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, 2019		Sep. 30, 2019		Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018		Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income (loss) of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (334,980)	[1]	$ (206,886)	[2]	$ (8,509)	$ (3,504)	$ (77,840)	[3]	$ 18,899	$ 5,788	$ 7,865	$ (553,879)	$ (45,288)	$ 117,848
Income (loss) of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock												0	0	0
Income (loss) of diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share												$ (553,879)	$ (45,288)	$ 117,848
Weighted shares of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share												52,849	51,981	51,113
Weighted shares of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock												0	0	635
Weighted shares of diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share												52,849	51,981	51,748
Per share amount of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (6.33)		$ (3.91)		$ (0.16)	$ (0.07)	$ (1.49)		$ 0.36	$ 0.11	$ 0.15	$ (10.48)	$ (0.87)	$ 2.31
Per share amount of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock												0	0	(0.03)
Per share amount of diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (6.33)		$ (3.91)		$ (0.16)	$ (0.07)	$ (1.49)		$ 0.36	$ 0.11	$ 0.15	$ (10.48)	$ (0.87)	$ 2.28

[1] During the fourth quarter of 2019, we recorded a non-cash ceiling test write-down of $390.1 million pre-tax ($294.5 million, net of tax).

[2] During the third quarter of 2019, we recorded a non-cash ceiling test write-down of $169.3 million pre-tax ($127.9 million, net of tax). We also recognized goodwill impairment charges of $62.8 million, pre-tax ($59.8 million, net of tax).

[3] In the fourth quarter of 2018, we recorded an impairment for contract drilling equipment that included a $147.9 million pre-tax write-down for 41 drilling rigs and other drilling equipment.