Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, Assets by Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified														3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012 segments	Dec. 31, 2011	Apr. 20, 2012 Drilling Services Division [Member] drilling_rigs	Mar. 31, 2012 Drilling Services Division [Member] drilling_rigs	Mar. 30, 2012 Drilling Services Division [Member] drilling_rigs	Apr. 20, 2012 Drilling Services Division [Member] South Texas [Member] drilling_rigs	Apr. 20, 2012 Drilling Services Division [Member] East Texas [Member] drilling_rigs	Apr. 20, 2012 Drilling Services Division [Member] West Texas [Member] drilling_rigs	Apr. 20, 2012 Drilling Services Division [Member] North Dakota [Member] drilling_rigs	Apr. 20, 2012 Drilling Services Division [Member] Utah [Member] drilling_rigs	Apr. 20, 2012 Drilling Services Division [Member] Appalachia [Member] drilling_rigs	Apr. 20, 2012 Drilling Services Division [Member] Colombia [Member] drilling_rigs	Mar. 31, 2012 Production Services Division [Member] Fishing and rental tools [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Wireline Units [Member] drilling_rigs	Apr. 20, 2012 Future Period Analysis [Member] Production Services Division [Member] coiled_tubing_units well_service_rigs wireline_tubing_units	Apr. 20, 2012 Future Period Analysis [Member] Production Services Division [Member] 550 Horsepower [Member] well_service_rigs	Apr. 20, 2012 Future Period Analysis [Member] Production Services Division [Member] 600 Horsepower [Member] well_service_rigs	Apr. 20, 2012 Future Period Analysis [Member] Production Services Division [Member] 400 Horsepower [Member] well_service_rigs
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment Reporting Information, Disposed Wireline Units														2
Segment Reporting, Reportable Operating Segments	2
Drilling Rigs			62	62	64	15	3	19	9	4	4	8
Well Service Rigs															97	87	9	1
Wireline Units															108
Coiled Tubing Units															10
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 1,443,614	$ 1,336,926											$ 15,400