Supplemental Condensed Consolidated Financial Information (Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 8,150	$ 9,059	$ 16,015	$ 24,988
Other comprehensive income (loss)	35	20	(141)	20
Comprehensive income	8,185	9,079	15,874	25,008
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	2,362	0	2,362	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Unit Corporation	5,823	9,079	13,512	25,008
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	(24,372)	(10,714)	(46,531)	(23,785)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	(24,372)	(10,714)	(46,531)	(23,785)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Unit Corporation	(24,372)	(10,714)	(46,531)	(23,785)
Parent [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	5,788	9,059	13,653	24,988
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	5,788	9,059	13,653	24,988
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Unit Corporation	5,788	9,059	13,653	24,988
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	22,860	10,542	43,680	23,218
Other comprehensive income (loss)	35	20	(141)	20
Comprehensive income	22,895	10,562	43,539	23,238
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Unit Corporation	22,895	10,562	43,539	23,238
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	3,874	172	5,213	567
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	3,874	172	5,213	567
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	2,362	0	2,362	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Unit Corporation	$ 1,512	$ 172	$ 2,851	$ 567