Business Segments - Depreciation, Amortization and Improvement (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment	$ 668,434	$ 864,759	$ 718,730
Other Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment	10,114	26,301	42,576
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment	5,474	5,472	4,536
Operating Segments | Contract Drilling
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment	467,974	618,434	524,023
Operating Segments | Pressure Pumping
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment	$ 184,872	$ 214,552	$ 147,595