Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended					12 Months Ended										12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 U.S. Lower 48 Land Drilling [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 U.S. Lower 48 Land Drilling [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 U.S. Lower 48 Land Drilling [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 U.S. Land Well-servicing [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 U.S. Land Well-servicing [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 U.S. Offshore [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 U.S. Offshore [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Alaska [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Alaska [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Alaska [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 International [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 International [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 International [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Subtotal Contract Drilling [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Subtotal Contract Drilling [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Pressure Pumping [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Pressure Pumping [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Operating Segments [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other Operating Segments [Member]
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill for various Contract Drilling segments and other Operating Segments
Beginning Balance	$ 494,372	$ 164,265	$ 30,154	$ 30,154	$ 30,154	$ 55,839	$ 50,839	$ 18,003	$ 7,296	$ 19,995	$ 19,995	$ 19,995	$ 18,983	$ 18,983	$ 18,983	$ 132,267	$ 137,974	$ 0	$ 334,992	$ 27,113	$ 26,291
Acquisitions and purchase price adjustment	7,233	339,992				(767)	5,000									(767)	5,000	334,992		8,000
Goodwill impairments		(10,707)						(10,707)									(10,707)
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	(347)	822																		(347)	822
Ending Balance	$ 501,258	$ 494,372	$ 30,154	$ 30,154	$ 30,154	$ 55,072	$ 55,839	$ 7,296	$ 7,296	$ 19,995	$ 19,995	$ 19,995	$ 18,983	$ 18,983	$ 18,983	$ 131,500	$ 132,267	$ 334,992	$ 334,992	$ 34,766	$ 27,113