Supplemental Condensed Consolidated Financial Information (Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ (8,017)	$ 8,150	$ (10,299)	$ 16,015
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax of ($9), $11, ($2), and ($47)	(30)	35	(6)	(141)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(8,047)	8,185	(10,305)	15,874
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	492	2,362	1,714	2,362
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation	(8,539)	5,823	(12,019)	13,512
Unrealized income (loss) on securities, tax	(9)	11	(2)	(47)
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	6,051	(24,372)	(4,859)	(46,531)
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax of ($9), $11, ($2), and ($47)	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	6,051	(24,372)	(4,859)	(46,531)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation	6,051	(24,372)	(4,859)	(46,531)
Unrealized income (loss) on securities, tax	0	0	0	0
Parent [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(8,509)	5,788	(12,013)	13,653
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax of ($9), $11, ($2), and ($47)	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	(8,509)	5,788	(12,013)	13,653
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation	(8,509)	5,788	(12,013)	13,653
Unrealized income (loss) on securities, tax	0	0	0	0
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(6,258)	22,860	3,514	43,680
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax of ($9), $11, ($2), and ($47)	(30)	35	(6)	(141)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(6,288)	22,895	3,508	43,539
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation	(6,288)	22,895	3,508	43,539
Unrealized income (loss) on securities, tax	(9)	11	(2)	(47)
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	699	3,874	3,059	5,213
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax of ($9), $11, ($2), and ($47)	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	699	3,874	3,059	5,213
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	492	2,362	1,714	2,362
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation	207	1,512	1,345	2,851
Unrealized income (loss) on securities, tax	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0