View Filing Data

Research and development costs

^[2]

$ 2,952,040

^[1]

$ 2,688,811

^[1]

$ 2,854,632

Costs and Expenses:

Cost of operations

2,278,208

2,024,034

2,182,131

106,396

69,167

53,246

(Gains) losses on asset disposals and impairments - net

(3,087)

1,226

Selling, general and administrative expenses

413,210

405,682

403,559

Total Costs and Expenses

2,794,727

2,498,921

2,640,162

Other income (expense) - net

78,655

74,082

55,094

Operating Income

^[3]

235,968

263,972

269,564

Other Income (Expense):

Interest income

1,342

1,187

3,439

Interest expense

(4,543)

(12,939)

(24,590)

2,168

(16,400)

(16,112)

Total Other Expense

(1,033)

(28,152)

(37,263)

Income before Provision for Income Taxes

234,935

235,820

232,301

Provision for Income Taxes

72,982

82,294

84,381

Net Income

161,953

153,526

147,920

Net Loss (Income) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

7,701

(264)

(156)

Net Income Attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company

$ 169,654

$ 153,262

$ 147,764

Basic:

Net Income Attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company

$ 1.44

$ 1.32

$ 1.27

Diluted:

Net Income Attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company

$ 1.43

$ 1.30

$ 1.26

Shares used in the computation of earnings per share (Note 19):

Basic

117,560,594

116,260,425

116,067,535

Diluted

118,404,597

117,626,065

117,423,807

[1]	Segment revenues are net of the following intersegment transfers and other adjustments:
[2]	We allocate geographic revenues based on the location of the customer's operations.
[3]	Included in operating income is the following:

Consolidated And Combined Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated And Combined Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 161,953	$ 153,526	$ 147,920
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	747	7,561	22,103
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative financial instruments:
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative financial instruments	(877)	6,407	8,134
Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income	1,655	1,290	(1,551)
Unrecognized losses on benefit obligations:
Unrecognized losses arising during the period	(140,436)	(62,059)	(36,872)
Amortization of losses included in net income	50,382	50,571	54,962
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	(74)	523	(339)
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income	5	122	30
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(88,598)	4,415	46,467
Total Comprehensive Income	73,355	157,941	194,387
Comprehensive Loss (Income) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	7,670	(243)	(199)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$ 81,025	$ 157,698	$ 194,188

Consolidated And Combined Statement Of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Capital In Excess Of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Parent Equity [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest [Member]	Total
Net income								$ 147,920
Amortization of benefit plan costs								54,962
Unrealized loss on benefit obligations								(36,872)
Translation adjustments								22,103
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009				$ (546,574)		$ 666,777	$ 503	120,706
Net income			$ 96,671			56,591	264	153,526
Amortization of benefit plan costs				50,571				50,571
Unrealized loss on benefit obligations				(62,059)				(62,059)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments				645				645
Translation adjustments				7,582			(21)	7,561
Unrealized gain on derivatives				7,697				7,697
Transfer of pension to Parent				95,539				95,539
Dividend paid						(100,000)		(100,000)
Net transactions with Parent				(3,400)		429,571		426,171
Reclassification of Parent equity to capital in excess of par value		$ 1,052,939				$ (1,052,939)
Issuance of common stock at spin-off	$ 1,162	(1,162)
Issuance of common stock at spin-off, shares	116,225,732
Exercise of stock options	$ 1	3,427						3,428
Exercise of stock options, shares	86,004
Contributions to thrift plan	$ 2	5,171						5,173
Contributions to thrift plan, shares	218,699
Shares placed in treasury					$ (2,397)			(2,397)
Stock-based compensation charges	$ 5	7,039						7,044
Stock-based compensation charges, shares	433,229
Distributions to noncontrolling interests							(80)	$ (80)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010	116,963,664							116,963,664
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 1,170	1,067,414	96,671	(449,999)	(2,397)		666	$ 713,525
Net income			169,654				(7,701)	161,953
Amortization of benefit plan costs				50,382				50,382
Unrealized loss on benefit obligations				(140,436)				(140,436)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments				(69)				(69)
Translation adjustments				716			31	747
Unrealized gain on derivatives				778				778
Exercise of stock options	$ 4	8,542						8,546
Exercise of stock options, shares	379,706
Contributions to thrift plan	$ 5	13,094						13,099
Contributions to thrift plan, shares	510,510
Shares placed in treasury					(7,662)			(7,662)
Stock-based compensation charges	$ 6	17,921						17,927
Stock-based compensation charges, shares	605,031
Contribution of in-kind services							16,584	16,584
Distributions to noncontrolling interests							(401)	$ (401)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	118,458,911							118,458,911
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 1,185	$ 1,106,971	$ 266,325	$ (538,628)	$ (10,059)		$ 9,179	$ 834,973

Combined Statement Of Parent Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] McDermott International, Inc. [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Parent Equity [Member] McDermott International, Inc. [Member]	Parent Equity [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest [Member] McDermott International, Inc. [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest [Member]	McDermott International, Inc. [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	$ (592,998)		$ 523,090		$ 360		$ (69,548)
Net income			147,764		156		147,920	$ 147,920
Amortization of benefit plan costs	54,962						54,962	54,962
Unrecognized losses on benefit obligations	(36,872)						(36,872)	(36,872)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	(309)						(309)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	22,060				43		22,103	22,103
Unrealized loss on derivatives	6,583						6,583
Stock-based compensation charges			(4,077)				(4,077)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests					(56)		(56)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ (546,574)	$ (546,574)	$ 666,777	$ 666,777	$ 503	$ 503	$ 120,706	120,706
Net income				$ 56,591		264		153,526
Amortization of benefit plan costs		50,571						50,571
Unrecognized losses on benefit obligations		(62,059)						(62,059)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments		645						645
Foreign currency translation adjustments		7,582				(21)		7,561
Unrealized loss on derivatives		7,697						7,697
Stock-based compensation charges								7,044
Distributions to noncontrolling interests						(80)		(80)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010		(449,999)				666		713,525
Net income						(7,701)		161,953
Amortization of benefit plan costs		50,382						50,382
Unrecognized losses on benefit obligations		(140,436)						(140,436)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments		(69)						(69)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		716				31		747
Unrealized loss on derivatives		778						778
Stock-based compensation charges								17,927
Distributions to noncontrolling interests						(401)		(401)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011		$ (538,628)				$ 9,179		$ 834,973

The adjustment out of other comprehensive income for prior service costs recognized as a component of net period benefit cost during the period, after tax.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 158
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 158
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph c, d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 17, 19, 24
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 106
-Paragraph 52
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e637-108580

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e653-108580

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph c(3)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Net of tax effect change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges after taxes. A cash flow hedge is a hedge of the exposure to variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset or liability or a forecasted transaction that is attributable to a particular risk. The change includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase or decrease in deferred hedging gains or losses. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a credit balance consistent with its label.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 46
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 24
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 14, 17, 20, 26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 31, 46
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 14, 17, 20, 24, 26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920433&loc=d3e998-108581

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph c(3)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency of the reporting entity, net of tax.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 24
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 14, 17, 19, 26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 52
-Paragraph 13, 20, 31
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 20
-Subparagraph (b),(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6915805&loc=d3e32211-110900

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920433&loc=d3e998-108581

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph c(3)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 29
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A1, A4, A5
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 4K
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6922042&loc=SL4591552-111686

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 19
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6921628&loc=SL4569616-111683

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 4J
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6922042&loc=SL4591551-111686

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (a),(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6921930&loc=SL4573702-111684

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph c(1)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Value of stock (or other type of equity) granted during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), net of any shares forfeited. This element is not the recognition of equity-based compensation expense in pursuant to FAS 123R. That element is AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue (Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition, Value).

Total of Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity including portions attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interest), if any. The entity including portions attributable to the parent and noncontrolling interests is sometimes referred to as the economic entity. This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidated And Combined Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Income	$ 161,953	$ 153,526	$ 147,920
Non-cash items included in net income:
Depreciation and amortization	73,003	71,633	72,712
Income of investees, net of dividends	(20,854)	(20,449)	(4,450)
(Gains) losses on asset disposals and impairments - net	(3,087)	38	1,226
In-kind research and development costs	16,584
Provision for deferred taxes	29,902	33,457	29,535
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs	79,070	79,935	86,637
Stock-based compensation expense	17,927	16,308	25,891
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(4,083)	(5,276)	1,813
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(26,887)	101,260	71,316
Accounts payable	48,246	19,882	(40,555)
Net contracts in progress and advance billings	(28,746)	(153,933)	(63,879)
Income taxes	31,961	9,239	10,740
Accrued and other current liabilities	(23,106)	(9,761)	(52,556)
Pension liability and accrued postretirement and employee benefits	(144,802)	(85,371)	(378)
Other	(33,490)	(18,082)	(33,149)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	173,591	192,406	252,823
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash and cash equivalents	(48,923)	3,038	(8,189)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(63,874)	(63,649)	(93,725)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(11,907)	(29,962)	(8,497)
Net decrease in available-for-sale securities			45,230
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(145,198)	(135,135)
Sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities	147,288	134,276
Proceeds from asset disposals	6,468	753	245
Investments, net of return of capital, in equity and cost method investees	(38,176)	(42,912)	(2,700)
Decrease in note receivable from affiliate		43,277
Other			1
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(154,322)	(90,314)	(67,635)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payment of short-term borrowings and long-term debt	(1,782)	(29,914)	(6,155)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(82)	(9,994)
Increase in short-term borrowing	1,254	25,000
Dividend paid to McDermott International, Inc.		(100,000)
Capital contribution from McDermott International, Inc.		12,501
Distribution to McDermott International, Inc.		(43,334)
(Decrease) Increase in notes payable to affiliates		(43,386)	2,368
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	4,083	5,276	(1,813)
Exercise of stock options	4,463	211
Other	(401)	(93)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	7,535	(183,733)	(5,600)
EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	(2,737)	3,315	10,234
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	24,067	(78,326)	189,822
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	391,142	469,468	279,646
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	415,209	391,142	469,468
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest (net of amount capitalized)	4,525	3,746	24,728
Income taxes (net of refunds)	$ 33,505	$ 27,227	$ (29,663)

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

We have presented the consolidated and combined financial statements of The Babcock & Wilcox Company ("B&W") in U.S. Dollars in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). On and prior to July 30, 2010, our financial position, operating results and cash flows consisted of The Babcock & Wilcox Operations of McDermott International, Inc., ("BWO"), which represented a combined reporting entity comprised of the assets and liabilities involved in managing and operating of what was previously the Power Generation Systems and Government Operations segments of McDermott International, Inc., a Panamanian corporation ("MII"). In addition, two captive insurance companies were combined and contributed to B&W in conjunction with the spin-off of B&W by MII. On our consolidated and combined statements of income and cash flows, the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 include the combined results of operations for seven months of BWO and five months of the consolidated results of B&W, while the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 consists entirely of the combined results of BWO.

B&W was a wholly owned subsidiary of MII until July 30, 2010 when MII distributed 100% of our outstanding common stock to the MII shareholders. On July 2, 2010, MII's Board of Directors approved the spin-off of B&W through the distribution of shares of B&W common stock to holders of MII common stock. The distribution of B&W common stock was made on July 30, 2010, and consisted of one share of B&W common stock for every two shares of MII common stock to holders of MII common stock as of 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the record date, July 9, 2010. Cash was paid in lieu of any fractional shares of B&W common stock. B&W became a separate publicly traded company, and MII did not retain any ownership interest in B&W. A registration statement on Form 10 describing the spin-off was filed by B&W with the Securities and Exchange Commission and was declared effective on July 8, 2010 (as amended through the time of such effectiveness).

We use the equity method to account for investments in entities that we do not control, but over which we have the ability to exercise significant influence. We generally refer to these entities as "joint ventures." We have eliminated all significant intercompany transactions and accounts.

Certain corporate and general and administrative expenses incurred before the spin-off, including those related to executive management, investor relations, tax, accounting, legal and treasury services, and certain employee benefits, have been allocated based on a level of effort calculation. Our management believes such allocations are reasonable. However, the associated expenses reflected in the accompanying consolidated and combined statements of income may not be indicative of the actual expenses that would have been incurred had the combined businesses been operating as an independent public company for all periods presented. Since the spin-off from MII, B&W has been performing these functions using internal resources or services provided by third parties, certain of which were provided by MII during a transitional period pursuant to a transition services agreement. We have terminated most of the services under the transition services agreement.

Unless the context otherwise indicates, "we," "us" and "our" mean B&W and its consolidated and combined subsidiaries.

Business Segments

We operate in four business segments: Power Generation, Nuclear Operations, Technical Services and Nuclear Energy.

Our reportable segments reflect changes we made during the first quarter of 2011in the manner for which our segment operating information is reported for purposes of assessing operating performance and allocating resources. Prior to 2011 we reported two segments: Power Generation Systems and Government Operations. Our former Power Generation Systems segment has been divided into the Power Generation and Nuclear Energy segments. Our former Government Operations segment has been divided into the Nuclear Operations and Technical Services segments. The change in our reportable segments had no impact on our previously reported consolidated and combined results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. We have applied the change in reportable segments to previously reported historical financial information and related disclosures included in this report. For financial information about our segments, see Note 17 to our consolidated and combined financial statements included in this report.

Our segments are further described as follows:

•

Our Power Generation segment supplies boilers fired with fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, or renewable fuels such as biomass and municipal solid waste. In addition, we supply environmental equipment and components and related services to customers in different regions around the world. This segment owns or leases manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Canada, Denmark, Germany, Mexico, China and Scotland. We design, engineer, manufacture, supply, construct and service large utility and industrial power generation systems, including boilers used to generate steam in electric power plants, pulp and paper making, chemical and process applications and other industrial uses. We also provide the same compliment of services for our renewable portfolio of boiler technology which includes biomass fired, waste-to-energy and concentrated solar energy for steam generating solutions. This segment is also a technological leader in providing cost-effective and efficient air pollution control solutions. We have successfully developed advanced technologies to control nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, fine particulate, mercury, acid gasses and other hazardous air emissions. We also continue to advance our carbon capture and sequestration technologies in order to provide a solution to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, our Power Generation segment offers a wide range of construction services through a wholly owned subsidiary. Servicing a wide range of industries, this subsidiary provides total construction services for the entire balance of plant, from large steam generation or environmental equipment projects, to cogeneration and combined cycle installations. This segment also offers a full suite of aftermarket services. Our Power Generation segment's full-scope boiler, environmental and auxiliary equipment retrofits, upgrades and services improve plant performance and efficiency and extend the life of vital steam generating assets.

•

Our Nuclear Operations segment engineers, designs and manufactures naval nuclear reactor components for the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE")/National Nuclear Security Administration's ("NNSA") Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, which in turn supplies them to the U.S. Navy for use in submarines and aircraft carriers. This segment owns and operates manufacturing facilities located in Lynchburg, Virginia; Mount Vernon, Indiana; Euclid, Ohio; Barberton, Ohio; and Erwin, Tennessee. The Barberton and Mount Vernon locations specialize in the design and manufacture of heavy components. These two locations are N-Stamp accredited by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers ("ASME"), making them two of only a few North American suppliers of large, heavy-walled nuclear components and vessels. The Euclid, Ohio facility, which is also ASME N-Stamp certified, fabricates electro-mechanical equipment for the U.S. Government, and performs design, manufacturing, inspection, assembly and testing activities. The Lynchburg, Virginia operations fabricate fuel-bearing precision components that range in weight from a few grams to hundreds of tons. In-house capabilities also include wet chemistry uranium processing, advanced heat treatment to optimize component material properties and a controlled, clean-room environment with the capacity to assemble railcar-size components. Fuel for the naval nuclear reactors is provided by Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. ("NFS"), one of our wholly owned subsidiaries. Located in Erwin, Tennessee, NFS also converts cold war-era government stockpiles of highly enriched uranium into material suitable for further processing into commercial nuclear reactor fuel.

•

Our Technical Services segment provides various services to the U.S. Government, including uranium processing, environmental site restoration services and management and operating services for various U.S. Government-owned facilities. These services are provided to the DOE, including the NNSA, the Office of Nuclear Energy, the Office of Science, the Department of Defense and the Office of Environmental Management, and through this segment we deliver products and management solutions to nuclear operations and high-consequence manufacturing facilities. A significant portion of this segment's operations are conducted through joint ventures.

•

Our Nuclear Energy segment supplies commercial nuclear steam generators and components to nuclear utility customers. In addition, this segment is actively designing the modular and scalable B&W mPower^TM reactor. B&W has supplied the nuclear industry with more than 1,300 large, heavy components worldwide. With manufacturing operations in the U.S. and Canada, this segment is the only heavy nuclear component manufacturer in North America. Our Nuclear Energy segment fabricates pressure vessels, reactors, steam generators, heat exchangers and other auxiliary equipment. This segment also provides specialized engineering services that include structural component design, 3-D thermal-hydraulic engineering analysis, weld and robotic process development and metallurgy and materials engineering. Our Nuclear Energy segment also provides power plant construction and management and maintenance services. In addition, this segment offers services for nuclear steam generators and balance of plant equipment, as well as nondestructive examination and tooling/repair solutions for other plant systems and components.

The consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2012.

Use of Estimates

We use estimates and assumptions to prepare our financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Some of our more significant estimates include our estimate of costs to complete long-term construction contracts and estimates we make in selecting assumptions related to the valuations of our pension and post employment plans, including the selection of our discount rates and expected rates of return on our pension plan assets. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts we report in our financial statements and accompanying notes. Our actual results could differ from these estimates. Variances could result in a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations in future periods.

Earnings Per Share

We have computed earnings per common share on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares, and, where dilutive, common share equivalents, outstanding during the indicated periods. On July 30, 2010, 116,225,732 shares of our common stock were distributed to MII shareholders to complete our spin-off from MII. For comparative purposes, and to provide a more meaningful calculation of weighted average shares, we have assumed this amount to be outstanding as of the beginning of each prior period presented in our calculation of basic weighted average shares. In addition, for our dilutive weighted average share calculations, we have assumed the dilutive securities outstanding at July 30, 2010 were also outstanding at each of the prior periods presented.

Investments

Our investments, primarily government obligations and other highly liquid money market instruments, are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. We classify investments available for current operations in the balance sheet as current assets, while we classify investments held for long-term purposes as noncurrent assets. We adjust the amortized cost of debt securities for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. That amortization is included in interest income. We include realized gains and losses on our investments in other income (expense) – net. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. We include interest on securities in interest income.

Foreign Currency Translation

We translate assets and liabilities of our foreign operations into U.S. Dollars at current exchange rates, and we translate income statement items at average exchange rates for the periods presented. We record adjustments resulting from the translation of foreign currency financial statements as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. We report foreign currency transaction gains and losses in income. We have included in other income (expense)—net transaction losses of $1.9 million, $6.5 million and $5.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Contracts and Revenue Recognition

We generally recognize contract revenues and related costs on a percentage-of-completion method for individual contracts or combinations of contracts based on work performed, man hours, or a cost-to-cost method, as applicable to the product or activity involved. Under this method, we recognize estimated contract revenue and resulting income based on costs incurred to date as a percentage of total estimated costs. Certain costs may be excluded from the cost-to-cost method of measuring progress, such as significant costs for materials and major third-party subcontractors, if it appears that such exclusion would result in a more meaningful measurement of actual contract progress and resulting periodic allocation of income. We include revenues and related costs so recorded, plus accumulated contract costs that exceed amounts invoiced to customers under the terms of the contracts, in contracts in progress. We include in advance billings on contracts billings that exceed accumulated contract costs and revenues and costs recognized under the percentage-of-completion method. Most long-term contracts contain provisions for progress payments. Our unbilled receivables do not contain an allowance for credit losses as we expect to invoice customers and collect all amounts for unbilled revenues. We review contract price and cost estimates periodically as the work progresses and reflect adjustments proportionate to the percentage-of-completion in income in the period when those estimates are revised. For all contracts, if a current estimate of total contract cost indicates a loss on a contract, the projected loss is recognized in full when determined.

For contracts as to which we are unable to estimate the final profitability except to assure that no loss will ultimately be incurred, we recognize equal amounts of revenue and cost until the final results can be estimated more precisely. For these deferred profit recognition contracts, we recognize revenue and cost equally and only recognize gross margin when probable and reasonably estimable, which we generally determine to be when the contract is approximately 70% complete. We treat long-term construction contracts that contain such a level of risk and uncertainty that estimation of the final outcome is impractical, except to assure that no loss will be incurred, as deferred profit recognition contracts.

Our policy is to account for fixed-price contracts under the completed-contract method if we believe that we are unable to reasonably forecast cost to complete at start-up. Under the completed-contract method, income is recognized only when a contract is completed or substantially complete.

For the majority of parts orders and certain after market services activities, we recognize revenues as goods are delivered and work is performed.

Variations from estimated contract performance could result in material adjustments to operating results for any fiscal quarter or year. We include claims for extra work or changes in scope of work to the extent of costs incurred in contract revenues when we believe collection is probable.

In the year ended December 31, 2011, we recorded additional costs totaling approximately $61.8 million ($50.7 million in our Nuclear Energy segment, and $11.1 in our Nuclear Operations segment) respectively, to complete certain projects attributable to changes in estimate due to productivity and scheduling issues. The project in our Nuclear Energy segment is now complete.

The following represent the components of our contracts in progress and advance billings on contracts included in our consolidated balance sheets:


	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Included in Contracts in Progress:
Costs incurred less costs of revenue recognized	$	135,513		$	63,233
Revenues recognized less billings to customers		179,773			162,215

Contracts In Progress	$	315,286		$	225,448

Included In Advance Billings on Contracts:
Billings to customers less revenues recognized	$	492,106		$	445,076
Costs incurred less costs of revenue recognized		(53,353	)		(75,432	)

Advance Billings on Contracts	$	438,753		$	369,644

The following amounts represent retainages on contracts:


	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Retainages expected to be collected within one year	$	60,158	$	75,630
Retainages expected to be collected after one year		14,526		7,192

Total retainages	$	74,684	$	82,822

We have included in accounts receivable – trade retainages expected to be collected in 2012. Retainages expected to be collected after one year are included in other assets. Of the long-term retainages at December 31, 2011, we anticipate collecting $3.2 million in 2013, $9.4 million in 2014, $1.0 million in 2015, and $0.9 million in 2016.

Comprehensive Loss

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss included in stockholders' equity are as follows:


	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Currency translation adjustments	$	36,626		$	35,910
Net unrealized gain on investments		201			270
Net unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments		2,717			1,939
Unrecognized losses on benefit obligations		(578,172	)		(488,118	)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(538,628	)	$	(449,999	)

Warranty Expense

We accrue estimated expense, included in cost of operations on our consolidated and combined statements of income, to satisfy contractual warranty requirements when we recognize the associated revenue on the related contracts. In addition, we make specific provisions where we expect the actual warranty costs to significantly exceed the accrued estimates. Such specific provisions could have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The following summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of accrued warranty expense:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	109,588		$	115,055		$	119,722
Additions and adjustments		6,656			5,065			13,475
Charges		(19,035	)		(10,532	)		(18,142	)

Balance at end of period	$	97,209		$	109,588		$	115,055

Our additions and adjustments to accrued warranty expense included favorable adjustments and resolutions reached with certain customers.

Asset Retirement Obligations and Environmental Clean-up Costs

We accrue for future decommissioning of our nuclear facilities that will permit the release of these facilities to unrestricted use at the end of each facility's life, which is a requirement of our licenses from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the "NRC"). In accordance with the FASB Topic Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations, we record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. When we initially record such a liability, we capitalize a cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of a liability, we will settle the obligation for its recorded amount or incur a gain or loss. This topic applies to environmental liabilities associated with assets that we currently operate and are obligated to remove from service. For environmental liabilities associated with assets that we no longer operate, we have accrued amounts based on the estimated costs of clean-up activities for which we are responsible, net of any cost-sharing arrangements. We adjust the estimated costs as further information develops or circumstances change. An exception to this accounting treatment relates to the work we perform for two facilities for which the U.S. Government is obligated to pay all of the decommissioning costs.

Substantially all of our asset retirement obligations relate to the remediation of our nuclear analytical laboratory and the NFS facility in our Nuclear Operations segment. The following table reflects our asset retirement obligations:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010		2009
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	32,657		$	29,491	$	25,647
Acquisition of Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. (Note 2)		—			—		1,627
Costs incurred		(2,265	)		—		—
Additions/Adjustments		2,935			—		300
Accretion		2,558			3,166		1,917

Balance at end of period	$	35,885		$	32,657	$	29,491

Research and Development

Our research and development activities are related to the development and improvement of new and existing products and equipment, as well as conceptual and engineering evaluation for translation into practical applications. We charge to research and development cost the costs of research and development unrelated to specific contracts as incurred. Substantially all of these costs are in our Power Generation and Nuclear Energy segments and include costs related to the development of carbon capture and sequestration technology and our modular and nuclear reactor business, B&W mPower^TM. Contractual arrangements for customer-sponsored research and development can vary on a case-by-case basis and include contracts, cooperative agreements and grants. Research and development activities (including in-kind research and development services described below) totaled $163.0 million, $102.1 million and $78.3 million in the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which include amounts paid for by our customers of $56.6 million, $32.9 million and $25.1 million, respectively.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, we recognized $16.6 million of research and development costs (included above) related to the consolidation of GmP, our majority-owned subsidiary formed in 2011 to oversee the program to develop the small modular nuclear power plant based on B&W mPower^TM technology. The additional costs represent non-cash, non-deductible expenses related to the value of the in-kind research and development services contributed to the program by GmP's minority partner.

For any period, the impact to net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company of these in-kind services will depend on the timing of services provided by our partner. In the year ended December 31, 2011, the value of the in-kind services exceeded the amount of research and development costs allocated to the minority partner. As a result, net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company, after taking into account the non-controlling interest recognition totaling $8.6 million, was negatively impacted in the year ended December 31, 2011 by $8.0 million.

This accounting treatment has also resulted in $8.0 million of non-controlling interest accumulated on our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2011. We have not incurred a liability for the in-kind services received as part of the development program and our minority partner does not currently have rights to share in the net assets of B&W or GmP.

Inventories

We carry our inventories at the lower of cost or market. We determine cost principally on the first-in, first-out basis, except for certain materials inventories of our Power Generation segment, for which we use the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method. We determined the cost of approximately 19% and 18% of our total inventories using the LIFO method at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and our total LIFO reserve at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $7.1 million and $6.4 million, respectively. Inventories are summarized below:


	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Raw Materials and Supplies	$	77,932	$	72,917
Work in Progress		6,889		7,541
Finished Goods		22,477		20,474

Total Inventories	$	107,298	$	100,932

Property, Plant and Equipment

We carry our property, plant and equipment at depreciated cost, less any impairment provisions.

We depreciate our property, plant and equipment using the straight-line method over estimated economic useful lives of eight to 40 years for buildings and two to 28 years for machinery and equipment. Our depreciation expense was $61.8 million, $61.1 million and $62.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

We expense the costs of maintenance, repairs and renewals that do not materially prolong the useful life of an asset as we incur them.

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost and is set forth below:


	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Land	$	11,656	$	11,807
Buildings		224,661		225,176
Machinery and equipment		710,666		684,647
Property under construction		70,439		47,082

		1,017,422		968,712

Less accumulated depreciation		595,131		550,400

Net Property, Plant and Equipment	$	422,291	$	418,312

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

We use the equity method of accounting for affiliates in which we are able to exert significant influence. Currently, substantially all of our material investments in affiliates that are not consolidated are recorded using the equity method. Affiliates in which our investment ownership is less than 20% and where we are unable to exert significant influence are carried at cost.

Goodwill

The following summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill:


	Power Generation			Nuclear Operations			Technical Services		Nuclear Energy		Total
	(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2009	$	81,484		$	122,407		$	45,000	$	13,975	$	262,866
Acquisition of GE Energy Businesses (Note 2)		4,796			—			—		—		4,796
Miljo Asset Acquisition (Note 2)		3,211			—			—		—		3,211
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other		(1,449	)		—			—		—		(1,449	)

Balance at December 31, 2010	$	88,042		$	122,407		$	45,000	$	13,975	$	269,424
Acquisition of Loibl (Note 2)		11,015			—			—		—		11,015
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other		45			(4,304	)		—		—		(4,259	)

Balance at December 31, 2011	$	99,102		$	118,103		$	45,000	$	13,975	$	276,180

Intangible Assets

We report our intangible assets in other assets. We amortize those intangible assets with definite lives to operating expense using the straight-line method.

Other assets include the following intangible assets:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Amortized intangible assets:
Gross cost:
Customer relationships	$	40,051		$	37,167		$	30,950
Acquired backlog		22,435			19,335			18,720
Tradename		15,169			12,291			10,680
Unpatented technology		6,402			5,902			5,600
Patented technology		6,961			6,625			4,440
All other		7,901			11,935			8,585

Total	$	98,919		$	93,255		$	78,975

Accumulated amortization:
Customer relationships	$	(8,618	)	$	(6,026	)	$	(3,726	)
Acquired backlog		(17,040	)		(12,701	)		(7,746	)
Tradename		(6,509	)		(4,260	)		(2,371	)
Unpatented technology		(2,033	)		(1,407	)		(837	)
Patented technology		(3,219	)		(2,096	)		(888	)
All other		(3,594	)		(6,296	)		(5,163	)

Total	$	(41,013	)	$	(32,786	)	$	(20,731	)

Net amortized intangible assets	$	57,906		$	60,469		$	58,244

Unamortized intangible assets:
NRC category 1 license	$	43,830		$	43,830		$	43,830
Trademarks and trade names		1,305			1,305			1,305

Total unamortized intangible assets	$	45,135		$	45,135		$	45,135

The following summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of intangible assets:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	105,604		$	103,379		$	111,847
Business acquisitions & additions		9,100			14,280			—
Amortization expense		(11,545	)		(11,679	)		(9,975	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other		(118	)		(376	)		1,507

Balance at end of period	$	103,041		$	105,604		$	103,379

The estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is as follows (in thousands):


Year Ending December 31,	Amount
2012	$	9,640
2013	$	7,227
2014	$	6,139
2015	$	4,981
2016	$	4,903

Other Non-Current Assets

We have included deferred debt issuance costs in other assets. We amortize deferred debt issuance costs as interest expense over the life of the related debt. The following summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of these assets:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	8,102		$	1,898		$	4,169
Additions		82			9,994			—
Interest expense – debt issuance costs		(2,461	)		(3,790	)		(2,271	)

Balance at end of period	$	5,723		$	8,102		$	1,898

Capitalization of Interest Cost

We capitalize interest in accordance with the FASB Topic Interest. We incurred total interest of $6.1 million, $14.8 million and $27.4 million in the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, of which we capitalized $1.6 million, $1.9 million and $2.8 million in the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Our cash equivalents are highly liquid investments, with maturities of three months or less when we purchase them.

We record cash and cash equivalents as restricted when we are unable to freely use such cash and cash equivalents for our general operating purposes. At December 31, 2011, we had restricted cash and cash equivalents totaling $63.3 million, $11.5 million of which was held in restricted foreign cash accounts, $2.1 million of which was held for future decommissioning of facilities (which is included in other assets on our consolidated balance sheets), $45.7 million of which was held to meet reinsurance reserve requirements of our captive insurer (in lieu of long-term investments), and $4.0 million of which was held in money market funds maintained by our captive insurer.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Our global operations give rise to exposure to market risks from changes in foreign exchange rates. We use derivative financial instruments to reduce the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates on our operating results. We use these instruments primarily to hedge our exposure associated with revenues or costs on our long-term contracts that are denominated in currencies other than our operating entities' functional currencies. We do not hold or issue financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.

We enter into derivative financial instruments primarily as hedges of certain firm purchase and sale commitments denominated in foreign currencies. We record these contracts at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets. Depending on the hedge designation at the inception of the contract, the related gains and losses on these contracts are either deferred in stockholders' equity (as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings or offset against the change in fair value of the hedged firm commitment through earnings. Any ineffective portion of a derivative's change in fair value is immediately recognized in earnings. The gain or loss on a derivative financial instrument not designated as a hedging instrument is also immediately recognized in earnings. Gains and losses on derivative financial instruments that require immediate recognition are included as a component of other income (expense) – net in our consolidated and combined statements of income.

Self-Insurance

We have a wholly owned insurance subsidiary that provides employer's liability, general and automotive liability and workers' compensation insurance and, from time to time, builder's risk insurance (within certain limits) to our companies. We may also, in the future, have this insurance subsidiary accept other risks that we cannot or do not wish to transfer to outside insurance companies. Included in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets are reserves for self-insurance totaling $43.6 million and $49.0 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The reduction in 2011 was primarily attributable to a change in estimate recognized in cost of operations in our consolidated and combined statements of income.

Loss Contingencies

We estimate liabilities for loss contingencies when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss is reasonably estimable. We provide disclosure when there is a reasonable possibility that the ultimate loss will exceed the recorded provision or if such probable loss is not reasonably estimable. We are currently involved in some significant litigation, as discussed in Note 10. Our losses are typically resolved over long periods of time and are often difficult to assess and estimate due to, among other reasons, the possibility of multiple actions by third parties; the attribution of damages, if any, among multiple defendants; plaintiffs, in most cases involving personal injury claims, do not specify the amount of damages claimed; the discovery process may take multiple years to complete; during the litigation process, it is common to have multiple complex unresolved procedural and substantive issues; the potential availability of insurance and indemnity coverages; the wide-ranging outcomes reached in similar cases, including the variety of damages awarded; the likelihood of settlements for de minimus amounts prior to trial; the likelihood of success at trial; and the likelihood of success on appeal. Consequently, it is possible future earnings could be affected by changes in our assessments of the probability that a loss has been incurred in a material pending litigation against us and/or changes in our estimates related to such matters.

Stock-Based Compensation

We expense stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB Topic Compensation – Stock Compensation. Under this topic, the fair value of equity-classified awards, such as restricted stock, performance shares and stock options, is determined on the date of grant and is not remeasured. Grant date fair values for restricted stock and performance shares are determined using the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. Grant date fair values for stock options are determined using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model ("Black-Scholes"). The determination of the fair value of a share-based payment award on the date of grant using an option-pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, such as the expected life of the award and stock price volatility. For liability-classified awards, such as cash-settled restricted stock units and performance units, fair values are determined at grant date using the closing price of our common stock and are remeasured at the end of each reporting period through the date of settlement. Prior to August 1, 2010, all of our stock-based compensation expense was attributable to our participation in MII legacy stock-based compensation plans. Expense recognized prior to August 1, 2010 was based on the fair value of MII's stock-based compensation awards.

Under the provisions of this FASB topic, we recognize expense based on the grant date fair value, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, for all share-based awards granted on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally equivalent to the vesting term. This topic requires compensation expense to be recognized, net of an estimate for forfeitures, such that compensation expense is recorded only for those awards expected to vest. We review the estimate for forfeitures periodically and record any adjustments deemed necessary for each reporting period. If our actual forfeiture rate is materially different from our estimate, the stock-based compensation expense could be significantly different from what we have recorded in the current period.

Additionally, this FASB topic amended the FASB Topic Statement of Cash Flows, to require excess tax benefits to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as a reduction of taxes paid. These excess tax benefits result from tax deductions in excess of the cumulative compensation expense recognized for options exercised and other equity-classified awards.

See Note 9 for a further discussion of stock-based compensation.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an update to the subtopic Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Multiemployer Plans. This update requires additional annual disclosures about an employer's participation in significant multiemployer pension plans. On December 31, 2011, we adopted this update and provided additional disclosures about our participation in multiemployer pension plans in this report.

In December 2010, the FASB issued an update to the topic Business Combinations. This update requires disclosure of revenues and earnings for material business combinations that have occurred in the current period. Specifically, this update requires these disclosures for the combined entity as if the business combination had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior reporting period. On January 1, 2011, we adopted the provisions of this update. The adoption of these disclosure provisions did not have an impact on our financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued an update to the topic Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. This update clarifies issues regarding Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test in instances where the carrying amount of a reporting entity is zero or negative. On January 1, 2011, we adopted this update. The adoption of these provisions did not have an impact on our financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued an update to the topic Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures. This update sets forth new rules on providing enhanced information for Level 3 measurements. On January 1, 2011, we adopted this update. The adoption of these disclosure provisions did not have an impact on our financial statements.

New Accounting Standards

In September 2011, the FASB issued an update to the topic Intangibles—Goodwill and Other. This update permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test currently required under this topic. This update will be effective for us in 2012. We do not expect the adoption of this update to impact our financial statements as this update does not impact goodwill impairment recognition.

In June 2011, the FASB issued an update to the topic Comprehensive Income. This update requires that comprehensive income be presented either in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. In the two-statement approach, the first statement would present the components of net income consistent with the statement of income format currently utilized and the second statement would present total other comprehensive income, the components of other comprehensive income, and the total of comprehensive income. There are no changes to the components that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when a component of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. This update, which is effective for us in 2012, will have no impact on our financial statements because our current method for reporting comprehensive income complies with the provisions of this update.

In May 2011, the FASB issued an update to the topic Fair Value Measurement. This update reflects joint efforts by the FASB and International Accounting Standards Board to develop a converged fair value framework on how to measure fair value and what fair value measurement disclosures to provide. This update will be effective for us in 2012. We do not expect the adoption of this update to have a material impact on our financial statements.

Business Acquisitions And Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Business Acquisitions And Investments [Abstract]

Business Acquisitions And Investments

NOTE 2 – BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS

Anlagenbau und Fördertechnik Arthur Loibl GmbH

In November 2011, our Power Generation segment, acquired Anlagenbau und Fördertechnik Arthur Loibl GmbH ("Loibl") for approximately $24.2 million. The acquisition of Loibl, a German-based manufacturer of material handling equipment, will expand the products, services and global reach of our Power Generation segment's ash handling business, which is one of the world's leading suppliers of ash handling solutions for the power generation and other industries.

In connection with the Loibl acquisition, we recorded goodwill of approximately $11.0 million, intangible assets of $9.1 million, property, plant and equipment of $2.5 million and other net assets totaling $1.6 million. The fair value of certain acquired assets and assumed liabilities, primarily related to identifiable intangible assets, is provisional pending receipt of the final valuations. The intangible assets consist of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):


			Amortization
	Amount		Period
Customer relationships	$	3,300		8 years
Backlog	$	3,100		5 years
Tradename	$	2,200		5 years
Unpatented technology	$	500		12 years

GE Energy Businesses

On April 2, 2010, we acquired the assets of the electrostatic precipitator aftermarket and emissions monitoring business units of GE Energy, a division of General Electric Company, for approximately $21.4 million. This acquisition includes GE Energy's electrostatic precipitator replacement parts and mechanical components product lines, performance-enhancing hardware, controls and software, remote diagnostics equipment and emissions monitoring products and services. These products and services are used by a wide variety of power generation and industrial customers to monitor and control particulates and other emissions from power plants, factories and other facilities. These business units maintain offices in the United States in Kansas City, Missouri; Folkston, Georgia; Newport News, Virginia and Hatfield, Pennsylvania, as well as locations in Germany and China.

In connection with the GE acquisition, we recorded goodwill of $4.8 million, property, plant and equipment of $4.0 million, intangible assets of $5.5 million, and other net assets totaling $7.1 million. The intangible assets consist of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):


			Amortization
	Amount		Period
Customer relationships	$	3,700		10 years
Patented technology	$	1,000		10 years
Backlog	$	400		1.5 years
Tradename	$	400		10 years

Götaverken Miljö AB

In January 2010, we acquired the net assets of Götaverken Miljö AB (GMAB), a flue gas cleaning and energy recovery company based in Gothenburg, Sweden for approximately $8.6 million. In connection with this acquisition, we recorded goodwill of $3.2 million, intangible assets of $6.4 million, and other net liabilities totaling $1.0 million The intangible assets consist of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):


			Amortization
	Amount		Period
Patented technology	$	2,460		15 years
Customer relationships	$	2,120		12 years
Tradenames and trademarks	$	1,160		20 years
Backlog	$	610		0.5 years

Instrumentacion y Mantenimiento de Calderas, S.A.

In September 2009, one of our subsidiaries, B&W de Monterrey, acquired certain assets of Instrumentacion y Mantenimiento de Calderas, S.A. In connection with this acquisition, we recorded goodwill of approximately $7.4 million, property, plant and equipment of approximately $4.2 million and other current assets of approximately $0.7 million.

Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc.

On December 31, 2008, a B&W subsidiary completed its acquisition of NFS for $157.1 million, net of cash acquired. NFS is a provider of specialty nuclear fuels and related services and is a leader in the conversion of Cold War-era government stockpiles of highly enriched uranium into commercial-grade nuclear reactor fuel. NFS also owns and operates a nuclear fuel fabrication facility licensed by the NRC in Erwin, Tennessee and has approximately 700 employees. In connection with the acquisition of NFS, we recorded goodwill of $123.5 million, none of which will be deductible for tax purposes, other intangible assets of $63.4 million, and other net liabilities totaling $29.8 million. Intangible assets consist of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):


			Amortization
	Amount		Period
NRC category 1 license	$	43,830		Indefinite
Backlog	$	9,180		4 years
Tradename	$	6,860		6 years
Patented technology	$	4,440		5 years
Non-compete agreement	$	610		5 years

During 2009, we finalized our purchase price allocation for the NFS acquisition, which we completed on December 31, 2008. The purchase price adjustments included a reduction in goodwill of approximately $8.1 million, an increase in property, plant and equipment of approximately $16.2 million and an increase in environmental reserves of approximately $13.5 million.

None of these acquisitions, either individually or in the aggregate, were considered significant. The proforma effect of these acquisitions are not material to our results of operations.

USEC, Inc. Investment

In May 2010, our subsidiary Babcock & Wilcox Investment Company ("BWICO") entered into an agreement with Toshiba Corporation (which was subsequently assigned to one of its subsidiaries) and USEC, Inc. ("USEC") to make a strategic investment in USEC totaling $200 million payable over three phases. In September 2010, following the satisfaction of certain conditions, including the availability to USEC's American Centrifuge project of at least $2 billion in uncommitted funds under the DOE's loan guarantee program for front-end nuclear fuel facilities and the establishment of a joint venture between us and USEC for supply by the joint venture of centrifuges and related equipment for the American Centrifuge project, we made a $37.5 million investment in USEC as part of a definitive agreement for us to make a total $100 million strategic investment in USEC.

In connection with our investment, we received 37,500 shares of USEC Series B-1 12.75% Convertible Preferred Stock and Warrants to purchase 3,125,000 shares of USEC Class B Common Stock at an exercise price of $7.50 per share which are exercisable between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2016, and a seat on USEC's board of directors. At December 31, 2011, our total investment in USEC, including in-kind dividends, totaled $42.6 million.

In 2011, we entered into a standstill agreement with USEC and Toshiba when it became apparent that USEC would not be able to satisfy the closing conditions applicable to the second phase of the strategic investment. Pursuant to the standstill agreement, each party agreed not to exercise its right to terminate the strategic investment agreement for a limited standstill period, as subsequently extended. USEC has been unable to satisfy the closing conditions to the second and third phases of the strategic investment and the limited standstill period, as extended, has expired. Currently, BWICO, Toshiba and USEC each have the right to terminate their obligations under the original strategic investment agreement. USEC has recently announced that they are continuing to work with Congress and the Department of Energy to find additional funding for the research, development and demonstration ("RD&D") program to support the American Centrifuge project for the remainder of U.S. Government fiscal year 2012. Interim funding for the RD&D program is currently only available through March 2012. USEC has also previously announced that they are working with their lenders to refinance their revolving credit facility, which matures on May 31, 2012, and has cautioned that no assurances can be given that USEC will be able to refinance the revolving credit facility on terms favorable to USEC or at all and that the timing of any renewal or replacement is uncertain. We continue to monitor these developments and evaluate what impact these developments could have on our investment, as we concurrently negotiate with USEC and Toshiba pending successful efforts by USEC to secure additional RD&D funding for the American Centrifuge project and renew or replace their revolving credit facility. We can provide no assurance that our negotiations will be successful. We will continue to evaluate our investment in USEC as new facts become available.

Equity Method Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Equity Method Investments [Abstract]

Equity Method Investments

NOTE 3 – EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

We have investments in entities that we account for using the equity method. The undistributed earnings of our equity method investees were $98.4 million and $73.0 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Summarized below is combined balance sheet and income statement information for investments accounted for under the equity method:


	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Current assets	$	855,962	$	391,564
Noncurrent assets		211,920		163,905

Total Assets	$	1,067,882	$	555,469

Current liabilities	$	594,883	$	288,970
Noncurrent liabilities		112,936		64,039
Owners' equity		360,063		202,460

Total Liabilities and Owners' Equity	$	1,067,882	$	555,469


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands)
Revenues	$	2,669,923	$	2,283,256	$	2,199,032
Gross profit	$	271,920	$	258,598	$	180,205
Income before provision for income taxes	$	185,859	$	182,482	$	131,530
Provision for income taxes		14,258		21,230		13,504

Net Income	$	171,601	$	161,252	$	118,026

Revenues of equity method investees include $1,956.7 million, $1,605.0 million and $1,551.9 million of reimbursable costs recorded by limited liability companies in our Technical Services segment at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Our investment in equity method investees was $3.3 million more than our underlying equity in net assets of those investees based on stated ownership percentages at December 31, 2011. These differences were primarily related to the timing of distribution of dividends and various adjustments under GAAP.

The provision for income taxes is based on the tax laws and rates in the countries in which our investees operate. There is no expected relationship between the provision for income taxes and income before provision for income taxes. The taxation regimes vary not only by their nominal rates, but also by the allowability of deductions, credits and other benefits. For some of our U.S. investees, U.S. income taxes are the responsibility of the respective owners.

Reconciliation of net income per combined income statement information of our investees to equity in income of investees per our consolidated and combined statements of income is as follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Equity income based on stated ownership percentages	$	81,971		$	77,882		$	56,286
All other adjustments due to amortization of basis differences, timing of GAAP adjustments and other adjustments		(3,316	)		(3,800	)		(1,192	)

Equity in income of investees	$	78,655		$	74,082		$	55,094

Our transactions with unconsolidated affiliates were as follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands)
Sales to	$	49,400	$	45,321	$	35,802
Purchases from	$	980	$	4,693	$	12,222
Dividends received	$	57,801	$	53,633	$	50,644
Capital contributions, net of returns	$	38,176	$	5,412	$	2,700

The entire disclosure for equity investment, or group of investments, for which combined disclosure is appropriate, including: (a) the name of each investee and percentage of ownership of common stock, (b) accounting policies for investments in common stock, (c) difference between the amount at which the investment is carried and the amount of underlying equity in net assets and the accounting treatment of the difference, (d) the total fair value of each identified investment for which a market value is available, (e) summarized information as to assets, liabilities, and results of operations of the investees (for investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries, common stock of joint ventures, or other investments using the equity method), and (f) material effects of possible conversions, exercises, or contingent issuances of the investee. Other disclosures include (a) the names of any investee in which the investor owns 20 percent or more of the voting stock and investment is not accounted for using the equity method, and the reasons why not, and (b) the names of any investee in which the investor owns less than 20 percent of the voting stock and the investment is accounted for using the equity method, and the reasons why it is.

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

NOTE 4 – INCOME TAXES

B&W and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax and income tax of multiple state and international jurisdictions. We provide for income taxes based on the tax laws and rates in the jurisdictions in which we conduct our operations. Each of these jurisdictions has a regime of taxation that varies from the others. The taxation regimes vary not only with respect to nominal rates, but also with respect to the basis on which these rates are applied. These variances, along with variances in our mix of income from these jurisdictions, contribute to shifts in our effective tax rate.

The results of the U.S. operations of MII and/or certain of its subsidiaries were reflected in our consolidated return for U.S. federal income tax purposes and/or certain consolidated, combined and unitary returns for state, local and foreign tax purposes through June 7, 2010. The IRS has completed audits of these years through 2006.

We are currently under audit by various state and international authorities. With few exceptions, we do not have any returns under examination for years prior to 2006.

We apply the provisions of FASB Topic Income Taxes regarding the treatment of uncertain tax positions. A reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	36,342		$	11,842		$	14,521
Increases based on tax positions taken in the current year		1,171			6,550			1,322
Increases based on tax positions taken in the prior years		3,269			343			216
Increases due to positions assumed at spin-off		—			24,181			—
Decreases based on tax positions taken in the prior years		(4,329	)		(1,442	)		(91	)
Decreases due to settlements with tax authorities		(1,073	)		(5,132	)		(4,126	)
Decreases due to lapse of applicable statute of limitation		(3,023	)		—			—

Balance at end of period	$	32,357		$	36,342		$	11,842

The $32.4 million balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2011 would reduce our effective tax rate if recognized.

During 2009, we attempted to settle several years of outstanding audits with the Commonwealth of Virginia by making payments under a special tax amnesty program. The payments approximated the unrecognized tax benefits, resulting in no adjustment to tax expense.

In accordance with FASB Topic Income Taxes, we recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our provision for income taxes. During the year ended December 31, 2011, we recorded a reduction in our accruals of $3.8 million, resulting in recorded liabilities of approximately $1.1 million for the payment of tax-related interest and penalties. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, we recorded liabilities of approximately $4.9 million and $3.6 million, respectively, for the payment of tax-related interest and penalties.

As a result of the expiration of the statute of limitations for certain jurisdictions, we believe that within the next 12 months it is reasonably possible that our previously unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by approximately $24.6 million to $7.8 million. The previously unrecognized tax benefits primarily relate to transfer pricing issues and the deductibility of a loss on financial instruments in certain jurisdictions.

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the financial and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows:


	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Pension liability	$	216,248		$	198,213
Accrued warranty expense		33,412			38,610
Accrued vacation pay		13,269			13,018
Accrued liabilities for self-insurance (including postretirement health care benefits)		41,243			45,828
Accrued liabilities for executive and employee incentive compensation		29,539			27,847
Environmental and products liabilities		7,711			8,883
Long-term contracts		22,871			5,095
Net operating loss carryforward		22,380			920
State tax net operating loss carryforward		22,734			28,652
Foreign tax credit carryforward		18,292			4,605
Other		11,977			20,240

Total deferred tax assets		439,676			391,911
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets		(9,354	)		(2,205	)

Deferred tax assets		430,322			389,706

Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment		31,874			28,344
Investments in joint ventures and affiliated companies		791			1,576
Long-term contracts		27,681			—
Intangibles		26,365			30,616
Other		8,080			11,105

Total deferred tax liabilities		94,791			71,641

Net deferred tax assets	$	335,531		$	318,065

Income before provision for income taxes was as follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands)
U.S.	$	138,386	$	160,074	$	164,347
Other than U.S.		96,549		75,746		67,954

Income before provision for income taxes	$	234,935	$	235,820	$	232,301

The provision for income taxes consisted of:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Current:
U.S. – federal	$	15,451	$	28,403		$	26,689
U.S. – state and local		7,452		8,029			14,749
Other than U.S.		20,177		12,405			13,408

Total current		43,080		48,837			54,846

Deferred:
U.S. – Federal		14,573		28,582			32,330
U.S. – State and local		9,101		(846	)		(4,489	)
Other than U.S.		6,228		5,721			1,694

Total deferred		29,902		33,457			29,535

Provision for income taxes	$	72,982	$	82,294		$	84,381

The following is a reconciliation of the U.S. statutory federal tax rate (35%) to the consolidated and combined effective tax rate:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
U.S. federal statutory (benefit) rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
State and local income taxes		4.2			3.0			3.4
Foreign rate differential		(6.4	)		(4.6	)		(4.1	)
Tax credits		(18.2	)		(4.1	)		—
Dividends from affiliates		15.6			8.5			(0.1	)
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets		3.0			(2.4	)		(0.3	)
Audit settlements		—			—			0.3
Additional spin related benefit		(1.9	)		—			—
Other		(0.2	)		(0.5	)		2.1

Effective tax rate		31.1	%		34.9	%		36.3	%

At December 31, 2011, we had a valuation allowance of $9.4 million for deferred tax assets, which we expect cannot be realized through carrybacks, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and our estimate of future taxable income. We believe that our remaining deferred tax assets are more likely than not realizable through carrybacks, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and our estimate of future taxable income. Any changes to our estimated valuation allowance could be material to our consolidated financial statements.

The following is an analysis of our valuation allowance for deferred tax assets:


	Beginning Balance			Charges To Costs and Expenses			Charged To Other Accounts⁽¹⁾		Effect Of Spin-Off⁽²⁾		Ending Balance
	(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31, 2011	$	(2,205	)		(7,149	)		—		—	$	(9,354	)
Year Ended December 31, 2010	$	(28,701	)		6,904			—		19,592	$	(2,205	)
Year Ended December 31, 2009	$	(32,227	)		3,238			288		—	$	(28,701	)

⁽¹⁾

Amounts charged to other accounts are included in other comprehensive income.

⁽²⁾

Effect of spin-off includes state tax valuation allowances distributed to MII in the spin-off.

We have foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $89.1 million available to offset future taxable income in foreign jurisdictions. Of the foreign net operating loss carryforwards, $2.4 million is scheduled to expire in 2015 to 2031. The foreign net operating losses have a valuation allowance of $0.7 million against the related deferred taxes. In addition, we have foreign tax credit carryovers of $18.3 million which will begin to expire in 2014, alternative minimum tax credit carryovers of $1.7 million with an unlimited carryover period and a general business credit carryover of $0.2 million which has a 20 year carryover period. We have state net operating losses of $421.5 million available to offset future taxable income in various states. Our state net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in the year 2012. We are carrying a valuation allowance of $8.7 million against the deferred tax asset related to the state loss carryforwards.

We would be subject to withholding taxes if we were to distribute earnings from certain foreign subsidiaries. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the undistributed earnings of these subsidiaries were $260.3 million. Unrecognized deferred income tax liabilities, including withholding taxes, of approximately $19.7 million would be payable upon distribution of these earnings. We have provided a tax benefit of $0.3 million of taxes on earnings we intend to remit. All other earnings are considered permanently reinvested.

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph h
-Article 4

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 136, 172
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32639-109319

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32559-109319

Long-Term Debt And Notes Payable [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt And Notes Payable

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Long-Term Debt And Notes Payable

NOTE 5 – LONG-TERM DEBT AND NOTES PAYABLE


	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Long-term debt consists of:
Unsecured Debt:
Other notes payable	$	—		$	1,417
Secured Debt:
Power Generation – various notes payable		831			1,201
Other		7			—

		838			2,618
Less: Amounts due within one year		205			1,763

Long-term debt	$	633		$	855

Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt consist of:
Short-term lines of credit	$	4,448		$	3,027
Current maturities of long-term debt		205			1,763

Total	$	4,653		$	4,790

Interest rate on short-term borrowing		7.2	%		5.3	%

Our short-term lines of credit represent borrowings by one of our subsidiaries. We have included this amount in notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt on our consolidated balance sheets. This facility is renewable annually and the interest rate associated with this line of credit was 7.2% per annum at December 31, 2011.

Maturities of long-term debt during the five years subsequent to December 31, 2011 are as follows: 2012 – $0.2 million; 2013 – $0.2 million; 2014 – $0.2 million; 2015 – $0.2 million; and 2016 – $0.0 million.

Credit Facility

On May 3, 2010, our subsidiary BWICO entered into a credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with a syndicate of lenders and letter of credit issuers, including Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent. The Credit Agreement provides for revolving credit borrowings and issuances of letters of credit in an aggregate outstanding amount of up to $700.0 million, and the credit facility is scheduled to mature on May 3, 2014. The proceeds of the Credit Agreement are available for working capital needs and other general corporate purposes of our business segments. The Credit Agreement includes procedures for additional financial institutions to become lenders, or for any existing lender, under an accordion feature, to increase its commitment thereunder, subject to an aggregate maximum of $850 million for all revolving loan and letter of credit commitments under the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement is guaranteed by substantially all of BWICO's wholly owned domestic subsidiaries. Following the completion of the spin-off of B&W, B&W became the borrower under the Credit Agreement and substantially all of B&W's wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (including BWICO) that were not already guarantors under the Credit Agreement became guarantors. Obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by first-priority liens on certain assets owned by BWICO and the guarantors (other than BWX Technologies, Inc.

("BWXT") and its subsidiaries). Following completion of the spin-off of B&W, B&W and its wholly owned domestic subsidiaries that became guarantors under the Credit Agreement granted liens on certain assets owned by them. If the corporate rating of B&W and its subsidiaries from Moody's is Baa3 or better (with a stable outlook or better), the corporate family rating of B&W and its subsidiaries from S&P is BBB- or better (with a stable outlook or better), and certain other conditions are met, the liens securing obligations under the Credit Agreement will be released, subject to reinstatement upon the terms set forth in the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement requires only interest payments on a quarterly basis until maturity. The borrower under the Credit Agreement may prepay all loans under the Credit Agreement at any time without premium or penalty (other than customary LIBOR breakage costs), subject to certain notice requirements.

The Credit Agreement contains customary financial covenants relating to leverage and interest coverage and includes covenants that restrict, among other things, debt incurrence, liens, investments, acquisitions, asset dispositions, dividends, prepayments of subordinated debt, mergers, and capital expenditures. At December 31, 2011, we were in compliance with all of the covenants set forth in the Credit Agreement. A comparison of the key financial covenants and current compliance at December 31, 2011 is as follows:

Loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement bear interest at the borrower's option at either the Eurodollar rate plus a margin ranging from 2.50% to 3.50% per year or the base rate (the highest of the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50%, the 30-day Eurodollar rate plus 1.0%, or the administrative agent's prime rate) plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.50% per year. The applicable margin for revolving loans varies depending on the credit ratings of the Credit Agreement. The borrower under the Credit Agreement is charged a commitment fee on the unused portions of the Credit Agreement, and that fee varies between 0.375% and 0.625% per year depending on the credit ratings of the Credit Agreement. Additionally, the borrower under the Credit Agreement is charged a letter of credit fee of between 2.50% and 3.50% per year with respect to the amount of each financial letter of credit issued under the Credit Agreement and a letter of credit fee of between 1.25% and 1.75% per year with respect to the amount of each performance letter of credit issued under the Credit Agreement, in each case depending on the credit ratings of the Credit Agreement. The borrower under the Credit Agreement also pays customary issuance fees and other fees and expenses in connection with the issuance of letters of credit under the Credit Agreement. In connection with entering into the Credit Agreement, BWICO paid certain upfront fees to the lenders thereunder, and BWICO paid certain arrangement and other fees to the arrangers and agents of the BWICO Credit Agreement. At December 31, 2011, there were no borrowings outstanding but letters of credit issued under the Credit Agreement totaled $211.4 million. At December 31, 2011, there was $488.6 million available for borrowings or to meet letter of credit requirements under the Credit Agreement. The applicable interest rate at December 31, 2011 under this facility was 4.75% per year.

Based on the current credit ratings of the Credit Agreement, the applicable margin for Eurodollar-rate loans is 2.50%, the applicable margin for base-rate loans is 1.50%, the letter of credit fee for financial letters of credit is 2.50%, the letter of credit fee for performance letters of credit is 1.25%, and the commitment fee for unused portions of the Credit Agreement is 0.375%. The Credit Agreement does not have a floor for the base rate or the Eurodollar rate.

Other Arrangements

Certain foreign subsidiaries in our Power Generation segment had credit arrangements with various commercial banks and other financial institutions for the issuance of bank guarantees in association with contracting activity. The aggregate value of all such bank guarantees as of December 31, 2011 was $58.6 million.

B&W and certain of its subsidiaries have jointly executed general agreements of indemnity in favor of surety underwriters relating to surety bonds those underwriters issue in support of some of our contracting activity. As of December 31, 2011, bonds issued and outstanding under these arrangements in support of contracts totaled approximately $371.5 million.

The entire disclosure for information about short-term and long-term debt arrangements, which includes amounts of borrowings under each line of credit, note payable, commercial paper issue, bonds indenture, debenture issue, own-share lending arrangements and any other contractual agreement to repay funds, and about the underlying arrangements, rationale for a classification as long-term, including repayment terms, interest rates, collateral provided, restrictions on use of assets and activities, whether or not in compliance with debt covenants, and other matters important to users of the financial statements, such as the effects of refinancing and noncompliance with debt covenants.

Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]

Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits

NOTE 6 – PENSION PLANS AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

We have historically provided defined benefit retirement benefits, primarily through noncontributory pension plans, for most of our regular employees. As of 2006, our retirement plans for U.S.-based employees were closed to new entrants for our corporate employees and were closed to new salaried plan entrants for our existing plans within our Power Generation and Nuclear Operations segments. Effective October 31, 2008, the salaried and hourly retirement plans acquired with Marine Mechanical Corporation were merged into the retirement plan for our Nuclear Operations segment. Effective December 31, 2008, we acquired the retirement plans and postretirement benefit plans of NFS. Beginning in 2012, certain salaried employees previously entitled to enrollment in defined benefit plans in one of our foreign subsidiaries within our Power Generation segment will be entitled to benefits under a defined contribution arrangement.

We do not provide retirement benefits to certain non-resident alien employees of foreign subsidiaries. Retirement benefits for salaried employees who accrue benefits in a defined benefit plan are based on final average compensation and years of service, while benefits for hourly paid employees are based on a flat benefit rate and years of service. Our funding policy is to fund the plans as recommended by the respective plan actuaries and in accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or other applicable law. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 became effective in 2008. Funding provisions under the Pension Protection Act accelerate funding requirements to ensure full funding of benefits accrued. Assuming we continue as a government contractor, our contractual arrangements with the U.S. Government provide for the recovery of contributions to our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans covering employees working primarily in our Nuclear Operations segment.

Prior to the spin-off, the combined statements included the pension liability of the Retirement Plan for Employees of McDermott Incorporated and Participating Subsidiary and Affiliated Companies (the "MI Plan"). In connection with the spin-off, the majority of the MI Plan pension liability, along with the subsidiary holding this liability, was transferred to MII.

We make available other benefits which include postretirement health care and life insurance benefits to certain salaried and union retirees based on their union contracts. Certain subsidiaries provide these benefits to unionized and salaried future retirees.

Obligations and Funded Status


	Pension Benefits Year Ended December 31,						Other Benefits Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of period	$	2,479,783		$	2,552,187		$	125,692		$	145,594
Service cost		43,495			39,176			1,143			1,069
Interest cost		134,927			142,092			5,805			7,284
Plan participants' contributions		318			266			116			126
Effect of spin-off		—			(313,150	)		—			(5,086	)
Amendments		2,055			3,059			(1,351	)		(328	)
Settlements		(13,625	)		(223	)		—			—
Actuarial loss (gain)		181,517			179,780			1,491			(14,593	)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		(5,633	)		8,240			(211	)		400
Benefits paid		(135,830	)		(131,644	)		(10,225	)		(8,774	)

Benefit obligation at end of period	$	2,687,007		$	2,479,783		$	122,460		$	125,692

Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	1,782,048		$	1,798,448		$	33,389		$	30,793
Actual return on plan assets		115,787			211,138			723			1,975
Plan participants' contributions		318			266			116			126
Company contributions		174,639			104,295			9,555			9,269
Settlements		(13,625	)		—			—			—
Effect of spin-off		—			(208,999	)		—			—
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		(5,487	)		8,544			—			—
Benefits paid		(135,830	)		(131,644	)		(10,225	)		(8,774	)

Fair value of plan assets at the end of period		1,917,850			1,782,048			33,558			33,389

Funded status	$	(769,157	)	$	(697,735	)	$	(88,902	)	$	(92,303	)

Amounts recognized in the balance sheet consist of:
Accrued employee benefits	$	(185,832	)	$	(121,693	)	$	(8,239	)	$	(8,203	)
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation		—			—			(80,663	)		(84,100	)
Pension liability		(583,337	)		(576,064	)		—			—
Prepaid pension		12			22			—			—

Accrued benefit liability, net	$	(769,157	)	$	(697,735	)	$	(88,902	)	$	(92,303	)

Amounts recognized in accumulated comprehensive loss:
Net actuarial loss (gain)	$	850,241		$	712,694		$	1,935		$	(1,193	)
Prior service cost		19,949			20,412			(1,360	)		289
Unrecognized transition obligation		—			—			202			440

Total before taxes	$	870,190		$	733,106		$	777		$	(464	)

Supplemental information:
Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation	$	2,686,796		$	2,479,352			N/A			N/A
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	2,515,868		$	2,353,734		$	122,460		$	125,692
Fair value of plan assets	$	1,917,626		$	1,781,624		$	33,558		$	33,389
Plans with plan assets in excess of accumulated benefit obligation
Projected benefit obligation	$	211		$	431			N/A			N/A
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	211		$	386		$	—		$	—
Fair value of plan assets	$	224		$	424		$	—		$	—


	Pension Benefits Year Ended December 31,									Other Benefits Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009⁽¹⁾			2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	43,495		$	39,176		$	36,565		$	1,143		$	1,069		$	958
Interest cost		134,927			142,092			147,910			5,805			7,284			8,713
Expected return on plan assets		(148,347	)		(136,364	)		(136,211	)		(1,919	)		(1,745	)		(1,504	)
Amortization of transition obligation		—			—			—			299			283			257
Amortization of prior service cost		3,721			3,711			3,119			33			29			66
Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)		75,255			75,605			81,484			(237	)		307			1,711

Net periodic benefit cost	$	109,051		$	124,220		$	132,867		$	5,124		$	7,227		$	10,201

(1)

Excludes approximately $2.1 million of income attributable to settlement of previously recorded unfunded pension liabilities.

Additional Information


	Pension Benefits Year Ended December 31,				Other Benefits Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Increase (decrease) in accumulated other comprehensive loss due to actuarial losses—before taxes	$	216,060	$	108,077	$	1,336	$	(15,152	)

We have recognized in the current fiscal year, and expect to recognize in the next fiscal year, the following amounts in other comprehensive loss as components of net periodic benefit cost:


	Recognized in the Year Ended December 31, 2011					To Be Recognized in the Year Ending December 31, 2012
	Pension		Other			Pension		Other
	(In thousands)
Pension cost in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Net actuarial loss (gain)	$	75,255	$	(237	)	$	81,728	$	226
Prior service cost (credit)		3,721		33			3,505		(148	)
Transition obligation		—		299			—		95

	$	78,976	$	95		$	85,233	$	173

Assumptions


	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit obligations at December 31:
Discount rate		4.76	%		5.56	%		4.35	%		4.91	%
Rate of compensation increase		3.69	%		3.69	%		—			—
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:
Discount rate		5.56	%		6.03	%		4.92	%		5.45	%
Expected return on plan assets		8.24	%		8.06	%		5.76	%		5.42	%
Rate of compensation increase		3.69	%		3.76	%		—			—

The expected rate of return on plan assets assumption is based on the long-term expected returns for the investment mix of assets currently in the portfolio. In setting this rate, we use a building-block approach. Historic real return trends for the various asset classes in the plan's portfolio are combined with anticipated future market conditions to estimate the real rate of return for each class. These rates are then adjusted for anticipated future inflation to determine estimated nominal rates of return for each class. The expected rate of return on plan assets is determined to be the weighted average of the nominal returns based on the weightings of the classes within the total asset portfolio. We have been using an expected return on plan assets assumption of 8.5% for the majority of our existing pension plan assets (approximately 89% of our total pension assets at December 31, 2011), which has been consistent with the long-term asset returns of the portfolio. Effective in 2012, the asset return of assumption for these plans has been reduced to 7.2%, reflecting a change in asset allocaton as well as a reduction in anticipated returns for the various classes of assets.

Our existing other benefit plans are unfunded, with the exception of the NFS postretirement benefit plans. These plans provide health benefits to certain salaried and hourly employees, as well as retired employees, of NFS. Approximately 85% of total assets for these postretirement benefit plans are contributed into a Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association ("VEBA") trust.


	2011			2010
Assumed health-care cost trend rates at December 31
Health-care cost trend rate assumed for next year		8.00	%		8.00	%
Rates to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate)		4.50	%		4.50	%
Year that the rate reaches ultimate trend rate		2019			2018

Assumed health-care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts we report for our health-care plan. A one-percentage-point change in our assumed health-care cost trend rates would have the following effects:


	One-Percentage- Point Increase		One-Percentage- Point Decrease
	(In thousands)
Effect on total of service and interest cost	$	475	$	(401	)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	$	8,027	$	(6,830	)

Investment Goals

General

The overall investment strategy of the pension trusts is to achieve long-term growth of principal, while avoiding excessive risk and to minimize the probability of loss of principal over the long term. The specific investment goals that have been set for the pension trusts in the aggregate are (1) to ensure that plan liabilities are met when due and (2) to achieve an investment return on trust assets consistent with a reasonable level of risk.

Allocations to each asset class for both domestic and foreign plans are reviewed periodically and rebalanced, if appropriate, to assure the continued relevance of the goals, objectives and strategies. The pension trusts for both our domestic and foreign plans employ a professional investment advisor and a number of professional investment managers whose individual benchmarks are, in the aggregate, consistent with the plan's overall investment objectives. The goals of each investment manager are (1) to meet (in the case of passive accounts) or exceed (for actively managed accounts) the benchmark selected and agreed upon by the manager and the Trust and (2) to display an overall level of risk in its portfolio that is consistent with the risk associated with the agreed upon benchmark.

The investment performance of total portfolios, as well as asset class components, is periodically measured against commonly accepted benchmarks, including the individual investment manager benchmarks. In evaluating investment manager performance, consideration is also given to personnel, strategy, research capabilities, organizational and business matters, adherence to discipline and other qualitative factors that may impact the ability to achieve desired investment results.

Domestic Plans

We sponsor the following domestic defined benefit plans:

•

Retirement Plan for Employees of Babcock & Wilcox Commercial Operations (covering Power Generation and Nuclear Energy segment employees);

•

Retirement Plan for Employees of Babcock & Wilcox Governmental Operations (covering Nuclear Operations and Technical Services segment employees and Corporate employees); and

•

Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. Retirement Plan for Salaried Employees and Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. Retirement Plan for Hourly Employees acquired with NFS (collectively, the "NFS Plans").

The assets of the domestic pension plans are commingled for investment purposes and held by the Trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon, in The Babcock & Wilcox Company Master Trust (the "Master Trust"). The NFS Plans were merged into the Master Trust effective January 1, 2010. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the investment return on domestic plan assets of the Master Trust (net of deductions for management fees) was approximately 7% and 12.5%, respectively.

The following is a summary of the domestic pension plans' asset allocations at December 31, 2011 and 2010 by asset category:


	2011			2010
Asset Category:
Fixed Income (excluding U. S. Government Securities)		27	%		24	%
Commingled and Mutual Funds		25	%		28	%
U.S. Government Securities		18	%		12	%
Equity Securities		17	%		20	%
Partnerships with Security Holdings		8	%		9	%
Real Estate		3	%		4	%
Other		2	%		3	%

Total		100	%		100	%

The target allocation for 2012 for the domestic plans, by asset class, is as follows:


Asset Class:
Fixed Income	52	%
Equities	48	%

Foreign Plans

We sponsor various plans through certain of our foreign subsidiaries. These plans are the various plans of Babcock & Wilcox Canada, Ltd. (the "Canadian Plans") and the Diamond Power Specialty Limited Retirement Benefits Plan (the "Diamond UK Plan").

The weighted average asset allocations of these plans at December 31, 2011 and 2010 by asset category were as follows:


	2011			2010
Asset Category:
Equity Securities and Commingled Mutual Funds		56	%		59	%
Fixed Income		41	%		37	%
Other		3	%		4	%

Total		100	%		100	%

The target allocation for 2012 for the foreign plans, by asset class, is as follows:


	Canadian Plans			Diamond UK Plan
Asset Class:
U. S. Equity		15	%		10	%
Global Equity		50	%		45	%
Fixed Income		35	%		45	%

Fair Value

See Note 16 for a detailed description of fair value measurements and the hierarchy established for valuation inputs. The following is a summary of total investments for our plans measured at fair value at December 31, 2011:


	12/31/11		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Pension and Other Benefits:
Fixed Income	$	550,146	$	—	$	550,146	$	—
Equities		298,083		298,077		—		6
Commingled and Mutual Funds		546,776		8,250		538,526		—
U.S. Government Securities		313,458		313,458		—		—
Partnerships with Security Holdings		134,295		—		—		134,295
Real Estate		53,560		—		—		53,560
Cash and Accrued Items		55,090		54,970		120		—

Total Assets	$	1,951,408	$	674,755	$	1,088,792	$	187,861

The following is a summary of total investments for our plans measured at fair value at December 31, 2010:


	12/31/10		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Pension and Other Benefits:
Fixed Income	$	450,116	$	3,189	$	446,927	$	—
Equities		330,510		330,223		—		287
Commingled and Mutual Funds		571,291		7,926		563,365		—
U.S. Government Securities		192,610		192,610		—		—
Partnerships with Security Holdings		140,358		—		2,421		137,937
Real Estate		69,065		—		45		69,020
Cash and Accrued Items		61,487		61,126		361		—

Total Assets	$	1,815,437	$	595,074	$	1,013,119	$	207,244

The following is a summary of the changes in the Plans' Level 3 instruments measured on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010:


	Year ended December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	207,244		$	341,456
Issuances and acquisitions		16,821			45,217
Dispositions		(52,572	)		(180,190	)
Realized gain		5,897			23,016
Unrealized gain (loss)		10,471			(22,255	)

Balance at end of period	$	187,861		$	207,244

Our Level 3 instruments include assets with no market price but rather calculations of net asset values per share or its equivalent. When appropriate, we adjust these net asset values for contributions and distributions, if any, made during the period beginning on the latest net asset value valuation date and ending on our measurement date. We also consider available market data, relevant index returns, preliminary estimates from our investees and other data obtained through research and consultation with third party advisors in determining the fair value of our Level 3 instruments.

Cash Flows


	Domestic Plans				Foreign Plans
	Pension Benefits		Other Benefits		Pension Benefits		Other Benefits
	(In thousands)
Expected employer contributions to trusts of defined benefit plans:
2012	$	164,700	$	2,082	$	18,258		N/A
Expected benefit payments:
2012		219,362		13,108		10,517		722
2013		128,623		12,632		11,209		714
2014		134,367		11,630		11,804		708
2015		139,471		10,582		12,772		679
2016		144,287		9,386		13,253		656
2017-2021		779,186		33,889		72,966		2,998

The expected employer contributions to trusts for 2012 are included in current liabilities at December 31, 2011.

Defined Contribution Plans

We provide benefits under The Babcock & Wilcox Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP Plan"), which is a defined contribution plan. Prior to the spin-off, we participated in the McDermott International, Inc. SERP Plan. We recorded income (expense) related to the SERP Plans of approximately $0.3 million, $0.7 million and $0.8 million in the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

We also provide benefits under the Thrift Plan for Employees of The Babcock & Wilcox Company and Participating Subsidiary and Affiliated Companies ("Thrift Plan"). The Thrift Plan generally provides for matching employer contributions of 50% of participants' contributions up to 6 percent of compensation. These matching employer contributions are typically made in shares of BWC common stock. Prior to the spin-off, we participated in the Thrift Plan for Employees of McDermott Incorporated and Participating Subsidiary and Affiliated Companies ("MII Thrift Plan"). The MII Thrift Plan also provided for matching employer contributions of 50% of participants' contributions up to 6 percent of compensation and employer contributions were typically made in shares of MII common stock. Amounts charged to expense for employer contributions under the Thrift Plan and MII Thrift Plan totaled approximately $22.1 million, $19.7 million and $17.6 million in the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Multiemployer Plans

One of our subsidiaries in the Power Generation segment contributes to various multiemployer plans. The plans generally provide defined benefits to substantially all unionized workers in this subsidiary. Effective December 31, 2011, we adopted the disclosure provisions pertaining to these benefits that were issued in September, 2011 under the subtopic Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Multiemployer Plans.

The following table summarizes our contributions to multiemployer plans for the years covered by this report:


		Pension Protection														Expiration
		Act Zone				FIP/RP Status		Contributions								Of Collective
		Zone Status				Pending/		2011		2010		2009		Surcharge		Bargaining
Pension Fund	EIN/PIN	2011		2010		Implemented		(in millions)						Imposed		Agreement
Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Trust	48-6168020/ 001		Yellow		Yellow		Yes	$	25.9	$	12.4	$	13.3		No	Described Below
All Other									5.5		6.0		7.3

								$	31.4	$	18.4	$	20.6

The Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Trust (the "Boilermaker Plan") is, by plan, the only significant contribution of our total contributions to these funds. Our collective bargaining agreements with the Boilermaker Plan are under a National Maintenance Agreement platform which is evergreen in terms of expiration. However, the agreement allows for termination by either party with a 90 day written notice. Our contributions to the Boilermaker Plan constitute less than 5% of total contributions to the plan. All other contributions expense for all periods included in this report represent multiple amounts to various plans that, individually, are deemed to be insignificant.

The entire disclosure for pension and other postretirement benefits.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph q
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph m
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 106
-Paragraph 518
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 87
-Paragraph 264
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 03-2
-Paragraph 8
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 30
-Paragraph 26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS106-2
-Paragraph 20, 21, 22
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 158
-Paragraph 7, 21, 22
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5, 6, 7, 8
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Implementation Guide (Q and A)
-Number FAS88
-Paragraph 63
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2235017

Asset Sales And Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets	12 Months Ended
Asset Sales And Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets	Dec. 31, 2011
Asset Sales And Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets [Abstract]
Asset Sales And Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets	NOTE 7 – ASSET SALES AND IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS We had net gains on asset sales of approximately $3.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2011, primarily attributable to the sale of a wholly owned manufacturing facility in a Chinese subsidiary of Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc. ("B&W PGG"). We had losses on asset sales of approximately $1.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2009. During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, we did not record any impairments of property, plant and equipment.

Capital Stock	12 Months Ended
Capital Stock	Dec. 31, 2011
Capital Stock [Abstract]
Capital Stock	NOTE 8 – CAPITAL STOCK B&W was a wholly owned subsidiary of MII, until July 30, 2010 when MII distributed 100% of our outstanding common stock to the MII shareholders. On July 2, 2010, MII's Board of Directors approved the spin-off of B&W through the distribution of shares of B&W common stock to holders of MII common stock. The distribution of B&W common stock was made on July 30, 2010, and consisted of one share of B&W common stock for every two shares of MII common stock to holders of MII common stock. On July 30, 2010, 116,225,732 shares of our common stock were distributed to MII shareholders to complete our spin-off from MII. We issue shares of our common stock in connection with our 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan, and contributions to our Thrift Plan. At December 31, 2011, 10,845,051 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance in connection with those plans.

Stock-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

NOTE 9 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan of The Babcock & Wilcox Company

In July 2010, we established the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan of The Babcock & Wilcox Company (the "Plan"). Members of the Board of Directors, executive officers, key employees and consultants are eligible to participate in the Plan. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors selects the participants for the Plan. The Plan provides for a number of forms of stock-based compensation, including incentive and non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance shares and performance units, subject to satisfaction of specific performance goals. Shares subject to awards under the Plan that are cancelled, forfeited, terminated or expire unexercised, shall immediately become available for the granting of awards under this Plan. In addition, 10,000,000 shares were authorized for issuance through the Plan. Options to purchase shares are granted at not less than 100% of the fair market value closing price on the date of grant, become exercisable at such time or times as determined when granted and expire not more than seven years after the date of grant.

At December 31, 2011, we had awarded 3,425,740 shares under this plan, and had a total of 6,574,260 shares of our common stock available for future awards.

In the event of a change in control of our company, the terms of the awards under the Plan contain provisions that may cause restrictions to lapse and accelerate the vesting of plan awards.

Total compensation expense recognized for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was as follows:


	Compensation		Tax			Net
	Expense		Benefit			Impact
	(In thousands)
	Year Ended December 31, 2011
Stock Options	$	4,030	$	(1,486	)	$	2,544
Restricted Stock		1,666		(593	)		1,073
Performance Shares		4,380		(1,634	)		2,746
Performance, Restricted and Deferred Stock Units		7,851		(2,898	)		4,953

Total	$	17,927	$	(6,611	)	$	11,316


	Year Ended December 31, 2010
Stock Options	$	2,302	$	(849	)	$	1,453
Restricted Stock		2,930		(1,066	)		1,864
Performance Shares		3,390		(1,230	)		2,160
Performance, Restricted and Deferred Stock Units		7,686		(2,852	)		4,834

Total	$	16,308	$	(5,997	)	$	10,311


	Year Ended December 31, 2009
Stock Options	$	2,799	$	(999	)	$	1,800
Restricted Stock		6,922		(2,498	)		4,424
Performance Shares		14,248		(5,162	)		9,086
Performance, Restricted and Deferred Stock Units		1,922		(686	)		1,236

Total	$	25,891	$	(9,345	)	$	16,546

Prior to August 1, 2010, all of our stock-based compensation expense was attributable to our participation in MII legacy stock-based compensation plans. Expense recognized prior to August 1, 2010 was based on the fair value of MII's stock-based compensation awards. For the five month period August 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010, stock-based compensation expense attributable to the Plan totaled $4.4 million, net of tax benefits totaling $2.6 million.

The impact on basic earnings per share of stock-based compensation expense recognized for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $0.10, $0.09 and $0.14 per share, respectively, and on diluted earnings per share was $0.10, $0.09 and $0.14 per share, respectively.

As of December 31, 2011, total unrecognized estimated compensation expense related to nonvested awards was $15.0 million, net of estimated tax benefits of $8.7 million. The components of the total gross unrecognized estimated compensation expense of $23.7 million and their expected weighted-average periods for expense recognition are as follows (amounts in millions; periods in years):


	Amount		Weighted- Average Period
Stock options	$	5.4		1.9
Restricted stock	$	0.2		1.6
Performance shares	$	11.7		2.2
Restricted stock units	$	6.4		1.7

B&W Stock Options

The fair value of each option grant was estimated at the date of grant using Black-Scholes, with the following weighted-average assumptions:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010
Risk-free interest rate		1.52	%		1.28	%
Expected volatility		.46			.61
Expected life of the option in years		3.75			4.08
Expected dividend yield		0	%		0	%

The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield on a U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issue with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the option. The expected volatility is based on implied volatility from publicly traded options on our common stock, historical volatility of the price of our common stock and other factors. The expected life of the option is based on observed historical patterns. The expected dividend yield is based on the projected annual dividend payment per share divided by the stock price at the date of grant. This amount is zero because we do not expect to pay cash dividends at this time.

The following table summarizes activity for our stock options for the year ended December 31, 2011 (share data in thousands):


	Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)
Outstanding at beginning of period		1,095		$	14.21
Granted		506			33.91
Exercised		(380	)		11.75
Cancelled/expired/forfeited		(67	)		30.87

Outstanding at end of period		1,154		$	22.68		5.0 Years	$	6.2

Exercisable at end of period		378		$	13.17		3.9 Years	$	4.3

The aggregate intrinsic value included in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2011. The intrinsic value is calculated as the total number of option shares multiplied by the difference between the closing price of our common stock on the last trading day of the period and the exercise price of the options. This amount changes based on the price of our common stock.

The weighted-average fair value of the stock options granted in the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $12.33 and $10.64, respectively.

During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $7.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively. The actual tax benefits realized related to the stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $1.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

B&W Restricted Stock

Nonvested restricted stock awards as of December 31, 2011 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2011 were as follows (share data in thousands):


	Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at beginning of period		143		$	27.77
Granted		2			28.10
Vested		(132	)		28.03
Cancelled/forfeited		—			—

Nonvested at end of period		13		$	20.58

The actual tax benefits realized related to the restricted stock vested during the year ended December 31, 2011 were $(0.1) million.

B&W Performance Shares

Nonvested performance shares as of December 31, 2011 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2011 were as follows (share data in thousands):


	Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at beginning of period		—		$	—
Granted		538			33.67
Vested		—			—
Cancelled/forfeited		(61	)		34.55

Nonvested at end of period		477		$	33.56

The actual number of shares in which each participant vests is dependent upon achievement of certain Return on Invested Capital and Diluted Earnings Per Share targets over three-year performance periods. The number of shares in which participants can vest ranges from zero to 200% of the initial performance shares granted, to be determined upon completion of the three-year performance period. The number of shares included as granted in the table above assumes the award will vest at 180% of the target shares.

B&W Restricted Stock Units

Nonvested restricted stock units as of December 31, 2011 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2011 were as follows (share data in thousands):


	Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at beginning of period		959		$	17.94
Granted		197			32.64
Vested		(611	)		19.15
Cancelled/forfeited		(54	)		22.22

Nonvested at end of period		491		$	22.25

The actual tax benefits realized related to the restricted stock units vested during the year ended December 31, 2011 were $2.9 million.

B&W Cash-Based Performance and Restricted Stock Units

As of December 31, 2010 there were no remaining nonvested cash-based performance and restricted stock unit awards, and no grants occurred during the year ended December 31, 2011.

During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, we paid $0.1 million and $1.5 million, respectively, for the settlement of vested cash-based performance and restricted stock units.

Stock Options MII

The following summarizes the assumptions used for stock options granted to our employees prior to the spin-off. The fair value of each option grant was estimated at the date of grant using Black-Scholes, with the following weighted-average assumptions:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2010			2009
Risk-free interest rate		2.18	%		2.03	%
Expected volatility		0.55			0.78
Expected life of the option in years		4.79			4.63
Expected dividend yield		0	%		0	%

The risk-free interest rate was based on the implied yield on a U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issue with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the option. The expected volatility was based on implied volatility from publicly traded options on MII's common stock, historical volatility of the price of MII's common stock and other factors. The expected life of the option was based on observed historical patterns. The expected dividend yield is based on the projected annual dividend payment per share divided by the stock price at the date of grant. This amount is zero because MII did not pay cash dividends in recent years.

Thrift Plan

On August 13, 2010, 5,000,000 of the authorized and unissued shares of B&W common stock were reserved for issuance for the employer match to the Thrift Plan. Those matching employer contributions equal 50% of the first 6% of compensation, as defined in the Thrift Plan, contributed by participants, and fully vest and are nonforfeitable after three years of service or upon retirement, death, lay-off or approved disability. The Thrift Plan allows employees to sell their interest in B&W's common stock fund at any time, except as limited by applicable securities laws and regulations. During the year ended December 31, 2011, we issued 510,510 shares of B&W's common stock as employer contributions pursuant to the Thrift Plan. At December 31, 2011, 4,270,791 shares of B&W's common stock remained available for issuance under the Thrift Plan.

Tabular disclosure of components of a stock option or other award plan under which equity-based compensation is awarded to employees, typically comprised of the amount of unearned compensation (deferred compensation cost), compensation expense, and changes in the quantity and fair value of the shares (or other type of equity) granted, exercised, forfeited, and issued and outstanding pertaining to that plan. Disclosure may also include nature and general terms of such arrangements that existed during the period and potential effects of those arrangements on shareholders, effect of compensation cost arising from equity-based payment arrangements on the income statement, method of estimating the fair value of the goods or services received, or the fair value of the equity instruments granted, during the period, cash flow effects resulting from equity-based payment arrangements and, for registrants that accelerate vesting of out of the money share options, reasons for the decision to accelerate.

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments And Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments And Contingencies

NOTE 10 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Investigations and Litigation

Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc.

In June 2011, approximately 18 plaintiffs filed a lawsuit styled as a "class action" in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee against NFS, B&W, B&W PGG, Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Group, Inc. ("B&W TSG"), NOG-Erwin Holdings, Inc. and others relating to the operation of the NFS facility in Erwin, Tennessee. The plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages alleging personal injuries and property damage resulting primarily from alleged releases of radioactive materials as a result of operations at the facility. In October 2011, the plaintiffs filed a motion to amend the original complaint increasing the number of plaintiffs to approximately 140, and we filed a motion to dismiss. Plaintiffs have opposed that motion although no hearing date has yet been scheduled. This matter is in its initial stage. No discovery has been conducted and no trial date has been set. The ultimate outcome of these proceedings is uncertain and an adverse ruling, should coverage not be available, could have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flow.

Apollo and Parks Township

On January 29, 2010, Michelle McMunn, Cara D. Steele and Yvonne Sue Robinson filed suit against B&W PGG, B&W TSG, formerly known as B&W Nuclear Environmental Services, Inc. (the "B&W Parties") and Atlantic Richfield Company ("ARCO") in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Since January 2010, eight additional suits by additional plaintiffs have been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against the B&W Parties and ARCO. The suits presently involve approximately 150 claimants alleging, among other things, personal injuries and property damage as a result of alleged releases of radioactive material relating to the operation, remediation, and/or decommissioning of two former nuclear fuel processing facilities located in Apollo Borough and Parks Township, Pennsylvania (collectively, the "Apollo and Parks Litigation"). Those facilities previously were owned by Nuclear Materials and Equipment Company, a former subsidiary of ARCO ("NUMEC"), which was acquired by B&W PGG. The plaintiffs in the Apollo and Parks Litigation seek compensatory and punitive damages. In June 2011, plaintiffs in seven of the cases filed a motion to consolidate the cases. In August 2011, the Court entered an order consolidating the first seven cases for most non-dispositive pre-trial matters. Discovery in the Apollo and Parks Litigation is ongoing.

At the time of ARCO's sale of NUMEC stock to B&W PGG, B&W PGG received an indemnity and hold harmless agreement from ARCO with respect to claims and liabilities arising prior to or as a result of conduct or events predating the acquisition.

Insurance coverage and/or the ARCO indemnity currently provides coverage for the claims alleged in the Apollo and Parks Litigation, although no assurance can be given that insurance and/or the indemnity will be available or sufficient in the event of liability, if any.

The B&W Parties and ARCO were defendants in a prior litigation filed in 1994 relating to the operation of the Apollo and Parks Township facilities in the matter of Donald F. Hall and Mary Ann Hall, et al., v. Babcock & Wilcox Company, et al. (the "Hall Litigation"). In 1998, the B&W Parties settled all then-pending and future punitive damage claims in the Hall Litigation for $8.0 million and sought reimbursement from third parties, including its insurers, American Nuclear Insurers and Mutual Atomic Energy Liability Underwriters ("ANI"). In 2008, ARCO settled the Hall Litigation with the plaintiffs for $27.5 million. The B&W Parties then settled the Hall Litigation in 2009 for $52.5 million, settling approximately 250 personal injury and wrongful death claims, as well as approximately 125 property damage claims, alleging damages as a result of alleged releases involving the facilities. ARCO and the B&W Parties retained their insurance rights against ANI in their respective settlements; however, under a related settlement regarding ARCO's indemnification of B&W PGG relating to the two facilities, ARCO assigned to the B&W Parties 58.33% of the total of all ARCO's proceeds/amounts recovered against ANI on account of the Hall Litigation.

The B&W Parties sought recovery from ANI for amounts paid by the B&W Parties to settle the Hall Litigation, along with unreimbursed attorneys fees, allocated amounts assigned by ARCO to the B&W Parties, and applicable interest based upon ANI's breach of contract and bad faith conduct in the matter of The Babcock & Wilcox Company et al. v. American Nuclear Insurers, et al. (the "ANI Litigation"). ARCO also sought recovery against ANI in the ANI Litigation, which has been pending before the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

In September 2011, a jury returned a verdict in the ANI Litigation, finding that the B&W Parties' settlement of the Hall Litigation for $52.5 million and ARCO's settlement for $27.5 million were fair and reasonable. Following the verdict, in February 2012, the B&W Parties, ARCO and ANI entered into an agreement in which the parties agreed to the dismissal with prejudice of all remaining claims pending in the ANI Litigation, excluding the B&W Parties' and ARCO's claims seeking reimbursement from ANI for the $52.5 million and $27.5 million settlements (plus interest) (the "Settlement Claims"). By agreement, ANI also waived: (1) any and all rights to appeal the September 2011 jury verdict on the basis of the trial court's evidentiary rulings; and (2) any defenses and arguments of any kind except ANI's position that it was not required to reimburse the B&W Parties' and ARCO for their settlements under the provisions of the ANI policies. On February 14, 2012, the Court granted the parties' proposed order implementing their agreement and entered final judgment in favor of the B&W Parties and ARCO on the Settlement Claims. As part of the final order and judgment, the Court ruled that the B&W Parties and ARCO are entitled to pre-judgment interest on their $52.5 million and $27.5 million settlements, in the amounts of approximately $8.8 million and $6.2 million, respectively. In addition, post-verdict interest from the date of the jury verdict was awarded at 6%.

Execution on the final judgments will be stayed while ANI pursues an appeal in the Pennsylvania appellate courts, provided ANI posts a supersedeas appeal bond in the amount of 120% of the total final judgment amount. Pursuant to the agreement among the parties, if the final judgments are affirmed, following the exhaustion of all appeals, ANI must immediately satisfy those judgments and pay an additional liquidated contingency sum of $5 million to the B&W Parties and ARCO. If on appeal the final judgments are reversed and/or vacated, ANI will not owe the liquidated contingency sum. B&W has not recognized any amounts claimed in the ANI Litigation in its financial statements due to the uncertainty surrounding the ultimate amount to be realized.

Columbia Condenser Contract

On October 21, 2011, Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Energy, Inc. ("B&W NE") filed a complaint in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington against Energy Northwest for breach of contract and other claims relating to a contract for the removal and replacement of the main plant condenser and related parts at Energy Northwest's Columbia Generating Station. B&W NE seeks unspecified monetary damages, attorney's fees and costs against Energy Northwest resulting from its failure to make payments for work B&W NE performed under the contract. Energy Northwest has filed a counter-claim against B&W NE alleging breach of contract. The matter has been stayed by the U.S. District Court pending a mediation between the parties, which is currently scheduled for the second quarter of 2012.

Other

In the three months ended June 30, 2011, we recorded a settlement with the sellers of NFS related to conditions in existence at the acquisition date. We collected approximately $10.9 million in cash, and recognized this amount in cost of operations on our consolidated statements of income.

Other Litigation and Settlements

Additionally, due to the nature of our business, we are, from time to time, involved in routine litigation or subject to disputes or claims related to our business activities, including, among other things:

•

performance-or warranty-related matters under our customer and supplier contracts and other business arrangements; and

•

workers' compensation claims, premises liability claims and other claims.

Based upon our prior experience, we do not expect that any of these other litigation proceedings, disputes and claims will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Environmental Matters

We have been identified as a potentially responsible party at various cleanup sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended ("CERCLA"). CERCLA and other environmental laws can impose liability for the entire cost of cleanup on any of the potentially responsible parties, regardless of fault or the lawfulness of the original conduct. Generally, however, where there are multiple responsible parties, a final allocation of costs is made based on the amount and type of wastes disposed of by each party and the number of financially viable parties, although this may not be the case with respect to any particular site. We have not been determined to be a major contributor of wastes to any of these sites. On the basis of our relative contribution of waste to each site, we expect our share of the ultimate liability for the various sites will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in any given year.

The Department of Environmental Protection of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ("PADEP") advised us in March 1994 that it would seek monetary sanctions and remedial and monitoring relief related to the Parks Facilities. The relief sought is related to potential groundwater contamination resulting from previous operations at the facilities. These facilities are currently owned by a subsidiary in our Nuclear Operations segment. PADEP has advised us that it does not intend to assess any monetary sanctions, provided our Nuclear Operations segment continues its remediation program for the Parks Facilities. Whether additional nonradiation contamination remediation will be required at the Parks Facilities remains unclear. Results from sampling completed by our Nuclear Operations segment have indicated that such remediation may not be necessary. Our Nuclear Operations segment continues to evaluate closure of the groundwater issues pursuant to applicable Pennsylvania law.

We perform significant amounts of work for the U.S. Government under both prime contracts and subcontracts and operate certain facilities that are licensed to possess and process special nuclear materials. As a result of these activities, we are subject to continuing reviews by governmental agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the NRC.

The NRC's decommissioning regulations require our Nuclear Operations and Technical Services segments to provide financial assurance that it will be able to pay the expected cost of decommissioning each of its licensed facilities at the end of its service life. We provided financial assurance aggregating $43.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2011 with existing letters of credit for the ultimate decommissioning of these licensed facilities. These two facilities have provisions in their government contracts pursuant to which substantially all of our decommissioning costs and financial assurance obligations are covered by the DOE, including the costs to complete the decommissioning projects underway at the facility in Erwin, Tennessee. These letters of credit are to cover decommissioning required pursuant to work not subject to this DOE obligation.

Our compliance with U.S. federal, state and local environmental control and protection regulations resulted in pretax charges of approximately $13.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2011. In addition, compliance with existing environmental regulations necessitated capital expenditures of $1.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had total environmental reserves (including provisions for the facilities discussed above) of $47.3 million and $43.5 million, respectively. Of our total environmental reserves at December 31, 2011 and 2010, $3.2 million and $2.7 million, respectively, were included in current liabilities. In the year ended December 31, 2010 we recognized an $8.7 million gain, included in cost of operations in our consolidated and combined statements of income, attributable to a change in estimate of an environmental liability at our NFS subsidiary. Inherent in the estimates of those reserves and recoveries are our expectations regarding the levels of contamination, decommissioning costs and recoverability from other parties, which may vary significantly as decommissioning activities progress. Accordingly, changes in estimates could result in material adjustments to our operating results, and the ultimate loss may differ materially from the amounts that we have provided for in our consolidated financial statements.

Operating Leases

Future minimum payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining noncancellable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):


Fiscal Year Ending December 31,	Amount
2012	$	10,285
2013	$	8,143
2014	$	7,361
2015	$	5,900
2016	$	4,525
Thereafter	$	8,117

Total rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $11.1 million, $10.5 million and $9.8 million, respectively. These expense amounts include contingent rentals and are net of sublease income, neither of which is material.

The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 14
-Paragraph 3
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 5
-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.25)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6398077&loc=d3e12565-110249

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 440
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394976&loc=d3e25287-109308

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6449706&loc=d3e16207-108621

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Dec. 31, 2011
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	NOTE 11 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Prior to our acquisition of Marine Mechanical Corporation ("MMC"), our Chief Operating Officer ("COO") served as president and Chief Executive Officer of MMC. The shares of stock we purchased in the MMC acquisition were owned by an employee stock ownership trust ("ESOP"), numerous stock optionholders and a Class B stockholder, all of which our COO was a participant in. Part of our original purchase price for MMC was placed in an escrow account as a means of providing a fund for resolution of any post-closing claims. In May of 2011, final resolution of all issues occurred and our COO received approximately $300,000 based on her participation interest in the escrow account. Prior to the spin-off, we were party to transactions with MII and its subsidiaries occurring in the normal course of operations. Certain corporate and general and administrative expenses have been allocated to MII and its subsidiaries based on a level of effort calculation. We allocated expense of $20.0 million in the seven months ended July 31, 2010, which represented the period prior to our spin-off date. We included in interest expense $8.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and $23.6 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, respectively attributable to an intercompany loan with a subsidiary of MII. As a result of the spin-off, there were related party transactions that impacted our equity. These are discussed below. Dividend – In June 2010, we paid a dividend of $100.0 million to MII to maintain appropriate working capital needs. This amount was based on a determination by the MII Board of Directors after a review of the MII consolidated cash position and the respective foreseeable working capital and liquidity requirements for each of MII and B&W following the spin-off. Net Transactions with Parent – In connection with the spin-off, capital in excess of par value increased by $429.6 million. This increase consisted primarily of the forgiveness of intercompany balances owed to MII of $178.0 million, the noncash settlement of a note payable to an MII affiliate totaling $277.8 million and the distribution by B&W of certain net assets totaling $20.7 million to MII, including $43.3 million in cash. In addition to these transactions, MII paid B&W $43.3 million in cash to settle a note receivable, and B&W paid MII $43.4 million in settlement of certain intercompany amounts. In addition, MII contributed net assets to B&W which included $12.5 million in cash. See Note 3 for additional transactions with unconsolidated affiliates.

The entire disclosure for related party transactions, including the nature of the relationship(s), a description of the transactions, the amount of the transactions, the effects of any change in the method of establishing the terms of the transaction from the previous period, stated interest rate, expiration date, terms and manner of settlement per the agreement with the related party, and amounts due to or from related parties. If the entity and one or more other entities are under common ownership or management control and this control affects the operating results or financial position, disclosure includes the nature of the control relationship even if there are no transactions between the entities. Disclosure may also include the aggregate amount of current and deferred tax expense for each statement of earnings presented where the entity is a member of a group that files a consolidated tax return, the amount of any tax related balances due to or from affiliates as of the date of each statement of financial position presented, the principal provisions of the method by which the consolidated amount of current and deferred tax expense is allocated to the members of the group and the nature and effect of any changes in that method. Examples of related party transactions include transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiary; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) and entity and its principal owners; and (d) affiliates.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 4
-Section 08
-Paragraph k

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 3A
-Section 04
-Paragraph b

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 57
-Paragraph 1-4
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39622-107864

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39603-107864

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(k))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39691-107864

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39678-107864

Risks And Uncertainties	12 Months Ended
Risks And Uncertainties	Dec. 31, 2011
Risks And Uncertainties [Abstract]
Risks And Uncertainties	NOTE 12 – RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES *Percentage-of-Completion Accounting* As of December 31, 2011, in accordance with the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, we have provided for our estimated costs to complete all of our ongoing contracts. However, it is possible that current estimates could change due to unforeseen events, which could result in adjustments to overall contract costs. The risk on fixed-priced contracts is that revenue from the customer does not rise to cover increases in our costs. It is possible that current estimates could materially change for various reasons, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in forecasted labor productivity or steel and other raw material prices. Increases in costs on our fixed-price contracts could have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Alternatively, reductions in overall contract costs at completion could materially improve our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. *Insurance* Upon the February 22, 2006 effectiveness of the settlement relating to the Chapter 11 proceedings involving several of our subsidiaries, most of our subsidiaries contributed substantial insurance rights to the asbestos personal injury trust, including rights to (1) certain pre-1979 primary and excess insurance coverages and (2) certain of our 1979-1986 excess insurance coverage. These insurance rights provided coverage for, among other things, asbestos and other personal injury claims, subject to the terms and conditions of the policies. The contribution of these insurance rights was made in exchange for the agreement on the part of the representatives of the asbestos claimants, including the representative of future claimants, to the entry of a permanent injunction, pursuant to Section 524(g) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, to channel to the asbestos trust all asbestos-related claims against our subsidiaries and former subsidiaries arising out of, resulting from or attributable to their operations, and the implementation of related releases and indemnification provisions protecting those subsidiaries and their affiliates from future liability for such claims. Although we are not aware of any significant, unresolved claims against our subsidiaries and former subsidiaries that are not subject to the channeling injunction and that relate to the periods during which such excess insurance coverage related, with the contribution of these insurance rights to the asbestos personal injury trust, it is possible that we could have underinsured or uninsured exposure for non-derivative asbestos claims or other personal injury or other claims that would have been insured under these coverages had the insurance rights not been contributed to the asbestos personal injury trust.

Financial Instruments With Concentrations Of Credit Risk	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Financial Instruments With Concentrations Of Credit Risk [Abstract]
Financial Instruments With Concentrations Of Credit Risk	NOTE 13 – FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK Our Power Generation and Nuclear Energy segments' major customers are large utilities. The primary customer of our Nuclear Operations segment is the U.S. Government, including some of its contractors. These concentrations of customers may impact our overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that our customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic or other conditions. In the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the U.S. Government accounted for approximately 38% and 39%, respectively, of our total revenues. See Note 17 for additional information about our operations in different geographic areas. We believe that our provision for possible losses on uncollectible accounts receivable is adequate for our credit loss exposure. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the allowance for possible losses that we deducted from accounts receivable – trade on the accompanying balance sheets was $3.3 million and $3.2 million, respectively.

The entire disclosure for any concentrations existing at the date of the financial statements that make an entity vulnerable to a reasonably possible, near-term, severe impact. This disclosure informs financial statement users about the general nature of the risk associated with the concentration, and may indicate the percentage of concentration risk as of the balance sheet date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 15A
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 94-6
-Paragraph 21, 22, 24
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 21
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13537-108611

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 275
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 16
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6927468&loc=d3e6327-108592

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 20
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13531-108611

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 275
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 18
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6927468&loc=d3e6351-108592

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 275
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 20
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6927468&loc=d3e6404-108592

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 275
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 21
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6927468&loc=d3e6442-108592

Derivative Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Investments [Abstract]

Investments

NOTE 14 – INVESTMENTS

The following is a summary of our available-for-sale securities at December 31, 2011:


	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
	(In thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies	$	51,308	$	14	$	—		$	51,322
Money market instruments and short-term investments/mutual funds		2,957		355		—			3,312
Asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations		633		—		(171	)		462
Commercial paper		17,481		4		(1	)		17,484

Total	$	72,379	$	373	$	(172	)	$	72,580

The following is a summary of our available-for-sale securities at December 31, 2010:


	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
	(In thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies	$	70,038	$	8	$	—		$	70,046
Money market instruments and short-term investments		3,217		426		—			3,643
Asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations		739		—		(163	)		576
Corporate and foreign government bonds and notes		832		—		—			832

Total	$	74,826	$	434	$	(163	)	$	75,097

Proceeds, gross realized gains and gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities were as follows:


	Proceeds		Gross Realized Gains		Gross Realized Losses
	(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31, 2011	$	147,288	$	—	$	5
Year Ended December 31, 2010	$	134,276	$	—	$	122
Year Ended December 31, 2009	$	140,203	$	—	$	30

Derivative Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Derivative Financial Instruments

NOTE 15 – DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Our global operations give rise to exposure to market risks from changes in foreign exchange rates. We use derivative financial instruments (primarily foreign currency forward-exchange contracts) to reduce the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates on our operating results. We use these instruments primarily to hedge our exposure associated with revenues or costs on our long-term contracts and other cash flow exposures that are denominated in currencies other than our operating entities' functional currencies. We do not hold or issue financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.

We enter into derivative financial instruments primarily as hedges of certain firm purchase and sale commitments denominated in foreign currencies. We record these contracts at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets. Depending on the hedge designation at the inception of the contract, the related gains and losses on these contracts are either deferred in stockholders' equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, until the hedged item is recognized in earnings, or offset against the change in fair value of the hedged firm commitment through earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative's change in fair value and any portion excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are immediately recognized in earnings. The gain or loss on a derivative instrument not designated as a hedging instrument is also immediately recognized in earnings. Gains and losses on derivative financial instruments that require immediate recognition are included as a component of other income (expense) – net in our consolidated and combined statements of income.

We have designated all of our forward contracts that qualify for hedge accounting as cash flow hedges. The hedged risk is the risk of changes in functional-currency-equivalent cash flows attributable to changes in spot exchange rates of firm commitments related to long-term contracts. We exclude from our assessment of effectiveness the portion of the fair value of the forward contracts attributable to the difference between spot exchange rates and forward exchange rates. Ineffective portions of our forward contracts are recorded in other income (expense) – net on our consolidated and combined statements of income. At December 31, 2011, we had deferred approximately $2.7 million of net gains on these derivative financial instruments in accumulated other comprehensive loss. We expect to recognize this entire amount in the next twelve months.

At December 31, 2011, all of our derivative financial instruments consisted of foreign currency forward-exchange contracts and warrants to purchase common stock. The notional amount of our forward contracts totaled $238.1 million at December 31, 2011, with maturities extending to November 2014. These instruments consist primarily of contracts to purchase or sell Canadian Dollars or Danish Kroner. The fair value of these contracts totaled $2.5 million, all of which are Level 2 in nature (See Note 16). We are exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to derivative financial instruments. We attempt to mitigate this risk by using major financial institutions with high credit ratings. The counterparties to all of our derivative financial instruments are financial institutions included in our credit facility. Our hedge counterparties have the benefit of the same collateral arrangements and covenants as described under this facility.

The following tables summarize our derivative financial instruments at December 31, 2011 and 2010:


	Asset and Liability Derivatives
	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Derivatives Designated as Hedges:
Foreign Exchange Contracts:
Location
Accounts receivable-other	$	1,760	$	2,625
Other assets	$	3,792	$	5,360
Accounts payable	$	1,238	$	1,234
Other liabilities	$	610	$	201

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges:
Foreign Exchange Contracts:
Location
Accounts payable	$	520	$	2,793
Other liabilities	$	664	$	811
Stock Warrants:
Location
Other assets	$	877	$	3,296

The effects of derivatives on our financial statements are outlined below:


	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Derivatives Designated as Hedges:
Cash Flow Hedges:
Foreign Exchange Contracts:
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income	$	(1,224	)	$	8,952

Income (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income: effective portion
Location
Revenues	$	4,128		$	1,888
Cost of operations	$	(2,350	)	$	(388	)
Other-net	$	373		$	430

Gain (loss) recognized in income: portion excluded from effectiveness testing
Location
Other-net	$	1,045		$	(1,265	)

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges:
Forward Contracts:
Gain (loss) recognized in income
Location
Other-net	$	1,234		$	(3,232	)

Stock Warrants:
Gain (loss) recognized
Location
Other-net	$	(2,419	)	$	682

The entire disclosure for the entity's entire derivative instruments and hedging activities. Describes an entity's risk management strategies, derivatives in hedging activities and non-hedging derivative instruments, the assets, obligations, liabilities, revenues and expenses arising therefrom, and the amounts of and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts of such items.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 45
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 44
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6887037&loc=d3e80784-113994

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5579245-113959

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624163-113959

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=d3e41638-113959

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5580258-113959

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5579240-113959

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=d3e41641-113959

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=d3e41620-113959

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 25
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4E
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624181-113959

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5618551-113959

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4D
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624177-113959

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6887037&loc=d3e80748-113994

Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4H
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624258-113959

Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4K
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5708775-113959

Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=d3e41635-113959

Reference 20: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(n))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 21: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4J
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5708773-113959

Reference 22: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6441202&loc=d3e80720-113993

Fair Values Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Fair Values Of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Values Of Financial Instruments

NOTE 16 – FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

FASB Topic Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. This topic also sets forth the disclosure requirements regarding fair value and establishes a hierarchy for valuation inputs that emphasizes the use of observable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument's categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy established by this topic is as follows:

•

Level 1 – inputs are based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

•

Level 2 – inputs are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for similar or identical instruments in inactive markets and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets and liabilities.

•

Level 3 – inputs are generally unobservable and typically reflect management's estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The fair values are therefore determined using model-based techniques that include option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar valuation techniques.

The following sections describe the valuation methodologies we use to measure the fair values of our available-for-sale securities and derivatives.

Available-for-Sale-Securities

Investments other than derivatives primarily include U.S. Government and agency securities, money-market funds, mortgage-backed securities and corporate notes and bonds.

In general, and where applicable, we principally use a composite of observable prices and quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities to determine fair value. This pricing methodology applies to our Level 1 and 2 investments.

Our net unrealized gain/loss on investments is currently in an unrealized gain position totaling approximately $0.2 million at December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2010, we had an unrealized gain on our investments totaling approximately $0.3 million. Based on our analysis of these investments, we believe that none of our available-for-sale securities were other than temporarily impaired at December 31, 2011.

Fair Value Measurements

The following is a summary of our available-for-sale securities measured at fair value at December 31, 2011:


	12/31/11		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Mutual funds	$	3,312	$	—	$	3,312	$	—
U.S. Government and agency securities		51,322		51,322		—		—
Asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations		462		—		462		—
Commercial paper		17,484		—		17,484		—

Total	$	72,580	$	51,322	$	21,258	$	—

The following is a summary of our available-for-sale securities measured at fair value at December 31, 2010:


	12/31/10		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Mutual funds	$	3,385	$	—	$	3,385	$	—
Certificates of deposit		258		—		258		—
U.S. Government and agency securities		70,046		70,046		—		—
Asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations		576		—		576		—
Corporate notes and bonds		832		—		832		—

Total	$	75,097	$	70,046	$	5,051	$	—

Derivatives

Level 2 derivative assets and liabilities currently consist of foreign exchange rate derivatives. Where applicable, the value of these derivative assets and liabilities is computed by discounting the projected future cash flow amounts to present value using market-based observable inputs, including foreign exchange forward and spot rates, interest rates and counterparty performance risk adjustments. At December 31, 2011, we had forward contracts outstanding to purchase or sell foreign currencies, primarily Canadian Dollars and Danish Kroner with a total notional amount of $238.1 million and a total fair value of $2.5 million.

Level 3 derivative assets include warrants to purchase common stock. The value of the warrants are computed using an option pricing model based on unobservable inputs such as estimated stock price for inactive shares, and observable inputs, including interest rates and volatility. At December 31, 2011, the warrants had a fair value of $0.9 million.

Changes in Level 3 Instrument

The following is a summary of the changes in our Level 3 instrument measured on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010:


	Year ended December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	3,296		$	168
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in other income (expense)-net		(2,419	)		671
Included in other comprehensive income		—			119
Purchases, issuances, and settlements		—			2,342
Principal repayments		—			(4	)

Balance at end of period	$	877		$	3,296

Our Level 3 instruments at December 31, 2011 and 2010 consist of warrants to purchase common stock.

Other Financial Instruments

We used the following methods and assumptions in estimating our fair value disclosures for our other financial instruments, as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents. The carrying amounts that we have reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents approximate their fair values due to their highly liquid nature.

Investments. We estimate the fair value of investments based on quoted market prices. For investments for which there are no quoted market prices, we derive fair values from available yield curves for investments of similar quality and terms.

Long- and short-term debt. We base the fair values of debt instruments on quoted market prices. Where quoted prices are not available, we base the fair values on the present value of future cash flows discounted at estimated borrowing rates for similar debt instruments or on estimated prices based on current yields for debt issues of similar quality and terms. The fair value of our debt instruments approximated their carrying value at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 44A, 44B
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 15C, 15D
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 15A
-Subparagraph a-d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 15B
-Subparagraph a, b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 3, 10, 14, 15
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32, 33, 34
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 159
-Paragraph 17-22, 27, 28
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 21
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13537-108611

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14064-108612

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14172-108612

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 16
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13504-108611

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19296-110258

Segment Reporting

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting

NOTE 17 – SEGMENT REPORTING

Our reportable segments are Power Generation, Nuclear Operations, Technical Services and Nuclear Energy, as described in Note 1. The operations of our segments are managed separately and each has unique technology, services and customer class.

We account for intersegment sales at prices that we generally establish by reference to similar transactions with unaffiliated customers. Reportable segments are measured based on operating income exclusive of general corporate expenses, contract and insurance claims provisions, legal expenses and gains (losses) on sales of corporate assets.

1. Information about Operations in our Different Industry Segments:

		0000000000			0000000000			0000000000
	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
REVENUES⁽¹⁾:
Power Generation	$	1,541,509		$	1,424,574		$	1,658,223
Nuclear Operations		1,043,185			995,969			914,019
Technical Services		119,711			90,147			119,722
Nuclear Energy		321,406			196,282			174,783
Adjustments and Eliminations		(73,771	)		(18,161	)		(12,115	)

	$	2,952,040		$	2,688,811		$	2,854,632

⁽¹⁾	Segment revenues are net of the following intersegment transfers and other adjustments:

		0000000000		0000000000		0000000000
Power Generation Transfers	$	53,852	$	5,092	$	1,410
Nuclear Operations Transfers		5,860		4,423		1,030
Technical Services Transfers		2,155		2,438		2,527
Nuclear Energy Transfers		11,904		6,208		7,148

	$	73,771	$	18,161	$	12,115

		0000000000			0000000000			0000000000
	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
OPERATING INCOME:
Power Generation	$	140,029		$	128,278		$	163,316
Nuclear Operations		171,554			147,235			107,268
Technical Services		68,239			45,614			47,312
Nuclear Energy		(118,748	)		(27,560	)		(5,447	)

	$	261,074		$	293,567		$	312,449

Unallocated Corporate⁽¹⁾		(25,106	)		(29,595	)		(42,885	)

Total Operating Income⁽²⁾	$	235,968		$	263,972		$	269,564

Other Income (Expense):
Interest income		1,342			1,187			3,439
Interest expense		(4,543	)		(12,939	)		(24,590	)
Other income (expense)—net		2,168			(16,400	)		(16,112	)

Total Other Expense		(1,033	)		(28,152	)		(37,263	)

Income before Provision for Income Taxes	$	234,935		$	235,820		$	232,301

⁽¹⁾	Unallocated corporate includes general corporate overhead not allocated to segments

⁽²⁾	Included in operating income is the following:

		0000000000			0000000000			0000000000
(Gains) Losses on Asset Disposals – Net:
Power Generation	$	(3,456	)	$	39		$	292
Nuclear Operations		—			—			171
Technical Services		—			61			—
Nuclear Energy		96			(62	)		(20	)
Unallocated Corporate		273			—			783

	$	(3,087	)	$	38		$	1,226

Equity in Income of Investees:
Power Generation	$	25,778		$	30,788		$	14,043
Nuclear Operations		—			—			—
Technical Services		52,877			43,294			41,051
Nuclear Energy		—			—			—

	$	78,655		$	74,082		$	55,094


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands)
SEGMENT ASSETS:
Power Generation	$	1,325,959	$	1,082,801	$	1,156,247
Nuclear Operations		679,818		639,090		640,039
Technical Services		123,717		85,509		72,005
Nuclear Energy		347,158		339,457		273,147

Total Segment Assets		2,476,652		2,146,857		2,141,438
Corporate Assets		312,459		353,653		462,421

Total Assets	$	2,789,111	$	2,500,510	$	2,603,859

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:
Power Generation	$	15,788	$	13,627	$	30,257
Nuclear Operations		32,082		24,718		25,750
Technical Services		—		15		26
Nuclear Energy		7,257		4,480		1,891

Segment Capital Expenditures		55,127		42,840		57,924
Corporate Capital Expenditures		8,747		20,809		35,801

Total Capital Expenditures	$	63,874	$	63,649	$	93,725

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION:
Power Generation	$	17,264	$	18,564	$	13,351
Nuclear Operations		38,169		36,955		44,584
Technical Services		262		263		278
Nuclear Energy		5,346		4,988		4,508

Segment Depreciation and Amortization		61,041		60,770		62,721
Corporate Depreciation and Amortization		11,962		10,863		9,991

Total Depreciation and Amortization	$	73,003	$	71,633	$	72,712

INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES:
Power Generation	$	124,686	$	95,527	$	64,666
Nuclear Operations		—		—		—
Technical Services		38,882		5,284		3,661
Nuclear Energy		—		—		—

Total Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates	$	163,568	$	100,811	$	68,327

2. Information about our Product and Service Lines:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
REVENUES:
Power Generation:
New Build Environmental Equipment	$	235,750		$	277,531		$	363,456
New Build Steam Generation Systems		416,779			386,356			475,878
After Market Services		894,677			765,573			840,236
Eliminations/Other		(5,697	)		(4,886	)		(21,347	)

		1,541,509			1,424,574			1,658,223

Nuclear Operations:
Nuclear Component Program		1,025,838			986,952			887,844
Commercial Operations		11,674			4,449			25,340
Eliminations/Other		5,673			4,568			835

		1,043,185			995,969			914,019

Technical Services:
Commercial Operations		29,708			28,862			64,747
Nuclear Environmental Services		76,267			48,351			42,425
Management & Operation Contracts of U.S. Government Facilities		13,736			12,934			12,551
Eliminations/Other		—			—			(1	)

		119,711			90,147			119,722

Nuclear Energy:
Nuclear Services		151,118			119,244			121,948
Nuclear Equipment		122,789			72,336			52,735
Nuclear Projects		45,539			4,700			100
Eliminations/Other		1,960			2			—

		321,406			196,282			174,783

Eliminations		(73,771	)		(18,161	)		(12,115	)

	$	2,952,040		$	2,688,811		$	2,854,632

3. Information about our Operations in Different Geographic Areas:

		0000000000		0000000000		0000000000
	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands)
REVENUES⁽¹⁾:
United States	$	2,340,299	$	2,133,924	$	2,300,039
Canada		238,663		252,089		267,567
Sweden		94,337		48,632		40,852
China		48,153		48,285		54,192
Norway		29,844		33,353		21,996
Finland		20,723		4,040		9,746
Ireland		14,769		26,574		10,336
Bulgaria		14,149		2,144		—
Denmark		12,310		15,040		21,965
India		8,891		16,277		5,229
Japan		8,716		8,797		26,904
Germany		8,222		3,464		15,734
Chile		6,811		2,870		1,792
Italy		6,516		11,361		4,533
Korea		6,272		9,114		8,339
United Kingdom		6,150		6,791		6,746
Brazil		4,671		2,957		2,131
Indonesia		4,642		6,048		8,834
France		3,433		5,373		8,351
Other Countries		74,469		51,678		39,346

	$	2,952,040	$	2,688,811	$	2,854,632

⁽¹⁾	We allocate geographic revenues based on the location of the customer's operations.

		0000000000		0000000000		0000000000
NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
United States	$	348,498	$	345,848	$	360,076
Canada		41,868		41,959		40,058
United Kingdom		9,758		10,401		11,234
Denmark		8,813		8,395		8,852
Mexico		7,024		6,299		4,207
Other Countries		6,330		5,410		5,634

	$	422,291	$	418,312	$	430,061

4. Information about our Major Customers:

In the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the U.S. Government accounted for approximately 38%, 39% and 33%, respectively, of our total revenues. Substantially, these revenues are included in our Nuclear Operations and Technical Services segments.

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 131
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 34
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8981-108599

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 35
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8984-108599

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 42
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e9054-108599

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 40
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e9031-108599

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 31
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8924-108599

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8538-108599

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8906-108599

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 41
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e9038-108599

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 29
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8864-108599

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 33
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8971-108599

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 26
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8844-108599

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8380-108599

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8595-108599

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8933-108599

Quarterly Financial Data

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Data

NOTE 18 – QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

The following tables set forth selected unaudited quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010:


	Year Ended December 31, 2011 Quarter Ended
	March 31, 2011		June 30, 2011		Sept. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2011
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues	$	691,277	$	752,352	$	707,622	$	800,789
Operating income⁽¹⁾	$	21,901	$	63,257	$	57,551	$	93,259
Equity in income of investees	$	15,361	$	18,381	$	22,782	$	22,131
Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	13,510	$	46,209	$	45,663	$	64,272

Earnings per common share:
Basic:
Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	0.12	$	0.39	$	0.39	$	0.54
Diluted:
Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	0.11	$	0.39	$	0.39	$	0.54

⁽¹⁾ Includes equity in income of investees.


	Year Ended December 31, 2010 Quarter Ended
	March 31, 2010		June 30, 2010		Sept. 30, 2010		Dec. 31, 2010
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues	$	662,388	$	688,496	$	632,765	$	705,162
Operating income⁽¹⁾	$	38,746	$	85,655	$	65,077	$	74,494
Equity in income of investees	$	14,019	$	17,435	$	16,986	$	25,642
Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	16,843	$	47,640	$	35,887	$	52,892

Earnings per common share:
Basic:
Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	0.15	$	0.41	$	0.31	$	0.45
Diluted:
Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	0.14	$	0.41	$	0.31	$	0.45

⁽¹⁾	Includes equity in income of investees.

Our March 31, 2011 quarter included additional costs to complete projects totaling $32.7 million. Our June 30, 2011 quarter included $10.9 million of favorable settlements with the sellers of NFS. In addition, our June 30, 2011 and September 30, 2011 quarters included additional costs to complete projects totaling $26.0 million and $3.1 million respectively.

The entire disclosure for the quarterly financial data in the annual financial statements. The disclosure may include a tabular presentation of financial information for each fiscal quarter for the current and previous year, including revenues, gross profit, income or loss before extraordinary items and earnings per share data. It also includes an indication if the information in the note is unaudited, comments on the aggregate effect of year-end adjustments, and an explanation of matters or transactions that affect comparability or are pertinent to an understanding of the information furnished.

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

NOTE 19 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands, except shares and per share amounts)
Basic:

Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	169,654	$	153,262	$	147,764

Weighted average common shares		117,560,594		116,260,425		116,067,535

Basic earnings per common share:

Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	1.44	$	1.32	$	1.27

Diluted:

Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	169,654	$	153,262	$	147,764

Weighted average common shares (basic)		117,560,594		116,260,425		116,067,535
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options, restricted stock and performance shares⁽¹⁾		844,003		1,365,640		1,356,272

Adjusted weighted average common shares		118,404,597		117,626,065		117,423,807

Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	1.43	$	1.30	$	1.26

(1)

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, we excluded from the diluted share calculation 742,035 shares and 349,744 shares, respectively, related to stock options, as their effect would have been antidilutive.

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Business Segments

Business Segments

We operate in four business segments: Power Generation, Nuclear Operations, Technical Services and Nuclear Energy.

Our segments are further described as follows:

•

Use Of Estimates

Use of Estimates

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

Investments

Investments

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

Contracts And Revenue Recognition

Contracts and Revenue Recognition

For the majority of parts orders and certain after market services activities, we recognize revenues as goods are delivered and work is performed.

The following represent the components of our contracts in progress and advance billings on contracts included in our consolidated balance sheets:


	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Included in Contracts in Progress:
Costs incurred less costs of revenue recognized	$	135,513		$	63,233
Revenues recognized less billings to customers		179,773			162,215

Contracts In Progress	$	315,286		$	225,448

Included In Advance Billings on Contracts:
Billings to customers less revenues recognized	$	492,106		$	445,076
Costs incurred less costs of revenue recognized		(53,353	)		(75,432	)

Advance Billings on Contracts	$	438,753		$	369,644

The following amounts represent retainages on contracts:


	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Retainages expected to be collected within one year	$	60,158	$	75,630
Retainages expected to be collected after one year		14,526		7,192

Total retainages	$	74,684	$	82,822

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive Loss

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss included in stockholders' equity are as follows:


	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Currency translation adjustments	$	36,626		$	35,910
Net unrealized gain on investments		201			270
Net unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments		2,717			1,939
Unrecognized losses on benefit obligations		(578,172	)		(488,118	)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(538,628	)	$	(449,999	)

Warranty Expense

Warranty Expense

The following summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of accrued warranty expense:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	109,588		$	115,055		$	119,722
Additions and adjustments		6,656			5,065			13,475
Charges		(19,035	)		(10,532	)		(18,142	)

Balance at end of period	$	97,209		$	109,588		$	115,055

Our additions and adjustments to accrued warranty expense included favorable adjustments and resolutions reached with certain customers.

Asset Retirement Obligations And Environmental Clean-Up Costs

Asset Retirement Obligations and Environmental Clean-up Costs


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010		2009
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	32,657		$	29,491	$	25,647
Acquisition of Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. (Note 2)		—			—		1,627
Costs incurred		(2,265	)		—		—
Additions/Adjustments		2,935			—		300
Accretion		2,558			3,166		1,917

Balance at end of period	$	35,885		$	32,657	$	29,491

Research And Development

Research and Development

Inventories

Inventories


	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Raw Materials and Supplies	$	77,932	$	72,917
Work in Progress		6,889		7,541
Finished Goods		22,477		20,474

Total Inventories	$	107,298	$	100,932

Property, Plant And Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment

We carry our property, plant and equipment at depreciated cost, less any impairment provisions.

We expense the costs of maintenance, repairs and renewals that do not materially prolong the useful life of an asset as we incur them.

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost and is set forth below:


	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Land	$	11,656	$	11,807
Buildings		224,661		225,176
Machinery and equipment		710,666		684,647
Property under construction		70,439		47,082

		1,017,422		968,712

Less accumulated depreciation		595,131		550,400

Net Property, Plant and Equipment	$	422,291	$	418,312

Investments In Unconsolidated Affiliates

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets

We report our intangible assets in other assets. We amortize those intangible assets with definite lives to operating expense using the straight-line method.

Other assets include the following intangible assets:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Amortized intangible assets:
Gross cost:
Customer relationships	$	40,051		$	37,167		$	30,950
Acquired backlog		22,435			19,335			18,720
Tradename		15,169			12,291			10,680
Unpatented technology		6,402			5,902			5,600
Patented technology		6,961			6,625			4,440
All other		7,901			11,935			8,585

Total	$	98,919		$	93,255		$	78,975

Accumulated amortization:
Customer relationships	$	(8,618	)	$	(6,026	)	$	(3,726	)
Acquired backlog		(17,040	)		(12,701	)		(7,746	)
Tradename		(6,509	)		(4,260	)		(2,371	)
Unpatented technology		(2,033	)		(1,407	)		(837	)
Patented technology		(3,219	)		(2,096	)		(888	)
All other		(3,594	)		(6,296	)		(5,163	)

Total	$	(41,013	)	$	(32,786	)	$	(20,731	)

Net amortized intangible assets	$	57,906		$	60,469		$	58,244

Unamortized intangible assets:
NRC category 1 license	$	43,830		$	43,830		$	43,830
Trademarks and trade names		1,305			1,305			1,305

Total unamortized intangible assets	$	45,135		$	45,135		$	45,135

The following summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of intangible assets:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	105,604		$	103,379		$	111,847
Business acquisitions & additions		9,100			14,280			—
Amortization expense		(11,545	)		(11,679	)		(9,975	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other		(118	)		(376	)		1,507

Balance at end of period	$	103,041		$	105,604		$	103,379

The estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is as follows (in thousands):


Year Ending December 31,	Amount
2012	$	9,640
2013	$	7,227
2014	$	6,139
2015	$	4,981
2016	$	4,903

Other Non-Current Assets

Other Non-Current Assets


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	8,102		$	1,898		$	4,169
Additions		82			9,994			—
Interest expense – debt issuance costs		(2,461	)		(3,790	)		(2,271	)

Balance at end of period	$	5,723		$	8,102		$	1,898

Capitalization Of Interest Cost

Capitalization of Interest Cost

Cash And Cash Equivalents And Restricted Cash

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Our cash equivalents are highly liquid investments, with maturities of three months or less when we purchase them.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

Self-Insurance

Self-Insurance

Loss Contingencies

Loss Contingencies

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

See Note 9 for a further discussion of stock-based compensation.

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Contracts In Progress And Advance Billings


	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Included in Contracts in Progress:
Costs incurred less costs of revenue recognized	$	135,513		$	63,233
Revenues recognized less billings to customers		179,773			162,215

Contracts In Progress	$	315,286		$	225,448

Included In Advance Billings on Contracts:
Billings to customers less revenues recognized	$	492,106		$	445,076
Costs incurred less costs of revenue recognized		(53,353	)		(75,432	)

Advance Billings on Contracts	$	438,753		$	369,644

Retainages On Contracts


	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Retainages expected to be collected within one year	$	60,158	$	75,630
Retainages expected to be collected after one year		14,526		7,192

Total retainages	$	74,684	$	82,822

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss


	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Currency translation adjustments	$	36,626		$	35,910
Net unrealized gain on investments		201			270
Net unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments		2,717			1,939
Unrecognized losses on benefit obligations		(578,172	)		(488,118	)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(538,628	)	$	(449,999	)

Changes In The Carrying Amount Of Accrued Warranty Expense


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	109,588		$	115,055		$	119,722
Additions and adjustments		6,656			5,065			13,475
Charges		(19,035	)		(10,532	)		(18,142	)

Balance at end of period	$	97,209		$	109,588		$	115,055

Asset Retirement Obligations


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010		2009
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	32,657		$	29,491	$	25,647
Acquisition of Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. (Note 2)		—			—		1,627
Costs incurred		(2,265	)		—		—
Additions/Adjustments		2,935			—		300
Accretion		2,558			3,166		1,917

Balance at end of period	$	35,885		$	32,657	$	29,491

Inventories


	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Raw Materials and Supplies	$	77,932	$	72,917
Work in Progress		6,889		7,541
Finished Goods		22,477		20,474

Total Inventories	$	107,298	$	100,932

Property, Plant And Equipment


	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Land	$	11,656	$	11,807
Buildings		224,661		225,176
Machinery and equipment		710,666		684,647
Property under construction		70,439		47,082

		1,017,422		968,712

Less accumulated depreciation		595,131		550,400

Net Property, Plant and Equipment	$	422,291	$	418,312

Changes In The Carrying Amount Of Goodwill


	Power Generation			Nuclear Operations			Technical Services		Nuclear Energy		Total
	(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2009	$	81,484		$	122,407		$	45,000	$	13,975	$	262,866
Acquisition of GE Energy Businesses (Note 2)		4,796			—			—		—		4,796
Miljo Asset Acquisition (Note 2)		3,211			—			—		—		3,211
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other		(1,449	)		—			—		—		(1,449	)

Balance at December 31, 2010	$	88,042		$	122,407		$	45,000	$	13,975	$	269,424
Acquisition of Loibl (Note 2)		11,015			—			—		—		11,015
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other		45			(4,304	)		—		—		(4,259	)

Balance at December 31, 2011	$	99,102		$	118,103		$	45,000	$	13,975	$	276,180

Schedule Of Intangible Assets


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Amortized intangible assets:
Gross cost:
Customer relationships	$	40,051		$	37,167		$	30,950
Acquired backlog		22,435			19,335			18,720
Tradename		15,169			12,291			10,680
Unpatented technology		6,402			5,902			5,600
Patented technology		6,961			6,625			4,440
All other		7,901			11,935			8,585

Total	$	98,919		$	93,255		$	78,975

Accumulated amortization:
Customer relationships	$	(8,618	)	$	(6,026	)	$	(3,726	)
Acquired backlog		(17,040	)		(12,701	)		(7,746	)
Tradename		(6,509	)		(4,260	)		(2,371	)
Unpatented technology		(2,033	)		(1,407	)		(837	)
Patented technology		(3,219	)		(2,096	)		(888	)
All other		(3,594	)		(6,296	)		(5,163	)

Total	$	(41,013	)	$	(32,786	)	$	(20,731	)

Net amortized intangible assets	$	57,906		$	60,469		$	58,244

Unamortized intangible assets:
NRC category 1 license	$	43,830		$	43,830		$	43,830
Trademarks and trade names		1,305			1,305			1,305

Total unamortized intangible assets	$	45,135		$	45,135		$	45,135

Changes In Carrying Amount Of Intangible Assets


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	105,604		$	103,379		$	111,847
Business acquisitions & additions		9,100			14,280			—
Amortization expense		(11,545	)		(11,679	)		(9,975	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other		(118	)		(376	)		1,507

Balance at end of period	$	103,041		$	105,604		$	103,379

Estimated Amortization Expense


Year Ending December 31,	Amount
2012	$	9,640
2013	$	7,227
2014	$	6,139
2015	$	4,981
2016	$	4,903

Changes In Carrying Amount Of Other Non-Current Assets


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	8,102		$	1,898		$	4,169
Additions		82			9,994			—
Interest expense – debt issuance costs		(2,461	)		(3,790	)		(2,271	)

Balance at end of period	$	5,723		$	8,102		$	1,898

Business Acquisitions And Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Loibl [Member]

GE Energy Businesses [Member]


			Amortization
	Amount		Period
Customer relationships	$	3,300		8 years
Backlog	$	3,100		5 years
Tradename	$	2,200		5 years
Unpatented technology	$	500		12 years

Gotaverken Miljo AB [Member]


			Amortization
	Amount		Period
Customer relationships	$	3,700		10 years
Patented technology	$	1,000		10 years
Backlog	$	400		1.5 years
Tradename	$	400		10 years

Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. [Member]


			Amortization
	Amount		Period
Patented technology	$	2,460		15 years
Customer relationships	$	2,120		12 years
Tradenames and trademarks	$	1,160		20 years
Backlog	$	610		0.5 years

Equity Method Investments [Abstract]


			Amortization
	Amount		Period
NRC category 1 license	$	43,830		Indefinite
Backlog	$	9,180		4 years
Tradename	$	6,860		6 years
Patented technology	$	4,440		5 years
Non-compete agreement	$	610		5 years

Equity Method Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary Of Combined Balance Sheet Information


	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Current assets	$	855,962	$	391,564
Noncurrent assets		211,920		163,905

Total Assets	$	1,067,882	$	555,469

Current liabilities	$	594,883	$	288,970
Noncurrent liabilities		112,936		64,039
Owners' equity		360,063		202,460

Total Liabilities and Owners' Equity	$	1,067,882	$	555,469

Summary Of Combined Income Statement Information


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands)
Revenues	$	2,669,923	$	2,283,256	$	2,199,032
Gross profit	$	271,920	$	258,598	$	180,205
Income before provision for income taxes	$	185,859	$	182,482	$	131,530
Provision for income taxes		14,258		21,230		13,504

Net Income	$	171,601	$	161,252	$	118,026

Reconciliation Of Net Income To Equity In Income


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Equity income based on stated ownership percentages	$	81,971		$	77,882		$	56,286
All other adjustments due to amortization of basis differences, timing of GAAP adjustments and other adjustments		(3,316	)		(3,800	)		(1,192	)

Equity in income of investees	$	78,655		$	74,082		$	55,094

Schedule Of Transactions With Unconsolidated Affiliates


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands)
Sales to	$	49,400	$	45,321	$	35,802
Purchases from	$	980	$	4,693	$	12,222
Dividends received	$	57,801	$	53,633	$	50,644
Capital contributions, net of returns	$	38,176	$	5,412	$	2,700

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Reconciliation Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	36,342		$	11,842		$	14,521
Increases based on tax positions taken in the current year		1,171			6,550			1,322
Increases based on tax positions taken in the prior years		3,269			343			216
Increases due to positions assumed at spin-off		—			24,181			—
Decreases based on tax positions taken in the prior years		(4,329	)		(1,442	)		(91	)
Decreases due to settlements with tax authorities		(1,073	)		(5,132	)		(4,126	)
Decreases due to lapse of applicable statute of limitation		(3,023	)		—			—

Balance at end of period	$	32,357		$	36,342		$	11,842

Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities


	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Pension liability	$	216,248		$	198,213
Accrued warranty expense		33,412			38,610
Accrued vacation pay		13,269			13,018
Accrued liabilities for self-insurance (including postretirement health care benefits)		41,243			45,828
Accrued liabilities for executive and employee incentive compensation		29,539			27,847
Environmental and products liabilities		7,711			8,883
Long-term contracts		22,871			5,095
Net operating loss carryforward		22,380			920
State tax net operating loss carryforward		22,734			28,652
Foreign tax credit carryforward		18,292			4,605
Other		11,977			20,240

Total deferred tax assets		439,676			391,911
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets		(9,354	)		(2,205	)

Deferred tax assets		430,322			389,706

Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment		31,874			28,344
Investments in joint ventures and affiliated companies		791			1,576
Long-term contracts		27,681			—
Intangibles		26,365			30,616
Other		8,080			11,105

Total deferred tax liabilities		94,791			71,641

Net deferred tax assets	$	335,531		$	318,065

Income Before Provision For Income Taxes


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands)
U.S.	$	138,386	$	160,074	$	164,347
Other than U.S.		96,549		75,746		67,954

Income before provision for income taxes	$	234,935	$	235,820	$	232,301

Components Of Provision For Income Taxes


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Current:
U.S. – federal	$	15,451	$	28,403		$	26,689
U.S. – state and local		7,452		8,029			14,749
Other than U.S.		20,177		12,405			13,408

Total current		43,080		48,837			54,846

Deferred:
U.S. – Federal		14,573		28,582			32,330
U.S. – State and local		9,101		(846	)		(4,489	)
Other than U.S.		6,228		5,721			1,694

Total deferred		29,902		33,457			29,535

Provision for income taxes	$	72,982	$	82,294		$	84,381

Reconciliation Of U.S. Statutory Federal Tax Rate To Consolidated And Combined Effective Tax Rate


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
U.S. federal statutory (benefit) rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
State and local income taxes		4.2			3.0			3.4
Foreign rate differential		(6.4	)		(4.6	)		(4.1	)
Tax credits		(18.2	)		(4.1	)		—
Dividends from affiliates		15.6			8.5			(0.1	)
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets		3.0			(2.4	)		(0.3	)
Audit settlements		—			—			0.3
Additional spin related benefit		(1.9	)		—			—
Other		(0.2	)		(0.5	)		2.1

Effective tax rate		31.1	%		34.9	%		36.3	%

Valuation Allowance For Deferred Tax Assets


	Beginning Balance			Charges To Costs and Expenses			Charged To Other Accounts⁽¹⁾		Effect Of Spin-Off⁽²⁾		Ending Balance
	(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31, 2011	$	(2,205	)		(7,149	)		—		—	$	(9,354	)
Year Ended December 31, 2010	$	(28,701	)		6,904			—		19,592	$	(2,205	)
Year Ended December 31, 2009	$	(32,227	)		3,238			288		—	$	(28,701	)

⁽¹⁾

Amounts charged to other accounts are included in other comprehensive income.

⁽²⁾

Effect of spin-off includes state tax valuation allowances distributed to MII in the spin-off.

Tabular disclosure of tax positions taken in the tax returns filed or to be filed for which it is more likely than not that the tax position will not be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities (i.e., uncertain tax positions) and other types of income tax contingencies, including: (1) the policy on classification of interest and penalties; (2) a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits at the beginning and end of the period; the total amount(s) of: (3) unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate, and (4) interest and penalties recognized in each of the income statement and balance sheet; (5) for positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts unrecognized will significantly change within 12 months of the reporting date the: (i) nature of the uncertainty, (ii) nature of the event that could occur that would cause the change, and (iii) an estimate of the range of the reasonably possible change or a statement that an estimate of the range cannot be made; and (6) a description of tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions.

Tabular disclosure of valuation allowances to reduce deferred tax assets to net realizable value, including identification of the deferred tax asset more likely than not will not be fully realized and the corresponding amount of the valuation allowance.

Long-Term Debt And Notes Payable [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt And Notes Payable (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Components Of Long-Term Debt And Notes Payable


	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Long-term debt consists of:
Unsecured Debt:
Other notes payable	$	—		$	1,417
Secured Debt:
Power Generation – various notes payable		831			1,201
Other		7			—

		838			2,618
Less: Amounts due within one year		205			1,763

Long-term debt	$	633		$	855

Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt consist of:
Short-term lines of credit	$	4,448		$	3,027
Current maturities of long-term debt		205			1,763

Total	$	4,653		$	4,790

Interest rate on short-term borrowing		7.2	%		5.3	%

Comparison Of Key Financial Covenants And Current Compliance

Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Obligations And Funded Status


	Pension Benefits Year Ended December 31,						Other Benefits Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of period	$	2,479,783		$	2,552,187		$	125,692		$	145,594
Service cost		43,495			39,176			1,143			1,069
Interest cost		134,927			142,092			5,805			7,284
Plan participants' contributions		318			266			116			126
Effect of spin-off		—			(313,150	)		—			(5,086	)
Amendments		2,055			3,059			(1,351	)		(328	)
Settlements		(13,625	)		(223	)		—			—
Actuarial loss (gain)		181,517			179,780			1,491			(14,593	)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		(5,633	)		8,240			(211	)		400
Benefits paid		(135,830	)		(131,644	)		(10,225	)		(8,774	)

Benefit obligation at end of period	$	2,687,007		$	2,479,783		$	122,460		$	125,692

Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	1,782,048		$	1,798,448		$	33,389		$	30,793
Actual return on plan assets		115,787			211,138			723			1,975
Plan participants' contributions		318			266			116			126
Company contributions		174,639			104,295			9,555			9,269
Settlements		(13,625	)		—			—			—
Effect of spin-off		—			(208,999	)		—			—
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		(5,487	)		8,544			—			—
Benefits paid		(135,830	)		(131,644	)		(10,225	)		(8,774	)

Fair value of plan assets at the end of period		1,917,850			1,782,048			33,558			33,389

Funded status	$	(769,157	)	$	(697,735	)	$	(88,902	)	$	(92,303	)

Amounts recognized in the balance sheet consist of:
Accrued employee benefits	$	(185,832	)	$	(121,693	)	$	(8,239	)	$	(8,203	)
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation		—			—			(80,663	)		(84,100	)
Pension liability		(583,337	)		(576,064	)		—			—
Prepaid pension		12			22			—			—

Accrued benefit liability, net	$	(769,157	)	$	(697,735	)	$	(88,902	)	$	(92,303	)

Amounts recognized in accumulated comprehensive loss:
Net actuarial loss (gain)	$	850,241		$	712,694		$	1,935		$	(1,193	)
Prior service cost		19,949			20,412			(1,360	)		289
Unrecognized transition obligation		—			—			202			440

Total before taxes	$	870,190		$	733,106		$	777		$	(464	)

Supplemental information:
Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation	$	2,686,796		$	2,479,352			N/A			N/A
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	2,515,868		$	2,353,734		$	122,460		$	125,692
Fair value of plan assets	$	1,917,626		$	1,781,624		$	33,558		$	33,389
Plans with plan assets in excess of accumulated benefit obligation
Projected benefit obligation	$	211		$	431			N/A			N/A
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	211		$	386		$	—		$	—
Fair value of plan assets	$	224		$	424		$	—		$	—

Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost


	Pension Benefits Year Ended December 31,									Other Benefits Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009⁽¹⁾			2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	43,495		$	39,176		$	36,565		$	1,143		$	1,069		$	958
Interest cost		134,927			142,092			147,910			5,805			7,284			8,713
Expected return on plan assets		(148,347	)		(136,364	)		(136,211	)		(1,919	)		(1,745	)		(1,504	)
Amortization of transition obligation		—			—			—			299			283			257
Amortization of prior service cost		3,721			3,711			3,119			33			29			66
Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)		75,255			75,605			81,484			(237	)		307			1,711

Net periodic benefit cost	$	109,051		$	124,220		$	132,867		$	5,124		$	7,227		$	10,201

(1)

Excludes approximately $2.1 million of income attributable to settlement of previously recorded unfunded pension liabilities.

Additional Information


	Pension Benefits Year Ended December 31,				Other Benefits Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Increase (decrease) in accumulated other comprehensive loss due to actuarial losses—before taxes	$	216,060	$	108,077	$	1,336	$	(15,152	)

Pension Cost In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss


	Recognized in the Year Ended December 31, 2011					To Be Recognized in the Year Ending December 31, 2012
	Pension		Other			Pension		Other
	(In thousands)
Pension cost in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Net actuarial loss (gain)	$	75,255	$	(237	)	$	81,728	$	226
Prior service cost (credit)		3,721		33			3,505		(148	)
Transition obligation		—		299			—		95

	$	78,976	$	95		$	85,233	$	173

Weighted Average Assumptions


	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit obligations at December 31:
Discount rate		4.76	%		5.56	%		4.35	%		4.91	%
Rate of compensation increase		3.69	%		3.69	%		—			—
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:
Discount rate		5.56	%		6.03	%		4.92	%		5.45	%
Expected return on plan assets		8.24	%		8.06	%		5.76	%		5.42	%
Rate of compensation increase		3.69	%		3.76	%		—			—

Assumed Health-Care Cost Trend Rates


	2011			2010
Assumed health-care cost trend rates at December 31
Health-care cost trend rate assumed for next year		8.00	%		8.00	%
Rates to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate)		4.50	%		4.50	%
Year that the rate reaches ultimate trend rate		2019			2018

Effect Of One-Percentage-Point Change In Assumed Health-Care Cost Trend Rates


	One-Percentage- Point Increase		One-Percentage- Point Decrease
	(In thousands)
Effect on total of service and interest cost	$	475	$	(401	)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	$	8,027	$	(6,830	)

Summary Of Total Investments Measured At Fair Value


	12/31/11		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Pension and Other Benefits:
Fixed Income	$	550,146	$	—	$	550,146	$	—
Equities		298,083		298,077		—		6
Commingled and Mutual Funds		546,776		8,250		538,526		—
U.S. Government Securities		313,458		313,458		—		—
Partnerships with Security Holdings		134,295		—		—		134,295
Real Estate		53,560		—		—		53,560
Cash and Accrued Items		55,090		54,970		120		—

Total Assets	$	1,951,408	$	674,755	$	1,088,792	$	187,861

The following is a summary of total investments for our plans measured at fair value at December 31, 2010:


	12/31/10		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Pension and Other Benefits:
Fixed Income	$	450,116	$	3,189	$	446,927	$	—
Equities		330,510		330,223		—		287
Commingled and Mutual Funds		571,291		7,926		563,365		—
U.S. Government Securities		192,610		192,610		—		—
Partnerships with Security Holdings		140,358		—		2,421		137,937
Real Estate		69,065		—		45		69,020
Cash and Accrued Items		61,487		61,126		361		—

Total Assets	$	1,815,437	$	595,074	$	1,013,119	$	207,244

Summary Of Changes In The Plans' Level 3 Instruments Measured On A Recurring Basis


	Year ended December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	207,244		$	341,456
Issuances and acquisitions		16,821			45,217
Dispositions		(52,572	)		(180,190	)
Realized gain		5,897			23,016
Unrealized gain (loss)		10,471			(22,255	)

Balance at end of period	$	187,861		$	207,244

Cash Flows


	Domestic Plans				Foreign Plans
	Pension Benefits		Other Benefits		Pension Benefits		Other Benefits
	(In thousands)
Expected employer contributions to trusts of defined benefit plans:
2012	$	164,700	$	2,082	$	18,258		N/A
Expected benefit payments:
2012		219,362		13,108		10,517		722
2013		128,623		12,632		11,209		714
2014		134,367		11,630		11,804		708
2015		139,471		10,582		12,772		679
2016		144,287		9,386		13,253		656
2017-2021		779,186		33,889		72,966		2,998

Summary Of Multiemployer Plans


		Pension Protection														Expiration
		Act Zone				FIP/RP Status		Contributions								Of Collective
		Zone Status				Pending/		2011		2010		2009		Surcharge		Bargaining
Pension Fund	EIN/PIN	2011		2010		Implemented		(in millions)						Imposed		Agreement
Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Trust	48-6168020/ 001		Yellow		Yellow		Yes	$	25.9	$	12.4	$	13.3		No	Described Below
All Other									5.5		6.0		7.3

								$	31.4	$	18.4	$	20.6

Domestic Plans [Member]

Plan Asset Allocations By Asset Category


	2011			2010
Asset Category:
Fixed Income (excluding U. S. Government Securities)		27	%		24	%
Commingled and Mutual Funds		25	%		28	%
U.S. Government Securities		18	%		12	%
Equity Securities		17	%		20	%
Partnerships with Security Holdings		8	%		9	%
Real Estate		3	%		4	%
Other		2	%		3	%

Total		100	%		100	%

Target Allocation By Asset Class


Asset Class:
Fixed Income	52	%
Equities	48	%

Foreign Plans [Member]

Plan Asset Allocations By Asset Category


	2011			2010
Asset Category:
Equity Securities and Commingled Mutual Funds		56	%		59	%
Fixed Income		41	%		37	%
Other		3	%		4	%

Total		100	%		100	%

Target Allocation By Asset Class


	Canadian Plans			Diamond UK Plan
Asset Class:
U. S. Equity		15	%		10	%
Global Equity		50	%		45	%
Fixed Income		35	%		45	%

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Schedule Of Compensation Expense Recognized


	Compensation		Tax			Net
	Expense		Benefit			Impact
	(In thousands)
	Year Ended December 31, 2011
Stock Options	$	4,030	$	(1,486	)	$	2,544
Restricted Stock		1,666		(593	)		1,073
Performance Shares		4,380		(1,634	)		2,746
Performance, Restricted and Deferred Stock Units		7,851		(2,898	)		4,953

Total	$	17,927	$	(6,611	)	$	11,316


	Year Ended December 31, 2010
Stock Options	$	2,302	$	(849	)	$	1,453
Restricted Stock		2,930		(1,066	)		1,864
Performance Shares		3,390		(1,230	)		2,160
Performance, Restricted and Deferred Stock Units		7,686		(2,852	)		4,834

Total	$	16,308	$	(5,997	)	$	10,311


	Year Ended December 31, 2009
Stock Options	$	2,799	$	(999	)	$	1,800
Restricted Stock		6,922		(2,498	)		4,424
Performance Shares		14,248		(5,162	)		9,086
Performance, Restricted and Deferred Stock Units		1,922		(686	)		1,236

Total	$	25,891	$	(9,345	)	$	16,546

Components Of Total Gross Unrecognized Estimated Compensation Expense


	Amount		Weighted- Average Period
Stock options	$	5.4		1.9
Restricted stock	$	0.2		1.6
Performance shares	$	11.7		2.2
Restricted stock units	$	6.4		1.7

Summarized Activity Of Stock Options


	Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)
Outstanding at beginning of period		1,095		$	14.21
Granted		506			33.91
Exercised		(380	)		11.75
Cancelled/expired/forfeited		(67	)		30.87

Outstanding at end of period		1,154		$	22.68		5.0 Years	$	6.2

Exercisable at end of period		378		$	13.17		3.9 Years	$	4.3

B & W Stock Options [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Schedule Of Assumptions Used To Calculate Fair Value Of Option Grant


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010
Risk-free interest rate		1.52	%		1.28	%
Expected volatility		.46			.61
Expected life of the option in years		3.75			4.08
Expected dividend yield		0	%		0	%

B & W Restricted Stock [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Schedule Of Nonvested Stock Awards


	Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at beginning of period		143		$	27.77
Granted		2			28.10
Vested		(132	)		28.03
Cancelled/forfeited		—			—

Nonvested at end of period		13		$	20.58

B & W Performance Shares [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Schedule Of Nonvested Stock Awards


	Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at beginning of period		—		$	—
Granted		538			33.67
Vested		—			—
Cancelled/forfeited		(61	)		34.55

Nonvested at end of period		477		$	33.56

B & W Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Schedule Of Nonvested Stock Awards


	Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at beginning of period		959		$	17.94
Granted		197			32.64
Vested		(611	)		19.15
Cancelled/forfeited		(54	)		22.22

Nonvested at end of period		491		$	22.25

Stock Options MII [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Schedule Of Assumptions Used To Calculate Fair Value Of Option Grant


	Year Ended December 31,
	2010			2009
Risk-free interest rate		2.18	%		2.03	%
Expected volatility		0.55			0.78
Expected life of the option in years		4.79			4.63
Expected dividend yield		0	%		0	%

Contingencies And Commitments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Schedule Of Future Minimum Payments For Operating Leases


Fiscal Year Ending December 31,	Amount
2012	$	10,285
2013	$	8,143
2014	$	7,361
2015	$	5,900
2016	$	4,525
Thereafter	$	8,117

Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Investments [Abstract]

Summary Of Available-For-Sale Securities


	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
	(In thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies	$	51,308	$	14	$	—		$	51,322
Money market instruments and short-term investments/mutual funds		2,957		355		—			3,312
Asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations		633		—		(171	)		462
Commercial paper		17,481		4		(1	)		17,484

Total	$	72,379	$	373	$	(172	)	$	72,580

The following is a summary of our available-for-sale securities at December 31, 2010:


	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
	(In thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies	$	70,038	$	8	$	—		$	70,046
Money market instruments and short-term investments		3,217		426		—			3,643
Asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations		739		—		(163	)		576
Corporate and foreign government bonds and notes		832		—		—			832

Total	$	74,826	$	434	$	(163	)	$	75,097

Summary Of Proceeds, Gross Realized Gains And Gross Realized Losses On Sales Of Available-For-Sale Securities


	Proceeds		Gross Realized Gains		Gross Realized Losses
	(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31, 2011	$	147,288	$	—	$	5
Year Ended December 31, 2010	$	134,276	$	—	$	122
Year Ended December 31, 2009	$	140,203	$	—	$	30

Tabular disclosure of available-for-sale securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 03-1
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph a, b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS115-1/124-1
-Paragraph 17
-Subparagraph a, b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 19, 20, 21
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27337-111563

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27198-111563

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27161-111563

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 320
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957658&loc=d3e62557-112803

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27357-111563

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27290-111563

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 320
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957658&loc=d3e62586-112803

Derivative Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary Of Derivative Financial Instruments


	Asset and Liability Derivatives
	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Derivatives Designated as Hedges:
Foreign Exchange Contracts:
Location
Accounts receivable-other	$	1,760	$	2,625
Other assets	$	3,792	$	5,360
Accounts payable	$	1,238	$	1,234
Other liabilities	$	610	$	201

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges:
Foreign Exchange Contracts:
Location
Accounts payable	$	520	$	2,793
Other liabilities	$	664	$	811
Stock Warrants:
Location
Other assets	$	877	$	3,296

Schedule Of Effect Of Derivative Instruments On Statements Of Financial Performance


	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Derivatives Designated as Hedges:
Cash Flow Hedges:
Foreign Exchange Contracts:
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income	$	(1,224	)	$	8,952

Income (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income: effective portion
Location
Revenues	$	4,128		$	1,888
Cost of operations	$	(2,350	)	$	(388	)
Other-net	$	373		$	430

Gain (loss) recognized in income: portion excluded from effectiveness testing
Location
Other-net	$	1,045		$	(1,265	)

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges:
Forward Contracts:
Gain (loss) recognized in income
Location
Other-net	$	1,234		$	(3,232	)

Stock Warrants:
Gain (loss) recognized
Location
Other-net	$	(2,419	)	$	682

Tabular disclosure of the location and amount of gains and losses reported in the statement of financial performance, or when applicable, the statement of financial position. For example, (a) gains and losses recognized in the income statement on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in fair value hedges and related hedged items designated and qualifying in fair value hedges and (b) gains and losses initially recognized in other comprehensive income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges.

Fair Values Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Fair Values Of Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary Of Available-For-Sale Securities Measured At Fair Value


	12/31/11		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Mutual funds	$	3,312	$	—	$	3,312	$	—
U.S. Government and agency securities		51,322		51,322		—		—
Asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations		462		—		462		—
Commercial paper		17,484		—		17,484		—

Total	$	72,580	$	51,322	$	21,258	$	—

The following is a summary of our available-for-sale securities measured at fair value at December 31, 2010:


	12/31/10		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Mutual funds	$	3,385	$	—	$	3,385	$	—
Certificates of deposit		258		—		258		—
U.S. Government and agency securities		70,046		70,046		—		—
Asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations		576		—		576		—
Corporate notes and bonds		832		—		832		—

Total	$	75,097	$	70,046	$	5,051	$	—

Summary Of Changes In Level 3 Instrument Measured On Recurring Basis


	Year ended December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	3,296		$	168
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in other income (expense)-net		(2,419	)		671
Included in other comprehensive income		—			119
Purchases, issuances, and settlements		—			2,342
Principal repayments		—			(4	)

Balance at end of period	$	877		$	3,296

Segment Reporting (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule Of Revenues By Segment

		0000000000			0000000000			0000000000
	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
REVENUES⁽¹⁾:
Power Generation	$	1,541,509		$	1,424,574		$	1,658,223
Nuclear Operations		1,043,185			995,969			914,019
Technical Services		119,711			90,147			119,722
Nuclear Energy		321,406			196,282			174,783
Adjustments and Eliminations		(73,771	)		(18,161	)		(12,115	)

	$	2,952,040		$	2,688,811		$	2,854,632

⁽¹⁾	Segment revenues are net of the following intersegment transfers and other adjustments:

		0000000000		0000000000		0000000000
Power Generation Transfers	$	53,852	$	5,092	$	1,410
Nuclear Operations Transfers		5,860		4,423		1,030
Technical Services Transfers		2,155		2,438		2,527
Nuclear Energy Transfers		11,904		6,208		7,148

	$	73,771	$	18,161	$	12,115

Schedule Of Revenue By Segment, Intersegment Information

		0000000000		0000000000		0000000000
Power Generation Transfers	$	53,852	$	5,092	$	1,410
Nuclear Operations Transfers		5,860		4,423		1,030
Technical Services Transfers		2,155		2,438		2,527
Nuclear Energy Transfers		11,904		6,208		7,148

	$	73,771	$	18,161	$	12,115

Schedule Of Operating Income By Segment

		0000000000			0000000000			0000000000
	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
OPERATING INCOME:
Power Generation	$	140,029		$	128,278		$	163,316
Nuclear Operations		171,554			147,235			107,268
Technical Services		68,239			45,614			47,312
Nuclear Energy		(118,748	)		(27,560	)		(5,447	)

	$	261,074		$	293,567		$	312,449

Unallocated Corporate⁽¹⁾		(25,106	)		(29,595	)		(42,885	)

Total Operating Income⁽²⁾	$	235,968		$	263,972		$	269,564

Other Income (Expense):
Interest income		1,342			1,187			3,439
Interest expense		(4,543	)		(12,939	)		(24,590	)
Other income (expense)—net		2,168			(16,400	)		(16,112	)

Total Other Expense		(1,033	)		(28,152	)		(37,263	)

Income before Provision for Income Taxes	$	234,935		$	235,820		$	232,301

⁽¹⁾	Unallocated corporate includes general corporate overhead not allocated to segments

⁽²⁾	Included in operating income is the following:

		0000000000			0000000000			0000000000
(Gains) Losses on Asset Disposals – Net:
Power Generation	$	(3,456	)	$	39		$	292
Nuclear Operations		—			—			171
Technical Services		—			61			—
Nuclear Energy		96			(62	)		(20	)
Unallocated Corporate		273			—			783

	$	(3,087	)	$	38		$	1,226

Equity in Income of Investees:
Power Generation	$	25,778		$	30,788		$	14,043
Nuclear Operations		—			—			—
Technical Services		52,877			43,294			41,051
Nuclear Energy		—			—			—

	$	78,655		$	74,082		$	55,094

Schedule Of Operating Income By Segment, Additional Information

		0000000000			0000000000			0000000000
(Gains) Losses on Asset Disposals – Net:
Power Generation	$	(3,456	)	$	39		$	292
Nuclear Operations		—			—			171
Technical Services		—			61			—
Nuclear Energy		96			(62	)		(20	)
Unallocated Corporate		273			—			783

	$	(3,087	)	$	38		$	1,226

Equity in Income of Investees:
Power Generation	$	25,778		$	30,788		$	14,043
Nuclear Operations		—			—			—
Technical Services		52,877			43,294			41,051
Nuclear Energy		—			—			—

	$	78,655		$	74,082		$	55,094

Schedule Of Segment Reporting Information


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands)
SEGMENT ASSETS:
Power Generation	$	1,325,959	$	1,082,801	$	1,156,247
Nuclear Operations		679,818		639,090		640,039
Technical Services		123,717		85,509		72,005
Nuclear Energy		347,158		339,457		273,147

Total Segment Assets		2,476,652		2,146,857		2,141,438
Corporate Assets		312,459		353,653		462,421

Total Assets	$	2,789,111	$	2,500,510	$	2,603,859

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:
Power Generation	$	15,788	$	13,627	$	30,257
Nuclear Operations		32,082		24,718		25,750
Technical Services		—		15		26
Nuclear Energy		7,257		4,480		1,891

Segment Capital Expenditures		55,127		42,840		57,924
Corporate Capital Expenditures		8,747		20,809		35,801

Total Capital Expenditures	$	63,874	$	63,649	$	93,725

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION:
Power Generation	$	17,264	$	18,564	$	13,351
Nuclear Operations		38,169		36,955		44,584
Technical Services		262		263		278
Nuclear Energy		5,346		4,988		4,508

Segment Depreciation and Amortization		61,041		60,770		62,721
Corporate Depreciation and Amortization		11,962		10,863		9,991

Total Depreciation and Amortization	$	73,003	$	71,633	$	72,712

INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES:
Power Generation	$	124,686	$	95,527	$	64,666
Nuclear Operations		—		—		—
Technical Services		38,882		5,284		3,661
Nuclear Energy		—		—		—

Total Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates	$	163,568	$	100,811	$	68,327

Schedule Of Revenue Information From Products And Service Lines


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
REVENUES:
Power Generation:
New Build Environmental Equipment	$	235,750		$	277,531		$	363,456
New Build Steam Generation Systems		416,779			386,356			475,878
After Market Services		894,677			765,573			840,236
Eliminations/Other		(5,697	)		(4,886	)		(21,347	)

		1,541,509			1,424,574			1,658,223

Nuclear Operations:
Nuclear Component Program		1,025,838			986,952			887,844
Commercial Operations		11,674			4,449			25,340
Eliminations/Other		5,673			4,568			835

		1,043,185			995,969			914,019

Technical Services:
Commercial Operations		29,708			28,862			64,747
Nuclear Environmental Services		76,267			48,351			42,425
Management & Operation Contracts of U.S. Government Facilities		13,736			12,934			12,551
Eliminations/Other		—			—			(1	)

		119,711			90,147			119,722

Nuclear Energy:
Nuclear Services		151,118			119,244			121,948
Nuclear Equipment		122,789			72,336			52,735
Nuclear Projects		45,539			4,700			100
Eliminations/Other		1,960			2			—

		321,406			196,282			174,783

Eliminations		(73,771	)		(18,161	)		(12,115	)

	$	2,952,040		$	2,688,811		$	2,854,632

Schedule Of Revenues By Geographical Area

		0000000000		0000000000		0000000000
	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands)
REVENUES⁽¹⁾:
United States	$	2,340,299	$	2,133,924	$	2,300,039
Canada		238,663		252,089		267,567
Sweden		94,337		48,632		40,852
China		48,153		48,285		54,192
Norway		29,844		33,353		21,996
Finland		20,723		4,040		9,746
Ireland		14,769		26,574		10,336
Bulgaria		14,149		2,144		—
Denmark		12,310		15,040		21,965
India		8,891		16,277		5,229
Japan		8,716		8,797		26,904
Germany		8,222		3,464		15,734
Chile		6,811		2,870		1,792
Italy		6,516		11,361		4,533
Korea		6,272		9,114		8,339
United Kingdom		6,150		6,791		6,746
Brazil		4,671		2,957		2,131
Indonesia		4,642		6,048		8,834
France		3,433		5,373		8,351
Other Countries		74,469		51,678		39,346

	$	2,952,040	$	2,688,811	$	2,854,632

⁽¹⁾	We allocate geographic revenues based on the location of the customer's operations.

		0000000000		0000000000		0000000000
NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
United States	$	348,498	$	345,848	$	360,076
Canada		41,868		41,959		40,058
United Kingdom		9,758		10,401		11,234
Denmark		8,813		8,395		8,852
Mexico		7,024		6,299		4,207
Other Countries		6,330		5,410		5,634

	$	422,291	$	418,312	$	430,061

Schedule Of Property, Plant And Equipment, Net By Geographical Area

		0000000000		0000000000		0000000000
NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
United States	$	348,498	$	345,848	$	360,076
Canada		41,868		41,959		40,058
United Kingdom		9,758		10,401		11,234
Denmark		8,813		8,395		8,852
Mexico		7,024		6,299		4,207
Other Countries		6,330		5,410		5,634

	$	422,291	$	418,312	$	430,061

Tabular disclosure of the profit or loss and total assets for each reportable segment. An entity discloses certain information on each reportable segment if the amounts (a) are included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) are otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss.

Selected Quarterly Financial Information

Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]


	Year Ended December 31, 2011 Quarter Ended
	March 31, 2011		June 30, 2011		Sept. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2011
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues	$	691,277	$	752,352	$	707,622	$	800,789
Operating income⁽¹⁾	$	21,901	$	63,257	$	57,551	$	93,259
Equity in income of investees	$	15,361	$	18,381	$	22,782	$	22,131
Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	13,510	$	46,209	$	45,663	$	64,272

Earnings per common share:
Basic:
Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	0.12	$	0.39	$	0.39	$	0.54
Diluted:
Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	0.11	$	0.39	$	0.39	$	0.54

⁽¹⁾ Includes equity in income of investees.


	Year Ended December 31, 2010 Quarter Ended
	March 31, 2010		June 30, 2010		Sept. 30, 2010		Dec. 31, 2010
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues	$	662,388	$	688,496	$	632,765	$	705,162
Operating income⁽¹⁾	$	38,746	$	85,655	$	65,077	$	74,494
Equity in income of investees	$	14,019	$	17,435	$	16,986	$	25,642
Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	16,843	$	47,640	$	35,887	$	52,892

Earnings per common share:
Basic:
Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	0.15	$	0.41	$	0.31	$	0.45
Diluted:
Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	0.14	$	0.41	$	0.31	$	0.45

⁽¹⁾	Includes equity in income of investees.

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands, except shares and per share amounts)
Basic:

Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	169,654	$	153,262	$	147,764

Weighted average common shares		117,560,594		116,260,425		116,067,535

Basic earnings per common share:

Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	1.44	$	1.32	$	1.27

Diluted:

Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	169,654	$	153,262	$	147,764

Weighted average common shares (basic)		117,560,594		116,260,425		116,067,535
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options, restricted stock and performance shares⁽¹⁾		844,003		1,365,640		1,356,272

Adjusted weighted average common shares		118,404,597		117,626,065		117,423,807

Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company	$	1.43	$	1.30	$	1.26

(1)

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, we excluded from the diluted share calculation 742,035 shares and 349,744 shares, respectively, related to stock options, as their effect would have been antidilutive.

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2010 shares	Jul. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) years	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of companies combined and contributed					2
Number of business segments					4	2
Percentage of outstanding common stock distributed	100.00%
Common stock split		one share of B&W common stock for every two shares of MII common stock			one share of B&W common stock for every two shares of MII common stock
Common stock distributed to MII shareholders to complete spin-off \| shares	116,225,732
Net foreign currency transaction losses included in other expense					$ 1.9	$ 6.5	$ 5.4
Revenue recognition, percentage of contract completion					70.00%
Additional costs related to changes in estimates and scheduling issues			$ 3.1	$ 26.0	$ 61.8
Long-term retainages, anticipated collection in 2013					3.2
Long-term retainages, anticipated collection in 2014					9.4
Long-term retainages, anticipated collection in 2015					1.0
Long-term retainages, anticipated collection in 2016					$ 0.9
Number of facilities with U.S. Government decommissioning costs obligation					2
Non-controlling interest recognition					$ 8.6
Negative impact on net income attributable to Babcock & Wilcox					8.0
Increase in noncontrolling interest					$ 8.0
Percentage of total inventories using LIFO method					19.00%	18.00%
LIFO reserve					$ 7.1	$ 6.4
Depreciation expense					61.8	61.1	62.6
Interest expense					6.1	14.8	27.4
Capitalized interest expense					1.6	1.9	2.8
Restricted cash and cash equivalents					63.3
Reserves for self-insurance					$ 43.6	49.0
Buildings [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated economic useful life, minimum \| years					8
Estimated economic useful life, maximum \| years					40
Machinery And Equipment [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated economic useful life, minimum \| years					2
Estimated economic useful life, maximum \| years					28
Maximum [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Investment ownership in percentage					20.00%
Restricted Foreign Cash [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents					$ 11.5
Cash Held For Future Decommissioning Of Facilities [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents					2.1
Cash Held To Meet Reinsurance Reserve Requirements [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents					45.7
Money Market Funds [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents					$ 4.0
Nuclear Energy [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of large, heavy components supplied to nuclear industry worldwide					1,300
Additional costs related to changes in estimates and scheduling issues					$ 50.7
Nuclear Operations [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Additional costs related to changes in estimates and scheduling issues					11.1
Power Generation [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Research and development activities					163.0	102.1	78.3
Research and development activites, paid by customers					56.6	$ 32.9	$ 25.1
Generation mPower LLC [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Research and development activities					$ 16.6

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Contracts In Progress And Advance Billings) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Costs incurred less costs of revenue recognized	$ 135,513	$ 63,233
Revenues recognized less billings to customers	179,773	162,215
Contracts In Progress	315,286	225,448
Billings to customers less revenues recognized	492,106	445,076
Costs incurred less costs of revenue recognized	(53,353)	(75,432)
Advance Billings on Contracts	$ 438,753	$ 369,644

Liability attributable to (i) billings in excess of costs under the percentage of completion contract accounting method representing the difference between contractually invoiced amounts (billings) and revenue recognized based, for example, on costs incurred to estimated total costs at period end or (ii) contractually invoiced amounts (billings) in excess of costs incurred and accumulated under the completed contract accounting method.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 45
-Paragraph 5
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 45
-Paragraph 12
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 605
-SubTopic 35
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802688&loc=d3e57807-111642

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 605
-SubTopic 35
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802688&loc=d3e57795-111642

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 605
-SubTopic 35
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802688&loc=d3e57788-111642

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 605
-SubTopic 35
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802688&loc=d3e57788-111642

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 605
-SubTopic 35
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802688&loc=d3e57795-111642

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 605
-SubTopic 35
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802688&loc=d3e57807-111642

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Retainages On Contracts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Retainages expected to be collected within one year	$ 60,158	$ 75,630
Retainages expected to be collected after one year	14,526	7,192
Total retainages	$ 74,684	$ 82,822

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Currency translation adjustments	$ 36,626	$ 35,910
Net unrealized gain on investments	201	270
Net unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments	2,717	1,939
Unrecognized losses on benefit obligations	(578,172)	(488,118)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (538,628)	$ (449,999)

The total of net gain (loss), prior service cost (credit), and transition assets (obligations), as well as minimum pension liability if still remaining, included in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan(s) because they have yet to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph i
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 158
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph c
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e637-108580

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e681-108580

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e653-108580

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

Accumulated adjustment, net of tax, that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency from the functional currency of the reporting entity, net of reclassification of realized foreign currency translation gains or losses.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 12
-Paragraph 10
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 45
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 52
-Paragraph 12, 13
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 52
-Paragraph 31
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e637-108580

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6915805&loc=d3e32022-110900

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450520&loc=d3e32583-110901

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e681-108580

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e653-108580

Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge.

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Changes In The Carrying Amount Of Accrued Warranty Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 109,588	$ 115,055	$ 119,722
Additions and adjustments	6,656	5,065	13,475
Charges	(19,035)	(10,532)	(18,142)
Balance at end of period	$ 97,209	$ 109,588	$ 115,055

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for estimated claims under standard and extended warranty protection rights granted to customers. For classified balance sheets, represents the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Asset Retirement Obligations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 32,657	$ 29,491	$ 25,647
Acquisition of Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. (Note 2)			1,627
Cost incurred	(2,265)
Additions/Adjustments	2,935		300
Accretion	2,558	3,166	1,917
Balance at end of period	$ 35,885	$ 32,657	$ 29,491

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Inventories) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Raw Materials and Supplies	$ 77,932	$ 72,917
Work in Progress	6,889	7,541
Finished Goods	22,477	20,474
Total Inventories	$ 107,298	$ 100,932

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Property, Plant And Equipment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	$ 1,017,422	$ 968,712
Less accumulated depreciation	595,131	550,400
Net Property, Plant and Equipment	422,291	418,312	$ 430,061
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	11,656	11,807
Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	224,661	225,176
Machinery And Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	710,666	684,647
Property Under Construction [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	$ 70,439	$ 47,082

The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Changes In The Carrying Amount Of Goodwill) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 269,424	$ 262,866
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(4,259)	(1,449)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	276,180	269,424
GE Energy Businesses [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition		4,796
Miljo Asset [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition		3,211
Loibl [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition	11,015
Power Generation [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	88,042	81,484
Foreign currency translation adjustments	45	(1,449)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	99,102	88,042
Power Generation [Member] \| GE Energy Businesses [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition		4,796
Power Generation [Member] \| Miljo Asset [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition		3,211
Power Generation [Member] \| Loibl [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition	11,015
Nuclear Operations [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	122,407	122,407
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(4,304)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	118,103	122,407
Technical Services [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	45,000	45,000
Goodwill, Ending Balance	45,000	45,000
Nuclear Energy [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	13,975	13,975
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 13,975	$ 13,975

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Schedule Of Amortized And Unamortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets	$ 98,919	$ 93,255	$ 78,975
Accumulated amortization	(41,013)	(32,786)	(20,731)
Net amortized intangible assets	57,906	60,469	58,244
Unamortized intangible assets	45,135	45,135	45,135
Customer Relationships [Member]
Schedule Of Amortized And Unamortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets	40,051	37,167	30,950
Accumulated amortization	(8,618)	(6,026)	(3,726)
Acquired Backlog [Member]
Schedule Of Amortized And Unamortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets	22,435	19,335	18,720
Accumulated amortization	(17,040)	(12,701)	(7,746)
Tradename [Member]
Schedule Of Amortized And Unamortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets	15,169	12,291	10,680
Accumulated amortization	(6,509)	(4,260)	(2,371)
Unpatented Technology [Member]
Schedule Of Amortized And Unamortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets	6,402	5,902	5,600
Accumulated amortization	(2,033)	(1,407)	(837)
Patented Technology [Member]
Schedule Of Amortized And Unamortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets	6,961	6,625	4,440
Accumulated amortization	(3,219)	(2,096)	(888)
All Other [Member]
Schedule Of Amortized And Unamortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets	7,901	11,935	8,585
Accumulated amortization	(3,594)	(6,296)	(5,163)
NRC Category 1 License [Member]
Schedule Of Amortized And Unamortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Unamortized intangible assets	43,830	43,830	43,830
Trademarks And Trade Names [Member]
Schedule Of Amortized And Unamortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Unamortized intangible assets	$ 1,305	$ 1,305	$ 1,305

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Changes In Carrying Amount Of Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 105,604	$ 103,379	$ 111,847
Business acquisitions & additions	9,100	14,280
Amortization expense	(11,545)	(11,679)	(9,975)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(118)	(376)	1,507
Balance at end of period	$ 103,041	$ 105,604	$ 103,379

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Estimated Amortization Expense) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
2012	$ 9,640
2013	7,227
2014	6,139
2015	4,981
2016	$ 4,903

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Changes In Carrying Amount Of Other Non-Current Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 8,102	$ 1,898	$ 4,169
Additions	82	9,994
Interest expense - debt issuance costs	(2,461)	(3,790)	(2,271)
Balance at end of period	$ 5,723	$ 8,102	$ 1,898

Business Acquisitions And Investments (Business Acquisitions) (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions		1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Apr. 02, 2010 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2009 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2008 USD ($)
Loibl [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition date		November 2011
Acquisition purchase price		$ 24.2
Goodwill		11.0
Property, plant and equipment		2.5
Intangible assets acquired		9.1
Other net assets		$ 1.6
GE Energy Businesses [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition date	April 2, 2010
Acquisition purchase price	$ 21.4
Goodwill	4.8
Property, plant and equipment	4.0
Intangible assets acquired	5.5
Other net assets	$ 7.1
Gotaverken Miljo AB [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition date			January 2010
Acquisition purchase price			$ 8.6
Goodwill			3.2
Intangible assets acquired			6.4
Other net liabilities			$ 1.0
Instrumentacion Y Mantenimiento De Calderas, S.A [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition date				September 2009
Goodwill				$ 7.4
Property, plant and equipment				4.2
Other current assets				$ 0.7
Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition purchase price						$ 157.1
Goodwill						123.5
Other net liabilities						$ 29.8
Number of employees						700
Other intangible assets						$ 63.4
Reduction in goodwill					$ 8.1
Increase in property, plant and equipment					16.2
Increase in environmental reserves					$ 13.5

Business Acquisitions And Investments (Investments) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2010	May 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Strategic investment			$ 38,176	$ 42,912	$ 2,700
Long-term Investments			$ 3,775	$ 74,863
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			May 31, 2012
USEC, Inc. Investment [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Strategic investment business agreement date		May 2010
Strategic investment	$ 100,000
Long-term Investments			$ 42,600
USEC, Inc. Investment [Member] \| Toshiba Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Strategic investment		$ 200,000
USEC, Inc. Investment [Member] \| Series B-1 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Number of convertible preferred stock received		37,500
Percentage of convertable preferred stock		12.75%
USEC, Inc. Investment [Member] \| Common Class B [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Number of warrants to purchase common stock		3,125,000
Common stock exercise price per share		$ 7.50
USEC, Inc. Investment [Member] \| Front-End Nuclear Fuel Facilities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Uncommited funds	2,000,000
USEC, Inc. Investment [Member] \| American Centrifuge Project [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Strategic investment	$ 37,500
Minimum [Member] \| USEC, Inc. Investment [Member] \| Common Class B [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Warrants exercisable dates		Jan. 01, 2015
Maximum [Member] \| USEC, Inc. Investment [Member] \| Common Class B [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Warrants exercisable dates		Dec. 31, 2016

Business Acquisitions And Investments (Anlagenbau und Fordertechnik Arthur Loibl GmbH) (Details) - Loibl [Member] $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2011 USD ($) years
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount	$ 9,100
Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount	$ 3,300
Intangible assets, Amortization Period, years \| years	8
Backlog [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount	$ 3,100
Intangible assets, Amortization Period, years \| years	5
Tradename [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount	$ 2,200
Intangible assets, Amortization Period, years \| years	5
Unpatented Technology [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount	$ 500
Intangible assets, Amortization Period, years \| years	12

Business Acquisitions And Investments (GE Energy Businesses) (Details) - GE Energy Businesses [Member] $ in Thousands	Apr. 02, 2010 USD ($) years
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount	$ 5,500
Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount	$ 3,700
Intangible assets, Amortization Period, years \| years	10
Patented Technology [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount	$ 1,000
Intangible assets, Amortization Period, years \| years	10
Backlog [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount	$ 400
Intangible assets, Amortization Period, years \| years	1.5
Tradename [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount	$ 400
Intangible assets, Amortization Period, years \| years	10

Business Acquisitions And Investments (Gotaverken Miljo AB) (Details) - Gotaverken Miljo AB [Member] $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2011 years	Jan. 31, 2010 USD ($) years
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount		$ 6,400
Patented Technology [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount		$ 2,460
Intangible assets, Amortization Period, years \| years		15
Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount		$ 2,120
Intangible assets, Amortization Period, years \| years	12
Tradenames And Trademarks [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount		1,160
Intangible assets, Amortization Period, years \| years	20
Backlog [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount		$ 610
Intangible assets, Amortization Period, years \| years		0.5

Business Acquisitions And Investments (Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc.) (Details) - Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. [Member] $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2008 USD ($) years	Dec. 31, 2008 USD ($)
NRC Category 1 License [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount	$ 43,830	$ 43,830
Intangible assets, Amortization Period		Indefinite
Backlog [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount	$ 9,180	$ 9,180
Intangible assets, Amortization Period, years \| years	4
Tradename [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount	$ 6,860	6,860
Intangible assets, Amortization Period, years \| years	6
Patented Technology [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount	$ 4,440	4,440
Intangible assets, Amortization Period, years \| years	5
Non-Compete Agreement [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Amount	$ 610	$ 610
Intangible assets, Amortization Period, years \| years	5

Equity Method Investments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Equity Method Investments [Abstract]
Undistributed earnings of equity method investees	$ 98.4	$ 73.0
Reimbursable costs included in revenues of equity method investees	1,956.7	$ 1,605.0	$ 1,551.9
Investment in equity method investees in excess of underlying equity in net assets	$ 3.3

Equity Method Investments (Summary Of Combined Balance Sheet Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Equity Method Investments [Abstract]
Current assets	$ 855,962	$ 391,564
Noncurrent assets	211,920	163,905
Total Assets	1,067,882	555,469
Current liabilities	594,883	288,970
Noncurrent liabilities	112,936	64,039
Owners' equity	360,063	202,460
Total Liabilities and Owners' Equity	$ 1,067,882	$ 555,469

The amount of assets reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 159
-Paragraph 18
-Subparagraph f
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 18
-Paragraph 20
-Subparagraph d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph bb
-Article 1

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph w
-Article 1

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 4
-Section 08
-Paragraph g
-Subparagraph 1, 2

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (f)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14064-108612

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(g))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33912-111571

The amount of current assets reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

The amount of current liabilities reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

The amount of liabilities and equity reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

The amount of noncurrent assets reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

The amount of noncurrent liabilities reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

Equity Method Investments (Summary Of Combined Income Statement Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Equity Method Investments [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 2,669,923	$ 2,283,256	$ 2,199,032
Gross profit	271,920	258,598	180,205
Income before provision for income taxes	185,859	182,482	131,530
Provision for income taxes	14,258	21,230	13,504
Net Income	$ 171,601	$ 161,252	$ 118,026

The amount of gross profit (loss) reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

The amount of net income (loss) reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

Equity Method Investments (Reconciliation Of Net Income To Equity In Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Equity Method Investments [Abstract]
Equity income based on stated ownership percentages									$ 81,971	$ 77,882	$ 56,286
All other adjustments due to amortization of basis differences, timing of GAAP adjustments and other adjustments									(3,316)	(3,800)	(1,192)
Equity in income of investees	$ 22,131	$ 22,782	$ 18,381	$ 15,361	$ 25,642	$ 16,986	$ 17,435	$ 14,019	$ 78,655	$ 74,082	$ 55,094

This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 18
-Paragraph 19
-Subparagraph c
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 18
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 03
-Paragraph 9

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382870&loc=d3e33749-111570

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 11
-Article 7

Charges To Costs and Expenses

Equity Method Investments (Schedule Of Transactions With Unconsolidated Affiliates) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Equity Method Investments [Abstract]
Sales to	$ 49,400	$ 45,321	$ 35,802
Purchases from	980	4,693	12,222
Dividends received	57,801	53,633	50,644
Capital contributions, net of returns	$ 38,176	$ 5,412	$ 2,700

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) years	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2008 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2007 USD ($)
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Unrecognized tax benefits that would reduce effective tax rate if recognized	$ 32,400
Reduction in accruals	3,800
Liabilities for payment of tax-related interest and penalties	1,100	$ 4,900	$ 3,600
Possible decrease in unrecognized tax benefits, maximum	24,600
Possible decrease in unrecognized tax benefits, minimum	7,800
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards scheduled to expire	2,400
Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	260,300
Unrecognized deferred income tax liabilities	19,700
Tax benefit on earnings with intent to remit	300
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	$ 9,354	$ 2,205	$ 28,701	$ 32,227	$ 2,205
Minimum [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Foreign tax credit carryovers, expiration date	2014
Foreign [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	$ 89,100
Net operating loss carryforwards, valuation allowance	700
Foreign tax credit carryovers	$ 18,300
Foreign [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration date	2015
Foreign [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration date	2031
State [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	$ 421,500
Net operating loss carryforwards, valuation allowance	$ 8,700
State [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration date	2012
Alternative Minimum Tax Credit [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Tax credit carryovers	$ 1,700
General Business Credit [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Tax credit carryovers	$ 200
Carryover period (in years) \| years	20

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 36,342	$ 11,842	$ 14,521
Increases based on tax positions taken in the current year	1,171	6,550	1,322
Increases based on tax positions taken in the prior years	3,269	343	216
Increases due to positions assumed at spin-off		24,181
Decreases based on tax positions taken in the prior years	(4,329)	(1,442)	(91)
Decreases due to settlements with tax authorities	(1,073)	(5,132)	(4,126)
Decreases due to lapse of applicable statute of limitation	(3,023)
Balance at end of period	$ 32,357	$ 36,342	$ 11,842

Income Taxes (Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2007
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Pension liability	$ 216,248	$ 198,213
Accrued warranty expense	33,412	38,610
Accrued vacation pay	13,269	13,018
Accrued liabilities for self-insurance (including postretirement health care benefits)	41,243	45,828
Accrued liabilities for executive and employee incentive compensation	29,539	27,847
Environmental and products liabilities	7,711	8,883
Long-term contracts	22,871	5,095
Net operating loss carryforward	22,380	920
State tax net operating loss carryforward	22,734	28,652
Foreign tax credit carryforward	18,292	4,605
Other	11,977	20,240
Total deferred tax assets	439,676	391,911
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	(9,354)	(2,205)	$ (28,701)	$ (32,227)	$ (2,205)
Deferred tax assets	430,322	389,706
Property, plant and equipment	31,874	28,344
Investments in joint ventures and affiliated companies	791	1,576
Long-term contracts	27,681
Intangibles	26,365	30,616
Other	8,080	11,105
Total deferred tax liabilities	94,791	71,641
Net deferred tax assets	$ 335,531	$ 318,065

Income Taxes (Income Before Provision For Income Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Taxes [Abstract]
U.S	$ 138,386	$ 160,074	$ 164,347
Other than U.S.	96,549	75,746	67,954
Income before Provision for Income Taxes	$ 234,935	$ 235,820	$ 232,301

Income Taxes (Components Of Provision For Income Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Taxes [Abstract]
U.S. - federal	$ 15,451	$ 28,403	$ 26,689
U.S. - state and local	7,452	8,029	14,749
Other than U.S.	20,177	12,405	13,408
Total current	43,080	48,837	54,846
U.S. - Federal	14,573	28,582	32,330
U.S. - State and local	9,101	(846)	(4,489)
Other than U.S.	6,228	5,721	1,694
Total deferred	29,902	33,457	29,535
Provision for income taxes	$ 72,982	$ 82,294	$ 84,381

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of U.S. Statutory Federal Tax Rate To Consolidated And Combined Effective Tax Rate) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Taxes [Abstract]
U.S. federal statutory (benefit) rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State and local income taxes	4.20%	3.00%	3.40%
Foreign rate differential	(6.40%)	(4.60%)	(4.10%)
Tax credits	(18.20%)	(4.10%)
Dividends from affiliates	15.60%	8.50%	(0.10%)
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	3.00%	(2.40%)	(0.30%)
Audit settlements			0.30%
Additional spin related benefit	(1.90%)
Other	(0.20%)	(0.50%)	2.10%
Effective tax rate	31.10%	34.90%	36.30%

Income Taxes (Valuation Allowance For Deferred Tax Assets) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Beginning Balance

$ (2,205)

$ (28,701)

$ (32,227)

(7,149)

6,904

3,238

Charged To Other Accounts

^[1]

288

Effect Of Spin-Off

^[2]

19,592

Ending Balance

$ (9,354)

$ (2,205)

$ (28,701)

[1]	Amounts charged to other accounts are included in other comprehensive income.
[2]	Effect of spin-off includes state tax valuation allowances distributed to MII in the spin-off.

Long-Term Debt And Notes Payable (Short-Term Lines Of Credit And Maturities Of Long-Term Debt) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Long-Term Debt And Notes Payable [Abstract]
Short-term line of credit interest rate	7.20%	5.30%
Matruity of long-term debt, 2012	$ 205	$ 1,763
Matruity of long-term debt, 2013	200
Matruity of long-term debt, 2014	200
Matruity of long-term debt, 2015	200
Matruity of long-term debt, 2016	$ 0

Long-Term Debt And Notes Payable (Credit Facility) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	May 03, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Aggregate borrowing capacity	$ 700.0	$ 488.6
Credit facility maturity date	May 3, 2014
Aggregate maximum borrowing capacity	$ 850.0
Commitment fee		0.375%
Interest rate under the facility, per year		4.75%
Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fee		0.375%
Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fee		0.625%
Eurodollar-Rate Loans [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Margin added to interest rate		2.50%
Eurodollar-Rate Loans [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Margin added to interest rate		2.50%
Eurodollar-Rate Loans [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Margin added to interest rate		3.50%
Base-Rate Loans [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Margin added to interest rate		1.50%
Base-Rate Loans [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Margin added to interest rate		1.50%
Base-Rate Loans [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Margin added to interest rate		2.50%
Base-Rate Loans [Member] \| Federal Funds Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Margin added to interest rate		0.50%
Base-Rate Loans [Member] \| 30-Day Eurodollar Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Margin added to interest rate		1.00%
Financial Letter Of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Letter of credit fee		2.50%
Financial Letter Of Credit [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Letter of credit fee		2.50%
Financial Letter Of Credit [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Letter of credit fee		3.50%
Performance Letters Of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Letter of credit fee		1.25%
Performance Letters Of Credit [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Letter of credit fee		1.25%
Performance Letters Of Credit [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Letter of credit fee		1.75%
Letters Of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Aggregate outstanding amount		$ 211.4

Long-Term Debt And Notes Payable (Bank Guarantees (Foreign Operations), Surety Bonds And Letters Of Credit) (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Bonds issued and outstanding	$ 371.5
Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc [Member]
Aggregate value of bank guarantees	$ 58.6

Long-Term Debt And Notes Payable (Components Of Long-Term Debt And Notes Payable) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Long-Term Debt And Notes Payable [Abstract]
Unsecured Debt: Other notes payable		$ 1,417
Secured Debt: Power Generation - various notes payable	$ 831	1,201
Other	7
Long-term debt, gross total	838	2,618
Less: Amounts due within one year	205	1,763
Long-term debt	633	855
Short-term lines of credit	4,448	3,027
Current maturities of long-term debt	205	1,763
Total	$ 4,653	$ 4,790
Interest rate on short-term borrowing	7.20%	5.30%

Long-Term Debt And Notes Payable (Comparison Of Key Financial Covenants And Current Compliance) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Required [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum leverage ratio	2.5
Required [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum interest coverage ratio	4.0
Actual [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum leverage ratio	0.17
Minimum interest coverage ratio	41.32

Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) days	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected return on plan assets		8.50%
Term of written notice required for termination from plan (in days) \| days		90
Contributions as a percentage of total contributions to the Boilermaker Plan		5.00%
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected return on plan assets		8.24%	8.06%
Percentage of total assets		89.00%
Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association Trust [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of total assets		85.00%
Master Trust [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of investment return on domestic plan assets		7.00%	12.50%
SERP Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions		$ 0.3	$ 0.7	$ 0.8
Thrift Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of matching contribution by employer		50.00%
MII Thrift Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of matching contribution by employer		50.00%
Thrift Plan And MII Thrift Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions		$ 22.1	$ 19.7	$ 17.6
Maximum [Member] \| Thrift Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Participants' contributions as a percentage of compensation		6.00%
Maximum [Member] \| MII Thrift Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Participants' contributions as a percentage of compensation		6.00%
Forecasted [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected return on plan assets	7.20%

Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Obligations And Funded Status) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period

$ 1,815,437

Fair value of plan assets at the end of period

1,951,408

$ 1,815,437

Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation

(80,663)

(84,100)

Pension liability

(586,045)

(579,000)

Pension Benefits [Member]

Benefit obligation at beginning of period

2,479,783

2,552,187

$ 2,479,783

43,495

39,176

36,565

^[1]

Plan participants' contributions

134,927

142,092

147,910

^[1]

318

266

Effect of spin-off

(313,150)

Amendments

2,055

3,059

Settlements

(13,625)

(223)

Actuarial loss (gain)

181,517

179,780

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

(5,633)

8,240

Benefits paid

(135,830)

(131,644)

Benefit obligation at end of period

2,687,007

2,479,783

2,552,187

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period

1,782,048

1,798,448

1,782,048

Actual return on plan assets

115,787

211,138

Company contributions

174,639

104,295

Settlements

(13,625)

Effect of spin-off

(208,999)

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

(5,487)

8,544

Fair value of plan assets at the end of period

1,917,850

1,782,048

1,798,448

Funded status

(769,157)

(697,735)

Accrued employee benefits

(185,832)

(121,693)

Pension liability

(583,337)

(576,064)

Prepaid pension

Accrued benefit liability, net

(769,157)

(697,735)

Net actuarial loss (gain)

850,241

712,694

Prior service cost

19,949

20,412

Total before taxes

870,190

733,106

Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, Projected benefit obligation

2,686,796

2,479,352

Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, Accumulated benefit obligation

2,515,868

2,353,734

Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, Fair value of plan assets

1,917,626

1,781,624

Plans with plan assets in excess of accumulated benefit obligation, Projected benefit obligation

211

431

Plans with plan assets in excess of accumulated benefit obligation, Accumulated benefit obligation

211

386

Plans with plan assets in excess of accumulated benefit obligation, Fair value of plan assets

224

424

Other Benefits [Member]

Benefit obligation at beginning of period

125,692

145,594

125,692

1,143

1,069

958

Plan participants' contributions

5,805

7,284

8,713

116

126

Effect of spin-off

(5,086)

Amendments

(1,351)

(328)

Actuarial loss (gain)

1,491

(14,593)

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

(211)

400

Benefits paid

(10,225)

(8,774)

Benefit obligation at end of period

122,460

125,692

145,594

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period

33,389

30,793

33,389

Actual return on plan assets

723

1,975

Company contributions

9,555

9,269

Fair value of plan assets at the end of period

33,558

33,389

$ 30,793

Funded status

(88,902)

(92,303)

Accrued employee benefits

(8,239)

(8,203)

Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation

(80,663)

(84,100)

Accrued benefit liability, net

(88,902)

(92,303)

Net actuarial loss (gain)

1,935

(1,193)

Prior service cost

(1,360)

289

Unrecognized transition obligation

202

440

Total before taxes

777

(464)

Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, Accumulated benefit obligation

122,460

125,692

Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, Fair value of plan assets

$ 33,558

$ 33,389

[1]	Excludes approximately $2.1 million of income attributable to settlement of previously recorded unfunded pension liabilities.

Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Income attributable to settlement of previously recorded unfunded pension liabilities

$ 2,100

Pension Benefits [Member]

$ 43,495

39,176

$ 36,565

^[1]

Expected return on plan assets

134,927

142,092

147,910

^[1]

(148,347)

(136,364)

(136,211)

^[1]

Amortization of prior service cost

3,721

3,711

3,119

^[1]

Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)

75,255

75,605

81,484

^[1]

Net periodic benefit cost

109,051

124,220

132,867

^[1]

Other Benefits [Member]

1,143

1,069

958

Expected return on plan assets

5,805

7,284

8,713

(1,919)

(1,745)

(1,504)

Amortization of transition obligation

299

283

257

Amortization of prior service cost

Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)

(237)

307

1,711

Net periodic benefit cost

$ 5,124

$ 7,227

$ 10,201

[1]	Excludes approximately $2.1 million of income attributable to settlement of previously recorded unfunded pension liabilities.

Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in accumulated other comprehensive loss due to actuarial losses-before taxes	$ 216,060	$ 108,077
Other Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in accumulated other comprehensive loss due to actuarial losses-before taxes	$ 1,336	$ (15,152)

Pretax change in the value of either the benefit obligation or the plan assets resulting from experience different from that assumed or from a change in an actuarial assumption, or the consequence of a decision to temporarily deviate from the substantive plan, that has not been recognized in net periodic benefit cost.

Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Pension Cost In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss (gain), Recognized	$ 75,255
Prior service cost (credit), Recognized	3,721
Total, Recognized	78,976
Net actuarial loss (gain), To Be Recognized in the Year Ending December 31, 2012	81,728
Prior service cost (credit), To Be Recognized in the Year Ending December 31, 2012	3,505
Total, To Be Recognized in the Year Ending December 31, 2012	85,233
Other Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss (gain), Recognized	(237)
Prior service cost (credit), Recognized	33
Transition obligation, Recognized	299
Total, Recognized	95
Net actuarial loss (gain), To Be Recognized in the Year Ending December 31, 2012	226
Prior service cost (credit), To Be Recognized in the Year Ending December 31, 2012	(148)
Transition obligation, To Be Recognized in the Year Ending December 31, 2012	95
Total, To Be Recognized in the Year Ending December 31, 2012	$ 173

Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Weighted Average Assumptions) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost, Expected return on plan assets	8.50%
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit obligations, Discount rate	4.76%	5.56%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit obligations, Rate of compensation increase	3.69%	3.69%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost, Discount rate	5.56%	6.03%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost, Expected return on plan assets	8.24%	8.06%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost, Rate of compensation increase	3.69%	3.76%
Other Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit obligations, Discount rate	4.35%	4.91%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost, Discount rate	4.92%	5.45%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost, Expected return on plan assets	5.76%	5.42%

Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Assumed Health-Care Cost Trend Rates) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Health-care cost trend rate assumed for next year	8.00%	8.00%
Rates to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate)	4.50%	4.50%
Year that the rate reaches ultimate trend rate	2019	2018

Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Effect Of One-Percentage-Point Change In Assumed Health-Care Cost Trend Rates) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
One-Percentage-Point Increase, Effect on total of service and interest cost	$ 475
One-Percentage-Point Increase, Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	8,027
One-Percentage-Point Decrease, Effect on total of service and interest cost	(401)
One-Percentage-Point Decrease, Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	$ (6,830)

Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Plan Asset Allocations By Asset Category) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Domestic Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	100.00%	100.00%
Domestic Plans [Member] \| Commingled And Mutual Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	25.00%	28.00%
Domestic Plans [Member] \| Fixed Income (Excluding U. S. Government Securities) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	27.00%	24.00%
Domestic Plans [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	17.00%	20.00%
Domestic Plans [Member] \| U.S. Government Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	18.00%	12.00%
Domestic Plans [Member] \| Partnerships With Security Holdings [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	8.00%	9.00%
Domestic Plans [Member] \| Real Estate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	3.00%	4.00%
Domestic Plans [Member] \| Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	2.00%	3.00%
Foreign Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	100.00%	100.00%
Foreign Plans [Member] \| Equity Securities And Commingled Mutual Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	56.00%	59.00%
Foreign Plans [Member] \| Fixed Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	41.00%	37.00%
Foreign Plans [Member] \| Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	3.00%	4.00%

Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Target Allocation By Asset Class) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Canadian Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fixed Income	35.00%
Diamond UK Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fixed Income	45.00%
U. S. Equity [Member] \| Canadian Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity	15.00%
U. S. Equity [Member] \| Diamond UK Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity	10.00%
Global Equity [Member] \| Canadian Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity	50.00%
Global Equity [Member] \| Diamond UK Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity	45.00%
Forecasted [Member] \| Domestic Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity	48.00%
Fixed Income	52.00%

Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Summary Of Total Investments Measured At Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 1,951,408	$ 1,815,437
Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	674,755	595,074
Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	1,088,792	1,013,119
Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	187,861	207,244	$ 341,456	$ 207,244
Fixed Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	550,146	450,116
Fixed Income [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets		3,189
Fixed Income [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	550,146	446,927
Equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	298,083	330,510
Equities [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	298,077	330,223
Equities [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	6	287
Commingled And Mutual Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	546,776	571,291
Commingled And Mutual Funds [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	8,250	7,926
Commingled And Mutual Funds [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	538,526	563,365
U.S. Government Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	313,458	192,610
U.S. Government Securities [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	313,458	192,610
Partnerships With Security Holdings [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	134,295	140,358
Partnerships With Security Holdings [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets		2,421
Partnerships With Security Holdings [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	134,295	137,937
Real Estate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	53,560	69,065
Real Estate [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets		45
Real Estate [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	53,560	69,020
Cash And Accrued Items [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	55,090	61,487
Cash And Accrued Items [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	54,970	61,126
Cash And Accrued Items [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 120	$ 361

Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Summary Of Changes In The Plans' Level 3 Instruments Measured On A Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$ 1,815,437
Unrealized gain (loss)		$ (119)
Fair value of plan assets at the end of period	1,951,408	1,815,437
Level 3 [Member]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	207,244	341,456
Issuances and acquisitions	16,821	45,217
Dispositions	(52,572)	(180,190)
Realized gain	5,897	23,016
Unrealized gain (loss)	10,471	(22,255)
Fair value of plan assets at the end of period	$ 187,861	$ 207,244

Assets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those non-benefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets.

Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Cash Flows) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Domestic Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected employer contributions to trusts of defined benefit plans, 2012	$ 164,700
Expected benefit payments, 2012	219,362
Expected benefit payments, 2013	128,623
Expected benefit payments, 2014	134,367
Expected benefit payments, 2015	139,471
Expected benefit payments, 2016	144,287
Expected benefit payments, 2017-2021	779,186
Domestic Plans, Other Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected employer contributions to trusts of defined benefit plans, 2012	2,082
Expected benefit payments, 2012	13,108
Expected benefit payments, 2013	12,632
Expected benefit payments, 2014	11,630
Expected benefit payments, 2015	10,582
Expected benefit payments, 2016	9,386
Expected benefit payments, 2017-2021	33,889
Foreign Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected employer contributions to trusts of defined benefit plans, 2012	18,258
Expected benefit payments, 2012	10,517
Expected benefit payments, 2013	11,209
Expected benefit payments, 2014	11,804
Expected benefit payments, 2015	12,772
Expected benefit payments, 2016	13,253
Expected benefit payments, 2017-2021	72,966
Foreign Plans, Other Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected benefit payments, 2012	722
Expected benefit payments, 2013	714
Expected benefit payments, 2014	708
Expected benefit payments, 2015	679
Expected benefit payments, 2016	656
Expected benefit payments, 2017-2021	$ 2,998

Pension Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Summary Of Multiemployer Plans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Contributions	$ 31.4	$ 18.4	$ 20.6
Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Trust [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Pension Protection Act Zone - Zone Status	Yellow	Yellow
FIP/RP Status - Pending/Implemented	Yes
Contributions	$ 25.9	$ 12.4	13.3
Surchage Imposed	No
All Other [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Contributions	$ 5.5	$ 6.0	$ 7.3

Asset Sales And Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Asset Sales And Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets [Abstract]
(Gains) losses on asset disposals and impairments - net	$ 3,087	$ (38)	$ (1,226)

Capital Stock (Details) - shares		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Capital Stock (Details) - shares	Jul. 30, 2010	Jul. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011
Capital Stock [Abstract]
Percentage of outstanding common stock distributed	100.00%
Common stock split		one share of B&W common stock for every two shares of MII common stock	one share of B&W common stock for every two shares of MII common stock
Common stock distributed to MII shareholders to complete spin-off	116,225,732
Shares of common stock reserved for future issuance			10,845,051

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended	5 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 13, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense				$ 17,927	$ 16,308	$ 25,891
Stock-based compensation, tax benefits				$ 6,611	$ 5,997	$ 9,345
2010 Long-Tem Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized for issuance		10,000,000
Minimum percentage of fair market value closing price on the date of grant		100.00%
Maximum expiry period of options exercisable at date of grant (in years)		seven years
Shares issued under the plan				3,425,740
Shares available for issuance of awards in future				6,574,260
Impact on basic earnings per share				$ 0.10	$ 0.09	$ 0.14
Impact on diluted earnings per share				$ 0.10	$ 0.09	$ 0.14
Total unrecognized estimated compensation expense, nonvested awards				$ 15,000
Estimated tax benefits of unrecognized compensation expense, nonvested awards				8,700
Total gross unrecognized estimated compensation expense				23,700
MII Legacy Stock-Based Compensation Plans [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense			$ 4,400
Stock-based compensation, tax benefits			$ 2,600
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense				4,030	$ 2,302	$ 2,799
Stock-based compensation, tax benefits				1,486	$ 849	999
Total gross unrecognized estimated compensation expense				$ 5,400
Weighted-average fair value of the stock options granted				$ 12.33	$ 10.64
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised				$ 7,500	$ 1,500
Actual tax benefits realized related to the stock options exercised				1,200	500
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense				4,380	3,390	14,248
Stock-based compensation, tax benefits				1,634	1,230	5,162
Total gross unrecognized estimated compensation expense				$ 11,700
Rate of vesting assumed				180.00%
Vesting period (in years)				3 years
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense				$ 1,666	2,930	6,922
Stock-based compensation, tax benefits				593	1,066	2,498
Total gross unrecognized estimated compensation expense				200
Actual tax benefits realized related to restricted stock vested					(100)
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total gross unrecognized estimated compensation expense				6,400
Actual tax benefits realized related to restricted stock vested				$ 2,900
Cash-Based Performance And Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Settlement of vested stock units					$ 100	$ 1,500
Thrift Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized for issuance	5,000,000
Shares issued under the plan				510,510
Shares available for issuance of awards in future				4,270,791
Percentage of matching contribution by employer	50.00%
Participants' contributions as a percentage of compensation	6.00%
Vesting period (in years)				3 years
Minimum [Member] \| Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of shares in which participants can vest				0.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of shares in which participants can vest				200.00%

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Compensation Expense Recognized) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation Expense	$ 17,927	$ 16,308	$ 25,891
Tax Benefit	(6,611)	(5,997)	(9,345)
Net Impact	11,316	10,311	16,546
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation Expense	4,030	2,302	2,799
Tax Benefit	(1,486)	(849)	(999)
Net Impact	2,544	1,453	1,800
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation Expense	1,666	2,930	6,922
Tax Benefit	(593)	(1,066)	(2,498)
Net Impact	1,073	1,864	4,424
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation Expense	4,380	3,390	14,248
Tax Benefit	(1,634)	(1,230)	(5,162)
Net Impact	2,746	2,160	9,086
Performance, Restricted And Deferred Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation Expense	7,851	7,686	1,922
Tax Benefit	(2,898)	(2,852)	(686)
Net Impact	$ 4,953	$ 4,834	$ 1,236

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

Stock-Based Compensation (Components Of Total Gross Unrecognized Estimated Compensation Expense) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) years
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Amount \| $	$ 5.4
Weighted-Average Period (in years) \| years	1.9
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Amount \| $	$ 0.2
Weighted-Average Period (in years) \| years	1.6
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Amount \| $	$ 11.7
Weighted-Average Period (in years) \| years	2.2
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Amount \| $	$ 6.4
Weighted-Average Period (in years) \| years	1.7

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Assumptions Used To Calculate Fair Value Of Option Grant) (Details) - Stock Options [Member] - years	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	1.52%	1.28%
Expected volatility	0.46%	0.61%
Expected life of the option in years	3.75	4.08
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
McDermott International, Inc. [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate		2.18%	2.03%
Expected volatility		0.55%	0.78%
Expected life of the option in years		4.79	4.63
Expected dividend yield		0.00%	0.00%

Stock-Based Compensation (Summarized Activity Of Stock Options) (Details) - Stock Options [Member] $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding at beginning of period, Number of Shares \| shares	1,095
Granted, Number of Shares \| shares	506
Exercised, Number of Shares \| shares	(380)
Cancelled/expired/forfeited, Number of Shares \| shares	(67)
Outstanding at end of period, Number of Shares \| shares	1,154
Exercisable at end of period, Number of Shares \| shares	378
Outstanding at beginning of period, Weighted-Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 14.21
Granted, Weighted-Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	33.91
Exercised, Weighted-Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	11.75
Cancelled/expired/forfeited, Weighted-Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	30.87
Outstanding at end of period, Weighted-Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	22.68
Exercisable at end of period, Weighted-Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 13.17
Outstanding at beginning of period, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term
Outstanding at end of period, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	5.0
ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm	3.9
Outstanding at beginning of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value \| $
Outstanding at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value \| $	6.2
Exercisable at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value \| $	$ 4.3

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Changes In Nonvested Stock Awards) (Details) shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 $ / shares shares
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Nonvested at beginning of period, Number of Shares \| shares	143
Granted, Number of Shares \| shares	2
Vested, Number of Shares \| shares	(132)
Nonvested at end of period, Number of Shares \| shares	13
Nonvested at beginning of period, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 27.77
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	28.10
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	28.03
Nonvested at end of period, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 20.58
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Nonvested at beginning of period, Number of Shares \| shares
Granted, Number of Shares \| shares	538
Cancelled/forfeited, Number of Shares \| shares	(61)
Nonvested at end of period, Number of Shares \| shares	477
Nonvested at beginning of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Granted, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	33.67
Vested, Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Cancelled/forfeited, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	34.55
Nonvested at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 33.56
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Nonvested at beginning of period, Number of Shares \| shares	959
Granted, Number of Shares \| shares	197
Vested, Number of Shares \| shares	(611)
Cancelled/forfeited, Number of Shares \| shares	(54)
Nonvested at end of period, Number of Shares \| shares	491
Nonvested at beginning of period, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 17.94
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	32.64
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	19.15
Cancelled/forfeited, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	22.22
Nonvested at end of period, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 22.25

Contingencies And Commitments (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2010	Apr. 30, 2009 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2008 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 1998 USD ($)	Feb. 14, 2012 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2011
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Total rental expense				$ 11.1	$ 10.5	$ 9.8
Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Number of claimants			18							140
Apollo And Parks Township [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Additional suits filed by other parties	8
Number of claimants				150
Number of cases consolidated				7
Number of former facilities				2
Aggregate settlement amount for claims		$ 52.5					$ 27.5	$ 8.0
Percentage of ARCO's recovery amounts assigned to company				58.33%
Interest rate on settlement									6.00%
Appeal bond required as a percentage of total judgement									120.00%
Liquidated contingency sum									$ 5.0
Other [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Cash received on settlement			$ 10.9
Enviornmental Matters [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Financial assurance to pay expected cost of decommissioning				$ 43.5
Pretax charge to comply U.S. federal, state and local environmental control and protection regulations				13.2
Capital expenditure to comply environmental regulations				1.8
Environmental reserves				47.3	43.5
Environmental reserves included in current liabilities				$ 3.2	2.7
Gain due to decrease in accrual					$ 8.7
Personal Injury And Wrongful Death Claims [Member] \| Apollo And Parks Township [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Number of claims settled		250
Property Damage Claims [Member] \| Apollo And Parks Township [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Number of claims settled		125
2008 Settlement [Member] \| Apollo And Parks Township [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Interest accrued on settlement									8.8
April 2009 Settlement [Member] \| Apollo And Parks Township [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Interest accrued on settlement									$ 6.2

Contingencies And Commitments (Schedule Of Future Minimum Payments For Operating Leases) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
2012	$ 10,285
2013	8,143
2014	7,361
2015	5,900
2016	4,525
Thereafter	$ 8,117

Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended		7 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($)	May 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenue on participation interest in escrow account received by company employee	$ 300,000
Dividend paid to parent					$ 100,000,000
Distribution of cash to parent					43,277,000
Cash received from parent in settlement of note receivable					43,300,000
(Decrease) increase in notes payable to affiliates					43,386,000	$ (2,368,000)
Cash contribution to B&W by Parent Company					12,501,000
McDermott International, Inc. [Member]
Corporate and general and administrative expenses allocated to parent			$ 20,000,000
Interest expense attributable to intercompany loan				$ 8,700,000		$ 23,600,000
Dividend paid to parent		$ 100,000,000
Increase of capital in excess of par value					429,600,000
Forgiveness of intercompany balances owed to parent					178,000,000
Noncash settlement of note payable to parent company's affiliate					277,800,000
Distribution of net assets to parent					$ 20,700,000

Financial Instruments With Concentrations Of Credit Risk (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Allowance for possible losses on accounts receivable - trade	$ 3.3	$ 3.2
Total Revenue [Member] \| Government Contracts Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	38.00%	39.00%

Investments (Summary Of Available-For-Sale Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 72,379	$ 74,826
Gross Unrealized Gains	373	(434)
Gross Unrealized Losses	(172)	(163)
Estimated Fair Value	72,580	75,097
U.S. Treasury Securities And Obligations Of U.S. Government Agencies [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	51,308	70,038
Gross Unrealized Gains	14	(8)
Estimated Fair Value	51,322	70,046
Money Market Instruments And Short Term Investments/Mutual Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	2,957
Gross Unrealized Gains	355
Estimated Fair Value	3,312
Money Market Instruments And Short-Term Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		3,217
Gross Unrealized Gains		(426)
Estimated Fair Value		3,643
Asset-Backed Securities And Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	633	739
Gross Unrealized Losses	(171)	(163)
Estimated Fair Value	462	576
Commercial Paper [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	17,481
Gross Unrealized Gains	4
Gross Unrealized Losses	(1)
Estimated Fair Value	$ 17,484
Corporate And Foreign Government Bonds And Notes [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		832
Estimated Fair Value		$ 832

Investments (Summary Of Proceeds, Gross Realized Gains And Gross Realized Losses On Sales Of Available For Sale Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Investments [Abstract]
Proceeds	$ 147,288	$ 134,276	$ 140,203
Gross Realized Gains
Gross Realized Losses	$ 5	$ 122	$ 30

The cash inflow associated with the sale of debt and equity securities classified as available-for-sale securities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 15
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 16
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 18
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 16
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Investing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26853-111562

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (a),(b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585

Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]

Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Derivative Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Net gains deferred on derivative financial instruments in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ 2.7
Notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts	$ 238.1
Matuirty date of foreign currency forward contracts	November 2014
Fair value of foreign currency forward contracts	$ 2.5

Derivative Financial Instruments (Summary Of Derivative Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2009
Accounts Receivable-Other [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Derivatives Designated As Hedges [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives	$ 1,760	$ 2,625
Other Assets [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Derivatives Designated As Hedges [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives	3,792	5,360
Other Assets [Member] \| Stock Warrants [Member] \| Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives	877	3,296
Accounts Payable [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Derivatives Designated As Hedges [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives	1,238	1,234
Accounts Payable [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives	520	2,793
Other Liabilities [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Derivatives Designated As Hedges [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives	610	201
Other Liabilities [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives	$ 664	$ 811

Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule Of Effect Of Derivative Instruments On Statements Of Financial Performance) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedges [Member] \| Derivatives Designated As Hedges [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income	$ (1,224)	$ 8,952
Revenues [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedges [Member] \| Derivatives Designated As Hedges [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Income (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income: effective portion	4,128	1,888
Cost Of Operations [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedges [Member] \| Derivatives Designated As Hedges [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Income (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income: effective portion	(2,350)	(388)
Other - Net [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in income	1,234	(3,232)
Other - Net [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedges [Member] \| Derivatives Designated As Hedges [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Income (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income: effective portion	373	430
Gain (loss) recognized in income: portion excluded from effectiveness testing	1,045	(1,265)
Other - Net [Member] \| Stock Warrants [Member] \| Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in income	$ (2,419)	$ 682

Fair Values Of Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Values Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Net unrealized (gain) losses on investments	$ 0.2	$ 0.3
Notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts	238.1
Fair value of foreign currency forward contracts	2.5
Fair value of warrants	$ 0.9

Fair Values Of Financial Instruments (Summary Of Available-For-Sale Securities Measured At Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value	$ 72,580	$ 75,097
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value	51,322	70,046
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value	21,258	5,051
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value
Mutual Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value	3,312	3,385
Mutual Funds [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value	3,312	3,385
Mutual Funds [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value
Certificates Of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value		258
Certificates Of Deposit [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value		258
Certificates Of Deposit [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value
U.S. Government And Agency Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value	51,322	70,046
U.S. Government And Agency Securities [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value	51,322	70,046
U.S. Government And Agency Securities [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value
Asset-Backed Securities And Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value	462	576
Asset-Backed Securities And Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value	462	576
Asset-Backed Securities And Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value
Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value	17,484
Commercial Paper [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value	17,484
Commercial Paper [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value
Corporate Notes And Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value		832
Corporate Notes And Bonds [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value		832
Corporate Notes And Bonds [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value

Fair Values Of Financial Instruments (Summary Of Changes In Level 3 Instrument Measured On Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Values Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 3,296	$ 168
Included in other income (expense)	(2,419)	671
Included in other comprehensive income		119
Purchases, issuances, and settlements		2,342
Principal repayments		(4)
Balance at end of period	$ 877	$ 3,296

Segment Reporting (Narrative) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of revenue from U.S. Government	38.00%	39.00%	33.00%

Segment Reporting (Schedule Of Revenues By Segment) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2010

Jun. 30, 2010

Mar. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

$ 800,789

$ 707,622

$ 752,352

$ 691,277

$ 705,162

$ 632,765

$ 688,496

$ 662,388

$ 2,952,040

^[1],[2]

$ 2,688,811

^[1],[2]

$ 2,854,632

^[2]

Power Generation [Member]

(73,771)

^[1]

(18,161)

^[1]

(12,115)

Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]

1,541,509

^[1]

1,424,574

^[1]

1,658,223

Nuclear Operations [Member]

53,852

5,092

1,410

Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]

1,043,185

^[1]

995,969

^[1]

914,019

Technical Services [Member]

5,860

4,423

1,030

Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]

119,711

^[1]

90,147

^[1]

119,722

Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]

2,155

2,438

2,527

Nuclear Energy [Member]

321,406

^[1]

196,282

^[1]

174,783

Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]

$ 11,904

$ 6,208

$ 7,148

[1]	Segment revenues are net of the following intersegment transfers and other adjustments:
[2]	We allocate geographic revenues based on the location of the customer's operations.

Segment Reporting (Schedule Of Operating Income By Segment) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2010

Jun. 30, 2010

Mar. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Other income (expense) - net

$ 93,259

^[1]

$ 57,551

^[1]

$ 63,257

^[1]

$ 21,901

^[1]

$ 74,494

^[1]

$ 65,077

^[1]

$ 85,655

^[1]

$ 38,746

^[1]

$ 235,968

^[2]

$ 263,972

^[2]

$ 269,564

^[2]

Interest income

1,342

1,187

3,439

Interest expense

(4,543)

(12,939)

(24,590)

2,168

(16,400)

(16,112)

Total Other Expense

(1,033)

(28,152)

(37,263)

Income before Provision for Income Taxes

234,935

235,820

232,301

(Gains) losses on asset disposals and impairments - net

(3,087)

1,226

Power Generation [Member]

$ 22,131

$ 22,782

$ 18,381

$ 15,361

$ 25,642

$ 16,986

$ 17,435

$ 14,019

78,655

74,082

55,094

Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]

(Gains) losses on asset disposals and impairments - net

140,029

128,278

163,316

3,456

(39)

(292)

Nuclear Operations [Member]

25,778

30,788

14,043

Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]

(Gains) losses on asset disposals and impairments - net

171,554

147,235

107,268

(171)

Technical Services [Member]

Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]

(Gains) losses on asset disposals and impairments - net

68,239

45,614

47,312

(61)

Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]

52,877

43,294

41,051

Nuclear Energy [Member]

(Gains) losses on asset disposals and impairments - net

(118,748)

(27,560)

(5,447)

(96)

Segment [Member]

Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]

Unallocated Corporate [Member]

261,074

293,567

312,449

Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]

(Gains) losses on asset disposals and impairments - net

^[3]

(25,106)

$ (29,595)

(42,885)

$ (273)

$ (783)

[1]	Includes equity in income of investees.
[2]	Included in operating income is the following:
[3]	Unallocated corporate includes general corporate overhead not allocated to segments

Segment Reporting (Schedule Of Segment Reporting Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 2,789,111	$ 2,500,510	$ 2,603,859
Total Capital Expenditures	63,874	63,649	93,725
Total Depreciation and Amortization	73,003	71,633	72,712
Total Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates	163,568	100,811	68,327
Power Generation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	1,325,959	1,082,801	1,156,247
Total Capital Expenditures	15,788	13,627	30,257
Total Depreciation and Amortization	17,264	18,564	13,351
Total Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates	124,686	95,527	64,666
Nuclear Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	679,818	639,090	640,039
Total Capital Expenditures	32,082	24,718	25,750
Total Depreciation and Amortization	38,169	36,955	44,584
Technical Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	123,717	85,509	72,005
Total Capital Expenditures		15	26
Total Depreciation and Amortization	262	263	278
Total Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates	38,882	5,284	3,661
Nuclear Energy [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	347,158	339,457	273,147
Total Capital Expenditures	7,257	4,480	1,891
Total Depreciation and Amortization	5,346	4,988	4,508
Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	2,476,652	2,146,857	2,141,438
Total Capital Expenditures	55,127	42,840	57,924
Total Depreciation and Amortization	61,041	60,770	62,721
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	312,459	353,653	462,421
Total Capital Expenditures	8,747	20,809	35,801
Total Depreciation and Amortization	$ 11,962	$ 10,863	$ 9,991

Segment Reporting (Schedule Of Revenue Information From Products And Service Lines) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2010

Jun. 30, 2010

Mar. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

$ (73,771)

^[1]

$ (18,161)

^[1]

$ (12,115)

Power Generation [Member]

$ 800,789

$ 707,622

$ 752,352

$ 691,277

$ 705,162

$ 632,765

$ 688,496

$ 662,388

2,952,040

^[1],[2]

2,688,811

^[1],[2]

2,854,632

^[2]

53,852

5,092

1,410

Nuclear Operations [Member]

1,541,509

^[1]

1,424,574

^[1]

1,658,223

5,860

4,423

1,030

Technical Services [Member]

1,043,185

^[1]

995,969

^[1]

914,019

2,155

2,438

2,527

119,711

^[1]

90,147

^[1]

119,722

Nuclear Energy [Member]

11,904

6,208

7,148

New Build Environmental Equipment [Member] | Power Generation [Member]

321,406

^[1]

196,282

^[1]

174,783

New Build Steam Generation Systems [Member] | Power Generation [Member]

235,750

277,531

363,456

After Market Services [Member] | Power Generation [Member]

416,779

386,356

475,878

Nuclear Component Program [Member] | Nuclear Operations [Member]

894,677

765,573

840,236

Commercial Operations [Member] | Nuclear Operations [Member]

1,025,838

986,952

887,844

Commercial Operations [Member] | Technical Services [Member]

11,674

4,449

25,340

Nuclear Environmental Services [Member] | Technical Services [Member]

29,708

28,862

64,747

Management & Operation Contracts Of U.S. Government Facilities [Member] | Technical Services [Member]

76,267

48,351

42,425

Nuclear Services [Member] | Nuclear Energy [Member]

13,736

12,934

12,551

Nuclear Equipment [Member] | Nuclear Energy [Member]

151,118

119,244

121,948

Nuclear Projects [Member] | Nuclear Energy [Member]

122,789

72,336

52,735

Eliminations/Other [Member] | Power Generation [Member]

45,539

4,700

100

Eliminations/Other [Member] | Nuclear Operations [Member]

(5,697)

(4,886)

(21,347)

Eliminations/Other [Member] | Technical Services [Member]

5,673

4,568

835

Eliminations/Other [Member] | Nuclear Energy [Member]

$ (1)

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

$ 1,960

$ 2

[1]	Segment revenues are net of the following intersegment transfers and other adjustments:
[2]	We allocate geographic revenues based on the location of the customer's operations.

Segment Reporting (Schedule Of Revenues By Geographical Area) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2010

Jun. 30, 2010

Mar. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

$ 800,789

$ 707,622

$ 752,352

$ 691,277

$ 705,162

$ 632,765

$ 688,496

$ 662,388

$ 2,952,040

^[1],[2]

$ 2,688,811

^[1],[2]

$ 2,854,632

^[2]

United States [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

2,340,299

2,133,924

2,300,039

Canada [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

238,663

252,089

267,567

Sweden [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

94,337

48,632

40,852

China [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

48,153

48,285

54,192

Norway [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

29,844

33,353

21,996

Finland [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

20,723

4,040

9,746

Ireland [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

14,769

26,574

10,336

Bulgaria [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

14,149

2,144

Denmark [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

12,310

15,040

21,965

India [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

8,891

16,277

5,229

Japan [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

8,716

8,797

26,904

Germany [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

8,222

3,464

15,734

Chile [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

6,811

2,870

1,792

Italy [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

6,516

11,361

4,533

Korea [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

6,272

9,114

8,339

United Kingdom [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

6,150

6,791

6,746

Indonesia [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

4,642

6,048

8,834

France [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

3,433

5,373

8,351

Brazil [Member]

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

^[2]

4,671

2,957

2,131

Other Countries [Member]

^[2]

$ 74,469

$ 51,678

$ 39,346

[1]	Segment revenues are net of the following intersegment transfers and other adjustments:
[2]	We allocate geographic revenues based on the location of the customer's operations.

Segment Reporting (Schedule Of Property, Plant And Equipment, Net By Geographical Area) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net Property, Plant And Equipment	$ 422,291	$ 418,312	$ 430,061
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net Property, Plant And Equipment	348,498	345,848	360,076
Canada [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net Property, Plant And Equipment	41,868	41,959	40,058
United Kingdom [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net Property, Plant And Equipment	9,758	10,401	11,234
Denmark [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net Property, Plant And Equipment	8,813	8,395	8,852
Mexico [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net Property, Plant And Equipment	7,024	6,299	4,207
Other Countries [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net Property, Plant And Equipment	$ 6,330	$ 5,410	$ 5,634

Quarterly Financial Data (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Project costs			$ 32.7
Additional project costs	$ 3.1	$ 26.0		$ 61.8
Gain on settlement with sellers of NFS		$ 10.9

Quarterly Financial Data (Selected Quarterly Financial Information) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2010

Jun. 30, 2010

Mar. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]

$ 800,789

$ 707,622

$ 752,352

$ 691,277

$ 705,162

$ 632,765

$ 688,496

$ 662,388

$ 2,952,040

^[1],[2]

$ 2,688,811

^[1],[2]

$ 2,854,632

^[2]

Equity in income of investees

93,259

^[3]

57,551

^[3]

63,257

^[3]

21,901

^[3]

74,494

^[3]

65,077

^[3]

85,655

^[3]

38,746

^[3]

235,968

^[4]

263,972

^[4]

269,564

^[4]

22,131

22,782

18,381

15,361

25,642

16,986

17,435

14,019

78,655

74,082

55,094

Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company

$ 64,272

$ 45,663

$ 46,209

$ 13,510

$ 52,892

$ 35,887

$ 47,640

$ 16,843

$ 169,654

$ 153,262

$ 147,764

Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company, Basic

$ 0.54

$ 0.39

$ 0.12

$ 0.45

$ 0.31

$ 0.41

$ 0.15

$ 1.44

$ 1.32

$ 1.27

Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company, Diluted

$ 0.54

$ 0.39

$ 0.11

$ 0.45

$ 0.31

$ 0.41

$ 0.14

$ 1.43

$ 1.30

$ 1.26

[1]	Segment revenues are net of the following intersegment transfers and other adjustments:
[2]	We allocate geographic revenues based on the location of the customer's operations.
[3]	Includes equity in income of investees.
[4]	Included in operating income is the following:

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 36, 37, 38
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 03
-Paragraph 20

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 7
-Paragraph 18

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 21
-Article 9

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.21)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920599&loc=d3e1252-109256

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 52
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945512&loc=d3e4984-109258

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.23)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 07-4
-Paragraph 4
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 87-21
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 10, 15
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28, 29, 30
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 03
-Paragraph 19

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 20
-Article 9

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Net Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6518256

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519514

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.18)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e565-108580

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A7
-Appendix A

Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company

Earnings Per Share (Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2010

Jun. 30, 2010

Mar. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

$ 64,272

$ 45,663

$ 46,209

$ 13,510

$ 52,892

$ 35,887

$ 47,640

$ 16,843

$ 169,654

$ 153,262

$ 147,764

Weighted average common shares, Basic

117,560,594

116,260,425

116,067,535

Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company, Basic earnings per common share

$ 0.54

$ 0.39

$ 0.12

$ 0.45

$ 0.31

$ 0.41

$ 0.15

$ 1.44

$ 1.32

$ 1.27

Stock options, restricted stock and performance shares

^[1]

844,003

1,365,640

1,356,272

Adjusted weighted average common shares

118,404,597

117,626,065

117,423,807

Net income attributable to The Babcock & Wilcox Company, Diluted earnings per common share

$ 0.54

$ 0.39

$ 0.11

$ 0.45

$ 0.31

$ 0.41

$ 0.14

$ 1.43

$ 1.30

$ 1.26

Antidilutive shares related to stock options excluded from the diluted share

742,035

349,744

[1]	At December 31, 2011 and 2010, we excluded from the diluted share calculation 742,035 shares and 349,744 shares, respectively, related to stock options, as their effect would have been antidilutive.

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 13, 14
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 171
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 40
-Subparagraph c
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Diluted Earnings Per Share
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6510752

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Contingent Stock Agreement
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6508534

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Antidilution
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505113

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 07-4
-Paragraph 4
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.