Variable Interest Entity Arrangements (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Methodology for Determining Whether Entity is Primary Beneficiary	We consolidate the activities of Superior Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (Superior), a 50/50 joint venture between Unit Corporation and SP Investor Holdings, LLC, which qualifies as a Variable Interest Entity (VIE) under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). We have concluded that we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE, as defined in the accounting standards, since we have the power to direct those activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of Superior as further described in Note 14 – Variable Interest Entity Arrangements.
Superior Pipeline Company, L.L.C. [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Date Involvement Began	Apr. 03, 2018
Methodology for Determining Whether Entity is Primary Beneficiary	The two variable interests applicable to Unit include the 50% equity investment in Superior and the MSA. The MSA houses the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Superior's operating performance. The MSA is a separate variable interest. Unit through the MSA has the power to direct Superior’s most significant activities; reciprocally the equity investors lack the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. Because of this, Unit is considered the primary beneficiary.
Lack of Recourse	Superior's creditors have no recourse to our general credit.
SP Investor Holdings, LLC [Member] | Superior Pipeline Company, L.L.C. [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage	50.00%
SPC Midstream Operating, L.L.C. [Member] | Superior Pipeline Company, L.L.C. [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Monthly service fee	$ 255,970