Loss Per Share (Schedule of Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) of basic income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (12,994)	$ (215,649)	$ (14,931)	$ (986,143)
Income of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	0	0	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted	$ (12,994)	$ (215,649)	$ (14,931)	$ (986,143)
Weighted shares of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	11,901	53,503	11,950	53,317
Weighted shares of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	0	0	0	0
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	11,901	53,503	11,950	53,317
Per-Share amount of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (1.09)	$ (4.03)	$ (1.25)	$ (18.50)
Per-Share amount of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	0	0	0	0
Diluted	$ (1.09)	$ (4.03)	$ (1.25)	$ (18.50)