Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Schedule of Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (8,509)	$ 5,788	$ (12,013)	$ 13,653
Income of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	0	0	0	0
Earnings (loss) of diluted income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (8,509)	$ 5,788	$ (12,013)	$ 13,653
Weighted shares of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	52,930	52,050	52,744	51,891
Weighted shares of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	0	731	0	651
Weighted shares of diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	52,930	52,781	52,744	52,542
Per-Share amount of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (0.16)	$ 0.11	$ (0.23)	$ 0.26
Per-Share amount of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	0	0	0	0
Per-Share amount of diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (0.16)	$ 0.11	$ (0.23)	$ 0.26