Earnings Per Share (Schedule Of Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017		Sep. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2017		Mar. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income (loss) of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (77,840)	$ 18,899	$ 5,788	$ 7,865	$ 89,155		$ 3,705		$ 9,059		$ 15,929		$ (45,288)	$ 117,848	$ (135,624)
Income (loss) of effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock, and SARs													0	0	0
Income (loss) of diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share													$ (45,288)	$ 117,848	$ (135,624)
Weighted shares of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share													51,981	51,113	50,029
Weighted shares of effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock, and SARs													0	635	0
Weighted shares of diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share													51,981	51,748	50,029
Per share amount of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (1.49)	$ 0.36	$ 0.11	$ 0.15	$ 1.74	[1]	$ 0.07	[1]	$ 0.18	[1]	$ 0.32	[1]	$ (0.87)	$ 2.31	$ (2.71)
Per share amount of effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock, and SARs													0	(0.03)	0
Per share amount of diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (1.49)	$ 0.36	$ 0.11	$ 0.15	$ 1.71	[1]	$ 0.07	[1]	$ 0.17	[1]	$ 0.31	[1]	$ (0.87)	$ 2.28	$ (2.71)

[1] The earnings per share for the year's four quarters does not equal annual income per share.