2.125% Convertible Senior Notes, due July 2012 [Member] A 2.125 Convertible Senior Notesdue July 2012 [Member] 2.125% Convertible Senior Notes, due July 2012 [Member] 6.75 Percent Senior Notes, due July 15, 2022 [Member] A 6.75 Percent Senior Notesdue July 152022 [Member] 6.75 Percent Senior Notes, due July 15, 2022 [Member] A6.75 Senior Notes [Member] A 675 Senior Notes [Member] 6.75% Senior Notes, due July 2022 [Member] 7.50% Senior Notes, due August 2020 [Member] A 7.50 Senior Notesdue August 2020 [Member] 7.50% Senior Notes, due August 2020 (Issued July 30, 2013) [Member] 7.50 % Senior Notes [Member] A 7.50 Senior Notes [Member] 7.50% Senior Notes, due August 2020 [Member] 9.125% Senior Notes, due April 2018 (1) [Member] A 9.125 Senior Notesdue April 20181 [Member] 9.125% Senior Notes, due April 2018 (Issued April 25, 2012) [Member] 9.125% Senior Notes, due April 2018 [Member] A 9.125 Senior Notesdue April 2018 [Member] 9.125% Senior Notes, due April 2018 (Issued March 22, 2010) [Member] Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract] Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable Net Current Accounts and notes receivable, net Total accounts and notes receivable, net of allowance for bad debt Accounts and notes receivable, net Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Current Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Accounts Payable Current Accounts payable Accounts Receivable Gross Current Trade Accounts Receivable [Member] Accounts Receivable [Member] Accounts Receivable Number Of Days Past Due Evaluated For Doubtful Account Accounts Receivable Number Of Days Past Due Evaluated For Doubtful Account Collection period Accrued Income Taxes Current Accrued income taxes Accrued Interest Expense Payable Accrued Interest Expense Payable Accrued interest expense Accrued Liabilities Current Accrued liabilities Accrued Payroll Taxes Current And Noncurrent Accrued payroll and payroll taxes Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Accumulated depreciation and amortization on property, plant and equipment Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Ending balance Beginning balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Reclassifications [Roll Forward] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Reclassifications [Roll Forward] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Reclassifications [Roll Forward] Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member] Foreign Currency Items [Member] Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets Weighted Average Useful Life Definite lived assets, weighted average useful life Weighted average useful life Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Text Block] Supplementary Information Additional Paid In Capital Common Stock Capital in excess of par value Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member] Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Share Based Compensation Restricted Stock Units Requisite Service Period Recognition Amortization of restricted stock plan compensation Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustment To Additional Paid In Capital Income Tax Effect From Share Based Compensation Net Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation Africa And Middle East [Member] Africa And Middle East [Member] Africa and Middle East [Member] Aggregate Deductibles Of Insurance Coverage Aggregate Deductibles Of Insurance Coverage Aggregate deductible for protection and indemnity and maritime employers' liability claims Aggregate Self Insured Exposure Per Employer's Liability Aggregate Self Insured Exposure Per Employers Liability Aggregate self insured exposure per employer's liability Aggregate Self Insured Exposure Per Employer's Liability, Foreign Aggregate Self Insured Exposure Per Employers Liability Foreign Aggregate self insured exposure per employer's liability, foreign Aggregate Self Insured Exposure Per Occurrence Aggregate Self Insured Exposure Per Occurrence Exposure per occurrence Aggregate Self Insured Exposure Per Occurrence, Employees Compensation Aggregate Self Insured Exposure Per Occurrence Employees Compensation Exposure per occurrence, employees compensation Aggregate Self Insured Exposure Per Occurrence, Foreign Employees Compensation Aggregate Self Insured Exposure Per Occurrence Foreign Employees Compensation Aggregate self insured exposure per occurrence, foreign employees compensation A K ALASKA [Member] Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense Compensation expense related to the performance units Allowance For Doubtful Accounts And Notes [Member] Allowance For Doubtful Accounts And Notes [Member] Allowance for doubtful accounts and notes [Member] Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Gross Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Gross Reserve against gross accounts receivable Allowance For Notes And Loans Receivable Current Allowance for bad debts Allowance for doubtful accounts Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Apache Corporation [Member] Apache Corporation [Member] Apache [Member] Asia Pacific [Member] Asia Pacific [Member] Asset impairment charge after tax. Asset Impairment Charge After Tax Asset Impairment charge after tax Asset Impairment Charges Adjustment to record property, plant and equipment to fair value Impairments and other charges Impairments and other charges Asset Impairment Charges [Text Block] Asset Impairment Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract] Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract] Assets Total assets Total assets Assets [Abstract] Assets Assets Current Total current assets Total current assets Total current assets Assets Current [Abstract] Current assets: Assets Fair Value Disclosure Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Assets Held for Sale and Used [Member] Assets Heldfor Saleand Used [Member] Assets Held for Sale and Used [Member] Assets Held For Sale At Carrying Value Assets held-for-sale, at carrying value Assets Held For Sale Policy [Text Block] Assets Held For Sale Policy [Text Block] Assets held for sale Assets Noncurrent Total non-current assets Auto Liability Insurance Claims Deductible Auto Liability Insurance Claims Deductible Auto liability claims Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Bankruptcy Claims Amount Paid To Settle Claims Charge related to final settlement for a bankruptcy proceeding Barge Drilling Equipment [Member] Barge Drilling Equipment [Member] Barge drilling equipment [Member] Building And Building Improvements [Member] Buildings and improvements [Member] Buildings And Improvements Gross Buildings, land and improvements Business Acquisition Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition, Cash Deposited in Escrow Business Acquisition Cash Depositedin Escrow Cash paid for acquisition Business Acquisition, Cash Deposited in Escrow, Amount Released Business Acquisition Cash Depositedin Escrow Amount Released Business Acquisition, Escrow Funds Released Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Escrow Cash Business Acquisition Costof Acquired Entity Escrow Cash Cash deposited in escrow Business Acquisition, Fair Value Adjustments for Finite Lived Intangible Assets Business Acquisition Fair Value Adjustmentsfor Finite Lived Intangible Assets Fair value adjustments for finite lived intangible assets Business Acquisition Information [Table] Business Acquisition Information [Table] Business Acquisition Information [Table] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition Pro Forma Earnings Per Share Basic Earnings per share - basic (in dollars per share) Business Acquisition Pro Forma Earnings Per Share Diluted Earnings per share - diluted (in dollars per share) Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information [Abstract] Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract] Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items] Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items] Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information [Table] Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information [Table] Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information [Table] Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information [Text Block] Schedule of Pro Forma Information for Business Acquisition Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Changes In Accounting And Extraordinary Items Net Of Tax Net income Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Net Income Loss Net income attributable to Parker Drilling Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Revenue Revenue Business Combination Acquisition Of Less Than 100 Percent Noncontrolling Interest Fair Value Less: Noncontrolling interest Business Combination Acquisition Related Costs Acquisition related costs Business Combination Consideration Transferred 1 Total fair value of the consideration transferred Business Combination Consideration Transferred [Abstract] Business Combination, Consideration Transferred [Abstract] Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Escrow Cash Paid for Assets Not Acquired Business Combination Consideration Transferred Escrow Cash Paidfor Assets Not Acquired Fair value of contingent consideration deposited in escrow for assets not acquired Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Acquisition of ITS Business Combination, Fair Value Adjusted Amount for Finite Lived Intangible Assets Business Combination Fair Value Adjusted Amountfor Finite Lived Intangible Assets Adjusted amount for definite lived intangible assets Business Combination, Fair Value Adjusted Amount for Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Business Combination Fair Value Adjusted Amountfor Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Adjusted amount for indefinite lived intangible assets Business Combination, Purchase Price Allocation Policy [Policy Text Block] Business Combination Purchase Price Allocation Policy Policy [Text Block] Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed, Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Accounts Payableand Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed, Accrued Income Taxes Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Accrued Income Taxes Accrued income taxes Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Assets Total assets acquired Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Cash And Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Current Assets Other Other current assets Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Current Assets Receivables Accounts and notes receivable, net Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Current Assets Receivables, Gross Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Current Assets Receivables Gross Accounts and notes receivable, gross Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Current Assets Receivables, Gross before Adjustments Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Current Assets Receivables Gross Before Adjustments Accounts and notes receivable, gross before adjustments Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Current Assets Receivables, Period Adjustments Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Current Assets Receivables Period Adjustments Accounts and notes receivable, adjustments Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Assets Current Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Deferred Tax Assets Current Deferred income tax assets - current Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Deferred Tax Assets Noncurrent Deferred income tax assets - noncurrent Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent Long-term deferred tax liability Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Indefinite lived intangible assets acquired Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Intangibles Definite lived intangible assets acquired Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed, Investment in Joint Venture Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Investmentin Joint Venture Investment in joint venture Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Net Net assets acquired Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Noncurrent Liabilities Other Other long-term liabilities Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Other Noncurrent Assets Other noncurrent assets Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Property Plant And Equipment Property, plant and equipment, net Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed, Rig and Materials Supplies Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Rigand Materials Supplies Rig materials and supplies Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Tangible Assets Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquiredand Liabilities Assumed Tangible Assets 1 Total tangible assets Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed, Working Capital Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Working Capital Working capital excluding rig materials and supplies Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired Goodwill And Liabilities Assumed Less Noncontrolling Interest Total consideration transferred Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combination Segment Allocation [Table] Business Combination, Segment Allocation [Table] Business Combinations Policy Purchase price allocation Camp Verde Ranch [Member] Camp Verde Ranch [Member] Camp Verde Ranch [Member] Carrying Amounts And Estimated Fair Values Of Financial Instruments [Table] Carrying Amounts And Estimated Fair Values Of Financial Instruments [Table] Carrying Amounts And Estimated Fair Values Of Financial Instruments [Table] Carrying Reported Amount Fair Value Disclosure [Member] Carrying Amount [Member] Carrying Value Of Assets Impaired Carrying Value Of Assets Impaired Carrying value of assets Carrying value of rigs Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Net change in cash and cash equivalents Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Policy [Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash Uninsured Amount Deposits in domestic bank Chief Executive Officer [Member] Chief Executive Officer [Member] Chief Financial Officer [Member] Chief Financial Officer [Member] Cis [Member] Cis [Member] CIS [Member] Classification Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities Table [Text Block] Classification Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities Table [Text Block] Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities Class Of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] C O Colombia [Member] Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitment, Contingency And Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Commitment Contingency And Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Commitment, Contingency And Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies Commitments and contingencies Contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock Shares Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock Shares Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock Value Common stock Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to controlling interest Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to controlling interest Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Comprehensive Income: Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Concentration Risk Credit Risk Concentrations of Credit Risk Concentration Risk Percentage 1 Percentage of revenue from major customer Condensed Balance Sheet Statements Captions [Line Items] Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items] Condensed Balance Sheet Statement [Table] Condensed Balance Sheet Statement [Table] Condensed Cash Flow Statements Captions [Line Items] Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items] Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table] Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table] Condensed financial statements. Condensed Financial Statements [Line Items] Condensed Financial Statements [Line Items] Consolidation Eliminations [Member] Eliminations [Member] Consolidation Policy [Text Block] Consolidation Represents construction related activities, that are typically accounted for by the Company on a percentage of completion basis with revenues and earnings recognized based on progress made relative to estimated total project costs, on a cost to cost basis. Construction Contract [Member] Construction Contract [Member] Construction In Progress Gross Construction in progress Contingencies And Commitments [Table] Contingencies And Commitments [Table] Contingencies And Commitments [Table] Convertible Notes Payable [Member] 2.125% Convertible Senior Notes due July 2012 [Member] Corporate And Other [Member] Corporate and other [Member] Corporate Assets Not Allocated To Any Reportable Segments Corporate Assets Not Allocated To Any Reportable Segments Corporate and other assets Corporate [Member] Corporate [Member] Cost Of Reimbursable Expense Reimbursement cost Costs And Expenses Total expenses Costs And Expenses [Abstract] Expenses: Costs And Expenses Related Party Related party expenses Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Current Estimated Cost Of Impaired Assets Current Estimated Cost Of Impaired Assets Current estimated cost of rigs Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit Federal Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit Foreign Current Income Tax Expense Benefit Current Current tax expense Current Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations [Abstract] Current: Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit State Cypress Springs Ranch [Member] Cypress Springs Ranch [Member] Cypress Springs Ranch [Member] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt extinguishment cost. Debt Extinguishment Cost One time debt extinguishment cost Debt Instrument, Accrued Interest Debt Instrument Accrued Interest Accrued interest Debt Instrument Call Date Latest Redemption date Debt Instrument Carrying Amount Notes paid off Debt Instrument Face Amount Aggregate principal amount Debt instrument face amount per note. Debt Instrument Face Amount Per Note Unit for which the tender offer price is calculated Debt Instrument Fair Value Carrying Value [Abstract] Debt Instrument Fair Value Carrying Value [Abstract] Debt Instrument Fair Value Carrying Value [Abstract] Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage Debt instrument fixed interest rate Represents the debt instrument issue price as a percentage of par value. Debt Instrument Issue Price Percentage Par value of senior notes Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument Maturity Date Month And Year Debt Instrument Maturity Date Month And Year Debt instrument maturity date Debt Instrument Periodic Payment Principal Periodic payment, quarterly Debt Instrument Redemption Amount Percentageof Principal Debt Instrument Redemption Amount Percentageof Principal Redemption amount percentage of principal Represent the percentage of the aggregate principal amount redeemable prior to April 1, 2013. Debt Instrument Redemption Percentage Percentage of the aggregate principal amount redeemed Debt Instrument Redemption Price After Year Five Debt Instrument Redemption Price After Year Five Redemption price after year five Debt Instrument Redemption Price After Year Three Debt Instrument Redemption Price After Year Three Redemption price after year three Debt Instrument Redemption Price Percentage Redemption price