SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	4 Months Ended	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2021
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ (13,988)	$ (890,624)	$ 48,216
Reclassification adjustment for write-down of securities	0	0	0
Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Write-down of Securities, Tax		0
Comprehensive income (loss)	(13,988)	(890,624)	48,216
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	4,152	40,388	(12,431)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation	$ (18,140)	(931,012)	$ 60,647
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		1,241,121
Reclassification adjustment for write-down of securities		0
Comprehensive income (loss)		1,241,121
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest		(40,388)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation		1,281,509
Parent
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		(890,624)
Reclassification adjustment for write-down of securities		0
Comprehensive income (loss)		(890,624)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest		40,388
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation		(931,012)
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		(1,108,875)
Reclassification adjustment for write-down of securities		0
Comprehensive income (loss)		(1,108,875)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest		0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation		(1,108,875)
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		(132,246)
Reclassification adjustment for write-down of securities		0
Comprehensive income (loss)		(132,246)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest		40,388
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation		$ (172,634)