Impairments and Other Charges (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) item
Tangible Assets And Equipment
Provision for retirement of assets	$ 14,617		$ 69,072
Impairment of long-lived assets	45,570	$ 6,895	216,355
Subtotal	60,187	6,895	285,427
Other Charges:
Other-than-temporary impairment			219,737
Provision for international operations	64,668
Transaction related costs	14,323	21,628
Loss on debt repurchase	5,268	16,013	(6,665)
Total impairments and other charges	144,446	44,536	498,499
Payment of long-term debt	878,278	381,814	493,612
Loss on debt repurchase	(5,268)	(16,013)	$ 6,665
Number of remaining SCR rigs retired | item			24
Number of older rigs retired | item			7
Write-off of receivable	1,285	3,083	$ (3,540)
C&J Energy Services, Ltd.
Other Charges:
Other-than-temporary impairment			192,400
Total impairments and other charges			216,200
Affiliate Receivable			23,800
North Slope of Alaska
Tangible Assets And Equipment
Provision for retirement of assets			22,400
U.S. Drilling
Tangible Assets And Equipment
Provision for retirement of assets			25,365
Impairment of long-lived assets			163,182
Subtotal			188,547
Canada Drilling
Tangible Assets And Equipment
Provision for retirement of assets			19,573
Impairment of long-lived assets			1,125
Subtotal			20,698
International Drilling
Tangible Assets And Equipment
Provision for retirement of assets			23,275
Impairment of long-lived assets			12,721
Subtotal			35,996
Drilling Solutions
Tangible Assets And Equipment
Provision for retirement of assets			859
Subtotal			859
Rig Technologies
Tangible Assets And Equipment
Impairment of long-lived assets			15,343
Subtotal			15,343
Other
Tangible Assets And Equipment
Impairment of long-lived assets			23,984
Subtotal			23,984
Senior Notes.
Other Charges:
Loss on debt repurchase		16,000
Principal amount redeemed	873,000	367,900	152,700
Payment of long-term debt	$ 906,500	381,700	$ 157,500
Loss on debt repurchase		$ (16,000)