Business Segments - Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 4,968,349		$ 4,687,127
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	71,540	[1]	297,684	[1]
Operating Segments | Contract Drilling
Segment Reporting Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	3,859,415		3,569,588
Operating Segments | Pressure Pumping
Segment Reporting Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	970,327		761,199
Operating Segments | Oil and Natural Gas
Segment Reporting Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 67,067		$ 58,656

[1] (c)Corporate and other assets primarily include cash on hand and certain deferred tax assets.