Loss Per Share (Schedule of Loss Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) of basic income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (215,649)	$ (8,509)	$ (986,143)	$ (12,013)
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	$ (215,649)	$ (8,509)	$ (986,143)	$ (12,013)
Weighted shares of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	53,503	52,930	53,317	52,744
Weighted shares of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	0	0	0	0
Weighted shares of diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	53,503	52,930	53,317	52,744
Per-Share amount of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (4.03)	$ (0.16)	$ (18.50)	$ (0.23)
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	$ (4.03)	$ (0.16)	$ (18.50)	$ (0.23)