Supplemental Condensed Consolidated Financial Information (Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 21,123	$ 3,705	$ 37,138	$ 28,693
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax of ($13), $20, ($60) and $32	(38)	33	(179)	53
Comprehensive income	21,085	3,738	36,959	28,746
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	2,224	0	4,586	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Unit Corporation	18,861	3,738	32,373	28,746
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	(30,263)	(12,978)	(76,794)	(36,763)
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax of ($13), $20, ($60) and $32	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	(30,263)	(12,978)	(76,794)	(36,763)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Unit Corporation	(30,263)	(12,978)	(76,794)	(36,763)
Parent [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	18,899	3,705	32,552	28,693
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax of ($13), $20, ($60) and $32	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	18,899	3,705	32,552	28,693
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Unit Corporation	18,899	3,705	32,552	28,693
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	28,785	12,102	72,465	35,320
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax of ($13), $20, ($60) and $32	(38)	33	(179)	53
Comprehensive income	28,747	12,135	72,286	35,373
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Unit Corporation	28,747	12,135	72,286	35,373
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	3,702	876	8,915	1,443
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax of ($13), $20, ($60) and $32	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	3,702	876	8,915	1,443
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	2,224	0	4,586	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Unit Corporation	$ 1,478	$ 876	$ 4,329	$ 1,443