Ocean Rig UDW 20-F 9 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report (foreign) Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	20-F
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Registrant Name	Ocean Rig UDW Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1447382
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Trading Symbol	orig
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding	132,017,178
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$528,933	$605,467
Restricted cash (Note 2)	2,564	3,561
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful receivables of $2,948 and $2,825 at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively	345,187	289,718
Other current assets (Note 4)	101,508	110,971
Total current assets	978,192	1,009,717
FIXED ASSETS, NET:
Advances for drillships under construction and related costs (Note 5)	622,507	662,313
Drilling rigs, drillships, machinery and equipment, net (Note 6)	6,207,633	5,777,025
Total fixed assets, net	6,830,140	6,439,338
OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS:
Restricted cash (Note 2)	0	50,000
Financial instruments (Note 9)	10,101	13,517
Due from a related party (Note 3)	117,219	0
Other non-current assets (Note 7)	105,969	107,878
Total non-current assets, net	233,289	171,395
Total assets	8,041,621	7,620,450
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs (Note 8)	19,858	85,401
Due to related parties (Note 3)	11,287	0
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	72,030	89,988
Accrued liabilities	175,058	214,137
Deferred revenue	121,579	123,862
Financial instruments (Note 9)	17,881	30,266
Total current liabilities	417,693	543,654
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Long term debt, net of current portion and deferred financing costs (Note 8)	4,352,592	3,907,835
Financial instruments (Note 9)	8,617	15,557
Deferred revenue	81,359	152,226
Other non-current liabilities	15,084	21,335
Total non-current liabilities	4,457,652	4,096,953
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 16)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2013 and 2014, nil issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, at December 31, 2013 and 2014, 131,875,128 and 132,017,178 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively (Note 10)	1,320	1,319
Additional paid-in capital	3,494,957	3,492,650
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 11)	-23,938	-23,454
Accumulated deficit	-306,063	-490,672
Total stockholders' equity	3,166,276	2,979,843
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$8,041,621	$7,620,450

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 15, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 08, 2010
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Allowance for doubtful receivables	$2,825	$2,948
Preferred stock par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000	500,000,000
Preferred stock shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock par value	$0.01	$0.01		$0.01	$20
Common stock shares authorized	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000	250,000,000	500
Common stock shares issued	132,017,178	131,875,128
Common stock shares outstanding	132,017,178	131,875,128

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
REVENUES:
Service revenue, net	$1,817,077	$1,180,250	$941,903
Total Revenues	1,817,077	1,180,250	941,903
EXPENSES:
Drilling rigs and drillships operating expenses	727,832	504,957	563,583
Depreciation and amortization	324,302	235,473	224,479
Loss on sale of assets	0	0	133
General and administrative expenses	131,745	126,868	83,647
Legal settlements and other, net (Note 16)	-721	6,000	4,524
Operating income	633,919	306,952	65,537
OTHER INCOME / (EXPENSES):
Interest and finance costs (includes ($22,904) accumulated other comprehensive reclassifications in 2012 for losses on previously designated cash flow hedges) (Note 12)	-300,131	-220,564	-116,427
Interest income (Note 3)	12,227	9,595	553
Gain/ (Loss) on interest rate swaps (Note 9)	-12,671	8,616	-36,974
Other, net	4,282	3,315	-1,068
Total other expenses, net	-296,293	-199,038	-153,916
INCOME / (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	337,626	107,914	-88,379
Income taxes (Note 13)	-77,823	-44,591	-43,957
NET INCOME / (LOSS)	259,803	63,323	-132,336
NET INCOME / (LOSS) TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS (Note 14)	$259,031	$63,221	($132,336)
EARNINGS/ (LOSS) PER SHARE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS, BASIC AND DILUTED (Note 14)	$1.96	$0.48	($1)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES, BASIC AND DILUTED (Note 14)	131,837,227	131,727,504	131,696,935

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope1

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parentheticals) (Reclassifications Of Losses On Previously Designated Cash Flow Hedges [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Reclassifications Of Losses On Previously Designated Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Interest Expense	$22,904

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
Net income / (Loss)	$259,803	$63,323	($132,336)
Other Comprehensive income / (loss):
Reclassification of realized losses associated with capitalized interest to depreciation and amortization	1,034	1,036	1,034
Reclassification of losses on previously designated cash flow hedges to interest and finance costs	0	0	22,904
Actuarial gains/ (losses)	-1,518	3,335	-637
Other Comprehensive income/ (loss)	-484	4,371	23,301
Total Comprehensive income / (loss) attributable to Ocean Rig UDW Inc.	$259,319	$67,694	($109,035)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Deficit
In Thousands, except Share data
BALANCE, at Dec. 31, 2011	$2,998,456	$1,317	$3,469,924	($51,126)	($421,659)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		131,696,928
Net income/loss	-132,336				-132,336
Issuance of non-vested shares, shares		28,200
Amortization of stock based compensation	613		613
Other comprehensive income/ (loss)	23,301			23,301
Capital contribution from DryShips Inc	18,481		18,481
BALANCE, at Dec. 31, 2012	2,908,515	1,317	3,489,018	-27,825	-553,995
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012		131,725,128
Net income/loss	63,323				63,323
Issuance of non-vested shares, shares		150,000
Issuance of non-vested shares, value		2	-2
Amortization of stock based compensation	3,634		3,634
Other comprehensive income/ (loss)	4,371			4,371
BALANCE, at Dec. 31, 2013	2,979,843	1,319	3,492,650	-23,454	-490,672
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013		131,875,128
Net income/loss	259,803				259,803
Issuance of non-vested shares, shares		157,500
Issuance of non-vested shares, value		1	-1
Cancellation of previously issued vested shares		-15,450
Amortization of stock based compensation	3,576		3,576
Other comprehensive income/ (loss)	-484			-484
Establishment costs for issuance of subsidiaries shares	-1,268		-1,268
Dividends declared and paid	-75,194				-75,194
BALANCE, at Dec. 31, 2014	$3,166,276	$1,320	$3,494,957	($23,938)	($306,063)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014		132,017,178

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Abstract)
Net income/loss	$259,803	$63,323	($132,336)
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	324,302	235,473	224,479
Loss on sale of assets	0	0	133
Amortization and write-off of financing fees	42,995	38,797	12,944
Amortization income of deferred financing fees	-219	0	0
Amortization of cash flow hedge reserve	0	0	22,904
Change in fair value of derivatives	-15,909	-44,383	-16,063
Amortization of stock based compensation	3,576	3,634	613
Other non cash items	0	0	16,961
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable	-55,469	-141,842	-24,040
Other current and non-current assets	38,460	-41,318	-56,938
Due to related parties	11,287	0	0
Accounts payable and other current and non-current liabilities	-25,728	27,435	46,741
Accrued liabilities	-40,131	57,251	52,253
Deferred revenue	-73,150	134,638	97,552
Security deposits for derivatives	0	0	33,100
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	469,817	333,008	278,303
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Loan to parent	-120,000	0	0
Proceeds from arrangement fees	3,000	0	0
Advances for drillships under construction and related costs	-292,984	-232,834	-212,185
Drilling rigs, drillships machinery, equipment and other improvements/ upgrades	-455,997	-1,050,530	-97,869
Proceeds from sale of assets	0	0	180
(Increase) / decrease in restricted cash	50,997	139,134	-10,595
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	-814,984	-1,144,230	-320,469
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from short/long-term credit facilities, terms loans and senior notes	2,250,000	2,800,000	800,000
Principal payments and repayments of short/long-term debt	-1,862,250	-1,622,250	-671,667
Dividends paid	-75,194	0	0
Payments for issuance of subsidiaries shares	-466	0	0
Payment of financing costs, net	-43,457	-78,427	-19,679
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities	268,633	1,099,323	108,654
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-76,534	288,101	66,488
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	605,467	317,366	250,878
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	528,933	605,467	317,366
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest, net of amount capitalized	212,014	113,337	73,219
Income taxes	60,374	50,392	45,450
Non cash financing and investing activities:
Issuance of non-vested shares	$1	$2	$0

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Gene

Basis of Presentation and General Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation and General Information [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and General Information	1. Basis of Presentation and General Information:
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ocean Rig UDW Inc., its subsidiaries and consolidated Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs") (collectively, the "Company," "Ocean Rig UDW" or "Group"). Ocean Rig UDW was formed on December 10, 2007, under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands under the name Primelead Shareholders Inc. The Company was established by DryShips Inc. ("DryShips" or "the Parent") for the purpose of being the holding company of its drilling segment. DryShips is a publicly listed company on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (NASDAQ: DRYS). On November 24, 2010, Ocean Rig UDW established an office and was registered with the Cypriot Registrar of Companies as an overseas company. On October 6, 2011, the Company's common shares commenced "regular way" trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "ORIG." Dryships is currently impacted by the prolonged downturn in the drybulk charter market. The Company, in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements, has considered its relationship to its Parent and any impact its Parent's financial condition might have on its own consolidated financial statements. Based on its assessment, the Company has concluded that there is no impact on the basis of preparation of its consolidated financial statements.
	The Company's customers are oil and gas exploration and production companies, including major integrated oil companies, independent oil and gas producers and government-owned oil and gas companies. Customers individually accounting for more than 10% of the Company's revenues during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, were as follows:
		Year ended  December 31,
		2012	2013	2014
	Customer A	-	-	14%
	Customer B	49%	33%	18%
	Customer C	18%	-	-
	Customer D	12%	-	-
	Customer E	-	13%	12%
	Customer F	-	18%	30%
	Customer G	-	12%	14%
	The loss of any of these significant customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations if they were not replaced by other customers.

Significant_Accounting_policie

Significant Accounting policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Significant Accounting policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting policies	2. Significant Accounting Policies:
	(a)       Principles of consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America ("US GAAP") and include the accounts and operating results of Ocean Rig UDW, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and its VIEs. As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the Company consolidated one VIE for which it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary, i.e. it has a controlling financial interest in this entity. The VIE's total assets and liabilities, as of December 31, 2013, were $35,782 and $56,556, respectively, while total liabilities exceeded total assets by $20,774. The VIE's total assets and liabilities, as of December 31, 2014, were $64,314 and $65,358, respectively, while total liabilities exceeded total assets by $1,044. A VIE is an entity that in general does not have equity investors with voting rights or that has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. A controlling financial interest in a VIE is present when a company has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and absorbs a majority of an entity's expected losses, receives a majority of an entity's expected residual returns, or both. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
	(b) Use of estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	(c) Comprehensive income/(loss): The Company's comprehensive income/(loss) is comprised of net income/(loss), actuarial gains/losses related to the adoption and implementation of Accounting Standard Codification ("ASC") 715, "Compensation-Retirement Benefits", as well as losses in the fair value of the derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting in accordance with ASC 815 "Derivatives and Hedging" and realized gains/losses on cash flow hedges associated with capitalized interest in accordance with ASC 815-30-35-38 "Derivatives and Hedging".
	During 2013, the Company adopted the requirements of Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2013-02, "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) - Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income". The objective of this amendment is to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments do not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements. However, the amendments require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under US GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under US GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under US GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts.
	(d) Cash and cash equivalents: The Company considers highly liquid investments such as time deposits and certificates of deposit with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
	(e) Restricted cash: Restricted cash may include (i) minimum liquidity collateral requirements or minimum required cash deposits, as defined in the Company's loan agreements; (ii) taxes withheld from employees and deposited in designated bank accounts; (iii) amounts pledged as collateral for bank guarantees to suppliers and, (iv) amounts pledged as collateral for credit facilities and swap agreements.
	(f) Trade accounts receivable net: The amount shown as accounts receivable, trade, at each balance sheet date, includes receivables from customers, net of an allowance for doubtful receivables. At each balance sheet date, all potentially uncollectible accounts are assessed individually for purposes of determining the appropriate allowance for doubtful receivables.
	(g) Concentration of credit risk: Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and cash equivalents; trade accounts receivable and derivative contracts (interest rate swaps and foreign currency contracts). The maximum exposure to loss due to credit risk is the book value at the balance sheet date. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents, consisting mostly of bank deposits, with qualified financial institutions. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of those financial institutions. The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by counter parties to derivative instruments; however, the Company limits its exposure by diversifying among counter parties. When considered necessary, additional arrangements are put in place to minimize credit risk, such as letters of credit or other forms of payment guarantees. The Company limits its credit risk with trade accounts receivable by performing ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and generally does not require collateral for its trade accounts receivable.
	The Company has made advances for the construction of drillships to Samsung Heavy Industries Co Ltd ("Samsung"). The ownership of the drillships is transferred from the yard to the Company at delivery. As of December 31, 2014, cumulative installment payments made to Samsung amounted to approximately $515,856 for the four drillships under construction (Note 5). These installment payments are, to a large extent, secured with irrevocable letters of guarantee, or "refund guarantees", issued by financial institutions.
	(h) Advances for drillships under construction and related costs: This represents amounts expended by the Company in accordance with the terms of the construction contracts for drillships as well as other expenses incurred directly or under a management agreement with a related party in connection with on site supervision. In addition, interest costs incurred during the construction (until the asset is substantially complete and ready for its intended use) are capitalized. The carrying value of drillships under construction represents the accumulated costs at the balance sheet date. Cost components include payments for yard installments and variation orders, commissions to related party, construction supervision, equipment, spare parts and capitalized interest.
	(i) Capitalized interest: Interest expense is capitalized during the construction period of drilling rigs and drillships based on accumulated expenditures for the applicable project at the Company's current rate of borrowing. The amount of interest expense capitalized in an accounting period is determined by applying an interest rate ("the capitalization rate") to the average amount of accumulated expenditures for the asset during the period. The capitalization rates used in an accounting period are based on the rates applicable to borrowings outstanding during the period. The Company does not capitalize amounts in excess of actual interest expense incurred in the period. If the Company's financing plans associate a specific new borrowing with a qualifying asset, the Company uses the rate on that borrowing as the capitalization rate to be applied to that portion of the average accumulated expenditures for the asset that does not exceed the amount of that borrowing. If average accumulated expenditures for the asset exceed the amounts of specific new borrowings associated with the asset, the capitalization rate applied to such excess is a weighted average of the rates applicable to other borrowings of the Company. Capitalized interest expense for the years ended December 31 2012, 2013 and 2014, amounted to $44,951, $65,492 and $37,342, respectively (Note 12).
	(j) Insurance claims: The Company records insurance claim recoveries for insured losses incurred on damages to fixed assets, loss of hire and for insured crew medical expenses under "Other current assets". Insurance claims are recorded, net of any deductible amounts, at the time the Company's fixed assets suffer insured damages or loss due to the drilling unit being wholly or partially deprived of income as a consequence of damage to the unit or when crew medical expenses are incurred, recovery is probable under the related insurance policies and the Company can make an estimate of the amount to be reimbursed following the insurance claim.
	(k) Foreign currency translation: The functional currency of the Company is the U.S. Dollar since the Company operates in international drilling markets and therefore, primarily transacts business in U.S. Dollars. The Company's accounting records are maintained in U.S. Dollars. Transactions involving other currencies during the year are converted into U.S. Dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the time of the transactions. At the balance sheet dates, monetary assets and liabilities, which are denominated in other currencies, are translated into U.S. Dollars at the year-end exchange rates. Resulting gains or losses are included in "Other, net" in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
	(l) Drilling rigs, drillships, machinery and equipment, net:
	(i) Drilling rigs and drillships are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation. Such costs include the cost of adding or replacing parts of drilling rig or drillship machinery and equipment when the cost is incurred, if the recognition criteria are met. The recognition criteria require that the cost incurred extends the useful life of a drilling rig or drillship. The carrying amounts of those parts that are replaced are written off and the cost of the new parts is capitalized. Depreciation is calculated on a straight- line basis over the useful life of the assets after considering the estimated residual value as follows: bare deck 30 years and other asset parts 5 to 15 years for the drilling rigs and drillships. The residual values of the drilling rigs and drillships are estimated at $35,000 and $50,000, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
	(m) Impairment of long-lived assets: The Company reviews for impairment long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. In this respect, the Company reviews its assets for impairment on a rig by rig and drillship by drillship and asset by asset basis. When the estimate of undiscounted cash flows, excluding interest charges, expected to be generated by the use of the asset is less than its carrying amount, the Company evaluates the asset for impairment loss. The impairment loss is determined by the difference between the carrying amount of the asset and the fair value of the asset. The Company evaluates the carrying amounts of its drilling rigs and drillships by obtaining independent appraisals to determine if events have occurred that would require modification to their carrying values or useful lives. In evaluating useful lives and carrying values of long-lived assets, the Company reviews certain indicators of potential impairment, such as undiscounted projected operating cash flows, drilling rig/drillships sales and purchases, business plans and overall market conditions. In developing estimates of future undiscounted cash flows, the Company makes assumptions and estimates about the drilling rigs and drillships future performance, with the significant assumptions being related to drilling rates, fleet utilization, operating expenses, capital expenditures, residual value and the estimated remaining useful life of each drilling rig/drillship. The assumptions used to develop estimates of future undiscounted cash flows are based on historical trends as well as future expectations. To the extent impairment indicators are present; the Company determines undiscounted projected net operating cash flows for each drilling rig/drillship and compares them to the drilling rig or drillship's carrying value. The projected net operating cash flows are determined by considering the drilling revenues from existing drilling contracts for the fixed days and an estimated daily rate equivalent for the unfixed days. The salvage value used in the impairment test is estimated to be $35,000 and $50,000 for drilling rigs and drillships, respectively in accordance with the Company's depreciation policy. If the Company's estimate of undiscounted future cash flows for any drilling rig or drillship is lower than the carrying value, the carrying value is written down, by recording a charge to operations, to the vessel's fair market value if the fair market value is lower than the vessel's carrying value. Although the Company believes that the assumptions used to evaluate potential impairment are reasonable and appropriate, such assumptions are highly subjective. There can be no assurance as to how long drilling rates and drilling rigs or drillship values will remain at their currently high levels. As a result of the impairment review, the Company determined that the carrying amounts of its assets held for use were recoverable and therefore, concluded that no impairment loss was necessary for 2012, 2013 and 2014.
	(n) Class costs: The Company follows the direct expense method of accounting for periodic class costs incurred during special surveys of drilling rigs and drillships, normally every five years. Class costs and other maintenance costs are expensed in the period incurred and included in "Drilling rigs and drillships operating expenses."
	(o) Deferred financing costs: Deferred financing costs include fees, commissions and legal expenses associated with the Company's long- term debt. These costs are amortized over the life of the related debt using the effective interest method and are included in interest expense. Unamortized fees relating to loans repaid or refinanced as debt extinguishments are expensed as interest and finance costs in the period the repayment or extinguishment is made. Arrangement fees paid to lenders for loans which the Company has not drawn down are capitalized and included in other current and non-current assets. Amortization and write offs for each of the years ended December 31 2012, 2013 and 2014, amounted to $12,944, $38,797 and $42,995, respectively (Note 12).
	(p) Revenue and related expenses:
	Revenues: The Company's services and deliverables are generally sold based upon contracts with customers that include fixed or determinable prices. The Company recognizes revenue when delivery occurs, as directed by its customer, and collectability is reasonably assured. The Company evaluates if there are multiple deliverables within its contracts and whether the agreement conveys the right to use the drill rigs and drillships for a stated period of time and meets the criteria for lease accounting, in addition to providing a drilling services element, which is generally compensated for by day rates. In connection with drilling contracts, the Company may also receive revenues for preparation and mobilization of equipment and personnel or for capital improvements to the drilling rigs or drillships and day rate or fixed price mobilization and demobilization fees. Revenues are recorded net of agents' commissions. There are two types of drilling contracts: well contracts and term contracts.
	(i) Well contracts: Well contracts are contracts under which the assignment is to drill a certain number of wells. Revenue from day-rate based compensation for drilling operations is recognized in the period during which the services are rendered at the rates established in the contracts. All mobilization revenues, direct incremental expenses of mobilization and contributions from customers for capital improvements are initially deferred and recognized as revenues and expenses, as applicable, over the estimated duration of the drilling period. To the extent that expenses exceed revenue to be recognized, they are expensed as incurred. Demobilization revenues and expenses are recognized over the demobilization period. All revenues for well contracts are recognized as "Service revenues" in the consolidated statement of operations.
	(ii) Term contracts: Term contracts are contracts under which the assignment is to operate the unit for a specified period of time. For these types of contracts the Company determines whether the arrangement is a multiple element arrangement containing both a lease element and drilling services element. For revenues derived from contracts that contain a lease, the lease elements are recognized as "Leasing revenues" in the consolidated statement of operations on a basis approximating straight line over the lease period. The drilling services element is recognized as "Service revenues" in the period in which the services are rendered at estimated fair value. Revenues related to the drilling element of mobilization and direct incremental expenses of drilling services are deferred and recognized over the estimated duration of the drilling period. To the extent that expenses exceed revenue to be recognized, they are expensed as incurred. Demobilization fees and expenses are recognized over the demobilization period. Contributions from customers for capital improvements are initially deferred and recognized as revenues over the estimated duration of the drilling contract.
	(q) Earnings / (loss) per common share: Basic earnings / (loss) per common share are computed by dividing net income/ (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per common share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised. Dilution has been computed by the treasury stock method whereby all of the Company's dilutive securities are assumed to be exercised or converted and the proceeds used to repurchase common shares at the weighted average market price of the Company's common stock during the relevant periods. The incremental shares (the difference between the number of shares assumed issued and the number of shares assumed purchased) are included in the denominator of the diluted earnings / (loss) per share computation.
	(r) Segment reporting: The Company has determined that it operates in one reportable segment, the offshore drilling operations.
	(s) Financial instruments: The Company designates its derivatives based upon guidance of ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging" which establishes accounting and reporting requirements for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities. The guidance on accounting for certain derivative instruments and certain hedging activities requires all derivative instruments to be recorded on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met.
	(i) Hedge accounting: At the inception of a hedge relationship, the Company formally designates and documents the hedge relationship to which the Company wishes to apply hedge accounting and the risk management objective and strategy undertaken for the hedge. The documentation includes identification of the hedging instrument, hedged item or transaction, the nature of the risk being hedged and how the entity will assess the hedging instrument's effectiveness in offsetting exposure to changes in the hedged item's cash flows attributable to the hedged risk. Such hedges are expected to be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in cash flows and are assessed on an ongoing basis to determine whether they actually have been highly effective throughout the financial reporting periods for which they were designated.
	The Company is party to interest swap agreements where it receives a floating interest rate and pays a fixed interest rate for a certain period. Contracts which meet the strict criteria for hedge accounting are accounted for as cash flow hedges. A cash flow hedge is a hedge of the exposure to variability in cash flows that is attributable to a particular risk associated with a recognized asset or liability, or a highly probable forecasted transaction that could affect profit or loss.
	The effective portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognized directly as a component of "Accumulated other comprehensive income/ (loss)" in equity, while any ineffective portion, if any, is recognized immediately in current period earnings.
	The Company discontinues cash flow hedge accounting if the hedging instrument expires and it no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting or designation is revoked by the Company. At that time, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument recognized in equity is kept in equity until the forecasted transaction occurs. When the forecasted transaction occurs, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. If a hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss recognized in equity is transferred to net profit or loss for the year as financial income or expense.
	(ii) Other derivatives: Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that have not been designated as hedging instruments are reported in current period earnings.
	(t) Fair value measurements: The Company follows the provisions of ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" which defines and provides guidance as to the measurement of fair value. ASC 820 creates a hierarchy of measurement and indicates that, when possible, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority (Level 1) to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority (Level 3) to unobservable data, for example, the reporting entities own data. Under the standard, fair value measurements are separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy (Note 9).
	(u) Income taxes: Income taxes have been provided for based upon the tax laws and rates in effect in the countries in which the Company's operations are conducted and income is earned. There is no expected relationship between the provision for/or benefit from income taxes and income or loss before income taxes because the countries in which the Company operates have taxation regimes that vary not only with respect to the nominal rate, but also in terms of the availability of deductions, credits and other benefits. Variations also arise because income earned and taxed in any particular country or countries may fluctuate from year to year. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the anticipated future tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement basis and the tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities using the applicable jurisdictional tax rates in effect at the year end. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is recorded when it is more likely than not that some or all of the benefit from the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company accrues interest and penalties related to its liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
	(v) Commitments and contingencies: Provisions are recognized when: the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events; it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation; and a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made. Provisions are reviewed at each balance sheet date.
	(w) Stock-based compensation: Stock-based compensation represents vested and non-vested common stock granted to certain employees for their services. The Company calculates total compensation expense for the award based on its fair value on the grant date and amortizes the total compensation on an accelerated basis over the vesting period of the award or service period (Note 10)
	(x) Recent accounting pronouncements:
	Revenue from Contracts with Customers: The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") and the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") (collectively, the "Boards") jointly issued a standard in May 2014 that will supersede virtually all of the existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017. The standard establishes a five-step model that will apply to revenue earned from a contract with a customer (with limited exceptions), regardless of the type of revenue transaction or the industry. The standard's requirements will also apply to the recognition and measurement of gains and losses on the sale of some non-financial assets that are not an output of the entity's ordinary activities (e.g., sales of property, plant and equipment or intangibles). Extensive disclosures will be required, including disaggregation of total revenue, information about performance obligations, changes in contract asset and liability account balances between periods, and key judgments and estimates. The guidance in Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. Additionally, this ASU supersedes some cost guidance included in Subtopic 605-35, Revenue Recognition—Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts. In addition, the existing requirements for the recognition of a gain or loss on the transfer of nonfinancial assets that are not in a contract with a customer are amended to be consistent with the guidance on recognition and measurement (including the constraint on revenue) in this ASU. Management is in the process of accessing the impact of the new standard on Company's financial position and performance.
	Going Concern: In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15–Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern. ASU 2014-15 provides guidance about management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 requires an entity's management to evaluate at each reporting period based on the relevant conditions and events that are known at the date of financial statements are issued, whether there are conditions or events, that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued and to disclose the necessary information. ASU 2014-15 is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted.

Transactions_with_Related_Part

Transactions with Related Parties	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Transactions with Related Parties [Abstract]
Transactions with Related Parties		3. Transactions with Related Parties:
		The amounts included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations are as follows:
					Year ended December 31,
					2013			2014
		Balance Sheet
		Due from a related party - Dryships Inc.				-		117,219
		Due from related party - Total				-		117,219
		Due to related parties - Cardiff Drilling Inc.				-		4,287
		Due to related parties - Azara Services S.A.				-		4,000
		Due to related parties - Basset Holding Inc.				-		3,000
		Due to related parties - Total				-		11,287
		Advances for drillships under construction and related costs			$	1,185	$	1,546
		Drilling rigs, drillships, machinery and equipment, net			$	5,692	$	2,885
						Year ended December 31,
		Statement of Operations		2012		2013		2014
		Service Revenue, net - Cardiff Marine Inc.	$	6,193	$	-	$	-
		Service Revenue, net - Cardiff Drilling Inc.		-		10,786		16,826
		General and administrative expenses:
		-Vivid Finance Limited		10,768		16,623		13,153
		-Azara Services S.A		-		5,000		9,000
		-Basset Holding Inc.		2,676		4,200		8,191
		-Amortization of CEO's stock based compensation		-	$	1,358		2,316
		Interest income- Dryships Inc	$	-		-	$	1,164
	Global Services Agreement: On December 1, 2010, DryShips entered into a Global Services Agreement with Cardiff, effective December 21, 2010, pursuant to which DryShips engaged Cardiff to act as consultant on matters of chartering and sale and purchase transactions for the offshore drilling units operated by the Company. Under the Global Services Agreement, Cardiff, or its subcontractor, (i) provided consulting services related to the identification, sourcing, negotiation and arrangement of new employment for offshore assets of the Company and its subsidiaries; and (ii) identified, sourced, negotiated and arranged the sale or purchase of the offshore assets of the Company and its subsidiaries. In consideration of such services, DryShips paid Cardiff a fee of 1.0% in connection with employment arrangements and 0.75% in connection with sale and purchase activities. Costs from the Global Services Agreement were expensed in the consolidated statement of operations or capitalized as a component of "Advances for drillships under construction and related costs" being a directly attributable cost to the construction, as applicable, and as a shareholders' contribution to capital ("Additional paid-in capital").
	Effective January 1, 2013, DryShips terminated the Global Services Agreement with Cardiff. The Global Services Agreement has been replaced by the New Global Services Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2013, between Ocean Rig Management Inc. ("Ocean Rig Management"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ocean Rig UDW and Cardiff Drilling Inc. (formerly known as Cardiff Oil & Gas Management), a company controlled by the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. George Economou, with the same terms and conditions as in the previous Global Services Agreement between DryShips and Cardiff, except that under the New Global Services Agreement, the Company is obligated to pay directly the fees of 1.0% in consideration
	of employment arrangements under the agreement and 0.75% in consideration of purchase and sale activities under the agreement, whereas under the Global Services Agreement, those fees were paid by DryShips.
	Vivid Finance Limited: Under the consultancy agreement effective from September 1, 2010, between DryShips and Vivid Finance Limited ("Vivid"), a company controlled by the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and DryShips, Mr. George Economou, pursuant to which Vivid acts as a consultant on financing matters for DryShips and its affiliates, Vivid provided the Company with financing-related services such as (i) negotiating and arranging new loan and credit facilities, interest rate swap agreements, foreign currency contracts and forward exchange contracts, (ii) renegotiating existing loan facilities and other debt instruments and, (iii) the raising of equity or debt in the capital markets. In exchange for its services in respect of the Company, Vivid was entitled to a fee equal to 0.20% on the total transaction amount. The consultancy agreement has a term of five years and may be terminated (i) at the end of its term unless extended by mutual agreement of the parties; and (ii) at any time by the mutual agreement of the parties. The Company did not pay for services provided in accordance with this agreement, DryShips paid for the services. Accordingly, these expenses were recorded in the consolidated statement of operations (or as otherwise required by US GAAP) and as a shareholders contribution to capital ("Additional paid-in capital").
	Effective January 1, 2013, Ocean Rig Management entered into a new consultancy agreement with Vivid, on the same terms and conditions as the consultancy agreement, dated as of September 1, 2010, between DryShips and Vivid, except that under the new agreement, the Company is obligated to pay directly the fee of 0.20% to Vivid on the total transaction amount in consideration of the services provided, whereas under the consultancy agreement between DryShips and Vivid, this fee was paid by DryShips.
	In connection with Ocean Rig Management's entry into the new consultancy agreement described above, the consultancy agreement between DryShips and Vivid was amended, effective as of January 1, 2013, to limit the scope of the services provided under the agreement to DryShips and its subsidiaries or affiliates, except for Ocean Rig UDW and its subsidiaries.
	Basset Holdings Inc.: Under the consultancy agreement effective from June 1, 2012, between one of the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, and Basset Holdings Inc. ("Basset"), a related party entity incorporated in the Republic of Marshall Islands, Basset provides consultancy services relating to the services of Mr. Anthony Kandylidis in his capacity as Executive Vice-President of Ocean Rig. The annual remuneration to be awarded to Basset under the consultancy agreement is Euro 0.9 million ($1.1 million based on the Euro/U.S. Dollar exchange rate as of December 31, 2014). Effective January 1, 2015, the annual remuneration was reduced to Euro 0.45 million ($0.55 million based on the Euro/U.S. Dollar exchange rate as of December 31, 2014).
	On August 20, 2013, the Compensation Committee of Ocean Rig approved that a cash bonus of $3,000 be paid to Basset for the contribution of Mr. Antony Kandylidis services as Executive Vice President. On August 19, 2014, the Company's Compensation Committee approved that a cash bonus of $4,000 be paid to Basset for the contribution of Mr. Anthony Kandylidis for Executive Vice President's services, during 2013. On December 30, 2014, the Company's Compensation Committee approved that a cash bonus of $3,000 be paid to Basset for the contribution of Mr. Anthony Kandylidis for Executive Vice President's services, during 2014.
	Basset is also the owner of 114,286 shares of the Company's common stock, as of December 31, 2014.
	Steel Wheel Investments Limited: Steel Wheel Investments Limited ("Steel Wheel"), a company controlled by the Company's Executive Vice President Mr. Antony Kandylidis, is the owner of 1,570,226 shares of the Company's common stock, as of December 31, 2014.
	Azara Services S.A.: Under the consultancy agreement entered on September 9, 2013 and effective from January 1, 2013, between one of the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, and Azara Services S.A. ("Azara"), a related party entity incorporated in the Republic of Marshall Islands, Azara provides consultancy services relating to the services of Mr. George Economou in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The annual remuneration to be awarded to Azara under the consultancy agreement is $2,500 in cash.
	In addition, on August 20, 2013, the Company's Compensation Committee approved a sign-on bonus of $2,500 cash and 150,000 shares of the Company's common stock to Azara, relating to the services of Mr. George Economou as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The shares vest over a period of two years with 50,000 shares vesting on the grant date, 50,000 shares vesting on August 20, 2014 and 50,000 vesting on August 20, 2015, respectively. The stock based compensation is being recognized to expenses over the vesting period and based on the fair value of the Ocean Rig's shares on the grant date of $17.56 per share.
	On August 19, 2014, Company's Compensation Committee approved a bonus in the form of $2,500 cash and 150,000 shares of Company's common stock to Azara, relating to the services of Mr. George Economou as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, rendered during 2013. The shares vest over a period of three years with 50,000 shares vesting on December 31, 2014, 50,000 shares vesting on December 31, 2015, and 50,000 vesting on December 31, 2016. The stock-based compensation is being recognized to expenses over the vesting period and based on the fair value of Ocean Rig shares on the grant date of $18.37 per share.
	On December 30, 2014, Company's Compensation Committee approved a bonus in the form of $4,000 cash and 300,000 shares of Company's common stock to Azara, relating to the services of Mr. George Economou as Chief Executive Officer, during 2014. The shares vest over a period of three years with 100,000 shares vesting on December 31, 2015, 100,000 shares vesting on December 31, 2016, and 100,000 vesting on December 31, 2017. The stock-based compensation is being recognized to expenses over the vesting period and based on the fair value of Ocean Rig shares on the grant date of $9.46 per share.
	Public offering
	In April 2012, companies affiliated with the Company`s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. George Economou, purchased a total of 2,185,000 common shares of the Company in the public offering of the Company's common shares by DryShips that was completed on April 17, 2012.
	DryShips Inc.
	On November 18, 2014, the Company entered into a $120,000 unsecured facility with its parent company, DryShips. The loan from the Company to DryShips bears interest at a LIBOR plus margin rate and is due in May 2016.The Company has the option to exchange this loan for its common shares owned by DryShips at a fixed price per share, provided the DryShips $200,000 Secured Bridge Credit facility has been repaid in full. If such exchange occurs, the margin of the loan will be reduced from inception. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company earned interest income amounting to $1,164 from DryShips under this loan agreement.
	During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company paid dividends of $75,194 out of which $44,631 were paid to DryShips by virtue of its shareholders.

Other_Current_Assets

Other Current Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Other Current Assets	4. Other Current Assets:
	The amount of other current assets shown in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets is analyzed as follows:
		December 31,
			2013		2014
	Inventories	$	8,616	$	6,609
	Deferred mobilization expenses		76,986		66,169
	Prepayments and advances		10,980		22,880
	Other		14,389		5,850
	Total	$	110,971	$	101,508

Advances_for_drillships_under_

Advances for drillships under construction and related costs	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Advances For Drillships Under Construction [Abstract]
Advances for drillships under construction	5. Advances for drillships under construction and related costs:
	The amounts shown in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets include milestone payments under the drillship building contracts with the shipyards, supervision costs and any material related expenses incurred during the construction periods, all of which are capitalized in accordance with the accounting policy discussed in Note 2. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, the movement of the advances for drillships under construction and related costs was as follows:
				December 31,
				2013		2014
		Balance at beginning of year	$	992,825	$	662,313
		Advances for drillships under construction and related costs		1,112,237		688,832
		Drillships delivered		-1,442,749		-728,638
		Balance at end of year	$	662,313	$	622,507
	On April 18, 2011, April, 27, 2011, June 23, 2011 and September 20, 2012, pursuant to an option contract with Samsung, Ocean Rig UDW exercised four of its six newbuilding drillship options, and entered into building contracts for four seventh generation ultra-deepwater drillships, namely the Ocean Rig Mylos, the Ocean Rig Skyros, the Ocean Rig Athena, and the Ocean Rig Apollo for a total contractual cost of approximately $608,000, per drillship for the initial three, and $683,000 for the fourth. The Ocean Rig Mylos, the Ocean Rig Skyros, the Ocean Rig Athena and the Ocean Rig Apollo were delivered on August 19, 2013 , December 20, 2013 and March 24, 2014 and March 5, 2015 respectively.
	On August 30, 2013, Drillship Santorini Owners Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ocean Rig signed a contract to construct the Ocean Rig Santorini, a 7th generation ultra-deepwater drillship at Samsung Heavy Industries. This 7th generation drillship is a sister ship to the Ocean Rig Skyros, the Ocean Rig Athena and the Ocean Rig Apollo. The Ocean Rig Santorini, which is equipped with two blow-out preventers and the Company has advanced $127,000 to the yard, is scheduled to be delivered to the Company in June 2016. The total project cost is estimated to be approximately $644,000.
	On April 8, 2014, two contracts between Drillship Crete Owners Inc. and Drillship Amorgos Owners Inc., two wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, and Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd ("Samsung") became effective for the construction of two seventh generation new integrated design drillships at Samsung and paid $76,600 as first installment to the yard for each of the new drillships, which are equipped with two blow-out preventers. The drillships are scheduled to be delivered to the Company in February 2017 and June 2017, respectively. The total project cost is approximately $728,000 per drillship.

Drilling_rigs_drillships_machi

Drilling rigs, drillships, machinery and equipment, net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Drilling Rigs, Drillships, Machinery And Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Drilling rigs, drillships, machinery and equipment, net	6. Drilling rigs, drillships, machinery and equipment, net:
	The amounts in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are analyzed as follows:
			Cost		Accumulated Depreciation		Net Book Value
	Balance December 31, 2012		4,968,397		-568,935		4,399,462
	Additions / Transfer from drillships under construction		1,610,543		-		1,610,543
	Depreciation		-		-232,980		-232,980
	Balance December 31,2013	$	6,578,940	$	-801,915	$	5,777,025
	Additions / Transfer from drillships under construction		752,432		-		752,432
	Depreciation		-		-321,824		-321,824
	Balance December 31,2014	$	7,331,372	$	-1,123,739	$	6,207,633
	As of December 31, 2014, all of the Company's operating drilling rigs and drillships have been pledged as collateral to secure the Company's 6.50% senior secured notes due 2017 and term loan B facilities discussed in Note 8.

Other_noncurrent_assets

Other non-current assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other non-current assets [Abstract]
Other non-current assets	7. Other non-current assets:
	The amount of other non-current assets shown in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets is analyzed as follows:
			December 31,
				2013		2014
		Deferred mobilization expenses	$	72,624	$	43,327
		Intangible assets, net		6175		4732
		Other		29,079		57,910
		Total	$	107,878	$	105,969

Longterm_Debt

Long-term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	8. Long-term Debt:
			December 31, 2013		31-Dec-14
	$1.3 billion Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility	$	-	$	1,296,750
	$1.9 billion Term Loan B Facility		1,895,250		1,876,250
	$1.35 billion Senior Secured Credit Facility		890,000		-
	9.5% Senior Unsecured Notes		500,000		-
	7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes		-		500,000
	6.5% Senior Secured Notes		800,000		800,000
	Less: Deferred financing costs		-92,014		-100,550
	Total debt		3,993,236		4,372,450
	Less: Current portion		-85,401		-19,858
	Long-term portion	$	3,907,835	$	4,352,592
	7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2019
	On March 26, 2014 the Company issued $500,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.25% senior unsecured notes due 2019 (the "7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes"), offered in a private placement, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $493,625. The Senior Notes are unsecured obligations and rank senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness and equally in right of payment to all of its existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering of the 7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes, together with cash on hand, and repurchased $462,300 of its 9.5% Senior Unsecured Notes, of which $500,000 in aggregate principal amount was outstanding prior to closing of the 7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes Offering, at a tender premium of 105.375%, while the remaining $37,700 was redeemed at a redemption price of 104.5% on May 13, 2014.
	The 7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes are not guaranteed by any of the Company's subsidiaries. Upon a change of control, which would occur if 50% or more of the Company's shares are acquired by any person or group other than DryShips or its affiliates, the noteholders will have an option to require the Company to purchase all outstanding notes at a redemption price of 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase. The contractual semi-annual coupon interest rate is 7.25% per year.
	9.5% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2016
	On April 27, 2011, the Company issued $500,000 aggregate principal amount of its 9.5% senior unsecured notes due 2016 (the "Senior Unsecured Notes") offered in a private placement, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $487,500. The Senior Unsecured Notes were unsecured obligations and ranked senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness and equally in right of payment to all of its existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness.
	The 9.5% Senior Unsecured Notes were repurchased or redeemed by proceeds from the 7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes offering discussed above, together with cash on hand.
	6.5% Senior Secured Notes due 2017
	On September 20, 2012, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary Drill Rigs Holdings Inc. ("the Issuer"), issued $800,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (the "Drill Rigs Senior Notes") offered in a private offering, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $781,965. The Company used a portion of the net proceeds of the notes to repay the full amount outstanding under its $1,040,000 senior secured credit facility as at September 20, 2012. The Drill Rigs Senior Notes are secured obligations and rank senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness and equally in right of payment to all of its existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness.
	The Drill Rigs Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company and certain of its existing and future subsidiaries (collectively, the "Issuer Subsidiary Guarantors" and, together with the Company, the "Guarantors").
	Upon a change of control, which occurs if 50% or more of the Company's shares are acquired by any person or group other than DryShips or its affiliates, the Issuer will be required to make an offer to repurchase the Drill Rigs Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of repurchase. On or after October 1, 2015, the Issuer may, at its option, redeem all or a portion of the Drill Rigs Senior Notes, at one time or from time to time at 103.25% (from October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016) or 100% (October 1, 2016 and thereafter) of the principal amount thereof, plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption.
	The Drill Rigs Senior Notes and the Drill Rigs Senior Notes guarantees are secured, on a first priority basis, by a security interest on the Issuer's two semi-submersible offshore drilling rigs, the Leiv Eiriksson and the Eirik Raude and certain other assets of the Issuer and the Issuer Subsidiary Guarantors and by a pledge of the stock of the Issuer and the Issuer Subsidiary Guarantors, subject to certain exceptions. The contractual semi-annual coupon interest rate is 6.5% on the Drill Rigs Senior Notes.
	$1.35 billion Senior Secured Credit Facility
	On February 28, 2013, Drillships Ocean Ventures Inc., the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a secured term loan facilities agreement with a syndicate of lenders and DNB Bank ASA, as facility agent and security agent, in the amount of $1, 350,000 to partially finance the construction costs of the Ocean Rig Mylos, the Ocean Rig Skyros and the Ocean Rig Athena. The facilities agreement was comprised of three secured credit facilities of up to $150,000 each (one relating to each of the aforementioned seventh generation drillships) made available by the commercial lenders, or the Commercial Facilities, three term loan facilities of up to $150,000 each (one relating to each of the aforementioned seventh generation drillships) made available by Eksportkreditt Norge AS, or the Eksportkreditt GIEK Facilities, and three term loan facilities of up to $150,000 each (one relating to each of the aforementioned seventh generation drillships) made available by the Export-Import Bank of Korea, or the Kexim Facilities. All term loan facilities bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin and were repayable in quarterly installments, beginning three months after the delivery of the first drillship. The Commercial Facilities matured five years after the first repayment date while the Eksportkreditt GIEK Facilities and Kexim Facilities matured five or eleven years after the first repayment date at the lenders option. In connection with this loan, the Company paid $22.4 million as loan origination fees. On August 20, 2013 and December 20, 2013, the Company drew down an amount of $900,000 in aggregate under the above facility in connection with the deliveries of Ocean Rig Mylos and the Ocean Rig Skyros. On March 24, 2014, the Company drew down the remaining undrawn amount of $450,000 in connection with the delivery of Ocean Rig Athena.
	Under the above agreement, the Company could only pay dividends or make other distributions in respect of its capital stock in an amount up to 50% of its net income of each previous financial year, provided in each case that the Company maintains minimum liquidity in an aggregate amount of not less of $200,000 in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and maintain such level for the next 12 months following the date of the dividend payment.
	On August 30, 2013, the Company signed a supplemental agreement to amend certain provisions in its $1,350,000 Senior Secured Facility dated February 28, 2013. Under the terms of the agreement, the existing dividend restriction of up to 50% of preceding fiscal year net income amended to apply on a cumulative basis from July 1, 2013, onwards (50% of cumulative net income) and include a carve-out to pay additional dividends up to the higher of (i) $150,000 and (ii) 5% of the Company's net tangible assets. Furthermore, the minimum interest coverage ratio requirement will be 2.0 times until June 30, 2015 and the maximum leverage ratio will be 6.5 times until June 30, 2014, 6.0 times until December 31, 2014 and 5.5 times until June 30, 2015.
	On July 25, 2014, this facility was repaid in full and replaced by the $1.3 billion Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility (see below).
	$1.3 billion Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility
	On July 25, 2014, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Drillships Ocean Ventures Inc., entered into a $1.3 billion Senior Secured Term Loan B ("New Term Loan B") facility to repay the $1.35 billion Senior Secured Credit Facility, which had an outstanding loan balance of approximately $1.3 billion on that date. The unamortized balance of deferred finance fees associated with the repaid loans, amounting to approximately $19,797, was written off in the consolidated statement of operations upon the extinguishment of the related debt in July 2014. In addition, restricted cash of $75,000 associated with the respective debt was released upon the repayment. The New Term Loan B facility which is secured primarily by first priority mortgages on the vessels, the Ocean Rig Mylos, the Ocean Rig Skyros and the Ocean Rig Athena, bears interest at a fixed rate, and matures on July 25, 2021.
	$1.9 billion Term Loan B Facility
	On July 12, 2013, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Drillships Financing Holding Inc. ("DFHI") and Drillships Projects Inc., entered into a $1,800,000 senior secured term loan facility, comprised of tranche B-1 term loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to $975,000 ("Tranche B-1 Term Loans") and tranche B-2 term loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to $825,000 ("Tranche B-2 Term Loans" and, together with the Tranche B-1 Term Loans, the "Term Loans"), with respective maturity dates in the first quarter of 2021, subject to adjustment to the third quarter of 2020 in certain circumstances, and the third quarter of 2016. The Term Loans are initially guaranteed by the Company and certain existing and future subsidiaries of DFHI and are secured by certain assets of, and by a pledge of the stock of, DFHI and the subsidiary guarantors. The net proceeds of the Term Loans were used by the Company to repay in full the then outstanding balances of the $800,000 secured term loan agreement and the two $495,000 senior secured credit facilities, amounting to $1,519,168 in aggregate. The unamortized balance of the deferred finance fees associated with the repaid loans, amounting to approximately $23.3 million, was written off upon the extinguishment of the related debt in July 2013. In addition, restricted cash of $131.6 million associated with the respective loans were released upon the repayment. On July 26, 2013, the Company through its wholly-owned subsidiaries DFHI and Drillships Projects Inc. entered into an incremental amendment to the $1,800,000 senior term loan for additional tranche B-1 term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $100,000.
	On February 7, 2014, the Company refinanced its then existing short-term Tranche B-2 Term Loans with a fungible add-on to its existing long-term Tranche B-1 Term Loans. As a result of this refinancing, the total $1.9 billion of Tranche B-1 Term Loans will mature no earlier than the third quarter of 2020.
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company's outstanding debt is secured by, among other things, first priority mortgages over the Company's operating and newbuilding drilling units, corporate guarantees, first priority assignments of all freights, earnings, insurances and requisition compensation relating to such drilling units and a pledge of the shares of capital stock of certain of the Company's subsidiaries. Certain of our debt instruments contain financial covenants, minimum coverage ratio requirements and restrict, without the bank's prior consent, the Company's or its subsidiaries ability to, among other things, pay dividends, change the management and ownership of its drillships, incur additional indebtedness, incur and create liens on its assets, and change in the general nature of the Company's business.
	Total interest and debt amortization cost incurred on long-term debt for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, amounted to $148,763, $228,992 and $304,132 , respectively, of which $44,951, $65,492 and $ 37,342 , respectively, were capitalized as part of the cost of the drillships under construction. Total interest incurred and amortization of debt issuance cost on long-term debt, net of capitalized interest, are included in "Interest and finance costs" in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
	The aggregate available undrawn amounts under the Company's facilities at December 31, 2014, are nil. The Company's weighted average interest rates on the above bank loans and notes were 4.2%, 6.4% and 6.4%, as of December 31, 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively.
	The bank loans are payable in U.S. Dollars in quarterly with balloon payments due at maturity between July 2020 and July 2021. Interest rates on the outstanding loans as at December 31, 2014, are based on a fixed rate.
	Loan movements for the Company's Senior Unsecured Notes, Drill Rigs Senior Notes, 7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes and secured credit facilities throughout 2014, is as follows:
	Loan		Loan Agreement Date		Original Amount	December 31, 2013	New Loans	Repayments	December 31, 2014
	Senior Unsecured Notes		14-Apr-11		500,000	500,000	-	-500,000	-
	Drill Rigs Senior Notes		20-Sep-12		800,000	800,000	-	-	800,000
	Secured Credit Facility		February 28, 2013		1,350,000	890,000	450,000	-1,340,000	-
	Term Loan B Facility		12-Jul-13		1,900,000	1,895,250	-	-19,000	1,876,250
	7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes		26-Mar-14		500,000	-	500,000	-	500,000
	New Term Loan B Facility		25-Jul-14		$1,300,000	$ -	$1,300,000	($3,250)	$1,296,750
						$4,085,250	$2,250,000	($1,862,250)	$4,473,000
	The annual principal payments required to be made after December 31, 2014, including balloon payments, totaling $4,473,000 due through July 2021, are as follows:
	2015		$32,000
	2016		32,000
	2017		832,000
	2018		32,000
	2019		532,000
	2020 and thereafter		3,013,000
	Total principal payments		4,473,000
	Less: Financing fees		-100,550
	Total debt		$4,372,450

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	9. Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements:
	ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging" requires companies to recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the statement of financial position. Effective January 1, 2011, the Company removed the designation of the cash flow hedges and discontinued hedge accounting for the associated interest rate swaps.
	The Company recognizes all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value on its consolidated balance sheets.
	For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income/(loss) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that have not been designated as hedging instruments are reported in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
	The Company enters into interest rate swap transactions to manage interest costs and risk associated with changing interest rates with respect to its variable interest rate loans and credit facilities. The Company also enters from time to time into foreign currency forward contracts in order to manage risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currencies. All of the Company's derivative transactions are entered into for risk management purposes.
	9.1 Interest rate swaps and cap and floor agreements: As of December 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding twelve interest rate swaps, with a notional amount of $2.7 billion, maturing from September 2013 through November 2017. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had outstanding nine interest rate swaps, with a notional amount of $2.1 billion , maturing from September 2014 through November 2017. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding seven interest rate swaps, with a notional amount of $1.8 billion , maturing from April 2016 through November 2017.
	Effective January 1, 2011, the Company removed the designation of interest rate swaps previously designated as cash flow hedges and discontinued hedge accounting for the associated interest rate swaps. As a result, as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, these agreements do not qualify for hedge accounting and, as such, changes in their fair values are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. In accordance with ASC 815-30-40 the accumulated unrealized loss recorded in "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) " for previously designated cash flow hedges, which as of December 31, 2010, amounted to $35,992, is being reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. During the year ended December 31, 2012 and following the early repayment of the associated loan, the balance of the hedge reserve amounting to $22,904 was reclassified into the consolidated statement of operations. Included in the $22,904 is an amount of $13,088 that was transferred to the consolidated statements of operations immediately as a result of the early loan repayment, which ended the forecasted transaction.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss also included realized losses on cash flow hedges associated with interest capitalized during prior years under "Advances for drillships under construction" amounting to $27,776, which according to ASC 815-30-35 is being reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. As a result, during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, amounts of $1,034, $1,036 and $1,034, respectively, were reclassified into the consolidated statements of operations.
	The estimated amount in other comprehensive income/ (loss) of cash flow hedge losses at December 31, 2014, that will be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months, is $1,034.
	9.2 Foreign currency forward contracts: As of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Company had no outstanding forward contracts.
	Tabular disclosure of financial instruments is as follows:
	Fair Values of Derivative Instruments in the Balance Sheets:
	Derivatives not designated as Hedging Instruments	Balance Sheet Location	December 31, 2013 Fair value			December 31, 2014 Fair value
	Interest rate swaps	Financial Instruments non-current assets	$	13,517		$	10,101
	Interest rate swaps	Financial Instruments current liabilities		-30,266			-17,881
	Interest rate swaps	Financial Instruments non-current liabilities		-15,557			-8,617
	Total derivatives		$	-32,306		$	-16,397
	During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the losses transferred from other comprehensive income/ (loss) to the statement of operations were $23,938, $1,036 and $1,034, respectively.
	The effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations:
				Amount of Gain/(Loss)
	Derivatives not designated  as hedging instruments		Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized	Year ended December 31, 2012		Year ended December 31, 2013		Year ended December 31, 2014
	Foreign currency forward contracts Interest rate swaps		Other, net Gain/ (Loss) on interest rate swaps	- (36,974)		-8616		-12.671
	Total			($36,974)		-		$ -
	The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, trade accounts receivable, and accounts payable and other current liabilities reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximate their respective fair values because of the short-term nature of these accounts. The fair value of credit facilities is estimated based on current rates offered to the Company for similar debt of the same remaining maturities. Additionally, the Company considers its creditworthiness in determining the fair value of the credit facilities. The carrying value approximates the fair market value for floating rate loans. The fair value of the interest rate swaps was determined using a discounted cash flow method based on market-based LIBOR swap yield curves, taking into account current interest rates and the creditworthiness of both the financial instrument counterparty and the Company. The Senior Unsecured Notes, the 7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes, the Drill Rigs Senior Notes and the Term Loan B Facilities have a fixed rate and their estimated fair values are determined through Level 2 inputs of the fair value hierarchy (quoted price in the over-the countermarket). The estimated fair value of the above Senior Unsecured Notes, Drill Rigs Senior Notes and Term Loan B Facility at December 31, 2013, is approximately $531,250, $863,504 and $1,951,790, respectively compared to a carrying value net of finance fees of $493,915, $784,485 and $1,839,170, respectively. The estimated fair value of the above 7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes and Drill Rigs Senior Notes, at December 31, 2014, is approximately $380,000 and $666,000, respectively while the loan balances are approximately the same as their fair market values, compared to a carrying value net of finance fees of $492,214, $788,224, $1,825,671 and $1,266,341, respectively.
	The guidance for fair value measurement applies to all assets and liabilities that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis. This guidance enables the reader of the financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements by establishing a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. The statement requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories.
	Fair value measurements are classified based upon inputs used to develop the measurement under the following hierarchy:
	Level 1--Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2--Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
	Level 3--Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
	The following table summarizes the valuation of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the valuation date.
			31-Dec-14		Quoted  Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Interest rate swaps-asset position	$	10,101		-		10,101	$	-
	Interest rate swaps-liability position		-26,498		-		-26,498		-
	Total	$	-16,397		-		-16,397	$	-
			31-Dec-13		Quoted  Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Interest rate swaps-asset position	$	13,517		-		13,517	$	-
	Interest rate swaps-liability position		-45,823		-		-45,823		-
	Total	$	-32,306		-		-32,306	$	-

Common_Stock_and_Additional_Pa

Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital [Abstract]
Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital	10. Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital:
	Dividends:
	On May 8, 2014, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend with respect to the quarter ended March 31, 2014, of $0.19 per common share, to shareholders on record as of May 20, 2014. The dividend was paid in May 2014.
	On July 21, 2014, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend with respect to the quarter ended June 30, 2014, of $0.19 per common share, to shareholders on record as of August 1, 2014. The dividend was paid in August 2014.
	On October 15, 2014, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend with respect to the quarter ended September 30, 2014, of $0.19 per common share, to shareholders on record as of October 31, 2014. The dividend was paid in November 2014.
	The Company paid dividends amounting to $75,194 during the year ended December 31, 2014.
	General
	Prior to December 8, 2010, the Company's authorized capital stock consisted of 500 common shares, par value $20.00 per share. During December 2010, the Company adopted, amended and restated articles of incorporation pursuant to which its authorized capital stock consisted of 250,000,000 common shares, par value $0.01 per share; and (ii) declared and paid a stock dividend of 103,125,000 shares of its common stock to its sole shareholder, DryShips.
	On April 15, 2011, at the Company's Special Meeting of Shareholders, the Company's shareholders approved an increase in the Company's authorized share capital to 1,000,000,000 common shares, and 500,000,000 preferred shares.
	Restricted stock awards
	On February 14, 2012, the Company's Compensation Committee approved the grant of 112,950 shares of non-vested common stock to officers and key employees of the Company's subsidiary, Ocean Rig AS, as a bonus for their services rendered during 2011. The shares vest over a period of three years, one third on each of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014. The stock-based compensation is being recognized to expenses over the vesting period and based on the fair value of the shares on the grant date of $16.50 per share.
	On March 21, 2012, the Company's Board of Directors approved the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and reserved a total of 2,000,000 common shares. Under the Plan, officers, key employees, and directors are eligible to receive awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, phantom stock units and unrestricted stock.
	On May 15, 2012, Ocean Rig's Compensation Committee approved the grant of: a) 4,500 shares of non-vested common stock to an officer as an additional bonus for his services rendered during 2011 and b) 28,200 shares to new recruited employees as a sign-up stock bonus. The shares vest over a period of three years. The stock-based compensation is being recognized to expenses over the vesting period and based on the fair value of the Ocean Rig shares on the grant date of $15.92 per share.
	On December 5, 2012, 7,500 shares awarded to an officer of the Company. The fair value of the shares on the grant date was $15.75 and the shares will vest in March 2013.
	On May 16, 2013, the Company's Compensation Committee approved the grant of 192,400 shares of non-vested common stock to the Company's employees. The shares vest over a period of three years. The stock-based compensation is being recognized to expenses over the vesting period and based on the fair value of the Ocean Rig Shares on the grant date of $16.90 per share.
	On August 20, 2013, the Company's Compensation Committee approved a sign-on bonus of 150,000 shares of the Company's common stock to Azara, pursuant to a consultancy agreement with Azara effective January 1, 2013, relating to the services of Mr. George Economou as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The shares vest over a period of two years with 50,000 shares vesting on the grant date, 50,000 shares vesting on August 20, 2014 and 50,000 vesting on August 20, 2015 respectively. The stock based compensation is being recognized to expenses over the vesting period and based on the fair value of the Ocean Rig Shares on the grant date of $17.56 per share.
	On March 31, 2014, the Company's Compensation Committee approved the grant of 161,200 shares of non-vested common stock to employees of Ocean Rig. The shares vest over a period of three years. The stock-based compensation is being recognized to expenses over the vesting period and based on the fair value of the Ocean Rig shares on the grant date of $17.79 per share.
	On August 19, 2014, the Compensation Committee approved a bonus in the form of 150,000 shares to be granted to Azara for the contribution of Mr. George Economou for Chief Executive Officer's services rendered during 2013. The shares vest over a period of three years with 50,000 shares vesting on December 31, 2014, 50,000 shares vesting on December 31, 2015, and 50,000 vesting on December 31, 2016. The stock-based compensation is being recognized to expenses over the vesting period and based on the fair value of the Ocean Rig shares on the grant date of $18.37 per share.
	On November 4, 2014, the Company's Compensation Committee approved the grant of 45,450 shares of non-vested common stock to employees of Ocean Rig. The shares vest over a period of three years. The stock-based compensation is being recognized to expenses over the vesting period and based on the fair value of the Ocean Rig shares on the grant date of $12.60 per share.
	On December 30, 2014, the Compensation Committee approved a bonus in the form of 300,000 shares to be granted to Azara for the contribution of Mr. George Economou for Chief Executive Officer's services rendered during 2014. The shares vest over a period of three years with 100,000 shares vesting on December 31, 2015, 100,000 shares vesting on December 31, 2016, and 100,000 vesting on December 31, 2017. The stock-based compensation is being recognized to expenses over the vesting period and based on the fair value of the Ocean Rig shares on the grant date of $9.46 per share.
	As of December 31, 2014, 309,452 shares have vested, while 171,626 shares were forfeited due to employees' resignations.
	A summary of the status of Ocean Rig's non vested shares as of December 31, 2014 and movement during the year then ended, is presented below.
			Number of non vested shares		Weighted average grant date fair value per non vested shares
	Balance December 31, 2012		73,500	$	16.4
	Granted		342,400		17.19
	Forfeited		-15,900		16.9
	Vested		-160,133		16.92
	Balance December 31, 2013		239,867		17.15
	Granted		656,650		13.76
	Forfeited		-78,576		16.93
	Vested		-205,143		17.31
	Balance December 31, 2014		612,798	$	13.49
			Number of vested shares		Weighted average grant date fair value per vested shares
	As at December 31, 2012		2,500	$	16.5
	Granted and vested		117,133		17.18
	Non vested shares granted in prior years and vested 2013		43,000		16.16
	As at December 31, 2013		162,633	$	16.9
	Granted and vested		111,585		17.39
	Non vested shares granted in prior years and vested 2014		93,558		17.2
	Granted and vested shares in prior years, but cancelled during 2014		-58,324		16.63
	As at December 31, 2014	1	309,452		17.22
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, there was $2,724 and $6,235 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted by the Company, respectively. That cost is expected to be recognized over a period of 2 years. The amounts of $613, $3,634 and $3,576 represents the stock based compensation expense for each year accordingly and are recorded in "General and administrative expenses", in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014. The total fair value of shares vested during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, was $2,959 and $2,383, respectively. As of December 31, 2014 there were 139,202 shares of common stock which had been granted to employees and vested but which had not yet been issued by the Company.

Accumulated_other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated other Comprehensive Loss	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	11. Accumulated other Comprehensive Loss:
	The amounts in the accompanying balance sheets are analyzed as follows:
		December 31,
		2013	2014
	Cash flows hedges realized loss	($28,256)	($27,222)
	Actuarial pension gain	4,802	3,284
	Total	($23,454)	$23,938

Interest_and_Finance_Costs

Interest and Finance Costs	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Interest and Finance Costs [Abstract]
Interest and Finance Costs	12. Interest and Finance Costs:
	The amounts in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations are analyzed as follows:
		December 31,
			2012	2013		2014
	Interest costs on long-term debt	$	135,819	$	190,195	$	261,137
	Amortization and write off of financing fees		12,944		38,797		42,995
	Amortization of unrealized hedge reserve (Note 9.1)		9,816		-		-
	Capitalized borrowing costs		-44,951		-65,492		-37,342
	Commissions, commitment fees and other financial expenses		2,799		57,064		33,341
	Total	$	116,427	$	220,564	$	300,131

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	13. Income Taxes:
	Ocean Rig UDW operates through its various subsidiaries in a number of countries throughout the world. Income taxes have been provided based upon the tax laws and rates in the countries in which operations are conducted and income is earned. The countries in which the Company operates have taxation regimes with varying nominal rates, deductions, credits and other tax attributes. Consequently, there is not an expected relationship between the provision for/or benefit from income taxes and income or loss before income taxes.
	The components of the Company's income/(losses) before taxes are as follows:
					Year Ended December 31,
			2012		2013		2014
	Domestic loss (Marshall Islands)	$	-2,536	$	-66,604	$	-161,913
	Foreign income/ (loss)		-85,843		174,518		499,539
	Total income/(loss) before taxes	$	-88,379	$	107,914	$	337,626
	The components of the Company's tax expense were as follows:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2012		2013		2014
	Current Tax expense Deferred Tax expense	$	43957 -	$	44951 -	$	77823 -
	Income taxes	$	43,957	$	44,591	$	-
	Effective tax rate		-49.70%		41.30%		23.10%
	The current tax expense is mainly related to withholding tax based on total contract revenue. In 2014, approximately 64% of the current tax expense related to withholding taxes in Angola. In 2013, approximately 72% of the current tax expense related to withholding taxes in Angola, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Gabon, while in 2012 approximately 81% of the current tax expense related to withholding taxes in Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast and Ghana. Taxes have not been reflected in other comprehensive income/(loss) since the valuation allowances would result in no recognition of deferred tax.
		Year Ended December 31,
			2012		2013		2014
	Reconciliation of total tax expense:
	Change in valuation allowance	$	6,311	$	-	$	-
	Differences in tax rates		-3,896		89		-
	Effect of permanent differences		120		-		-
	Adjustments in respect to current income tax of previous years		184		683		-
	Tax rate on interest		-		742		-
	Effect of exchange rate differences		-1,599		7		-
	Income tax		42,837		43,070		70,441
	Taxes on litigation matters subject to statutory rates including interest and penalties		-		-		7,382
	Total	$	43,957	$	44,591	$	77,823
	Ocean Rig UDW has for 2011 elected to use the statutory tax rate for each year based upon the location where the largest parts of its operations were domiciled. During 2012 ,2013 and 2014 most of its activities were in the Republic of the Marshall Islands with tax rate of zero. Ocean Rig UDW is subject to changes in tax laws, treaties, regulations and interpretations in and between the countries in which its subsidiaries operate. A material change in these tax laws, treaties, regulations and interpretations could result in a higher or lower effective tax rate on worldwide earnings. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the anticipated future tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement basis and the tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities at the applicable tax rates in effect. The Company has not recognised any deferred tax liability, while the significant components of deferred tax assets are as follow:
		Year ended December 31,
			2013		2014
	Deferred tax assets
	Net operations loss carry forward	$	1,723	$	-
	Accelerated depreciation of assets		65		101
	Pension		608		1,184
	Total deferred tax assets	$	2,396	$	1,285
	Less: valuation allowance Total deferred tax assets, net		(2396) -		(1285) -
	A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is recorded when it is more likely than not that some or all of the benefit from the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company provides a valuation allowance to offset deferred tax assets for net operating losses ("NOL") incurred during the year in certain jurisdictions and for other deferred tax assets where, in the Company's opinion, it is more likely than not that the financial statement benefit of these losses will not be realized. The Company provides a valuation allowance for foreign tax loss carry forward to reflect the possible expiration of these benefits prior to their utilization. As of December 31, 2014, the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is decreased from $2,396 in 2013 to $1,285 in 2014 reflecting a decrease in net deferred tax assets during the year.
	We are under tax audits in several jurisdictions for the years 2008-2012 and have not received any assessments or proposed assessment that we would expect to result in a material assessment of taxes.
	The company repatriates earnings from subsidiaries that are not subject to taxes and it has the intention to indefinitely reinvest the undistributed earnings of its subsidiaries that are subject to tax, thus no deferred tax liability would be recognized.

Earnings_Loss_per_share

Earnings/ (Loss) per share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings/ (Loss) per share [Abstract]
Earnings/ (Loss) per share	14. Earnings/ (Loss) per share
		For the years ended December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
		Income (numerator)	Weighted- average number of outstanding shares (denominator)	Amount per share	Income (numerator)	Weighted- average number of outstanding share (denominator)	Amount per share	Income (numerator)	Weighted- average number of outstanding shares (denominator)	Amount per share
	Net income/(loss)	($132,336)	-	-	$63,323	-	-	$259,803	-	-
	Less: Allocation of undistributed earnings to non-vested stock	-			-102			-772
	Basic and diluted EPS Income/ (loss) attributable to common stockholders	($132,336)	131,696,935	($1.00)	$63,221	131,727,504	$0.48	$259,031	131,837,227	$1.96
	Non-vested share-based payment awards that contain rights to receive non forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) and participate equally in undistributed earnings are participating securities and, thus, are included in the two-class method of computing earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2014. For the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, non-vested participating restricted common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect is anti-dilutive.
	Non-vested, participating restricted common stock does not have a contractual obligation to share in the losses and was therefore, excluded from the basic loss per share calculation for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Geographic_information_for_off

Geographic information for offshore drilling operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure	15. Geographic information for offshore drilling operations
	The revenue shown in the table below is based upon the location where the drilling takes place:
	Country		2012		2013		2014
	Ghana	$	175,595	$	-	$	-
	Norway		-		157,740		220,044
	Brazil		233,569		353,397		581,635
	Greenland		136		-		-
	Ivory Coast		-		86,486		97,232
	Tanzania		196,415		72,083		-
	Angola		79,884		227,603		807,742
	Namibia		33,212		-		-
	Falkland		166,795		-		-
	Equatorial Guinea		56,297		-		-
	Gabon/ West Africa		-		81,104		-
	South Africa		-		-		110,424
	Liberia		-		55,601		-
	Ireland		-		104,014		-
	Sierra Leone		-		37,272		-
	Other		-		4,950		-
	Total leasing and service revenues	$	941,903	$	1,180,250	$	1,817,077
	The drilling units the Leiv Eiriksson, the Eirik Raude, the Ocean Rig Corcovado, the Ocean Rig Olympia, the Ocean Rig Poseidon, the Ocean Rig Mykonos, the Ocean Rig Mylos, the Ocean Rig Skyros and the Ocean Rig Athena constitute the Company's long lived assets.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	16. Commitments and Contingencies
	16.1 Legal proceedings
	Various claims, suits, and complaints, including those involving government regulations and product liability, arise in the ordinary course of the offshore drilling business.
	The Company has obtained insurance for the assessed market value of the drilling rigs and the drillships. However, such insurance coverage may not provide sufficient funds to protect the Company from all liabilities that could result from its operations in all situations. Risks against which the Company may not be fully insured or insurable for include environmental liabilities, which may result from a blow-out or similar accident, or liabilities resulting from reservoir damage alleged to have been caused by the negligence of the Company.
	The Company's loss of hire insurance coverage does not protect against loss of income from day one. It covers approximately one year for the loss of time but will be effective after 45 days' off-hire. During 2012, the Ocean Rig Corcovado incurred off-hire due to a failure in one of its engines which was a covered event under the loss of hire policy that resulted in $24.6 million being recognized as revenue during the year ended December 31, 2012. The amount of $24.6 million was reimbursed by the insurers to the Company in August 2012. During 2014, the Ocean Rig Corcovado incurred off-hire for the same event and as a result an additional amount of $20.2 million for the above-covered event was recognized as revenue during the year ended December 31, 2014 and was reimbursed during the same period. During 2014, the Ocean Rig Mylos incurred off-hire due to damage to the blow-out-preventer stack during testing, which was a covered event under the loss of hire policy that resulted in $39.6 million being recognized as revenue during the year ended December 31, 2014, from which an amount of 39.1 was reimbursed during the year.
	The occurrence of casualty or loss, against which the Company is not fully insured, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
	As part of the Company's normal course of operations, the Company's customer may disagree on amounts due to the Company under the provision of the contracts which are normally settled through negotiations with the customer. Disputed amounts are normally reflected in revenues at such time as the Company reaches agreement with the customer on the amounts due.
	The Leiv Eiriksson operated in Angola during the period from 2002 to 2007. Ocean Rig UDW's manager in Angola during this period made a legal claim for reimbursement of import/export duties for two export/importation events in the period 2002 to 2007 retroactively levied by the Angolan government. Agreement was reached between the parties to settle this claim for an amount of $6.1 million which was paid by the Company's relevant subsidiary on May 24, 2012, to the claimant, in full and final settlement of the London Court Proceedings. The Company recorded a charge of $6.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2012, which is included under "Legal settlements and other, net" in the consolidated statement of operations.
	On May 10, 2013, Drillship Hydra Owners Inc., being the owning company of drilling unit the Ocean Rig Corcovado, filed a claim against Capricorn Greenland Exploration 1 Limited and Cairn Energy Plc with the High Court in London in connection with the loss of daily earnings and cost of repair for the blowout preventer of the Ocean Rig Corcovado in June and July 2011. In July 2013, the Company reached an out of court commercial agreement with Capricorn Greenland Exploration 1 Limited and Cairn Energy Plc to receive a compensation amounting to $5.0 million and a Settlement Agreement and Release dated September 12, 2013 was entered into and the relevant claim filed in the High Court in London, U.K. was dropped. In this respect, the Company having previously recognized a receivable of $11.0 million, recorded a charge of $6.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2013, which is included under "Legal settlements and other, net" in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
	Ocean Rig Norway Operations Inc. ("OCR"), a subsidiary of the Company, was notified by a letter dated November 13, 2013 that arbitration proceedings were commenced against it by Westcon Yard AS of Norway ("Westcon"), in connection to an alleged outstanding unpaid amount of Norwegian Krone Seventy Seven Million Three Hundred Eighty Three Thousand Eight Hundred and Three and Fifty Eight Шre (NOK 77,383,803.58), $10.4 million (based on based on the NOK/U.S. Dollar exchange rate as of December 31, 2014) plus interest and costs related to upgrades performed in the drilling unit the Leiv Eiriksson in late 2012 and early 2013. The counterparties reached an agreement during the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Except for the matters discussed above, the Company is not a party to any material litigation where claims or counterclaims have been filed against the Company other than routine legal proceedings incidental to its business.
	16.2 Purchase Obligations:
	The following table sets forth the Company's contractual purchase obligations as of December 31, 2014.
			2015	2016		2017	Total
	Drillships building contracts	$	566,300	498,200	$	864,400	1,928,900
	Total obligations	$	566,300	498,200	$	864,400	1,928,900

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	17. Subsequent Events:
	17.1 On February 13, 2015 the Company signed definitive loan documentation for an up to $475 million syndicated secured term loan to partially finance the construction costs of the Ocean Rig Apollo. This facility has a 5 year term, and approximate 12 year repayment profile, and bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin.
	17.2 On February 24, 2015, the Company' Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend with respect to the quarter ended December 31, 2014, of $0.19 per common share, to its shareholders of record as of March 10, 2015 and payable on or about March 23, 2015.
	17.3 On March 5,2015 the Company took delivery of the Ocean Rig Apollo and drew down an amount of $462,000 under the $475 million syndicated secured term loan in connection with the delivery.

Schedule_I_Condensed_Financial

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Ocean Rig UDW Inc. (Parent Company Only)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Ocean Rig UDW Inc. (Parent Company Only) [Abstract]
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Ocean Rig UDW Inc. (Parent Company Only)	Balance Sheets
				December 31,
			2013			2014
	ASSETS
	CURRENT ASSETS:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	58		$	60
	Due from related parties			0			117,219
	Other current assets			300			2,090
	Total current assets			358			119,369
	NON-CURRENT ASSETS:
	Investments in subsidiaries*			3,494,475			3,549,399
	Total non-current assets			3,494,475			3,549,399
	Total assets			3,494,833			3,668,768
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
	CURRENT LIABILITIES:
	Other current liabilities		$	21,075		$	10,278
	Total current liabilities			21,075			10,278
	NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
	Long term debt, net of current portion			493,915			492,214
	Total non-current liabilities			493,915			492,214
	STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
	Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2013 and 2014, nil issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively	1		-			-
	Common stock, $0,01 par value; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, at  December 31, 2013 and 2014, 131,875,128 and 132,017,178 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2014 respectively			1,319			1,320
	Additional paid-in capital			3,492,650			3,494,957
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss			-23,454			-23,938
	Accumulated deficit			-490,672			-306,063
	Total stockholders' equity			2,979,843			3,166,276
	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	3,494,833		$	3,668,768
	* Eliminated in consolidation
	Statements of Operations
				For the year ended
				December 31,
	EXPENSES:			2012	2013			2014
	General and administrative expenses		$	12,877	8,565		$	7,983
	Legal settlements and other, net			6,100	-			-
	Operating loss			18,977	8,565			7,983
	OTHER INCOME / (EXPENSES):
	Interest and finance costs			-58,210	-53,193			-82,109
	Interest income			4	-			1,383
	Loss on interest rate swaps			-38	-149			-
	Other, net			-2,476	2,358			6,224
	Total other (expenses), net			-60,720	-50,984			-74,502
	Equity in earnings/(loss) of subsidiaries*			-52,639	122,872			342,288
	Net income/(loss)		$	-132,336	63,323		$	259,803
	Net Income/(Loss) To Common Stockholders			-132,336	63,221			259,031
	Earnings/(loss) per common share, basic and diluted			-1	0.48			1.96
	Weighted average number of shares, basic and diluted			131,696,935	131,727,504			131,837,227
	* Eliminated in consolidation
	Statements of Comprehensive Income/(loss)
				For the year ended
				December 31,
	Net income / (Loss)			2012		2013				2014
	Other Comprehensive income / (loss):		$	-132,336	$	63,323			$	259,803
	Reclassification of realized losses associated with capitalized interest to Consolidated Statement of Operations			1,034		1,036				1,034
	Reclassification of losses on previously designated cash flow hedges to Consolidated Statement of Operations, net			22,904		-				-
	Actuarial gains/(losses)			-637		3,335				-1,518
	Other Comprehensive income/ (loss)			23,301		4,371				-484
	Total Comprehensive income / (loss)		$	-109,035	$	67,694			$	259,319
	Statements of Cash Flows
			For the year ended December 31,
			2012		2013			2014
	Net Cash Used in Operating Activities		$	-59,992	$	-62,302		$	-88,302
	Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
	Investments in subsidiaries			59,643		61,406			289,654
Loan to parent			-		-			-120,000
Proceeds from arrangement fees			-		-			3,000
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities			59,643		61,406			172,654
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from senior notes			-		-			500,000
Payment of senior notes			-		-			-500,000
Dividends Paid			-		-			-75,194
Payments for issuance of subsidiaries shares			-		-			-466
Payment of financing fees			-		-			-8,690
Net Cash used in Financing Activities			-		-			-84,350
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			-349		-896			2
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			1,303		954			58
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$	954	$	58		$	60
Schedule I- Condensed Financial Information of Ocean Rig UDW Inc. (Parent Company Only) In the condensed financial information of the Parent Company, the Parent Company's investment in subsidiaries is stated at cost plus equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries. There are no legal or regulatory restrictions on the Parent Company's ability to obtain funds from its subsidiaries through dividends, loans or advances sufficient to satisfy the obligations discussed below that are due on or before December 31, 2014. On April 27, 2011, the Parent Company issued $500,000 aggregate principal amount of 9.5% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2016. The notes were unsecured obligations and ranked senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness and equally in right of payment to all of its existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness. The 9.5% Senior Unsecured Notes were repurchased or redeemed in connection with the 7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes offering discussed below. On March 26, 2014 the Parent Company issued $500,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.25% senior unsecured notes due 2019. The notes are unsecured obligations and rank senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness and equally in right of payment to all of its existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness. On November 18, 2014, the Company entered into a $120,000 unsecured facility with its parent company, DryShips. The loan from the Company to DryShips bears interest at a LIBOR plus margin rate and is due in May 2016. The Parent Company is guarantor on the $1,300,000 facilities, the $1,900,000 facilities and the 6.5% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 described in Note 8 "Long-term Debt" to the consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2014, the amount outstanding relating to these two facilities amounted to $3,173,000 in aggregate and the amount outstanding relating to the 6.5% Senior Secured Notes amounted to $800,000. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company paid dividends of $75,194. The condensed financial information of the Parent Company should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Significant_Accounting_policie1

Significant Accounting policies (Policy)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Significant Accounting policies [Abstract]
Principles of consolidation	(a)       Principles of consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America ("US GAAP") and include the accounts and operating results of Ocean Rig UDW, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and its VIEs. As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the Company consolidated one VIE for which it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary, i.e. it has a controlling financial interest in this entity. The VIE's total assets and liabilities, as of December 31, 2013, were $35,782 and $56,556, respectively, while total liabilities exceeded total assets by $20,774. The VIE's total assets and liabilities, as of December 31, 2014, were $64,314 and $65,358, respectively, while total liabilities exceeded total assets by $1,044. A VIE is an entity that in general does not have equity investors with voting rights or that has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. A controlling financial interest in a VIE is present when a company has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and absorbs a majority of an entity's expected losses, receives a majority of an entity's expected residual returns, or both. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
Use of estimates	(b) Use of estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Comprehensive income/(loss)	(c) Comprehensive income/(loss): The Company's comprehensive income/(loss) is comprised of net income/(loss), actuarial gains/losses related to the adoption and implementation of Accounting Standard Codification ("ASC") 715, "Compensation-Retirement Benefits", as well as losses in the fair value of the derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting in accordance with ASC 815 "Derivatives and Hedging" and realized gains/losses on cash flow hedges associated with capitalized interest in accordance with ASC 815-30-35-38 "Derivatives and Hedging".
	During 2013, the Company adopted the requirements of Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2013-02, "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) - Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income". The objective of this amendment is to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments do not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements. However, the amendments require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under US GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under US GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under US GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts.
Cash and Cash equivalents	(d) Cash and cash equivalents: The Company considers highly liquid investments such as time deposits and certificates of deposit with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Restricted cash
	(e) Restricted cash: Restricted cash may include (i) minimum liquidity collateral requirements or minimum required cash deposits, as defined in the Company's loan agreements; (ii) taxes withheld from employees and deposited in designated bank accounts; (iii) amounts pledged as collateral for bank guarantees to suppliers and, (iv) amounts pledged as collateral for credit facilities and swap agreements.
Trade accounts receivable net
	(f) Trade accounts receivable net: The amount shown as accounts receivable, trade, at each balance sheet date, includes receivables from customers, net of an allowance for doubtful receivables. At each balance sheet date, all potentially uncollectible accounts are assessed individually for purposes of determining the appropriate allowance for doubtful receivables.
Concentration of credit risk	(g) Concentration of credit risk: Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and cash equivalents; trade accounts receivable and derivative contracts (interest rate swaps and foreign currency contracts). The maximum exposure to loss due to credit risk is the book value at the balance sheet date. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents, consisting mostly of bank deposits, with qualified financial institutions. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of those financial institutions. The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by counter parties to derivative instruments; however, the Company limits its exposure by diversifying among counter parties. When considered necessary, additional arrangements are put in place to minimize credit risk, such as letters of credit or other forms of payment guarantees. The Company limits its credit risk with trade accounts receivable by performing ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and generally does not require collateral for its trade accounts receivable.
	The Company has made advances for the construction of drillships to Samsung Heavy Industries Co Ltd ("Samsung"). The ownership of the drillships is transferred from the yard to the Company at delivery. As of December 31, 2014, cumulative installment payments made to Samsung amounted to approximately $515,856 for the four drillships under construction (Note 5). These installment payments are, to a large extent, secured with irrevocable letters of guarantee, or "refund guarantees", issued by financial institutions.
Advances for drillships under construction and related costs	(h) Advances for drillships under construction and related costs: This represents amounts expended by the Company in accordance with the terms of the construction contracts for drillships as well as other expenses incurred directly or under a management agreement with a related party in connection with on site supervision. In addition, interest costs incurred during the construction (until the asset is substantially complete and ready for its intended use) are capitalized. The carrying value of drillships under construction represents the accumulated costs at the balance sheet date. Cost components include payments for yard installments and variation orders, commissions to related party, construction supervision, equipment, spare parts and capitalized interest.
Capitalized interest	(i) Capitalized interest: Interest expense is capitalized during the construction period of drilling rigs and drillships based on accumulated expenditures for the applicable project at the Company's current rate of borrowing. The amount of interest expense capitalized in an accounting period is determined by applying an interest rate ("the capitalization rate") to the average amount of accumulated expenditures for the asset during the period. The capitalization rates used in an accounting period are based on the rates applicable to borrowings outstanding during the period. The Company does not capitalize amounts in excess of actual interest expense incurred in the period. If the Company's financing plans associate a specific new borrowing with a qualifying asset, the Company uses the rate on that borrowing as the capitalization rate to be applied to that portion of the average accumulated expenditures for the asset that does not exceed the amount of that borrowing. If average accumulated expenditures for the asset exceed the amounts of specific new borrowings associated with the asset, the capitalization rate applied to such excess is a weighted average of the rates applicable to other borrowings of the Company. Capitalized interest expense for the years ended December 31 2012, 2013 and 2014, amounted to $44,951, $65,492 and $37,342, respectively (Note 12).
Insurance claims	(j) Insurance claims: The Company records insurance claim recoveries for insured losses incurred on damages to fixed assets, loss of hire and for insured crew medical expenses under "Other current assets". Insurance claims are recorded, net of any deductible amounts, at the time the Company's fixed assets suffer insured damages or loss due to the drilling unit being wholly or partially deprived of income as a consequence of damage to the unit or when crew medical expenses are incurred, recovery is probable under the related insurance policies and the Company can make an estimate of the amount to be reimbursed following the insurance claim.
Foreign currency translation
	(k) Foreign currency translation: The functional currency of the Company is the U.S. Dollar since the Company operates in international drilling markets and therefore, primarily transacts business in U.S. Dollars. The Company's accounting records are maintained in U.S. Dollars. Transactions involving other currencies during the year are converted into U.S. Dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the time of the transactions. At the balance sheet dates, monetary assets and liabilities, which are denominated in other currencies, are translated into U.S. Dollars at the year-end exchange rates. Resulting gains or losses are included in "Other, net" in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Drilling rigs, drillships, machinery and equipment, net
	(l) Drilling rigs, drillships, machinery and equipment, net:
	(i) Drilling rigs and drillships are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation. Such costs include the cost of adding or replacing parts of drilling rig or drillship machinery and equipment when the cost is incurred, if the recognition criteria are met. The recognition criteria require that the cost incurred extends the useful life of a drilling rig or drillship. The carrying amounts of those parts that are replaced are written off and the cost of the new parts is capitalized. Depreciation is calculated on a straight- line basis over the useful life of the assets after considering the estimated residual value as follows: bare deck 30 years and other asset parts 5 to 15 years for the drilling rigs and drillships. The residual values of the drilling rigs and drillships are estimated at $35,000 and $50,000, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Impairment of long-lived assets	(m) Impairment of long-lived assets: The Company reviews for impairment long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. In this respect, the Company reviews its assets for impairment on a rig by rig and drillship by drillship and asset by asset basis. When the estimate of undiscounted cash flows, excluding interest charges, expected to be generated by the use of the asset is less than its carrying amount, the Company evaluates the asset for impairment loss. The impairment loss is determined by the difference between the carrying amount of the asset and the fair value of the asset. The Company evaluates the carrying amounts of its drilling rigs and drillships by obtaining independent appraisals to determine if events have occurred that would require modification to their carrying values or useful lives. In evaluating useful lives and carrying values of long-lived assets, the Company reviews certain indicators of potential impairment, such as undiscounted projected operating cash flows, drilling rig/drillships sales and purchases, business plans and overall market conditions. In developing estimates of future undiscounted cash flows, the Company makes assumptions and estimates about the drilling rigs and drillships future performance, with the significant assumptions being related to drilling rates, fleet utilization, operating expenses, capital expenditures, residual value and the estimated remaining useful life of each drilling rig/drillship. The assumptions used to develop estimates of future undiscounted cash flows are based on historical trends as well as future expectations. To the extent impairment indicators are present; the Company determines undiscounted projected net operating cash flows for each drilling rig/drillship and compares them to the drilling rig or drillship's carrying value. The projected net operating cash flows are determined by considering the drilling revenues from existing drilling contracts for the fixed days and an estimated daily rate equivalent for the unfixed days. The salvage value used in the impairment test is estimated to be $35,000 and $50,000 for drilling rigs and drillships, respectively in accordance with the Company's depreciation policy. If the Company's estimate of undiscounted future cash flows for any drilling rig or drillship is lower than the carrying value, the carrying value is written down, by recording a charge to operations, to the vessel's fair market value if the fair market value is lower than the vessel's carrying value. Although the Company believes that the assumptions used to evaluate potential impairment are reasonable and appropriate, such assumptions are highly subjective. There can be no assurance as to how long drilling rates and drilling rigs or drillship values will remain at their currently high levels. As a result of the impairment review, the Company determined that the carrying amounts of its assets held for use were recoverable and therefore, concluded that no impairment loss was necessary for 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Class costs	(n) Class costs: The Company follows the direct expense method of accounting for periodic class costs incurred during special surveys of drilling rigs and drillships, normally every five years. Class costs and other maintenance costs are expensed in the period incurred and included in "Drilling rigs and drillships operating expenses."
Deferred financing costs
	(o) Deferred financing costs: Deferred financing costs include fees, commissions and legal expenses associated with the Company's long- term debt. These costs are amortized over the life of the related debt using the effective interest method and are included in interest expense. Unamortized fees relating to loans repaid or refinanced as debt extinguishments are expensed as interest and finance costs in the period the repayment or extinguishment is made. Arrangement fees paid to lenders for loans which the Company has not drawn down are capitalized and included in other current and non-current assets. Amortization and write offs for each of the years ended December 31 2012, 2013 and 2014, amounted to $12,944, $38,797 and $42,995, respectively (Note 12).
Revenue and related expenses	(p) Revenue and related expenses:
	Revenues: The Company's services and deliverables are generally sold based upon contracts with customers that include fixed or determinable prices. The Company recognizes revenue when delivery occurs, as directed by its customer, and collectability is reasonably assured. The Company evaluates if there are multiple deliverables within its contracts and whether the agreement conveys the right to use the drill rigs and drillships for a stated period of time and meets the criteria for lease accounting, in addition to providing a drilling services element, which is generally compensated for by day rates. In connection with drilling contracts, the Company may also receive revenues for preparation and mobilization of equipment and personnel or for capital improvements to the drilling rigs or drillships and day rate or fixed price mobilization and demobilization fees. Revenues are recorded net of agents' commissions. There are two types of drilling contracts: well contracts and term contracts.
	(i) Well contracts: Well contracts are contracts under which the assignment is to drill a certain number of wells. Revenue from day-rate based compensation for drilling operations is recognized in the period during which the services are rendered at the rates established in the contracts. All mobilization revenues, direct incremental expenses of mobilization and contributions from customers for capital improvements are initially deferred and recognized as revenues and expenses, as applicable, over the estimated duration of the drilling period. To the extent that expenses exceed revenue to be recognized, they are expensed as incurred. Demobilization revenues and expenses are recognized over the demobilization period. All revenues for well contracts are recognized as "Service revenues" in the consolidated statement of operations.
	(ii) Term contracts: Term contracts are contracts under which the assignment is to operate the unit for a specified period of time. For these types of contracts the Company determines whether the arrangement is a multiple element arrangement containing both a lease element and drilling services element. For revenues derived from contracts that contain a lease, the lease elements are recognized as "Leasing revenues" in the consolidated statement of operations on a basis approximating straight line over the lease period. The drilling services element is recognized as "Service revenues" in the period in which the services are rendered at estimated fair value. Revenues related to the drilling element of mobilization and direct incremental expenses of drilling services are deferred and recognized over the estimated duration of the drilling period. To the extent that expenses exceed revenue to be recognized, they are expensed as incurred. Demobilization fees and expenses are recognized over the demobilization period. Contributions from customers for capital improvements are initially deferred and recognized as revenues over the estimated duration of the drilling contract.
Earnings / (loss) per common share	(q) Earnings / (loss) per common share: Basic earnings / (loss) per common share are computed by dividing net income/ (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per common share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised. Dilution has been computed by the treasury stock method whereby all of the Company's dilutive securities are assumed to be exercised or converted and the proceeds used to repurchase common shares at the weighted average market price of the Company's common stock during the relevant periods. The incremental shares (the difference between the number of shares assumed issued and the number of shares assumed purchased) are included in the denominator of the diluted earnings / (loss) per share computation.
Segment reporting	(r) Segment reporting: The Company has determined that it operates in one reportable segment, the offshore drilling operations.
Financial instruments	s) Financial instruments: The Company designates its derivatives based upon guidance of ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging" which establishes accounting and reporting requirements for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities. The guidance on accounting for certain derivative instruments and certain hedging activities requires all derivative instruments to be recorded on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met.
	(i) Hedge accounting: At the inception of a hedge relationship, the Company formally designates and documents the hedge relationship to which the Company wishes to apply hedge accounting and the risk management objective and strategy undertaken for the hedge. The documentation includes identification of the hedging instrument, hedged item or transaction, the nature of the risk being hedged and how the entity will assess the hedging instrument's effectiveness in offsetting exposure to changes in the hedged item's cash flows attributable to the hedged risk. Such hedges are expected to be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in cash flows and are assessed on an ongoing basis to determine whether they actually have been highly effective throughout the financial reporting periods for which they were designated.
	The Company is party to interest swap agreements where it receives a floating interest rate and pays a fixed interest rate for a certain period. Contracts which meet the strict criteria for hedge accounting are accounted for as cash flow hedges. A cash flow hedge is a hedge of the exposure to variability in cash flows that is attributable to a particular risk associated with a recognized asset or liability, or a highly probable forecasted transaction that could affect profit or loss.
	The effective portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognized directly as a component of "Accumulated other comprehensive income/ (loss)" in equity, while any ineffective portion, if any, is recognized immediately in current period earnings.
	The Company discontinues cash flow hedge accounting if the hedging instrument expires and it no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting or designation is revoked by the Company. At that time, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument recognized in equity is kept in equity until the forecasted transaction occurs. When the forecasted transaction occurs, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. If a hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss recognized in equity is transferred to net profit or loss for the year as financial income or expense.
	(ii) Other derivatives: Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that have not been designated as hedging instruments are reported in current period earnings.
Fair value measurements
	(t) Fair value measurements: The Company follows the provisions of ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" which defines and provides guidance as to the measurement of fair value. ASC 820 creates a hierarchy of measurement and indicates that, when possible, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority (Level 1) to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority (Level 3) to unobservable data, for example, the reporting entities own data. Under the standard, fair value measurements are separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy (Note 9).
Income Taxes	(u) Income taxes: Income taxes have been provided for based upon the tax laws and rates in effect in the countries in which the Company's operations are conducted and income is earned. There is no expected relationship between the provision for/or benefit from income taxes and income or loss before income taxes because the countries in which the Company operates have taxation regimes that vary not only with respect to the nominal rate, but also in terms of the availability of deductions, credits and other benefits. Variations also arise because income earned and taxed in any particular country or countries may fluctuate from year to year. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the anticipated future tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement basis and the tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities using the applicable jurisdictional tax rates in effect at the year end. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is recorded when it is more likely than not that some or all of the benefit from the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company accrues interest and penalties related to its liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
Commitments and contingencies	(v) Commitments and contingencies: Provisions are recognized when: the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events; it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation; and a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made. Provisions are reviewed at each balance sheet date.
Stock-based compensation	(w) Stock-based compensation: Stock-based compensation represents vested and non-vested common stock granted to certain employees for their services. The Company calculates total compensation expense for the award based on its fair value on the grant date and amortizes the total compensation on an accelerated basis over the vesting period of the award or service period (Note 10).
Recent accounting pronouncements	(x) Recent accounting pronouncements:
	Revenue from Contracts with Customers: The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") and the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") (collectively, the "Boards") jointly issued a standard in May 2014 that will supersede virtually all of the existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017. The standard establishes a five-step model that will apply to revenue earned from a contract with a customer (with limited exceptions), regardless of the type of revenue transaction or the industry. The standard's requirements will also apply to the recognition and measurement of gains and losses on the sale of some non-financial assets that are not an output of the entity's ordinary activities (e.g., sales of property, plant and equipment or intangibles). Extensive disclosures will be required, including disaggregation of total revenue, information about performance obligations, changes in contract asset and liability account balances between periods, and key judgments and estimates. The guidance in Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. Additionally, this ASU supersedes some cost guidance included in Subtopic 605-35, Revenue Recognition—Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts. In addition, the existing requirements for the recognition of a gain or loss on the transfer of nonfinancial assets that are not in a contract with a customer are amended to be consistent with the guidance on recognition and measurement (including the constraint on revenue) in this ASU. Management is in the process of accessing the impact of the new standard on Company's financial position and performance.
	Going Concern: In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15–Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern. ASU 2014-15 provides guidance about management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 requires an entity's management to evaluate at each reporting period based on the relevant conditions and events that are known at the date of financial statements are issued, whether there are conditions or events, that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued and to disclose the necessary information. ASU 2014-15 is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Gene1

Basis of Presentation and General Infomation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation and General Information [Abstract]
Schedule of revenue by major charterer		Year ended  December 31,
		2012	2013	2014
	Customer A	-	-	14%
	Customer B	49%	33%	18%
	Customer C	18%	-	-
	Customer D	12%	-	-
	Customer E	-	13%	12%
	Customer F	-	18%	30%
	Customer G	-	12%	14%

Transactions_with_Related_Part1

Transactions with Related Parties (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Transactions with Related Parties [Abstract]
Schedule of related party transactions					Year ended December 31,
					2013			2014
		Balance Sheet
		Due from a related party - Dryships Inc.				-		117,219
		Due from related party - Total				-		117,219
		Due to related parties - Cardiff Drilling Inc.				-		4,287
		Due to related parties - Azara Services S.A.				-		4,000
		Due to related parties - Basset Holding Inc.				-		3,000
		Due to related parties - Total				-		11,287
		Advances for drillships under construction and related costs			$	1,185	$	1,546
		Drilling rigs, drillships, machinery and equipment, net			$	5,692	$	2,885
						Year ended December 31,
		Statement of Operations		2012		2013		2014
		Service Revenue, net - Cardiff Marine Inc.	$	6,193	$	-	$	-
		Service Revenue, net - Cardiff Drilling Inc.		-		10,786		16,826
		General and administrative expenses:
		-Vivid Finance Limited		10,768		16,623		13,153
		-Azara Services S.A		-		5,000		9,000
		-Basset Holding Inc.		2,676		4,200		8,191
		-Amortization of CEO's stock based compensation		-	$	1,358		2,316
		Interest income- Dryships Inc	$	-		-	$	1,164

Other_Current_Assets_Tables

Other Current Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Other Current Assets		December 31,
			2013		2014
	Inventories	$	8,616	$	6,609
	Deferred mobilization expenses		76,986		66,169
	Prepayments and advances		10,980		22,880
	Other		14,389		5,850
	Total	$	110,971	$	101,508

Advances_for_drillships_under_1

Advances for drillships under construction (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Advances For Drillships Under Construction [Abstract]
Advances for drillships under Construction
				2013		2014
		Balance at beginning of year	$	992,825	$	662,313
		Advances for drillships under construction and related costs		1,112,237		688,832
		Drillships delivered		-1,442,749		-728,638
		Balance at end of year	$	662,313	$	622,507

Drilling_rigs_drillships_machi1

Drilling rigs, drillships, machinery and equipment, net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Drilling Rigs, Drillships, Machinery And Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Drilling rigs, drillships, machinery and equipment, net
			Cost		Accumulated Depreciation		Net Book Value
	Balance December 31, 2012		4,968,397		-568,935		4,399,462
	Additions / Transfer from drillships under construction		1,610,543		-		1,610,543
	Depreciation		-		-232,980		-232,980
	Balance December 31,2013	$	6,578,940	$	-801,915	$	5,777,025
	Additions / Transfer from drillships under construction		752,432		-		752,432
	Depreciation		-		-321,824		-321,824
	Balance December 31,2014	$	7,331,372	$	-1,123,739	$	6,207,633

Other_noncurrent_assets_Tables

Other non-current assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other non-current assets [Abstract]
Other non-current assets			December 31,
				2013		2014
		Deferred mobilization expenses	$	72,624	$	43,327
		Intangible assets, net		6175		4732
		Other		29,079		57,910
		Total	$	107,878	$	105,969

Longterm_Debt_Tables

Long-term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt
			December 31, 2013		31-Dec-14
	$1.3 billion Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility	$	-	$	1,296,750
	$1.9 billion Term Loan B Facility		1,895,250		1,876,250
	$1.35 billion Senior Secured Credit Facility		890,000		-
	9.5% Senior Unsecured Notes		500,000		-
	7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes		-		500,000
	6.5% Senior Secured Notes		800,000		800,000
	Less: Deferred financing costs		-92,014		-100,550
	Total debt		3,993,236		4,372,450
	Less: Current portion		-85,401		-19,858
	Long-term portion	$	3,907,835	$	4,352,592
Loan movements for Company's debt
	Loan		Loan Agreement Date		Original Amount	December 31, 2013	New Loans	Repayments	December 31, 2014
	Senior Unsecured Notes		14-Apr-11		500,000	500,000	-	-500,000	-
	Drill Rigs Senior Notes		20-Sep-12		800,000	800,000	-	-	800,000
	Secured Credit Facility		February 28, 2013		1,350,000	890,000	450,000	-1,340,000	-
	Term Loan B Facility		12-Jul-13		1,900,000	1,895,250	-	-19,000	1,876,250
	7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes		26-Mar-14		500,000	-	500,000	-	500,000
	New Term Loan B Facility		25-Jul-14		$1,300,000	$ -	$1,300,000	($3,250)	$1,296,750
						$4,085,250	$2,250,000	($1,862,250)	$4,473,000
Annual principal payments	2015		$32,000
	2016		32,000
	2017		832,000
	2018		32,000
	2019		532,000
	2020 and thereafter		3,013,000
	Total principal payments		4,473,000
	Less: Financing fees		-100,550
	Total debt		$4,372,450

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair1

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments in the Balance Sheet and Statement of Operations
	Derivatives not designated as Hedging Instruments	Balance Sheet Location	December 31, 2013 Fair value			December 31, 2014 Fair value
	Interest rate swaps	Financial Instruments non-current assets	$	13,517		$	10,101
	Interest rate swaps	Financial Instruments current liabilities		-30,266			-17,881
	Interest rate swaps	Financial Instruments non-current liabilities		-15,557			-8,617
	Total derivatives		$	-32,306		$	-16,397
				Amount of Gain/ (Loss)
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized		Year ended December 31, 2012			Year ended December 31, 2013		Year ended December 31, 2014
	Foreign currency forward contracts Interest rate swaps	Other, net Gain/ (Loss) on interest rate swaps		- (36,974)			-8,616		- (12,671)
	Total		$	-36,974		$	8,616	$	-12,671
Recurring measurements			31-Dec-14		Quoted  Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Interest rate swaps-asset position	$	10,101		-		10,101	$	-
	Interest rate swaps-liability position		-26,498		-		-26,498		-
	Total	$	-16,397		-		-16,397	$	-
			31-Dec-13		Quoted  Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Interest rate swaps-asset position	$	13,517		-		13,517	$	-
	Interest rate swaps-liability position		-45,823		-		-45,823		-
	Total	$	-32,306		-		-32,306	$	-

Common_Stock_and_Additional_Pa1

Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital [Abstract]
Common stock and additional paid-in capital			Number of non vested shares		Weighted average grant date fair value per non vested shares
	Balance December 31, 2012		73,500	$	16.4
	Granted		342,400		17.19
	Forfeited		-15,900		16.9
	Vested		-160,133		16.92
	Balance December 31, 2013		239,867		17.15
	Granted		656,650		13.76
	Forfeited		-78,576		16.93
	Vested		-205,143		17.31
	Balance December 31, 2014		612,798	$	13.49
			Number of vested shares		Weighted average grant date fair value per vested shares
	As at December 31, 2012		2,500	$	16.5
	Granted and vested		117,133		17.18
	Non vested shares granted in prior years and vested 2013		43,000		16.16
	As at December 31, 2013		162,633	$	16.9
	Granted and vested		111,585		17.39
	Non vested shares granted in prior years and vested 2014		93,558		17.2
	Granted and vested shares in prior years, but cancelled during 2014		-58,324		16.63
	As at December 31, 2014	1	309,452		17.22

Recovered_Sheet1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		December 31,
		2013	2014
	Cash flows hedges realized loss	($28,256)	($27,222)
	Actuarial pension gain	4,802	3,284
	Total	($23,454)	$23,938

Interest_and_Finance_Costs_Tab

Interest and Finance Costs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Interest and Finance Costs [Abstract]
Interest And Finance Costs		December 31,
			2012	2013		2014
	Interest costs on long-term debt	$	135,819	$	190,195	$	261,137
	Amortization and write off of financing fees		12,944		38,797		42,995
	Amortization of unrealized hedge reserve (Note 9.1)		9,816		-		-
	Capitalized borrowing costs		-44,951		-65,492		-37,342
	Commissions, commitment fees and other financial expenses		2,799		57,064		33,341
	Total	$	116,427	$	220,564	$	300,131

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Schedule of income before income tax, domestic and foreign			Year Ended December 31,
			2012		2013		2014
	Domestic loss( Marshall Islands)	$	-2,536	$	-66,604	$	-161,913
	Foreign income /(loss)		-85,843		174,518		499,539
	Total income/(loss) before taxes	$	-88,379	$	107,914	$	337,626
Income tax expense statutory tax rate
			Year Ended December 31,
			2012		2013		2014
	Current Tax expense Deferred Tax expense	$	43,957 -	$	44,591 -	$	77,823 -
	Income taxes	$	43,957	$	44,591	$	-
	Effective tax rate		-49.70%		41.30%		23.10%
Schedule of reconciliation of total tax expense
					Year Ended December 31,
			2012		2013		2014
	Reconciliation of total tax expense:
	Change in valuation allowance	$	6,311	$	-	$	-
	Differences in tax rates		-3,896		89		-
	Effect of permanent differences		120		-		-
	Adjustments in respect to current income tax of previous years		184		683		-
	Tax rate on interest		-		742		-
	Effect of exchange rate differences		-1,599		7		-
	Income tax		42,837		43,070		70,441
	Taxes on litigation matters subject to statutory rates including interest and penalties		-		-		7,382
	Total	$	43,957	$	44,591	$	77,823
Schedule of deferred tax assets and liabilities		Year ended December 31,
			2013		2014
	Deferred tax assets
	Net operations loss carry forward	$	1,723	$	-
	Accelerated depreciation of assets		65		101
	Pension		608		1,184
	Total deferred tax assets	$	2,396	$	1,285
	Less: valuation allowance Total deferred tax assets, net		(2396) -		(1285) -

Earnings_Loss_per_share_Tables

Earnings/ (Loss) per share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings/ (Loss) per share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnigns/ (Loss) per share		For the years ended December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
		Income (numerator)	Weighted- average number of outstanding shares (denominator)	Amount per share	Income (numerator)	Weighted- average number of outstanding share (denominator)	Amount per share	Income (numerator)	Weighted- average number of outstanding shares (denominator)	Amount per share
	Net income/(loss)	($132,336)	-	-	$63,323	-	-	$259,803	-	-
	Less: Allocation of undistributed earnings to non-vested stock	-			-102			-772
	Basic and diluted EPS Income/ (loss) attributable to common stockholders	($132,336)	131,696,935	($1.00)	$63,221	131,727,504	$0.48	$259,031	131,837,227	$1.96

Geographic_information_for_off1

Geographic information for offshore drilling operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Revenue per country	Country		2012		2013		2014
	Ghana	$	175,595	$	-	$	-
	Norway		-		157,740		220,044
	Brazil		233,569		353,397		581,635
	Greenland		136		-		-
	Ivory Coast		-		86,486		97,232
	Tanzania		196,415		72,083		-
	Angola		79,884		227,603		807,742
	Namibia		33,212		-		-
	Falkland		166,795		-		-
	Equatorial Guinea		56,297		-		-
	Gabon/ West Africa		-		81,104		-
	South Africa		-		-		110,424
	Liberia		-		55,601		-
	Ireland		-		104,014		-
	Sierra Leone		-		37,272		-
	Other		-		4,950		-
	Total leasing and service revenues	$	941,903	$	1,180,250	$	1,817,077

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Purchase obligations			2015	2016		2017	Total
	Drillships building contracts	$	566,300	498,200	$	864,400	1,928,900
	Total obligations	$	566,300	498,200	$	864,400	1,928,900

Schedule_I_Condensed_Financial1

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Ocean Rig UDW Inc. (Parent Company Only) (Tables) (Ocean Rig)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Ocean Rig
Balance Sheets				December 31,
			2013			2014
	ASSETS
	CURRENT ASSETS:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	58		$	60
	Due from related parties			0			117,219
	Other current assets			300			2,090
	Total current assets			358			119,369
	NON-CURRENT ASSETS:
	Investments in subsidiaries*			3,494,475			3,549,399
	Total non-current assets			3,494,475			3,549,399
	Total assets			3,494,833			3,668,768
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
	CURRENT LIABILITIES:
	Other current liabilities		$	21,075		$	10,278
	Total current liabilities			21,075			10,278
	NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
	Long term debt, net of current portion			493,915			492,214
	Total non-current liabilities			493,915			492,214
	STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
	Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2013 and 2014, nil issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively	1		-			-
	Common stock, $0,01 par value; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, at  December 31, 2013 and 2014, 131,875,128 and 132,017,178 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2014 respectively			1,319			1,320
	Additional paid-in capital			3,492,650			3,494,957
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss			-23,454			-23,938
	Accumulated deficit			-490,672			-306,063
	Total stockholders' equity			2,979,843			3,166,276
	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	3,494,833		$	3,668,768
	* Eliminated in consolidation
Statements of Operations				For the year ended
				December 31,
	EXPENSES:			2012	2013			2014
	General and administrative expenses		$	12,877	8,565		$	7,983
	Legal settlements and other, net			6,100	-			-
	Operating loss			18,977	8,565			7,983
	OTHER INCOME / (EXPENSES):
	Interest and finance costs			-58,210	-53,193			-82,109
	Interest income			4	-			1,383
	Loss on interest rate swaps			-38	-149			-
	Other, net			-2,476	2,358			6,224
	Total other (expenses), net			-60,720	-50,984			-74,502
	Equity in earnings/(loss) of subsidiaries*			-52,639	122,872			342,288
	Net income/(loss)		$	-132,336	63,323		$	259,803
	Net Income/(Loss) To Common Stockholders			-132,336	63,221			259,031
	Earnings/(loss) per common share, basic and diluted			-1	0.48			1.96
	Weighted average number of shares, basic and diluted			131,696,935	131,727,504			131,837,227
	* Eliminated in consolidation
Schedule of Compehensive Income/ (loss)				For the year ended
				December 31,
	Net income / (Loss)			2012		2013				2014
	Other Comprehensive income / (loss):		$	-132,336	$	63,323			$	259,803
	Reclassification of realized losses associated with capitalized interest to Consolidated Statement of Operations			1,034		1,036				1,034
	Reclassification of losses on previously designated cash flow hedges to Consolidated Statement of Operations, net			22,904		-				-
	Actuarial gains/(losses)			-637		3,335				-1,518
	Other Comprehensive income/ (loss)			23,301		4,371				-484
	Total Comprehensive income / (loss)		$	-109,035	$	67,694			$	259,319
Statements of Cash Flows			For the year ended December 31,
			2012		2013			2014
	Net Cash Used in Operating Activities		$	-59,992	$	-62,302		$	-88,302
	Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
	Investments in subsidiaries			59,643		61,406			289,654
	Loan to parent			-		-			-120,000
	Proceeds from arrangement fees			-		-			3,000
	Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities			59,643		61,406			172,654
	Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
	Proceeds from senior notes			-		-			500,000
	Payment of senior notes			-		-			-500,000
	Dividends Paid			-		-			-75,194
	Payments for issuance of subsidiaries shares			-		-			-466
	Payment of financing fees			-		-			-8,690
	Net Cash used in Financing Activities			-		-			-84,350
	Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			-349		-896			2
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			1,303		954			58
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$	954	$	58		$	60

Basis_of_Presentanion_and_Gene

Basis of Presentanion and General Information (Table) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Customer A
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Major customer revenue percentage	14.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Customer B
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Major customer revenue percentage	18.00%	33.00%	49.00%
Customer C
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Major customer revenue percentage	0.00%	0.00%	18.00%
Customer D
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Major customer revenue percentage	0.00%	0.00%	12.00%
Customer E
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Major customer revenue percentage	12.00%	13.00%	0.00%
Customer F
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Major customer revenue percentage	30.00%	18.00%	0.00%
Customer G
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Major customer revenue percentage	14.00%	12.00%	0.00%

Significant_Accounting_policie2

Significant Accounting policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
VIE, total assets	$64,314	$35,782
VIE, total liabillities	65,358	56,556
VIE, net assets	-1,044	-20,774
Advances for drillships under construction	622,507	662,313	992,825
Capitalized interest	37,342	65,492	44,951
Amortization and write off of financing costs	42,995	38,797	12,944
Asset impairment charges	0	0	0
Cumulative installment payments made to Samsung
Advances for drillships under construction	515,856
Bare deck
Useful life	30 years
Other asset parts
Useful life	5 to 15 years
Drillships
Residual value per drilling rigs and drillships	50,000	50,000	50,000
Drilling Rigs
Residual value per drilling rigs and drillships	$35,000	$35,000	$35,000

Transaction_with_Related_Parti

Transaction with Related Parties - Balance Sheet (Table) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 18, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Due from a related party	$117,219	$0
Due to related parties	11,287	0
Advances for drillships under construction and related costs	622,507	662,313	992,825
Drilling rigs, drillships, machinery and equipment, net	6,207,633	5,777,025
Dryships Inc.
Due from a related party	117,219	0		120,000
Cardiff Drilling Inc.
Due to related parties	4,287	0
Azara Services S.A.
Due to related parties	4,000	0
Basset Holding Inc.
Due to related parties	3,000	0
Related Party
Advances for drillships under construction and related costs	1,546	1,185
Drilling rigs, drillships, machinery and equipment, net	$2,885	$5,692

Transaction_with_Related_Parti1

Transaction with Related Parties - Statement of Operations (Table) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
General and administrative expenses:
Amortization of CEO's stock based compensation	$3,576	$3,634	$613
Interest income	1,164
Cardiff Marine Inc.
Service Revenue, net	0	0	6,193
Cardiff Drilling Inc.
Service Revenue, net	16,826	10,786	0
Vivid Finance Limited
General and administrative expenses:
Consultancy / Management fees	13,153	16,623	10,768
Azara Services S.A.
General and administrative expenses:
Consultancy / Management fees	9,000	5,000	0
Basset Holding Inc.
General and administrative expenses:
Consultancy / Management fees	8,191	4,200	2,676
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
General and administrative expenses:
Amortization of CEO's stock based compensation	2,316	1,358	0
Dryships Inc.
General and administrative expenses:
Interest income	$1,164	$0	$0

Transactions_with_Related_Part2

Transactions with Related Parties - Cardiff, Vivid, Basset, Azara, Dryships (Details)

12 Months Ended

24 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

28 Months Ended

24 Months Ended

8 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

8 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

8 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Aug. 19, 2014

Aug. 20, 2013

Dec. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Aug. 20, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Aug. 20, 2015

Aug. 20, 2014

Aug. 19, 2014

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Nov. 18, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Management Agreement between Dryships and Cardiff

New Management Agreement between Company and Cardiff

Vivid - Consultancy agreement

Vivid - Consultancy agreement

Vivid - New consultancy agreement

Basset - Consultancy Agreement 2012

Basset - Consultancy Agreement 2012

Basset - Consultancy Agreement 2012

Basset - Consultancy Agreement 2012

Basset - Consultancy Agreement 2012

Basset- Consultancy Agreement 2015

Basset- Consultancy Agreement 2015

Steel Wheel

Azara Services S.A.

Azara Services S.A.

Azara Services S.A.

Azara Services S.A.

Azara Services S.A.

Azara Services S.A.

Azara Services S.A. on 19 August 2014

Azara Services S.A. on 19 August 2014

Azara Services S.A. on 19 August 2014

Azara Services S.A. on 19 August 2014

Azara Services S.A. on 30 December 2014

Azara Services S.A. on 30 December 2014

Azara Services S.A. on 30 December 2014

Azara Services S.A. on 30 December 2014

Dryships Inc.

Dryships Inc.

Dryships Inc.

Dryships Inc.

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Related Party Transaction [Line Items]

Commissions in connection with employment arrangements

1.00%

1.00%

Commission on purchase and sale activities

0.75%

0.75%

Duration of consultancy agreement

5 years

Commission on financing related services

0.20%

0.20%

Annual renumeration

$1,100

€ 900

$550

€ 450

$9,000

$5,000

$0

Cash Bonus

4,000

3,000

3,000

2,500

2,500

4,000

Ownership in Ocean Rig

114,286

114,286

1,570,226

Professional Financial Fees

2,500

Shares granted

656,650

342,400

150,000

150,000

300,000

Vesting period

2 years

3 years

3 years

Grant date fair value

$17.56

$18.37

$9.46

Shares vested on grant date

50,000

Shares vested in period

50,000

50,000

50,000

50,000

50,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

Unsecured debt to parent company

117,219

0

120,000

117,219

0

Debt Instrument - variable interest rate basis

LIBOR

Payment terms

The bank loans are payable in U.S. Dollars in quarterly with balloon payments due at maturity between July 2020 and July 2021.

The Company has the option to exhange this loan for its common shares owned by DryShips at a fixed price per share, provided the DryShips $200,000 million Secured Bridge Credit facility has been repaid in full. If such exchange occurs, the margin of the loan will be reduced from inception.

Maturity date of loan

16-May

Interest Received

1,164

1,164

0

0

Dividends paid

$75,194

$0

$0

$44,631

Transactions_with_Related_Part3

Transactions with Related Parties - CEO & Members of BoD (Details) (Chairman and CEO)	Apr. 17, 2012
Chairman and CEO
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of common shares of Ocean Rig previously owned by Dryships purchased by companies affiliated with Chairman and Chief Executive Officer	2,185,000

Other_Current_Assets_Table_Det

Other Current Assets (Table) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Inventories	$6,609	$8,616
Deferred mobilization expenses	66,169	76,986
Prepayments and advances	22,880	10,980
Other	5,850	14,389
Total	$101,508	$110,971

Advances_for_drillships_under_2

Advances for drillships under construction and related costs (Table) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Advances For Drillships Under Construction [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$662,313	$992,825
Advances for drillships under construction and related costs	688,832	1,112,237
Drillships delivered	-728,638	-1,442,749
Balance at end of year	$622,507	$662,313

Advances_for_drillships_under_3

Advances for drillships under construction and related costs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	4 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	8 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 18, 2011	Apr. 27, 2011	Jun. 23, 2011	Sep. 20, 2012	Aug. 30, 2013	Apr. 08, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Advances for drillships under construction							$622,507	$662,313	$992,825
Ocean Rig Mylos
Number of options exercised	1
Price per drillship	608,000
Drillships delivery	19-Aug-13
Ocean Rig Skyros
Number of options exercised		1
Price per drillship		608,000
Drillships delivery		20-Dec-13
Ocean Rig Athena
Number of options exercised			1
Price per drillship			608,000
Drillships delivery			24-Mar-14
Ocean Rig Apollo
Number of options exercised				1
Price per drillship				683,000
Drillships delivery				5-Mar-15
Ocean Rig Santorini
Price per drillship					644,000
Advances for drillships under construction					127,000
Drillships delivery					Jun-16
7th generation Drillship
Price per drillship						728,000
Advances for drillships under construction						76,600
Drillships delivery						Feb-17
7th generation Drillship
Price per drillship						728,000
Advances for drillships under construction						$76,600
Drillships delivery						Jun-17

Drilling_rigsdrillships_machin

Drilling rigs,drillships, machinery and equipment, net (Table) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Balance	$6,207,633	$5,777,025
Cost
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Balance	6,578,940	4,968,397
Additions / Transfer from drillships under construction	752,432	1,610,543
Depreciation	0	0
Balance	7,331,372	6,578,940
Accumulated Depreciation
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Balance	-801,915	-568,935
Additions / Transfer from drillships under construction	0	0
Depreciation	-321,824	-232,980
Balance	-1,123,739	-801,915
Net Book Value
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Balance	5,777,025	4,399,462
Additions / Transfer from drillships under construction	752,432	1,610,543
Depreciation	-321,824	-232,980
Balance	$6,207,633	$5,777,025

Other_noncurrent_assets_Table_

Other non-current assets (Table) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other non-current assets [Abstract]
Deferred mobilization expenses	$43,327	$72,624
Intangible assets, net	4,732	6,175
Other	57,910	29,079
Total	$105,969	$107,878

Longterm_Debt_Table_Details

Long-term Debt (Table) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Less: Deferred financing costs	($100,550)	($92,014)
Total debt	4,372,450	3,993,236
Less: Current portion	-19,858	-85,401
Long-term portion	4,352,592	3,907,835
1.3 billion Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Secured Facility	1,296,750	0
1.9 billion Term Loan B Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Secured Facility	1,876,250	1,895,250
1.35 billion Senior Secured Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Secured Facility	0	890,000
9.5% Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0	500,000
7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	500,000	0
6.5% Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$800,000	$800,000

Longterm_Debt_Loan_Movements_T

Long-term Debt - Loan Movements (Table) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	4 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 26, 2014	13-May-14	Dec. 31, 2014
31-Dec-13	$4,085,250	$4,085,250	$4,085,250
New Loans			2,250,000
Repayments			-1,862,250
31-Dec-14			4,473,000
Senior Unsecured Notes
Loan agreement date			14-Apr-11
Original Amount			500,000
31-Dec-13	500,000	500,000	500,000
New Loans			0
Repayments	-462,300	-37,700	-500,000
31-Dec-14			0
Drill Rigs Senior Notes
Loan agreement date			20-Sep-12
Original Amount			800,000
31-Dec-13	800,000	800,000	800,000
New Loans			0
Repayments			0
31-Dec-14			800,000
7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes
Loan agreement date			26-Mar-14
Original Amount			500,000
31-Dec-13	0	0	0
New Loans			500,000
Repayments			0
31-Dec-14			500,000
New Term Loan B Facility
Loan agreement date			25-Jul-14
Original Amount			1,300,000
31-Dec-13	0	0	0
New Loans			1,300,000
Repayments			-3,250
31-Dec-14			1,296,750
Term Loan B Facility
Loan agreement date			12-Jul-13
Original Amount			1,900,000
31-Dec-13	1,895,250	1,895,250	1,895,250
New Loans			0
Repayments			-19,000
31-Dec-14			1,876,250
Secured Credit Facility
Loan agreement date			28-Feb-13
Original Amount			1,350,000
31-Dec-13	890,000	890,000	890,000
New Loans			450,000
Repayments			-1,340,000
31-Dec-14			$0

Longterm_Debt_Principal_Paymen

Long-term Debt - Principal Payments (Table) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]
2015	$32,000
2016	32,000
2017	832,000
2018	32,000
2019	532,000
2020 and thereafter	3,013,000
Total principal payments	4,473,000	4,085,250
Less: Financing fees	-100,550	-92,014
Total debt	$4,372,450	$3,993,236

Longterm_Debt_Senior_Notes_Det

Long-term Debt - Senior Notes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	4 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 26, 2014	Apr. 27, 2011	13-May-14	Sep. 20, 2012	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 01, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price of senior note as a percentage of principal amount		101.00%
Repayment of debt	($1,862,250)
Senior Secured Credit Facility repaid
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount					1,040,000
7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	500,000
Senior notes interest rate		7.25%
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes		493,625
Repayment of debt	0
9.5% Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	500,000
Senior notes interest rate			9.50%
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes			487,500
Redemption price of senior note as a percentage of principal amount		105.38%		104.50%
Repayment of debt	-500,000	-462,300		-37,700
6.5% Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	800,000
Senior notes interest rate					6.50%
Proceeds from issuance of secured debt					781,965
Redemption price of senior note as a percentage of principal amount					101.00%	100.00%	103.25%
Repayment of debt	$0

Longterm_Debt_Term_bank_loans_

Long-term Debt - Term bank loans/ Credit facilities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			2 Months Ended	7 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 28, 2013	Jul. 25, 2014	Feb. 07, 2014	Jul. 12, 2013	Mar. 24, 2014	Jul. 26, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$4,372,450	$3,993,236
Amortization And Write Off Of Financing Costs	42,995	38,797	12,944
Payment of loan origination fee	43,457	78,427	19,679
Ocean Rig Mylos, Ocean Rig Skyros and Ocean Rig Athena
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument - face amount				1,350,000
Debt Instrument - variable interest rate basis				LIBOR
Ocean Rig Athena
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility amount drawn down								450,000
Ocean Rig Mylos and Ocean Rig Skyros
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility amount drawn down		900,000
Commercial Lenders Or Commercial Facilities | Ocean Rig Mylos
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument - face amount				150,000
Commercial Lenders Or Commercial Facilities | Ocean Rig Skyros
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument - face amount				150,000
Commercial Lenders Or Commercial Facilities | Ocean Rig Athena
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument - face amount				150,000
Eksportkreditt Norge AS / Eksportkreditt GIEK Facilities | Ocean Rig Mylos
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument - face amount				150,000
Eksportkreditt Norge AS / Eksportkreditt GIEK Facilities | Ocean Rig Skyros
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument - face amount				150,000
Eksportkreditt Norge AS / Eksportkreditt GIEK Facilities | Ocean Rig Athena
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument - face amount				150,000
Export-Import Bank of Korea / Kexim Facilities | Ocean Rig Mylos
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument - face amount				150,000
Export-Import Bank of Korea / Kexim Facilities | Ocean Rig Skyros
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument - face amount				150,000
Export-Import Bank of Korea / Kexim Facilities | Ocean Rig Athena
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument - face amount				150,000
New Term Loan B Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument - face amount	1,300,000
Long-term debt bearing with fixed interest					1,300,000
Maturity Date Of Loan					July 25,2021
Amortization And Write Off Of Financing Costs					19,797
Release of restricted cash					75,000
1.9 billion Term Loan B Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument - face amount	1,900,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity							1,800,000
Tranche B1 term loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity						1,900,000	975,000
Maturity Date Of Loan						Q3 2020	Q1 2021
Tranche B2 term loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity							825,000
Maturity Date Of Loan							Q3 2016
Eksportkreditt GIEK Facilities and Kexim Facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Payment of loan origination fee		22,400
Nordea Finland Plc
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument - face amount							800,000
Long-term Debt		666,668
Deutsche Bank Luxembourg SA facility 1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument - face amount							495,000
Deutsche Bank Luxembourg SA facility 2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument - face amount							495,000
Drillships Financing Holding Inc. ("DFHI") and Drillships Projects Inc.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity									100,000
Term loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amortization And Write Off Of Financing Costs							23,300
Release of restricted cash							131,600
Existing bank loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt							$1,519,168

Longterm_Debt_Terms_and_Amendm

Long-term Debt - Terms and Amendments (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Payment terms	The bank loans are payable in U.S. Dollars in quarterly with balloon payments due at maturity between July 2020 and July 2021.
1.35 billion Senior Secured Credit Facility | Ocean Rig Mylos
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Covenant description	Under the above agreement, the Company could only pay dividends or make other distributions in respect of its capital stock in an amount up to 50% of its net income of each previous financial year, provided in each case that the Company maintains minimum liquidity in an aggregate amount of not less of $200,000 in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and maintain such level for the next 12 months following the date of the dividend payment.
1.35 billion Senior Secured Credit Facility | Ocean Rig Skyros
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Covenant description	Under the above agreement, the Company could only pay dividends or make other distributions in respect of its capital stock in an amount up to 50% of its net income of each previous financial year, provided in each case that the Company maintains minimum liquidity in an aggregate amount of not less of $200,000 in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and maintain such level for the next 12 months following the date of the dividend payment.
1.35 billion Senior Secured Credit Facility | Ocean Rig Athena
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Covenant description	Under the above agreement, the Company could only pay dividends or make other distributions in respect of its capital stock in an amount up to 50% of its net income of each previous financial year, provided in each case that the Company maintains minimum liquidity in an aggregate amount of not less of $200,000 in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and maintain such level for the next 12 months following the date of the dividend payment.
All Three Term Loan Facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Payment terms	All term loan facilities bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin and were repayable in quarterly installments, beginning three months after the delivery of the first drillship. The Commercial Facilities matured five years after the first repayment date while the Eksportkreditt GIEK Facilities and Kexim Facilities matured five or eleven years after the first repayment date at the lenders option.
Agreement Amendment | Ocean Rig Mylos
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Covenant description	Under the terms of the agreement, the existing dividend restriction of up to 50% of preceding fiscal year net income amended to apply on a cumulative basis from July 1, 2013, onwards (50% of cumulative net income) and include a carve-out to pay additional dividends up to the higher of (i) $150,000 and (ii) 5% of the Company's net tangible assets. Furthermore, the minimum interest coverage ratio requirement will be 2.0 times until June 30, 2015 and the maximum leverage ratio will be 6.5 times until June 30, 2014, 6.0 times until December 31, 2014 and 5.5 times until June 30, 2015.
Agreement Amendment | Ocean Rig Skyros
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Covenant description	Under the terms of the agreement, the existing dividend restriction of up to 50% of preceding fiscal year net income amended to apply on a cumulative basis from July 1, 2013, onwards (50% of cumulative net income) and include a carve-out to pay additional dividends up to the higher of (i) $150,000 and (ii) 5% of the Company's net tangible assets. Furthermore, the minimum interest coverage ratio requirement will be 2.0 times until June 30, 2015 and the maximum leverage ratio will be 6.5 times until June 30, 2014, 6.0 times until December 31, 2014 and 5.5 times until June 30, 2015.
Agreement Amendment | Ocean Rig Athena
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Covenant description	Under the terms of the agreement, the existing dividend restriction of up to 50% of preceding fiscal year net income amended to apply on a cumulative basis from July 1, 2013, onwards (50% of cumulative net income) and include a carve-out to pay additional dividends up to the higher of (i) $150,000 and (ii) 5% of the Company's net tangible assets. Furthermore, the minimum interest coverage ratio requirement will be 2.0 times until June 30, 2015 and the maximum leverage ratio will be 6.5 times until June 30, 2014, 6.0 times until December 31, 2014 and 5.5 times until June 30, 2015.

Longterm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-term Debt - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt [Abstract]
Capitalized interest	$37,342	$65,492	$44,951
Interest expense	304,132	228,992	148,763
Weighted average interest rate	6.40%	6.40%	4.20%
Available amount of loan facility	$0
Debt insrument frequency of periodic payment		quarterly basis

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair2

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments in the Balance Sheet (Table) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial Instruments non-current assets	$10,101	$13,517
Financial Instruments current liabilities	-17,881	-30,266
Financial Instruments non-current liabilities	-8,617	-15,557
Total	-16,397	-32,306
Interest rate swaps
Financial Instruments non-current assets	10,101	13,517
Financial Instruments current liabilities	-17,881	-30,266
Financial Instruments non-current liabilities	($8,617)	($15,557)

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair3

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operation (Table) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative [Line Items]
Other, net	$4,282	$3,315	($1,068)
Gain/ (Loss) on interest rate swaps	-12,671	8,616	-36,974
Total	0	0	-36,974
Foreign currency forward contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Other, net	0	0	0
Interest rate swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain/ (Loss) on interest rate swaps	$12,671	$8,616	($36,974)

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair4

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Measured on a Recurring Basis (Table) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps-asset position	$10,101	$13,517
Interest rate swaps-liability position	-26,498	-45,823
Total	-16,397	-32,306
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps-asset position	0	0
Interest rate swaps-liability position	0	0
Total	0	0
Significant other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps-asset position	10,101	13,517
Interest rate swaps-liability position	-26,498	-45,823
Total	-16,397	-32,306
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps-asset position	0	0
Interest rate swaps-liability position	0	0
Total	$0	$0

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair5

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Interest Rate Swaps (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2010
Interest rate swaps and cap floor agreements:
Reclassification of losses on previously designated cash flow hedges to interest and finance costs	$0	$0	$22,904
Reclassification of losses on previously designated cash flow hedges associated with capitalized interest to depreciation and amortization	1,034	1,036	1,034
Estimated net amount of existing losses to be reclassified within twelve months	-1,034
Cash flow hedge realized
Interest rate swaps and cap floor agreements:
(Unrealized) / realized losses on cash flow hedges accumulated in other comprehensive income				27,776
Cash flow hedge unrealized
Interest rate swaps and cap floor agreements:
(Unrealized) / realized losses on cash flow hedges accumulated in other comprehensive income				-35,992
Interest Rate Swaps
Interest rate swaps and cap floor agreements:
Number of interest rate swap held	7	9	12
Notional amount of interest rate swaps	1,800,000	2,100,000	2,700,000
Interest Rate Swaps | Due to early loan repayment
Interest rate swaps and cap floor agreements:
Reclassification of losses on previously designated cash flow hedges to interest and finance costs			$13,088

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair6

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Foreign Currency Forward Contracts (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Foreign Currency Derivatives
Number of forward contracts held	0	0	0
Foreign currency forward contracts
Foreign Currency Derivatives
Gains/(losses) transferred from other comprehensive income to statement of operations	($1,034)	($1,036)	($23,938)

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair7

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Senior Notes and Credit Facilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
New Term Loan B Facility
Senior notes and credit facilities:
Debt instrument - carrying value, net of financing fees	$1,266,341
Term Loan B Facility
Senior notes and credit facilities:
Debt instrument - estimated fair value		1,951,790
Debt instrument - carrying value, net of financing fees	1,825,671	1,839,170
Senior Unsecured Notes
Senior notes and credit facilities:
Debt instrument - estimated fair value		531,250
Debt instrument - carrying value, net of financing fees		493,915
Drill Rigs Senior Notes
Senior notes and credit facilities:
Debt instrument - estimated fair value	666,000	863,504
Debt instrument - carrying value, net of financing fees	788,224	784,485
7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes
Senior notes and credit facilities:
Debt instrument - estimated fair value	380,000
Debt instrument - carrying value, net of financing fees	$492,214

Common_Stock_and_Additional_Pa2

Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital - Vested and Non Vested Shares (Table) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Number of non vested shares
Balance	239,867	73,500
Granted	656,650	342,400
Forfeited	-78,576	-15,900
Vested	-205,143	-160,133
Balance	612,798	239,867
Weighted average grant date fair value per non vested shares
Balance	$17.15	$16.40
Granted	$13.76	$17.19
Forfeited	$16.93	$16.90
Vested	$17.31	$16.92
Balance	$13.49	$17.15
Number of vested shares
Balance	162,633	2,500
Granted and vested	111,585	117,133
Non vested shares granted in prior years and vested in 2013 and 2014 respectively	93,558	43,000
Granted and vested shares in prior years, but cancelled during 2014	-58,324
Balance	309,452	162,633
Weighted average grant date fair value per vested shares
Balance	$16.90	$16.50
Granted and vested	$17.39	$17.18
Non vested shares granted in prior years and vested 2013 and 2014 respectively	$17.20	$16.16
Granted and vested shares in prior years,but cancelled during 2014	$16.63
Balance	$17.22	$16.90

Common_Stock_and_Additional_Pa3

Common Stock and Additional Paid In Capital Dividends-General (Details) (USD $)	2 Months Ended	4 Months Ended	7 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 24, 2015	8-May-14	Jul. 21, 2014	Oct. 15, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 15, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 08, 2010
Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital
Date of dividend payment	23-Mar-15	29-May-14	8-Aug-14	7-Nov-14
Date of dividend record	10-Mar-15	20-May-14	1-Aug-14	31-Oct-14
Dividend per share paid		$0.19	$0.19	$0.19
Dividends paid					$75,194	$0	$0
Common stock shares authorized					1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000		1,000,000,000	250,000,000	500
Preferred stock shares authorized					500,000,000	500,000,000		500,000,000
Common stock par value					$0.01	$0.01			$0.01	$20
Shares dividends									$103,125,000

Common_Stock_and_Additional_Pa4

Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital - Restricted Stock Awards (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

8 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

10 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Aug. 20, 2013

Aug. 19, 2014

Dec. 30, 2014

Feb. 14, 2012

15-May-12

Dec. 05, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

16-May-13

Nov. 04, 2014

Mar. 21, 2012

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 08, 2010

Aug. 20, 2015

Aug. 20, 2014

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2017

Mar. 31, 2013

Shares granted

656,650

342,400

Common stock par value

$0.01

$0.01

$0.01

$20

Vested during the period

205,143

160,133

Number of forfeited shares

171,626

Amortization of stock based compensation

$3,576

$3,634

$613

Unrecognized compensation cost

6,235

2,724

Expected period of recognition for unrecognized compensation costs

2 years

Compensation cost allocated in "General and administrative expenses"

3,576

3,634

613

Shares authorized under Equity Plan

2,000,000

Fair value of shares vested

$2,383

$2,959

Azara Services S.A.

Shares granted

150,000

Vesting period

2 years

Vested In Period

50,000

50,000

Shares vested on grant date

50,000

Grant date fair value

$17.56

Azara Services S.A. on 19 August 2014

Shares granted

150,000

Vesting period

3 years

Vested In Period

50,000

50,000

50,000

Grant date fair value

$18.37

Azara Services S.A. on 30 December 2014

Shares granted

300,000

Vesting period

3 years

Vested In Period

100,000

100,000

100,000

Grant date fair value

$9.46

Officers and key employees of Ocean Rig AS

Shares granted

112,950

Grant date fair value

$16.50

Expected period of recognition for unrecognized compensation costs

3 years

Officer

Shares granted

4,500

7,500

Vesting period

3 years

Vested In Period

7,500

Grant date fair value

$15.92

$15.75

Sign-up bonus

Shares granted

28,200

Vesting period

3 years

Grant date fair value

$15.92

Employees

Shares granted

139,202

97,283

161,200

192,400

45,450

Vesting period

3 years

3 years

3 years

Grant date fair value

$17.79

$16.90

$12.60

Accumulated_other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated other Comprehensive Loss (Table) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows hedges realized loss	$0	$0	$22,904
Total	-23,938	-23,454
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Cash flows hedges realized loss	-27,222	-28,256
Actuarial pension gain	$3,284	$4,802

Recovered_Sheet2

Interest and Finance costs (Table) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Interest and Finance Costs [Abstract]
Interest costs on long-term debt	$261,137	$190,195	$135,819
Amortization and write off of financing fees	42,995	38,797	12,944
Amortization of unrealized hedge reserve (Note 9.1)	0	0	9,816
Capitalized borrowing costs	-37,342	-65,492	-44,951
Commissions, commitment fees and other financial expenses	33,341	57,064	2,799
Total	$300,131	$220,564	$116,427

Income_Taxes_Income_Components

Income Taxes - Income Components (Table) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Domestic loss (Marshall Islands)	($161,913)	($66,604)	($2,536)
Foreign income / (loss)	499,539	174,518	-85,843
INCOME / (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	$337,626	$107,914	($88,379)

Income_Taxes_Tax_Component_Tab

Income Taxes - Tax Component (Table) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Current Tax expense	$77,823	$44,591	$43,957
Deferred Tax expense	0	0	0
Income taxes	$77,823	$44,591	$43,957
Effective tax rate	23.10%	41.30%	-49.70%

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of total tax expense (Table) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of total tax expense:
Change in valuation allowance	$0	$0	$6,311
Differences in tax rates	0	89	-3,896
Effect of permanent differences	0	0	120
Adjustments in respect to current income tax of previous years	0	683	184
Tax rate on interest	0	742	0
Effect of exchange rate differences	0	7	-1,599
Income tax	70,441	43,070	42,837
Taxes on litigation matters subject to statutory rates including interest and penalties	7,382	0	0
Total	$77,823	$44,591	$43,957

Income_Taxes_Deferred_Tax_Asse

Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities (Table) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets
Net operations loss carry forward	$0	$1,723
Accelerated depreciation of assets	101	65
Pension	1,184	608
Total deferred tax assets	1,285	2,396
Less: valuation allowance	-1,285	-2,396
Total deferred tax assets, net	$0	$0

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Angola
Current tax expense percentage	64.00%
Angola, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Gabon
Current tax expense percentage		72.00%
Angola,Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast and Ghana
Current tax expense percentage			81.00%

Earnings_Loss_per_share_Table_

Earnings/ (Loss) per share (Table) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings/ (Loss) per share [Abstract]
Net Income/(Loss)	$259,803	$63,323	($132,336)
Less: Allocation of undistributed earnings to non-vested stock	-772	-102	0
Income (numerator)	$259,031	$63,221	($132,336)
Weighted-average number of outstanding shares (denominator)	131,837,227	131,727,504	131,696,935
Basic and diluted EPS Income/ (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$1.96	$0.48	($1)

Geographic_information_for_off2

Geographic information for offshore drilling operations - Revenue per country (Table) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Leasing And Service Revenues	$1,817,077	$1,180,250	$941,903
Ghana
Leasing And Service Revenues	0	0	175,595
Norway
Leasing And Service Revenues	220,044	157,740	0
Brazil
Leasing And Service Revenues	581,635	353,397	233,569
Greenland
Leasing And Service Revenues	0	0	136
Ivory Coast
Leasing And Service Revenues	97,232	86,486	0
Tanzania
Leasing And Service Revenues	0	72,083	196,415
Angola
Leasing And Service Revenues	807,742	227,603	79,884
Namibia
Leasing And Service Revenues	0	0	33,212
Falkland
Leasing And Service Revenues	0	0	166,795
Equatorial Guinea
Leasing And Service Revenues	0	0	56,297
Gabon/ West Africa
Leasing And Service Revenues	0	81,104	0
South Africa
Leasing And Service Revenues	110,424	0	0
Liberia
Leasing And Service Revenues	0	55,601	0
Ireland
Leasing And Service Revenues	0	104,014	0
Sierra Leone
Leasing And Service Revenues	0	37,272	0
Other
Leasing And Service Revenues	$0	$4,950	$0

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Purchase Obligations (Table) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
2015	$566,300
2016	498,200
2017	864,400
Total	1,928,900
Drillships building contracts
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
2015	566,300
2016	498,200
2017	864,400
Total	$1,928,900

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Legal proceedings (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			5 Months Ended	7 Months Ended	8 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	24-May-12	Jul. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Legal Matters and Contingencies [Line Items]
Legal settlements and other, net	($721)	$6,000	$4,524
Insurance recoveries	1,817,077	1,180,250	941,903
Allowance for doubtful receivables	2,825	2,948
Leiv Eiriksson - Legal Claim
Legal Matters and Contingencies [Line Items]
Payments for legal settlements				6,100
Legal settlements and other, net			6,100
Capricorn Greenland Exploration 1 and Limited Cairn Energy Plc.
Legal Matters and Contingencies [Line Items]
Legal settlements and other, net		6,000
Proceeds from legal settlements					5,000
Previously recognised insurance claim		11,000
Ocean Rig Corcovado
Legal Matters and Contingencies [Line Items]
Proceeds from legal settlements	20,200					24,600
Insurance recoveries	20,200		24,600
Ocean Rig Mylos
Legal Matters and Contingencies [Line Items]
Proceeds from legal settlements	39,100
Insurance recoveries	$39,600

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies - OCR information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Legal Matters [Abstract]
Legal Matters of OCR under arbitration proceedings	Ocean Rig Norway Operations Inc. ("OCR"), a subsidiary of the Company, was notified by a letter dated November 13, 2013 that arbitration proceedings were commenced against it by Westcon Yard AS of Norway ("Westcon"), in connection to an alleged outstanding unpaid amount of Norwegian Krone Seventy Seven Million Three Hundred Eighty Three Thousand Eight Hundred and Three and Fifty Eight Шre (NOK 77,383,803.58), $10.4 million (based on based on the NOK/U.S. Dollar exchange rate as of December 31, 2014) plus interest and costs related to upgrades performed in the drilling unit the Leiv Eiriksson in late 2012 and early 2013. The counterparties reached an agreement during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	2 Months Ended	4 Months Ended	7 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 24, 2015	8-May-14	Jul. 21, 2014	Oct. 15, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 13, 2015	Mar. 05, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Payment terms					The bank loans are payable in U.S. Dollars in quarterly with balloon payments due at maturity between July 2020 and July 2021.
Date of dividend payment	23-Mar-15	29-May-14	8-Aug-14	7-Nov-14
Date of dividend record	10-Mar-15	20-May-14	1-Aug-14	31-Oct-14
Dividend per share declared	$0.19
Syndicated secured term loan facility | Ocean Rig Apollo
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity						$475,000
Payment terms						This facility has a 5 year term, and approximate 12 year repayment profile, and bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin.
Debt Instrument - variable interest rate basis						LIBOR
Line of credit facility amount drawn down							$462,000

Schedule_I_Condensed_Financial2

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Ocean Rig UDW Inc. - Balance Sheets (Table) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$528,933	$605,467	$317,366	$250,878
Due from related parties	117,219	0
Other current assets	101,508	110,971
Total current assets	978,192	1,009,717
NON-CURRENT ASSETS:
Total assets	8,041,621	7,620,450
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Total current liabilities	417,693	543,654
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Long term debt, net of current portion	4,352,592	3,907,835
Total non-current liabilities	4,457,652	4,096,953
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2013 and 2014, nil issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, at December 31, 2013 and 2014, 131,875,128 and 132,017,178 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively	1,320	1,319
Additional paid-in capital	3,494,957	3,492,650
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-23,938	-23,454
Accumulated deficit	-306,063	-490,672
Total stockholders' equity	3,166,276	2,979,843	2,908,515	2,998,456
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	8,041,621	7,620,450
Ocean Rig
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	60	58	954	1,303
Due from related parties	117,219	0
Other current assets	2,090	300
Total current assets	119,369	358
NON-CURRENT ASSETS:
Investments in subsidiaries (Eliminated in consolidation)	3,549,399	3,494,475
Total non-current assets	3,549,399	3,494,475
Total assets	3,668,768	3,494,833
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Other current liabilities	10,278	21,075
Total current liabilities	10,278	21,075
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Long term debt, net of current portion	492,214	493,915
Total non-current liabilities	492,214	493,915
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2013 and 2014, nil issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, at December 31, 2013 and 2014, 131,875,128 and 132,017,178 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively	1,320	1,319
Additional paid-in capital	3,494,957	3,492,650
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-23,938	-23,454
Accumulated deficit	-306,063	-490,672
Total stockholders' equity	3,166,276	2,979,843
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$3,668,768	$3,494,833

Schedule_I_Condensed_Financial3

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Ocean Rig UDW Inc. - Balance Sheets Parentheticals (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 15, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 08, 2010
Preferred stock par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000	500,000,000
Preferred stock shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock par value	$0.01	$0.01		$0.01	$20
Common stock shares authorized	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000	250,000,000	500
Common stock shares issued	132,017,178	131,875,128
Common stock shares outstanding	132,017,178	131,875,128
Ocean Rig
Preferred stock par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Preferred stock shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock shares authorized	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Common stock shares issued	132,017,178	131,875,128
Common stock shares outstanding	132,017,178	131,875,128

Schedule_I_Condensed_Financial4

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Ocean Rig UDW Inc. - Statements of Operations (Table) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
EXPENSES:
General and administrative expenses	$131,745	$126,868	$83,647
Legal settlements and other, net	-721	6,000	4,524
Operating loss	-633,919	-306,952	-65,537
OTHER INCOME / (EXPENSES):
Interest and finance costs	-300,131	-220,564	-116,427
Interest income	12,227	9,595	553
Loss on interest rate swaps	-12,671	8,616	-36,974
Other, net	4,282	3,315	-1,068
Total other (expenses), net	-296,293	-199,038	-153,916
Net income/(loss)	259,803	63,323	-132,336
NET INCOME / (LOSS) TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS (Note 14)	259,031	63,221	-132,336
Earnings/(loss) per common share, basic and diluted	$1.96	$0.48	($1)
Weighted average number of shares, basic and diluted	131,837,227	131,727,504	131,696,935
Ocean Rig
EXPENSES:
General and administrative expenses	7,983	8,565	12,877
Legal settlements and other, net	0	0	6,100
Operating loss	7,983	8,565	18,977
OTHER INCOME / (EXPENSES):
Interest and finance costs	-82,109	-53,193	-58,210
Interest income	1,383	0	4
Loss on interest rate swaps	0	-149	-38
Other, net	6,224	2,358	-2,476
Total other (expenses), net	-74,502	-50,984	-60,720
Equity in earnings/(loss) of subsidiaries (Eliminated in consolidation)	342,288	122,872	-52,639
Net income/(loss)	259,803	63,323	-132,336
NET INCOME / (LOSS) TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS (Note 14)	$259,031	$63,221	($132,336)
Earnings/(loss) per common share, basic and diluted	$1.96	$0.48	($1)
Weighted average number of shares, basic and diluted	131,837,227	131,727,504	131,696,935

Schedule_I_Condensed_Financial5

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Ocean Rig UDW Inc. - Statements of Comprehensive Income/ (loss) (Table) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net income / (Loss)	$259,803	$63,323	($132,336)
Other Comprehensive income / (loss):
Reclassification of realized losses associated with capitalized interest to Consolidated Statement of Operations	1,034	1,036	1,034
Reclassification of losses on previously designated cash flow hedges to Consolidated Statement of Operations, net	0	0	22,904
Actuarial gains/ (losses)	-1,518	3,335	-637
Other comprehensive income/ (loss)	-484	4,371	23,301
Total Comprehensive income / (loss)	259,319	67,694	-109,035
Ocean Rig
Net income / (Loss)	259,803	63,323	-132,336
Other Comprehensive income / (loss):
Reclassification of realized losses associated with capitalized interest to Consolidated Statement of Operations	1,034	1,036	1,034
Reclassification of losses on previously designated cash flow hedges to Consolidated Statement of Operations, net	0	0	22,904
Actuarial gains/ (losses)	-1,518	3,335	-637
Other comprehensive income/ (loss)	-484	4,371	23,301
Total Comprehensive income / (loss)	$259,319	$67,694	($109,035)

Schedule_I_Condensed_Financial6

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Ocean Rig UDW Inc. - Statements of Cash Flows (Table) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities	$469,817	$333,008	$278,303
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Loan to parent	-120,000	0	0
Proceeds from arrangement fees	3,000	0	0
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities	-814,984	-1,144,230	-320,469
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from senior notes	2,250,000	2,800,000	800,000
Payments of senior notes	-1,862,250	-1,622,250	-671,667
Dividends paid	-75,194	0	0
Payments for issuance of subsidiaries shares	-466	0	0
Payment of financing fees	-43,457	-78,427	-19,679
Net Cash used in Financing Activities	268,633	1,099,323	108,654
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-76,534	288,101	66,488
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	605,467	317,366	250,878
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	528,933	605,467	317,366
Ocean Rig
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities	-88,302	-62,302	-59,992
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Investments in subsidiaries	289,654	61,406	59,643
Loan to parent	-120,000	0	0
Proceeds from arrangement fees	3,000	0	0
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities	172,654	61,406	59,643
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from senior notes	500,000	0	0
Payments of senior notes	-500,000	0	0
Dividends paid	-75,194	0	0
Payments for issuance of subsidiaries shares	-466	0	0
Payment of financing fees	-8,690	0	0
Net Cash used in Financing Activities	-84,350	0	0
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2	-896	-349
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	58	954	1,303
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$60	$58	$954

Schedule_I_Condensed_Financial7

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Ocean Rig UDW Inc. - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			11 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 18, 2014	Apr. 27, 2011	Mar. 26, 2014
Debt Instrument - carrying amount	$4,473,000	$4,085,250
Unsecured debt to parent company	117,219	0
Dividends paid	75,194	0	0
Ocean Rig
Unsecured debt to parent company	117,219	0
Dividends paid	75,194	0	0
Ocean Rig | Dryships Inc.
Unsecured debt to parent company				120,000
Debt Instrument - variable interest rate basis				LIBOR
Ocean Rig | 9.5% Senior Unsecured Notes
Senior Notes					500,000
Ocean Rig | 7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes
Senior Notes						500,000
Ocean Rig | Guarantor
Debt Instrument - carrying amount	3,173,000
Ocean Rig | Guarantor | 1st facility
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	1,300,000
Ocean Rig | Guarantor | 2nd facility
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	1,900,000
Ocean Rig | Guarantor | 6.5% Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument - carrying amount	$800,000