Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended					8 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Aug. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (6,736)	$ 128,615	$ (215,565)	$ (803,674)	$ (207,789)	$ (8,017)	$ (2,282)	$ (890,624)	$ (218,088)
Reclassification adjustment for write-down of securities, net of tax	0	0			487			0	481
Comprehensive income (loss)	(6,736)	128,615			(207,302)	$ (8,047)	$ (2,258)	(890,624)	(217,607)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	2,232	73,484			(903)			40,388	811
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation	$ (8,968)	$ 55,131			$ (206,399)			$ (931,012)	$ (218,418)