approved stipulation also provided for the withdrawal of our client's motion to draw on our letters of credit.
Following the lifting of the bankruptcy stay, a scheduling conference was held by the arbitration panel in December 2013 and the panel extended the various procedural deadlines in the case. The final hearing is now set for the first and second quarters of 2015.
The debtor-in-possession financing facility was approved by the bankruptcy court on November 21, 2013. The plan of reorganization contemplated, and any funding from the debtor-in-possession financing was conditioned upon, the achievement of various milestones by specified dates. One of the milestones was the reduction to zero by the bankruptcy court of the value of our mechanics lien and the mechanics liens of the turbine and erection contractors through a “claims estimation” proceeding. Our client moved to compel claims estimation on December 11, 2013. We and the turbine and erection contractors opposed the motion on various grounds. The motion was set to be heard on February 7, 2014 but adjourned at the request of our client to February 12, 2014.
On February 10, 2014, we agreed to a partial settlement of the outstanding claims under our supply contract with our client. Under the agreement, we will perform certain new work on the steam generation equipment in exchange for (i) a release from our client of liability for alleged defects in the steam generation equipment, (ii) restriction of our client's right to draw on our letters of credit to disputes involving the new work, and (iii) a court-approved assignment of our client's right to seek indemnification for the cost of the new work from the erection and turbine contractors. Also, under the agreement we will release our client from liability for our $14,800 in project claims related to delays, out of scope work, and improperly assessed delay liquidated damages in exchange for a court-approved assignment of our client's right to seek indemnification for these claims from the turbine and erection contractors. The settlement agreement was subject to bankruptcy court approval, which approval was granted on March 7, 2014. The erection contractor has appealed the approval order, but has not applied to stay its enforcement during the pendency of the appeal. Accordingly, we are proceeding with the new work. Our client's claims estimation motion, which was adjourned pending approval by the agreement of the bankruptcy court, has now been withdrawn as against us.
On May 12, 2014, the parties exchanged further submissions in support of their respective affirmative claims in the arbitration. The erection contractor contends in its submission that it incurred substantial delays and cost overruns due to performance failures on the part of our client and us. The erection contractor is seeking an equitable extension of the project schedule, plus $222,000 in damages, plus attorneys' and expert fees and the cost of the arbitration. Of this amount, $63,000 is for claims solely against our client. The remaining $159,000 purportedly relates to our alleged failures and is being claimed jointly against our client and us. The turbine contractor's submission largely reiterates the erection contractor's allegations related to our and our client's performance failures. The turbine contractor's claims against our client total approximately $88,000. The turbine contractor also seeks a declaration that it did not cause any delay to the critical path of the construction and commissioning schedule and that it is not liable for any delay liquidated damages to our client. The turbine contractor's claims against us total approximately $5,300. Our client's submission asserts claims for delay liquidated damages as well as defective equipment damages against the turbine contractor and the erection contractor, jointly and severally, totaling in excess of $400,000. Of this amount, $318,000 relates to delay liquidated damages, which includes $242,000 in liquidated damages accruing since our client's grant of Substantial Completion on December 15, 2011, because the turbine and erection contractors did not complete certain outstanding requirements and because the turbine contractor allegedly concealed unresolved deficiencies in the equipment it supplied. Our submission seeks $37,000 in damages from the turbine and erection contractors. Of this amount, $14,400 relates to our existing project claims and $22,600 relates to our claims for the rehabilitation work that we are performing for our client under the settlement agreement.
On May 28, 2014, our client filed an Amended Plan of Reorganization and Plan Confirmation Schedule. Pursuant to the Amended Plan, our client's claims estimation motion against the turbine and erection contractors mechanics lien claims has been put on hold and our client has commenced an adversary proceeding in the bankruptcy court against their title company, seeking to declare that the title company is liable under its $825,000 policy in the event that the turbine and erection contractors' mechanics liens are determined to have priority over the liens securing our client's credit facility. That proceeding is set to be tried on November 17, 2014. On July 8, 2014, our client adjourned the Plan Confirmation hearing to a date to be determined, pending the outcome of the adversary proceeding against the title company.
We intend to vigorously defend the claims against us in the arbitration and pursue in the arbitration our claims against the turbine and erection contractors for the $14,800 in project claims and for the $22,600 cost of the new work.
Our letters of credit remain in place and we will vigorously oppose any attempt to draw down on them.
We cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this matter at this time.
Refinery and Petrochemicals Project Arbitration – India
In November 2012, we commenced arbitration in India against our client seeking collection of unpaid receivables in excess of £52,000 (approximately $88,600 based on the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2014), arising from services performed on a reimbursable basis for our client in connection with our client's grass roots refinery and petrochemicals project in northeastern India. Our client rejected the claims and notified us of various potential counterclaims that it may be asserting in the arbitration, purportedly totaling in excess of £55,000 (approximately $93,700 based on the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2014). In June 2013, we submitted our detailed statement of claim, and in July 2013 our client submitted its detailed statement of defense and counterclaim. The amount of the counterclaim was increased to approximately £620,000 (approximately $1,056,800 based on the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2014) in damages, including among other claims a claim for lost profits due to delay in the execution of the project. The counterclaim concerns a number of alleged issues arising in connection with our execution of the engineering, procurement, and construction management scope of our contract, from the period from contract award until the subsequent transfer by our client of our remaining engineering, procurement and construction management scope to certain lump sum turnkey contractors hired directly by our client. Our client further contends that we are liable for delays to the project and has withheld payment on account of delay liquidated damages and, out of the total claim of £620,000 (approximately $1,056,800 based on the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2014) cited above, is seeking damages for lost profits in the amount of £555,000 (approximately $946,000 based on the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2014). We strongly dispute these contentions. Any liability for delay damages is capped under the contract at a specified percentage of our contract value, currently equivalent to approximately £11,500 (approximately $19,600 based on the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2014), an amount already retained by our client. The contract also excludes liability for consequential damages, including lost profits, and contains an overall cap on liability for claims in the aggregate of up to a specified percentage of our contract value, currently equivalent to approximately £28,800 (approximately $49,100 based on the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2014). The unpaid amount for which we are seeking reimbursement in the arbitration may increase should our client continue to withhold amounts from our invoices, as the project is still in execution. The arbitration panel has been formed. Our client moved to dismiss the arbitration as premature under the terms of the contract, and we opposed that motion. The motion was denied by the panel. Also, pursuant to our request, the panel scheduled a hearing early in the first quarter of 2014 for our claims for unpaid receivables, along with our client's counterclaim for a deductive change order in the amount of approximately £21,600 (approximately $36,800 based on the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2014). An initial session of that hearing took place in January 2014 and on March 25, 2014 the panel issued a declaratory award in our favor on the contractual interpretation pertaining to two of our claims for unpaid receivables. The remaining unpaid receivable claims and our client's counterclaim for a deductive change order were heard by the panel at sessions in May, June and July 2014, and an award on these claims is pending. On June 30, 2014, our client filed a petition in Delhi High Court challenging both the jurisdiction of the panel and the legality, propriety and validity of the March 25, 2014 declaratory award. Along with the petition, our client also filed an application seeking to stay the ongoing arbitration proceedings pending the outcome of the challenge. The stay application is set to be heard on August 21, 2014. In the interim, the arbitration proceedings continue and the hearing on the remaining claims and counterclaims, including our client's counterclaim for lost profits, is scheduled for the first quarter of 2015. We cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this matter at this time.
Environmental Matters
CERCLA and Other Remedial Matters
Under U.S. federal statutes, such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”), the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act, and similar state laws, the current owner or operator of real property and the past owners or operators of real property (if disposal of toxic or hazardous substances took place during such past ownership or operation) may be jointly and severally liable for the costs of removal or remediation of toxic or hazardous substances on or under their property, regardless of whether such materials were released in violation of law or whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such substances. Moreover, under CERCLA and similar state laws, persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances may also be jointly and severally liable for the costs of the removal or remediation of such substances at a disposal or treatment site, whether or not such site was owned or operated by such person, which we refer to as an off-site facility. Liability at such off-site facilities is typically allocated among all of the financially viable responsible parties based on such factors as the relative amount of waste contributed to a site, toxicity of such waste, relationship of the waste contributed by a party to the remedy chosen for the site and other factors.
We currently own and operate industrial facilities and we have also transferred our interests in industrial facilities that we formerly owned or operated. It is likely that as a result of our current or former operations, hazardous substances have affected the facilities or the real property on which they are or were situated. We also have received and may continue to receive claims pursuant to indemnity obligations from the present owners of facilities we have transferred, which claims may require us to incur costs for investigation and/or remediation.
We are currently engaged in the investigation and/or remediation under the supervision of the applicable regulatory authorities at four of our or our subsidiaries' former facilities (including Mountain Top, which is described below). In addition, we sometimes engage in investigation and/or remediation without the supervision of a regulatory authority. Although we do not expect the environmental conditions at our present or former facilities to cause us to incur material costs in excess of those for which reserves have been established, it is possible that various events could cause us to incur costs materially in excess of our present reserves in order to fully resolve any issues surrounding those conditions. Further, no assurance can be provided that we will not discover additional environmental conditions at our currently or formerly owned or operated properties, or that additional claims will not be made with respect to formerly owned properties, requiring us to incur material expenditures to investigate and/or remediate such conditions.
We have been notified that we are a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) under CERCLA or similar state laws at three off-site facilities. At each of these sites, our liability should be substantially less than the total site remediation costs because the percentage of waste attributable to us compared to that attributable to all other PRPs is low. We do not believe that our share of cleanup obligations at any of the off-site facilities as to which we have received a notice of potential liability will exceed $500 in the aggregate. We have also received and responded to a request for information from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“USEPA”) regarding a fourth off-site facility. We do not know what, if any, further actions USEPA may take regarding this fourth off-site facility.
Mountain Top
In February 1988, one of our subsidiaries, Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation (“FWEC”), entered into a Consent Agreement and Order with the USEPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (“PADEP”) regarding its former manufacturing facility in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania. The order essentially required FWEC to investigate and remediate as necessary contaminants, including trichloroethylene (“TCE”), in the soil and groundwater at the facility. Pursuant to the order, in 1993 FWEC installed a “pump and treat” system to remove TCE from the groundwater. It is not possible at the present time to predict how long FWEC will be required to operate and maintain this system.
In the fall of 2004, FWEC sampled the private domestic water supply wells of certain residences in Mountain Top and identified approximately 30 residences whose wells contained TCE at levels in excess of Safe Drinking Water Act standards. The subject residences are located approximately one mile to the southwest of where the TCE previously was discovered in the soils at the former FWEC facility. Since that time, FWEC, USEPA and PADEP have cooperated in responding to the foregoing. Although FWEC believed the evidence available was not sufficient to support a determination that FWEC was responsible for the TCE in the residential wells, FWEC immediately provided the affected residences with bottled water, followed by water filters, and, pursuant to a settlement agreement with USEPA, it hooked them up to the public water system. Pursuant to an amendment of the settlement agreement, FWEC subsequently agreed with USEPA to arrange and pay for the hookup of several additional residences, even though TCE has not been detected in the wells at those residences.  The hookups to the agreed upon residences have been completed, and USEPA has provided FWEC with a certificate that FWEC has completed its obligations related to the above-described settlement agreement (as amended). FWEC may be required to pay the agencies' costs in overseeing and responding to the situation.
FWEC is also incurring further costs in connection with a Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study (“RI/FS”) that in March 2009 it agreed to conduct. During the fourth quarter of 2012, FWEC received a USEPA demand under the foregoing agreement for payment of $1,040 of response costs USEPA claims it incurred from the commencement of the RI/FS in April 2009 through February 2012. FWEC questioned the amount of the invoice and based upon discussions with the USEPA, a revised invoice was received on June 17, 2013 for the reduced amount of $1,004. During the third quarter of 2013, FWEC received a USEPA invoice under the foregoing agreement for payment of $258 of response costs USEPA claims it incurred from March 2012 to February 2013. During the second quarter of 2014, FWEC received a USEPA invoice under the foregoing agreement for payment of $99 of response costs USEPA claims it incurred from March 2013 to February 2014. In April 2009, USEPA proposed for listing on the National Priorities List (“NPL”) an area consisting of FWEC's former manufacturing facility and the affected residences, but it also stated that the proposed listing may not be finalized if FWEC complies with its agreement to conduct the RI/FS. FWEC submitted comments opposing the proposed listing.
FWEC has accrued its best estimate of the cost of all of the foregoing, and it reviews this estimate on a quarterly basis.
Other costs to which FWEC could be exposed could include, among other things, FWEC's counsel and consulting fees, further agency oversight and/or response costs, costs and/or exposure related to potential litigation, and other costs related to possible further investigation and/or remediation. At present, it is not possible to determine whether FWEC will be determined to be liable for some or all of the items described in this paragraph or to reliably estimate the potential liability associated with the items. If one or more third-parties are determined to be a source of the TCE, FWEC will evaluate its options regarding the potential recovery of the costs FWEC has incurred, which options could include seeking to recover those costs from those determined to be a source.
Other Environmental Matters
Our operations, especially our manufacturing and power plants, are subject to comprehensive laws adopted for the protection of the environment and to regulate land use. The laws of primary relevance to our operations regulate the discharge of emissions into the water and air, but can also include hazardous materials handling and disposal, waste disposal and other types of environmental regulation. These laws and regulations in many cases require a lengthy and complex process of obtaining licenses, permits and approvals from the applicable regulatory agencies. Noncompliance with these laws can result in the imposition of material civil or criminal fines or penalties. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with existing environmental laws. However, no assurance can be provided that we will not become the subject of enforcement proceedings that could cause us to incur material expenditures. Further, no assurance can be provided that we will not need to incur material expenditures beyond our existing reserves to make capital improvements or operational changes necessary to allow us to comply with future environmental laws.
Shareholder Class Action Lawsuits
Four putative class action lawsuits have been filed on behalf of Foster Wheeler AG shareholders against Foster Wheeler AG, or the Company, and the Board of Directors of Foster Wheeler AG, or the Board, seeking to enjoin the proposed acquisition of the Company by AMEC from proceeding. The first of such lawsuits was filed on March 4, 2014. Two of the lawsuits are pending in Texas state court and the other two lawsuits are pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. AMEC is named as a co-defendant in the two Texas state court lawsuits. The complaints contain similar, standardized allegations. Plaintiffs allege that the directors breached fiduciary duties owed to plaintiff and the Company's other shareholders in pursuing the plan to sell the Company, and that the Company aided and abetted the defendant directors in committing such breach. In particular, plaintiffs allege that AMEC's per share exchange offer to acquire all of the Company's shares does not adequately compensate the Company's shareholders for their investment and significantly undervalues the Company's prospects as a standalone entity, that the consideration fails to take into account the value expected to be realized by AMEC as a result of the proposed acquisition, that the Board permitted Company management to lead the negotiations with AMEC when management was improperly incentivized to pursue the proposed acquisition, and that the Implementation Agreement improperly contains a number of deal protection devices designed to preclude any competing bids from emerging during the period following the announcement of the proposed acquisition in the Company's Form 8-K filing. A stipulation has been entered into in the Texas state court actions consolidating the cases and permitting plaintiffs to serve a consolidated complaint following the issuance of the Company's Schedule 14D-9 Recommendation Statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the Implementation Agreement. A similar stipulation has been entered into in the two actions pending before the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. No class has been constituted yet. The Company believes that the allegations are without merit and intends to vigorously oppose the lawsuits on behalf of itself and on behalf of its Board.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	14. Discontinued Operations
	During the first quarter of 2013, we recorded an impairment charge of $3,919 at our waste-to-energy facility in Camden, New Jersey within our Global Power Group business segment. This charge was in addition to an impairment charge of $11,455 recorded during the fourth quarter of 2012. The impairment charges in both periods included estimates related to the continued operation of the facility and potential sale of the facility. The charge in the first quarter of 2013 was the result of updating our estimate related to the potential sale of the facility and the impairment charge was recorded within income from discontinued operations on our consolidated statement of operations. After recording the impairment charge and after approval of the plan to sell the facility, discussed below, the carrying value of the facility's fixed assets approximated fair value less estimated costs to sell the facility.
	On April 17, 2013, our Board of Directors approved a plan to sell our Camden facility and we completed the sale of the facility in August 2013. The presentation of the financial results and asset and liability balances of this business for the periods prior to the completion of the sale have been reclassified on our consolidated statement of operations, consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of cash flows under the respective captions related to discontinued operations, and these reclassifications have been made in the notes to our consolidated financial statements. Prior to the sale, the business had been classified on our consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2013 under the respective current and non-current captions of assets held for sale and liabilities held for sale as a result of our Board of Directors' approval of our plan to sell the facility, which met the accounting criteria as a business held for sale and the criteria for classification as a discontinued operation. We did not recognize depreciation on long-lived assets while held for sale. Our Camden facility was formerly included in our Global Power Group business segment.
	We completed the sale of our Camden facility in August 2013. Based on the proceeds received and costs of disposal, we recognized a gain of $300 within income/(loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes on the consolidated statement of operations during the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Operating revenues related to our discontinued operations, which were exclusively in the U.S., were $6,918 and $13,062 during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2013.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation — The fiscal year of Foster Wheeler AG ends on December 31 of each calendar year. Foster Wheeler AG's fiscal quarters end on the last day of March, June and September. The fiscal years of our non-U.S. operations are the same as the parent's. The fiscal year of our U.S. operations is the 52- or 53-week annual accounting period ending on the last Friday in December.
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements have been included. Such adjustments only consisted of normal recurring items. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
	The consolidated financial statements and notes are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and do not contain certain information included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (“2013 Form 10-K”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2014. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 was derived from the audited financial statements included in our 2013 Form 10-K, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for annual consolidated financial statements.
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Foster Wheeler AG and all U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries, as well as certain entities in which we have a controlling interest. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. See “—Variable Interest Entities” below for further information related to the consolidation of variable interest entities.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Changes in estimates are reflected in the periods in which they become known. Significant estimates are used in accounting for long-term contracts including estimates of total costs, progress toward completion and customer and vendor claims, employee benefit plan obligations and share-based compensation plans. In addition, we also use estimates when accounting for uncertain tax positions and deferred taxes, asbestos liabilities and expected recoveries and when assessing goodwill for impairment, among others.
Revenue Recognition on Long-Term Contracts	'
	Revenue Recognition on Long-Term Contracts — Revenues and profits on long-term contracts are recorded under the percentage-of-completion method.
	Progress towards completion on fixed-price contracts is measured based on physical completion of individual tasks for all contracts with a value of $5,000 or greater. For contracts with a value less than $5,000, progress toward completion is measured based on the ratio of costs incurred to total estimated contract costs (the cost-to-cost method).
	Progress towards completion on cost-reimbursable contracts is measured based on the ratio of quantities expended to total forecasted quantities, typically man-hours. Incentives are also recognized on a percentage-of-completion basis when the realization of an incentive is assessed as probable. We include flow-through costs consisting of materials, equipment or subcontractor services as both operating revenues and cost of operating revenues on cost-reimbursable contracts when we have overall responsibility as the contractor for the engineering specifications and procurement or procurement services for such costs. There is no contract profit impact of flow-through costs as they are included in both operating revenues and cost of operating revenues.
	Contracts in process are stated at cost, increased for profits recorded on the completed effort or decreased for estimated losses, less billings to the customer and progress payments on uncompleted contracts. A full provision for loss contracts is made at the time the loss becomes probable regardless of the stage of completion.
	At any time, we have numerous contracts in progress, all of which are at various stages of completion. Accounting for revenues and profits on long-term contracts requires estimates of total contract costs and estimates of progress toward completion to determine the extent of revenue and profit recognition. These estimates may be revised as additional information becomes available or as specific project circumstances change. We review all of our material contracts on a monthly basis and revise our estimates as appropriate for developments such as earning project incentive bonuses, incurring or expecting to incur contractual liquidated damages for performance or schedule issues, providing services and purchasing third-party materials and equipment at costs differing from those previously estimated and testing completed facilities, which, in turn, eliminates or confirms completion and warranty-related costs. Project incentives are recognized when it is probable they will be earned. Project incentives are frequently tied to cost, schedule and/or safety targets and, therefore, tend to be earned late in a project's life cycle.
	Changes in estimated final contract revenues and costs can either increase or decrease the final estimated contract profit. In the period in which a change in estimate is recognized, the cumulative impact of that change is recorded based on progress achieved through the period of change. The following table summarizes the number of separate projects that experienced final estimated contract profit revisions with an impact on contract profit in excess of $1,000 relating to the revaluation of work performed in prior periods:
			Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Number of separate projects			9			12			18			23
	Net increase in contract profit from the regular
		revaluation of final estimated contract profit revisions	$	10,300		$	16,500		$	26,000		$	41,500
	Please see Note 12 for further information related to changes in final estimated contract profit and the impact on business segment results.
	Claims are amounts in excess of the agreed contract price (or amounts not included in the original contract price) that we seek to collect from customers or others for delays, errors in specifications and designs, contract terminations, disputed or unapproved change orders as to both scope and price or other causes of unanticipated additional costs. We record claims as additional contract revenue if it is probable that the claims will result in additional contract revenue and if the amount can be reliably estimated. These two requirements are satisfied by the existence of all of the following conditions: the contract or other evidence provides a legal basis for the claim; additional costs are caused by circumstances that were unforeseen at the contract date and are not the result of deficiencies in our performance; costs associated with the claim are identifiable or otherwise determinable and are reasonable in view of the work performed; and the evidence supporting the claim is objective and verifiable. If such requirements are met, revenue from a claim may be recorded only to the extent that contract costs relating to the claim have been incurred, which can include amounts from unapproved change orders when the two requirements described above are met. Unapproved change orders or similar items subject to uncertainty that do not meet the two requirements described above are expensed without the recognition of additional contract revenue. Costs attributable to claims are treated as costs of contract performance as incurred and are recorded in contracts in process. Our consolidated financial statements included commercial claims of $16,000 and $4,500 as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, of which substantially all costs had been incurred as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	In certain circumstances, we may defer pre-contract costs when it is probable that these costs will be recovered under a future contract. Such deferred costs would then be included in contract costs upon execution of the anticipated contract. In the event that we defer pre-contract costs and we are not successful in obtaining the contract, we write off the deferred costs through our consolidated statement of operations in the period when we no longer assess recoverability of such costs as probable. Deferred pre-contract costs were inconsequential as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	Certain special-purpose subsidiaries in our Global Power Group business segment are reimbursed by customers for their costs of building and operating certain facilities over the lives of the corresponding service contracts. Depending on the specific legal rights and obligations under these arrangements, in some cases those reimbursements are treated as operating revenues at gross value and other cases as a reduction of cost.
Trade Accounts Receivable	'
	Trade Accounts Receivable — Trade accounts receivable represent amounts billed to customers. We assess the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts on a project-by-project basis, which includes the consideration of security instruments that provide us protection in the event of non-payment. When there is a risk of non-payment related to customer credit risk, we record an allowance for doubtful accounts. Because of the nature of our customer base and our rigorous customer credit risk assessment process prior to entering into contracts, the level of our allowance for doubtful accounts is typically a very small percentage of our gross accounts receivable balance. To the extent that there is a risk of non-payment related to commercial or performance issues, we record an allowance against the valuation of contract work in progress within the contract.
	In accordance with terms under our long-term contracts, our customers may withhold certain percentages of such billings until completion and acceptance of the work performed, which we refer to as retention receivables. Final payment of retention receivables might not be received within a one-year period. In conformity with industry practice, however, the full amount of accounts receivable, including such amounts withheld, are included in current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. We have not recorded a provision for the outstanding retention receivable balances as of June 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
	Trade accounts receivable are continually evaluated for collectability. Provisions are established on a project-specific basis when there is an issue associated with the client's ability to make payments or there are circumstances where the client is not making payment due to contractual issues.
Variable Interest Entities	'
	Variable Interest Entities — We sometimes form separate legal entities such as corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies in connection with the execution of a single contract or project. Upon formation of each separate legal entity, we perform an evaluation to determine whether the new entity is a variable interest entity, or VIE, and whether we are the primary beneficiary of the new entity, which would require us to consolidate the new entity in our financial results. We reassess our initial determination on whether the entity is a VIE upon the occurrence of certain events and whether we are the primary beneficiary as outlined in current accounting guidelines. If the entity is not a VIE, we determine the accounting for the entity under the voting interest accounting guidelines.
	An entity is determined to be a VIE if either (a) the total equity investment is not sufficient for the entity to finance its own activities without additional subordinated financial support, (b) characteristics of a controlling financial interest are missing (such as the ability to make decisions through voting or other rights or the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits), or (c) the voting rights of the equity holders are not proportional to their obligations to absorb losses of the entity and/or their rights to receive benefits of the entity, and substantially all of the entity's activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights.
	As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we participated in certain entities determined to be VIEs, including a gas-fired cogeneration facility in Martinez, California and a refinery/electric power generation project in Chile. We consolidate the operations of the Martinez project while we record our participation in the project in Chile on the equity method of accounting.
	Please see Note 3 for further information regarding our participation in these projects.
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements — Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification, or FASB ASC, 820-10 defines fair value, establishes a three level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value and provides guidance on required disclosures about fair value measurements. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.
	Our financial assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis consist primarily of the assets or liabilities arising from derivative financial instruments and defined benefit pension plan assets. See Note 8 for further information regarding our derivative financial instruments.
	The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate fair value:
	Financial instruments valued independent of the fair value hierarchy:
	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash — The carrying value of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash approximates fair value because of the demand nature of many of our deposits or short-term maturity of these instruments.
	Financial instruments valued within the fair value hierarchy:
	Long-term Debt — We estimate the fair value of our long-term debt (including current installments) based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered for debt of the same remaining maturities using level 2 inputs.
	Foreign Currency Forward Contracts — We estimate the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts by obtaining quotes from financial institutions or market transactions in either the listed or over-the-counter markets. Our estimate of the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts also includes an assessment of non-performance by our counterparties. We further corroborate the valuations with observable market data using level 2 inputs.
	Interest Rate Swaps — We estimate the fair value of our interest rate swaps based on quotes obtained from financial institutions, which we further corroborate with observable market data using level 2 inputs.
	Defined Benefit Pension Plan Assets — We estimate the fair value of investments in equity securities at each year-end based on quotes obtained from financial institutions. The fair value of investments in commingled funds, invested primarily in debt and equity securities, is based on the net asset values communicated by the respective asset manager. We further corroborate the above valuations with observable market data using level 1 and 2 inputs. Additionally, we hold investments in private investment funds that are valued at net asset value as communicated by the asset manager using level 2 or 3 unobservable market data inputs.
		30-Jun-14									31-Dec-13
			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
	Fair value measurements:
	Assets:
	Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
	Foreign currency forward contracts	$	-		$	3,364		$	-		$	-		$	7,361	$	-
	Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis:
	Investment in an unconsolidated affiliate	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-	$	35,096
	Liabilities:
	Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
	Foreign currency forward contracts	$	-		$	2,909		$	-		$	-		$	2,405	$	-
	Interest rate swap contracts		-			8,369			-			-			7,866		-
	Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	-		$	11,278		$	-		$	-		$	10,271	$	-
Retirement of Shares under Share Repurchase Program	'
	Retirement of Shares under Share Repurchase Program — Under Swiss law, the cancellation of shares previously repurchased under our share repurchase program must be approved by our shareholders. Repurchased shares remain as treasury shares on our balance sheet until cancellation.
	Any repurchases will be made at our discretion in compliance with applicable securities laws and other legal requirements and will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, share price and other factors.   The program does not obligate us to acquire any particular number of shares. The program has no expiration date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.
	All treasury shares are carried at cost on the consolidated balance sheet until the cancellation of the shares has been approved by our shareholders and the cancellation is registered with the commercial register of the Canton of Zug in Switzerland. Upon the effectiveness of the cancellation of the shares, the cost of the shares cancelled will be removed from treasury shares on the consolidated balance sheet, the par value of the cancelled shares will be removed from registered shares on the consolidated balance sheet, and the excess of the cost of the treasury shares above par value will be removed from paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheet.
	Once repurchased, treasury shares are no longer considered outstanding, which results in a reduction to the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the reporting period when calculating earnings per share, as described below.
Earnings per Share	'
	Earnings per Share — Basic earnings per share amounts have been computed based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the reporting period.
	Diluted earnings per share amounts have been based on the combination of the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the reporting period and the impact of dilutive securities, if any, such as outstanding stock options and the non-vested portion of restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units (collectively, “restricted awards”) to the extent such securities are dilutive.
	In profitable periods, outstanding stock options have a dilutive effect under the treasury stock method when the average share price for the period exceeds the assumed proceeds from the exercise of the option. The assumed proceeds include the exercise price, compensation cost, if any, for future service that has not yet been recognized in the consolidated statement of operations, and any tax benefits that would be recorded in paid-in capital when the option is exercised. Under the treasury stock method, the assumed proceeds are assumed to be used to repurchase shares in the current period. The dilutive impact of the non-vested portion of restricted awards is determined using the treasury stock method, but the proceeds include only the unrecognized compensation cost and tax benefits as assumed proceeds.
	The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were as follows:
			Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Income from continuing operations attributable
		to Foster Wheeler AG	$	85,594		$	68,316		$	102,661		$	85,220
	Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding			99,834,508			100,001,580			99,492,867			102,182,011
	Effect of dilutive securities			1,367,425			253,172			1,511,219			384,636
	Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding			101,201,933			100,254,752			101,004,086			102,566,647
	Income from continuing operations per share:
		Basic	$	0.86		$	0.68		$	1.03		$	0.83
		Diluted	$	0.85		$	0.68		$	1.02		$	0.83
	The following table summarizes share-based compensation awards not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share as the assumed proceeds from those awards, on a per share basis, were greater than the average share price for the period, which would result in an antidilutive effect on diluted earnings per share:
			Quarter Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Stock options		226,333		1,548,745		342,639		1,548,745
	Performance-based restricted share units		-		1,166,400		-		1,166,400
Pending Exchange Offer And Our Acquisition By Amec Plc	'
	Pending Exchange Offer and Our Acquisition by AMEC plc – On February 13, 2014, we entered into an Implementation Agreement (the “Implementation Agreement”) with AMEC plc (“AMEC”) relating to the acquisition of all of the issued and to be issued registered shares, par value CHF 3.00 per share, of Foster Wheeler AG (the “FW shares”) by AMEC. On the terms and subject to the conditions of the Implementation Agreement, AMEC will commence an exchange offer (the “Offer”) to acquire all of the FW shares, pursuant to which each validly tendered FW share will be exchanged for a combination (subject to election by each Foster Wheeler shareholder as described in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2014) of (a) $16.00 in cash plus (b) 0.8998 ordinary shares, par value £0.50 per share, of AMEC ("AMEC shares") or, at the election of such holder, American Depositary Shares representing such number of AMEC shares.
	The closing of the Offer is subject to, among other things, approval by our shareholders of certain amendments to our articles of association to revise certain transfer restrictions and certain voting limitations with respect to the FW shares. Our shareholders approved these amendments to our articles of association at our Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders on July 10, 2014.
	For a full description of the Offer, see our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2014 and our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 28, 2014.
Dividend distribution	'
	Dividend Distribution – On February 26, 2014, our Board of Directors approved a proposal to our shareholders for a one-time dividend distribution of $0.40 per share. Our shareholders approved the distribution at our Annual General Meeting on May 7, 2014 and the distribution was paid on May 21, 2014 to the shareholders listed on our share register as of May 7, 2014. The distribution was paid out of qualifying capital contribution reserves and was not subject to Swiss withholding tax. The distribution resulted in a reduction of paid-in capital and is presented on the consolidated statements of operations, changes in equity and cash flows as a return of capital.
	This distribution was not linked to, and not conditional on, the closing of the Offer. The covenants of our senior unsecured credit agreement did not limit our ability to pay this dividend.
Recent accounting developments	'
	Recent Accounting Developments – In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or “FASB”, issued Accounting Standards Update, or “ASU”, No. 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity”. ASU 2014-08 provides guidance that limits the requirement to report discontinued operations to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have or will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. The amendments also require expanded disclosures concerning discontinued operations, disclosures of certain financial results attributable to a disposal of a significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting and expanded disclosures for long-lived assets classified as held for sale or disposed of. The new standard is effective for annual financial statements with fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals or assets classified as held for sale that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. We do not expect our adoption of this new standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and notes.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. ASU 2014-09 amends the guidance for revenue recognition to replace numerous, industry-specific requirements and converges areas under this topic with those of the International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2014-09 implements a five-step process for customer contract revenue recognition that focuses on transfer of control, as opposed to transfer of risk and rewards. The amendment also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows from contracts with customers. Other major provisions include the capitalization and amortization of certain contract costs, ensuring the time value of money is considered in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The amendments in this ASU are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is prohibited. Entities can transition to the standard either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are currently assessing the impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and notes.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12 “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period.” ASU 2014-12 clarifies that entities should treat performance targets that can be met after the requisite service period of a share-based payment award as performance conditions that affect vesting. Therefore, as of the grant date an entity would not record compensation expense related to an award for which transfer to the employee is contingent on the entity's satisfaction of a performance target until it becomes probable that the performance target will be met. No new disclosures are required under the ASU. The ASU's guidance is effective for all entities for reporting periods, including interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. In addition, all entities will have the option of applying the guidance either prospectively, only to awards granted or modified on or after the effective date, or retrospectively. Retrospective application would only apply to awards with performance targets outstanding at or after the beginning of the first annual period presented, the earliest presented comparative period. We do not expect our adoption of this new standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and notes.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Projects With Final Estimated Contract Profit Revisions Whose Impact Exceeds $1 million - Table	'
			Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Number of separate projects			9			12			18			23
	Net increase in contract profit from the regular
		revaluation of final estimated contract profit revisions	$	10,300		$	16,500		$	26,000		$	41,500
Fair Value Measurements- Table	'
		30-Jun-14									31-Dec-13
			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
	Fair value measurements:
	Assets:
	Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
	Foreign currency forward contracts	$	-		$	3,364		$	-		$	-		$	7,361	$	-
	Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis:
	Investment in an unconsolidated affiliate	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-	$	35,096
	Liabilities:
	Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
	Foreign currency forward contracts	$	-		$	2,909		$	-		$	-		$	2,405	$	-
	Interest rate swap contracts		-			8,369			-			-			7,866		-
	Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	-		$	11,278		$	-		$	-		$	10,271	$	-
Basic and Diluted EPS - Table	'
			Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Income from continuing operations attributable
		to Foster Wheeler AG	$	85,594		$	68,316		$	102,661		$	85,220
	Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding			99,834,508			100,001,580			99,492,867			102,182,011
	Effect of dilutive securities			1,367,425			253,172			1,511,219			384,636
	Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding			101,201,933			100,254,752			101,004,086			102,566,647
	Income from continuing operations per share:
		Basic	$	0.86		$	0.68		$	1.03		$	0.83
		Diluted	$	0.85		$	0.68		$	1.02		$	0.83
Antidilutive Securities - Table	'
			Quarter Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Stock options		226,333		1,548,745		342,639		1,548,745
	Performance-based restricted share units		-		1,166,400		-		1,166,400

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Investments	'
Equity Method Investments, Summarized Financial Data - Table	'
		30-Jun-14						31-Dec-13
			Italy			Chile			Italy			Chile
	Balance Sheet Data:
	Current assets	$	144,496		$	49,882		$	156,844		$	66,867
	Other assets (primarily buildings and equipment)		247,389			84,129			259,392			88,936
	Current liabilities		109,280			15,267			108,769			25,643
	Other liabilities (primarily long-term debt)		133,385			14,482			149,578			14,482
	Net assets	$	149,220		$	104,262		$	157,889		$	115,678
		Quarter Ended June 30,												Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014						2013						2014				2013
			Italy			Chile			Italy			Chile			Italy		Chile		Italy		Chile
	Income Statement Data:
	Total revenues	$	32,208		$	22,129		$	34,006		$	23,736		$	65,487	$	42,234	$	67,015	$	41,329
	Gross profit		14,143			11,087			13,806			14,343			29,593		19,805		14,002		23,558
	(Loss)/income before taxes		-2,933			11,040			12,006			13,253			4,708		16,606		10,353		22,138
	Net (loss)/earnings		-1,375			8,833			8,010			10,364			990		13,285		6,739		17,232
Equity in the Net Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates- Table	'
			Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Equity in the net earnings of unconsolidated affiliates		$	5,879		$	16,334		$	9,800		$	20,438
	Distributions from equity affiliates		$	19,813		$	53,990		$	19,813		$	55,933
									30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	Investments in unconsolidated affiliates								$	139,296		$	150,558
Refinery/Power Generation Project in Chile - Table	'
			Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Fees for operations and maintenance services
		(included in operating revenues)	$	2,734		$	2,795		$	5,462		$	5,599
									30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	Receivable from our unconsolidated affiliate
		in Chile (included in trade receivables)							$	11,040		$	7,866
Schedule of Variable Interests - Table	'
	Balance Sheet Data (excluding intercompany balances):	30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	Current assets	$	4,318		$	5,897
	Other assets (primarily buildings and equipment)		34,046			36,118
	Current liabilities		1,915			3,024
	Other liabilities		4,493			4,819
	Net assets	$	31,956		$	34,172

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
Net Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Geographic Region and Business Segment - Table	'
		Global E&C Group						Global Power Group
	Geographic Regions:	30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13			30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	North America	$	84,538		$	84,447		$	6,792		$	4,266
	Asia		783			761			-			-
	Europe		6,998			6,787			72,431			72,959
	Middle East		599			581			-			-
	Total	$	92,918		$	92,576		$	79,223		$	77,225
Finite-lived Intangible Assets - Table	'
			30-Jun-14									31-Dec-13
			Gross						Net			Gross				Net
			Carrying			Accumulated			Carrying			Carrying		Accumulated		Carrying
			Amount			Amortization			Amount			Amount		Amortization		Amount
	Patents		$	42,768		$	-35,427		$	7,341		$	41,526	$	-34,477	$	7,049
	Trademarks			66,203			-35,136			31,067			66,320		-34,113		32,207
	Customer relationships,
		pipeline and backlog		95,963			-31,594			64,369			95,199		-25,911		69,288
	Technology			6,828			-2,439			4,389			6,887		-1,968		4,919
	Total		$	211,762		$	-104,596		$	107,166		$	209,932	$	-96,469	$	113,463
Intangible Assets Amortization Schedule - Table	'
			Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Amortization expense		$	4,154		$	3,985		$	8,262		$	8,039
	Approximate full year amortization expense for years:
		2014										$	16,600
		2015											11,900
		2016											10,000
		2017											9,600
		2018											9,300

Borrowings_Tables

Borrowings (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Borrowings [Abstract]	'
Components of Long-Term Debt- Table	'
				30-Jun-14						31-Dec-13
				Current		Long-term		Total		Current		Long-term		Total
	Capital Lease Obligations			$	3,370	$	49,638	$	53,008	$	3,040	$	51,359	$	54,399
	Special-Purpose Limited Recourse Project Debt:
		FW Power S.r.l.			7,673		51,554		59,227		7,433		55,722		63,155
		Energia Holdings, LLC at 11.443% interest,
			due April 15, 2015		5,355		-		5,355		2,040		5,355		7,395
	Subordinated Robbins Facility Exit Funding Obligations:
		1999C Bonds at 7.25% interest, due October 15, 2024			-		1,283		1,283		-		1,283		1,283
	Total			$	16,398	$	102,475	$	118,873	$	12,513	$	113,719	$	126,232
	Estimated fair value							$	133,800					$	139,912

Pensions_and_Other_Postretirem1

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]	'
Pension Benefits Contributions - Table	'
	Contributions in the six months ended June 30, 2014	$	9,000
	Remaining contributions expected for the year 2014		4,800
	Contributions expected for the year 2014	$	13,800
Defined Benefit Plan - Table	'
				Defined Benefit Pension Plans								Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
			Quarter Ended				Six Months Ended				Quarter Ended				Six Months Ended
			June 30,				June 30,				June 30,				June 30,
				2014		2013		2014		2013		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Net periodic benefit (credit)/cost:
	Service cost		$	203	$	292	$	501	$	592	$	1	$	10	$	13	$	28
	Interest cost			14,030		12,710		28,050		25,539		552		552		1,140		1,411
	Expected return on plan assets			-18,893		-16,097		-37,020		-32,388		-		-		-		-
	Amortization of net actuarial loss/(gain)			4,367		4,683		8,511		9,157		-30		250		-59		440
	Amortization of prior service credit			-582		-386		-1,153		-776		-874		-874		-1,748		-1,748
	Amortization of transition obligation			4		14		9		28		-		-		-		-
	Net periodic benefit (credit)/cost		$	-871	$	1,216	$	-1,102	$	2,152	$	-351	$	-62	$	-654	$	131

Guarantees_and_Warranties_Tabl

Guarantees and Warranties (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Guarantees and Warranties [Abstract]	'
Warranty Liability Rollforward-Table	'
		Six Months Ended June 30,
	Warranty Liability:		2014		2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	73,500	$	90,100
	Accruals		11,800		11,700
	Settlements		-2,100		-8,000
	Adjustments to provisions*		-10,500		-9,700
	Foreign currency translation		700		-1,500
	Balance at end of period	$	73,400	$	82,600
	_________________
	Adjustments to the provisions represent reversals of warranty provisions that are no longer required.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments - Table	'
	Fair Values of Derivative Financial Instruments
						Asset Derivatives									Liability Derivatives
				Balance Sheet		June 30,			December 31,			Balance Sheet			June 30,		December 31,
				Location		2014			2013			Location			2014		2013
	Derivatives designated as
			hedging instruments:
		Interest rate swap
			contracts	Other assets		$	-		$	-		Other long-term liabilities			$	8,369	$	7,866
	Derivatives not designated
			as hedging instruments:
		Foreign currency		Contracts in process or								Contracts in process or
			forward contracts		billings in excess of costs								billings in excess of costs
					and estimated earnings on								and estimated earnings on
					uncompleted contracts		3,347			7,157			uncompleted contracts			1,622		2,018
		Foreign currency
			forward contracts	Other accounts receivable			17			204		Accounts payable				1,287		387
	Total derivatives					$	3,364		$	7,361					$	11,278	$	10,271
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized In Income On Derivatives - Table	'
			Location of Gain/(Loss)		Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
	Derivatives Not Designated as		Recognized		Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	Hedging Instruments		in Income on Derivatives			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Foreign currency forward contracts		Cost of operating revenues		$	728		$	3,404		$	-100		$	-3,916
	Foreign currency forward contracts		Other deductions, net			-1,270			-247			-1,154			-1,523
	Total				$	-542		$	3,157		$	-1,254		$	-5,439
Cash Flow Hedge Gain/(Loss) Reclassified to Interest Expense, Net - Table	'
			Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Unrealized (loss)/gain recognized in other comprehensive income		$	-288		$	1,259		$	-1,744		$	811
	Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
		to interest expense		592			630			1,177			1,255

ShareBased_Compensation_Plans_

Share-Based Compensation Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Share - Based Compensation Plans [Abstract]	'
Share-Based Compensation Expense and Related Tax-Table	'
		Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014			2013			2014		2013
	Share-based compensation	$	4,947		$	4,891		$	9,564	$	9,481
	Related income tax benefit		349			261			649		446
Reconciliation of Temporary Equity-Table	'
			Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year		$	15,664		$	8,594
	Compensation cost during the period for those equity awards with
		intrinsic value on the grant date		8,220			7,342
	Intrinsic value of equity awards vested during the period for
		those equity awards with intrinsic value on the grant date		-9,209			-5,273
	Balance at end of period		$	14,675		$	10,663

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Comprehensive Income Loss- Table	'
			Quarter Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Foreign currency translation	$	3,554	$	-5,301	$	266	$	-19,714
	Tax impact		16		-		9		-
	Foreign currency translation, net of tax		3,570		-5,301		275		-19,714
	Less: Attributable to noncontrolling interests		26		-365		-544		-1,154
	Attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	$	3,544	$	-4,936	$	819	$	-18,560
	Cash flow hedges*	$	704	$	3,275	$	-644	$	3,592
	Tax impact		-225		-1,085		248		-1,165
	Attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	$	479	$	2,190	$	-396	$	2,427
	Pension and other postretirement benefits	$	2,885	$	3,687	$	1,580	$	7,101
	Tax impact		-349		-462		-193		-817
	Pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	$	2,536	$	3,225	$	1,387	$	6,284
	Less: Attributable to noncontrolling interests		4		2		8		4
	Attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	$	2,532	$	3,223	$	1,379	$	6,280
	Other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	$	6,555	$	477	$	1,802	$	-9,853
	* Cash flow hedges include the impact of our proportionate share from unconsolidated affiliates accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Table	'
			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
			Accumulated Foreign Currency Translation		Cash Flow Hedges		Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits		Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	-86,729	$	-12,412	$	-468,462	$	-567,603
	Other comprehensive (loss)/income		-18,560		2,427		6,280		-9,853
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	-105,289	$	-9,985	$	-462,182	$	-577,456
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	-92,017	$	-8,845	$	-408,455	$	-509,317
	Other comprehensive income/(loss)		819		-396		1,379		1,802
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	-91,198	$	-9,241	$	-407,076	$	-507,515

Business_Segments_Tables

Business Segments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Business Segments [Abstract]	'
Operating Revenues by Industry, Operating Segment and Geographic Regions - Table	'
		Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Operating Revenues (Third-Party) by Industry:
	Power generation	$	213,640		$	186,991		$	396,495		$	369,455
	Oil refining		255,568			359,894			458,602			683,632
	Pharmaceutical		22,190			40,552			42,689			78,398
	Oil and gas		118,675			86,223			222,449			171,481
	Chemical/petrochemical		166,902			134,368			319,246			236,547
	Power plant design, operation and maintenance		55,691			38,882			110,330			83,509
	Environmental		2,250			1,621			3,920			2,845
	Other, net of eliminations		16,851			14,876			31,735			27,684
	Total	$	851,767		$	863,407		$	1,585,466		$	1,653,551
	Operating Revenues (Third-Party) by Business Segment:
	Global E&C Group	$	645,473		$	662,719		$	1,198,734		$	1,250,693
	Global Power Group		206,294			200,688			386,732			402,858
	Total	$	851,767		$	863,407		$	1,585,466		$	1,653,551
	Operating Revenues (Third-Party) by Geographic Region:
	Africa	$	14,315		$	20,735		$	27,484		$	39,647
	Asia Pacific		224,730			211,262			446,557			404,275
	Europe		201,336			215,647			345,782			403,836
	Middle East		148,461			79,879			262,858			144,802
	North America		185,900			282,419			371,860			524,013
	South America		77,025			53,465			130,925			136,978
	Total	$	851,767		$	863,407		$	1,585,466		$	1,653,551
Segment Reporting Information - Table	'
				Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
					2014			2013			2014			2013
	EBITDA:
		Global E&C Group		$	56,409		$	62,133		$	96,463		$	97,321
		Global Power Group			64,094			45,584			92,820			70,271
		C&F Group (1)			-15,577			-8,712			-39,595			-28,509
		Discontinued operations			-			2,383			-			2,424
			Total EBITDA		104,926			101,388			149,688			141,507
		Less: Discontinued operations			-			2,383			-			2,424
			EBITDA from continuing operations		104,926			99,005			149,688			139,083
	Add: Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests				980			1,011			-1,147			4,290
	Less: Interest expense(2)				-1,846			3,916			1,816			6,588
	Less: Depreciation and amortization				14,823			13,454			29,138			28,796
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes				92,929			82,646			117,587			107,989
	Less: Provision for income taxes				6,355			13,319			16,073			18,479
	Income from continuing operations				86,574			69,327			101,514			89,510
	Income/(loss) from discontinued operations(3)				-			2,383			-			-1,495
	Net income				86,574			71,710			101,514			88,015
	Less: Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests				980			1,011			-1,147			4,290
	Net income attributable to Foster Wheeler AG			$	85,594		$	70,699		$	102,661		$	83,725
	______________
	(1) Includes general corporate income and expense, our captive insurance operation and the elimination of transactions and balances related to intercompany interest.
	(2) Interest expense during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014 included a credit of $3,400 related to the reversal of previously accrued interest expense
			on unrecognized tax benefits which were released as a result of settlements with non-U.S. tax authorities.
	(3) Loss from discontinued operations for the six months ended June 30, 2013 included an impairment charge of $3,919 recognized in connection with our Camden,
			New Jersey waste-to-energy facility. Please refer to Note 14 for further information.
	EBITDA in the above table includes the following:			Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
					2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net increase in contract profit from the regular
		revaluation of final estimated contract profit revisions:(1)
		Global E&C Group		$	6,100		$	5,400		$	7,900		$	22,000
		Global Power Group			4,200			11,100			18,100			19,500
			Total	$	10,300		$	16,500		$	26,000		$	41,500
	License settlement in our Global Power Group(2)			$	32,500		$	-		$	32,500		$	-
	Litigation settlement in our E&C Group(3)				3,000			-			3,000			-
	Reversal of previously accrued penalties on unrecognized
		tax benefits in our C&F Group(4)			8,100			-			8,100			-
	Net asbestos-related provision/(gain) in our C&F Group(5)			$	1,200		$	-13,800		$	3,200		$	-11,800
	Charges for severance-related postemployment benefits:
		Global E&C Group		$	1,100		$	1,700		$	2,000		$	2,900
		Global Power Group			-			700			100			1,100
		C&F Group			-			-			-			400
			Total	$	1,100		$	2,400		$	2,100		$	4,400
	______________
	Please refer to “Revenue Recognition on Long-Term Contracts” in Note 1 for further information regarding changes in our final estimated contract profit.
	During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, our Global Power Group received a cash payment as a result of a favorable settlement in connection with the terms related to the expiration of a steam generator technology license, which was recognized in other income, net.
	During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, our Global E&C Group recognized a favorable impact to EBITDA of $3,000 related to a post judgment settlement of a lawsuit for less than the previously accrued amount, which was recognized in other deductions, net.
	During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, other deductions, net included a credit of $8,100 related to the reversal of previously accrued penalties on unrecognized tax benefits which were released as a result of settlements with non-U.S. tax authorities.
	Please refer to Note 13 for further information regarding the revaluation of our asbestos liability and related asset.
Schedule Of Restructuring And Related Costs- Table	'
	Net pre-tax restructuring costs	Severance			Facility exit, lease termination & other costs			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	11,400		$	2,100		$	13,500
	2014 charge		335			-			335
	Utilization and foreign exchange		-3,621			-161			-3,782
	Adjustments to provisions*		-200			-			-200
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	7,914		$	1,939		$	9,853
Schedule of Income/(Loss) Associated with our Discontinued Operations-Table	'
		Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	EBITDA from discontinued operations	$	-		$	2,383		$	-		$	2,424
	Less: Interest expense		-			-			-			-
	Less: Depreciation and amortization*		-			-			-			3,919
	Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes*		-			2,383			-			-1,495
	Less: Provision for income taxes		-			-			-			-
	Loss from discontinued operations*	$	-		$	2,383		$	-		$	-1,495
	During 2013, we recorded an impairment charge of $3,919 in connection with our Camden, New Jersey waste-to-energy facility which was recorded as depreciation expense within income/(loss) from discontinued operations. Please refer to Note 14 for further information.

Litigation_and_Uncertainties_T

Litigation and Uncertainties (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
United States [Member]	'
Asbestos-Related Open Claims Rollforward- Table	'
		Quarter Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	Number of Claims by period:	2014		2013		2014	2013
	Open claims at beginning of period	124,280		125,480		125,240	125,310
	New claims	880		1,250		1,870	2,460
	Claims resolved	-780		-1,920		-2,730	-2,960
	Open claims at end of period	124,380		124,810		124,380	124,810
Asbestos-Related Assets and Liabilities - Table	'
	U.S. Asbestos	30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	Asbestos-related assets recorded within:
	Accounts and notes receivable-other	$	20,111		$	20,256
	Asbestos-related insurance recovery receivable		88,587			91,225
	Total asbestos-related assets	$	108,698		$	111,481
	Asbestos-related liabilities recorded within:
	Accrued expenses	$	41,800		$	52,600
	Asbestos-related liability		211,332			225,600
	Total asbestos-related liabilities	$	253,132		$	278,200
	Liability balance by claim category:
	Open claims	$	43,722		$	46,800
	Future unasserted claims		209,410			231,400
	Total asbestos-related liabilities	$	253,132		$	278,200
U.S. Net Asbestos - Related Provision - Table	'
		Quarter Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014			2013		2014		2013
	Provision for revaluation	$	1,992		$	2,000	$	4,000	$	4,000
	Gain on the settlement of coverage litigation		-783			-15,750		-783		-15,750
	Net asbestos-related provision/(gain)	$	1,209		$	-13,750	$	3,217	$	-11,750
U.S. Asbestos-Related Payments And Insurance Settlement Proceeds- Table	'
		Quarter Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014			2013		2014		2013
	Asbestos litigation, defense and case resolution payments	$	14,300		$	11,800	$	29,100	$	26,400
	Insurance proceeds		-3,600			-19,400		-3,600		-28,300
	Net asbestos-related payments/(proceeds)	$	10,700		$	-7,600	$	25,500	$	-1,900
United Kingdom [Member]	'
Asbestos-Related Assets and Liabilities - Table	'
	U.K. Asbestos	30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	Asbestos-related assets:
	Accounts and notes receivable-other	$	1,529		$	1,483
	Asbestos-related insurance recovery receivable		28,204			29,264
	Total asbestos-related assets	$	29,733		$	30,747
	Asbestos-related liabilities:
	Accrued expenses	$	1,529		$	1,483
	Asbestos-related liability		30,591			31,580
	Total asbestos-related liabilities	$	32,120		$	33,063
	Liability balance by claim category:
	Open claims	$	6,780		$	8,487
	Future unasserted claims		25,340			24,576
	Total asbestos-related liabilities	$	32,120		$	33,063

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Projects with final estimated contract profit revisions whose impact exceeded $1 million) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
	Projects	Projects	Projects	Projects
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Number of contracts that had final estimated contract profit revisions whose impact on contract profit exceeded $1 million	9	12	18	23
Net increase in contract profit from the regular revaluation of final estimated contract profit revisions	$10,300	$16,500	$26,000	$41,500

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Fair value measurements- Table) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Foreign currency forward contracts-Assets	$0	$0
Investment in an unconsolidated affiliate	0	0
Fair Value Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Foreign currency forward contracts- Liabilities	0	0
Interest rate swap contracts	0	0
Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Foreign currency forward contracts-Assets	3,364	7,361
Investment in an unconsolidated affiliate	0	0
Fair Value Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Foreign currency forward contracts- Liabilities	2,909	2,405
Interest rate swap contracts	8,369	7,866
Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	11,278	10,271
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Foreign currency forward contracts-Assets	0	0
Investment in an unconsolidated affiliate	0	35,096
Fair Value Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Foreign currency forward contracts- Liabilities	0	0
Interest rate swap contracts	0	0
Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$0	$0

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Basic and diluted earnings per share - Table) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	$85,594	$68,316	$102,661	$85,220
Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding	99,834,508	100,001,580	99,492,867	102,182,011
Effect of dilutive securities	1,367,425	253,172	1,511,219	384,636
Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding	101,201,933	100,254,752	101,004,086	102,566,647
Basic earnings per share	$0.86	$0.68	$1.03	$0.83
Diluted earnings per share	$0.85	$0.68	$1.02	$0.83

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Options not included in diluted earnings calculation) (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Options not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share	226,333	1,548,745	342,639	1,548,745
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Options not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share	0	1,166,400	0	1,166,400

Summary_of_Significant_Account7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013
Assumed recovery of commercial claims	$16,000	$4,500	'
Return of capital distribution per share	$0.40	'	$0
Pending Exchange Offer and Acquisition Additional Information	'On the terms and subject to the conditions of the Implementation Agreement, AMEC will commence an exchange offer (the “Offer”) to acquire all of the FW shares, pursuant to which each validly tendered FW share will be exchanged for a combination (subject to election by each Foster Wheeler shareholder as described in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2014) of (a) $16.00 in cash plus (b) 0.8998 ordinary shares, par value £0.50 per share, of AMEC ("AMEC shares") or, at the election of such holder, American Depositary Shares representing such number of AMEC shares.	'	'

Business_Combinations_Narrativ

Business Combinations (Narrative) (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
MDM Engineering Group Limited [Member]	'
Date of acquisition	31-Mar-14
Description of acquired entity	'minerals process and project management company focused on the mining industry. The company provides a wide range of services from preliminary and final feasibility studies, through to plant design, construction and commissioning.
Description of purchase agreement	'acquire all of the ordinary shares and options of MDM Engineering in a cash transaction valued at approximately $109,000 (the “MDM Transaction”). The MDM Engineering shareholders have approved the MDM Transaction, which is subject to other closing conditions.
Siemens Environmental Systems and Services [Member]	'
Date of acquisition	30-Apr-14
Description of acquired entity	'The SESS business supplies and services clean air technologies for use in power plants and industrial facilities with locations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Branchburg, New Jersey.
Description of purchase agreement	'a cash transaction for approximately $2,000.
Upstream consultancy business [Member]	'
Date of acquisition	30-Jun-13
Description of acquired entity	'upstream consultancy business located in the United Kingdom and additional related assets in the Middle East. This acquired business specializes in field development and project decision support, focused on the evaluation and implementation of oil and gas field developments covering greenfield and brownfield assets
Description of purchase agreement	'We paid cash consideration net of cash acquired of £6,000 (approximately $9,300 based on the exchange rates in effect on the payment dates). The sale and purchase agreement also included an earnout provision for additional consideration with an estimated maximum of £3,000 (approximately $5,100 based on the exchange rate in effect on June 30, 2014), depending on the acquired business’ performance, as defined in the sale and purchase agreement, over a period of approximately 3 and a half years subsequent to the acquisition date
Goodwill and intangible assets, business acquisition	'As a result of the purchase price allocation, we recognized goodwill of $4,465 and other intangible assets of $5,307 related to this acquisition.
Engineering and project management business [Member]	'
Date of acquisition	30-Jun-13
Description of acquired entity	'engineering and project management business located in Mexico with experience in both offshore and onshore upstream oil and gas, downstream oil and gas and power projects.
Description of purchase agreement	'We paid cash consideration net of cash acquired of approximately $15,700. The purchase price allocation and pro forma impact assuming the acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of 2012 were not significant to our consolidated financial statements.
Goodwill and intangible assets, business acquisition	'As a result of the purchase price allocation, we recognized goodwill of $18,143 and other intangible assets of $7,100 related to this acquisition.
U.S.- based firm that specializes in management of construction and commissioning of pharmaceutical and biotech facilities acquisition [Member]	'
Date of acquisition	31-Mar-13
Description of purchase agreement	'We paid cash consideration net of cash acquired of approximately $25,100, which includes a working capital adjustment paid subsequent to the six months ended June 30, 2013. The sale and purchase agreement also included an earnout provision for additional consideration with an estimated maximum of approximately $6,600, depending on the acquired business’ performance, as defined in the sale and purchase agreement, over a period of approximately 5 years subsequent to the acquisition date.  During the second quarter of 2014, we renegotiated the terms of the earnout provision with the former owner and settled the earnout in full for a cash payment of approximately $3,500. The cash payment of approximately $3,500 consisted of approximately $1,300 which we had accrued as of December 31, 2013 and during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, we recognized compensation expense, within selling, general and administrative expenses, of approximately $1,900 and $2,200, respectively.
Goodwill and intangible assets, business acquisition	'As a result of the purchase price allocation, we recognized goodwill of $10,571 and other intangible assets of $13,980 related to this acquisition.

Investments_Equity_Method_Inve

Investments (Equity Method Investments, Summarized Financial Data - Table) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Italy [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Current assets	$144,496	'	$144,496	'	$156,844
Other assets (primarily buildings and equipment)	247,389	'	247,389	'	259,392
Current liabilities	109,280	'	109,280	'	108,769
Other liabilities (primarily long-term debt)	133,385	'	133,385	'	149,578
Net assets	149,220	'	149,220	'	157,889
Total revenues	32,208	34,006	65,487	67,015	'
Gross profit	14,143	13,806	29,593	14,002	'
Income before income taxes	-2,933	12,006	4,708	10,353	'
Net earnings/(loss)	-1,375	8,010	990	6,739	'
Chile [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Current assets	49,882	'	49,882	'	66,867
Other assets (primarily buildings and equipment)	84,129	'	84,129	'	88,936
Current liabilities	15,267	'	15,267	'	25,643
Other liabilities (primarily long-term debt)	14,482	'	14,482	'	14,482
Net assets	104,262	'	104,262	'	115,678
Total revenues	22,129	23,736	42,234	41,329	'
Gross profit	11,087	14,343	19,805	23,558	'
Income before income taxes	11,040	13,253	16,606	22,138	'
Net earnings/(loss)	$8,833	$10,364	$13,285	$17,232	'

Investments_Equity_in_the_Net_

Investments (Equity in the Net Earnings of Partially Owned Affiliates - Table) (Details) (Chile and Italy [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Chile and Italy [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Equity in the net earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	$5,879	$16,334	$9,800	$20,438	'
Distributions from equity affiliates	19,813	53,990	19,813	55,933	'
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	$139,296	'	$139,296	'	$150,558

Investments_Refinerypower_gene

Investments (Refinery/power generation project in Chile - Table) (Details) (Chile [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Chile [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Fees for operations and maintenance services (included in operating revenues)	$2,734	$2,795	$5,462	$5,599	'
Receivable from our unconsolidated affiliate in Chile (included in trade receivables)	$11,040	'	$11,040	'	$7,866

Investments_Schedule_of_Variab

Investments (Schedule of Variable Interest Entities - Table) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments	'	'
Current assets	$4,318	$5,897
Other assets (primarily buildings and equipment)	34,046	36,118
Current liabilities	1,915	3,024
Other liabilities	4,493	4,819
Net assets	$31,956	$34,172

Investments_Narrative_Details

Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Project Which Generates Earnings From Royalty Payments Linked to the Price of Natural Gas in Italy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	50.00%	'	50.00%	'
Additonal Information, equity of unconsolidated affiliates	'	'	'Additionally, our equity earnings were unfavorably impacted in the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to the corresponding periods in 2013, due to the expiration of a royalty agreement at our project that generates earnings from royalty payments linked to the price of natural gas. This project experienced decreased equity earnings in the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to the corresponding periods in 2013, of $800 and $1,300, respectively.	'
Waste-to-Energy Project in Italy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	39.00%	'	39.00%	'
Additonal Information, equity of unconsolidated affiliates	'	'	'During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, our equity earnings from our projects in Italy were unfavorably impacted by a provision for a tariff related to the net power supplied to the electrical grid at our waste-to-energy project.  The impact of this provision decreased our equity earnings by $1,300, of which $1,100 related to the impact of the tariff for years prior to 2014. Our waste-to-energy project experienced equity earnings decreases in the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to the corresponding periods in 2013, of $2,000 and $100, respectively.	'
Wind Farm Project in Italy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	50.00%	'	50.00%	'
Refinery / Power Generation Project in Chile [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	85.00%	'	85.00%	'
Chile [Member]	'	'	'	'
Equity in the net earnings/(loss) of unconsolidated affiliates	$6,228	$12,827	$8,988	$17,054
Guarantee for obligation under Chile based project operation and maintenance agreement	20,000	'	20,000	'
Equity Earnings Increase Resulted From Prior Year Revised Earnings Allocation	'	3,200	'	3,200
Equity Earnings Increase From Reversal Of Insurance Related Contingency	'	3,000	'	3,000
Italy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Equity in the net earnings/(loss) of unconsolidated affiliates	$350	$3,507	$810	$3,384
Two Electric Power Generation Projects in Italy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	41.65%	'	41.65%	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Net carrying amount of goodwill by geographic region) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill	$172,141	$169,801
Global E and C Group [Member]	'	'
Goodwill	92,918	92,576
Global E and C Group [Member] | North America [Member]	'	'
Goodwill	84,538	84,447
Global E and C Group [Member] | Asia [Member]	'	'
Goodwill	783	761
Global E and C Group [Member] | Europe [Member]	'	'
Goodwill	6,998	6,787
Global E and C Group [Member] | Middle East [Member]	'	'
Goodwill	599	581
Global Power Group [Member]	'	'
Goodwill	79,223	77,225
Global Power Group [Member] | North America [Member]	'	'
Goodwill	6,792	4,266
Global Power Group [Member] | Asia [Member]	'	'
Goodwill	0	0
Global Power Group [Member] | Europe [Member]	'	'
Goodwill	72,431	72,959
Global Power Group [Member] | Middle East [Member]	'	'
Goodwill	$0	$0

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Finite-lived intangible assets table) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Total identifiable intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	$211,762	$209,932
Total identifiable intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	-104,596	-96,469
Total identifiable intangible assets - net carrying amount	107,166	113,463
Patents [Member]	'	'
Total identifiable intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	42,768	41,526
Total identifiable intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	-35,427	-34,477
Total identifiable intangible assets - net carrying amount	7,341	7,049
Trademarks [Member]	'	'
Total identifiable intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	66,203	66,320
Total identifiable intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	-35,136	-34,113
Total identifiable intangible assets - net carrying amount	31,067	32,207
Customer Relationships Pipeline And Backlog [Member]	'	'
Total identifiable intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	95,963	95,199
Total identifiable intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	-31,594	-25,911
Total identifiable intangible assets - net carrying amount	64,369	69,288
Patented Technology [Member]	'	'
Total identifiable intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	6,828	6,887
Total identifiable intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	-2,439	-1,968
Total identifiable intangible assets - net carrying amount	$4,389	$4,919

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Intangible assets amortization schedule) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'	'	'	'
Amortization expense	$4,154	$3,985	$8,262	$8,039
Amortization expense - forecast for 2013	16,600	'	16,600	'
Amortization expense - forecast for 2014	11,900	'	11,900	'
Amortization expense - forecast for 2015	10,000	'	10,000	'
Amortization expense - forecast for 2016	9,600	'	9,600	'
Amortization expense - forecast for 2017	$9,300	'	$9,300	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Total identifiable intangible assets - net carrying amount	$107,166	$113,463
Global E and C Group [Member]	'	'
Total identifiable intangible assets - net carrying amount	62,731	'
Global Power Group [Member]	'	'
Total identifiable intangible assets - net carrying amount	$44,435	'

Borrowings_Components_of_longt

Borrowings (Components of long-term debt) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current	$16,398	$12,513
Long-term	102,475	113,719
Total	118,873	126,232
Estimated fair value of long-term debt	133,800	139,912
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]	'	'
Current	3,370	3,040
Long-term	49,638	51,359
Total	53,008	54,399
Secured Debt-FW Power Srl [Member]	'	'
Current	7,673	7,433
Long-term	51,554	55,722
Total	59,227	63,155
Secured Debt - Energia Holdings [Member]	'	'
Current	5,355	2,040
Long-term	0	5,355
Total	5,355	7,395
1999C Bonds [Member]	'	'
Current	0	0
Long-term	1,283	1,283
Total	$1,283	$1,283

Borrowings_Components_of_longt1

Borrowings (Components of long-term debt) (Parenthetical) (Details)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Secured Debt - Energia Holdings [Member]	'	'
Interest rate on term loan	11.44%	11.44%
1999C Bonds [Member]	'	'
Interest rate on term loan	7.25%	7.25%

Borrowings_Narrative_Details

Borrowings (Narrative) (Details) (US 2012 Senior Credit Agreement [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
US 2012 Senior Credit Agreement [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Description on U.S. Senior Credit Agreement	'Senior Credit Agreement — On August 3, 2012, we entered into a new five-year senior unsecured credit agreement, which replaced our amended and restated senior unsecured credit agreement from July 2010. Our senior credit agreement provides for an unsecured revolving line of credit of $750,000 and contains an increase option permitting us, subject to certain requirements, to arrange with existing lenders and/or new lenders to provide up to an aggregate of $300,000 in additional commitments. During the term of this senior credit agreement, we may request, subject to certain requirements, up to two one-year extensions of the contractual termination date. We can issue up to $750,000 under the letter of credit portion of the facility. Letters of credit issued under our senior credit agreement have performance pricing that is decreased (or increased) as a result of improvements (or reductions) in our corporate credit ratings, as defined in the senior credit agreement. Based on our current credit ratings, letter of credit fees for performance and non-performance letters of credit issued under our senior credit agreement are 0.75% and 1.50% per annum of the outstanding amount, respectively, excluding a nominal fronting fee. We also have the option to use up to $250,000 of the $750,000 for revolving borrowings at a rate equal to adjusted LIBOR, as defined in the senior credit agreement, plus 1.50%, subject also to the performance pricing noted above.	'
Letters of credit capacity under the credit facility	$750,000	'
Fees and expenses in conjunction with the execution of senior credit agreement	4,000	'
Letters of credit facility, amount outstanding	311,500	253,900
Letter of credit fees under U.S. senior credit agreement, Minimum	0.75%	0.75%
Letter of credit fees under U.S. senior credit agreement, Maximum	1.50%	1.50%
Borrowing capacity under credit facility	750,000	'
Amount of option to use for revolving borrowings	250,000	'
Line of Credit Facility, Aggregate Additional Uncommited Capacity	$300,000	'
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description	'a rate equal to adjusted LIBOR, as defined in the senior credit agreement, plus 1.50%	'

Pensions_and_Other_Postretirem2

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Pension benefits contributions) (Details) (Non-U.S. Pension Plan [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Non-U.S. Pension Plan [Member]	'
Contributions made through period end	$9,000
Remaining contributions expected for fiscal year 2014	4,800
Contributions expected for fiscal year 2014	$13,800

Pensions_and_Other_Postretirem3

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Components of net periodic benefit cost and changes recognized in other comprehensive income) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost/(Credit):	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$203	$292	$501	$592
Interest cost	14,030	12,710	28,050	25,539
Expected return on plan assets	-18,893	-16,097	-37,020	-32,388
Amortization of net actuarial loss/(gain)	4,367	4,683	8,511	9,157
Amortization of prior service credit	-582	-386	-1,153	-776
Amortization of transition obligation	4	14	9	28
Net periodic benefit (credit)/cost	-871	1,216	-1,102	2,152
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost/(Credit):	'	'	'	'
Service cost	1	10	13	28
Interest cost	552	552	1,140	1,411
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0	0
Amortization of net actuarial loss/(gain)	-30	250	-59	440
Amortization of prior service credit	-874	-874	-1,748	-1,748
Amortization of transition obligation	0	0	0	0
Net periodic benefit (credit)/cost	($351)	($62)	($654)	$131

Guarantees_and_Warranties_Deta

Guarantees and Warranties (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013
Warranty Liability	'		'		'
Balance at beginning of year	$73,500		$90,100		'
Accruals	11,800		11,700		'
Settlements	-2,100		-8,000		'
Adjustments to provisions	-10,500	[1]	-9,700	[1]	'
Foreign currency translation	700		-1,500		'
Balance at end of period	73,400		82,600		'
Amount we are contingently liable for under standby letters of credit, bank guarantees and surety bonds	977,800		'		960,500
Environmental liabilities	$6,500		'		$6,800
[1]	B Adjustments to the provisions represent reversals of warranty provisions that are no longer required.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Asset Derivatives	$3,364	$7,361
Liability Derivatives	11,278	10,271
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]	'	'
Asset Derivatives	0	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]	'	'
Liability Derivatives	8,369	7,866
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Contracts In Process Or Billings In Excess Of Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]	'	'
Asset Derivatives	3,347	7,157
Liability Derivatives	1,622	2,018
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other accounts receivable [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]	'	'
Asset Derivatives	17	204
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other accounts payable [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]	'	'
Liability Derivatives	$1,287	$387

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments (Income on Derivatives) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of gain/(loss) recognized in income on derivatives	($542)	$3,157	($1,254)	($5,439)
Cost of Operating Revenues [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of gain/(loss) recognized in income on derivatives	728	3,404	-100	-3,916
Other deductions, net [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of gain/(loss) recognized in income on derivatives	($1,270)	($247)	($1,154)	($1,523)

Derivative_Financial_Intrument

Derivative Financial Intruments (Schedule of Interest Rate Derivatives) (Details) (Cash Flow Hedging [Member], Interest Rate Contract [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Unrealized loss recognized in other comprehensive income	($288)	$1,259	($1,744)	$811
Swap [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income	$592	$630	$1,177	$1,255

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash inflows on the settlement of derivatives	$376	$2,558
Derivative, Lower Remaining Maturity Range	'0 years 0 months 1 day	'
Derivative, Higher Remaining Maturity Range	'2 years 0 months 0 days	'
Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	53,300	'
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	$556,600	'

ShareBased_Compensation_Plans_1

Share-Based Compensation Plans (Summary of share-based compensation expense and related income tax benefit) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Share - Based Compensation Plans [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation	$4,947	$4,891	$9,564	$9,481
Related income tax benefit	$349	$261	$649	$446

ShareBased_Compensation_Plans_2

Share-Based Compensation Plans (Reconciliation of temporary equity - Table) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Share - Based Compensation Plans [Abstract]	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	$15,664	$8,594
Compensation cost during the period for those equity awards with intrinsic value on the grant date	8,220	7,342
Intrinsic value of equity awards vested during the period for those equity awards with intrinsic value on the grant date	-9,209	-5,273
Balance at end of period	$14,675	$10,663

ShareBased_Compensation_Plans_3

Share-Based Compensation Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Number of years of weighted-average period expected to be recognized as expense	'2 years 0 months 0 days
Remaining available conditional capital shares	57,154,965
Stock Options [Member]	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	1,417
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	18,508
Performance Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	12,650

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule Of Comprehensive Income Loss- Table) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation, Gross	$3,554	($5,301)	$266	($19,714)
Tax Impact	16	0	9	0
Foreign currency translation	3,570	-5,301	275	-19,714
Less: Attributable to noncontrolling interests	26	-365	-544	-1,154
Attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	3,544	-4,936	819	-18,560
Net (loss)/gain on cash flow hedges	704	3,275	-644	3,592
Tax Impact	-225	-1,085	248	-1,165
Attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	479	2,190	-396	2,427
Pension and other postretirement benefits	2,885	3,687	1,580	7,101
Tax Impact	-349	-462	-193	-817
Total pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments, net of tax	2,536	3,225	1,387	6,284
Pension and Postretirement Benefits, Net of Tax Less: Attributable to noncontrolling interests	4	2	8	4
Pension and Postretirement Benefits, Net of Tax , Atrributable to Foster Wheeler AG	2,532	3,223	1,379	6,280
Other comprehensive (loss)/ income attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	$6,555	$477	$1,802	($9,853)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss-Table) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning balance	'	'	($509,317)	($567,603)
Other comprehensive (loss)/ income attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	6,555	477	1,802	-9,853
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss, ending balance	-507,515	-577,456	-507,515	-577,456
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning balance	'	'	-92,017	-86,729
Other comprehensive (loss)/ income attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	'	'	819	-18,560
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss, ending balance	-91,198	-105,289	-91,198	-105,289
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning balance	'	'	-8,845	-12,412
Other comprehensive (loss)/ income attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	'	'	-396	2,427
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss, ending balance	-9,241	-9,985	-9,241	-9,985
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning balance	'	'	-408,455	-468,462
Other comprehensive (loss)/ income attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	'	'	1,379	6,280
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss, ending balance	($407,076)	($462,182)	($407,076)	($462,182)

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
			Non-U.S. [Member]	Non-U.S. [Member]	Non-U.S. [Member]	Non-U.S. [Member]
			Tax Provision [Member]	Tax Provision [Member]	Interest Expense	Interest Expense
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
U.S. federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	'	'	'	'
Impact on the effective tax rate for total changes in the valuation allowance	-2.00%	4.00%	'	'	'	'
Impact on the effective tax rate for income earned in the jurisdictions with tax rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate	-10.00%	-16.00%	'	'	'	'
Impact on effective tax rate as a result of an exemption received from non-US tax authority.	-9.00%	-6.00%	'	'	'	'
Release of previously recorded liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits	($22,339)	$0	$10,800	$10,800	$3,400	$3,400

Business_Segments_Operating_Re

Business Segments (Operating Revenues By Industry and by Segment - Table) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Operating revenues	$851,767	$863,407	$1,585,466	$1,653,551
Africa Project Location [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	14,315	20,735	27,484	39,647
Asia Pacific Project Location [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	224,730	211,262	446,557	404,275
Europe Project Location [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	201,336	215,647	345,782	403,836
Middle East Project Location [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	148,461	79,879	262,858	144,802
North America Project Location [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	185,900	282,419	371,860	524,013
South America Project Location [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	77,025	53,465	130,925	136,978
Global E and C Group [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	645,473	662,719	1,198,734	1,250,693
Global Power Group [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	206,294	200,688	386,732	402,858
Power Generation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	213,640	186,991	396,495	369,455
Oil Refining [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	255,568	359,894	458,602	683,632
Pharmaceutical [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	22,190	40,552	42,689	78,398
Oil and Gas [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	118,675	86,223	222,449	171,481
Chemical / Petrochemical [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	166,902	134,368	319,246	236,547
Power Plant Design, Operation and Maintenance [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	55,691	38,882	110,330	83,509
Environmental [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	2,250	1,621	3,920	2,845
Other, Net of Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	$16,851	$14,876	$31,735	$27,684

Business_Segments_Reconciliati

Business Segments (Reconciliation of EBITDA to Net Income Attributable to Foster Wheeler - Table) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Total EBITDA	$104,926		$101,388		$149,688		$141,507
EBITDA from continuing operations	104,926		99,005		149,688		139,083
EBITDA from discontinued operations	0		2,383		0		2,424
Less: EBITDA from discontinued operations	0		2,383		0		2,424
EBITDA from continuing operations	104,926		99,005		149,688		139,083
Add: Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interests	980		1,011		-1,147		4,290
Less: Interest expense	-1,846		3,916		1,816		6,588
Less: Depreciation and amortization	14,823		13,454		29,138		28,796
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	92,929		82,646		117,587		107,989
Less: Provision for income taxes	6,355		13,319		16,073		18,479
Income from continuing operations	86,574		69,327		101,514		89,510
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations	0		2,383		0		-1,495
Net income	86,574		71,710		101,514		88,015
Less: Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interests	980		1,011		-1,147		4,290
Net income attributable to Foster Wheeler AG	85,594		70,699		102,661		83,725
Net increase in contract profit from the regular revaluation of final estimated contract profit revisions	10,300		16,500		26,000		41,500
Release of previously recorded liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits	'		'		-22,339		0
Net asbestos-related provision/(gain)	1,209		-13,750		3,217		-11,750
Charges for severance-related postemployment benefits	1,100		2,400		2,100		4,400
Global E and C Group [Member]	'		'		'		'
EBITDA from continuing operations	56,409		62,133		96,463		97,321
EBITDA from continuing operations	56,409		62,133		96,463		97,321
Net increase in contract profit from the regular revaluation of final estimated contract profit revisions	6,100	[1]	5,400	[1]	7,900	[1]	22,000	[1]
Litigation settlement amount	3,000	[2]	0		3,000	[2]	0
Charges for severance-related postemployment benefits	1,100		1,700		2,000		2,900
Global Power Group [Member]	'		'		'		'
EBITDA from continuing operations	64,094		45,584		92,820		70,271
EBITDA from continuing operations	64,094		45,584		92,820		70,271
Net increase in contract profit from the regular revaluation of final estimated contract profit revisions	4,200	[1]	11,100	[1]	18,100	[1]	19,500	[1]
Litigation settlement amount	32,500	[3]	0		32,500	[3]	0
Charges for severance-related postemployment benefits	0		700		100		1,100
C and F Group [Member]	'		'		'		'
EBITDA from continuing operations	-15,577		-8,712		-39,595		-28,509
EBITDA from continuing operations	-15,577		-8,712		-39,595		-28,509
Net asbestos-related provision/(gain)	1,200	[4]	-13,800	[4]	3,200	[4]	-11,800	[4]
Charges for severance-related postemployment benefits	0		0		0		400
C and F Group [Member] | Tax Penalties [Member]	'		'		'		'
Release of previously recorded liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits	$8,100	[5]	$0		$8,100	[5]	$0
[1]	Please refer to bRevenue Recognition on Long-Term Contractsb in Note 1 for further information regarding changes in our final estimated contract profit.
[2]	During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, our Global E&C Group recognized a favorable impact to EBITDA of $3,000 related to a post judgment settlement of a lawsuit for less than the previously accrued amount, which was recognized in other deductions, net.
[3]	During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, our Global Power Group received a cash payment as a result of a favorable settlement in connection with the terms related to the expiration of a steam generator technology license, which was recognized in other income, net.
[4]	Please refer to Note 13 for further information regarding the revaluation of our asbestos liability and related asset.
[5]	During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, other deductions, net included a credit of $8,100 related to the reversal of previously accrued penalties on unrecognized tax benefits which were released as a result of settlements with non-U.S. tax authorities.

Business_Segments_Restructurin

Business Segments (Restructuring Costs - Table) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning	$13,500	'
Restructuring Charges	335	19,100
Utilization and Foreign Exchange	-3,782	'
Adjustments to Provisions	-200	'
Restructuring Reserve, Ending	9,853	13,500
Employee Severance [Member]	'	'
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning	11,400	'
Restructuring Charges	335	'
Utilization and Foreign Exchange	-3,621	'
Adjustments to Provisions	-200	'
Restructuring Reserve, Ending	7,914	'
Facility Closing [Member]	'	'
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning	2,100	'
Restructuring Charges	0	'
Utilization and Foreign Exchange	-161	'
Adjustments to Provisions	0	'
Restructuring Reserve, Ending	$1,939	'

Business_Segments_IncomeLoss_f

Business Segments (Income/Loss from Discontinued Operations - Table) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
EBITDA from discontinued operations	$0	$2,383	$0	$2,424
Less: Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Less: Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	3,919	[1]
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes	0	2,383	0	-1,495
Less: Provision for income taxes	0	0	0	0
Loss from discontinued operations	$0	$2,383	$0	($1,495)
[1]	During 2013, we recorded an impairment charge of $3,919 in connection with our Camden, New Jersey waste-to-energy facility which was recorded as depreciation expense within income/(loss) from discontinued operations. Please refer to Note 14 for further information.

Business_Segments_Narrative_De

Business Segments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
					Interest Expense	Interest Expense
					Non-U.S. [Member]	Non-U.S. [Member]
Asset Impairment Charge	'	$3,919	'	$11,455	'	'
Restructuring Charges	335	'	19,100	'	'	'
Release of previously recorded liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits	($22,339)	$0	'	'	$3,400	$3,400

Litigation_and_Uncertainties_A

Litigation and Uncertainties (Asbestos-Related Open Claims Rollforward - Table) (Details) (United States [Member])	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
	claims	claims	claims	claims
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'
Open claims at beginning of period	124,280	125,480	125,240	125,310
New claims	880	1,250	1,870	2,460
Claims resolved	-780	-1,920	-2,730	-2,960
Open claims at end of period	124,380	124,810	124,380	124,810

Litigation_and_Uncertainties_U

Litigation and Uncertainties (US Asbestos related assets and liabilities - Table) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Asbestos-related assets:	'	'
Asbestos related insurance recovery receivable	$116,791	$120,489
Asbestos-related liabilities:	'	'
Asbestos-related liability	241,923	257,180
United States [Member]	'	'
Asbestos-related assets:	'	'
Accounts and notes receivable-other	20,111	20,256
Asbestos related insurance recovery receivable	88,587	91,225
Total asbestos-related assets	108,698	111,481
Asbestos-related liabilities:	'	'
Accrued expenses	41,800	52,600
Asbestos-related liability	211,332	225,600
Total asbestos-related liabilities	253,132	278,200
Liability balance by claim category:	'	'
Open claims	43,722	46,800
Future unasserted claims	209,410	231,400
Total asbestos-related liabilities	$253,132	$278,200

Litigation_and_Uncertainties_U1

Litigation and Uncertainties (US Net Asbestos-Related Provision - Table) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Net asbestos-related provision/(gain)	$1,209	($13,750)	$3,217	($11,750)
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'
Provision for revaluation	1,992	2,000	4,000	4,000
Gain on the settlement of coverage litigation	-783	-15,750	-783	-15,750
Net asbestos-related provision/(gain)	$1,209	($13,750)	$3,217	($11,750)

Litigation_and_Uncertainties_S

Litigation and Uncertainties (Summary of asbestos related payments and insurance settlement proceeds - Table) (Details) (United States [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'
Asbestos litigation, defense and case resolution payments	$14,300	$11,800	$29,100	$26,400
Insurance proceeds	-3,600	-19,400	-3,600	-28,300
Net asbestos-related payments	$10,700	($7,600)	$25,500	($1,900)

Litigation_and_Uncertainties_U2

Litigation and Uncertainties (UK Asbestos related assets and liabilities - Table) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Asbestos-related assets:	'	'
Asbestos related insurance recovery receivable	$116,791	$120,489
Asbestos-related liabilities:	'	'
Asbestos-related liability	241,923	257,180
United Kingdom [Member]	'	'
Asbestos-related assets:	'	'
Accounts and notes receivable-other	1,529	1,483
Asbestos related insurance recovery receivable	28,204	29,264
Total asbestos-related assets	29,733	30,747
Asbestos-related liabilities:	'	'
Accrued expenses	1,529	1,483
Asbestos-related liability	30,591	31,580
Total asbestos-related liabilities	32,120	33,063
Liability balance by claim category:	'	'
Open claims	6,780	8,487
Future unasserted claims	25,340	24,576
Total asbestos-related liabilities	$32,120	$33,063

Litigation_and_Uncertainties_N

Litigation and Uncertainties (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	claims	claims	claims	claims	claims	claims	claims	claims
Environmental Matters [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate potential liability, maximum	$500	'	$500	'	'	'	'	'
Power Plant Arbitration United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Project claims actions taken by parties	'	'	'Responsive pleadings to the erection contractor’s pleading were filed by the other parties, including us, on November 28, 2012.  Our pleading denied the erection contractor’s claims against us and asserted cross claims against our client seeking over $14,800 in damages related to delays, out of scope work, and improperly assessed delay liquidated damages. In its pleading, the turbine contractor asserted claims against our client for unpaid contract amounts and additional compensation for extra work and delays. In its capacity as a purported co-assignee of the steam generation equipment supply contract, the turbine contractor joined in the erection contractor’s claims against us for delay-related damages and asserted cross claims against us seeking over $5,000 in non-delay related damages.  In its pleading, our client asserted counter and cross claims for breach of contract and gross negligence against the erection contractor and the turbine contractor. Our client also asserted cross claims against us for any damages our client has incurred, and for indemnification of any damages our client may be required to pay to the erection and turbine contractors, arising out of alleged failures of performance on our part under our steam generation supply contract. We denied our client’s and the turbine contractor’s cross claims against us. On August 30, 2013, our client filed a petition with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware seeking to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The filing automatically stayed all proceedings against our client, including the four-party arbitration discussed above. Our client’s filing included a motion seeking authorization for the use of cash collateral to fund its activities during the bankruptcy proceedings. In its motion, our client indicated its intent to draw on performance and retention letters of credit we previously issued in connection with the contract totaling approximately $59,000, contending that the funds were needed to fund operations during the bankruptcy and make repairs to the power plant. We opposed the motion on various grounds, including that any such draw would be unsupported and wrongful, and applied for an order temporarily restraining our client from drawing on the letters of credit, lifting the automatic stay of the arbitration proceeding and transferring the question of our client’s right to draw on our letters of credit back to the arbitration for resolution in the context of the overall dispute. The bankruptcy court granted our application for temporary restraint and scheduled a further hearing on the issue, which on successive applications by our client was adjourned to November 21, 2013. On November 1, 2013, our client filed a motion seeking the bankruptcy court’s approval of proposed debtor-in-possession financing. On November 13, 2013, our client filed its plan of reorganization. On November 15, 2013, our client signed a stipulation to modify and lift the automatic stay of the arbitration proceedings by the bankruptcy filing to permit the arbitration to proceed as to all issues other than issues related to our letters of credit, which stipulation was approved by the bankruptcy court. The court-approved stipulation also provided for the withdrawal of our client’s motion to draw on our letters of credit. Following the lifting of the bankruptcy stay, a scheduling conference was held by the arbitration panel in December 2013 and the panel extended the various procedural deadlines in the case. The final hearing is now set for the first and second quarters of 2015. The debtor-in-possession financing facility was approved by the bankruptcy court on November 21, 2013. The plan of reorganization contemplated, and any funding from the debtor-in-possession financing was conditioned upon, the achievement of various milestones by specified dates. One of the milestones was the reduction to zero by the bankruptcy court of the value of our mechanics lien and the mechanics liens of the turbine and erection contractors through a “claims estimation” proceeding. Our client moved to compel claims estimation on December 11, 2013. We and the turbine and erection contractors opposed the motion on various grounds. The motion was set to be heard on February 7, 2014 but adjourned at the request of our client to February 12, 2014. On February 10, 2014, we agreed to a partial settlement of the outstanding claims under our supply contract with our client. Under the agreement, we will perform certain new work on the steam generation equipment in exchange for (i) a release from our client of liability for alleged defects in the steam generation equipment, (ii) restriction of our client’s right to draw on our letters of credit to disputes involving the new work, and (iii) a court-approved assignment of our client’s right to seek indemnification for the cost of the new work from the erection and turbine contractors. Also, under the agreement we will release our client from liability for our $14,800 in project claims related to delays, out of scope work, and improperly assessed delay liquidated damages in exchange for a court-approved assignment of our client’s right to seek indemnification for these claims from the turbine and erection contractors. The settlement agreement was subject to bankruptcy court approval, which approval was granted on March 7, 2014. The erection contractor has appealed the approval order, but has not applied to stay its enforcement during the pendency of the appeal. Accordingly, we are proceeding with the new work. Our client’s claims estimation motion, which was adjourned pending approval by the agreement of the bankruptcy court, has now been withdrawn as against us. On May 12, 2014, the parties exchanged further submissions in support of their respective affirmative claims in the arbitration. The erection contractor contends in its submission that it incurred substantial delays and cost overruns due to performance failures on the part of our client and us. The erection contractor is seeking an equitable extension of the project schedule, plus $222,000 in damages, plus attorneys’ and expert fees and the cost of the arbitration. Of this amount, $63,000 is for claims solely against our client. The remaining $159,000 purportedly relates to our alleged failures and is being claimed jointly against our client and us. The turbine contractor’s submission largely reiterates the erection contractor’s allegations related to our and our client’s performance failures. The turbine contractor’s claims against our client total approximately $88,000. The turbine contractor also seeks a declaration that it did not cause any delay to the critical path of the construction and commissioning schedule and that it is not liable for any delay liquidated damages to our client. The turbine contractor’s claims against us total approximately $5,300. Our client’s submission asserts claims for delay liquidated damages as well as defective equipment damages against the turbine contractor and the erection contractor, jointly and severally, totaling in excess of $400,000. Of this amount, $318,000 relates to delay liquidated damages, which includes $242,000 in liquidated damages accruing since our client’s grant of Substantial Completion on December 15, 2011, because the turbine and erection contractors did not complete certain outstanding requirements and because the turbine contractor allegedly concealed unresolved deficiencies in the equipment it supplied. Our submission seeks $37,000 in damages from the turbine and erection contractors. Of this amount, $14,400 relates to our existing project claims and $22,600 relates to our claims for the rehabilitation work that we are performing for our client under the settlement agreement. On May 28, 2014, our client filed an Amended Plan of Reorganization and Plan Confirmation Schedule. Pursuant to the Amended Plan, our client’s claims estimation motion against the turbine and erection contractors mechanics lien claims has been put on hold and our client has commenced an adversary proceeding in the bankruptcy court against their title company, seeking to declare that the title company is liable under its $825,000 policy in the event that the turbine and erection contractors’ mechanics liens are determined to have priority over the liens securing our client’s credit facility. That proceeding is set to be tried on November 17, 2014. On July 8, 2014, our client adjourned the Plan Confirmation hearing to a date to be determined, pending the outcome of the adversary proceeding against the title company. We intend to vigorously defend the claims against us in the arbitration and pursue in the arbitration our claims against the turbine and erection contractors for the $14,800 in project claims and for the $22,600 cost of the new work.	'	'	'	'	'
Mountain Top [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Project claims arbitration allegations	'	'	'In February 1988, one of our subsidiaries, Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation (“FWEC”), entered into a Consent Agreement and Order with the USEPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (“PADEP”) regarding its former manufacturing facility in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania. The order essentially required FWEC to investigate and remediate as necessary contaminants, including trichloroethylene (“TCE”), in the soil and groundwater at the facility. Pursuant to the order, in 1993 FWEC installed a “pump and treat” system to remove TCE from the groundwater. It is not possible at the present time to predict how long FWEC will be required to operate and maintain this system.	'	'	'	'	'
Project claims actions taken by parties	'	'	'In the fall of 2004, FWEC sampled the private domestic water supply wells of certain residences in Mountain Top and identified approximately 30 residences whose wells contained TCE at levels in excess of Safe Drinking Water Act standards. The subject residences are located approximately one mile to the southwest of where the TCE previously was discovered in the soils at the former FWEC facility. Since that time, FWEC, USEPA and PADEP have cooperated in responding to the foregoing. Although FWEC believed the evidence available was not sufficient to support a determination that FWEC was responsible for the TCE in the residential wells, FWEC immediately provided the affected residences with bottled water, followed by water filters, and, pursuant to a settlement agreement with USEPA, it hooked them up to the public water system. Pursuant to an amendment of the settlement agreement, FWEC subsequently agreed with USEPA to arrange and pay for the hookup of several additional residences, even though TCE has not been detected in the wells at those residences.  The hookups to the agreed upon residences have been completed, and USEPA has provided FWEC with a certificate that FWEC has completed its obligations related to the above-described settlement agreement (as amended). FWEC may be required to pay the agencies’ costs in overseeing and responding to the situation. FWEC is also incurring further costs in connection with a Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study (“RI/FS”) that in March 2009 it agreed to conduct. During the fourth quarter of 2012, FWEC received a USEPA demand under the foregoing agreement for payment of $1,040 of response costs USEPA claims it incurred from the commencement of the RI/FS in April 2009 through February 2012. FWEC questioned the amount of the invoice and based upon discussions with the USEPA, a revised invoice was received on June 17, 2013 for the reduced amount of $1,004. During the third quarter of 2013, FWEC received a USEPA invoice under the foregoing agreement for payment of $258 of response costs USEPA claims it incurred from March 2012 to February 2013. During the second quarter of 2014, FWEC received a USEPA invoice under the foregoing agreement for payment of $99 of response costs USEPA claims it incurred from March 2013 to February 2014. In April 2009, USEPA proposed for listing on the National Priorities List (“NPL”) an area consisting of FWEC’s former manufacturing facility and the affected residences, but it also stated that the proposed listing may not be finalized if FWEC complies with its agreement to conduct the RI/FS. FWEC submitted comments opposing the proposed listing. FWEC has accrued its best estimate of the cost of all of the foregoing, and it reviews this estimate on a quarterly basis. Other costs to which FWEC could be exposed could include, among other things, FWEC’s counsel and consulting fees, further agency oversight and/or response costs, costs and/or exposure related to potential litigation, and other costs related to possible further investigation and/or remediation. At present, it is not possible to determine whether FWEC will be determined to be liable for some or all of the items described in this paragraph or to reliably estimate the potential liability associated with the items. If one or more third-parties are determined to be a source of the TCE, FWEC will evaluate its options regarding the potential recovery of the costs FWEC has incurred, which options could include seeking to recover those costs from those determined to be a source.	'	'	'	'	'
Refinery And Petrochemicals Project Arbitration India [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Project claims arbitration filing date	'	'	'November 2012	'	'	'	'	'
Project claims arbitration allegations	'	'	'we commenced arbitration in India against our client seeking collection of unpaid receivables in excess of £52,000 (approximately $88,600 based on the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2014), arising from services performed on a reimbursable basis for our client in connection with our client’s grass roots refinery and petrochemicals project in northeastern India. Our client rejected the claims and notified us of various potential counterclaims that it may be asserting in the arbitration, purportedly totaling in excess of £55,000 (approximately $93,700 based on the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2014).	'	'	'	'	'
Project claims actions taken by parties	'	'	'In June 2013, we submitted our detailed statement of claim, and in July 2013 our client submitted its detailed statement of defense and counterclaim. The amount of the counterclaim was increased to approximately £620,000 (approximately $1,056,800 based on the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2014) in damages, including among other claims a claim for lost profits due to delay in the execution of the project. The counterclaim concerns a number of alleged issues arising in connection with our execution of the engineering, procurement, and construction management scope of our contract, from the period from contract award until the subsequent transfer by our client of our remaining engineering, procurement and construction management scope to certain lump sum turnkey contractors hired directly by our client. Our client further contends that we are liable for delays to the project and has withheld payment on account of delay liquidated damages and, out of the total claim of £620,000 (approximately $1,056,800 based on the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2014) cited above, is seeking damages for lost profits in the amount of £555,000 (approximately $946,000 based on the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2014). We strongly dispute these contentions. Any liability for delay damages is capped under the contract at a specified percentage of our contract value, currently equivalent to approximately £11,500 (approximately $19,600 based on the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2014), an amount already retained by our client. The contract also excludes liability for consequential damages, including lost profits, and contains an overall cap on liability for claims in the aggregate of up to a specified percentage of our contract value, currently equivalent to approximately £28,800 (approximately $49,100 based on the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2014). The unpaid amount for which we are seeking reimbursement in the arbitration may increase should our client continue to withhold amounts from our invoices, as the project is still in execution. The arbitration panel has been formed. Our client moved to dismiss the arbitration as premature under the terms of the contract, and we opposed that motion. The motion was denied by the panel. Also, pursuant to our request, the panel scheduled a hearing early in the first quarter of 2014 for our claims for unpaid receivables, along with our client’s counterclaim for a deductive change order in the amount of approximately £21,600 (approximately $36,800 based on the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2014). An initial session of that hearing took place in January 2014 and on March 25, 2014 the panel issued a declaratory award in our favor on the contractual interpretation pertaining to two of our claims for unpaid receivables. The remaining unpaid receivable claims and our client’s counterclaim for a deductive change order were heard by the panel at sessions in May, June and July 2014, and an award on these claims is pending. On June 30, 2014, our client filed a petition in Delhi High Court challenging both the jurisdiction of the panel and the legality, propriety and validity of the March 25, 2014 declaratory award. Along with the petition, our client also filed an application seeking to stay the ongoing arbitration proceedings pending the outcome of the challenge. The stay application is set to be heard on August 21, 2014. In the interim, the arbitration proceedings continue and the hearing on the remaining claims and counterclaims, including our client’s counterclaim for lost profits, is scheduled for the first quarter of 2015. We cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this matter at this time.	'	'	'	'	'
Shareholder Class Action Lawsuits [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Project claims arbitration filing date	'	'	'March 4, 2014	'	'	'	'	'
Project claims arbitration allegations	'	'	'Plaintiffs allege that the directors breached fiduciary duties owed to plaintiff and the Company’s other shareholders in pursuing the plan to sell the Company, and that the Company aided and abetted the defendant directors in committing such breach. In particular, plaintiffs allege that AMEC’s per share exchange offer to acquire all of the Company’s shares does not adequately compensate the Company’s shareholders for their investment and significantly undervalues the Company’s prospects as a standalone entity, that the consideration fails to take into account the value expected to be realized by AMEC as a result of the proposed acquisition, that the Board permitted Company management to lead the negotiations with AMEC when management was improperly incentivized to pursue the proposed acquisition, and that the Implementation Agreement improperly contains a number of deal protection devices designed to preclude any competing bids from emerging during the period following the announcement of the proposed acquisition in the Company’s Form 8-K filing.	'	'	'	'	'
Project claims actions taken by parties	'	'	'A stipulation has been entered into in the Texas state court actions consolidating the cases and permitting plaintiffs to serve a consolidated complaint following the issuance of the Company’s Schedule 14D-9 Recommendation Statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the Implementation Agreement. A similar stipulation has been entered into in the two actions pending before the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.	'	'	'	'	'
United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Asbestos related open claims number	279	'	279	'	'	'	'	'
Number of asbestos claims brought against United Kingdom	1,067	'	1,067	'	'	'	'	'
Asbestos related liability upon pleural plaque ruling	52,100	'	52,100	'	'	'	'	'
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Asbestos related open claims number	124,380	124,810	124,380	124,810	125,240	124,280	125,480	125,310
Asbestos litigation, defense and case resolution payments	14,300	11,800	29,100	26,400	'	'	'	'
Provision for revaluation	1,992	2,000	4,000	4,000	'	'	'	'
Total cumulative indemnity costs paid through the balance sheet date	845,100	'	845,100	'	'	'	'	'
Total cumulative defense costs paid through the balance sheet date	419,600	'	419,600	'	'	'	'	'
Portion of total defense and indemnity costs that represent defense costs	33.00%	'	33.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Historic average combined indemnity and defense cost per resolved claim	3,300	'	3,300	'	'	'	'	'
Expected cash outflows as a result of insurance settlements proceeds in excess of indemnity and defense payments	'	'	-31,500	'	'	'	'	'
Average per claim indemnity increase rate	'	'	'	'	25.00%	'	'	'
Estimated impact on the asbestos related liability from an increase of 25% in the average per claim indemnity settlement amount	'	'	'	'	$40,300	'	'	'
Percentage of the asbestos related liability reserve that would result in an additional expense to be recognized in the statement of operations for a 25% increase in the average asbestos-related claim indemnity settlement amount and assuming no change in the assumptions currently used to estimate the asbestos-related insurance asset	'	'	'	'	85.00%	'	'	'
United States [Member] | Power Plant Arbitration United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Project claims arbitration filing date	'	'	'In June 2011, a demand for arbitration was filed with the American Arbitration Association by our client’s erection contractor against our client and us in connection with a power plant project in the U.S.  At that time, no details of the erection contractor’s claims were included with the demand. The arbitration panel was formed on September 26, 2012 and a statement of claim from the erection contractor was delivered to the panel on October 24, 2012.	'	'	'	'	'
Project claims arbitration allegations	'	'	'The erection contractor is seeking unpaid contract amounts from our client and additional compensation from our client and us for alleged delays, disruptions, inefficiencies, and extra work in connection with the erection of the plant.  We supplied the steam generation equipment for the project under contract with our client, the power plant owner.  The turbine contractor, who supplied the turbine, electricity generator and other plant equipment under a separate contract with the power plant owner, has also been included as a party in the arbitration.	'	'	'	'	'
Project claims damages sought	'	'	'The erection contractor’s statement of claim sought approximately $240,000 in damages, exclusive of interest, from our client.  Of this amount, the statement of claim asserted that approximately $150,000 was related to the steam generation equipment, and alleged failures on our part in connection with our performance under our steam generation equipment supply contract; those damages were claimed jointly against us and our client. The claims against us by the erection contractor alleged negligence and, in its purported capacity as a third party beneficiary and assignee of our steam generation equipment supply contract, breach of contract.	'	'	'	'	'

Discontinued_Operations_Narrat

Discontinued Operations (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Asset Impairment Charge	'	$3,919	'	$11,455
Operating revenues related to discontinued operations	6,918	13,062	'	'
Gain/loss on sale of business	'	'	$300	'