Supplemental Condensed Consolidated Financial Information (Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ (39,767)	$ 117,848	$ (135,624)
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on securities, net of tax of ($181), $39, and $0	(557)	63	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax	(181)	39	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	(40,324)	117,911	(135,624)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	5,521	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation	(45,845)	117,911	(135,624)
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	11,863	(136,388)	95,994
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on securities, net of tax of ($181), $39, and $0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	11,863	(136,388)	95,994
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation	11,863	(136,388)	95,994
Parent
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(45,288)	117,848	(135,624)
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on securities, net of tax of ($181), $39, and $0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	(45,288)	117,848	(135,624)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation	(45,288)	117,848	(135,624)
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(16,839)	108,564	(95,288)
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on securities, net of tax of ($181), $39, and $0	(557)	63	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax	(181)	39	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	(17,396)	108,627	(95,288)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation	(17,396)	108,627	(95,288)
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	10,497	27,824	(706)
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on securities, net of tax of ($181), $39, and $0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	10,497	27,824	(706)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	5,521	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation	$ 4,976	$ 27,824	$ (706)

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of appreciation (loss) in value of unsold available-for-sale securities. Excludes amounts related to other than temporary impairment (OTTI) loss.

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